Chapter 7

Harry woke up with Chastity still asleep next to him, and Rose kneeling on the bed, snickering madly.

An odd feeling, while he tries to dissipate the mental fog and hide his annoyance. "What?" Instead of answering, she keeps laughing, grabs his left hand and presses it against a breast. It takes him half a second to realize the breast is his. He looks down to the cute mounds growing off his chest. "Whot?"

She jumps out of the bed and beckons him to the closet. "Come along, mighty morpher. Check it out."

Harry casually checks between his legs with his hand, finding a slit instead of the usual equipment. It spooks him a bit. He is used to being changeable, but he has to force his changes. They don't just happen like this.

He stops before the mirror. Rose. And another one giggling behind him. Well... He places his fists on his hips, pushes his chest out, twists one way, then the other. "Looking very nice this morning."

Rose manages to control her laughing long enough to squeeze out a reply. "I guess I have to agree with that."

Harry turns around and grabs her face for a kiss. Rose is startled for a bit, before getting enthusiastically into it. The exact same height, breasts squeezed against breasts... Rose gets handsy with his girl parts, and Harry's knees go wobbly. They separate a bit to breathe. "Sure, you may look like me, but you still kiss like Harry."

The usual hungry look. Rose, bless her slutty heart, lusts after Harry the exact same way, no matter what he looks like. It's one of the things he loves best about her. "Can I borrow some clothes?"

Rose smile would outshine the sun. "Do I get to choose them? Pleaaase... I want to see you in the white string bikini."

"Oh, boy..." Harry puts on the bikini bottom and looks at himself in the mirror. Hecate! It feels even sexier than it looks. Harry struts a bit in front of the mirror.

"Hmm. I can see why you like it so much. I look real scrumptious in that thing."

"It feels even better than it looks."

"Yeah... so, some fuck me jeans shorts and a tank top?"

Harry grins. "A girl likes feeling sexy, right?"

Rose has another attack of the giggles. Harry tries to imitate her, but fails miserably. Rose shakes her head, making a sad face. "That was just pitiful."

Harry squeezes into one of Rose's tiny shorts and puts on a bright yellow tank top. He decides to test his morphing and balloons his breasts a couple of sizes, shaking them at Rose. Rose mock frowns and squeezes one of Harry's enlarged teats. "That's so unfair."

He snickers and reduces them back. "Your girls are just about perfect."

She cups her breasts and shakes them a bit, as if weighing them. "Of course they are, silly."

Rose puts on a skirt and a bright pink tank top similar to Harry's. They get out of the closet and just stop to watch. Chastity is kneeling on top of the messed up sheets, yawning and stretching languidly, all long toned limbs and bed hair. Harry is reminded of Gabrielle, just golden instead of silvery. She was the same age as Rose their first time. Just by looks, Chastity could have been Veela. He looks again and smirks. Maybe she's even a bit prettier than Gabby. She finally notices the two flowers staring open-mouthed at her. Her eyes open wide in surprise. "Fuck!"

Rose replies deadpan. "Your wish, our command, my Queen." Rose jumps in bed, ready to pounce on Chastity, but her prey lifts her hands to stop it.

"Hold it." She turns to the other Rose. "What happened?"

Harry slides his hand across his head, enjoying the feel of Rose's slight wave on his fingers. "I don't know for sure. Call it a magical accident."

"Are you all right?" There is clear concern in her voice.

"I'm fine. Better than fine, in fact. I've tried to do a gender switch for ages. So, call it a happy accident."

"I think it was the blood," Rose suggests.

Harry nods. "That was probably the biggest factor. There is also the effect of Samhain, sleeping in skin contact with two women, sex magic, and, of course, some unconscious intent."

Chastity reaches for her wand and murmurs a couple of spells, waving her wand at Harry. "I don't know about the rest, but I think you have a pair of healthy ovaries in there."

Harry smiles, unsurprised. "I would bet, galleons to knuts, that every single cell in my body is a double-x right now."

Surprisingly, both witches know what he is talking about. "How do you know?"

Rose answers for Harry. "He's Lupin's dad and effectively muggleborn. I'm sure he had it checked."

"That's right."

Chastity still looks a little concerned. "But... isn't it odd, I mean, suddenly being a woman and all?"

Harry smiles. "I'm actually enjoying it." Rose smirks. She figures that, for Harry, bodies are like outfits. And, right now, he is wearing what has to be one of his favorites, white bikini and all.

