Note: Characters and world originally based J. K. Rowling's Harry Potter series. This story is set in the future.

Notes for the convenience of readers: By this time in the life of Harry Potter, he is known as 'The Great Wizard.' His name is John Bellamy. Children of the estate mentioned in this chapter: Charlie Pickering is the son of Susan and Marcus, Chris Barnes is the son of Oliver & Vivienne, and Portia Pickering is the daughter of Melanie & Bobby. ***Non-verbal communication is that in italics.***

Chapter 49:

The effort of contacting Zoe had pushed Bellamy's recovery back, but he began to improve a little more quickly after that. He slept a lot less, and could walk further. Susan arranged to borrow a pony from Loch Lomand since there were no spare ponies at home, and every day he walked the pony gently about the property. Windsong, a grey gelding, the first foal of Catillon, about eleven, gentle and kind. Small, so it was not too difficult for Bellamy to mount. Pandragon resented him riding the pony, and they'd had to put Windsong in a separate paddock so he wouldn't get bitten or kicked.

A few days after Zoe's return, Peter Barnes, manager since his father's death, told him that Zoe had ordered a meeting to talk about security. And Bellamy heard his resentful thought that a Khatabi wasn't the boss. Bellamy didn't want Zoe to undermine Peter's authority, and asked only, "Now?"

"Ten minutes. I want Oliver, Sidney and Michael, Susan, and Zoe says she has to be there."

"Your office?"

Peter smiled and agreed. Meeting in his office emphasised that he was in charge, not a Khatabi. Even now, he resented that Zoe and Najia had taken their boss away from England and home.

Zoe glanced at her husband, who only listened as Peter explained that there were a minimum of two guards on duty at all times, plus one to keep him in sight whenever he was outside, and Homer had assigned Adam Weasley, Louise's husband, to him as well.

Peter said, "Homer says he's too old himself, besides having other duties, and no other auror knows where we live."

Zoe said, "John's still far too ill to be expected to defend himself, and they could try again."

They glanced at Bellamy, but he was silent. If he was attacked, he couldn't use magic. Not yet, because it might not be real, and he might hurt someone. One had to be very clear in the head before attacking anyone. Even now, his head was aching. There were other people around too, listening intently. Dieter, Franz, even Jebedee, who'd been such a good friend, but so many years ago. Mark, even longer ago. None of them were really there, and he thought he'd best not acknowledge their presence. All had been Chief Aurors, and all had been close friends.

After a pause, Sidney said, "Ross and Ryan would like to do more, but they'll lose all their other customers if they're always here."

Oliver said, "They used to talk about maybe being Khatabi Fighters themselves, Zoe. If you hired them as permanent bodyguards, not just while you're home, it wouldn't matter if they lose their business."

Zoe frowned thoughtfully, before saying, "If I employ them, and put them under Sayyid or Patek, there would be fireworks. I don't want duelling. If, instead, I have them report only to us, there would be resentment. Two of our Fighters recently died for John, and two more were badly injured. They would perceive the employment of outsiders as saying they're not trusted."

Bellamy mentioned, "Jeremy and Patek nearly had a duel the one time they met."

Zoe said, "I know the Bourne boys are good. I even know they saved John's life when they were just boys."

Peter nodded proudly, "Oliver, Luke, Ross and Ryan. Just boys, and the boss taken sick."

Oliver smiled. He was very proud of that achievement. He leaned forward, "Zoe, you're forgetting that every one of us here does Defence Practice. It's not just those designated as security guards who can act to defend the boss. Melanie and Bobby, Louise and Kitty, Mum, Dot... Even Vivienne has started to learn to fire a rifle. And this place is so secret. Very few have ever found us here."

Zoe acknowledged, "I was forgetting that. You're quite right. And both Najia and I are also good fighters, or used to be. We might be a bit rusty."

Michaal said, "Defence Practise in the Indoor Arena every day, ten in the morning, two in the afternoon, whichever session suits, and rifle practise at four."

Peter remarked, "None of us allow ourselves to become rusty. Dad was still doing regular practice until the day he died."

Zoe glanced at her husband, and then said, "Time I learned to use a rifle."

