Chapter 29: The Hidden Note

"Magic exists. Who can doubt it, when there are rainbows and wildflowers, the music of the wind and the silence of the stars? Anyone who has loved has been touched by magic." ― Nora Roberts


000

November 1st

Molly woke up in the pre-dawn blackness. Quietly leaving the bed so Arthur could sleep undisturbed, she made her way downstairs. She paused in the dining room. The clock looked the same. Ginny and Theo's image still pointed to home. Both of their faces showed eyes closed in sleep. Sighing, she went into the kitchen to make herself a cup of tea. There would be no more sleep for her today. Sitting down, she flicked her wrist. Immediately, a piece of parchment and a quill flew their way to land in front of her.

Molly paused. What does one say to a daughter who eloped? She bit on the end of the quill, thinking. Then she began to write.


000

November 2nd

Ginny hummed as she set two places on the table. The Nott china matched perfectly with the centerpiece. She had gone into the gardens before the morning mist had lifted to pick some chrysanthemums for the vase. Their happy gold and burnt orange hues fit her mood perfectly. Smiling at the effect, she went back into the kitchen. She peeked into the oven...good, the muffins were almost ready. She breathed in their fragrant aroma; her hungry stomach growled appreciatively. Ginny hoped Theo liked breakfast; it was her favorite meal of the day. She was just about ready to go up to wake her new husband when she felt a pair of hands circling her waist.

"What are you doing, wife of mine?" Theo's raspy, early-morning voice whispered in her ear. Ginny shivered; there was something extremely enticing about having her still-sleepy husband wrap his arms around her as she cooked.

"I've prepared breakfast for the master of this house," she quipped. "And it was so good of him to get up to eat it."

"You know we have house elves, right? You didn't have to do all this."

Ginny turned around in his arms. "I wanted to. We both know what we're facing later on. I wanted to start our day with something special."

Yesterday a message from Molly and Arthur had come to the young couple that said they would give them one turn of the earth to cement their bond. Ginny spoke fluent Weasley and knew that meant they would give them one uninterrupted day to shag like rabbits.

Which we surely did, she thought with a devilish grin on her face. After that, Molly said they would expect them to come to the Burrow to explain themselves. Countering, Theo and Ginny had surprised her parents by inviting them to Nott Manor. Ginny had an ace up her sleeve. She hoped it would be enough.

Touched by the hard work Ginny had put in to give him a good meal, Theo kissed her. "I swear, I have the best wife in the whole world."

"Yes you do, and one of the best cooks, too, as you are about to find out. Remember who raised me. So go park that sexy bum in your chair and let your wife feed you."

Laughing, Theo did as he was told. He watched as Ginny levitated over to the table a full English breakfast. She had cooked bacon, sausages, cheese eggs, fried potatoes with mushrooms, apple compote, and homemade English muffins with butter and marmalade. Already sitting on the table between them was a piping hot teapot filled with the Earl Grey blend Theo favored.

"Let's see….am I forgetting anything?" she asked herself.

"Merlin, Ginny…..this is amazing.' Theo breathed in the delicious smells. "Do you plan on making this kind of breakfast every day?"

"Well now...it depends," she grinned as she bit off a piece of bacon, "on how strenuous the night before has been."

Theo's eyes darkened and he actually dropped his fork. Ginny laughed, seeing him wipe off the egg that had splattered on his vest.

"Witch, you're a temptress of the worst kind. And at breakfast, too!"

"You bring it out in me," she admitted.

Theo settled back down to his breakfast, yet he kept having the strangest urge to pinch himself. Was this all a beautiful dream? Had the other night really happened? Had Ginny joined him in the garden outside...had she let every veneer, every barrier down? Had she joined her blood with his under the ceremonial knife? Had their life forces joined to feed the earth below? Had the grounds really thundered with joy?
His wife had already changed their home. She'd released her family's magic, their unique signature, upon the property. The cold, austere manor now felt…..cheery…..vivacious….inviting. Nott Manor was a happy place. Sighing in pleasure, he put his hand over hers.

