A/N: Thanks to everyone that leaves reviews. Over 12k story views! Wow, that's kinda crazy. I actually enjoy it when people point out stuff, even if it's something that goes against canon or what have you. It gives me a chance to kinda converse with some of you and share my thought process and how I've approached things to fit with my story. Anyway, enjoy…
CHAPTER 9: House Business – Pieces #24-26
What a night… and early morning.
Despite the thickness of the drapes, the rays of the late morning sun seeped through, ripping Harry from his blissful slumber. With a groan and a stir, he remembered he wasn't alone… or clothed. Normally, Harry would've bolted from the bed and the room, and even though a part of him panicked, he remained where he was. Memories of what happened came flooding back to him.
Harry admired Nym while trying his best not to be a perv. Downside, though, was that the more he saw of her, the more he 'woke' up. Nym stirred against him, which made things worse. She turned over. Eyes were still closed but she had a wide and pleased grin. "Mmm. Good morning. Thanks for waking me." She opened her groggy eyes to see Harry blush, which immediately made her reach up and kiss him. "You're cute when you do that."
The blush remained but Harry tried to play it off. "Well, I've never done that before… it was okay." He mentally patted himself on the back for keeping a straight face.
Nym, though, looked wounded. "Okay?! That was a fucking marathon! Literally!" Her hair was halfway through changing to a blazing scarlet when Harry broke out in laughter. He took pride in being able to finally get one up on the woman. Nym's hair returned to its previous black curls. She punched his shoulder to stop the laughter. When that didn't work she kissed him again. "You know, I pity the girls who never tried to get in your pants. They'll never know how that goes." The big grin returned to her face.
"Please, my ego doesn't need inflating."
"I'm not kidding."
"Well… You really showed me, I just winged it as usual. So, I guess you deserve all the credit."
Nym crawled onto Harry's chest and listened to his heartbeat. It was even and strong. "Well, I'm not one to refuse a compliment… I kinda wished we did this earlier, though. We could've had this two years ago!"
"Really? As much as my hormones would without a doubt say 'yes!', I think it's better like this."
"Mmm. I guess you're right. Still…"
"I thought you had age-gap problems?"
Nym looked into his eyes; green met green. "True. But, if 'now' me time-turned back to when we met, I'd jump you right in Grimmauld Place… Might not be the best idea, though." They both laughed at her ill-conceived plan.
They settled into a light slumber, not fully asleep, but just lying there in peace. They remained like that until there was a knock the door and a muffled voice on the other side. "Harry, Dora, I have breakfast ready. I'll leave it at the door… And next time, please place a silencing charm on the room. I had to put one on my own last night. Enjoy." Faint footsteps could be heard walking away from the door, along with a muffled chuckle. Harry and Nym were frozen for a solid fifteen minutes. Harry finally wrapped a sheet around himself before poking his head out the door and retrieving the breakfast tray. When he returned to the bed Nym had her face in her hands.
"Um…"
"Merlin's balls. Kill me, Harry. I can't face her after that!"
"She seems to be taking it well. Considering…"
Nym scoured at him. "Don't. My mum admitted to silencing her room because her daughter was wailing away in ecstasy! Fuck me."
Harry placed the tray between them. "Is that a request?"
"Oh, hush… Maybe… after breakfast."
Harry's eyes ignited with excitement. Even if it was just a joke, he was half naked on a bed with the most radiant goofball he had ever met, who was also the most beautiful woman he had ever met. He could definitely get used to this. While he sometimes wished he was more successful with girls back at Hogwarts, he had no complaints now.
[later]
When they finally surfaced after breakfast, round five, shower, round six in shower, and then getting dressed, Harry had to literally drag Nym to the sitting room. Andromeda was reading another poetry book. She tried to keep her smile at bay. "Hello, dears. I'm glad you're finally up. We have a lot to do today."
Nym continued to avoid her mother's gaze. Harry, on the other hand, didn't. "What's first?"
"We need to hire four house-elves: one for the kitchen, one for the grounds, and two for cleaning."
