Village Life
Together, the group climbed into the sleighs awaiting them outside the Boar's Tusk, having enfolded Stashu into the group. After a few minutes' discussion of potential destinations, they decided to head first to the Quidditch Shop. Everyone but Hermione felt as if they'd died and gone to heaven. Even the elder Weasleys, Charley and Bill, were avid quidditch fans and players, thoroughly enjoying this foray into the quidditch passions of Eastern Europe. The magazines captured their attention, being filled with pictures and articles about Bulgarian Quidditch Seeker Viktor Krum.
Carefully, Harry kept track of everyone's interests, mentally noting what single item each expressed a private desire to own. He was prudent enough to know better than to select expensive items, but he could see the Twins eyeing a quidditch match game where they could compete with one another, and a magazine about Viktor Krum that Ron wanted. There was Quidditch: A History of the Sport, that even Hermione seemed interested in. The older boys were admiring some flying gloves, made of dragonhide, that kept hands warm or cool, allowed them to breathe, yet were still watertight and had magical enhancement to the palms and fingers that could grip a broomstick in bad conditions. Draco and Ginny both were looking at the practice snitches, including some higher end ones that had more complex evasive maneuvers built in. Quickly, quietly, and carefully, Harry swept behind them collecting up all these items to place on a side counter, while he caught the shopkeeper's eye.
"Please bag these up quietly, sir. I shall be taking them with me, but I'd rather not be observed." Harry spoke in low tones.
"Certainly, sir. My pleasure. I'll see to it immediately." The clerk nodded his polite bow, sweeping the items off the counter into a basket he held.
Harry walked away continuing to browse, until the clerk returned to that side counter with his bill and a small package, about the size of a deck of cards, already wrapped and shrunk down for easy transport.
"Here you are, sir," the clerk nodded another bow.
"Thank you very much," Harry replied, affixing his seal to the bottom of the parchment. Harry had noticed that Stashu hadn't seemed so eager looking around the store.
"Stash, don't you play quidditch?" Harry asked.
"Oh, sure. In fact, I'm Seeker for my House at Durmstrang. But my allowance is pretty meager, so I don't find 'window shopping' too satisfying. There's too much I'd love to have, that I cannot. So why torment myself?" he shrugged good naturedly.
Harry laughed, "I know you won't believe this, but I know EXACTLY what that's like. I was worse off than that just two years ago."
"You're right, I cannot believe that. His Grace has always been known for his kindness and generosity. Oh, he's strict, too... but only to wrongdoing. By the way, please tell him I did as he asked and spoke to my Grandfather when I got home. I even told him about what happened," he blushed a moment and looked down with a smile.
"Oh, no! Oh, Stashu, please tell me he didn't..." Harry spoke with alarm.
"He didn't!" Stashu interrupted. "At least not much. I ASKED him to come to the barn with me, and told him everything. I also told him what His Grace said, and I realized I'd been acting the fool for a long time. So, I apologized, told him I was unworthy of all he and Grandmama were doing for me, and I'd been ungrateful in my grief. I asked for his forgiveness and then I bent over a bale, just as His Grace had had me do. I told Didus I deserved whatever he gave me, and I waited."
"So what happened?" Harry asked, when the recitation had just stopped dead.
"He walked over and gave me three hard swats, over my trousers, just with his hand. Then he turned me around to face him, said, 'Those were for inconveniencing His Grace,' and then laughed and hugged me until we both cried. Wednesday, he and I are going hunting together, and I can hardly wait."
"HA!" Harry said, rubbing his backside. "There was a waste of a sore lickin'! You went home and 'fessed up anyhow!"
"No, Harry, it wasn't a waste. I've never had anyone care so much about me as to do that, or talk to me as His Grace did. It was thinking about all that, that got me to obey your papa, and open up to Didus." Stashu stuck out his right hand, to shake. Harry responded in kind, and after the two of them shook hands, Stashu looked down to see the Scion's Ring on Harry's finger. Stash turned Harry's hand, taking it in both of his and looked down at that ring for a moment, then drew it upwards as he bent and kissed Harry's ring. Harry looked on in a bit of shock as Stashu said, "I thank you, my liege. And I shall be your bondsman for life, when the time comes."
