A/N: Some names you will find from this point on come from differing languages. The first are Old Gaelic. Their pronunciation is not as important as there meanings. But then, it is fun to learn new words sometimes.
Seumas is pronounced "somas". Meaningof James
Seanmhair is pronounced "seenmare". Meaningwise old woman or grandmother
Chapter 8
Seanmhair"Master Potter?" Harry asked. "I'm sorry, but I don't understand. How do you know me, and I don't think we have been properly introduced.
"My apologies. Master. I am Seumas, your fathers' servant. I was named for him. Seanmhair instructed us that you are the Master, and the last of your lineage. It is she who foresaw your coming."
"Seanmhair? Who is she?" Ginny asked, as she bent to speak to the old house elf.
"Seanmhair is … grandmother." He had paused as if looking for the right word. "She is the sow of which we came, the Caregiver of the Tree of Life, and Guardian of the Hall of Ages."
"Pardon me, but did you say the Tree of Life and Hall of Ages," asked Hermione stepping forward. "Just what are these?"
"The Tree of Life is the map for all living creatures. The roots take the form of all living matter that makes up the earth and helps guide the way life flows. As it grows, old limbs die, like the creatures and animals from the days of the dinosaurs. They make room for what comes in the next age and so on and so on. Each major limb has branches and twigs that represent the line of a family or animal. Buds and leaves form on them. The leaves have veins and … Well, I think you get the picture." Luna said once again speaking as though she was the teacher and Hermione the student. Neville watched her in awe, surprised that she knew so much.
"Ok," said Hermione as though not believing a word she had said. But then, she had admitted earlier to Ron, Luna did know a lot of things. And maybe, just maybe, not everything could be learned from books.
"That is correct," claimed Seumas. "The Hall of Ages is the memories of all Potters going back a millennia."
Everyone but Remus's eyes looked as though they were going to pop out. As he stepped forward, the house elf bowed again. "Master Lupin! It is so good to see you in fine health, Sir."
"I think it would be best to show Master Potter's guest to their rooms while Master Potter meets with Seanmhair. There is much he must discuss with her and the hour is getting late."
Bowing again, Seumas clapped his hands and the remaining house elves moved to each of the group and escorted them and their belongings to their rooms. Harry, Ginny and Remus remained with Seumas. He bowed again, turned and walked from the room. The others followed his quick pace. He moved up a staircase, turned right and stopped in front of a bust of a old house elf holding out it's hands. Placing his palm down on the upturned palm of the bust, the wall moved upward to allow access into a lighted chamber. The four entered before the wall closed again. Another chamber opened immediately in front of them. As they entered this room, lights of the torches came up. Sitting on a bed of pillows was the oldest house elf any of them had ever seen.
"James? Lily? Is that you with Remus and Seumas? Come children, I am old and tired. I have been waiting for you to return with your son."
Remus moved forward and knelt before her. "They are gone, Seanmhair. This is their son, Harry with his friend Ginny."
"Come Harry and bring Ginny that I may know you." She gestured with old gnarled hands to pillows near her.
They move to the pillows as instructed. Before they could say anything, Seumas had bent between them and whispered that although the old elf was blind, she could see clearer than anyone in the room.
"Come child, come closer," she said gesturing with her hands again. Harry moved forward and was surprised when she automatically placed her hands on his face. Sliding her hands gently over it, she murmured words that Harry didn't understand. The pain in his head cleared, as did the lump in the back. He felt great. She moved her right hand over his heart and smiled.
Harry looked to Ginny. Seanmhair cocked her head to the side. "Ginny, come here." It was more of a command. Ginny moved forward next to Harry grasping his hand. She looked to him, just before she felt soft hands running across her face. Seanmhair placed one hand upon Ginny's chest and then the other on her belly. "You are his mate, but without child. It is good that your mate is your friend."
"We're not married," she said looking to Lupin for help. He shook his head no, though he did smile all the same.
"You are mates. It is only in mankind that a ceremony or a piece of paper is required to bond mates. The rest of us in the world know when we have found our mates. We have no need for these oddities. The marriage bond will add nothing to you. What has been bonded and shared by the soul, none on earth can separate. Go now, it is late, you need your nourishment and rest. We will meet again soon." She said as she bowed her head. Harry, Ginny and Remus stood up. You could hear soft snoring from Seanmhair they left the chambers.
"What do mean minimum security? Where is everyone," Percy asked a young Auror while he scanned the area with his eyes. Life at the Burrow had all but vanished.
"Mr. Moody released everyone, and said that only two of us were required. The others left hours ago sir. Our instructions are to keep watch, not to enter and take notice of all activity. I don't think anyone is here other then us three." The young man was rocking back and forth. He was not accustomed to speaking to anyone from the Minister's Office.
"Someone's head is going to roll for this. When I find out what is going on…" His voice faded as he turned before disapparated.
Remus, Harry and Ginny followed Seumas down a long hallway. It was decorated with rich carpeting and moving pictures of different people from a long time ago. Harry came to one where he recognized the person it easily. There stood Sir Cadogan trying to get up on his fat gray pony. The pony just kept moving away, each time his tried to put his foot in the stirrup.
