Chapter 3
Saturday, 20 July 1996
The Ministry of Magic, London, England
This was to be the first real session of the Wizengamot with Lord Abbott as Chief Warlock. As the members filed in, Harry spied Dumbledore taking his seat in the front row next to Elphias Doge, one of Dumbledore's friends. Harry, as usual, sat between Sirius and Madam Longbottom.
There was hardly anyone sat in the gallery other than reporters, and, having looked at the schedule, there didn't seem to be too much pressing business.
Lord Abbott gavelled the session to order, and began with old business. Amelia stood to give a report on anti-Death Eater activities. She submitted for the record a memory Harry had supplied of the attack on the Hogwarts Express. Harry tuned it out. The nightmares were bad enough without a live action replay.
His discussions with Flea had helped, and he found himself conversing more frequently with the portraits about his personal and professional life. He also confided in Katie about his worries and fears. She, in turn, pampered him endlessly with massages, time in the hot tub, and excursions to various houses in Pottershire to sightsee or simply relax.
When Amelia ended the memory, he refocused his attention on the meeting. Amelia concluded her report shortly thereafter, smiling as she was able to demonstrate that real progress was being made against Voldemort and his forces. Harry noticed that most present seemed pleased with her efforts.
Reports from the other various Ministry departments followed, but were almost as boring as listening to Binns recite a history lesson. Harry tuned out until Lord Abbott moved on to new business. The first to stand was Lord Flint, an old man, far older than many in the Dark faction, even before their numbers dwindled thanks to the Dark Mark wards on the Ministry.
"I stand to inform the Wizengamot that I have petitioned the Wizengamot Administrative Services to award me the proxy for the Lestrange votes," Flint announced. "Late last year, the marriage of Rodolphus Lestrange and Bellatrix Black was annulled. Further, Bellatrix was cast out of the Black family. This severed any claim to the proxy by Lord Black. With the death of Rodolphus Lestrange, the lordship passed to his brother Rabastan. Rabastan is also a wanted criminal and therefore ineligible to sit on this body. His wife Julia, also a Death Eater, is likewise ineligible to sit on this body. They have no children. Julia Lestrange is my daughter. As her head of house, I claimed the right to the proxy of House Lestrange. This was granted by the Wizengamot Administrative Services two days ago. Thank you."
That surprised Harry. The light side had lost five votes. He turned to Sirius.
"Did you know about that?" he asked. Sirius shrugged.
"They sent me a notification," Sirius replied. "Nothing I could do about it. His claim is valid and now closer than mine, even if I hadn't dissolved Bellatrix's marriage. I assume that several proxies will change as various people die. Besides, it's only five votes. They're down far more than that. This doesn't really help them."
"Still," Harry sighed. Sirius made a 'what-are-you-gonna-do' gesture, and went back to paying attention to the meeting.
There wasn't really any important new business besides that. Harry let his thoughts wander. He found himself thinking further on the rules governing the claiming of proxies and inheritance. He didn't have enough information available just then, but if he went to Wizengamot Services after the meeting he might be able to get what he needed. He started scribbling on a piece of scrap parchment the questions he would raise.
He recalled that Flea had told him that Remus was descended from a Malfoy, but a squib Malfoy. With Lucius Malfoy dead and Narcissa marriage to him annulled before that, Sirius couldn't put in a claim for the Malfoy proxy – Draco was legally a bastard. But… as Draco was a bastard, might Remus be able to claim the seat? He might be able to claim proxy now, since Draco wasn't likely to put in an appearance at the Wizengamot to contest it. Harry just didn't know how many children the main Malfoy line had had. Lucius and Draco were both only children, but clearly at some point they'd had more than one, and at least one of those had been a squib. If the way was clear, making Remus the closest free relation to Lucius, could Remus make a valid claim through a squib?
Harry also needed to question his relations more about the other dark families, so far as they knew them. Harry knew they were hopelessly intermingled. Could the public records office give him family trees to look through? He jotted that down too.
"You forgot lordship transfer by conquest," Sirius pointed out quietly. Harry started, and looked up to see Sirius reading over his shoulder.
