Wheels Within Wheels
Iolanthe
Chapter Fifty-Eight
Lord Harry's Decision
Iolanthe stood next to Harry and Daphne as the usual delegation formed up to board the Hogwarts Express. She was eager to get her sixth year underway. Iolanthe landed in a summer position in the Department of Magical Health at the ministry and collated statistics on magical maladies all summer. When people asked her what she had been doing with her summer she always began, "Well, it sounds boring, but…"
Then she proceeded to tell them exactly how it was not boring at all as long as you approached it the right way.
As would be expected, the ministry had some very advanced magical collation and analysis tools to deploy to make sense of the raw data. Iolanthe was eager to get started applying her new skills to coursework at Hogwarts. Learning how to handle statistical analyses of magical maladies gave Iolanthe insight into how to use probability as an aid in diagnosis. She wondered if the traditionalist Madame Pomfrey ever used those techniques.
In one of their many consultations over the summer, Daphne had cautioned Iolanthe to speak little and listen much in her interactions with Madame Pomfrey.
"Many of us want to deploy every bit of new knowledge we acquire right away," Daphne said. "We want the approval of our mentors. I know I did. It's good to remember to temper our eagerness with respect for their positions, knowledge and experience."
"Mother, surely I haven't…" Iolanthe began. "Although I see what you mean."
She didn't see, not right away. Iolanthe took Daphne's cautionary words to heart, though, resolving to keep her peace until she was certain she could make a contribution beyond sharing an interesting idea.
The journey to Hogwarts was routine for Iolanthe, after six years, going and coming, ten legs down altogether, and four to go. Over the summer Iolanthe had again raised the idea of walking back to Devon in the spring. Daphne had again deflected, asking if they couldn't discuss the plan when it was a little closer to the projected time for Iolanthe's great ramble. She hadn't alluded to her age, but Iolanthe would turn seventeen in December, so in theory, she could make her own decision. She might just do her research over the school term and have a route set to go by the end of May. Iolanthe wasn't sure but she thought she might be able to put together a route that would let her walk only on the country lanes, keeping out of muggle towns and cities, and spending the night in magic-friendly inns and guest-houses.
Iolanthe wasn't in a hurry to board the train, so she stood with Harry and Daphne near the end of a car. The steps up were close so she could wait until the final whistle if the conversation stayed interesting. Rose had released Ron to go back to whatever the rest of his day held, so she waited with Iolanthe and the Potters. This inevitably drew Hogwarts Blacks, rune-witches and both Gryffindors and Slytherins for handshakes, embraces and kisses to cheeks.
Iolanthe looked down the platform and saw two witches walking together, dressed alike, leading a younger witch who was pulling her luggage trolley.
"That Ravenclaw," Iolanthe said to Rose.
"Carrow," said Rose.
"Hester," Iolanthe added, then, "Hester Carrow. Look at her trunk. Should we give her a hand?"
"You never know," said Rose. "We can offer."
The two walked over and met Hester, letting the Carrow twins pass.
"That's a lot of trunk," said Iolanthe. "Got anyone to take an end?"
"Oh," Hester said, glancing at the twins. One shook her head and walked on, not saying a word, down the line of cars.
"Guess we'll put it on down there," Hester said, "But thanks anyway."
She got the trolley back up to speed and fell in line. Rose and Iolanthe were walking back toward Daphne and Harry when Hester turned her head and scanned each member of their group. Daphne looked back, and some reflex sent her hand under Harry's upper arm. She took hold and held on. Harry looked her way.
"Anything?" he asked.
"Later," Daphne said.
The engineer blew the whistle and Iolanthe pulled Harry close and kissed him on the cheek, then a kiss on the cheek for Daphne, followed with a kiss to the back of Daphne's right hand.
"Mother," was all she said.
"Have a great year, darling," said Daphne, before she was given a farewell kiss from Rose.
"Thanks for keeping me company," Rose said as Iolanthe took her wrist and moved toward the steps.
Harry and Daphne stayed until the train pulled out. They looked around the platform for left behind objects, out of long habit, then headed to the apparation point whence they'd return to Potter Manor.
"We're home," Daphne called as they materialized on the green. Kendra and Periwinkle were supervising some Evans and Davis free play on the patio. Kendra showed the twins who'd just come home and they sprinted across the green shouting 'Mum-Mum-Mum!'
"How was it?" asked Kendra.
"I thought it would get easier," Daphne said. She looked at Harry.
"I can barely look when the train starts to move," Harry said. "By the time these guys are eleven someone will have to sedate me."
On the train, the journey proceeded according to time-honored tradition. First years tended to precipitate out and clump in cabins, excited to be going, but already missing home and family, a little wary of the challenges to come. The end car was overwhelmingly Slytherin. Iolanthe and Zelda stopped in, Zelda joining the quidditch team to catch up on summer news, Iolanthe taking her time working the center aisle.
"Cordelia," said Iolanthe when she spotted the Slytherin second year. "Have you seen Bridget?"
"I believe she'll go directly, with her Gran," Cordelia reported, fluty tones deployed. "How was your summer, Iolanthe?"
"Very interesting, I found some work in magical malady statistics," Iolanthe said. "I couldn't call myself an expert, yet, but I can see it's a powerful tool for healers. What did you do?"
"Mother and Father took me to the Riviera, to a little magical country that isn't even on the map," she said. "It's very quaint."
"Sounds like it," said Iolanthe. "It wasn't l'Anse des Sorciers, by any chance?"
Cordelia's face fell just a little before she smiled.
"Have you been?" she asked.
"Just twice, less than a day altogether," said Iolanthe. "I'm dying to go back and stay. So glad you got to go. I want to hear all about your trip, as soon as we get time."
Cordelia got a huge smile on her face at that.
"Of course!" she said.
