Chapter 34 – A Crowded Day

Tride had left Egypt a few minutes earlier than Harry, Hermione and Ginny did. The threesome were not too surprised when they saw a group of house elves and a few other people waiting for them when they appeared at Potter Manor. The three greeted a few of the elves by name as their baggage was taken up to the bedrooms. Harry was happy to go over to receive a hug from Remus Lupin while Tonks came across the hall to welcome Hermione and Ginny back.

"So how was Cairo?" she asked.

"It depends on who you ask" Hermione said. "We three had a great time most of the time and got to explore a newly opened tomb with Ginny's brother Bill and the rest of the Weasleys. If you ask Ron Weasley, he didn't do so well. He got attacked by an Acromantula, received some severe burns, had part of his hair turned green, almost got bit by a camel and broke his wand."

"And Molly didn't do anything against the twins for all that?" queried Remus.

"The twins didn't pull a single prank on anybody while we were there. It was quite abnormal of them."

Remus and Harry walked back to where the ladies were talking. Harry winked at Ginny and pulled Tonks around to give her ribs a severe tickling. Tonks collapsed on the ground screaming for help as she tried to reach her wand to get back at Harry.

Remus shook his head sadly and finally reached down to grab Harry by the collar and pull him up. "What was that about?"

"I just wanted to see if the DMLE trained their aurors to defend against a tickle attack. Apparently not."

Tonks straightened up and pinched Harry's cheek a little too hard. "There's never been a report of a Death Eater using tickling as an attack strategy."

"Is that because it never happened or somebody was just too embarrassed to report it happened to them?"

Tonks turned an exasperated eye to the giggling Mrs. Potters. "Would you two try to control him? I'm not sure Madame Bones would believe me if I filed a report saying that I was attacked at Potter Manor."

"I'm sorry Tonks; I promise I won't do that again."

"And he'll keep that promise or we'll tell you where and how the Right Honorable Harry Potter can be reduced to a pile of giggles himself."

"Thank you Ginny."

Harry came over and went down on one knee to kiss Tonks hand in apology and she pinched his nose for his efforts. Harry rose and looked at the pair of friends and shook his head. "I actually wanted to ask the two of you if you have an hour or two or time to spare now? I've got to go to that Board of Governors' meeting Thursday afternoon and while Lord Gryffindor may have some specific plans for changes, he liked to get a few more ideas to toss around."

"We're both free now but I forgot about the meeting you had. Madame Bones granted me another pass to see Sirius that afternoon. I'll see if I can get it rescheduled."

Harry frowned. "Don't do that. It's hard enough to schedule a visit let alone a makeup. Just tell my godfather I miss him and I'll try to get out to see him soon."

"We've got all those pictures of you and the Weasleys that showed up in the Daily Prophet. You three are quite photogenic."

"They actually printed some of us?" Ginny asked.

Tonks nodded. "A few even appeared on the front pages. We've saved them all to take to Sirius."

"Bring them along to the study then." Harry looked around and found the major domo. "Knop?"

"Yes Lord Harry?"

"Could you have someone bring some tea and coffee to my study for us? Before you go, how are Llasol and Harmionny?"

"They are both well and my grand-elf desires to see you because she is too young to remember your faces and voices from the ceremony. Llasol and Rettus have been telling her tales of you three."

"Is that allowable? For us to see her? I know you are all protective of your young."

"You only have to say it's okay; Rettus and Llasol trust your word about not harming her. It's a little unusual for someone so young to express herself so purposely though. She's very curious about you all."

"Why don't you bring Harmionny, Llasol and Rettus to see us after supper?"

"As you wish. In the meantime, your refreshments will be in the study in a few minutes. Is there anything else I may do for you three?"

"I don't think so Knop. We'll be absent for part of the afternoon but aren't sure about returning for supper."

"I'll inform the staff." Knop turned and vanished and Harry had a feeling that he had just gone to the kitchen.

By the time Harry and the others go to the study off the library, there was a tray with coffee, tea and a small pile of croissants and scones. Harry let everyone grab what they wanted and get settled before he hopped up on the edge of the desk to speak.

