Chapter 2: Kenobi, Ben Kenobi

"Start at the beginning, Henry." Melody sat on the sofa with a cup of decaffeinated tea. "That's usually the best place. You were in college in the UMS..."

"Oh. Shit. I have to go there tomorrow with Harry. Auror thing." I don't know why that popped out when there were other things more, well, things I needed to tell her, but it came out anyway. "Don't know how long that'll be. Sorry. I think he said just for the day."

"Well..." she shrugged "...just make sure Harry is there to witness any other old girlfriends."

I gave her an odd look. "You're taking this reaalllly, really well."

"Why shouldn't I, Hank? We have two children, you've moved to another country, not to mention all the things we've gone through together, why should I worry?" Suddenly she gave me her patented pointed look. "I don't have anything to worry about, do I?"

"No! Not at all. It's just...weird." I stood up and went over to the bar where I poured myself a stiff Old Ogden's. "I mean, I know Brian was there tonight and that was weird but we knew that would happen, but with Christine...Rowan...with, with her it's like seeing a ghost." I took a big drink and sat down on the sofa next to her and she took the opportunity to lean back against the arm of the sofa and put her feet into my lap. I knew that that meant: rub. I did that immediately. "She messed me up for quite a while. Mike knows the whole story, I mean, we were roommates at the time and he had to pick up the pieces and...well...it isn't pretty."

"What did you tell me when I told you about Brian, Hank? I was young. You were young."

"You're still young."

"Hank..."

I pushed my glasses to the top of my head. "Shit, I wish Mike was here, he'd help me fill in the details...I remember a lot up until she broke up with me but after that I was a drunken mess."

"So how'd you meet her? How long did the two of you go out?" She looked at me and then her tone was much softer. "She broke your heart, didn't she?"

"Yeah." I nodded and focused on rubbing Melody's feet. "Yeah, she did." I exhaled in resignation. Telling Melody about Christine would not be fun as it definitely wasn't my finest hour. I'd mentioned Christine in passing before, lumping her in with all the other old girlfriends, but I never went into detail. "Like you said, I was young."

A knock on the door surprised both of us and I took a look at the clock; a little past midnight. Who the hell could that be? Before I could get up I heard Mike Greene's voice from behind the door, somewhat frantic.

"Hank! Hank, is everybody ok? Let me in!"

"What the fuck?" I let go of Melody's feet and went to the door where I figured it out instantly; standing next to Mike, looking as if he was expecting gloom and doom, was our house elf Nonky. "We're fine, Mike. Come on in and I'll explain."

Mike had on a pair of gym shorts, a t-shirt from our alma mater and some flip-flops. His hair was tied back roughly and to be honest it looked like Nonky woken him up. After about the first five words out of Mike's mouth I found out I was right. I apologized and he waved me off.

"I'm just glad y'all are all right. When Nonky showed up and said you needed me right away, well, here I am."

"Thanks." I looked over at Mel and she was grinning. "I still can't believe you're enjoying this."

"Oh, payback and all that." She smiled at Mike. "We ran into one of Hank's old girlfriends tonight at a function."

"What?" Mike sat back in the chair. "Not Janine...how the hell..."

"Hank found out he dated a witch before me and didn't know it." She looked over at me. "Shall we see if he can guess who?"

Mike shook his head. "Un-fucking-real. Ok, not Janine, for obvious reasons..."

"Voodoo." I locked eyes with Mike and nodded. He got it immediately.

"No fucking way."

"Yeah, she's some fancy wizarding photographer."

Before I could say anything else I heard the Floo come to life and saw Harry Potter's head in the green flames. "Hank, are you ready?"

"What?" I walked over and knelt down in front of the fireplace. "Am I ready? That's tomorrow."

"You didn't get the message." Harry shook his head. "I Flooed Lavinia earlier while you were out and she said she'd leave you a message."

"Well, things have been interesting, Harry. We're up, you wanna come through?"

A few seconds later Harry stood in our living room, brushing off Floo powder. "Hello, Melody. Sorry about this, but with the time difference and our schedule we need to go soon. Hello, Mike." He looked back to Melody. "Sorry about that. How are the kids? Are you ok with my taking Hank away for a bit?"

