Chapter 19
Wednesday, December 12
Harry and Arcturus were having breakfast and discussing how they were going to handle tomorrow's meeting with Lucius Malfoy. Harry was hoping that once Narcissa heard some of the things that Lucius had done, and his beliefs, and that there was nothing he wouldn't do to gain Voldemort's approval she would leave him. If she chose to stay then her future would be short and painful, he really hoped that wouldn't be the case, he only had so much family!
Arcturus tells Harry that he has set the meeting up at noon, because he knows Harry has a meeting that evening with Lady Nott to secure her standing as a vassal to House Peverell.
Harry groans as he had somehow let that slip from his thoughts and now all the ladies and children, he had become responsible for were forefront in his mind.
Harry says let's deal with one problem at a time and Lucius is up first and then we will see where we go with Narcissa.
Arcturus replies, yes, Narcissa has a decision to make and depending on her response, I will have a decision to make. I have been thinking tough, what if I don't dissolve her marriage contract with Malfoy, and after he is forced to admit his deeds, we offer Narcissa a room for respite for her to think over options. I know that Lucius will try to pull Head of House on her and make her leave but she will be in her ancestral home and therefore can't be forced to leave. He will be livid, he will challenge either me or you to an honour duel and we can deal with him and leave Narcissa in complete control of all the Malfoy fortune instead of just her dowry.
Harry says that could very well work but if there was to be a duel then he would face Malfoy, he still had old debts to settle. Harry says after Malfoy is dealt with; we can still bring Narcissa back into House Black!
Dorea, meanwhile has contacted Andromeda and asked her to contact Lady Nott so that they could go out that afternoon and get her something appropriate to wear for her meeting with Lord Peverell tomorrow night and also reassure her that she is and always will be her own woman and be able to make her own decisions.
Andromeda agreed and said it will probably put Liza a little more at ease by being around those that Harry trusts. We should go to muggle London to do the shopping as that will keep us away from any confrontation with those who might wish us harm. Of course, that means that they will have to dress like non-magical people and Andromeda knows that Liza will not have any clothes like that to wear so she would be transfiguring some of her robes until they bought something and she could just wear it and bag her transfigured items.
Dorea tells Andromeda that she will let her handle Liza while she and Lady Black continue go over plans for the enemies of House Potter, Peverell, and House Black.
Andromeda agrees and sets out about her day. Ted can work from home so she doesn't have to take 'Dora with her. Andi and Liza arrange to go to Harrods at 4PM and get a light meal after shopping.
Dorea asks that the rest of the family including the Black's come to Potter manor for a meal to celebrate the announcement that a new Potter Heir is on the way! She can also use this time to help get Harry over any nerves he might have about Lady Nott! She knows Lily won't be any help her as she is still coming to grips with her son coming back from the future, her just realizing she is pregnant, and dealing with what her "adult" son was going to be doing with so many women!
Everyone but Andromeda and her family are at Potter Castle and enjoying another tasty meal prepared by the Potter elves.
Dorea speaks and asks Harry does he have any questions about his upcoming meeting with Lady Nott?
Harry says I guess it will be like a first date except that it will culminate with spending the night with her.
Dorea says while that is true it also is his opportunity to show her, he will respect her, honor her, provide and protect her. It is his chance to make sure she knows that her life will be on the uptick from her on as long as she is loyal and faithful to her Lord!
Harry says I understand and I will treat her the way I treat any lady until I have reason to do differently.
Lily asks again why Harry has to take these women to his bed and that is barbaric for the women to be treated this way.
James and Sirius quickly start a side conversation remembering the dressing down James got when Lily first heard about the need for what Harry was about to do and stating unequivocally that James would never do this as long as he is married to her!
Harry squeezes his Mum's shoulder and says I will make sure that James is not put in a situation where this will be a problem, this is what I came back to fix.
Lady Black asks Harry and Arcturus have they got their plan in place for Lucius and are they sure he will have to answer their questions truthfully? Melania says this could either be a wakeup call for Narcissa or she will choose the same path that Bella has chosen.