"What?" Harry asked.
"Lordship transfer by conquest," Sirius repeated. "When you defeat a lord in combat to the death, and they don't have any descendants, you get their lordships."
"So, if I get defeated by Malfoy, he'd get the Potter, Peverell, and Gryffindor seats?" Harry asked, suddenly sick to his stomach.
"He would," Sirius nodded. "Though he'd not be able to sit them, as he's a wanted criminal. He also has no one to sit as his proxy. That reminds me…" Sirius held up a finger. It took about five minutes, but finally Sirius was able to stand and be recognized.
"My Lords, Ladies, Men, and Women of the Wizengamot," he began. "This is the third session that several seats have been empty, their votes unused. It is time that proxies that these seats may be named, so that voting may continue as it ought. Therefore, I request that we direct Wizengamot Administrative Services to place a notification in the most prominent publications of Wizarding Britain, and make an announcement on the Wizarding Wireless Network, that eligible proxies for those seats held by Death Eaters, now ineligible to sit among us, must present themselves no later than one month prior to the autumn session, and should eligible proxies fail to do so, then the Wizengamot shall name such proxies at that session."
"Second," added Lord Greengrass from his seat before Lord Abbott could even ask. "It's far past time we did that."
"How many eligible proxies are there for those seats?" Harry asked Sirius as Abbott asked for discussion.
"Hardly any," Sirius chuckled softly. "Most of them are either only children, or married into other dark families who're also Death Eaters. Probably more than half those seats'll be proxied off to other Wizengamot members for now. The rest might produce proxies, but I don't know. The real kicker is that there's only two permanent non-noble dark seats, and most of the proxies who'll be able to step up'll be commoners."
"But they'll still vote dark, won't they?" Harry asked.
"Dunno," Sirius shrugged. "Depends."
"On what?" Harry wondered.
"Slytherin's… a very stratified house," Sirius replied. "At the top you've got the families of the Sacred Twenty-eight. They're the crème de la crème, mostly ancient and noble, or at least noble and pretty old. Then there's noble families, mostly pureblood now, or at least close to it. Below them, you've got pureblood commoners. They might be ancient, but they're not noble. Some are rich, and others quite poor. While the ancient and noble families are the leaders, the commoners are the foot soldiers. There're lots of them, or at least, there're lots of them in Slytherin. At the very bottom are the half-blood, or Merlin-save-them, muggleborns. The few there are, are treated as trash."
"What does this have to do with proxies?" Harry clarified.
"Well, most ancient and noble houses marry into each other," Sirius informed him. "Can't marry the rabble, after all. Except that, after years of inbreeding, the magic started to decline a bit. Lots of people started producing squibs, and it scared them. So, they broadened their horizons, and started marrying girls from noble pureblood families, and eventually, even pureblood commoners who had enough money. Only problem was, the ancient and noble families didn't bother to share the wealth. Girls would marry into those families and disappear. Their birth families wouldn't hear from them for months or years because now they were better than them. Promised favours wouldn't materialise. Instead, the ancient and noble families decided that those girls' families now owed them for elevating their family status, and began demanding things from them. In Slytherin, commoners serve not because they expect to be rewarded, but because otherwise they're punished."
"So, the proxies won't like the families they're proxying for?" Harry reiterated.
"Something like that," Sirius agreed. "When my mum set me up with a girl I didn't want to marry, she didn't try to sweeten the pot, she threatened me. Most people get more flies with honey, but the ancient and noble Slytherins never got that message. They rule by fear. Only difference is, now most of those families can't rule by fear anymore. Dark Mark wards keep Death Eaters away from public areas, and private homes are often behind wards or in muggle areas Death Eaters aren't familiar with. There's no real way to keep those proxies in line, as it were. So, they might vote dark, or they might want to give their in-laws the two-fingered salute."
"Call the question," Lord Abbott said at last. The measure passed easily. Even the dark seats voted for it, as it could only benefit them by increasing their numbers, if only marginally.
Things wound down quickly after that, and minutes later, Lord Abbott was gavelling the session closed.
