"I see." Dáin sighed. "Pity. I should have liked to have had a strong daughter-in-law. More chance of grandchildren, if a dwarf's got a strong wife."
"I don't think your Thorin could cope with a wife as strong as these ladies, Dáin." Balin told Dáin. "Young Thorin's not the most… confident of dwarves, a strong wife might be too much for him."
"You could be right, you could be right." Dáin nodded. "But how else do I get grandchildren? Our birth-rates are so low, only strong dams have children as it is."
"There? We might be able to help you." Sissy said. "I'd have to scan a few of your… dams, just to be certain, but there is a chance."
"Any help would be greatly appreciated." Balin replied and Dáin echoed him.
Harry leant on Charlie as Hermione and Narcissa spoke about Narcissa's upcoming trip to the Iron Hills to assess some of the dwarven women. He tuned out their conversation once they got down to discussing the itty-gritty details of being a female. It was bad enough to have to sit through Narcissa's lectures on male pregnancies and childbirth, he wasn't going to get involved in the female's side of things.
Then something occurred to him.
"Excuse me?" He called to the two witches and when they turned to face him, he continued. "What about Thorin? Will you be seeing to him before you go?"
"Oh, yes. This afternoon, in fact." Narcissa replied. "Fíli and Kíli are up and doing well."
"And Dáin is here to be a witness to Thorin's treatment." Hermione added.
"Why do you need a witness?" Harry asked.
"Ah, well… Severus seems to think he's ironed out the creases in the non-human de-aging potion and while the arithmancy works out…" Hermione answered.
"… until it's tested, there's still a possibility that it may not work the way he wants." Harry finished for her.
"Yeah…" Hermione sighed. "And add into the equation that potions affect different people in different ways…?"
"Right. So, when are you going to do this?"
"Severus wants to trial it on Bifur, first. If the arithmancy is correct, it should remove the axe from his forehead and return control of his speech centres, to him." Hermione said as Narcissa headed off into the hospital Hall. "We'd have more of an idea of the possibility of success, then."
"How does Bifur feel about this?"
"Bofur and Bombur say that he's quite eager to try it." Hermione said as she gently bullied Harry into the hospital wing and into a chair. "You sit there and when we're ready to start with Thorin, we'll call you. Okay?" She didn't wait for a reply but hurried off after Narcissa.
"O-kay… I guess we're waiting here, then." Charlie drawled.
"I guess…" Harry cast a fondly exasperated glance after his friend.
Within minutes people had begun to congregate and created a waiting area around Harry and Charlie. First it was Parvati, Fíli and Kíli, then Padma came looking for her sister with Justin in tow, and a few minutes later Remus and Sirius came looking for Harry, quickly followed by Oliver, Colin, Dennis and Headley. Which lead to the twins, Lee and the quidditch queens with McGonagall and Ollivander not far behind them. By the time Hermione, Fleur and Narcissa left Bifur's room, the entire Hogwarts contingent, most of Thorin's Company and even a few of the elves, were waiting for them.
"Well…?" Bofur couldn't stop himself from asking.
"He's got a foul headache and we can't give him anything for another hour." Narcissa replied. "But he's doing fine… So far, he's regained a reasonable grasp of whatever languages he spoke prior to the injury. How much more he'll regain is undetermined, only time will tell."
"But he's gonna be alright?" Bombur asked.
"Oh, yes, certainly. Better than prior to the potion." Narcissa answered. "Once this headache is gone, he should be just fine."
"So, this means that you're ready to treat Thorin?" Harry asked.
"Yes, Fleur's already alerted Severus and he's bringing Thorin's potion." Narcissa nodded. "I know that you all want to see him back on his feet, but his room is simply too small for all of you to be present. I understand that some of you must be there, as witnesses for the public, but I have to limit the number of people in the room due to space restraints."
"Aye, his room might large but it's not that large." Dáin nodded.
"So, who gets to go in?" Fíli asked.