Peter was relieved. Zoe was accepting that she was not the boss here.

Zoe asked, "How about we try and hire Jiro Peterson? He's supposed to be very good, and I'm sure he'd be loyal."

Bellamy shook his head, and said definitely, "Sorry. Not Jiro." Jiro might have been an auror, but there was that element in him. Jiro had the capacity for cruelty and treachery. Bellamy took care not to show his distrust, and Jiro had no idea that his 'Uncle Bellamy' didn't trust him.

Bellamy was beginning to be very tired. He still had no endurance, but later that day he asked Zoe if she'd punished any of the Khatabi-Richi for letting him be hurt.

"Of course not. There was nothing they could have done."

Bellamy nodded, and said, "Just that I remembered one of them, once. He was thinking that a bodyguard who allowed his subject to be hurt, would at least be whipped, and probably executed."

"I've not allowed any whippings since I took over. You know that."

"Has anyone asked?"

"A few times. It used to be a standard punishment, especially if orders were questioned." She continued with difficulty, "When Zola and Jila told me that you had no hope of recovery, that you should be put down, they were terrified that I would punish. I didn't, of course."

"You don't feel guilty about agreeing, I hope."

Zoe said firmly, "I made a mistake. I forgot you were not like other men. If it wasn't for that, it would have been the right decision."

Bellamy nodded, "It would have been the right decision."

Zoe looked at him, and said timidly, "You don't hold it against me then?"

"Of course not. You don't know how proud I am of your courage and your ability to lead."

Zoe whispered, "I used the Hyrocles Virgostori on the nine culprits we found, then had a battle with Egypt, even though it was not the Egyptian families."

"Anyone killed?"

Zoe shook her head, and said, "Sayyid and Patek went behind my back. They made arrangements with the Egyptians that no serious curses would be used."

"Wise of them."

Zoe agreed.

Bellamy grinned at her, "Can you imagine the scene if Ross and Ryan were under the orders of Patek, and they then discovered that it was Patek who hurt me that time?"

Zoe nodded, "It would not have worked." She stood and said, "You need a rest."

Bellamy nodded. He needed a rest.

Bryce still visited, but only twice a week now. Toward the end of November, he asked whether he still saw his dead wives. Bellamy glanced at him, and replied, "Whether I see them or not, I can probably do some spell-breaking, if you want."

Bryce admitted, "There is a backlog, including several Britons. Duelling has made a bit of a revival, I'm afraid."

"I won't be able to work the strong magic..."

"Of course not. And if you go, you'll have to go as a passenger."

"Kupec can come for me, then."

Bryce said, "Kupec's dead, last year. You went to the funeral."

"I forgot."

"Rick?"

"I'll ask Susan. I can't remember if he knows his way here."

Bryce asked, "Do you remember how you were hurt?"

"Of course. I was sneaking a look at Gri-Shang library, and it exploded."

Bryce said, "Maybe you'd best not do any spell-breaking yet. Najia told me that you've never been to Gri-Shang. You've been told what happened. Several times. You were walking back to your home in Japan after doing some spell-breaking, and some wizards apparated, shot you down, and disapparated."

Bellamy sighed and said, "And Fakui died. I remember that. And Najia told me that Pitono did, as well. I don't like people dying for me."

A few days later, he was working, curing the patients whom nobody else could cure. Rick Thomas, Kupec's son, stood at Bellamy's shoulder, just as his father had done. Except for still looking far too thin, and depending on his cane to keep his balance, Bellamy seemed normal to those around him, and he made sure not to betray that Pat was in the Observation Room, sitting next to Hermione. Susan had apparated with him, and now sat in the Observation Room, not very far from her mother.

Only thirteen patients. It wasn't taking long. But then there was one that he failed to cure, and he said casually, "The telepathic cure, but last." And he looked briefly at the mind of Jiro Peterson. Jiro felt the honour of looking after the great wizard, and maybe it was unfair not to trust him. All the same, Bellamy didn't like having his back to him, especially when he had to concentrate to break the spell of some stupid duellist. But when the control of the patient broke and he tried to hit, Rick swung him away, and Jiro stunned the patient, displaying the lightning speed that had earned him this job. Rick and Jiro grinned at each other. They were a very effective team.

