Chapter 10: Chapter 10

Harry awoke to the now familiar warmth of Gabby's body beside him. Gabby had been so emotionally spent that she had clung to Harry's body, not wanting to leave him. Harry acquiesced to her unspoken request and returned to his flat with her.

He watched her sleep, reveling in her peace. It had a profound effect on him, her crying and her reasons for it. He was sure that after seeing how much of his life had been a roller coaster, she would have called it quits or avoided him all together. Harry was touched that she had cried for his lost childhood. Most of all, he was proud. Never in his time as the Boy Who Lived did he feel proud of his deeds. It had always felt like a heavy burden, a duty. But the fact that Gabby was so proud that she was moved to tears, it made him proud of his accomplishments.

Harry continued to watch her features. What is it about you that keeps me so fascinated? I've never let anyone this close this quick. What is about you that has me enchanted? He would lose track of time before he would realize Gabby staring back at him.

"Good morning, handsome."

"Good morning, love. How are you feeling?"

Gabby stared at the ceiling and ran a hand through her hair. "Like I've cried a year's worth of tears. I think my tears ducts are thoroughly dried up now."

Harry took a deep breath and tried again. "Look, Gabby, my life is pretty complicated. I still have plenty of enemies out there and I constantly have to put my life in danger, not to mention there is the fame to deal with. So I'd completely understand if you'd –"

Harry suddenly found him tackled to the bed. Gabby straddled his waist and stared him down. "Now, you listen to me, Harry Potter. Stop trying to be all noble. That crap does nothing for me. You hear me?"

Eyed wide at her sudden fierceness, Harry nodded.

"Good. Now I going to ask you a couple of questions and I want your complete honesty." Again, he nodded.

"Do you enjoy my company?"

"Yes."

"Do you think I enjoy your company?"

"Yes."

"Do you like me?"

"Of course."

"How much?"

"A lot."

"Do you think I like you?"

"Yes."

"How much?"

"A lot I hope."

Gabby softened her gaze and relaxed on top of his chest. "Well I do." She caressed his chest and murmured, "Hmm, I do enjoy you shirtless." She cleared her throat and focused. "So if we both like each other a lot and we both enjoy each other's company, why should anything else matter?"

Harry shook his head and chuckled. "I don't know how but you somehow make complicated things so simple." She shrugged. "It's part being a lawyer. Make the law simple for your clients."

"So I'm your client?"

"Sure are."

"Then that means you do what I tell you to do."

"I wouldn't go that far."

Pretending not to hear, Harry said loudly, "I have two requests, Ms. Peters." Gabby sighed, pretending to be exasperated. "I'll entertain them."

"First order of business. Are you available to accompany me to Ron's family home for dinner tonight? This is quite an old wizarding family so I thought you would like meet my adoptive family."

"I'd love to meet the Weasleys. Sure, I'll come. What's the next request?" Harry smirked. "Kiss me."

Gabby smirked as well and gave him a quick peck on the lips. "See I told you you'd do what I say."

"…I let you win that one."

Harry rolled over and placed himself on top. "Well then," he said huskily. "I better ride this train a bit longer."

Several hours later in bed, with a trip to Gabby's, the couple found themselves outside the Weasley home. Gabby crossed her arms in disbelief. "Oh my god. I don't believe it."

"What is it?"

"I'm nervous. I'm actually nervous. What if I make a fool of myself? I mean how many Muggles do they really meet?"

"Not many but they love Muggles. Wait 'til you meet Arthur. He'll be cornering you with loads of questions."

"Ok. But don't go too far away until I'm fully ready."

"Wouldn't dream of it."

Gabby smiled and kissed him. "You know what?"

"What?"

"I like you."

Harry laughed. "I like you too."

With two quick pecks, the couple walked up to the door. Before they could knock, a tall red headed man opened the door. "About time, Harry. You were giving the four of us a show here."

Harry flushed. "Didn't realize you were all at the window." He gave the man a hug. "Nice to see you, George. How's business?"

Gabby instantly recognized the name for Harry's memories from the Battle of Hogwarts. She discretely looked at the side of George's head and saw that he was indeed missing an ear.

"Pretty good, Mr. Investor, sir," George answered enthusiastically. "I'll be seeing you at the next backers meeting?"

