= Epilogue 1 - Part 2 =
[Fri, Mar 28]
It was the usual four day weekend around Easter for the students. Harry could have ridden the Hogwarts Express back with Tracy, as he was to stay with her family, but he didn't really want to. He'd have preferred to spend it working on his house or with Tracey. With some effort, he convinced her to spend the day with him at his house, then he would Apparate with her to her home about the time the train should have arrived at the station. Even better, her parents had agreed.
He took her to his property and showed her around. She first looked at the large hole in the ground with mounds of rubble then at him. "This is your manor house?" She sounded disappointed.
"It's what's left of it, yes; but I haven't started on it yet. I'm practicing before I start that," he said with a grin.
"Since I don't see any house," she returned, "it'll be forever before you're done with this. You said you'd been working on this for three months and you have magic to help you."
"That's three months of one to three hours for three nights a week and Friday mornings only for three months," he corrected her. "Plus, I've never done this before so there's been a lot of learning. But thank Merlin for Warming and Drying Charms or I wouldn't be this far along at this time of year."
He pulled her by the hand towards the back of the "manor house hole" as he thought of it. "This will be the guest house one day and it's where I'm practicing. As you can see, the basement is mostly done. I'm building the supports for the ground floor now. Once that's done, then I can build the rest of the house and live in it while I build the manor house."
Tracey looked into the much smaller hole in front of her, seeing stone blocks line the floor and walls, a set of stone stairs led down, a small room in the corner, a largish column or pillar in the middle, and what had to be the forms he'd mentioned going between the four walls and the center pillar. "So a rectangle? What's the small room for?"
"A bathroom once I add fixtures," he replied. "Most of the basement is for storage or just extra room. The ground floor will be pretty basic too." He shrugged. "Once the manor house is complete, there won't be much need for this guest house, but it'll be here if someone needs to be here for an extended time but doesn't want to be in the manor house."
"I suppose you want me to help you build?" Tracey asked, not sounding thrilled.
"That would be ideal," he replied. "If you don't want to, then if you could get food and drinks while I work, that would be helpful too." He gave her his best pleading eyes.
Tracey sighed. "Fine, I'll help as it will allow you to start on the manor house sooner. What do I need to do?"
Harry smiled broadly and kissed her briefly. "The Levitation and Featherweight Charms are the most useful. If you'll help me get the beams into position, we can put the last support into place then start on the ground flooring."
"There had better be lots of kisses at the end of the day," she told him imperiously as she waited for him to bring the beams over.
— — —
Harry was pleased at the end of the day. Despite Tracey's grousing at the beginning, she had been a big help. Along with help from Dobby, the supports and the flooring (or ceiling depending on where one stood) was completely done and stone blocks for the first row had been moved to be near where he would be building the outside walls. He hoped the walls didn't take long.
Now, they were each in clean robes and approaching the front door of the Davis house with Tracey beside him; she was looking as good as ever. As they reached the front door, she grabbed his arm so it appeared he was escorting her. "Relax, you'll do fine," she whispered as she knocked.
Harry wasn't sure about that, but he pasted a smile on his face. He wasn't sure what to think of Tracey at times, but overall she had been a good girlfriend. He supposed this weekend was a test to see if their family values or cultures clashed or they continued to get along. He recognized they could each change over time and Tracey could be different than her family, but he needed to know what she was like here too.
The door was opened by her mother. He knew that based on pictures she had shown him. "Tracey, Mr Potter, do come in," the woman said and beckoned them in with a smile. "I'm Francine Davis." He could see similarities between them, their smile was a virtual copy as was the color of their hair. He wondered how many mannerisms mother and daughter shared.
Tracey hugged her mother quickly while Harry took her hand for a more formal greeting. "Mrs Davis, it's good to meet you."
Steps drew his attention to his right and he saw her father come in. The man had a neutral smile and extended his hand, "Mr Potter, I'm Clarence Davis."
Harry shook the man's hand. "Mr Davis, it's good to meet you as well. I wish to thank you for the invitation to join you for the weekend."
Clarence Davis's smile quirked slightly. "We've been curious to see who had captured our daughter's attention." He looked at her. "Do I get a greeting too?"
"Of course," Tracey laughed as she moved forward and hugged him. "I'm happy to see you too and to be home."
"What have you two been doing all day since I didn't have to come get you?" the mother asked as she guided them into the sitting room.
"I helped Harry build part of his house," Tracey said proudly.
"Oh?" the father asked.
"It was destroyed in the last war as my family was targeted. I'm rebuilding the guest house to practice on before I start on the manor house. If all goes well, I'll have the guest house complete sometime this summer. I'm not sure how long it'll take me to build the manor house, but I suspect it will be at least a couple of years."
"That sounds like an ambitious project. I'm sorry to hear about your family's loss. While I'd never met your grandparents, I knew of them," her father said. "I'd met your parents a few times, mostly your father to buy some property."
Harry nodded. "Most of my family's income comes from property, a little from sales but mostly from renting commercial spaces. I've started looking into that, but I can't do much until after my seventeenth birthday this summer."
"Perhaps we should talk later," Clarence told him. "Greengrass Industries is looking to expand soon, so I'll need to find another warehouse."
"I'll have to look through our holdings," Harry said, surprised at the turn of the conversation.
"Enough talk of business," Francine said. "Tracey, show him to the guest room and then give him a tour. Dinner should be ready in about an hour."
"Yes, Mum!" Tracey said as she stood.
Harry stood and gave a quick bow. "Thank you again for your hospitality. I look forward to my stay here."
Tracey showed him to a bedroom on the ground floor. "You're being far too formal," she told him as she walked up and stood with her body lightly touching his.
He pushed his head forward for a quick kiss, which she returned. "Just trying to live up to expectations," he replied with a grin before he whispered. "I'd kiss you more but the door is open and they obviously expect us back out there."
She snuck a kiss before she stepped back. "Sadly true, come on, let me show you around." Tracey took his hand and led him out.
— — —
"That was an excellent meal," Harry told his hosts as he finished his custard.
"Thank you, Mr Potter," Francine said. "I'd take more credit, but I'm afraid I only planned it. Our-"
A pop from an house-elf stopped her. "I am terribly sorry, but Mr Greengrass says it is most urgent."
Clarence sighed. "Show him in." The elf left to do that while he stood and looked at his family and Harry. "Please excuse me."