Chastity gets dressed, well, puts on a pair of clean boxer shorts and a quiddich jersey borrowed from Harry and they go for breakfast. Rose sits at the kitchen counter while Harry, back in his base form, shows Chastity how to operate a blender. Then they sit down with a big fruit smoothie each, homemade croissants with butter and dirigible plum preserve, and tea.

Harry turns to Chastity. "You do some serious dancing, don't you?"

Chastity sips her smoothie and smiles. "Yes." She shifts around, sits straight and looks a little pained. "Look, darlings. I need to ask. What was it last night? And please, don't tell me it was a casual one-night thing."

Harry and Rose exchange a glance and smile. Harry replies. "I don't do casual."

She seems to deflate a bit in relief. "Fine. Let me just say, wherever this is going, I'm in."

Rose replies. "We're hoping to find a Lady Black, Chazz."

She frowns, suddenly alert. "That serious, hm?"

"That's the idea. Of course, we're willing to take it as slow as needed. Try it as a triple like yesterday, or just you and Harry..."

"No! The triple is fine."

"So, are you really in?" Rose asks.

"I was thinking more about the shagging." She gets up and paces a bit. "Lady Black, hm? That's a whole new game. I think I need a little time to think."

Harry gets up and stands in front of her, tucking a bit of hair behind her ear. "Take as long as you want." He gives her a soft, toe-curling romantic kiss. Chastity is left gasping for air when he sits back down.

"We can go for another date next weekend." Rose adds, in a seductive tone.

"That's fine." She looks up, thinking, and turns to Rose. "Where do you stand? The new Lady Potter?"

"No." Rose concentrates a bit, and a choker appears around her neck. Sapphires and Goblin silver, gorgeous. A concubine collar.

"Ah!"

"It's a House Black collar. I'm currently under a five-year contract, retainer and head-of-house concubine, in formal exchange for my apprenticeship. I have every intention of renewing it for life afterwards."

"Children?"

Rose shrugs. "Eventually."

"I might have one too." Harry adds softly.

Both girls turn to him. "What?"

"Gender-shifting morpher." Harry snickers. "I could even donate the sperm. The ultimate incest."

Rose grins, amused, but Chastity shudders. "You're kidding, aren't you?"

"About self-pollination, yes. It's a very bad idea, actually. About a pregnancy? Who knows?"

Rose quickly figures what's eating Chastity. "If you want it, you'll be the primary, sweetie. Your eldest male son is the Heir."

"You don't mind?" Chastity sounds skeptical.

"Personally, Harry and I don't care who inherits House Black, as long as it is left in a strong position for the future. We worry about the future of Magical Britain. It doesn't look good now."

"That I would have to agree."

"A strong and well-respected House of Black just might be able to head off the next war."

"I understand." Chastity turns to Rose. "What about your mother..."

"My mother is a well-meaning, prejudiced fool, like most of the light faction." Chastity is taken aback by Rose's venom.

Harry touches Rose's arm lightly, calming her down. "We believe dark does not mean evil," adds Harry.

"So, you're really not the 'Leader of the Light'."

Rose laughs, and Harry replies. "Merlin, no! I'm an assassin working for the ICW and Rose is my apprentice."

Chastity snorts in disbelief. "Right. I begin to see it where this is going. But I still need to think."

Rose kisses Chastity lightly in the lips. "Fine. But it's not just about politics."

Chastity smiles at Harry, who nods and then she looks wistfully at Rose. "Oh, I know, Honey. I've missed you too. A lot." She turns to Harry and sets a finger on his chest. "And I think I just might grow to like you a little, boy toy."

Harry smiles. "Likewise, Chazz."

=o=o=o=o=o=o=o=o=o=o=o=o=

Rose apparates to a dirt road, protected from muggle eyes by a weak ward. She walks forward, feeling the touch of the wards. Her sensitivity for such things increased dramatically since she moved to the cottage, but she does not know why. She flattens her hand against a small metal plate at the gate. A prickle informs her her blood has been sampled and the gate opens with a little noise. The little transaction irritates her. The law is clear: all blood magic is dark and illegal. The law does not make the all-important distinction between freely given and taken.

It's a short walk to the front door, and, before she can knock, her father opens it.

