Chapter 37
The Concubine Auction, Part 3
Author's Note: Several names in this chapter are girls listed on HPWiki. Most of them, aside from notable names will likely get little to no page-time. They're just names to fill the list.
Warning: Some Nudity involving underage girls.
(Thursday, August 8th, 1996)
As Tonks dined on a deli sandwich, she looked around at the other bidders. Some appeared to be attempting to make barters and trades with others for Concubines. Aside from Dumbledore, nobody seemed to want to approach her. She was quite happy about that, especially since she would deny every attempt.
Across the Courtroom, Narcissa and Draco Malfoy were having what appeared to be a heated argument. Tonks was pretty good at reading body language, and she could tell that Draco wasn't exactly happy with the proceedings so far. Tonks raised an eyebrow when Draco snatched the bidding paddle from his mother's hand, and for a moment she thought he might hit Narcissa with it. But it seemed he was well intent on keeping it. Apparently he would be taking over the Malfoy bids. This was going to get quite interesting.
She turned her attention back to her own business, and compared her list of upcoming bids to the Auction book. She had successfully purchased nineteen girls on the list, plus Dawlish's daughter. Given the fact that they were about a third of the way through the list, it seemed she was on the right track to get fifty or more. She had spent an estimated two-hundred thousand Galleons so far, which was excellent. This meant she could either begin raising the price on a few of the girls – those that were high priority - or she would be able to get several more girls near the end of the list. She had quite a few names to get through before the next break, and a few were high priority according to Hermione's list. She would be spending some big money now.
As Ludo Bagman returned to his chair, Tonks popped the last bite of her sandwich into her mouth, and washed it down with a gulp from her bottle of water. Bagman slammed the gavel on the hard surface in front of him, successfully grabbing everyone's attention.
"The Auction will now continue," Bagman said, "Reminder, we are now starting on the surnames beginning with 'H'. After we finish with those beginning with 'O', we will take another fifteen minute break. We continue with Serenity Hale..."
Serenity Hale, a thirteen year old Muggleborn, was one of the names on the list, and Tonks was able to buy her for G7500. By the time the 'H's were finished, she was able to get two more girls: half-blood Susannah Hesleden, Luna's final dorm-mate on the list, and one of Ginny's dorm-mates, Muggleborn Lucy Hurst, for a total of G16000.
There were no girls on the list for 'I', when it came to Tonks' bids. But Dumbledore and Draco – the latter taking over the bids for his mother – each claimed a young pureblood. The surname of the girl Draco had chosen, Isley, was not familiar to Tonks when it came to Death Eaters. So either she was the daughter or niece of a Death Eater or new recruit, or a random name Draco had picked out. From the look on his mother's face, it seemed the latter was more probable. It appeared that Draco was sick of his mother losing out on so many bids, and wanted to make up for it. This meant that Draco wasn't just planning on picking Death Eater daughters. He wanted more girls to be used as the playthings for Voldemort's minions. The thought disgusted Tonks, and she also felt dread for all the girls Draco was about to choose.
Jewel Jackson started off the J's, and, as one of the Muggleborn on the list, Tonks put herself in the bidding war. She was able to win the girl for G10,000 – mostly a shock-bid, because the bidders prior to herself were bidding between two and five thousand, and none of them wanted to go as high as her. Tonks passed up a few more names, and Dumbledore and Draco were able to grab one a piece. Then it was time for one of the high priority girls – a relative of an Alliance Member.
"Megan Jones," Ludo Bagman said, "Sixteen year old Pureblood. Going into her sixth year at Hogwarts as a Hufflepuff. She is the daughter of Holyhead Harpies Beater and Captain Gwenog Jones – a personal friend of mine. The bid starts at G1000."
"G5000," Bill said.
Bill and Tonks had discussed this one. Dumbledore knew that Bill was in the Alliance, and probably with Hestia Jones, Megan's aunt, so Dumbledore would assume that Bill would try to bid for her. Tonks would get in the bid as well.
"G10,000," Dumbledore said.
Tonks swore. Since Dumbledore couldn't get Astoria, it seemed this girl was one of his other targets. Tonks needed to end this... and now.
"G30,000," Tonks said.
Tonks looked over her shoulder at Dumbledore who nodded, conceding defeat.
"Bid going once," Bagman said, "Going twice... sold to number 77."
Tonks smiled as she checked off Megan's name. She had promised Hestia just that morning that she would protect her niece, and she had come through on the promise. As the last of the J names were bid on, Dumbledore gained another pureblood, and Draco claimed a girl with the last name of Jugson, an obvious relation of the known Death Eater by the same name.
