Chapter 25
Nightmares and Dreams
Warning: Descriptive Sexual Situations between Minors (aged 16). If you skip this scene, you'll miss some good dialogue and a fairly lovely scene, aside from sex. Fair warning.
August 2nd, 1996 – Very early hours
Hermione blinked open her eyes as a chilly cool wind swept over her. She found she was lying on the edge of a lake.
And she was completely naked.
She got to her feet and looked around and found that she was in a cove of a larger lake. On the distant shore, she could see two figures on the ground. One of the figures was screaming words.
"Sirius – Sirius, wake up!"
Hermione's eyes widened. That was Harry! And he was talking to Sirius! She tried to yell for him, but her voice was hoarse and stuttered in the cold air. Suddenly, the surface of the lake began to freeze over and Hermione looked up in the sky as she saw large black cloaks gliding through the air toward Harry and Sirius.
She realized what they were. Dementors!
"Harry!" she screamed out, "Watch out!"
Harry didn't hear her, but one of the Dementors did. It turned and started to dive toward her. She screamed, turned on her heels and started running toward the forest. She ran, and ran some more, knowing she needed to lose the Dementor, so she could make her way over to Harry. Soon the air became warmer, and she knew she had lost the Dementor.
She turned around, intent on running back toward the lake. But the trees looked identical. She couldn't tell where she had come from. She swore she had continued running in a straight line... but had she really?
Suddenly, she heard a low, fierce growling voice behind her. She turned around slowly, and saw a wolf slowly moving toward her, and growling. But it wasn't just a wolf. It was a werewolf.
Hermione recognized it. She had seen it before. Professor Lupin.
She tried to speak to him, but words failed to come.
Then the werewolf lunged!
And she screamed as he ripped and tore at her flesh. She thought she could hear a voice. Calling her name.
Harry!
"Hermione!" Harry said, "Hermione! Wake up! It's just a nightmare!"
Hermione opened her eyes and sat up straight. She looked around and found she was laying in the bed in the Master Bedroom. She looked at her body – she was nude, but there were no bites or scratches or cuts anywhere. She was safe, she wasn't dead or a werewolf or worse. She turned and saw Harry looking at her with wide, concerned eyes.
She threw herself against him, burying her head against his chest, and sobbed.
"Shh," Harry said, "It was just a nightmare."
Hermione gulped breaths of fresh air as her sobs stopped. She backed away from his chest and looked at him.
"Oh Merlin," said, her voice shuddering, "That was absolutely the worst."
"Want to tell me about it?" Harry asked.
"It was just as I predicted," Hermione said, "It was about that night with the time-turner. You were on the edge of the lake with Dementors. I was across the cove. Then the Dementors came for you, and I called your name to warn you. But one of the Dementors dove toward me, and I ran into the forest. When I lost it, I heard a werewolf – Remus – and I turned, and he came toward me and – and –"
She inhaled and exhaled, trying to stop herself from hyperventilating.
"Shh," Harry said, comforting her again, "It didn't happen. I haven't even heard Remus howling tonight."
"Oh, Merlin, that would just make it worse," Hermione said.
"Sorry," Harry said, "You didn't need to hear that."
"I'm sorry I woke you up," Hermione said.
"You never need to apologize for that," Harry said, "I will always save you from your nightmares."
"Still," Hermione said; she moved her hand slowly down his chest, and toward his manhood, "Let make up it up to you."
She moved her other hand to his chest and pushed him back onto the bed so he was laying down again. She then leaned toward him and kissed him softly, as she stroked his length. She gave him teasing kisses until he was ready for her. Then she lifted a leg and straddled Harry's crotch. She situated herself over his manhood, then descended onto him, until she was completely impaled on him. She pressed her knees to the bed on either side of him and began riding him in slow, teasing movements.
"I should have realized my nightmare wasn't real," Hermione said.
"Why?" Harry asked.
"Because," Hermione said, "I was naked."
"I think I would have remembered if you were naked that night," Harry said, grinning.
"You would have been dreaming back then," Hermione said.
"Oh, I don't doubt that," Harry said, "You've been naked in my dreams lately. But they were definitely not nightmares."
