Chapter XXI: Family Matters.

"Oh Harry!" Hermione exclaimed, quickly getting to her feet. "Yes, of course yes!" She hugged him tightly as the room erupted into applause.

"Congratulations master!" they cheered, as Harry and Hermione kissed each other deeply.

The rest of the evening was lost to celebrations, drinking and merriment. But Harry never forgot about Gabrielle, and though he wished to see her, Fleur advised against it.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

The next morning Harry awoke to find a bushy blonde head resting on his chest, with a similarly bushy brown head nuzzled against his neck.

"Emma?" Harry groaned, the blonde head moved, and Emma looked up and went pale at the situation.

"Harry, did we?" Emma breathed, quickly pulling away and checking her body.

"I don't know, I can't remember much after me and Mione got engaged" Harry groaned, putting his hand against his pounding headache.

Emma quickly stood up, and they both saw a trickle of familiar white ooze, trickle down her leg.

"It's in my rear," Emma breathed, feeling the warm liquid shift in her rear. "Thank god it's there, and not somewhere else."

"What's not somewhere else?" Hermione groaned as she woke up, quickly shifting herself to be beside Harry, and hugging him tightly.

"Your fiancée's seminal fluid," Emma said curtly, before walking from the room.

"Harry?" Hermione growled.

"Don't worry; it's only in her ass." Harry said reassuringly, but Hermione scowled at him. "I'm sorry for having sex with your mother again, but it can't be helped when I'm that drunk. But chin up Mione, we've got the family coming round today, we cannot focus on some drunken fling when we've got so many important people coming."

"Fine" Hermione grumbled, before Dobby appeared at the foot of the bed.

"Lord Potter, your guests have begun to arrive" Dobby said, quickly bowing to the pair. "Shall I keep them occupied until you're ready?"

"Yes, are the others down stairs as well?" Harry said as he sat up.

"All except Mistress Gabrielle, she's refusing to leave her room," Dobby reported. "Miss Fleur says her 'allure is still out of her control', I briefly saw her, and felt strange."

"It affected you too?" Harry asked, Dobby nodded and quickly vanished.

"Poor thing" Hermione said as she rushed to the bathroom and locked the door. "She's finally bound to the man she loves, and he turns her into a monster." She yelled from the bathroom.

"Gee, thanks Mione" Harry yelled through the door.

"Oh shut up and get changed!" Hermione yelled back. "You've got guests to entertain."

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

"Hello Pup," Sirius greeted Harry as he walked down the stairs, immediately receiving a hug from his godfather.

Hermione had made the event fairly formal, so people were all dressed in elegant evening ware, and suits. Harry was in a rich onyx black suit with gold shirt, with no tie, whilst his witches were all wearing the same black backless, knee-length dress, with a large gold lightning bolt over their heart, Hermione's was in the reverse colour scheme, and had been designed with her nine month pregnant form in mind.

"I never thanked you Harry," Sirius said as Harry looked around at the fifty odd people milling about around the vast dining room.

"For what?" Harry chuckled.

"For saving me at the Ministry," Sirius stated quickly. "Had it not been for the controls planted in Trixie's head, I'd be dead."

"You should really thank Cissa for that," Harry smiled, gesturing to Narcissa, who was currently talking to two people that he figured to be Cho's parents.

"I did, she said to thank you, but now that I've thanked you both, I'd say I've done it" Sirius said dryly, before quickly walking toward Molly and Arthur.

Harry's attention was drawn to the far corner, where Fleur appeared to be talking to the curtains.

"Fleur who are you…" Harry began, but he quickly realised who she was talking to, and promptly bowed. "Ancestor, what are you doing here?"

"Dumbledore sends his greetings, he wants you to know several key facts," Godric said quickly. "Firstly, the burned body is not Mr Granger, it was a random muggle. Second, that the entire castle has been searched, and no unusual dark objects were located. And thirdly, that he will join you shortly."

"Wait, what?" Harry hissed, as Godric slowly floated into the wall.

"Dumbledore was invited, but is running late," Fleur explained, as Godric vanished.

"How's Gabby?" Harry asked, as they turned to re-join the others.

"Distraught that she can't have any company, besides me, without zem trying to fuck her." Fleur sighed. "Even Dobby is affected."

