As life moved forward, Grey household settled in somewhat normalcy, Harry now Henry had to adjust his children's memories due to that bloody chicken Fawkes, whom he cursed atleast 10 times in a day. Children couldn't be trusted with truth, even mature seeming children like Theodore and Dorea. He had every intention of telling his children truth when they were of age where they could accept it rationally. For now fabled elder wand got workout.
His family was settling in well and his children was settling in with the name changes he had to do to fit in this timeline. He only changed Theodore and Jameson's middle names Remus and sirius as they were too recognisable. Theodore Remus was now Theodore Henry Grey, nicknamed Teddy and Jameson Sirius was now Jameson Charlus nicknamed Jamie.
He bought and bonded with an elf family to manage his household. Couple Melon and Honey and their young adult children Cookie and Cupcake. They came with their names and children found their names adorable and they found children adorable. They all settled well in the attic which was now converted into a 4 bedrooms apartment for them by yours truly and decorated with help of the young ones. Human young ones.
Christmas and New year went well and 1981 arrived with a Big Bang in form of an Owl at breakfast.
Daily prophet reported another attack every other day and Henry Grey started looking for tutors for his children. He needed his children busy, when a complicated situation arose and a very sweet person entered his life.
She was new for Harry but Apparently Henry knew her for few years and was having affair with her for last few months. Elena Prince, Very young Heiress of House of Prince was pregnant by recently widowed Henry Grey. She was 2 months in and had already noticed her new situation.
Henry Grey was biologically 35 years old and Elena Prince was 22 years old. It wasn't as big of the difference in wizarding world as it was in muggle world but still Harry was very irritated at his Henry identity for this Adultery.
More problem was that Elena was a good natured girl with a rather large estate which Henry wanted nothing to do with. He was already handling his own for now and was very busy and that was without sorting what he had bought back from other timeline and going into handling his half brother's and parents affairs . Elena had lost her parents 2 years prior and was yet to take on her lady-ship as she needed to be married to take it on and had a broken contract her name. Her fiance had died some months ago before the affair.
Henry was yet to file papers of his previous Wife's death as it had happened only a few weeks ago, not that anyone knew about it with amount of attacks happening every other day. Virginia Prewett was 1st cousin of Molly Weasley neé Prewett in this world. There were a few minor differences here and there but this world was rather similar to his old one. A few people survived here, a few died there and a whole new world. He wanted to laugh like madman but he won't loose that edge of his sanity.
As he delved deeper into memories of his interaction with Elena he found out that he was having affair with her only for last 4 months and they had been intimate on a potent Full moon. Many potions and Charms malfunctioned during full moon as it had happened with them.
He had raked his mind for the mention of Elena Prince in his old world and found nothing in Britain. Prince seat in Wizengmort was held inactive but alive and family was said to be handling estate from Germany as he had heard in gossip circles Molly and fleur frequented. He knew his Previous professor Severus Snape had a Prince born Disowned mother, But that line had died with Severus.
This Elena Prince knew German and many other languages well enough so his mind presented him with links and connections. She held a job in international communication department at ministry and was likely connected enough to escape when needed.
Well that happened when Henry Grey had died but now he was alive, in Flesh, albeit a bit older, more regal in apperance than his previous life, his body had changed slowly in few days and he had only noticed when teddy copied his now Light Green eyes instead of the normal emerald Green. His hair were still Black but now less messy, more wavy, courtesy of genetics from the Grey family.
He had found his jeans small in length by several inches and t-shirts tight after Christmas and had to Scramble in Wildflower Manor where his previous counterpart lived with his family for some fitted clothes as holiday season wasn't appropriate for shopping. He had found enough to adjust for few weeks till he could update this Pure-blood wardrobe with something more comfortable. He now stood at 6 feet 2 inches with broad shoulders and well defined muscles whereas previously he was average 5'7" with scrawny built. He never outgrew the malnutrition he was forced into by his dear family. Henry Grey was better cared for it seemed.
He Owled Elena Prince for a formal meeting between destined head of houses in 2 days from now currently 4th January 1981. He needed this matter settled fast as war was in now very bloody stage. A young unattached pregnant women with an estate was prime target for the vultures.
He went to ministry and booked a formal court marriage slot which were going out like fresh bread during this time for a maybe situation as well as death certificate for his late wife. He had to muddle it somewhat to date it back a few months rather then weeks because he didn't want to explain Henry's affair to the rest of the world. He also felt pity for a dead Virginia of this world. Atleast Elena and her child were alive and needed security now more than ever.