"I love you so much," he said, his feelings plainly showing in his eyes.

Ginny bit her lip to keep from tearing up at his look of utter adoration. "I hope so, because I'm simply mad about you." She leaned over to give him a kiss. Not content with just that, Theo pulled at her arms; before long, Ginny was straddling his lap. They both got sidetracked when appetites of another kind demanded to be satisfied. Their food started to get cold. Just as Theo was trying to determine if laying his wife out beside the potatoes would be considered poor form, an owl arrived.

"Bother…..it's the Pig," said Ginny.

"Looks like an owl to me."

Ginny pinched Theo on his rear, making him jump. "You're so sassy."

"Just can't keep your hands off it, can you?" he said, winking. "I thought as much."

Ginny laughed. "I can't help it. It's a beautiful bum." When she saw a smug smile beginning to form on his face, Ginny added, "Oh...now I've done it. Your ego is inflating as I speak. Let me up before it smothers me. I'll go see what the note says."

Ginny slipped back into the clothes Theo had gotten off of her, then went over to pet the affectionate owl. Taking the parchment, she began to read. It was from George.

"Knowing my darling sister, I imagine you have a game plan for today. But take it easy on our parents, Ginny. They were hurt. Might want to do something that will make them feel better.

PS: just a heads up….they'll be there before lunch.

PSS: Tell Theo to keep his hands to himself while they're there. Dad still isn't thrilled about your new last name."


000

When the bell to the door rang, it was Theo who opened it up to greet his in-laws.

"Enter Souls…..and welcome," he said, the old-fashioned greeting bringing back long ago memories to his guests. "Please…..let me take your coats."

As Molly and Arthur handed the young bridegroom their wraps, Theo turned the conversation to the weather. He'd learned every Englishman, wizard or not, had an opinion on the subject. "It feels a lot colder today. Perhaps it will snow soon. Come….will you take a chair by the hearth? Ginny will be down in just a moment."

Arthur and Molly's mouths gaped open as they followed Theo into the family's private quarters. Although not as massive as Malfoy Manor, Nott Manor was still impressive in its own right. Its large yet welcoming rooms were beautifully appointed to let in just the right amount of light and were filled with curiosities from every corner of the globe. Greenery abounded everywhere. Molly recalled that Theo's mother had been a herbologist like Professor Sprout. In the room where Theo had led them, a fire was already crackling in a mammoth fireplace.

"You have a beautiful home, Theo," Molly said.

"You mean, we have a beautiful home," said Ginny as she entered by a side door. Molly watched as her baby girl came up to stand beside her husband.

"Welcome to Nott Manor," she said. Then she playfully held out her hand. "Allow me to introduce myself. I'm Ginny Nott."

Molly glanced at Arthur before looking again at the young couple before her. It didn't escape her notice how Theo had looked when Ginny said her last name. That poor boy was completely besotted.

Arthur grabbed Ginny's proffered hand and pulled her to himself. Wrapping his arms around his youngest, he said, "My dear girl...why did you do it? You know we had accepted him as your choice. You didn't need to run off like that." Not giving her a chance to respond, he added, "Or was it because of the cost of a wedding? Because if that was it, surely you knew your mother and I had saved…."

"No, Dad….it wasn't either of those. Really. It was just….just….," she looked at Theo helplessly.

Molly intercepted that look and a sudden thought came to her. "Ginny….you're not in the family way….are you?"

"What? No, Mum. Nothing like that."

"Then explain it to us, dear."

Ginny moved back and entwined her arm around Theo's. "I love him, Mum. I know, I know...," she said in reply to the look on her mother's face, "I said I loved Harry, too. And I did….but this is different. Theo….he's….made for me, Mum. He's perfect." She looked up into her husband's face and whispered, "You are, you know. Perfect, I mean."

Not satisfied with his daughter's declarations, Arthur said, "Ginny…..that doesn't explain why you felt the need to go sneak off and bond by yourselves. That's what we don't understand."