Bellamy was untouched, but confused, being interrupted while still concentrating. He shook his head, for a moment showing the deep groove that ran across the side of his head. He looked up at the Observation Room. Pat and Hermione seemed to have gone, and now Bessamy Malfoy was there, with her Khatabi son, Draco, by her side. Draco looked to be nearly grown up. Time went so fast.

Bryce prompted, "You fixed him before he tried to hit, so work's finished for the day."

Bellamy frowned at him. What work? Suddenly things clicked into place, and he thanked the aurors for not letting him be hit.

Bryce said bossily, "Just come here, so I can check the Niscos."

Bellamy was cursing to himself. He couldn't remember who the bloody man was. He cheated, looking at the mind of Jiro, and picking up that the healer was probably right, that Uncle Bellamy was looking confused and tired. Bellamy put on a look of perfect alertness, and went obediently to the healer, who laid a sensor on the back of his hand.

Bryce didn't bother with the sensors that should show whether the patient was confused or not. They never seemed to work with the mutation. He asked, "Next Friday morning. The same as usual when you're home."

Bellamy agreed, but was looking for Susan to take him home, and declined lunch at the Ministry.

It was a pleasure to be home. 24th November, but a weak sun shone. Victor was giving a riding lesson, as he did most days, Susan's son, Charlie, Chris Barnes, and Portia, daughter of Melanie and Bobby. Louise's little daughters watched enviously, but Adam and Louise were only visiting. Their home was in London. Susan remarked, "I introduced them all to Vince, last time he was here, but he seemed to think them a bit young to be looking after Bellamy's medj."

Bellamy smiled at the children, "They are just a little young."

Susan said questioningly, "You looked as if you didn't know what was happening for a moment back there."

"It was nothing. Just forgot who Bryce was for a moment."

"Why do you always forget Bryce and remember everyone else?"

"He's in the wrong profession. He should have been a researcher. Like me. I was never meant to be a Fighter or a Healer. Certainly not a politician. I should have been a teacher, or maybe a historian." How many of the ancient Tibetan books and manuscripts had he sent to the hidden portion of his library? He hadn't been in there for many years.

Susan suggested, "After lunch, you should lie down for a while. That last one made you tired."

She was right, but afterwards, he'd have a look in the hidden part of the library. He asked Susan, curiously, "Did you know there was a part of the library that's hidden?"

Susan was surprised and said she'd never guessed.

"Adrian did, and though he never told me, there were a couple of books missing. One of Luna's and one of Beth's. He found his way in."

"I guess he was more clever than I am then."

"I probably gave him clues."

"Do Zoe and Najia know?"

"I don't think I ever told them."

"Mum showed me a room that she said must have been Adrian's, though."

"What room?"

"Don't you know?"

"There was a secret bedroom, but I vanished that after Pat died."

"Do you want me to show you?"

"Very much. Then I'll show you how to get into the hidden library."

Susan said firmly, "A quick lunch, and then you have a sleep. You look far too tired."

Bellamy didn't reply. He wasn't even sure he wanted lunch.

It was late afternoon when Susan aimed a wand at a certain part of a corridor, and a doorway opened up. A quite large room with a few shelves displaying a boy's treasures, including the skeleton of a snake, and three life-size posters of himself on the wall. He looked around, and said, "Adrian. I never knew he had this. Cissy must have made it. I can feel it."

Susan asked curiously, "Can anyone else feel who made a particular spell?"

"I don't know. Zoe can't."

Susan pointed at a particular poster, and said, "You look like you expect to be attacked any minute, and you were just a boy in that one."

"About sixteen, I think, and I probably did. I've always had enemies."

"I'm lucky I'm not exceptional."

Bellamy smiled at her, "Just the right degree of bright and talented. Beth was hated because she was a Telepath, though she was a good person, and the one wizard whom I've sired who had both telepathy and power, was a monster. Evil. I'm relieved it never happened again."

"Who was that?"

"His name was Harry White."

Susan thought, and finally said, "The one in Australia, and you killed him."

