H P Boy who Lives 7th year
Chapter 22
Millennium Ball
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New Years Eve the night of the ball many things happen but then what's new that's Harry's life...
--
Nearly a week later Dec 29th
Harry sat in the Common Room of the flat that he and Hermione shared with Thea and Logan. He was devising a strategy for facing off with Morgana, but Hermione wasn't fancying his brilliant plan.
"It's the only way, Hermione." He growled in frustration.
"Then devise another plan that doesn't involve you getting hit with the Avada Kedavra curse more than once." Hermione growled.
"That's only a possibility, honey; it's not a definite fact. I'm gonna lure her outside by acting as if I'll do what she says, if she'll cure Mum and our Aunts. We know that only the family knows of the cure. So, she'll think that she has the advantage. She's too weak to use wandless magic and she won't be able to Disapparate out of Hogwarts. My diversion is gonna give you time to set things up outside. That's when you hit me with AK. The effect of the curse will make me go lifeless and fall to the ground. This is gonna give you a clear shot at her. Cho will be focused on taking out Kate, so Morgana won't have her watching her back. I know that Rory and Dromi can more than handle Cho. So there you have it. That's the plan." Harry ignored Hermione's glare and focused on the others around them.
Logan saw a flaw in his plan and called him on it. "Hermione should be the one to use AK on you. It'll go over better with Morgana, than if one of us were to do it."
"He's right. Hermione needs to play the part of a hysterical and furious wife, who won't tolerate him leaving her." Thea agreed with Logan.
"No way! Absolutely not! It takes more than one AK curse for Harry to go down and I won't do it!" Hermione got up from the couch and raced up the stairs to their floor in tears.
Lady chased after her.
"That's right girl, go side with her on this."
Ferria vanished in a flash of fire from her perch.
"I know that it's asking a lot considering, but it's the only way that I can think of, so she's out of our lives for good." Harry paced in front of the fireplace.
"She doesn't wish to hurt you, big brother." Luna frowned. "Me and Ginny couldn't use that on Draco or Ron. It would hurt us too much inside."
"I hate this too, but it's the only way." Ron growled.
"It's a sound plan, since Harry can't be killed by the AK curse." Draco frowned. "I don't wish to see Hermione put through this either, but it really does seem like the only way."
"What it does is put me into a deep lifeless sleep for a few minutes or days to a month if you add Imperio and Crucio a dozen or so times. Voldemort hit me with AK four times. The effects of that eventually caused me to collapse. That and believing that Hermione was dead..." Harry sat down to cuddle Rad in his lap.
"So, it really will look like you've bought it after they hit you with AK." Wills was not so sure about the plan. "No wonder she's wigged out about this."
"She doesn't need the stress of seeing you go down again, especially in her condition." Henry agreed.
"That settles that. Now I have to come up with another plan." Harry got up when he saw Hermione sitting on the stairs. "I'm not gonna put you through that." He went over to sit beside her.
"I guess I'm on a hormonal rollercoaster right now. I'm all over the place emotionally because of the girls." She laid her head against his shoulder and Ferria went to sit on Thea's head. "Thea, you two did think of well you know, because, um, our baby bird doesn't lie. She only does that when one is expecting that is until you get the point."
Logan thought for a second. "Nope we're married. We like kids. Ces't la vie. If we are we are."
"The family curse strikes again." Thea frowned. "I swore that I was gonna be the one to break it, but no guess not."
"Yes! I'm not alone in this. You and Charlie are gonna suffer with..." Hermione punched him in the gut. "Me..." He groaned.
"Let's focus on the plan and less on the baby boom as of late." Hermione glared at him. "Your plan is brilliant. I know that you can't die from getting hit by AK, only evil wizards or witches can. I just keep seeing that vision in my head…" She curled against him. "Holding you in my arms and you aren't moving."
"Ok then, we need to put your mind at ease about this." Harry stood up and walked over to the center of room. "So, Draco, let's put her mind to rest."
"No way in hell! Forget that! You're mental! If you think that I'm gonna AK my own brother!"
"I won't be harmed, just temporarily knocked out." Harry conjured huge pillows to fall onto. "This way she'll see that I'll be fine."
"Draco is right. You've completely cracked!" Ron wasn't about to play Russian roulette with his life.
Logan stood up wand in hand. "I'm game. You see I know that he can survive it. I've seen him do it twice. He's my cousin, besides I know how to use it. Auror-in-training Draco doesn't have a clue on how to use it. I'll do it that's if it's okay with the princess."
"Logan, he can use wandless magic just like you can. So cool it." Harry rolled his eyes at Logan.
"I'm okay with it, besides this will help me settle things in my mind." Hermione nodded.
"Sir C is away from his portrait doing...you know I don't even wish to fathom what he's up to...So Dad, Gramps, Mum, Uncle Remus, Uncle Sirius, and Uncle Max won't run up here and interrupt our experiment." Harry steeled himself for the impact of the AK spell. "I'm ready when you are Logan."
Draco had his wand out determined to prove that he was just as good as Logan. "I can so perform the curse of all curses! Watch!" He hit Harry square in the chest with AK.
Harry was down on his knees gritting his teeth in pain, but was still able to stand up again." See nothing to it." He panted ignoring the stinging pain shooting through his entire body. It had been three weeks since he had been hit by it again.
"Harry James Merlin! You so deserve this for lying through your teeth!" Hermione got to her feet, pulled out her wand, and snarled, "Avada Kedavra!"
Harry went down for the count.
"Oh gods, what have I done!! Harry, speak to me!" Hermione rushed to his side pulling him onto her lap. :Please speak to me. I am soooo sorry.: She felt him in her mind, but to anyone else he looked dead.
"Oh shit! I've never seen him go down that fast, this is so not good." Logan knelt beside Harry.
"He's not moving!" Ron panicked.
"Hermione, what have you done?!" Ginny was frantic.
"It puts him in a semi-stasis for a few minutes. That's all it can do. First-Gramps and Grams tweaked it that way." Rory was kneeling on the other side of him. :Easy, baby brother, you asked for it. Just focus on your breathing and the pain will pass.:
:Son of a bitch, this hurts! Just give me a few minutes, angel. I'll be right with you and our girls. Yeah, I did ask for it didn't I... Focus on breathing right...Focus on that and no pain...Got it.: Harry groaned, as he slowly tried to wake up.
:Twitch or something please.: Hermione kissed him and he squeezed her hand.
"He's coming round." Wills breathed a sigh of relief.
James, Sirius, Remus, and Max came running into the Common Room.
"WHAT THE BLOODY HELL IS GOING ON HERE?!" James saw that Harry was lying unconscious on the floor. "START TALKING NOW OR THE ONES THAT I CAN STILL PUNISH IN FULL WILL BE LUCKY TO SEE DAYLIGHT BY SPRING!" He roared at the top of his lungs, as he went to see to his son.
