Hey everyone,

WOW! I haven't touched this story in a full two years now. To be honest, I sometimes even forget that this story exists. Yet I wanted to post as many CR story chapters as possible this month, so I decided to dust off this little hidden gem. And see how it works with my new paragraph writing.

Let's do this,

Venquine1990

Chapter 49

Various Feasts And Protocols

29th of December 1976

The Reading Room, Ariador

Hendros' POV

"Grandfather, I believe it's best if you read next."

Only a few days ago I would have balked at the idea of being called grandfather, at the notion that my son might be a father himself already.

Yet now that I have spent a few days with young Hari, I cannot imagine my life without him and I am truly grateful for Merden and his actions.

I truly do not like nor accept what Lady Destiny has been trying to do to my old friend, Albus Dumbledore. But at the same time I am glad that Merden was allowed the chance to prevent these actions from negatively affecting me and mine.

Many emotions have been rushing through me these past few days and I have no doubt that many more emotions will continue to overwhelm me in the days to come.

Yet if I had to choose between being killed by horrible Death Eaters and discovering about the horrible youth my grandson had to survive through, I would always pick the latter.

And even while we are reading, I am busy thinking. Thinking of ways that I believe Hari can be a positive influence on the future of my home realm. As well as thinking of ways that I could improve Hari's future, alongside all those seated around me.

And even now that I take the book, send my precious little grandchild a loving smile and start to read, I continue to think and plan.

The Deathday Party

Instantly I smile at my grandson in deep pride. "A worthy first appearance, my boy. Who's was it, if I may ask?" For some reason Hari, Ron and Hermione wince and Hari answers:

"Nearly Headless Nick's. And to be honest, it really wasn't fun, didn't really feel like an official gathering or anything and – well –."

But I already know what is troubling the boy and so I smile at him. "You didn't know, little one. You didn't know anything about your actual heritage or even the reputation of the Potter line. As long as you remained polite, all is well." Harry nods in confirmation and I start the chapter.

October arrived … hours afterward.

I notice Sirius and young Ronald staring at my boy and my grandson. Sirius then notices that Ron is doing the same thing as he is and asks: "Never got sick?" Ron shakes his head. And while Hari is obviously happy that he has something else in common with his father, the two boys turn equal shades of red nonetheless.

I snicker at the whole event and explain: "Elves can't be affected by the simpler Muggle or Wizarding illnesses. Our immunity system is fueled by our inner magic. We can still die from the deadly ones, such as Dragon Pox or Cancer, but otherwise.

And yes, this counts for wizards who remain in the Elven Realm long enough and become Elves themselves. Once they grow within their powers, their magic will start to affect their immunity system the same way our powers do."

Several of the teens sigh in relief in this and Lindilwen even mutters that she gets a bad case of the flu every season. I really feel for the young lady at hearing this before I continue to read.

Ginny Weasley … on fire.

Percy has gone to sit with his sister and he holds her close as he whispers: "It didn't help any, did it?" The girl shakes her head and whispers that nothing like that could have helped, not at the time.

I truly worry for the young girl, yet at the same time I feel proud of her. Though I don't quite understand why just yet. And a small part of me doesn't want to either.

Raindrops the … with mud.

Sirius asks where the rest of the team was and the twins wince. Fred then explains: "It was raining so badly that Oliver sometimes lost sight of us. We took advantage of that, but Alicia failed to sign Hari about this before she herself left.

Thus Hari was left to hear Wood's rant and after that Wood just flew off to the Tower to rant at us in the Common room. Though apparently Harry decided to just return the normal way. Though we apologized for this after."

Sirius nods and Snuffles snorts. Sirius turns to him and he says: "You and Jaurion pulled the same stunt on your team in your final year. Or, I guess I should say, you're going to. Though it wasn't because you were sick of the training, it was to prove that official titles hadn't taken you guys your sense of humor."

The teens from the present look at Snuffles confused and he asks: "Did you forget? It was in the First book. Jaurion became Head Boy. Or should I refer to the Jaurion in the book as James now?" Snuffles seems to contemplate this as I continue reading.