"Rose, thank you for coming, sweetie.!" He embraces her , her head barely reaching his sternum. There's a certain comfort in his large frame. She returns the hug briefly and steps back.

"Thank you for inviting me, dad."

Hermione comes out of the kitchen, carrying a tray with appetizers. "Hi, Honey. Anything to drink?"

"Tea would be fine, mum." Hermione goes back to the kitchen and comes back with another tray, with teapot and the works. She serves Rose, Ron and then herself. Rose finds the old ritual pleasant, and smiles softly at her mother.

They sit back. "Is Harry joining us?"

"No. He had a previous engagement. He sends his apologies."

Hermione sighs. "Pity."

"How are things with you, sweetie?" Ron asks. "Is Harry treating you right?"

"Hm." Rose laughs a bit. "He beat me black and blue this morning." They had a rough sparring session before lunch. Ron makes a horrified face, but Hermione, much faster on the uptake, just looks annoyed. Rose raises a hand. "It was just hand-to-hand practice, Dad."

Hermione huffs. "Seriously..."

"Sorry. Yeah, he treats me just fine. More details would require an account of my sex life, which I assume you..."

Hermione cuts her off. "That's fine Honey."

"Look, I do have a couple of things to tell you, but it might be better to do it after dinner."

"You mean, it might disturb our appetite?"

"Yours, maybe."

Hermione looks at Ron, who is smiling. "Point" I does take a lot to disturb Ron's appetite.

After dinner, Rose accepts a small snifter of cognac. "So, how about your news?" Hermione asks.

"Well, it's a bit of a story. To start, Harry popped the question a few weeks ago."

"Which question?" Ron asks, confused.

Hermione clucks. "He asked her to marry him."

Ron turns to Rose. "Really? That's good, isn't it?"

"It's a little too soon." Hermione answers cooly. "Besides, I don't see a ring."

"I turned him down."

Ron opens his mouth to speak, but Hermione shushes him with a gesture. "Why?"

"I don't want to be Lady Black, mum, for many reasons. I made him a counteroffer. He didn't like it at first, but, in the end, I convinced him of my point-of-view."

"What was the counteroffer?"

Rose closes her eyes for a second, and her sapphire choker appears. Ron immediately goes red with anger. Hermione stands up and gets near his face and shouts. "Ron!"

That seems to head off the eruption of Mount Billius for a moment. He looks at Hermione, voice still raised but under control. "Do you know what that..."

"I know Ron. It's a concubine collar. Worth more than this house, if I'm not mistaken."

"It's a Black heirloom. Priceless" Rose smiles and touches it. If it's showing, it will turn into a collar for Blacktip."

Mention of her animagus distracts Ron for a second. "Can I see it?"

"Sure." She switches, the sapphire collar turning into a simple black leather one, with a steel lead ring.

She struts around the living room, jumping in Ron's lap and giving him a friendly lick.

"Wow! He pets her. "You're so pretty."

Rose turns back and smiles at her father. "Thanks."

Hermione is not easy to distract. "Explain."

"I told you. I don't want to be Lady Black. But I do want to be with Harry, probably for good."

"Probably?"

Rose shrugs. "It's a five year contract."

"Most of my objections are moot, given it's Harry that holds your proverbial leash."

"I'm his apprentice." Rose smirks. "I get to call him 'Master' and cater to his every whim, even without this." She slides her finger on the collar.

Ron snorts. "You're shameless."

"And proud of it, Dad."

Hermione lips are a thin line. "There's more. There were a 'couple' of things."

"Yes." Rose crosses her legs, breathes in and out. "We are looking for a Lady Black."

=o=o=o=o=o=o=o=o=o=o=o=o=o=

Long after Rose has left and Ron headed to bed, Hermione stays in the living room, staring at nothing. Rose, her bright and willful daughter, and Harry, the wizarding world's hero. She has been afraid for them, getting caught in this inappropriate relationship of theirs. Today, she suddenly realized what a formidable pair they actually make. Hermione knows that Harry, despite the quiet support he has provided all these years, disapproves of some of the light's more intrusive policies. She recalls the one speech Harry ever made at the 'mot, railing against a law that would force families to open their libraries for inspection by the Ministry. In the end, the law was soundly defeated. And Rose... she has often been vocal about what she calls 'stupidity', like restricting and regulating the use of dark magic. They are both clever and sneaky, but neither can lie effectively, nor has the the patience to be a serious political operator. But then, if you add their mysterious 'Lady Black'... a chill runs down Hermione's spine. Instead of being afraid for them, Hermione realizes she might be a little afraid of them.

