DISCLAIMER: That part of this world and those characters you've seen before belong to their Creator: JKR. The rest is mine - although I cannot quit my day job as I make no $$$
A/N: I want to apologize to many for not responding to reviews and such. Sorry. I am surprised to see I've already hit 500+ with only 10 Chapters and not even 100,000 words yet. I think that's a first for me!
Now, the one question I have when reading this is why is Harry so … not all angsty and stuff? Answer: Cedric and Sirius are not Dead and he is not yet the clear target of Fudge or Skeeter (her writings were rather ... slanted, but not totally vile as to him yet. Hermione was another matter.) … that came later in the books. The Girls head this one off at the pass … assuming they knew there was a pass and something there to head off…
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 29th, 1995 – FOURTH TIME COMPRESSION.
It had hurt when Hermione had left, Harry thought. To his surprise, it had also hurt when Hannah had left and it hurt now watching Katie leave. He knew deep down they would be back, but it still hurt to see them go and he knew he missed them and would miss them until he saw them again. Looking at Neville, Harry knew the boy felt the same way about Ginny and Susan and now Lisa.
"It's hard to see them go," Neville said.
Harry could only nod in agreement.
"I didn't think it would be this hard," Neville continued. "Ginny, Susan and Lisa; they're all my friends and were before all of this, you know. To think they'd want me as more - ME! I'm nothing really…"
"Nev," Harry said, "you're obviously not nothing! I can see you're not, although I'm not about to jump you…"
"Don't swing that way, Harry."
"And neither do I," Harry added. "Face it, though. Three wonderful and totally stunning girls not only fancy you, Nev, they're now all but totally married to you. They're all top of their class or close to it…"
"As are your three lovelies," Neville added.
"How did we get so lucky all of a sudden?"
"Can't say. I at least asked Ginny to the Ball and Susan and Lisa would've been my next choice. I'd say you got luckier than I considering none of your's were your Yule Ball date and Hannah wasn't even your friend before this."
Harry nodded. "We're both terribly lucky in this, aren't we?"
"Yeah," Neville agreed. "Any bets on who's next?"
"Well, I'm still short a Half Blood and a Pureblood, aren't I?" Harry said. "Not that I'm complaining about what I have already. You're still short a Muggle Born."
"Not that I'm complaining," Neville added. "I just hope my Muggle Born isn't Perks!"
"Perks?" Harry asked. "You mean Sally-Anne?"
Neville nodded, "and you should hope your Half Blood isn't Lavender Brown."
"Gods! She such a bint!"
"And with Sally-Anne the two biggest sluts in our year, if not the entire school!" Neville added. "Mind you, Harry, I was never with either of them, but they are a little free with their virtue if you catch my drift."
"I'd heard about Lavender…"
"Sally-Anne has even lower standards," Neville said. "She said to have been … well with more than one guy at the same time as in at the same time! The Rumor is she's doing Snape as well."
"Okay, there's an image I didn't want," Harry said shaking his head.
The bell sounded.
"And now we find out," Neville said.
Harry could only nod in agreement.
Two identical looking girls walked in. They looked the same in every respect. They wore the exact same saffron robes, wore their hair in the exact same style; there was no difference between them. Harry knew who the dark haired, brown skinned beauties were, for they were both very beautiful. It was the Patil twins. One was obviously his Gryffindor classmate Parvati and the other had to be her Ravenclaw sister Padma, but who was who?
The girls split off, one heading for Neville and the other for Harry. The girl in front of Harry just stood there, seemingly unable to move or say anything. The other girl grabbed Neville by the arm and said: "Let's check out some rooms, Neville!" She then all but dragged the other boy away.
"That was Parvati, wasn't it?" Harry said.
Padma nodded. "H-How did you know?"
"You've been studying me like a good Ravenclaw would," Harry chuckled. "She just dragged him off for goodness knows what. Logical, if you think about it. But I am surprised to find the two of you here?"
"Oh?"
"The two of you had lousy Yule Balls because of me."
"Harry, that was not your fault. Parvati had a nice time with you up to a point. And it's not like you asked me to the Ball if you recall. Parvati asked me to go with Weasley. The fact that he ignored me the whole evening was not your fault. It was his. The fact that you suddenly got in one of your moods was also his fault, not yours. We both knew you could be moody from time to time and we both learned a lot about you this year and it's actually surprising those moods are the exception and not the rule given your life. No one should have had to live your life Harry. The same's true to a lesser extent for Neville we're learning. We've been a part of this almost from the beginning because none of this makes sense and you don't deserve what always seems to happen to you.