It was then that Tonks began to wonder Draco and Narcissa's strategy. There were several Aurors in the room, including the Head Auror, as well as the Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, current and former – and the latter was the Minister of Magic. Surely these people realized that Draco and Narcissa were targeting relations of Death Eaters. Their own husband and father, Lucius was a Death Eater. It was quite obvious that Narcissa and Draco were in the ranks of Death Eaters – or at least they were close to those known Death Eaters. Was this just Ministry ignorance on their part? Innocent until proven guilty, and this just wasn't enough proof?
Tonks' shook herself from her thoughts just in time to bid for the next name on her list: Andrea Kegworth, another young Muggleborn. Eleven-thousand Galleons was enough to claim her. By the time the list of Ks were done, she was also able to claim a fourteen year old Gryffindor half-blood by the name of Kayla Kirke, and a fifteen year old Hufflepuff Muggleborn, by the name of Layla Kurtz for a combined total of nineteen-thousand.
By strange coincidence, according to her maths, this brought the total of her purchases so far up to an even three-hundred thousand Galleons, with a total of twenty-eight girls. Halfway through the predicted number of fifty, and she wasn't yet a third way through Harry's goal of one-million Galleons. Tonks knew then she could save a few more girls then predicted. Of course, there were still quite a few high priority girls on her list. She needed to be careful.
The next high-priority girl was another fellow classmate of Harry and his wives.
"Su Li," Ludo Bagman said; then proceeded to list her attributes. "Quite interesting – she comes from a family of dueling champions. While she is British-born, she spends much of her time in her family's homeland of China, where she has won several junior dueling championships."
Tonks looked over her shoulder at Dumbledore. The look in his eyes told her one thing. Dumbledore was planning a student army, and this girl could be one of his soldiers. Tonks knew she was going to have to pay a pretty Galleon for this girl. Her prediction was right. As soon as the bidding started, there were several bids which quickly raised the high bid to thirty-thousand Galleons with Dumbledore in the lead. Tonks realized he had lost two of his main targeted girls already in Astoria Greengrass and Megan Jones. He could afford to raise his price.
"40,000," Tonks said.
"50,000," Dumbledore said.
Tonks studied Dumbledore. His brow was sweating slightly. He was at his limit.
"55,000," Tonks said.
"G55,000 is the high bid," Bagman said. "Going once... going twice... sold to number 77."
Tonks feigned brushing off a sweaty brow. Dumbledore actually brushed his off with a handkerchief. Tonks smirked privately, as she checked off another name. This was her most expensive bid yet, but Su would likely be a member of the Crestview Army, one of the great ones if her dueling history was anything to count on. Plus she was a priority, and she had two-thirds of her spending limit to go – she could afford some big bids.
Tonks found she was quite right about Dumbledore's limit. He was very silent as the bids continued on, never even voicing a bid. Obviously he was saving his money for particular girls. Tonks, meanwhile, was able to get one more name in the list of Ls – another Asian British-born, fourteen year old Muggleborn, Xi Lu.
Tonks' was able to claim the first two girls on the list of Ms, two half-bloods, thirteen-year old Hufflepuff, Laura Madley and twelve-year old Gryffindor Natalie McDonald for a total of eighteen thousand. Draco was able to claim Morag McDougal, the lone non-Slytherin girl in Harry and Hermione's year that wasn't on their list. Tonks was slightly confused that she wasn't on the list, but obviously there was some bad blood there somewhere with one of the girls already at Crestview. Bad enough to give up the girl to someone else, especially Draco.
A few more girls were bid on that other bidders, aside from Tonks, Draco and Dumbledore, were able to claim. Then it was time for one of the girls Tonks considered extremely important – it was almost personal to her, since someone she loved wanted to save this girl.
"Lillian Moon, Muggleborn, sixteen years old," Ludo Bagman said.
After he read off her physical attributes, he grimaced softly, and cleared his throat. He turned to Scrimgeour, and pointed to something. Scrimgeour glanced at it, then whispered something to Bagman. Bagman looked surprised, but continued.
"A very unique girl this is, ladies and gentlemen," he said, "This young lady... is a werewolf."
There were several mutters and murmurs. Tonks realized this was going to be a tough bid. Treatment against a Werewolf Concubine would be up there with treatment against Muggleborn. Even worse she was a Muggleborn and a werewolf. Those sick pigheaded purebloods would abuse her worse than the half-bloods and pureblood Concubines. Tonks knew she needed to raise the stakes.
"3500"... "5000"... "10,000"
"25,000!" Draco said, almost in a snarling tone.
It was then that Tonks realized. She knew Fenrir Greyback, the werewolf who was responsible for turning Remus, was associated with Voldemort and the Death Eaters. Had Greyback turned Lillian? Was Draco trying to buy her for Greyback?
