Chapter 35
The Concubine Auction, Part 1
Author's Note: I got a request from readers to start adding the day of the week to the dates in my chapters, so starting this chapter, that will happen. Also, whilst the title of this chapter is Concubine Auction, none of the Auction takes place in this chapter. It is just teasing up to it. But I couldn't resist naming the chapter this, especially with the final few lines of this chapter.
Warning: Some Nudity involving underage girls.
With the knowledge that the Crestview Alliance was about to become three to four times larger than it currently was over the next week, things around Black Manor and Crestview started to move with a faster pace.
This proved quite true for Bill Weasley. On Tuesday, the day after the Concubine Announcement in the Daily Prophet and Ginny's arrival, he and the small group of ward-builders put the finishing touches on the wards around Crestview. Aside from Bill, most of the ward-builders were amateurs, who had worked on wards as a hobby and not a career. But they still impressed Bill with their work. Bill had constructed one large Master Wardstone, which was mostly the control center that powered the other smaller stones.
He also put a Permission Enchantment on the stone. As Crestview was owned mainly by Harry Potter, Bill had given the young man the controls for the Permission Enchantment. Harry spent a good ten minutes adding every member of the Crestview Alliance onto the so-called "list" of granted members welcome past the wards. Harry would also have to give permission to the Concubines were coming, and the Goblin Construction Crew, but that would have to wait until they had a concrete list of names. Anyone not on the list who passed through the wards with the intention of doing harm would get attacked by the enchantments. There was no chance that regular, innocent Muggles would visit Crestview, since there were Muggle-repelling Wards up.
Aside from completing the Wards, Bill also had another meeting with Remus and the group of members who had a part in planning for the houses that would be built in the future. They made final arrangements for where the houses would be located, as well as finished up the early blueprints for the first couple of houses on the list. The first planned house would be the Crestview version of Longbottom Manor for Neville and his wives. Once the Manor was built, a few of the girls coming to Crestview would be living there until the rest of the community was finished. For now, they would be living in a number of wizarding tents.
Also, Bill had his part in an unexpected, but welcoming event as well. On Tuesday, Angelina, Alicia, Katie and Bill's fiancee, Fleur, had a discussion which resulted in the mutual agreement that they wanted a Joint Wedding for the Weasley boys. Bill, Fred and George were included in this discussion later, but it was soon apparent they were just along for the ride. The Weasley boys were all quite shocked that the girls wanted to be married before the Concubines came to Crestview.
So on Wednesday evening, the night before Bill, Charlie and Tonks were expected to go to England, in the third wedding in the span of seven days took place, Amelia led a ceremony that resulted in the three Weasley boys marrying their four respective fiancees. Even though the time between the announcement and the ceremony was quick, it was still a wonderful event. It wasn't as extravagant as the previous joint wedding, but everyone agreed it was just as wonderful. Dobby, Winky and Kreacher were simply thrilled to have done their part as well, having cooked a wonderful dinner for the reception.
(Thursday, August 8th, 1996 – Four Hours until Auction)
The morning of Thursday, the eighth of August - the day of the Concubine Auction – Bill, Charlie, Tonks, and several other Alliance members were sitting at the kitchen table, discussing final arrangements for the visit.
"Tonks, Bill, Charlie," Harry said, walking into the kitchen, "You'll be happy to know I've finalized travel arrangements. Dobby and Winky will be happy to take you to England via Elf travel. And they'll also bring you back if you don't wish to use a Portkey. You just have to call for them."
"Thanks, Harry," Bill said, "That will make it much easier."
"I thought so too," Harry said, then he removed a couple pieces of parchment from his robes and gave both to Tonks. "The first piece of parchment is the list of girls that we came up with."
"I'll do my best to get them all, dear," Tonks said, "and the second?"
"For Keeper Ragnok," Harry said, "I know I verbally gave him permission to transfer money to a new Vault, but this will give written consent as well. It also states I've given you partial ownership of the Vault as well."