"Fíli and Kíli are his heirs, if… heaven forbid… something did go wrong, one of them would be King. Dáin is to be witness for his people. Oín as healer for the dwarves. Balin, Legolas, Bard and Harry as witnesses for their people, we've had a number of requests for updates on Thorin's condition, from different directions." Narcissa pointed to each person as she named them. "You may go in, but please wait quietly. Once Severus arrives, it shan't be long before we begin."
"Thank you, Lady Narcissa." Balin and Dáin bowed to the witch and quickly headed into Thorin's room.
Fíli and Kíli gave Narcissa a bow and Kíli paused before giving Fíli and Parvati a quick smile.
"Come on, Fíli." The soon to betrothed pair parted reluctantly, but Fíli followed his brother.
"This way, Master Bard." Balin lead the bargeman into the appropriate room.
"I'll watch over Harry for you, Charlie." Legolas said quietly and gently lifted Harry to his feet, Oín on the other side of the young wizard.
"Thanks." The redhead replied.
Two hours later, Thorin sat upright on his bed, carefully propped up by a host of cushions and pillows. An ornate portable writing desk sat on a large cushion across his lap, a sheaf of parchment to one side, a candle, sealing wax and the royal signet of Erebor to the other.
He had listened carefully as Bard, who was acting as an impartial observer, had read out the conditions and clauses of the contract that was the first step in welding Fíli and Parvati's lives together.
"Lady Parvati?" Bard questioned. "I must ask. Do you agree to these conditions? I've not heard of anyone requiring that their physical stature be… shrunk…"
"That was my suggestion, Master Bard." Parvati replied sharply. "Our potions Master has also created a potion that will increase my life span to match Fíli's, so between that and the mass-reduction potion, neither height nor age should significantly impact our union."
"Ah, I had to ask, it's not a common clause." Bard tried to explain.
"I understand, but it did take almost a week to convince Thorin and Fíli of the benefits of such an action." Parvati said.
"As you say, milady." Bard gave a stunted bow. "Are there any objections?" No-one said anything. "No? Very well. Potions Master Snape? Would you be so kind as to copy this document. There should be four copies of this document, one for the Royal Archives, one for Prince Fíli's family, one for Lady Parvati's family and one that I, as impartial observer, keep." When Severus held up his wand, Bard laid the document on the portable desk and Severus flicked his wand, three blank sheets of parchment became identical copies. Bard quickly looked them over before nodding and laying the four sheets in front of Thorin. "If Prince Thorin would sign each sheet, here and here…?" He waited while Thorin did so before handing the sheets to Draco. "Thank you. Lord Malfoy? If you would sign alongside Prince Thorin?" Once Draco had signed, he took back the sheets. "Both of you have requested that Lady Parvati and prince Fíli sign these as well. Lady Parvati? Prince Fíli? Are you both in agreeance?" The two in question nodded and Bard handed over the sheets, watching as they were quickly signed and handed back. "Congratulations Lady Parvati, Prince Fíli. Is there anything else I can do for you today?"
"Thank you, Master Bard, but no, nothing else today. However, if you would care to join us for luncheon, Bilbo's kitchen crew have put together a selection of roast birds." Fíli replied.
"Hmm… Back to the ruins of Dale and toil away at rebuilding the ruins of my ancestor's house or stay here and sup in warmth…? Hmm…" Bard shrugged. "I doubt anyone would reject such an offer, Prince Fíli. My thanks." He said as he bowed.
The days passed and winter drew its grip ever tighter on the mountain. Gandalf reappeared, he wandered the repaired halls of Erebor and listened as the Northern Council laid out the history of its creation.
"So…? Basically… Thorin felt that between the four groups we represented a good chunk of the north and as a result of that it was down to us to protect it." Fíli explained. "But he also wanted it to be a little removed from each… country, as it were… so Headley was the one to suggest that we treat the Council as a separate entity and not have those who rule their own people, sit on the Council."
