HP Life after Hogwarts
Chapter 22
What do ya mean by a Job?
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Draco comes up with a solution to a problem...
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Harry awoke at noon with Dani cuddled against his chest. "Well now this is a lovely surprise." Harry had missed all of his girls.
Dani blinked open her eyes and yawned revealing two more new teeth. :Missed Dada.:
"I missed you as well, but Daddy had to take care of some baddies and needed you and your sisters to be safe in Avalon. I bet you enjoyed being around your cousin Daisy." Harry cuddled her close.
:Daisy nice. I like her.: Dani was now able to lift herself up with her front arms and look up at him.
"I'm pretty fond of her myself." Harry chuckled.
:You mine, sisters, and mama's. We no share.: Dani pouted.
"I'm also a son, brother, grandson, nephew, cousin, and friend so you will have to share me. You see it's only fair to the others." Harry lifted her up with his arms. "Daddy missed you so much."
:You mine, but I share.: Dani squealed happily.
"So he's finally awake." James walked in with Ally and Mia in his arms. "Look girls there's your Daddy."
:Dada!!: Ally and Mia were happy to see him.
"There are my other two angels." Harry sat up in bed.
"You missed breakfast, but lunch is being served." James sat down on the bed.
Harry had the three of them in his arms. "So what are we going to do today?" He smiled down at his girls.
"Son, I'm going to let last night's or this morning's excursion slide, but next time ask you'd be surprised with the answer." James had Dani bouncing on his knee.
"You're right dad…I do tend to only do things my way, but it's a hard habit to break." Harry rubbed his beard roughened cheek against Ally and Mia's hand. "You three love the feel of my beard." He kissed Ally's fingers.
"Well, then that's something we'll work on after you return to active duty." James watched as Dani tried to push herself up on all fours. "She's bound and determined to grow up isn't she?"
"No, more like she's in a hurry to get that trinket on her wrist off, but its staying right where it is." Harry laughed when Ally and Mia also tried to lift themselves up like Dani. "That goes for all of my girls."
"Xander said that Daisy was trying to teach them to crawl, so far they can nearly balance on all fours." Hermione walked into the room. "Since you and Draco slept in, Uncle Remus had Dad lecture on werewolves."
"That and I have a fresh war wound for all of them to gawk at." James winced when Dani grabbed at his arm.
:Owie.: Dani frowned, her big emerald green eyes wide with concern. :Grandada has owie.:
"It's okay munchkin you're Grandma and Aunt's made it all better." James cuddled her against his shoulder.
"He's going to be fine, angel." Harry grinned at his father. "So, how do you like not having to wear contacts or specs ever again?"
"Mac, Tonks, Wills, and I all like this side effect to the vaccine. It's nice to see everything clear every time I open my eyes." James grinned. "Not that having my arm ripped open was fun." He added hastily when Hermione glared at him. "That hurt."
"Wills wears contacts?" Harry frowned.
"It's his most guarded secret." Hermione smirked.
:What be that?: Dani spotted Empress as she flew by the window.
"What's that pumpkin?" James looked over at the window. "That little one is Empress and her son Pendragon." He got up to walk over to the french doors.
"Dad she's not dressed for going out on the terrace." Hermione went to stop him.
James easily corrected that and in the blink of an eye she was dressed in a cute winter outfit. "All bundled up and ready to meet Empress and Pendragon."
Harry focused on doing the same with Ally and Mia before he changed into warmer clothes. "Shall we go say hello?"
Hermione took Ally out of his arms, "I believe she got tired of waiting for you to wake up."
"I did promise to visit this morning." Harry followed his father out onto the terrace.
:What that be?: Mia stared wide-eyed at Pen, sitting further down the terrace in a larger area.
"That's a baby dragon. He's not even a year yet and his name is Pendragon." Harry looked down at his daughter and then up at Priss. She was perched above them on a sturdier part of the castle. "That's Empress and the one flying over there is Brimstone. Those two happen to be Pendragon's Mum and Dad."
:Dagons…: Mia and Ally echoed.
:Me touch.: Dani reached towards Pen. :They's wicked cool. Likes Uncle Bast and Aunt Bree say.:
:Why thank you little one.: Priss bent her large head down, so her chin was setting on the carved stone railing of the terrace. :You may touch me if you wish.:
:You talk!: Dani's eyes were as big as saucers.
