Chapter Eighteen - Discoveries, Surprises, and Secrets
The students were back to school, and once the back to school rush was over, Harry talked George and Marietta into taking Lee and Cho with them for a week's vacation on the island. Business would be slower, at least until the first Hogsmeade weekend, and Harry promised to help their managers if there were any emergencies at any of the wheezes stores.
He had Teddy with him for that first week of September so that Andromeda could have a break while getting back into the school routine, and they played games, went on lunchtime 'dates' with Ginny and Hermione, and spent one afternoon watching the Cannons and Unca Ron practice. They stopped into George's stores in Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade, and both stores were doing just fine without the bosses around.
The Cannons were maybe a bit too overconfident at the start of the season, coming off of their first Championship season, followed by three of their players being on the National team that won the Quidditch World Cup. Whatever the reason, though, the Harpies came into Chudley, and handed the hometown, defending Champions a huge upset loss, which was hardly the way that Ron, or anyone else on the Cannons had wanted to start their first season in over one hundred years where they were the defending League Champions.
There had been a lot of important new research accomplished so far by the teams at Marauders Institute, and Harry was very proud of the advances they had made, especially in medicine and defensive arts. He had also kept track of the little discoveries that Neville had been submitting to the Institute. Compared to some of the other projects at the Institute, those discoveries had been fairly minor, but he and Hermione had quietly been turning those discoveries into products that earned both Neville and the institute a very nice little profit.
It was a warm October afternoon when Harry was asked to come to the Institute for a meeting with Mandy and Neville. When he entered her office, Ginny, Hermione, Luna, and Fleur were also there, all looking extremely excited.
"What's up?" he asked them.
"Our herbology research grant just paid itself off a thousand times over," Mandy answered, waving a hand toward Neville and smiling at him like a Professor proudly recognizing a favourite pupil. Harry looked at Neville, who was obviously bursting with pride.
"What've you come up with, Neville?" he asked, and watched as his friend cleared his throat before answering.
"I found this amazing little plant in Africa," he told Harry, holding up what to Harry seemed a decidedly average looking plant. If he'd seen it in the garden at home, he probably would have thought it was a weed. Neville looked at it fondly, then set it on Mandy's desk.
"I've named it Lunaferous Ferniscus," he said, smiling at Luna. "It doesn't look like much, but there's something very special about it." He looked up at Harry.
"The extract from this plant, used in a potion that Hermione and I have developed, acts as an antidote to every poison we've tested it on when it's administered quickly enough after the bite, injury, or exposure. The person would still need medical care for the injury, but this completely neutralizes the poison." He held up a little device next. "Ginny invented this to be a simple delivery system that people could carry with them in case of emergency." Harry was impressed.
"That's incredible, Neville! You'll save thousands of Witches and Wizards with this." Neville watched Harry carefully as he continued.
"You should also know that one of the poisonous bites this is an antidote for is lycanthropy," he said, and Harry, who had stood up in his excitement, dropped back into his chair, the wind knocked out of him. He couldn't think of anything to say, and and just stared at his friend, stunned as the implication of what Neville had said sunk in. He couldn't stop the tears that came next, and Ginny was quickly there, putting her arms around him and holding him tight.
"It won't help anyone who has already become a werewolf," Neville said quietly, "but we can hope that it won't be long before there won't ever be any new werewolves." These were all his friends, and Harry wasn't in the least embarrassed that it took a while for him to get under control again. He looked at Mandy and smiled.
"Can you put something together for Fleur so she can get whatever you need to get this developed as quickly as you can?" he asked, and Mandy nodded. "Fleur, whatever it costs, let's do it." She nodded. He stood and took Neville's hand, pulled him to his feet, and into a hug.
"Remember when you told us that you could never repay us for bringing your parents back to you?" he asked. Neville nodded, and Harry smiled. "Consider it paid in full, my friend."
After suffering that first loss, the Chudley Cannons went on a three game tear, venting their frustration over that loss on their opponents, and improving to three and one by the end of October. Dennis Creevey was injured during the first game in November, and would be missing the next game. The Arrows were having a great season so far too, and the Cannon's, already having a loss, were worried. The Cannons' coach approached Harry with a request to play Seeker for the game. Harry still had no desire for a Professional career in Quidditch, but he couldn't help but be excited about the chance to play just one game in the 'big league', even if it was just to see if he was good enough. Getting to play on the same team with Ron was a pretty great drawing point too.
He agreed on the condition that the team wouldn't blitz the media with the story until game day, so he wouldn't have to put up with a bunch of reporters hounding him for the entire week while he trained with the Cannons. The practices were going to be closed to the media, and to anyone else who wasn't part of the Cannons' organization that week. To help keep the news quiet, only the team owners, and Coach were in the loop until the start of practice on Monday morning.
"I wonder who's going to play Seeker for the next game?" Demelza asked Ron as they walked out toward the Quidditch pitch, their first practice of the week just a few minutes away from starting.
"Whoever it is, we'll be lucky to not get killed by the Arrows on Saturday," Ron grumbled to her. "Dennis had to go and get smacked in the head by that bludger though, and miss a whole game just because of a stupid little concussion. It didn't even fracture his skull for crying out loud."
Demelza just stared at him in amazement. "Gee, Ron, I'm sure my husband is terribly sorry for inconveniencing you just because the medi-wizards insist that he should let his brain heal before risking ending up as a vegetable." The cynicism was completely lost on Ron as he morosely pondered his team's fate.
"Maybe we'll get lucky and the coach will find a replacement Seeker that at least has a pulse," he suggested.
"One pulse, reporting for duty!" Ron turned around, and grinned as he saw Harry walk up to them, Firebolt in hand.
"What brings you here, mate?" Ron asked, shaking his friend's hand.
"I'm your replacement Seeker, and I'm sure hoping I can do better than just show up and provide you with another pulse."
Ron yelled in excitement, and gave his friend a hug that lifted Harry off the ground. Demelza was smiling, and hugged him too.
"See, Ron?" she said happily. "All hope is not lost for the game on Saturday!"
Harry laughed. "We'll see. I haven't trained to be game ready in years, and have never played professionally. It could be a total disaster."
Ron shook his head. "No way - you're the best Seeker I've ever seen, mate - no offense to Dennis, Dee."
Demelza laughed. "None taken, Ron. Dennis would say the same thing, though now that he's played professionally for a couple of years, it might be fun to find out sometime."
"As for getting in game shape," Ron added, "don't worry about that. When coach and I are done with you, you'll either be ready to play, or you'll be in the hospital."
Harry laughed at his best friend. "I guess with only those two choices, I'll pick 'ready'."
The first thing Ron noticed when they walked out onto the pitch was that there was no media in the stadium as usual.
"Where are all the vultures - er - reporters?" he asked of nobody in particular.
"There won't be any this week," Harry told him. "It was one of my conditions for saying 'yes' to your coach - no media hounding me all week."
Ron and Demelza were both smiling broadly now, and Demelza gave him another hug.
"Have I told you I love you, Harry?" she asked him. "A whole week with no media bugging us! It's like getting a vacation!"
The coach called the team together. "All right everyone, get together!" he shouted. "You all know Harry, and so we can skip the introductions and get to work! We've got five days to get this sorry excuse for a Quidditch player in shape and ready to play the Arrows on Saturday, so I want you all to work him hard! We need this win to keep in the race, and we're not going to let an injury to our star Seeker be an excuse for losing this game!"
Ron had been snorting at Harry being referred to as a 'sorry excuse for a Quidditch player," and Coach gave him a hard look.
"Something funny, Mr. Weasley?" he asked in an ominously quiet voice.
"Erm, No Sir, Coach!" Ron might be team Captain, but he knew better than to cross the coach - nobody did unless they were interested in doing fifty pushups.
"I didn't think so! Now get up there, and teach him the flying warmups!" he ordered.