"He told me, I'm so sorry Fleur, you must really hate me for this" Harry said quietly, as he noticed Molly bustling toward them, Arthur in tow.

"Non master, I'm confused more zan anything else," Fleur replied quickly. "First Henry is born full Veela, zen you trigger Silver's allure prematurely, yet you are apparently not Veela. Something intriguing lies just around the corner, concerning who you are, and what you are capable of."

"Harry, how wonderful to see you," Molly said, distracting them from their conversation as the Weasley matriarch hugged him tightly. Suddenly she pulled away and slapped him, Arthur quickly stepped in to restrain her. "That was for Percy!"

"Excuse moi?" Fleur snarled, stepping between Harry and Molly. "Care to explain zat!" Harry could feel Fleur's Veela rising inside her, he put a hand on her shoulder and it subsided. "Merci," she whispered.

"Your lord interrupted a marriage contract that had been in place longer than either of you have been alive" Molly scowled at them. At that moment Penelope rushed over, quickly standing beside Fleur.

"It's alright Molly, I went to Harry for help, he didn't steal me away" Penelope said calmly.

"You willingly broke the contract between you and Percy?" Arthur asked in a calm tone, covering his wife's mouth to stop her likely tirade. "But you were so happy together…"

"Were, Arthur, we WERE. After Hogwarts the happiness died" Penelope stated, stepping subconsciously toward Harry. "Percy became obsessed with work, forgetting all about me, our relationship was all but dead."

"The contract was legally terminated before Miss Clearwater approached Lord Potter," a voice said, they all looked down to see a Goblin in an elegant suit looking up at them. "It was not broken."

"Gonark?" Harry exclaimed at the sight, "what are you doing here?"

"I'm sorry for the deception Lord Potter, but Gonark doesn't exist" the Goblin smiled. "Allow me to reintroduce myself, I'm Ragnok, king of the Goblin nation." The group quickly bowed. "No need for formalities, I only demand it from those many witches and wizards who act like they are better than me, to which none of you are responsible."

"Why the rouse?" Fleur asked, leaning down and shaking his hand.

"For fun," Ragnok smiled. "It gets so terribly boring being the king, so I often pretend to be a lower ranking Goblin for fun, and being in charge of your inheritance was my longest running rouse, fifteen years, and no one suspected me of being the absent king."

"Did you enjoy it? I mean it would have been fourteen years of sitting in an office, before Harry claimed his inheritance" Arthur said, looking at the Goblin king with confusion.

"Nonsense, I had so much research to do, as well as ensuring the preservation and upkeep of the Potter estates," Ragnok smiled. "Why'd you think there wasn't a single cobweb in this place when you returned."

"Well, thank you for that" Harry said warmly, shaking the king's hand.

"No problem, your fame is great among my people, it was the least we could do, since you stopped, and continue to stop, those who would treat my people as lesser beings." Ragnok smiled, before bowing to Harry, and quickly moving away to talk to other guests.

"That's a thought, where are my children?" Harry asked, looking around the room.

"In the nursery, zey're being looked after by Rosie, Ginny, Katie and Luna" Fleur smiled. "We tried including them, but they all got a bit restless."

"And generally how are the parents reacting to their daughter(s) being part of a harem?" Harry asked, looking around at the many family members, who seemed to be getting on with each other very well.

"They were hesitant at first, but when they started chatting amongst themselves, they quickly warmed to the idea Harry," Molly smiled; her anger toward him had evaporated. "Much like we did when Ginny told us that she was one of many people, who considered themselves 'yours'."

The room fell silent, and Harry looked over to see Hermione walk into the room, everyone in awe of her beautiful dress that accentuated her pregnant bump.

"Blimey Hermione!" Ron exclaimed, quickly breaking the silence, as everyone flocked to her. Harry slipped through and linked arms with his fiancée, as she showed off her engagement ring to everyone. "So, you popped the question?"

"Obviously" Hermione giggled.

"When's the wedding?" Sirius asked, quickly making his way to the front of the crowd.

"Don't know yet, but it'll probably be after the war ends," Harry said, before kissing Hermione's cheek. "We won't be safe doing it until then."

"So you're confident that the war's nearing its end?" a woman asked from the back.

'That's my mother!' Pansy whispered in his head, 'her brother-in-law was a death eater; he was killed in the last war.'