"I've already got some changes in mind for the staff and curriculum at Hogwarts. Nothing will be finished in time to make changes for this year but maybe we can get some ideas out and help the first years coming in. Hermione, are there papers and quills in here?"

"Middle drawer to the right Harry."

Harry went around to the back of the desk and opened the drawer. He smiled as he saw the contents. "Thank you Hermione." He passed out some yellow pads of paper and some ballpoint pens to hand around to everyone. "That's one idea that I'm going to try and push right away. There's no need in this twentieth century to be writing like we're in the fourteenth. It's horrible for left-handers to write over fresh ink and these pens aren't affected much by magic."

"Do you think any of the professors will go for that change Harry?"

"McGonagall and Flitwick already grade with pens like these so maybe it will get a boost if they allow it in their classrooms and for homework. We can only suggest it."

Harry handed out the pads of paper and pens and gave everyone twenty minutes to write down their ideas. He sat down himself and wrote down the ideas he had. He had told Ginny and Hermione about making changes while on the cruise and he had seen that they had written down some ideas of their own.

When the twenty minutes were up, Harry had everyone pass their pads one person to the left so everyone could see what had been written. At five minutes intervals the pads were passed again so that all the different ideas could be viewed. Harry saw some interesting ones from everyone and saw a Marauder style suggestion or two written on Remus' pad.

Harry was going to ask Hermione to compile a composite list when they were through but she just added to a copy of the list she had written for herself. When all the pads had been passed back to their originators Harry just walked over to look over Hermione's shoulder. "Good job, Nonnie" he whispered in her ear and kissed her cheek. He paused at Ginny's chair to do the same but found a wand pointed at him when he approached Tonks.

Harry laughed and Tonks giggled as she turned to look at Remus. "I'm not poaching." Remus's blush was enough answer and Harry turned his back before going to the desk.

"Hermione's compiled a list of everyone's ideas and I'm glad I asked a recent graduate and a slightly older mentor for their input. There's a few ideas that are common to all the lists and I'll be presenting those to the Board. There's not enough time to change schedules this year but I think the Headmaster might be open to having guest lecturers in some courses and some voluntary participation in a series of presentations. I'd really like to ease some of these changes in for the first year class coming in to make it a little easier on them. What do you think?"

"Changes in the three other houses might be easier if we got Gryffindor to begin with the mentoring and exercise programs."

Remus spoke up in response to the statement from one of the Mrs. Potters. "That might be true Ginny but for those students facing OWLS or NEWTS there won't be a lot of voluntary participation."

"Maybe some other incentives could be provided for them; demonstrations from Aurors or additional Hogsmeade times. There's time in the early fall or late spring for a couple of hours after supper to go down to the village."

"That's good idea Tonks; maybe something for the teachers to discuss once school begins. I'm going to give our final list to Dumbledore when we settle on it so he'll have some idea what's going on before the meeting."

"He's hired a new secretary while you were off gallivanting around. A Wilhelmina Gowdie - she seems quite competent."

"There was famous Scottish witch named Isobel Gowdie. She was supposedly hanged and burned in 1622."

"Hanged and burned? A little bit of overzealousness there. That's not a conversation starter Hermione."

"Honestly Harry! I have a little more tact than that. I wouldn't have mentioned it to her but maybe it's just a coincidence. It was in the appendix of famous witches in…"

"Hogwarts: A History" finished Harry, Ginny and Remus.

Hermione wasn't sure she should be put out or not about being teased about her favorite book. Ginny patted her hand and scraped one fingernail across her palm in a well-established flirting gesture and she responded to Ginny's smile with one of her own.

"Okay let's get down to the discussion part of this combined list. Remus, could you explain to me about your idea of working off taken points?"

The discussion about workable and possible ideas continued on until it was time for lunch. Harry and the others ate while they looked at the Daily Prophet and the pictures of the Weasley's time in Egypt. Some were front page stuff while the pictures of Harry and his wives seemed to end up on the society pages, not that Harry was complaining about that. There was a picture of the entire Weasley family meeting Ambassador Ferventon and his staff the first day of their vacation. A picture of Harry being kissed on the cheeks by both of his wives appeared on page six of the same paper with a small title of "The Boy Who Was Smitten". That caused a few laughs from Tonks and Remus and a blush from Harry.