Ron, and the rest of the team got on their brooms, and spent the next hour teaching Harry the brutal warmup exercises that they did to start every practice. Harry had seen them before when he'd brought Teddy to practices, or had come to visit the team, but watching and doing were two very different things, and he was drenched in sweat when they'd completed the workout. When they were on the ground, he saw that he wasn't the only one panting hard - although it was discouraging to see that Demelza didn't even look winded.
"Come on, ladies!" Coach shouted. "Dee's the only one of you lot that doesn't look like she's been chewed up and spit out by a dragon!" Demelza smiled sweetly at the boys who all gave her dark looks. Ron mumbled something.
"What was that, Ron?" she asked, smiling brightly at her team Captain. "I didn't quite hear you."
"Nothing," he answered.
"Demelza, take five," the coach said. "Everyone else - back up in the air - time for a little bludger practice." Harry was appalled when he saw ten bludgers being released. Ron groaned.
"Keep your head on a swivel, mate. The Beaters are going to spend the next half hour trying to knock us out."
Bludger practice was followed by two hours where Harry was on his own, with the job of catching not one, but five snitches before he was allowed to go for lunch. Ron and the Chasers were practicing too while he was busy with that exercise, and the Beaters got to spend that time keeping them all on their toes - this time with only the two bludgers that would normally be faced in a game.
"Come on, Potter!" the coach bellowed for the umpteenth time. "My dear old Granny can do better than that!"
Harry thought to himself that maybe Coach's Granny should be playing Seeker for them this week then, but kept his mouth shut, having already done fifty pushups earlier in the morning. After lunch, they all spent an hour in the 'classroom', going over the game plan for the upcoming weekend, and then they were back out on the pitch for another three hours of workouts.
Harry was practically crawling on the floor as he came into the change room from the showers. Ron was waiting for him there, already dressed and ready to go home.
"Come on, mate - get dressed. The girls are going to meet us at our house for dinner tonight."
Harry let a groan escape. "Remember this morning when I said I'll choose 'ready'?" Ron nodded, smiling broadly.
"I lied," Harry told him. When Ron started laughing, Harry gave him a dark look. "I thought you were my best mate."
"I am, Harry, but funny is still funny. Come on - the soreness will go away in a few days, quit being such a wuss."
The two men were in the sitting room at Ron's house when the girls got there. Ginny quickly released Harry from her hug when he groaned in pain, and she turned to Ron, a frown on her face.
"What'd you do to him today?" she demanded. "He looks like he got run over by the Knight Bus!"
Ron laughed. "That'd probably hurt less than the first few days of a Cannon's workout does," he told his sister.
Harry nodded. "I can believe that!"
"No worries, mate - only four more days of practice, and one game, and it'll all be over for you."
"I really wish you'd said that differently," Harry told him. "That really doesn't sound very good."
A couple of hours later, once his best friend and sister had gone back to their cottage after dinner, Ron was snuggled up with Hermione on one of the sofas in the sitting room, talking about their day.
"I know he's barely able to walk right now," he was telling his adorable wife, "but this is going to be a really great week!"
Hermione laughed. "Is that because you get to watch your best mate being tortured, or because you get your second best wish behind playing for the Cannons - getting to play for the Cannons with Harry?"
Ron gave her a hug and laughed too. "Actually, that would be my third best wish - Number One was that you'd fall in love with me, and marry me."
She hugged him back, and smiled brightly. "That was pretty smooth, handsome. Why don't we go upstairs, and see if you have any other wishes that need to be granted." He stood up and helped her up. As they walked upstairs, she grinned at him.
"Have you told him about the 'no sex' rule for the two days before game day yet?"
Ron laughed. "I haven't had the heart, and since he'll probably be really sore for another couple of days, it'll end up being more like an all week ban for him."
Hermione laughed too. "Poor Ginny."
Harry was already there on the pitch when Ron arrived, and looked absolutely ready to go. He smiled at Ron.
"What took you so long getting here?" he asked, and Ron laughed.
"You're looking decidedly better, mate. I take it you're not sore at all."
Harry shook his head. "Your sister cured me. She gave me two choices last night too, and I took option number 'No, I'm definitely not too tired and sore'."
Ron was groaning and laughing. "Oi, that is way, WAY too much information, Harry. There are just some things a brother does not need to know about."
"What are you boys laughing about?" Demelza asked as she joined them.
"Erm, recovery techniques?" Ron suggested lamely.
Demelza and Harry both laughed. "Ron, are you suggesting that St. Mungo's isn't the only thing that starts with 'S' that can help in recovery?" she asked with a grin.
Ron started to blush. "Well, Dumbledore did always say that love was the strongest magic," he said.
Demelza smirked at him. "Yeah, Ron, Love, not…"
"Alright everyone! Gather 'round!" their coach bellowed, saving Ron from the continuation of that conversation.
Harry thought that he could learn to hate those four little words, but didn't have time to consider the matter further as the workout got underway. Ron was busy watching his best mate flying circles around the stadium, catching snitch after snitch. Demelza put the quaffle past him to score while he was busy admiring his friend's flying.
"Weasley! If you want to watch the game, buy a ticket! If you want to play for my team, DO YOUR JOB!" Coach bellowed.
Ron turned back to what he was supposed to be doing, and put on a Keeper display that even Coach couldn't find anything else to complain about. When they all landed and got ready to go for lunch, he gave Harry a high-five.
"Good practice, mate," he said enthusiastically. "How many snitches did you catch?"
Harry smiled. "Fourteen," he said modestly, then rubbed his shoulder "and one bludger."
Ron laughed. "It barely grazed you."
The whole team was a lot more excited today at lunch after watching Harry's incredibly improved performance compared to yesterday. They watched game film of the Arrows for two hours after lunch, and then had another two hours of practice. Ron was actually cooking dinner when Hermione got home from work. She found him in the kitchen, whistling a horribly off-tune imitation of a melody, and gave him a hug and kiss.
"If you're going to start cooking dinners just because you get to have Harry come out and play with you every day, I'm going to talk him in to playing full time," she joked.
Ron laughed. "You don't want that, honey - I'm making one of the only two meals I can make without burning the food, and I don't think either of us want to alternate those two options for the rest of our lives." Hermione laughed, knowing he wasn't even slightly misstating the truth. She hugged him again.
"I'll set the table, and pour us some wine," she offered. Ron nodded, going back to his cooking and whistling. Hermione wondered if he'd notice if she put a silencio spell on his whistling, but decided not to risk it.
On Wednesday morning, by the time they were ready for lunch, Demelza was in a really lousy mood. "Ron, you're starting to make your Chasers look bad - you didn't let a single goal in this morning."
Ron laughed. "Isn't that the point of my job?"
She smiled at him patiently. "Yeah, but against the opposition. It's demoralizing to practice for two hours and not score even once."
Ron shrugged. "Take it out on the Arrows Keeper on Saturday, then," he suggested.
"Don't worry, we will," she promised, a determined gleam in her eyes.
"You need to know everything there is to know about the Arrows Seeker," Ron was telling Harry after lunch. They were in the classroom, and Ron was his teacher for the session. He handed Harry a folder that had been compiled by the Cannon scouts. Harry read through it as Ron continued.
"The Arrows Seeker is really a great player," he told his friend. "He has some weaknesses though. He likes to showboat, and wants to make his catches look spectacular. His signature move is to dive from one end of the stadium, and catch the snitch with his signature under-the-broom grab." Harry looked up at Ron, who was smiling.
"The advantage you have is that he thinks in two dimensions, not three," Ron continued. When he does his dive, he'll line up straight, and because of that underhand catch thing, he has to give up some speed. You already know how to beat that, right?" Harry nodded, adjusting his game plan accordingly as he took that information into account.
"You really know your players, Ron. If you ever decide to get out of playing, you'll make a great coach someday."