My wife looked over at Harry and shook her head. "Doesn't seem like I have a choice. To be honest I'm glad it's you and not George, Harry. Every time Hank goes with George..."

I cut her off. "I know, I know. Ok, give me a minute, Harry. Do I need to pack anything? Do I need my 'toys?' Or is this just a..."

Harry shook his head. "No, you won't need your handguns, Hank. It's a research thing."

"Don't worry, Hank. I'll have Nonky take Mike back home." Melody smiled at me. "After I hear a few stories."

Fuck.

-ooo-

After heading back to the Auror office to get my Auror robe and then back to Colony House for my Auror badge, and after cursing slightly and getting the 'if you were a real Auror I'd have your arse' look Harry and I finally took the international portkey and arrived on what was rapidly determined to be a beach. Harry had managed to arrive standing up, but me? Yeah, on my ass in the sand. Not only that, it was early. It was really, really early. Like before midnight early. It didn't make me happy, but I followed Harry up the small dune and onto the weathered boards that made up the steps to the house with its dimly lit window. The wind whipped around and I felt the heaviness of the Auror robe against the warmth and humidity of the air; definitely not a climate that the Auror robes were designed for, that was for sure. I began sweating almost immediately.

"Harry..."

He shook his head and pointed at the house. I got the message; shut up, idiot, until inside. Fine. As we did the short walk I looked around, trying to get my bearings. It could be several places on the coast that I knew, but in the dark it was hard to tell. When we got to the door Harry took out his wand and did some sort of waving thing and the doorknob began to glow a soft blue. He waited until the doorknob stopped glowing, put his wand away and walked into the house. I followed closely behind because I knew the only thing I could do with my wand is light things on fire, specifically NOT cigarettes or cigars because Melody made me give those up when we had our daughter.

The inside of the place looked like a typical beach house, some mismatched furniture, tile floors, odds and ends lying around; the type of place where you could kick back and do nothing for a long, long time. Unfortunately that's not what happened.

"Hank? You need to come up with an alias, I don't want the contacts to know who you really are."

"An alias? Nice." I nodded my head. "Hmm...what should I pick...something that Muggles would know? Are we meeting Muggles or magical..."

"Magical, no Muggles." He looked at his watch. "And make it quick, they're almost here." A pop of a portkey announced that they were, in fact, here. "Quick, now!"

"Ben Kenobi!"

As soon as it was out of my mouth Harry flicked his wand and my Auror badge no longer read Hank Boyd, it read Ben Kenobi. Before I could say that I always wanted to be a Jedi the door began to open. I glanced over to Harry but it wasn't Harry, it was a blonde-haired guy with blue eyes. With Harry's glasses. I adjusted mine quickly and he got the hint, taking his off and putting them away right as the the others arrived.

There were two of them, a taller one and a shorter one, I couldn't tell anything else but that because they wore blue AAB robes, the blue of the American Auror Bureau. As the tall one put down the cowl of the robe I could tell that he looked familiar but I couldn't place him. The shorter one took down his cowl as well and I could tell that I'd never met him before because he had one of the most unique beards I'd ever seen in my life. It was long, blonde and turned into a fork not far from his chin and then split out into two rolls, like someone had curled up a length of hose. If he was a Muggle I'm really Ben Kenobi.

Harry stepped forward. "Six, four, three. Boggarts bound at midnight."

The tall man nodded and stepped closer to Harry. "Eight, two, seven. Quidditch or Quodpot, it's a quandary."

I couldn't help it, I busted out laughing. "Really? Bounding boggarts and quandaries about Quidditch? Really? Why not 'the laughing sparrow drinks no water' or 'yankee hotel foxtrot.' That's hilarious." Everyone looked at me and I was sure Harry was going to hex me. "Ok, ok, sorry. It just sounded funny."

Both of the AAB agents looked at me funny then focused on Harry. Harry shrugged. "He's from the research group, no real field work."

"Your accent isn't British." The tall one looked at me for a moment and then he kind of winked at me. "But that isn't important right now. You're wearing Auror robes and if he vouches for you..." He nodded at Harry.