"50,000," Tonks said.
"60,000," Draco said.
"75,000," Tonks said.
She looked back at Draco who narrowed his eyes in her direction. His mother whispered something in his ear, and he calmed down slightly.
"High bid is 75,000," Bagman said, "Going once... going twice... sold to number 77."
Tonks sighed in relief, as she checked off another name. She added up the numbers, and was now at nearly four-and-a-half hundred thousand Galleons. She had spent quite a bit on these past few girls. As the Ms finished and the N's went on, Tonks claimed two more young Muggleborn, and a half-blood on the list. Draco was able to claim the young daughter of the Death Eater, Nott, who was in attendance.
Tonks was also able to get two O names as well: a young Gryffindor half-blood named Carrie O'Connell, and a fifteen year old Hufflepuff Muggleborn, Jacqueline Osprey, for a combined total of seventeen-thousand.
As the second break was announced, and Tonks added up her contracts, she had thirty-eight girls for a total of four-hundred and sixty-five thousand Galleons. She knew that Remus and the other members of the Alliance had wanted her to spend the whole million, but there was only a third of the girls left. She could save quite a few girls, but there was also overcrowding at Crestview to worry about. She would focus on the rest of the list, and try to get as many as she could before the auction was finished.
Draco Malfoy splashed his face with water, as he stared at himself in a bathroom mirror. He had stormed out of the courtroom and nearly got himself arrested – or at the very least nearly ejected from the auction - when he almost screamed at the Auror, who had asked him to put a stamp on his hand, if he wanted to return to the courtroom. He wasn't exactly angry at the Auror, but at everything in general that was going on that afternoon.
He had made several mistakes early and often, and he knew he was going to pay for them. His first mistake was allowing his mother to take control of the bids. He was the acting Head of House now that his father was in Azkaban. He should have been in charge. But it had been his mother who had been asked by the Dark Lord to take charge. But she had failed early and quite often in bidding for girls. Several girls – girls whom were daughters or nieces of the Dark Lord's allies – had been lost to Albus Dumbledore, and that blonde-haired bitch (whom he only knew as #77). It was the latter, the woman, who angered him more. Obviously she was working for some kind of company, which probably specialized in prostitution and wanted to take advantage of the new Concubine Law. She had spent nearly five-hundred thousand Galleons, and had racked up pretty high bids. Including one for the werewolf slag, whom Draco was counting on claiming!
Draco shuddered at the thought. Fenrir Greyback had personally asked for the werewolf Concubine – apparently he had been the one to turn her, but Aurors and Muggle authorities had been able to rescue her before Greyback had been able to kidnap her and bring her into his pack of wolves. Greyback had wanted his "daughter" back. Draco knew that the wolf would blame him. He was terrified of Greyback – he wasn't looking forward to meeting the beast again.
Even worse than Greyback was the Dark Lord himself. There were several girls – daughters and nieces of his allies – who the Dark Lord wanted as playthings for his servants. A few of the parents of those girls had failed him in recent tasks, and he thought it would be good punishment to see their loving little girls used and abused by their fellow Death Eaters. True, Draco had been able to claim a few of them, but there were some who he and his mother had lost – such as the Carrow twins, the daughters of the incestuous siblings, Amycus and Alecto – they would be quite upset that their daughters had been sold to someone else.
Two other girls Draco wanted for himself had also been claimed. Astoria Greengrass – he had a secret fancy for both her and her sister – in fact, when he was a baby, his father had hoped to betroth either or both of the daughters to him, but apparently he didn't approve of the Line Continuance Option. Frankly, Draco wouldn't have cared as long as he could have had one or both of the girls. But now that bitch Daphne was married to Potter! He had hoped to claim the younger, knowing it would upset Daphne, which in turn would anger her new husband, which would be the ultimate revenge on Saint Potter. But she too had been claimed.
As had Bella Blishwick, the young cousin of his former betrothed, Pansy Parkinson. Greengrass, Blishwick and Parkinson would have been a lovely trio of girls – they could have given him heirs to their three families, and he would have become Regent Lord of all three Houses when their fathers died. At least Pansy was still on the list. He would fight for her. His mother had been right about one thing. She had stopped him from bidding too high on the werewolf, so he could focus the money on Pansy and other girls.
But, he could have afford to pay more for the werewolf if his mother hadn't bought someone like Millicent Bulstrode. Did she really think that he, Draco, would choose Millicent for himself? She was ugly and a beast. He'd rather give her to Greyback. A beast for a beast – she'd be a great werewolf. It didn't really matter if turning her into a werewolf broke the law when it came to Concubines. Greyback was already a wanted criminal. Draco figured this would be the best way to calm the beast, after informing him of the loss of the werewolf Concubine.