"Oh yeah?" Hermione asked, as she slowly rocked her hips and slid up and down against him, "Was I doing this?"
"Mmm, yes," Harry said. "You were in this exact position. But we were older."
Hermione blinked; she didn't expect that. She slowed her movements to a teasing snail's pace, better to concentrate on their discussion.
"What else?" she asked.
"The war was over," Harry said, "We might have been having an actual honeymoon somewhere. Wherever we were, it was definitely a holiday location. I remember hearing waves crashing on a beach. My parents' Will stated that I own a beach house somewhere in France. Maybe we were there. But that isn't what I remember the most."
He looked as if he was staring out in space, as if remembering the moment.
"What was it then?" Hermione asked.
Harry smiled and raised his hand. Hermione's eyes followed Harry's hand as he moved it to her stomach. Then he made a curving shape, as if to say her stomach was much larger.
"I was pregnant?" Hermione asked.
"Very," Harry said, "And you still looked so incredibly sexy."
"Sounds wonderful," Hermione said. "I will do what I can to make your dream come true. Was that your only recent dream you remember about me?"
"No," Harry said, "There an was even better one."
"Better than your very pregnant and very sexy wife riding you like this?" Hermione asked, as she slowly moved up and down him again.
"Yeah," Harry said. "But I think I'll keep that one hostage for a few more minutes."
He sat up, and wrapped his arms around her, moving around so she was in his lap. Then he thrust up into her; Hermione moaned at the sudden feeling of fullness and pleasure. Harry ducked his head to her right breast and licked and kissed the skin, before moving to her nipple. He rubbed his tongue around her nipple, as it slowly went into a point, then he sucked it into his mouth. Hermione gasped at this feeling and began to bounce up and down against him, excited by what he was doing.
This went on for another couple of minutes, as Harry moved from her right to left breast. Soon she felt pleasure race through her entire body until it hit her groin, and caused her to orgasm, making the inner muscles of her core tighten around Harry's manhood. Harry moaned at the feeling, and he gasped her name. She mewled and hummed as she felt his release flow into her like magma. Harry sighed in exhaustion and collapsed back down on the bed in his previous position. Hermione slowly ground her hips against him, milking the remnants of his release, before she collapsed onto his chest. She mewled as she felt his manhood gradually soften and slip out of her.
She looked at him, with her chin resting on his chest, which slowly raised and lowered as he breathed. She could hear his heartbeat. He was looking at her through heavily-lidded eyes.
"I'm think I'm just going to stay here for the rest of the night," Hermione said, smiling. "That was absolutely wonderful."
"Mmm, I agree," Harry said.
"Tell me about that other good dream you had about me," Hermione said. "Before you go back to sleep."
"It wasn't just about you," Harry said, "But also about the other girls too."
"I see," Hermione said, "You kept that dream hostage until this bout of love-making finished so your focus could be on me. How considerate of you. So... continue."
"I think we were on that same beach I mentioned earlier," Harry said, "We were definitely a few years older than we are now. We might have been the same age as we were in the other dream. At first I mistook Gabrielle for Fleur. Anyway, we were all sitting on the beach - you, me, Gabrielle, Daphne, Susan and Padma – there might have been others... around our age I mean."
"Neville's girls – or other girls of yours, other wives?" Hermione asked.
"I don't know," Harry said, "They were blurry – I couldn't see their faces. But I didn't concentrate on them much either. There were others there too – little ones."
"Children?" Hermione asked.
Harry nodded. "Babies, toddlers, and some a couple years older. I think one of the girls was – er – feeding their baby – you know -"
"Breastfeeding?" Hermione asked. "Was it me?"
Harry shook his head. "No. I don't know if there were any children near you. Of course they could have been with the others. I think you were pregnant though. And you might not have been the only one."
"Maybe it was around the same time period as your other dream," Hermione said.
Harry nodded. "Possibly. I can't recall whose kids were whose, or how many. There might have been twins, I don't remember. I just know they were all mine. Messy-haired boys, and girls as beautiful as their mothers."
"Were we girls clothed or naked?" Hermione asked.
