A/N: Hey guys! Sorry these took so long! I kept forgetting about them. But here they are! 2 new chapters for your reading pleasure!
Chapter Twenty: Graduations, Plans and The Twins (Not the Weasleys)
June 6, 2001
Starbucks Cafe, New York
The three friends had decided to meet for breakfast before Hermione was to report to the auditorium for donning her formal graduation robes. Of course, their chosen rendezvous was at the familiar Starbucks café.
"'ermione, I am so proud of you and I am glad that this time I can take in your ceremony de finissant, unlike the last one at Great Lakes," Fleur bubbled up in excitement. Harry looked between his two female friends and realized it was hard to tell who was the graduate and who was just the friend.
"I swear Fleur that one would think you are the one graduating rather than Hermione," he said, smiling at his bushy haired friend. She was just soaking in the chance to enjoy graduation ceremonies with two friends – her earlier graduation at Great Lakes had been a low key affair as the only significant relationships she had made had been with the faculty of the school.
Now she was with the two most important people in the world for her outside of her family – and a sudden warmth welled up within. Yes, these were her friends, her closer than friends – her partners, her companions. Listening to the friendly banter of Harry and Fleur, she tried to imagine a life without these two and could not.
She was in love with them both.
She remembered back to the first time she had met the Wells' family and Erin's strange pronouncement. It has hit her hard then, but now the strangeness of their relationship no longer seemed so strange.
It seemed natural – as natural to her as breathing.
She needed the fire and excitement of Fleur – with her, she had a female friend, a confidant, a person closer than any sister could ever be – and a person who would never allow her to settle into a rut.
With Harry, she sensed she had a lover, a protector, a person who believed in her, a person who completed her.
With both, she felt as if two parts of her soul had been reunited with her. She needed them and believed, knew, felt in her bones that they needed her.
Both Fleur and Harry had stopped speaking as a look of indescribable peace and contentment came over their brunette friend. Something had happened to her – something that had implications for them both.
"Hermione?" Harry asked, taking her hand even as Fleur took the other. "'ermione?"
She looked at both of them, their faces mirroring their love and concern at her, mirror images of each other and she felt her heart would burst. "Friends, my friends, my partners, my companions," she began, emotions welling up within and for a moment lost for words.
"I'll do it. I'll do it."
"Do what, my heart?" Harry let slip without thinking.
"Oui, mon amour," Fleur echoed. As she said that, she suddenly realized what she had said and she looked with concern at first Hermione then Harry.
"Pardon-moi, 'ermione." she began, but she was cut short by a shy giggle from Hermione. "Why apologize for what we all are feeling. Erin was right – and I, the woman who believes in logic and reason; the woman who is traditional and risk averse – I'm ready to build a life with both of you."
Fleur said nothing, her heart shining through her eyes and she only reached across the table to her friend - her soon to be more than friend. A feeling washed over both of the young women and something was sealed at that moment between them.
And then they both turned to Harry and embraced him. He relished in the warmth of their arms and the softness of their bodies and found himself throwing an arm around each of them in turn, squeezing them tightly.
Then Hermione jerked back. "Merlin, I forgot. Mum knows that we are becoming an item, but my dad – he'll hit the roof.
"He really likes you, Harry, and I know that he feels comfortable with the possibility of you and I tying the knot. But Dad is a traditionalist and he believes that marriage is a one man one woman affair.
"He's swallowed a lot in regards to the wizarding world, but I think he would draw the line with this.
"What am I going to do?"
Harry released Fleur and placed both of his arms on Hermione's shoulders. "I suggest that we tell him – and the rest of our families as soon as an opportunity presents itself. However, I don't think that today is the day for this – this is your day and this is the opportunity for all of us to celebrate your success, love."
Fleur patted her friend's arm. "Oui, 'ermione. Today is all about you."
Feeling reassured by her friends' support, Hermione glanced at her watch and started. "Merlin, I've got to get up to the library. I'm sorry about this, mes amours, but…."
"We'll walk you back," Harry gallantly got up, grabbing Hermione's left hand in his own and lifting her from her seat.
"Of course we will, mon amie," Fleur said, in grabbing her right hand and together the three left Starbucks together.