Morag McDougal had been another choice of his that wasn't on his mother or the Dark Lord's planned list. Draco had a secret fancy for her over the years. She could be one of his girls, a replacement for Greengrass. He could shag her all he wanted, and whore her around the Slytherin Common Room.
He figured he could make a small fortune that way. He already knew that there would be far less girls in the Slytherin Common Room now that they were being sold off to Masters. Those, like Draco, who had their own Concubines would gain a lot of money from whoring them out around the dungeons. Either that, or they would disregard Professor Snape's usual number one rule about sexual activities. In the past, Snape had told the Slytherins to "leave the first year girls alone". But now with the slim pickings, the first years would be targets. After all, they needed to get some early training in before they, too, became Concubines. The older Slytherins would be happy to train them.
He splashed his face with water again, then dried himself off and left the bathroom. His mother was waiting for him.
"Draco," she said, then hesitated for a moment, before she continued, "I really think I should handle the bidding for the rest of the Auction. Some of the girls you're bidding on – some of the girls we're claiming – are not on the – not on the preferred list."
"We're supposed to bring back a specific number of contracts, Mother," Draco said, "You are responsible for losing several of our targets already. I'm bringing those numbers back up. That is why I am buying girls not on our list. I am going to prove that this should have been my task in the first place. Mine. Not yours. If it had been mine in the first place, we wouldn't have Millicent Bulstrode's contract, and we could have saved more money for bids on girls like that werewolf."
"Bilius Bulstrode is a dear family friend," Narcissa said, "I bought his daughter for his sake."
"Bilius Bulstrode is a coward," Draco snarled. "He fled the country and tried to bring his daughter with him. Everyone knows these slags can be summoned from anywhere in the world. He is as thickheaded as they come. Like father, like daughter too. Don't lie to me, Mother. You wanted me to have Millicent. I'm not bedding an ugly slag like her. I'm not going to soil the Malfoy bloodline by putting a baby in her belly. Greyback can have her."
Narcissa's eyes widened in fright. "Draco. Why? Why him? Why can't she go to –?"
"Because she's a beast," Draco hissed, "Beasts belong with their own kind. He needs a replacement for the girl we couldn't claim. The girl we lost to that blonde cow. Damned bitch, I want to kill that woman. She's stealing girls I want."
"Draco!" Narcissa hissed, as she looked over her shoulder toward a couple of Aurors, who were talking to each other, "Don't say things like that. Do you want to land in the cell next to your father?"
Draco scoffed and walked past his mother. "Come, Mother. We have more girls to buy. And I better be able to buy Pansy, or so help me, I will kill whoever claims her. She was promised to me since we were toddlers. She would have been mine already if Father hadn't landed himself in prison. He was supposed to make final arrangements with Pascal for Pansy's hand."
"And I would have done it in his stead if this law hadn't passed," Narcissa said, "I promise you. It was in my plans. This was just unexpected."
"No matter," Draco said. "I will claim her. I better claim her."
He then turned back to his mother and narrowed his eyes at her. "And if you try to stop anymore of my bids in there – well – our numbers are already going to be less than is expected. I might just have to suggest replacing those losses with other means of pleasure. Namely you."
Narcissa's eyes widened in fright as she shook her head.
"Do you doubt me, Mother?" Draco asked. "I see the way the guests at our Manor gaze at you. Anger me any further and I will make sure their desires are fulfilled."
A smirk crossed his lips, and he turned and walked back into the courtroom. When he arrived, he glanced at Pansy, who smiled at him softly when she saw him looking. Draco allowed a small smile to cross his lips before he returned to his seat. Pansy was one of the first girls coming up in the final round of bidding. He would finally claim what was rightfully his.
As the break neared its end and the final round of bidding was about to begin, Tonks double-checked over all of her contracts, and cross-checked them with the list. She could not believe her luck. She had been able to claim every single name so far that was on the list. As she finished her recheck, Bill stumbled to the ground, as he was walking past her. Tonks had a feeling he had done it on purpose. She offered him a hand and he took it. When she pulled him up, she felt a small rolled up ball of parchment in her hand.
"Clumsy me," Bill said, "Thank you. Good luck on the last round of bidding, Miss."
"You too," Tonks said, as she sat back down.
Bill bowed and walked back toward his seat. Tonks unrolled the piece of parchment in her hand and read it.