Bellamy nodded. Harry White, who could have been great, and he'd had to kill him. The man had known, understood what he was doing, and he'd had to overcome the resistance of the furious and determined wizard before he'd finally succeeded. Far better to kill, when he had to, gently, while the person slept.

Susan had noticed his regret, and her tone was matter-of-fact, "The library now?"

They walked to the library, and Bellamy pointed to a particular area of the wall, and said, "All you have to do is tap your wand to the wall, and think that you'd like it to open."

Susan did as he directed, and books and scrolls came tumbling out of the opening that appeared in the wall. Susan laughed, and said, "Dad?"

Bellamy was just as surprised, and picked up a scroll. He said, "I haven't been in for years. Looks like I sent more home than I realised."

"Where are they from?"

"Gri-Shang library. I used to sneak in and duplicate them, and send them home every now and then. I've been doing it for years. Still haven't had a chance to study them though. Or even learn to translate them."

Susan picked up a book, and looked at the symbols. "I've never seen anything like this."

"I have some that are translations, plus copies of the originals, so I can learn to translate from those, I hope." He looked at the overflowing piles of books and manuscripts, and said, rather blankly, "Probably under all the others."

Susan started waving her wand, and the fallen books arranged themselves into neat piles.

Bellamy watched, frowning, and finally said, "I'll never understand how I escaped when it exploded."

Susan said, "Dad..."

Bellamy looked at his daughter, and flushed, "Sorry. I was shot. I know that."

Susan squeezed his hand. "They said you couldn't possibly recover, and even if you somehow managed to live, you'd be a vegetable."

"When I stop forgetting who Bryce is, I'll know I'm safe to apparate." He shook his head. "He doesn't know how often he's been cursed because I can't remember his name. I just know I shouldn't hurt his feelings. He's easily upset."

"Happier now that Zoe's here?"

Bellamy said sincerely, "You don't know how much I missed her. These past years, speeches, politics, being away from here..." a brief pause, "Trying to work with men who've committed horrible crimes. I can do it and be happy about it because I have my girls. I know it's valuable work, but I would never have done it without Zoe, and could not be happy without them both."

Susan said, "They must have some redeeming qualities..."

"They're loyal to Zoe and Najia, and they have a strong sense of duty. Pitono died trying to look after me, and Patek was gravely injured, and would also have died if Jila hadn't been right there."

"I thought there were four."

"Fakui was a Kai Troshka Fighter, not a Khatabi, and neither was Shizuoka, but they, too, were hurt because of me, Fakui killed, his wife widowed." His mood changed, and he grinned at his daughter, "You know the best thing about Khatabis is that they're nearly all shorter than me. Every time I meet a new British auror, I hear them thinking how small I am!"

Susan laughed, "You're not so small!"

He went looking for Zoe then. So many months when she wasn't there. And when Susan saw him next, he was in Zoe's office, sitting on the floor, his back against the wall, and just watching as she worked through some reports. Zoe looked up and greeted her, then flipped through, handed her a report to read, and said, "Read it aloud. Your father says he still can't read without his head hurting."

Susan looked at him, surprised, "You've never told me that, Dad. I don't think you've even told Bryce, have you?"

Bellamy defended himself, "Hermione knows. She says just give it time."

Susan shook her head at him, and started reading. "We still have not been able to identify the source of the very large reward that led to the attack on your husband. We do know that it has now been withdrawn. That information is certain. Aside from that, the rumours are that it is unlikely to be attempted again. That it's useless, as the great wizard cannot be killed, and it would be too risky to attack either yourself or Madam Najia, as he would undoubtedly take a terrible revenge. I suggest that you maintain normal precautions, but that there is no need for anything more."

Bellamy smiled with satisfaction, and said, "Useful to have a reputation."

Zoe grinned at him, "I have a few details here. One said that an Aichi declared that you'd probably lay waste to the entire country if someone even patted one of your wives on the bottom. Another stated that an Egyptian woman locked her husband in the bedroom merely because he said that so much money could be very useful."

Bellamy got to his feet, "If we're safe again, I'm going riding on the moors tomorrow morning."