Of course, Coach picked that moment to walk in.
"He might, someday, Potter, but today, I'm still the coach, and you girls are late for afternoon practice. When you get to the pitch, feel free to give me fifty pushups before getting in the air."
Harry and Ron both scrambled to their feet, and headed out the door. They didn't see the coach smiling as he watched them leave. He was having the most fun of his entire coaching career this week getting to boss Harry Potter around and coach the most naturally talented player he'd ever had on any team. He wiped the grin off of his face, and stomped out of the room, slamming the door behind him as he left. He had his 'coach face' back on by the time he reached the pitch - he did have a reputation to keep up after all.
Ron was waiting for Harry at the end of practice on Thursday. They'd both had great sessions today, and Ron was smiling, but Harry could tell he was nervous about something.
"What's got you so jumpy, Ron?" he asked his friend.
"Erm, I need to talk to you about one of the team rules, mate," he answered, and definitely looked uncomfortable now.
"Ron, we've been best mates since we were eleven," Harry told him. "There's nothing you can't talk to me about. What is it?" He watched as Ron took a deep breath.
"Well, mate, this is about sex," Ron blurted out. Harry looked surprised. This was one topic Ron never talked about with anyone - except hopefully with his wife.
"If you're looking for advice after being married this long, we really do have to talk," Harry said with a smile. Ron barked a short laugh.
"Erm, no, mate, this is about you, or more specifically, all of us on the team," he said, and Harry smiled.
"You're scaring me when you start talking about sex and the team. Especially when there's only one girl on the team, and while I love Demelza, it's like a sister kind of thing, so anything else would just be gross."
Ron laughed again. "No, Harry, it's not about having sex, this is about not having sex. Not from today until after the game."
Harry just stared at him. "You're joking, right?"
Ron shook his head glumly.
"You're telling me that none of you have sex for the two days before every game?" Harry said incredulously, and Ron nodded, looking even more glum.
"Not from now until after the game?" Harry asked again, and Ron nodded.
"It's a really good thing that Teddy will be with Ginny on Saturday, then, or that'd be a very interesting press conference," Harry said. Ron burst out laughing, then paled, then laughed again.
"Oi, mate, that's my sister you're talking about!" he complained. "Haven't we talked about saying things like that before?"
Harry laughed too. "Yes we have," he agreed. "Sorry about that. I know why Coach left it for you to tell me about. I'm not sure I'd have said 'yes' if he'd told me about this stupid rule when he'd asked me to play this week."
Ron put a hand on his shoulder. "But then you'd have missed out on all of this fun if you'd turned him down."
With game day on Saturday, they had a busy morning practice on Friday, but the afternoon was spent in the classroom watching film and going over the game plan with Ron and the coaches one more time. Harry still wasn't sure how he'd do in the game, but Ron, Demelza, and the others were all sure he'd be as good as if they had Dennis there, and even the coach grudgingly suggested that he probably wouldn't completely embarrass the team.
Ron and Hermione were sitting on their sofa together Friday night, and she was telling Ron that Ginny was looking forward to seeing him soon so she could personally thank him for the two days of extreme frustration she was experiencing.
"Actually, she asked me to find out how you'd like your bat-bogey hex - hot or cold," Hermione told him with a laugh. He'd been laughing at first too, but stopped abruptly at that.
"Maybe we should cancel that party here after the game," he suggested, a bit worried now.
Hermione hugged him. "Don't worry, I'll protect you from your sister's big bad bat-bogey hex," she promised. He smiled, and kissed her.
"Thanks, but I'm not sure even Harry could stop one of her hexes," he said. Hermione smiled, and snuggled closer.
"Well, she's not the only frustrated wife on the team, so don't you go making any plans for after the party – once everyone else is gone, I want you all to myself." Ron laughed and kissed her again.
"Stop that, or I might just decide to ignore your stupid team rules and take advantage of you right here and now," she threatened.
Ginny and Teddy were in their usual seats for the game. The Cannons' stadium was packed, and the fans were already pretty fired up.
"Where's Uncle Harry?" Teddy asked her. They hadn't told him that his Uncle was going to be the Cannons Seeker for the game.
"I'm sure he's around here somewhere," she assured him, smiling and giving him a warm hug.
Ron was standing beside his best mate, brooms in hand, both dressed in the Cannons orange robes that always made him swell with pride every time he put them on.
"Ready to go have some fun, mate?" he asked Harry. He smiled as his friend's green eyes flashed that boyish excitement Ron remembered from their Gryffindor team days. "I'll take that look as a 'yes'," he added.
The stadium announcer called for the Cannons, and he slapped Harry on the arm. "Let's go, mate. Our fans await!"
Harry laughed, and the team all took off, flying around the stadium to the cheers of their fans. Ron was thrilled when he heard the response from his team's fans to the announcement that Harry was playing Seeker for the Cannons today. There had already been some pretty great games in his career so far, but this one was really special, and Hermione had been right - it definitely had been one of his dreams – one that was now coming true.
When the teams roared into the stadium, Teddy started shouting excitedly.
"It's Uncle Harry! That's my Uncle Harry!" he proudly told the spectators around them. Ginny laughed, delighted to watch the little boy's enthusiasm, and she joined in to cheer for her husband and his one-day-only team. The Chudley stadium had erupted with a nearly deafening roar of approval when Harry was announced as Seeker.
The teams were on the ground, the pre-game show was over, and Ron and the Arrows' Captain had shaken hands. When the quaffle, snitch, and bludgers were thrown into the air, both teams took off, and the game was on!
Ron had never played better. He knew Harry was playing excellent too, even though he didn't have much time to watch, he could tell by the reaction of the crowd that his team was playing an inspired match. Demelza was true to her word, and had scored nine of their fourteen goals when he heard the crowd go still. The Arrow chasers had the quaffle, and he didn't get to see his friend catch the snitch until he got to watch the game film, working instead to maintain his shutout, but he heard the roar of the crowd, and knew that they'd won the game.
When the game had started, Ginny watched her favourite little boy out there playing with his friends. His hair was tousled by the wind as he flew around the stadium, dodging bludgers and looking for the snitch. The green eyes that so enchanted her sparkled with excitement. Ron was playing brilliantly, obviously inspired by having his best friend on his team for the day.
The game had been going on for nearly two hours, and the Cannons were ahead by a score of one hundred and forty to naught when the crowd suddenly quieted to a hush. From opposite ends of the stadium, the Arrows Seeker, and Harry had both begun to hurtle toward the centre of the pitch. Ginny looked there, and saw the snitch hovering about a foot above the ground. Both Seekers were diving at full speed, and it looked like they were on a collision course. The Arrows Seeker was reaching down below his broom, ready to catch the snitch, but Harry was just pouring on the speed.
Ginny, and most of the rest of the crowd held their breath, expecting the crash, but Harry was coming in low, the tail of his broom nearly brushing the ground. He was going to miss wide! The crowd groaned, then roared as at the last second, Harry rolled to the side, reached out, and grabbed the snitch, while the Arrows Seeker passed over his outstretched arm and head. Harry got a face full of broom bristles as the other Seeker passed, and he barely avoided crashing before soaring high into the air, triumphantly raising the snitch in the air above him.
Ron turned toward where Harry was now holding the snitch in one upraised hand, and shaking hands with the Arrow Seeker, and threw his arms in the air. "YES!" How great was this? His best mate wins his one and only professional Quidditch game, and he gets a shutout out of the deal.
The Arrows Seeker flew over next to Harry, holding out his hand. "Congratulations," he told Harry. "I sure hope the news reports were accurate, and this is a one game only thing for you." Harry laughed and shook the other Wizard's hand.
"Trust me, it is," he assured his fellow Seeker. "I got this chance, and really couldn't miss finding out if I could have played if I'd wanted to." The other man laughed too.