"It was a demonstration for Hermione!" Ron was the first to crack under the pressure.
"DRACO WHY WAS THAT NECESSARY!?" Sirius roared at him
"To show that the plan would work, he asked us to do it to him. I swear..." Draco had never seen Sirius in a temper and he never wished to again.
"Do what for the vanquish Morgana plan?" Remus was calmer, but then that was when he was really scary to be around.
"Look, it's like this. The Princess went buggy over Prince wishing to endure the AK curse, to make it look like he was dead, so I can take her out." Logan locked gazes with his father. "So, he decided to show her that he wouldn't get dead, by getting hit with the AK curse by some of us twice."
"Is that so?" Max eyed everyone in the room.
They all nodded.
"Which of you did it?" He was not pleased, not pleased at all. "Did you AK your cousin?"
"No sir. That was the original plan, but Auror-in-training Draco wanted to prove himself." Logan answered half truthfully to his father.
Max narrowed his eyes at his son. "Why did he do that son?"
"All right! I egged him into doing it! Are you happy now?" Logan grumbled. He could never lie to his dad. "Oh and... Nope not gonna say it that's my secret for now."
"Draco, just because your smart ass cousin likes to yank your chain, does not mean that you need to rise to the occasion. That is not the makings of a good Auror. You need to work on that. Logan is still working on that to this day." Max ignored his son's flashing him the usual sign.
"Um...Harry asked Draco to use it on him, so Logan isn't entirely at fault." Ginny and Luna chimed in.
"That's true Uncle Max. He did say that." Thea nodded.
Max ignored them and focused on Draco. "Draco, did you cast it both times on him? You see, I know the second casting was four times more powerful and done by someone else." Max had the uncanny knack of knowing what occurred during situations involving Dark curses or jinxes.
"After getting hit the first time he was being nonchalant about it. I suppose it struck a nerve in me. I was the one that cast the second AK on him. I guess mine had more bite than Draco's." Hermione confessed, before bursting into tears, burying her face against Harry's neck.
"How long has he been out like this?" James checked his pulse it was strong a little fast, but strong.
"Only a few minutes, Daddy. He's already squeezed Hermione's hand." Rory eyed her father warily.
"Yeah, well then bully for him." James pulled up his sweater revealing two nasty looking bruises blossoming on his rib cage. "I need to make sure that you didn't break or crack anything." He pressed along his rib cage and grazed the bruises on his chest.
Harry's eyes shot open. "FUCKING HELL!! DAD! THAT REALLY SMARTS!" He yelped in pain when James pressed on the other bruise. "DAMN IT ALL DAD! CUT IT OUT!"
"SO THIS IS YOU BRILLIANT PLAN?! GET ONE OF THEM CURSE TO YOU TWICE, SO YOU CAN PLAY POSSUM, WHILE ANOTHER FINISHES HER OFF?! WHO'S THE LUCKY CANDIDATE?! HERMIONE!? SHE GETS TO MAKE YOU LOOK DEAD!? I SAY VANQUISH HER ASS SOON AS SHE SHOWS HER FACE AND BE DONE WITH IT!" James was downright livid with fury caused by the panic of seeing him lying lifeless on the floor.
"Harry really is like you, James. You always liked to be the target on missions, though that was mainly during your darker years." Max remembered the time after the girls had died. James and Lily had separated for nearly three years. He had been hell on wheels. Not caring about risks. He'd done anything to keep his mind off everything that he had lost.
"I do not like being a target, Uncle Max! I was born one!" Harry snarled in protest wincing when Hermione placed her hands on his bruised chest to heal it. "Thanks, angel, that feels better." The bruises healed and vanished in less than a minute. "I was born to vanquish Voldemort making me a target. I vanquished him, only to cheese off Morgana La Fey, again target. I'm also a natural Dark Wizard Hunter. I can mark them with my blood, which eventually kills them like Muggle cancer, or can turn the nasty ones into dust then nothing. It is who I am. What I was born to do. Not by choice, but by destiny." Hermione was holding Harry as he countered Max's statement.
"You left out being the Next Merlin, Half-Blood Prince, wielding Excalibur, and the sword of Gryffindor. Oh and pulling the sword from the stone, that's an important event as well. Oh, how could I forget, risking everything using the Time Turner twice. Saving Sirius third year and then when we saved my parents...oops sorry." Hermione, her nerves shot from seeing him lying lifeless like in her dream, chattered away.
"I have to read those books." Logan frowned. "You caused that rift in time? I mean not that it wasn't all good, but it was the two of you? They reported that a strange bird streaked across his windshield..." Harry smirked and Logan swore under his breath. "That was you on a Firebolt!? Are you fucking out of your mind!? Now as for that bit about Excalibur… You can pull it from the stone? Doesn't that make you king and he's out of work?" He looked from Harry to Wills then back to Harry.
"Six of us did, of the younger generation anyways. Rory, Dromi, Hermione, Wills, Henry, and I. So, it's not a big deal. Besides, Mab and Merlin were Arthur's parents, because they took over Uther and the princess making the Pendragon bloodline extremely powerful in magic." Harry calmly explained in a drained voice. "Now as for the other…Uncle Sirius was innocent, as was Buckbeak. We had permission from Uncle Albus. Uncle Remus almost had us for dinner...Hermione, as usual, almost got us killed by howling at him. Granted that he was about to kill my other self...Then he chased us down and Buckbeak saved us...Oh the hell with it read the book. Uh, now as for the other, since Uncle Max looks ready to kill me. Hermione was gonna do that by herself. Now I couldn't have her getting killed, it's just not a husbandly thing to do. If you wish to see the home movie on it there's a media file downstairs on the computer. It's titled what the hell where you thinking. The plus side is that it righted the balance between the living and the dead. So what we did was meant."
"So anyone can wield the sword? Somehow that doesn't seem likely." Logan frowned.
"Honestly! Have you never read a book on the sword?" Hermione rolled her eyes at Logan. "You must be pure of heart, pure of soul, or something like that. Wills was carrying it around with him during the first night of the celebration last August."
"She said the magic phrase! Welcome to the family, mate." Ron, Draco, and Harry grinned.
"Phrase?" Logan frowned.
"Don't you ever read is a term of endearment with her." Harry grinned. "That or when it comes to me, which you will read in the books, it's ...Ignore him."
"Oh ok. I see. She sure is a chatterbox when she's all flustered isn't she." Logan smirked.
"Excuse me?! Chatterbox?! Be a Flobberworm with itchy pox and a rash for awhile! You tactless git!" Hermione glared up at Logan and instantly he transfigured into a Flobberworm.