Iolanthe turned and headed toward the door, picking up Zelda on the way. Once again the Slytherin quidditch team had to get a round of handshakes before Zelda was released.
"Go, Zelda, GO!" accompanied more than one farewell.
Rose started with her official duties by taking the new prefects on a tour of the train. They looked into compartments, asking if everything was going well, if there were any reported cases of motion sickness, or other signs of stress. She didn't expect to find any. Two passengers looked very young. Rose asked about their birthdays, and both had just turned eleven before the cutoff. She made a mental note to watch what the sorting hat did with them so she could exercise some discreet oversight. She might, in consultation with Iolanthe, have to volunteer some responsible person in their eventual house to watch out for adjustment difficulties.
Rose found Zelda and Iolanthe and the three went looking for a cabin with room for them. Rose and Iolanthe had come prepared with an excellent cold lunch to share, so all they really needed was an opening. They were confident in their ability to negotiate the rest.
An owl arrived that evening at Potter Manor, confirming everyone arrived safely. Both Hufflepuff and Slytherin were pleased with the sorting hat. Madame Pomfrey was thrilled Iolanthe was back for more healing practical and her tutorials. James reported Moira looked healthy and fit as ever, and sent her regards and those of her family to the Potters.
"Well," said Harry when they'd both read the short letter, "Another year under way."
"I want them back," Daphne said.
"Two weeks from today there will be a quidditch match," Harry told her. "How about taking Evans and Davis, we watch the quidditch, then, depending on how soon it finishes, we sign everyone out for a visit to Hogsmeade? In accordance with school policy, of course."
"That's a great idea, Harry, I think we should do that," Daphne said. "That isn't my problem, though. I miss them when they aren't here. Seeing them every day is fun. They're all so busy doing interesting things. There's just a gap when they aren't here. Right, boys?"
Evans and Davis hadn't been following the conversation as such, but Mum's tone definitely signaled she would like them to be in agreement, so they gave a hearty, "YAY."
"Ready for baths?" Harry asked, getting up. After a pro forma denial, it turned out the twins really were ready for baths, story time, and tucking-in.
The next two weeks passed quickly due to the demands of work and family life. Even though Harry no longer had a job, if you meant employment, he had estates to watch, interests and investments, and was a member of the Wizengamot. Then there were Evans and Davis.
James' birthday arrived. The evening before, Moira waited until the Hufflepuff common room was nearly empty before quietly advising James to, "Wait here."
She went to her trunk and returned with a rectangular box tied with black and gold ribbon. She handed it to James.
"Happy Birthday," she said.
James smiled, a huge, involuntary, uncontrollable smile.
"It's perfect," James said, taking a sweater out of the box.
"James," Moira said in her practical-sounding voice, "You have to try it on before you say that."
"Oh," James said.
He oriented the sweater and slipped it over his head.
"It's perfect," he repeated. "Am I allowed to repay you, somehow?"
"Perhaps, if you behave, and we are someplace with a bit less company," Moira said. "Merlin willing it will be sometime soon."
"I like it," James said. "How does it look?"
"Like I thought it would," said Moira, "Most handsome."
"It feels really good," James said. "It fits, I mean."
There wasn't a lot more to say, so Moira went back to her homework and contented herself with sneaking a satisfied glance at James from time to time.
Harry and Daphne's Quidditch Saturday field trip came around to general satisfaction. Ron and Hermione came, as did Tracey, even though the match was between Slytherin and Ravenclaw, meaning Zelda wouldn't be playing.
Relays of owls were kept flying the week before the match as students and parents tried to manage seating arrangements. Harry and Ron had played quidditch for Gryffindor, so green robes on brooms evoked a visceral reaction they would never overcome. The Slytherin alumnae, minus Tracey, wanted to sit with their section, and Iolanthe. Harry acceded to Daphne, resolved to mind his manners, and went with the Slytherins. The Gryffindor section had plenty of available seats, since Gryffindor was idle, so Ron and Hermione sat with Tracey, Rose and Zelda. Hugo, James and Moira sat with Ravenclaw.
The game wasn't particularly close as Slytherin jumped out to an early lead. They were able to stay a minimum of forty points ahead, sometimes adding twenty or thirty before Ravenclaw narrowed the lead, but neither side could mount a sustained scoring drive and control the game. If the Blues didn't have the players necessary to be competitive strictly on scoring, they stayed close enough to keep their seeker, and the snitch, critical to the outcome.
Harry was almost ready to suggest that Evans and Davis seemed to have had enough quidditch for one day. The game had just gone past two hours and the twins were showing signs of serious restlessness. The seekers were circling well above the pitch, staying out of the way of the beaters and chasers, methodically quartering their fields of vision, searching for the flash of gold that would set off the chase for the snitch.
"Who's that Ravenclaw seeker?" Harry asked Iolanthe.
"Hester Carrow," said Iolanthe. Daphne sat up a bit straighter.
"She can fly," said Harry. "Whoa! There they go!"
Both seekers dived as they saw the flash far below. Hester had the advantage temporarily, until the scrum moved, freeing the Slytherin seeker and blocking her. She flew through the crowd but had to slow down. When the seekers got down and matched the snitch's altitude the snitch took off, straight up. The seekers had to fly through traffic again, this time ascending, trying to maximize their speed while avoiding collisions with beaters, chasers, bludgers and the quaffle.
Hester was not attuned to holding her speed down in a slalom. She broke off her pursuit and flew out of the crowd, turning her back on the action and the snitch. Once free she raised the nose and climbed to where she judged the snitch ought to be. When she closed on the snitch it dove again, down and to her left. It appeared the snitch judged it could avoid capture by putting the crowd of chasers and beaters between itself and the pursuing seekers.
Hester showed her contrarian streak a second time, flying away from the snitch while the Slytherin seeker tried working his way through the play.