"Skip Admin Services," Sirius said as members started leaving. "You've got the same information in your library. You just need to look for it. I know Fleamont kept a set of self-updating Laws and Regulations of Wizarding Britain at home, a quick search there'll give you what you need to know about succession rules. Public records can be accessed just as quickly by owl. Do that from home too."
"Alright, I will," Harry agreed. Hedwig hadn't had much of anything to do lately. She spent most of her time in Pottershire hunting, though she did enjoy picking up his mail and bringing it to him. He didn't understand quite how Hedwig was able to enter the trunk, but she was. It was something to do with a floo connection, but the description in the trunk manual made no sense to Harry.
Descending the stairs from his row, Harry was accosted by the one person there he really didn't want to talk to: Albus Dumbledore. He stood across the bottom of the stairs, and might as well have been Gandalf holding back the Balrog.
"I need to speak with you," the old wizard said.
"OK," Harry said lamely.
"Why haven't you gone to your Aunt and Uncle's yet?" Dumbledore asked.
"Because I'm not planning on it," Harry replied, though he really didn't think Dumbledore deserved a response.
"You would renege on your promise?" Dumbledore reminded him.
"That was almost a year ago," Harry pointed out. "Things change." He sighed. "I did think this through. First, with my blood in his veins, Voldemort can now breach the protections at that house. Second, the protections only apply to the house itself, as was made perfectly clear by the dementor attack last summer, and my family frequently leaves the house, leaving them open to attack. Third, many people now know that I'm living at Sirius' house, or at least, that's where my trunk is stored, and it's well hidden under a fidelius charm. I can't protect my Aunt, Uncle, and cousin from Voldemort or if they leave their house, but if people know I'm not at my relatives, Death Eaters won't bother looking for me there, making them safer. Besides, they have neither the Potter name, nor my mother's maiden name, making them doubly hard to find without my magical signature to track. I'm content to let your wards fail and let them drift into the background of the muggle world, no more likely to be attacked than any other muggles."
"I'm saddened that you don't want to protect them," Dumbledore said sadly.
"I am protecting them!" Harry protested. "But I'm doing it my way."
"Dolores Umbridge is with Voldemort," Dumbledore informed Harry. "She knows where you live. You know she sent the dementors after you. They might not know you've not returned to your Aunt and Uncle's house and attack it anyway."
"Then you'd better make sure your pet Death Eater tells them where I am, hadn't you?" Harry snapped. "I'll even do my part and advise them to move, but I'll not be going back there."
"Should they die, their deaths will be on your hands," Dumbledore tried.
"Bollocks!" Harry growled. "My hands are clean. If they hadn't abused me, if they had treated me as family, then perhaps I'd want to go there and protect them in person. Perhaps I'd want to fight for them, but they didn't. I don't give a rat's arse if they die or not.
"And don't think you can escape without blame, either," Harry accused. "If you'd not sent me there, if you'd not erected those wards in the first place, they'd be safe. In a misguided attempt to protect me, you ended up endangering me and them.
"Finally, let's not forget the Death Eaters," Harry scoffed. "Remember, those people you always want to redeem; those people you claim have good in them? If they kill my aunt and uncle, they do so by choice. They will choose to kill my relatives. I'll not force them to do it. If they do, it's proof they're as evil as I say they are."
"Where did this hate come from, Harry?" Dumbledore asked, confused.
"Years of neglect and abuse," Harry said simply, causing Dumbledore to recoil as if struck. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a date." Harry pushed past the old wizard, who stood there deflating. Harry didn't look back.
-oooo-
Partygoers began arriving at Potter House before ten in the morning, many of them eager to continue a party that for many of them began the previous afternoon at Endless Hearth, Neville's home in Longshire. Harry had chosen to invite more people, though.
The first to arrive were Sirius and Remus. Sirius, as Defence professor, was at loose ends over the summer. Remus, part time Department of Magical Law Enforcement tutor for the Young Auror Program, had recently accepted another job from Sirius: managing his estate, a task which paid well and was mostly performed by his house elf assistants. His boss, however, had insisted that attending Harry's sixteenth birthday party was an integral part of his duties as estate manager.