"We didn't know much at all about your first year adventures - aside from Quidditch that is - until after. But she and I talked about what we heard and we listened as well. Parvati might come across as a bit of a gossip, but that's only 'cause she hangs out with Lavender who really is one. Parvati listens. We talk. We like to think we're pretty smart, maybe almost as smart as Hermione although we both think that has more to do without class ranks than anything else. Hermione's first in our year and way ahead of the girl in second - which is me, by the way.
"Hermione told Parvati about it a bit at a time, you know. Some was during that year and some later. It didn't make sense on the surface, unless you are willing to believe that it was all a set up of some kind."
"Oh?" Harry asked.
Padma nodded. "From what we've been told, it seemed every time the three of you were stalled, a clue fortuitously came into your possession and more than once it was from Hagrid, no?"
Harry nodded.
"Hagrid's been here for ages, almost sixty years to be exact and Dumbledore's known him the whole time. Do you honestly think Dumbledore would have entrusted him with such a secret if he can't keep one? Even then, Dumbledore is adept at mind magics. There are spells and charms that could have prevented even the most foolish blabbermouth from revealing anything. I won't say Hagrid was told to let things slip now and then, but it was clear he was allowed to.
"Then there were the traps. Seven or eight of them depending upon how you count Snape's. Only the first and last were in anyway difficult for the three of you and only the dog took any real time to figure out. The three of you were First Years and only Hermione was really standing out in classes at the time. Does that make any sense? How could that have stopped a determined and well educated wizard?"
Harry nodded and looked around. He had not been paying attention to anything other than what Padma was saying. He was now standing on the balcony with Padma standing next to him her hand in his.
"Okay," Harry said surprised at how calm he was, "and what does this mean?"
"We don't know, Harry," Padma sighed. "We gathered a lot of facts as you know. But they don't lead to a single, definitive conclusion. We all have our own opinions of where the facts could lead. Dumbledore's over the hill or around the twist. He's reckless, misguided or something or plotting something or manipulating you for some reason. We don't know. We believe he's not saying anything to anyone. We believe the other professors have no idea what he is doing or why, which is why they treat you as they would any other student. The one thing we agree on is unless he tells you everything - soon - you should not trust him."
"But," Harry began to protest. Losing faith in Dumbledore was hard for him, but that's what she and the others had been trying to do.
"The Prophecy, Harry," Padma said. "At the very least, he should have told you that at the end of Second Year, probably much sooner. Legally, you've had a right to know it from the moment you entered our world. We think he's been keeping other things from you as well."
"He said when I was older…."
"Bollocks! Hogwarts is supposedly the safest place in our world. How many times have you almost been killed? How many times was that almost literally at the hands of … of … V-Voldemort? No other student has spent as much time in the Hospital Wing as you have, and that's excluding you're Quidditch! You have the right and need to know and yet he hides what he knows from you!" Padma then surprised him. She pulled Harry into a hug, placed her head on his chest and began shaking. Harry knew she was crying. "It's not fair, Harry," she said.
Harry touched her chin to turn it so he could look into her dark eyes. "Please don't cry," he said softly. "You shouldn't, you know. You're trying to help me make it fair."
She smiled briefly and then, to his surprise, kissed him. It broke sometime later and she looked up at him and smiled. "If I ever cry again," she said, "you can kiss me and make it better."
Harry smiled. While he liked the sex he was getting, he really liked this. "Why me?" he asked softly.
"What do you mean," she asked and might have feared rejection but for the soft expression on his face which told her that was not where this was going at all.
"Hermione's been in love with me for ages," Harry continued. "And I with her. Hannah likes me and there's that contract of hers that all but meant we'd be together eventually. Katie's my friend and," he blushed, "apparently has had the hots for me for a year or more. Why me?"
Padma had no expression at first. "Parvati and I were not born here," she said. "We were born in India, in Mumbai which you may know as Bombay. Our father is a businessman and moved us here when we were three years old, well after the war. But he had already made a deal for us with a business associate of his back in India. We're to be married to that man before our Seventh Year here and before we turn seventeen and can refuse. We won't go to him right away, but once we finish school, our fate is sealed. We are to join his harem - and that's what it is. It's not a Plural Marriage and we'd be little more than slaves for him really. He could use us to 'entertain' his friends! He's a vile man, but he paid a lot of money for us. Our only way out is to marry someone else before he marries us and you've been told about how that works. Our father would never agree to another marriage given how much money is involved! We do want to help you, Harry. We really do! But that business deal hangs over us as well. You and Neville are our way out. We trust you two and believe this is not what that man would do to us."
"I'd never let that happen to you, or Parvati or anyone else I consider a friend."