"Logan tends to be a tactless moron, when it comes to his mouth, or dealing with women." Max rolled his eyes in exasperation at his son, before focusing on Harry. "I will let the Time Turner incident slide, as it did right many wrongs. Now as for Morgana, she is a class five, Dark Witch, and any plans to vanquish her go through me first. Is that understood, Harry James Merlin?"
Harry flashed him the usual sign that had James grinning at Max. "Morgana is after my ass, Uncle Max, class five or not. My plan is the one we go with, unless she's sloppy and tries something against Hermione. In that case all gloves are off." Harry was nearly fully recovered now and deadly serious. "Excuse us will you. My angel craves a snack from the kitchens." The two of them vanished.
"Told ya that he was a smart ass, cheeky little piss ant didn't I." James grinned.
"He isn't on an assignment or under your thumb, Max. This is personal for him. It's got nothing to do with Auror business at all. The Hag tried to kill Hermione's parents, turned him and Draco into six-year-olds, and then tried to kill Hermione. Hence, the third strike rule was broken." Sirius was deadly serious.
"If you push this with him, he'll resign his post and go freelance or into Hermione's choice of career that being a Healer." Remus warned.
"I'm going to have Aurors posted all over the castle and the castle grounds. We are not risking Harry's life, because he has personal issues with the hag. Now what the bloody hell did he mean by Hermione having a snack craving?" Max grumbled.
"That's my cue to leave. Let's go, babe. We are after all still on our honeymoon." He vanished with Thea in his arms.
"Yeah, uh, we'll be going as well." Rory, Dromi, Wills, Henry, Draco, Ginny, Luna, and Ron all ran for cover.
"Ok what the hell is going on? Why did they all run for cover?" Max frowned.
"Well you were there at Sanctuary. You saw how Junior was acting. What do you think is the reason they would run for the hills? Hermione is expecting. Ferria all but told us that this morning. She has this thing about pregnant females. She sits on their heads; until they finally realize that they're carrying a little one. The thing is that Harry is the moody one and the one with the nausea. Hermione is just moody as all get out in spurts. The kids are scared to death of the thought of being in the same room, when both of them have a mood attack. That's why they ran. Now as for Logan, that's obvious. Ferria was sitting on Thea's head when we walked in and that my friend is a given." James explained.
"It may actually be good for, Logan. It seems to be working miracles for you and Sirius." Max took what he was saying in. "Did Harry get to see it? Is that why you're so sure? They've been together what two weeks?"
"Oh yeah, he's seen it, down to when the big event happens. September ninetieth, 2005 between 12:30 and 1am is the day the girls arrive into this world. You do the math, besides Ferria is never wrong." James loved flooring Max with unexpected news.
"Twins?" Max was still trying to take this all in.
"Off by one baby, mate. Try three little girls. The boy is doomed." James was looking forward to seeing Harry endure Hermione's first pregnancy.
"Tonks, Thea, Logan, and Harry all have to be sidelined? My four best are...Well thank the gods for peaceful times." Max conjured himself a bottle of fire whiskey and took a swig of it. "Drink anyone?"
--
New Years Eve
When the night of the Ball finally arrived Harry was on edge. So, when Hermione donned her Red Riding Hood gown, he wasn't at all pleased with its design.
"Where's the rest of the thing!?" He circled her like a wolf circling his prey. "That can't be all there is too the top of it!"
"I know the front of it is a bit daring and so is the back, but I look really smashing in it." Hermione defended her gown to him.
The crimson red creation had a plunging formfitting strapless neckline, with glittering jeweled accents showing off her ripening bosom, and her gowns back, well, there was nothing to speak of almost to her waist. The gown hugged her body like a second skin and the skirt of the gown was full and fitting for a Ball.
"It has a cloak with it, in case Ferria appears on my shoulder during the Ball. Our costumes are out of the book Tenth kingdom. I'm Virginia and you are Wolfe her prince."
"He went all-out with this costume from the molded wolf bejeweled mask to the realistic tail. Even the tux has fur on it and my King Arthur crown is hidden behind the mask." Harry draped the cloak over her shoulders. His was attached to his tuxedo jacket.
"We can't be late for this one." She pulled on red satin opera length gloves, before adding her crown jewels. The locket that she never took off remained around her throat and she wore the protection medallion from Merlin and Mab as well.
"Keep that on, no need for you to catch a chill." Harry fitted his mask to his face.
"Will you relax? The gown isn't going to move and there's even a place for my wand, with which I'm going to AK you with. Are you sure about this plan?" Hermione fitted her own mask to her face.
"I'll be fine, angel. Just remember our link, as you're holding my supposed dead body in your arms." Harry slid his own wand into its special pocket on his right pant leg. "Just think after tonight we'll be able to relax for awhile and enjoy being a family." He placed a protective hand on her middle.
"Yes, well, that will be a nice change won't it. Not having some mad hag, your non ex, or her minions stalking us. I'm not naive Harry, neither are you. It's just something that we have to live with. Although, Morgana is the last of the truly evil of the lot, others remain like Karkaroff." Hermione placed her hands over his own.
--
Lily frowned at James. "I look like a parade balloon in this ridiculous gown." She was dressed as the Queen of Hearts and he as the King. "A few hours in this and I will shout off with their heads."
"We're like the deck of playing cards love, not as in Alice through the looking glass. Sirius is King of Spades and Jen's his queen. Remus is King of Diamonds and Gene is his queen. Max is the ace and Harley is the joker." James loved fancy dress Balls.
"So you do think I look fat in this!" Lily glared at him. "Otherwise, you wouldn't have changed the subject around like you did!"
James stared at her in alarm. "You, my flame, are radiantly beautiful and full of our twins growing inside you. No. I don't think that you look fat."
"I'm huge, James! I look like I swallowed two large bludgers, but that makes me feel a little better." Lily fitted her mask to her face. "I've been meaning to ask, are you and Harry in a row with each other? It's been two days, since either of you have really spoken a word to each other."
James mask in place turned to answer his wife. "It's this whole Morgana nonsense that we don't agree on. His plan is a bit rash, even for me and that's saying something."
"His plan is that over the top? What does he wish to do? Have someone use the AK curse on him to trick Morgana into thinking that he's dead?" Lily paled under her mask when James simply said nothing.
"James that's crazy! Is that why you rushed up to their flat?! Did they practice it on him?!"
Again no answer.
"Did it work?! What was the damage to him?! How long was he out of it!?" Lily grabbed him by his jacket and shook him. "Why in Mab's name didn't you tell me?!"
"This is why I didn't tell you." James set her down on a love seat in their bedroom. "Now calm down before you make yourself sick."
"Calm down!? Our son is suicidal!"