"Both," Harry said, "A couple had bikinis, others were naked."
"So either it was the private beach at the beach home," Hermione said, "Or a nude beach. Probably the private one, since there was public breastfeeding. Am I thinking about this too much?"
"I don't know," Harry said, "I mean they were just dreams..."
It was easy to see that he didn't want to believe that.
"Harry, you've had dreams that just weren't dreams," Hermione said. "They could have been real... glimpses into the future."
"I hope so," Harry said, "I really, really do. Because it was so good. Are dreams viewable in Pensieves?"
"I don't know," Hermione said. "Maybe. You want to see it again, don't you?"
"Maybe," Harry said, "Dumbledore once told me not to dwell on dreams. But now I'm doubting every thing he ever told me. Questioning whether they were lies, whether he ever told me the truth about anything..."
Hermione nodded sleepily. She thought about the previous day when she, Harry and her future sister-wives spoke to Tonks, Amelia, Bill and a few others (Remus had already gone to his shelter) about the possibility of Dumbledore using the Wizengamot Council for his selfish means. Those they spoke to realized it was a definite possibility, and it was likely they would hear about it in the Daily Prophet in the next week or so. They would discuss it with Remus when he was up to it.
Hermione blinked and opened her mouth to say something else to Harry, then realized he had fallen back to sleep. She smiled at how gorgeous he looked while asleep. He looked so innocent, so peaceful, and in sleep he didn't need to worry about his terrible and inevitable destiny. In his sleep, he could dream about their future family and kids playing on beaches with their mothers. She hoped his dreams would come true. Because they sounded so beautiful.
"Sweet dreams, my husband," Hermione said, "I love you."
She relaxed against his chest and closed her eyes, gradually falling back into a dreamless sleep.
August 2nd, 1996 – Mid-morning
Ginny Weasley sat on the dock at the edge of the small lake at the southern perimeter of the family plot, as she skimmed rocks and pebbles across the lake's surface. She had learned this talent from her eldest brother at age seven. She enjoyed it immensely; not just because it was fun, but because It allowed her to think about things
And she had a lot of stuff to think about today. Ever since Charlie's visit the previous day, Ginny had been doing everything she could to not think about the revelations that had been revealed from her mother and youngest brother, Ron. She spent most of her time since Charlie's visit either locked in her room or outside the Burrow. When outside, she spent her time either at the lake or in the family orchard. She might have preferred to fly on her broom, but she knew Ron would probably want to join her.
The only time she was forced to spend time with her mother and Ron was during meals. But during these times, she had kept silent lest she lash out in anger at them. She couldn't even hint that she knew about their secrets, since Charlie had cast the Memory Charm on them making them forget the conversation. A pity this was. Just that morning, Ron had ranted about Harry and Hermione's marriage, and Ginny had to chew on her tongue so she wouldn't yell at him about why he didn't just ask their mother to mail Hermione a Love Potion keyed to him. Their mother would probably agree to it, after all!
Ginny's mind whirled about the fact that her mother desired feeding Love Potions to Harry. How had she not seen this coming? It had been her mother who encouraged her from a young age to read the Boy-Who-Lived books. Had her mother been training her to be Mrs. Potter since she was a little girl? She had read the first book to Ginny when she was just four years old! Even back then, was this because of Albus Dumbledore or was it her mother's idea? Had Dumbledore already been plotting Harry's death even then? Was this why her mother was such fierce allies with Dumbledore, because such a promise would gain the large Potter fortune if their plans to Potion up Harry, so he could impregnate Ginny, came into fruition?
Was her love for Harry even real? Or had she been brainwashed to fall in love with him? Would she ever know? If there was a chance she could be with him, be one of several wives... would she want that? How would she know if she did love him? Then she realized... marrying Harry would just make her mother happy, because it would give into her mother's plans and desires. Her mother had absolutely ruined any good things about loving Harry that she had ever hoped for. Should she just give up on him now? If not for her, then so that her mother couldn't get what she wanted?
