Molly sat in her new home, the Dowager Cottage on the edge of the Potter Estate. A cottage in name only as it had four reception rooms, two dining rooms, formal and informal, eight bedrooms and nine bathrooms and the sun room where she was presently sat in front of her new tapestry frame. The furniture throughout the house was antique, the decorations fine and tasteful. With only the portraits of past Dowagers in the hall to chat to, including the formidable Agneatha Delacroix, widowed at the age of 21, raising two sons in an age when witches were seen not heard and when sons were normally fostered to client houses and the dark witch Delaniya Peverell. Both had bee wooed and won over by Potter lords, becoming equals in their marriages.

The elf, Tizzy, provided tea, cooked meals, cleaned and did all the chores Molly had prided herself with when raising her six sons and one daughter, stretching her household allowance to feed, cloth and provide for her hoard. Normally a mother of such strong and capable magical children would be praised and respected. Her ability to birth magical children had caused her scorn and derision, when her children dressed in second, third and fourth hand robes and school equipment. Poor and proud, magically adept but with no respect. Molly had acted to improve her family's standing.

Molly received no invitations to teas or to fundraisers. Her husband, on his promotion to Senior Muggle Liaison, a position on rank with a full Section Head, now worked long hours and lived in London with his sons, Fred and George. Ginny was flooing in today with her chaperone. Penny Clearwater. Molly did not approve of that girl who put ambition above a good match; Penny, who had turned down her Percy's proposal of marriage with an 'ask me again when I have achieved my personal goals'.

The only daughter of House Prewitt had run away from her parent's choice of a good match. Quite rightly in her mind, as Garrett Flint had been cut down by Aurors three years later as a Deatheater and murderer. She had married for love, her magic sang with Arthur. Now, even her sons gave her the cold shoulder.

Her daughter was now marrying into an Ancient and Noble House. Even the Prewitt's were only a client lower rank house. She had thought all her eggs had arrived in one basket when Albus offered her that Contract. Could not Arthur see what a fine witch, a good wife and mother and a formidable matriarch Ginny was going to be. She would direct the fortunes of two houses, as Harry had inherited the holdings of Lord Black. No, they blamed Molly for taking away Ginny chance of love, or a future career and following her dreams. Molly had spent years telling Ginny she would be Lady Potter. Not a fairytale but a reality. The future mother-in-law of the Boy-who-lived was now reaping what she had sown, hopefully she could mend her bond with her daughter. If Ginny included her in her circle she would no longer be alone.

Molly Prewitt Weasley groaned as Ginny flooed in with both Penny and Fleur. She stood and watched all three curtsey as was proper. The main reception room had a small luch buffet on the side. Fleur and Penny retired to leave mother and daughter to catch up.

Molly noted the small amount of luggage that had flooed in. "Are your trunks at the main house?" Molly had walked the grounds, but the Manor was locked and the shutters closed.

"Oh, well, the wedding is in three days, and we'll be living at Black Manor after our honeymoon." Ginny was happy to be living in the capital, a smaller house to manage, a chance to get to know her life partner. She was not foolish enough to expect love from the abused boy. She would strive for a full partnership of this business arrangement. She would provide his heirs and do everything expected of her, love would be for her sons, daughters, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

"You're living in London?" Molly's voice quavered in sudden hurt. She had assumed Ginny would be popping in everyday from the house beyond the beech copse. Not two hundred miles away, one with a locked floo connection, full fidelis and anti-apparition wards.

"Yes, Harry has had the house completely redecorated. Well the public rooms and my wing have been. I picked out the colour schemes for my personal rooms. Dad and Penny helped. Don't worry mother, Fleur is only here today. Her parents and Gabrielle are staying with her and Bill and she is my matron of honour." Ginny had a choice of the French Witch or her great aunt for that position, so had buried the hatchet and made friends with her brother's wife.

Molly now knew she would grow old wanting for nothing but isolated and alone, already estranged from her children and her husband. Her dreams of being a true matriarch surrounded by her grandchildren, doted on by her daughters-in-law was a pipe dream. She had nothing but her title and her finery. Her sons my forgive her but only if Arthur did and that was unlikely.

...

The plans were being finalized for the big day. Robes were ready, flowers and cake ordered, menu agreed. "No, Narcissa. This is a small wedding and I will only accept gifts from guests, friends and immediate family only. I do not want the society wedding of the year. I insist on my two bondsmen at my side. I have agreed the bridesmaids, of Luna Lovegood, Penny Clearwater and Gabrielle Delacour." Harry took the guest list and made sure he approved of the seating arrangements, glad the guests had been kept to under one hundred. The Weasley's were a large family but he was damned if all and sundry were coming to this farce of a wedding.