Harry felt that surge and far off roll of thunder as when Magic witnesses an oath, and he knew something very important and serious had just happened. But also, somehow, he knew this was neither the time nor place to discuss it. Harry let Stashu release his hand and turn as if a bit embarrassed.
"Hey, let me ask you," Harry began, as if nothing had happened, "if you were to buy anything in this store that you liked, what would it be?"
"Oh, me? I would get a pair of those weatherproof heated goggles. They're terrific in rain, sleet, or snow. You can see clearly no matter what's going on! But they're a bit out of my league... but one day, I'll save up and get a pair."
"Ah, good to know. Never seen those before. I wonder if they can handle glasses, or if they come in a prescription form for semi-blind Seekers like me!" Harry laughed at himself, taking his glasses off and pretending he couldn't see Stashu any more.
"I bet they do!" Stash laughed in return.
"Anyway, why don't you see if the gang is about ready to go, and we'll head to your next recommended highlight!" Harry said. As Stashu wandered off to heed Harry's suggestion, Harry whispered to the shopkeeper saying he'd like two pair of the goggles they'd discussed, and when the clerk returned with the items and bill, Harry sealed it, putting everything away in his pockets, including receipts.
They went to the confectioner's, where he invited all to select a bag of their choice, and paid the bill telling them it was on the instructions of the Professor. Then they visited a clothing store, where everyone was fascinated by the local fashions, so different than England. He decided not to try to buy anything, but ask Pavel how to do so when he got home.
They then went to the Autolivery, a merchant of vehicles, unique in their experience since the proprietor stocked both magical and muggle modes of transport. There were automobiles, regular muggle cars, as well as motorcycles, snowmobiles, snowboards, sleds, skis, flying carpets, and brooms.
"Oh guys!" Ron exclaimed, "We have GOT to bring Dad HERE! He'd go crazy here!"
"Oh no," Percy shook his head. "We'd never get him OUT once he got in. Are you kidding?"
Everyone laughed, agreeing with the observation.
Everyone but Hermione and Percy found themselves staring at the newest sports broom on display. Wicked fast, along with incredibly maneuverable. Each of them indulged in just the briefest fantasy of what this would be like to ride in competition.
A salesman came over and walked up to Harry. Noticing Harry's ring, the middle aged man took Harry's hand, bowed and brushed the ring briefly with his lips. "How wonderful to see you here, young master. I hope our service has given satisfaction," the man said, as he subtly guided Harry and this conversation away from the group for privacy.
"I beg your pardon, sir?" Harry answered, a bit confused.
"Well, I trust the delivery was made satisfactorily, wasn't it, milord? We delivered them four days ago, just as His Grace requested. 16 brooms, of just that model, with the parental adjustment accessory pack, for safety, just as he asked."
"Ah!" Harry thought quickly on his feet. Four days ago, they were still at Hogwarts. Papa must have ordered brooms, and not mentioned it to him. "Thank you, sir. I'm sure all is as it should be. I shall inquire about your delivery when I return home, but I'm sure if anything were out of order, you'd have heard by now. Thank you for your time and service."
"Our pleasure, my liege." The man bowed, stepped back a pace, and walked away crisply.
"Right then!" Harry returned to his friends. "What say we have another warm drink to fortify ourselves for the cold trip home, and be on our way? It's a quarter past four now, and Papa said we should be back by five."
Everyone agreed on the plan, so they stopped in a tea shop for tea, cocoa, and some light snacks. The sleighs awaited them outside the shop entrance, and they all bundled under the warm blankets to be lulled nearly to sleep by the rhythmic chimes of the jingle bells on the horses' harness.