"Yes, it worked. He only had two black and blue bruises on him from the hits. I would say about five minutes, no longer than that. He only looks dead, but he's very much alive." James explained in a calm soothing tone, as he concentrated on quieting the babes inside her. "Draco doesn't understand how to use it as well as Hermione can during a mood swing."
"So, they finally know the girls are a reality and she's casting AK on Harry like a woman not wishing to share what's hers. I can see how his plan makes sense, but James he'll be in so much pain. No matter what he says immune or not he is in mind numbing pain. That's the reason he blacks out." Lily hated seeing any of her kids in pain. "What about Cho? Won't she be after Katarina and Cedric?"
"Rory and Dromi have that covered; besides Angelina is her shadow during functions like these. Need I add the castle is guarded by The Order and Aurors, who are here to take out Morgana as well?" James was listening to the babies moving inside her as he spoke.
"Max wasn't keen on Harry's plan, so much was he?" Lily ran her fingers along James cheek.
"Harry flashed him the usual sign and told him to kiss off. Morgana was his to Vanquish; Max didn't take kindly to that." James grinned up at her. "He knows all about Hermione's delicate condition, so we shall see how this endgame plays out. Oh and add Thea to the list of baby boomers."
--
"Kat, what's the hold up?" Wills paced her sitting room floor, as he waited for her to emerge from her bedroom.
"In a minute, I'm just putting on my mask." Rory frowned at her appearance in the full-length mirror. The emerald green gown was daring to say the least. It had no back to the waist and the front hugged her figure to perfection. The neckline was mermaid in theme, intricately beaded golden seashells hugged her bosom, while plunging down to the center of her chest, where the gown cinched at her waist into a sea foamy green full skirt. "He'll either love it or hate it." Rory stepped out of her bedroom and into the sitting room area.
"We are going to be..." Wills looked up at her and the floor fell out from underneath him. "You know that you're causing horrible distress to my body just looking at you in that gown. So that's our theme. You're a mermaid and I'm your prince...Uh, just how are you able to wear that when the back of the dress is nonexistent?" Wills broke out in a cold sweat just looking at her in it. "Is there perhaps a wrap or something to go with it?" He growled hoarsely.
"Yes, I have a cloak, but it doesn't really go with the mermaid theme...Wills, are you all right? You're sweating. Are you in pain?" Rory reached up to touch his forehead, but he took a step back from her.
"Touching me until we're in a crowed room is not a good idea at the moment." He reined in his primal instincts, drawing on his famed ironclad control over his emotions that in itself was barely working. "You look beautiful, sweetheart. The gown is just really tempting me to do something rash. So please fetch your cloak and let us be off for the Ball."
Rory got her cloak and wrapped it around her covering her gown from his view. "Is this better or are you still wanting to do something rash?" Rory rejoined him in the sitting room.
"Let's not take chances, after you, my love." Wills opened the doors for her, but still dared not touch her, until they were around other people.
--
"Can you believe the turn out?" Ron took in the scene from the family table.
The Great Hall was packed with masquerade fancy dressed Millennium Ball guests, seated at handsomely dressed tables, conversing with one another. Alumni from Hogwarts past were catching up with one another and everyone was having fun.
"It's the beginning of the millennium celebration of the school. Everyone in the Wizarding World competed for an invite." Luna smiled. She was Odette the swan princess and Ron was Derek her prince.
"The fun part is guessing who's under what mask." Ginny was Beauty in a glorious golden ball gown.
"Finding Cho or Morgana isn't going to be easy." Draco was the Beast.
"Dad has Aurors posted everywhere, so it won't be easy for them to try anything." Logan was the Cornelius the Fairy Prince and Thea was Thumbelina. "They have new Dark Wizarding Detectors and are taking a read on every guest as they arrive."
"Harry, Hermione, Rory, and Wills are running late." Thea looked around the hall, but there was no sign of them.
"Here they are and Wills looks unglued." Henry spotted the four of them entering the Hall. His and Dromi's theme was A Midsummer Nights Dream as Oberon and Titania.
"As does Harry," Katarina smirked. She was Sleeping beauty and Cedric was Philip her prince.
"Hermione and Rory look serene compared to the two of them." Cedric arched a brow. "Something tells me that they went daring with their gowns. Those two look like they need cold showers or Glacius."
"Sorry that we're late. Harry had issues with my gown." Hermione took her seat next to Draco.
"Issues, my ass. It's only half there." Harry took his seat next to Hermione and his father.
"Wills was the same with me." Rory sat next to Dromi.
"I only have so much self-control and that's wearing thin." Wills sat down next to her.
Hermione unclasped her cloak. "I'm hot." She draped it behind her.
"So am I." Rory did the same.
"Girls!? What in Merlin's name are you wearing?!" James choked out, swallowing his drink the wrong pipe, as he glanced over at them.
"Come now, James, it can't be that...Oh my stars!? You two haven't graduated to gowns like that yet! Rory will kill Wills and Hermione, well, it's fairer to Harry. She's married to him. For Mab's sake! Put on your wraps this instant!" Lily was not pleased at all with them or Franc for that matter. "Excuse us for a few minutes. Let's go girls." Lily pushed herself up to her feet, after apologizing for any delay this might cause.
"Wait Mum! At least let Colin get snaps of us in them. Then we'll go with you." Rory's face was flushed red with embarrassment, as was Hermione's.
Harry and Wills sighed in relief.
"Very well, but hurry up." Lily growled.
"Yes Mum." Rory and Hermione got up to take the pictures, before leaving with Lily.
"You really do honor my daughter. I myself in your shoes would have probably done... No that's not entirely accurate. I did actually do something rash, and Junior sitting here next to me is the result." James saluted Wills with his goblet.
"Thanks for that piece of enlightenment, works better than a cold shower. The trick is not to touch her, until a load of people surrounds you. Remind me to kill Franc sometime soon." Wills took a sip from his goblet.
"Thanks for that so not necessary visual!" Harry glared at his dad.
"Hey, it's the truth! She wore a red number at the Harvest Ball and nine months later there you were." James smirked.
"Well, in that case they can't be that bad then can they." Harry grinned wolfishly.
"Oh yeah, they chose the right theme for you." Wills hit him in the head with his mask.
--
"Mum, it's not a big deal? These gowns look smashing on us." Rory grumbled as they appeared in the Camelot Wing.
"The gowns send out a message to your men. Now in Hermione's case, it's a little easier to solve, because she's married to Harry. So, his suffering will be appeased, but in William's case not so much. You aren't ready for that yet. So his suffering will be on going after seeing you in that gown. I'm sure that you didn't have a clue. Hermione just wanted to antagonize Harry, because what she has to do in a few hours is trying on her last nerve." Lily led them both into the Pendragon wing.