He had only made it to the doorway when a larger man with a large bushy mustache to match strode in. "Clarence, what is this I hear about what your daughter has done, stealing my Daphne's intended?"
All three of the Davis family froze in mortification. Harry wiped his mouth with his napkin and stood. "Mr Davis, may I borrow your gazebo in your back garden?" All heads wiped to Harry; Greengrass being the most shocked. Nothing was said for a moment, though Clarence Davis managed a nod. "Thank you," Harry said before looking at the visitor. "Greengrass, if you'd join me please?"
Harry moved towards the door that led outside without waiting for an answer. It was cool but not overly cold as he strode towards the mentioned gazebo he'd seen on his tour. Standing in the structure, he eyed the man who had followed him. Reaching for his confidence and all the information he'd learned over the months mostly from Augusta Longbottom, he straightened his back to begin when the other man joined him.
"As the head of one Ancient and Noble family to another, I feel it is my place to point out a few facts you seem to have either overlooked or weren't told," Harry said firmly.
When Greengrass inhaled to speak, Harry hurried on to keep the momentum. "First of all, you're making assumptions about Daphne, Tracey, and myself, not to mention your ego. Daphne abided by tradition. Tracey abided by tradition. I have abided by tradition. Daphne may have had, and might even still have for all I know, aspirations for my company; however, I am a person and not a thing. What I do is not at the whim of your desires or hers. I was asked honorably according to tradition; I said no as is allowed by tradition.
"Not that it is really any of your business, but I don't particularly care about that tradition. It has no appeal for me at all, nor for my family. If your family likes it, then feel free to live by it.
"As for Tracey, she did as asked and nothing more could have been asked from her. She pleaded Daphne's case as well as anyone could have done. It was unfortunate for Daphne that her desire was doomed before it began as no one could have pleaded her case successfully because I don't like that tradition.
"What I do like, not that it's really any of your business, is being approached with honesty, intelligence, and a bit of humor … something that Tracey did quite well, even if it wasn't her intended outcome.
"You may view it as bad luck, but had Daphne approached me as Tracey had, perhaps I'd be at your house this evening - maybe. However, that situation did not happen so here I am. Also, we're teenagers; have you forgotten what that's like? It's possible Tracey and I might not even be dating after this weekend.
"Being upset over what might have been will not do anyone any good. What you should be worrying about, Greengrass, is the damage you've just done to your reputation and your business. My understanding is that a large part of your success is determined by the man and family you just insulted verbally and by barging into their house. Was that really appropriate for a man of your station? I thought the heads of Ancient and Noble houses were supposed to know better. If he were of the mind, he could ruin you in subtle ways that could never be traced back to him … or I'm sure I could if I was angry enough."
The man's brashness and anger had deflated slowly over what Harry realized finally could only be called a rant; however, he felt fully justified in what he'd said. Damn it, it was his life and no one could tell him who he must date. The fact that Harry was also the head of an Ancient and Noble family gave him the position to tell this man off, at least in his eyes, even if Harry wasn't quite seventeen yet. It was a little strange to him, but he knew enough of the rules. He'd again have to thank Lady Longbottom for her training later.
Greengrass took a deep breath and let it out slowly. "As much as I don't want to admit it, you are correct on several things." He took another deep breath and exhaled slowly, probably reigning emotions in.
Putting his hand out, he said, "I'm Cyrus Greengrass and I'm please to make your acquaintance."
"Harry Potter, likewise," he said formally and shook the man's hand, as they really should have done at the beginning - back in the house.
"It has been a long time since I was a teenager," the man's face relaxing and even quirking a hint of a smile at a forgotten memory before he turned serious again. "So, you don't hold to the traditions, Potter?"
"I didn't say that," Harry replied. "Many of the traditions are acceptable; I don't hold to that tradition. I think the boy and girl should get to know one another first, spend time together, find out if they even like each other or can't stand the other person as they find out what the other person is really like. If it all goes well," he shrugged, "family can be involved eventually. This weekend is about finding out if our basic ideals on family and culture work or clash, or so I see it that way."
Greengrass got the faraway look again for a brief moment. "I was raised differently." He looked at Harry. "I believe it would have ended up in a clash at my house," he ended with a little amusement before he turned serious again.
"While I don't appreciate the tone you took with me, I can appreciate the words so I'll let the tone slide as you're still a little young. As much as it pains me to say it, you are correct that I depend on Davis and his family far too much to mistreat them." Greengrass gave him a judging look.
"As long as you make things right with them, I don't believe we'll have a problem in the future." Harry held his hand out and Greengrass shook with a small smile.
"You're going to be a power to be reckoned with in a few years," the man said with a nod. "A little rough on the edges at the moment, but you remind me of your grandfather. My father normally worked with him and only had good things to say about him. I was young and so only dealt with him a few times, but he was a man of standing and someone everyone could respect."
Greengrass gestured towards the house so the two started walking slowly. "Do you plan to continue the family business?"
"Yes, I think I will, though I'm still coming up to speed on it," Harry replied. "In fact, Davis was asking me about that as well, mentioning needs for expansion."
"Good, very good," the man said as he opened the door and walked in, holding it for Harry and then closing it.
The three Davis family members were all still standing quietly; obviously having watched the conversation through the window.
Greengrass looked all three of them for a moment before he walked over their head and held out his hand. "Clarence, my sincerest apologies for barging into your house and after work hours as well; it was thoughtless of me." The two men shook and shared a look before he turned. "Francine, my apologies for interrupting your meal; again, it was thoughtless of me not to consider the time."
He turned to the last. "Ms Davis, my largest apologies go to you. I'm afraid I flew off the handle at what I now understand to be a poorly worded explanation. Not having all the facts didn't help. I have impugned your honor in a manner that shouldn't have happened. Will you please forgive me?"
"Thank you, and yes," Tracey said quietly with a tinge of surprise.
"Then I shall take my leave. No need to show me out, I'm sure your house-elf can close the door behind me." Greengrass looked at him, "Mr Potter." With that, he strode out of the room towards the front door. Everyone stood there until they heard the front door close in the distance.
"Perhaps the sitting room?" Francine said into the silence. Clarence led the way with Harry coming last.
It wasn't until they all had sat down, that Harry realized the father was still in somewhat of a trance. "I'm sorry, did I overstep my bounds?"