=o=o=o=o=o=o=o=o=o=o=o=o=

It took a little work. Meetings with the Fawley of Fawley, to negotiate business deals that would take the place of a bride price. Her family is agreeable to the arrangement, both because the name Black still carries weight in certain circles, and also for bragging rights for landing the elusive and powerful Man-Who-Conquered. That, despite his less than stellar blood status and assumed political leanings, of course. Fawley and Black finally signed the betrothal a day before the winter solstice, in a quiet meeting at Gringotts. Public announcement would soon follow, and a large celebration was scheduled for shortly after the New Year. It's to be held at Malfoy Manor and hosted by Lady Malfoy herself. That part pleased Harry, who understood the quiet approval of his friend and former lover implicit in the arrangement.

In the meantime, Chastity took to spending several nights a week at the Cottage, rekindling her romance with Rose and enjoying the beginnings of a new one with Harry.

The plan was to celebrate the betrothal and the winter solstice at the cottage, with a few days of unbridled debauchery, healthy eating and binge watching reruns of Doctor Who. Both Harry and Chastity had recently fallen in love with Namesake Tyler, despite, or maybe due to, Rose's cute jealousy and Harry's mutterings that the tenth Doc reminds him of some death eater.

Then there is English weather...

High winds, blowing through every little crevice of the cottage's walls, constant freezing rain and all three of them getting a little frazzled with the confinement suggested a change of plans.

The place is called 'Vila do Ceramista', and it's somewhere in the southern coast of Portugal, near the city of Faro. The property is a bit of coastal land, which includes a small private beach, and backs into a rocky promontory that makes it virtually inaccessible by land. About fifty feet above the beach, a beautiful two-story house, built on a couple of broad steps carved straight into the rock, and surrounded by terraces and a small garden. The property has been in the Potter family for over five centuries.

The portkey drops them on the lower terrace, outside. It's early afternoon, sunny but with a slight chill from the westerly breeze. Harry keeps Rose and Chastity close, as he reaches for the wards with his magic. There's a little resistance, but soon he feels himself connect. "Be welcome to my house, Rose and Chastity," he mutters and his intention is recognized and accepted. Harry takes a moment to process what the wards are telling him. "There's two people upstairs. One of them is a Potter."

"James?" Rose asks. Chastity stiffens.

Harry shrugs and gives Chastity a one-armed hug. "Could be."

A couple of steps, past the terrace and through a dark two-panel door into a large living room. On one side, a couple of large leather couches, with a coffee table between them. There's also a pool table, a large fireplace with a couple of stag heads mounted over it, two closed doors to the left, an archway to another room to the right and a staircase past the pool table. Chastity puts her thoughts into a word. "Nice!"

"There's a loo behind the first door and a small office behind the next one." He points to the right. "Over there is the dining room and the kitchen is past that. Upstairs there is a small family room and four bedrooms."

"Want me to check upstairs?" Rose asks.

"Sure."

Lily had arrived in Portugal two days before the trio, coming by portkey from her mother's current home in Plovdiv. A friend was supposed to meet her, but something came up, and Lily ended up by herself. Bored senseless, she apparated to Faro the previous night and joined a group of teen American muggles for some partying. She drank more than she should, and after her judgment was seriously impaired, portkeyed back to the house with a boy in tow. She woke up next to the sleeping boy, took a hangover potion and was slowly coming undone, trying to figure out what to do with him. He woke up after her, fuzzy about what happened the previous night and quite hungover too. After breakfast, he wanted to go back to his group she decided to distract him with an extra dose of shagging. It worked, until the house wards got forcefully pulled from her, which felt like a hammer blow to the top of her head. She's sitting naked on the bed, holding her head with both hands and trying to get her bearings, while the boy is nearly hysterical, asking what was happening. That's when Rose shows up at the door.

She leans against the door frame. "Well, well... cousin and cutie."

Lily recognizes the voice, but has a hard time focusing. "Rose!"

"That's me. And the cutie is..."

"Anthony, m'am."

"A polite american cutie. Good job, cuz."

The mocking tone gets to Lily. "Get out of here!" She screams.

