Chapter 9
-0-0-
-0-0-
Late October/Early November 2008
Breen sat by one of the open windows in the library, enjoying the cool breeze and the smell of the light rain outside. The book he had been reading, lay forgotten in his lap as he stared out the window, his hand gently rubbing up and down over the swell of his sons.
"Would Master Breen like some herbal tea? Winky has some nice chamomile or raspberry lemon balm."
Breen blinked, as he came back to himself and looked down at the tiny female house elf. "Chamomile will be fine, Winky. Thank you."
"Would Master like some lemon biscuits with his tea perhaps?"
Breen opened his mouth to refuse when he felt a double flip in his belly, causing him to gasp. He rubbed at the raised spot as Winky watched, her eyes bright with excitement.
"It seems the boys have made their wishes known. I will have two biscuits--one for each." He looked down at his belly as he added the last bit, giving the bump a pat hoping it was their bums.
Winky disappeared with a pop, just as Dobby appeared next to his chair. He waited while Winky returned with a steaming cup of tea and a small plate holding the two lemon biscuits. Breen carefully picked up the steaming cup and blew across the surface of the tea.
"Master Breen, Dobby needs to know where you would like the furniture placed in the nursery."
"I'll leave that up to you and Winky. Just make sure the rocker is back by the window, please."
"Yes! Dobby will make sure, Master Breen. Young Masters must have fresh air while they is being rocked!"
"I know you will, Dobby." He dipped one of the biscuits in his tea and took a bite. "If I doze off, please wake me when Ailey arrives. She's bringing the new linens and bedding for the nursery and the children's rooms."
"Dobby will bring Miss Ailey to Master Breen as soon as she arrives."
"Thank you Dobby. You're a good friend."
"Oh, Master Breen, sir. Dobby is honored to serve sir!"
Breen smiled down at the exuberant elf. His enthusiasm hadn't dimmed even an iota since the day they'd met. The independent outspoken house elf had appointed himself Harry Potter's guardian, caregiver, and number one supporter. When he'd realized that Harry was not returning to Hogwarts, he'd somehow found Harry in his new life as Breen Evans. There he stayed, along with Winky, to continue his self-appointed duties of caring for the hero, and now, his home and children.
"Off with you now, Dobby. Let me rest." Breen admonished him gently. The adoration still embarrassed him a bit after all these years.
Dobby smiled and nodded as he snapped his fingers, and was gone. Breen sighed and sipped at his tea as he went back to staring out at the landscape. The rain had passed and the sky was beginning to clear. He felt the babies gently roll across his middle and he smiled as he cupped a hand around the swell that was his boys. He thought about the huge basket of goodies he and Ailey had put together, in June, the week he'd found out he was expecting again. They had baked, and made preserves, jams, jellies, and even dipped some chocolates. He wondered how they'd liked everything.
He could picture Remus drooling over the chocolates, and Albus savoring the lemon twists. Homemade breads and jams were always a favorite with everyone. Did Ron still have that horrendous appetite? Did Auntie Molly still fuss over everyone as if they were still children? And Severus... had he finally mellowed with his new freedom, and his status as one of the honored heroes of the war?
Finishing his tea, he set the cup aside and laid his head back against the soft upholstery of the chair. He hadn't thought of the Potion's Master in quite a while. The last time, he'd come to mind, oddly, had been when he was pregnant with Eileen. And now, again, as he sat here again pregnant. Strange that he would come to mind at such times. Still, he wondered how the snarky man was doing. He yawned wide, as his eyes drooped. Winky appeared a few minutes later, to place a cotton throw over him and close the window against the early October chill.
Ginny had left the Burrow, the morning after she'd arrived, making the excuse that she had to see her solicitor to sign papers for a large manor sh had purchased in Exeter. It hadn't be a complete falsehood. She had after all, purchased said manor, but it had been done months before she'd set foot in the Burrow. She'd already been notified that her belongings had arrived from Mumbai, and her new home was ready for occupancy.