Even aside … if that..."

Instantly I know exactly what will happen this chapter and why my grandson said that the Deathday Party isn't going to be fun. Luna gasps and says: "I just realized something!"

We all turn to look at her and she reminds us of how the other timeline no longer exists and everyone we ever knew in that timeline no longer exists. And while it hurts a few of those around her, such as young Colin, everyone nods. The girl continues and her words blow my mind.

"That includes the ghosts. They've finally moved on. Even the ones who have succeeded in the reason they stayed behind, but couldn't move on for unknown reason. They're all finally at peace." Many of us stare at the girl and I realize that she's right before I read on.

"Hello, Nick," … rain outside.

Instantly Charles asks what Hari's problem with Nick could be. Hari shrugs, but then I explain: "It's not that Hari or Harry have problems with Nick, at least not at this point in time. This chapter is about Nick's Deathday Party, so the chapter makes sure to describe him." Charlie nods as I read.

"You look … Headless Hunt?"

Peter asks how that could have even happened with horror in his voice. I sigh and mutter: "It all has to do with the cause behind his sentence. Someone named Lady Grieve asked him to fix her teeth, yet it went wrong and she grew a tusk instead.

As you can probably imagine, the lady in question felt that Nick should suffer a similar grievous fate as she herself, so she procured the axe from a blacksmith who was making it for a brother of hers, but who still needed to sharpen the axe in question. How she got the blacksmith convinced to let her take it I will never know or understand."

The group around me winces, cringes and grimaces. Yet then I lean back and mutter: "What I don't understand is why Nick is being bothered with this again. When I was in my final year at Hogwarts, I made sure to meet with Nick several times.

I was sure that I had convinced him that being Gryffindor's ghost was a much grander achievement than being part of that insolent group of headless fools." Hari winces and tells me that it will probably be explained further down the chapter. I sincerely hope so as I read.

"Oh – yes," … the place-"

Severus turns white with horror and Lindilwen asks how that could have happened. Cedric winces and mutters that she doesn't want to know. But the young woman stares him down and so he sighs and complies with her silent request.

"I know I don't know what happened to my House between 1995 and 1998, but up until my death, that was considered one of the darker days in Hufflepuff history." George nods to confirm that this was still the case by the time that the war ended.

Cedric sighs, relieved that his House hadn't done anything humiliating after his death and then he continues: "It's like this. Apparently Zacharias Smith, from my House, made this ridiculous bet with Cormac McLaggen from Gryffindor –."

But then many of the teens groan and Peter mutters: "Just forget it. You don't need to explain any further. Reginald McLaggen is a first class idiot who still makes us wonder how he passed his OWLs a few years ago and Maria Smith is a first-class airhead. Along with – eh, never mind."

Peter winces, while Cedric nods. The latter is obviously relieved that he doesn't need to relive or retell this embarrassing story. I smile and return everyone's focus to the current tale.

"Right," said … me, Potter!"

I growl that the man better be following protocol. Yet Hari winces and I ask him: "He didn't take you to McGonagall, did he?" Yet then suddenly the twins chorus:

"That's protocol?"

I nod at them and say: "The caretaker is never allowed to dish out punishments of his own. If they catch a student breaking a rule, they are to report this to the Head of House." Yet to this the twins argue that they were taken to Filch's office dozens of times.

Then Hari sighs and says: "Yeah, and let's not forget who our Headmaster, his boss, was at the time that that happened, guys." And instantly everything falls into place. I grimace and decide for myself that I will mention this to Albus if I get a chance to meet with him. I resume my reading.

So Harry … the ceiling.

The two youngest among us and young Neville all wince and shudder at this description. We all turn to them and they mutter: "The Carrows loved it when Filch helped."

Yet again I hear more hints about how horrible Hogwarts was under Voldemort's reign.

Yet again I hate the other Dumbledore for letting things get this far, especially with innocent students.

Yet again I vow to do everything in my power to ensure that my own old friend won't turn into this monstrous fiend as I read on.

Filch grabbed … form... yes..."