"As much as I'd like to say that you're right, Mum. The truth is that I hadn't looked at the gown, until this evening and it was too late for changes on it." Hermione admitted.
"You should have just looked in the mirror, thought of how you wished it to look, and altered it yourself." Lily lectured her.
Hermione was standing in front of a mirror. "I didn't want to hurt Franc's feelings." She did as she was told and the gown, although still strapless, now had a less flamboyant but equally flattering neckline.
"Much better, now Harry will be able to concentrate on the task of vanquishing Morgana." Lily smiled with approval. "You're next Katherine Aurora."
Rory's now also concealed much more than it had, while still showing off her figured, and keeping with the theme of her costume. "There now that should appease Daddy and make 'Dreamboat Willie' be able to at least hold my hand again."
"You see girls one needs several years of marriage under their belts before taking on such a gown. I wore one like it and nine months later Harry was born." Lily and the girls headed back to the Great Hall Merlin style.
--
They appeared in front of the family table, just as the rest of the family was sitting down.
"Shall we sit down and enjoy the feast. I'm famished." Lily took her seat next to James.
"You look stunning in that." Harry growled into Hermione's ear after she sat down.
"Now you can concentrate on Morgana and less on finding the Room of Requirements." Hermione whispered back.
:I was thinking the nearest empty classroom, but the Room of Requirements would be more comfortable.: Harry brought her hand up to his lips and kissed it.
:Behave Wolfe. You are working. Now is not the time for play.: Hermione sipped her milk. "Do you see Cho or Morgana yet?"
"No not yet. My scar isn't alerting me to anyone in the room. Cho has the wicked queen costume and I would guess her escort, the unlucky sap, would be the woodsman. Leaving Morgana to play herself, after all she has no need for a costume." Harry surveyed the hall of guests with an intense gaze. "Most of this lot are wagering about us and if we're expecting, how many, and when."
"Oh really? Who were the ringleaders? The Three Musketeers otherwise known as Fred, George, and Lee?" Hermione zeroed in on the ones in question, avidly going from table to table, instead of joining their ladies-in-waiting at the family table.
"Oh, let them have their fun. Half these guests let Fudge lead them around by the nose." Harry kissed her bare shoulder as he spoke.
Albus stood up and all talking ended as they focused on him.
The three young men went to take their seats.
"Welcome everyone to the eve of Hogwarts 1005th year. Tonight we celebrate with a Ball as was held 1005 years ago to celebrate the schools success. Old and new aligned to celebrate together, on the eve of our worlds first year of peace in so many countless years. We celebrate our beloved school and our way of life. First we feast and then let the celebration begin!" His speech ended with the tables now loaded down with food.
"Thank goodness. We're absolutely starving." Hermione loaded up her plate with various foods.
Harry started to do the same, but suddenly he didn't feel so hot. His stomach rolled and he knew that impending sickness was near. "I'll be back in a minute that snack I ate didn't agree with my stomach." He vanished from his chair.
"Nope, it didn't skip Junior at all." James chuckled. "She said we're and that's the instant activation of his misery."
"She is a we're now, just like I am James. It was an accidental comment on her part. We're hungry as well, but I know what that does to..."
James vanished.
"Oops my bad," She giggled.
"Saying we're or we triggers sympathetic reactions? How fascinating…" Hermione grinned.
"It's like a leash. Just don't yank it too much or they catch on. James already knows from experience, that girls tend to bring out the worst of the effects on our men. They live on crackers and toast, while we usually breeze through our first and second trimesters." Lily confided in her.
"I'll try and watch what I say." Hermione promised.
"You mean saying we wreaks havoc?" Thea watched Logan vanish and giggled. "Oops guess so."
"So we're going to be grandparents and you didn't tell me?" Harley glared at Max.
"Well, I had my suspicions and now they've been verified." Max chuckled.
"At least he finally got the courage to marry Thea." Bianca smiled she was dressed as a fairy princes.
"You see baby sister that comes with marriage and often with coupling comes great responsibility." Alexandra, her theme was Snow White, grinned at her father. "Maybe he'll grow up now." She resembled Snow White in features and had caught the eyes of every young single male in the room.
"Alexandra, you are obviously not as smart as I have heard. Love is a major part before coupling ever becomes a part of a relationship." Hermione narrowed her eyes at her academic rival.
"I am sorry if you see me as a threat to your standing in the seventh year class. This was not my idea to come to this school." Alexandra frowned at her. "My cousin trashed my old one. Then suddenly Daddy is related to the greatest wizard of our time. He's headmaster and my grandfather so back off."
"You are Harry's cousin and so I will tolerate you. Anything else I don't think so." Hermione went back to focusing on her food.
"That is more than fine with me." Alex went back to her meal. "I was hoping to be friends, but I'm not willing to endure your attitude. I have better things to do like focus on my N.E.W.T'S and catching up on my classes."
"Sorry about that." Harry reappeared in his seat. "Must have been some bad cheese or something…" He fixed himself a plate of food, only to stare at it.
Hermione fed him a bite of ham. "You need to eat or at least try to."
Harry and Hermione fed each other as newlyweds often do.
"Where did Dad go?" He frowned.
"Let's try this again." James appeared in his seat, but he also had no eye for the food.
"I'll share that way we both eat something." Lily fed him some of her food.
"Girls tend to activate our sympathetic gene. Giving us the brunt of being sick, so be prepared to live off crackers and toast for awhile." James lectured Harry.
"Gods this is so not fun!" Logan appeared in his seat. "Oh god nope not gonna be able to even look at food! Call me when the dancing starts." He vanished again.
"Him too," Harry frowned. "I mean ours aren't even..."
James and Max grinned.
"I'm doomed. Happy as all get out, but doomed." He groaned.
"Not as doomed as Logan. Yours goes away his not so much." Thea giggled. "This is good, because I despise getting sick."
--
"Harry! Cho has arrived. She brought Victor Krum as her date." Ginny ran over to where they were chatting with Cedric, Katarina, and Oliver.
"Ole duck feet the washout is here?" Logan overheard the name and chuckled in sheer amusement.
"Krum tried out for the Aurors?" Harry turned to give Logan a puzzled look.
"Repeatedly, but not even the Healers can give him surefooted agile feet. The stubborn ass can't take no for an answer either. He's an on going joke at International Headquarters." Thea giggled.
"Hermione, conjure your own goblet if you get thirsty. Don't drink anything anyone gives to you or eat anything for that matter. I'm not taking any chances. Don't take anything either. Just politely decline all gifts from Krum, Cho, or anyone we don't know." Harry's scar was sizzling, so he was on high alert. "Morgana is here. I can feel it. She may be weak, but she can easily take control over an unsuspecting witch or wizard."