"Is it that time already?" Harry marvelled as they entered the parlour. He cast a tempus, seeing it was nearly ten. "I'd best greet my guests." He stood. "Coming?" he asked Katie, who Harry didn't regard as a guest, and who'd arrived just after breakfast.
"Sure," Katie said, standing as well.
"No girlfriends today?" Harry asked as Sirius and Remus followed them back into the entry hall.
"Work to do," Sirius advised. "They'll be along later. They're taking a long lunch so they can watch you open your gifts, and then it's back to work for them." As they passed into the trunk entrance hall, they ran into the next guests to arrive, the Weasley twins accompanied by Angelina, Alicia, Lee, and Leanne. They were each carrying a gift.
"Hi guys," Harry said in greeting. "Party's just getting started. We're gonna start with a film in the theatre."
"Gifts go in the music room," Katie told them after greeting them too. "Speaking of," she said, turning to Sirius as the recent graduates left, "where are your gifts?" She crossed her arms and pretended to be upset.
"Oh, they're around somewhere," Sirius grinned widely. "I had my elves deliver them earlier."
The door to the Middleborough Exchange opened and Sam, Brenda, and Nick arrived. Sirius and Remus escorted them to the theatre, chatting politely. They were quickly followed by Hermione, Justin, Sally-Anne Perks, Fay Dunbar, and the Patil twins. Harry figured that the girls had all stayed over at Hermione's after leaving Neville's party the day before. Luna arrived alone, but Ron and his new girlfriend Vicki Frobisher came in right behind her, and they joined the party together. Jimmy and Demelza were next, with Ginny, Dean, and Seamus Finnegan behind them. Neville, Hannah, and Susan brough Augusta Longbottom and Minerva McGonagall with them. Molly Weasley arrived alone, promising that, like Amelia and Tonks, Arthur was taking a long lunch. The last to arrive were the Slytherins: Daphne Greengrass, Tracey Davis, Blaise Zabini, and Millicent Bulstrode.
After greeting the last arrivals, Harry and Katie made their way to the theatre. Despite having a box in the balcony for his use, Harry headed for the ground seating to be with his friends. Passing the music room, Katie opened the door and looked in. Harry couldn't help but catch a glimpse of the mountain of presents stacked next to the grand piano. Grinning, he entered the theatre just as Dobby and another elf popped in with refreshments for everyone.
When Harry took his seat, the lights dimmed, the crowd stilled, and the first frames of The Rock flickered across the screen.
"That was flippin' awesome!" Fred shouted when the lights came up at the end.
"It was indeed, Gred," George agreed. "It gave me some ideas for some new products." Harry shuddered to think what those might be, based on the film. He hoped it wasn't anything dangerous.
"I think it's lunchtime," Katie informed everyone, standing. "Let's head over to the dining room." Since it was Harry's party, Katie had insisted on acting as hostess, so he didn't have to stage manage his own party. She had told him it would look gauche, whatever that was.
Lunch was standard teenage fare: hamburgers, chips, and fizzy drinks. There were also cold vegetables and fresh fruit to satisfy the adults. Harry entered the dining room to find Amelia, Tonks, and Arthur already seated and chatting away. Sirius, Remus, and Molly joined their significant others. Sam, Brenda, Madam Longbottom and Professor McGonagall did as well, leaving the mass of teenagers to their own devices.
"So, what're we doing after lunch?" Ron asked, mouth nearly stuffed with burger.
"Presents, then whatever," Katie advised.
"I've got some more recent films," Harry informed Ron after swallowing his own food. "Depending on what you want to watch the elves can put on Down Periscope, Twister, Mission: Impossible, Dragonheart, The Phantom, The Cable Guy, and Independence Day."
"If a film's not your thing," Katie added, "we have the usual entertainments: the game room, pool, gardens, tennis, or racquetball. We also have an elf playing music in the ballroom if you'd prefer to go clubbing."
Harry saw Neville look a bit embarrassed. At his party the day before, they'd had cake and ice cream and played party games. Whilst Harry had a cinema, pool, and discotheque, Neville had had everyone doing egg and spoon races and pin the tail on the hippogriff.