"Since it is an anonymous Vault with a fake name and company," Bill said, "It won't matter much, but it was probably a good idea to do that, just to make it easier on Keeper Ragnok. I figured if we leave around ten, I can make final arrangements with Keeper Ragnok in person, when it comes to the Construction Crew, as well as the future supply caches. That should give us enough time to finish with Ragnok, then meet my father before the Auction."
"A good idea," Tonks said, "If we combine the meeting, I can come along with you to the meeting, and watch from a distance for anyone who might be watching you with more than just a passing glance. Dumbledore may have recruited more people for the Order – and if anyone is following Arthur, it may be these recruits."
"Excellent idea," Bill said, "Constant Vigilance as Moody likes to say."
"Speaking of that," Charlie said, "Should we do anything about Moody and McGonagall whilst were in the homeland?"
"No," Remus said, "We'll leave that for another day. Focus on Gringotts, the discussion with Arthur, and the Auction."
"And what about Dumbledore?" Tonks asked, "He will likely be at the Auction. He must suspect that we're going to do something about the Concubines, especially Astoria. Once he loses Astoria, and realizes the person who is purchasing her is buying so many other girls, he's going to probably realize who I am. Even if he doesn't realize it is me, he'll probably still suspect I'm one of your Alliance."
Remus frowned and tapped his fingers on the table, obviously in thought. "I wonder if it would be a risk for Bill to accompany you to the Auction. Bill could put a few bids in some of the girls... acting as if he's bidding against you. Dumbledore must realize that Bill is in Alliance with us."
"And if he sees me making an opposing bid against you," Bill said, "That will take the heat off of you, and put it on me. And when he sees me losing out on so many girls, he'll think I've failed to bring in girls for our Alliance. Brilliant, Remus, I am all for this plan."
Tonks agreed. Charlie seemed confused though.
"What about me?" he asked.
"First of all," Remus said, "you need to discover from your father whether or not Dumbledore knows anything about your breakaway from the Order. If Dumbledore doesn't suspect you, then you may still have an in with the Order. Go to the Auction if you want. If Dumbledore sees you there, you could just tell him you are interested in picking up a girl or two simply for yourself."
"You and Bill could stage a fight," Harry suggested, "Make Dumbledore think that you are on opposite sides of the cause."
"Excellent idea, Harry," Remus said.
Charlie grinned at Bill. "That could be fun, eh, brother?"
Bill smiled. "I could pull it off."
(Thursday, August 8th, 1996 – Two Hours, Five Minutes until Auction)
At five-till-ten, Bill left his bedroom after changing into a proper outfit for the day's tasks, and made his way back to the kitchen. As he reached the kitchen, he found Daphne and Tonks comforting a nervous looking Astoria.
"I promise I will do everything in my power to make sure you're not going anywhere, Astoria," Tonks said, "You have my word."
"Thanks," Astoria said, smiling.
Bill smiled and walked over to his new wife, Fleur, who looked just as nervous as the young Greengrass girl, hugged him tightly.
"You promise me you'll be careful, William," Fleur said.
"I promise, Fleur," Bill said.
"Good," Fleur said; she kissed him passionately, then whispered in his ear, "Because my mind is still on our wedding night, and I will be waiting for you to come back to our bed."
Bill smiled warmly, thinking of his new wife's passion the previous evening. He would never tire of making love to her, as long as he lived.
"Oi, brother!" Charlie said, "Quit flirting with your wife. It is time to go!"
Bill rolled his eyes and pecked Fleur on the lips, before he left her arms and walked over to Charlie, Tonks and the two house-elves. He and Charlie each took one of Dobby's hands, whilst Tonks took hold of one of Winky's.
"Take us just outside Gringotts in Diagon Alley, please," Bill said.
A few moments later, Black Manor vanished from around Bill, and soon he was standing in front of Diagon Alley with Charlie, Tonks and the two house-elves. He looked around to see if anyone had noticed them, but the marketplace was nearly empty.
"Thank you,Dobby, Winky," Bill said, "We'll call for you when we wish to return home. You may go."
Dobby and Winky bowed, then vanished. Bill, Charlie and Tonks headed into Gringotts.
