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It took months for the ritual experts to fully assess the two rituals and be certain that they would do exactly what the literature Hermione had found claimed they would. With Hadrian's permission the researchers even tried it on a woman who had had her magic bound when her mental health started causing uncontrollable violent accidental magic but whose schizophrenia had now resolved itself with treatment.
They did warn the witch that they would require her to check in with her healer regularly and that if she ever went off her medication and relapsed they would rebind her magic with or without her consent. To that end, and with her agreement, they placed an unremovable tracking charmed necklace on her so that if she did become unwell again and started avoiding her healer she could be found and helped. The rituals worked, her magic was unblocked with minimal pain and the subject only took a month or two to regain control over her magic. She'd been a young adult when her magic had originally been bound four years earlier and testing showed that the rituals had returned her to a similar level of magic as her pre-existing tests at the end of her seventh year. They theorised that if her magic hadn't been bound it normally would have grown a little more than this, but the fact that it hadn't was actually a promising sign that perhaps the people who'd had their magic bound as children may not have as much difficulty learning to control it as they thought if their magic hadn't grown as much under the binding as it would otherwise have. It remained to be seen whether the witch tested would gain the magical increase she should have got over time or whether her magical potential was permanently weakened.
-o0o-
During that time Tim had been thinking long and hard, he'd asked Hadrian and his team mates to tell him stories of their accidental magic outbursts when they were children and asked them if they all had as much problems using computers and cell phones as Hadrian did.
Clancy laughed at him. "I've never met anybody who has as much trouble with computers as Agent Black, I think it's partly because he grew up in Britain and was taught to believe his magic would affect them so the magic does what he believes it will. Magic can be very unscientific, almost sentient, like that sometimes, and the stronger the wizard or the belief the more likely their magic is to follow the belief no matter if it isn't true for anyone else, but Black's also the most powerful wizard in my command so he releases more magical bleed off than most of us. My son has had some issues though and damaged his computer beyond repair when he lost his temper over a cyber bullying incident. You will notice that our Aurors are all wearing neoprene gloves while using the computers to protect them from transference through their hands and are encouraged to take regular breaks to go and fire some spells and bleed off any excess magic, and if they were working on a case that involves children or anything they're likely to react to emotionally they are also able to work in a more secure space where the entire computer other than the keyboard is behind magically toughened glass, that's enough to prevent the computer from being affected. We still have to replace the keyboards fairly regularly but the precautions do make a difference."
"I couldn't do any of those things while working for a non-magical agency," Tim said frowning.
"Tim, if you've made a decision and you're worried about Hadrian's reaction if you were to tell him you don't want to unbind your magic, or alternatively that you want to do it but are worried because you'd have to give up your job before you complete the ritual and couldn't continue to pay your share of the household expenses then don't be. I honestly don't think Hadrian would care either way so long as you were happy. Lord Potter-Black-yadayadayada-and-all-the-rest-of-it is an exceptionally wealthy man and I know several healers and officials who have been looking for a way to unbind a child's magic once they're old enough to decide for themselves. They've been quite vocal about looking for financial support to research a safe way to release magical bindings, and in spite of the fact that I know for certain Hadrian gives tens of thousands of Galleons to dozens of different pet charities, including supporting the group trying to change the legislation that would prevent a parent from being able to make this decision for their children without the child's consent, that research into reversing the blocks has never been among the things he supports. He didn't do this original research and I'm fairly sure he never asked his friend in Britain to do it either, and the only thing he insisted on as the experts researched it was that they not be allowed to try it until they could absolutely guarantee that the children would not be harmed by it."
"Maybe because he didn't think it would ever be successful and didn't want to risk torturing children by releasing their magic if they couldn't prevent it from burning out the atrophied channels. He's spent quite a lot of money to run electricity and mundane plumbing at his family home in Boston before he took me there so I had lights and things I can control and he's going to have to spend an absolute fortune to do the same in our beach house in Hawaii," Tim said.