June 6, 2001
Evening
Down Below
Dan took a moment from the graduation celebrations to wander into one of the library alcoves. He appreciated these hidden chambers – here one could study or carry on a conversation without disturbing others in the use of the stacks of books.
However, the alcove he had wandered into was already occupied – Peter Alcott and Harry were reviewing what appeared to be city plans on a table in the centre of the small chamber. Harry had just finished writing some notes on the plans when Dan entered.
"I thought you would be with the girls, Harry, not hunkered down looking at old city maps," Dan said.
Harry smiled at the older man. There was obvious pride and happiness in the older man's features – he was the proud father of the graduate after all. But his arrival couldn't have been better timed. Turning to Peter Alcott, he indicated Dan. "Dr Granger has a real sense of timing," he began. "How did he know we were just talking about him?"
Despite having imbibed one glass of whatever the World Below's master chef William had brewed, Dan's mind was still relatively clear. "Talking about me? What about?"
At those words, Peter moved to one side of the table and gestured Dan over to look at the city map. "Harry and I were just discussing a major real estate investment and we thought to ask your opinion, Dan."
The dentist looked down at the city map and saw the map was of a block of brownstones only two to three blocks away from his own clinic. "I know this area," he said after studying the map. "What are you planning?"
Peter turned to Harry. "It's actually his idea – his and the goblins, that is. And I think it is an idea that could benefit you and Emma."
He knew Dan was hooked when Hermione's father pulled up a chair and sat down, looking over the city map more carefully. He then turned to Harry and gave him the sign to continue. "Take it away, Mr. Wells."
Harry looked at Dan apologetically. "I hope it doesn't sound like I was prying Dr. Granger, but I couldn't help overhearing something you had mentioned to Peter the last time you had come down here. Something about rent issues?"
Dan grimaced at Harry's words. "Harry, call me Dan. And yes, you did hear correctly – I was just mentioning to Peter that our landlord is putting pressure on us to accept a new long term lease – at double the rent."
Peter chuckled. "Sharks have real competition here in the city – landlords I think are closely related."
Harry took up his conversation. "Peter had mentioned this to me and the goblins are suggesting that Hermione, I and the Chandler Trust need to some investing – something about too much cash in the portfolio. So Dad, I, Grandfather, Peter, Hermione and Uncle Joe sat down and looked at some of our community's possible needs as investment opportunities – and one answer was real estate."
With that Harry shared a vision of acquiring an entire block of brownstones, allowing for consolidation of professional offices for Helpers, houses of shelter for those wishing to transition from Down Below to the city above and even places to stay for community members.
Dan was impressed with the scope and thoughtfulness of the plan and he began to see opportunities for the clinic. But Harry's next words took him by surprise.
"Peter was thinking of putting his office into one of the brownstones – and inviting you and Emma to share a professional complex with him. He's thinking of the future - something about Hermione."
Peter smiled at the shocked look of Hermione's father. "I'm getting long in the tooth to be carrying on a medical practice. That is why your daughter is such a breath of fresh air for me and Jacob Wells – I would welcome a few years of partnership with Hermione before I will gladly ride off into the retirement sunset and play with my grandchildren."
"You and Emma can have an apartment upstairs from your clinic for when you are too busy or tired to return to your home. There are helpers available to watch Ben if you want to bring him along and if you trust him alone with us Down Below," Harry began again.
His heart was now in his throat – he was still thinking of the declaration the three had made only that morning to one another. It was time to stake at least a claim to Hermione in the eyes of her father while at the same time reassuring him that his intentions to help keep her in the world of her parents was rock solid.
"And Dan, I will admit an ulterior motive for me – and Hermione," he began, his eyes suddenly looking down at the floor while he nervously wrung his hands. "I love your daughter and want to join her life with mine – and we would love nothing better to have our home next to the clinic and you and Emma."
Dan's eyes suddenly misted as the implications of what Harry was saying sank in. He was helping he and Emma to realize the fondest dream of their lives – Hermione would be a part of their lives – indeed an intimate part. The emotions that welled up in his throat left him speechless for a few seconds, but his hand raised Harry's head and looking directly into the younger man's green eyes, drew him into an embrace.
"Harry, that is the greatest gift that you could give Emma and I and I only have one thing to say to you – if our daughter says yes, you have our blessing."