They first dropped off Stashu, agreeing to see him again soon and thanking him for his gracious tour hosting. Then, Harry took each of the guests to their own house, saying he'd see them for Tea at the Chalet in a few minutes. Once all were deposited safely in their Gasthausen, Harry blinked home, saving the drivers one unnecessary trip.
"Papa! You home?" Harry yelled when he'd blinked into the living room.
"In here, son," Pavel hollared back, from his desk in the Study where he'd been working. "Do I gather you all had a nice afternoon?" he inquired with a smile.
"Very! And I've discovered something," Harry gave him a sly look.
"What's that?" Pavel's eyebrows reflected his confusion.
"I've discovered I have the sneakiest Papa in the world!" he exclaimed, dashing over to Pavel to give him a huge hug.
Pavel laughed, catching Harry and lifting him onto his lap to enjoy a momentary private snuggle. "Well, such things have been said of me before, but seldom in such a tone of joy! What are you talking about, you daft boy?"
"We stopped by the Autolivery shop, just to see everything..."
"Oh, that..."
"'Oh, that...'" Harry echoed. "And the manager came over and asked if we'd received the delivery all right."
"Oh, well, yes... About that..." Pavel cleared his throat looking for the first time ever in Harry's experience, like a child caught with his hand in the cookie jar.
Not showing any mercy at all, Harry just giggled and said, "Is there something you meant to tell me, Papa?"
"You Scamp! It was, as you clearly have figured out, intended as a surprise. But we thought perhaps this coming week we could get up a scratch game of Quidditch between this group and some of the Village lads and ladies. We have a number of talented players here, and there's a standard Quidditch arena at the edge of the Village. I've bought brooms and equipment for two complete teams."
"Papa, you're the BEST EVER! And OH, that reminds me, I need some of your 'sneaky' help." Harry climbed off his father's lap and emptied his pockets, showing off the items he'd gotten at the Quidditch Store, and quickly writing notes to label each one with, so they'd keep them straight. "These are the things everyone wanted, and I bought them on the sly. But you need to give them to them, maybe tomorrow, at the Thanksgiving Feast? I wouldn't know how to do it without them feeling all embarrassed or something. I'm sure you could work something out though."
"I see a pair of goggles here for Stashu... and... you?" Pavel said, inspecting all this loot.
"Yes, sir. That also reminds me, Stashu wanted me to tell you about him and his grandfather." So Harry settled down in a chair to relate what had happened after they had all parted ways the other day. He told him how happy Stashu was about it, and how grateful. But then his voice became very serious when he reported that last bit of conversation when Stash saw his Ring. "Papa, what's a bondsman? Why did Stashu call me his leige? And why did I hear the roll of thunder when he said what he did?"
Pavel's face took on a look of great emotional satisfaction and pride. In fact, to Harry's way of thinking, he looked very close to tears. Pavel rose, saying, "Follow me, son." They walked into the Kitchen, where John and Oxsana were preparing dozens of little deviled eggs for tomorrow. They turned and welcomed Pavel and Harry when they walked in. Pavel then said, "Now, Harry, repeat what you've just told me about you and Stashu, that last part. They know what transpired the other day between us all."
So Harry repeated the story, and again asked what it was all about.
Both John and Oxsana just looked dumbstruck, smiling when he finished his recitation.
"Well congratulations, Harry!" John said.
"Indeed, well done, little man," Oxsana added.
"What ARE you TALKING about? Somebody please tell me what's going on?" Harry cried out in his frustration.
"I'll try to keep this simple, Harry," Pavel began. "The other day, you sacrificed yourself on behalf of a citizen of this Estate. You took responsibility not only for yourself and your actions, but also to protect HIM with your very person, your body, if necessary. That is a very special kind of caring, a special kind of leadership, to intercede on behalf of another even to your own detriment. This entire Estate works on such bonds, on relationships of mutual loyalty. Whether people are peers, or superior/subordinate, or subordinate/superior, the bonds that hold this Estate secure are our willingness to sacrifice ourselves for the good of the other.