"Fine. Dress up and come down. Your dad is downstairs." The boy gulps and Lily closes her eyes and shakes her head in disgust. Things are not well with her father. Rose continues. "No rush, people. You can finish whatever it is you were doing." Rose laughs as she closes the door and leaves.

When Rose gets back to the living room, Chastity is looking at Harry with a strange face, while Harry is squatting in front of a tired-looking female house elf in Potter livery. "This is Licky," he tells Rose.

She curtsies. "Hello, Miss Rose." Whoever assigns house-elves their names should be shot, Rose thinks to herself.

Harry turns back to the house-elf. "So, you popped all the way from James' flat?"

"Yes Master Harry."

"Then you should rest."

The elf pulls at her ears, anguished. "Oh, no Master. There is work to do..."

Harry holds the elf by the shoulders and speaks in a soft tone. "It's an order, Licky. Four hours of rest. You can cook a late dinner for us afterwards."

The elf looks at Harry as if she is going to say something, but changes her mind and looks down. "Yes, Master Harry." She curtsies and pops out.

Rose just looks at where the elf was standing and smiles softly. Chastity, on the other hand, protests. "Why did you do that? She would have put our things away, made some tea..."

Harry gets up, looks at her and speaks in a low tone. "She was magically exhausted."

"So what? She could still..."

Rose decides it's best to intervene. "Chazz!"

"What?"

"Shut the fuck up." Chastity looks about ready to cry. "Rose turns to Harry. "It's Lily and a boy upstairs. They should be down shortly. Go, take care of the foodstuff. I'll straighten up the bitch." Harry nods in silent thanks. Rose pulls Chastity outside.

A single tear comes down Chastity's face. "What's going on?"

Rose takes Chastity's hands on hers. "It's not really your fault, sweetie. You have no way to know."

"Then tell me."

Normally, Chastity is a cool cucumber, keeping the gooey part very well hidden. Harry must be getting to her, Rose thinks happily. "It's real simple. House-elves are Harry's friends. All of them. And those bonded to him are family. Get it?"

However, a lifetime of treating elves as beneath notice doesn't just vanish. Chastity begins to protest. "But..."

"No buts, baby. Just treat them with respect and you'll do fine."

"I'll try," Chastity whispers.

Rose smiles and speaks in a gravelly voice. "Do, or do not. There is no try."

Chastity gives a watery laugh. She really enjoyed those silly movies. "I'm bringing an elf to House Black as part of my dowry. Her name is Nitty."

"Was she your nanny?" Chastity nods. "And she is going to be our babies' Nanny too."

Chastity nods again, near swooning at the casual notion of hers and Rose's babies being raised together.

"Of course."

"Do me a favor. Ask her about Harry Potter."

Chastity frowns. "Why?"

Every house-elf in Britain worships Harry. "Just do it. You'll see."

A minute later, Lily and her appendage come down. They are somewhat underdressed for the cool weather. He is wearing surfer shorts and flip-flops, bare chest with a black tee hanging from his shoulder. A pleasant-looking specimen, for sure. Lily has low leather-tied sandals, a white summer dress and has her long red hair tied in a hasty lover's knot. Rose looks at them and smirks. "Ah, the well-shagged teens."

"Up yours, Posey!"

"Temper, cuz." Rose replies sardonically. "This is Chastity. The angry redhead is Lily, Harry's daughter. And the beefcake is Anthony."

Chastity slaps Rose's arm, annoyed at Rose's behavior. She shakes Anthony's and Lily's hand. "It's a pleasure."

Anthony is stunned by the pair of extremely attractive young women and just opens his mouth. Lily glares at him and Rose and squints at Chastity. "I know you..."

"I was Head Girl in James' year."

"You were in Slytherin, right? Fawley?"

"That's correct. I remember your sorting." Chastity smiles faintly. "A long hatstall, if I recall."

"Damn thing wanted to put me in with the snakes."

Chastity's eyes flare an icy blue. "I'm sure your brother would have been very happy to have you join us."

Lily huffs. "Mum would have made a fuss."

Anthony, who until that moment had been just staring at Chastity's chest, decides to open his mouth. "What are you all talking about?"

Rose explains. "We attended a very odd high school in Scotland. Where do you go to school?"

"McKinley High, Bethesda, Maryland. I'm a senior."

"Well, hello." Harry is leaning against the arch between the dining room and the living room, smirking. He steps up, extending a hand to the boy. "Harry Potter." He points to Lily. "Her father."