Harry shrugged. "No need. I trust you, mate" He then turned back to Gabby and brought her forward. "George, this is Gabrielle, my girlfriend."

"What a lovely G name, Gabrielle. I'm charmed to meet you." Gabby giggled. "Same to you, George, and please call me Gabby."

"Gabby it is." George turned and yelled out, "Oy! You lot can come out of hiding already. I already told them we saw them." Out of the shadows with sheepish looking grins were Ron, Hermione and another woman Gabby slightly remembered.

Harry answered her unasked question. "Gabby, this is George's wife, Angelina. Angelina, Gabrielle."

They shook each other's hand. "Call me Gabby please. You know, you are absolutely stunning. Your skin is gorgeous! Has anyone ever told you that?"

They all laughed. Angelina looked at George and smiled. "George tells me once in a blue moon but not nearly enough."

"Not true!" George cried. "Just the other day I said, 'Ah! Who's that fox in my bedroom?'"

"My, George," Gabby said sarcastically. "You have such a way with words. Angelina, you are clearly mistaken." Again with laughter. Angelina turned to Harry. "I like her Harry. Where ever did you find her? America?"

Harry smiled proudly. "If I had known about her, I just might have made the trip to fetch her."

"Sorry to interrupt," Ron interjected, "but mum's asking for you. She doesn't know you are here yet." Harry and Gabby followed Ron and Hermione to the kitchen. Gabby took in the cottage that looked smaller outside yet much larger on the inside. I guess you can't judge a book by its cover.

"Mum? Harry's here."

As they rounded the corner, they found a plump ginger -haired woman occupied with sending food through the air into various dishes. At Ron's announcement, everything stopped in mid air. Harry soon found himself in a familiar bone- crushing hug. "Oh Harry finally!" Molly Weasley gushed. "We've missed you so! You've been away for too long, dear."

"Times are busy, Molly. I apologize." Harry rearranged his askew glasses and smiled.

"No harm, dear. Ron tells me you have a guest. Where is he?"

"SHE is right here. Gabby, this is Ron's mother, Molly Weasley. Molly, this is Gabrielle."

Gabby stepped forward and offered her hand for a handshake. "It's very nice to meet you, Mrs. Weasley."

No one could mistake the slight drop in Molly Weasley's mouth as Gabby approached her. She did recover and took Gabby's offered hand. "Nice to meet you too, dear. That's a different accent."

"I'm from the U.S. Boston, to be exact."

"Gabby's a Muggle, Molly." Harry added cautiously.

The surprise in Molly's face grew exponentially. "That is wonderful," Molly squeaked. "My, Harry, when did you find the time to travel to America?"

Not really liking her tone or facial expressions, Gabby stated, "Harry hasn't traveled. I just moved here."

Turning her attention back to the food still in mid air, Molly shooed the four out. "Well you must tell me all about it later. I must ask that you all leave the kitchen so I can finish dinner."

As they left the kitchen, Gabby whispered to Harry, "I thought you said they like Muggles."

"They do. I don't understand her behavior."

Ron, flabbergasted as well, said, "Gabby, my mother is not normally like that. I'll go find out what's up."

Harry and Hermione tried to distract Gabby by introducing her to the rest of the Weasleys who had arrived while they in the kitchen. Arthur was exactly like Harry had described and asked Gabby many questions about her Muggle life. Gabby found that she especially liked Bill and Fleur. Gabby had learned French in high school and took the opportunity to speak to Fleur in French after hearing her accent. Pretty soon, the two were laughing like they were old friends. Harry watched as Gabby flourished in meeting the Weasleys. She was just so likeable. No airs. Just Gabby, every single time.

Harry noticed Ron's quiet return to the sitting room and went to investigate. "Ron, what's wrong with your mother?"

"Mate, I had no idea that she misunderstood." "What are you talking about?"

"When I told her you were bringing a guest, she assumed a male guest, like the time you brought Seamus with you."

"Oh Merlin, she doesn't think?"

"I'm afraid she does. She's coming."

Harry felt ice in his veins. "Filthy bloody hell!"

"Guys?"

The two turned to find Gabby looking at them anxiously. "Looks like an intense conversation. What's going on? Who's coming?"

Harry, not knowing where to start, sighed. "Gabby, you see – "

"Mum? Dad? Where is everyone?"

