Wheels Within Wheels
Iolanthe
Chapter Sixty-Three
They Are Readied for Launch
By the first week in August, Lissette had received her diploma, done her London shopping, and was looking forward to taking up her duties at the local magical hospital that served l'Anse des Sorciers.
The Potters were sorry to see her go while sharing her excitement about commencing her first professional appointment. Everyone gathered for one last breakfast on the patio at Potter Manor. The August morning was glorious. Daphne had invited Kreacher, Melon and Winky, who weren't really needed as extra help, but who she knew would be grateful they'd been included in Lissette's farewell meal with the family.
"Where will we go when we come to visit?" Iolanthe asked. She had already planned to give Lissette two weeks to settle in, then work in a short trip to l'Anse, just before the start of school.
"I can't speak for the Serene," said Lissette. "Not without asking first. I think you could stay with me. That palace of hers seems to have unlimited space. Probably something I need to explore."
"Oh, well, I'm not inviting myself," said Iolanthe. "Is there a hotel or hostel or something like it?"
"Definitely," said Lissette. "We'll work it out. Owls!"
"Owls," confirmed Iolanthe.
"Lissette," said James as he exited the house followed by Moira. "Something for your going-away, to remember us by."
James handed Lissette a package wrapped in white tissue paper and tied up in an elaborate emerald green ribbon.
"Oh, my, what could that be?" asked Iolanthe, pretending everyone didn't already have a pretty good guess what it was.
Lissette opened the package and shook out a sweater, all natural merino wool except for a band of emerald green at the neck and wrists. Lissette held the sweater up to her face and breathed in.
"Mmm…" she said. "I can smell the sea! I won't have any trouble remembering both of you!"
"It's the first piece from the co-op," Moira said. "Except for the samples Tracey has. You're right on the water there in l'Anse. You'll want something snug when the sun goes down."
Lissette dispensed the ritual hugs and kisses, starting with James and Moira. Once she got going she continued to work her way through the rest of the family, ending with Daphne.
"Lady Daphne," Lissette said, a distinct catch in her voice. Daphne extended her right hand, which Lissette held in both of hers.
"How can I ever…" Lissette began, only to find she couldn't go on.
"Lissette, dear, all you have to do is what you are doing right now," Daphne said. "Excuse us, everyone?"
Daphne put her arm around Lissette's waist and led her a little way toward the green.
"Lissette, I could not have predicted, in my wildest flight of imagination, what it would mean to have you join our family," Daphne said as they walked. Lissette started to sniff a little.
"We are so proud to have been a part of all you've accomplished in the last two years," Daphne went on. "I speak for everyone, wishing you a wonderful career and a happy, happy life with Caroline. We'll come as often as we can, and you are always welcome to join us, wherever we are."
Lissette brought Daphne's hand to her lips and kissed it.
"Mother," Lissette managed to whisper, then stopped. Her tears fell on the back of Daphne's hand.
"Yes, darling, always," said Daphne as she rubbed Lissette's back with her left hand. "Never doubt it, ever. Now, are you watching the time? Your port key won't wait."
Lissette giggled through her tears, nodding.
"I know," she said, kissing Daphne's hand one more time. "Do come see me, soon?"
"Of course," said Daphne.
Everyone was drained after the emotion of Lissette's farewell. The Potters sat around the tables, nibbling on bacon and muffins with marmalade.
"How's your French?" James asked Iolanthe.
"Going to get better," said Iolanthe.
"That's the spirit," said Moira, trying to put a sincere look on her face. Iolanthe seemed to accept her effort as genuine.
"That was a beautiful sweater, Moira," said Iolanthe.
"Thank-you, although I didn't knit that one," Moira said. "One of our associates did it."
"How is production going?" Daphne asked.
"Fine, considering we still have our original knitters," said Moira. "Five of us at present."