Nearly an hour later, they walked back out after a highly successful meeting with Keeper Ragnok. Tonks was now the temporary owner of one million Galleons. At the auction, she would now be identified as Pussy Galore, a representative of the Crestview Concubine Company. Bill had also made final arrangements with the Goblin Construction Crew. On Saturday, thirty Goblins would be coming to Crestview to begin the large project that would turn Crestview into a small community of houses and other buildings. Also there would be a steady income of supplies coming to Crestview as long as Harry paid a small fortune every few months.
Now Bill was entering the Leaky Cauldron alone. In order to keep up appearances, in case any of Dumbledore's allies had followed Arthur into the restaurant, Bill didn't want to be seen together with Charlie. Charlie and Tonks had gone into the restaurant before him. Bill looked around at the patrons, as he entered. He found his father and Charlie sitting at table. When he found Tonks, she glanced back at him and shook her head. Bill nodded, knowing this meant that she did not see anyone she recognized as Dumbledore's allies. Either Arthur had not been followed, or there was a new member of the Order in the restaurant that Tonks nor Bill knew about. Bill hoped it was the former.
Bill made his way over to his father and Charlie. Arthur's eyes lit up when he saw him. He stood and engulfed him in a hug.
"Good to see you, my boy," Arthur said.
"Good to see you too, Dad," Bill said.
"Tonks doesn't have to worry, son," Arthur whispered, "I was not followed today. I made sure of it."
Bill smiled softly. He should have known his father would have figured Tonks was there, even if she didn't look anything like herself at the moment.
Bill sat down across from Arthur and Charlie. Charlie's face twisted in anger as he looked toward Bill. Arthur noticed and looked concerned.
"Now boys, what is with this sudden tension?" Arthur asked.
Bill flourished his wand around the table and set up some privacy and silencing enchantments. Charlie's face then softened into a smile and laugh.
"Keeping up appearances," Charlie said, "I assume you told nobody in the Order of Ginny's revelation of my visit to her, Mum and Ron last week?"
Arthur sighed, and shook his head. "No. I nearly did, but then I received Bill's letter. I was actually getting ready to contact Dumbledore about Ginny's disappearance when the letter came."
"Why did you wait so long?" Bill asked, "I sent the letter that evening. She vanished that morning."
"Long story," Arthur said. "First of all, I was rather busy with your Mum and Ron. Ginny had hexed Ron, and he had fallen unconscious from the attack. Your Mum was in a panic, wanting to take Ron to St. Mungo's. She was afraid that Ron had internal injuries. But I calmed her down enough to check up on Ron at home. He was fine. A small concussion and the after-effects of Ginny's Bat-Bogey Hex. But we've all been at the bad end of one of her hexes, so I wasn't worried about that."
Bill and Charlie exchanged grins. They too had been on the wrong end of her Bat-Bogey hexes.
"Whilst your Mum was taking care of Ron," Arthur said, "I was thinking of Ginny. But there was something in the back of my mind that told me she was safe. I read through the article about Concubines for the fifth time that morning, and it said that nearly all of the girls would be safe until the Auction. It didn't say what it meant by 'nearly'. So I used one of those summoning spells listed in order to get an Instruction Manual, and I found the section on Life-Debts. If a Concubine was part of a life-debt with a wizard, then they were automatically that – that wizard's property."
"You realized that Ginny had a Life-Debt with Harry," Bill said.
"Yeah," Arthur said. "So I figured there was a chance that Ginny was with Harry. Wherever Harry was, I assumed he was with friends, since he's married to a few girls. So that settled my fears about Ginny for a while. Long enough for me to concentrate on other things. After your Mum was sure that Ron was okay, I – well – I did something I've never had to do in the many years I have been married to your mother."
"What was that, Dad?" Charlie asked
"I used my abilities of Head of House," Arthur said, frowning, "and enacted the Family Honor Vows. Then your mother, Ron and I sat down and had an honesty hour. The Honor Vow, as you probably know, is almost the same as Veritaserum. It ensures calmness during the discussion. They revealed so much to me. Their schemes with Dumbledore to get their hooks in on Harry. I would have liked him to be an honorary member of our family. But not like that."
