Chapter 24: Things to do before Yule!
Saturday, December 15
Lord Peverell gets a message from the Goblins, who handle all his mail, stating that the Ministry would like a meeting to discuss the bodies found outside of Mulciber Manor. Harry replies that he would be glad to meet with them and discuss it with them and get their thoughts on how five dead men ended up on his property.
Harry is having breakfast with Lord and Lady Black, when time stops and Lora appears in front of Harry and tells him, "You are doing what needs to be done, but be aware that Tom has taken notice of his losses and he is going to start reacting more openly! He has lost many followers and much of his financial backing so he is going to put pressure on people who he can blackmail and get funds. Guard you loved ones and ask the Goblins to alert you if any transactions take place that are not normal. They will tell you of their privacy laws but let them know that Voldemort wants them dead as much as he wants muggles, muggleborn and half-bloods dead. They are just not in his sights yet. Request a meeting with Ragnok and explain to him what is coming, how you know this and show him your memories, you can trust the Goblins to do what is best for the Goblins and in this case, it coincides with your goals."
Harry tells Lora he will see the Goblins and make his case. He tells her it is nice to hear from her and he welcomes her visits. Lora fades away and time picks up as if it never happened.
Harry tells Arcturus and Melania that he has moved Liza, Candace and Miri to Peverell Manor and he is going to see if more of the women want to move there for their own safety or do they want him to upgrade their wards and stay at their homes.
Melania tells Harry that is very admirable of you but if any of the women give you any doubt of their loyalty then do not let them into your home. You can ward their Manor's and give them port-keys to a safe house but do not let someone you do not trust into your Manor!
Arcturus agrees and tells Harry to add to the oaths if he has to, but if he puts the wards on their Manors that he has on Potter Castle and Black Manor then they should be safe and they always have their elves who could pop them to Gringott's if need be.
Harry tells them he is going to ask Lily to go with him to help with the warding and also to have some time to get to know her better. He goes to the floo and throws in a pinch of powder and calls for Lily. It only takes a second and Lily's face is in the flames.
Lily asks Harry what could she do for him and he asks her if, "she would be willing to go with him to some of his properties and renew the wards and upgrade them if needed."
Lily agrees and asks him to give her fifteen minutes or so. It was a little while later that Lily Potter stepped out of the floo into Black Manor takes Harry's hand as she steps thru. She greets Lord and Lasy Black and then she and Harry apparates out to Peverell Manor.
Harry introduces Lily again to Liza, Candace and Miri, and tells Lily that they were staying at his Manor for safety as Miri's home was attacked by former family members looking for spoils. Lily greets them all and Harry tells them that they were going to his other properties and would be back later.
So started a long day for Lily and Harry. First, they apparated to House of Goyle, Harry says, "I have got to come up with a better name!"
Harry calls for Rubi the house elf and she pops in front of Harry and Lily and welcomes Lord Peverell to his property. She leads them into the Parlor and it isn't but a minute that Lady Goyle has come in the room and tells Harry, "Lord Peverell, it is an honor to have you in my...I mean your home!"
Harry tells her, "Arabelle, this is your home and as long as you hold to your oaths it will be your home." Harry then asks if she has everything she needs and if she has noticed anything out of the normal happening around the Manor?
Arabelle tells Lord Peverell that she hasn't noticed anything and that Rubi hasn't said anything about strange occurrences.
Harry then gives her the option of moving to Peverell Manor or him and Lily upgrading the wards and staying here.
She tells Lord Peverell that she would like to stay there and if they would upgrade the wards, she would be forever grateful and if needed she could have Rubi take her to safety.
Harry and Lily upgrade the wards to anyone with harmful intent would be fried by the wards. The same wards that were on Potter Castle, Black Manor and Peverell Manor were now on House Goyle.
This process went on the rest of the day with Harry and Lily apparating from one property to the next, making the same offer.
Harry was surprised that some of the ladies accepted his offer to move to Peverell Manor. Lady's Rosier, Rowle, Carrow, and Crabbe all moved to Peverell Manor while Lady's Scabior, Rookwood, and Goyle accepted the new wards and stayed in their current residences.
Harry and Lily return to Potter Castle and tell of the day's events, James and Sirius had visited Ted, Julie and Amielia at Bone's Manor and Harry made the comment that Sirius was seriously hanging out at the Bone's more than anywhere else and asked if he has something to share?
Sirius almost chokes and says we are visiting friends and brainstorming ideas of how to fight Voldemort and his followers.