Suddenly Lucius asks why Nick hadn't tried to argue with Filch to send Harry to McGonagall or even ensure that the man would do this. Hari shrugs and mutters: "It's been a few years since Dumbledore has been going down the deep end and letting Filch be like this. I'm guessing Nick just gave up trying to convince either of them of this."

Lucius obviously doesn't consider this an acceptable reason, even if the reasoning does make sense. And because Nick seems to have regained his stubborn need to join the Headless Hunt, I find myself agreeing with the blonde as I resume my reading.

He retrieved … lamp rattle.

"Then again, I never said Nick didn't help out." Hari grins after everyone has recovered from the shock of my scream. His father and I grin widely at him as he leans back in his seat. And while Lindilwen and Lucius glare at me for scaring them, I read on with a smile.

"PEEVES!" Filch … and read:

Even before any of us turn to glare at the young man in question, it's already obvious that he feels guilty about his actions. Thankfully enough William keeps Molly quiet, yet Amyna still reprimands her grandson and says:

"Young man, Filch breaking protocol is no reason for you to break the rules of proper behavior. So tell me here and now, young prince. Have you ever done this again at any point in the other books?" To everyone's relief, the boy shakes his head. Draco pulls his mate comfortably close and I resume my reading.

Kwikspell A … you, Kwikspell!"

"Wow, and I thought an article by Rita Skeeter was full of garbage." Cedric moans with wide eyes as I shake my head at what I just read. Those of my era look confused and the response is both very curious and concerning.

As one everyone from the future bar young Mr. Diggory himself chorus that we don't want to know. Most of us wince and Cedric groans as he asks: "Is it wrong that I am glad that I didn't have to live through that?" But none of those from the future seem to blame for this. They all smile at him instead with looks of sympathetic understanding as I resume my reading.

Fascinated, Harry … my sweet-"

My eyes widen, yet before I can ask more about this artefact, I notice that Draco has tensed something horrible.

Instantly Hari reacts and he tells us to give him some time. He takes Draco by the hand and takes his mate to one of the alcoves covered in black paint. What worries me is that, while Draco is still very tense, there is a distant look of guilt on his face.

I turn from the young couple to the rest from the future. The others all wince and Ron mutters: "Let's just say that Draco was forced to fix it – while the other half was in the wrong hands, so to say." Instantly I understand exactly what happened.

My heart goes out to the poor young blonde as I can only imagine how it must have felt for him to be in Voldemort's presence, let alone what Voldemort told him would happen if he didn't do this. I turn back to look at the corner.

To my relief Hari seems to have managed to pull Draco out of his guilty trance. The two might have switched roles with Harry now the Submissive of the relationship. Yet Draco is lying in Harry's lap and my young Heir is softly running his hand through Draco's long blonde hair.

My grandson notices me staring and he motions for me to just read on. I nod as I understand that he doesn't want to be part of every chapter of this tale and comply.

His eyes … distract him –"

I spare another glance at the alcove on the other side of the room and then turn to those of the future. "Ronald tell me, do you know where the twin of this cabinet is now? Do you believe it to –." But then suddenly Lindilwen gasps and she whispers a single word:

"Borgins."

And instantly I realize what my young future daughter-in-law means. I turn to the door and loudly call for a group of Guard Elves. Three powerful and burly Elves appear and I take on my royal pose as I state:

"Head for the Wizarding World. Ensure that you are not seen until you have reached Knockturn Alley. Once there, head for Borgins and Burkes. You are to purchase and transport a cabinet of the following description." I reread the previous description and then swiftly page back to chapter four to see if there are any other details described there.

There are none, so I send the Guard Elves on their way.

The elves bow and as they leave, a soft voice sounds from behind me and thanks me quietly. I turn around and see that Hari and Draco have returned. "If there is one thing I have regretted this past year, it's fixing that horrid cabinet. To know that, whether it's fixed or broken, it can't be used by – by them anymore –."

Yet the boy doesn't need to say anymore. I nod at him and then gently offer my own lap for him to sit on. And while the young man might be 18 years old, while he might be the Dominant in his relation, while he might have Malfoy pride, he smiles gently and takes my offer.