The two men embraced as Peter wiped his own eyes. Then Dan firmed up his shoulders and looked down again at the city map. "I think that is a wonderful idea – but you will not be making the investment alone. We want to invest our own money into it as well – you will be saving us money after all.
"But what about access to here?"
Harry's smile broadened. "The joy of this is that the block we are looking at is only a half mile away from the Hub – you could even avoid the Spiral Staircase."
Dan smiled back at Harry. "Emma would really appreciate that – not that I have any trouble with heights."
"Well then, let's get some more details down," Harry continued and the three men spent a few minutes setting up dates for future meetings before they went to return to the celebrations for Miss Mediwitch as Hermione's new name had taken hold
Late June 2001
Council Chambers Down Below
First Meeting - Parents of a Triad
Emma was afraid. It had been two months since Harry had come into the lives of the Grangers - two months of almost biweekly visits including two learning sessions at the shrine of the 18 hole god; planning meetings in regards to the new real estate project; and two family dinners with Ben, Hermione and Harry. Yet no mention had been made to date of the elephant in the room - the threesome between Harry, Hermione and Fleur.
It was clear to Emma that her husband was definitely in favor of Harry linking up with Hermione. Their shared experience on the golf links had somehow released the bonding mechanism between the two males and Dan had even upbraided Harry for calling him Dr. Granger now and again.
Something as well had happened between Dan and Harry the day of Hermione's graduation - something that had cemented the relationship between the two men. Dan had only shared part of Harry's plan for the brownstones and the professional offices - he had kept much of the details between Harry, Peter Alcott, Hermione and the coucnile of the world below.
He definitely was sitting on something big - if she didn't know better, she would have said that he was only waiting for Harry and Hermione to make their growing relationship official.
But how would he react when he would find out about the threesome. He liked Fleur as Hermione's friend. But while he prided himself on being open to different cultures, he was at heart a traditionalist in the affairs of home and family - and a threesome between Harry, Hermione and Fleur was definitely not traditional.
So the request to meet with Vincent, Diana, Sebastien and Apolline Down Below came as both a shock and a welcome relief - the topic was the relationship between their children. At least the elephant in the room could finally be discussed and better still, Dan could calm down before he decided to confront Harry or Hermione or both.
The route down below was familiar if still intimidating - Emma and Dan both had issues with heights and the spiral staircase on the way to the Hub was enough to give them heart palpitations. Yet all too soon, the couple arrived and found the familiar tea pots of Down Below in the very familiar conference room. It appeared as if the two other couples had just finished an amusing discussion as Emma could see Diana was still holding her sides.
"Never invite Sebastien to tell a French story," Vincent said at Emma's questioning glance. "He has the ability to make even the most boring situation humorous and comical. A true gift."
Emma and Apolline greeted one another in the French manner as befitted two women who had become good friends as a result of their daughters bonding at Beauxbatons. Dan was a bit more restrained - he still was ill at ease in embracing the beautiful French Veela even if he knew Sebastien was not jealous.
"Dan, Emma, c'est un vrai plaisir," Sebastien boomed. "A real pleasure, my friends." Similar, but less effusive greetings were made between the Grangers and the Wells.
After tea was poured, and the Grangers seated, relaxing in their chairs, Dan broke the silence. "We got your message to come down and visit with you all. But I must confess that I am a little confused as to the nature of the visit."
Diana looked at Emma and smiled slightly. Then she looked around at the other parents before turning back to Dan.
"Dan, I'm not sure I know how to bring up the subject of this meeting, but Sebastien contacted us, asking us to invite you and Emma here and saying that it was important for our three children."
"About our three children? Is there a problem with them or a danger that they face?" Dan asked.
Sebastien shook his head. "This meeting is more to help all of us understand what they are becoming and how it will influence the direction of their future lives together."
Emma couldn't miss the emphasis on the word 'together' and hoped that Dan would catch it as well. He did not disappoint.
"Together - as in being together, living together?" His voice was beginning to rise.
"Yes, Dan - together. Our three children are forming a Triad - the first in over 600 years."
Dan didn't know how to react. "For a moment, I thought you were implying that they were moving towards some living arrangement together."
Sebastien had anticipated that at least one of the parents around the table would have difficulty in accepting what was happening to the three young people. He had laid money on it being Dan rather than Emma, especially since Diana had mentioned that Emma was aware of the unusual nature of the three young people's relationship, and he was pleased that he would be collecting from Vincent later that day.