"There aren't many wizards or witches that can talk to dragons, so you should be honored that you can hear her." James let her touch Priss's snout.
:We hear too.: Ally and Mia chimed.
:You pretty.: Ally cooed.
:And big.: Mia was tentatively touching her massive snout.
Priss blew a wave of hot air at the little ones and they squealed in delight. :Such vibrant curious little ones. You both must be very proud.:
:Oh, we are. Dad is holding Danielle, Mione is holding Allysia, and I'm holding Amelia.: Harry proudly introduced the girls.
"Pendragon has grown into a handsome young dragon." Hermione had walked over to greet Pen. :Hello Pendragon this is my baby girl Allysia.:
Pen sniffed at Ally, blowing hot air in her face. :Princess has three of same baby?:
"She's right. You're growing by leaps and bounds." Harry smiled at Pen. :She had three little girls, Pen. This little angel is Amelia.:
:I grow big like my Da. So princess had three eggs that hatched?: Pen cocked his head and eyed the two of them curiously.
"That's one-way of putting it." James chuckled. :She gave birth to three identical baby girls after carrying them inside her for eight long months. It's not as simple as laying an egg and tending it as your Mum is doing with your sibling. Oh and this little angel is our Danielle.:
Pen's expressive sea green gold eyes stared at the three babes and then at Hermione in awe. :Then having little ones for a human is complicated.: He puffed hot air at the girls and they laughed.
:Yes young one. Life is indeed complex.: Priss nuzzled him with her snout.
:I's want Plushy dragon.: Dani wished to show off her magic and it appeared in her arms. :Dani love dragons.:
:This one takes after the two of you and is showing her gifts at nearly three months.: Priss was impressed with little Dani. :Are the other two testing their wings as well?:
:She's the oldest of the three and has been keeping us on our toes since she was five days old. Her sisters although gifted aren't as bold as their big sis.: Harry conjured a treat for Pen and one for Priss.
:Then the yarns that Charlie tells us are all true?: Brim landed beside Priss. :Dani conjures storms in a temper, summons things to her on a whim, and can apparate like Merlin as well?:
:All true, but we've reined her in from using serious magic. Uncle Oberon created bracelets for the girls that keep their magic in check. First-Gramps performed the binding spell, but our Dani seems to love a good challenge.: Harry conjured him a snack.
:She's just like her Da and Mum that and she has superb taste in toys.: Brim let Dani and her sisters touch his snout.
Bianca, having seen who was visiting the castle, raced across the terrace. "The triplets are here as well? I just saw Aunt Lily and the twins and Thea with baby Orry."
"Bianca don't you have class?" James arched a brow at her.
"Yes, but Grams gave me permission to come see them after I transfigured my Emerson into a water goblet and back again ten times. The boys are livid with me though." Binky laughed when Pen blew hot air in her face. :Hello to you too boy. Do you fancy a ride?: She ran her fingers along the shimmery jet-black scales of his neck.
"Aunt Minerva must have been preening like a proud peacock." Harry chuckled.
"So the others aren't excelling in class?" Hermione arched a brow at her.
"Oh, no, that's not true at all…They're all doing brilliantly, but the boys are still in trouble and Grams hasn't softened towards them yet." Binks greeted her baby cousins with kisses on their heads. "Ami and Moria wanted to keep practicing, they've moved on to transfiguring bunnies into slippers. Bree finished her potion early during class this morning, so Uncle Severus had her bring Aunt Gene a potion. She asked Grams if she could go back to Hospital Wing to keep someone there company. Who's in Hospital Wing?"
"It sounds as though our Bree has a crush on young Donavan Clearwater." James chuckled.
"My baby sis has her first crush." Hermione smiled.
"So it is a boy. Donavan is in Ravenclaw, but I didn't know that Bree fancied him." Binks smirked. "Would it be okay if I took Pen for a flight?"
:It's up to your elders Princess, but it's fine with us.: Brim growled as he created smoke figures for the triplets enjoyment.
"It's fine by us as long as it's only a short one and you make your next class on time." James grinned.