"Thank you, Harry," Padma sighed and hugged him.
"But why me?" Harry asked. "Why not Neville? You say the Yule Ball has nothing to do with it, but why?"
"To be totally honest, we couldn't decide. I certainly couldn't. Parvati does like you Harry as do I. This is no reflection upon that night. We couldn't decide! All we knew is we would not want the same husband. That's another thing we were trying to avoid, but we couldn't decide! One would go to you the other to Neville, but we couldn't decide!
"I guess we knew we would not regret it either way. We drew lots in the end. We wrote your names on two pieces of parchment and put them in a bag. We flipped a coin to see who would draw their name and accepted the outcome. She won the toss and drew Neville's name. I don't regret it and I'm sure she does not either. Personally, I think it worked out the way it should. Neville is shy and my sister is not. I am retiring in a way and your most definitely are not. She should compliment him and I you, Harry. I have no regrets."
"That's supposed to make me feel good?" Harry all but shrieked.
"It wasn't perfect, was it," Padma said starting to cry. "But it was fair, wasn't it? We didn't choose in a way, fate did. And I do not regret my choice at all!"
"I guess I'm okay with that," Harry said holding the girl. "So long as you're okay with this, I am too."
Padma looked up and kissed him. It took her a while to stop, not that Harry was complaining. Oddly, he was getting used to this.
"I wish I had been your Yule Ball date," she said softly. "That was very, very, very nice."
"I'll try to make it up to you and Parvati one day," Harry said. "But I think we can agree, Ron would have ruined it anyway."
Padma nodded. "In a way, it all worked out in the end. I'm pretty sure Parvati's going to be happy with Neville and I also believe I'll be happy with you, Harry."
"I'm not all that much," Harry began.
"Don't sell yourself short," Padma replied. "Both you and Neville are pretty amazing in ways - and I'm not talking about the damned prophecy or Boy-Who-Lived rubbish. I think we all agree the real Harry Potter is far more impressive, even if you weren't slaying rogue dragons when you were four."
"What?"
Padma chuckled. "You should really check out our recreational library on this floor sometime. Hermione started it and it has loads of books - many of them Muggle literature. In the 'humor' section, we have maybe the entire collection of 'Boy-Who-Lived children's books and novels. Ginny had a lot of them and the ones she did not have, some of the other girls had. Knowing the real Harry Potter, they're all a bunch of rubbish which is why they're so funny. Now, I believe the custom has become for me to show you my suite?" She led him by the hand to his Private Apartments.
Harry would describe Padma's apartment as both elegant and exotic. She told him the furniture and carpets were all transfigured, but now looked like the kinds of things one might find in an elegant home back in India. Harry told her he really liked it, earning a kiss as a reward.
It had taken Harry eight days to become Hermione's lover. That had been almost entirely his issue as it took time for him to accept that someone, even someone as wonderful as Hermione, could want him that way and mean it. The years with the Dursleys had made it difficult for him to believe he both could be loved and deserved to be loved. Hannah had taken ten days, although that was more her than Harry. Harry didn't mind in the end. Deep down he knew she should be the only one to allow that line to be crossed and to decide when was right for her. If Hermione and Hannah had been "slow," Katie was definitely "fast" given that she gave herself to Harry completely the afternoon of their first day together. Padma was a "medium" and a very sexy medium at that. They did not do much more than kiss and snuggle the first day, unless one considered that soon after she had shown him her room she had changed into a very revealing bikini which was all she wore from then on until the start of training, at least when they were alone in their Private Apartments. Beginning on Day Four, she stopped even wearing that much and fully consummated their new relationship.
Training resumed on Day Six, as it had each of the prior "months." They continued working on Ancient Runes and Charms as their primary focus and their physical training as well. Neither Padma nor Parvati said it to them, but the two boys were really starting to tone up. At the end of the fourth week of training, the two boys were given written examinations in Runes. They were not told it was coming and both were at first surprised, but they took the tests anyway and found them to be pretty straight forward. Only afterwards did the girls tell them they were the International Confederation of Wizards (I.C.W.) standard exams for Third and Fourth Year students. The exams were substantially similar to the ones the boys would have taken had they been in that class. Apparently, that was not the case in every course at Hogwarts. The girls told them that the exams would be turned over to Professor Babbling for grading with the idea they could continued in Runes. Since both Harry and Neville had actually come to enjoy the material - particularly as it helped them both understand the wards that protected their new home - they were excited about that possibility.