The sitting room door opened to a 5'4" ginger -haired woman about Ron's age. She was quite cute and looked to be in great physical shape. Molly came in behind her. "Ginny, you are here. Come on, everyone. Supper's ready."

Everyone shuffled past Ginny, already sensing the tension in the air. Ginny however was only focused on Harry. Not liking this unknown woman eyeing Harry like a piece of meat, Gabby decided to stop it with kindness. "Hi! I'm Gabrielle. You must be Ron's sister." Gabby extended her hand for handshake. Ginny eyed Gabby suspiciously but shook the hand anyway.

"Nice to meet you. A friend of Hermione's?"

Harry stepped forward ."No, she's with me." He then placed his hand on Gabby's waist. "Ginny. You are looking well." Gabby noticed the tangible change in Harry. No longer wearing his normal easy -going demeanor but Harry looked indifferent, almost cold.

Ginny wasn't deterred in the least bit. "Harry, it's been too long." She dropped her voice to something close to intimate. "I'd say it's almost like you were avoiding me."

"Hardly. The Dark Arts never stop."

"Yes, indeed."

Gabby did not like the feeling of being left out or not truly understanding the tension. "Shall we head to dinner?" she interjected.

Ginny jumped on the suggestion. "Yes, Harry, let's. Care to escort a lady to the table?"

"Of course." Harry took Gabby's hand and walked past Ginny into the dining room. "Harry," Gabby whispered, "what is going on? Who is she?"

Harry shook his head, his demeanor not changing. "Later." Not wanting to make a scene, she didn't ask any other questions. The rest of the family tried to break the ice and engaged Gabby in one conversation and Ginny in another. For awhile, they were successful.

However, Ginny was not one to be strayed away from her conquest. "Gabby, so tell me about yourself. What school did you go to? Salem?"

Gabby looked confused. "I'm not sure what you are talking about."

"What school of wizardry did you attend?"

"I'm a Muggle."

Ginny eyed Gabby and then Harry. She took a bite of her food, her eyes narrowing. "Oh, is that right? That's fascinating. What do you do?"

"I'm an attorney. I moved here about a month ago."

Ginny eyed Harry with almost anger and intrigue. "Harry, where ever did you meet her?"

Arthur piped in, trying to take the attention away from Ginny. "Yes, how did you two meet?" The couple told the story together, exchanging soft looks and smiles, giving the family a laugh as they described Gabby's swipe at Harry's head. That is, all were laughing save one.

"Those two poor blokes!" Ginny took a sip of her pumpkin juice. "Well, it's a mistake anyone could make." The table got quiet. Gabby, not liking Ginny by the minute, asked, "Why is that?"

"Well you know what they say? Dress like provocatively, walk provocatively, will be misunderstood for a slag."

Is she calling me a hooker? Gabby thought furiously as Ginny sipped her drink with a smirk. Harry eyed Gabby carefully, knowing that the comment would not be taken lightly. He wasn't sure to step in or let Gabby take care of own her battle.

Abruptly, Gabby smiled and took a sip of her drink. "Hermione," she called. "I must say you Brits have some interesting customs."

"What do you mean?" Hermione asked.

"For instance, back at home," Gabby looked at Ginny directly, "we put muzzles on unruly bitches. Is that not something you do here?"

Snickers were heard around the table. "Too right, Gabby!" George called down the table.

"Why you pretentious bitch!" Ginny pulled out her wand, getting ready to remove the smirk on Gabby's face. "Ginny!" Harry barked. "You cast one spell on her, you will regret it."

Ginny immediately backed down. "Forgive me, Lord Potter- Black." She did notice Gabby's confusion at her address of Harry and decided to exploit it. She cleared her throat. "So Gabby "

"It's Gabrielle, to you."

"…Gabrielle, have you been to Potter Manor?"

"Uh, no."

"Surely you've been to Black Manor." "No," she answered tersely.

"12 Grimmauld Place?"

"No."

"Lord Potter-Black, "Gabby called. "That is most peculiar, before we were engaged, I had seen those places dozens of time."

"Drop it Ginny," Harry warned.

"It was simply a question, "Ginny said innocently.

Gabby placed a plastic smile on her face. "So Ginny, what do you do?"