Still, it was time to bite the bullet as the Americans would say and clarify the situation for Dan. "Yes, Dan, we are talking about exactly that - their future lives together.
"Our children - Fleur, Hermione and Harry - are forming a Triad, an ancient Veela magical unit that unites a wizard with a witch and a Veela in a family unit."
Dan's face had gone first white then red as Sebastien's words sunk in. Emma was praying that this would not be a time for a genuine Dan Granger explosion - instead , Dan just slumped in his chair, putting his head in his hands.
"When will it stop - all this strangeness, all of these changes," he began, slowly shaking his head. "Just once I would like to have a normal year where I don't have to worry about evil old Headmasters, adapting to magic, possibly losing my daughter and now my son to this magical world. I thought Harry and Hermione were forming a normal man woman relationship where we could work together, live near each other, get to babysit our grandchildren. In fact, only two and a half weeks ago, he shared his intentions about Hermione with me. Of course, I said that if he and Hermione could come to their own decision that we would add our blessing.
"But you are now asking me to accept just one more strange thing - that my only daughter has to share her husband, the man in her life, with another woman?
"I can't accept this. Not one more thing."
Silence fell on the group as Emma realized the worry and strain that her husband had been under since the revelation that Hermione had nearly been killed by a troll, mind wiped by an old Headmaster, accepting that there was a new man in her life, and now discovering that again his daughter would not experience what for him was a 'normal life.'
Surprisingly, it was Vincent's low voice which broke the silence. "Dan, consider what changes my wife and I, our community here below, have experienced since the entry of Fleur Delacour into our lives only 14 months ago. We discover that there is a world of magic out there; that our son and then our youngest daughter are magical and that my daughter is even a Seer. Then we discover that our oldest son has been the target of manipulation and deceit since he was 15 months old; that he is fated to be in a relationship of three since the first day he rediscovered the magical world.
"We have discovered goblins, creatures of legend - yes, Dan, our lives have been turned upside down."
His voice took on a tone of wonder and even a current of joy. "And yet, consider what we have gained. We have gained the friendship and support of powerful magical individuals such as Sebastien and Alex Mackenzie. We have seen our son renew his commitment to live with us and be a part of our lives rather than return to a world who would gladly embrace him.
"We have gained two daughters or daughters to be - the first a woman of passion and beauty with a heart for our world and for our son and the second a woman of great intelligence, compassion and ability who is well on her way to becoming our future medical caregiver in this world.
"We have gained two new dear friends in yourselves. You add wisdom and compassion to our world, Dan and Emma, and even if your daughter were to leave us, I for one would not look to the severing of this relationship.
"And look what you have and are gaining. Harry's commitment to your daughter is rock solid - as an empath, I can sense the strength of their bond. And as such, both your daughter and Harry are committed to living here in our world, in yours, and in the magical world.
"Our lives have been changed and uprooted yes - but what we have gained is much greater and I see our young people growing and flourishing in this love that they are experiencing between themselves.
"They are writing their own song and we get to play a supporting role."
Tears were running down Dan's face as Vincent finished speaking. "Sometimes, I just need to sit back and consider not only the changes, but the results of those changes. Thank you Vincent - I must apologize for my earlier comments."
Sebastien moved to place his hand on Dan's arm.
"No, Dan, I've known you a long time and magic has touched your family in several positive, but also negative ways. I know the pain of what you and Emma had to deal with during Hermione's two years at Beauxbatons - Fleur shared about the nightmares, the panic attacks and the inability of the school's healers to diagnose, let alone cure her condition.
"I remember well the anguish you felt when you discovered after the fact that your daughter had been put at risk by submersion in the bottom of Black Lake. I too was livid with the Hogwarts Headmaster for his seizure of Gabrielle and his exposing her to unnecessary risk.
"There is no shame in what you are currently feeling - but what I wish to share with you is what they are becoming and how we can play a loving and supportive role in what they will be."
He then took the assembled parents on a history lesson of the Veela and laid out the challenges that Veela had encountered since their earliest days. Sex objects for male magicals; objects of jealousy and fear for female magicals - being a Veela had meant becoming isolated in their own colonies with only rare sorties out into the larger magical world.
