Alright, back to Casting Shadows. I advanced Dance of Death enough that there should be minimal spoilers. I failed to build up a buffer of chapters, but I have a good outline and it's time to start writing the primary story again.
In the Dance of Death, I wrote up the Umbridge exchange, but it just didn't work well. I ended up changing it and the result was a few inconsistencies. I have hopefully corrected them – thank you to those of you who alerted me to the errors. With a little luck, I won't have any more glaring inconsistencies. Writing a prequel at the same time as the primary story has been a challenge and not one I would recommend.
Bear with me as I pick up momentum. This chapter took weeks to write, but hopefully the next will come faster. I'll still be alternating with Dance of Death chapters and the occasional Chimera Rising, but this story is now officially in progress again.
JKRowling owns Harry Potter and all the characters in that story.
FASA owns Earthdawn
§ - Parseltongue will start and end with § and be in italics. §"Example of Parseltongue"§
Special thanks to this story's Beta reader, the 'MoleOfWar' for your excellent feedback.
—CS—
Chapter 28: Life is Too Short
Urubamba Valley
Near Cuzco
1524
In the final hours of daylight, a majestic procession descended from the high temple in Sacasayhuaman down to the capital city of Cuzco. Not just the capital city, Cuzco was the heart of the Tawantinsuyo* empire and Sacasayhuaman was located high above on the nearby hill. While the Sapa* may rule from Cuzco, the high priest and those of mystical ability made their homes in Sacasayhuaman. But today, the Mystics were descending to crown the next high king of Cuzco and the future ruler of Tawantinsuyo.
The procession was made up of fifty priests and fifty Honour Guards bringing the sacred Golden Rod of Rulership from the temple of the sun. Young Amaru was proud to have been hand selected to participate in the procession. He had personally overseen the rituals and human sacrifices made to consecrate and empower the Rod of Rulership. The rituals had lasted for three days and had been both long and arduous, but they had been successful.
The rituals Amaru oversaw ensured that the sacred Rod of Rulership was ready. The rod would select a new Emperor to ascend and become Sapa, king of Cuzco and Emperor of Tawantinsuyo*. The selection and consecration must be done to prevent the prophecy of destruction foretold buy the Nazca* and Chimu* seers. The prophecy foretold of a divided kingdom that would descend into civil war. During this period, the halves would weaken the whole and a new enemy would descend then upon them. Within a generation, the great empire would fall and its riches would be stripped and sent far away. Divided, the empire was at risk. Only true unity under a single ruler could prevent disaster.
Tonight in Cuzco, Amaru would watch as each brother would grasp the rod and be judged. One would become a royal vassal and the other would ascend to become Sapa*. As Sapa, the chosen one would wear the Mascapaicha* upon his head and unite the people of Tawantinsuyo under one ruler. This would prevent the prophecy of destruction foretold by the Seers of the ancient Nazca and Chimu traditions.
Amaru considered how the Empire had reached such a dangerous point. Huayna Capac fell to a mysterious illness** which disfigured him and took his life. The same illness took many in the royal palace at Urubamba, including his named successor. There were currently two claims to the throne. They were both the children of Huayna from different wives and they despised one another. Huáscar and Atahuallpa both had strong backing and significant military might behind them.
For the good of the empire, both brothers had agreed to abide by the evaluation and decision of the Rod of Rulership. Amaru knew that without the Sacred Rod, there will be disharmony and likely a prophesized civil war leading to the end of the Tawantinsuyo Empire. The Land of Four Quarters would divide and devour itself.
Looking down at the city they were approaching, Amaru felt a deep sense of pride. He was going to become a part of a ceremony that would ensure the Empire lasted a thousand years. The setting sun was turning the clouds red and gold. The shadows were getting deeper and the sun will have set by the time they reached Cuzco.
Amaru loved the Sacred Valley. It was green and lush. Life was abundant and food was plentiful. Surely, the Empire was in a golden age of hope and prosperity. The acolytes began chanting and the Honour Guard fell into a rhythmic march.
As the procession continued their descent, Amaru shuddered expectantly as they stepped through the temple wards. He felt all at once vulnerable yet connected to the surrounding wilderness. The air was so crisp and clean… The procession continued their march and their chanting became louder and stronger. The next hour was filled with joy at the coming celebration. Songs and chants of the glorious Empire.
Suddenly, with a flash and a thunderous explosion, Amaru was hurtled through the air and landed hard on his back. His ears were ringing and he couldn't breathe. He saw chaos all around him and brilliant flashes of spellfire. Focusing through his confusion, he realized they were under attack. There were masked men in strange garments carrying small wooden sticks. From those sticks, the attackers were reining death upon the procession.
The High Priest began retaliating with his own powerful attacks. Amaru was shocked to see the leader of the attacking group countering and defending every attack from the High Priest. The magic sticks the attackers held were unbelievably fast and effective. They had near instantaneous results without the need for rituals or spell components. In a flash, the High Priest was cut down by a burst of spell fire launched from one of those terrible sticks. Amaru forced himself past his pain and rose up to help defend the procession. He was once more flung to the ground and found himself covered in something wet and warm.
With a start, he realized one of the Honour Guard had exploded and he was covered in the remains. Blood and entrails were all over him. In his eyes… in his mouth… he wretched and vomited the content of his stomach as the fighting continued. Looking up, he saw one of the Honour Guard charge forward toward the leader, the man who had duelled the High Priest. The guard leapt into the air toward the murderer and thrust forward with his enchanted spear. The obsidian tip glowed cruelly as it shattered a mystical shield. The weapon was aimed at the man's chest, but between the shield and the flurry of movement, it only managed to slice open the man's left shoulder.
With a harsh cry in a language Amaru was unfamiliar with, the Honour guard was sent flying away in pieces. The villain pointed his stick and the Rod of Rulership flew to him. He briefly turned to Amaru and his eyes were visible. They were crystal blue and they appeared to be smiling at him. With a number of loud cracks, the attackers fled before reinforcements could arrive. They took the Blessed Rod with them.
No… Not now. Not with the Prophecy looming over them.
Amaru rose on shaky feet. There was blood and death everywhere. He had a nasty gash on his head and was struggling to walk. He went to where the leader of the assault had last been… hoping against all reason that the Rod had been dropped… No. With despair, Amaru realized the Rod was gone.