In the morning, Victor had the children waiting next to their ponies. There was also Bon Jovi, as Najia planned to come, and a couple of young, fast horses, that Ross and Ryan Bourne stood beside, and Oliver's horse. It would be quite a cavalcade.

Charlie announced, "Victor said we could come too, because he didn't think you'd be riding fast yet."

Bellamy smiled at his grandson, and replied that he was very happy to have company.

Charlie said, "My horse is called Conway, and he's one of Catillon's foals, and so is Dusty and so is Spindrift."

Portia piped up, "Mum says that Spindrift can have a foal next year, if I want."

Bellamy looked at the pretty grey mare, and said that that sounded lovely. He leaned his cane against the fence, and greeted Pandragon. Oliver gave him a boost into the saddle before mounting his own horse, and rode close, keeping an eye on the boss. In Oliver's opinion, he was still not strong enough to ride any distance. In Najia's as well, and she kept Bon Jovi close, watching her husband for signs of fatigue or dizziness. Victor and the three children trotted ahead.

Bellamy looked around in pleasure. He'd be stronger soon, and then he'd be able to gallop. Hermione said so. He looked across at Pat, riding Josh. It was good of her, as she'd never liked riding very much. He didn't say anything to her. Other people didn't like it when he spoke to people who were not there. He smiled at Najia. Najia might even be jealous. He asked Oliver, "How old is Bon Jovi now?"

"About seventeen, I think. Good-tempered. Everyone likes him."

Najia patted him, and said, "One day, when we're able to spend more time here, I want to choose another horse, and I want my own dog, white and fluffy, like Kitty's Mickey."

Bellamy said, "I miss having a dog."

Oliver pointed behind him. "You've got my dog, Peter's dog and two of Victor's dogs following you. Does it really matter if you don't have one of your own?"

Bellamy looked back and laughed. It wasn't the same, though. He liked having his own dog. But he thought it necessary to respect medj quarantine regulations, and didn't take pets with him across borders.

Ross and Ryan rode to the sides, at a little distance. They were constantly alert, but Bellamy was relaxed. He felt no danger here, except maybe the danger of over-tiring himself. They reached an area where there was a series of shallow ditches. He remembered generations of children before the current ones practising jumping the ditches, and halted his horse, as Victor glanced back, pointed them out to the children, and led them carefully where he remembered Jimmy Carr once leading Simon and Beau Barnes.

Bellamy slipped off Pandragon, and went to sit on the wet ground, leaning against a stone wall. Najia looked at him in concern, and went to stand beside him. He smiled at her. "Just resting for a while. The children can practise jumping, and you can discuss with Oliver what sort of pony you'd like. One could be bred especially."

"I'd like that."

Oliver said, "Andalusian crossed with a pony stallion? We've had good results with that cross."

Najia said, "I'd like a spotted one."

Bellamy had his eyes closed. Oliver glanced at him, and said, "Maybe the boss can buy a few of Paul's Andalusian mares. See if we can get a few spotted foals again. Susan says the Loch Lomand visitors adored the pair they had for a while."

Bellamy opened his eyes, and said, "They'll need young employees soon. Emma's the youngest one there, and she's over forty. None of the younger ones stayed, and Connie, Mary and Bernice are about seventy-five, Kwai-Jeeha over eighty."

"Vince?"

"Must be nearly fifty. And he's there only when he's not making a movie or at his home in Italy. He takes most of the older ones to spend winter there every year."

Oliver said, "Ani or Medj employees, do you think?"

"There's a lot of physical work for a medj. Maybe Ani would be better."

"I'll consult with Susan and Carol. I'm wondering about Jason and Robin. They're good friends, and would possibly like to do it."

Bellamy rose, and Oliver went to help. Bellamy grinned as Oliver helped him back onto Pandragon. He'd love to gallop home, but the children were not very big. Maybe a slow canter.

Lesley was visiting, in her element, making a new addition to the library, with partitions for scrolls, and shelves for books. Mary was also there, working with her.

Bellamy watched, and then picked up a scroll. He closed his eyes, trying to feel what it said, even though he couldn't read it. Very old. Older than any he'd looked at in China. He hadn't thought of it before, but maybe he'd ask Ling-Swai to teach him to read Chinese script. He could speak Chinese, but had never bothered to learn to read it.