Miss Galore,
Bumblebee (or was it Mumblemore. I forget?) has been watching me every so often. He must realize I have not won a single girl. He might get suspicious if I don't start bidding high and winning a couple girls. Don't be shocked if I bid high for one or more of the girls on the list (and maybe some not on the list). I'll pay for them out of my own Vault, and they'll be some of the girls I choose to be "Master" for. Don't worry about how much I spend. Knowing Harry, he will likely want to pay me back.
B.
P.S. Cough once if you support my plan. Twice if not.
Tonks pocketed the note, then picked up her half-finished bottle of water from the ground. She coughed once, rather loudly, then drank from her bottle. She then looked through the upcoming list of names. First on the list was a girl that was not one of her targets. But she had a feeling her bidding war was going to be fun to watch.
Ludo Bagman smacked the gavel on the hard surface in front of him, and the guests went quiet.
"The Auction will now continue," Bagman said, "Reminder, we are now starting on the surnames beginning with 'P'. There will be no more breaks between now and the end of the Auction. The next name up for bidding is Pansy Parkinson, who I believe is in attendance. Miss Parkinson, please make your way to the front of the courtroom."
Tonks looked over her shoulder as Pansy strode up the aisle between the rows of chairs. Draco Malfoy was gazing at her with an expression of desire. If he wasn't such a bastard, Tonks might have been thought it was cute. Dumbledore was also gazing at the teen girl, with a smile on his lips – that wasn't cute at all, that was just creepy! Tonks knew Pansy wasn't on the list. Obviously. Daphne had some bad blood with her. Besides, it was obvious Draco and Dumbledore were going to battle it out in bids. If their bidding war went high, that was better for Tonks. The more money they spent, the less they had in their available purse for the rest of the girls.
As Bagman listed her attributes, Pansy voluntarily removed her robes, revealing her naked form. Several men were murmuring at the sight of her body, but she only had eyes for Draco Malfoy. When Bagman listed her as "experienced" when it came to sexual activity, the murmurs turned into buzzing. Tonks knew she was quite right – this was going to be fun to watch.
"The bid will start at G1000," Bagman said.
"G15,000," Draco said.
"G20,000," Dumbledore said.
"G30,000," Draco said.
"G40,000," Dumbledore countered.
"G50,000," Draco said;
Dumbledore bowed his head. Draco and Pansy both looked happy. After all, Dumbledore had not bid anywhere above fifty thousand Galleons.
"G50,000 is the high bid," Bagman said, "Going once... going twice..."
"G75,000," Dumbledore said.
Draco's eyes widened, and his face went pale – well, paler than it was, if possible. Pansy looked at him with pleading eyes. Tonks looked back and forth between the two obvious young lovers. Draco was shaking his head. It was obvious he couldn't pay that much.
"G75,000 is the high bid," Bagman said, "Going once... going twice... sold to Albus Dumbledore."
Pansy emitted a shrieking cry. Draco stood up from his chair, and two Aurors blocked the path between Draco and Pansy...or was it Draco and Dumbledore? The latter seemed obvious. Draco was glaring at the Headmaster after all.
"You'll get yours, old man," Draco snarled.
He slammed the Auction paddle down in the empty chair, and stormed out of the courtroom. He didn't bother to ask his mother to join him, and she remained in her seat, obviously wishing to continue with the Auction. All the while, Dumbledore was only staring forward with a calm expression as he looked at an emotional Pansy Parkinson.
"Take Miss Parkinson to a private room away from the other Concubines until she is ready to be picked up," Albert Runcorn said, from his seat, "Two Aurors watching her every second. We don't want any harm coming to her."
Tonks watched as two Aurors escorted Pansy out of the courtroom through a side door. Rufus cleared his throat, gaining the eyes and ears of the bidders.
"I trust we will have no further interruptions?" he asked, "Continue, Mr. Bagman."
Tonks passed up bidding on the next two girls. Next on her list was a couple of sisters, one of which was in Harry and Hermione's year.
"Next on the list are two Muggleborn sisters, Pauline and Sally-Anne Perks," Bagman said, "Like the various sisters in today's auction, we'll place these two on the block at the same time."
He listed attributes of both girls, then started the bidding.
"7500," Tonks said.
"8000," Bill countered.
Bagman glanced at Tonks and she shook her head. She would only bid higher if someone besides Bill bid higher. Either way, the two girls would come to Crestview. But it seemed nobody else wanted the pair.
"Highest bid is G8000." Bagman said. "Going once. Going twice... sold to number 70."
Tonks looked over her shoulder in Bill's direction and he winked. Tonks only shook her head and turned her attention back to Bagman. Tonks once again passed on three purebloods, though Dumbledore and Narcissa each claimed one. Then Tonks claimed a another Muggleborn, fifteen year old Hufflepuff Gladys Prescott for G10,000. The 'P' list ended with Narcissa claiming Priscilla Pucey over a narrow victory in a heated bidding war between her and Dumbledore.