He saw reinforcements racing to the scene. But it had all happened so fast… and it was now over. Then he saw the spear lying on the ground in two pieces. It had broken in the battle, but the tip was still dimly glowing. It was covered in blood. There was even a bit of flesh on it…
Those monsters had attacked from the shadows like cowards. They had slain wise and honourable men. In the chaos of their ambush, they had stolen a priceless artefact when it was needed most. But one of them had been wounded. The same monster who had murdered the High Priest. The one who appeared to be in charge of the attack. He had been injured and he left behind his blood and his flesh.
Amaru bitterly chuckled while holding the bloodied spear tip. Vengeance would be had.
Oh, yes. One of them will pay.
Harry sat upright immediately. He was breathing hard… A dream… not a dream… The Rod was stolen and the Empire was doomed. He had seen it through the eyes of a young Priest named Amaru. It had felt so real…
"Harry, are you alright?" A very familiar voice said.
Harry looked over and saw Ginny looking at him. She was lying in bed under the covers. Her hair was just as brilliant and red as it ever was. In the dim light, he could also see a few freckles. The light slowly became less dim.
"I'm… yeah. I'm fine." What was she doing in bed with him?
"Good." She stood up and Harry realized she was fully dressed. She was wearing her MVP jacket and a pair of distressed jeans. She looked beautiful. But…
Ginny looked back as she picked up a suitcase. Where had that come from?
"Well, I guess this is goodbye. For now, anyway." She smiled, but it didn't reach her eyes. She looked like she might cry. "I'll miss you, Harry. More than you can ever know." But she didn't move. She just stood there… waiting.
Harry knew… All he had to do was say the word, and she'd come back to bed. They'd be together. Just say the word. Tell her to stay.
"Goodbye, Ginny." He said it so quietly, he wasn't sure if she would hear him. But she did.
She gave him a small, sad, smile, turned around and walked out the door. As she faded from sight, Harry realized he was at peace. Not happy, but not really sad. Was that strange?
"Harry?"
Harry sat upright. Again?
Looking around, Harry realized his heart was racing. "What…?" His hands were shaking… adrenaline…
"Harry, relax. It's me. Daphne." He smelled her shampoo. He felt her hand gently caressing his arm. Another rubbing his back. He could sense her magic… Not a dream. She was here.
As the lights came on, Harry found himself staring into Crystal Blue eyes. With a sudden chill, he recognized them.
In the corner, Fawkes watched intently. He was amused.
—CS—
Grimmauld Place
Kitchen
September 1, 2001
5:30AM
Daphne quietly sipped her coffee and watched Harry and Kreacher preparing breakfast. Harry was whipping up five eggs for a pair of omelettes while Kreacher prepared the additional ingredients. Normally, Kreacher would grow irritated when Harry cooked, but he could sense his master's anxiety. He and Harry had an unusual relationship and when they cooked together, it was almost always when Harry had a problem he had to work through.
Kreacher was cooking up the bacon. Once the bacon was cooked sufficiently, he added red and green peppers along with a small amount of onions. When he felt they were ready, he covered them on the griddle with a small metal bowl. Harry finished whisking the eggs and added a splash of milk before whipping it into the egg mixture. Harry then surrendered his eggs to Kreacher and began toasting bread and cleaning up the prep space.
The elf knew his way around a griddle, that's for certain. When Harry and Kreacher cooked together, it was a bit of a role reversal. Harry always let Kreacher call the shots when they cooked. It was more than just a show of respect, it was an act of closeness. They bonded in the Kitchen.
"Hey, Daph? What do you like on your toast?"
"Marmalade, please." Despite the ridiculous hour, she responded kindly. Harry brought out the best in her.
Harry soon brought over toast and fruit while Kreacher finished the omelettes. He topped off their coffee as well. Usually, Harry was a stickler for Harrods #42 Earl Grey, but today he needed the extra jolt he got from black coffee. Just after sitting down, Kreacher arrived with the omelettes. Perfect timing.
The small elf croaked out, "Kreacher will check on Master and Mistress soon." With a snap of his fingers, a small budvase with a few violets appeared on the kitchen table.
Harry smiled kindly. "Thank you, Kreacher. You always amaze me." The elf beamed under the praise and vanished.
After a moment, Harry asked, "Did he just call you Mistress?"
Daphne shrugged. "He likes me." After a small sip of her coffee, she added, "Excellent taste, that elf of yours, Mr. Potter."
Harry chuckled. "Without question."
Daphne and Harry ate quietly for a few minutes.
"Harry, is everything alright?"
Harry smiled weakly. He was slightly embarrassed. "I had an intense dream. Well, two intense dreams." He gazed off for a moment, then added, "One was divinatory in nature, the other, more personal."
"Don't tell me you're a Seer, Harry. I don't know if I could handle that before six in the morning."
Harry shrugged with a smile. "Not a Seer. But, I do get visions. It's called Oneiromancy**. I did see something of interest. About your family's… problem." That got her attention. "Look into records of any male ancestors from the 1500's. Anything around trips to South America or a magic rod."
Daphne nodded, then looked at Harry inquisitively. "I thought you said the curse was older. Wouldn't that be fairly recent by curse-breaker standards?"
"It is, but I'm beginning to wonder if your ancestor was the original recipient, or if it was just extended to him."
Daphne finished her omelette and finished her coffee. "You seem to already know something, Harry. Care to share?"
Harry started to say, 'later', but decided she deserved to know. "Normally, I like to think about dream-visions before I share them. They're not completely accurate and sometimes they're downright weird. Let's just say, I believe one of your ancestors stole a powerful artefact from the Inca Empire and was injured in the process. Somehow, they used his blood to do… something. Almost certainly a curse. But I really need to think on it, so my interpretation could change." He skipped the whole 'Ginny' sequence. Too personal.
Daphne could barely contain her excitement. "That's... extremely good news… I'll let Father know."
"Just keep in mind, it may only be a clue. Now that I've had one dream, more will follow."
"What do you think brought it on, Harry? The dream, I mean."
"You. You have eyes very similar to your ancestor and… well, this is our first night… you know. Together." He smiled awkwardly. "Thank you."
…So much for taking things slow…
Daphne smirked. "You're welcome. Very welcome."
With a smirk of his own, Harry added, "I'm starting to have second thoughts about Andromeda moving back in."
Daphne grinned. "We'll just have to be… creative." She took delight in the reaction she got from that statement.
Harry knew Daphne still had her flat and there were other properties he owned where they could stay. Still, it would take a bit of adjustment. Andromeda would be moving in October first. Draco as well. Grimmauld Place was going to get rather crowded.