The boy gulps. Still, he shows no indication of ever having heard the name. Definitely a muggle. "Anthony Perkins, sir."

Harry examines the boy for a moment while he squirms. "Do you practice any sports?"

"Football. I'm a wide receiver, if you know what that means."

Harry nods. The boy is six foot one or two, looks solid and fast. "I do know, actually. I've been to a couple of college games. Are you any good?"

The boy's eyes gleam with pride. "I've been known to score a touchdown or two."

Harry smiles and Rose giggles. Harry turns to Rose. "I like him." He then points a finger at Lily. "A word."

Lily lowers her head. "Yes, dad."

They walk outside. "So, where did you find 'Anthony'?" Lily explains what had happened and the predicament she found herself in. When she is done, Harry sighs. "So, a drunken one-night-stand with a muggle, including a portkey trip, and whatever magical stuff he saw on the house."

"I'm sorry..."

Harry snickers. "As far as doing something really stupid, it's not that bad. Were you protected?"

Lily colors a deep red. "The potion expired a couple of months ago. I don't remember about the charm."

"You are a Prewett. You can get pregnant if someone sneezes next to you."

Lily snorts. "Dad!"

"Look," He enumerates it with his fingers: "alcohol, magic and inexperience. The stupidity trio. You can't do much about numbers two and three, so I'll address number one. Drink, but don't get drunk. One drink, maybe two tops. Eat when you drink. Carry a sobering potion. Drunks are helpless. Magical drunks are helpless and dangerous."

"You're right, dad. I'm sorry. I won't do it again."

He lifts one eyebrow. "Promise?"

"Yes."

"Another thing. Shagging muggles. They are people, honey, as much as you and me."

"I know, dad."

"Having fun with someone and then obliviating them is... disrespectful. It's an abuse our powers. So, if you want to shag a muggle, please, go to his or her place. Don't bring them home."

Again, she colors with embarrassment and shame. "Fine, dad. Are you done?"

"Not quite. Now, this is just a suggestion. Take that boy upstairs and make him very, very happy."

That adds confusion to the embarrassment. "Dad? Are you serious?"

"No. That's my godfather."

"Grr..."

"Sorry, I couldn't resist. Yes, I'm serious. We're going to obliviate him. That removes the memories, but not the underlying emotions. So, he will at least feel he had a good time when he wakes up. I believe you owe him that much."

She seems to mull it over for a bit, and the mumbles. "He's already feeling pretty good."

Harry nods. "Fine. Let's get on with it, then."

Harry turns to the door, but Lily holds him by the arm. "Wait."

He turns back to her. "What?"

"I owe you an apology."

"You've already apologized."

"No." She twists her hands. "This is about you and Rose. I was a total bitch. I'm sorry."

Harry looks into her eyes and he can feel the sincerity. "Apology accepted, honey. But this is not the only apology you owe."

Lily grimaces. "I know. By the way, what's with the princess? If I didn't know better, I'd say that she's Rose's girlfriend."

Harry laughs. "Very perceptive, little flower. In a way, she is."

"What?"

"Well... It will be public knowledge soon enough, but you're the first to know. I signed a betrothal agreement with her House for the Black. The plan is that I'll marry her sometime next year."

Lily frowns deeply. "But, what about... wait... you're with both of them!"

"I'm with Rose, and Chazz is with Rose. Chazz and I, we're working on it."

"They are less than half your age! Both!"

"Age difference is not such a big issue, is it? But I must agree it looks a little... greedy."

"What it looks is totally pervy."

Harry's face opens in a slow smile. "You have no idea,"

"Eww."

After tea, Harry grabs Chastity and apparates to a warded little alley in Faro. They walk around, until they find a ten-room hostel on a side street. Chastity goes in, while Harry goes back to the alley and waits. About half an hour later, Chastity pops up next to Harry. She shows him a key with a small chain and a wooden ball with the room number attached at the end. "Got it."

"Any problems?"

"Adjusting the hostess' memory was easy." Chastity is a deft wand with mind manipulation. Just one of her many charms. "Adjusting the registrar was a little harder, and scrambling their security camera files was... tough."

"Remote storage, I assume." There is a new spell that scrambles all copies of a security camera footage over the internet. It's a difficult spell for starters, and the power requirement goes up dramatically with how long and how disseminated the image segment is. Half a day, with a local copy, a remote one and a backup, the spell could have taxed Chastity a bit. "Do you want some pepper up?"