"We're looking at the sweaters always being a small-volume, specialty product," said Tracey. "At least until more people take up knitting for the co-op. It looks like we'll sell all we can make, though, so maybe that is the niche. A relatively small supply but strong demand, bringing in turn a decent margin and a good return for our members. We all agree we won't compromise on quality. The whole idea is to build Isle of St. Magnus into a metaphor for original products for the discerning witch or wizard."
Daphne and Harry sat, looking between Tracey, Moira and James.
"Who are these people?" Iolanthe asked Daphne.
"I think they're called tycoons," said Harry.
"Begging your pardon, Lord Harry," said Moira. "We don't want to be tycoons. This is all about putting something of an actual economy in the hands of my neighbors. We've been at the mercy of weather and fishing forever. James and Teddy brought a new idea and everyone is giving it a try."
Iolanthe studied Moira's face. Something about the girl from the Isles, whom Iolanthe assumed had a ninety-nine percent chance of becoming her sister-in-law, said she was both serious and destined for success. She wasn't a stranger to work and knew a workable idea when she saw it.
Iolanthe caught up with Daphne in the library later on in the day.
"We have to discreetly research St. Magnus' health care situation," Iolanthe said.
"Do we?" asked Daphne.
"Yes, Mother," said Iolanthe. "We can't leave the St. Magnus Potters to some uncertain fate."
"I expect by the time there are actual St. Magnus Potters the situation will have evolved significantly from where it is today," said Daphne. "Since that is going to be, what, four or five years out?"
"Mother, you know what I mean," said Iolanthe. "They're going to be there on St. Magnus and my niece or nephew will be coming and they'll have to have proper support. Midwife, a fully-qualified healer to back up the midwife, trained professional staff with experience working with newborns…"
Daphne burst out laughing.
"Iolanthe, you are getting out ahead of yourself," she said. "I don't object to your making some discreet inquiries. Be very careful, though, not to come across as the Londoner dispensing grace and favor to the people of the isles. They're very proud of their skills, the resilience required just to survive in that environment. Rightfully so, I might add. Those kinds of situations require tact. Outsiders can do more harm than good if they're not careful."
"I want to help," Iolanthe said. "Moira is really…she's special. I was so thick, I didn't give her any credit in the beginning. She's been growing on me. It took a couple of years but I'm finally starting to see what James sees. She's smart enough, but that isn't it. It's more that she is an original thinker. She has a vision, doesn't she? Don't get me wrong, but the next generation of Potters needs that. All of us are growing up privileged. We were blessed with the skills and you and Father provide the money. Lissette coming to visit reminded me. Having her here brought it all back, how she'd been in that awful situation and we got her out and she made the most of it."
"You got her out, darling," said Daphne. "You get all the credit. Mother and I still talk about it. You were really on your game that day."
"Oh, well, I was glad to do it," muttered Iolanthe. "My point, though, was James and I…"
"I got your point dear," said Daphne. "And you're right. I grew up in a privileged environment much like you and your brothers. It is very wise of you to recognize it. Many people with our means take it for granted, like we somehow deserve it, that it has always and will always be there, when luck is the most significant factor. The Romans named the goddess in charge Fortuna. She can be whimsical, especially if we forget how large a role she plays. She isn't shy about reminding us."
"Whom the gods would destroy they first make proud," said Iolanthe. "Read that somewhere."
"Pride goeth before the fall," countered Daphne. "Did you show Lissette your pig while she was here?"
Iolanthe, shocked into a wordless state, sat staring at her mother.
"How…?" she tried, getting no further.
"Oh, your father, Lord Potter-Black, one of the adults hereabouts," said Daphne. "He likes to broom about the marches of his domain, inspect the wards, establish new ones, that sort of thing. His idea of fun is identifying threats, particularly ones that might harm his first-born, and neutralizing them. The magical enclosure for his prisoner is always of interest, since the gentleman inside nurses a grudge and once swore to kill Lord Harry and ruin every member of his family. Lord Harry couldn't help but notice…"
"A new pig," Iolanthe finished for Daphne. "Yes. Right. You see, when I took Hester to St. Guinefort…"
Iolanthe told about the port key in the form of a silver-headed walking stick, the thuggish fellow who took it from her, waiting with Hester for the stick's return and the foolish man's unwise refusal to let go.