"We know about a lot of it, Dad," Charlie said, "Ginny was telling you the truth. I did come to the Burrow one day and got the truth from Mum and Ron. Probably heard the same things you did. Made me almost sick. Listening to my brother talking so cheerfully about Dumbledore's plans to harm Hermione..."
"Made me sick to my stomach too, son, believe me," Arthur said; his eyes were growing misty. "Then there was your mother's schemes to use Love Potion on Harry and Hermione. And then... then I asked her if she ever used it on me."
"She said yes," Bill said.
Arthur's bottom lip wobbled and he nodded. "I used my Head of House abilities to order your mother and Ron to secrecy. They could not contact anyone whenever I was out of the house. And they were not to leave the house. You see, your mother and Ron wanted to contact Dumbledore and inform him that Ginny was missing, but I put my foot down and said it was none of his business yet. They weren't happy about that. I didn't tell your Mum and Ron that Ginny was probably with Harry. Ron – well – he isn't exactly happy with Harry right now. He's jealous – you know how he gets. Ron is jealous that Harry is married to so many girls, including Hermione."
"Well, the feeling is basically mutual," Bill said, "Harry and Hermione aren't exactly with happy with Ron either."
"I didn't think they would be," Arthur said, "Ron's done some pretty ghastly things against them. After those revelations, I informed your mother and Ron that I was going out, that I would attempt to find Ginny. Truth is, I went to St. Mungo's so the Healers could check and see if I had any bad Potions running through my system. There were Love Potions, as well as Potions that forced me to be honorable to your mother and Dumbledore. I couldn't believe it. Do you know how often I would have had to be dosed without noticing anything? About as long as I've been married to your mother."
"But I thought Love Potions had very bad effects on babies conceived whilst either parent was dosed on the Potion," Charlie said.
"Aye," Arthur said. "Your mother knew that too. She didn't dose me on Love Potions while we were trying to have children. Honor Potions did enough to keep me how she wanted."
"You haven't gone to the DMLE with this, have you?" Bill asked.
Arthur shook his head as his eyes became watery. "The Healer I went to was a good friend, so I was able to convince them not to inform the DMLE. I... I just couldn't do it. This is family, son. I know your mother betrayed me, betrayed us, but I couldn't do it."
"Are you willing to leave her?" Bill asked. "Are you willing to leave her and England and come away with us? With the rest of your family. Ginny, Fred and George – they all miss you."
"I'm the breadwinner of the family, son," Arthur said, "I couldn't -"
"You recently acquired thirty-thousand Galleons from Sirius Black, Dad," Bill said. "Ron got another ten-thousand as well. Mum and Ron could survive on that for quite a while if they spend the money wisely."
Arthur frowned as his bottom lip wobbled. "I – well, that is true, but -"
"Dad," Charlie said, "There is so much we need to tell you about Dumbledore and the Order. Dumbledore is allied with the Dark. He is not your friend. The group we're with – we plan to fight against him. We believe it is because of him that Ginny and the rest of these girls were made Concubines. We think that he footed the proposal. He wanted to try to kidnap one or two of the girls that are in this group of ours. We think he wanted to get them to tell him where Harry is. He has bad plans for Harry."
"If he was able to buy them as Concubines," Arthur said, his eyes wide, "He could summon them from anywhere and order them to tell him where Harry was. Especially since he'd be their Master. Merlin's beard..."
"Bill, Tonks and myself are going to the Auction today – right after we finish this meeting," Charlie said, "We're going to buy as many of these girls as we can. Including several Muggleborns. We have volunteers who are going to be their Masters, and they're going to be the best treated Concubines in the world. We could use your help."
"Mine?" Arthur asked.
"If you take some of these Concubines," Charlie said, "That would be a big help. You could learn a lot from the Muggleborn. They could tell you all about the Muggle world."
Arthur's eyes brightened. "I would like that..."
"There's something else, Dad," Bill said, "The Weasley family is getting bigger. Just yesterday, I married Fleur, and Fred and George married their girlfriends."
"Congratulations, son," Arthur said, "Wish I could have been there."