That snapped the man back to reality. "Oh no, not at all. It's just that … well, I've never had him formally apologize to me like that before. Sure, he's said 'sorry' before, but nothing ever like that. I know it's not my place to ask, but can you tell me why?"
Harry noted all three of them were looking at him curiously. "I merely pointed out a few facts to him," he said with a shrug. Tracey gave a short unladylike snort, earning a quick reproving look from her mother.
Tracey schooled her expression before smiling at him. "Thank you for defending me."
Harry thought her eyes also promised a more personal thank you later. "You're welcome."
"Mr Potter, could you tell us a little about yourself?" the father asked in his friendliest manner yet.
"Please, call me Harry."
"Then I think Clarence and Francine as well," the father returned.
"Clarence," Harry said with a nod. "I've had a number of things keeping me busy. Of what I can share, what would you like to know?"
A few hours later, Harry felt like he'd learned a little about the Davis family and they'd learned some about him and it was going well so far. Tracey did walk him to his bedroom and thanked him with several minutes of kissing.
[Fri, Jun 27]
Harry was standing in the Entrance Hall waiting on Tracey. He'd come last night to spend time with his friends before everyone left for the summer. Today, he planned to escort her to the train and then let her ride back as she wanted to spend the time with a few friends; he'd go to his house and work on it all day. He was reasonably sure she'd invite him to her house for dinner that evening.
"Mr Potter, could I have a word?"
He turned and saw Dumbledore walking up to him. Harry took a couple of steps so they were standing on the side and out of anyone's way who might come by.
Dumbledore pulled out his wand and cast a privacy spell before putting his wand away. Harry noticed the blacked hand that looked nearly gaunt now and remembered back to a discussion with Dupree about the Withering Curse.
According to Dupree, if he'd been there in first few minutes after Dumbledore had been cursed he could have done something about it, but after that the old man's fate was sealed and the best possible outcome was to slow the curse down, which seemed to have been done since Dumbledore was still alive. Dupree's guess was that Dumbledore had maybe a few months more at best.
As Harry looked at the old Headmaster, he noticed the man seemed to have to gather his determination. "Harry," he paused, "I hope you don't mind as I believe this will be our last conversation."
"That's fine," Harry replied easily. Dupree's guess seemed to be confirmed.
"I find myself to be in a bit of a quandary," Dumbledore told him. "I've always believed that it would be obvious when Voldemort was defeated because it would take a large battle to remove him and his followers; yet that hasn't been seen. However, I also must admit that your observation of his not having been seen for over six months to also be true which makes it seem as if he's really gone; and like you, I don't believe he and his followers could stay out of the limelight for that long. Those two 'truths' are at odds."
Dumbledore sighed. "While the evidence points to your conclusion, I am still wary that he will return. Perhaps he's merely lost his body as he did when you were a baby. Whatever has happened, it is plain that I shall not see the end of this war as my time will come to an end soon.
"Harry, I would like your promise that if I am right after all and he returns, that you will finish him off once and for all. He's extended his life with very dark magic and you'll have to deal with that."
Dumbledore pulled a small thin book out of his robes and handed it to Harry, who took it. "Since you wouldn't come talk with me, I've written down my thoughts in there to guide you."
"If I'm wrong and should need them?" Harry asked with a smile. He noticed Tracey and Daphne coming so he held up his hand and they stopped across the hall.
Dumbledore smiled at him. "Yes, if you should be wrong and need them."
"Sure," Harry told him. "I'll put the book on a shelf so I won't lose it and if he returns I promise to deal with him." He already had a fun idea in mind.
"Thank you." Dumbledore held out his hand and they shook. "I'll also wish you well with your young lady. Hopefully you'll set the standard for more inter-house unity."
"Thank you and good luck," Harry replied. He walked over to his girlfriend and escorted her out of the castle with her friend walking with them, not noticing the thoughtful look from the old Headmaster.
After Harry had dropped off Tracey and Daphne at the train, he Apparated to the Department of Mysteries as he activated his cloak to hide his identity. He found his manager in his office and knocked on the doorframe.
"Mike, come in," Croaker told him. "This is unusual as it's your day off."
Harry closed the door after himself. "I don't plan to be here for long, but Dumbledore just gave me this and I thought you might like it. I'm amused by it all." He handed the book over and quickly repeated the conversation.
Croaker skimmed thru the book, smiling most of the time. "I'll have to give him credit, he figured out Voldemort created Horocruxes. I don't fancy having to go chase them down; I rather liked my way of bringing them here better."
"Absolutely!" Harry agreed.
Croaker harrumphed. "And he had the stones to mention that your scar might be one too, though he says that you'll have to be hit with a Killing Curse by Voldemort to get rid of it but don't worry as you won't really die."
Harry snorted. "High comedy there as I'd never do that."
"Well," Croaker said slowly and thoughtfully, "his theory might be good as long as the curse hit you in the forehead, but it's not something I'd want to go through or bet on. Still, thanks," he held up the book, "I'll read it through word for word later."
"I thought you might enjoy it," Harry said as he stood. "It was sort of hard to stand there and act like I didn't know what had really happened. I wanted to point at him and laugh and tell him the joke was on him." They both laughed at that.
"A lot of good has come out of it though," Croaker told him. "We removed at least some of more stupid laws, less bribes means the rules are being applied more fairly in general, we've removed some of the less savory people, and Scrimgeour is pulling his head out of his arse and starting to show a backbone instead of being so wishy-washy. We still have more work to get better, but we're on a good path."
"Great, I'll tell my friend she can come back when she finishes school." Harry left feeling pretty good and he had an entire day to work on his house.
[Sat, Jul 12]
It was Harry's turn to wait. Running through what he'd worked on this morning, he couldn't think of anything he'd missed and hoped that was true. If not, well, he'd figure it out as it happened.
People started to come out of the corridor in front of him. It wasn't long until a young woman rushed at him with a smile and bushy hair flying and grappling him in a hug.
"It's good to see you," Hermione said.
"It's good to see you as well," he returned and led her away after he grabbed her bag. Not long after, they found a place alone where Harry shrank her bags down and Apparated her to the gates of his property. "Welcome to your home for the next couple of weeks."
"I'm looking forward to seeing what you've done," she said as Harry held her hand and pulled her through the wards. "Will you add me so I can come and go?"