"He went for his wand, Mother! Right here on our green! A Potter-Black could not let that go unanswered."
"No one could fault you for meeting the miscreant's challenge, Iolanthe. You taught him to think twice before challenging a Black warlord, as your father and I would expect. Have you been checking on him? Did you reverse the spell and let him speak as a human?" Daphne asked.
"No," Iolanthe sighed. "I do check on him but as time went by I gradually became attached to him, as a pig. He's a Hampshire, quite handsome, and a nice contrast to Jacques. He's fed, watered and safe. I began to think it might be possible to keep him."
"First of all, I am very proud of you for the excellent witchcraft, Iolanthe, don't ever think I'm not," Daphne began. "You defended yourself and your sister from an unknown wizard who could have proven very dangerous. Still, it's not exactly justice to impose unlimited summary judgement for a petty crime. We'll think it through and come up with a plan to present to the Head Auror Emeritus."
The hardest part of the plan was reconciling indecision over whether to transport the guest back to St. Guinefort with his faculties intact, or to obliviate him first. There were solid arguments either way. Obliviate and the man would not remember his captor nor his porcine sojourn in Devon. The opportunity for rehabilitation through meditation on the loss of freedom occasioned by his offense would thereby be lost. Return him to his human form and consciousness before transport and he might look for a way to retaliate. The Potters wanted to preserve their access to St. Guinefort for family getaways. They wouldn't want to put a wizard with a permanent negative attitude toward Potters back in a potential holiday environment.
The final decision was simple enough. Harry purchased a cheap, one-way port key that could be pinned to the wizard's clothing. Iolanthe went to see her pig one last time. She made sure Jacques was asleep under the oak tree, put a petrificus on her Hampshire and brought him out to the clearing in the woods. There she reversed the porcinafors, pinned the port key to her captive, and conducted a brief interrogation.
"Learn your lesson?" she asked, keeping her wand pointed at his face.
"Yes," said the wizard, just managing to talk through the petrificus.
"Yes, what?" Iolanthe asked.
"Yes, ma'am," he said.
"Do yourself a big, big favor, then," said Iolanthe. "Find another line of work. If you can't rob two teenage witches having tea you do not have a vocation for crime."
The wizard got a panicked look on his face when he noticed Iolanthe keeping her watch visible, obviously waiting for the port key to go active.
"Wand?" he squeeked out.
"What's your name?" Iolanthe asked. "I'll get it to you."
"Jules," said the wizard. "Jules Lestrange."
The port key activated and the wizard disappeared.
"Excellent, Iolanthe," said Daphne, clapping her hands and stepping out from behind the sycamore tree where she'd discreetly waited, available for backup.
"Another Lestrange!" exclaimed Iolanthe. "What is it with them?"
"I don't know," said Daphne, trying not to laugh. "There has to be some kind of connection, probably lost in the mists of time."
True to her word, Iolanthe packaged up Jules Lestrange's wand, addressed it to 'Jules Lestrange—St. Guinefort' and sent it off with the big barred owl.
Time seemed to fly that summer and Iolanthe's pre-fall term visit was pared down to a day trip to l'Anse. Still, it was better than nothing, and it gave her another opportunity to invite Hester to accompany her on an outing. Flora and Hestia were cautious, but Harry offered to go along and keep an eye on the two from a discreet distance.
Caroline had her own small security unit, of course, so Harry sent a note to the chief in advance. The chief appreciated the professional courtesy and insisted on detailing an officer to accompany Harry. It wasn't until afterwards that Harry began to think that the chief was more worried about some old grudge arising from Harry's years of service and besmirching the quiet and peaceful reputation of the jewel-like l'Anse des Sorciers.
