Chapter 11 The Opening Feast
After making sure that all the students were off the train Harry, Hermione, Robbie, Raven, Draco, and to Draco's disgust Luna climbed into the last carriage going to the castle. Harry held Robbie, who was trying to see everything around him, while Raven, held by Hermione, seemed to be content in looking around the carriage. Across from the new parents were Luna and an uncomfortable Draco. Harry was trying to hold back the laughter that was threatening to bubble up and instead started pointing things out to his son as they passed them. Both babies would giggle when the carriage would bounce because of the ruts in the road. Luna grabbed Draco's hand the moment the carriage stopped and pulled him inside the castle saying something like "so you won't get lost". Harry did laugh then with Robbie's giggles joining in.
Harry and Hermione made sure that all the students were in the Great Hall and not wandering around, hiding in cupboards or sneaking off somewhere else. By the time they finished their sweep and entered the Great Hall the first student was being sorted. They quickly sat down next to Dean and Seamus, with Lavendar and Pavarti across from them. A couple spaces down sat Neville with Ginny next to him. Although there were several surprised looks at the babies, no one said anything until the end of the sorting and McGonagall told them to "tuck in". Immediately the tables filled with all the delicious dishes for the Feast. Harry had a hard time keeping Robbie from grabbing everything in front of him hot or not. Thinking that Robbie was hungry, Harry grabbed a pre-made bottle out of the diaper bag that was between him and Hermione. It was then that he realized that his housemates were staring at him and Hermione.
"What" he asked.
"Mate, are these two little ones yours" asked Seamus.
"Yeah, mine and Hermione's. Why?"
"Nothing, just surprised that's all" answered a grinning Seamus.
"They look a bit like you, Harry, but I don't see any of Hermione's features and why didn't you tell us that you two were expecting" asked Lavendar, looking from one baby to the next and at Hermione.
"That's because we adopted them. This one is Robert, Robbie for short, and Hermione's holding Raven."
"But you couldn't have adopted them. You would have to be married to do that" said Seamus.
"I know" smirked Harry and Hermione hit him for the smirk.
The surprise looks on their faces, as it dawned on them that Harry and Hermione were indeed married, was priceless. Harry really had to fight the laughter that was threatening to come out. Ginny looked like she wanted to say something nasty but Neville stopped her by announcing their betrothal, making the looks of surprise go deeper before the entire house table started congratulating the two couples.
Robbie had finished his bottle by then and was being burped over Harry's shoulder which was loud and brought grins to most of the boys around them. Seamus, who had finished eating, asked if he could hold Robbie while Harry ate and started telling the boy about how a fantastic seeker his father was and launched into a story about one of Harry's games. Harry just rolled his eyes. Pavarti had gotten the privilege of holding Raven, while Hermione ate, and was cooing at the little girl.
Looking around Harry saw that Professor Slughorn was sitting at the staff table, which meant that he was teaching Potions, just his luck. Harry groaned at the thought of the "slug club" and how actively Slughorn would pursue him to be a part of it. Also Kingsley Shacklebolt was there, which meant, to Harry's mind, that he was teaching DADA. Harry finished eating quickly and took Robbie back from Seamus just as McGonagall stood to make the announcements. Harry wasn't surprised when she announced the teachers but was pleasantly surprised to hear that Hagrid was the new Gryffindor Head of House. Once they were dismissed, friends from other houses came over to offer their congratulations as well. Harry, Hermione, and Draco hung back so that Professor McGonagall could escort them to their rooms. Soon they were walking the halls and up the stairs to near where the staff quarters were located. They stopped in front of a portrait of a wizard with a snake wrapped around his staff.
"Mr. Malfoy, this is the entrance to your room and its password is "slippery serpent". Only the four of us will know this. You may tell only those you truly trust. Understood?" Draco nodded. "Good. Your room is en-suite and has a connecting door to the Potters' rooms', should you need them." Draco nodded again, said his password and went into his room.
Professor McGonagall and the Potters then went a little ways down the corridor to the next portrait on the wall, which was a family on a picnic. "This is the entrance to your rooms and the password is "family time". Mr. Potter, I need to see you before you retire this evening. Good night Mrs. Potter." Surprisingly she gave the twin each a quick kiss before leaving. Hermione said the password and they entered into a sitting room decorated in shades of red and gold, done very tastefully. On their right was the door leading to Draco's room and across from the entrance were two doors. The one on the right was the nursery they found out. Everything had been provided for the babies, including toys, and a child sized bath. Here Winky was waiting to help put the babies to bed. While Hermione helped Winky, Harry went to check out his and Hermione's room. Their room was decorated in shades of blue with oak furniture and navy blue bedding. A bath, connected to the bedroom was done in earth tones. Harry found the rooms to be soothing and calming. Dobby was there putting things away. Harry took his books and placed them on one of the two desks that were in the sitting room.
"Hermione, I'm going to go ahead and meet Professor McGonagall and due a quick sweep of the castle before coming back."
"Okay but don't be too long."
Harry left and made his way to the Headmistress' office. The gargoyle statue started moving before Harry could say a word, as if it knew who he was. As he approached the office door, he heard a "come in Mr. Potter" and opened the door. Harry walked in and saw that Moony was also there. Professor McGonagall waved her wand and a chair appeared for Harry to sit in. As soon as he was seated Professor McGonagall started speaking. "Harry, Lucius Malfoy was spotted at Platform 9 ¾ this morning by Fred and George Weasley as the train pulled out. We don't know if he saw Draco or not but it is certain that he was searching for someone."
"Did he hurt anyone?"
"No. He got away before any damage could be done. We felt that you should know and could tell Draco and warn him."
"Tell Draco that I will warn Narcissa myself as soon as I leave here" said Moony.
"I will. Is there anything else?"
"No. You may leave and good night Mr. Potter."
"Good night Professor, Moony."
On his way back to his room, Harry made a detour to the Room of Requirement, to grab his potions book that he placed in there. He knew that Hermione would have a fit and wouldn't approve but there were several things in it that could help him and he could always asked Snape if there was something that was questionable or he didn't understand. He finally found it after searching for half an hour. Pulling out his phoenix wand and without saying or thinking of what he wanted done, the wand responded to his desire to straighten the book up and make it legible and placed a charm on the book so that only he could read it. This way Hermione couldn't nag him about cheating.
Harry did a quick sweep of the castle using the map before going to Draco's room. He whispered the password and found the Slytherin reading a book. Harry relayed the news that his father had been spotted at the Platform and seemed to be looking for someone and that Moony was going to tell Narcissa when he returned to Godric's Hollow. Draco took the news well and thought that Lucius was looking for his mother and not him. They talked for a few more minutes and Harry left thru the connecting door back to his rooms.
