Note: By this time in the life of Harry Potter, he is known as 'The Great Wizard,' formerly Henry Bellamy, now John Bellamy. His daughters are Susan, Lesley & Mary. His employees include: Archie & Ursula Barnes, Peter & Gabrielle Barnes, their son, Oliver, Sidney Bourne, Kitty, his wife, their sons, Luke, Ross and Ryan. Louise, cook, Alison and Dot, secretaries, Victor, Horse manager, Michael Bruce, Therese & Katrina Abercrombie, Trevor and Wally Pickering, security guards. Neighbours: Paul & Helena Pickering, their son, Marcus. Other characters mentioned below: Waldo Tranter, auror, Charles Longbottom, headmaster of Fitzroy School for Anirage, Melbourne, Australia. Khatabis: Zoe and Najia Khatabi, (Kasey) Akila Khatabi, (Peterson,) with Bahiti and Tristan, Hasina, and children, Zahra, Najet, Jiro, babies Kay & Nola.
Chapter 11:
Charles Longbottom definitely wanted his services. The great wizard could teach the senior students things that none of the locally taught wizards knew. A lot of them couldn't even apparate, or conjure. It was the reason he'd started the school in the first place. Now, until the end of the school year, which was mid December in Australia.
Bellamy took up residence in the wing with five students who boarded, ranging in age from eight to sixteen, from two separate families. There was a sudden demand for books about the legendary wizard, and some looked up a certain section in their History of Magic textbooks, and then stared at him with an increased awe. It was only when the cleaner loudly dressed him down for leaving his clothes on the floor that he began to seem like a more normal person.
That day, he taught all his students of the day the cleaning spells, and amused the two senior students by telling them about Luke, who'd needed to learn them in order to have a clean place to take a girl. With that anecdote, young Bob Longbottom found that he could master it, after all. Bellamy's motives were no more altruistric than those of Luke. Maybe if there was less work for him, Bertie would not be so intolerant.
He took great care not to interfere in the running of the school. Charles was a bit touchy about that.
Bellamy appeared happy enough on the surface, laughing and joking, easy to get on with. He was mostly out in the evenings, with Monica, or Katherine, or Teena. Medj women, not too young, not those looking for commitment, but those who loved sex. He was so good at that. It was not just that he was an attractive man, in spite of his scars and his glasses, it was that, with a slight change of expression and voice, he could somehow radiate an aura of sexual attraction that had a woman wanting him. More often than not, then, it was the woman who made the first move. From his very first experience, Bellamy had hardly ever had to work hard at finding a girlfriend.
His agonising loneliness died down to a dull ache. He could forget it now, when deeply involved in teaching, when with a woman, and when in a fight. He still liked to fight, though he was less reckless, and didn't get himself badly hurt.
Every two or three weeks, he apparated home, discreetly appearing in that small room inside his house, just in case there were medj visitors. Alison told him one day that the money coming in from the Riddell Regimen was in embarrassing quantities. He said to give everyone a large bonus then, and if there was any left over, just to increase the donations. His employees were astounded at the size of the bonus they received, and when Alison was queried, she explained that the boss said he appreciated all his employees did for him, and they deserved pretty much whatever they wanted.
Peter said, "Well, he did extract an awful lot of blood from us, for a while."
Alison laughed, "Just so."
A month after Bellamy started at Fitzroy school, as he turned into a corridor, a wizard hurled a green streak of light at him, as several students stared. Bellamy hit the Death Curse to the ground, and then spoke to the wizard. He was Japanese, but Bellamy had learned Japanese.
Bellamy finished speaking, the wizard turned and walked away, still holding his wand in his hand. But afterwards, Bellamy had a long conversation with Charles. He still wanted to stay until the end of the school year, but Charles was thoroughly disturbed that his presence had exposed his students to danger. Australian wizardry was such a peaceful community, usually. Bellamy paid for higher fences and made some protective magic, and Charles remembered how valuable was the tuition that Bellamy was giving.
Two days later, a British auror turned up and asked for the headmaster. Charles was taken aback. Waldo Tranter was a big, grim-looking man, who looked every inch a powerful wizard. He was much more daunting than Bellamy. He had the long hair of a wizard and wore wizard robes, making no concession to the medj area he'd probably just walked through. He presented Charles with a courteous letter from the British DMT, requesting cooperation by allowing Waldo accommodation in his school, for the protection of Henry Bellamy, now known as John Bellamy. Waldo would continue to be paid by the DMT.
Charles regarded his fierce looking visitor, it seemed from another world, and then took him to find Bellamy. Bellamy was with all ten of the primary school age students, plus a teacher, and was showing them various mythical creatures that didn't exist in Australia. All around the sides of the room were large, and very real images in the air - a dragon, a phoenix, a mermaid, who sat on a desk, swinging her tail. A unicorn.
The kids were calling out, "Do a centaur, a troll, a giant..."
Bellamy said, laughing, "I can't do all that many at once, give me a go..."
Charles looked, open-mouthed. He'd never even heard that this sort of thing was possible.
Waldo grinned as Bellamy turned to them. "Waldo!" he said in surprise. "What are you doing here?"