"Like I said he has the money to do it, have you ever heard him grumble at all about the expense or the difficulty of having to organise that?" Clancy asked pointedly.
"No he was quite excited about building a theatre room and showing his British friends the magic of movies and television when they visit us in Hawaii next year," Tim said smiling in reminiscence.
"Then stop worrying and just tell him. That man loves you beyond rhyme and reason, he isn't going to be upset with you, whichever decision you make. In fact, he agonised about having told you of the option before they confirmed it was safe not wanting you to be disappointed if we couldn't replicate the results and he still worries that it won't work properly on someone who's had their magic bound since childhood," Clancy said gruffly.
-o0o-
"Hadrian, would you be terribly disappointed if I choose not to try to have my magic unbound?" Tim asked slightly anxiously.
"No not at all. I can understand you not wanting to change your life like that, especially if it meant giving up the work you do and using a computer," Hadrian replied smiling reassuringly. "I never wanted you to feel pressured to do this, or to feel like it matters to our relationship at all. The only thing that would upset me would be if you made the decision by choosing what you thought I wanted instead of in your own best interests, and then lost the ability to do things that were important to you because of me." Hadrian wondered if Tim had made the decision or was still thinking it over but didn't want to ask for fear that Tim would take it as Hadrian holding hope he would decide to go through the rituals after all.
"I'm not going to do it. I'm glad that the option will be there for kids finishing high school to have their magic unbound if they want and take a gap year to learn the basics before choosing whether to go on to college but it's too late for me. I like my life the way it is, and I don't want to risk not being able to do my job," Tim declared.
Hadrian smiled and hugged him. "Okay," he said.
"Are they going to start offering it to other people?" Tim asked.
"There is a bill up for discussion in their parliament to decide that. I don't know whether it will pass at the moment or not. There's some opposition, but I imagine it will be passed eventually, if only to protect those with their magic bound from unscrupulous groups who will make the offer in return for oaths of servitude or indenture," Hadrian replied.
"Is the resistance coming from purebloods who think muggleborns shouldn't have magic?" Tim asked, knowing that's the attitude Hadrian had been fighting against in Britain. He hoped it didn't occur here.
"Perhaps some of them might secretly have that agenda but they're not saying so publicly. The stated concern is that we could be tearing apart families to tell teenagers that they could have had these secret abilities and gone to a school of magic and their parents denied them the opportunity. The fear is that most of the kids who get their magic unbound under this act, if it passes, will spend the rest of their lives feeling like they can't catch up to all the knowledge and control of their magic that they would have learnt in a wizarding school. Some of them are going to resent their parents for doing this to them, particularly the ones who were bullied at their nonmagical high school. And then there's the argument about at what age should the child be told. They're far more likely to forgive their parents at twenty one or even twenty five than seventeen but unbound magic will probably be easier to adjust to and gain control of if it's unbound before their maturity at seventeen. But most kids aren't financially independent at that age. Not to mention that the unbinding requires several sex rituals and they aren't something they could do with their non-magical girlfriend or boyfriend, it has to be conducted by a witch or wizard experienced in the ritual. So we'd potentially be asking the ritual experts to have sex with barely of age teenagers, and not just once or twice either they think it will take between four and ten rituals to unbind someone's magic safely, and there are between three and six children who have their magic bound most years. And the age of consent in the nonmagical world is eighteen so they either need to wait until then or there will have to be an exception made in these cases so the ritual expert doesn't end up at risk of being arrested by an angry parent for statutory rape."
"On the other hand, there are a lot of people who've been campaigning a for abolishing the policy of allowing parents to have their children's magic bound that are arguing that we don't have the right to deny these young adults the chance to access their magic now we have a way to safely release it, and they are arguing for the bindings to be released as soon as possible. They are reminding the government that it's only in the past 60 years that the marriage age was raised from 14 for boys and six months after they start menstruating for girls so they want to use those ages which would then allow the students to attend magical school up to OWL level, reducing the amount of catching up they'd have to do on their own."