Elena Prince was a very modern girl in her thoughts by British Wizarding world standard. Her intended had died in a death Eater raid an year ago a few months before her wedding. She had received a lot of condolences letters from the family but their arrangement was now null and contract fulfilled. She had known that her late fiance was a death Eater but was helpless. He was a 3rd son of Selwyn family who was going to be lord Prince after their very big and public wedding.
Her fiance was a brute of man and they had relations before marriage as he had wanted to sample the dessert. Her parents had died some time ago and she had suspicion that Selwyn family had some hand in that but she couldn't act on it because of the iron clad contract her father had signed prior to his death but the recent Death of Damien Selwyn was a relief with hours of happy tears which people had mistaken for grief.
She had lost herself in arms of handsome and regal men later on and was now pregnant by her affair which they had mutually ended more than a month ago. She didn't know his reasons but she was happy to move on from that brute's touch who called himself her fiance.
She had enjoyed her time with Henry Grey. He was a gentlemen even if he had been having an affair. Now she stood at his doorstep, 2 and half months pregnant and she knew that he wasn't responsible for her fate. He was a respected Lord now, even if she was an heiress, he could ignore her and she even had an inklings of the plan in her mind if needed, but a formal meeting he had requested and she was honour bound as mother of his child to grant it.
She was welcomed by a house elf who introduced himself as Melon, he was wearing a muggle mini suit with fitted shoes on his large feet. As she went further in the house she heard unmistakable laughter of children and two little girls went past behind her running. Melon led her into a formal Drawing room and the room was perfect for the Regal lord that She had came to know Henry Grey, if not for a toddler learning to walk with help of said Lord.
She watched as Henry sat on floor like a commoner and encouraged the toddler named Jaques to walk towards him.
As melon introduced her after a attention grabbing cough, Henry stood entirely unashamed of his previous position and welcomed her in the room with a kiss on back of her hand and offer of tea.
He Introduced her to the members of his household which were not limited to running girls and crawling toddler.
There were 6 children and 4 elves under his care. She felt her heart breaking, she knew that a man this busy won't have time for her and her unborn child even if he wanted to do something.
Soon they all moved to the Dining room as dinner bell rang and he offered her his arm. During dinner when elder children tried to get younger children to behave and Henry looked amused at their jokes and delighted with their innocence. He was a perfect family man.
He tried to involve her with his children and she saw the eldest girl taking on her apperance and she was left gobsmacked. He told her that she was a Metamorph which was rare in itself across British Isles. Then he said 3 of his children had that ability and she knew that this wasn't a regular household. Metamorph's parents were powerful in general. That meant everyone held above average power in this household and as pureblood raised she knew that she didn't have any chance with this man.
After dinner they moved to the study after all the children were sent to the Playroom which was previously Ballroom of the house. It looked well loved and had everything a child desired. Elves took care of children while the adults talked.
"So Miss Prince, How are you doing? Is your Healer Appointment came Positive?" Henry asked after settling down behind the desk.
"I'm doing good Lord Grey and yes my Healer declared both me and my Child healthy. Thankyou for asking." Elena replied politely and with the respect a lord deserved.
"Now we both know the current situation in our country. What have you thought of doing further?" Henry was equally polite as if they hadn't had any intimacy between them. For him they were just memories he had watched as if in pensive, for her though. They were all too real.
"I'm thinking of moving out of country soon as in later stages travelling is inadvisable. I asked my Healer and they said I have 2 more months if I want to take Portkey, after that Travel by Portkey and Apparation is not advisable. Floo travel is also to be used only in Emergency." Elena explained her situation and Henry, father of his 5 biological children and expert In pregnancy nodded at appropriate times.
"I thought about our situation and I hadn't told you something prior to our previous meetings about my wife. " Henry said leaving an opening for her to open up a bit more.
"I noticed a lack of female figure in the household my lord. Is Your wife alright?" Elena was not a fool, she was an heiress of a noble house. She noticed lack of mother as soon as she entered the home and lack of a women's touch in household. No women lived with Henry Grey and his children.
"Yes, my wife of 11 years Virginia Grey neé Prewett passed away a few months prior in an death Eater attack. Similar fates fell on my father, Step mother and half brother and his family. My sister and her husband passed away a few years ago as well so I am very much Responsible for my household on my own." Henry replied somberly.