It was only then that it suddenly occurred to Charles that he didn't know Waldo, and could have led a killer straight to his guest teacher. But Bellamy was welcoming, although surprised when Waldo said he was supposed to be a security guard for the school and especially for himself. The kids were staring at the man now, wide eyed. They knew theoretically that they were all witches and wizards, but, except in pictures, had never seen a man who looked so undeniably, a powerful wizard.
Charles asked Bellamy what he thought, and Bellamy said it was fine with him. He knew that just because he was good at fighting, he could still be taken off guard. And Waldo's mere presence was educational.
He went back to his teaching, dropping all the current images that had already begun to waver as he took his attention off them, and making more, as he was requested. Waldo was shown to a bedroom next to Bellamy's, dropped his suitcase, and prowled the corridors, making himself familiar with the area.
Bellamy had the older students in the afternoon, these ones just as impressed as the younger ones at the images of dragons and centaurs and hypogriffs. They ran out of requests, but then a youth said eagerly, "Show us a duel - A traditional duel like you would have been in."
Bellamy gave them a lecture about the stupidity of duelling instead, but then acknowledged that Australian wizardry didn't do things like that.
They persisted. "Show us a duel."
"Why?"
There was hesitation, and finally, a girl said, "Because it's exciting."
Bellamy asked, "Do you know what my work mostly is?" They shook their heads.
"Watch," and a procession of images came apparently through the wall, one by one. All the deformities, all the cruel crippling spells. He showed them an image of a young girl, moving very, very slowly. "Some swine use the Snail Spell to make it easy to rape." He showed a wizard, fully dressed, but looking very doleful. "And some witches get their revenge, but I can't show you that, or no doubt the school committee would go crook."
The girls laughed. The boys didn't.
He finally said, "Your mob have the right idea. It's barbarity to put spells on each other."
A boy spoke up. "What if we need to defend ourselves?"
Another pointed out, "You would never have survived if you didn't know how to defend yourself."
Bellamy hedged. "I'll have to talk to Charles. Defence is not among the subjects I'm supposed to be teaching."
He spoke to Charles, and fifteen fat lambs, ready for slaughter, instead found a new home at Fitzroy School. The various grades of paralysis spell, the tie-up spell, the stun spell. The sheep didn't like it at first, but soon found there was always a treat afterwards, and became accustomed to it, and then very tame and increasingly fat.
Waldo took a hand, demonstrating, saying that it was much better than practising on each other. The students took a long time to get used to Waldo, even those who boarded. But there was a large loungeroom shared by the live-in staff, where the students could also come, and the stories told by the great wizard were a lure. After a while, Waldo started to tell stories, too. Aurors always had interesting stories to tell, though he had to be reminded that some stories were too gruesome for young ears.
Two extra children came to board. They were too young really, their parents felt, but it was a rare opportunity for them to know the legend in person. The 'House Mother' tried to make the young ones happy, but it was Waldo, to his surprise, who became the favourite of the seven-year-old girl. After seeing the little girl asleep on his knee, the other students lost their remaining fear of him.
Bellamy's teaching extended to adult education classes, which became more and more popular. Several people were eager to learn Space Enhancement Magic, which could be so very useful. It kept him busy, and while he was busy, he was not as lonely. He saw his young son occasionally, though usually only as part of a large group. There were only a few hundred Anirage in Australia, nearly all of them living in the one quite small area. The parents of the boarders were exceptions. He saw quite a lot of Keifer and his family. There was not even a time difference to worry about when he apparated to Sydney, and there were better beaches there than in Melbourne.
He had to come back for Louise's wedding of course, October seventeenth. It was in the secondary Aniragia of Britain, Mortdale. Oliver, Peter and Archie drove pretty little carriages, each pulled by a beautifully groomed Andalusian, Bethanie and Bella almost white, young Reya a much darker grey. The ceremony was held in a beautiful building close to the function centre, designed partly to Louise's specifications, partly by a designer, and paid for by Bellamy. Louise would be the first to be married there.
Kupec was at Bellamy's elbow the whole time, and two other aurors were close, to watch his back. He hadn't asked, but Homer was Louise's father, and he'd spoken to Dieter. Wherever he went, the great wizard should be protected.
Afterwards, there was dancing, and Bellamy watched as Susan and Marcus danced together. He suspected they'd announce their engagement soon.
Kupec tensed when a young wizard walked determinedly towards Bellamy. The young man spoke in a defiant tone. "My name's Richard McMillan, and I challenge you to a duel because you killed my father."
Bellamy spoke sadly. "Your father died of natural causes, and duelling's illegal in any case."
The man went for his wand, but Bellamy lifted a hand and his arm was frozen.
Bellamy said, "I honour you for wanting to challenge me to a fair duel, but you're being naive. You cannot defeat me."
Kelly went to the side of young Richard and said calmly, "Come along, you're just being silly. We all know that your father had a heart attack." Young McMillan stared at Bellamy, and then abruptly turned away, his hand freed.
It wasn't the only annoyance of the night. An attractive young woman made overtures, and Bellamy didn't reject her with the careful tact he should have used. She wound up spitting at him that it was time he got over his wife, that everyone knew she'd been about sixty in any case, and he couldn't have sex with an old lady!