"You alright, Nev?" Harry leaned over and asked quietly. Neville nodded.
"Yeah," he said, smiling. "I'm glad Gran's here. Now she'll be able to see what a teenager's birthday party's supposed to look like. I can't believe she had us playing those kids' games. I'm nearly done school!"
"I had fun," Harry shrugged. "I never got to do those games as a kid, so it was nice. Besides, I didn't see anyone upset yesterday, so you shouldn't worry."
A few minutes later Dobby brought in the cake. It was a three-layer chocolate sponge with raspberry jam and cream cheese icing between the layers and a thick chocolate buttercream covering the whole. There were sixteen candles adorning the top along with chocolate icing rosettes and cream cheese icing piping.
Everyone joined in a rousing chorus of "For He's a Jolly Good Fellow," and Harry blew out the candles. He didn't bother with a wish, as his greatest wishes had all come true the year before. He felt as if there were nothing left to wish for.
"Attention!" Katie called out once the cake and ice cream was properly disposed of about fifteen minutes later. "I believe it's time to relocate this gathering to the parlour so that Harry can open his gifts. We're on a bit of a time crunch, since I know several guests have to get back to work soon."
The teens all filed quickly into the parlour, and Harry was sitting when the adults walked in. He watched those who weren't frequent visitors to Potter House look around at the redecoration. On the walls, the various portraits smiled down at the new arrivals.
"Augusta!" Charlus' portrait called out when she entered. "Is that you?" He seemed genuinely shocked to see her. He wasn't half as shocked to see her as Harry was by what came out of her mouth next.
"Hello, father… mother," Augusta greeted them. It seemed that only Harry and Katie had noticed the odd interaction, as they'd been monitoring the last guests so they could start presents.
"Madam Longbottom, are… were you born a Potter?" Harry asked, confused, drawing the old woman's attention away from the portraits of Charlus and Dorea. This was new and important information, and he was willing to put off presents a bit to determine just how important.
"I was," Madam Longbottom agreed. "Your father was my cousin, though he was a great deal younger than me."
"So, what are we?" Harry asked, unsure.
"First cousins, once removed," Madam Longbottom replied, finding a seat. "You and Neville are second cousins, once removed."
"So, that would make Neville next in line for the Potter lordship right now, right?" Harry wondered.
"Unless you designate another heir," Madam Longbottom agreed.
"Can we postpone this discussion until after presents?" Katie whispered, "Amelia, Tonks, and Mr. Weasley need to get back to work soon."
"Right, sorry," Harry agreed sheepishly.
"OK, everyone!" Katie said, standing again. "Time for presents! George… wait, no. You'd hex the packages. Hermione, could you pass over whatever's on top?"
It took almost fifteen minutes to tear through the mountain of gifts. Many were sweets or school supplies. Professor McGonagall had gotten him the sixth-year transfiguration text. The Weasley twins gave him some things from their store. There were also some clothes. Neville got him some rare cuttings for his greenhouses. Hermione got him some books she'd noticed he didn't have. Justin, Hannah, and Susan had gone in together to get him some inflatable pool toys Justin had bought in the muggle world. Many people admitted that they'd found it hard to shop for Harry, who, it seemed, had anything he could want or need. Harry thought they were all great. Finally, there was only one gift left. It was a small box, about the size a coffee mug might come in.
"It says, from Sirius, Amelia, Remus, and Tonks," Harry read.
"It's mostly from Sirius," Remus allowed. "Though we all pitched in."
"I got to help pick them out!" Tonks said happily.
Confused, Harry shook the box. It rattled with a metallic sound. He tore off the paper, finding a plain cardboard box. He opened it and peered inside. There were four keys sitting on the bottom.
"What're these for?" Harry asked, brow knitting in confusion as he looked up at Sirius.
"Well," Sirius said reasonably. "You're sixteen now. In a year you'll be allowed to get your driving license in the muggle world…"
"You bought him a car!?" Hermione shrieked. "He's not old enough!"
"Then it's a good thing the cars are in Pottershire, where there is no age requirement to drive, nor driving license requirement," Amelia grinned.