"You, Harry, are a child. You are still in your formation. So is Stashu. And yet, the other day you placed yourself, knowingly, at risk on his behalf... and paid the price for it. You made a true sacrifice on his behalf. That's why, when you give the grace gift of a personal sacrifice for another... that gift cannot be devalued by a 'quick magical fix'. You had to heal up naturally, Ivan or I could not render you magical comforts, or else the gift would have less value. Just as when we faced Professor Snape's cane together, that sacrificial act of remorse and justice could not be cheapened by any short cuts.
"Anyway, when you did that for Stashu, and he did the same in return for you, you began the establishment of a bond between you. It's a magical bond woven deeply in the fabric of this Estate and the magic that holds it together. You committed yourselves in loyalty to one another. Today, when he saw your ring, his heart moved him to speak words to your service. You are, or will be, his liege lord. A bondsman is a citizen of this Estate who swears fealty and service for life, to the Lord of the Estate. He is too young to swear to his bond as yet. He cannot do so until he is an adult. But he has declared his intention. Just as you heard Horsemaster Zankiw declare that he was... 'my man... that he would serve me, and now my heir, by his life or by his death, until the end...' that is the essence of the Bondsman's oath, a lifetime of service. You heard Magic itself witness Stashu's declaration of his intention to serve you in that way. That is a very sacred thing, Harry. Very sacred. It is rare beyond words for Magic to affirm such a thing between two boys."
"So... what does this all mean, Papa?" Harry looked a bit confused.
"Nothing different than yesterday or tomorrow, my son. Just keep growing, learning, experiencing, and following your heart. To ME, it means you are the proper heir for this Estate. And it makes me very proud that you can already show enough loyalty and protection for one of our citizens, to prompt such a reply from his heart, and for Magic to witness the bond. Beyond that, just keep growing and learning. All right?"
"All right... I think..." Harry chuckled.
"Hey, Squirt. It's just a rare thing to have happen so young. I'm really proud of you..." John said, ruffling Harry's hair. Pavel flashed Ivan a quick look, to which he responded. "But don't get a swelled head about it. I'm not about to kiss your ring... or your a-"
As Pavel quickly interrupted with, "IVAN! Don't even THINK about..."
"Sorry, Papa," he looked up sheepishly, as they all laughed. "Forgot you were there a moment..."
"Indeed! NOW," Papa clapped his hands and scrubbed them in satisfaction, "Let's prepare for our guests coming to tea, shall we? Harry, go wash up please, and we can lay tea out on the center table of the Great Room seating ourselves comfortably wherever we find a good seat, yes?"
"Sounds good, Papa," John agreed.
"And in a few minutes," Pavel spoke as he headed towards his Study to put his desk back in order, "we shall welcome our last house guest for the holiday.
Host of Home and Hearth
At 5:00 exactly, Harry, all freshly scrubbed up and in his comfortable clothes, opened the front door of the Chalet to welcome the Weasleys, the Grangers, Severus and Draco, and... Minerva McGonagall.
"Ah! Come in, come in, my dear friends!" Pavel exclaimed. "Please hand us your coats and cloaks, and be comfortable!" as Pavel, Harry, John and Oxsana made short work of everyone's cold weather gear, hanging them on pegs to the right of the front door. Magic transmuted the pegs all into hangers, and a closet door opened conveniently to admit everything neatly.
Tea time went by very smoothly, as everyone marveled at the sumptuous spread laid out by the house elves, and John, Oxsana, and Pavel were kept busy identifying different delicacies of the local cuisine. For those of less adventurous bent, there were plenty of traditional easy to spot teatime standards like finger sandwiches and small cakes. The adults were well entertained hearing of the youngsters' adventures in the town, and how much they enjoyed the guided touring of Stashu Zdniewsky.