"I play for a Quidditch team. You do know what Quidditch is?" Ginny said derisively.

"Of course. Harry's taken me for a ride on his broom."

Ginny's eyes narrowed. "Yes, that would be a highlight in your mundane pathetic Muggle life."

"Excuse me?"

"What, too many big words for you?"

All pretense of calmness left Gabby at the last comment. She rose at the moment and began to remove her earrings. "No, but I got a couple of small words for you, you son of –"

"OK!" Harry quickly stood and hoisted a raging Gabby on his shoulder. "I think that I'll be all for us tonight. Ginny, if I ever see you again, it'll be too soon."

Gabby struggled furiously against Harry. "Harry, let me go. Just give me five minutes and I'll –" Harry gave her swift swat on her bottom, effectively shutting her up. "Maybe another time, love." Harry made a beeline for the front door to Apparate. Before he closed the door behind him, he heard George say, "So who did let the red headed bitch inside the house?"

Then the whole table erupted.

The trip back to Harry's flat allowed Gabby to regain her voice again. "I cannot believe that little gutter snipe bitch spoke to me like that!" Harry had long ago released her and she paced back and forth. Harry thought it best to let her get it out of her system.

"How dare she call me a slag? A slag is tramp here right? I could just tell by the way she said it too! Do I act like like one? Huh? Ahh! If that table hadn't been there, I promise you!"

"Gabby."

"And then she had the audacity to throw her past with you in my face! Did I ask for her life story?" Gabby grabbed a vase and smashed it to the floor. "If I ever meet her in a corner – "

"Gabby!" "What!"

"Stop it! You're smashing my stuff."

Gabby took a minute to regain herself and realized that she had smashed Harry's belongings. "Oh Harry sweetie, was it expensive? I'm so sorry. I'm really good with glue. I'll fix it right up."

Harry sighed and pulled out his wand. "No need, love. Reparo." The shattered vase had been restored.

"Wow, that's pretty handy."

"Has fixed my glasses more than once."

Gabby seemed to deflate and remember the scene she had just been a part of. "Of all days to lose my cool, it had to be in front of your adoptive family." She plopped herself on the couch and buried her face in her hands. "How can I ever show my face to them again?"

Harry sat down beside and rubbed her back. "Look Gabby, the Weasleys will understand. Ginny was very hostile towards you."

At the mention of the other woman's name, Gabby came full circle to some of the things she had mentioned. "God, Harry, who is she to you? Were you two really engaged? Why? I thought you had better taste than that!

"And what is this Lord Potter, Lord Black business?" Gabby stood up from her seat and looked down at Harry. "Don't tell me you are a prince or something."

Harry stood as well too and held her face in his hands. "Ok, slow down, love. You are still a bit high strung from the scene. Do you want something to drink?"

Gabby nodded gratefully. She watched him as he made his way to the liquor cabinet and brought back two stiffers. "I got you something different. Might want to sip it. It's firewhisky. Wizard's liquor."

Gabby took a tentative sip and found herself coughing with Harry pounding at her back. "Wow, that'll grow some chest hairs." She put the cup down. "I think I'm good." Harry sat beside her again and took her hands into his. "Which one first?"

"Start with the snipe."

Harry chuckled. "Well, Ginny and I started dating before the war. But I broke it off before my 7th year because I thought it would be best for her protection. Being on the road, I used her image, the idea of someone waiting for me as an anchor, so I wouldn't lose my mind.

After the war was over, I held on to this idea in my head and imposed it on her. A year after the war, we were engaged. It wasn't until we started living together that the ideal began to fall apart."

"What happened?" Gabby asked.

"At the time, I was very busy with rebuilding the Ministry and dealing with my estate (Gabby's eyebrows rose) which I'll explain later. I wasn't at home much and Ginny began travelling with the Harpies.

"See the Weasleys weren't a rich family. They did without a lot and were humbled by it. It changed for Ginny who was suddenly surrounded by fortune. She was my fiancé and a Chaser for the Harpies. It all went to her head. Everything she wanted, she got. Except for me. Every spare moment I had, I gave to her. And she made me believe it was enough. That she was fine."