"What's she doing? What's she doing?" the Ravenclaws were asking until Hester's instinct proved perfect when the snitch flew out of the pack at high speed, right into her cupped hands. Hester clutched the snitch in one hand, rolled into a looping turn to clear the area and looked around for the referee. She flew a corkscrew descent, ending with a hard-braking stop and presentation of the snitch in front of Madame Hooch.
"Wow," said Harry as he began to clap. Across the pitch, Ron was staring, slack-jawed. The Slytherins around Harry had been anticipating a win but were experiencing the instant decompression inherent when defeat is snatched from victory.
Harry the Gryffindor interloper was all alone in his expression of appreciation for Hester Carrow's play, so he quickly settled back into his neutral observer mode. No one wanted to sit around in the Slytherin section rehashing the victory that almost was. Harry stood, offering a pickup to Evans and Davis, but they rejected his gallantry. Harry suspected they sensed restoration of their liberty as soon as the group was out of the stands. The Potters made their way out to a spot just off the route back to the castle. The adults formed up and took a head count, waiting for their scattered members to coalesce.
Daphne and Tracey stood together with Zelda and Iolanthe, waving now and then when a Slytherin old boy or girl passed and gave a greeting. Harry watched, generally without comment. He still worked on expunging some residual feelings between himself and a few of the people passing by, although he was pleased he'd gotten the number as low as he had.
"I'll let you handle this," Harry said to Tracey and Daphne, keeping his voice down.
"Millicent!" Tracey said. "And Flora and Hestia!"
"Hullo, all," said Daphne. Harry thought her voice sounded a bit strained.
"All," said one of the twins. The other remained silent.
"Harry," Flora said, nodding.
"Flora," said Harry. "Hestia. Tough loss."
"Not really," said Flora. "We came to see Hester play. It was a good game for her."
"Congratulations, then," said Tracey.
"Congratulations," Harry added.
Millicent gave everyone a smile and strolled on toward the castle with the Carrow twins. Tracey and Daphne shared a look, just momentarily, but Harry caught it. Ron was saying something to Hermione as they arrived with Hugo.
"Everyone who needs it has permission for a visit to the Three Broomsticks," Daphne said. "Takers?"
A round of 'Sure' and 'Of course!' followed, so the group walked on, this time with some purpose to their stride. There was no expectation they'd get a seat in the Three Broomsticks right away following quidditch on a beautiful September afternoon, but some patrons made room for Daphne and Iolanthe, who sat down with one twin each, and a little patience paid off with everyone finding accommodation a short while later. The Slytherins weren't really in the mood to replay the game, so talk turned to generic matters.
Tracey was drawn to James' new sweater. After a tease about how warm the day was and how he must be suffocating, she turned to Moira.
"Is there a model with no sleeves?" she asked.
"It would be easy enough," Moira said. "Just don't knit sleeves and finish the arm holes same as the one for the head."
"You know," Tracey went on, "I think we could sell those, if the price were right."
"Really?" Moira asked. "That's an idea for winter. The weather can be hard on the fishing. Magic helps but there can be weeks when the boats can't go out."
"Do you have your things here at school?" Tracey asked. "Don't neglect the books but you must have some free time."
"I've got a little yarn," said Moira. "If I run out, Mum can owl me some more."
"Great!" said Tracey. "If you could do one sleeveless and one with sleeves, as samples, I'll show them to some people and we'll see if we can generate a little interest."
Harry sat there taking it all in, not at all sure he understood what he'd just witnessed. It appeared two members of his immediate family, or close to it, had just formed a business partnership while he pondered his butterbeer. He reflected, not for the first time, on how inexplicably lucky he had been to inherit a financial cushion because he lacked an instinct for seeing a commercial opportunity, even if it were directly in front of him.
The post-quidditch crowd slowly left the Three Broomsticks. The Potters took responsibility for the students in the group, freeing Ron and Hermione to head back to London. Harry, Daphne and Tracey walked everyone back to the gates and saw them safely onto the castle grounds.
"'Bye, all," they called, waving through the gates. "See you soon."
Later that evening, Harry was in his study at Potter Manor, trying to get interested in rereading Beowulf, when Daphne peeked through his just-opened door.
"May we?" she asked.
"Of course," Harry said, closing his book and swinging his legs off the sofa.
"Maybe…," Daphne suggested, motioning Harry toward the center, after which Daphne and Tracey sat down on either side.
"Harry, we haven't spoken frankly about a few things, but we can't avoid it any longer," Daphne said.
"Um…" Harry said, striving mightily for complete neutrality.
"There isn't a delicate way to put it, Harry, so I'll get straight to the point," Tracey began. "Remember I love you, and Daphne, and I respect you both more than any two people on Earth. However, I was indiscreet about something, a long time ago, and I need to tell you about it.
"Years and years ago, when you weren't part of our lives, I was having drinks at the Leaky Cauldron, with Flora and Hestia, and they had had a few more than they'd ought to have…"
"Oh," interrupted Harry, "I think I know where this is going. But go ahead."
"They talked about your weekend…" said Tracey.
"Sure," said Harry. "Sometime after Hogwarts, while things were still getting back to normal, I had a room upstairs at the Leaky Cauldron. Grimmauld Place wasn't appealing and I hadn't rented the flat. I was eighteen, Ron and Hermione were occupying their time constructively so I was at loose ends.
"I saw the twins downstairs, in the pub, and we nodded, then we started talking. 'Who have you seen, how is this person, that person, blah-blah.' We ate something for dinner, then we put a few firewhiskeys on top of that, and we all went upstairs to get out of the noise. A couple of days later we woke up and did our morning things and it seemed we were all a little embarrassed and after breakfast they left and we never got together again. I don't think I've seen them up close between then and today at Hogwarts. So that's the story. I'm not proud of it. Everyone was still getting over the insanity. If I was wrong, I apologize to both of you."
