(Okay, an exception to the rule. This chapter was edited for content to meet FF dot net rating requirements. The unedited version is available on my Yahoo group.)
Chapter Twenty Five: In Which Harry Has The Best Christmas Ever
[Author's Note: This chapter was voluntarily edited for ratings content 8/16/09.]
"I can't believe Harry's going to be late to our own Christmas party," Ginny whined.
Guests were already arriving. The entire Weasley clan had come half an hour early, as was there wont. Since Ginny was not one of the pregnant ones, Mrs. Weasley was ecstatic to learn of the future little Harrys. Ron gave Hermione an awkward hug at first, until she squeezed him harder.
"You know I'll always love you, Ron," Hermione said. "Don't think of me as a lost potential girlfriend. Think of me as a new sister. Because I promise our son will call you uncle."
Ron managed a slightly dazed smile. "That'd be brilliant."
The Bones arrived on time, accompanied by the minister of magic, who gave Susan a long, lingering hug. "I've never seen you look so beautiful," Amelia said.
"Thank you, Auntie Amelia," Susan said. She was a little weepy, but it was all in good spirits. Dumbledore was there, of course, acting the part of the happy grandfather. The only one still missing was Harry.
"So where has he gone?" Hermione finally asked Dumbledore. "You used to never even let him step away from the Dursleys, and now you're okay with him just disappearing for two days?"
"Lady Gryffindor," Dumbledore said with a twinkle in his eyes, "you speak as if I could somehow stop him. I assure you, that time has long since past. However, if I am correct, he should be here momentarily."
"What do you…?" Then Hermione felt it, as did all the wizards and witches in the family tower.
A surge of magic so powerful it felt like a wind passed through them. Suddenly, with a very loud pop, Harry stood in the center of the living room with two very stunned people in his arms. He let go, and Saint John Granger blinked. "That was nothing like what Professor McGonagall did."
"She apparated you through a series of stops across the world," Dumbledore said, immediately understanding what happened. "Lord Hogwarts, however, is sufficiently powerful to have apparated you directly here from Sydney."
Nearby, Albert Bones dropped his glass of firewhiskey. "He apparated all the way from Australia? Albus, that's not even…"
"Mum? Dad?" Hermione stood frozen in the center of the room, eyes wide, lips trembling.
The Grangers stared at her daughter, and then their eyes traveled down from her bulging chest to the subtle bump in her stomach. Calliope let out a squeal as she rushed across the room to embrace her daughter. Saint John moved a little slower, as if moving through sap, until he too arrived and wrapped his arms around his family.
Harry stood a few feet away, unabashedly crying. "Happy Christmas, Hermione," he said. "I thought having your parents back might be a nice present."
Harry cut the goose. Hermione was laughing, flushed and happy as she sat between her parents. Albert Bones and Arthur Weasley were commenting on the bread pudding while Mrs. Weasley was playing with Ginny's hair, which was longer than ever.
Ron and all of his brothers, even Percy, were talking quidditch. During Ron's second game he stopped ten quaffles. Albus was happily telling tall tales to Amelia Bones while Daphne and Luna both listened attentively. Susan and her mother were discussing bras and nursing.
Harry had been weepy all day, but with a brilliant smile the whole time. He hugged anyone who got too close, much to Percy's very intense discomfort. But sitting there slicing the Christmas goose and staring at all these people who had become an integral part of his life—who had become his family—Harry was struck with a sense of such overwhelming love it came close to actually hurting.
Then it all froze. Molly's hand held a strand of Ginny's copper hair, while Ron was stuck in the middle of a sweeping motion to describe a play.
He felt a warm hand on his neck, smooth and comforting. And then he simply wasn't there anymore. He found himself atop the castle, with Hogwarts. The incarnation of the castle's magic was dressed in red Yuletide robes, as luscious and beautiful as the first time he envisioned her.
She smiled at him like an angel, and gently wiped a tear from his cheek.
"Thank you for all of this," Harry managed to whisper with a thick voice. "For my family."
"It brings me great happiness to see you happy, Harry," she said.
"It's going to end soon, isn't it?"
"Nothing is forever, not even me," she said gently. "I cannot tell you if the end is near. But I can tell you that just as there cannot be day without night, so too can happiness not exist without sadness. The road ahead of you and your family is not an easy one."
"If…if I die before Ginny and Luna turn seventeen, then how…"
She draped an arm around his shoulders. "At midnight, bring your brides to my heart. You will know what to do then."
"When are you going to start passing that around, Harry?"
Harry blinked and looked at Ron, who was staring at the large slice of breast expectantly. "Right, sorry," Harry said. And dinner proceeded without problem.