Bellamy stared at her, his body trembling. How he wanted to do something terrible to her! Kupec put a hand on his shoulder and cautioned, "Steady," and he took a deep breath and turned away.
He couldn't go yet. Louise wouldn't like it, so he smiled and joked with acquaintances, ignored the few who carefully avoided him, and endured.
Louise and Adam danced together, Louise's white dress swirling, and her face shining with happiness. Adam looked at her dotingly, and Bellamy smiled on the pair. Right now, his own life seemed purposeless, repetitive, boring, even when he did new things, such as teaching at Fitzroy. But here was this new young couple, and their whole life was spread before them in smiling hope.
Oliver had the lead carriage waiting, and Adam and Louise left, waving to their guests. "I hope he's not too impatient. I heard she was making him wait," he murmured to Kupec.
"She changed her mind a month ago, according to rumour."
"A good thing, too. I'm very much against this silly idea of girls being virgins when they marry."
"It's a bit of a new thing again," said Kupec. "My wife was telling me that they're not even going to healers to get the Maria spell done before they marry. Some weird idea that there should be pain and even blood, the first time."
Bellamy shook his head. "Silly girls. Why suffer pain when you don't have to?" If Pat was here, he'd suggest she talk to the girls. It was such a simple spell, and meant that the first time was pleasurable for both participants. As it was, he reddened at the thought of even suggesting it. Maybe Susan would talk to the younger ones.
He was behind the times, as fathers often were. Both Lesley and Mary had visited the school nurse for the routine magic, and they both had boyfriends.
The last weeks of the school year went quickly. Waldo was never called on to use his fighting skills, instead becoming very involved with Cindy Draffen, who taught the younger students. Bellamy suspected she was a descendant from the feel of her, and when she mentioned that her father was Brian Draffen, who lived in New Zealand, it was confirmed for him. But he didn't know how Brian was related either, except that it was almost certainly not legitimate, and was probably further back than his mother. In any case, not something for discussion.
Instead of returning to England now that his job was done, Waldo negotiated a job as a teacher, and sent a resignation to the DMT. Bellamy congratulated him on a new and peaceful career, and took his leave of the other staff, as well as the students. There were so few, and he'd come to know each one of them well, especially the boarders.
In discussion with Charles, he suggested that if he wanted, and without broadcasting the fact, he might come every now and then for six weeks at a time. The community of Anirage in Australia had few ties with the world community, and by the time any enemies became aware he was there, he'd be gone again. Charles shook his hand very hard, and agreed. Bellamy was a gifted teacher, and all his students, whether child or adult, had learned from him. His brother, Jackson, had told him who was the father of his stepson, and Charles no longer objected that Bellamy's money was helping support the school.
In Australia, adults' apparation lessons, conducted by Waldo, continued throughout the school holidays. It became the custom, as it was in other communities of Anirage, to always include apparation coordinates with invitations.
**x**
Bellamy had been away from England three months, except for very brief trips home. Probably no-one would be waiting to try and kill him. Oliver was bound to be at the big December horse-show, and Bellamy decided to take advantage of the situation, and go as well. At a Melbourne department store, a shop assistant watched in bemusement as a young man chose the make-up he wanted, and used her mirror to carefully conceal a scar down his left cheek, and another on his forehead. A small group of young women gathered to watch, giggling. The girl at the counter was quite pleased at her new attraction. At last, Bellamy was satisfied, grinned at himself, winked at the watchers, and paid for the make-up. It was evening in Melbourne.
He apparated direct to the horse show, appearing behind a stall, a place he knew. It was ten o'clock in the morning, in England. No-one was close, and if there had been, they'd not believe their eyes in any case. No chances were supposed to be taken, and the Ministry imposed fines when someone was caught not being sufficiently discreet. Cautiously, he used Cloaking Magic before starting on an exploratory trip. He didn't pick out any aurors or any potential attackers in the large crowd, though he did see a couple of medj he was slightly acquainted with. As long as he was careful, he could probably talk to Oliver.
A show class in progress caught his eye. Pairs. Among them were two spotted ponies, although there was not much of the pony in their appearance. True leopard spots, his own ponies, recently broken in, with flowing white manes and tails, and carrying themselves with all the pride of their Andalusian dams. Rick's daughters, Janie and Tilse, ten and eight, were on them, and concentrating very hard by the look of their set faces.
Bellamy glanced around, alert, and chose a position at the top of a grandstand, with his back to the wall. Lower on the grandstand, the girls' mother watched, pride written all over her. Bellamy smiled. He supposed Rick was near the collecting ring, ready in case he was needed. He didn't have a programme, but there were normally about four show classes for pairs, for horses of different sizes, and then Grand Champion pairs. He thought the spotted ponies stood an excellent chance, provided they behaved.
He watched as the winners were chosen, and beamed as Janie and Tilse accepted the rosettes that proclaimed them first. Tilse's pony trotted on the spot and arched her neck as they left the ring, reflecting her rider's utter joy.