"I do." Harry nodded in agreement. "Ok, let's get down to this. You have something for us."

Beard man reached into his robes and brought out a manuscript. It looked like someone had taken a bunch of parchment and had fastened it on the sides to create a very rough book. It was about as thick a college dictionary. He handed it to Harry. "We intercepted this one before it went to press, which may buy us some time. This volume contains details about the Aurors and specific missions which lead us to believe there is a leak within the Ministry." He then turned to me. "I take you are the 'expert', then? What are your qualifications for dealing with sensitive information like this? Are you a literary expert or just a parchment shuffler?"

I didn't like the snotty tone of his, but before I could answer Harry stepped between us. "He's an Auror Consultant and was personally picked for this by the Head Auror. As for his qualifications I don't believe that's any of your business."

I wanted to leave it at that but couldn't. "Oh, I'm more than a 'parchment shuffler.' Let me ask you, ever read Hemingway? Faulkner? Kafka? What about Murakami?"

Beard guy shook his head dismissively. "Never heard of them, they must be minor authors. I've taught..."

The other AAB agent stepped over and put his hand on beard guy's shoulder. "Enough, Rembert. I know about Auror..."

"Kenobi. Ben Kenobi." I smiled at him and saw him stifle a laugh. He looked more and more familiar.

"Right. Auror Kenobi." The agent nodded. "Rembert, why don't you and the Auror discuss some details regarding how we acquired this while I speak with Auror Kenobi." After Harry and beard guy stepped away safely out of earshot he stuck out his hand. "Professor, I thought that was you but I haven't seen you since...I'm Agent Wright. I was part of the detail that did cleanup on your parents' house during the WLF attack years ago."

"I thought you looked familiar, but that was a crazy time." I shook his hand. "Thanks for that. I take it Beardo over there thinks he's hot shit in the literary department."

"Yeah, part of what you Brits would call the Department of Mysteries. Spends all his time in the research department looking through old parchment." He leaned forward and in a quieter voice said "He's a prick."

I chuckled and nodded. "I know the type. Did my time in academic circles. So this book?"

"I'm sure you'll get the briefing. I'll say hello to your sister-in-law. Stay safe." He turned to beard guy. "It's time, Rembert."

The two AAB agents touched a small piece of rope and disappeared, obviously a portkey. That left Harry and I alone in the little place. Harry took off his Auror robe, hung it on the back of the kitchen chair and proceeded to start the kettle. I followed suit, hung up my Auror robe, sat down at the table and watched as Harry returned to his usual appearance.

"Hank, how long do you think it'll take you to read that?"

I turned the book over in my hands and flipped pages. "Shit, this is double-sided, it's gonna take a while."

"Guess I'd better do more than make tea, then."

"Harry, so we're here until I finish reading this?"

He nodded. "Until you've had a chance to read it and make some initial remarks, yes."

"Shit." I looked at my watch. It was still very early. "You'd better send a message to Melody that...oh fuck." I pushed my glasses to the top of my head. "Mike Greene's over there at the house filling in Melody about my ex-girlfriend. The one who just happened to show up and that I didn't know was a witch."

"Awkward, I guess, but why is that a big deal?"

I saw Harry give me a look that indicated he really didn't understand. It was at that point that I was glad it was Harry there instead of some other Auror, because Harry and I were friends. He'd understand. "Harry, she's the one who completely broke my heart. She was the first woman I ever thought I could spend the rest of my life with. I know I should be reading this..." I held up the book "...but I gotta tell someone because it's all to fucking weird. Have a seat."

"Hank, as much as I'm interested in your story, and I am, we're here for a reason. How about when we finish this I'll buy you a pint or two at The Leaky and you can tell me all about it."

I nodded. "Yeah, yeah, you're right." I opened the manuscript. "Ok, you totally bullshit story, let's see what you've got for us this time."

-ooo-

Harry Potter strode into Gringotts, his robe billowing out behind him, purpose etched on his face. He was determined to right the wrongs that still existed in the Wizarding world, but specifically the wrongs done to him and his family. Every goblin eye was focused on him as he made his way through the throngs, and each ear was turned to hear what the savior of all magical beings had to say.