Harry checked the time. Six o'clock. "I got up too early, I'm not meeting McGonagall until nine."
Daphne leaned forward and whispered, "That's three whole hours away. I think I know of something we can do to… pass the time."
There was no mistaking her intent.
—CS—
Hogwarts
Harry and Daphne Floo'ed into the Headmistress' office at ten minutes after nine o'clock. Harry had his Runespoor Familiar with him, but Fawkes has been 'out and about' when they left. That was nothing new, really. Fawkes was far more independent than 'the girls'. Catherine was with Teddy, so it was just Harry, Daphne, and the girls.
Minerva appeared slightly annoyed at having to wait. The room looked vastly different than it had with Dumbledore. Gone was the clutter and curious devices, replaced by order and neatness. It was the office of a very efficient Headmistress. Harry couldn't help but feel like it had lost some of its charm.
He also picked up on the wards. They were different than before. Less open and… airy? Certainly more… Strict… Stern. They were less like Albus and more like Minerva. He hadn't noticed it the last time he was here, but he had been distracted… Interesting. Harry briefly wondered what his own wards felt like? He'd have to ask Bill some time.
With a stoic expression, Minerva greeted the pair. "Mr. Potter, I do hope you will endeavour to arrive on time in the future." It was a mild rebuke, but it was justified. But, given their history, Harry felt the urge to rip into her with an insult or three, but he didn't.
Harry simply said, "Sorry, Professor. Familiar problems…" He gave an indifferent look and shrugged. No way was he mentioning what he had really been up to.
His Runspoor instantly began sputtering, § "What? That wasn't us!... You were the one… with your mate… She was the one that took all that extra time… Don't blame us for your lateness!" §
To everyone else it looked like all three heads had suddenly started moving about and hissing out retorts directly at Harry.
Harry calmed them with a convenient fib. § "Easy girls, I was talking about Fawkes." §
§ "That bird! Always coming and going... Sorry, Harry." §
Harry noted that Artemis wasn't buying it, but she seemed to appreciate the strategy. Whoever would have thought a snake could smirk. Two out of three wasn't bad. He stroked her chin a moment to thank her for holding her tongue.
Minerva seemed slightly amused at the exchange. "Well, your Familiar is rather lively. Let's get started, shall we." She led them into a cosy corner of her office, away from the paintings. Calling this an office wasn't really accurate, it was mostly a living space with the lower level set aside for office work.
Daphne gave a conspiratorial look to Selene and shrugged. She had taken the longest to get ready, Selene had given her a mild accusatory look. Harry noted how well his new girlfriend got along with his girls. Thankfully, she wasn't a Parselmouth, or he'd really have to watch out.
"Mr. Potter, I understand you will be teaching Elemental Magic Studies and assisting Madame Hooch with her flying classes for the younger students. Given your familial obligations, you'll also be the Head of Slytherin House. All very well and good… Am I missing anything?"
Minerva sipped her cup of tea and Harry noted she was just a tad too stiff. Her eyes were moving about a bit too much. There were a few other clues only a combat veteran or a psychologist would pick up on, but he realized she was more nervous than he was. Of course, Daphne had a lot to do with his calm demeanour.
Harry fought back a smirk. "No ma'am. Well, yes actually. I will have an apprentice next year. She might assist me with Elemental studies from time to time." He suddenly realized he had never actually worked for someone else. The closest he came was as an apprentice curse-breaker to Bill. This was going to be different.
Daphne handed over a small folder with Gabby's name on it. She had mentioned a bio on Gabby, but he just assumed it was for him. Harry watched Minerva review and smile from time to time.
"Does Miss Delacour have full control of her Allure? I can't have her distracting the students."
That irritated Harry. How dare she hold Gabby's gift against her. Harry knew first-hand how difficult she and Fleur had it. The taunts and the constant suspicion. Before he could make a cutting remark about equality and small minded behaviour, Daphne was already addressing the question.
"Miss Delacour has excellent control of her Allure. She makes a point to dress and maintain a conservative demeanour. She'll also be teaching younger students and if there is a problem, Harry will address it. She is both proud of her heritage and understands the responsibility to maintain... order."
Harry looked at his girlfriend and understood why Andromeda liked Daphne so much. The comment about younger students was really meant to say pre-puberty. She really is the Ice Queen. Until she thaws anyway. That brought a smile to his face.
Minerva tilted her head to the side and gave a small nod. "I'll make a point to get to know her before the term starts. Filius and I interview all the applicants and if she will be assisting you in teaching, I'm afraid she'll have to follow the same process."
Harry knew it made sense, but it still annoyed him. "I never interviewed…"
Minerva tilted her head to the other side and looked at him. "And what do you think we're doing now?" She seemed amused. She even chuckled a bit.
Harry knew this wasn't a real interview. Not with Daphne here… More of a formality.
Harry added, "I may help Bill out from time to time. I'm a good curse-breaker myself."
He noted Minerva relaxed and continued smiling. The smile seemed less amused and more… sincere? Her whole body seemed to relax ever so slightly. She seemed happy. Was it Bill?
"That should be fine. Your reputation as a gifted curse-breaker is well known throughout Europe. I must confess, having William back…" Yep, she obviously loved Bill. Minerva then shook her head slightly and Harry noticed her tightening back up. "You still have a year before classes start, it would be good to start building your lesson plan. Have you thought about the ages you'll be teaching?"
"Assuming Madame Hooch doesn't mind, I thought I could teach beginner brooms and then offer Elemental studies to first years and up. No NEWT studies at this time. No one will have a strong enough foundation for at least three or four more years. I could even offer voluntary weekend studies in Elemental exercises, but it would mostly just be meditation and simple outdoor activities. You know, get the kids out and about. Maybe… help Hagrid with the grounds a bit."
Minerva felt a bit touched. "That sounds like the beginnings of a good plan..." She remembered how much Harry enjoyed being outside and spending time with their gentle giant of a groundskeeper. He never knew how frequently she watched him from her window. "Would you be willing to help Bathsheda out from time to time? She always hoped you would come to her for a Mastery."
Harry hadn't considered that. "I'd love to. I never ruled out a Mastery in Ancient Runes, I just have a lot of other irons in the fire."
Minerva gave a small nod and continued. "As the next Head of Slytherin, there are other duties that need to be performed. You will be responsible for keeping order within your house and guiding your students into a healthy and productive life after Hogwarts. Then there are decisions that need to be made regarding Prefects, discipline, House rules and behavioural guidelines… I've taken the liberty of detailing these out for you." She handed him a small booklet.