Ginny felt angry tears run down her face, and she threw a rock into the water, causing a large splash. She raised her knees to her chest, and buried her head against them, as she started to cry. She hated crying, and rarely ever did, knowing it showed weakness. But sometimes she just needed a good cry. This wasn't out of sadness, but pure rage and anger, at her mother, and youngest brother – two people she was supposed to trust!
Suddenly, she felt a vibration in the pocket of her jeans. It was a recently familiar feeling, because she had felt the same thing twice in the past evening when Fred and George, then Bill had contacted her. It was coming from the mirror! She hastily removed the mirror from her jeans and looked at it. She nearly gasped in shock at who was in the reflection.
"Harry?" Ginny asked. "Hermione?"
The mirror seemed to be perched at a short distance away from Harry and Hermione, because their whole figures could be seen. When her brothers talked to her, she could only see their faces.
"Hi, Ginny," Harry said; Hermione waved and greeted her as well, "Charlie told us the password to your mirror yesterday, so we thought we'd contact you."
"Are you away from your Mum and Ron?" Hermione asked.
"I'm at the lake," Ginny said, nodding, "I don't know where Mum and Ron are, and I don't care at the moment."
"We were able to watch Charlie's memory of his conversation with you, Ron and your mother yesterday," Harry said. "Pretty dramatic stuff."
"I swear, Harry, Hermione, on my life," Ginny said, "I knew nothing about what they revealed under Veritaserum."
"We know," Hermione said, "We could see the shock on your face."
Ginny sighed in relief. "I was so worried what you would think about me. You're my best friends. I would never do something like that to you. It is absolutely disgusting to think about what they were plotting. I can't imagine what must have been going through your heads."
"Well, it wasn't too much of a surprise," Harry said, "A few days ago, Hermione and I were discussing about some of the untrustworthy things that had come up in the past with Ron, your mother and Dumbledore. Much of what was revealed we had talked about beforehand."
"Charlie's questions," Ginny said, "He was asking for you, wasn't he?"
"Yeah," Harry said, "I spoke to Bill, Fred and George about it a few days ago and Bill contacted Charlie. I'm sorry if this causes you any grief with your family."
"You don't need to apologize to me, Harry," Ginny said, "Thanks to Charlie's Memory Charm, Ron and Mum don't know that I know their secrets. I've been doing my best to avoid them, just so I don't scream at them, but I don't know how much longer I can last. I just want to leave this place and go wherever it is you are!"
"Hang in there, Ginny," Hermione said, "We're working on it. Wish you could be here tomorrow though."
"Tomorrow?" Ginny asked.
"Harry's – er – other wedding," Hermione said.
Ginny swallowed and nodded. "I see. Charlie told me you were marrying four other girls, Harry, in addition to Hermione. Congratulations on that, by the way."
"Thanks," Hermione said.
"Yeah, thanks," Harry said, "Yes, there is to be a joint wedding tomorrow. I'm getting married to Gabrielle – Fleur's sister – as well as Susan Bones, Padma Patil and Daphne Greengrass."
Ginny was quite surprised, but it was one name that surprised her the most.
"Daphne?!" Ginny asked. "But – she's -"
"A Slytherin?" Hermione asked, "You've been hanging around Ron too much. She's one of the good Slytherins. She's great – good personality, funny and brilliant as well. Rather attractive if I may say so."
"Sounds like you fancy her," Ginny said, grinning.
Hermione stuck out her tongue. "Might be easier if I did. Especially if I become – er – romantic with my sister-wives in the future."
Harry's cheeks went quite red at this proclamation. Ginny's eyes widened.
"Is that... er... possible?" Ginny asked.
"Maybe," Hermione said.
"I didn't know you fancy girls like that," Ginny said.
"I don't... not exactly," Hermione said, "It wasn't something I thought about until recently. But they'll be my sister-wives, so it is sort of different. A lot could happen."
"So... this marriage between the two of you is going to be permanent?" Ginny asked.
"We decided recently that it is very likely," Hermione said.
Harry nodded, and Ginny smiled.
"I'm happy for you," she said. "Ron will be bummed, but I hardly care about him anymore."
"Can't blame you," Harry said.
"And no, Ginny," Hermione said, "I'm not pregnant, just so you know."