"I wish to see the will of Sirius Black!" He pounded a fist upon the table, startling the goblins.

A lone goblin hurried away as the others tried to calm the Head Auror, but to no avail. His green orbs flashed behind gold-rimmed glasses. Their words held no sway as he stood, resolute, determined. The quiet descended like a fog, covering everything, as no living thing dared to move.

"Head Auror Potter?" A gnarled, ancient goblin stood in the doorway, a golden chain around his neck as well as a jewel-encrusted diadem on his forehead indicating his office. "I am Head Goblin Krobby. Please follow me."

Harry Potter followed the Head Goblin, who was soon flanked by four large goblins in armor who wielded pikes with razor sharp points. They wound their way through many hallways, up staircases, until they reached the ornate meeting room. The walls were covered with tapestries depicting goblins in battle, victorious goblins that stood upon the corpses of wizards. Harry Potter did not flinch when he saw the tapestries, it only made him more sure of his course.

After Head Goblin Krobby sat down Harry remained standing. "I, Harry Potter, Head Auror, Defender of Magic, Vanquisher of Voldemort, Order of Merlin First Class Recipient, Member of the Wizangamot, Lord of the Moste Ancient House of Potter and heir of Sirius Orion Black, formally request to see the last will and testament of Sirius Orion Black. I claim this right as sole heir and under the Goblin Law of Krisnach!"

A gasp escaped from every goblin throat; no wizard had invoked the Law of Krisnach in over a century!

Head Goblin Krobby leaned forward in shock, his voice trembling with rage. "How do you know the Law of Krisnach?"

"I know many things, Head Goblin Krobby." Harry Potter smiled; he would have to thank Hermione for her research and if things went he anticipated he knew the perfect reward. "My patience is not limitless. Under the Law you must accede to my request immediately. You know the penalties if this is not carried out within the proscribed limits."

Sweat broke out on Head Goblin Krobby's forehead, causing the diamond, ruby and emerald encrusted diadem of his office to slip slightly. He knew that if Harry Potter's requests were not carried out immediately he could not only lose his head but the entirety of all the goblin gold in Gringotts! Instead of showing his fear he simply nodded. "So mote it be."

Upon hearing those words a goblin in a red velvet robe walked forward and handed a scroll of parchment to Head Goblin Krobby. Head Goblin Krobby broke the seal on the scroll and unrolled it. With a smile he showed Harry Potter his sharpened teeth.

"The last will and testament of Sirius Orion Black was read for you previously. Why do you wish to read it again, Head Auror Potter? Was your inheritance not sufficient?"

A smile curled at Harry Potter's lips. "I believe there is a part of the will that was omitted. A part that has made Gringotts and Goblin Nation gold that DOES NOT BELONG TO THEM!" He pounded his fist upon the table, causing the gold and silver table settings to shake upon the vehement strike. He slowly opened his fist, fingers curling away, palm upward. "I will not draw a weapon in the presence of the Head Goblin, but I request that one of your subordinates pierce my flesh to let my blood flow upon the last page of the will." This was his masterstroke; he knew that if he would have bared a blade in the presence of the goblins that it was tantamount to declaring war upon Goblin Nation. Instead, by asking them to do it, he symbolically put himself at their mercy, an act they would not fail to realize and understand what it meant. If events unfolded as Luna Lovegood had foreseen, the events taking place in the ornate meeting room would establish him as the Wizard Above All Wizards in the eye of Goblin Nation.

The red robed goblin looked nervously at Head Goblin Krobby, and upon receiving the affirmative nod from the Head Goblin it walked forward slowly over to where Harry Potter still stood. It took a small, exquisitely detailed silver knife from it's red robes and delicately pricked Harry Potter's finger. The Head Goblin picked up the parchment, walked over to Harry Potter and placed the will upon the table.

Harry Potter took his finger and let three drops of blood splash upon the parchment. The moment the first drop of blood struck the parchment writing began to appear, large, bold words from a confident hand. Once the words had fully formed Harry Potter picked up the parchment.