And with the sweet, yet no longer innocent child in my lap, I resume reading.

"Was that … roomier dungeons.

This was always something that aggravates me. "Events such as these should be held school-wide. They don't need to happen every year or for all of the ghosts, but such a number makes it a momentous occasion.

With Nick being a House Ghost, his whole House should be given the chance to celebrate with him. It's a shame and a scandal that such things aren't more widely shared back in the school." I think to myself as I continue to read.

Friends will … looking excited

"You know, I don't think he meant that in the Boy-Who-Lived way. I think he really meant your ancient family line and all that. I mean, he was the Gryffindor House Ghost for many years, he must have been around for dozens of your ancestors, Hari."

Luna tells her friend, who looks shocked and mutters: "I never thought of that. I – I could have asked him stories – stories about mum and dad and –."

But then Jaurion pulls his son close and says: "You don't need to anymore, Hari. We're here now. We'll tell you ourselves." Lindilwen nods and happily tells her new brother that she wants him to know her as well as she's getting to know him through the books. Harry truly beams at her over this and I resume my reading with a proud grin.

"– do you … find me?"

I sigh at this one single line and whisper: "Oh Nick, my dearest friend, why did you let that oaf talk in on you like that? Why did you let him replace your own honorable beliefs with his arrogant ones?" And while I hope that my friend has found peace now that he no longer exists, I read on.

"Of – of … be fascinating!"

"I'm afraid that's not true, dear. When I went to Hogwarts, my friends and I made it tradition to go to the Deathday parties of all four House Ghosts. It took us a while to get the Bloody Baron to accept our desire to come to his, but he appreciated our presence in the end.

And I had both magical and elf friends and had at least two friends in each House. And thank goodness for that as my friendship with one of my Snake friends is what got me to meet my beloved Amyna over here."

My wife giggles, just like she always does when I mention her in a similar fashion or reminisce about how we met. Young Hermione on the other hand looks beyond intrigued and asks if I could tell her more about these parties some other time.

At this Amyna asks: "I believe it's best if we break soon. We have been reading quite a few chapters today, both of the last book and this one."

Many of those around me nod in agreement and then Lindilwen tells us: "I noticed a table of content at the start of the book. If I saw it correctly, the book has 18 chapters. Seeing as how we're on chapter 8, perhaps we should break after the next one." Everyone agrees on this and I resume reading.

"Why would … curious people.

"Okay, we didn't do that. We tried to take the combustive ingredients out of the fireworks and just let the lizard sleep on it as we figured other students would appreciate his beautiful colors."

"It's just that, while we were out training, some idiot put the stuff back in and we didn't find out until afterwards."

My grandson and Percy both wince at this and I wonder why the elder of the duo would do this. Hari, on the other hand, apologizes that he misunderstood the actions of his friends. Yet the twins shake their heads to prove that they're not offended and I resume my reading.

Harry was … Harry's mind.

This confuses me, but then George explains: "The idiot that put the stuff back in hadn't closed the fireworks off right. The lid fell off, the little guy spotted the shiny, sparkly stuff that was combustible and once he took a bite, his own inner fire made the damned stuff go off." Charlie growls in disgust over this and I shake my head before I resume to read.

By the … the entertainment.

This time the whole group from the future start to look utterly disgusted. And Hari is the one to explain why.

"That disgusting bastard. He lost two of his most valuable warriors on that fateful night and even owed the last ten years of peace and freedom to them and their sacrifice. And how does he reward or honor them? He turns the night they died into a party for bloody 5-five year olds!"

At this I turn to my son as well as the young woman who I already consider my daughter in law. A look of disgust is on my face, yet my heart aches at the reminder that, in the other timeline, they died long before their time.

"It wasn't just him, Hari. The teachers are equally guilty of that. They went along with the whole thing. Hagrid, the Brewer, Flitwick. All of them contributed to this. None of them ever uttered one word of gratitude or honor to your parents – or anyone else who died."

Hermione's reminder hits home and hits hard, yet I cannot deny the truth of her words. And while I remember that my grandson told me that Hagrid would deserve it most, I feel a strong need to have Minerva summoned here from the lost timeline at the end of our reading as I resume mine.