Theo stepped in. His face, always handsome, now showed a steely quality to it. It was the first time Arthur had seen the Nott magic rise up in the lad. It was intimidating. "Address me when criticizing our actions. Not Ginny."

"Theo….don't. It was my idea."

Molly couldn't help but be moved by the look he gave her daughter. Touching her cheek, he said, "You are my wife, love. I'm your covering."

Hearing his heartfelt avowal, Molly and Arthur both paused. That was not a term often used anymore.

Turning back around to face his in-laws, Theo added, "And for the record, we didn't go sneak off. We wanted our bonding to be private. We…...we married….traditionally."

Molly gasped. No wonder Ginny and Theo had sought privacy, then. Skyclad bondings were rare these days. Muggle science had infiltrated their youth. Modern witches and wizards scoffed at many of the old ways, their carnal minds capable of imagining only a hedonistic aspect. Cherished beliefs had become nursery tales. But past generations knew. Skyclad was more than the uncovering of the body; it was the baring of one's soul. It was a knowing. It was total vulnerability that would be taken and forged into a mighty union. A stronger tie. Now it made sense why Theo spoke of being Ginny's covering. Little wonder her daughter was welded to his side. They were truly one.

"We're proud of our marriage," he continued. "In fact, we can't wait to share our joy with others. Which brings us to why we asked you here."

"And that is…..?"

"We would be honored if you would help us in giving a reception."

"You're having a reception?" Molly asked, relief showing in her features. "Well, of course... we'd be delighted to help. When are you wanting it?"

Ginny looked at Theo. "We were thinking two weeks from now. Draco and Hermione will be home then and it would give you enough time not to feel rushed."

Molly was mentally going over all the things that would have to be done. "All right. I think I can manage something in two weeks time. Do you know who you want to invite besides the Malfoys?"

"Yes….we went ahead and made up a list. And of course, feel free to add anyone we might have overlooked." Theo reached over and pulled a scroll off a nearby table. Taking it, Arthur loosened the tie. The paper unrolled in a mad rush to the floor. All eight feet of it.

"Merlin's beard!" he exclaimed. "How many names are on this?"

"The last time we counted, I believe it was around six hundred, give or take a few."

Arthur looked at his wife. "Six hundred? At the Burrow? Can the tents accommodate that many?"

Ginny knew it was now time for her to pull out her ace. "Actually…..Mum...and Dad...we were hoping you would grace us by hosting the reception here."

"Here?" Molly was astonished. Ginny was essentially asking her to play Mistress of this great house for that occasion. It was an incredible honor.

Ginny hesitated before she asked. "So…...will you?" Behind her back, she crossed her fingers.

Arthur looked at Molly. She beamed back at him and gave him a little nod. Smiling back at his beloved wife, he stepped over to give Theo a hearty hug. "Son," he said. It was the first time he'd ever addressed Theo as such without being under an imperio.

"Vati," Theo answered as he returned the hug. He would never use the name Father again. Arthur deserved better than that.

Grinning at the sight of seeing the two men she loved most accepting the other, Ginny turned to her mum. "Now that that's settled…...would you like to see the rest of the house?"

Molly flushed in pleasure. "Yes…..I believe I would."


000

Early hours, November 3rd

Harry was tired. He'd finally made it back to the manor after a long night. He guessed it to be at that time in the day right before the red rim of daybreak rises on the horizon. Sprawling out on this bed, he thought back to the past few hours. He and Ron had taken Jillion and Luna to Diagon Alley to a new restaurant that had just opened.