Seumas stopped and smiled as he watched Harry and Ginny mesmerized with the painting. "Ah. Does Master Potter know of Sir Cadogan? He served under your family 400 years ago. His story can be found in the Hall of Ages."
After a moment longer, they proceeded down the hallway again. Remus was the first to arrive at his room. His name was on the door. Bidding everyone a pleasant night, he entered and closed the door.
Harry and Ginny were shown to their bedroom suite. Ginny had that brazen look on her face Harry had seen only once before. To say the room was very big would have been an understatement. It was beautifully decorated in soft tones. A sitting area with a large couch and heavy cushioned chairs sat before a fireplace. A large empty portrait sat above the mantle. Further in, a small wooden dinning table sat with six chairs. Over the table hung lighted candles in a crystal chandelier. To the left, double doors were opened to reveal a magnificent bedroom fit for a king. You could see both of their trunks sitting opened along the wall.
Harry looked at Ginny. She had a mischievous gleam in her eyes. Harry swallowed. "I'll take the couch, and you can have the bedroom. No matter what Seanmhair says, I want a wedding first. I think you mom would want one too," he said sitting on the couch.
Ginny pouted, before giving him a kiss on the cheek. As she was closing the doors, Harry could see a twinkle in her eyes and a smile on her face. A moment later you could hear Ginny's excited voice "Yes".
Harry awoke to pounding on the door. Before he could sit up to find his glasses, the doors burst open. As he put them on, he found Mr. and Mrs. Weasley along with Bill and Ron all standing at the door.
"Where's Ginny," Ron asked moving quickly into the room. He had an angry look on his face. The rest remained at the door with smiles of understanding.
Moments later, Ginny came out of the bedroom, putting her housecoat on "What's all the noise" she said before stopping and seeing her parents at the door. "Is something wrong mum" with some concern in her voice as she moved towards them.
"No, no dear. When we didn't see your name on a door, we worried that something happened and well…you understand."
Turning, Ginny saw Harry blush. "Mum, Dad. I'll have you know, Harry was very honorable last night. He said he would not share the bedroom with me until we were married," with a smile on her face.
"Oh Harry" Molly said as she ran and hugged him tears were streaming down her face. The men just stood there smiling at them. As she stepped back, she hugged her daughter.
Ron was walking around the rooms. "Harry, mate, you got anything to eat round here? I'm starved." Everyone laughed.
At that a house elf appeared. "Breakfast is served," he said while bowing, "in the main dining room. Your compatriots have already gathered and are awaiting your arrival. If you will follow me."
"Why don't you all go and start eating without us," Harry said looking at Ginny, "I think we need to freshen up first. We'll be down in a moment."
As they left, and the doors were closed, Harry had that I told you so look on his face. But it was Ginny that stopped him cold. "So Harry James Potter, when do you plan on making a honest woman out of me?"
"Get going you. Now is not the time to talk about that and I'm getting hungry," pointing to the bedroom. "You can have the shower first."
"Harry? Have you seen that shower? It's got four showerheads. We could eat sooner, if we shared," she said with a naughty look.
"No, and I mean it. Now hurry up, I'm not getting any less hungry waiting."
With that, she pouted and closed the doors again.
Although breakfast looked to be a grand affair, Harry and Ginny only had tea and toast, while Ron kept pilling his plate. Down the table Neville and Luna kept giving each other goo-goo eyes. Hermione was discussing with Remus about the manor, and was really excited to find there were several libraries. Bill was not looking good, and Fleur looked worried. His first full moon was rapidly approaching. Mr. and Mrs. Weasley had already finished and were walking around, looking at the artwork. Moody was nowhere to be seen.
"There's a massive training room with all kinds of equipment. I think it might be better equipped then the Auror Academy. There is even a laboratory and potions room. Came across several doors that would let me see or get in. One of them is that Hall of Ages the house elves spoke about last night." Mad-Eye Moody was walking in one of the side doors. He had what looked to be a medieval weapon in his hand.
Turning to him, Remus explained that a Potter could only open the Hall of Ages. No one else could enter. They would just walk into an invisible wall. "James tried several times to get us in, but it never worked," he said to no one in particular.
"Harry, you need to start thinking about what you're going to say at your meeting with the Minister. You can't put it off forever, especially since he agreed to your terms" Arthur said, placing a hand on his shoulder.
Everyone in the room sat up straighter as they turn to look at him.
"He's right you know. The Minister has been fair and reasonable. Have you thought about what you're going to say?" Remus had his professor look on his face. Harry felt like his answers would be graded.
"No. I haven't really had time to think about it."
Dumbledore's ghost entered through one of the tapestries. "May I make a suggestion, Harry," he continued without pause, "I would recommend you spend the day walking around the manor, see what you have and think about what your needs and wants are. Bring a parchment and quill, write them down and meet again later tonight. This is not something you just want to jump into."
"Yes, you are right of course. Thank you," he said to his mentor. "Let's go explore." He said to everyone else. With that, he took Ginny by the hand and left.
A/N: Iwin- I followed your advice and put one on the first chapter. It is also in my bio. Thanks for the tip. I still need to get back to the first couple of chapters and fix the person thing. On another note- you are right again. I set the stage early, but …