Title: Memories of the Future
Chapter Title: Chapter 15: What's in a Name?
Rating: PG-13
Warnings: HBP Spoiler
Summary: Harry and Ginny introduce their newest family member to the world, though they struggle to choose a name. Moving into this next stage of their lives, they both experience new joys and frustrations, with each other and with those around them.
Author's Note: I apologize for the length of my absence. Being a church musician, the spring is always a busy season for me. Now that Lent and Easter are over I have a bit more time on my hands and I hope I can make updates more often again. Thank you to all of my readers for sticking with me.
"Mr. Potter? The Goblin is here."
"For Merlin's sake Kate, don't call him 'The Goblin.' It's so rude. He has a name you know."
"Mr. Griphook? Mr. Potter will see you now," Kate bowed her head slightly as a short but dignified looking Goblin strode confidently through the door. He wrinkled his nose and narrowed his eyes slightly as he passed Kate, who eyed him cautiously before glancing up at her boss as she shut the door softly.
"Griphook! How wonderful to see you again. Can I offer you something to drink? You know, I recently acquired a bottle of fine Goblin-made whiskey. Perhaps you might know best how to enjoy it."
"I might," the Goblin replied politely as he took a seat. "What family is it?"
"You mean the label? Let me see if I have it here." Griphook looked on with amusement as his host busied himself in a nearby cabinet, his muffled voice carrying out from behind the cabinet door. "If I remember right it was 'Bladvak something.' Yes, here it is: 'Bladvak, 1612.' Doesn't Bladvak mean—?"
"Where did you get this?" Griphook asked severely, taking out an ancient looking jeweler's glass and studying the label carefully.
"It was a birthday present from Penny Rosmerta. She found it in her grandmother's bar. Apparently it's been there for years. They only just uncovered it."
"I should think so," Griphook continued, holding the bottle up to the light. "I'm surprised it was ever found at all. Then again, our concealment techniques weren't nearly as sophisticated back then." He set the bottle gently upon the desk. "That's quite a piece of history you have there."
"From the rebellion of 1612? I thought so."
Griphook reclined comfortably in his chair, his short legs sticking straight out. He interlaced his long fingers and placed his hands neatly in his lap before going on. "Bladvak was from a family of miners in Scotland; up near Culross in Fife," Griphook began with the air of telling an old story that had been passed down through many generations. "Much to his father's frustration, Bladvak's whiskey business was very successful. He had made some of the finest whiskey available and his label was coveted throughout the region. He even did a steady trade with the wizard population. However, when the Minister found out that Bladvak was a key instigator in the rebellion, most bottles of his make were destroyed and he never returned to the business, though recent evidence suggests he did survive the hostilities. One thing is certain: this must be one of the last bottles he ever made."
There was an awkward silence. "I suppose we shouldn't drink it then."
"I didn't say that," Griphook responded with what must have been a wry grin; such expressions were so rare for a Goblin, it was hard to tell exactly what it was. "In fact, I expect it will never be finer than it is right now. It would be a shame not to enjoy it while it's still good. I see you have glasses already. Do you have any ice?"
"Yes, of course."
"Good. Normally I would say it isn't needed, but this sort of thing is usually stored deep in the cellar and it is rather warm in here."
There was a long, luxurious silence, punctuated by the smacking of lips as they each sampled their first taste.
"So, Mr. Potter, what do you think?"
"It's excellent. Thank you for your insight. I'll see to it that you get the bottle when it is finished. I expect it holds a certain value."
"You are too kind," Griphook responded with a slight bow of his head.
"Now, what brings you here today?"
"As you may know, Gringotts has recently acquired a property across Diagon Alley from our main building. Now, we've already been expanding within our current property, but we would like to relocate a few departments to this new location."
"Sounds reasonable. I sense there is a complication."
"You are perceptive." Griphook paused for a moment and fiddled with a rather large, multi-gemmed ring on one of his long fingers. "You understand that secrecy is of paramount importance regarding the inner workings of the bank and—"
"I understand completely. I assure you this will remain strictly between us, as always."
"Very good," Griphook replied with satisfaction. "Firstly, we have a problem with the shop behind our new one. They seem to have extended their cellar underneath our property."
"Behind? Wouldn't that be on Knockturn Alley?"