"Well just warn Dennis that I'm going to smack him next time I see him for going and getting hurt before our game. He should have gotten hurt before you played the Tornados or Harpies instead." They flew down to the pitch to join their teams.
The media frenzy after the game was even worse than usual, but Ron was thankfully not at the centre of the storm. He instead got to stand on the sidelines and watch as Harry, with his usual self-effacing manners, was bombarded with questions about the game, whether he was going to play proffesionally now, and hundreds of other questions the hounds seemed to think that enquiring minds wanted to know.
There was no avoiding being a sport celebrity for a day, but the game had been so much fun, Harry graciously put up with the endless post-game press conference. Teddy caused quite a stir when he escaped from Ginny, and hopped into Harry's lap in the middle of the live WWVN meeting.
"You're gonna be famous, Uncle Harry!" he told his Uncle as he hugged him. That innocent comment had everyone in the room laughing.
Ron laughed with everyone else when Teddy jumped into Harry's lap and proclaimed to the millions of viewers that his Uncle Harry was now going to be famous. He was still smiling when they got back to his house. The place was filling up with teammates and guests who were there for the celebration. Harry came up and put a hand on his shoulder.
"You know, that briefing you gave me about the Arrows Seeker was what made the difference out there, Ron," he told his friend. Harry had just as big a smile on his face as Ron did.
"Maybe you should really think about playing proffessionally," Ron suggested. "We make a pretty awesome team, you know."
Harry laughed. "It was a lot of fun, mate, and I'm glad I got to find out if I actually could do it, but there is no way that I'm interested in having Coach beat up on me like that for eleven months of the year." He shouldn't have been surprised when coach picked that moment to walk up to them. He shook Harry's hand.
"That's too bad, Potter, 'cause it was an awful lot of fun beating up on you this past week," he said with a grin.
Ron stared at his coach like he'd grown horns. "Coach, you're smiling!"
The grin was immediately gone, and 'coach face' was back. "Tell anybody, Weasley, and I'll deny it." Ron and Harry both laughed, as Coach moved on.
"He's just as big a kid as the rest of us," Ron whispered. "Who would have ever guessed that?"
When they were finally able to escape the stadium, Ginny had to hurry. There was a celebration party at Ron and Hermione's, but before she could go there, Ginny had to drop Teddy off at Hogwarts. She hadn't had any real chance to talk with Harry at the stadium, so when she got to the party, the first order of business was to greet him with a big hug and kiss.
When Harry saw Ginny walk in the door, he'd left Ron right away, and Ron had watched as his friend went to embrace his sister, which got him thinking immediately about the 'after the party' that Hermione had promised him. He'd never really thought about that no sex rule as being stupid until yesterday when Harry had pointed out that in the years the Cannons made it to the finals, that it meant he and the other members of the team had forty-six no-sex days a year.
"Oi, I'm definitely going to have to get into coaching sooner than later," he told himself, looking at his beautiful wife from across the room. Harry was right - it was a really stupid rule.
"Did you have fun playing with your little friends today, dear?" Ginny teased Harry. He nodded, smiling broadly at her, his eyes still sparkling with excitement. "I noticed that you had no problem giving Demelza lots of time to score some goals before catching the snitch," she added, punching him playfully on the arm. They had been standing near Demelza and Dennis, and Ginny was winking at Demelza as she teased her husband.
"And I appreciate him doing that," she told Ginny. "I really want that scoring title this year."
"Wasn't setting a World Cup record enough for one year for you?" Ginny asked, and Demelza laughed.
"Not a chance. With these men around hogging all the glory, a girl's gotta do whatever it takes to get ahead in this crazy business." Dennis put an arm around her.
"I'm just glad Harry isn't interested in a Quidditch career, or I'd be out of a job."
Harry laughed. "No chance of that, buddy. It was fun, but I'm glad my fifteen minutes of fame are just about up." They all knew what a load of rubbish that was, but understood what he meant.
When he saw that Harry and Ginny were talking with Dennis and Demelza, Ron joined his friends, and enjoyed a great evening with his best mate, sister, wife, and their friends before seeing everyone on their way home. He swept Hermione off her feet the moment the front door closed behind the last guests to leave, and carrying her upstairs, he had no problem with letting her score with her favourite Keeper - several times.
Ginny woke up very early on December first, and quietly left Harry sleeping. She had breakfast cooking when the Owl Posts arrived, and she poured herself a tea and sat down to review her package. She took a drink and began reading Fleur's letter.
Good morning, Ginny,
I'm sure you know that Marauder's Institute recorded another record year. We have completed our review, and your incentive – nine point two million galleons, has been transferred to your account. Please review the attached incentive documents for your employees, and return when approved.
Fleur Weasley
Account Manager - Marauders Institute
P.S. See you this afternoon at the party!
She had started going through the pages of parchment when Harry came into the kitchen.
"How's your morning going?" he asked her with a smile.
"Just another regular, super spectacular, unbelievably amazing day," she told him with a smile. She left working on the incentive report for a few minutes, gave him a big hug and kiss, got them both a plate of food, and then went back to work. Harry opened his post and read while he ate.
Mr. Potter,
The investments and corporations in your portfolio have again generated outstanding financial results. You will see on the attached summary that profit percentage is lower than last year, but that cumulative profit increased, because of the larger amount of galleons being invested.
Please review the incentive payouts for your account managers, and Gringotts will transfer the funds upon receipt of the included forms. The owl will wait for the return post.
Sincerely,
Griphook
Co-ordinating Account Manager
Harry flipped to the summary, and continued reading.
Summary of consolidated accounts for Mr. Harry Potter
Beginning Balance: 2,450 million galleons (2.45 billion)
Profits:
Marauders Institute: 920 million galleons
Property Division: 200 million galleons
Goblin Ventures: 100 million galleons
Other Investments: 30 million galleons
Total Profit: 1,250 million galleons
Less incentive payout: 443.75 million galleons
*Pending approval of projected incentives
Profit after incentives: 806.25 million galleons
Ending Balance: 3,256.25 million galleons
Harry quickly reviewed and signed the bottom of seven eighteen and three-quarters million galleons incentive forms and sent the Owl back to Gringotts with the return package. He finished his breakfast and watched his adorable wife as she worked her way through her report. When she was done, she looked up at him.
"I love my job so much, Harry. This is just totally over the top what this does for all of these people that depend on us. She picked up her quill and with a flourish, signed off on the two hundred and two million galleons that would be going to her workers later in the day. Ginny finished her breakfast, and then went to get ready for work.
There was going to be a party that afternoon at Marauders Institute, and this year, Harry would be going, but this year, Ginny was also going to be taking her senior managers out for lunch, and giving them their incentives then. This was shaping up to be another wonderful day, and she was in a great mood when she hugged and kissed Harry goodbye and left for the office.
The Institute employees had all gathered for the meeting and party when Harry got there. He watched as Ginny, Hermione, Luna, Mandy, and Fleur stood on a raised platform and Ginny stepped forward.
"Thank-you all for coming this afternoon!" she began.
"Many of you were here last year at this time, and I'm sure are curious to see how Marauders Institute did over the past year." There was an audible sound as the nearly twenty-five hundred people waited in anticipation. "For those of you who have joined us during the past year, you have probably heard stories from your co-workers and friends." A ripple of quiet laughter greeted her remark.
"There are nearly five hundred more people here today, and I am pleased to announce that we had another terrific year, thanks to everyone's hard work, and the inventiveness of our researchers." The group of Witches and Wizards in front of her clapped and cheered loudly. When they quieted again, Ginny continued.
"I know you are all waiting anxiously to receive your incentives, but before your managers distribute your letters, I would like you all to welcome Marauders Institute's Gringotts Account Manager, Fleur Weasley, who has a special announcement for us." They applauded again as Fleur stepped forward.