Harry agrees and says that Bellatrix is so broken that he doesn't think anyone could bring any sanity back to her mind. He says that between the blind devotion to Voldemort and the abuse by and being passed around by the Lestrange brothers, there is no hope for Bella, and she will have to be put down like a rabid dog.
Sirius looks like he is going to say something but doesn't, he doesn't see that Harry has noticed and Harry decides to ask him about it later.
After supper with all plans made and everyone back inside their warded homes, Harry, Sirius, and James's head downstairs to the practice room to get in some training, or as Lily says so "Harry can kick their arses again and again!"
Sirius says hey, we give as good as we take, and Dorea says "just how many times has Harry been on his arse?"
Sirius stutters and says under his breath but he has had a lot more practice?
Lily laughs and says but aren't both of you older? Both of you are aurors? Trained by Mad-eye himself and by Lord Black and Lord Potter?
James says when you put it like that, we sound pathetic!
Harry says no, you don't sound pathetic, you just haven't ever had to fight for every breath you take, you have never had to suffer losing everything that would ever matter to you. This is why I came back, so you would be ready, so I could help you, prepare you for what is to come, we will not go quietly into that goodnight. We will take from those who want what we have and grind them to dust, whether it be Riddle or Dumbledore, no one will harm the Potter's or the Black's ever again!
For the next 2 hours Harry "trains" Sirius and James harder than they have ever worked before. Lily laughs her behind off at the sight of James and Sirius trying everything they know how both single handedly and in tandem to no avail. They finally finish and all head to their rooms for showers and rest.
Meanwhile, Andromeda and Liza have had an eye-opening experience in London as Liza had never been to the muggle side of the city. She was amazed at the "motorized" vehicles, the lights, the size of the buildings and the number of people.
Liza asks Andi just how many people are there in muggle England?
Andromeda says there is roughly 30,000 magical people in England, Wales and Scotland currently. That number is down a lot since the last two wizarding wars has decimated the population, but even without that, the population of Magical Britain is a drop in the bucket to the estimated 61 million muggles that live here!
Liza looks astounded and says if they ever find out we are here we don't stand a chance against them.
Andromeda looks at her and says that day is coming closer every day that people Lord Voldemort and his followers continue their attacks. Be glad that Lord Peverell is here and saved you from the threat for now. He will eventually prevail over Voldemort but it will take time and many people will suffer, he will make sure you are as safe as possible and out of the line of fire as long as you are loyal!
Liza just shakes her head and says, he is my Lord, I will be loyal, I will support and help him in any way I can.
Andromeda smiles and says that is all he asks, but we have shopping to do and time is a wasting.
They end up buying Lady Nott five outfits for every day, 5 pairs of shoes, some better fitting underwear and once Liza says that is enough, Andromeda just smiles!
Andromeda says, I agree this is enough for every day right now, but you need something nice for your meeting with Lord Peverell and I know just what will be the ticket. They go to a different part of Harrod's and Andromeda pick's Liza a sapphire-colored dinner dress, lined with silver lace, with silver shoes, and asks Liza if that was to her liking?
Liza is awestruck and says she has never has anything this nice, but she has no jewelry to accentuate the look.
Andi says don't worry, she will make sure Lord Peverell brings something that will go quite nicely with her dress and for her to accept it with the grace and honor it will be given.
Liza nods her head and says to Andromeda, Lord Peverell really is different, isn't he? None of what he does is just a show or a cruel trick?
Andromeda says Lord Peverell is as honest and fair man as you could ever hope to have in your life. Take his offered hand in friendship, take his word as the truth, always tell him the truth and you will never have anything to fear! He will fight your battles for you, he will stand in the breech and keep the dark things away. Now since we have squared you away, don't we have to bring something back for that little girl of yours?
Liza laughs and says you never forget anything do you?
Andromeda says I to don't want to disappoint Lord Peverell, so I make it a point to remember!
After getting Candace some clothes and a Cabbage patch doll, the two Ladies go to a Chinese Restaurant and once again Liza is amazed. They then apparate back to their homes, Andromeda to a hot soak and cuddles with her husband and daughter. While Liza gives Candace her clothes and toys and tell her all about the places she went today! She was sure tomorrow would bring new surprises that she would find amazing!
A/N: I do not own any of this, it belongs to JK Rowling!