Gandalf nodded, slowly. "Hence you, young Headley, Miss Sigrid and Kressian." It wasn't phrased as a question.
"Exactly." Fíli nodded. "If and when one of us are required to take another position, we have to surrender our Council seat."
"Yes… Yes, I can see that working…" The old wizard continued to nod.
"And the rebuilding is well underway." Kíli added. "Dáin lent Thorin a Cohort of builders and their families, they're working their way through the living quarters of the mountain and Dale. Initially they were all for getting the mines up and going, until we asked where their families were going to live, then they were solely focused on the living quarters."
"The magicals are helping there, too. Instead of having to use winches and cranes, one of the magicals can levitate stones into position." Fíli went on.
"Professor McGonagall and Charlie are using the rebuilding as a part of our class practicals." Kíli said. "Few of us are any good at it yet. Ori is managing better than Fíli or I and Nori is far worse than either of us. We haven't begun the theory behind anything but the few spells that we're practicing, Charlie said that when we've mastered what we're working on, then he'll move us onto the next set. Until then, we just have to practice."
"Practice makes perfect, Uncle says." Fíli nodded.
"I see…" Gandalf sat back and lit his pipe. "And when will the wedding take place?"
"Oh, Fíli and Parvati won't be until Amad gets here." Kíli smirked. "Harry and Charlie are on the winter solstice. Padma and Justin are the same days as Fíli and Parvati. They're twins. Sirius and Remus are tomorrow. And Seamus and Dean only signed their betrothal contract this morning."
"Betrothal contract?" Gandalf asked.
"Oh, sure. Fred and Katie, George and Angelina, Lee and Alicia, all have betrothal contracts in place." Fíli replied.
"Not young Harry and… who was it? Charlie?"
"No, they decided to go straight to getting married." Fíli answered.
"The problem with a contract betrothal between two magicals, is that they have to wait for no less than three solstices to pass before they can progress to a marriage contract." Kíli snickered. "No rushing into anything, there."
"Ah…" Gandalf sighed, quietly. "And what of Bilbo Baggins?"
"Uh… yeah… aunty Bilbo…" Fíli tried not to laugh, truly he did.
"Aunty Bilbo?" Gandalf's brows rose.
"Thorin's courting him, but the silly little hobbit hasn't realised it yet." Kíli muttered.
"We're all hoping he figures it out, or someone's going to have to tell him." Fíli shrugged. "At least... before Thorin presents him with a contract."
"Uh… yes, that would be…" Gandalf trailed off.
"Difficult."
"Loud." Fíli and Kíli spoke together.
"Yes." Gandalf nodded. "And what of notifying your mother, Princess Dís?"
"Balin and Dwalin are doing that. They took Oliver and Garrick with them." Fíli answered.
"Garrick Ollivander, the wand maker." Kíli cut in.
"Yes, him. Now, shut up. Kí." Fíli smacked at Kíli's shoulder. "They left here three mornings ago. We estimate, given the distances involved that it should take them a week to get to Ered Luin."
"A week?" Gandalf blinked in shock.
"One day to Beorn's. A second to Rivendell. A third to Bilbo's. And a fourth to Ered Luin. That gives them three days to speak to Elrond and Bilbo's cousin Fortinbras, who is the current Thain, about setting up carpet terminals." Fíli went on, as though Gandalf hadn't interrupted. "At this point, Parvati, Padma and Lavender want change-over terminals near the river Anduin and another somewhere near Rivendell. With a number of pick-up-drop-off points. Here at Erebor, at Eryn Galen, at Hobbiton, Ered Luin. Legolas is sending an envoy to Lothlorien to inquire about interest for one there and another at the Grey Havens." He shrugged. "If there's interest, we'll send someone to meet and work out the finer details. But we're all agreed. Getting our people back from Ered Luin comes first. We can worry about the rest later."