The travelers picked a beautiful, late-summer day and the waterfront was washed in Mediterranean colors. Lissette, Iolanthe and Hester were strolling, window-shopping and luxuriating in the Riviera mystique when a voice called out "Iolanthe!" from a sidewalk café. Iolanthe struggled to pick out the speaker under the deep shade cast by the red umbrellas over the outdoor tables.
"Over here!" came the voice. Iolanthe saw an arm waving, but not much else. That didn't matter because she finally recognized the distinctive voice.
"Cordelia?"
Iolanthe raised her sunglasses and saw Cordelia Macmillan's smiling face in the shadow.
"You two know Cordelia?" Iolanthe asked. "Might as well go say hello."
Lissette could barely recall Cordelia and Bridget, but Hester remembered them well.
"Hullo, Iolanthe, Hester, and wasn't it Lissette?" asked Cordelia in her best Miss Annabelle's diction.
"Wow, that's pretty good," said Lissette. "I don't think I'd have recognized you."
"Of course not, you were much too far ahead of me. Witches, these are my parents, Malcolm and Rebecca Macmillan, and my sister Boudica."
The witches shook hands and assured the Macmillans they were all very pleased to meet Cordelia's family.
Iolanthe introduced the witches in turn.
"Lissette and I know one another from Slytherin," Iolanthe said in explanation, "And Lissette just recently completed her qualifications as a healer and is practicing very near here. Hester is my sister, and a quidditch player in Ravenclaw."
"Oh," said Rebecca Macmillan, "I didn't realize…you're Hester Potter, then?"
"No, I'm Hester Carrow," Hester explained, looking straight into Rebecca's eyes as she slipped her arm through Iolanthe's. "Iolanthe and I share a father."
Rebecca Macmillan looked away, stammering, "Oh, I, uh, didn't mean to pry, I assure you…"
"Quite all right, Mrs. Macmillan," said Hester, "Believe me, it took awhile for us to get used to the idea, once we found out."
Iolanthe looked at Cordelia and winked, causing Cordelia to put both hands over her face, while Malcolm Macmillan let go a boisterous laugh.
"Great!" he said, "Absolutely first rate! And you're getting in a visit to your healer cousin before term commences?"
"Something like that," said Iolanthe.
"Well, sit down, then, have a coffee or a butterbeer," Malcolm said. "Tell us what you've been up to. Cordelia told us all about how the Slytherin witches have been so kind to Bridget and to her. You have made up for the paucity of Slytherins in their year, and we appreciate it, don't we, Rebecca?"
The next half hour was all conviviality finished up with Rebecca trying once more to make up for her gaffe.
"Mrs. Macmillan, believe me, it is fine," said Iolanthe. "We're unusual, we know. It takes some time to get one's mind around, wouldn't you say, witches?"
Lissette and Hester had to snicker a little before answering.
"Oh, yes," said Hester.
"To say the least," added Lissette.
"Still say that's first rate," said Malcolm as the witches took their leave.
"Should have invited the girls," said Lissette as she operated the lift to take herself and her friends up to Caroline's residence. "That Cordelia takes the cake."
"I know," said Iolanthe. "Madame Walburga picked up the accent right away. Snob."
"Now, Madame Walburga…" Lissette began.
"Oh, I know, she's kind of a patron saint around the Blacks," said Iolanthe. "Miss Annabelle's does specialize in a certain kind of young witch, though. Too many in a confined space and one risks contracting terminal sweetness."
The lift arrived at the upper platform and the three climbed the steps to the veranda where they could see Caroline waiting for them. The lift started up on its own and began to descend the hill.
Caroline stood up from a wicker settee rocker when the witches reached the veranda.
"Iolanthe, thank-you for coming to visit us!" she said. "I hope you're ready for some tea and conversation. Who is this with you?"