"Cars?" Katie asked. "As in more than one?"
"I might've gone a bit overboard," Sirius admitted. "They're in the garage if you want to see them. I thought: you have a garage, it's a shame it's going to waste…"
Harry hardly heard him, keys firmly in hand, he and the rest of the teens were already heading for the door and the stairs to the basement. Sirius and the other adults had to hurry to catch up.
Flinging the door to the garage open, he rushed in, but was brought up short when he saw the four cars parked in a line.
"Bloody hell," one of the twins swore from behind him. The first car was bog standard, with a Ford emblem on the grille. But the next two were anything but.
"Sweet Jesus, that's a Lamborghini!" Justin shouted, pointing at a bright red supercar with a tan leather interior.
"It's the Diablo VT," Sirius informed them as he arrived.
"Is that a Jaguar?" Hermione asked, meaning the silver supercar with a grey interior next to it.
"Yep," Sirius nodded. "An XJ220. It was the most expensive of them all."
Harry noticed the last car wasn't really a car at all. It was a white Range Rover.
"I don't know what to say," Harry said after a few moments of just standing there. "They're brilliant, but I don't deserve them."
"I gotta waste my money on someone," Sirius replied. "Your mum and dad would be pretty pissed off if it wasn't you."
"I'm sure Amelia would appreciate a car," Harry pointed out.
"Oh, you don't think these are the only cars we bought, do you?" Sirius asked. "We all got one too."
"Some got more than one," Amelia said dryly, looking at Sirius.
"I got two… fine, three, but one's a motorcycle," Sirius said, after seeing Amelia's look.
"I can't believe you expect Harry to learn to drive in a Lamborghini," Hermione said exasperated as Harry and the rest started to approach the cars.
"I don't," Sirius countered. "I expect him to learn in the Fiesta. But once he's got the basics down, I've found a nice drive in the countryside can be a great way to unwind."
"Are there even enough roads to do that here?" Daphne asked. She'd not seen as much of Pottershire as some had.
"Yeah," Harry informed her. Harry knew there were well-paved roads connecting every collection of buildings in the shire, not to mention the quidditch pitches, golf courses, and ski runs. They also bordered agricultural areas, logging areas, and other places of importance. There were even four road tunnels in the mountains. The roads were wide enough that two big lorries could pass each other easily, which was a frequent occurrence when moving large amounts of crops and raw materials to the rail line.
"Don't try to drive 'em yet," Sirius instructed. "I'll teach you to drive starting tomorrow, but you should try sitting in 'em. They feel great."
Harry went to the left-side door of the Lamborghini. He knew from watching, driving in Pottershire mirrored that in Britain. Cars drove on the left. The Lamborghini, though, was built for right-hand driving.
"Sorry," Sirius said when he noticed. "That's the only one like that, the rest are normal. The Lambo came from the continent, though.
"I'm sure they sell them left-hand drive," Hermione said.
"They do, but this one was cheaper," Remus pointed out. "Left-hand drive would've been a couple thousand more quid, and we were already near the top of our budget."
"Top of Sirius' budget," Tonks clarified. "We each chipped in a hundred or so."
"It's brilliant, guys," Harry said, overcome. "Thanks." Before he dropped into the seat, he went over and gave each of the four of them a hug. Then he climbed into the car. As he found the right key, Katie dropped into the other seat and closed the door, sliding across the smooth leather.
"Aces," Katie said, looking around. Harry slid the key in and turned the ignition. Nothing happened.
"Isn't it supposed to turn on?" Harry asked Sirius, who was standing by the door.
"Oh, you have to make sure your foot's on the clutch when you turn the key, or it won't start," Sirius instructed. "It's that pedal down there," he pointed. "But first, make sure the car's in neutral. The transmission stick should move left and right freely." Harry gently pushed the stick next to him left and right. It moved, just like Sirius said it would. Then, he pushed down on the clutch with his left foot and turned the key. The supercar's 5.7 litre V12 engine roared to life, immensely loud in the close confines of the garage.