"I will read these words aloud so that all may know. 'BY RIGHT OF BLOOD, AND BY MY RIGHT AS THE RIGHTFUL HEIR, I HEREBY DECLARE THAT HARRY JAMES POTTER IS THE RIGHT AND JUST BARON OF THE MOSTE ANCIENT AND NOBLE HOUSE OF BLACK. HARRY JAMES POTTER IS NOW ENDOWED WITH ALL RIGHTS AND PRIVLEGES OF THE BARONY AND THE OWNERSHIP OF ANY AND ALL PROPERTIES, HOLDINGS, INCOMES, VAULTS AND POSSESSIONS NOW HELD IN TRUST BY GRINGOTTS AND GOBLIN NATION UNTIL CLAIMED BY HARRY JAMES POTTER. HARRY, I LOVE YOU LIKE A SON AND I KNOW YOU WILL DO THIS OLD MAURADER PROUD. YOU'LL BE A GREAT BARON BLACK, CUB. SIGNED THIS DAY UNDER WITNESS OF GRINGOTTS REPRESENTATIVE GRIPHOOK, SIRIUS ORION BLACK, BARON BLACK.' Harry Potter glared at Head Goblin Krobby. "I believe I have been wronged and seek redress."

Head Goblin Krobby sank in his chair, as he knew that Harry Potter, if he knew of the Law of Krisnach, would also know the laws that pertained to a Goblin that willingly defaulted on a sacred agreement such as a last will and testament. He knew that the next few moments would not only determine his fate, but that of Gringotts and Goblin Nation. He bowed low before Harry Potter, causing all goblins in attendance to gasp, as Head Goblin Krobby had not bowed to any living thing in the last two hundred years.

"Lord Potter, let me be the first to acknowledge you as Lord Baron Potter-Black. I have to words to adequately apologize for an indiscretion so foul. I, and Goblin Nation, are at your mercy. What are your demands?"

Harry Potter knew that he had them, and he knew what he would ask. "Head Goblin Krobby, rise, it is not fitting for one of such a station as yours to prostrate themselves to any living thing." The goblins gasped again, as they did not expect such benevolence from a wizard, least of all one that been wronged and knew of the Law of Krisnach. "I am willing to overlook such an egregious error in the desire to strengthen the bonds between Goblin Nation and the Moste Ancient Houses of Potter and Black. I will give you my requests to cement this bond and ask that they be carried out immediately."

Not only did the Head Goblin nod in agreement but all goblins present did so as well, such was the command of Lord Baron Potter-Black.

Harry Potter sat down, causing all the goblins to exhale. "I will require all properties, holdings, incomes, vaults and documents for the Moste Ancient House of Black to be transferred to me immediately. In the goal of further cementing our bonds I hereby relinquish any and all rights to any and all profits made on the previously detailed items from the time of Baron Sirius Orion Black's death until the present time."

Upon hearing the words from Lord Baron Potter-Black's lips Head Goblin Krobby smiled broadly. He knew that Lord Baron Potter-Black was being most generous.

"Furthermore..." Harry Potter smiled. "...I request that the Black ring, the Baronial ring, be presented immediately. I wish it to be known that I am now Lord Baron Potter-Black."

A small goblin ran forward and gave Lord Baron Potter-Black a small box. Inside was the Black Baronial ring. Harry put it on and immediately felt a surge of magic flood through him.

"Lord Baron Potter-Black, if I may..." the Head Goblin smiled "...as you have taken possession of the ring you have activated a contract that was written many, many years ago. A marriage contract. Unfortunately the family that signed the contract with the Moste Ancient House of Black, unfortunately they have died out. The contract is clear, though, you must marry to continue the Black family line."

"I am already married to Lady Ginevra Potter." Harry Potter smiled at the Head Goblin because he already knew all of the details. Hermione had prepared him well, and the moment of her reward was almost at hand.

"And she is a most lovely Lady Potter, Lord Baron." Head Goblin Krobby smiled his sharp smile yet again. "But the laws regarding Moste Ancient Houses is not as...restrictive as those for commoners. It is not only allowed, but expected, that you will take another wife."

"I will take Hermione Jean Granger, daughter of Daniel and Emma Granger, as Baroness Black."