"Madame, this is my sister, Miss Hester Carrow, of Ravenclaw House and Surrey," Iolanthe said. "I only learned about her recently and we've grown quite fond of one another. She is a great traveling companion, among other things."
Hester took Caroline's fingertips and curtsied.
"So honored, Madame," she said. "I've heard so much about you from the Potters."
"Well, then we must all sit down and discuss this!" said Caroline. She called for an elf to pour the tea while she passed around little plates with shortbread cookies.
"How did you discover one another," Caroline asked, her eyes twinkling.
"Father, Harry, and Hester's mother had a brief affair right after the end of the war, and Hestia, that's her mother, performed some extraordinary witchcraft and became pregnant some years later," said Iolanthe, looking over at Hester.
"Yes, very good, Iolanthe," said Hester. "That is the essential information."
"Wonderful!" said Caroline. "What exquisite magic to have brought you to us! And now you have each other to get to know and appreciate. Your mother is a remarkable witch!"
"Ah, not just my mother," said Hester. "She has a twin sister, my aunt Flora. They collaborated."
"Marvelously dramatic," said the Serene. "It's like an opera. Perhaps it should be. Maybe I will commission one based on the story. Oh! The romance!"
Harry Potter finished climbing up from the lift's terminus.
"Don't want to intrude," he said. "I'll be down at the platform when you want to leave. Madame."
Harry bowed his best Lord Potter-Black bow.
"Oh, no, Lord Harry, please stay. You simply must!" said Caroline. "Your daughters have just told me the most marvelous story. You were apart, separated, none aware of the others, until you were!"
"They are both bright and highly skilled, for their age," Harry said. "I am proud to be Hester's father. Her aunt and her mother get all the credit, of course. They took great care raising Hester, keeping her safe and modeling how to be a gracious young witch. We've just begun getting to know one another."
"What brought about your reunion?" asked Caroline.
"That was me, Madame," said Hester. "I bear a close resemblance to my half-brother James. It was obvious all last year. Mother and Aunt Flora bowed to necessity and we all sat down and had a talk. Finally."
"Yes, dear, you do," Caroline said, studying Hester's face. "You don't do half-measures, Lord Harry. You've certainly signed your work, haven't you?"
Caroline laughed at her own joke, so everyone else had to join in. The Serene called for her elf and ordered up a chair for Harry and another cup for tea.
"The Potters have a standing invitation here, Hester, all of them," said Caroline. "Little countries such as ours need all the friends we can get. Please mention us to your mother and aunt. If we can get you to come for a holiday I'm sure we can guarantee everyone a good time."
"I can see that, Madame," said Hester. "It's quite the place. Quiet, natural beauty, sidewalk cafés on the water. Perfect."
Caroline puffed up a bit hearing Hester's appreciation of her principality. Turning to Harry she said, "Your future diplomat?"
Harry felt a flush creep up his face.
"Why not? It looks like she will be playing quidditch for someone following school, but she'll need something to do when she retires," he said. "The ministry would definitely benefit from her presence."
The tea and shortbread held out but time grew short for the Potters. Iolanthe cited her obligation to get Hester back safely to her mother and aunt, along with a promise to revisit at the earliest opportunity.
The Potters returned to Potter Manor by port key, landing on the green.
"Stay for dinner?" Harry asked. "Assuming there is someone around to have dinner with."
"If I can floo-call Mum," said Hester. "Thank-you for the invitation."
"They'd be welcome, too," Harry said. "Hestia and Flora. It's really no trouble. See if they want to have dinner on the patio and watch the shadows get long."
Dinner actually continued well after the shadows lengthened to full night. Ginny and Millicent were in residence, so Millicent pitched in, sitting next to Davis and assisting with his meal of smushed-up vegetables and bite-sized chunks of grilled chicken breast. Iolanthe was making the most of her remaining days of family life and sat with Evans, helping to manage his plate and chatting him up in a pastiche of English interspersed with racy comments disguised in parseltongue.