Harry's face darkened. "The real reason why she was fine was because she was getting attention from others – old boyfriends, one night stands, you name it. She then became pregnant. And she tried to pass it off as mine." Harry smiled sadly. "I had bought it all and was deliriously happy. I was about to break the news to friends and the public when Hermione heard her talk drunkenly at a party that the baby wasn't mine but a man's she barely knew. She was going to get an abortion and say to me that she miscarried."

Harry took a moment to breathe. "I was crushed. She told me everything I wanted to hear when everything were merely lies. My ideal, my anchor was completely shattered. I confronted her and we had a terrible fight. I called it quits and moved here. She tried to make amends but I realized that she was after my status and title."

Harry fully faced Gabby. "I didn't tell you about the lordship because it's not something I'm ecstatic about and I was being cautious. Usually when girls hear titles, they began to get weird."

Gabby cupped Harry's face as he did her earlier. "Sweetie, that's British women. Americans don't care. I mean sure it's sounds cool, but it's not something to go ga ga over." She looked at him. "So just so we're clear, what is your title?"

Harry gave her lopsided smile. "It's Harry, Lord of the Most Ancient and Most Noble House of of Potter, Lord of the Most Ancient and Noble House of Black, Lord of the Ancient House of Peverall and Lord Regent of the House of the Gaunt."

Gabby just gaped at him. "I don't even know what that means."

"It just means that I have control over lots of old wizard money and assets."

"How are you protecting yourself legally? I'm assuming that there's a lot of capital investments here."

Harry shrugged. "I usually have my adviser take care of it for me and not to call me unless it's absolutely necessary. Besides, the goblins at Gringotts are the best around."

"…Goblins?"

"Yes, the best with money. They control most of the wizarding banks around the world. There's a branch in New York I believe."

Gabby swallowed and looked at Harry. "Harry, please don't take this question the wrong way. It's just that I'm too curious for my own good. How much money do you have?"

"About 5.4 million Galleons. Liquid assets that is, not including property." "Galleons?"

"Wizarding money." "What is it in pounds?" "Hmm, 27 million."

Gabby just stared. "27 million pounds? That's like 54 million dollars!" She looked at him and shook her head in disbelief. "And you're so humble. Most people would be flashy and gaudy. You're not." She laughed. "Well, I guess you won't be borrowing money from me!"

They both laughed. Gabby hugged him and said, "Harry, I can understand if you feel uncomfortable about your wealth. If it makes you feel better, I'm doing just fine by myself. I don't need your money. And don't you dare foist it on me either. If you are feeling generous, there are plenty of charities that could use it."

Harry just stared at her. "In all the time that we were together, Ginny never once suggested charities." Gabby smiled hugely. "See you are already learning your lesson. Never date gutter snipe, no manners, two timing –"

"Ah I got it."

"Okay just checking." Gabby buried her face in Harry's chest. "I am sorry for ruining dinner. I'm not sure whether you know but I have bit of a temper."

"Really?" he asked sarcastically. "Oh hush."

"No harm done. The Weasleys will be laughing about this later anyway, well, save you and me."

They laid on the couch and enjoyed each other's warmth and presence. Gabby sighed. "Back to work tomorrow. Ugh, I have a pretty heavy workload too." Harry nodded. "Me too. It might be more than a week before we can be like this again."

Gabby clutched her heart dramatically. "No! Say it ain't so!"

"Afraid so."

"Dang. Wait, Harry babe, how can I get in contact with you? This whole waiting for you to contact me really sucks."

Harry laughed. "Let's see what we can do to make it suck less." He got up and went into his bedroom. He returned with a mirror.

"What are you doing?"

"Wait and see!" After making a duplicate and casting several spells, he said, "This is a two way mirror. All you have to do it say my name while holding it and mine will vibrate and vice versa."

"I must say Potter, you are quite the genius. Now let's say I'm lonely and I want a kiss?" Harry leaned in and kissed her sweetly. "Just call me and I'll see what I can do."

Dazzled by his tenderness, Gabby giggled like a school girl. "OK!" They continued to enjoy each other's company until Gabby started to yawn and Harry insisted on taking her back. As Gabby collected her things, Harry noticed the day's date and made some quick calculations.

"Uh, love, let's make plans for two weeks from now." "Oh boy. Where are we going now?"

"I'm taking you away to the English countryside for the weekend. We'll leave Friday morning."

"Okay, where are we staying?"

"My ancestral home, Potter Manor."