Old Acquaintance

Christmas was approaching. Harry wanted to give his wife, and now the mother of his twins, a very special present to show her how much he loved her. Oddly enough, that made all magical presents less attractive, as for Luna, like for the other people growing in magical environment, magical presents were the norm. Harry decided to go for something Muggle, something that would intrigue her, stimulate her Ravenclaw mind and still be useful, or at least decorative.

The shopping areas in London were full of shoppers, all trying to find the best presents for their loved ones. Harry found it difficult to even watch the store windows, never mind going in. He was trying to approach an interesting window when somebody called, "Harry?"

The voice was vaguely familiar, yet he wondered who would recognize him in the Muggle world. Turning around, he noticed a young women looking at him, not entirely sure of herself. "Harry?" she asked again, much softer.

For a moment he couldn't place the face although it gave him a warm feeling. He looked at her again. She reminded him of... but she seemed somewhat different, a bit older, much more sure of herself, but she was... "Ella?"

She smiled brightly as they both confirmed recognition and stepped forward, directly into Harry's arms. "It's been ages since I last saw you," she said, hugging him tightly. She then stepped back, still holding his shoulders and took a good look at him, scanning his face and his body. "You look well, Harry. You're not so thin now, you look happy and your scar is almost gone."

Harry smiled back. "Yes, that's true. You also look... more mature and more confident. You're also more beautiful than I remember."

Her smile widened. "Can you spare a few minutes for us to sit somewhere warm and talk a bit? It's too cold out here."

Harry nodded. He grabbed her hand and led her to a nearby coffee shop. It was almost empty at this early hour and Harry chose a table near the front, where they could see the decorated street and the passers-by. As she removed her overcoat he could plainly see that her body had also matured. Her curves were more accentuated, her hips were wider while her chest maintained the same size he had liked so much before. She looked really lovely.

They ordered their drinks and just looked at each other until they were served. Harry could see that she still had a trace of sadness in her eyes. "How are you?" he asked, not wanting to speak about himself yet.

"I'm fine. I've finished high school with very good grades and I've started college this autumn." Her face turned sad now. "My Dad died in March, last year. The police wrote it down as a car accident, but it was actually a murder. I had to help Mom and comfort her. That's when I was reminded of you."

Harry looked surprised. "Of me?"

She smiled back sadly. "You see, Mom's family said you were their only hope in defeating the terrorists led by You-Know-Who. They told us you've won a few weeks later."

Harry was unsure what to say. "So... your Mom is..."

"A squib. Dad was a muggle. He never got to learn the truth about Mom's family."

"I'm sorry for your loss," Harry said, trying not to choke on the surprise. No matter what he did, he just couldn't escape the magical world.

She just nodded. "You know, when they first said your name, I was sure it was a mistake, that it was somebody else who happened to have the same name. Then they mentioned your unique scar, and it made me understand why you were so cryptic about your future."

He sighed. "I couldn't tell you more than I did. It was too dangerous to associate with me. I do hope you didn't keep waiting for me, though."

She shrugged. "I thought we weren't really in love then, so it wouldn't be very difficult to let go of you. I've tried dating some other boys. None was as interesting as you. The few I let touch me were rough and immature compared to you, so – I'm still unattached. How are you?"

Harry could not evade the question. "I've had a very tough year. I've almost died more than once and I've lost some dear friends. It took me some time to recuperate; took us all." He wasn't sure what to say next. He could see the expectation in her eyes and he dreaded telling her he was married and had two mistreses and a lover, yet he couldn't lie to her either.

"I've come to my inheritance after it was over. I'm now the head of several Ancient and Noble Houses," he continued, trying to delay the other news.

"So you need several wives, one for each house?"

"Not necessarily. I can do with as many or as few wives as I choose."

A glimmer of hope shone in her eyes. "Harry, I'm sure we still need to learn a lot about each other and I want to first finish my studies, but... will you consider me to become one of your wives, once I graduate?"

Harry felt like he was riding a small boat on a rough sea. Ella had too many surprises for him. Yet he had to answer despite his reluctance.

Ella spoke. "You don't need to give me an answer right now. Ask your wife. I'm sure Luna would approve."

"You know Luna?"

She smiled now, noticing how much she had affected Harry. She was glad that he didn't flatly refuse her. It showed that he still had some feelings towards her and that was reason for some hope. "Harry, my mother is the squib sister of Lady Greengrass. I know about Daphne's arrangement with you and about the other women. I've only met Daphne a few times when we were still small children, but I believe we can get along as adults as well, and that Hermione sounds like someone I may really like."

'I should have had some whiskey,' Harry thought. It took him a moment to phrase a proper reply. "I'll talk with Luna. If she agrees, I'll start meeting you regularly and see where it would lead us. I can't promise any more than this."

"I know, Harry, and I understand. You know, ever since... well, I couldn't stop thinking what it would have been like if we could become a family. I know it's futile, but maybe now we'll have our chance back, in a way."

"Yes, maybe." Harry started calming from the flood of surprises. He really had some very good memories of their time together. Giving themselves another chance seemed a good idea.

Ella thought it was time to change topic. "What have I delayed you from doing?"

"I was looking for a special present for Luna and possibly for the other women as well."

"Why in Muggle shops?"

He shrugged. "Nothing magical will surprise her, yet I have no idea what to buy."

"Why not buy an electronic entertainment system, consisting of a TV set, a music center and a video player? They are all oblivious to the muggle culture. This will help them understand it."