"Wow, it is far more complicated than I thought. But you also have to consider that those kids have grown up in the age of computers and gaming, they'd need to be told what they're giving up to have their magic unbound," Tim said, then groaned. "And social media, kids and teenagers these days are used to oversharing everything going on in their lives, asking them to keep a secret this big isn't going to sit well with them. That is if they're all even capable of keeping the secret. I don't know how you're going to manage to keep the wizarding world from becoming general knowledge."
"It's going to be impossible, not just most of them but every single one of them needs to keep this secret about magic and the rituals whether they choose to go through with the rituals or not, they'd have to be spelled to keep the secret and there's a lot of resistance to taking this risk and some to further interfering with these children, many who have already been obliviated about magic at least once," Harry said sighing. "But I would imagine there are already processes in place to watch social media posts for the mention of the magical world."
"But maybe this whole issue will make them think twice about casting the bindings on children in the first place," Tim said, knowing Hadrian had been campaigning hard for the practice to cease.
"I hope so," Hadrian agreed fervently. "It's a disgusting practice to take part of a person away from them." Hadrian equated the binding of a child's magic as similar to blinding or deafening a child. Not something any civilized person should ever consider deliberately doing.
-o0o-
"Are you sure you won't come to care that I'm not a wizard, sometime in the future?" Tim asked uncertainly as they lay in bed later that night. He wasn't worried that Hades would ever not love him for not using magic or want to leave him over the issue but he was afraid that Hadrian might resent that he hadn't had his magic unbound one day and those fears were preventing him from falling asleep.
"Tim, I fell in love with you when I thought you were completely nonmagical and the only mild regret I had back then is that we couldn't have children together. I hoped to talk to you about adopting at some stage in the future. When I found out that you were a wizard with their magic bound and could give us children of our own was a miracle I'd never dared hope for, though I admit the way we found out could have gone better at the time," Hadrian said earnestly. "Other than that, I don't care that you can't use magic. Is there anything around the house that you struggle with because it takes magic? I'm more than happy to alter it. Or is there anything I can do to make your life or this decision easier"
"Not here, the house has been entirely modernized for a non magic user. I sometimes kind of wish that I could operate the lights in Hawaii without having to call for one of the elves to turn it on for me but I'm so seldom up on my own at night there anyway, it isn't worth having the whole house wired just for that," Tim replied.
"But if we did have electricity, you could charge your devices," Hadrian said.
"I wouldn't get reception out there anyway, charge wouldn't make much difference," Tim said chuckling.
"We could get an internet connection if you wanted, I'm sure it would be available on the island," Hadrian offered.
"For what price? The magic of the wards would interfere with a satellite connection and they'd ruin the environment laying the cable and it would cost an arm and a leg. Don't fret about it Hades, part of the charm of going to Hawaii is being out of reach even if it in breach of Gibbs Rule 3. And the elves can always find us if it's an emergency," Tim replied hugging his husband. He chose not to mention the possibility of altering the wards to make satellite phone work in the house, unless he ever had reason to live there for more than a week or two or had to be there on his own, he didn't want one and the wards kept them all safe and protected the ancient house from the weather as well as potential intruders.
"Quincy is set to wire the house when he's finished his current project," Hadrian said. "I was serious about setting up a home theatre and introducing Neville and Hannah to movies."
Tim laughed and they settled in to sleep. He was almost drifting off when he heard Hadrian speak softly. "I think I'm glad you chose not to unbind your magic. I would hate to have put you through so much upheaval. Especially as I would never have really known if you were doing it for yourself or for me."
Tim wasn't sure he was meant to have heard that so he just feigned sleep and left things be. Inwardly he was incredibly relieved to have heard it though and not to have to worry that Hadrian was secretly disappointed.