"Thank-you, Ginny." Fleur said, and looked around at the large group. "Marauders Institute is part of a large investment organization, with worldwide operations in the Wizarding World," she told her audience, and paused for a moment as everyone settled down to listen. "Beginning next June, there will be a private Caribbean resort opening that will be for the exclusive use of everyone that works for Marauders Institute and the other companies that are part of the investment group." There was an excited buzz starting to ripple through the crowd, and Fleur smiled.
"When you receive your incentive letters in a few moments, there will also be a letter giving you the details of this new company benefit. Every person here will be given a one-week vacation on this beautiful island paradise for yourself and your respective spouses and children next year. In addition, your accommodations will be paid for by the company, so your only expenses will be your own meals and whatever entertainment you choose to participate in." The room went crazy at this point, and it was several minutes before it was quiet enough for Fleur to continue.
"We are only able to do one week per person this year because the resort won't be ready until June, but starting the following year, you will all have two weeks allotted each year." More cheering began, and Fleur hugged Ginny and stepped back. Ginny held up a hand, and everyone quieted down again.
"Please enjoy the party this afternoon. You've all earned it!" she said, nodding to the group of managers near the front who then started handing out the incentive letters to everyone. Harry joined Fleur, Luna, and Hermione, and they exchanged hugs.
"That was a lot of fun," Fleur told him with a smile. Harry looked around at the smiling faces he saw everywhere and nodded.
"This is great to get to come and watch," he told the girls. "It's what is really the most important thing we get to do with all of this - make people happy." Fleur laughed, putting her arm around him.
"Then you must be a very happy man today, since your incentive was a pretty nice little chunk of change." Harry laughed too.
"You've got to be happy yourself before you can pass it on," he suggested philosophically. Ginny walked up to them, having finished making sure everything was going smoothly with handing out the incentive letters.
"What's so funny?" she asked. Harry took her hand and squeezed it happily.
"We're just glad to be here and share in all the happiness," he told her. "Fleur was suggesting that if they're so happy with their incentives, then I must be very happy with mine." Ginny laughed too.
"I'm guessing she's right about that. Who'd ever believe that the richest Wizard in the Wizarding World lives quietly in a Cottage near Godric's Hollow?"
"With a little luck, nobody," he answered. It was something that he fervently hoped would always be true.
A few days later, Harry was back at Gringotts with the account managers. Griphook opened the meeting with a review of the previous year. They had all reviewed the reports, and this was really just a formality that the Goblins seemed to need. When he was done, Griphook indicated that Fleur could continue.
"Harry," she said, looking at him, "we're again faced with the pleasant, but a little intimidating task of continuing to find new investments for your ever-growing capital." Harry nodded his agreement, and she continued.
"We have already invested in Marauders Institute's new poison antidote, and it will be ready for sale early next year. The medical delivery system they developed to be used with the antidote is being adapted to handle hundreds of other medical potions, and will be available to the medical community soon." She smiled at him then, and Harry smiled back.
"Our next investment recommendation is currently the most guarded secret at Marauders Institute, and each of us were required to sign confidentiality agreements before Ginny and Mandy would present their request for investment." That got his interest immediately.
"What's their new amazing product?" he asked her eagerly. Fleur smiled.
"Well, that's the problem, Harry, we can't tell you." He stared at her in disbelief, and then laughed. "We have reviewed their proposal, and we are asking you to trust our judgement that we must invest in the project, even though we can't even tell you what it is."
"How much?" was all he asked, shaking his head. Whatever Ginny, Hermione, and the others had cooked up, it must be really great – and something they wanted to surprise him with.
Fleur took a deep breath before answering. "Five hundred million galleons."
Harry whistled. "It's a good thing I love you sis," he told her with a smile. "Sight unseen - approved."
Mrs. Weasley was next. She handed Harry a copy of her proposal. "We need more houses in Chudley," she told him. "I want to build five hundred more units this year. I have six similar projects in other locations where we see growth happening. The private island resort is now certainly going to be a huge success, and so my proposal includes developing a public resort complex that would be affordable to more of the lower income groups in the Wizarding World." Harry looked up from what he was reading, and could see why the resort was so important to his mother.
"Investment of two hundred and fifty million galleons would be the total investment for all of the projects," she concluded. Harry looked over at Griphook.
"If this project is approved, there won't be much investment capital left for any Goblin enterprises," he said, and Griphook nodded.
"We can discuss that in a moment, but we all agree that Mrs. Weasley's proposal should be approved," he said. Harry smiled as he looked at his mother-in-law again.
"Looks like you're in for another busy year," he told her. Your projects are approved too." Griphook got Harry's attention, and Harry nodded that he should go ahead.
"Each of us," he began, indicating the five Goblins and two Witches, "have been working hard at our jobs, and been overwhelmed by your generosity." Harry inclined his head. "In four and a half years, you have nearly tripled your family's wealth, but also in the process, brought prosperity to all of us, along with thousands of other members of our world." He took a moment before continuing.
"We are proposing to create an investment partnership that would combine their resources with yours, and then split the resulting profits on basis of percentages invested." He handed Harry a parchment outlining the proposal.
"At first, we would begin with investments from the seven of us, and a few other senior managers from some of the companies we're invested in. If it's as successful as we think it will be, we would begin offering the opportunity to all employees in the organization." Harry read over the proposal.
"Your immediate investment would be two hundred million galleons?" Harry asked, looking around the table.
"Yes," Griphook answered. He smiled - which on a Goblin wasn't pretty. "There is also some rudimentary projections into future years. Your incentive to the employees in all of these companies creates a large potential for this partnership." Harry saw that the girls were in favour of it, and made his choice.
"Draw up the contract," he told them. "Since you all work for me, have it checked out independently to make sure that both your interests as a new partnership, and mine, are protected." There were nods of agreement around the table. "When you have it ready, send it to me to sign - partners."
The Friday before Christmas, Harry was in France at Beauxbatons, waiting in the entrance hall for Gabrielle. Headmistress Maxime had greeted him, and they spent the time discussing her school, Hogwarts, and Hagrid. Gabrielle was part of a large group of students that surged out of classrooms at the end of the day that marked the start of their Christmas holidays. She ran up to him, threw her arms around his neck, and kissed him. Harry swung her in a circle before putting her back on her feet. Looking over her shoulder, he saw her classmates watching in amazement to see her hugging and kissing Harry Potter.
"That's going to leave a mark - on every one of your classmates," he whispered, and Gabrielle laughed and hugged him again. Harry thanked Olympe for letting him come and get Gabrielle.
He put his arm around her, and in a loud enough voice so that many of the students would hear, he said - "Ready to go, sis? Everyone will be waiting to welcome us by the time we get home." Gabrielle laughed again, and wrapping her arm around his waist, left the other students buzzing about what they'd just seen as they left the entrance hall together. When they were outside, walking to the gates, Harry took his arm from around her waist, and took her hand in his.
"How long have you been waiting to spring that little scene on your classmates?" he asked, and Gabrielle laughed again.
"Since about a minute after I found out you'd be coming to pick me up," she told him, grinning. Harry squeezed her hand warmly.
"Well, it was the most fun I've had all week," he said. They reached the gates, and once outside, they used a portkey to go to Godric's Hollow.
Ginny was already home when they got there, and Gabrielle ran to embrace her. She told Ginny all about the scene in the school entrance hall, which had Ginny crying she was laughing so hard.
"I wish I could've been there for that," she said, wiping tears from her face, "but I guess if Harry had been there with his wife, it wouldn't have had the same impact."
Gabrielle nodded. "When he added that 'ready to go, sis' line, it was all I could do not to roll on the floor laughing." Harry got up and poured drinks for each of them. Gabrielle was more serious for a moment.