"That's not entirely all, Harry," Tracey said. "I have something to confess…Hestia told me about it, like I said, and you and Ginny were still off and on and it hardly seemed at the time like it would ever matter and I told Daphne. I had no idea…Oh, Daphne didn't like it at all."
Harry looked at Daphne, who looked ready to cry.
"Okay, we don't need to hear it all," Harry said. "It's not carrying tales, it's a matter of historical fact, I admit to it. The Carrows weren't to blame. I didn't have to take them upstairs. As far as I know they're decent people. At least I never had to arrest them when I was an auror."
Something about Harry having to arrest the Carrows, in light of their now-revealed shared history changed the mood completely, in a positive way.
"Daphne got over it, as near as I can tell," Harry said. He reached between them and took her hand. With his other he pointed at the big leather-covered ottoman as he said, "Accio!" The ottoman slid over and Harry leaned back, putting his feet up. Daphne thought he looked very comfortable and added her feet.
"It's fine, Harry, those were crazy days," Daphne said, leaning back. "The three of you had a little adventure. Count it as experience."
"Umm…" Harry agreed. "Lessons learned. I am sorry for any hurt I caused you. Same for you, Tracey. Don't feel bad about the bit of gossip. If anyone needs to feel shame it is me. Understand?"
"There's one more thing," Daphne said. Harry picked out the serious note in her voice.
"Ah," Harry said. He waited.
"It appears that Hester, the Ravenclaw seeker, is your daughter."
"WHAT?" Harry nearly screamed. "That would be impossible. She's in James' year. No. Can't be."
"Twins," said Daphne, flicking her eyes up at the ceiling.
"Who made up the room after?" Tracey asked.
"Housekeeping, I suppose," Harry said. "Really, like I said, everyone kind of backed away from the obvious impossibility of it all. I left the room first, if I remember. That must have passed for discretion in my young mind. The room had been cleaned when I came back in the evening."
Tracey and Daphne shared a look.
"Well, there's something you need to know, Harry," Daphne said. "There's an old, old practice that witches pass along, mother to daughter. It's not well-known outside of the female lines of the old magical families, but there are some interesting things witches can do with the linens after they've taken a lover. The old tales said it required a virgin on her wedding night, sometimes it required the groom to be a virgin, too. A lot of that is embellishment.
"What is true is the witch can do a little spellwork at the time. The bedding has a few interesting magical properties and if the witch has the right skills she can use those sheets for lots of things in the future. A potion to give an aging husband some help, if you know what I mean. Get herself pregnant. Years later. The old purebloods sometimes married young witches off to truly awful old wizards. For business. To seal an alliance. For the good of the family. Sold outright for gold, in some cases. The witches would be under a lot of pressure, to produce an heir, perhaps, or other services. Like I said, it was mother to daughter transmission in most cases. They didn't teach it in school. It was a survival skill. Literally."
Harry watched as Daphne and Tracey made faces indicating a fairly high level of disgust at the thought.
"Oh," Harry said. "Ohhh…How did I live this long and not know about this?"
Tracey turned toward Harry.
"Harry!" she said. "Keep it in perspective. You didn't know, that's all. The Carrows were up for a little fun, obviously, just like you were. We were all seventeen, maybe eighteen? If Hestia and Flora nicked a sheet and did this years later, it was completely outside of your control."
"Exactly," said Daphne.
"What are the legalities?" Harry asked. "What is my moral obligation? If this is old time magical family witchcraft, you'll have to enlighten me. I haven't had your advantages. Merlin! There is no way I'll ever catch up, is there?"
Tracey and Daphne commenced making soothing comments for their grandee.
"Not your fault."
"Nobody's fault."
"You had no idea at the time."
"Nothing you could do about it."
Harry held up his hand.
"I'll have to do right by the young lady," Harry said. "Whose is she, anyway?"
"Hestia," Tracey said. "We haven't had any contact in years but I do recall seeing her once in Diagon Alley and we were both pregnant. Zelda and Hester are both fourth-years."
"So," Harry said. "Where do we go from here?"
"That kind of depends on Hestia," Daphne said. "She might not want anything at all to do with any of us. We wouldn't have known if Hester didn't bear such a resemblance to James."
"Without the distinct James manliness," Tracey nearly whispered.
"I think Moira got there before you, Tracey," noted Daphne.
"Plus Hester flies just like Harry," Tracey concluded
Harry stared at the wall opposite the sofa.
"Anyone want a fire? Some tea?" Harry asked.
A few minutes later the three of them were leaning against the back of the sofa, holding teacups, feet up, staring into the fire.
"Whatever is best for Hester," Harry said. "I should sit down with Hestia. With you, too, Daphne. Sort it out. If you two could see it, though, everyone else will be, soon, won't they? Why would Hestia keep something like that secret?"
"There are probably an infinite number of reasons we could speculate about that," Daphne said.
"Fear of Harry Potter," said Tracey.
"Tabloid reporters," added Daphne.
"Snide remarks from old Slytherins," Tracey continued.
"Maybe they were afraid of repercussions from inside the family," Daphne said. "They're Carrows, after all."
Harry and Tracey both gave involuntary shudders at her comment.
The contemplative mood descended again.
It was Harry who broke the silence.
"Tabloids," he said.
Harry got up and went to his desk. He looked around, found what he was looking for, and brought a folded sheet of parchment to the sofa, where he handed it to Daphne.
"I think it's time," he said.
Daphne unfolded the page and scanned it. Her eyes got big. Daphne looked at Harry and nodded, then handed the page back.
"Go ahead," she said.
"Tracey, Daphne and I love you, I don't mind admitting it in front of her," Harry began. "You're part of our home and family, and we both know how lucky we have been to have your help with the houses and the children. You'll have to pardon our presumption, but we wanted to make some provision for you if something happened to us. We put a little money in an investment account in your name awhile back, and let the goblins manage it. This is the latest statement. I think it's time we step back and let you handle it from here."