"You do not realize how special it was for Fleur to have made the acquaintanceship with Hermione. Looking back, I now see that it was a match made by magic - two lonely outcasts in a school, both intelligent, passionate, caring, and desperately looking for a friend. Of course they would find one another and connect.
"And your daughter had no reason to fear Fleur - she had no man in her life to fear Fleur taking him away - instead, she saw a lonely French girl with whom she could connect and bond.
"Thus the first leg of the Triad was built."
Both Grangers remembered well the lonely tone Hermione's letters had first taken when she had started at Beauxbatons. They were afraid that the experience there would be similar to her years at Hogwarts - excellence academically, but with few or no friends.
Then she had mentioned Fleur and the tone of her letters started to change.
By the end of her second year at Beauxbatons, the two families had become fast friends and the two young women were practically inseparable - until the Grangers had elected to move to America before the new law enforcing Hermione's return to Hogwarts took effect.
From that point on, something had seemed to be missing from Hermione's life - something that they were not truly cognizant of until the two women had renewed their contact in New York the autumn before.
"I will say that when I began hearing about this new young man Harry, I was at first concerned," Sebastien continued. "A young man expressing interest and friendship with a Veela is always a cause for concern for a Veela's father. But then I got 'arrested' by this young man's mother and the rest is history."
Dan had to smile when he heard the chagrin in Sebastien's voice. "Diana arrested you? You the great French auror?"
Diana interjected before the red faced Sebastien could react. "Sebastien here forgot that even non-magicals have gifts which can confuse the magical. Just because one carries a wand does not mean that one is infallible.
"And yes, I did get him." There was now a small smirk on her face.
Emma surprised Dan by speaking next. "I will admit that my original impression of the possibility of these three forming a relationship rather than just Harry and Hermione was negative. Like Dan, I tend to be a traditionalist - one man one woman.
"But I've had the chance to observe the three of them and I can testify to the love and friendship that exists between them. It warms my heart to see how they seem to complete one another's thoughts and make time for one another.
"So I think I can support whatever they want to do."
Apolline nodded her approval. "I thought you would think that way, Emma." Turning to Dan and Sebastien, she smiled. "After all, in matters of the heart, men are always a little more dense than women - or Veela."
Dan raised a question. "Is what they are proposing to do legal in the magical world? I know how the normal non-magical world would view it."
Diana replied for the other four parents. "We've taken the time to discuss this with Alex Mackenzie for his opinion from the point of view of the magical American authorities. As long as no one is compelled to enter the relationship and as long as they carry on the relationship in a discreet manner, there is nothing under American magical law that would forbid the formation of a Veela triad.
"Joe tells me that in cases of mixed jurisdiction like this that the American magical law takes precedent as long as the national interests are not endangered. So, while he may not like it, he would accept it."
Emma asked the next question. "How does Harry view what has been going on and how things may be developing?"
Vincent replied in turn. "My son and I took a very long walk along one of our favorite tunnel hikes yesterday and I had the opportunity to 'grill' him as my wife calls an interrogation process. He himself was somewhat confused, but at the same time he was clear that for him both Hermione and Fleur had become his best friends and that he could not picture a future without both of them in it. While my son is not always the most serious of young men, I sensed his heart and his love for them was genuine - even if he did not know it yet.
"He asked me about the implications of loving two women at the same time and I had to admit to him that while my love for Catherine was first before the love for Diana, that I had the privilege of being loved by two remarkable women and that my love for one was not a betrayal of my love for the other."
With this, he reached out and with a clawed hand, gently brushed away a loose strand of hair from Diana's forehead. Even as the normally hard as nails detective blushed at the attention, the other four adults around the table felt privileged to see such a tender gesture.
"My concluding advice to Harry was to follow his heart - and it appears to me that his heart has room for two."
"You know I am a Veela," Apolline next spoke. "One of the abilities of a Veela is to see the strength of emotional bonds - such as love or hate.
"The bonds between our three children is strong and growing. Will Hermione and Fleur share a physical relationship - that I cannot say. But there is no jealousy between the two women as concerns Harry - my concern is more for Harry in that he will have to learn to please and love two women.
"Most men cannot even do that with one woman."
The rest of the parents chuckled at her observation, but then turned back to Sebastien. "So what is involved with this triad and why are you looking for us to become involved?" Vincent asked.