Afterward everyone exchanged gifts. Harry made sure Ginny had her own Firebolt. In fact, all of his wives received a Firebolt as one of their gifts, as well as jewelry from their vaults. There were movies and CDs for their charmed equipment, candies and treats, and new clothes charmed to fit any size.
With a crowd that big, the celebration was noisy, but it was a joyous noise, filled with laughter and happiness. It was, in truth, the best Christmas Harry had ever had. In a way, it was his very first family Christmas.
The visit went on well into the evening, until sometime after eleven the stragglers went home, and Harry found himself cuddling on their couch with five beautiful women, watching "It's a Wonderful Life".
"Who's turn is it?" Luna suddenly asked.
"Mine," Ginny said.
"Er, actually…" Harry began.
All five girls looked up. "I was told we have to go someplace tonight."
"Told by whom?" Hermione said.
"Would you believe Hogwarts?"
"After everything, yes, I would believe it." Hermione stood up, virtually glowing in the gentle, flickering light of their fire. "So when do we have to go, and where are we going?"
"The Come and Go Room, at midnight."
"Any idea why?"
Harry shook his head. "No. She just said to come there."
Daphne sat up. "Well, for the record, I'm pregnant."
"It's only been two days!" Ginny exclaimed.
"Had Pomphrey did a deep scan. I'm pregnant."
Harry grabbed her hand. "Our son is going to be scary smart."
"He'd better be the bloody Minister of Magic," Daphne said.
Harry stood and gathered his angels around him. "It's time to go. Everyone stay together. There are others about tonight."
"Hogwarts tell you that too?"
"I can feel them," Harry said. "But they won't harm us."
Ginny took his hand. "Harry, you're kind of scaring us."
He blinked down at her. "I'm sorry, I don't mean to. Come on, let's go."
They climbed onto the stairs and let the charmed steps slide them gently down to the entrance of the tower. As they stepped out, all of them stopped.
The air was alive with ghosts. Hundreds and hundreds of them floated all around them. A pervading luminescence poured from the walls, and they saw that every figure in every painting was holding a candle, and from those painted candles came a gentle glow.
They recognized some of the ghosts. Harry saw Nearly Headless Nick, the Bloody Baron with the Gray Lady by his side, the Fat Friar and even Moaning Myrtle, who was staring at Harry with an odd, wistful smile. Even Professor Binns was there. The entire Headless Hunt was there, as were dozens Harry had never seen before.
"Harry?" Ginny asked, clutching his hand tightly.
Harry, though, felt a strange floating calm. "It's okay," he said. "They're here because of us. Because of the power we bring. They are here to honor us, not harm us."
Holding hands tightly, the six of them walked among the dead through the hallowed halls of Hogwarts until they reached the third floor corridor.
The Room of Requirement, or Come and Go Room, stood open and inviting. Harry led his wives inside. The room was pitch black, save for a circle of white light in the center. It was, in fact, exactly how he remembered it from when he first bonded with the castle. Only the bed was much larger, and circular, draped in red satin and velvet.
They stepped into the light, and from the other side came Hogwarts.
Harry felt Ginny's hands tighten. Of all of them, Luna was the first to step forward. She did not curtsy or bow. She stepped to this beautiful incarnation of a thousand years of living magic and wrapped her in a hug.
"Thank you for bringing me to Harry," Luna said simply.
"And thank you for going to him," Hogwarts said. Her voice was rich and throaty, both immediate and alive, while stunningly ancient.
Hermione found herself moving as well. She too wrapped the woman in a tight hug. "Thank you," she said.
"Thank you, my child."
One after the other, the woman in Harry's life hugged Hogwarts, until only Harry remained.
"You have come to ensure the continuation of the lines," Hogwarts told them. She looked at Ginny with a beauteous smile. "Even the Potter line, which we accord as much honor as the lines of my creators. What we do tonight is the most ancient of magic, known even from the time before the Pharaohs. Tonight, we shall create life. Tonight, we shall bond the six of you to me, and me to all of you. And through that bonding, we will ensure that the lines are never again lost.
"This bonding can only be done through shared love, both physical and spiritual. The bonds that formed before your marriage were in preparation for this day. The comfort you have gained in each others arms, and the love you have given so freely to each other, was in preparation for this day. You cannot participate in this ritual except through your own will and unhesitating choice. Will you join us?"
Five pairs of eyes turned to Harry, who stood simply smiling back at them. "We will," they said, almost as if the answer had been rehearsed.
"Lord Hogwarts, disrobe."
Harry removed his casual slacks and shirt, his boxers and socks, and stood naked before them. At any other point in his life, he would have been blushing up a storm. But now he felt such comfort and trust in the women before him that there was no embarrassment. No modesty.
"Come, and lay on the bed. "
Harry did as she asked, and lay on his back in the center of the large round bed.
Hogwarts then let her own red robe fall. "Brides of the heir, it is time as well. Disrobe."