"No, thanks. I'm far from exhausted." Harry and Chastity use a portkey to go back home. She apparates with Anthony straight back to the hotel room, while Harry goes back to the alley. He walks back to the hotel, and waits for Chastity outside.

=o=o=o=o=o=o=o=o=o=o=o=

Lily knocks on the door and is told to come in. Rose is putting away the contents of the trunk and looks up when Lily walks in. "What?"

"Ehh... I'm sorry."

Rose stops what she is doing, stretches a bit and gives Lily a level stare. "Sorry for what?"

"For being a stupid, jealous brat."

Rose smirks. "I'll forgive the jealousy. Merlin knows you do have some cause for it. Stupidity, on the other hand, is a personal characteristic. People are just born that way. Might as well ask for forgiveness for being left-handed."

Lily snorts. "You're awful."

Rose sighs. Lily is not just an annoying cousin anymore. She's her mate's kit. "You know, I love your brothers, specially Albie. But I've always disliked you. I'm not sure there was ever any good reason for it, so I'm sorry too."

There is a long silence, where the Lily tries to take a fair measure of her cousin. "Apology accepted."

Rose goes back arranging stuff. "A new start?"

"S-sure." Not sounding very sure at all.

"How about we go outside and bake in the sun?"

"That's fine, but you have to help me with the potion. I burn real easy."

"I have muggle sunscreen. It spreads easier and smells nicer."

=o=o=o=o=o=o=o=o=o=o=o=

She comes out with a spring in her step and a tiny smile on her lips. "All done."

"Nice." Even Harry was not sure what exactly he was referring to. "Do you want to go for a walk?"

Her smile widens. "Sure."

They walk slowly, hand-on-hand, around the cobbled streets of the old part of the city. The narrow streets are surrounded by three-story buildings, many of them several centuries old, but, as a rule, lovingly kept. There is a lightness to these old houses and little palaces that Harry does not see in British buildings. That leads Harry to a line of thought that he voices. "Where do you want to live, I mean, eventually?"

Chastity laughs softly. "I was thinking the same thing. I should say, I love your home."

"Thanks. I feared it was a little too muggle for you."

"It was odd at first. You and Rose share a very strong connection with magic, but both of you seem to do most things with your hands."

Harry thought a little before answering. "It's something I got from some of my teachers. Magic is this amazing thing and it should be used with a little reverence. It seems some of this attitude rubbed off on Rose."

"I..."

"Just don't sell yourself short, love. Magic runs very deep in you too. It's not all about raw power."

Chastity turns a lovely shade of pink. She is used to people praising her beauty or her cleverness. And, make no mistake, she is very proud of both. But that means absolutely nothing if compared to her worth as a witch. What Harry just said touches her in a profound way. Her voice is a little broken when she replies. "T-thank you, Harry." Then she turns to face him and kisses him, deeply and with feeling.

They stop at a small restaurant. They order a bottle of white wine, some strong local cheese, olives, little fish preserved in olive oil and crusty bread. They feed each other, laughing and playing footsie under the table. "You asked me earlier where I wanted to live."

"Yup."

"Isn't there a Black Manor, somewhere?"

"Hm. For the last five or six generations, the Head of House has lived at Grimmaulds Place."

"Really? It seems a little odd, doesn't it?"

"That the most powerful, most virulently supremacist of all pureblood houses would have its center of power in the middle of a muggle neighborhood?"

"Hmm, yes?"

"I think the Blacks have been a little misrepresented. The Voldemort wars and a whole generation of idiots like Orion, Pollux and Walburga left a misleading picture. Blacks have been pragmatists and political operators. Not mindless ideologues. A manor within walking distance of the Ministry, St. Mungo and Diagon, right in the heart of muggle London..."

"Oh, I see." She smiles a little sheepishly. "I have a lot to learn."

"Fortunately, there are portraits and two well-educated, Black witches you can learn from."

"You mean your proxy Madam Tonks and her sister Dowager Malfoy."

"Yes." Harry smiles. "I'm sure they would both love to get their sharp claws on you."

Chastity giggles. "I'm not sure I would mind..." Both witches are still quite beautiful.

"Minx."