"Writings about Triad is very sparse and unclear," Sebastien replied. "All we are told is that each Triad is different, that the dynamic between the three players is different, and that they develop and make their own contributions to magic.
"But one thing is clear in the literature and the history books - the importance that is placed on the parents of the three in Triad to act as anchors and supports for the new emerging entity.
"Consider the impact that any one of us could make on this new emerging Triad. Any one of us could say words that would cause our children to turn back from the path they are on or to return to a more conventional way. Our children dare to dream their dreams only because we encourage them to do so."
Emma was now worried that she and Dan's negative thoughts might have influenced the new Triad in a negative way. "Is it too late for us to support our children?"
Sebastien gave her a reassuring look as he smiled. "Emma, our children have only just very recently accepted what they are becoming. No, we have not damaged them - in fact, they have exercised the courage to take this step because of our mutual love for them.
"No, for an anchor, we must commit to them - commit our love, encouragement, and advice, both positive and negative.
"And we must not judge them - I sense with the power, intelligence, passion, and commitment that each of our children possess, that we could be seeing one of the greatest Triads in our history.
"As well, it is a Triad rooted for the first time in three worlds - the world of Down Below, the non-magical world and the magical world. Think of what possibilities of change for all our worlds could result from our children."
Dan was silent for a time, then finally looked first to Emma and caught her answer, then nodded his own approval. "However, Sebastien, your message also said we had to 'referee' a dispute between our three children?"
"Ah Dan, we get to play as adults of a sober mind," the former French auror smiled back. "Fleur has asked for a meeting with us and Alex later this evening to discuss disagreements between the three of them in regards to Albus Dumbledore.
"Both Harry and Hermione are coming as well - they have agreed to lay out their thoughts to us and want us to help them craft a strategy to deal with our old 'friend.'"
The expression on Sebastien's face by now had turned predatory. "I am sure that what they have to suggest is as nothing compared to what I would like to do to the old fool."
Later that Same Evening
Council Chambers
Down Below
The group which gathered in the council chamber just off the library was a solemn one. At the center sat Harry flanked by Fleur on one side and Hermione on the other and opposite them sat Sebastien, Alex Mackenzie, Vincent, Diana, Dan, Emma with Snagtooth completing the circle, looking at home in the chamber despite the distinct lack of weapons on the walls. Harry thought it was perhaps due to the fact that goblins just seemed to shine best in an underground environment.
"So, Harry, Hermione and Fleur, you called this meeting to discuss next steps in regards to Dumbledore and his continued interest in you," Sebastien began. "Nous sommes a l'ecoute - we are all ears as you Americans say."
Harry felt his courage evaporate as he took in the interested looks of all the parents gathered there. Now was not the time to discover that he was developing stage fright.
"We're at a bit of an impasse here - in our discussions with each other on what to do next, we are finding that we cannot agree. I would describe our opinions as 'do nothing', 'hit him hard and fast' and 'use prudence'."
Based on the earlier discussion between themselves, each of the parents felt they could put names to the policies - Harry 'do nothing', Fleur 'hit him hard' and Hermione 'use prudence'. Harry's subsequent comments confirmed their guesses.
"I believe why attract attention when we don't need to. We are in a great position - we've already suffered much from the old fool and now that we are out from under his control, why attract his attention. I've no interest in what's going on in Britain and could care less if the old fool goes down - he's ruined my life enough already."
Fleur turned on her friend and then looked back at her father. "That is exactly why we must do something, 'arry. If we do nothing, then we cannot control if and when he hears that you are still around - and we have then no means to counter any plans he might form to get you.
"Because all that we have learned tells us that he still would want to control you if he could.
"I believe that we need to strike out at him. Undermine his authority. Let the wizarding world learn what they have done to 'arry and why. I think a press conference followed by resolutions in the ICW are the way to go.
"Attack Dumbledore. Keep him too busy with defending his reputation and his name. Then he reacts to us, not we to him."
Hermione was quietly shaking her head and then looked to the now smiling parents. "I fail to see what's so funny here. I've had to listen to these two arguing for the past week - and I've had to threaten to hex them both if they didn't calm down.
"Hermione, what do you think about their suggestions?" Diana asked, curious to see which side she would pick if any.