Suddenly, Harry remembered something. "Right! I have an idea for two, probably for the cleaning."
"And they are?"
"One works for Hogwarts, she was close to my friend Dobby. Her name is Winky… The other is Kreacher."
Andromeda cocked an eyebrow. "Kreacher? He's nothing but horrible."
"Yes, he usually is, but we've come a long way. I actually think getting him out of Grimmauld Place would do him some good. Only thing is, I'm not Lord Black anymore. Only Nym can release him." Harry looked at said Lady Black, who had zoned out. "Nym?" Harry lightly nudged her.
"Huh?! Oh, sorry. What did you say?"
"Would you release Kreacher to bond to me. No offence, but I think he'd be happier to serve me."
"Oh, sure. Take him. We're going to Grimmauld Place anyway, right?"
"Right." The 'kids' turned to Andromeda. "So, we just need a cook and groundsman. What's next?"
Andromeda thought for a second. "I believe you were going to retrieve the other House Tomes from Gringotts. I can find the elves while you do that."
"Great. Now?"
"Why not? Harry, dear, why not set Grimmauld's fireplace to the floo?"
"Good idea." Harry hurried off, leaving mum and daughter behind.
"Nymphadora, why are you ignoring me?"
"You know why." For once, Nym didn't react violently to hearing her name.
"Oh, please, do you think I never did that? Your father had to sneak me into his parent's home during holidays. Although, we had enough brain cells not to try that with my parents. Imagine that."
"Mum, please, I don't need to know that." Nym stuck her tongue out in revulsion.
Andromeda wrapped her arms around her and laughed. "I'm happy for you two."
"Thanks, mum… Still, who wants to be woken by their own mother like that, though."
"At least I didn't enter."
"I guess."
They heard Harry yell out "It's ready!" and left the sitting room to the floo.
12 Grimmauld Place retained the darkness that's associated with the House of Black. Although, it was considerably cleaner than it was the previous time Harry was in it. They each exited the fireplace in the kitchen to see Kreacher cleaning. The house-elf turned to see them. Once he saw Harry the house-elf stopped what he was doing and rushed over. "Master?"
Harry smiled at the old elf. "Hello, Kreacher. We have some business here, then in Diagon Alley."
Kreacher lightly bowed. "How can Kreacher serve kind Master?"
Harry gestured to Nym. "Lady Black is in search of the House Tome. We think it's here."
Kreacher looked somewhat shocked and looked over his new Mistress. His enthusiasm dulled. "The blood traitor, Master?"
Harry already knew Kreacher's tactics and attitude. "Kreacher, Andromeda and Nymphadora Tonks have been reinstated into the Black family. Also, Narcissa and Draco Malfoy have been disowned from the Black family. Nym is Lady Black. However, I, Lord Potter-Peverell-Slytherin-Gaunt-Gryffindor have a proposal for you.
Kreacher's eyes lit up with intrigue.
Nym tried to resist the urge to do anything harmful. She knew better. After seeing Sirius treat the house-elf terribly she understood why Kreacher held no respect for him. Treat him how you would want to be treated. "Kreacher, could you please point me to the Black Tome?"
Kreacher popped out of the room. Nym thought that was his way of giving her the middle finger. He then suddenly popped back in, carrying a large, black leather book. "Kreacher hid it before filthy Mundungy could thief it, Mistress." Kreacher handed the Tome over.
"Thank you. Harry?"
Harry nodded before kneeling down to meet Kreacher at eyelevel. It must have been a strange gesture for the house-elf because he looked like he was having a heart attack. "Kreacher, would you like to bond to me and live with me at Potter Manor. I know the Black family is everything to you, but I would very much like to have you with me. If you want, you may divide your time between the Manor and here. I'm sure Lady Black won't mind, and you won't be alone at the Manor. Despite relinquishing my Lordship to Nym, I am a Black, and you would be bound to a Black. I also hope to use Grimmauld as a city house for when I have business here or what have you… So, what do you say?"