Harry briefly skimmed the small booklet she had prepared. He felt another small surge of irritation. She hadn't done half this much for him when he was in Gryffindor. Now she was preparing guides for Heads of House? Whatever. He'd get advice from Pomona and Filius if he had questions.
Minerva watched him reviewing the booklet and offered a bit of advice. "Perhaps you can sit in on a few of Yolanda's Broom flying classes. You were always very advanced, but most students are not. The Muggle-born and Muggle-raised often struggle with flying. Now, as Head of Slytherin, you're ineligible to officiate, but I would enjoy your insight in Quidditch. Our last discussion was quite engaging." She smiled sincerely, then added, "I would also recommend collaborating with Filius on your Elemental Magic study plan. He has always been a gifted instructor."
Daphne took advantage of the brief pause to add. "We've reached out to a few broom manufacturers and requested donations or discounts for the school and the Quidditch teams. Of the British Broom manufacturers, we're looking at Clean Sweep and Comet Brooms. With a European offering, there's the Nimbus and Firebolt manufacturers. Internationally, we're considering Viper Brooms."
"That would be greatly appreciated… We lost most of our Brooms during the occupation and the ensuing war. We still have a few Comet 260's, but the Cleansweeps were… appropriated. And please, you may both call me Minerva. We tend to be on a first name basis among the staff. My title of 'Headmistress' is only used around students."
Harry wasn't sure he was ready for that, but he didn't want to be the only one calling her Professor McGonagall. "Well, then you can… call me Harry." He stammered that out.
"And Daphne, of course." Harry couldn't help but notice Daphne was polished while he frequently stammered.
Minerva seemed to relax a bit more. "Miss Greengrass, I assume you'll be around frequently as one of Harry's business advisors. We can make accommodations and ensure there are resources in place."
"Thank you, Minerva. That's very helpful. We're also planning to have property in Hogsmeade when it's not convenient to conduct business at school."
Harry asked, "Professor, have you given any more thought to using amateur Quidditch rules? I remember discussing them with you. They seem so much more balanced than the professional ones. Amateur rules put less emphasis on the seeker. I kind of understand it at the professional level, with the faster snitch. But not at school."
Minerva instantly seemed more energized. "Indeed I have. There is a proposal with the board and your endorsement will help. The chasers and the keepers are all very excited." She didn't react to Harry calling her 'Professor' instead of 'Minerva'.
Harry ran his hand through his hair. "So… Where will I be staying? Next year…"
"Your lodging will be in a professor's suite. All the Heads of House have a slightly larger suite with a receiving room. Additionally, you'll have the Head of Slytherin office." With a slight pause, she added. "The bathroom that leads to the Chamber of Secrets has been walled off. I'm sorry to inform you of that, but it really was too great of a security risk."
Harry pulled up his Occlumency. "I see." He didn't want to give away how many entrances there actually were. As long as he had Snape's old office, he would have easy access. Just remembering how he had trashed the Git's office brought a flutter of happiness to his day. It was also where he found his girls... back when they were just an egg.
Minerva took his calm demeanour as a sign of disinterest. "Do you have any other questions?" The emotionless aspect of his face was a bit unsettling, however.
Harry relaxed his Occlumency and introduced a few fun topics. "Would you be open to introducing Broom Racing? Not everyone likes the full contact nature of Quidditch, but would love to fly. It'll also give those with their own brooms an opportunity to ride competitively. I've seen Broom Racing internationally and it can be quite competitive. You group similar brooms together, so it really is about skill and training…"
Minerva was quiet for a moment. "I'm not opposed to it. But starting a new sport in your first year would be quite a challenge. Perhaps a club would be better. Especially given your other responsibilities."
Harry hadn't considered the time aspect. "That's... very good advice."
Where was this helpful mentor when he needed her as a student? Why did her good advice irritate him so much now? Yeah, yeah… Horcrux… blah, blah. Harry suddenly realized that when she was standoffish, he resented her. When she gave good advice, he became bitter over the past… Would he be able to work with her for a year without throttling her?
Daphne saw Harry lost in thought and asked, "You mentioned to Harry a large number of orphans the last time he was here. The Black foundation would like to coordinate help with that. Possibly take some in and potentially open an orphanage."
"I don't see that as being necessary, Ms. Greengrass... Daphne."
Harry snapped out of his thoughts. "What do you mean?" It came out a bit more aggressively than he intended. Minerva's eyebrows came together in concentration. Perhaps it was irritation?
"In most cases, a magical child still has family to fall back on. Very rarely is there no one able to take in a child. Muggle-born children are especially difficult as they frequently have a large number of non-magical family members and the Statue of Secrecy must be maintained. In the rare event of a magical child being orphaned with no family, the Ministry steps in and places the child. The days where magical children were sent to Muggle orphanages are truly a thing of the past. Even Squibs are no longer simply cast aside. Most pureblood families know that a good marriage can still produce magical children, so they don't wish to lose contact. In the worst cases, they may be sent to distant relatives."
Harry was a bit confused, "But, you mentioned orphans… And rivalry."
"Harry, I never said the orphans didn't have homes. The biggest problem with orphans is the emotional burdens they bring. Many of the orphans are angry and take their anger out on other students. Imagine how Neville would have felt if he had to attend school with Bellatrix Lestrange's daughter. Daphne, your own sister had to hear about the books your Uncle wrote during You-Know-Who's time in power. Many of the Muggle-born and Half-blood children had one or both of their parents sent away to Azkaban for stealing magic. Sadly, most never returned. We have at least another five years of resentment before civility is restored." Minerva then looked intently at Harry. "Orphaned children are the least likely to forgive the sins of other children's family members when those sins resulted in the loss of their loved ones. On top of that, there are purebloods angry over their family's diminished resources due to restitution payments forced on them after the war."
Harry knew she was speaking indirectly to him. He had been one of those orphans. He had hated Slytherin House… It took him years to get past the worst of his issues. Daphne looked somewhat shaken since Astoria was brought up. Had she known?
"So, orphans are looked after. I guess I just fell through the cracks…"
There was an awkward moment where no one spoke.
Harry broke the silence. "Professor, why isn't there a mind healer on staff? These problems… I wouldn't even know where to begin." Calling her Minerva while he was pissed off might not be the best thing.
The old witch looked rather meek. "The school would be… grateful for any assistance we could… well, I'll just say it. Can you help us to fund a mind healer? Ideally one per House. Budgets are tight. We haven't increased the staff's compensation in years."