"Where's Angelina? She's supposed to be the bitch's shadow." Hermione saw there was no sign of Lee or Angelina. "Something isn't right here."
"I know. They've added something to their strategy, but what?" Harry pulled the map from his cloak pocket, activated it, and gave it a command. "Show me Angelina Johnson and Lee Jordan, please."
The map responded showing the two were in the Room of Requirements with a dark shadowy thing. "Show me any Dementors, please."
The map had dozens of dots on it, both outside and inside the castle. Two of which were in the Room of Requirements.
"Shit, be right back! Logan, we've got Dementors and lots of them! Alert the others and lock down the hall." Harry shoved the map at him. "I've got another... Protect Hermione!" He vanished.
"We'll watch her. You warn the others." Ginny, Cedric, and Oliver all had their wands at the ready.
"Splendid idea since you was co-champ at the Triwizard tournament. Just keep on your toes." Logan quietly sounded the alert by growling into his father's ear.
Max fingered a gadget on his wrist, signaling the others the attack was on. "Draco, how's your patronus?"
"It's a dragon not large, but it has potential why?"
"There are Dementors in the castle that's why." Harry appeared with Lee, who was holding a shivering Angelina in his arms. "Logan, have them chase the things outside. We shall deal with the lot in one play." Harry could feel Morgana getting closer. It was then that he saw Ginny, Cedric, Oliver, and Katarina lying on the floor. "Son of a bitch! She's got Hermione!"
"Show me Hermione, please." Logan growled at the map. Hermione was outside with another dot and Dementors. "Show me Morgana Le Fay, please." The dot by Hermione was Morgana.
"I wasn't the target, Hermione was! Damn it! She knows about the baby! Oh Gods... She wants the baby!" Harry's blood ran cold and he vanished from sight.
"Guests are dropping like flies shivering in terror and Harry just left start talking!" James snarled.
"Dementors. Morgana has Hermione with her surrounded by Dementors. Cho was a decoy. She wants the baby Hermione is carrying, and not Harry!" Logan thrust the map at James. "Come on Draco! We're his back up! I know that they're out by the rose hedges, so let's go!"
"Don't have to tell me twice! Dad, have Mum see to Ginny and the others!" Draco and Logan vanished.
"Here! Just ask the map politely what you wish to see! Padfoot, Moony, we have trouble outside on the front lawn!" The three of them vanished.
--
About twelve Dementors circled Hermione, but they weren't attacking her. Morgana had been scorched just by touching her bare skin. She had let her go as soon as they had reached the lawns. Dementors swooped down, only to reel back in terror, after being inches from her medallion. It glowed with energy, and seemed to be protecting her.
"You can't have what is not yours! You old hag! As for all of you! This act will mean your extinction, as it happened to your counterparts in the British Isles!" She glared defiantly at Morgana and her cage of Dementors.
"I wish for the life that you now carry inside you and I will have my prize!" Morgana, now a shriveled up old hag, of skin and bones cackled at her.
"EXPECTO PATRONUM!!" Harry unleashed his Unicorn Patronus. It made fast work of the Dementors caging his wife. "It's me that you truly want! Leave her out of this! The baby rumor was a ploy to lure you here and it worked like a charm!"
"Come with me and I will give the others the cure for the poison that sleeps in their blood. The very same that ended the lives of your sisters and many other births, so long ago. It was that very poison that separated your parent's star-crossed love." Morgana played what she thought was her ace.
"No Harry! You can't go with her!" Hermione got to her feet.
"I don't have a choice. Not when other innocent lives are at stake." Harry walked towards Morgana. "You win. I'll go with you. Just let Hermione go and give them the cure." Harry looked defeated. "I'm sorry, angel, but I have no choice."
"No! I won't allow this to happen!" Hermione took out her wand and pointed it at him. "You won't be turned by her! Soul mate or not! I will not allow it!"
"Calm yourself, you foolish mudblood girl!" Morgana snarled.
"You won't have him you, hag!" Tears streamed down her cheeks. "Avada Kedavra!!"
Harry was hit dead on in the chest.
He faltered, but kept walking. "I'm sorry I have no choice." He was almost to her now.
"I'M SORRY, MY LOVE, PLEASE FORGIVE ME! AVADA KEDAVRA!" She screamed in agony, as Harry crumpled lifeless to the ground. "Good-bye, my love."
"YOU KILLED HIM!!" Morgana screeched in fury. "YOU'LL PAY FOR THIS WITH YOUR LIFE!" She aimed her wand at her.
"AVADA KEDAVRA!!" Six shouts rang out and hit her in one big neon green blast.
"NO!!" Was Morgana's last cry, before the sheer power of the blast literally dusted her to ashes, and then to nothing.
Hermione raced to Harry's lifeless body. :I've got you, Harry: She cradled him in her arms, as she felt for a pulse, relieved when it was beating sure and strong against her fingers. "Way to go team Pendragon/Dumbledore!" Hermione smiled up at the six of them.
"Is he breathing!? That looked really bad from where we were standing." Logan frowned.
"Bad? I thought she was gonna dust him!" Draco gulped.
"Hey! I got it all on this wicked cool digital recorder and Dennis got good snaps of it as well." Colin shouted.
"That was ten times the power of the one in the Common Room. He may have to go to St. Mungo's this time." Max stared worriedly down at Harry.
:Holly Shit! I think you broke ribs or bruised them this time. Did the Dementors hurt you or the girls?: Harry was reeling from the shock and pain that came from getting hit by AK times ten twice.
:No, the four of us are never better. My medallion protected me. They couldn't get even close enough to drain me. This was a family effort. We got her Harry. They combined the wands. Max, Draco, and Logan… Uncle Sirius, Dad, and Uncle Remus… after that she was dusted into nothing like Voldemort.: Hermione had a blanket draped around her shoulders by Logan. "He thinks that he may have broken or bruised ribs this time round." She conveyed what he was telling her to the six of them.
"HARRY!?" Lily took one look at her lifeless son, cried out in fright, and fainted in James arms.
"She gave Daddy the slip. Is he all right?" Jenna clung to Sirius's arm in fright.
"He's just knocked out, babe, but he'll be fine in a few minutes." Sirius hugged her close.
"He does look dead lying there though...It's an eerie feeling, even though he'll be fine." Remus cuddled Gene close.
"He needs checked out." Gene frowned at Remus.
"Hermione is doing that already." Remus assured her.
Ferria and Fawkes appeared next to Harry's unconscious form and stared down at him with concern.
"Okay, now I'm beyond a little worried." Max frowned.
"Give me a moment and then you can heal what needs to be healed." Hermione unsnapped the studs on his tuxedo shirt, exposing his sweat drenched t-shirt underneath. :Sorry, that I caused you this much pain. The Phoenixes are here to heal you.: She pulled up his t-shirt, revealing a huge area of tender angry looking black and blue bruises and welts.