The payback was, as had been the case before, teaching the girls the Patronus Charm. To Harry's surprise, only Hermione had been faster at producing a corporeal patronus. Parvati's freaked her out. Harry remembered from last year in Professor Lupin's class when they were studying boggarts - shape shifters that turned into a person's worst fear of sorts - that Parvati's was a large cobra. She feared snakes, apparently, and cobra's more than any other. Then again, cobra's were deadly so the fear was hardly irrational in a way. Her patronus was a King Cobra, the largest and deadliest of the lot, although it only ate other snakes.
It kind of made sense when Padma produced hers. She sighed in relief as she really didn't want a Mummy patronus. It took them a while to figure out what hers was. It was a mongoose. Like the King Cobra, the large rodent like creature was a native of India and like Parvati's patrunus, it hunted snakes. It was kind of odd in a way. They both had two very efficient snake hunters. But the King Cobra was supposed to be shy and retiring by nature - unless it was hunting or defending its territory from other King Cobras - the Mongoose was the brave one. Parvati was clearly the outgoing one, while Padma was more introverted or at least the more reflective of the two sisters.
On Day 23, the two girls joined their lovers for lunch each smiling broadly.
"We've done the charm," Padma began.
"And we're both pregnant!" Parvati finished. "Isn't that wonderful?"
After the boys congratulated them, Padma continued. "Now don't be surprised if we both have twin daughters to start." She explained that their Great-Grandmother's first borns were identical twin girls. Their Grandmother and her sister first borns were also identical twin girls, all of whom were witches, the first magicals in that line. The other later children were not magical. Their Mother and Aunt and their mother's cousins also had twin daughters to start, all witches. But all the children of their mother's generation were magical as well regardless of who they had married. "It's rare," Padma said. "It seems that the twins were the beginning of a manifestation of magic in our family, although we can't say for sure."
"So don't be surprised if it continues," Parvati added.
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 29th, 1995 – FIFTH TIME COMPRESSION.
They passed the "final test." Even though Padma and Parvati had worked hard to make themselves look absolutely identical on their final day, neither Harry nor Neville were fooled at all which made the two girls surprisingly happy. The new pictures were on the walls. The new contracts were signed. The letters were exchanged and the two Patil sisters reluctantly left with their roses.
"Odd that," Neville said slightly chocked up. "It seems to get harder to see them leave each time."
Harry nodded. That was exactly how it seemed. "I guess it's cause we know and understand we won't see them for a while."
"Yeah," Neville agreed. "Pad tell you who's next?"
"Nope. Parvati?"
"Told me it's best left as a surprise," Neville replied.
Harry nodded. Padma had said the same thing more or less. "Well, we both have two Gryffindors and a Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw," Harry said. "I'm short a Pureblood and you a Muggle Born to complete the Plural Marriage requirement, which means if the next two do that, I doubt they're Slytherins."
Neville nodded. "Something tells me even if these two fulfill the Plural Marriage requirement, we're not done."
"You and I have four wives already," Harry said. "Those contracts mean we're both married already, or will be once they're at the Ministry. I have no idea how it will work, regardless of how much I enjoy being with each of them."
"Parvati could be tiring," Neville said. "I mean that in a good way I guess. You know she all but jumped me the first day?"
"Katie did jump me the first day and I think I know what you mean if Parvati and Katie were alike that way. Eager and willing to wear you out?"
"What a way to go," Neville added with a smile. "Then again, they all were that way once we - erm - did it."
Harry nodded. "Same here. Pad said it might be the potion they're taking, although she made sure I knew she wasn't complaining at all. So any guesses?"
"Not by name. Assuming this completes the set - and even then something tells me these girls aren't done with us - we can rule out Slytherin. I'm thinking either a Hufflepuff and a Ravenclaw or two girls from either house. You have three Fourth Years and so do I. I have a third year and you don't and you have a Fifth Year and I don't. My bet is that evens out this time."
The bell sounded indicating the next Time Compression had begun.
"No bet," Harry said.
The two new girls entered. Harry had seen them around before, but had no idea who they were aside from the pact they were Ravenclaws, that was obvious from their school robes. The taller one had straight, almost black hair and dark eyes and wore a Prefect's badge on her robes. The shorter one had long, wavy blonde hair that spilled over her shoulders and down her back and easily reached her waist. Her eyes were a pale blue, almost grey color and she seemed to look at him with either surprise or wonder. They were both very pretty, Harry thought. Then again, so were all the others.
"Hello, Neville," the taller one said. "I don't know if you know me, but…"
"You're a p-prefect?" Neville squeaked.
"And not here to dock points or give you detentions," she smiled. "I'm Laura Caldwell, Fifth Year, Muggle Born and I've chosen you, if you'll have me."
Neville just stared.