Kreacher had never been more shocked in his life. "Kre-Kreacher… would like that. The utmost apologies, Mistress Black."
Nym smiled. "No need. I-I'm kinda living at the Manor as well."
Now Kreacher was curious. "Master and Mistress making little ones?"
Andromeda stifled a laugh. Harry was going beet red. "Uh, no! I-I-I…"
Nym tried to save them. "What Harry's stumbling over is a firm NO. But, we are sleeping in the same bed."
Kreacher nodded. "I accept."
Nym removed the deep-red scarf that was loosely around her neck and offered it to the house-elf, who hesitantly accepted it. Kreacher stared at it for a few moments before he looked to a smiling Harry.
Harry rose to his full height and unholstered the brother-wands. "I, Lord Harry James Potter, wish to bond the free house-elf Kreacher to myself and my House. I promise on my magic to never mistreat or abandon him. So mote it be!" A brilliant white light exploded from the wands.
Kreacher rose a hand. "I, free house-elfie Kreacher, wish to bonds to Lord Harry James Potter and his-is House Potter. I promises on my life to fulfils my duties forever. So motes it be!" Another brilliant white light exploded, this time from both Kreacher's hand and the wands. It blinded everyone.
Moments went by, and vision eventually returned. What Harry saw in front of him was surprising to say the least. Kreacher now looked healthier with less lines and wrinkles. Vitality had returned, as well as size. He no longer looked emaciated. Kreacher looked at the red scarf in his hands, shrinking it to fit better, then draping in over one shoulder like a bandolier.
Harry was grinning. "You look great, Kreacher! How do you feel?"
"Kreacher feels… great, Master."
"Uh, Kreacher, could you not call me 'Master'? How about just 'Harry'?"
"That would disrespectful, Master. To not uses the appropriate title befitting yourses kindness is disrespectful to yourses House. Kreacher cannot do either."
Harry wasn't going to win this battle. "Oh. Well, when you say it like that. You're right, I suppose… Winky!"
Suddenly, a smaller and more feminine house-elf appeared. "Kind Master Harry callses for Winky?"
"Yes, Winky. This is Kreacher, he's now bound to me. Would you like to continue working at Hogwarts or come with us to Potter Manor?"
Winky didn't hesitate. "Oh, Winky wantses to come with you, Master!"
Harry repeated the ritual with Winky. When she had recited hers, a similar thing happened as with Kreacher. She was healthier, somewhat larger. The biggest difference was that she didn't appear to be afflicted with addiction. Her usual Firewhiskey intake caused her to have constantly glazed eyes and droopy skin. Now, though, she looked as she should. If only Dobby was here…
Kreacher took Winky's hand. "Kreacher and Winky willses start on the cleaning rights away, Master."
"Thank you. But make sure you settle yourselves in before, though. For clothing, do what ever you want. Same goes with the quarters that are located in the attic. The whole floor is divided into four, one quarter for each. I will also hire two more elves. Kreacher, can you show them everything?"
Kreacher nodded. "Of course, Master."
"Great! Now, we have business with Gringotts next, I don't know how long we'll be. Don't feel the need to do everything before we return, though."
Both elves bowed before vanishing.
Nym rubbed his back and kissed his cheek. "Nice one, Master."
Harry kissed her back. "Hey, don't tease them."
"Never."
Andromeda clapped her hands, again feeling the need to stop things before they began. "Excellently handled, Harry."
"It was all in the Potter Tome."
"Quite. Now, I will go see about the remaining two while you go to Gringotts."
Everyone nodded before leaving.
While walking down the cobbled streets of Diagon Alley, Harry and Nym could see things had gotten a little better. The streets were cleaner, the shops were being repaired, and the atmosphere was ceasing to be sombre. Sure, people were still mourning, but the paranoia of attack no longer existed.
They were on their way to Gringotts when Nym was pulled into a store by Harry. It took a second to figure out what was going on until she saw the brooms. Harry pulled them up to the counter and the old man stepped up to be of service. "Hello, young man, how may I serve you?"