-o0o-
Hadrian thrived through the second trimester and the start of the third but was beginning to tire towards the end. Healer Roberts was happy with his and the baby's health but Hadrian was relieved to give up work, his magic was becoming erratic as the baby siphoned so much of it and even the desk duties were exhausting him and sitting in a government chair all day was causing his back to ache no matter how many cushioning charms he cast on it. As his pregnancy progressed the assistance of Barbara and the elves with the children was becoming invaluable. Harry still spent as much time as he could with Teddy and Rosie, but he wasn't able to pick up either child now and getting up from the floor was becoming more and more difficult.
He was anxious for the birth of the baby, he was uncomfortable most of the time now and with his magic becoming erratic he couldn't rely on the glamour charms to hide his pregnancy so he was mostly housebound and cabin fever was beginning to set in.
Tim was happy to massage his back and feet each night if he got home early enough and knew Barbara would do it if he was working late and Hadrian asked. He was glad that the potion infused massage oil eased the aches so effectively. They were both eagerly awaiting the birth now but as Hadrian's due date came and went with no sign of labour he started to become impatient and short tempered. Tim was grateful that he could escape to work for the day though in the next moment he felt guilty for feeling that way, he was as eager for the baby to be safely born as Hadrian and he wasn't the one barely able to sleep with the discomfort.
Healer Roberts had penciled them into several vacancies he had for the delivery and as soon as Tim could get a couple of days off he would perform the caesarian whether Hadrian went into labour or not.
-o0o-
Tim could tell something was slightly off with his husband when he arrived home from work at 2300 one evening. He was hoping that Hadrian wasn't angry at him for working late but they'd picked up a multiple homicide and the only reason he'd been able to leave when he did was that they'd hit a dead end and were waiting on the computer searched Tim was running and the prints to finish running through AFIS to give them a new potential lead.
"I'm sorry I'm late," he said, breaching Gibbs Rule 6 with ease, he didn't think it should apply to family anyhow.
"Tough case?" Hadrian asked.
"Multiple homicide, 4 petty officers and 2 civilians, it looks like a drug deal gone wrong but we can't prove it yet," Tim said shrugging.
"So you haven't solved it. Gibbs is going to be pissed when you call in tomorrow," Hadrian said.
"Call in?" Tim asked confused before the only reason Hadrian would ask him to miss work in the middle of a case occurred to him. "You're in labour?" he began to worry.
"Yes but it's early yet and I'm ready to go. I've packed you a meal in case you haven't eaten," Hadrian said calmly, holding out the portkey.
"You should've called me when it started, there was no need for you to be home alone suffering like that," Tim scolded gently, placing his hand on it.
"It doesn't matter now," Hadrian said before saying the activation phrase.
Healer Roberts met them there and soon Hadrian was transported to the delivery suite where the caesarean was quickly completed while Tim paced up and down in the waiting room praying that everything went well, though he wasn't as terrified as he'd been last time. The neonate healer carefully checked over the baby and pronounced her healthy, then took her out and handed her to Tim while Healer Roberts performed the healing spells.
"You have a perfect baby girl," the healer told them smiling.
"Is Hadrian okay?" Tim asked frightened that she'd brought the baby out to him instead of taking him into see both of them.
"He's fine, Healer Roberts is nearly finished healing him, you'll be allowed in in a few minutes," the healer said smiling at the devoted husband. "In the meantime meet your daughter."
"Hello Daisy Maree! I'm your Daddy. You're Papa and I are very pleased to meet you! And your big brother and sister will be very excited too. They're going to love you so much, just like your Papa and I do," Tim said gazing adoringly at the baby before bringing her over to Hadrian as the healer finished healing the incision.
"Congratulations, she's a beautiful baby. I'll be back to check on you in the morning and hopefully release you the next day," Healer Roberts said smiling. "I want you to get a little more rest first seeing you have two children at home waiting for you and resting will be more difficult."
"Thank you," Hadrian said tiredly, though he was disappointed not to be allowed home sooner.
"Thank you," Tim echoed. He handed the baby to Hadrian helping him hold her for a moment then wrapping his arms around the two of them. "Thank you!" he whispered reverently.