The young brunette shrugged her shoulders. "I see strong points in both of their positions. Harry has a good thing going now and doesn't want to rock the boat. Fleur believes that a strong offense is better than a strong defense."
She looked at Harry with chagrin on her face. "Unfortunately, I agree with some of Fleur's reasoning. I believe that sooner or later word of Harry's survival or my ascension to the Potter seat will leak to someone in the British magical world and thus sooner or later to either the Dark Lord or Dumbledore. And I believe that to ignore that possibility would be like an ostrich sticking his head in the sand.
"But I am afraid of going on an all out offensive against Dumbledore. I think he has got more tricks up his sleeve than we've got - and he could manipulate any attack into something that blows up in our face."
Sebastien couldn't restrain his laughter any longer. "Brilliant, brilliant. Just like you predicted, my friends. Each of them bringing different perspectives and reasons to the table with Miss Granger being the one to balance them to a point.
Looking to the three surprised young people, his smile broadened. "My children. It is a joy to watch a new Triad learn to dance. And I am sure that these kind of vibrant discussions will be a constant fixture of your years together in the future."
Hermione looked offended now. "We came to you for advice, not some proverbs about dancing and vibrant discussions. These two were almost at each others' throats and I had to step in to try and bring some calm."
Alex Mackenzie was smiling inwardly as well at the display of the passion the three young people were bringing to the discussion. He felt he was seeing the birth of something exciting and new, but felt that Miss Granger's emotions were all in a tumult and that some calming words were in order.
"Miss Granger, Mr Potter, Mlle Delacour - each of you raised valid points and we appreciate your bringing them to us although I think you've already arrived at the best solution. If you and your parents will permit me?" At that he turned to the rest of the older adults around the table and they quietly nodded.
"Harry, your strategy of doing nothing would normally work if not for Dumbledore's obsessive interest in you from the beginning. I've dealt with the old fool for years and I can assure you that he believes only he knows what is best. Thus, given any hint of your possible existence, he will bend heaven and earth to find you and bring you back to himself and back under his control.
"Fleur, your sentiments are right but the strategy is flawed. Hermione is right when she says that Albus Dumbledore is a canny, cunning and manipulative opponent. There is more experience and tricks in his one hand than we have in this entire room. Thus a strategy to attack him could backfire spectacularly in our faces and leave Dumbledore in a much stronger position.
"As well, if we release too much information to Dumbledore and his allies, it tells them how to find us, how to strike at us and how to attempt to coerce us to their plan and their will. An important truth in warfare is to keep your enemies in the dark about your abilities, your location and your objectives - the less they know about you the better.
"Hermione, your approach suggests caution and a proactive approach. I would agree with such an approach, but in line with my comments earlier, I believe that we must dole out the information about Harry and the new Headships. Make Dumbledore work for his answers and make him come to us for more information. We want to control how he reacts and what information he finds out. Keep him in the dark as much as possible."
Hermione raised her hand, then suddenly reddened as she remembered she was not in school. "What about the Dark Lord? Won't he react as well?"
Sebastien took the lead now. "While the Dark Lord appears to have been obsessed with you as a baby, he is also a realist. He may be a psychopath, but he is engaged in a three sided civil war and he cannot afford to spin off resources that he needs in his current struggle to locate and kill one wizard in North America. No, Lord Voldemort will only attack if he can get in and out quickly with a minimum of casualties.
"No, it is Dumbledore that would be the immediate danger to Harry - and by extension to Hermione and to this world," he concluded.
Diana had been thinking about Hermione's proposal and then a sudden idea struck her. "Why not a controlled press event?" she questioned.
Alex and Sebastien both looked at her for a moment before looks of understanding dawned, However, the other older adults as well as the three young people looked at her with confusion.
"A controlled press release - we sometimes use it if we are trying to provoke a reaction from a criminal that we are tracking. Sometimes a criminal commits crimes for the attention and by issuing a controlled press release, we give out information to smoke out the criminal so to speak.
"We force them to commit themselves and to get off their game - to dance a little to our tune. A controlled press release will do what Alex and Sebastien suggested - let Dumbledore know that something's up, but not release a lot of information. So the hoarder of information will have to deal with a lack of information."
Hermione now nodded her head. "But what information could we release and how could we release it? I don't believe we should announce that Harry Potter is alive - when he really is not."