"You heard about that, did you?" Ginny asked, feeling her cheeks go warm, "I figured as much. It was Ron's idea, sparked by that damned article in the Daily Prophet."
"However," Hermione said, "Even though I am not pregnant yet, it may be something that happens in the next couple of years before we return to England."
Ginny wasn't surprised by length of time; she had heard it from her brothers the previous evening.
"Er... is it in your current plans?" Ginny asked.
"Maybe not by the end of the year," Hermione said, "I'm still deciding right now. If I am pregnant or a mother, I won't be fighting beside Harry in the war when we return. It is hard to imagine not being beside him in something like that, especially since I've been with him during such things in the past."
"I can understand that," Ginny said.
"But that isn't to say we're getting some practice in," Hermione said, waggling her eyebrows.
"Hermione!" Harry groaned.
Ginny cleared her throat. She knew exactly what that meant. "I see... so you did have a traditional wedding night."
"Mmhmm," Hermione said, nodding.
"And this is where I say goodbye," Harry groaned, "I'll let you two girls have your girl talk. I need to go do other things anyway."
Ginny giggled. "Bye Harry. I'll talk to you soon enough."
"Yeah, bye," Harry said.
He stood and walked out of the mirror's view, and Ginny soon heard a door open and close. Then she got her first view of where they had been sitting – a very large, very comfortable looking bed.
"Nice bed," Ginny said.
"Oh yes, it is very nice," Hermione said, then she sighed. "Ginny, be honest with me. Exactly how do you feel about me being married to Harry?"
Ginny smiled softly. She never could keep secrets from her best friend.
"Well, it is like I told Ron a few days ago," Ginny said, "I completely support the idea of you marrying Harry, though one of the reasons is because he can have more than one wife."
"Tomorrow he'll have five," Hermione said.
"How does he feel about that?" Ginny asked.
"He was okay with it when there were four," Hermione said, "And then Fleur's sister came into the picture. Of course, his issues with that is because of her age – she's thirteen."
Ginny's eyes widened. "Wait... he's marrying a thirteen year old girl?"
"He's marrying a thirteen year old part-Veela," Hermione corrected. "Her age isn't important, simply because at the moment, she's basically as mature as me when it comes to – you know – sex. She'll be quite active sexually and she can't get pregnant for four more years."
"Oh," Ginny said. "So... five girls is enough, I suppose...?"
"Yeah," Hermione said, "But you know Harry. Things tend to happen to him. A week and a half ago he was a simple teenager with no fiancees or betrothals. Tomorrow he'll be married to five girls. It is Murphy's Law with him. If anything can happen to him, it will. I haven't been able to tell him that. I just know there is a chance something else could go wrong. After all, Gabrielle's becoming his wife, because of a Life-Debt. He saved her life in the second task, and now he's her life-mate."
"He saved my life at the end of my first year," Ginny said.
"You're not a Veela, Ginny," Hermione said, "It is different with them."
"Oh," Ginny said, "I have a confession, Hermione. Right now I'm not sure I even want to marry Harry."
"Oh?" Hermione asked.
"It is what my Mum wants," Ginny said, "Me falling in love with him and becoming pregnant with his child as an underage mother. I wouldn't want to give her the satisfaction. Hell, I don't even know if I am in love with Harry or not. She could have brainwashed me into falling in love with him."
"Maybe you should focus on Dean right now then?" Hermione suggested.
"Oh, Merlin, Dean," Ginny groaned. "I don't know what to do with him right now, Hermione. I want to leave this place. I want to leave England and go where my brothers, and you and Harry are!"
"But if you do, you won't go to Hogwarts and see Dean," Hermione said, "We're not going anywhere near Hogwarts anytime soon. Remus and several adults will be teaching us."
Ginny nodded. "I was afraid of that. Even then, it is in my direct plans to leave England and be far away from my Mum and Ron. I think I should just break up with Dean and be done with it."
"The only boys our age here are married or getting married," Hermione said, "Neville's getting married tomorrow too – to Parvati Patil, Hannah Abbot, and Luna Lovegood."