He put the scroll aside, and reached for another, and Lesley asked, "Do you want it so only you can get in?" Bellamy looked at the ancient wizard in the corner. He knew he wasn't really there, but listened anyway when the wizard spoke in a firm tone. You should read them before anyone else. Or maybe just burn them.

Bellamy asked, "Did you make the spell to guard the library?"

The wizard inclined his head, and said, I was 'the great wizard' then.

Bellamy laughed. The wizard grinned at him, looking mischievous. You've upset the children again.

Bellamy said casually, "I'll put a lock on when it's finished, I think, Lesley."

Lesley glanced at Mary, and said, "Yes, Dad."

He handled the books and scrolls several times over the weekend. None were originals, and the duplicating spell was a special type of conjure. He wondered how long they would last. They really needed to be copied properly, or they certainly wouldn't last more thousands of years. There were differences, too. The ones from China, some of which had translations, were different from the ones from Gri-Shang. He thought the symbols were not the same, and he could feel that the Gri-Shang ones were very old, thousands of years old, while the ones from China dated to around the time of the Holocaust. But then, maybe the most recent Holocaust, that petered out five hundred years before, was not the first. There had been hints of that, when he'd been allowed to study a few manuscripts, when China had asked their help, and had still been trying to keep him happy. He might not be able to translate the oldest ones.

The elderly wizard appeared again, and since there was no-one with him at the time, he asked him his name.

My name is Jarantimo, the wizard answered. And just be careful they don't lock you up for talking to me.

Bellamy shrugged, They're not likely to try and lock me up. But he spoke silently, in case anyone heard him talking to someone who wasn't there.

They have before, haven't they?

Bellamy frowned at him. The Ministry had tried to lock him up before. There had even been committal papers prepared, and a secure, hidden prison, meant to hold him for his lifetime. There were other times, too, when the Ministry had turned on him. But he shook his head, and said, confidently, Pierre's the Dachier, and he supports me, totally. My wives love me. They won't try and lock me up.

Jarantimo said, Remember, keep this library very secure, and put shields around all the walls. Or destroy it. That might be better.

Bellamy spoke aloud, "I will not destroy knowledge!"

Lesley, just coming in, looked at him in surprise, and he flushed.

Lesley said calmly, "Just trying to sort it for you a little better. And if you like, I can take a sample to a professor I know, who can translate it."

Bellamy hesitated, and then said, "Maybe not. I think I might just leave it a while until I can work on it myself. It might be a few years, of course. Zoe will want to return to Morocco soon."

Lesley looked at the treasure trove in regret, and said, "Give me an hour, then you can fix it so no-one else can enter."

"Sorry, Lesley. I just think it might be best for the moment."

Lesley sighed, "I'm sorry, too."

Jarantimo said, You've made the right decision. Locks and shields that only you can break. Or destroy it.

But this time, Bellamy didn't answer him.

Monday, after his ride, he took himself to Alison's office and sat on the corner of the sorting table. She acted as if it was entirely routine, though he hadn't been in her office since he'd been sick. He wanted to check up on something, but was wondering what Alison would think of his sanity. Meantime, he listened to her rundown of correspondence, and asked if he had enough money. "For anything in particular?"

Bellamy shrugged. He was only asking because he was shy of asking his real question. But he knew that Alison had a list, and he finally said, "You know your list of descendants."

Alison nodded.

"Is it sorted at all? I wanted to know how many descendants of Ginny there are living."

Alison looked at him very curiously, and said, "I can soon sort them and give you the list."

Bellamy smiled, and thanked her and said vaguely, "Just something I want to check on."

Two hours later, he looked at the blurry names on the paper on his desk. He finally asked, "How many altogether?"

Alison replied, "Four hundred and ninety-eight living descendants of your marriage with Ginny." Ginny had told him five hundred, with one on the way. And two hundred and thirty-two were redheads. That was what she'd told him.

He drummed his fingers against the desk, and finally handed the list back to Alison, and asked, "Does the list include Rhonda Avard?"

Alison was more curious than ever, but carefully scanned the list of names, sorted into families. She said finally, "That's not one of the names."