"I will," he told her easily. "You'll only be the second person."
Hermione looked at him for a second before turning back to look at the large hole in the ground with rubble in it. "So you and Tracey are still doing well? You haven't pulled the refuse and rubble out for the basement of the main house."
"Yes we are, and no I haven't," he replied. "I had a few delays getting the guest house ready so I haven't made it to this one yet. Would you rather I have cleaned out the hole or made sure you had a bathroom?" When she gave him a don't be silly eye-roll, he added, "I finished only earlier this week and moved in a couple of nights ago. Neville is the only other person who's seen it finished."
"What did he say?" she asked as they approached the single story stone house with a slate roof, shutters next to the windows, and a plank door with bold black hardware, giving it a quaint look.
"He liked it, but said he'd rather live in his family's house," he said with a grin. "We'll see what he says when I finish the manor house." He opened the front door and led her in.
Hermione looked around. "It's simple but has everything you need. Kitchen, dining, living areas; I like the open plan. Bathroom and bedroom?" she asked pointing at the two doors.
"Yes, you can look," he told her and let her.
"I see only one bed and since I'm not sleeping with you, I guess I can transform the couch into a bed," she said, sounding like she was thinking through how that would work.
"Or you could check out the basement," he suggested and walked towards the stairs.
"Oh," she exclaimed, "I didn't see the stairs behind the furniture." She hurried past him and looked pleased the stairs lit up when she stepped on them.
He wasn't far behind her so he saw her curious expression when she made it to the bottom of the stairs.
"Why do the floor and walls glow slightly?"
He touched the switch and the light on the ceiling came on.
"Electricity here?" she was amazed.
"No," he smirked, "the light runs on magic, I just use Muggle devices because it's what I'm used to and I don't like the torch or gas lamp look."
"And the glow on the floors and walls?" she repeated as she examined a wall.
"They are the power source of my protection runes; you can think of them like big batteries," he replied.
"I've never seen anything like that before," she said amazed. "How did you come up with it and will you share?"
"It was a joint personal project with a woman at work. I let my Curse-Breaker friend look after I had them up and he was pleased too." He smiled at her. "Yes, I'll tell you how they work later. You can sleep there," he said pointing at the bed in the corner, and there's a bathroom over there," he pointed at a doorway.
"What are the stack of mattresses for?" she asked, pointing to them stacked in another corner..
"The party," he replied with a grin.
"Party?" she asked dubiously. "You're throwing a party?"
"Yes, the 'good to see you again' party tomorrow," he explained with a grin. "I'm looking forward to it, actually. If people want to spend the night, they can. Girls down here and boys upstairs."
Hermione still looked like she didn't believe him.
"Hello?" a girl's voice called from above.
"In the basement!" Harry answered and turned towards the stairs. Feet and then legs appeared. Harry walked over and gave her a brief and chaste kiss in deference to Hermione. "Glad you could make it, we haven't been here long."
Harry turned to the other brunette in his life. "Were you ever formally introduced to Tracey? I can't remember you mentioning her."
"We shared a few classes," Tracey said easily. "Hermione."
"Tracey," Hermione returned neutrally.
"She won't be spending the night, but I thought it might be good for you two go get to know one another a little bit," Harry told his 'sister'.
"Probably a good idea," Hermione said and then smiled. "We can talk about you."
"Hey wait!" Harry protested to the laughter of the two girls.
They went upstairs to find Dobby had set the table for three and was cooking dinner. Hermione scowled at him but didn't say anything about the elf being there, having already known he would be here and why due to previous phone conversations.
[Sun, Jul 13]
The next morning, Hermione came up from the basement to find Harry cooking. "Good morning," she heard. "Did you sleep well?"
"Good morning, yes I did. Sort of like at school," she answered as she took a seat at the dining table.
"Dobby put the same charms on the mattress as the ones at school have," he said with a grin. "Breakfast will be ready in a few minutes."
"This isn't the house to raise a family, but it's a nice little house for just yourself or you and a wife," she told him as she grabbed the pot of hot water in front of her to make some tea.
"It'd be a little cramped without some changes, but if we were desperate enough a small family could live here. Those with less money have made due with less," he told her. "But I understand your point and I'm thankful I do have options."
"True."
"What did you think of Tracey?" he asked her as he starting moving food to the table.
"I already knew she was part of the neutral faction," Hermione answered.
"You're avoiding the question," he pointed out.
Hermione took a deep breath and let it out slowly to think a little more. "She's all right and if she makes you happy, then I'm happy for you."
"I sense you're not fond of her," he said as he brought the last of the food over and sat himself.
"No, it's not that, it's that I don't feel I know her well enough," Hermione defended her answer. "Honestly, I think she's one of those 'hidden yet acceptable girls' you mentioned when we talked at Christmas. I also don't know how well she'll react when you have one of your adventures or other strange events … you know, all those unpredictable adventures."
Harry actually chuckled. "I'll have you know that I haven't had anything like that in a long time."
She looked at him and wondered. "Really?"
He actually looked a little uncomfortable for a moment. "Since it's just us, I've had one and only one time that was a just little dangerous, but it wasn't all that life threatening and others were there so we helped each other. I never worried too much about what could happen to me or anyone else."
"Oh? Tell me," she asked, curious as this was the first time he'd admitted anything like this to her.
"I can't, I'm under oath not to," he told her seriously. "I might be allowed to tell you one day, that's not for at least a few years and only if you decide to work with me one day. Normal life is so much easier and safer than when we were at Hogwarts. Didn't you tell me something like that?"
Hermione was disappointed to not get more detail, but tried to ignore her disappointment. "Yes, no threatening adventures at Salem." She snorted lightly in amusement. "People ask how I know some of the things I know and when I say it was because of trouble at Hogwarts they give me funny looks like I must be making it up."
"Yes," he agreed with a nod, "same for some of my co-workers when I mention things at school, though I don't give names."
Hermione drank the last of her juice. "If there really is a party, when is everyone coming over?" She wasn't sure whether to believe him or not as he'd never been a party sort of person at school.
"Tracey and Daphne should be here around ten or so and the rest are due to be here a little after that." He smiled. "I think you'll be surprised."
"Oh? Why?"
He just smiled back before he finished his breakfast.
— — —
Shortly after ten, there was a knock at his door. Opening it he invited the pair there in, giving a short kiss to one. "Daphne", he said to the other.