The loudspeaker boomed. Ring 2, Oliver Barnes, on Brandon. Too far away, and Bellamy shifted position, again cautiously looking and feeling for enemies. He'd forgotten to try and find out who was behind the attack at the school, and sometimes it seemed it scarcely mattered. There was always someone trying to kill him, though they seemed almost amateurs these days in comparison to some of those in the past.
Oliver may have said that he lacked the talent to make a career of show jumping, but it wasn't showing today. Brandon was showing all his quality, all his scope, as he took the jumps as if they were nothing. A clear round, and Bellamy continued his casual stroll until he found an ice-cream stand. Oliver rode past, chatting to a young woman beside him, also on a horse. There was something about the pose, the man leaning casually against a wall and eating an ice-cream. Oliver looked straight through the crio magic, and saw his boss. He grinned, but made no other sign of recognition. Bellamy smiled too. Oliver was a bright boy.
He found Oliver's horse-box, with Brandon and Chaz tethered close. Rick's horse-box was parked next to Oliver's, and Rick was brushing the coat of a grey pony. The spotted ponies stood nearby, looking alertly around, and there was another grey pony, as well.
"Oliver?" asked Bellamy.
Rick grinned. "In the horse box. I put a silencing shield on it for him."
Bellamy laughed. "Not the first time, then?"
Rick shook his head, and said, "He doesn't take young girls in these days. He seems to like full grown women."
Bellamy nodded at Chaz, and said, "I would have thought Chaz a bit young to jump at a big show like this."
"Oliver says he's just getting him familiar with the atmosphere, and he's entered a show class with him." He consulted his watch. "Which he'll miss if he doesn't get a move on!"
Bellamy picked up a brush, and started working on the second of the greys, as they talked about the girls' success with the spots.
"Are you home for a while?" Rick asked.
"For Christmas, and I'll catch up with the spell-breaking, but I don't know what I'll do after that."
Oliver quite suddenly emerged from his horse-box, though a languid voice followed him. "In a minute. What's the rush?"
Oliver raised a hurried hand to the boss and started saddling Chaz. Bellamy went over to him. "Fix your clothes, and I'll get the horse ready."
Oliver tried to tuck his shirt in better, and Rick helped him, as Bellamy told Chaz how beautiful he looked. Oliver's jacket was a bit crumpled, but he shook it out, put it on, and swung himself up on Chaz, whom Bellamy held.
The woman emerged a few minutes later, smiling happily. "These young men. They have such enthusiasm."
Bellamy grinned at her. She was just the type he enjoyed himself. Uninhibited, taking an honest joy in what men and women could do together.
Chaz cantered, neck arched, and obviously wanting to go a lot faster. He was a glossy black with a white splash on one rump, and a few strands of white in mane and tail. The judge was impressed, but when called on to do an individual show, Chaz's collected canter turned into a series of light-hearted bucks. Oliver laughed and shook his head. His potential first turned into a fourth, as better behaved horses were moved up. But Oliver had already had his prize, and the day was young yet.
Bellamy realised with a start of surprise that he was enjoying himself. There was still the pain of loneliness, but he supposed that would always be with him. He was too different. He could not be lucky enough to find someone else like Pat, someone who didn't mind that he was a Freak that didn't get old. He would always be alone, but maybe there was still pleasure to be found in life.
There was time to talk to Oliver after the show class, and before the next round of the show jumping.
"Neither Steve nor Gedda are competing," Oliver said, "But they are planning to come and watch this afternoon, so you'll have to be careful."
"I'll go home, soon," said Bellamy, "But I would like to watch your jumpoff."
"In about forty minutes, and then if I go clear, there'll be a jumpoff against the clock."
"Does Steve need a bigger horse?"
"Would you let him have one?"
"If there's one to spare, long term loan, it comes back when he's finished with it."
"You're very generous."
Bellamy shrugged. "I've always had enough money, might as well spread it about."
Oliver grinned, "Steve was laughing at his aunt who'd just spent money on the new treatment that's obviously bunkum - the so-called Riddell Regimen."
Bellamy gave him a swift, alarmed look, but Oliver said, "Don't worry, I know to be discreet, but maybe it's fair enough if their family have something from ours, as I suppose the aunt's money is currently swelling the coffers."
Oliver jumped clear again in the jumpoff, but then failed to go through the Finish so that he was disqualified, a surprising error for the experienced show jumper. But it meant that the boss wasn't tempted to linger long enough for Steve and Gedda to discover he wasn't dead, or for word to spread that might bring someone wanting to kill him. And Oliver had time to show a girl of his own age what a pleasure sex can be. He had a question after. "Rick, what's a REF injection?"
Rick shrugged, "No idea."
Ursula, Carol and Victor were all heavily involved in helping with the Riding for Disabled clients who were entering the Joanna Greene Class. By the time Victor arrived, Oliver had forgotten his question.
The following morning, Oliver had Chaz saddled for himself, and Madigan ready for the boss. His father joined him, but Oliver said, "Can I have him to myself this morning, Dad?"
Peter shot him a curious look, but nodded and started to talk about the Clydesdales. Did Oliver really want them? All five?
Oliver said, "I really only want two," and wound up agreeing to sell three to Cec, who said he definitely wanted them, and would use them.