Fawkes and Ferria bent over him and let their tears heal his wounded body, until there wasn't even a mark left.
Harry opened his eyes and sat up in her arms. "Thanks guys, I feel much better." He reached over and stroked their wings. "I'm freezing but much better." He concentrated and instantly was reclothed in his costume and had Hermione back in her warm cloak. "Shall we dance after we clean house, my angel?" He smiled up at her.
Hermione burst into tears and hugged him to her.
--
Cho found that with Morgana was no longer in existence, jinxing Katarina and Cedric was no longer a possibility. Morgana had been draining all of Cho's magic with a ring that she had given her, there was nothing left of it not even a spark. What was worse was the ring was also draining away years of her life force. Cho's once flawless china doll beauty was now gone. She looked like an ancient old crone, in a sagging costume that hung on her frail body. She seemed to age decades in front of Cedric, Katarina, Rory, Dromi, Wills, and Henry.
Krum let out a girlish shriek. "SHE'S GOT THE PLAGUE!! WE WILL ALL DIE HORRIBLE DEATHS!" He jumped away from her when she reached for him.
"Cedric was mine first you little nothing! He will always love me! You are nothing, but a third-class substitute and always will be!" She pointed one frail boney finger at Kate; her voice was that of an ancient bitter old crone.
Mab appeared in front of them, as did Merlin. "Did we miss the show? Katarina, there you are. I never did get to give you our gift for Christmas. Merlin and I have decided that you have more than earned the right to have magic rekindled within you. You have already learned how to make fire, which shows that you do have magic inside. Here is the potion to awaken the sleeping magic within."
Kate took the potion from Mab and drank it. "I guess all that reading wasn't just for fun after all. Thank you, your majesty. I will cherish my gift for a lifetime or more." Mab hugged her.
"Now deal with this situation, so we can all get on with the celebration." Mab winked at her.
"Cedric is my soul mate, Cho. You were merely a first love for him, an adolescent teenage crush. I am the love of his life and the one who completes him. You see I didn't need magic to bind him to me. He came to me all on his own. You remember that in the cold dark place where you're going to. Remember that in this time and this era of peace. Love truly does conquer all. I pity you, Cho Chang. You were nothing more than a means of siphoning off your youth and magic to her." Katarina had Cedric's wand in her hands, as she stood her ground in front of Cho.
"I DON'T WANT YOUR PITY! MAGIC OR NOT YOU ARE STILL A NOTHING!!" Cho started to shriek at her.
"What is that spell again... Oh yes... Silencio!" Kate used her first spell to silence Cho's shrieks. "That's much better."
Cho was barely able to stand and she was aging even faster now.
Harry, Hermione, and the others returned from finishing with the Dementors just in time to see her ending.
"By Merlin's beard! She's starting to turn to dust!" Someone shouted in horror, as Cho disintegrated before their very eyes into a pile of dust, and then nothing at all.
"Oh goddess! I'm going to be sick!" Hermione vanished from Harry's arms.
"It didn't have to be this way, but you made your choice. Now nothing remains except the video that Colin is taking and the snaps that Dennis and the other reporters just took of your demise. You vanquished yourself Cho Chang. There will be no mercy on your soul or Morgana's for that matter." Harry stared down at where she had stood.
"Fear not everyone, the danger and evil have past. Once again we are able to celebrate and rejoice for peace, harmony, and tranquillity to settle over this castle of old and this world. Let it be known to all Dark Wizards and Witches that wish to still follow Morgana's, Voldemort's, or Cho's paths. This will be your ending. Not even a pile of dust to bury. You will be found and hunted like wild game. It may take years, but those loyalists to the dark ways will be vanquished. Be that the way of my mark, AK, or prison. For those who are not overcome yet by the dark ways, as long as you do not embrace the dark magic, you will be watched, but have nothing to fear. This is a world of light where our children will grow up in peace. Let our world set a shining example for the very planet that we live on. Let us embrace peace, love, harmony, and tranquillity for centuries to come. There has been enough darkness. It is time for the light to shine again!" Harry's voice rang out throughout the Hall and into the castle corridors. "So dance, enjoy, and be merry as we ring in the start of a glorious new era of magic and of peace!"
The guests were all cheering and applauding.
"Long live the Pendragon royal family!" They shouted and the celebration was in full swing again as if nothing had happened.
--
Katie Bell was covering the story for The Quibbler and her Quick Quotes Quill got every word of the HBP's proclamation.
"Colin, let your brother take overtaking video and pictures, while we run with this story for tomorrow's front page." Fred shouted at him. "Cornwall is waiting for it at The Quibbler."
"Lucky thing I turned seventeen this December." Colin grinned. "Hey Dennis, keep covering everything! Have Luna or Ginny help you cover the rest of the Ball! I have to go to see Corny!"
Dennis was also a diehard photographer/ reporter wanna be. "Not a problem, Colin! I'll cover the rest of the Ball if they want me to."
"There are twenty-five galleons in it for ya if you do." George grinned as Dennis went off to get more photos and to cover the story. Ginny was now using the digital recorder. "Good lad's those two."
"The two of 'em are natural born reporters." Fred agreed. "Good eye for pictures as well."
"Be back in a bit... I can't believe Lucy's at home tending to her sick twins and missed the entire thing." Katie kissed Fred, until his mind went blank. "Love you." Then she was off.
"When's the wedding?" Ron teased.
"Button it, baby brother. I'm working on asking her to marry me." Fred growled.
"That kiss was so intense you almost combusted." George smirked.
"You're one to talk, George." Fred flushed crimson.
"We're marrying in the spring, just have to finalize the date." Mel snuggled against George. "We both have very full schedules right now."
"Have Gramps or Uncle Albus marry you first. Then when you have free time you can go all out with a big bash." Harry suggested to them. "Excuse me; I have to go check on my wife. Gods, I love saying that! Did ya hear that, Krum! You duck footed loser! I'm gonna go check on my wife!" He shouted at Victor Krum. "In our quarters! Our honeymoon lair you might say! Don't let the door hit you on the way out! You came with Chang, those Aurors are gonna wanna have words with you about that! Gotta go check on my wife see ya!" He vanished leaving Victor fuming as he was escorted out of the hall.
--
Hermione was sitting miserably in front of the loo in their bathroom, after losing her dinner for the fourth time. "I hate being sick." She moaned miserably.
Harry bathed her face with a cool cloth. "It's from the shock of everything you underwent tonight."