"Harry," she returned and looked around. "Granger," she said with a nod when she noticed the other girl.
"Greengrass," Hermione acknowledged.
"It's all right for servants quarters I suppose," Daphne said as she looked around and dropped a small bag to the side. Tracey added hers and then the two bags disappeared; each girl barely noticed.
"I'm a man from simple means and I find it reasonable until the manor house is built," he replied as he snaked an arm around his girlfriend's waist. "It's good to have you here."
"Thank you," Daphne replied, "it'll be nice to do something different for a day or two. I assume the rest aren't here yet?"
"Soon," he answered, "I thought to give you a little time with Hermione if you needed it." He stood between them.
"We've shared a few classes and we're good," Hermione said; Daphne nodded agreement.
Harry shrugged. "All right, let's go outside then as the party will be there." He led them out.
Hermione stopped in amazement when she reached his covered work area and stared at the banner that read, "Welcome Back Hermione!" There were also chairs in a circle and tables with snacks as well as pitchers of drinks and a tub full of ice with the tops of bottles of Butterbeer sticking out. "You were serious."
"No, I was Harry," he teased, earning him a glare from Hermione, a small smile from Tracey, and a confused look from Daphne.
"Harry," she complained sternly and put her hands on her hips.
He just grinned and said, "If you'll excuse me, I need to bring the other guests in."
As he walked away, he heard Hermione say, "That boy!" with exasperation and then, "How did you get through the wards, Daphne?"
"Tracey pulled me in."
"Don't ever change, Hermione," he muttered with a grin, glad she couldn't hear him as he walked slowly towards the gates.
It was only a couple of minutes before Neville Apparated in with his book bag over one shoulder. "Harry!" he called out.
"Hey, Neville, glad you could make it. Let me help you in." Harry grabbed his arm and walked him in. "The girls are over in the work area."
As Neville strolled off, a pop could be heard and Harry saw Luna had arrived with a neon pink bag over her shoulder. He gave her a hug. "Good to see you."
"Hi, Harry," she said calmly as she looked around. "This is nice. You've hidden your house well as I don't see it."
He smiled. "The manor house isn't built yet, but you can just see the roof of my current house if you look that way." He pointed it out. "Let me help you in and you can go over there. You'll see the others when you get near."
The last pop sounded and Harry saw his last two friends. "Ron, Ginny!" he greeted them as he walked over, giving each a hug. "How are you?"
"Good," each said at almost the same time.
Each of them also had a bag, so Harry grabbed their free arms and walked them through. "I'm glad you could make it. I know Hermione will get happy to see each of you."
"How's she's doing?" Ginny asked.
"Fairly well, though I've kept her off balance for most of the time so far and that's been fun," he grinned. "She'll figure it all out and then outsmart me as usual some time later today I predict." The two laughed with him as they walked towards the party.
As they walked up, the two Weasleys greeted everyone, starting with a hug from Hermione and her gushing about how she was glad to see them. Ron said, "Hi Tracey, Daphne," before he walked over to grab a small plate and some snacks with a drink.
Hermione just blinked and then looked at Harry. "You didn't tell me on purpose, didn't you?" she accused him.
"Me?" he grinned and struggled to not laugh.
"Did I miss something?" Neville asked. Harry continued to grin and look at Hermione.
Hermione shook her head. "I think he was teasing me by not telling me Ron was friendly with Slytherins and hoping I'd think Ron was going to explode."
"Why?" Ron asked as he returned with a plate of crisps and a drink. "Exploding sounds messy."
Hermione just glared at her best friend. "Harry, I'm going to get you back for that."
Harry pulled his wand out so fast he surprised her, twirled it around his fingers like a baton for a few seconds before he put it back, still grinning at her. Everyone stared for a few seconds before they started laughing, even Hermione.
"Just you wait, Harry Potter, just you wait," she told him.
By the end of the day, all would admit to having had fun together.
— — —
With all the girls together in the basement and multiple charms laid over the stairway and ceiling to prevent sound from escaping, they sat around on mattresses and talked. Eventually it was Ginny who looked at Tracey and asked, "So what's he like?" The other girls looked very interested in the answer, even Hermione.
Tracey blushed slightly but smiled broadly. "He's a very good kisser when he wants to be, which is most of the time." They all giggled and chuckled.
"And?" Ginny pressed.
"Don't need to hear more," Hermione said but was shushed by the Daphne, Luna, and Ginny.
"It's gone surprisingly well. I wasn't sure about him at first, especially when he asked me out while I was trying to start betrothal negotiations for Daphne."
Daphne shook her head. "One mistake out of several, but how was I to know he didn't like that tradition?"
"The rest of us could have told you that," Ginny said smugly, with nods from Hermione and Luna.
"I said one mistake out of several," Daphne defended.
"And then?" Ginny continued the gossip session.
Tracey said regally, "I'm a lady and he's a gentleman, and we don't tell."
Daphne threw the first pillow and the others followed her lead. "That's the only answer I've been able to get out of her too," the blonde Slytherin complained.
They talked late into the night having fun and making deeper friendships.
[Mon, Jul 14]
No one got up early the next day, but everyone was curious as to what Harry had planned for that day. After a full breakfast, he took them all outside and led them to the large hole in the ground.
"What are we doing here?" Ron asked, looking at him suspiciously, the same sort of look he had when his mother told him to go get rid of the gnomes in their garden.
"Well," Harry said a little sheepishly, "I was hoping everyone would help me for a few hours this morning. I need to pull everything out of here and with all of us, I was hoping it wouldn't take very long." Most of the group nodded.
Ron and Daphne looked the most dubious. "All of that," Daphne said while waving her hand in the direction of the rubbish in the hole.
"Yes," Harry answered. "All of that moved out here. You can dump it over there by that tree," he pointed, "or over on the other side by that large rock. I'll move it later, but for now I just need it out and for everyone to keep their eyes open of anything interesting.
"The larger stuff is easy to get out with the Levitation charm, but there's a Digging spell that acts like a large bucket, picking up a pile of dirt and holding it until you move it. It's like this." Harry showed them the spell then did it. A clump of dirt, grass, and a few stones - all about the size of his body put together - rose into the air allowing him to move it over to the desired place and then stopping the spell so it all fell. "It's that easy and you don't even get dirty," he told them with a grin.