There were one or two glances, and a nervous grin or two, as the girls took their clothes off. Hogwarts guided them around the bed until they formed a pentagram.
"The power of the Heir is to love without limit," Hogwarts said. "The purpose of this power was to aid in the continuation of the lines. For make no mistake, his endurance is a magical quality far beyond his own physical ability. It is a basic part of his magical core. Upon becoming the heir, he could never have married just one woman, for his love was more than any one woman could contain. This was intentional, so that the lines would be genetically strong. But it was never anticipated that the heir would also have such a heavy destiny upon his shoulders. And that, my daughters, is why I strengthened your bonds so early. All of you were fated to be Harry's wives, but his destiny caused me to hasten what would have eventually happened naturally.
"His destiny draws closer. What we do tonight is my way of ensuring that a part of him will always survive."
She stepped onto the bed. Where each of Harry's wives was beautiful, they were also lithe with youth. Even Susan, who with her larger breasts and wider hips, had the svelte thinness of youth. Hogwarts stood as a woman in her prime, luscious and ripe, beautiful and inviting. She walked across the bed without causing any depression in the mattress.
"Lady Gryffindor, as first wife, come forward."
Hermione came without hesitate. "Will this hurt the baby?"
"I could never hurt the next Lord Gryffindor," she said. "What we do tonight ensures that there will be more than one."
Hermione nodded. "What do I do?"
Hogwarts smiled, and for the first time the expression looked faintly naughty. "I must love Harry until his seed is within me, but it is you who must feel his magic. By doing so, it will be your bond and your magic that I capture with his seed."
Hermione looked down at Harry. "You sure this wasn't your idea?"
He laughed, as did the other girls. "It wasn't," he promised. "But…I would like to taste you. There are still things we haven't done. Let me make you happy, Hermione, like you've done for me."
"This is a little awkward," Hermione said. She knelt down on the mattress beside his head. She turned and watched as Hogwarts leaned over Harry's abdomen. His lower half disappeared under a shower of auburn curls. He tensed beside Hermione, flushing brilliantly. His eyes, though, were not on what Hogwarts was doing to him. His eyes were only on her.
"I love you, Hermione," he said simply.
"I love you, Harry. Forever and always."
Hogwarts lifted her head. "Now, Lady Gryffindor." She squatted down on strong, luscious legs allow Harry to slip into her. Hermione assumed her own position.
"I guess you should talk dirty to me," she said with a smile.
He grinned up.
"Huh," she said, surprised by the wave of pleasure that surged through her body when he did. "Harry, what are you…oh. Oh. OH!"
"Let the magic go, Lady Hermione," Hogwarts said as their passion and magic grew. "As his seed pours within me, so let his magic and his love pour within you."
"I'm already there, sister," Hermione gasped with a shudder as the most unbelievable orgasm she had ever experienced rippled through her body. Below Harry grunted and moaned as he released within Hogwarts.
Hermione could not move as the tremors of pleasure cascaded over her body. When at last the intensity passed, she collapsed onto the bed beside didn't hesitate for a moment before leaning over and latching her lips to his. "Sweet babe Maeve," she whispered. "That was incredible."
"You have done well, Lady Gryffindor." Hogwarts rose from Harry. Her body glistened, but not with sweat. Rather, she glistened as if she had recently received one of Harry's wonderful massages.
"Though the marriages were performed as you thought the order of tattoos," Hogwarts said, "the tattoos were ordered by right to left." She turned to Susan. "As Hufflepuff was most beloved of Gryffindor, so too should Lady Hufflepuff be second wife." From atop the mattress she offered her hand. Susan looked at the half-lidded eyes of her sister wife and grinned as she took the hand and stepped onto the bed.
Once again Hogwarts descended on Harry. Hermione lay on the bed near Harry's head, exhausted and satiated and beautiful in her pregnancy.
Susan leaned down and kissed him hard, licking his lips. Hogwarts raised her head, and again Harry was ramrod straight and ready. "It is time, Lady Hufflepuff."
"It is indeed," Susan said as she assumed her position just as Hermione had even as Hogwarts did the same further down Harry's body. "By the gods that's so hot," she said.
"Try watching it from the sidelines," Daphne said in a very strained voice.
"At least you're not last," Ginny said. Her voice was shrill and a little cracked. "I am last."
"But never least, beautiful one," Hogwarts assured her, even as she began rocking on Harry.
Susan did not even notice as Harry began on her. "Ohhhhh." Her moan of pleasure was deep-throated and intense. "Ohhh gods, yes!"
"Let the bonds be strengthened," Hogwarts said. "Lady Gryffindor, attend your sister."
Hermione sat up and looked at Susan. "I've never done anything like this before."