Other front page pictures of the Weasleys included everyone gathered in front of the Viking ship and the group riding around on the scooters. Harry was really pleased by the way that Jacques had taken the pictures and the life he brought to each of them. Ginny's favorite picture out of all the ones that appeared in the paper was the one taken of the group before they went into the tomb. It was the one that had Harry siting on the ground with Hermione and Ginny flanking him and all the Weasleys lined up behind them. Jacques had caught the action of Scabbers jumping out of Ron's pocket and the startled look on Harry's face when the rat landed on Harry's shoulder. The picture was so clear that one could even see that Scabbers had a claw missing from one of his front paws.

Harry knew that Remus was going to take all the newspapers with him and the Weasleys in it to Azkaban for Remus. He had Tonks duplicate the ones with the Weasleys on the front pages until the original prints were sent on to him by Jacques O'Brien.

Tonks had to report for duty after lunch and Harry watch Remus escort her to the floo point. Harry headed for the owlery as his wives went upstairs to change and unpack. Hedwig was both glad and upset to see Harry after a two week absence. She nipped his ear as he was talking to her but leaned into his caress as he ruffled the feathers on her chest. Harry told her he had a message for her to take to Neville and his grandmother asking about signing some proxies for Harry's voting rights in the Wizengamot.

Harry had just fastened the letter to Hedwig's leg and released her when Llasol popped into the owlery. "Welcome home Harry. I hope your vacation was enjoyable. The ladies request your presence in the main bedroom."

"Thank you Llasol. Who's watching your elfling now?"

"There's no shortage of volunteers to watch the only elfling here. Although I should say that with your approval of more marriages, there may be a few more elflings around Potter Manor in a couple months."

Harry smiled. "That's wonderful news. Please extend our congratulations to those couples and invite them to come see us in the common areas any time before we head back for school."

"As you wish Harry; I will extend your invitation. You'd best be heading upstairs though. Both Lady Ginny and Lady Hermione were insisting you help them with unpacking."

"Thank you Llasol. I'll be on my way."

Harry didn't want to keep his ladies waiting but wondered why they had sent Llasol when they could just have easily sent him a mental message. He found the answer when he opened the door to their bedroom. Harry made sure the door was quickly closed and locked behind him as he turned to look at his wives. "I suppose there is some reasonable explanation for this?"

"We just don't know what to wear to go see Tony and Dee later this afternoon" Ginny started.

"I'm not sure if we're staying for supper or going out someplace there or bringing them back here to eat" Hermione finished.

"So because you couldn't decide what we were going to do, you couldn't decide what to wear?"

"Exactly!" came from two very attractive witches.

Harry walked a little closer to where the two were standing. "So you decided not to wear anything at all?"

Both girls giggled as they came over to hug their husband. "You disapprove of our outfits Jamie?"

"Heaven's no. But you know, I'm not exactly sure what we're doing either."

"So you don't know how to dress either?" Ginny said. Very hopefully.

"No I don't." Harry started unbuttoning his shirt. "I guess we'll just have to lie around and discuss this then until we figure out what we are going to do."

"We have some ideas Jamie." Hermione grinned as she reached for Harry's belt buckle.

"I bet you both do Nonnie." Harry drew both of his wives into a kiss as they helped divest him of his clothes.

Xxxx xxxx

Three figures emerged from the floo at the Granger household with only a minimum of dust and disturbance. Hermione called out for her parents and then walked over to the phone to call their office. She spoke for a couple of minutes and then hung up. "They are in the middle of closing up and coming home so we have about a half hour until they arrive."

"Dobby" Harry called out. Dobby immediately appeared wearing a white cape with blue and orange dragons on it. Harry was always surprised at the variety of different capes he appeared in every day; they would have to find some really different to give him for the holidays.

"Dobby could you pop back to the Manor and bring that yellow car back and place it in the Granger's garage with a tarp over it?"

"Of course Harry Potter, sir. At once. Is there anything else Dobby might do for his grand lordness and his lovely ladies?"

"No Dobby, that is quite enough for now. Thank you."