"Any idea where Zelda is?" Hester asked.
"Zelda is with Tracey," said Daphne. "A lawn party at a residence somewhere around Glasgow. A bit of a production for an artistic magical crowd. A small orchestra, a singer."
"What exactly does Tracey do?" asked Hestia. "I know she goes to a lot of parties. The Prophet's social column would be empty without her."
"She has a business," said Daphne. "When wizarding types who want a spectacular engagement party or wedding or anniversary reception start to plan, they often find it is beyond their capabilities to bring about what they've got in mind, so they call for Tracey Davis. She took over Draco and Astoria's engagement party years ago and it just kind of grew from there."
"Why didn't we think of that?" Flora asked, looking over at Hestia.
"Do you like parties that much?" asked Hestia.
"Not really," said Flora.
"Me neither," Hestia said. "We probably wouldn't be very good at it."
"You two are nothing if not honest," said Hester, speaking with the wisdom of all fifteen of her years. "Does Zelda go to the parties as a guest?"
"Oh, no," said Daphne. "She is Tracey's assistant. Tracey said she could take over the business tomorrow if she wanted. She's got Tracey's eye for detail and a double dose of charisma. She'll have to take it all in stages. One can't run a business from a broomstick."
August came to an end and the family found itself back on Platform Nine and Three-Quarters once more.
"Last time you'll do this," Harry observed.
"Sometimes I thought it would never get here," said Iolanthe. "It's been great, don't get me wrong. I got to do the last six years with Scorpius and Rose. Madame Pomfrey and Mother found my vocation for me. I'd just rather get on with my training."
"But you are going to be spending close to full time on healing this term, aren't you?" Harry asked.
"Except for Auntie Millicent," said Iolanthe. "Seventh year Defense is heavy on the sparring and dueling. We're supposed to be able to recognize and neutralize the more common dark curses by now. She also wants us to rotate as her assistant with the younger classes."
"That's new," said Harry. "What does assisting Professor Bulstrode consist of? I'd have thought the presence alone would be sufficient to cow the young."
"I suspect the idea is we will walk among them and function as a calmative," Iolanthe concluded. "Evans! Davis! Come here and let me give you your good-byes."
Iolanthe knelt down and put an arm around each of the twins. She puckered up for the ritual kiss and they turned their heads in panic.
"Oh, that's how it is?" said Iolanthe. She spoke something in parseltongue that sent them into howls of laughter.
"That was…?" said Daphne, turning to Harry.
"Oh, didn't hear it all," Harry said, although not very convincingly. "Being good to their mother while Iolanthe's away at school. Something of the sort."
Iolanthe hugged the twins then sprang up and put Harry in a bear hug.
"That was fun," she said in Harry's ear. "Keep me in mind when you need a collaborator."
Saying good-bye to Daphne wasn't as teary as it had been other years. Iolanthe had found her vocation and was traveling to Hogwarts to work with her mentor. When she completed seventh year she would go on and complete her qualifications, then join her distinguished mother in the long line of magical healers who lived lives in service to their fellow witches and wizards.
"Thank-you for everything, Mother," Iolanthe said. "One more year!"
"Yes, darling, I'm so envious! You're going to have such a good time, I know it," Daphne said. "I'll come as often as I can, but make sure Poppy knows she can owl me whenever she thinks it's necessary."
Iolanthe laughed out loud at Daphne's observation.
"Oh, I think she knows that already, Mother," she said.
Iolanthe and Daphne hugged one more time.
"I'm so proud of you," Daphne whispered, just for Iolanthe.
They pulled apart just as Rose and Scorpius walked up, trailing Draco in their wake. Iolanthe noticed they weren't holding hands, as such, but somehow the backs of their hands seemed to stay in such close proximity the effect was much the same.
"Nice pin," Iolanthe said to Rose.
Hermione Granger-Weasley brought up the tail of the delegation.