"Gabrielle is a good choice for flower girl. A good choice as her sister is Matron of Honour. I understand Fleur is pregnant."

"Yes the twins, she told me. You can barely tell. Her robes cover her small bump." Harry then cleared his throat. "Cousin Dora is also with child and under my protection."

"Ahh, Andromeda's daughter." Narcissa's face was neutral despite her own deep disapproval of being unwed and five months pregnant. "I heard you offered her sanctuary."

"Yes, her son will be the eldest direct male heir to the Black family. He will be raised to take on the mantle of the Heir. I have strived to keep the two family lines separate. Ginny does not have the temperament to take on the mantle of Matriarch of the Black family." Harry mused on the Medusa like qualities of Walpurga Black, the last to hold the famiily seat.

Narcissa wondered on this child with an unknown magical father, most likely a fellow auror or ministry worker. "Have you discussed this with Ginerva?"

"No, tradition dictates that no magical child is brought up outside of the family." Harry would be damned to let any of the Order have any say over the upbringing of Tonk's child as they had all done such a fantastic job with him. "I think its best that Dora should be helped out. It is not her fault she was abandoned by her fiancee and then her parents." Nymphadora Tonks had been left high and dry by Remus Lupin. Tonks had approached her cousin Harry, Heir of Sirius Black asking for a place to stay two weeks ago. From what Dora has told Harry she grew up muggle. "We have much in common, so I will treat her as my sister. The motto of the Potters is family before all others. I have so few close family members and she is a good, kind girl. She is very independent and wants to return to work as an Auror. I think her pregnancy was her way of avoiding a marriage contract and to keep her career. I bet she makes Head Auror by the time she's thirty."

"Who will raise the child?"

"I have engaged a nanny, a widowed witch called Adriana McAllister. She needs funds to send her own child to Hogwarts. Toby will be a suitable companion for Dora's soI have also bought two elves. The Dowager's Estate in Wexford in Ireland will be perfect for the boy to grow up."

Narcissa saw plans within plans as the older and richer house, the Black titles had precedence over the Potter ones. His act of accepting this unborn child, put any future child by Ginerva in line only for the Potter name and titles. She also guessed from Harry's use of the word fiancee he knew precisely who's child he was raising as the heir of House Black. This man could even marry Miss Tonks, but the child would be raised in accordance with his station as Heir of Lord Black. Narcissa wondered on Potter securing the line of succession days before his marriage. A signal that he was not a pawn of this contract. The boy was a born player or maybe this was the influence of the Dark Lord on the young and impressionable Lord Potter-Black. She shuddered to think how that would end, Harry was such a sweet boy. Would he become dark, devious, malicious and cruel like his mentor?

...

Arthur looked on the Wedding Plans, from Harry's chosen rites, very old fashioned Celtic vows, calling on both parties to be bound under the purest intentions. Worthy partners accepting the path as servants of magic. He sighed as he would not see his daughter before the wedding. Ginerva would be looked after by her mother, Penny and Fleur. He was now separated from his wife.

The Senior Undersecretary, Percival Weasley sat and waited for his father to arrive for the family supper. Arthur had stated he wished to see Percy for a chat.

"Father, you work too hard. You must relax. I find time for muggle theatre and cinema. I like their entertainment, it offers much diversity and inventiveness. They can create such wonderful pieces of pure imagination."

Arthur smiled at his son's admission of being a bit like his foolish muggle loving father. "Maybe I will join you. I would love to visit the Globe, but Molly never like the idea of all those muggles. I came to ask you to continue to pursue Penelope Clearwater. Make your intension to wait clear. I think she would have no objection to living in sin as the muggles call it."

Percy was genuinely shocked, "Father that is hardly proper!"

"Oh, don't be such a prude. She is a catch. So, she wants a career, let her have one. If you both take precautions there will be no unexpected pregnancies." Arthur then sighed, "Poor Tonks. Werewolves cannot take the anti-virility potion. At least the child has been spared the curse because Lupin took wolfsbane regularly. I would never have expected the man to run away from his responsibilities." All had been convinced of the young couples love and devotion to each other.

"Harry has given her sanctuary. She will be well looked after." Percy understood Harry's reasons for accepting of his cousin's bastard child. The boy-who-lived had wanted and craved love and affection. Percy knew all the gruesome details of the Dursley's and Dumbledore's treatment of the boy. Tonk's son would be cherished and spoiled. Harry was adamant on that score. Remus had abandoned Harry and now his own son. History was repeating itself. Percy knew Harry had already begged that Ginny treat the child with love. The poor girl had no comprehension of being cold and cruel, it just wasn't in her nature. To please Harry she would do anything.