Dobby sniffled once at being thanked and both Ginny and Hermione secretly smiled at the devotion the free elf had to their husband. Dobby smiled at everyone once and then snapped his fingers once and disappeared. All three felt his presence a minute later in the garage and peeked out to see that their surprise was discreetly covered. Dobby waved again at them, bowed and promptly disappeared.

"Have you asked him about going to Hogwarts with us yet Harry?"

"Not yet. I'm going to let him get back into the swing of things around the Manor before I ask him. He may have other things he might want to do than wait on us."

Ginny scoffed loudly. "That has about as much a possibility of happening as that Basilisk coming to life again after it got rendered down into parts."

Harry winced at the mention of the Basilisk and decided he needed to go down to the Chamber of Secrets again to look at it. He'd had a very vivid nightmare about it chasing him a few nights ago but hadn't told the girls about it.

Hermione spoke out from the kitchen. "There's still some sodas and a couple of butterbeers left in the fridge here. Anybody want something to drink?"

"I'll take some water." Harry said.

"A ginger ale if there's one. Otherwise no." Ginny answered.

Hermione came back into the living room and handed Ginny a ginger ale and put a couple of bottles of water on the table in front of the couch. Ginny took a sip out of her can and then put it down.

Harry settled down on the couch and both girls took an end and placed their legs over Harry's lap. "Feel good to be back Nonnie?"

"A little; this will always hold special memories for me growing up and having the two of you here. Potter Manor's my home now. Actually, it's wherever the two of you are."

Harry had a sudden smile on his face. "Ginny, do you remember coming and visiting us in our dreams last year over Christmas holidays?"

Ginny looked at the smiles on both her spouses and shook her head. "Sorry, not a clue."

Hermione straightened up and leaned across Harry to give Ginny a hug. "It was the only time last year until near the end when you acted like yourself with us."

"What happened?"

"Do you think we should show her Harry? After all it was a shared dream even if she doesn't rememberit."

Ginny got up to her knees and threatened the both of them. "I want to know. Really."

"Okay but don't tell us we didn't warn you." Hermione opened her memory of the dream the three of them had seemingly shared last Christmas when Harry was staying at the Grangers. Ginny sat back down on the couch and snuggled up to Harry's side and closed her eyes. She smiled as the memory played but her smile turned into a blush as she opened her eyes and looked at her mates. The blush continued and Harry wasn't the only one to notice that Ginny's breathing had increased and she was squirming a little at his side.

"Okay there Gin?"

"Uh-huh. It's just a little weird watching myself like this."

Ginny squirmed more as the dream continued to be shown to her and she got redder and redder. She finally threw up her mental shields and ran away from Harry's side toward the downstairs bathroom. Harry watched her run away and turned back to Hermione. "Did she go off to…?"

"Compose herself? Yes and I'm not going to pry and suggest anything different."

'I think she liked that dream Nonnie.'

"It appears she wasn't the only one Harry.' Hermione giggled and Harry attacked her with both hands. And that's how her parents found them. Harry and Hermione having a tickle fight on the floor while Ginny was standing nearby and giving them both cheers and advice.

"Isn't this where we left them last time?" Dee asked.

"Yes but I think the last we saw of them Hermione was on top."

Hermione wrenched herself free from Harry's grasp and stood up. "Don't…you…say… one …thing about the word 'top' Mr. Potter."

Harry leaned back on his elbows on the floor trying to catch his breath. "Hi Dee, Tony."

Tony Granger leaned over and gave Harry a hand up as his wife was busy hugging Hermione and Ginny. She finally released the girls. "I take it the vacation with Arthur, Molly and the others went well?"

"It was super Mrs. G, err, Dee. We got to visit a newly opened tomb that Harry discovered for Bill."

"Why am I not surprised that Harry did something unusual?" Dee said. She came over to give Harry a hug and then a kiss on top of his head. "Both girls look especially tan and happy."

'Especially Ginny.'

'Nonnie!'

"Is this a dinner visit or did you just drop by to leave a vintage car in our garage?"

"Isn't that a swell car Tony? We were hoping that it could be restored and put on the road so that we could all learn to drive on it. I'll pay whatever it takes to get it running again."