"A promise … a freezer.

"Hari my love, would you join me?" Draco suddenly asks and just by the wording of the question I know what he's planning. Hari, on the other hand, seems completely clueless, yet he lets Draco pull him up on his feet nonetheless.

I put the book down and happily follow Draco's example with my beloved Amyna. Arthur, William, Sirius and Snuffles join us as well and even Severus lets Lucius pull him off his seat. We all move over to an empty portion of the room and there, as one, we all turn to our beloveds.

Hari's eyes widen and his face turns slightly red as he whispers the words Yule Ball at his mate. But Draco smiles and whispers that Hari just needs to trust him. Hari nods and Draco whispers: "Just let your instincts guide you, love. Music is your element. Let it move your body and I will happily follow you."

And while my grandson seems somewhat hesitant, he nods nonetheless. And when Snuffles waves his wand and the sound of a slow waltz is heard through the room, Hari seems to instinctively know what to do.

He takes Draco's hand in one hand and wraps his hand around Draco's waist with the other. And while his words let me know that the boy has little to no dancing experience, his mate's words are proven true.

The Music Elf guides his destined, now Submissive mate across the room as if they have been dancing together for years if not decades.

Hari's eyes widen for a moment and then he starts to beam in utter pride and gleeful excitement. Draco lovingly grins back at him. I grin at the both of them and then I turn my focus to where it belongs; my beloved Niënna, my wife.

Amyna and I happily dance in each other's arms, the waltz that is playing one that we often play for ourselves when we are alone at home after Jaurion has left for Hogwarts. And just like every other time, I feel myself drowning in my wife's beautiful eyes and deeply enjoy the way that my arm molds itself around her form as we dance.

The music plays for a few more minutes and when it ends, I look around once again. And the grin on my face expands when I see that both Sirius and Snuffles have gone to lie their heads on Remus and Lupin's chest and that the latter two have gone to wrap their arms around the waists of their beloved boyfriends and mates.

"I can't believe it went this well. I – I absolutely sucked back at the Yule Ball." Hari whispers to himself. Yet Draco just smiles at him and tells him that he had been trying to hard to do his best, that he hadn't been relaxed and hadn't just let his body do the dancing. Hari nods in agreement to this and we return to our seats before I resume my reading.

"Shall we … Moaning Myrtle –"

Molly and Lindilwen moan and groan at the mention of this name. Yet at the same time Hari, Hermione and Ron all grimace and Hari mutters: "I can't believe he never questioned her. That no one ever questioned her. All of this, this entire year, could have been prevented if someone had just asked her."

Interestingly enough no one other than his two closest friends seem to understand his words. I myself, simply because I came to Hogwarts at least a few years before Moaning Myrtle started haunting at Hogwarts, don't really know anything about the ghost-girl other than what Jaurion has been telling me. And because this has never really been all that much, I simply resume reading.

"Who?" said … pearly spectacles.

"Grandfather, please promise me that you will send a team of Guard and Empathy Elves to Hogwarts at the end of this book. Guard to deal with the problem of this year and Empathy to help Myrtle find closure with said problem. Yes, they are linked."

I feel both concerned with the boy's words and proud with how he holds himself as he speaks. The boy might not realize it, but with his shoulders held back, his chest raised up and his chin at a respectable angle, he truly looks royal.

I stare at the young man for a moment longer and in that moment, I can almost see it. The seat he is in exchanged for a throne, a royal garment on his form and the crown he was presented a few days ago on his head. My grandson truly looks like the young prince he was born to be.

And so, with pride in my heart, I give him a solemn nod before I resume my reading.

"What?" she … moping Myrtle!"

"I hate to say it, but that's kind compared to what some of my own House has been calling me these past few years." Jaurion mutters to himself. Yet Harry snorts and grumbles that it's even polite considering what, to my shock, the Prophet called him one year.

Instantly I wonder where in the world Arnold was during this time and why he didn't do anything to stop this. I sincerely wish to call on either Time or Guard Elves, but then remember that Arnold and that timeline no longer exist. Yet I still feel determined to question Merden later and so I simply resume my reading.