"Oh and try not to tease the boys too much, only a few flybys will be more than enough." Harry winked at her.
"Thanks! I won't be late for class I promise!" Binky got on Pen and off they went soaring into the sky.
:It was a honor to greet your little ones. Brim and I must now return to the colony and I to my nest.: Priss rose to leave.
:You honored us with this visit and we promise to visit more than we have.: Harry bade them farewell as well.
:Yes we promise to see you more often.: Hermione added.
:Be well.: James smiled.
:So those are your two little ones.: Priss spied Lily who had MJ and Albus who had Bell in the doorway.
:Yes that is Michael James or MJ and his twin sister Isabella or Bell.: James nodded.
:You have a bustling family. Be well to all of you.: Brim and Priss flew off.
The girls were snoozing and missed their send off.
"Dada!!" MJ and Bell squealed.
"You two had ice-cream." James walked over to Lily and Albus.
"Yum cream." They chimed.
"Why don't you three put the girls down for their naps then Harry can focus on eating lunch." Lily suggested.
"Good idea I'm starving." Harry walked back inside, as did Hermione.
"Then we'll play with the twins." Hermione smiled down at them.
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Draco sat in the Common Room with Ginny napping on his lap. "So, you two is there anything that you wish to do as a career?"
"Uh, what do ya mean?" Goyle stared blankly at him. "As in a Job?"
"Yeah, are ya talkin workin?" Crabbe frowned.
Draco forced himself to remain patient with them. "Yes you two I meant as in a job."
"Uh, never thought bout it much," Crabbe reached for another sandwich from the tray on the coffee table, but Draco moved it out of their reach.
"Well, now it's time to think about it." Draco sighed in frustration.
"Look we ain't smart like you or the others. We was always the muscle, no need ta think for that." Goyle grumbled.
"No your right about that, but roughing people up isn't a valid career. It will only get you two into more trouble." Draco pointed that out to them.
"Well, we can't help it that's all we know."
"We do like ta uh…" Goyle shot Crabbe a look.
"What Goyle?" Draco asked.
"Ta Garden…keep grounds…and stuff." Crabbe muttered.
"Groundskeepers…" Draco pondered that idea.
"Yeah, but it ain't no career or nothin." Goyle nodded.
"They could bunk in the Guesthouse." Ginny yawned. "That way you could keep an eye on them." She snuggled closer to him.
"Brilliant as always my Peach," Draco kissed the top of her head.
"There's plenty for them to do around here in Godric's Hollow." Ginny smiled. "And their names are Vincent or Vince and Gregory or Greg, not Crabbe and Goyle."
"Well, gentleman it looks as though you're going to make a go at a career in Grounds keeping." Draco refocused on them.
"We are?" They stared at him in surprise.
"Yes you are." Draco, his mind made up, nodded. "You'll be staying in the Cottage not far from Dragon Manor and will be provided all the tools you will need for your new career."
"Uh, Okay…" They nodded.
"You'll be paid fifty galleons a day to start and we shall see how it goes from there."
"Uh, sure are, um, meals included?" Vincent asked.
"Yeah, are they?" Greg gave him a pathetic look.
"Yes you two will be well-fed." Draco smirked.
The two sighed with relief.
MJ toddled over to them as did Bell. "Draco!"
"Hey, you two," Draco smiled.
"Who be?" MJ stopped to cling to Greg's leg.
"Who be?" Bell did the same to Vince's leg.
"Uh, I'm Vince."
"Uh, I'm Greg."
"These two are old friends of mine. Boys meet my baby sister Bell and baby brother MJ." Draco watched in amusement when the twins climbed up onto their laps.
"Uh hi…" Vince and Greg were at a loss about what to do.
Draco conjured two toys for the twins to play with. "Here you go have fun with those." Two balls floated in front of them.
"Play." MJ bopped Greg in the nose.
"Play." Bell mirrored her brother.
The two reluctantly began to interact with the twins.
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Harry stood on the bottom landing of the staircase and listened to the goings-on in the Common room.
"Those two are big softies." Hermione also could not believe her eyes.
"This isn't surprising to me those two bawled like babies when they nearly got sent to Azkaban for a month." James smirked.
Greg and Vince were sitting on either side of a baby blanket playing ball with the twins.