"It was awful, Harry. I stunned Cedric, Oliver, Ginny, and Kate. I had no control over myself. I went willingly with Morgana, until I got outside, then she wasn't able to influence my mind anymore." Hermione was shaking like a leaf in his arms. "Then Morgana screamed in pain. Touching me was burning her skin, so she had to let me go. The Dementors swooped down on me, but my medallion repelled them away. They kept circling and swooping. I was frightened out of my mind, but no one was going to hurt our girls or me. Harry, she wanted one of our girls!" She sobbed against his shoulder.
"I know, angel, but she's gone now, as are all the Dementors, and Cho." Harry rocked her in his arms.
"Cho... Oh goddess... That was terrible to watch! She just aged and aged!" Hermione got sick again.
"Morgana never cared for anyone, but herself and Voldemort her son. Cho was just a means to an end and nothing more. Sixth year Cho would try to lure me away from where the Deatheaters would be. That's why I had no clue about the attacks on Draco. Cho was a pest, always crying wolf at the right time. It gave me the creeps just being near her. Morgana may have had control of her even then. My scar was constantly on fire, so I wouldn't have even suspected it." Harry continued to bathe her face as he spoke. "It's going on eleven; we can turn in if you want."
"No. I want to dance and be merry with our family." She lost her battle with her stomach again.
"Angel, this is a side effect from being controlled by Morgana. It's going to wreak havoc on you for awhile." Harry knew that their night was over, but he was tried from using his patronus, and enduring the AK curse, so he didn't mind.
Hermione on the other hand did. "I will not ring in our first New Years as a couple lying miserably in bed." She pushed away from him, so she could glare at him.
He knew that look and sighed in defeat. "You win, my heart. Let's see what I can do." He pulled her into his arms and used his rarely used empathic abilities to wash away her frazzled emotions and the aftereffects of Morgana completely out of her mind. Replacing it with some of his own energy, it was then that he felt the tiny lives within her...Still so tiny, yet so full of life. His heart filled with so much love for Hermione and his girls that it overwhelmed his senses. The urge to nurture and protect her and them at all costs was now etched in his brain. "No one is ever going to hurt or try to hurt you again." He muttered into her hair. "How's that, my angel."
"I feel loads better my wonderful, fearless, handsome prince." She was now in a glorious mood. "I want to dance with you, kiss you when the clock strikes twelve, and then dance with you some more." She turned in his arms and smiled up at him.
"As you wish, my princess." Harry kissed her on the nose.
--
:James, you go check on them or I will.: Lily twirled around the dance floor in her husband's arms.
:They're fine, my fire.: James saw the two in question reassuring a harried Wills that she was indeed all right.
:I know that I'm hovering, but he gave me such a fright...: Lily was on the verge of tears. :Then there's Hermione and her girls that she's carrying.:
"Excuse me Dad, but may I cut in?" Harry tapped James on the shoulder.
"Sure I'll just dance with Hermione, one of the many lovely ladies in my life." James let Harry cut in and went over to sweep Hermione onto the dance floor.
"You all right, Mum?" Harry saw the tears shining in her eyes and it cut like a knife through his heart. :Did I cause undo stress to you or the twins? I'm sorry that all this went down on the eve of your birthday.:
:Never-better, my darling. You on the other hand look bewildered more than exhausted. Now as for my birthday think nothing of it.: Lily arched one delicate brow at him, as she gazed up into his eyes. "Did we use our other gift to ease Hermione's misery?"
:Let's just say it became real to me a few minutes ago. My eyes are open, to the reality of the tiny beings that Hermione is nurturing within her, and leave it at that.: Harry was still in wonderment over what he had experienced.
:Just wait it gets better as the babies take form and begin to thrive.: Lily kissed him on the cheek.
:I could feel their energy, even this early when they're beyond tiny...Three distinct bundles of life.: Harry watched as Hermione and his father twirled by them. She was laughing and happily chatting away.
:That is as it should be, my darling. Three separate girls, who will have their own distinct personalities. That will no doubt drive you crazy at times, but you will love every second of it.: Lily could see it in her minds eye and it made her smile.
--
:How are you feeling about being a mum?: James asked Hermione.
Hermione smiled at him. :I'm scared, happy, thrilled, excited, and nervous about it.:
:That's to be expected. Just wait until Harry's protective instincts go into overdrive. Lily wanted to kill me, because I hovered so much first with the girls, and then with Harry. I was so paranoid that something was going to go wrong again. When he was born I never took my eyes off him for weeks, until I finally relaxed, and knew that everything was going to be okay.: James reassured her.
"How did you finally know that Harry was okay?" Hermione asked curiously.
"He sent his bottle flying at my head, just by waving his tiny fist. He was annoyed, because I was disturbing his precious slumber, never touched the bottle physically mind you. He used magic at five weeks-old, and glared at me with those big emerald eyes, that held so much power, and wisdom. I think that's what alerted Voldemort that Harry was the babe in the prophecy and not Neville." James could easily picture the memory in his head. "We'd been at the house near Cardiff at the time and that's when the third attack was launched. Lil's and I defeated him and his minions and took Harry to Godric's Hollow. He had been born in Godric castle, but we had a place next to Alex and Kathy's that we stayed at during visits and hid out there for months, until that fatal night of betrayal..." His voice trailed off, as the night replayed out in his mind.
"It's all right, Dad. I'm sorry my question dredged up all of those awful memories up again." Hermione stared up at him concern shining in her eyes.
James shook his head as if to clear those thoughts away. "No harm, sweetie, with good memories often come the bad." He smiled down at her. "I like it that you call me Dad. After all, you have always been like daughter to both Lily and me."
--
Harry pulled Hermione into his arms and kissed her, as the clock chimed twelve ringing in the New Year. It was then that he finally felt at ease and able to think of his life with Hermione. Outside a monumental fireworks display was starting for all the guests. :Today is the first of countless years together and next year we'll be ringing in the year with our three-month-old baby girls.:
:Meantime promise me that if you start feeling bored out of your mind, from lack of adventure, that you will confide in me about it.: Hermione delighted in the sensation of having him hold her in his arms.
:Honey, I don't see that happening. I've got us; I'm teaching with Dad, I still train with First-Gramps, and occasionally with Master teacher. Plus, I'm training Draco and Rory with Gramps and the others. I will be fine.: He hugged her close.
"If you say so," Hermione knew him all too well.
"I say so. Now do you want to watch the show or go celebrate in private?" He was all playful now.
Hermione whispered something in his ear, he scooped her up into his arms, and they vanished.
--
Chapter 23
Healer Lucille Allysia Bell-Wood
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I do not claim any of JKR's characters only that I love being able to create my own kind of mischief with her beloved characters. I do not claim any other things that are owned by other companies that I may mention once and a while in the stories...Although the original characters and ideas are mine and I loved creating them. So please review if you wish but try not to flame me too badly.
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Cindra 2004-2008