"Come on then," she said. "We can leave the other two and find somewhere else to get acquainted, don't you think? That and I really want to change out of this … stuff."
Neville nodded and offered the girl his arm.
"You are the gentleman, aren't you," she giggled. "Let's go then!"
Harry watched briefly as Neville left the room then turned to the girl standing before him, whose name he did not even know. She held out her hand.
"Harry Potter," she smiled. "I hope we can be friends. Until this year, I only really had one other friend. I'm Luna Lovegood, Ravenclaw - although you can probably see that by these robes - and a Third Year. I'll take this robe off, if you don't mind. Houses don't matter here, do they?"
Harry shook her hand and nodded. Something about her was different. She had intelligent eyes, he thought, but she was different. Her robe came off and all she was wearing was a skirt and bra and the latter looked like it was too small for her despite the fact that she perhaps the most petite of his girls yet.
"Um…" he began.
"What?" she asked very innocently. "Surely you've seen more than this before?"
"Er … I don't think that's the point. Why …?"
"I'd like to say I'm trying to seduce you, Harry Potter, but while that probably will happen, it won't be today. My roommates thought it'd be funny to hide all my blouses. Little do they know I have others," she added in a whisper, "they're up in my room here. But I didn't change here so… It's not so bad. I know you're going to see far more of me soon and I guess this helps me get used to the idea. What's really annoying is not the blouses so much as this bra! I've filled out a bit," she whispered again, "perhaps more than a bit since we started Time Compressing and I'm now about eleven months older than I was and this thing doesn't seem to fit at all anymore. Since you're going to see them anyway, you mind if I take this off?" She didn't even wait for a reply. "I'm not ready to jump you, Harry Potter," she said, "but we should get to know one another don't you think? And this thing was making me uncomfortable."
"Um.."
"They're just boobies," she said, "and my eyes are here," she added, "and I know you've seen others like these before so you really shouldn't be too surprised. I'm indifferent about them myself. Bras are a hassles, you ask me. But they are important. They are supposed to help the boobies and not just because boys like you think they are nice to look at. You know these are what we use to feed our babies, right?"
"Erm…" Harry began. For some reason, whatever mood he was getting towards, that last comment was a mood killer. He looked Luna in her real eyes.
"You're taller, I think," she said. "Yes definitely. I think I'd have to stand on my tippy toes to kiss you. But that can wait too."
"Um…"
"Does seeing me this way make you uncomfortable, Harry?" she said.
"It's … no … it's just a bit unexpected."
"Katie was even more revealed almost as quickly and she said you didn't seem to mind. Am I that unattractive?"
"N-no, um …"
"It's Luna. I'm named after the moon, you know. So this is more that you knew her before this and not me?"
Harry nodded.
"I guess that is to be expected, I suppose. But you do know why I'm here? It's not like you'd never see me this way."
"Just … just surprised is all and yes, Luna, you are very attractive."
Luna smiled. "I guess it was a bit forward. Maybe I wouldn't have done it if I hadn't filled out some and if my roommates hadn't hidden all my blouses."
"Why would they hide your blouses?"
"Oh, it's just in good fun, I'd like to think," Luna said, "although it is tiring that way. My new friends are trying to stop it, but…" she shrugged. "Shall go up to the Private Quarters? I don't mind you seeing me this way, Harry. After all, I am here to let you see all of me eventually. But I'd think it'll make Neville and Laura uncomfortable, don't you agree?"
Harry nodded. He didn't want to say it made him just a little uncomfortable too. She had moved her long hair about so now she was not quite so exposed, but Harry found that even sexier in a way. Luna suggested that the two of them should head up to the Private Apartments and Harry agreed. In a couple of minutes, the two were standing hand in hand it the large main sitting room of House Potter.
"Shouldn't you kiss me?" Luna asked. Harry did as she suggested and heard her moan in appreciation as he deepened their kiss.
"That was very nice," Luna said with a big smile when it finally broke. "I'm all tingly!" she giggled. "I've never kissed a boy before and certainly never romantically like that." Luna then hugged him and lay her head on his chest. Harry wrapped his arms around her gently. "That feels nice," she said softly. "It feels like I have a friend."
"Erm … what do you mean?"
"I don't know much about boys, really," Luna continued. "Until today, no one really told me much about them. I know you're different from me in many ways, but that's intellectual knowledge, not experience. When I was a lot younger, I had a friend. You know her. Ginny Weasley lives not far from my home. She probably knows a lot more about boys than most, seeing as she has six older brothers. But I seldom went to her house to play. She preferred coming over to mine to get away from them and we never talked about them. Daddy's never said a thing about boys to me and I wasn't old enough for the talk when my Mum died."