Ron and Daphne looked like they weren't sure about it, but Neville jumped in and levitated a large tree branch out of the hole.
"Uh, Harry? What about us?" Ginny asked pointing to herself and Luna.
"It's not a problem," he told her conspiratorially. "This is a property registered to a Wizarding family and there are adults here, so you'll be fine."
Ginny blinked for a moment. "So I could do magic at home and not get into trouble."
"Not by the Ministry," he answered as he levitated several stones that had once been part of a wall. "Your mother and father if they catch you are a different matter," he grinned.
Ginny grinned back and pulled out her wand with enthusiasm. Luna just nodded to him with her usual calmness and pulled out her wand also.
"I guess this isn't too bad," Ron said after a few minutes. "Better than doing the gnomes in the garden. At least here I can use my wand."
Ginny snorted and retorted sarcastically, "Mum doesn't let you use your wand for that because it's punishment."
About half an hour later, Tracey shrieked and yelled, "Harry!" as she pointed into the now deeper hole. He rushed over and she kept pointing. "It looks like a hand, a skeleton!"
Harry looked down and saw that she might be right, but it looked like it would belong to a child. The dirt wasn't too far down so he walked forward and jumped to the ground in the hole with his wand out. There was what looked like a collapsed stone wall with the bones of a small hand sticking out.
The others had jumped down and joined him, standing around in a loose semi-circle. With care, he levitated most of the stones up and back to reveal a full skeleton that was the size of a child, although misshapenned slightly. There were several high-pitched shrieks and most of the others turned away. Harry felt Tracy grab and cling to him.
It didn't take long for him to realize what he was looking at. "Dobby! I need your help!" he called out.
The house-elf popped in. "Master Harry calls?" He was facing Harry with his back to the discovery.
"Dobby, I uh." He felt like he needed to stop for a moment. "Tracey, can you let go for a moment please." When she did, he knelt down on one knee for his and the elf's faces to be at about the same height. "Dobby, we found something that … well, I don't know what do. Maybe you'd know?"
"Dobby will help. What does Master Harry need?"
Harry gestured lamely behind Dobby and stood.
The house-elf turned around and went stiff.
"I have to assume he worked here with my grandparents. Do you know what to do so he's treated with respect?" Harry asked
Dobby turned and looked at him with tears in his eyes and nodding slowly. "Dobby knows what to do." The elf walked over and looked carefully, examining the situation more closely. Holding his hands up, they all saw a glow form around the skeleton and some of the dirt before it rose into the air. Suddenly, it disappeared with Dobby with a large pop.
Harry shook his head and looked around. "I think a long break is in order. Hermione?" he nodded at Ginny as he grabbed Luna's arm and Apparated out of the hole and over to his work area where drinks and chairs were waiting. Tracey appeared beside him as did Hermione with Ginny. The others appeared over the next few seconds … except for one.
"Hey, can I get a hand too?" Ron's voice called out from in the hole.
Harry looked around and saw Neville working to hold back a grin.
"He didn't want to tell you, but he's had some trouble with learning that," Neville said.
Harry couldn't help himself and started to smile, causing others to also.
"Harry! I can't climb out!" Ron's voice called.
Using his wand, Harry levitated his ladder over to the hole and dropped it in.
"What? You can't come get me? I know it's not hard for you, Potter!" Ron shouted back.
The others started to chuckle, as did Harry. Instead of going over, he levitated a bottle of Butterbeer over and sat it on the edge so Ron could see it.
"I hate you, Potter!" Ron shouted, but the bottle was summoned into the hole, causing everyone to start laughing. A few minutes later Ron climbed out on the ladder with bottle in hand and glaring.
[Sun, Jul 27]
Harry Side-Along Apparated Hermione back to the airport. They looked at each other with long faces.
"This is depressing," he told her as they stood not too far from the counter she needed for check-in.
"It is, but I want you to know I really enjoyed the time with you and everything you taught me." She gave a more serious look. "You really can't tell me where you learned some of that?"
He smiled and put an arm around her shoulders. "Learn all you can at school, then find a job that stretches you. A few years after that, I can get you an interview with my employer and I'm sure you'll have no problem being hired and have plenty of opportunities to learn even more things."
"It's Gringotts, isn't it?" she guessed.
"Not telling," he said with a light chuckle. "Come on, let's get you going. I'll come visit at Christmas if you want me to. Your family can come see and stay with me next summer. I should be far enough along with the main house by then for your parents to stay there, even if the whole house isn't complete."
After she checked in and before she was walked to the gate, they hugged one more time. "Thank you, Harry," she told him. "This has been the best two weeks of my life."
"I think I'd have to say the same," he replied. "I enjoyed having you come stay and having our friends over too, not to mention all of our conversations. I really appreciate all the help you gave me in building; the basement is almost done."
"I enjoyed it. I also approve of Tracey now that I know her better. Bye Harry," she said, obviously putting on a brave face before she turned.
He watched her leave and sighed. "One day, Hermione," he mumbled, "you'll be back and it will all be like it should be." Harry turned and left. He still had most of the day to himself, but wouldn't be surprised if Tracey dropped by.
[Fri, Aug 29]
Tracey regained consciousness only because someone was tugging on her sleeve. Looking down she saw Dobby in the partial moonlight. It took a few seconds for her to remember where she was and why.
"Is something wrong?" she asked the elf.
"Your father is here by the road," the elf told her.
Wiping the sleep from her eyes, she said, "Thank you," allowing the elf to leave. Carefully so as to not wake Harry, she slid out from under the blanket on the couch they were sharing and stood. She couldn't quite make out anyone by the road, but knew he must be there if Dobby said he was.
Taking care to be quiet, she walked toward the main gates. With a small grin of pride, she walked across the newly completed ground floor of the main house. She had thought it all silly for Harry to build his own house the first time she had come, but now … now the idea filled her with pride to be helping him and for it to come out so well. Sure, they were going slowly, but she helped him when she had time. Tonight she had to be here and she was honored he trusted her this much.
As she neared the gate, she could see a figure on the outside and it did look like her father. Feeling the magic, she stopped a good ten meters from the gates. "Father," she said formally.
"Tracey," he said with a slightly lower than usual voice. "What are you still doing here? You should be at home."
"I'm staying with Harry tonight," she informed him.
He was quiet for a bit. "At least you're being discreet. Why?"