Bellamy finally joined the pair. "Sorry I'm late. Time differences. I slept all afternoon, woke up in the middle of the night, and slept again when I should have been having breakfast."
Oliver said, "If you like, we can go through the trees. It's a bit too slippery after all the rain, so we can't gallop anyway."
Peter offered, "I'll treat the perimeter track so that you can race when you come back, if you like."
Oliver grinned, "The course with the jumps instead?"
Peter nodded, "If you want - I'll do both." Bellamy thanked him, and the two horses trotted toward the gate.
A little later, Oliver asked, "Boss, what's a REF injection?"
Bellamy explained, "Medj get infections that wizards don't, including some spread from sex. An annual REF injection prevents them."
"What about me? I'm Medj."
"You probably should. Won't hurt you."
"Victor says people like us, we're not quite Medj."
"Not quite, though I don't know where exactly the difference lies. Cam-Medj have more chance of having a wizard child than pure Medj, but even so, not much chance, unless, of course, they marry a witch."
Oliver asked earnestly, "Can you feel a difference?"
"If I think about it, yes, there's a slight difference in the feel of Cam-Medj."
"I've never had any sort of an infection."
"I don't remember Victor having any sort of an infection, either, though you could ask him. I've had two other employees that were Cam-Medj, though they were called squibs in those days."
"Did they get infections?"
Bellamy had his brow creased. "It was a long time ago, but I don't remember any."
"Would they have had REF injections?"
"I doubt if they were invented then. Medj contraception wasn't nearly as good, either."
Oliver grinned at the boss, "I like sex."
Bellamy laughed, "So do I."
Oliver decided, "I'll ask Helena what I should do about going to a medj doctor. If I admit to a girl that I haven't had a REF, she might knock me back."
The leaves were long gone from the trees and the day was cold. A light snow commenced to fall. Bellamy looked around in pleasure. It was a good place to live. Oliver was young, and seemed to feel the cold as little as himself.
"Vivienne Howard wants to visit straight after Christmas," he told Oliver.
"Are you going to let her?"
"I'll ask Dieter on Friday, see if he thinks I'm much of a target these days."
"There's been nothing since you've been away, and Grand-dad's dropped the extra patrols, and the main gate's only locked at night, now."
"I really prefer the main gate left open. It looks so terribly unfriendly when it's shut. The one at the far side of the property should be kept locked, I guess, though I doubt if the short-cut gates matter, especially not the one into Paul's place."
"Dad's put crio-magic on all of them, in the hope that the livestock doesn't wander, especially the donkeys. He says your horses probably won't take any notice, though."
Bellamy laughed.
They continued to talk, not even cantering with the ground so slippery. But when they came back, Peter gave them a permissive wave, and Chaz and Madigan pranced on the dry track. They were going to race.
Oliver said, "We don't need a start. Chaz is faster even than Madigan!"
Madigan was a big horse, Chaz was on his toes, neck arched, dancing. He was lightly built, but would probably become a bit heavier as he matured.
Oliver said, "Like Margaret always used to say, the loser puts away the horses."
"Done."
Oliver counted, and the horses raced, not even waiting for the signal from the riders. Chaz won by a length, and Oliver was laughing. "He's wonderful! It's a waste if we don't do something very special with him."
"A horse has a good life with us. He doesn't need to go to the Olympics to be happy."
Victor approved the plan to loan Stephen a horse if he wanted one. "We've got too many big horses. Half the people on duty are preferring the ponies we bought for Mary and Lesley. They're not always wanting to go faster, and it's easier to mount if you're in a hurry."
"An ordinary pony in preference to a really good horse?"
"Not everyone needs a top quality horse, and not everyone likes their horses so tall."
On Sunday, a delighted Steve cantered Storm in through the gates. He would not be as big a man as Oliver, but certainly, he had outgrown the small horse. Storm was hugged and turned into a paddock, and Steve rode out on Kendrick, one of only two horses who didn't seem to be the favourite of any particular person.
Bellamy consoled Storm afterward, explaining that he would have smaller, lighter riders, and himself hopped onto his back, and walked him slowly around the perimeter track. He was a well mannered horse, and he thought he'd be popular, especially with Katrina and Therese, though they'd started to talk about retirement.
Monday, Bellamy caught up with his correspondence. "Hardly any hate mail," Alison said.
Bellamy was perched on the corner of the sorting table in Alison's office, and Dot joined them.
"Where are the boys?" Bellamy asked.
"With Michael," said Dot. "In January, we've arranged that they both go to pre-school three days a week."
Alison said, "I don't quite know whether to continue to allow Jason to come here. He doesn't have magic himself, so maybe it would be best if he forgets it exists."
Bellamy gave her a sceptical look. "So you're going to give up using magic to clean house, plough paddocks and feed the sheep?"
Alison laughed and admitted that it might be difficult. She indicated a pile on the table, and asked, "The invitations?"
"Put aside any the girls might be interested in, politely refuse the small gatherings, same as usual with the large ones."