Lily can't resist digging a little and says, "oh, I know how serious you are about keeping everyone safe! Especially as you can't keep your eyes off a certain part of Amelia's anatomy, that resides right above her belly button!"
Sirious chokes and James and Harry bust out laughing!
Lily asks Harry if he was going to stay the night but Harry says, "I am going to make sure everyone is settled at the Manor and sleep there tonight." Lily nods her head as she knows Harry hasn't consummated all the bonds with the women yet and she really didn't want to think about this being her son who was even born yet!
Harry arrives back at Peverell Manor and asks for all those residing in the Manor to meet him in the Parlor. It takes about five minutes and everyone is there. Liza has Candace on her knee, Lady Mulciber is seated in a wing back chair, Lady Rowle and her son Victor are in a love seat, Lady Rosier is seated on the end of one of the couches and looks as beaten as anyone Harry has ever seen, Lady Carrow is on the other end of the couch.
Harry asks them to introduce themselves to each even if they know some of the people present. They all do and Harry then tells them that they are to consider this their home now. They have access to anything in the home and that the elves would see to their needs, just be polite and friendly. Harry calls Lucky, the head elf of House Peverell, and tells him these people will be living here and to make sure they are taken care of. Lucky says Lord Peverell it will be done and tells Harry that his shower and night clothes were already lain out. Harry thanks Lucky and then asks if the Ladies have any questions or needs addressed?
Lady Rosier asks if she could have a word in private after the meeting as she had some questions for her Lord.
Harry agrees and everyone leaves to go to their quarters or take a look around the grounds.
Harry leads Lady Rosier to his private office and asks her in. She stops at the door and looks at Lord Peverell and asks if he really wants her to come in?
Harry tells her that he isn't like most Lords and he didn't mind her coming in at any time unless he had someone already in there. She nods and enters as Harry closes the door behind her. As the door closes silencing charms are activated and no one can hear anything that is said in the room.
She asks Lord Peverell if he would call her Iris in private and she asks if Harry was somehow angry at her or did, she fail to meet his preference?
Harry is sort of stunned and asks her why she feels that he would be mad at her or that she wouldn't meet his preference?
Iris says it has been a while and you haven't come to The Vineyard to claim her or to consummate the oath.
Harry looks at her for a second and then apologizes. I am sorry if I have in anyway given you the impression that I am disappointed or angry at you in any way. While I despised your former husband, you have done nothing to earn my wrath or ire, you are under my protection and I told each of you from the start I would not take advantage of you. I know that I have to bring you into the "family" perce but you have done nothing wrong.
Iris looks Harry in the eyes and says, then if I have not earned your wrath, I would like you to bring me in under your complete protection and complete the bond tonight if you will do so!
Harry stares for a second and then asks if she is sure and she says, "yes, I will feel safer and know I have a place forever in your family!"
Harry tells her that he will be up in a while and that she could retire to her room and to come to the Lords' Quarters when she is ready or not if she changes her mind, he will not force her.
Iris stands straight and bows her head and leaves Harry in his office to ponder what just happened.
It is around nine when Harry hears a knock on his bedroom door and Iris announces herself. Harry invites her in and he notices that her robes did her no justice, she was a stunning woman and Harry was going to make sure she knew it if she didn't before.
Iris walks to the king size bed and waits, it seems like she needs to be told to get in the bed so Harry folds the covers back and reaches his hand towards her. Iris takes his hand and Harry pulls her towards the bed and he lifts her chin and presses his lips to hers. At first, she seems a little shocked, but she slowly gives in to the kiss and Harry wraps his arms around her, while she rests her arms on his shoulders. Harry then picks her up and places her on the bed and as she slides to the middle, he gets in the bed and lays his arm out for her to rest her head.
Harry can tell she is frightened and he tells her to relax and he pushes his arm under her neck and she lifts up her head and allows it to rest on his shoulder. Harry asks her different get to know you questions and slowly gets Iris to open up and she tells Harry of her life and how she was expected to behave.
Harry tells her that is in the past and she is her own woman now and she is in charge of her life, he kisses her on top of her head and she leans in and kisses him on the mouth.
She doesn't stop and soon they are in the throes of passion. Harry is sure this is the first time that Iris have ever let go like this. He tells himself it won't be her last time and the night is past in pleasure as two tired but sated people fall asleep in the middle of the night!
A/N: I do not own anything to do with Harry Potter, JKR does.
Harry meets the DMLE about the bodies and prepares the end of Malfoy!