"Luna, really?" Ginny said, "Wow. How are they – Neville and Luna? I cried for an hour when I heard about Mr. Lovegood and Neville's Gran. I grew up with Luna, so I knew Xenophilius quite well."
"They're having a rough time, though they hardly show it," Hermione said, "Luna – well, you can hardly tell her emotions – she is so hard to read. And Neville... well, his parents are here with us, and he's always with them in the makeshift Hospital Wing we have here. There's talk that his parents could get better while we're here. That they might gain their sanity back."
"Really?" Ginny asked, "That would be wonderful. Hermione, I know I shouldn't ask. But... since it seems like I will never get a chance... how is Harry? You know...in bed?"
Hermione bit her lip, obviously hesitating and thinking if she should answer. Ginny was about to tell her to forget it, when Hermione spoke up/
"Amazing," she said, "Gentle and powerful at the same time. I feel so loved, so safe when I am with him." She smiled dreamily, something Ginny usually saw on Luna, "It is funny... a few days ago I wasn't even sure I wanted to – you know – begin a sexual relationship with Harry yet. But then I realized that I wanted to be his first. Now I am so glad I did."
Ginny smiled. "You're a lucky girl, Hermione."
"I know I am," Hermione said, smiling.
"Are you ready to share him with the others?" Ginny asked.
"Yes and no," Hermione said, "No, because I want him so much that it will be hard to share. Yes, because Harry needs as much love as he can get. Besides, if I get too antsy, I can always join him and one of the girls."
Ginny raised an eyebrow. "If I knew you were that curious about being romantically involved with a girl, I might have done something about it."
Hermione blushed a deep red. "Might have been better if I had some practice. I have to perform a ritual tomorrow with my four sister-wives. I will be what is known as the First Wife, meaning it is up to me whether they can become pregnant or even start a sexual relationship with Harry. I am going to give them the choice automatically, but it is the ritual that scares me. I have to – er – kiss the brides, so to speak, after I speak some words."
Ginny giggled. "That sounds interesting."
"That's one word for it," Hermione said.
Ginny sighed and looked over her shoulder. Nobody was coming her direction, but she knew she needed to end the conversation. She knew this was a risky situation enough without anyone discovering what she was doing.
"I should probably go just in case Ron or Mum decides to come looking for me," she said.
"Don't let these recent revelations with them ruin your life, Ginny," Hermione said, "We'll find a way for you to get here, but until then – well, you're a strong woman. You always have been."
Ginny smiled. "Thanks. Give your future sister-wives my best. I'm happy for all of you."
Hermione smiled. "I will. Thank you, Ginny."
Ginny said goodbye and returned the mirror to her pocket. She stood and stretched, then started her journey back to the Burrow. She needed to write a final letter to Dean, and either borrow Pig or Errol, which meant speaking to Ron or her mother. Both of these tasks were something she was dreading. But it was better to get it over now, instead of letting it linger.
Meanwhile, Harry entered the kitchen of Black Manor to find that Remus had returned from his night in the forest. He looked pale and exhausted, as if he had gotten little to no sleep. He was currently eating a large meal of bacon, eggs and toast. Breakfast had ended a couple hours ago, but he knew Tonks had cooked Remus the meal. She was sitting across from Remus as they talked with a few other members of the alliance, including Charlie, Bill, Fleur, Kingsley and Amelia.
Remus smiled when he saw Harry. "Good morning, Harry."
"Good morning," Harry said, "Have a nice time in the forest?"
"As good as could be expected," Remus said, smiling wryly, "I was just informed of the revelation that you thought of about Albus' next move."
"It was more my brides' ideas than mine," Harry shrugged.
"Still, it was a good one," Remus said, "The next Council meeting on Sunday will be the first for Rufus Scrimgeour as Minister of Magic."
"Which means he is going to be implementing some plans that will probably change the British wizarding world as we know it," Amelia said.
"This would give Dumbledore a good opening before the Council meeting to give Rufus some ideas," Harry said.
"Precisely," Kingsley said, "If we look to Rufus' past, one of the obvious routes would likely be the Auror and DMLE Departments, strengthening them for a good opposition against Voldemort. If he is a smart Minister, Rufus will look to correcting Fudge's mistakes of recent."