"There is something else you can be there for in the early months of next year," Bill said, smiling, "The birth of your first grandchild. You're going to be a grandpa, Dad."
Arthur's eyes widened, brimming with tears. "Is Fleur...?"
Bill shook his head. "Not yet. George's new bride Angelina is pregnant – maybe a month or two..."
"George," Arthur said, "Merlin's beard... that's wonderful. I – can I have a few hours to think about all of this? I'm going to take the rest of the day off and go home..."
"Of course," Bill said, "We can go to the Burrow after the Auction."
"Is that a good idea?" Arthur asked, "Your Mum and Ron -"
" – need to hear what Charlie and I have to say to them," Bill said. "They're in an alliance with the wrong person."
Arthur nodded. "Alright. If they know what is good for them, they'll listen to you."
"Please don't do anything reckless before we get there, Dad," Charlie said. "If you decide to come with us, don't give them any hints about it until we get there. They already have a history of betraying you, they could do it again. I hate to think that about them, but... we're risking a lot just by being in contact with you."
"We're risking a lot just by coming back to England and doing all of this," Bill said. "Dumbledore will surely be at the Auction, and we have to be careful around him."
"He's dangerous, isn't he?" Arthur asked.
"More than you know," Bill said.
Arthur sighed and nodded. "I should get going. I'll see you later, boys."
Bill and Charlie stood with their father and hugged him. Arthur smiled and walked away.
"Going back to the Burrow wasn't a part of the plan, Bill," Charlie said.
"I know," Bill said, "But I need to know if Mum and Ron are capable of redemption."
"You're not seriously thinking of bringing them with us?" Charlie asked. "Ron wouldn't last five minutes around Harry and Hermione now that they know what he's done."
Bill sighed. "I don't know what I'm thinking about when it comes to them. I'm just sort of winging it at the moment."
Charlie laughed. "I hope you know what you're doing."
"So do I, brother," Bill said, "So do I."
Nymphadora Tonks walked up to the security desk in the Atrium of the Ministry of Magic. The security guard sitting there goggled as he looked at her. She smirked privately. She had changed her appearance to that of Honor Blackman, the actress who played Pussy Galore in the 1964 James Bond movie "Goldfinger". However, she had done a few improvements, including giving herself a bigger bust.
The guard, Eric, blinked then shook his head. "Sorry. Long day already. Can I see your wand for identification, Miss – Mrs.? – Miss -"
"Miss Galore," Tonks said, "Pussy Galore. But I have a loving boyfriend, so it might be Mrs. before too long."
"Of course you do," Eric said, sighing.
It was a tense moment as Tonks watched the security guard put her wand through the tests. Ragnok had used his Goblin Magic to make her wand's ownership show the same name as her alias. But would it pass the security test?
"Wand passes, Miss Galore," Eric said, as he passed the wand back to her, "Reason for being here?"
"I'm here for the Auction," Tonks said, "I got my eye on several girls. I like 'em young."
Eric cleared his throat. "Take the lifts to the ninth level and go to Courtroom Three. The Auction is taking place there. Good luck."
"Thank you, handsome," Tonks said, with a saucy wink.
Eric visibly swallowed and Tonks snickered as she walked away. This might have been a serious mission, but she was going to have a bit of fun with it. She crossed the Atrium, ignoring the looks from men and a few women as well, and made her way into one of the crowded lifts. As the lift made its way down to level nine, Tonks thought of the mission. Bill and Charlie had decided to come in separately from her. It wouldn't do for someone to see them coming in together.
She was nearly one-hundred percent sure that Dumbledore, and perhaps a few other Order members would be there today. After all, Dumbledore probably had his eyes on several girls, and one in particular: Astoria Greengrass. Tonks silently scowled at the thought. She promised Astoria she would do everything in her power to make sure that the girl remained at Crestview. A good twenty-five thousand Galleon bid should do the trick. At least she hoped it would.