There were only two names in the 'Q' section, and Tonks claimed them both for a combined total of 28,000. The first was Alice Quartermain, a thirteen year old Muggleborn in Ravenclaw. The other was Orla Quirke, a twelve year old Muggleborn, also in Ravenclaw.
Tonks knew she was close to passing names already, but there were still some high-priority girls on her list. She also noted that she had only just passed half of the million Galleon limit. She could afford to grab these girls for a much higher price. Whch was a good thing, since the bidding wars would get much more desperate with very few girls left.
In the 'R' category, she claimed two girls for a combined total of 25000 : Regina Raymond, a young Muggleborn, and Demelza Robins, a half-blood fifth year Gryffindor and Ginny's final listed dorm-mate.
In the 'S' category, Tonks was able to claim three more Muggleborn: Lynette Sawley, Sylvia Sawyer, and Kim Sheppely for a total of 40000, while Bill claimed another Muggleborn, Imogen Stretten for a cheap 7500. Meanwhile, Samantha Selwyn went to Narcissa – Tonks recognized yet another Death Eater surname.
Tonks claimed two names in the 'T' category for 25000: Isabella Tintwhistle, a young Muggleborn, and Lisa Turpin, a Ravenclaw in Harry and Hermione's year. She was also to claim a fourteen year-old half-blood, Jacqueline Urquhart, one of two names in the 'U' list, for 15000.
In the 'V' list, Tonks claimed a fifteen year-old Muggleborn, Zara Valli for 17500. Then when Bill got in a heated bidding war with Dumbledore for pureblood Romilda Vane, one of the priority girls on Hermione's list, the old man was about to win with a high bid that Bill couldn't afford. Tonks stole the victory with a G60,000 bid.
Finally, Tonks claimed Ella Wilkins and Dora Williams, two Muggleborn for a total of G45000, which would be the last two girls she would bid on.
The last girl of the Auction was Bella Yaxley, the daughter of a Death Eater – and Narcissa claimed her.
"That completes today's Auction," Rufus Scrimgeour said, "Those who won Concubines, please remain in your seats to claim your Contracts. If you claimed any girls who were in attendance today, you can find them by walking through the door on the right side of the Courtroom. Just show the Contracts to the Aurors on guard duty outside the room, and you'll be able to retrieve your new... property. As a reminder, the Master-Concubine must be complete on all purchased Concubines between now and two weeks from now. Any unbound Concubines will be claimed by the Ministry for the next auction, which will be announced sometime late next month.
"Henceforth all future Auctions – which will mostly comprise of unclaimed Concubines, including those younger girls who are not yet old enough to qualify for the Concubine Law – will have silent bidding. For those Auctions, attendance isn't mandatory. Merely send a letter to the Ministry with a list of your highest bids for each Concubine you wish to try to bid on. If you win, you'll receive those Contracts the day of the Auction.
"Thank you for your attendance today, and for your donations. It was a pleasure doing business with you."
Scrimgeour shook hands with Bagman, Dawlish and Runcorn, then proceeded to leave the room. Meanwhile, Tonks was once again met by Lavender Brown's mother, who – after handing Tonks her new Contracts – offered to lead her to the room where her daughter and the other Concubines were. Tonks accepted the offer and followed the woman out of the Courtroom.
On the way to the room, she met with Bill Weasley and Castor Greengrass. Bill offered his hand to her, and she realized he wished to pass on another message. She shook his hand, and retrieved the wadded up strip of parchment.
As she resumed following the witch, she read Bill's letter, which asked her to meet with him and Mr. Greengrass near the lifts once she retrieved the girls. Soon Tonks arrived at the room, where she found two rookie Aurors she didn't recognize standing outside the door.
"Name and auction number please, Miss?" one of the Aurors said.
"Galore," Tonks said, "Pussy Galore. Number 77."
The Auror nodded and looked through his list. "This says you have four girls in attendance today to pick up. Is that correct?"
"Yes, sir," Tonks said.
"Wait here a moment," the Auror said.
He walked into the room, and returned with four girls: Lavender Brown, Hestia and Flora Carrow, and Romilda Vane. When Lavender saw her mother, she whimpered and ran over to her and hugged her. Tonks frowned at the scene.
"You'll be okay, sweetheart," Holly said, "Miss Galore here has promised that we can send letters back and forth. Apparently her boss is very generous about things like that."
"I can't believe you're so calm about this, Mother," Lavender said, "I'm about to be someone's whore."
"Miss Galore has promised me that her boss is not going to treat you and the other girls like that," Holly said, "Isn't that right, ma'am?"