Harry was now sure the long hair helped keep him somewhat anonymous. "Hello. We're looking for two brooms. Nimbus, in fact."
The old man stroked his beard for a brief moment. "Hmm… Nimbus… Ah, there's not much left I'm afraid. We only have a brand new, unsold 2001, as well as a preowned 2000."
Harry turned to Nym. "Pick your poison. Or would you want a Firebolt? My treat."
The old man behind the counter couldn't believe it. Surely, this young man must be joking.
Nym shook her head. "Merlin no, Harry. Besides, I can get it."
It was Harry's turn to shake his head. "Nope. Like I said, my treat. I got the 2000. How about the 2001?" Nym nodded with a smile. Harry turned back to the old man. "We'll take both."
"I might close early today… Now, let's see, how are paying, young man?"
Harry gave a small piece of parchment. "Can you charge it to my Gringotts account. Don't worry, it'll clear. Trust me."
The old man warily took the parchment and went out back. He came back with a grin and two wrapped brooms. "Well, you were telling the truth. And here are your brooms. Enjoy!"
They took their respective broom from the old man and left the store with grins. They shrunk them though and Harry placed them into the velvet sack. Nym wrapped her arms around his neck and roughly kissed him. "Thank you, thank you, thank you!" Nym broke from her sudden excitement and became more subdued. "However, you don't need to buy me, Harry."
"I would never-"
Nym pressed a finger to his lips. "Shhh. I know. It's just… Just because you have money doesn't mean you need to spend it all. I could have bought it, even without the Black Vaults."
"I'm sorry-"
Nym kissed him again. "Shut up. When we get back we're racing, got it?"
Harry smiled. "Deal."
They started walking to the bank. A few pedestrians gave them odd looks. Not dirty, but curious. It was if they were trying to work out who the young man with long black hair and green eyes reminded them of. The glasses should've been a dead giveaway.
"Harry, why did you get another Nimbus 2000. You already have a Firebolt."
"Well, call me nostalgic. I loved my 2000. I also love my Firebolt, but I'm not risking that getting destroyed or lost again. Besides, I wanted to get you something as well."
"Thanks, again. Did I say, 'thank you' already?"
"I think so."
Business at Gringotts was easy. They met with Griphook, who kindly took them down to Harry's vaults. First, was the Potter's. Having already found the Tome in the Manor Nym was wandering why they were there. Harry quickly looked around the space at various portraits and furniture and antiques of varying worth. He skipped the pools of gold, though. He then stopped by an isolated pile of jewellery. Nym joined and admired the glistening jewels. Harry fished out a red crystal linked with a black chain. It had the Potter signet carved into the crystalline surface.
Nym liked it. "I think that's an heirloom."
"Really?"
"I'm not sure. It looks special, though."
Harry thought for a second before fishing out a second, identical necklace. "You're right, they are special." He offered it to Nym. "Here."
"Harry, what did I just tell you about getting me things?"
"I didn't buy it."
"Still. I can't take it."
"I'm giving it to you. Please." She gently took it, admiring the crimson crystal. Harry placed it around his neck and under his shirt. Nothing happened like when he placed the family ring on, but he didn't really expect it. All he felt was warmth and comfort. Nym placed hers on too, placing it under her t-shirt like Harry. She also felt warmth and comfort.
Nym placed a soft kiss on Harry's lips. "Thanks, Harry. Now, I'm gonna have to plan something big for your birthday."
"That's not for a couple of months."
"Exactly. I'm gonna need that much time."
Griphook cleared his throat. He must have a lot of work today.
"Sorry, Griphook. Onto the next vault."
Next was the Gaunt's. Inside, it was a very different story. The only contents were a bucket full of galleons loosely strewn around the stone floor. Still, it was probably more than the Weasley vault. He wasn't too worried, though. He planned on funnelling excess money from his Founders' vaults to this one. It was a quick visit and ended with Harry sharing his plan to Griphook. "I'll see to it, Harry."