Daisy began to fret and the nurse arrived with a bottle, "She's got a healthy set of lungs, she sounds hungry."
"Thanks" Hadrian said feeding and burping the baby. Tim took her and checked her diaper before swaddling her handing her back to Hadrian to cuddle to sleep.
"Get some sleep," Tim said kissed each of them on the forehead. "I'm going to call the house and let Barbara and Tollie know the news. I'll be back in a few minutes."
He got back to find them both sound asleep and carefully climbed back onto the bed pulling the cot side up behind him so he couldn't fall off to get a couple of hours sleep before Daisy woke up.
-o0o-
"Where's McTardy?" Tony said jovially as he arrived at work with only a minute or two before he would've been late and saw Tim's desk empty, his bag missing and his computer still turned off. He felt vaguely guilty getting the younger Agent into trouble for being late but rationalised that Gibbs would've noticed anyway.
"On leave," Gibbs said not sounding at all upset. "We will be getting a TAD this afternoon for the next two weeks."
"Again, how much more leave can McHoliday have left?" Tony said. "I didn't know he was planning a holiday, when did this come up?"
"Not on vacation DiNozzo, paternity leave," Gibbs replied. "Cold cases on your desk, get to work." Gibbs got up and walked out to get coffee.
"He can't just say that and leave!" Tony exclaimed. "Did he tell you anything about the baby, is it even born yet or are they still in the labour ward? Was it due already or was it a premie? Is it okay? There must be something wrong for Tim to take off in the middle of a homicide case. Did you know Tim was having another baby?"
"It was a baby girl. Tim said they're going to call her Daisy Maree," Ziva said. "It was due last week and she was born just after 0100. Everything is fine Tim sounded almost drunk with joy when he rang."
"Or actually drunk from wetting the baby's head," Tony said smirking. "Tim has balls if he wasn't drunk! I wouldn't like to have to call Gibbs in the middle of a case and tell him I was well enough to work but not coming in," Tony said admiringly.
"Wetting the baby? I do not understand how bathing a baby can cause drunkenness?"
"Not bathing the baby, it's an Irish tradition to buy a round of drinks to celebrate the birth of a child, it's called wetting the baby's head. But another girl, McDaddy must be disappointed," Tony said.
"Why would McGee be disappointed?" Ziva asked. "He certainly didn't sound disappointed."
"Not to have a son," Tony said as if it was obvious.
"That's stupid, why would he want a son instead of a daughter?" Ziva asked annoyed.
"Most men want a son, Ziva and he already has a daughter," Tony explained.
"Well he definitely didn't sound disappointed, he sounded like he had spooned the lottery," Ziva replied. "He already has a son and a daughter."
"Won the lottery," he said wondering how she'd come up with spooned. "But Teddy is not his son, he's his stepson. There is a difference, Ziva!" Tony stated.
"I wouldn't let Tim hear you say that. I'm sure he doesn't see it that way," Ziva replied. "And we do not know whether Tim or Hadrian actually fathered the new baby."
"It would have to be Tim, he's so excited about it," Tony dismissed.
"No it doesn't DiNozzo! All children are precious and his husband's child will mean as much to Tim as his own. Look how he is with Teddy! Now get to work!" Gibbs said, head slapping the younger man.
A/N: Thank you to Kourtney Uzu Yato, luramos, sandipi, Gime'SS, lia (Guest), Guest, Fallow54 (Guest), Vladimir Mithrander, Rori Potter, delia cerrano, awkwardtaxi, serenityselena, Guest, kirsty21, DarkRavie, aisa.32, StephJ, Merlenyn, AerynS, Serpent91, Village-Mystic, Erielaw, daithi4377, Silvermane1, Sakihinata, madnessdownunder2, kimbarn30, Flying Chrissy, EnigmaEric, Harriverse, mayawene, Love life and Have fun, Beth9891, farawisa, Criminal Minds Queen, Guest, Rebecca (Guest), Neale, ShadowLady89 and all those who followed and favourited for your support.