"I understand My Lord, you're not able to care for another dependent on such trying times. I won't bother you in future about my situation." Elena said shakily nodding and holding back a dam of tears.
"You're very much mistaken my lady. I want us to enter matrimony before the arrival of my latest child and you to become mother of my late wife's children if you wish to. I would like to think that I can give them everything they desire but I know that my wife held a dear and significant position in their lives, which I can't fulfill. Love and care of a mother could never be given by a single father even if he move mountains and give them moon." Henry was now waxing poetry as he felt a seed of care for this defeated little lady holding weight of cruel world alone.
"Matrimony my lord?" Elena repeated blinking with surprise. She hadn't expected this, at most she had expected a helping hand here and there in child's life but not this.
"Yes my lady, Be my wife, mother of my children and Matriarch of my household." Henry said bringing out a ring from his pocket. He hadn't expected such surprised reaction from her but then he was her acquaintance for years not a close friend. Knowing each other would come later.
Elena was crying now, she couldn't control her tears, a man she had slept to forget that brute who had forced himself on her was proposing even if it was without courtship. But there wasn't time for a formal courtship, she was already with a child, she couldn't wait longer or else the child would always hold tainted suspicions.
She said yes and gave him her still shaking hand which he took tenderly. He slipped a beautiful pink diamond ring in her finger and then kissed it lightly.
She swooned inside and cried outside.
"Where are you staying my lady? We can't leave you alone, now can we?" Henry asked flashing a charming smile at her. He was very worried inside though, why was she crying, what have he done wrong. He had only ever had one proper girlfriend and then wife. He wasn't experienced in women even if Henry had a wife and mistress.
Mistress which was now going to be his wife because he unlike Henry was an honorable man. He won't turn his back from fatherly duty, he had 6 children of his own and he knew how hard raising a child right could be.
"I'm staying in my family's townhouse in Newcastle. If you wish my elf could fetch things my Lord. I wouldn't want to impose though." Elena said drying her tears and now a bit more confident regarding her current situation.
"Nonsense My lovely lady, you'd stay with me from now on. We are to wed a week from now at ministry if you won't mind. I don't have much family to attend a full wedding." Henry proposed, his maybe plan falling into place.
"Of course as you wish my lord. I have lost my parents and sibling as well, I haven't have foggiest idea whom I would invite to a full wedding." Elena said now beaming at Henry. She would be married women only in an week. Her child won't be a bastard and even if she had to leave her family name behind to die, he was far better man than Damien Selwyn. He was already a wonderful father to his children and the laughter she could still hear from playroom was sign of a happy home.
"We would discuss details later my lady. Now i have to tuck the children in or else they won't sleep till late hours. I'd show you to your room." Henry stood , offering his arm with every intention of showing her the guest room he had purposed on 1st floor near library.
"Of course my lord. My elf's name is Dotty and I'd call her with your permission." Elena said , her mind now racing in different directions. She needed to close down her townhouse like she had closed of her family manor 2 years prior. She had to settle the paperwork for merging of her family into the Grey family one. No lord of a noble house would allow his children to take another's name of course. Her house would die with her but it was alright. She was going to be atleast content even if she never had any more children. This household was already full of children and she was already thinking about how to engage with her step children and show them that she could atleast be their friend if they don't accept her as mother.
"Yes of course" he replied and Then led a quite but deeply thinking Elena to the first floor. He had decorated the guest room with the help of Honey, she was a lady's elf before her family died and expert in all things women. Even if Elena had her own elf, he had 3 daughters who would need a lady elf of their own in future. Wizarding world was so backwards still and he felt like he was in Victorian era. 30 years in future couldn't come soon enough.
Elena was very happy with her new accomodations. She had every intention of sharing her soon to be husband's bed after Ministry parchment wedding but for now she was content. She wasn't going to be a single mother, and now she had 6 other children to care for as well. Even if eldest was already Hogwarts age, they still needed a women's care.
She knew that she would have to leave her job now that she was going to be lady of a household. She didn't know that Henry's wife had passed away. Maybe that was the reason he sought comfort in another women's arms to move on from the grief he was feeling. Whatever his reasons she wouldn't interfere.
She was going to be better wife than her mother atleast. She who had disowned her child for marrying beneath her. Her children would be free to love anyone they wish or whatever their father so desired. She didn't know Henry's political views, so she needed instructions and directions regarding that. She slept with a smile on her face that night after a long time.