Luna had somehow managed to convince Ron to try sushi. Lillion made a face at it until Luna shared a bit of her tuna with her. Jillion liked it so much, she ordered a side dish of it. They'd all talked and laughed and enjoyed each other's company until Ron signaled to Harry that he'd like a bit of time alone with the pretty Austrian. Harry had grinned, then winked at his oldest friend. He could tell Ron was going to fall hard for the comely witch. He and Luna left them at the restaurant and apparated near her home. There, they walked about in the crisp night air, the moonlight making soft sparkles in the stream where Luna used to fish for freshwater plimpies. She talked to Harry about the strange little creatures she was so fond of and of all the adventures she'd had in Italy. Unlike before, she kept her hands and mouth to herself, but every now and again when her arm would brush against his, she would take his hand and give it a squeeze. It reminded him of the time he'd caught her feeding the young thestrals in the Forbidden Forest. After he'd said good night with a hug and a kiss on the cheek, Harry apparated back to the manor.

He'd just gotten comfortable on his bed when his elf appeared at his side. Kreacher had been waiting for him. The old elf looked very poorly; his wrinkled skin appeared almost translucent. Looking up at Harry with bloodshot eyes, he muttered in a voice that sounded like a pale imitation of the powerful one he once had.

"Kreacher is sorry for disturbing Master….but Kreacher must speak to Harry Black."

Harry was instantly concerned. Somehow, Kreacher had wormed his way into Harry's heart. "Kreacher….are you worse? Should I fetch Binks?"

"No, Master…..Binks cannot help this time," he wheezed before he fell into a fit of coughing. When he was through, he wiped the trickle of blood that had gotten on his chin. "Kreacher must be ready; so Master must hear.'

Harry nodded. He didn't understand what Kreacher meant, but if the elf wanted to talk, Harry would listen.

"In Master's home, Kreacher's room has a hidden place. Master must go there and find what once belonged to his father. Kreacher kept it. Kreacher knew somehow it would one day go to another."

Harry sat back, astounded. Kreacher had kept something of Sirius' all this time and had never told him? "What is it?"

Instead of answering, Kreacher did something then he'd never done before. He reached up with his hand and cupped Harry's face. "It is that which can tame the savage within. "After he said that, another outburst of coughing came upon him. Soon he was panting, fighting for every breath, it sounded to Harry. "Master must promise. Master will remember."

"I….I will. I promise, Kreacher," Harry said.

Kreacher closed his eyes after hearing Harry's words. A tiny smile graced his normally sullen face. "Master…..promised…" Then he crumpled to the ground.

"Kreacher! Kreacher, stay with me," Harry frantically cried, pulling up the elf into his arms. He felt as light as a feather. Harry had not realized how wasted Kreacher had become.

"Neecie!" Harry cried out. The tiny elf instantly appeared. If he had not been so upset about his elf, Harry would have laughed at the pajamas Neecie was wearing. Someone had obviously given her muggle ones. They were toddler-sized flannel with glaring yellow and crimson images of Big Bird and Elmo scattered all over them.

"Wake Binks…..Kreacher is worse."


000

Lucius luxuriously stretched in his bed before he turned to see his wife still sleeping beside him. He knew she would never admit it, but the wedding had taken the starch out of her. He'd watched as she struggled all day yesterday. Finally, he had enough and begged her to take a nap. It was a mark of her extreme fatigue that she didn't argue the point. She'd gone up after lunch and slept the entire afternoon. Even after that long nap, she seemed exhausted.

But not too exhausted to enjoy her husband, he thought with satisfaction as he remembered the shenanigans they had gotten up to last night before they'd fallen asleep. He tenderly stroked her still beautiful hair as he watched her sleep. He and Narcissa had always been a passionate couple. When they were young, he'd always been the instigator, the one to pursue her, although she'd always welcomed him eagerly. But now…..it was if the tables had been turned. His wife had become a tigress in bed, stalking her prey before she captured him.

Lucius grinned at the analogy. He bet he had his tigress' claw marks on his back to prove it.

He gently pulled down the covers to view her still lush body. Lucius sucked in a breath. Seeing his wife always gave him that effect; the feeling of a pounding heart, a trembling hand…..blood rushing from his head to collect elsewhere.

He scooted over to nuzzle her neck. Peppering the spot under her ear with kisses, he murmured, "It's morning, love."