Harry remembered how poor Remus had struggled to get by. The meager wages at Hogwarts had been a godsend for the man. "You know I'm not expecting a paycheck. Perhaps… you could give the staff raises? And I'll talk to Andromeda about on-site councillors. This is terrible."
Artemis and Hecate exchanged a glance. Artemis whispered, § "Harry, there's more here than she's saying. We think she's trying to warn you. Some of the students may target you." §
Selene gasped. § "Let them try..."§ Her fangs were bared. Harry always knew Selene was the sister most likely to tell a joke and to slit a throat. He shivered as he realized his little rhyme was like the ones Bellatrix used to make. Had she ever said that?
Harry reached over and stroked their necks, calming each of his girls. "Professor… are you saying I'm at risk?" He was much more comfortable calling her Professor.
Minerva pursed her lips. Seeing Harry's Familiar react was not something for the faint of heart. "I would encourage you not to let your guard down, Harry. The entire staff took part in the last war and there have already been… attempts." After a moment, she added, "Curfew is rigorously enforced, as is the ban on magic used in the hallways. For safety reasons. In truth, it's not very dissimilar to how the school was in the eighties."
The Headmistress gave a very appraising look to Harry's Runespoor. She was obviously impressed with the Familiars reasoning skills, but her viciousness was unexpected. Interesting how she could read he girls even without speaking parseltongue. The bared fangs might have been a hint...
Harry and Daphne exchanged a look. They'd be discussing this again. No wonder Draco and Astoria were so eager for Harry to come and help Hogwarts. Harry knew first-hand how hard it was to talk about being bullied. He still hated sharing his experiences. He'd pressure Draco for more information. Draco had come back to finish his NEWTs and Harry wondered how much was to protect Astoria. Maybe while they were in South America they'd talk. Possibly even sooner...
"I hope you know… you can count on the support of the House of Black. And Potter, Slytherin, Peverell, and any others that may be floating around in my title somewhere."
No wonder McGonagall was such a bitch when he popped in a few weeks ago. Prefect orientation is probably about preparing the students for combat duty.
"House Greengrass as well!" Daphne was just as alarmed as he was. What a mess. Harry looked over and saw her icy demeanour had cracked. It must be the mention of Astoria.
"On a slightly different note… I was thinking about possibly funding an introductory class for Muggle-born and Muggle-raised students. Helping them get acclimated into the culture. Maybe a summer school before they start…"
"That's a novel idea, Harry. Similar proposals been raised in the past, but never had the funding. Where would you host such a school?"
"Well, according to Gringotts. I now own the Shrieking Shack and a rather large area around it. Much larger now than before. I thought I could build a small school there. Maybe even let students come in over the summer to be better prepared. If we're trusting their parents, I might even invite them as well. Muggle-born and raised students really are at a disadvantage over the summer."
"The Shrieking Shack… now that's a novel idea. I had forgotten Fleamont owned it." Minerva chuckled lightly, then peered over her glasses and asked, "Would you be funding the school? The expenses could be quite high. And all for a few weeks of the summer? Surely there are better options."
Harry shrugged, "If I have to. But first I'll look for Ministry and private support. I'm told I have a lot of pull these days… I'll probably need to work with the Ministry to get it all approved."
Daphne laughed and Minerva chuckled rhythmically.
"Well, let's get you to the staff meeting, then. Daphne, will you be joining us?"
"No Prof… Minerva. Harry and I are meeting contractors this afternoon and I'd like to prepare. Would you mind if I use your floo?"
"Certainly." Harry and Minerva saw Daphne away.
Minerva then looked at Harry and smiled. "You certainly have good taste in witches, Harry. Follow me." She seemed very pleased with herself.
—CS—
Hogsmeade
Hogshead Inn
Four Hours Later
Daphne and a pair of older wizards were sitting at a table in the Hog's Head Inn reviewing numerous samples. Everything from paint swatches to carpet and drapery options. Frankie, the Hog's Head Elf had done a good job cleaning the main room, but it needed an overhaul. The two wizards were local builders and were making proposals to her for the remodelling.
Harry arrived and introduced himself. "Hello, Sorry I'm a few minutes late. It looks like you've already started…" He held out his hand to each man. "Harry Potter."
The first man eagerly reached out and shook Harry's hand. "Nathan Higgs. A pleasure Mr. Potter. We're all so glad you're interested in developing the area."
The second man was more reserved, but equally enthused. "Jeremy Marshall. Looking forward to doing business with you."
Well, now that that's out of the way, let's see what your proposals look like. His Familiar was looking at different samples and generally ignoring everyone.
—CS—
At five o'clock, the men wrapped up their proposals. One of the wizards focused on carpentry and refinement, the other on actual building and plumbing. They apparently had worked together for years and had an excellent reputation. They had proposed a complete overhaul and the addition of a fifth floor for a few luxury rooms and a small private lounge.
What they were recommending aligned with Harry's vision of an upscale inn, but less grandiose than he had originally envisioned. That aligned with Jean Chopin's opinion that Hogsmeade couldn't support a high-end restaurant. The set up these two men were recommending would definitely be a posh hotel, but not overly ostentatious. Of course, the fifth floor would be different. Three living suites and a private lounge. The pub and tavern would cater to a different clientele than the Three Broomsticks, but it would still be within the reach of most residents. A place for special occasions, but not overpriced. At least, not on the main level.
There were, of course, other elements to decide upon. But that could wait until the structural details were complete. Harry knew this was a good-sized job and he expected there to be a great many other decisions to make. So many of his ideas were coming together, but in different ways than he had planned.
The lack of need for an orphanage made him re-think the Shrieking Shack. He had been shocked at how many wizards and witches owned adjoining properties and couldn't wait to dump them at ridiculously low prices. His five and a half acres had more than doubled. Now there was no need for an orphanage. A summer program for Muggle-Born and Muggle-Raised children wouldn't need the space. He'd have to think on it.
After the men left, Harry sat quietly with Daphne. "I still need to see Aberforth's memory before we do anything. It was a request, not a legal requirement, but I'd like to honour it."
Daphne stifled a yawn. It had been a long day. "Let's go next week. I'll book an appointment. We still need to finish the will readings. I believe we cut it short in France."
Harry stretched and ran his hand through his hair. "Oh. Yeah. I kind of rushed through it all. Only focusing on the main lines. I'm told there are other bequests as well."