"Yes, the stalemate ended with the battle at the Ministry, where the scales were tipped in our favour" Harry said proudly. "It's only a matter of time now, and Voldemort will be dead, along with everyone who still follows him." Harry saw uncertain eyes look at Bellatrix.

"I'm not one of his anymore!" she yelled, showing her blank forearm. "Though what I did will haunt me forever."

"When she turned, she provided valuable Intel, which has ensured our certain victory" Cissa said, the crowd seemed to ignore this and turned back to Harry and Hermione.

"What's your plan?" Andromeda asked, standing beside Sirius.

"It's complicated, and not fully mapped out," Harry grimaced, hearing a few moans of disappointment. "But in the final battle, I ask that everyone stands united against the darkness."

"We're behind you Harry!" Molly and Arthur cheered in unison, raising their glasses in a toast.

"To Harry Potter, the Man-who-will-win!" Sirius said raising his glass.

"To Harry!" Everyone said together, raising their glasses and cheering his name.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

After Harry and Hermione were introduced to the parents and close family members, who had attended the Boxing Day get together, the main meal was served, and the conversation turned to more general matters, such as plans for the future.

After the meal, many parents said their farewells, as they had other family members to see, Harry made sure to confirm that they were happy with their relatives choosing to be with him for the rest of their life.

Soon it was only the Order members, the others quickly joining them, as well as Ms Bones, the new Minister for Magic, and Ragnok, their conversation naturally turned to the war.

"So Harry, what exactly is your plan for ending the war?" Sirius asked, as they all gathered at the dining room table again, which had shrunk to accommodate the smaller group of people.

"A trap" Harry smiled, "we lure Voldemort and all his followers into a trap, and ensure they are unable to escape."

"I'm guessing that 'trap' will be Hogwarts" Dumbledore chuckled. "Which I think is your best option."

"I'm afraid Hogwarts may not survive what Voldemort has planned" Bellatrix said quietly, but everyone heard, and turned to face her.

"Care to explain Trixie," Sirius said calmly. "What was Voldemort planning?"

"To destroy Hogwarts" Bellatrix said coldly. "Has he got the giants on his side yet?"

"Yes, despite Hagrid's best attempts to dissuade them, they've flocked to him" Dumbledore said slowly. "Why?"

"Because he planned to use them to level the castle, to remove any advantage it would provide Dumbledore with," Bellatrix said quickly.

"Well Hogwarts' defences are still in place and the castle still stands," Harry smiled. "And I intend for it to remain standing."

"So what's the plan?" Hermione asked, her excitement was clearly visible.

"Tomorrow some of you will go to Gringotts, and retrieve the horcrux from Trixie's vault, and take it to Hogwarts." Harry said slowly. "Before school resumes, you'll make sure the castle is prepared for war, and search the castle for the last horcrux."

"Harry my boy, I'm afraid that…" Dumbledore began but Harry interrupted him.

"There's still one more, but we'll deal with it at the appropriate time," Harry smiled.

"That wasn't what I was going to say," Dumbledore chuckled. "Please continue."

"The horcruxes destruction will be the bait, and Voldemort will come running to kill us for it," Harry smiled at the idea. "Once he and all his followers are inside the grounds, we'll spring the trap."

"Will this be during term time, or before?" Amelia asked. "Will we need to make plans for the students?"

"Plans have already been made Minister," Harry smiled. "They were made months ago, the students will be safe during the battle, I can assure you of that."

"The Lord of Hogwarts better be sure," Amelia smiled curtly. "It won't look good if innocents are killed in your school, during a battle you planned for."

"Understood," Harry nodded. "What other forces have joined Voldemort?"

"Apart from the giants, and the army of death eaters, he also has the Dementors, and a faction of Aragog's Acromantula kin." Lupin listed. "As well as several of my kin."

"Werewolves?" Lavender squeaked.

"Yes my dear, the main one to be concerned about is Fenrir Greyback." Lupin grimaced at the name.

"And our forces?" Luna asked, quickly moving the conversation forward.

"The Centaurs have said they'll intervene if they're provoked, the dragons are refusing to cross the Channel, and very few in the magical community wish to fight." Dumbledore sighed. "We are outnumbered I'm afraid."

"What about the Veela?" Harry asked, his eyes flitting to Fleur, who smiled weakly.