She conjured a small magical mirror to check her makeup and jewel, while she waited for a business associate to arrive. She banished the mirror and sat back, pulling the silk wrap forward to better hide her face. The Golden Ramayana, was an exclusive restaurant her late husband had invested heavily in. His position in Wizarding Society, and in turn, hers as his wife, had gained her entry into the wealthiest and most elite of the Wizarding social circles.
She looked toward the windows, that showed the cold October sky, as she shivered, no longer accustomed to the cool damp climate of her childhood home. Shoppers moved nonchalantly along the street bearing bags and packages from the finest Wizarding shops and boutiques in England. When she finished this little meeting, she planned to spend the rest of the afternoon availing herself of all King Midas Square had to offer. The shadow of a newcomer fell across her table as she carefully sipped from a hot cup of Marsala chai.
"You should be more cautious of strangers when you are alone, Madam Unmesh."
Pulling her wand out from below the table, she laid it next to her cup. "And you, Mr. Delaney, could very well be a eunuch right now." She glared up at the Irishman. "Sit! Before you draw attention to us!" She hissed, waving a hand at the other chair.
A waiter hurried over and placed a cup of dark aromatic Karu coffee in from of the ex-Auror as he slid into his seat.
"I took the liberty of ordering for you. I remembered you enjoy your coffee dark, and strong." She quipped.
"Just like my women." He replied, casting her a sly look.
Ignoring the innuendo, she got immediately to the reason for their meeting. Pulling several papers from her small bag, she slid them across the table towards him. "I want you to find him." She whispered.
He flipped through them, before looking back up at her as if she'd suddenly gone mad. He dropped the clippings and photos on the table and cast a 'Privacy Spell.'
"You want me to find Harry Potter?! The man disappeared over ten years ago! No one's been able to find him. Not even the Ministry!" He ran his fingers through his auburn hair.
"Well, considering they would be the last people he'd want finding him, that's no surprise." She snapped sarcastically.
"Still. What makes you think I can find him?" He sat back, cup cradled between his fingers and watched the wealthy widow sitting across the table from him, and remembered the feel of her milky soft skin beneath his fingertips.
Ginny sighed in exasperation. "Because Feichin, you have no scruples about bending the rules, or skirting the law when you are on the hunt. And... because, you will have something none of the others have." There was a gleam in her eyes.
He raised an eyebrow in inquiry, but remained silent as he sipped his coffee. She took a leisurely drink of her chai before speaking again.
"I am an extremely wealthy woman, Feichin, with connections in high places. Would you like to retire early, never having to work a day in your life again? I can--and will--make that possible, when you find him for me."
Feichin looked intrigued. "Why do you want to find him? What do you want with a Half-Blood, even if he was the Wizarding World's Chosen One?" He asked with a sneer of distaste.
She rolled her eyes, thinking that after being raised with six brothers, she should no longer be amazed by the cluelessness of the male gender.
"My reasons are none of your concern. Earning your payment should be your focus. I chose you because I believe you can find him. Are you interested or not?"
He drained his cup and set it on the table, scooping up the clippings and pictures, he stuffed them in an inner pocket of his robes. Taking that as an affirmative, she pulled a scroll and a small book from her bag. He unrolled the parchment and read the contract before signing. She signed as well, handing him his copy as hers disappeared to her solicitor's office. She tapped the book with her wand returning it to it's original size. Sliding the thick journal across the table, she gave him a warning look.
"This is everything I have concerning him. It is for Your. Eyes. Only!"
Flipping through the text and picture-filled pages, stuffed with clippings and mementos, he commented dryly. "A bit obsessed, aren't we?"
Her gaze became deadly as she laid her hand on her wand, her voice cold as ice. "As I said before, my reasons are none of your concern!"
Taking the veiled threat for what it was, he shrunk the journal and pocketed it as he stood. "I will owl you weekly--unless I have more information. Good Day, Madam Unmesh."
She nodded, glad to be rid of him. He cancelled the Privacy Spell and left. She muttered to herself, as she dropped a few galleons on the table and walked out. Maybe spending several hundred galleons would lighten her mood.
TBC...