Daphne nodded. She wasn't surprised. Families often leave portions of their vaults and belongings to leaders and war heroes. Sometimes artists and musicians as well. Given Harry's fame and the war he led, likely there were dozens of small to moderate bequests. Knowing Harry, he'd give any Galleons to various charities.
Changing the topic, Daphne asked, "So, how was the Staff meeting?"
Harry groaned, "Mixed bag. Seeing Neville and the rest was great. Bill was there too. But the meeting itself? Oh my god, it was bad. There are so many problems. And I just get so annoyed looking at McGonagall. I'm still a little bitter… I can take her in small doses, but all day and every day? For a year? I'll be doing my 'serial killer' face so much it'll become permanent."
Daphne gave him an odd look. "Serial Killer face?"
Harry felt he had to clarify. "The outward Occlumency I sometimes do to hide emotion. The one that makes everyone so uncomfortable."
"Right. That one. Where did you learn that, Harry? It's so… not you."
Harry laughed softly. "Would you believe I learned it from my therapist? Dr. Gaines called it my 'poker face'."
Daphne didn't want to go down that path… Later maybe. "Well, if McGonagall has other problems, she'll leave you alone. Right? Otherwise, you'll just have to learn to get along." After a brief pause, "I struggle with calling her Minerva. Using her first name doesn't seem fitting."
Harry nodded and smiled. "I used to call her 'Kitty Litter'."
Daphne actually cringed at that. "Yeeesh. You may want to refrain from that for a while." She shook her head and chuckled for a good thirty seconds. Eventually, she changed the subject. "What problems are they having at Hogwarts?"
"Let's see. There's no Potion Master after this year. The one they have from the States has decided to go back. She apparently misses home and will leave at the end of term."
"That's a shame. At least she's giving a year's notice."
Harry had to agree. "Yeah… I suspect she's tired of the drama. Apparently, Ilvermorny was very different and she's surprised at the levels of animosity between the Houses. The whole blood purity issue was shocking for her." He paused a moment, before clarifying. "Because she's Native American, some of the students aren't respectful. She's convinced there's going to be a potions accident at the rate things are going. In the 'Potions world', that's a huge black mark when it happens on your watch."
Daphne looked surprised. "You got all that out of one meeting?"
With a short shake of his head, Harry confessed, "Filius filled me in during the lunch break. He's disappointed at how she's treated, but being half goblin, he's familiar with it. Apparently, she's actually very good."
"That's a shame. Any hope of getting Professor Slughorn to return?"
Harry cringed. "No. And he supposedly got a bit too 'friendly' with a few students. I didn't get the feeling it was anything out of the ordinary. He probably tried too hard to recruit someone into his little club. I didn't even ask."
"Oh, boy." Daphne knew the man 'collected' students he thought would be influential later in life. "What else?"
"Madame Hooch was overjoyed that I may teach the beginner classes for broom flying. She probably plans to push the remedial and struggling fliers off on me. She always did favor the better flyers. That's probably why so few Muggle-borns ever really took to flying." Harry softened and said, "I really don't mind. I'm looking forward to helping the more challenged kids. Like Hermione and Neville."
Daphne remembered her first lesson. "Hopefully the broom situation is better than Professor McGonagall implied. It's got to be better than it was when we were starting out." She didn't seem to want to admit to being another 'broom-challenged' student, but Harry had seen her struggle.
Harry sadly shook his head. "No. Not really any better. It's like she said… The Death Eaters and the Death Eater Wannabees stole most of the good brooms. I've already committed to a new set of Comet 260's. Honestly, it really is the best broom for the job. It's just so stable and reliable. The 290's are good too, but a bit fast for inexperienced riders. I'll talk to Andromeda about it. I still remember Neville almost getting killed on a defective broom."
Daphne flinched. "I remember that. I'm not completely sure it was the broom…"
Harry winced. "Yeah. Poor Neville. Hopefully, Comet and Cleansweep will agree to subsidize the Quidditch teams. I'd love to get the Cleansweep eleven series for the chasers. Sevens would be fine for Beaters… And it's hard to beat the Comet 360 for a keeper. The top speed isn't anything to brag about, but it accelerates great and they're crazy manoeuvrable. I'm hoping we can go with something else for the Seekers. I think I mentioned Nimbus 2001's a few times, but we'll see what the different manufacturers are willing to do."
"What about Viper Brooms? You own a stake in that…" Watching Harry get passionate about something was always fun.
Harry half-heartedly smiled. "Maybe. But they take pride in being the 'Broom of the Americas'… It might not be as well received. I do love my Black Mamba, though… but we'll wait and see."
Daphne could tell he was really getting into this. Given his god-awful experience at Hogwarts, that was a pleasant surprise.
"Outside of sports, how are things? Between the Houses…" She already knew they were bad.
Harry visibly soured. "Apparently, the faculty uses the paintings to monitor student behaviour. Unfortunately, someone discovered a charm to freeze paintings and it quickly spread around the school. So there's duelling in the halls and no witnesses. Some of the conflicts have resulted in extended infirmary stays. I think Bill and I can come up with a few ways to monitor key areas, but Hogwarts is pretty big. I really don't know how to cover that much ground."
Daphne wondered, "Could the wards be modified?"
Harry winced and shook his head. "Not in any way that would help. Oh, a bit more sensitivity, perhaps… but there's so much magic already going on in the castle. And how do you differentiate a friendly stinging hex between friends and a piercing charm directed at an enemy? Hogwarts has so many layered wards and defences, but it's primarily externally focused. Oh, Unforgivables will set off alarms, but… I just don't know. It's worth thinking on, but the real change will come when students stop hating on each other. Each House has a set of students that banded together to protect the others… but they're really just a bunch of violent gangs. Even Hufflepuff has them… although I can't say I'm surprised. Hufflepuff isn't as innocent as everyone likes to think."
Daphne took a deep breath. "Violent Gangs… That's what we used to say about Gryffindor House." She knew Harry was biased against Hufflepuff. Hopefully he would work that out.
Harry gave her a 'you've got to be kidding me' look but didn't say anything.
After a minute, he shared more, "Slytherin is targeted the most. Apparently, the upper year students still remember life under the Carrows. They want payback."
Daphne almost cried. "We weren't given a choice. No one wanted to practice the Cruciatus… well, most of us didn't."
Harry placed a comforting hand on hers. "I know. Fortunately, the last class that had been on the receiving end graduated last year. Thank god Snape forbade its use on first and second-year students. Still, they're all stuck in a pattern of… Well, it's not good."
"I'm sorry, Harry. But, I'm also glad you're there."
Harry was too. He could help.