"All girls who are a part of Crestview will be treated with respect," Tonks said. "I came here to save girls, not send them into slavery."
Lavender, Hestia, Flora and Romilda looked shocked.
"So... we're not going to have Masters?" Romilda asked.
"Oh, you'll have Masters," Tonks said, "There is nothing I can do about that. But you'll be the best treated Concubines in the world. None of you will be going to Hogwarts. We have very good tutors. Really, you girls shouldn't fear about any of this. I think you'll like where we're going. I guarantee it. Come on girls. Follow me."
"I can't go with you, I'm afraid," Holly said, to her daughter. "But we'll see each other soon. I know it."
Lavender sniffled as she hugged her mother. She backed away and wiped away her tears. Then Tonks led the four girls back into the main corridor and toward the lifts. When she saw Bill, Charlie and Castor, she nodded, and followed them into one of the lifts. Luckily, no one else had come along, so they could speak in private.
"Guess we should introduce ourselves," Tonks said, "Since you'll be seeing us a lot in the next many months."
She shook her head, as she transformed back into her usual self.
"Nymphadora Tonks," she said, "Don't call me by my whole first name, though. Just Dora or Tonks.
"Hello, ladies," Bill said, bowing respectfully to the young teens, "Bill Weasley. I'm sure we'll be seeing more of each other."
"You... you're Ron's eldest brother," Lavender said.
"Aye," Bill said. "And this good-looking bloke beside me is my brother, Charlie."
"Ron's not going to be my Master, is he?" Lavender asked.
Bill laughed. "No... but you're in the correct age range. I believe you'll know the young man who has requested that you be one of his girls."
Lavender's eyes widened. "So... I'm not going to be the Concubine of someone twice my age or older?"
"Ah... well... some of our colleagues are in that age range," Bill said, "But there are a couple boys your age, and just a few years older as well. But everyone is quite nice, I assure you. They'll all respect you as the young ladies you are."
Romilda narrowed her eyes, as she looked from Bill to Tonks. "You're working together? You were bidding against each other at the Auction."
"Couldn't let anyone know we're allies," Tonks said.
"But – you were seated next to Dumbledore," Romilda said to Charlie, "And... ma'am, you and Dumbledore got in a lot of heated bidding. So you can't be working with him."
"I'm with these two," Charlie said, "But Dumbledore thinks I'm with him."
"Are you as confused as I am?" Flora asked her sister, Hestia, who only nodded silently.
"Okay," Romilda said, then looked at Castor, "and... who are you?"
"That's Castor Greengrass," Flora said, "He's the father of one of our friends."
"Where's Astoria, Mr. Greengrass?" Hestia asked, "Did... did someone bad claim her?"
"Nope... that would be me," Tonks said, "You'll see her soon enough. She's with her sister at the moment."
"Daphne?" Lavender said; her eyes going wide, "But I heard she is married to... oh, Merlin... our Master is Harry Potter?"
"Er... yes and no," Tonks said, "He is the one who has spent all this money to save you girls. But... he is just one of several Masters. But I don't think he'll be yours. You'll want someone else to claim you, Miss Brown, believe me."
"He's married to – what was it – five girls," Lavender said, "And he is also claiming Concubines. Merlin, this is too much. Okay... where are we going?"
"Ah, good question," Tonks said, then cleared her throat. "Dobby! Winky!"
The young girls jumped when the two house-elves appeared in the lifts.
"Missy Nymphadora," Dobby said, "Are you ready to return to Crestview? Everyone is nervous that you've been gone so long. Missy Greengrass is getting nervous, poor girl."
"We have another errand to run, Dobby," Tonks said, "But we promise we'll be back as soon as possible. Can you please take this folder of contracts back to Crestview. Harry and the others will want to see it and hear the news. Could you and Winky escort these four girls to Crestview? We'll call you again when it is our turn to go."
"Of course, Missy Nymphadora," Dobby said; he took the folder of contracts, then turned to Winky, "Winky, you take these twins. Dobby will take the other two."
Winky nodded and walked over to the Carrow twins. Dobby offered a hand to Lavender and Romilda, who nervously accepted.
"Don't be scared, girls," Bill said, "House-elf travel is quicker and much more comfortable than Apparation. We'll see you soon. You'll probably be so busy meeting everyone else that you'll hardly notice we're gone."
"Have fun," Tonks said, in a sing-song voice.
Dobby, Winky, and the four teens vanished a moment later.
"So, Tonks," Charlie said, "Did you figure how many girls we got?"
"Close to sixty, I think," Tonks said, "Most are Muggleborn."
"We have two weeks to bring all the girls to Crestview," Bill said, "If we bring all of them at the same time, it will get too hectic."