"We are in a similar position to ze dragons, feeling it's safer to stay on the continent," Fleur stated. "Ze Veela matriarchs have little reason to get involved in a wizard's war."

"Could they be persuaded to join us?" Harry asked quickly. "Could I persuade them?"

"You can try my boy," Dumbledore said warmly. "But the Veela rarely listen to outsiders."

"Even an outsider, who has two bonded quarter-Veela women, and a Veela son?" Harry chuckled; the entire table stared at him. "Ah, you didn't know that Henry is full Veela."

"No we did not" Sirius said flatly, staring at his godson in disbelief. "But it certainly improves your chances of convincing the Veela queen to join us."

"Indeed" was the general consensus from the others.

"What of the Goblin nation?" Hermione asked, quickly remembering their Goblin guest.

"We Goblins are publically neutral, but have secretly been aiding your side.'" Ragnok stated proudly.

"And we welcome your support King Ragnok" Harry smiled, bowing his head slightly, Ragnok responded with the same gesture.

"That still leaves us woefully outnumbered by the other side," Arthur said, shaking his head slightly, "our position isn't great."

"We have another weapon, my pets" Harry smiled. "Salazar Slytherin's basilisks, they've got free reign of the school's plumbing, and Voldemort doesn't know they're on our side."

"That levels the playing field," Moody chuckled. As Amelia had been made Minister, Moody was now head of the DMLE, a job he was hesitant to take. "When the battle happens, I'll rally every Auror, and capable fighter to help you."

"The Order, The Ministry, The Prophet, The Quibbler, The Goblin Nation, my harem, The Centaur tribes and Hogwarts' pupils stand united, Voldemort doesn't stand a chance." Harry chuckled, raising a glass into the air. "Death to Voldemort!"

"Death!" the gathered cheered, "death to the so-called Dark Lord."

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

"'Death to the so-called Dark Lord'?" Voldemort said aloud, pacing back and forth. "Does he not realise I have his mudblood's father hostage?"

"The man does my lord, but he doesn't seem to care" Voldemort's spy said, their head bowed. "He plans to trap you in the school and finish you off."

"His trap will fail, and he will fall," Voldemort said coldly. "You have done well, the boy doesn't suspect that someone he loves is betraying him."

"Thank you, my lord" the spy said softly. "What do you command?"

"Remain close to him, continue to report his movements, and try to isolate one of his harem." Voldemort said, his eyes looking up at the moon overhead. "Another death so close to 'the end' will distract him, and give us the advantage."

"What about the traitor?" the spy asked in a hushed tone.

"She'll fall into a trap, and pay for her betrayal," Voldemort hissed.

"Yes, my lord," the spy smiled. "What about my family? Will you release…"

"When you have performed your task as I have asked, you will get what you want from me, not before" Voldemort hissed angrily, wheeling around and flicking his wrist, the spy writhed in pain at the silent crucio curse. "Be gone!"

The spy stood up slowly, bowed and vanished.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

That evening, when all the guests had left, and many of his harem had gone to bed, Harry was left alone in the living room, with only the roaring fire providing any light.

"What's wrong with me?" he mused aloud. "I ruined Gabrielle's Christmas with one kiss!"

"You didn't ruin her Christmas master," Hannah said softly, appearing from the darkness and sitting on his lap. "You finally bonded her to you, and the man she had fallen for, made her a woman."

"But after that…" Harry insisted, but Hannah put a finger over his lips.

"Ssh," she said softly, before leaning in and kissing him. "The reason she's upset, is because the allure is stopping her from being with you more." She whispered in his ear. "Like the rest of us she's devoted to you."

"What do I do?" Harry whispered back, Hannah stood up and smiled warmly at him, her face glowing in the firelight.

"Go to her, you seem to be immune to her pull, spend the night with her" Hannah smiled, Harry stood up to retort, but she silenced him again. "Just sleep with her, leave that out of it" she playfully tapped his erect cock, before skipping off into the darkness, and up the stairs.

"Lumos!" Harry muttered, before making his way to Fleur and Gabrielle's room.

He quietly opened the door and slipped inside, extinguishing his wand on the way in. He didn't need the light, as he could feel Gabby's allure drawing him to her, but he fought its demand for him to fuck her, and gently slid in beside her, wrapping his arms around her, and holding her delicate form close to him.

"Master" Gabrielle said softly, settling into his embrace, but not waking from her dream.