"So it's only legitimate descendants."

"Of course. If they were yours and Ginny's, how could they not be legitimate?"

Bellamy grinned, and said, "I'm not the only one who has accidental children you know. There could be a descendant or two who might have done the same thing."

"I hadn't thought of that."

Bellamy took the list back, squinted, and shook his head. His glasses were not helping. He finally said, "If you would, can you find me or buy me a transcriber that operates on voice, and reads out what it says?"

"I don't think anything exists like that. But I can help, and I promise I won't tell anybody."

Bellamy grinned ruefully, and finally nodded. "Read the names out one by one. I want to work out how many are redheads."

Alison asked, in blank surprise, "Why?"

"Something Ginny told me a few weeks ago. I wanted to see if she was right. And don't tell Bryce or my wives. They'll only decide to forbid me to apparate for more months."

Alison shook her head, and said, "I don't blame them." But then she started reading out a long list of names of Abercrombies, Davenports, Bournes and Weasleys. There were others as well, but those were the largest families. He had the descendants of Desiree Finch-Fletchley deleted, cautioning her to keep that quiet. But Alison's hilarity at the notion of Desiree not being a true descendant brought Oliver in, and Bellamy had to wave him off, saying it was a private joke.

Between them, they knew most of those who were redheads, but they had to decide whether mere sandy coloured hair qualified. They decided not, in the end, and had come up with one hundred and eighty-one redheads, but there were a lot whom neither of them knew. Alison concluded that it was the best that they could do for the time being. She finally asked, "So why do you need to know?"

"Ginny told me two hundred and thirty-two redheads, and I want to know whether she's right."

"So what if she's right? Does this prove that there's life after death."

"I asked Hermione that and she told me not to be so silly. But Hermione always was a sceptic."

"So what do you think?"

"I think that dead's dead. But if a memory cares to give me information, and if it's reliable, why not pay attention?" He was thinking of that elderly wizard, who'd claimed that he, too, had been known as 'the great wizard.' He was different. Not someone he'd loved, not even someone he'd known. A stranger, from a very long time ago.

Bryce was expected Tuesday, but was there early, waiting, when he returned from Paul's place, where he'd admired the foals, and chosen three Andalusian fillies, in order to try and breed a spotted pony for Najia. Bellamy grinned. He'd show him who was sick, and he thought a suggestion to Pandragon, who put his head down, and commenced to buck. Bellamy laughed in pleasure, but quickly told his horse to stop when he felt himself losing his balance. He hoped it hadn't been noticed, patted him in gratitude for not throwing him, and handed him to Melanie, who would unsaddle him.

Oliver shook his head at him and handed him his cane.

Bellamy was resigned. Better to use a cane than to betray himself further by staggering. The list to the left was a legacy of a long-ago battle with a very powerful wizard. He'd been just seventeen. But why he'd had the tendency to stagger to the left ever since, had always been a mystery.

Bryce said casually, to John, "I'm planning on a detailed check today, so we'll go to your bedroom for a little privacy."

Bellamy looked at him suspiciously, then sighed. His girls had told on him. He had to remember only to talk to people who were really there. Should he be truthful with his healer?

Hermione shook her head, and told him Absolutely not.

He was not surprised when Bryce asked him to take his shirt off, and did a far more thorough examination. And he knew that Bryce was crossing his fingers that he wouldn't object, when he said that he had to do a very detailed check of remaining brain injury. It was tedious, as Bryce took careful readings with a sensor held in particular places on his head. Sometimes he was ordered to think of particular things, an object, a colour, even a particular smell.

Bellamy cooperated, being as normal as he knew how to be. Hermione was still there. He was a little amused. How often had Hermione abused him for not being honest with her? And now she was adamant that he keep certain things concealed from his healer.

When the quizzing began, he admitted that he sometimes still had headaches, and occasionally when he had headaches, he had hallucinations, maybe. But it was happening less and less. He also admitted that trying to read brought on head pain.

"Doing the telepathic cure?"

"A little."

Bryce regarded him suspiciously. "What are you not telling me, Bellamy?"