Harry handed the parchment over to Tracey, who sat on the sofa, staring.
"Harry," she said, her voice a whisper. "You don't…Everything you've done for us…Zelda…"
Tracey stopped talking and threw her arms around Daphne.
"You're a true friend, Tracey," Daphne said as she held Tracey in a long embrace. "We can't leave you vulnerable."
Tracey got control of herself and returned to her end of the sofa, so Harry sat down between them once again.
"Tabloids," he said. "Until we discuss it together, we don't say anything about this. If it comes out, all of that grandee stuff that Lafleur's allies planted is going to be pulled out and dusted off.
"How is the house hunting?" Harry went on. "You might not want to be living under our roof, Tracey. It could be better if you were seen as independent."
"HARRY!" Tracey said. "I am loyal to you until death! I'd feel like a deserter, to you and Daphne both."
"Merlin, until death?" said Harry. "It's not going to come to that. It could become embarrassing, though. You have a business, and Zelda."
"Oh, that's not an issue," Tracey laughed. "Being part of all this is excellent for business. There is no way to top belonging to the grandee and planning his Samhain ball. No magical event planner in Europe but me can bring that kind of atmosphere to the party."
Harry looked at Daphne.
"It's true, Harry," Daphne said. "Don't doubt Tracey's word on parties. She is the foremost authority."
"Fine," Harry said. "I guess we wait and keep our eyes and ears open. Hestia is certainly aware of us, and where we can be found. If she reaches out, we meet her halfway, go slow, no casting aspersions. We assume Hester is Hestia's daughter, but that hasn't been confirmed. We also assume she is mine, due to my naivete at the time of my youthful indiscretion, but we can't know that for sure at the moment. Merlin.
"I predict the time will come when Hestia and I will have to talk, but I don't want to be pushing it. No ruining that young witch's life, agreed? They have to approach us. Otherwise we chance making a complete, public, ugly mess. So it may be a little unconventional. We handle magic. How unconventional is that?"
"Very," said Tracey as she stood up from the sofa. "May I?"
"Feel free," Daphne said.
Tracey bent forward and put her arm around Harry's neck, pulling him toward her and planting a kiss firmly on his lips.
"'Night," she said, crossing to the door. "Thank-you for everything. I'll check the lads."
When the latch clicked Harry pointed his wand at the door and cast muffliato.
"What was that?" he asked.
"Normal affection for the man who has been there for her and her child for years and years, put a roof over their heads, promoted and cultivated her professional career…"
"We'll both be hexed, won't we?" Harry asked.
"Oh, Harry," Daphne said. "I reversed those years ago. I'm mad for both of you. What if Nature had her way with you one day? I couldn't risk my lord and my best friend getting a little excited and triggering the retribution of the fourteen-year-old witch I used to be, could I?"
Harry sat there staring.
"Were you going to tell me?"
"Why?" Daphne asked. "Were you about to succumb?"
"No, of course not," Harry said. "It was just there, so I tiptoed around certain…"
"Declarations? Affectionate expressions?" asked Daphne. "At this point in our lives, Harry, I think I know you well enough. The way you act with the children, you're a bigger mother hen than I am. You live for them. You aren't going to break this all up. Neither is Tracey. If you require a bit more, and Tracey is agreeable, I won't make a fuss."
"I don't require a bit more," Harry said with some force.
"I didn't think so," said Daphne as she slid across the sofa to Harry. "That's why I don't have a problem confessing I wouldn't make a fuss if you did. Even if it were the case, what's the worst that could happen?"
Daphne's nose was almost touching Harry's. He stared into her eyes and saw nothing but blue. She wasn't even on the way to amber. They closed their eyes at the same time and drifted together.
"Her lips are so sweet," Harry thought, "How did we get past kissing and go on to the next step?"
Harry and Daphne cast the spells to put out the fire in the fireplace, then the lamps, and finally set the wards. Upstairs, they slid in between the sheets and continued to the middle. Daphne raised her head so Harry could get his arm between her and her pillow. He pulled her close and kissed her forehead.
"Did you save anything?" Harry asked. "After, that is, after we were together. Physically, I mean."
"Yes," Daphne said.
Harry waited for her to go on, but she didn't.
"How?" Harry asked. "I don't remember anything going missing."
"Harry, nothing went missing. I know where everything is," Daphne said, sounding slightly put out.
Harry knew he ought to leave it alone, but his mind had a good hold of the conundrum and went its own way.
"Oh," he said, the revelation coming at last. "Your bower."
Daphne let out her breath in a long sigh.
"Yes," she said, "My great magical stag chased me through the woods we had dreamed together and he picked me up and leapt a ravine with me on his back and saved us both, just like I knew he would. Yes, there is a memento of that day, put away safely."
"I suppose I shouldn't pursue it," Harry said. "Witch business."
"True," Daphne said. "It's better for you wizards if you don't know every single detail. That way your egos don't get bruised."
Harry thought over the conversation in the morning while he brushed his teeth. He appreciated the background Daphne and Tracey had provided. He also thought Daphne could have spared him the part about not knowing every detail out of respect for his ego. By the time he was on his way down the stairs to breakfast he was under the spell of the humor implicit in Daphne's comment and in a very good mood.
When the Potters first occupied the rebuilt Potter Manor they had made friends of some other magical families with small children. The social circle of magical children developed into something like what muggles call a play group. Children outgrew the group and went to school and eventually on to Hogwarts or Beauxbatons, but there always seemed to be a sufficient number growing into the group to replace those growing out.
Daphne and Harry had been in an emeritus status for a few years after James aged out, but were right back when Evans and Davis came along. Sometime in the summer just past Harry had an idea. What if the Potters recognized Samhain with a ball for the children in the group?