Head Goblin Krobby struck his gold and jewel-encrusted scepter of office on the table. "So mote it be." His expression changed to a worried look as a young goblin whispered something in his ear. "Lord Baron Potter-Black, I am afraid I have ill news so soon for you. Apparently your holdings in United American Magic of States are being held by a group called the Wizarding Liberation Front. A man named Haddingspot, my sources say. Goblin Nation stands ready to assist you in retrieving these assets. Will you accept our offer?"

Harry Potter, Lord Baron Potter-Black reached forward and grasped Head Goblin Krobby's hand. "I accept your offer with the Oath of Gnishblick!"

-ooo-

The sun came in through the windows as Harry sat on the fraying sofa, shoes off, with a cup of tea. I put the manuscript down and shook my head.

"I can't read any more. Holy shit, Harry. What a load of crap! I can't believe this...shit. This is even worse than the other ones." I looked at him and saw him roll his eyes. "I mean, with the other ones they were slightly grounded in reality, you know, all the stuff you did when you were a kid, all the hell you an' Ron an' Hermione went through, but this? I mean, you aren't really a lord and a baron, are you?"

"No, Hank, I'm not." Harry stood up, walked into the kitchen and put his cup and saucer in the sink. "People want to think that Sirius had a ton of money and properties, that being a Black made him rich. He wasn't. Really, it's like the Muggle aristocracy, most of what he had was tied up in the house. There was some gold, but not like people imagine." He ducked his head for a moment then looked at me, somewhat embarrassed. "The Potter's were actually wealthier than the Blacks. I did inherit quite a bit from them, but it didn't make up for things. It's made things easier, yes, but..."

I let the words trail away without saying anything, as I knew what he meant. He would have given up all the gold in his vaults to have had his parents still be alive. I decided to switch topics immediately. "So the WLF made an entrance in the book, that's odd, right?"

"Yes." His eyes met mine. "That's the part that tipped off the AAB that something was different. The Auror Department knew that Haddingspot, the man mentioned, was involved with the WLF but we hadn't made that public. Merlin knows who let that out." He took a look at the clock. "You know, Hank, maybe we should head back. I don't think we'll finish this today, even if you are a fast reader."

"Thanks." I sat back in the chair and pushed my glasses to the top of my head. "Maybe I can come into the Ministry and use my old office to read this. What's the priority on this? I mean, you can get other people to read this that have clearance. It's March, I'm still teaching Muggle Studies. Classes aren't over, hell, they aren't even close to being over. I'm just happy this is a weekend or else I'd have to get clearance from Titus."

"I'm sure Headmaster Titus would spare you for a bit, but you do have a point, Hank." Harry leaned back against the sink. "We'll get people to read it but since you found the original Adventure Series books in New Orleans, and you'd read them all, we thought you were the best person for this job. Except for that time Ron and I spent with you at Hogwarts during the time when the Muggle Studies professors were missing I can't say that I've read a word of them."

"Well, I don't blame you. They suck." I stood up to stretch and knocked my Auror robe off the back of the kitchen chair. When I picked it up I noticed something had fallen out of one of the pockets. "Holy shit, I left a pack of smokes in here!"

Harry shook his head. "I thought you gave that up?"

"I did." I opened the pack and saw four cigarettes in there. "I promised Mel that I'd quit before Virginia was born." I fished a cigarette out and found a pack of matches stuck in the wrapping of the cigarette box. After quickly lighting a cigarette I savored the taste, even if the tobacco was stale as hell. "Don't say a word, Harry. I did promise her I'd quit before Virginia was born, and I did. Didn't say anything about after, mind you."

-ooo-

Harry dropped me off outside Colony House in the middle of one of the usual bouts of Scottish sunshine; in other words, rain. I made my way in through the back door and hoped that Melody and the kids would be asleep, but I wasn't that lucky. Besides, it was the late afternoon and Lavinia was there. We'd been lucky enough that she was up-to-date on her homework so Headmaster Titus gave us some leniency on letting her come home to help watch the kids since I had to accompany Melody to the charity thing. With her at the house, and with all the excitement of seeing my ex-girlfriend there, not to mention Mike's visit with her, I had a feeling she would be up and full of questions. She was, but I should have guessed the first question out of her mouth when she saw me.