Bellamy shrugged, "Only that I occasionally forget things still. Occasionally dizzy spells. So if you tell me not to apparate for a while longer, I promise I'll take notice."

Luckily, the healer seemed satisfied, and Hermione nodded at him and smiled. He wondered if he'd see her later.

Alison came to him a few days later, said she'd checked, but very discreetly, and counting Rhonda Avard and her baby, there were four hundred and ninety-two descendants. That included an Abercrombie born the previous week.

"Who was that?"

"Dangar, the daughter of Basil Abercrombie, who is a redhead. So, excluding Dangar, there are therefore two hundred and thirty-two redheaded descendants of you and Ginny.

Bellamy grinned at her, and said, "Ginny said two hundred and thirty-two redheads, and five hundred descendants, and one on the way, presumably Dangar. Some not accounted for, but I reckon I know what family that is."

"The Stonehouses? It's an open secret that you're an ancestor."

"Yes, but Ginny's not, as far as I know. No, there's another family, but I've never known where it started, and they either don't know themselves, or prefer not to acknowledge it."

Alison shook her head, and said, "It's reprehensible. You do know that."

Bellamy reddened, "I didn't mean to. And anyway, if the ancestor was Ginny, it couldn't have been me. Probably a son or grandson. And please don't tell anybody why I've been checking."

"I promise not to tell anybody."

"By the way, is Dallas a descendant?"

Alison said, "He's descended from a brother of Ginny. He told me once. Not one of the ones who married a Parker or Innes, so no relation."

"A bit of a relief. It's an odd feeling to have hundreds of descendants."

Thousands, Alison thought.

Bellamy said, "A lot was Margaret. Nine children, six of them redheads, and three of the girls married Davenports. But Victoria, James, Adrian and Beth only had one each."

Alison had work to do, but Bellamy was oblivious, as he told her what livewires his twin daughters, Margaret and Victoria had been. "There was a cousin, Gemme, as well. And she was more inventive than Meg and Vicki. Burnt down one of the empty worker's cottages once, because there was supposed to be an assassin hiding there. Because of a prophecy Adam told them about."

"Adam? Who was Adam?"

"Adam Bourne, Ginny's son by her first husband."

"I thought the Bournes were your descendants as well."

"His son married an Abercrombie, and had a son and four daughters. I think all the Bournes are family, now. Not medj Bournes, of course."

"Ever had a descendant turn out to be Cam-Medj?"

"Adrian's daughter, also Cecily Armitage, who's related to Victor."

"Most people still think it's utter disgrace to have a child without magic."

"I was talking to Vince a few years ago. About his films mostly, but also I told him that Adil was dead. I thought he'd probably be pleased to know."

Alison smiled, "And he was pleased?"

"Very pleased. Said it would have been wonderful to have killed him himself, but at least he was dead. And he spoke about Cam-Medj. Said that he'd liked Oliver. Victor, as well. That he reckoned that each child born to Anirage without magic, was a benefit to the rest of humankind."

Alison said, "I wonder what would have happened if Michael had stunned or paralysed him for hitting him that first day."

"I asked him once. He said when Michael went for his wand, he fully expected to be screaming under the Spell of Pain. Five minutes standard for attacking a wizard, more, maybe death, if the wizard was significantly hurt. But Michael just accepted his apology, and while he always meant to make it his life's work to exterminate Anirage, somehow he never quite got around to it."

"Only one man, of course."

"A highly intelligent and courageous man, and now influential and wealthy. We're lucky he didn't make it his life's work."

"Susan said that he was terrified of apparating, tried not to show it of course, but he didn't hesitate when his help was wanted."

"He's always previously refused. Funny that such a simple thing frightens him, when nothing else seems to."

Alison said, "I stopped Oliver asking Jason about working at Loch Lomand by the way. I've never told my husband about it, let alone my son."

Bellamy nodded. He hated to think how Cec would react to the knowledge of wizards having an unwilling harem of medj. And Jason was a good-looking young man. What would he think if he knew about Clarence, Guiliano, Damir and Valencio? He also had no magic. Would he think that it could have been him? It was no wonder that hardly any medj knew about the rescued sex slaves.

***chapter end***