"Haven't I seen that before?" Daphne asked, waving her hand at the Head Girl pin on Rose's robe.
"Stop!" said Hermione, laughing as she dabbed her eyes. "I can't…It's just…"
Hermione put an end to her attempts at comment and simply put one arm around Rose's waist.
"Congratulations, Rose," said Harry. "We're all very happy and proud at the moment."
Rose's arrival began to divert a stream of both students and parents to the group. Everyone wanted to congratulate Rose and make some comment about how the honor was so well-deserved. Many of the students added assurances of support and offers of assistance during the coming year.
"Watch the time," Harry said. It really was about time for the engineer to blow the steam whistle, so the final rounds of hugs and squeezes and shoulder-clapping commenced. The adults stood together and watched the train pulling out, waving to every car whether they spotted someone they knew or not.
"Who would have thought?" Draco asked as the last car disappeared. "I really miss her at times like this."
Everyone knew he meant Astoria. In her final letter to Draco, Astoria had assured him she wanted her lads to have happy lives so he should be open to the possibility of finding another companion. She'd even advised Scorpius, in his letter, to be supportive of his father if another relationship emerged.
Draco, though, hadn't met anyone who interested him. He explained it to himself as the inevitable result of having been in a life-changing relationship with Astoria. Draco experienced fourteen years of a kind of happiness he'd have denied was possible prior to his courtship and marriage to Astoria. Besides that, Astoria's approach to living life to the fullest had slowly dissolved the crippling prejudices Draco's pureblood upbringing had imposed. Astoria reshaped the clay of Draco Malfoy and gave him back an improved human being. One of those per lifetime was surely the limit, Draco reasoned.
Daphne reached around Draco and pulled him close, letting her arm drop so she could link up with his. Both of them needed to sniff once or twice.
"Yes," Daphne said, "It's true. Still, at times like this, I believe I can feel her joy. Do you know what I mean? It was like an aura, sometimes so thick I almost felt it."
Daphne's eyes took on a dreamy look and her hand went up, flat, miming a push against something invisible right before them.
"She's here, one way or another," Daphne said. "She changed us all, everyone who was fortunate enough to know her. So she's here, in all she left behind."
"Gosh…" Draco tried, before the emotion caught up with him and he had to squinch his eyes shut. A little shudder shook his body but he recovered and stood up straight.
"Anytime you feel the need to feed the trout, Draco…," said Harry.
"Feed the trout," had become family jargon for going to The Mill as such visits always entailed engaging in one of Astoria's favorite activities. Individuals had their own views about just what phenomenon they were experiencing, but all agreed they felt something at The Mill that they couldn't feel anywhere but there. Harry took the fairies at their word. Anyone who had been at The Mill was still there, for the immortal fairies, who lived outside of time. All any of them could say for certain was that they went to The Mill in one state of mind and they came away in another.
"Good idea, Harry," said Draco. "That's a very good idea. You aren't using the place for anything right after this, are you? I think I'll go home that way."
Harry looked at Daphne, who shook her head.
"We aren't doing anything," Harry said. "Go on by. Sit on the bench for a bit."
The adults turned for the exit, taking their time, walking together and talking. Draco, the Granger-Weasleys and the Potters had all just sent children off to Hogwarts to commence their final year at the old school. Their own memories of seventh year came back, bidden or unbidden. The talk wound down, parent by parent, as thoughts rose, mist-like, and occupied consciousness. It had been bad. They all did what they believed they had to do, at the time. If that included things they now wished they hadn't done, they would just have to live with those. Their magical world was so much better now. Merlin bless the children and keep them safe.
Author's Note:
This concludes Wheels Within Wheels – Part Three – Iolanthe.
I hope you have enjoyed reading the Wheels Within Wheels stories as much as I have enjoyed writing them. As always, the characters and venues belong to the great JK Rowling. We are forever in your debt, Ms. Rowling.