Daphne had a few questions, of course. Harry assured her the children would not be expected to come in formal dress, nor would they have to eat excessive fall vegetables unless they just happened to like them. Before long they had satisfied themselves it would be fun to throw a ball for the children. Once they'd decided to go ahead Tracey took over planning. Invitations were sent and RSVP's received.
Harry invited Plum for coffee and Daphne laid out the plan for the ball. She advised Plum the woodlanders would be welcome to have their bonfire as usual, but the guests at the Potters would be too young to fully appreciate what they would see in the woods. The Potters would, of course, contribute their usual food and drink to the woodlanders' Samhain.
"But Mother Daphne," said the faun in protest. "Surely you will have to preside over the Samhain ritual for the young witches!"
"You see, Plum, that is just what I can't do," said Daphne, trying for a rueful tone. "They aren't of age to appreciate the significance yet. We are doing a number of modifications. They'll learn a little at a time, and when they're fifteen or sixteen, they will already have a deep love for the old calendar."
Plum considered Daphne's explanation.
"I see," he said. "Of course we respect your and Lord Harry's decisions. The others will want to ask me questions about the food…"
"Oh," Harry said, "Was the pheasant a good choice? And we'll be bringing in some of the morning catch from Cornwall, like last year."
"Those were so appreciated last year, Lord Harry," Plum said. "And the beverages? The others will want to know, of course."
"Oh, we had planned on another of the cider kegs, unless…"
"Oh, the cider was perfect, Lord Harry, that will be more than sufficient!" said Plum.
"More coffee, Plum?" asked Daphne as she picked up the carafe.
The magical childrens' Samhain was a great success. A child-sized bonfire just off the green was lit and extinguished before the woodlanders repaired to theirs, situated well back in the trees. The childrens' cider was tasty and alcohol-free. The marigold bouquets were mainly for the mothers, although two of the young witches handled theirs like veterans.
Harry took charge of Evans and Davis so that Daphne, Tracey and Kendra could pay a short visit to the woodlanders. Harry heard the cheering from the woods all the way to where he stood on the patio, so he assessed the visit a success.
On Wednesday, the week after the ball, Daphne sat in her study at #12 Grimmauld Place and wrote short acknowledgements to all the parents who'd sent notes.
"Lady Daphne," said Kreacher when Daphne had answered his knock. "Madame Carrow and Madame Carrow have come wishing to pay a call."
Daphne got up and went out into the hall. Flora and Hestia stood just inside the front door, still in their cloaks and peaked hats.
"Can Kreacher take your things?" Daphne asked. "And come on in. Kreacher, we'll be needing a pot of tea and two more cups in the study."
Flora and Hestia looked like they were debating keeping their outerwear, but eventually turned the cloaks and hats over to Kreacher, then walked down the hall to meet Daphne.
When everyone was settled, the Carrow twins on the settee, beneath the portrait of Walburga Black, Daphne on her desk chair, Daphne put her hands on her knees and waited.
"Daphne, I have to…" Hestia began, and stopped, not getting any further.
"Just think about why you're here," Daphne suggested. "You had something in mind when you made the decision to come by. Sometimes the words come easier if you focus on that."
Hestia looked at Flora. Flora tilted her head toward Daphne. "Go ahead," she seemed to say.
"Alright," Hestia said, "Here it is. I have a daughter with your husband. Things have been getting brittle between us. If I can't get her attention I'm afraid she'll be doing some self-destructive things soon. I'm not getting through."
"No one wants to see a young person go through hard times," said Daphne. "Least of all people from our generation, hmm? We saw her playing quidditch a few weeks ago. She does resemble our James, of course. What did you have in mind?"
Flora and Hestia sat looking at one another.
"Hestia, her name is Hester, isn't it?" Daphne asked. "Maybe we should talk about Hester for a few minutes. In September, at the quidditch match, I got my first good look at Hester, and I put that together with some other bits of information that had come to me over the years, and I had a talk with Harry, with Tracey present, and we concluded that there was indeed a good chance Harry was Hester's father. Harry told us about his…encounter…with both of you, what would it be? Twenty-something years back. Would I be correct if I guessed you took the linens from his room when you left, all those years ago?"
"Yes," said Hestia. "I thought you'd be furious. That's why I brought Flora."
"I'm not going to judge you, Hestia, or Flora, for that matter," said Daphne. "Your mother taught you the spells? You're not alone. That's nothing to be ashamed of, but may I ask if Hester was intentional? You two weren't playing with spells and potions and had an accident?"
"It was intentional," said Flora. "We both tried but it only worked with Hestia."
"Hang on," Daphne said, "Change of direction. Does Hester know? If so, how do you think we can help Hester? If not, how do you think we can help Hester?"
Hestia looked like she was about to start crying.
"We don't know," Flora said. "Some of the students have noticed how much she looks like James."
Daphne sat against the back of her chair.
"Your motivation was to start your own family? Sorry I have to pry a bit," Daphne said.
"Yes," said Hestia.
"And the conventional method was out for some reason?" asked Daphne. "If you don't mind an observation, from what I was told, it doesn't seem either of you have a problem with ordinary copulation. Why go to all the trouble?"
"There weren't a lot of likely prospects," Flora said. "The wizards who were left after the war were snatched up fairly quickly. I wouldn't have minded being an outside witch for the right married wizard but no one offered. Finally…"
"We decided to give Mother's method a try," Hestia finished.
"And it worked well until you got to the part you didn't think through," said Daphne. "This part right here."
The Carrows sat quietly, staring into the distance, giving every appearance of pondering Daphne's summation.
"I guess so," Hestia said at last.
"Good," said Daphne. "We have begun to define the problem. Do you wish to continue?"
"Yes, of course," Hestia said. "That's really made things clearer, Daphne."
Daphne pursed her lips and looked back and forth between the Carrows.