For security, invitations were generally acknowledged with a thank you, but no indication whether or not Bellamy would be accepting. He was always in more danger when people knew where to expect him. Alison nodded. She said nothing about the boss still not being interested in socialising. Instead, she asked, "Organising spell-breaking Fridays?"
"I'll organise it."
Business appeared to be done, and he suddenly smiled at Alison and Dot. "You do a great job. I don't know what I'd do without you."
They looked at each other as he left. Dot said, "He hasn't asked about the money."
"He never does, only if he wants to do anything expensive, and then he just asks if he has enough."
She picked up the sheaf of Christmas invitations, and thought it not a good sign that Bellamy didn't even want to look at them. He and Pat were usually actively socialising around Christmas, though always preferring small gatherings, where Bellamy was less likely to be pestered by either admirers, critics, or attempted murder.
In the DMT building, Bellamy strolled towards Jilla's office in order to arrange a resumption of spell-breaking. Even now, with four other spell breakers working, there was always a demand. He was wearing casual jeans, a brightly coloured shirt, and a soft leather jacket. But he was very well known, and no-one dreamt of stopping him doing exactly what he chose, even when he did dress like an insignificant medj.
By the time he came out of Jilla's office, Kupec and Dieter waited for him, Dieter rebuking him for not giving warning. "You always have enemies, and you're irreplaceable," he emphasised. "You must be protected."
"Any more enemies than usual, or any more dangerous?"
Dieter shook his head. "Not that I know of," and then insisted on Bellamy seeing Joyce for a check-up.
Bellamy hesitated, but then shrugged, and complied. Joyce greeted him with pleasure, quickly and casually did the Niscos and weight, and noted down the figures, not making any comment, but quietly pleased. He was still thin, but the LV, which was sensitive to emotional health as well as to physical health, was almost back up to normal.
They talked a while, but then Bellamy decided to make a test. He didn't want his niece, Vivienne, to see anything nasty, like himself or someone else getting killed. So he strolled around Diagon Alley for a half hour, and as no-one aimed a Death Curse or even insulted him, he decided it was safe enough to invite Vivienne to stay as long as she wanted. Tina, too, if she wanted.
It was time for Christmas shopping, but he thought London too boring, and went to Paris instead, afterwards renewing his acquaintance with the Maison Rose-Marie, asking Marie if there might be any chance of two girls together.
Marie said, "Lisa and Anna like to work together, but they're younger than you usually like, only eighteen. Experienced, though, and I'm sure you'll enjoy them." Bellamy accepted with pleasure.
While he'd been away, Peter and Oliver had set out the Christmas lights, which he always so much loved. But Susan was still away, and the girls still at school. He was restless. Instead of enduring a night when he knew he wouldn't sleep, he walked the streets of London for hours, although this time, without finding a fight.
Again, he was late for his morning ride, and found Dot waiting for him, with Cassidy, his breath steaming in the cold air. He had two dogs at his own heels, and two more sat on their haunches, apparently also waiting to go. "It's dried out a bit, now," he said. "We can probably at least canter fairly safely."
Edward was also exercising a horse out on the moors that morning, and joined them, talking amicably for a while, but then walking beside Bellamy's horse quietly, sometimes giving him darting glances. Bellamy glanced at Dot and she dropped back.
Even with Dot out of earshot, Edward took a while to speak. "It was wonderful being married to Margaret," he finally said. "She was so special."
"Even when she was little, she was a powerful character."
Edward looked straight ahead. "Now I'm Lord Lockwood, and mother says I have to marry again."
Bellamy said, "I hope you can find someone to love, then." He glanced at Edward, "It's no disrespect to Margaret, you know, and you should not feel guilty if you want to remarry."
Edward said quickly, "Her name's Barbara Smythe-Spencer, and she's quiet and demure, and completely, totally different from Margaret. I don't understand how I can love someone so completely different, and yet I do love her."
Bellamy smiled at him. "Then count yourself lucky. There's no virtue in being miserable, just because you've lost one wife."
"Would you marry again so fast? You loved Pat enormously. It was obvious, even though she was older than you."
Bellamy said lightly, "Not many women would want to put up with me," and he invited Edward to return with him for a while.
Edward agreed. "I'd like another look at the Art Gallery, if it's all right."
The Art Gallery was kept at a comfortable, even temperature. Edward walked to the picture of Margaret, and Bellamy said casually, "Let yourself out, when you want. Come and find me in the house when you're finished, or just go home if you prefer."
A few days later, Edward sent a note saying that he'd be getting married in April.
**x**
The days were not nearly as cold as usual for the time of year, and there was not even much rain. Vivienne replied that she'd like to visit for two weeks, and would arrive a couple of days after Christmas.
Bellamy did a stint of spell-breaking on Friday, his usual selection, any British who wanted him, plus those failed by the other spell-breakers. Dieter pressed him to stay for lunch, although he'd finished off his list quite quickly. A few of the aurors who'd been on guard around him made conversation, and Bellamy learned for the first time that one of his supposed patients had been arrested.
"One of the Japanese," Adam said. "He wasn't on the list, and then we took him to Bryce, who cured him, proving it was only an ordinary spell."
Reece chimed in, "We're pretty sure he just wanted to see you up close, but he's been sent to Azkaban for a few days anyway."