"You lost your Mum?" Harry asked.
He felt her nod into his chest. "It was just after my ninth birthday. I was less than two months younger than you, you know."
"Was…?"
"September 21st, which means I'm a year and two days younger than Hermione. Although we're both eleven months older than we were a couple weeks ago because of the Time Compression. Well, I guess she's a full year older now and I will be too once our month together is over. So I guess when you're done with your time, I'll still be about your age. What was I talking about?"
"Your Mum."
Luna nodded again. "She was a brilliant witch, you know. She was a Spell Crafter which means she tried to invent new spells. I liked to watch her work. Not long after I turned nine, she was working and I was nearby when one of her spells went horribly wrong and she died."
"I'm sorry."
"it's okay. I was sad for a long time and it still makes me sad on occasion. I didn't see Ginny after that, not until we came here and even then, she wasn't terribly friendly her first year, although now I suppose we know why. Last year she was my only friend here, but she's in a different House so we didn't see much of each other.
"Something's not right," Luna said breaking the hug and stepping back. Harry gave her a confused look. "Oh, I know!" she said brightly and her hands reached around behind her and she undid her skirt allowing it to fall to the floor. She stepped back then and took off her shoes and socks one at a time. "A skirt without a blouse doesn't really work, I should think and knickers and shoes don't either. Come to think of it," she added and pulled down her knickers as well and was now standing before Harry naked. "I don't think just knickers work either, do you Harry?"
"Um, I suppose not," Harry said. He wondered if she really was as pretty as he thought she was or if it was just the fact that she was naked. He was actually pretty certain she was pretty. "You could have put a blouse on," he began.
"But you seem to like me with it off," Luna replied.
"I do. Most definitely. But…"
"No one's allowed in here without our permission, Harry and you like looking at me and we're going to be together, so why not? Besides, I want to learn all about you and that includes what you like doing to girls, what you like for girls to do to you and what you like doing with girls. As I understand it, we can't have many if any boundaries and clothes just get in the way, or am I mistaken?"
Harry walked up to her and kissed her again. "You're not mistaken, Luna."
Luna was not nearly as fast as Katie had been. Katie had been eager, while Luna was curious. She became very eager once she realized how much she enjoyed playing with Harry and letting Harry play with her. It was not until the next day that they made love for the first of what would be many times, thereby preserving Katie's position as the fastest into his bed all the way. Luna showed Harry her apartment on Day Three. It was, Harry thought, very Luna. He would describe it as fanciful. It was the only time they were in there together, although Luna made sure they "christened" her bed, and the couch in the sitting room, and her desk, and the sitting room carpet for good measure. They did not see Neville or Laura until Day Six when they finally left the private apartments and Luna finally wore clothes again (and they learned that Neville and Laura had never left their apartment either. That couple's expression told them what they had been up to for the last five days). It turned out Luna would only wear clothes when they had to leave the apartment. The moment they were alone again, she was naked again. It didn't seem to matter if they did anything or not. Luna later told Harry she just liked being naked around him but couldn't explain why.
Harry learned that Luna had chosen him and Laura Neville because they liked them. Laura, being a Muggle Born, was doing this for much the same reason Katie was. She did not consider the magical dating pool particularly attractive and knew she needed the right husband to have any hopes of a career and, like Katie and Hermione, going back to the Muggle World was not a practical alternative. Luna made her choice because she believed, deep down, that she and Harry could go well together, even in this context. She also had a marriage contract with a man older than her father she wished to avoid if she could.
Harry had come to like all his girls, as he now thought of them and Luna was no exception. She certainly was different than any of the others. Like the others, she was very smart, the top of her class, in fact. But whereas Hermione was one who wanted proof, Luna was definitely willing to take some things on faith, such as the existence of Crumple Horned Snorkacks, Plimpies (although she swears she had caught a few), Nargles, Wrakspurts and other strange creatures. Then again, her father was an amateur naturalist which meant he spent much of his time looking for rare and unknown magical creatures.
The training changed yet again. They were now reviewing Defense Against the Dark Arts and were using international standard books. As Laura said, the only one who actually taught what the I.C.W. considered a proper course in the study was Professor Lupin. While their current professor clearly knew his business, his lessons were pretty much the same for every year which meant Third Years like Luna were not learning about dark creatures as they were supposed to. In addition to the review, they were now studying Arithmancy which was as close to magical science as anything was. It was important in spell analysis and had other uses as well. Again, the two girls achieved their patronus charms by the end of training. Luna's was a hare she named Binky for some reason. Laura's was a huge dog that reminded her of Sammy, her family's pet Newfoundland.