"Learner's permits can't be issued until you're fifteen but I'll have to check and see how surprise car is going to get registered. You didn't have a bill of sale or anything with you?"

"It was in a garage I found I owned" Harry said. "Maybe we could get someone to make up some paperwork."

Tony laughed. "Okay. How about you stay for supper and you can tell us all about your adventures in Egypt. We can call for Chinese if you'd like."

"Yes. With dumplings?"

"Yes Ginny, even with dumplings."

Dee, Tony and Harry went out to the kitchen to look at the takeout menu from the Chinese restaurant they liked and Hermione went and sat by a suddenly quiet Ginny. "Are you okay there?"

"I'm so embarrassed; that dream was so hot and then I had to run away before I jumped Harry.."

"I'm pretty sure that Harry wouldn't have minded one bit."

"I know that but do you think I'm weird that I really enjoyed watching myself with you two?"

"No, you've watch Harry and me have some fun and he's watched us and I've watched the two of you. I'm happy that you're pleasing each other and I feed off that a little bit. If you really like watching yourself, we can set up some mirrors or you can watch our memories."

Ginny blushed but gave Hermione a quick kiss to the lips. "Thank you for understanding."

'Ginny, you are not different than Harry and I. We all have unique things we're still finding about ourselves. And that's part of our growing up.'

"Who's going with me to pick up the food?" Tony asked.

"Harry?"

"I'll go. It's obviously time for the ladies to chat." Harry went over to kiss both Hermione and Ginny before he left with his father-in-law. Ginny was insistent about whispering her apologies into Harry's ear but he said she had nothing to apologize for. Ginny smiled and gave him an extra little squeeze before he left.

While Tony and Harry were gone for the food, the girls set up the kitchen table and talked about some of the times they had in Egypt. Dee was fascinated that they had gone on a flying carpet and had Hermione tell her all about the tour they took over and around Cairo.

The supper with Hermione's parents was a good opportunity to reconnect and get comfortable with each other. Harry enjoyed taking his turn telling stories with Hermione and Ginny about their time in Egypt. He found he was starting to dread the reaction to the other news he had to tell them. Dee, at least, noticed he had become a little withdrawn. She came around the table to lean on Harry's shoulder. "Why are you so glum all of a sudden? Not dreading going back to school are you?"

"No, that's not it. I guess it's confession time."

Dee went back to sit next to Tony. "So what have you done that you need to confess to us? It's not something with Hermione or Ginny is it?"

"No but I did do something to your house."

Tony looked at Hermione. "Did you know about this princess?"

"Not until a few days ago dad. He confessed to Arthur and Molly first because he was afraid of their reaction. He's a little afraid of yours too."

Harry watched Tony level his gaze on him and then drop his voice a little. "What did you do?"

"I had the goblins upgrade the wards on your house to make it more secure."

Dee jumped up yelling and held out her hand to her husband. Harry watched a little incredulously as Tony brought out his wallet and handed some money to his wife.

"You knew?"

"Almost as soon as we returned from Venice. The wager was whether there were extra wards around or Harry had asked one of his house elves to come and protect us and stay invisible."

"How could you tell?" Ginny asked.

Dee smiled at her husband and picked up a bottle of soy sauce that sat on the table. Everyone watched her as she casually dropped it on the floor. It broke, reformed and came back up her hand with no spilled mess.

"Something like happened the first night we came home. Two days later a bird flew through the front window breaking it totally. We watched as the bird revived, flew backward and the glass reformed. That's some pretty strong magic that happened without any of you three being here."

Harry's face was as red as Ginny's hair. "I think the goblins may have gone a little overboard. I'll go ask them to tone it back a little if that's okay with you."

Dee and Tony were both chuckling at Harry's discomfort but Tony came over to throw an arm around his son-in laws shoulders. "We appreciate the consideration but we just can't have a perfectly preserved household. The neighbors would eventually notice some of the strange events happening."

"Harry will have it fixed" Hermione said. "Just so you know, if things get very difficult here, he's ordered the house elves to come here and bring you back to Potter Manor."

"Is that a possibility?" Dee asked nervously.

"We don't think so but we are trying to think of every possibility. There's a special ward that's keeping the magical press away."