"Those two are just as lost as Draco was, but now everything is new to them." Lily smiled.
"Yes and with Draco to watch over them they will be able to become better young men and never go down the dark path again." Albus was pleased with what he was seeing.
"So, I see he finally woke up." Draco glanced over at the stairs.
"I've been awake for an hour. I chatted with the dragons and cuddled the girls for a while, but dreamtime called, so now I can eat lunch." Harry and Hermione walked over to him.
"I had to go fetch Gin authentic Chinese food, so I've been up for a few hours." Draco yawned. "Then I had to sort out Greg and Vince."
"We came up with a career for them?" Ginny smiled.
"Career?" Hermione looked over at the two young men and then back at Draco and Gin.
"Groundskeepers." Draco nodded.
"Fascinating, uh, are they coherent enough to focus on a career like that?" Harry used big words as not to insult the two in question.
"They claim to be good at it and say that they enjoy gardening and grounds keeping." Draco had doubts himself, but was willing to have a go at it.
"Herbology was the only class they passed with satisfactory marks." Albus seemed all for the idea.
"They love food, so it does make sense that they would wish to know how to grow their own or even cook it." Hermione mused.
"Oh, we like ta cook. We have his Mum's wand it helped us survive." Greg looked up when he heard the words food or cook.
"It's not hard like other magic. It was easy ta learn."
"We like the other cuz we like how we feel when we do gardening and the like." Greg continued.
"We feel like we've done somethin good."
"That's how it should be." Lily smiled.
"Well, boys it looks like you've earned probation as long as you stick with your chosen career Azkaban will never be in your futures." James gave them the good news.
"Thanks your, uh, highness..." They visibly sighed in relief.
"Don't sweat it you two. We're the good guys, so as long as you stay true to your path the two of you will be fine." Harry smiled at them.
"Between Draco's place, our place, Godric Castle, and everyone else's places in Godric's Hollow you two will be extremely busy doing what you love doing." Hermione smiled at them.
"So where's all the food?" Harry frowned at the table that had a platter with only three sandwiches on it. "I'm starving."
"Uh, well, ya see we…uh, eat when we're…hungry or nervous." Greg and Vince eyed him warily.
"No harm no foul. I'll be back in a few." Harry kissed Hermione and then vanished.
"Uh, doesn't he need ta use a wand anymore?" Vince gulped nervously.
"No he doesn't. You see you two, Harry is the Next Merlin." Hermione told them.
"Ya mean that's all true!?" They whimpered.
"Yes it's all true." Draco nodded. "I'm Merlin trained as well and Hermione and Gin were trained by Queen Mab herself."
"Merlin is his first-grandfather. His parents are the strongest witch and wizard of their generation as Harry and I are of ours." Hermione added.
"We promise no more dark stuff ever." They vowed and nearly jumped out of their skins when Harry reappeared with sacks of food.
"We did excellent last night, so we deserve this treat." Harry unloaded the sacks of Muggle fast-food.
"Oh yummy!" Ginny took in the feast on the table.
"Help yourself there's plenty." Harry bit into a roast beef sandwich.
"Go on you two. I know that you're dying to try it." Draco smirked.
"Every once in a while it's good to indulge in a treat." Hermione munched on some curly fries.
"Oh, I agree wholeheartedly with that." James was enjoying his lunch.
"Muggle food is surprisingly pleasing to the pallet." Albus agreed.
"Yes, but only as a treat every once in a while." Lily sipped her chocolate milk shake.
"This is muggle food?" Vince was enjoying his roast beef sandwich.
"Yeah, it's really good." Greg also liked his meal.
"This is from a muggle restaurant." Harry nodded.
"If they can make food like this then the muggles are all right in my eyes now." Greg took a sip of milk shake.
"Yeah, this is good food." Vince agreed.
"Boys this is but a taste of what muggles have to offer." Harry smirked.
"He makes a good point. If you focus on your new career and being good then you'll be rewarded with more muggle fast-food." Draco saw this as incentive for the two of them.
"Now that's a goal to work for." Vince grinned at Greg.
"Oh yeah, havin a job isn't that bad after all." Greg grinned back.
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Chapter23
Giving thanks
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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