Bellamy said casually, "Not counting McMillan, the last few who've tried to get me have been Japanese."
His eyes went to Adam's waistline, and he laughed to himself. It appeared as if Adam was enjoying Louise's cooking - he wouldn't pass the fitness tests if he didn't watch himself. But he only said that he was pleased Louise still came in for the day, as she was the best cook!
The Dachier, Pierre Tranter, joined the group shortly afterwards. Having the great wizard gave Britain a great deal of prestige. They were known as one of the foremost wizarding nations, and a lot of that was because Bellamy was English. He also knew from personal experience the joy of being released from a spell. He'd only been six, and the aurors had found Bellamy in an Australian mental institution and brought him home. It was something that he thought about a lot. The great wizard was not superhuman. Because his family and friends became old and died when he did not, he'd become just too sad, lost and confused. Yet a few days after his return, he'd glanced at the child, waved a wand, and Pierre had touched his face and found it normal. His mother had picked him up, hugging him, crying, and had almost been pushed out the door as she kept turning, trying to thank him again and again. Pierre had glanced back, but Bellamy had only been staring at the Observation Room window. Another mother and child had passed them, going in to see him. The child had the face of a monster and was hobbling painfully. While Pierre Tranter was the Head of the DMT, Bellamy would always have its support, no matter what scandals he might generate, and even when he was strongly suspected of breaking the law. To Pierre, he was someone to be revered. And he could be trusted. He did not abuse his power.
Jilla asked Bellamy if he'd like her to get him a coffee, afterwards sitting beside him. "Zoe Kasey's declared they're having four weeks holiday, and it's always busy this time of year. There's still a list for you, from overseas. What do you think about doing every weekday for a while?"
Bellamy nodded, "While I'm home, but that's only until the middle of January, and not after Thursday when the girls get home. But I'll start again fourth January if I'm needed."
Jilla beamed at him. "From Monday then?"
"Can you organise it in time?"
"I've got all afternoon."
Saturday morning, Oliver insisted on Bellamy watching as he took Chaz around some jumps. Chaz was still not very well behaved, and started bucking afterward, but it was more play than anything, and he'd just taken six very high jumps without the slightest problem.
"It makes me feel guilty," Oliver explained. "I can ride well enough, but I really can't be bothered making a full-time career of show jumping."
"So what do you suggest?"
"Geraldine Cutter. She has the talent and the determination, but her parents can't afford a really good horse. I'd like for you to say she can borrow Chaz."
"All right," Bellamy said briefly.
"You do know that if you sold the horse, he'd fetch a fortune!"
Bellamy shrugged, "I've got too much money coming in. Dot's been complaining."
Oliver smiled at his boss. He believed in sharing it around. There'd just been another large bonus in their pay, and while Oliver was only paid as a part-time worker, he suspected that the bonus was the same as any of the others.
"The Lockwoods are auctioning off some of their horses this afternoon," Oliver said. "Very probably including the young ones that God Wot? sired."
"Are you thinking of buying any?"
"I don't think Edward realises what he's got. I don't want them to go to waste."
Bellamy said, "There was one, a skewbald - I always thought he'd be a champ, and with an unknown sire, he might be a bargain."
"Steve and Geraldine are going, and they'll be interested, too, if they're cheap enough."
"Pity I can't come."
Oliver glanced at him, and spoke to his boss almost sternly. "You can't. You're too well known there." Bellamy nodded. Of course, Oliver was right.
Oliver was tall now, well-built, and had rugged good looks. It was no wonder that he was becoming very well known among the show jumping fraternity, as well as the locals. Girls had whispered giggling conversations about the perils and pleasures of visiting the horse-box of Oliver Barnes, his pure delight in sex an unexpected aspect of the character of the serious and responsible young man.
That afternoon, four unbroken young horses were sold at a bargain, potential buyers unwilling to spend much when the pedigree was distinguished on only the dam's side. Steve bought one, Geraldine one, but the skewbald and one other went to a local farmer's son, who was deeply involved in point-to-point racing. The bidding had been unexpectedly high for the skewbald, but it was still a bargain. Edward was left with just his favourite Heathcliffe, and Sirius who had belonged to Margaret. His fiancé wasn't interested in living in the country, and he'd have little use for the horses.
Breakfast, Monday morning, was a lonely affair, but Bellamy was to work again, catching up on demand. There would be company soon.
One of his first patients was a man called Garion Richmond. Bellamy felt his mind, but the man was only thinking how lucky he was that the great wizard was available. Bellamy waved his wand in a cursory fashion, and looked for the next. He was working as fast as Jilla could show them in and Kelly hustle them out.
Dieter, in the Observation Room, murmured to Pierre. "That one and his brother tried to kill Bellamy a couple of years ago. It's why four of his younger employees have Orders of Merlin."
A series of Germans, and Bellamy said impatiently, "When will the Germans give up duelling?"
Joyce said, "Well, at least it's illegal, now."
"I might send in a warning to all the European papers - I'm not intending to do this when I have better things to do, and I'm planning on doing a lot of travelling in the next few years."