"That would explain a particularly dreadful person that tried to get us to talk about our daughter or Harry Potter at the airport when we got back. We pretended we didn't know anything about either of you."

"That's good. She didn't identify herself by some chance did she?"

"Rita… Skeeter I think she said; she was especially annoying."

Hermione suddenly let out a little gasp. "Harry did you think about their office?"

Harry winced. "No sorry, I'll go to Gringotts tomorrow and straighten everything out and get your office covered also."

"I've got to ask Harry – is this very expensive?"

"Less expensive than putting everyone though a funeral service or two."

Dee went white and Tony went and held his wife. "That wasn't very nice Harry."

"I'm sorry Tony and Dee – that was thoughtless and I regret saying it like that. The Death Eaters have no scruples, no guilt, no morals and no mercy from all I've heard about them. I'll protect you as best I can with as little disturbance to your normal lives but I will try to protect you. I can't lose another set of parents."

Dee came back over to hug Harry. "We love you too Harry."

Hermione was very annoyed that Harry had scared her parents and he apologized mentally as best he could. The three returned a little later to Potter Manor but were all upset for different reasons.

Harry found Hedwig waiting on the balcony outside their bedroom with a return letter from the Longbottoms. He didn't have a chance to read it to Hermione and Ginny before they had visitors. There was a knock on the door to the bedroom and Ginny called out that it was okay to enter. Llasol and Rettus stood in the doorway and a half-sized elfling was between them holding their hands. Before Rettus or Llasol could say anything, Harmionny pulled out of her parents grip, ran across the room and launched herself at a surprised Harry.

Harry bent down a little to scoop up the little elfling and lift her up. Harmionny laughed and smiled at him but Llasol was almost yelling at the youngster for her behavior. The elfling poked Harry's face with her fingers and traced his ears; she then sneezed in his face twice. Ginny and Hermione were a little shocked to see that Rettus had knelt down with his face touching the carpeting. Harry went down to one knee to let the elfling go back to her mother but she immediately assumed the same position as her mate. Llasol had also dragged the elfling down to the floor beside her. Harry was confused about what had just happened. "You two can get up now. Nothing wrong has occurred here."

Rettus raised his head but nothing else. "It is taboo to touch the Lord of the House. It is one of the oldest of our laws and we have allowed our elfling to become too familiar with you Lord Potter."

Harry sighed. It had not gone well for him over the last hour or so. He spoke softly in what he hoped was an understanding tone. "I do not understand this trespass but I have no reason to find fault or guilt with either you two or your elfling. Do not punish yourselves or her for something we find no offence in."

Rettus slowly climbed to his feet and Llasol followed his example. Harry shook his head as Hermione and Ginny came forward to talk to Llasol and Harmionny. Harmionny seemed to have realized her parents were upset with her but she did listen and smile when Llasol, Ginny and Hermione talked for a while.

The three house elves took only another couple of minutes before they backed out of the bedroom. Rettus and Llasol apologized again and again for the action of their elfling in spite of Harry's insistence to the contrary. The bedroom door clicked close finally and Harry collapsed on one of the chairs holding his head.

Harry was feeling despondent about what had happened but Ginny and Hermione sat on the arms of the chair and rubbed his back and head for a few minutes. Harry eventually raised his upset face to look at his two best friends. "This day could have ended a lot better for me. First I frightened your parents Hermione and the first two house elves we knew are going to punish themselves over an accidental encounter."

"You've just had a long afternoon Harry and you're tired. You haven't done anything wrong in either of our books."

"Thanks Ginny but I know a little better. I messed up at the Grangers and I should have thought before I picked up…"

Hermione gently kissed Harry on the forehead. "Ginny's right; you are overtired and not thinking straight. How about we all head for bed for a nice long cuddle and a good night's sleep?"

"That sounds perfect Nonnie. I really don't deserve you two."

"We know that Harry but you are still stuck with us anyway."

Harry laughed a little sadly but did kiss Ginny and Hermione before they walked over to the bed and stripped off their shoes, shirts and pants. Clad only in their underwear, the three Potters cuddled up close to one another and almost immediately fell fast asleep.