"You can take your foot off the clutch now," Sirius said. Harry did so. "Now try the accelerator. It's the one on the far right." Harry looked at him like he was crazy. "Don't worry, the car's not in gear, all it'll do is rev the engine. You won't go anywhere." Harry dropped his foot on the accelerator and the engine revved up, whining loudly as it passed 7,000 rpms. Satisfied that the car was both loud and cool, he let up and the needle on the tachometer dropped back to idle. "Push down on the clutch and turn the key to turn it off." Harry followed instructions and suddenly, the garage was very quiet.
"I cannot wait to ride in this with you," Katie said, beaming.
-oooo-
Most of the party guests did eventually make their way back upstairs, if only to say goodbye to those who had to leave early. Not wanting to cramp Harry's style, the remaining adults didn't stay long, though Harry secured from Madam Longbottom a promise to return soon to talk about her years as a Potter. In return, she had asked him to call her Augusta. She'd pointed out they were cousins, not to mention colleagues.
Harry and Katie collected the gifts, and began putting them away. When they were done, they started searching around for the party and found Hermione, Sally-Anne, Fay, and Padma outside playing tennis. Seamus, Parvati, Nick, Susan, Ron, Vicki, Neville, and Hannah were all in the theatre watching Independence Day. Ginny and Dean were in the game room, where Dean was teaching Ginny to play billiards. Luna was watching, and laughing with them.
"You think the rest of them are in the pool?" Harry asked. Katie laughed.
"I don't even think most of them came back upstairs," she replied.
"You don't think they're…"
"Nude?" Katie finished. "Almost certainly." Harry followed Katie as she headed downstairs.
His inclination was proved true when they pushed open the doors and found Fred, George, Angelina, Alicia, Lee, and Leanne on the east end of the pool deck fucking whomever happened to be closest. It looked to Harry that Lee was shagging Alicia whilst Fred and George were double-teaming Leanne. Angelina was under Alicia and appeared to be licking Lee's balls as he thrust into her friend.
Harry shook his head and took in the rest of the room. Jimmy and Demelza were in the pool itself, also nude, but playing on some of the new toys the Hufflepuffs had bought. Jimmy was laying facedown on an inflatable crocodile paddling after Demelza who was using a kickboard. The four Slytherins were all camped out in the hot tub, along with Justin. Harry and Katie headed that way.
"Room for two more?" Harry asked, pulling his shirt over his head. Katie followed suit next to him.
"Sure," Blaise agreed. "I hope you're up for giving out rides in those cars once you've learnt how to drive. Those look properly cool."
"I think something can be arranged," Harry said with a grin as he dropped his trousers.
"So, what're you lot doing this summer?" Katie asked as she divested herself of her knickers. Harry pretended not to notice Justin staring at his girlfriend's groin as he helped her into the tub.
"Oh, you know," Daphne replied from her spot between Millie and Tracey, "a bit of this, a bit of that. It's practically all parties, to tell the truth. I don't think I've touched my summer assignments."
"Not that there're many of those this summer," Tracey pointed out. There usually weren't after OWLs as students transitioned to NEWT level classes.
"We've been to the resort loads," Blaise supplied. "Other than that? I've no plans."
"Daphne's had me over quite a bit," Millie said. She glanced at Justin, who was sitting next to her, then back at Harry and Katie. "Things aren't so good at home."
"Are you safe?" Harry asked, suddenly concerned. Millie looked at Daphne, unsure. Daphne nodded, smiling.
"My dad's a Death Eater," Millie said after a moment's hesitation. "He… he's gone a lot, but when he's there, he's not… happy, I guess."
"Do you need a safe place to stay?" Harry pressed.
"She knows she can always stay with me," Daphne clarified.
"I've practically got my own room at Daphne's," Millie said, smiling at her friend. "If things get worse, I can always go there. I'm not so sure about school, though."
"Why not?" Katie asked.
"Dad controls the family money," Millie shrugged, which lifted her breasts out of the water momentarily. Harry caught Justin sneak a peek at them and grin. Harry did a mental eye roll. "If I ran off, he'd either kick me out of the family outright or cut off my allowance, including my schooling. I've got my OWLs now, so at least they can't snap my wand…"
"I've got you covered," Harry said, riding over Millie's last statement.