"Hank! Have you been smoking?" She moved Virginia over to her other hip and leaned in close. "You have. Hank, you promised..."

Shit. I was in trouble.

"Yeah, I had a couple. I found them in my Auror robes. Tasted horrible." She didn't buy it. "Ok, it's been pretty stressful, ok? I'm sorry. I'm sorry." I took off my Auror robe and hung it by the door. "Where's Lavinia?"

"Downstairs with Hieronymus." She walked over, pulled my Auror robe off of the hook and dropped it on the kitchen floor. "And you're not hanging this smelly thing in the house. Take it to the shed or have Nonky clean if for you. Merlin, Hank, you promised."

"I know, I know, I'm sorry, I'll take the late night shift with Virginia, ok?" It wasn't going well so I decided to change tactics. "She can't hear us, right?"

"Here." She handed me Virginia and took out her wand. With a quick wave a faint light enveloped the door leading downstairs. "She can't hear us now. What happened?"

I stood and swayed back and forth with Virginia, keeping her calm, and told her everything that had happened. She laughed when I told her my alias, as I'd shown her Star Wars numerous times. Instead of Ben Kenobi she told me I should have picked an Ewok name, which she thought was funny as she loved the Ewoks best in the whole Star Wars movie series, something she knew irritated me slightly. When I told her the part that I'd read aloud to Harry, the whole dance with the goblins about laws and wills and secret knowledge she laughed, but when I told her about him making Hermione Lady Black she got a disgusted look on her face.

"What is with some people? I mean, honestly, Hank? Why the interest? Why does everyone want to put Harry and Hermione together?"

"Rita Skeeter, for one." I walked into the living room and sat down in the rocking chair. Virginia was almost asleep. "Remember what Hermione told us, that Skeeter wrote all that shit about Harry and Hermione during the Tri-Wizard tournament? And that picture in The Prophet of them hugging before the first thing, the thing with the dragon? They're friends, they went through all that shit with Voldemort along with Ron, and people keep trying to say that they're together, even though they're both very happily married. Well, Harry and Ginny are, Ron and Hermione I guess it depends on the day..."

"Hank, you know that's how they are. They like to..."

"I know, I'm just pulling your chain." I looked down at my daughter, asleep and peaceful. "I wish I didn't have to go back. At least you'll have Nonky here. Can't believe you talked both him and Titus into letting him stay here instead of Hogwarts."

She smiled mischievously. "I can be rather persuasive, you know. Besides, Nonky dotes on the children. It was so hard to see him head back when your paternity leave was finished." She glanced over to where the Auror robe sat in heap on the floor. "Hank, it isn't starting again, is it? You're not going to go running off with your guns again, are you? You have two children now. You can't do that anymore."

I nodded. "I know. This is just research, Mel. I'm just reading a book and giving them a report. This one's different than the other ones, not only because it's after Voldemort but the style's different, like it's somebody else that's writing it."

She didn't say anything but smiled at me. "Aren't you going to ask me about the stories Mike told me?"

"Oh shit."

"Hank! Little ears!"

"Mel, she's a baby. I'm sure a few cuss words isn't going to scar her permanently. So what'd he say?"

"Not too much, actually. We only spoke for a few moments before Cho Flooed and asked if everything was ok. He did say that she really messed you up, though. You were quite the mess, according to him. He also said that he had some things that you wanted him to throw away back then but he kept them, just in case you wanted them back. Easter holiday is coming soon so I invited the Greene's for Easter dinner. We'll have a little show and tell session then."

"Oh goddamnit, Mike you sorry sonofabitch, I'm gonna..."

"Hank!" She stood up and walked over to the rocking chair, stood behind me and put her arms over the back and caressed Virginia's head. As she touched the fine brown hair of our daughter she put her head against mine. "Hank, in a way I'm glad she broke up with you, because if she hadn't you wouldn't be here now and we wouldn't have two beautiful children."

I felt a large, contented sigh escape. "What in the world did I ever do to deserve you?"

"Merlin knows, Hank. Merlin knows."