=o=o=o=o=o=o=o=o=o=o=o=o=

After it got a little too cold for sunbathing, the witches went back inside, showered and decided to play a round or two of wizarding chess. The irony was not lost on the witches, when the daughter of Harry and Ginny thoroughly thrashed the daughter of Ron and Hermione. Soon afterwards, Licky pops up next to Lily and curtsies. "Mistress Lily. Dinner is readies. We waits for Master Harry Potter?"

Lily looks at Rose, who shakes her head and smiles. "Thank you, Licky. I don't think we will wait."

Dinner is a thick shellfish soup, homemade biscuits and a salad, served with butterbeer. Despite her mates' absence, Rose is visibly very happy, something which irritates Lily a little. "Do you know when they are coming back?"

"I have no idea. The later, the better." One can almost hear the laughter bubbling under the words.

"What do you mean?"

"I'm hoping they went for a long slow walk, snogged, shared a romantic meal in a little restaurant..."

"You mean a full-on romantic date."

"Yup."

"I don't get it. How can you share Dad with Fawley so... easily?"

"In that, you're just wrong."

"Again, what do you mean?"

"I don't share Harry with Chazz. Harry and Chazz share little old me. And there lies the issue."

"Explain."

"Your dad is my mate. For life, I hope. And Chazz... we've been in love before, and I believe we are in love again. But, so far, Harry and Chazz have been, I don't know, friends with benefits, I guess." Lily raises one eyebrow, a very Harry-like expression that makes Rose snort in supressed laughter. "Anyhow, I think they need to be more than friends for our thing to work in the long run. A lot more. So, a spontaneous romantic date in a cute Portuguese town sounds just about right."

"I see." Lily shrugs. "And this is what you want, this three-way thing."

Rose smiles wistfully. "If you told me a few months ago that I'd wanting to settle down with a pair of permanent partners..." Rose giggles over the involuntary alliteration. "I'd probably say you were crazy. I really believed there was a lot fancy dick and pussy yet to sample before settling. Now... I'm lost. All I can think about is those two. So, yeah. This is definitely what I want."

=o=o=o=o=o=o=o=o=o=o=o=o=

The night is crisp and a little chill and full of stars. There's young people milling around, mostly tourists enjoying their winter break. Harry and Chastity walk aimlessly, talking nonsense randomly mixed with serious stuff, laughing at stupid jokes, snogging occasionally. In a small square, a young man sits on a park bench, playing the clarinet. It's a slow tune, and, without thinking, they start to dance.

After an awkward step, Harry mumbles in her ear. "Sorry. I'm not very good at this..."

Chastity holds him tighter and pushes on. "Just relax and follow me."

Harry does his best, a little insecure at first. After a while, he begins to get it. An elderly couple joins them, and a small group of people stand around smiling. The clarinetist, sensing a big haul, stretches the song for a good ten minutes or so. Enough so that Harry forgets himself and just enjoys it. The song ends, and the young musician stops, waiting for his shekels. Harry finds a fifty-euro bill in his wallet an puts it into the instrument case. "What was the name of the song?"

"Laura, by Charlie Parker." The name means nothing to him or Chastity, but people around nod in recognition.

"Thank you."

"No, thank you, sir."

"Can you play another?"

"For that much dough, I'll play all night, sir."

"Harry. And Chastity."

"Jon."

Another slow romantic song. 'It had to be you', "I've got a feeling', 'Ev'ry day I love you more.' It was a while, and a dozen couples dancing on the square, before the police comes by and tells them to disperse.

A warm goodbye, and another fifty. They watch the musician walk away, Harry's hand across her shoulders, her arm across his back and her face resting on his shoulder. Chastity whispers. "Someone is happy."

"With that haul..."

"I don't mean him, silly."

"Oh." Harry grins. "That's right."

They walk, still embracing, towards a secluded corner, and portkey back home.

When they get to the bedroom, still floating on clouds, Rose is sitting on the bed reading by the light of one of Hermione's little bluebell flames. "Hi. Did you folks have fun?" The smile and the tone are both friendly, but Harry and Chastity ate a little self-conscious.

"Yes," Chastity replies.

Rose gets up, sets her book aside but leaves the bluebell. She gives her lovers a quick kiss on the lips and heads to the door. "I'll be on the other room."

Harry begin to protest. "Rose..." but Chastity puts a finger on his lips and shushes him.

"No. Tonight, you're mine."

AN: Nope. Not done yet. One more.