"Five a day over the next twelve days," Charlie said. "Other than those few that have already been hand-picked, like the werewolf girl for Remus, each of the volunteers could choose as the girls come in."
"A good idea," Tonks said, then turned to Castor, "Bill's letter said you wish to speak to me, Mr. Greengrass?"
"First of all, thank you from the bottom of my heart for saving my little girl," Castor said, "When I saw Dumbledore and Malfoy trying to claim her, I had a bad feeling in my gut. Then when you bought her... I was still fearful for her. But Bill told me who you really were. Thank Merlin for you."
"Thank Harry, not me," Tonks said, "He promised Astoria he would not lose her."
"I'd actually like to do that in person," Castor said. "My wife and I have changed our minds about staying in England. We want to be with our daughters."
"We'd love to have you," Bill said. "When do you want to leave?"
"By the end of the day," Castor said, "Illiana and I just need to pack up a few things."
"When we return to Crestview, I will speak to Dobby," Bill said, "When you're ready, all you have to do is call Dobby's name, and he'll bring you and your wife to Crestview."
"Thank you, young man," Castor said. "So... you're not leaving England right away?"
"No," Bill said, "We're going to the Burrow to meet with my father. If he made the right choice, he will be coming to Crestview with us as well. Also, we need to talk to our mother and youngest brother, and find out exactly what is going on with them."
"That sounds bad," Castor said.
"We have reason to believe they are allies with Dumbledore," Charlie said.
Castor grimaced. "Definitely bad news. I wish you luck then."
"Thank you, sir," Bill said, with a grimace as he looked from Charlie to Tonks, "I have a feeling we'll need it."
Ugh, I feel like I rushed the end of this chapter. Ah well.
For those wondering, here is the result of Tonks (and Bill's) success: 56 girls (55 on the list, plus Helen Dawlish), for an estimated total price of G675,000! Yes, the Crestview Alliance wanted her to spend a cool million Galleons, but... halfway through the Auction, I realized that was NOT going to happen. Don't ask me how many girls Dumbledore and the Malfoys got. I do not know. Most of those girls won't be important in the story, aside from random mentions. A few will have some important roles, but others are just background - like "extras" in movies. Same goes for many of the girls coming to Crestview. If you don't recognize their name, they will likely get very little page-time. They're just list-fillers.
Question: Once the girls are sorted with their "Masters", should I put a list in the Author's Note just so it is easier to tell who has who? It would be like the one Radaslab did in his version of "The Harem War." Only, I wouldn't crowd every chapter's Author's Note with the list. It will only show up every ten chapters or so for a reminder.
I could have done several things with that Dumbledore-Draco-Pansy scene. I could have:
Had Draco kill Dumbledore in a bout of rage. (Very, VERY Unlikely)
Had Draco ATTEMPT to kill Dumbledore, and Dumbledore killing him in self-defense (almost as unlikely as the first)
Had Draco attempt to kidnap Pansy and either get killed or arrested in the process (Unlikely)
Had Draco successfully kidnap Pansy, only to lose her when Dumbledore summoned her (sorta unlikely. Draco already knew it wouldn't work.)
Had Dumbledore summon Fawkes and take Pansy to Hogwarts instead of temporarily keep her in the Ministry (almost happened, decided against it...)
Had Tonks decide "Aw, fuck it..." and bid and win Pansy. (Would have messed up two storylines, so unlikely).
Had Draco win Pansy (see reason pertaining to Tonks)
Dumbledore winning Pansy creates two storylines. One which I won't give any hint to, because it is going to begin within the next few chapters. The other... will sort of be like the Draco and Dumbledore plot line in Half-Blood Prince with varied different results – maybe ending in the demise of one of the two characters – evil cackles – Both storylines are going to be SO FUN.
You really got to feel to for Draco in that scene. He wants his girl. And in losing her, it really creates some vindictive 'I want revenge' rage, that will set him on a dangerous path. This isn't the whinging little "I have to do this, if I don't, he'll kill me" reason. This is the "You pissed me off, so now you die! I get my revenge, the girl, and Voldemort wants you dead – triple victory for me" reason.
Next chapter: Tonks, Bill and Charlie confront their mother and Ron at the Burrow. However, things don't go well at all. Ron makes a decision that will put him on a dark path, and Molly... we'll, you'll see. Also... Dumbledore, the Malfoys and the aftermath of the Auction! We'll return to Crestview in two chapters. Yes, you'll get to see the moment Lavender, Romilda and the Carrows arrive at Crestview. The Concubines' arrival will span a few chapters coming up. If you're familiar with the other Harem War story, it will be similar to that.