Minerva asked how Harry had gotten acquainted with him, and Pavel gave him no help at all in relating the tale. John and Oxsana sat back thoroughly enjoying Harry's discomfiture as he described the beginning of this wonderful friendship with two black eyes and bloody noses. He tried to gloss over some of the details in the Livery Stable, but a cleared throat from Pavel prompted candor. Since he knew everyone here like family, but for the elder Weasley boys and Hermione's parents, he just laughed and pushed on with the - mostly - unvarnished truth.
The Twins roared with laughter, and clapped Harry on the back with sturdy congratulations!
"Hey, mate! That's how you secure a friend for life!" Fred observed.
"Really! When you stand by someone like that, they never forget it!" George agreed.
"Truer words were never spoken, boys." John nodded, beaming proudly on Harry.
"Ah, that reminds me, ladies and gentlemen," Pavel began. "Does anyone here have a more than passing interest in Quidditch?"
That prompted a mad rush of agreement and enthusiastic endorsements, by nearly all the assembled company. Gerald and Jeanette Granger looked a bit puzzled, as Hermione turned to them saying, "I've described the game to you, remember? Rather like football and volleyball combined, but played flying on broomsticks? Think of three dimensional Polo perhaps?"
"Well," Pavel continued, I've booked the Quidditch Pitch in town for a pick up game on Tuesday, if you think we could scrape together a team here. There's more than enough young players in town... including, if I'm not mistaken, your young Stashu."
This announcement was met with great excitement, as everyone but Hermione and Percy seemed anxious to play. Even Minerva looked a bit envious.
Pavel laughed at that, saying, "Perhaps we could even provide a little Senior Division action ourselves if you like, Min. Do you play, Arthur? Molly?"
Molly answered, "I did 100 years ago, but I don't ride much now. Arthur, however, would probably love to give it a go. What say, hon?"
"Oh, I don't know, dear. It's certainly been a while..." Mr. Weasley blushed becomingly.
"Oh, come now, Arthur," Pavel prompted, "Certainly if an old geezer like me can crawl up on a broom..."
"OOooooo... shame on you, Professor!" Fred laughed, pointing a finger his way.
"Don't let him con you, Dad! He could make 'Veteran Pro' if he had a mind to..." George continued.
"He's mean on a broom, we've seen him fly..." Fred carried on.
"Like a bird he is..." George finished.
"Pfft! You exaggerate, boys!" Pavel dismissed their comments.
"But still, if you're interested, I provide these..." and boxes appeared along the front wall of the Great Room. Each containing the Baluga 3000, the model broom they were all oogling in the showroom. "Each of you are welcome to one. There is a parental modification control module in each box as well, that your elders may use to put limits on its performance, as they see fit. Percy, Hermione, you too... whether you play Quidditch or not, there may be a time you need a good broom. These... are good brooms. Bill, Charley... everyone, please. Arthur, please. Minerva, of course." Pavel watched smiling as each youngster, Arthur, and Minerva walked over and took a broom from a box, admiring her sweet lines and upswept design."
"Professor? How many teams will we field, sir? You have two Seekers here?" Draco asked, politely.
"Vell, we can adjust as we please. I have no difficulty in fielding a team with two Seekers and two snitches, as there are two Seekers among our Village youth as well. Or, we may be able to make up two entire teams among ourselves, especially if we mix old-people 'Veterans' with you young bucks... and does..." Pavel added, with a glance at Ginny, who he knew to be a talented player in her own right. "Oh, and also, there are these..." and Pavel caused each of Harry's gifts to materialize, wrapped, in front of the appropriate youngster.
"Just so parents do not feel I am indulging the children unfairly, please know that when I sponsor a team or game, I provide equipment for both teams, so that includes the opposition. The Youth Athletic Center is receiving equal benefit. This is just something we do for the Village and the Estate, so don't feel any hesitation."
"My goodness, Pavel..." Molly exclaimed laughing, "I thought we were coming for an American Thanksgiving, but this all seems much more like Christmas!"
"Ah, my dear, please believe me when I say... I must spend so much time doing serious things in my life, or being the 'strict disciplinarian' in my role as teacher... I cannot tell you how much joy I get from 'spoiling guests' just a little bit, when I can be here at home and 'let my hair down' as they say."