"Most of the students there don't treat me very well," she told them. "Nearly all of the girls don't like me because of what happens with their boyfriends every time I'm around, and most of the boys can't put together a coherent sentence when they talk to me." Ginny put her arm around Gabrielle, who brightened up. "Let's just say I'm not against getting a little payback - maybe just this one time."
Gabrielle was spending the night with them, and on Saturday they'd be meeting Bill and Fleur in London for a shopping day. Harry got up early to make breakfast, and was setting the table when their young friend came into the kitchen. She hugged Harry, then picked a chair, and sat down.
"Did you get a good night sleep?" he asked her. She nodded, pouring a glass of juice.
"Slept like a baby," she told him, and Harry smiled.
"You mean you woke up every few hours, crying for your mommy?" he asked, and Gabrielle burst out laughing, as Ginny walked in. She put her arms around Gabrielle and hugged her.
"I think he got you with that one," she said. Harry watched the two beautiful girls together, and couldn't help but smile.
"I love you," he said simply.
"Are you talking to me?" Gabrielle teased.
"Yes," he agreed. "To both of you, actually." Ginny smiled at him, squeezing her friend tightly.
"He definitely has his moments. I think we should keep him," she said. Gabrielle's blue eyes were shining.
"Works for me. Especially if that's bacon and eggs I smell cooking." Harry laughed, and got back to work.
They met Bill and Fleur at the Leaky Cauldron, and they went into London together. Victoire was with Grandma and Grandpa for the day. The girls talked as they shopped, catching up on what was going on at school and work. They tried on clothes, picked out a few last minute gifts, and had a great morning. Bill and Harry carried the bags, and then took the girls to lunch before continuing the shopping for the afternoon.
When they got back to Diagon Alley, Gabrielle wanted to stop and see George and Marietta, and look around the store. Marietta took a few minutes off to visit with them, but the place was hopping with Christmas shoppers, so she promised they'd have more time to catch up at the family dinner on Sunday.
Kreacher and Winky had a fabulous dinner waiting for them when they got back to the cottage. Bags and boxes were soon abandoned in favour of the prospect of digging in to one of the House Elve's amazing meals. They had after-dinner drinks and visited for a while when they were done the meal, and then it was time for Bill, Fleur, and Gabrielle to pick up Victoire from the Burrow, and head home.
Harry and Ginny were snuggled on the sofa later, talking about their day, and the plans for the next day. Ginny was getting sleepy, and she looked into Harry's eyes, and whispered - "If I tell you I want to sleep like a baby, will you rock me and sing me a lullaby?"
Harry smiled at her, and then picked her up, and carried her upstairs. When they were changed, and in bed, he put his arms around her, and to her surprise, began to sing.
Close your eyes
My dearest one
I will hold you in my arms until the morning comes
Dream your dreams
Have no fear
My love will keep you safe and warm while you're asleep
Harry continued to hum the little tune as Ginny drifted off to sleep. He smiled to himself. 'Sleeping like a baby' he thought.
Harry and Ginny got up early and headed to the Burrow. They were going to help Mum and Dad with the meal and cleaning, so they'd agreed to meet for breakfast together. Their parents were already at the table when they came in, and breakfast was ready, so Harry and Ginny joined them.
Dad brought them up to date on the happenings at the Ministry, and Mum talked about the progress at the resorts and some of the other projects. Ginny told them about their shopping day, while Harry interjected the male point of view commentary, which mostly consisted of comments like – 'and Bill and I carried the bags'.
When they finished eating and cleaned up from the meal, Harry was sent outside to de-gnome the yard. Ginny would clean and decorate the sitting room, Mr. Weasley would take care of the chickens, and Mrs. Weasley started in on preparing the meal.
Harry was finished his first job fairly quickly, and went inside to wash up and help Mrs. Weasley in the kitchen. He started with vegetables, put together snacking trays, moved on to salads, and finished the morning baking desserts. They had all decided to skip lunch, knowing they'd all eat too much during the rest of the day.
The guests started to arrive around one o'clock. Andromeda and Teddy got there first. Teddy hurled himself at Harry, and was scooped up in a big hug as they both laughed. Ginny took her turn hugging the little boy, making him squeal by peppering him with kisses. They all greeted Andromeda with hugs and kisses.
Charlie and Nathalie came with Ron and Hermione. Harry was waiting his turn to greet them, and was watching Nathalie. He had always thought she was pretty, but today she was absolutely glowing, and he suddenly knew why. When it was his turn to hug her, he whispered in her ear - "Congratulations."
"How did you know?" she whispered back.
"I'm not really sure. I just know," he said softly. "I'll keep quiet, so you can surprise everyone when you're ready." She gave him one last squeeze, and kissed his cheek.
"So, did you kick Ron's butt at Chess last night?" he asked her in a louder voice so Ron would overhear. Nathalie laughed.
"No, I must be out of practice," she answered. "He beat me two out of three games." Harry smiled.
"Was that what it took to get to sleep before three o'clock in the morning?" he asked.
"I refuse to answer that question on the grounds that I might be guilty," she said.
George and Marietta came with Percy and Penelope from London. That round of greetings was still in progress when Bill and Fleur walked in with Gabrielle, who was carrying Victoire, extending the welcome party by another fifteen minutes. Teddy ran to Gabrielle, and she picked him up, and kissed him.
"How's my favourite boy friend?" she asked him.
"I'm fine" he told her, hugging her back. "Will you come play with me?" he asked.
"Sure thing, kiddo," she promised. "I just have to finish saying 'hi' to everyone first."
Most of the family moved in to the sitting room. Mrs. Weasley was keeping an eye on the cooking in the kitchen, and Andromeda, Hermione, and Ginny had joined her there. Harry sat with Gabrielle and Teddy as they played with the little toy dragons he'd brought with him. The Burrow was filled with noise, and it made him smile as he watched the flow and ebb of the conversations.
He and Ron talked Quidditch for a while, discussing the upcoming game. Charlie, seeing Teddy with his little dragons, came over to tell the little boy a story that taught him a little about real dragons as it entertained all three of them. Victoire came over and promptly bonked Teddy with one of his own dragons. Harry quickly rescued him by picking her up, and distracting her with hugs, kisses, and tickles.
Out in the kitchen, the talk was about Hogwarts, what was going on around the Institute, about clothes, and date nights. Gabrielle stopped by, carrying Teddy, who assured her he was starving, and really, really needed a treat. Mrs. Weasley offered him a treat in exchange for helping Gabrielle take snack trays into the sitting room. The little tray of cookies he was responsible for just happened to end up on the table right beside where he was sitting.
Harry talked with Percy and Penelope about work at the Ministry, and the London entertainment scene. They hadn't been out to their house on the island in a while, but planned on going for a week early in the next year with friends of theirs. Penelope told him that she'd seen the game when he played Seeker for the Cannons, and that she'd found Teddy's comment at the press conference hilarious. Bill was pouring drinks for himself and Fleur when Harry went over to get a refill.
"Gabrielle told us about the scene at Beauxbatons," Bill told him. "I think you made her year. Maybe at least some of those kids will start treating her half decent now." Harry nodded his agreement.
"If they don't, though, we could always send her a box of George's best tricks," he suggested, and Bill laughed.
"That's a thought. Fleur and I are working tomorrow, and then we're all heading to France on Tuesday. What are you and Ginny doing?"
Harry shrugged. "Ginny's working tomorrow, and probably in the morning on Tuesday before taking Mandy and a few of the other managers out for lunch. I haven't really got anything booked for either day, and then we're going to Andromeda's Christmas day." Bill nodded.
"How do you feel about taking Gabrielle and Victoire and entertaining them tomorrow? I could drop them off on the way to work." Harry laughed.
"I can do that," he agreed. He looked over at the kids, and saw that Victoire was trying to shove a cookie in Teddy's ear. "Looks like it's time for Uncle Harry to go to the rescue again," he said with a laugh, and he hurried over to scoop Victoire up again before Teddy got too upset over her antics.