At first, Narcissa didn't respond. When she finally woke up enough to realize her surroundings, she began to giggle.

"I guessed I fired up your cauldron more than I realized," she teased before she let out a big yawn. "Better stir it before it boils over."

"That would be advisable," Lucius grinned lecherously before capturing her mouth with his. Just when things were about to get interesting, a little pop in the room alerted them to an elf's presence.

"Neecie? What are you doing here?" asked Narcissa, grabbing for the sheets to cover her and her husband.

"I's…..I's sorry, Missus. But Binks says for Neecie to wakes the Master and Missus. It's Kreacher….."

Narcissa sat up. She knew the old elf had been sick, but she thought he was recovering. "Is he worse, Neecie?"

Neecie nodded, her eyes filling with sorrow. "Yes, Missus. He's worse. He's dead."


000

Two days later

"And I couldn't find anything other than a page from a diary and this." Harry held out a pan flute for Luna to inspect. She had come at the request of Narcissa, who noticed Harry's growing melancholy since the death of his elf. She hoped her niece could help him, since Draco was not there to do it.

Luna took the flute and glanced at it before she gently laid it down on the pillow beside her. "And the note? What did it say?"

Harry ran a hand through his messy hair. "That was the most frustrating part. It was just some random writing of my father's about a quote."

"Do you have it with you? I'd like to see it."

"Why?" he asked as he dug into his trouser pocket. "It doesn't mean anything."

"You never know," said Luna sagely. "Don't forget. I'm a Ravenclaw. We like to figure out riddles. Maybe this is one."

Harry looked dubiously at her, but gave her the paper.

She began to read out loud. " William Congreve wrote in The Mourning Bride, 1697: Musick has charms to soothe a savage breast, to soften rocks, or bend a knotted oak.

"See? That doesn't make sense. What am I to make of it? Am I supposed to go around soothing breasts with a flute?" Harry asked before realizing what he'd just said. He began to blush madly. Luna's mouth quirked upward in amusement at Harry's bashfulness, but let it go.

Instead, she said, "There's more written. Maybe it will shed some light." Continuing to read, she said, "He always misquoted…... thought it said musick had charms to soothe a savage beast…..so he tried to play his pipe for me….but it could not subdue my wildness. I tried to tell him. Musick calms the storm inside, but as usual, he didn't listen."'

Luna looked up after that. "Is there anymore?"

"No. That's it. I don't think even you can make something out of that," said Harry as he took back the parchment. "Kreacher was old. And he'd lived too long by himself. I think he became dotty, actually. Probably, he just got confused and imagined something up. What else could it be?"

Luna stared out at nothing, as if Harry hadn't spoken a word.

"What?" he asked. "What are you thinking?"

A full minute passed before she turned to look at him. "Of course. Now it makes sense. I wondered where I'd seen it before."

Harry frowned, puzzled. "Seen what? This note?"

"No….the handwriting. That wasn't a note from your father's diary, Harry. Remus wrote that."

Harry stared at her, then pulled out the paper again. "Blimey. He did." Memories of seeing that exact looping scrawl flooded his mind.

"Maybe we should pay him a visit. Perhaps he could help you make sense of what Kreacher said and why a flute was left with a note about music. Right about now would be a good time, don't you think?' she asked as she stood up and offered her hand to Harry. "It's tea time and no one makes better crumpets than Tonks."

Standing, Harry held on to her hand. "You'll come with me...right?"

The smile Luna gave Harry was the kindest he'd ever seen. "Wild centaurs couldn't drag me away."


000

AN: please forgive me for the long wait. A new story idea grabbed my brain and ran off with it for a while. The story is called The Right Choice. If you haven't read it already, check it out!

Let me assure you I will not abandon this tale. I know exactly where I'm going with this. That said, I know this was an in-between sort of chapter. Nothing really happened, but was a set up for future chapters.

No Dramione in this chapter but our lovebirds will return in the next one.

Vati is German for dad. As mentioned earlier, the Notts have German ties in this story.