Before they traveled to the Ministry, Tonks discussed a few strategies with Bill. He had picked out a few names on the targeted list where he would begin the auction with a small amount, then she would raise up the bid a bit. Even though she was planning on beginning most of the bids at ten-thousand Galleons, Bill's part in the auction would help to take that price down a couple thousand Galleons ensuring that she could get more girls on the list. Also, if Bill battled her for the girls, people like Dumbledore would think that she was stealing them from Bill and his suspected Alliance. Dumbledore would think it was a victory – the smug bastard would probably guess that Harry wanted to save several girls, after all. Harry was unfortunately predictable like that.
A cool voice announced the floor, with the added announcement that the Concubine Auction was in Courtroom Three, and the lift doors opened. Tonks followed the queue of witches and wizards out. Most of them headed in the direction of the Courtroom. When Tonks arrived, she found a large crowd already in the corridor outside the Courtroom. To her disgust, she saw half-a-dozen girls, ranging in ages twelve to sixteen, scattered around the corridor, surrounded by adults. The girls were either wearing skimpy clothing or nothing at all – their breasts and intimate areas revealed so the perverts could see what they were attempting to buy. A few of the wizards – some of whom that Tonks was sure were the girls' parents - were yelling out particular attributes of the girls. Other men were discussing partnering up for bidding on the auction. The whole thing disgusted Tonks.
Out of the corner of her eye, Tonks saw Bill leaning against a wall. He wasn't watching the disgusting spectacle, instead his eyes were focused on something. Tonks followed his gaze and saw Albus Dumbledore watching the spectacle. Then Tonks saw Charlie walking toward Bill with an angry expression. She smiled. It seemed the brothers were about to put on a show for Dumbledore.
"You dare show your face here, Bill," Charlie snarled. "Did Potter ask you to come here and buy more girls for him? He isn't interested in just our sister?"
"I am protecting these girls, Charlie," Bill said. "Our sister is just fine. You would know that if you'd get your head out of Dumbledore's arse and see the Light."
"I've seen the Light, Bill," Charlie said, "And it is not with Potter or you. How could I side with 'The Chosen One', when he is too scared to show his face here?"
Tonks smirked when she saw Dumbledore's smug expression. He was liking this argument. It seemed he believed in the ploy. She walked over to Bill and Charlie and stood in between them.
"Boys, boys," she said, "Break it up. We're all friends here. You two look like brothers. You should love each other, not fight."
Charlie harrumphed and walked away.
"Thanks for that, Miss," Bill said, "I don't think I recognize you. Who are you?"
"My name is Pussy Galore," Tonks said.
"I must be dreaming," Bill said.
"Do you want me to pinch you?" Tonks asked, with a smirk. "I couldn't help but hear that your sister is a Concubine. Is she here today? I'd love to get my hands on her, if she is as cute as you."
"My sister is already taken," Bill said, "Thank Merlin. I wouldn't want her in the hands of these perverts... or you, it seems. I am here to save as many girls as I can."
"Good luck," Tonks said, with a snort. "My boss wants as many girls as I can get. Going to make a nice fortune out of this lovely law."
"Lovely?" Bill asked, "It is people like you who abuse this law. People like you who voted for this law to pass."
"Not part of the Wizengamot Council, love," Tonks said, "Just a simple secretary working for a living. I do what my boss wants me to do. He wants me here, buying as many young girls as I can. So I will. Again... good luck. You'll need it."
She stealthily glanced at Albus, and she could see from his expression that he believed she and Bill were opposition. She looked back at Bill, winked and walked away. Part one of the mission accomplished.
Then the Courtroom doors opened and Tonks inhaled, exhaled and cleared her throat.
Part two was about to begin.
See what I did there? "Part Two is about to begin?" This is Part 1 of a two-part chapter? I'm so bad... -evil cackles-
I know, I know – I am a bad person for ending the chapter here. I promise to get the next chapter up in the next couple of days. These next couple of chapters – the Auction, the planned Burrow scenes, and the aftermath of it all – is going to be SO EXCITING.
The whole "Who are you?" "My name is Pussy Galore." "I must be dreaming." part comes from James Bond movie Goldfinger, when Bond first meets Miss Galore. Thought that was a nice addition.
Next chapter: The Concubine Auction.