Mrs. Weasley had everyone come to dinner, and they all found places to sit. Harry and Ginny were on one side of the table with Ron, Hermione, Bill, Fleur, and Victoire. Teddy had begged Gabrielle to sit with him and Andromeda, and they were across from Harry, with Percy, Penelope, George, and Marietta. Charlie and Nathalie were at the end closest to Harry, and Mom and Dad were at the other end next to Victoire.
The table was loaded down with food, and platters and bowls were passed around the table. There were times during the meal when Harry was able to have quiet conversations with his neighbouring dinner companions, interspersed with louder interaction with everyone else at the table. He loved the noise and sense of being part of something very special - a large, loving family.
There was a general groan from the men when Harry summarily dismissed the women after dinner, and put the guys to work on cleanup. Dad happily backed him up, though, so his brothers-in-law quickly conceded defeat, and they soon had the kitchen spotless. When everyone was settled in the sitting room, Charlie and Nathalie stood up, and got the attention of the rest of the family.
"We'd like to make an announcement," Charlie began. They all waited expectantly, and Harry and Nathalie exchanged a mysterious smile that Ginny definitely noticed. "We are proud to let you all know that next July there is going to be a new addition to our family," Charlie told everyone. Mrs. Weasley jumped up and went over to Nathalie.
"You're pregnant?" she exclaimed. Her daughter-in-law nodded, and they embraced - a long, warm hug. Charlie got a hug from his Dad.
"Congratulations!" Mr. Weasley told them. He and Molly switched kids, and there were more hugs.
Harry was watching the happy couple as the rest of the family congratulated them. Ginny had gone over to hug them both, and when she sat back down with him again, she punched him gently on the shoulder.
"You knew!" she accused, and Harry hugged her.
"Yes," he admitted.
"And you didn't tell me," she complained. He smiled at her.
"I promised I wouldn't tell anyone," he explained. Ginny took his hand and squeezed it.
"I'm so happy for them. They're going to make great parents." Harry nodded.
"And how cool will it be to grow up around dragons," he added. Ginny laughed, leaned over, and kissed his cheek.
"That's my boy," she told him. "If you're good, I'll let you go visit so you can play with the dragons too."
The adults had a blast watching Victoire and Teddy open presents. The kids had wrapping paper, ribbons, and bows flying everywhere, and were hopping around the room with the excitement that each new gift brought. George and Marietta had gotten each of the adults a shirt with a cartoon of a despairing, stressed out Witch or Wizard, with the caption 'I need to get away' on them that they all thought were both hilarious and appropriate.
Mom had finally this year decided that only grandchildren, and grandpa were going to get her special jumpers at Christmas. Gabrielle had been helping Teddy as he opened his presents, and had opened a couple of gifts that had been under the tree for her.
Ginny went over and took her by the hand, and led her upstairs to her old room. Harry knew she was giving her a present, but he wasn't allowed to know what it was. Ginny had told him it was a girl thing, and on a need to know basis - and he didn't need to know. When they came back into the room, Ginny had a very excited young lady with her. Gabrielle's smile was dazzling, and her blue eyes danced with excitement.
"I take it you like your present," Harry said, smiling too.
She gave him a hug. "I love it! Thank-you."
Harry laughed. "Don't thank me, I don't even know what it was. Any chance I could get you to tell me?" She shook her head.
"Sorry, I can't. I'm sworn to secrecy," she told him, and laughed when Harry sighed theatrically.
"I hear that a lot these days. You two go have fun while I sit here like a mushroom - kept in the dark." The girls both laughed this time, and Ginny sat down beside him.
"We won't leave you alone, honey," she promised him. "We both love mushrooms."
The next morning, Ginny was just getting ready to leave for work when Bill dropped Gabrielle and Victoire off for the day.
"Why don't you three pick me up at the Institute later and take me out for lunch?" she suggested. Harry agreed, and kissed her good-bye. He picked Victoire up and hugged her.
"So, what should we do to entertain your Aunt Gabrielle today?" he asked his little niece.
"Shopping!" Victoire told him excitedly. Harry laughed.
"I see your mommy is training you well," he told her, and Victoire giggled.
Harry took them into London, and they started their morning in a store where the girls could make, and then dress up teddy bears. The rest of the morning until it was time to go meet Ginny was spent picking out clothes. The girls found a dress and two blouses for Victoire, and Gabrielle picked out some jeans, a sweater, and three shirts. Harry carried the bags.
When they got to the Institute, Ginny was ready to go, and they went to the Diner in Chudley that had become one of the main lunchtime destinations for Ginny and her friends at work. It was busy, so after they placed their orders, they had lots of time for the girls to tell Ginny about their morning, and give her the bear they'd made just for her - the fairy princess bear that Victoire had chosen for her.
While having lunch, they talked about their plans for the rest of the holidays, and then Ginny went back to work at the Institute, and Harry went back out shopping with two of his favourite girls. Victoire was having a short nap in the stroller a while later, and Harry and Gabrielle were wandering from store to store. She picked up a top for Ginny, and a pair of shoes for herself.
They were looking through a jewellery store (what girl can resist all those sparkling stones and gleaming metal?), and Gabrielle had stopped when she saw a pair of earrings that were nearly identical the pair Harry had given Ginny last year, except with blue diamonds instead of emeralds. She probably didn't realize that she had been staring at them for several minutes when one of the sales people came over to them. Glancing at the item that had caught Gabrielle's attention, she opened the display case, and pulled the beautiful earrings out, handing them to Gabrielle.
"They're beautiful," she breathed quietly. When the woman had first approached the beautiful young girl, she hadn't really been expecting to have a paying customer, and wasn't surprised when the earrings were regretfully returned to her after the girl had seen the price tag. Victoire woke up then, and Harry picked her up out of the stroller.
"Good timing sweetie," he told the little girl with a smile. "I want to show you something." He held out his hand to the sales woman, and she handed him the earrings.
"Pretty," Victoire said, watching the diamonds sparkle as they hung from their little gold chains.
"Do you think they're pretty enough for your Aunt Gabrielle?" he asked her. He held the earrings up near Gabrielle's ear. "They definitely match her eyes," he added. Victoire looked at her aunt, looking like she was seriously evaluating the fashion statement the earrings would make. She reached out and touched the earrings, and they swayed a little.
"Yes, very pretty," she decided, flashing a bright smile at her Aunt and Uncle. Harry laughed and gave her a hug.
"Then why don't you and I get them for her?" he decided, and Victoire nodded, hugging him back. He handed the earrings back to the slightly astonished sales woman.
"You don't need to wrap them, I think the young lady will want to wear them home."
Gabrielle took Victoire, and gave her a big hug and kiss, then they gang hugged Harry. They went to get snacks next, played in a toy store for a while, added a new doll to Victoire's collection, and then headed for home.
Harry was lying on the sofa that evening with Ginny curled up next to him. It always amazed him how tired he could be after a day of shopping.
"Poor baby," Ginny had said earlier. "Such a tough day making teddy bears, playing with toys, and watching girls playing dress-up. And let's not forget one spectacular jewellery purchase that Gabrielle will be able to use at school to absolutely destroy the other girls."
He wasn't sure how late it was when he opened his eyes and realized that they'd both fallen asleep. Ginny only stirred a little as he carefully got up, then picked her up and carried her to bed. When they were both snuggled under the covers, close together, she whispered - "you forgot the goodnight kiss." He laughed quietly, kissed her, and they both were quickly asleep again.
The next morning before she left for work, Ginny invited Harry to the luncheon she was having for the senior managers. He got to Ginny's office about fifteen minutes early, and was sent right in. She looked up when he walked in, and smiled. Harry watched as her mesmerizing brown eyes moved from the intense concentration of her work to pleasure at seeing him. She looked beautiful sitting at her desk, red hair a flaming contrast to her outfit.