"Yes," Griphook replied dramatically.
"I see. That is concerning. Thank you, of course, for bringing this to our attention. I'll see to it this is investigated. No doubt, some less than reputable business is related to this illegal expansion. We will have to ask for your patience and silence on the matter until it is resolved. I hope you understand. This may take some time."
"Naturally. Take as much time as you need. Our first concern is that this all goes over smoothly." Griphook nodded genially as he took another sip, looking somewhat reluctant to make his next request. "Secondly, for what we would like to do with this new acquisition, we would need to extend our tunnels underneath the street to reach the new property."
"I see…"
There was a long pause as the two studied each other like a pair of chess players, silently gauging the other's next move.
Griphook broke the silence first. "We were hoping you might be able to smooth things over with the Minister regarding this project."
"This isn't that simple."
"That, Mr. Potter, is why we came to you."
"Flattery will get you nowhere my dear Griphook." They both chuckled uncomfortably. The silence around them now seemed brittle and cold. Both were working hard to hide the awkwardness of the situation.
"How long have you worked here?" Griphook asked delicately.
"About six years. I know where you're going with this so I'll finish for you. I'll admit I do have a fair amount of influence, but I don't know if it's enough for something this…" There was another pause. This time Griphook remained silent, waiting patiently. "If you are hoping to do this and keep it secret, we'll need to do a lot of work to make sure it doesn't get out. The obliviator squad will need to be notified, for example. Just the same, I don't see how your neighbors won't figure it out in spite of any precautions. Madam Malkin may be old but she still hears perfectly well, and I've never known anyone to hear the local gossip before she does."
"I understand. It is a lot to ask, but this expansion will mean significant improvements at Gringotts. I don't have to tell you, people are beginning to complain about the lines on peak days. This would make us much more efficient." Griphook paused briefly to allow this to sink in. "Mr. Potter?" he asked cautiously after a moment.
"What?"
"Perhaps you could—"
"No!"
"Just listen—"
"Absolutely not."
"If you would just—"
"I'm not going to do it."
"Mr. Potter—"
"No!"
"Mr. Potter—"
"NO!"
"WILLIAM!"
There was a sudden silence as they stared at each other's ardent expressions. Both were standing now, neither one blinking.
"William…" Griphook said again, softly. "Please, could you ask your father? He knows the right people and—"
"I know who he knows!"
The bitter silence permeated the room again.
"I know your father isn't the biggest friend of Goblins," Griphook said diplomatically, "but he knows the merchants of Diagon Alley better than anyone, and you know they'd do anything if he asked them to. We all know this is something that everyone needs, wizards and Goblins alike. He'll understand how important this is."
"It's not that simple," William replied.
"But it is," Griphook countered politely.
"No…" William looked over at a picture, framed on the corner of his desk, and sighed, "…it isn't." He paused for a moment with his fingers peaked beneath his chin. "Do you know why my father doesn't like Goblins?"
"In my experience, even the best of people don't need a reason," Griphook said bitterly.
"Not in this case," William responded matter-of-factly. "You should know it's rather out of character for him." Griphook nodded. William stood and walked behind his chair, staring aimlessly at his shelves, which were teeming with unusual and mysterious artifacts. Griphook noticed a slight limp to William's step as he wandered, though he compensated for it so automatically, it was almost undetectable. "Prejudice is a complicated subject with my father," William said with effort. "He's terribly embarrassed by it. He's struggled for years to keep it under control. That's why nobody knows why he doesn't seem to like Goblins. If he had his way people wouldn't even know that much. It's simply too much for him to forget what happened. He knows it's irrational, but he just can't let it go."
"What is it then? Why does he have so much trouble with Goblins?"
"Because of me."
"He ees beautiful."
"Don't embarrass the poor child Fleur. I believe the word you are looking for is 'handsome.'" Bill and Fleur sat on either side of Ginny admiring their new nephew, who was nestled comfortably in his mother's arms. Harry had gone with Mrs. Weasley to bring a pair of large trays bearing sandwiches into The Burrow's comfortable living room.
"Thanks Mum," said Bill as Mrs. Weasley turned toward the kitchen again.
"You're welcome as always. Shout if you need anything." Mrs. Weasley smiled happily at the group of people surrounding her new grandson.