Dan now spoke up for the first time. "Sebastien - how important would the news be that Hermione has now claimed the headship of the Potter family? In Britain, that is?"
"It would be front page news - especially that a hitherto suspected muggleborn is now revealed to be the head of one of the most ancient and noble families in Britain."
Snagtooth added a smile which displayed all of his formidable teeth. The predator was alive and well in the old goblin.
"The old fool has been sniffing around for some time in regards to the Black and Potter vaults. He has interest greater than a normal Chief Warlock would have for the vaults of a family deemed extinct.
"We suspect that he may make a move this year to declare the Potter vault open - as it is now over 10 years since Mr. Potter disappeared from their world and it now the 10th anniversary of the date he was to start at Hogwarts.
"Dan Granger, you think like a goblin. Build a trap around these vaults and entice him in..."
Alex slapped his hand on the table. "Good idea, both of you. That's the ticket.
But we cannot arrange for a trap yet to kill the old man. Instead, we arrange for the news of the revealing of the new Head of the Potter Family to have been found in the United States - and have Fleur and Harry by her side. Magical pictures will allow someone who might recognize Harry to draw their own conclusion and I would suspect any story with the name of the Potters to attract immediate Dumbledore attention."
Sebastien gave a warning glance at all the people around the table. "You must be prepared, though, that the old goat will have many tricks up his sleeve to search out more information about Harry and then act to take control. We must be on our guard."
The meeting dissolved into speculation as to what tactics the old Headmaster might use, but the die had been cast.
The first steps in the conflict with Dumbledore had been taken.
Early July 2001
Down Below
Waterfalls
It had been another short planning session with all the players to organize the photo event around the declaration that the Potter vaults were open and the three young people had just left for a short walk to the waterfall.
"I could never get tired of the wonders of this world, Harry," Hermione said, leaning back against the rock wall and watching Harry and Fleur throw rocks into the falling water.
"'arry, you are truly blessed and to think that in a short time we three will have our own 'ouse with an entrance to this wonderful world," Fleur said in excitement.
Harry was discovering that he was learning to see his world with completely new eyes as his two Companions commented on and shared their appreciation for the world below.
"I could sit and watch you girls watch the falls all day," he said in a contented tone.
Hermione's face scrunched up as she considered his words. "Mr. Wells, I would hope that you realize that even if my parents gave this 'Triad' thing their blessing that you still have to work to keep me interested.
"A woman never wants to stop being loved - and being pursued. And you Mr. Wells have only begun the chase."
Fleur's light laughter now echoed through the rock chamber. "Ah, mon amour 'ermione, I can see that you have taken in some of the lessons I tried to teach you at Beauxbatons."
She turned to Harry. "M. Wells, your other Companion has given you a valuable clue to understanding women. You will do well to heed it."
She would have said more, but suddenly there was a scream from one of the nearby chambers. Harry jerked up in a flash and quickly ran to the nearest tunnel entrance. The scream came again and this time, he tore down the tunnel in a flash, leaving his two Companions to follow as quickly as they could.
By the time they caught up to him, he was holding his sister Catherine in his arms and she was sobbing on his shoulder.
"I couldn't stop her, Harry. I couldn't stop her - and when I touched her, she was so afraid. So very afraid."
He heard a rustle behind him and turned to see his mother running a hand through her hair, a true sign of her concern. "She's awake now and she's stopped shaking, Harry. But I'm afraid that she's had another one of her visions.
"And this one has her truly frightened. Something about it's too late - that we have to prepare for the day the Twins fall.
"I have no idea what she is talking about. What are the Twins?"
No one in Down Below had any idea what Erin might have been referring to - no one until Alex Mackenzie came two days later and heard the tale.
"Merlin, she must mean the Twin Towers."
A/N: Yes, I know. A fluff chapter in many ways, but one with some insight into the dynamics of the threesome, the growing relationships between the parents of the three and, as promised, the beginning of the counter against Dumbledore. Expect events to move more quickly now as we bring back our old 'friends' - Dumbledore, Bones, and other supporting cast - and bring together the magical world and the world below.
Next chapter - Albus gets a little frustrated - and a little controlled press event.
As well, hopefully you caught the reference to the Twins.
Till next time.