Luna told Harry she was pregnant on Day 25 and as before, they signed their contract that evening. Luna asked Harry to allow it to be a 'voluntary' Line Continuation Contract as, unless her father remarried, she was the last Lovegood. Their oldest son, if he chose to, could become the heir of that Line and name on his twenty-fifth birthday. Harry agreed to this. Laura and Neville would sign their own contract two days later.
"We're allowed to tell you two this," Laura said on their last day after the pictures were up, letters exchanged and the girls received their roses. "As you know, I'm Muggle Born and Luna's a Pureblood which means that you two now have the minimum required for a binding Plural Marriage. But, we are not the last. There will be others."
"How many," Neville said. "Not that I'm complaining, mind you."
"That we've agreed we won't say," Luna said. "By not knowing how many or who's next, we think means you focus your attention on the girl you are with, which is what you should be doing."
"I love you," the two girls told their boys as they turned to leave. The boys returned their expression.
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 29th, 1995 – SIXTH TIME COMPRESSION.
"Any guesses?" Harry asked.
"Two Hufflepuffs," Neville said. "I'm also guessing one's a Fifth Year and the other's a Third."
"Okay…"
"We each have a Fourth Year from Gryffindor, Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw. We also have a Fifth Year or Third Year from two of those Houses. If I'm going to guess, it will be based on that pattern as we haven't been paired with two Puffs yet and ours are from our year. Other than that, I have no clue."
"Not Slytherin?"
"You expect to see girls from Slytherin?"
"I didn't expect any of this, to be honest."
Two girls entered the Sunroom and each walked up to one of the boys. While Harry recognized them, he couldn't recall their names. The one standing in front of him was about three inches shorter than he was. She had a nice face and nice smile. Her hair was a reddish brown in color and hung past her shoulders, but was not nearly as long as Luna's or Padma's or Hannah's. She had nice, brown eyes. She was wearing Hufflepuff robes with a Prefect's Badge. The other girl was about the same height with long dark hair and blue eyes.
"I'm Marcia Robbins," the Prefect said extending her hand. "Fifth Year Muggle Born, for your records, Harry Potter.
"And I'm Andrea Lee, although Neville here already knows that as he's been tutoring me in Herbology this year."
"Not that you really need the help, Andy," Neville said with the smile.
"You're right," she replied, "but you are the best at it aside from maybe Professor Sprout and I like learning from the best."
"I see you'll have a Prefect too," Neville chuckled.
"A pretty one as well," Harry replied shaking Marcia's had. "It's nice to meet you, Marcia," he said genuinely.
She smiled at him. "Why don't we retire to our apartments and get to know one another," she suggested.
"That's definitely a plan!" Andy said with glee. "Come one, Neville! Let's check out my rooms!"
The two couples separated. Harry and Marcia took the stairs up to the floor above while Neville and Andy decided to use the lift.
As soon as they entered the main living area, Marcia shed her robes and took off her house tie, unbuttoning the top three buttons of her blouse thereby revealing that she rather well and tastefully endowed. She wasn't as large as Hannah, but larger than most the others so far. Harry was almost surprised that she didn't continue. She sat on one of the couches and Harry sat in a large chair facing her. She then got, crossed over to him and climbed into his lap, straddling his hips so she was facing him and looking him in the eyes.
"This is much nicer, I should think," she said softly and with a smile as she played with his collar.
"Why?" Harry began.
Marcia gave him a false pout. "You don't like me here?"
"No! That's not it! I guess I've gotten used to snuggly girls. I mean, you're all snuggly in minutes! Hermione and Hannah were not. Took a while with them. But everyone else was very - er - affectionate right from the start. Katie and Luna were naked practically from the start."
"Really? Would you like me to be too?"
"It's up to you really."
"Maybe later," she said. "And definitely not before several long, slow, toe curling kisses." She leaned in and kissed him. It was long and slow. "A girl definitely can get very, very used to that," she said when they were finished. "I guess I see your point. To be honest, had I been first or second, I probably would not be here in your lap for some time either.
"Hermione was head over heels for you before she even asked you here. But you know there were issues. You had never had a girlfriend before and you're really a decent guy which meant it would take time for you and Hermione was not about to push you faster than you wanted to go. She had no idea how this would work at all. She had no idea if you'd agree to it or how you'd react. She also had no idea how you might be as more than just her best friend.
"Hannah's shy. She always has been - or at least was until your time with her. I won't say she's not shy anymore, but what happened between the two of you really helped her, if you must know. She liked you before and has known since she was about eight or nine she might well wind up with you because of the contract between your families, but she had no idea what you would be like in a more intimate relationship and no one could tell her. She came in here as blind as Hermione and just as nervous and scared.