"Ladies, before we go further," she said. "I can't be a part of any professional discussion with you, or Hester, because I'm compromised. Do you see? I can't be objective."
"What do you mean?" demanded Flora. "You're our classmate, you're a Slytherin…"
"Yes, and even if it was over twenty years ago you spent two days in a hotel room with my husband and who knows how many bottles of firewhiskey…"
"Three days," Flora interrupted as she looked over at Hestia. "Wasn't it three days? And nights? Not counting the part of the first day…"
Daphne stopped talking and looked at the twins in wonder. It took a while, but they did look back at her.
"Oh," said Hestia.
"Sorry," said Flora.
"Look, Hestia, and Flora, we all know what it was like right after the battle," Daphne said, "Relief, and broken hearts and grief, and hope for new beginnings and an end to the pain and craziness. You two taking a little comfort from Harry does not hurt me one bit. I bear you no ill will. I don't feel damaged, believe me. But there is something you should know about Harry. When we discussed this, and shared our information, and our observations about James and Hester, Harry fixed on one thing—no effort will be spared to keep from hurting that young witch. Harry had a very hard time when he was young, and he won't tolerate ill treatment of young people. He wants to do what he can, whatever is right, for Hester. Be aware, though, that he will want to talk everything through in detail, and the lodestar will be protecting Hester. If that is what you want there may be good prospects for a cooperative approach. He loved seeing her at seeker, by the way. Her flying is as much a giveaway as her face."
Hestia turned her head to the side and closed her eyes. Daphne took the box of tissues from the top of her desk and handed it over.
The talk went on through a second pot of tea but Daphne had established the essentials. The Carrows' version was consistent with the Potters' observations, Harry's short history of the encounter at the Leaky Cauldron, and Tracey meeting Hestia in Diagon Alley when they were both pregnant. Daphne pleaded a need to finish up and get back to the country and the issue was left at that. Hestia was to think over what she wanted to do and let Daphne know if she felt a need to get together again.
Harry and Daphne had Potter Manor to themselves after Daphne's return from London. Tracey had weddings coming up over the holiday season and was meeting with clients, in addition to getting the Black estate ready for Black Christmas. She liked being alone at the estate with just Melon and her plans and project materials. She'd have loved to have Zelda with her, but even if she were there Zelda would probably have spent six or seven hours a day on her broom.
The weather was a bit cool for sitting on the patio, but the room just inside was pleasant. Harry was sitting on the floor with Evans and Davis, who were exploring the mysteries of their restricted flight toy brooms, when Daphne came back from London.
"Coffee? Tea?" Daphne asked, throwing the cloak off her shoulders and handing it to Periwinkle.
"I'd take a cup of coffee," Harry said, not taking his eyes off the twins and their wobbly flying.
Daphne sat down at the table and looked at Harry. Something said she wanted to talk. Harry got up and took a chair.
"Don't fly into the house, Evans, I'll have to close the door if you won't stay out here," Harry called before turning back to Daphne. "You've got news."
"I do," Daphne said. "Flora and Hestia Carrow called on me at Grimmauld Place this afternoon. In a wide-ranging conversation they confirmed our suspicions. Our working assumption that you are Hester Carrow's biological father seems to be correct. Of course, there are tests that can confirm or dispel the notion. Still, the physical resemblance, the earlier…ah…"
"Fooling around," Harry offered.
"Exactly," said Daphne. "They admitted making off with the sheets and doing a little witchcraft sixteen years ago in an attempt to become pregnant. Hestia was successful, Flora wasn't."
Harry wasn't in shock as he was during their earlier conversation, having had over a month to get used to the idea.
"Okay," Harry said. "Is there anything they want from us? They waited this long to speak up. Hester is fifteen, or sixteen. They've gotten along without co-parents until now."
"Hestia said she is having unspecified difficulties," said Daphne. "Of course she fears Hester will take up unhealthy pastimes."
"That I can understand," Harry said. "Like every parent these days."
"We had to leave it unfinished," said Daphne. "Hestia didn't have an answer to the question of what it was she wanted us to do. She and Flora have gone home to think about it. Oh, Hestia said some of the Hogwarts students have remarked on Hester's resemblance to James. That is as far as that we got on the subject."
"Well," said Harry, making it a sentence. He sat watching the youngsters flying around the room.
"No crashing, please," he cautioned from time to time.
"I think Hestia has to make up her mind," Harry said. He took another long break from the conversation.
"They've been finessing the question of her parentage for fifteen years?" Harry asked when he returned from his reverie.
"That is what it sounded like to me," said Daphne.
Harry retreated into his own mind once more.
"I grew up in a house where my alleged caregivers concealed the truth about my late parents from me."
Harry stopped talking and returned to thinking.
"This will require self-discipline, on my part," Harry said. "That is not good judgement on Hestia's part, and I will work hard not to say so. At least not in front of Hester. I guess we just wait and see what they want to do next."
"Looks like it," said Daphne.
"What is your mother doing?" Harry asked.
"Don't know," said Daphne. "Why?"
"I was wondering if this were a good time to consult the runes?" Harry answered. "Just to get their perspective on all of this."
Daphne was highly skeptical of the utility and accuracy of runes, as she was of all forms of divination. At the same time, she knew Kendra could render solid advice and counsel, and the runes were often the source. Kendra would say so, certainly.
Daphne disappeared into the main part of the house. A few minutes later she was back.
"Mother's coming over," she said. "It's easier than packing up Evans and Davis, and they're having a good time. It's better not to interrupt it."
"Hullo!"
Kendra's voice sounded from the salon. She arrived moments later at the room just inside from the patio. Daphne got up and kissed Kendra's cheek, thanking her for coming. Kendra offered her hand to Harry, who took it in both of his, bringing it to his lips. Daphne busied herself with the twins and casting lumos, as the outside light was fading fast.