Daphne noted he looked concerned. "What else, Harry?"
"It may be nothing… Bill wants to talk after the Sorting Ceremony. He just seemed… I don't know, something was off." He seemed different.
Daphne picked up on Harry's nervousness. "Did he give you any idea on what he wants to discuss?"
Harry ran his hand through his hair. "Not a clue. But we'll find out soon enough."
Artemis chimed in for the first time. § "Harry, if the Unforgivable curses trigger an alarm, maybe you could do the same with the charm that freezes the paintings" §.
Hecate added, § "Assuming there aren't multiple versions…"§
Clearly Hecate and Artemis had been listening. Selene was content looking at swatches.
Harry translated the discussion.
Daphne put her chin in her hand. "There you go ladies, solving problems."
Looking over, she saw Harry scrutinizing the idea. She loved watching him puzzle through challenges.
Harry had a distant expression. "It won't be easy. Hogwarts is pretty big and the wards are not very flexible… Yeah, we can do it. Something on the walls maybe. I have to wonder if the faculty ever uses the charm… for privacy…" They are human, after all.
Daphne began collecting the samples and swatches. "Have you considered what you might do with the Shrieking Shack? It doesn't seem like an orphanage is needed." She'd come to the same realization Harry had.
Harry shook his head. "I don't know. Maybe a Slytherin Manor or something. It's actually a good location. Lord knows I bought up plenty of extra real estate."
Daphne nodded. "Yes you did. And the Goblins are still negotiating with a few of the residents. You could very well have over fifteen acres when all is said and done. Just don't tip your hand too soon." She performed a quick 'Tempus' and noted the time. "You need to get going if you're planning to meet the train. I'll take these samples and review them." She'd be taking the floo back to her flat soon.
Harry looked over at his Familiar. "Ok, Girls. Let's go meet the students." With a groan, he lifter them into his backpack. She had definitely grown.
—CS—
Hogsmeade Station
The older students had already departed and there weren't any carriages left. Harry arrived just in time to join the last pair of first years on a boat. They at first seemed terrified of Harry's Familiar, but instantly relaxed as soon as they realized who he was. He made a point to introduce each of his girls by name. Harry went on to explain that she was named after three Greek goddesses affiliated with the moon.
On the right was a boy named Frank and on the left was a girl named Brenda. Both were Muggle-borns and looked to be quite nervous. They found each other on the train and became friends. Harry fondly remembered how Hermione had overcompensated to hide her anxiety. He the took time to tell them a bit about Hogwarts. He talked about broom flying and how much fun it was… once you got past any fear of heights. They both had questions about the different Houses and teachers.
They both eagerly showed Harry their wands. Frank had a Pear and Unicorn wand. He was quite proud of the wand. Brenda had a Rowan and Unicorn wand. Frank handed his wand to Harry. He had obviously spent a great amount of time polishing it. He also had a nice leather hip holster for it.
"You know, Frank… Your wand combination is a sign of a very resilient and pure hearted wizard. It's good that you have a holster. In my day, lots of student just used their back pockets. Don't do that. Very nice. Brenda, let's see your wand."
Brenda handed him her wand.
"Hmmm a Rowan and Unicorn wand. This combination makes for a good defensive wand. Should be especially good with wardings and counter curses. Definitely not for use in casting less respectable curses. Very nice. Do you have a holster?"
She looked a little embarrassed. "No, sir."
"Well, be careful with it. I'll see what I can do. In the meantime…" Harry conjured up an identical copy of Frank's wand holster. "This should last about a week."
He complimented both of the students on their wands and showed them his Holly and Phoenix wand. It was his first wand and it had a special place in his heart. But then, so did his others, just for different reasons.
"So, Unicorn hair cores, like yours, are known for their healing and charms work. They are also extremely smooth casting wands with minimal blockages. Very consistent and they bond well with their first owners. My wand has a Phoenix feather core. It doesn't really have any specific type of magic it excels at, but it's a very good all-around wand. Phoenix feather core wands take a bit of time to warm up to the user. Usually it doesn't pair well with Holly, but Mister Ollivander somehow managed to bring the pairing together. I'm told a Holly wand favours those with a bad temper." Harry shrugged and laughed. He let each child hold the wand.
It was good to see two children introduced to magic for the first time and he wanted to make them feel welcome. Hopefully, they would fit in. Harry did suggest they read up on Wizarding Etiquette. He promised to send them a few books he knew well. He considered sending Brenda a book on simple wards but decided to let Bill handle it next year. Rowan woods were known as one of the preferred wands of curse breakers and warders. He'd definitely be sending both kids a pair of wrist holsters.
As they approached Hogwarts, he made a point to have them relax and take in the castle. He heard Selene gasp at the beauty of the scene. Artemis and Hecate were just as enraptured. Everyone should see this… The moon was reflected on the lake and the lights of the castle were simply amazing. Seventh year students should be required to take this ride again… for the memory.
As the boats landed, the students were led up into the castle. Harry's boat was last, so he and his crew mates came up last. Most of the students stopped talking and stared when Harry, Frank, and Brenda came up the stairs and joined the others. His Runespoor was raised up and over his head… he knew how unusual he probably looked. He motioned for Frank and Brenda to join the others. Hagrid came up behind him… He towered over everyone, but he was such a big softie.
Professor Flitwick waved and collected the students and lined them up. Harry and Hagrid took a side corridor to sit with the staff. Looking back, Harry noted the pair he rode up with were suddenly the centre of attention among the first years. Good.
The sorting ceremony was the usual fare. The hat sings and the students line up alphabetically. Each student comes forward and gets sorted. There were nine episodes of extended sortings… Harry knew these were cases of either multiple potential affiliations requiring more time to evaluate or where the student rejected the house they were best suited for. Harry wondered how many potential Slytherin students were sorted to another house due to the student refusing the hats evaluation. Like he had.
As it wrapped up, Professor McGonagall addressed all the students and introduced Bill as next year's Curse-Breaker teacher for qualifying NEWT students and this year's new Head of Gryffindor House and Defense Against the Dark Arts instructor. Harry did a double take… When did Bill accept this year's position? What the hell?
Harry was then introduced as the Sponsor for Slytherin House and next year he'd step into the role of Head of House. He'd also be teaching Elemental Magic and Beginners flying. The announcement got mixed responses as no one expected him to be the head Slytherin. Harry noted many looks of surprise. Some of the Slytherin students already knew. Most seemed happy about it, but a few seemed outright hostile.