That evening, he wrote an announcement to be placed in several European newspapers - that stupid people who got into duels could not rely on Bellamy being around to undo the results of their stupidity. He was impatient, and didn't bother with tact. In many places, wizard duelling was still regarded as an honourable tradition. A covering note for Alison, and he dropped it in her office.
Something else occurred to him, and Trevor Pickering, the security guard on duty, saw the light on in his workshop well into the night. He was absorbed in his work, but it wasn't just that. He was sleeping very badly, and he thought he might as well do something, as toss and turn all night. The Dolfus tests using aged blood showed that it became unreliable - or maybe more truthful. It was saying that everyone was related. Bellamy remembered a phrase - the Oneness of Humanity. He wrote a careful summary, and would have Alison send it to a few Healers' journals.
He slept late in the morning and kept his patients waiting. Joyce insisted on doing the Niscos, and then gave him a stern lecture about looking after himself better. The energy levels were down and he'd lost weight.
He had a good night's sleep that night, in the bed of Leah, at the Maison Rose-Marie. The girls were becoming fond of him, and it was an easy night when he paid to stay. Occasionally, he would start fretting and muttering in his sleep, a beginning nightmare, but he always quietened with a few soothing words and a woman's touch. They knew now that he'd lost his wife, and took pleasure in consoling him. It was nice to have a good-looking customer, who gave as much pleasure as he received.
Three more days' spell-breaking, then there was to be break until the new year. Bellamy continued to sleep badly. He was missing Pat more at home, and Joyce, when she did a check Thursday afternoon, found another drop in weight, in energy levels, and in the vital LV. She said nothing, hoping that his girls would cheer him up. No-one else knew he was even depressed, as he was easygoing, and laughed and joked with the aurors as he'd always done.
Instead of snow that year, it continued cool, dry and breezy, great for galloping on the moors. It was good to see his daughters again, and the three extra young men coming and going around the property, loud and boisterous, pleased him.
Luke told his parents that he thought he might give up school after sixth year. His mother pointed out, "Only Anirage who graduate can go to the Pluravista," but Luke declared that he saw no virtue in putting on fancy dress, and listening to speeches. Kitty sighed, and agreed that if that was what he wanted... His exam results had been poor - the only good mark was for practical defence. He was good at cleaning horse-boxes and conjuring blankets, but that hadn't come up in the exams.
The morning after the young ones came home was Christmas Eve. Bellamy was up early, well before light. Ricos gave him breakfast in the kitchen, but then he went out to the Old Horses' Paddock to watch the sun rise. How many years was it now since he'd found his way home? He hadn't even known he'd had a home then. No memory of his wife and family. He'd just wanted, so much, to be home, and he'd made the magic, and was here. Half-starved and freezing cold, but here, as the sun rose. But it wasn't until dusk and he saw Pat, that he'd shown himself. He wondered what would have happened to him if she hadn't been here. Would he have simply frozen to death in the snow? That would have been a nice Christmas gift for his family!
He petted a donkey who thrust his head under an arm, and noticed that Peter was up and unlocking the gate. It would be time for his ride, soon. He wondered who'd be with him today. There was always someone, usually more than one. He had a suspicion that there was some sort of consultation that went on beforehand, as sometimes, when someone especially wanted to talk to him, it would be just the two of them, like Oliver when he wanted to ask about REF injections. When he wanted to ride alone, he could always go later in the day.
He strolled further, all the way to the Indoor Arena, on the opposite side of the property. He was trailed by two old donkeys, five dogs, and two half grown lambs, who must have wriggled through the fence. Lesley, Mary and Susan emerged from the house together, and looked around. Sidney pointed. "A menagerie behind him, as usual,"
Susan laughed, and helped saddle the sedate ponies for Mary and Lesley. Then Candice for herself. The Bourne boys appeared, and it seemed that they were all planning on going as well. Oliver suggested horses for Ryan and Ross, as Luke went to Magpie. Victor arrived and laughed to himself. Eight riders, but he looked rather dubiously at the tall girls with their ponies, and then saddled Tattler for himself. Mary and Lesley were not good riders.
Bellamy greeted his escort in laughing pleasure. "We're an army!"
Victor looked after the younger girls, while the rest of the riders galloped. But Bellamy rode home next to his three daughters, and thought that he really was a lucky man, and to feel so terribly, miserably lonely was selfish and shallow of him. It didn't make the slightest difference. He could forget it sometimes, but he was still terribly, miserably lonely.
Christmas Day was the worst, but Bellamy tried hard not to let it show. His girls were sensible. Able to put their grief behind them, and get on with life. He should be able to, as well. Where was the wisdom so painfully acquired? That he had to accept that he'd see others die around him, as he continued, unchanged. He'd had children, grandchildren, great grandchildren die of old age. He was always going to be alone again one day. He should be able to accept it.
Even the Maison Rose-Marie didn't open Christmas night. He was denied that consolation, and didn't seem to have the energy to find someone else who might be lonely on that special night. He pulled Pat's nightgown from his drawer and caressed it, before thinking he was being very silly, and vanishing it, instantly regretting it and crying again. He needed Pat. And if he didn't have Pat, he needed someone else to love. He was too alone.
***chapter end***