Harry smiled. "Sounds like a good idea to me, although I must add some music discs and some films to make use of all the capabilities. Would you like to help me?"

He ended up buying a top of the line projection TV along with the most sophisticated music system in store. Ella recommended a few films and an assortment of music disks in all styles, covering classical, modern, jazz and more. He also bought, at a different store, a generator for supplying electricity to the system.

He then took Ella for her first visit at Diagon Alley, where she bought a nice present for her mother and also some presents for the Greengrass family, where she was invited with her mother for Christmas dinner.

Harry was surprised at how easily they slipped back into their old behavior, as close friends. He even presented her to George as "a dear friends from the time I had no muggle friends". Ella fitted well in the magical environment. Having known about it for most of her life and having been in contact with magical relatives, she wasn't overwhelmed by what she saw, although she was certainly enthusiastic.

Before parting, Harry took her phone number and promised, "I'll talk with Luna and call you as soon as I can. Knowing Luna, I believe she would welcome you, but Luna can also surprise me once in a while."

Luna didn't surprise him this time. She listened to his story and even cringed when he told her of the abortion. She seemed glad that they had found each other again. "Why don't you invite her here for the new year? She sounds like a nice girl and I really want to get to know her before deciding how to proceed."

Harry was still able to surprise Luna, along with the other girls, when they found the new entertainment system in the family room on Christmas morning. The house elves had worked during the night, positioning and connecting all the parts and installing the generator in a shed, not too close to the main building. It could now supply enough electricity to even use electric lights in the manor as well as powering a refrigerator, a toaster-oven and a microwave oven, all of which were accepted gladly by the house-elves.

Ella and her mother arrived at new-year's eve. Harry was a bit concerned about meeting her mother, as he had never met her before and wasn't sure she would like him. She could have just seen him as the boy who shagged her daughter and then abandoned her. It was actually Daphne who encouraged him. "My aunt has already been told about what you've been through during the last few years. She knows you didn't really want to act that way. That it was just forced on you by the circumstances." She then smiled with some mischief. "She may have some hero-worship tendency, though."

Harry just groaned. He didn't need another fan girl.

It turned out alright. Ella was just too glad to be with Harry, hugging him tightly and kissing his lips, disregarding the audience. Harry responded reluctantly, but Luna smiled at him, removing his reluctance.

"I've been waiting for this for too long," Ella said, once she let go of Harry. Her mother just smiled, happy for her daughter. As both felt comfortable in magical environment there was no oddity. Having already known Daphne added to the comfort of the visitors.

As expected, Ella found immediate connection with Luna, who didn't see her as a competitor for Harry's love but as one who had given love to Harry even before she was able to.

As midnight approached, Luna called for Susan and Daphne to join her, while she was holding Ella's hand. The girls circled Harry and they all kissed him at the stroke of midnight. He needed a bit longer to kiss the lips of each and every one of them, starting with Luna, followed by Ella, Daphne and Susan. Harry missed kissing Hermione as well, but she was with the Weasley clan at the Burrow for the new-year celebration.

After another round of kissing and hugging, it was time for bed. Daphne's parents retired first, followed by Ella's mother. Ella thought of following her mother when Luna asked, "Won't you like to join us in bed? Just be aware of me having to get up once or twice to nurse the twins."

"Do you really want me to share bed with you?" Ella found it hard to believe.

Luna shrugged. "Why not? It may considerably shorten the time you two need to get reacquainted and help Harry not to feel lonely when I nurse the children."

Ella looked questioningly at Daphne who smiled encouragingly at her. "Well, I suppose it wouldn't hurt..."

It wasn't the first time Harry spent the night with two women. Both Daphne and Susan used to join him and Luna in bed occasionally, wanting the cuddling they couldn't get otherwise, yet this time was special, as both Harry and Ella weren't sure about what would happen. This didn't bother Luna. She urged Ella to undress and made sure she was protected from unwanted pregnancy. Luna then kissed Harry thoroughly, turned around and fell promptly asleep. The other two were too excited to sleep, though. Harry admired Ella's body, noticing how she had changed since the previous time he had seen her naked and feeling the affect of her proximity on his body. Ella was glad to see that Harry had also changed some, as his body filled a bit, looking more fit and more attractive. She was sure he would also prove more satisfying. A few orgasms later, she knew it for a fact.

Luna was as direct as always the next morning. "Would you like to make this arrangement permanent, or would you prefer a separate set of rooms, like Daphne?" she asked Ella, soon after the younger girl was awakened by the intensive activity on the bed.

Ella blushed. "Isn't it a bit early for that? I first want to finish my studies before I marry."

Luna smiled at her. "In your heart, you're already married, so why wait? I know you love Harry and he clearly loves you as well. You've suffered a great loss due to circumstances beyond your control. You can now get married within days and return to your studies as a married woman. Using magic, you can study at whatever college you want and still be at home by dinnertime, if you want to."

It was Ella's time to feel overwhelmed. "Let me think about it for a while. I'm not fully awake yet, and I need to clear my head first. It's a very great change you're suggesting."

"I know, dear. Now, would you like to join us in the shower as well?"

A.N. Originally, I didn't plan for Ella to return to this story, but as some reviewers suggested it, I've added this chapter and changed the following a bit to help her reunite with Harry. I hope you've enjoyed reading it. And as usual, Please Review!