John agreed, "That's totally true, Molly. He used to do the same with me, as a kid. We'd have these wild house parties at the holidays or the summer hols. He'd have a bunch of my friends here from school, and none of them would believe he was Deputy Head at Durmstrang, or that he had such an awful reputation there."
"Thank you, my son... I think..." Pavel furrowed his brows, unsure if he'd just been complimented or insulted.
Oxsana took the opportunity to bring the teapot over, asking if any wanted a refill.
"Harry," Pavel said, "Why don't you take your things and your friends up to your room and enjoy some free time, while us old fogies just get to sit down here and relax together until the dinner arrives. In deference to your entreaties, we need not 'dress' for dinner this evening. We'll just eat informally down here, buffet style for tonight. Tomorrow, however, for the Feast... ve dress! Yes?"
"Oh, thank you, Papa. That would be super! Come on, gang. Let's head to my room!" Harry started off...
"Ack! Straighten up as you go, please. Brooms back in boxes, paper in the trash... Manners, Harry..." Pavel admonished.
"Yes, Papa, sorry..." as Harry led the way cleaning their debris, before leading his troop up the stairs.
Bill and Charley chose to remain in the Living Room with the "adult contingent" rather than accompanying their brethren upstairs, and suddenly the house seemed much more quiet and sedate.
"I don't know how you all do it," Gerald Granger said. "Just an hour in the company of such a group exhausts me. How do you live at Hogwarts 24 hours a day, or maintain sanity with so active a family as yours, Arthur... Molly? We often feel Hermione outnumbers us, don't we Jeanette? And she's just an only child!"
Pavel laughed, and sat back to let others carry the conversation. Arthur picked up the ball, and gradually Bill and Charley took part in discussion, so that by the time Dinner arrived, everyone had become well acquainted and comfortable in one another's company.
Minerva, on arrival, had made clear that in this house it was perfectly acceptable to address her as Aunt Min, or Aunt Minerva, since she'd known more than half these children from the day they were born. Severus had not been overly loquacious, but managed a comment or two through the discussions. Topics ranged from child rearing, to magical politics, to foods, to fashions, and ultimately to Severus' article and the research he was doing.
When Supper arrived, the serving table just transmuted from the Tea service to a wonderful Buffet of dinner entrees and side dishes. Pavel suggested they serve first, and then he'd call down the thundering herd. They did so, and once the children were served he announced he'd allow a rare privilege, if the children wanted to eat in Harry's room together, he would permit it. After tomorrow, the Tent Pavilion would be open for all to use as a Dining Hall, but for tonight, this was acceptable.
The children whooped as though granted tickets to the Circus, and so some semblance of order was maintained for the meal. As the evening wound down, everyone has a wonderful time, the house elves were kept busy picking up and putting down filled and cleaned plates of delightful foods, ultimately it came to coffee, pudding, and cognac.
At about 10:00, everyone was quite happy, totally full, and feeling more than ready to call it a night. Pavel called the children down. Harry, Pavel, John, and Oxsana again played footmen as coats and capes were returned to their wearers, and all their guests climbed aboard the sleighs for their brief rides home.
"Goodnight all, see you in the morning," Pavel waved at the door.
"Remember our plans for tomorrow," Harry called right behind him, as he, too, waved them off for the night. "And if everything goes right," Harry thought to himself, "tomorrow will be a day long remembered. Let's just hope my plot comes off without a hitch. I know the Twins will come through. We'll only need a couple of uninterrupted hours in the morning."
And so the door of the Chalet closed, Oxsana blinked to her own home, and the Konstantyn's retired to a well-deserved night's rest. Little did Pavel or John suspect what the morrow would bring... Harry had a plan.
A/N I'd love it if you take a moment to review. I appreciate your enjoyment of these stories so much! Feel free to comment, question, critique, or offer ideas. Grace to you, Gentle Reader. Thank you for being here - Mort