"Harry raised the wards on his main house tonight and it exhausted him; therefore, I'm staying with him to make sure he's all right. I'll be home tomorrow evening," she told him.
"He has a house-elf," her father reminded her. "You should come home."
"A very good and devoted elf," Tracey agreed, "but that's not the same as a person. I also promised him I'd watch over him. In addition, if I left now I'm not sure I could get back in, so I'll wait until he's awake tomorrow morning."
"Tracey-"
"Dad, I'm seventeen. Yes, I know I'm still living at home and I have one more year at Hogwarts, but I believe I can do at least a few things on my own … including watching over my boyfriend when he's not feeling well. Consider it as I'm protecting my investment," she told him.
Her father looked at her for a long moment. "So you believe he's the one you'll end up with?"
"Unless one of us does something horribly stupid, which don't believe will happen, yes." After a moment, she added, "No, you don't need to start betrothal negotiations with him. He will approach you when he feels the time is right."
"He told you that?" the man asked surprised.
"No, but I've learned how he thinks well enough to anticipate that," she answered.
"I see," he said after a thoughtful moment. "I'm not happy about this but I can feel the wards in front of me and know I shouldn't challenge them."
Tracey grinned. "I don't fully understand what he did, but from what I do know, I'd definitely advise you not to try. I'm am sure that he worked with at least one if not two people who have their mastery in Runes, and he said his mentor at work is a former Curse Breaker."
"You still don't know who he works for?" he asked.
"No, he hasn't told me although I have an idea. I've determined it really doesn't matter and he'll probably tell me when he proposes - or that's my guess. If my guess is correct, he has a job for the rest of his life if he wants it, not that he has to work," she told him.
"The Potters aren't poor," he acknowledged and sighed. "Very well. I'll tell your mother you'll be home before dinner tomorrow. Make that so." The threat hung in the air as he Apparated away.
Tracey sighed as she turned and walked back towards Harry. She loved her family, she really did; but there were times she didn't care for their expectations of her.
As she approached the house, she took a detour to the stairs and walked down into the basement to marvel at the sight of the walls giving off a slight glow. It was like the basement of the little house but more so because the basement here was probably ten times bigger. Touching the wall, she could feel the magic if she became very still and reached out with her magic.
Smiling she left the basement and returned to the couch under the stars which held her boyfriend covered by a blanket. Pulling her wand out, she raised him into the air and moved towards the little house. The door opened on its own - courtesy of Dobby she knew - allowing her to walk in. Placing him on his bed, she pulled most of his clothes off before she pulled most of hers off also so they were each in their underwear. After a moment, she pulled her bra off and found one of his larger shirts and put that on before joining him in bed.
Tracey decided she could get used to this and sort of regretted returning to school on Monday, where they'd be apart for four days a week. At least they only had one more school year like this.
[Jul 1998]
Harry surveyed his house and the grounds around it. A little under half of the rock for the outside was used. That was because the outside wall was over his head and was in fact over the ceiling of the ground floor. The ceiling of the ground floor and the flooring of the first floor was also complete. He'd worked very hard over the spring to get it done.
All of the ground floor walls were also complete, as was the bathroom. He had almost two weeks to do a little decorating as that was when all three of the Grangers would arrive. Hermione would stay with him as she looked for a job, having finished Salem with straight Outstandings - no surprise. Her parents were coming to find a house and to find a place to return to their dental work. They weren't going to buy a practice, having found they liked not doing all the paperwork for the government that came with owning the business.
But that was in two weeks, tonight… He heard a soft crack and smiled as she was right on time. "You look smashing," he told her with a grin. "I like the dark blue dress on you."
"As do you, my dear Harry." Tracey kissed him solidly.
"We better go or I'll try to continue that," he told her, both of them grinning at the other.
He Apparated them to London, a place she was much more comfortable with now.
"Where are we going?" she asked after a few minutes of walking and getting her bearings.
"I found this restaurant that I think will be good," he pointed to a small Italian place and opened the door for her. They were seated immediately because he had a reservation.
"It's a little dark, but pleasant enough," she told him after they're ordered. "So why here?"
Harry pulled out his wand and directed a spell around their table, causing her to raise an eyebrow. He also pulled out a small box and expand it to be the size of a small flat purse. He looked at it for a moment then at her. "It's funny. I had so many ways to do this in my head, but now … now they've all escaped me. I uh, Tracey, I'm sorry for not being more romantic about this, but I want you to know you mean the world to me. I asked you on our first date just for fun and for something different. I was so surprised how well that worked out.
"And now… well, now I want you always around." He saw hope in her eyes and it gave him confidence. "Tracey, will you marry me?"
"Yes," she told him firmly before grabbing his head and kissing him. When she finally let go, she smiled at him. "I wondered when you'd ask me. Father has been giving me strange and wistful looks for the last week; it took me several days to figure out why."
"It's so hard to surprise you," he said gently.
She laughed. "Please don't stop trying; I like it when you succeed." She looked at the box. "For instance, that box is far too large for a ring, so I don't know what it is given the occasion."
Harry chuckled and opened it before he slid it in front of her. "I thought these were the ten best ones in my family's vault. Since I couldn't decide, I thought I'd let you pick your own engagement ring."
"See," she giggled, "you can surprise me. I didn't expect that." She started to study the rings carefully, finally picking one out by the time the food arrived.
Harry placed it on her hand before they started eating, though Tracey would stop occasionally and look at the ring and then at him.
"Tracey, I have one more surprise for you." When she looked at him, he said, "My job is at the Department of Mysteries; I'm an Unspeakable."
She grinned. "I knew it!"
Harry was surprised. "How?"
"It was a lot of little things," she told him. "I wasn't totally sure, but that has been my leading guess for the last year."
He shook his head. "I wonder who else has guessed that."
"I doubt anyone else has, although Daphne or Neville would be the most obvious to do so," she told him.
"Neville has known since I started since his great-Uncle is the head of the Unspeakables," he told her.
"Oh!" She was very much surprised.
"When did you want to get married?" he asked.
"Maybe next spring, but I'd like to think about it," she answered. "Do you still not have a problem with me working for Daphne?"
"No, I still don't. Why would I?" he asked.
"Most husbands in Pureblood families don't like their wife working, so I just wanted to be sure," she said then added, "yes, I know you don't follow all of those traditions.