"What ees 'is name?" Fleur asked the room at large.
"We haven't decided yet," Harry said as he offered the food to everyone.
"Really?" Bill said incredulously. "I would've thought Ginny would have a whole list of names picked out."
"That's the problem," Ginny said, switching the baby from one arm to the other.
"I see," Bill said with a chuckle. "Well, after a while, maybe something in his personality will jump out at you. Give it some time. I don't think you'll ever regret waiting a little bit." Bill and Fleur gazed almost longingly at the tiny infant. Ginny knew they had been struggling to start their own family and couldn't help but feel sorry for them.
"Would you like to hold him?" Ginny asked Bill quietly.
"It's alright?"
"Of course. I have to go to the loo anyway."
It was more than obvious that Bill—the oldest child of seven—had done this a few times before. He knew just how to cradle the tiny child. "Just like riding a broomstick. You never forget," Bill said confidently as he gazed down at his nephew, adjusting the hand knitted blanket that was wrapped around him.
"It's really wonderful you two could make it," Ginny said after the baby was settled. "It's so great to see you both. I know you've been on the road a lot for Gringotts."
"Eet's our pleasure. I was getting tired of all ze caves and tombs," Fleur said, tossing her hair back with a flourish. Ginny suspected she had been deprived of this particular activity for quite a while. Fleur's long hair would be a serious liability while exploring unknown places unless it was wrapped up tightly.
"Wow," Bill said with a huge grin on his face. "You know, the last time I did this I was holding you, Ginny."
"'E ees so good with children," Fleur beamed.
"Here, why don't you take him for a while," Bill said, shifting the baby carefully into his wife's arms. Fleur almost seemed to transform. She had never looked less like herself. The haughty self-importance she usually carried around with her melted away and she took on a whole new appearance, one that was loving and nurturing rather than snobby and self-absorbed. "There you go, nothing to it," Bill said as Fleur rocked the baby gently. "This is the easy part."
"I'll say," Ginny replied enthusiastically as she turned to leave the room.
"Do you need help with anything?" Harry asked as Ginny passed him.
"No Harry love, I think I can manage to use a toilet without supervision," Ginny sighed with a hint of frustration.
"Sorry," Harry replied, lowering his head, "I guess I…"
"I know. I'll be right back. Save a sandwich or two for me," Ginny replied, squeezing Harry's arm. She gave Bill a belated hug hello and whispered briefly in his ear. Bill nodded covertly. Harry was watching Fleur entertain the baby.
"So how was your first year at Hogwarts Harry?" Bill asked, taking a seat next to Harry as Fleur continued to bounce the baby gently. The infant cooed and squirmed slightly, his big brown eyes focused intently on her face.
"It was great," Harry said breathlessly, finally pulling his eyes away from his new son. "Those kids are incredible. I'm convinced they're ten times smarter than we were at that age. At this rate that little guy over there will be able to blow up his aunt long before he's thirteen."
"What?" Fleur asked severely. Both men laughed as she scowled back at them before returning her attention to her nephew.
"Somehow I doubt that," Bill said with a chuckle, "the former, not the latter I should say. After all, no matter what his first name will be, his last name is Potter."
Harry smiled weakly but didn't say anything. Bill took the opportunity to change the subject.
"Heard Gryffindor had a good side for Quidditch this season."
"You heard right," Harry said, nodding excitedly. "You should have seen some of those moves they put on in their match against Hufflepuff; some of the best plays I've ever seen. A lot of the players have Quidditch in their families. Cailean Parkin, one of our chasers, is a descendant of Walter Parkin."
"Of the original Wigtown Wanderers? No kidding?" Bill said, leaning forward in interest.
"And we had two of the best beaters I've ever seen," Harry went on. "As you know, that's saying something."
"Better than Fred and George?" Bill said, raising one eyebrow.
"I'd have to say so," Harry admitted with mock reluctance. "You know the team reinvented the Parkin's Pincer to involve not only the chasers but the beaters as well. Poor Austin Jones didn't have anywhere to go with five players closing in on him all at once."
"Wow. I would have liked to see that," Bill said nostalgically. "You know, there are still days when I miss Hogwarts."