"But we haven't exactly been lucky with smart Ministers in recent history," Amelia said.
"Very true," Remus said, "However, Kingsley is correct here, though maybe not how he thinks. Rufus will improve and strengthen the Aurors, Hit Wizards and the DMLE, but only because Dumbledore will likely ask him to. If Dumbledore believes we're creating our own army to fight him, then he'll want to strengthen the Order and his own army."
"Surely he realizes once people realize he's a Dark Lord, they'll turn on him," Harry said.
"He's quite a manipulative old man, Harry," Bill said, "He's fooled people for several decades. Like I told you last week, my mother will not believe a bad word against the man. That goes the same for several others. People trust him. They will flock to him. This makes him much more frightening than Voldemort."
Harry recalled what one of his future brides said. "Surely they will not fight with him if they realize his opposition is me and my allies?"
"Sure, but he won't tell them that," Remus said. "He'll make them believe they're fighting Voldemort and his Death Eaters. Sure that might be true. He just won't tell them there is another enemy – us."
"He sends them off to battle us unknowingly," Tonks said, "And soon we're fighting brother against brother, when we should be uniting to fight Dumbledore and Voldemort. It is exactly what Dumbledore would want... eliminating us, while taking out a few of his own army before they can turn on him."
Harry nodded, then he realized something else. "Bloody hell. What are the chances he's going to be using students?"
"That he will make Dumbledore's Army quite literal?" Remus asked, "Very likely. He'd find it funny that he's using old rumors and making them real."
Harry cursed. "Crazy old bastard."
"Quite," Remus agreed, "Nothing we can do about it right now though."
Harry nodded. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Kreacher washing the kitchen floor nearby. He then realized there was something he needed to do.
"Kreacher?" Harry asked.
Kreacher stood up and looked at Harry. "Yes Master Harry?"
"Have you ever worked with other elves before?" Harry asked.
"Kreacher worked with members of Kreacher's family of elves," Kreacher said, "before his Master and Mistress either sold them off to other families, or cut off their heads for old age or misbehavior. It has been many years."
"I want to bring in a couple more house-elves that are friends of mine and Hermione's," Harry said. "In no way am I trying to replace you. They're currently at Hogwarts, and I don't trust Dumbledore around them. Can you work with them without issue?"
"Kreacher will do as Master wishes," Kreacher said.
Harry shrugged. He knew that was going to be the best reply he could get. He knew Kreacher was disagreeable; he would have to keep an eye on him in the future as he acted around the other elves. He walked out of the kitchen, so that he would not interrupt the meeting. He made his way into the den which was currently empty.
Harry cleared his throat. "Dobby? Can you hear me?"
A mere moment later, Dobby the house-elf appeared in front of him. His large eyes were emotional with happiness as he looked at Harry.
"Harry Potter has summoned Dobby?" Dobby asked, "Dobby is so happy. What can Dobby do for Harry Potter?"
"Are you still in employ with Albus Dumbledore?" Harry asked.
"Dobby was never in official employ for Albus Dumbledore," Dobby said, "Dobby was a volunteer at Hogwarts. Never did Dobby officially bond with Albus Dumbledore. Dobby is a free elf and can work where he wants. Dobby is relieved to have never bonded with Albus Dumbledore. Dobby has heard... he has heard... very bad things!"
He then looked frightened, and knelt to the ground and smacked his head on the ground. "Bad Dobby! Dobby should not speak rumors about wizards!"
"Dobby stop!" Harry said; Dobby immediately stopped and stood back up, "I'm sure we've heard the same rumors about Dumbledore, as have several of my friends. I am sad to say that those rumors seem to have some truth to them. We believe Dumbledore is a Dark Lord."
"Dobby believes the same as Harry Potter and his friends," Dobby said. "Most of Dobby's fellow elves at Hogwarts never believed Dobby. But most are bonded with Dumbledore and cannot speak or say a bad word against Dumbledore."
"Is Winky bonded?" Harry asked.
"Oh, sir, no she is not, but she thinks she should be," Dobby said, "But Dobby told Winky not to bond with bad man Dumbledore. That she would be in trouble. But Winky... Winky is slowly dying, Dobby fears to say. She wants to be part of a family but no one wants a disgraced elf."