"You've forgotten … loud cheers.

Lindilwen angrily snaps that that is just plain rude and I can't help but state: "Even at the parties of the Fire Elves, who are a rowdy bunch and have become even rowdier since they discovered disco music, if the hall turns silent for a speech, all attention is on the speaker. Their balls might be more like a party than a ball or a dance, but they still are a respectful bunch."

Amyna nods in agreement to this and yet when Hari asks if he should have done something, I shake my head and say: "No, you may have been one of the only living guests, but you were just as much a guest as Sir Patrick. The best you could have done was simply move closer to the stage and walk through a few ghosts to get their attention.

Otherwise, you might as well have simply left." Hari nods and says that's what they did. At this I resume reading.

Harry was … tear... kill..."

Instantly I turn to my grandson, who nods. I feel very warm and touched that he already knew the silent question I was going to ask him – Is this that problem you wanted me to mentioned when you asked for the help of the Guard Elves?

At the same time I feel horrified that, yet again, my grandson is going to get himself involved in something dangerous, something that can get him killed. Yet the worst of it all, this time it doesn't seem to have been orchestrated by Dumbledore.

Though that doesn't lessen my curiosity about the whole thing or my concerns for my grandson's health. And while I silently remind myself that he is here in the room with me, I resume reading, with trepidation still strong in my voice.

It was … didn't matter?

"Wait, is he hearing this because of his inner elf?" Peter asks and I turn to Hari, curious myself. The boy shakes his head and yet he doesn't speak. He only rubs at the scar on his forehead. I feel like the boy tries to give me a hint with this, yet I am too concerned for his health and safety to truly understand it. And so I simply resume reading.

"This way," … pounding footsteps –

"How is that even possible? Isn't everyone at the Great Hall?" Lindilwen asks worriedly. But Hari and the others shake their heads and Hermione reminds us. Everything up till Fourth year always started going south around Halloween.

This time I resume reading, while concerned for more than just my grandson. Now I also feel a deep sense of concern, fear and a growing sense of grief for whoever this fiend is after.

Harry hurtled … HEIR, BEWARE

I whiten as I remember.

Three-hundred years ago our kingdom nearly fell.

The Chamber of Secrets had been opened once again and for the longest time, the school believed that one of my ancestors had fallen victim to the monster and its unknown method of murder. It was the first time in almost 600 Mundane years that the Elven Realm had almost revealed itself, if only to ensure that our prince – who had lost his father in battle – would be buried within our realm.

Only, when a Water Elf, pretending to be the Family Healer, came to retrieve the body, after weeks of negotiation and after Wizarding England finally conceded to our family rights, did she discover that the prince wasn't dead – but Petrified.

And yet it had taken another three years before a Mandrake had been grown and harvested well enough that it could produce the Restorative draught required to revive the young prince.

The notion that my grandson might befall a similar if not more horrifying fate is almost too much for me to bare and I whisper: "We – we need to break. This is the second to final chapter." Everyone nods as they stare at me in deep concern. Amyna, Jaurion and Hari come to sit with me and embrace me to offer me comfort and reassurance as I read.

"What's that … immobile cat.

Draco groans and mumbles that he had forgotten he said that. Yet Lucius and even Severus seem too horrified by what I have read and how I reacted to really be angry with the boy.

Jaurion and Hari both tentatively call out to me and so, with a deep sigh, I recount the tale I just remembered.

Jaurion's eyes widen as he hears it, yet Hari simply winces and grimaces as I speak. I turn to stare at him and he says: "I didn't befall any such fate, grandfather." I want to feel relieved and yet, once again, I feel as if my grandson is giving me a silent hint.

One I'm not sure I wish to understand.

Well, that happened.

So what do you guys think? Did I do good with this tale? Did I do this chapter justice? Was the whole new paragraph structure – at least new for this story – a welcome change or would you rather I stick with the old. And how do you feel about what happened during the chapter?

Let me know,

Venquine1990

PS. If other CR stories didn't get an update on 30-06-2021, expect them in the following days.