§ "Don't worry, Harry... We're watching your back… Always!" §
Harry knew it was Artemis and Selene doing their twin-speak. Hecate was apparently on lookout duty. He couldn't help but wonder, what had he signed off on? So much for his 'No Stunners' policy. Is this how Dumbledore felt when he had all those junior Death Eaters running around?
—CS—
Hogwarts
The Room Behind the Great Hall
Bill approached Harry after the ceremony. "Harry, I'm sorry you had to hear it like that. I had hoped to catch you before the sorting ceremony, but you kind of snuck in right at the beginning. Absolutely not how I wanted you to hear it."
Harry reminded himself that he didn't own Bill, but they had plans…
"I wanted to come in with the first years… Bill, when did you decide… why now? Isn't it pretty sudden? Wait, was this what you wanted to tell me?"
"No, originally I wanted to tell you the South American expedition would be my last. But Minerva approached me after you left the Staff Meeting. Apparently, the Auror they had lined up to fill the Defense position pulled out at the last minute. Minerva was just looking for a bit of part time help… But it felt right. And Neville doesn't like being a Head of House… He hates it in fact. Harry, after what happened in France… With another baby on the way… I need to make a career change."
Harry understood. Bill's brush with death had thrown him. "Does Fleur know?"
"Yes. I Floo called her an hour ago. I'll still help with South America, but that'll be my last time as a curse-breaker." Seeing Harry's doubt, he added, "I've already worked it out with Minerva. She'll step in while I make the trip."
Harry looked his close friend in the eye for a good ten seconds. Just when it started getting uncomfortable…
"No."
Bill looked surprised. "Harry, this doesn't change anything…"
Harry shook his head slowly. "It changes everything, Bill. You and I both know how it works. Curse-breakers should never delay a retirement. It's tempting fate to go on 'just one more' adventure." Seeing Bill looking conflicted, he added, "You can still support from base camp, but you are now… Support."
Bill was quiet for a bit. Support was something that very few curse-breakers ever become. Most either die or leave the field completely. Bill couldn't leave the field as he was now going to teach it… Support was actually pretty good. Safe.
Bill then said, "I'm sorry, Harry." Harry could tell he meant it. Paris had really messed him up. "Life is just too short to wait."
"I tell you what, Julia**** can work with me in the field and we'll rely on you for feedback and support. Hell, maybe we can even do Malta the same way… If we ever go back there. She's good, Bill. Last time I heard, she was testing for her Mastery."
"Harry… the thing is… Julia… made a mistake." They both knew what that meant. When one curse-breaker says another made a mistake, it only means one thing.
Harry ran his hand through his hair… "Oh, god… Not Julia… When?"
"Last Spring. I just found out this week. It… was one of the deciding factors for me. You're right, she was good… She was a rising star among curse-breakers. Just like I was… five years ago."
Harry was struggling with this news. He had meant to reach out before, but something always got in the way. "Did she have a family?"
Bill shrugged. "She was engaged. No children."
Harry's first thought was, 'Thank god she didn't have any children…' His second thought was, 'Bill has one child and another on the way…' His third thought was, 'Now I definitely have to go to Gringotts.'
"Bill, I get it. I do." After a brief pause, "Hey, next year Gabby will be here. It should help Fleur settle in."
Bill held his hands out for a moment. "Right. She's looking forward to that."
§"Tell him about the ward idea…"§ Hecate reminded him. Harry had forgotten they were there, which is surprising considering he had one sister on each shoulder and another on his head.
"Oh, the girls came up with an idea… if we can figure out which charm is being used to freeze the paintings, we can set the wards to detect its use. I imagine paintings get frozen a few minutes before a duel, so that would give the staff enough time…" Harry knew of three… but he didn't want to share them all. You never know…
"To round up the troublemakers!" Bill was mentally going through the different sequences and options. "Right!" He looked at Hecate and gave a small salute. When most people do that, it looks stupid. Bill isn't most people.
Harry added, "We should probably look into the DADA curse… I'm pretty sure it was tied to the Diadem Horcrux, so without that, it shouldn't return once it's been removed."
Bill agreed. "I already found it in the structure. Without the Horcrux, it'll be a fairly straight forward job. Formthe two of us, it should be easy."
Harry smirked. "Just don't get cocky!"
Bill laughed. That was his tag line whenever someone used the words Simple or easy…
"And the student becomes the master!" He put his arm around Harry and the girls. "So, how're things going with Miss Greengrass?" He asked while he wiggled his eyebrows.
Harry smiled sheepishly. "Well, remember how you said life was too short…"
—CS—
*Tawantinsuyo – How the Incas referred to their Empire. It was also called the Land of Four Quarters.
*Sapa – King or Ruler (Inca).
* Mascapaicha – Headdress or Crown. Worn by the Emperor.
*Chimu and Nazca – Civilizations that were absorbed into the Incan Empire.
** The Mysterious Illness was Small Pox. This led to the death of the Emperor and resulted in a massive civil war. The Spanish showed up and conquered the Incan Empire after it had exhausted itself fighting internally.
***Oneiromancy – Divination through dreams.
****Julia Scott was a Curse-breaker Harry met in Harry Potter and the Dance of Death, Chapter 8.
Note: This chapter started with a demonstration of how wanded magic is flexible, fast, and deadly in combat. There are exceptions, but wands gave almost all Wizards an edge over other forms of magic use in combat. Also, an ambush is always deadly. A few carefully cast Bombarda's and a quick snatch and grab is all it takes when you can apparate away.
The Inca Empire was huge and the brutal civil was made it possible for the Conquistadores to over throw them. Their military was devastated and the outlying tribes were ready to revolt. So, I took a bit of reality and put a spin on it for this story. The names of the Emperor and his sons are real, as are the names of the cities.
putting a dream sequence in with Ginny was to show that Daphne wasn't just a second choice. Harry let Ginny go and is moving forward with Daphne. Less of a vision dream and more of his own subconscious speaking to him.
In the Paris section, Harry and Daphne were taking things slow. Well, I sped it up a bit. They are both adults and by the beginning of this story, they have spent enough time together to move forward. Yes, they are a couple. Onward and upward, it's time to get past the breakup and embrace the future. As Harry said, 'So much for taking things slow…'
You'll also note that Bill is dropping the dangerous job and taking a job with less risk of getting blown to smithereens. I see a job as a curse-breaker being one of the most dangerous jobs in the Magical World. High Risk and High Reward. Bill will still be around, but Harry will be swimming with other fish now.