"I don't see what ze big deel iz, with 'Ogwarts" Fleur interjected, rolling her eyes and looking back down at the baby, whose attention remained raptly focused on her.
"I guess some things will never change," Harry responded with a grin.
"People who've never been students there just don't understand," Bill added in a sickly sarcastic voice.
"Don't understand what?" Ginny asked curiously as she entered the room again.
"Hogwarts," Bill and Harry said together. Fleur just rolled her eyes again.
"I suppose not," said Ginny. "I do have to admit, I never thought I'd be so lucky to live there again."
"Me either," said Harry, as he stood and wrapped his arms around Ginny from behind, taking advantage of the rare moment when neither of them were occupied with the baby. "And even better is the company I keep."
"Another woman?" Ginny asked conversationally.
"Very funny," said Harry, giving her another tight squeeze.
"Ouch," Fleur yelped suddenly.
"What's wrong?" Ginny slipped out of Harry's arms and was instantly at Fleur's side, inspecting the baby.
"I think… 'ee… I think 'ee pinched me," Fleur sputtered incoherently.
"The baby?" Harry said incredulously, his raised eyebrows disappearing into his messy black hair as he shared a confused look with Ginny.
"What's so funny?" Ginny asked as Bill laughed quietly.
"I think your son is getting fresh with my wife," explained Bill with another chuckle. "He may be just a baby, but he's still a boy. Fleur, my dear, I think you're going to have to tone down the charm a bit."
Harry later thought it must have been a release-valve for the stress they had all been going through over the past few weeks. It was a very confused Mrs. Weasley who came in several minutes later to find Bill, Harry and Ginny doubled over in chuckles and chortles, Ginny trying desperately to hold the baby steady, and Bill and Harry leaning on each other for support, while Fleur adjusted her blouse in indignation.
"Ow," Ginny mumbled, rubbing her right knee as though it had just been kicked.
"Now what?" Harry groaned beside her. "We just got to sleep."
"You think I don't know that Harry!" Ginny snapped.
"Shhh. Keep it down. I'm sorry, I'm just…"
"You're just what?" Ginny said in a whisper so harsh, it stung worse than yelling would have.
"…tired," Harry finished.
"Well, what did you expect with a new baby?"
"I expected to be tired," Harry yawned, rubbing his eyes.
"Well you don't have to be so snippy," Ginny spat, folding her arms over her chest and staring up at the ceiling.
Harry stared at her in indignation and opened his mouth to retort but thought better of it; better if she figured it out on her own. After a few minutes he thought he saw realization in her expression, reflected in the light of a candle on the dresser. Her stubborn streak seemed to be holding her from speaking though as she sighed and continued staring at the ceiling. Harry lay completely still, resting his right cheek in his hand as he stared at Ginny, his own stubbornness now challenging him to wait Ginny out.
"Aren't you going to say anything," Ginny said after several minutes, her eyes still fixed on the shadowy texture of the ceiling treatment. Just then Harry let out a great grunt of a snore. Ginny turned to look at him in shock. "How dare y—"
"Hi," Harry said with a mocking wave of his hand as Ginny's eyes met his. "Gotcha," he teased with a victorious grin on his face.
"Why you…" Ginny groped behind her head, closing her hand around thin air.
"Looking for this?" Harry whispered, holding her second pillow high over his far shoulder, just out of reach.
"You know, I always knew you were trouble, Harry Potter."
Harry barely caught himself from letting out a great hoot of laughter. Instead he stifled it into something halfway between a snort and a sneeze.
"What?" Ginny said, glaring at him.
"I was just thinking of what Ron would say if he heard you say that," Harry replied. His voice was unusually high as he was barely containing his laughter as he spoke. Still struggling not to laugh he was biting his lips and trying so hard to look innocent he simply looked silly. Ginny just shook her head and sighed.
"Oh, I give up. I don't have the energy anyway," Ginny said in resignation. "Let's just sleep while we still can."
"Agreed," Harry responded happily as they adjusted their positions.
"Ow," Ginny said again.
"What is it?" Harry asked in concern.
"Oh nothing," Ginny said with a slight grimace. "It's just my knee. I must've stood on it wrong or something. Don't worry about it. Go to sleep."
"Good night sweetheart," Harry said with a kiss.