"But, when Hermione left, she came back to that classroom you two had been using which was where we were waiting and told us what being with you could be like and it sounded wonderful. While it helps a lot that you're an adorable hunk - especially now as those potions seem to have really done wonders - a lot of boys are really full of themselves. Basically, they're gits. You're not. You talked to them, a lot and not just meaningless words. Once she let's you become intimate, you're said to be very, very good at it. They said you're an amazing kisser, even though most all of them had no experience with that. I don't either but that was a memorable kiss, Harry. I won't say all girls like snuggling, but probably a lot of us do and you don't seem to mind at all. Add to it that everyone who I've heard from agrees that you really know how to please us - and I guess the fact that my first time won't be a quickie in a broom closet but a long, slow time in a nice big, warm bed and you're supposed to be amazing there too, and I guess it's just easier for us."
Harry nodded although not so much in agreement. He really had no idea it this was true. "Prefect?" he continued. "Surely there are rules against that."
"I won't say my badge is not at risk," Marcia said. "But the rules are in my favor. There have been married Prefects before and even ones with children. True, they were Purebloods under old style betrothal contracts…"
"Which seem to be still in style," Harry observed.
"Apparently," Marcia agreed. "The badge is probably more at risk because I am a Muggle Born than anything else. Technically, while we are certainly getting around the rules, we aren't actually breaking any. But we all agree, what we are doing helping you and Neville is far more important than school badges and House Points. If they take it away, it was for the right reasons."
"How do you become Prefect?" Harry asked. "I don't really know how that works."
"The Head of House recommends us and Dumbledore approves. Usually, it's the boy and girl who are highest in their class and House at the end of Fourth Year. There are exceptions. Every once in a while, Dumbledore picks someone else or refuses to offer the badge to the person the Head of House recommended. That's what happened to Katie, I'm told."
"Oh?"
"She second in our entire year. Laura's first. I'm third. The Slytherin Prefect Lucinda Urquhart is fourth. Apparently, Snape had a hissy fit when it looked like three Muggle Borns would be Prefects. Two has happened, but only rarely. Three has never happened and Dumbledore decided one of the Houses had to eat it. McGonagall withdrew Katie's name. I guess she figures Katie is still important as a member of your Quidditch Team and let it go at that. Don't worry. Katie doesn't mind at all, really. Aside from the bathroom, being Prefect is a pain if you ask me and Katie knows that."
"Oh. She never said anything."
"I guess it never came up," Marcia said. "She had a wonderful time with you, Harry and looks forward to being back here. Why would it come up?"
"It's not fair, if you think about it."
Marcia kissed him for that. "No, it's not," she agreed. "I came into this world totally clueless about magic. I gave up the Muggle life freely 'cause this seemed so cool! It's only later we begin to learn the deck is stacked heavily against us here. I could be Head Girl and it won't matter one lick."
"Unless you marry someone like me," Harry nodded. "It shouldn't have to be that way."
"I agree. But it's the hand we're dealt. We all agree that with four Ancient and Noble Houses united and you and Neville being surrounded by some very smart, capable, hopefully powerful and dedicated witches, when all is said and done things will be different, if not for us then for the next generation. That's our long term hope."
For their first time, Harry kissed her. "Then that's what we'll try and do," he said when they broke.
Marcia's rooms were, if anything, the most "girly" Harry had seen yet, although that was probably because her bed was covered in stuffed animal toys and she had a doll collection displayed in the Sitting Room. If that's what she wanted, he didn't mind at all. Of course, it was not like he had to sleep there. Apparently, neither did she. Although it wasn't until Day Three before they moved beyond kissing and cuddling - all the way beyond - during their month together, she slept in his bed. She made her point clear the first day. What they were about to do would be for the rest of their lives in all probability, but this might well be the only time they could spend ages together without her having to share. Harry, of course, didn't mind as this was for all practical purposes their "Honeymoon," even though they were not married yet.
Day 24 and that little detail was all but dealt with as that was when she told him she was pregnant and they signed their contracts. Neville and Andy had beat them to it by two days. But the two couples had a "party" anyway, mostly a nice candlelit dinner and dancing away in the ballroom to follow.
Training was still Arithmancy, physical training (which the girls appreciated - at least the effect it had on the boys) and Defense and, of course, the Patronus Charms. Marcia's was a big cat. She figured probably a jaguar of some kind. Andy's looked like a wolf.
As always, though, their month together all too soon came to an end. More pictures now decorated the Main Floor and Private Apartments and Harry and Neville were soon left alone again as they watched "their girls" leave for now.