"I have," Susan gasped. The two came together and kissed over Harry. The magic that swelled around them was even more intense this time, forming a discernable bubble around them.
"Let the magic go, Lady Susan. As his seed pours within me, so let his magic and his love pour within you."
"Uh-huh," Susan moaned, now beyond words, as her whole body began shaking violently in orgasm. Again, Harry moaned as he too climaxed into Hogwarts.
"I think I came just watching," Daphne gasped.
"I'm on number two myself," Luna proclaimed with a fervent happiness in her eyes. "And I'm next." She started bouncing on the balls of her feet, causing her pert little breasts to bounce enticingly.
Ginny squeaked.
Susan collapsed onto the bed just below Hermione, near Harry's right let. Hogwarts rose effortlessly again, as before glistening beautifully in the white light. "Lady Ravenclaw, though the ancestor of your name suffered greatly in matters of love, still she bore great love for her family. It is time for you to bring happiness to that line."
"Okay!" Luna chirped as she took the proffered hand and hopped onto the bed. She didn't go to Harry's head, though. With a grin up at Hogwarts, she bent over his torso and emulated Hogwarts.
"Luna!" Hermione gasped in surprise. "The ceremony!"
"It is good," Hogwarts said. "Do not let the chains of old beliefs stop you. This is a celebration of life most basic. Of touch and love and pleasure. So long as his seed spills within me, you may all touch him however you please."
Luna rose up, and looked down at her handwork with a happy smile. "I think he's ready for you." She reached up a pale hand and ran it from the swell of Hogwart's hip to the rise of her public hair. "I can taste your magic on him. You are so beautiful."
Hogwarts squatted down until she rode the wizard once more. She leaned over and kissed Luna. The kiss turned into a full embrace. "And you are beautiful as well, my dearest Ravenclaw. Go and let his magic fill you."
"He always fills me," Luna said dreamily, even as she assumed the position. "I love you so much, Harry. I love all of you so much. I can never thank you enough for making me a part your family."
"I love you too," he said.
Luna looked over to Daphne and Ginny, standing forlorn with need. "Come," Luna finally said. "You are a part of this family. And I want some girl kisses."
Daphne pounced almost hungrily onto the bed. Ginny sat on the edge of the bed, less sure. It was Hogwarts who took her hand. "Be with your family, Lady Potter."
"My mother would call me a scarlet woman."
"Scarlet is the color of life and love. The color of passion. The color of Gryffindor." She guided Ginny until the youngest wife sat between Hogwarts and Luna. By this time, Luna was literally shivering, her teeth chattering as wave after wave of orgasms rocked through her. The magic was more than palpable. It clung to their skin.
Harry grunted in release as Luna literally collapsed over his face, gasping. Hogwarts rose, and Ginny found her face just inches away from Harry's glistening member. It was only partially deflated. She looked up at where Hogwarts stood.
The goddess of the castle smiled down at her and simply nodded.
By this time, Luna had rolled off and Daphne had quickly taken her place. "Eat me, Harry!" she commanded.
Ginny reached out a narrow hand and grasped Harry. She didn't know what to expect. She'd played at this before—especially during his birthday—but had never truly taken him in her mouth before. She heard him gasp as she experimented and learned under the loving expression of Hogwarts. She was overcome with with a need to make him happy. To make him explode for her. She had no idea what it would be like, but suddenly she just wanted to taste. But a gentle hand made her pause.
"Not just yet, my sister," Hogwarts said.
"I want him to be happy," Ginny said, tears in her eyes.
"He is, beloved," Hogwarts promised her as she slid down. For all their loving, they loved as young people, without experience. This is the first time Ginny had actually watched Harry love another so closely.
She felt warmth and moisture gather between her own legs.
At the head of the bed, Daphne was shuddering and rocking, crying out, "Yes! Hecate's tits, yes!" She leaned her upper body back to press against Hogwart's breasts. Ginny opened her eyes enough to see Luna on her knees, her bum up in the air with Harry's hand between her legs, while she had her hand on Ginny. The Ravenclaw's lips were on Ginny's breasts. On the other side of the bed, Ginny heard Hermione moaning in pleasure.
Harry's thrusts grew frantic. Ginny was enraptured by the slapping sound of bodies colliding in passion. Daphne cried out as she fell forward. And then hands were on Ginny's shoulders, guiding her to Harry. She looked down at him, flushed and sweating, his eyes half=lidded.
"Hello, Mrs. Potter," he said in a deep, throaty voice.
"Hello, Mr. Potter."
"I love you, Ginny. I want to taste you."
She leaned down and gently kissed his lips. They were salty and musky. She could smell all of her sister wives, and taste them as well. "Promise me you'll be there to see our son born."
"I promise," Harry said.
With a nod, she swung her leg over his chest and spread her thighs as wide apart as she could. "Then taste me, my husband."