From the Peverell and Gryffindor vaults, Harry retrieved the House Tomes. Satisfied, he shrunk and placed them into the velvet sack.
Finally, inside the Slytherin vault. Harry and Nym spent a long time searching for the Tome but couldn't find it. Griphook informed them that Gringotts had never recorded it as being in their possession within the vault. It was thought lost. Harry, though, thought he might know where it was, but it'd have to wait.
With business concluded, Harry and Nym left the bank and apparated back to the Manor.
Already and especially in the short amount of time, the inside was looking very different. The house was clean, at least the sitting room, study, kitchen, and bedrooms they were in. Andromeda quickly met them with two additional guests. "Harry, Nymphadora, this is Daffy and Marley. Daffy is a cook, and Marley is a groundsman. Daffy, Marley, this is Lord Harry Potter."
The two elves bounced upon hearing that. Apparently, Dobby had spread word of Harry ever since the second year. Many wanted to work for 'the great Master Harry Potter, sir'. They were very proud to be chosen.
Harry held out a hand and shook the new house-elves' hesitant hands. "Hello. I'm Harry, and this is Nym. Shall we begin?" Both nodded expectantly. Harry withdrew the brother-wands and recited the bonding ritual, finishing with a familiar blinding light. When it was over, Harry noticed that Daffy and Marley hadn't changed too much, unlike Kreacher and Winky. They must have been treated well in the past. "Kreacher! Winky!"
Said house-elves popped in. Both now wore uniforms of eccentric designs. Winky had chosen to adopt a style akin to Dobby with highly-saturated blues, pinks, and purples; Kreacher, though, looked like an Army General in black. The scarlet scarf Nym gifted him was across one shoulder as before. They looked great.
"Ah, you both look brilliant! Kreacher, Winky, these are our two new family members: Daffy and Marley. Would you mind showing them around and the quarters upstairs?"
Kreacher bowed. "Of course, Master."
"Great! Ah, I almost forgot. I give you all executive powers to use the family vaults to buy supplies or make repairs. If it has to do with the house, it's your call. Understand?"
The four house-elves were speechless. Scratch that, so were the two witches. Kreacher finally spoke. "Y-yes, Master." All four popped away without another word.
"Wow. Harry…" Nym tried to finish that sentence.
"I know." Harry took out their new brooms and unshrunk them. "Here. I'm just gonna put the Tomes away." Harry gave the brooms and left for the secret room.
Nym shrugged at her mother. "What?"
Andromeda pointed to her own neck. "What's that?"
"Huh?" Nym was afraid her mother had pointed out a love bite. She was meaning the Potter Necklace. "Oh, Harry found them in the Potter vault. He has one, too."
"Do you know what those are?"
"Some dark artefact?"
"No. They're promise-pendants, a variant to muggles' promise-rings. Quite old, it's not practiced anymore. They were replaced with betrothal contracts."
Nym was panicking. "Oh shit! What does that mean?"
"Well, what did you feel when you put it on?"
She stopped to actually think. "Warm inside. It was nice."
Andromeda exhaled a 'phew'. "That's good, then. They indicate the feelings of the pair. If you fight, it'll cool. If you… are 'with' the other, it'll warm even more."
"Uh, mum, I thought we went through this already!"
"Oh, hush. He bought you a broom as well? He's so sweet."
"He's too sweet. He's so sweet he doesn't even know it. Fuckin' Dursleys."
"Language! Not that I disagree, but still."
Meanwhile, Harry had deposited the contents of the velvet sack into the secret room. Things had quickly progressed, and his hunt for lost things was coming to a close. He had to seriously think about his near future.
Later, Harry and Nym took to the skies. Even though the Nimbus 2001 is faster than the 2000, Harry was able to keep up. However, Nym would laugh before squeezing out a little more speed and leaving him behind. Harry quickly switched to his Firebolt and had the last laugh. Childish as it may be, he laughed all the way to the kitchen, while Nym pouted. The roles reversed when she dragged him downstairs to the Turkish bath for round seven.
end of chapter 9