"By tomorrow, I will be married to five girls," Harry said.
Dobby gasped. "Dobby wishes to congratulate the great Harry Potter on this wonderful news!"
"Thank you, Dobby," Harry said, "Do you think Winky would like to join my House?"
"Dobby believes Winky could be a good handmaiden for Harry Potter's brides," Dobby said.
"And what about you?" Harry asked, "Perhaps not a handmaiden, but I think we could find something for you here. This is Black Manor in a place that has been coined as Crestview. Far away from the reach of Dumbledore."
"Harry Potter wants Dobby to work for him?" Dobby asked.
"If you wish," Harry said, "But not as a servant. You are a friend, and you would be a part of this alliance. You can work however you want. We have one house-elf here, but he is old and rather cranky. So he needs help, but might not want it."
Large tears leaked from Dobby's eyes. "Dobby would be most happy, most pleased to work for the great Harry Potter and his great friends. Especially if it means Dobby is far from bad man Dumbledore."
"You're hired," Harry said, "Can you please bring Winky here? I have a feeling she won't come when called."
"Dobby can do so," Dobby said.
He snapped his fingers and vanished. Harry waited for a few moments, and Dobby returned holding the hand of Winky the house-elf. Winky looked around and jumped slightly when she saw Harry.
"Where has Dobby taken Winky?" Winky asked.
"Dobby has taken Winky to Crestview, the home of the great Harry Potter!" Dobby said. "Harry Potter wants Winky to be the handmaiden for his new brides."
"Bad Winky is disgraced and does not deserve such things," Winky said.
"Of course you do, Winky," Hermione said from the doorway of the den.
"Hermione!" Harry said, turning to his wife in surprise, "How long have you been there?"
"Long enough to hear that you want Winky to be my handmaiden," Hermione said.
"Not just yours," Harry said, "For all my brides. Er... would you want that?"
"If it is what Winky wants," Hermione said.
"Winky remembers you," Winky said, looking at Hermione, "You tried to make Winky accept payment for her work. Winky does not want that."
"What do you want?" Hermione asked.
Winky looked from Hermione, to Harry, then to Dobby.
"Dobby says Winky can be a handmaiden to Harry Potter's brides," Winky said, "Winky will accept work as handmaiden as long as Winky is not given payment. Winky does not deserve payment."
Hermione opened her mouth, obviously to argue, but Harry raised a hand to quell her.
"You are hired, Winky," Harry said, "If you ever feel you do deserve payment, then we'll be glad to give it. Until then, you don't need to be paid if you don't want that. Hermione? Could you take Winky to the Mistresses Tent and introduce her to the others?"
"Of course," Hermione said, "Come on, Winky."
Winky immediately followed Hermione out of the den.
"Alright, Dobby," Harry said, "Let's introduce you to the Alliance, then you can do what you feel you should do."
"Dobby will be pleased to meet the friends of Harry Potter," Dobby said. "Dobby also wonders if Harry Potter needs assistance with his wedding. Dobby is good at decorations and cooking."
"I would be honored if you would help," Harry said, "You should talk to Nymphadora Tonks about that. She is in charge of it all."
Dobby nodded, his ears flapping wildly. Harry smiled and led Dobby out of the den. As he did, a thought entered his mind. He knew he was likely going to get some grief from Hermione later, but he would try to do his best to convince her that he knew what he was doing. Winky seemed like the perfect elf for a handmaiden. Soon she would find she liked to be part of a new family, and if that meant her health and happiness would improve, then that was just fine in Harry's mind.
Dobby and Winky's scene came out of inspiration from readers and reviewers who wanted to see more of those two. I had completely forgotten about them before I started editing the story! They'll be a common part of the story now.
Next chapter: Hermione introduces Winky to her future sister-wives. Then she and Harry talk about things. Then, a few hours before the wedding, Harry talks to Gabrielle's father, and Neville. Joint wedding in two chapters! The next couple of chapters are shorter than average, but I am trying to move the story along. Exciting stuff coming up soon!