"'Night," Ginny mumbled with a glance over at the crib on the other side of the room. Seeing no movement she laid her head down and was instantly asleep.
"Ah, a new customer!" George said with relish as he trotted quickly out from behind the marble front counter of Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes. "Oy Fred!" He bellowed, sticking his head through a red curtain concealing a doorway behind him. "Whatever the Professor wants it'll have to wait. We've got a V.I.P. Customer out here!"
"This had better be good," Fred's muffled voice called as the sound of his footsteps approached. Suddenly the curtain was ripped aside to reveal the other twin, looking frustrated and holding several multicolored quills. "I was just telling the Professor—"
"Good afternoon to you too Fred."
"Ginny! Harry!" Fred's quills fell straight to the floor, forgotten. "This is certainly a surprise. How are you? What are you doing here?"
"Baby's first outing," Harry announced. Just then another familiar face appeared from behind the curtain.
"Oh my goodness. Of all the people I wouldn't expect to see today…" Professor McGonagall beamed, hugging Ginny and Harry each in turn before turning her attention to the newest Potter in his homemade wicker basket, which was charmed to float in mid-air. "Isn't he a handsome fellow? He certainly has his father's hair doesn't he?" she said, brushing her fingers through a full head of dark black hair. "I must say it does lie a bit flatter though, at least for now." Harry smoothed his own hair down self-consciously. Fred and George laughed while Ginny rolled her eyes, pulling Harry's hand down to his side.
"So what do you think Harry Junior would like today?" Fred asked, looking around at the nearest shelves and bins. "It's on the house of course."
"Don't call him that," Ginny scolded. "We're not naming him Harry."
"You haven't chosen a name yet?" McGonagall asked neutrally.
"No," Harry responded. "We've narrowed it down a bit, but we're still not sure."
"If you don't mind my asking, are you having any trouble agreeing?" Minerva suggested cautiously.
"No actually," said Ginny, "that isn't the problem. We're more or less working from the same list. We both like a lot of names but it's hard to just pick one."
"I see. Well, I don't see any need to rush it. I expect one day you'll know which one is right."
"Thank you Minerva," Ginny said, glaring at Fred who busied himself with a display of trick wands near the front counter.
"So how did you manage to get away without Mum tagging along?" asked George. Harry laughed and Ginny looked distantly up at the ceiling and sighed deeply.
"We didn't," Ginny groaned. "We lost her in Flourish and Blotts." Fred, George and Professor McGonagall all laughed knowingly.
"I expect it won't be long before she tracks us down," Harry added. As if on cue, the plump form of Mrs. Weasley appeared in the doorway, hands on her hips.
"There you are! Don't run off on me like that. I was—" But she was cut off by another burst of laughter.
"Molly, we were just talking about you," McGonagall said cheerfully to a scowling Mrs. Weasley.
"I can imagine," Mrs. Weasley replied, glaring at Ginny and Harry. "How are you Minerva?"
"Very well, thank you."
"Well, now that we have a party, have you all had tea already?" George asked enthusiastically.
"Not yet," Harry answered cautiously. He had always been leery of Fred and George's schemes. Now, with the new baby, he was even more cautious of them. He looked over to see Ginny's reaction. She seemed positively pleased by the idea.
"In that case, since we don't have any other customers at the moment, why don't we all head down to the Leaky Cauldron and catch up; our treat," Fred suggested.
"I don't know," Mrs. Weasley said reluctantly. "We probably ought to get the baby home."
"Oh come off it Mum," Ginny said with frustration. "Look at him. He's fine. Tea sounds wonderful Fred." Before anyone could answer, Ginny directed the baby basket ahead of her and turned out the door. Mrs. Weasley threw her hands up in defeat and walked out behind Ginny. Harry waited for Professor McGonagall to exit and then fell in line behind Fred as George followed behind Harry, reaching for the door.
"Ouch," Harry muttered under his breath.
"Everything alright Harry?" George asked.
"Fine…" Harry said, wincing as he rubbed his elbow. "I guess I just bumped my elbow against the door."
George raised a suspicious eyebrow but said nothing as he locked up the shop, sealing the door and windows with his wand before turning and walking alongside Harry, following the mass of red hair ahead of them as it dissolved into the throng of shoppers going this way and that.