"What?" she asked, confused.
"If your dad cuts you off, I'll pay for your last two years at Hogwarts," Harry clarified.
"For the love of Merlin, why?" Millie goggled.
"Because you're my friend," Harry said, smiling at her.
"But…"
"No buts," Harry cut across her protests. "We haven't been friends for very long, but I think I know you pretty well. You've been over here a few times… Hell, I've seen you naked more than once! You're a good person, Millie. You're loyal to your friends. Besides, we're not that different, you and I."
"Really?" Millie asked, certain she was mistaken.
"I get the feeling that your homelife's not the best," Harry offered. Millie shrugged again, causing Justin to sneak another glance.
"My mum's alright," she countered, though not convincingly.
"According to Daphne and Tracey, you get shat upon at school by bullies," Harry continued, ignoring her remark. "People who don't know you constantly underestimate or overestimate you, because they don't bother to get to know you.
"I grew up in a home where my Aunt, Uncle, and Cousin hated me," Harry revealed. "They abused me constantly. Malfoy, Voldemort, and other have been after me for years, and I've had more than my fair share of bad press over the years. People constantly assume they know me because they've read things about me, but they don't. You lot know more than most. Do you understand?"
"Still," Millie said, eyes wide. "You'd be willing to support me financially for two years, just because of that?"
"I've more money than I know what to do with," Harry sighed. "I'm on track to recoup my losses from buying all these trunks and building all these buildings by the year after next at the latest, depending on how much of the food my house elves eat. Ensuring your safety and education is a small price for a friend."
Millie stood suddenly, and in one step was across the hot tub. She bodily pulled Harry up and wrapped him in a bone-crushing hug. Harry was surprised, and sputtered for a moment as his face was pressed firmly into her generous bosom. Fortunately for his relationship, Millie had his hands pinned to his sides by the hug.
"Thank you," she whispered to him.
"You're welcome," Harry mumbled into her chest. Millie just squeezed him tighter, trying to show all her gratitude. As some time passed, Harry became aware of her pubic hair pressing into his lower stomach, and her broad hands on his back. Despite his discomfort, his body started to respond to the contact with the nude Slytherin.
"You might want to let him go," Katie said after a moment. "Unless you want a hard dick brushing your cunny." Millie gasped and pulled back.
"I'm so sorry!" she said, blushing and glancing horrified between Katie and Harry.
"No, I'm sorry," Harry countered. "I can't help it when my body responds to being hugged by a beautiful naked girl. Still, you shouldn't have to feel that."
"I'm sorry," Millie said again. "I didn't even think. I just… I put your face in my tits!" She turned back to Katie. "I'm sorry. Don't hate me!"
"Woah," Katie said, putting her hands up to slow things down. "I'm not upset. It's not the first time Harry's gotten a naked hug from a friend, and I'm sure it won't be the last. If Harry says he had an accidental reaction to stimulus outside his control I believe him. If you didn't intend for the hug to be sexual, I believe you."
"I didn't!" Mille protested. "It wasn't!"
"I know," Katie said, calming the girl down. "You just wanted to show your appreciation for Harry's generosity. Harry, did you feel the hug was inappropriate?"
"Other than me getting a stiffy, no," Harry said. "Millie didn't do anything wrong."
"There you go," Katie said, smiling at Millie. "No harm, no foul. I wasn't upset. I was just warning you that Harry was… getting excited."
"And how!" Tracey said, grinning at the erection bobbing about three feet in front of her at face level. "Gods, that's gotta be, what, seven inches? And thick too, you lucky girl!" Tracey gave Katie a wicked grin.
"Why don't you two go ahead and sit down," Katie sighed. "I think everyone here's gotten enough of a show. Between Tracey drooling over Harry and Justin having Millie's bum in his face for the past two minutes…"
"Oh!" Millie gasped, looking behind her to where Justin was blushing guiltily. Seeing him there, she quickly sat. Harry sat too, at a more sedate speed. Tracey pouted, making Blaise frown. Daphne just rolled her eyes.