Harry watched on as his beloved godfather leant forward awkwardly and signed his name on a piece of parchment, his expanded waistline clearly limiting his movements.
"Well done, boys." Harry heard McGonagall whisper and saw Sirius give her a quick smile.
"Congratulations." Thorin spoke quietly to the two wizards before turning his attention to those that filled the Hall. "Ladies and Gentlemen, I present to you… Sirius and Remus, Lord and Consort Black!"
The cheers erupted and filled the Hall, closely followed by balls of sparks and fountains of fireworks from those that held a wand.
An hour later, the Hogwarts contingent met with their elven and dwarven counterparts in the royal guest wing, the only place large enough to house them all, outside of the public spaces. A table in the middle of the room, groaned under the weight of the food laid upon it, platters of meats, vegetables and sweets carefully laid to maximise the space available.
Harry leant back against Charlie, Teddy resting on his shoulder, and swayed his head in time to the music, as Sirius and Remus pretended to dance.
"You know, for wizards that can fight as well as they can, neither of them have a sense of rhythm, do they?" Charlie's voice rumbled slightly, a sign that her was trying not to laugh.
"Nope, and McGonagall says they've never been any better." Harry grinned.
"They look happy." Ollivander said from his seat on the other side of Charlie.
"They do." Harry nodded. "They deserve it."
"They do." Ollivander agreed and raised an eyebrow as Harry's stomach growled.
"Here, gimme Teddy and you get something to quiet that beast." Charlie laughed.
Harry huffed but did as his fiancé suggested. Rising to his feet he began to make his way towards the table.
He didn't get there.
A blast of fire filled the room, causing a few people to scream or yell. As the flames died out, Harry saw familiar red and gold feathers.
"Fawkes?!" He gasped.
A feeble trill was all that answered him as the bird's wings began to give out. It was then that Harry realised Fawkes wasn't alone, there were too many wings and claws for one bird and not all of the feathers were red, gold or black.
"Oh, gods…" Charlie's whisper was echoed by Ollivander's.
Harry leapt forward and slid to his knees under the mass of feathers, stunned to find a basket of twigs in his lap.
"Help!" He gasped.
Charlie passed Teddy, still asleep, to Ollivander and joined Harry on the floor. "Steady, Harry, stay still. That's a phoenix nest."
"I can see that Charlie." Harry snapped.
"No, Harry, you don't understand." Charlie shook his head. "Nests are incredibly rare. Phoenixes only lay one egg once every two hundred years. The only person to have successfully hatched a phoenix from the egg, is Godric Gryffindor, and that's rumoured to be Fawkes. The eggs have to be kept at a specific temperature for days, at least three, and an egg will only hatch on a solstice. As a result, maybe one in a thousand eggs hatch and less than that will survive to their first maturity. They're completely defenceless as chicks."
"Oh…" Harry breathed.
"Yeah… and none of these will be Fawkes' eggs, phoenixes don't lay during their last life. And Fawkes wouldn't have given up feathers and tears if he wasn't on his last life."
"Oh, Fawkes…" Harry whispered, hope in heart fading.
"I know…" Charlie wiped a tear from Harry's cheek, ignoring those that watched them. "But he's done the next best thing he could. He brought you an egg. That's a huge honour, Harry, but the really weird thing about phoenixes is that while they will give people eggs, they never give them without the approval of the entire phoenix population." Charlie explained. "In the wild, when a phoenix is on their last life, they will use their last burning to incubate eggs, never their own and never more than two. How many eggs are there?" He didn't even try to look, he just asked Harry.
"Ah… Charlie…?" Harry's eyes widened comically, as he counted. "How many phoenix eggs are there likely to be at any one time?"
"In the wild? We estimate less than fifteen at any given time. As for domesticated phoenixes, we only know of three and to date no domesticated phoenix is recorded as ever having laid eggs. Why?"
"Um… I think I have all the eggs… and then some..." Harry whispered.
"How many?" Charlie repeated.
"Twenty-seven…"