"Harry, can we go to my home after eating?" asked Tracey.
He chuckled. "I did anticipate that."
She gave him a smoldering look that sent a shiver down his spine. He wondered if he could talk her into letting him help her out of that lovely dress later tonight.
[Apr 1999]
Harry stood at the front of the large room with Neville and Marcus beside him. Picking who'd be in his wedding had actually been quite difficult. First, Tracey had informed him that tradition demanded her brother Marcus be included. Second, she'd also informed him that he could only have two others up there with him.
That caused a problem because he hadn't originally planned for Marcus since he'd wanted Ron and Neville up with him. After a discussion with the two, Ron had surprised him by saying he'd prefer to be in the audience and watch, though he wouldn't say why (personally Harry wondered if it was so Ron could watch Hermione more but he knew from discussions with 'his sister' that pairing would never happen). Therefore, Neville was his best man.
On the other side, Daphne was obviously going to be the maid of honor while Hermione was picked as she was the best representative of Harry's family.
Tracey's side of the room had more people on it, but not by much as the entire Weasley family with a few guests was present. Even Percy was present as he'd finally made up with his family and Charlie was here too.
Ginny was looking quite nice he noticed, just as he noticed a young man next to her whom he didn't know - probably someone she'd met during her first season on the Holyhead Harpies. A small part of him wondered if she and he would have worked out if he'd asked her out, but Tracey had approached him first even if dating hadn't been Tracey's original goal.
Surprisingly to him, his dating Tracey hadn't been a typical teenage romance that was over in six months and usually in less. He'd never know, but he suspected his moving out of the Dursleys and getting a job had changed him enough that he really hadn't thought like a teenager when he'd returned to Hogwarts. Tracey had been groomed to help with the family business since she'd been little and he suspected that had given her a more adult view as well.
Shaking his head slightly to pull out of the memories, he watched his soon-to-be wife walk up the aisle holding her father's arm. Her white robes flowed out behind her and floated a few inches above the ground so as never to become dirty - courtesy of magic he assumed. Those robes also teased him with cleavage though they didn't show all that much.
Tracey had her "look" which she wore now, ever true to herself. Her dark hair was pulled back and held there as usual. Also normal, she was wearing dark lipstick, though a deep red today. For some reason she had a hint of rosiness on her pale cheeks, which was unusual. Her dark brown eyes held mirth or maybe excitement - it was hard to tell.
Her lips pursed as if to blow him a subtle kiss, though he wasn't sure she was even aware of it. He'd found she did that quite often much like nervous tick. She did take his arm when her father let go of her.
As they stood and let the official from Ministry of Magic lead the ceremony, he heard her whisper, "Remember our first date when we talked about secrets and you wouldn't tell me yours but I told you mine?"
Harry listened for a moment and realized the official would continue to drone on for a little longer. "Yes," he whispered, "your secret was black." Out of the corner of his eye he saw her turn slightly to him.
Tracey whispered, "Today it's none." She smirked before she turned back to look at the official with a smile, who was still droning on and oblivious to their conversation.
Harry took a deep breath and slowly let it out, only to see her smirk again for a moment before her smile returned. Life with Tracey would be interesting.
[Mar 2025]
"May I have your attention, please?" Betty said almost needlessly as everyone in the department stood around and looked at her in anticipation.
Harry looked around too. About a third of the faces that had been here when he'd started were now gone. Betty didn't look like she used to when he'd started and that had taken him a little time to get used to. He'd decided in the end that her natural face was kinder.
It was his turn to unmask and he wasn't completely sure how he felt about it, but it was another phase in life.
"As you've all been aware, I've been handing off my duties over the last few months," Betty said. "Larry is the staff healer and he's working out well." There were positive murmurs and nods to the man, who smiled and nodded back.
"And I've finally handed over the last of my responsibilities to Mike, who is the next head of the Unspeakables," she said with a smile and flourish of her hand towards him.
"Speak! Speak! Speak!" several chanted, led by Dupree who was grinning like a loon.
Everyone seemed to be happy for him, especially Julie.
"Thank you, everyone," Mike/Harry said. "It's an honor to do this. I hope I can serve you and the department well." It wasn't much, but there really wasn't much need.
"Who won the pot?" Grace asked with anticipation.
Betty pulled out a bag and emptied the Galleons on the table so there was a small pile. "Four of us couldn't vote, but of the rest of you…" Several leaned forward. "I'm sorry, Heather, your talent failed you." There were several laughs and Heather smiled and waved, not bothered by the teasing. "Grace and Kathleen."
The two women whooped and lunged for the pile of coins that Betty had created.
Freddie groaned. "All right, who are you?"
Mike smiled and reached up to his collar and pressed the control to turn it off for the first time since his first week in the office.
"Harry Bleedin' Potter?! We've been working with Potter all this time?!" Freddie shouted in amazement. Several others were amazed; Grace and Kathleen smugly put their winnings away.
Everyone congratulated him and they all talked for a bit. At the end when it was time to go home for the day, he looked at Julie who nodded before he Apparated away.
Tracey was at home to greet him and gave him a kiss. "It's official?"
"Yes, Betty's stepped down and I'm now the head." A bell chimed and Harry opened the Floo Network.
Julie came out before she touched her cloak and turned into Hermione, who hugged him again. "I can believe it and yet I can't," she told him before looking at Tracey. "Don't ask, I can't stay for dinner as much as I'd love to." She hugged the other woman who returned it warmly.
"Tomorrow is the day, right?" Hermione asked.
"Yes, I'll be introduced to the Wizengamot since the head Unspeakable is always known," he confirmed.
"Whose going to be your deputy?" she asked with a look of hope.
Harry chuckled and placed a hand on her shoulder. "You're on my short list, but it's not an automatic, sorry."
Hermione nodded. "That's fine, I'll make it a good race. Good luck tomorrow!" She hugged each of them again before leaving.
"Are the children all home?" he asked.
"Yes, I made sure so we could have a celebration," Tracey told him as she hooked his arm so he could lead her to the main part of their family house they both were so proud of.
Life was good, Harry thought, very good.
(A/N: A 23K-word epilogue? What was I thinking? :) Anyway, I hope you enjoyed both the story and the "extra story" that was the epilogue. An Omake epilogue with a more major character follows for those who want that. I'm not sure what's going to come next as I have several story ideas in various stages of progress. - Kevin)