"Coffee? Tea? Anything at all?" Harry asked.
"Coffee would be nice, and a small mineral water," Kendra said as she opened her bag of runes.
"Periwinkle!" called Harry, but the elf was already at Kendra's side putting a tray with a cup of coffee, a small bottle of mineral water and a glass all on the table. Kendra took the items from the tray, which she handed back.
"Thank-you, Periwinkle," she said before turning back to Harry and covering his right hand with hers. "Now. What have you been up to?"
Harry and Daphne related the story of their discussions since the quidditch match at Hogwarts, beginning with Harry, Tracey and Daphne in the study, and Daphne's, with Flora and Hestia, just that afternoon.
"And we were talking just now, and we don't have any reason to doubt the Carrows' word, but we wondered if the runes had an opinion?" Harry said, summing up.
"Oh," said Kendra. "Well, that is quite a story. Maybe tale is better."
"We're talking about magic, and witches, of course," said Daphne. "Anything is possible. I remember…"
"You're a witch, Daphne, anything is possible!" said Kendra, quoting herself.
"Astoria and I used to go around repeating that to each other," explained Daphne.
"You certainly proved it to be true," said Harry.
"Yes, they did, Harry," Kendra agreed. "Far, far beyond anything I imagined. So, let's see…"
Within fifteen minutes the runes had told Kendra all they knew. According to them, Hester was Harry and Hestia's daughter, Hester didn't know, but suspected the truth, and Hestia had not told Hester anything about her origins.
"Well, thanks, I think," Harry said, leaning back. "We have a dilemma, though. The Carrows came to see Daphne, opening up something. A conversation, perhaps. No further steps emerged from that. Hestia is concerned Hester is getting all adolescent, or showing signs, so she and Flora showed a little anxiety without asking for us to participate."
"To be fair, I did explain that I can't see them in a professional context," Daphne said. "That would be completely unethical, besides limiting my usefulness. If they took issue with anything, I would appear to them to be prejudiced. No good comes out of a situation like that."
"Of course," Harry said. "You don't have a choice. Did they want you to take them all on for therapy?"
"Maybe, maybe not," said Daphne. "Hestia couldn't really say what she wanted. She seemed to need to get the truth out. After that she started going in circles. Neither one tried to justify their actions. They just wanted a family, and they thought they had the means to bring one about."
"They got that part right," said Kendra. She looked at Daphne. Daphne looked back. Both of them began to laugh. They were having such a good time they attracted Evans and Davis, who flew over on their brooms and demanded some time on the witches' laps.
"I guess we proceed as if we're certain our information is accurate," said Harry. "What do I do now, according to the ancient and sacred ways of our people?"
Harry folded his hands on the table in front of him, his Potter and Black signets alive in the light.
"Well…," Kendra tried.
"I'm trying to remember…" said Daphne.
"This has to have come up before," Harry said. "Daphne and Tracey explained the use of the materials in potions and conceiving children years later. Witches and wizards haven't been sitting around and not using knowledge of this sort for every conceivable purpose. If we've learned anything from our own unfortunate experiences it would be that. Someone has done this very same thing, without a doubt."
"That is truly astute, Harry," said Daphne. "Of course you're right. We just have to look for cases."
"There is legitimization," said Kendra. "A child is born out of wedlock and a wizard comes forward and swears he is the father. Usually that means the child taking his name, although not always. Then the child has two parents. He or she can inherit when the time comes."
"Makes sense," Harry said. "Probably not the first thing on our checklist. Where would Hestia be, legally?"
"That's one for the lawyers, I think," said Kendra. "Have you ever heard of something like what Harry is describing?"
"Zelda has known Blaise is her father all along," said Daphne. "Tracey and Blaise offered to do the paperwork to change her name, but Zelda has always been Zelda Davis and doesn't want to give that up. That may be to spite her Grandmother Zabini as much as anything. Can't say I blame her."
"Acerbic AND perceptive, sweetheart," said Kendra.
"That is a bit further down the road," Harry said. "I must have some responsibility, if Hestia wants to push. Do I have rights as well? If Hester is recognized, she is an heir, presumably, to something. What in the world has Hestia been thinking?"
Harry's exasperation was showing. Even if he hadn't gotten Hestia pregnant in the usual way, he had had conjugal knowledge of both of the Carrows, and besides, he would have had no problem taking some responsibility for the raising of his daughter from the beginning. Unfortunately, her mother had had her head somewhere other than on her daughter's proper upbringing, in Harry's opinion.
"Harry, my lord," Daphne said. She reached out and laid the palm of her hand on Harry's cheek. "Try not to judge, if I may? It will only get in the way of finding the solution."
Kendra sat still, looking at Daphne and Harry. She knew they must have disagreements, like all married couples, but she had never witnessed Daphne issue a serious correction to Harry over anything. Many of the old family lines had a streak of madness and the heads of houses were particularly well-known for volatile temperaments. Kendra waited, wary, anticipating the explosion.
It never came.
"Of course," Harry said, reaching up and taking Daphne's hand. "Thank-you for the reminder, Lady Daphne."
He kissed the hand before giving it back.
"What I want to do," Harry said, "Is establish that the Potters will do their duty to every one of their number, conventional origins or not. I wish to work in a cooperative manner with Hester's mother, with a view to giving her daughter the best possible chance of success in life. If she wishes to get to know her Potter family, and the Tonks, Greengrass and Davis allies, I will appreciate their support. I will induct her into the Blacks, if she accepts the commitment. If Hester wants nothing to do with us, I will respect her wishes, as will the rest of the Potter-Blacks."
Harry ran out of words. Kendra and Daphne sat there, looking at him. He wasn't negotiating.
"My lord," said Daphne, giving Harry a little nod of the head.
"So, Lady Greengrass, can we interest you in dinner at Potter Manor?" Harry asked.