"Would it cause a scandal if everyone saw the boss snogging in her office?" he asked. Mandy had walked up behind him.
"Probably, so down boy," she said with a laugh, giving him a hug.
"Merry Christmas" he said, hugging her back. "How's Terry doing?" Mandy had been dating Terry Boot, one of the old DA members, and Harry and Ginny had gone out with them a couple of times.
"That'll depend on whether there's a ring under my Christmas tree this year, and a proposal of marriage or not," she told them, laughing again. Ginny got up and gave Harry a hug and kiss.
"Why don't we get going. We can get drinks and welcome everyone as they get there, since we're closing up shop for the day." Mandy agreed.
"Sounds good. Terry will be meeting us there anyway."
Ginny had a private room for the luncheon, and there was a bar in one corner, with a waiter serving drinks. There was a long buffet table at one end, and seating for about twenty. Harry knew everyone there, and he walked around the room with Ginny as she made sure that every one of her guests was welcomed. Ron and Neville were both there too.
They passed Terry and Mandy as they also worked their way through the meet and greet before lunch. Ginny was pulled in to a conversation with Hermione and some of the other women, so Harry went over to talk with Ron and Neville. They were joined a moment later by Terry, who shook their hands and wished them a Merry Christmas.
"Did you get all your Christmas shopping done?" Harry asked him with a smile. Terry winked.
"Sure did," he answered. "There isn't a guy in the world that'd be so dense that they didn't pick up the hints I've been getting for the past few months." He looked around to make sure Mandy wasn't watching, then pulled a box out of his robes and showed them the ring.
"You guys and your wives are her best friends, along with the other people here. Do you think Ginny would mind if I proposed to her here?" Ron rolled his eyes.
"Oh Lord, get the hankies out, boys," he said. "Here we go again." Harry laughed and put his hand on Terry's arm.
"I can't think of a better way to do it, my friend. How does right now sound?" Terry started to feel a little shaky, but nodded to his friend.
Harry led him over to where Mandy and Ginny were now talking with Luna, and lifted his voice so he could be heard over the buzz of conversation.
"Could I please have everyone's attention?" he asked. The conversation died down. "If you'll all gather around we have a surprise to share with all of you," he told them. Everyone moved in closer, and Harry stepped over next to Ginny and put his arm around her waist and hugging her. Terry took Mandy's hand and pulled her toward him so they had a little open space. He was smiling as he looked into her eyes.
"Mandy," he began, "I love you with all of my heart. All I would ever need in this world to be happy, is to have you in my life." He knelt on one knee. "I want to share every day's adventures with you, and be at your side as you sleep at night knowing you're loved." He took the ring box out of his pocket again, opened it, and held it up to her.
"Marry me, and my heart will be yours alone forever," he promised. Mandy was crying as she pulled him to his feet.
"Yes, I'll marry you. I love you too," she managed to say. Terry put the ring on her finger, and everyone cheered. Ron put his arm around Hermione, who was crying too.
"Told you so," he muttered to Harry as he handed her his hanky.
The rounds of congratulations took a little while, then they all filled plates from the buffet, and sat down to eat. Harry was sitting beside Terry, who couldn't stop grinning.
"Nicely done," Harry complimented him.
"I'm glad I didn't wait until Christmas," Terry told him. "That couple of minutes was bad enough. If I'd had another day or two to think about it, I would have been a total train wreck." Harry laughed.
"You've managed to snag a pretty terrific girl, so it's probably worth it," he said, and Terry nodded.
"Yes I have," he agreed happily.
When everyone had finished their lunch, Ginny stood up and got their attention. "We've had another great year at the Institute, and I know we all enjoy the benefits and incentives we get working here, but I wanted to give each of you something to personally thank-you for your friendship and all the hard work you do."
Small gift-wrapped boxes flew from a corner table, and settled in front of each of her managers. She motioned for them to go ahead and open them. When the flurry of flying paper subsided, she was overwhelmed with thanks being called out to her, and about half of the managers came over to hug her. Mandy showed Harry what Ginny had gotten everyone - a weekend getaway in Venice. There was some more socializing, and then they started getting ready to head out to start their Christmas holiday.
"Welcome to the WWVN premiere presentation of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol." Harry and Ginny were sitting on a sofa in the sitting room at the Cottage. They had just finished getting settled in with drinks and a plate of treats, and were two of what was predicted to be tens of millions of Witches and Wizards watching WandWorks Pictures' presentation of the Muggle classic.
Harry had seen Muggle versions of the story, and was looking forward to seeing how it would be performed in the Wizarding World. They were both quiet as the movie began. "Marley was dead, to begin with. There is no doubt whatever about that," the story began. The camera flew slowly through the streets of old London as the narrative continued, winding up in a sparse, bleak office where Ebenezer Scrooge sat counting his horde of galleons.
They were both sucked into the story right from the start, and for the next two and a half hours, they watched the movie, fascinated as the story was brought to life like never before. The movie director had recruited some of the Hogwarts ghosts, and so Marley was played by Nearly-Headless Nick; the Grey Lady was the ghost of Christmas past; The Fat Friar was perfect as the ghost of Christmas present, and the Bloody Baron was very convincing as the ghost of Christmas yet to come.
Having the ability to do magic took special effects to a whole new level. They huddled together through the scary parts, shared in the happiness of some of Scrooge's memories, and felt the pangs of regret from the lead character's lost love and bad choices.
Tiny Tim pulled at their heartstrings, and they cried with the devastated family when they thought he was gone in the future. Finally, they cheered and celebrated with the characters on the screen as Scrooge changed his life, and everyone else's for the better.
"That," Ginny said, "was very cool." Harry agreed. He got up and re-filled their glasses, and turned the WWVN off. Ginny took her glass, and smiled at him.
"I want to give you your present tonight, but you have to do something first." Harry laughed, his eyes dancing with mischief.
"What've you got in mind?" he asked suggestively, reaching out to pull her close. Ginny dodged him, and laughed.
"Nice try. I need you to promise me that if I give you your present, you won't talk to anyone about what it is, until I say it's okay." Ginny could see she had him hooked now.
"I promise," he told her. His present came soaring across the room, and dropped into his lap. Harry unwrapped it and found what looked a lot like the portable WWVN's.
"You're looking at a pre-production portable video game system," she told him proudly.
"How does it work?" he asked her, looking the sleek device over.
"There's a few things you'll have to learn about playing the games," she explained, "but basically you turn it on, choose a game, choose playing options, and then play the game. Want to try it out?"
Harry nodded excitedly, and Ginny then led him through the basics of how to use the new gaming system. There were currently only a few game choices, and he picked World Cup Quidditch. She showed him how to pick options, and get ready to play. Finally he was ready to play for the first time.
"Now here's one of the coolest parts," Ginny told him. "You make your players move by thinking about what you want them to do." He looked at her in amazement, and she nodded.
"Go ahead, you won't really understand until you try it out for the first time. When the game starts, just imagine that you're each of the players on your team, and try moving them around."
Harry started the game, and began trying to move the players around. Ginny laughed as he crashed them into the ground, into each other, and into the opposing team's players. His players got pounded by bludgers, couldn't hit a hippogriff with the quaffle, and didn't catch the snitch. He lost that first game by a score of eleven hundred and forty to naught.
The game was incredible. It looked just like you were watching a miniature version of a real game. Ginny encouraged him to try again, and he started to get the hang of it, only losing that second game by three hundred and thirty points.
"Ready to see what else this thing can do?" Ginny asked him.
"It does more?" he asked in return, and Ginny had a huge smile in answer.
"It can do one more really awesome thing," she told him, and pulled out her WiComm. Harry didn't see who it was that she sent the QuillMessage to, put she had an answer in just a few seconds.
She then led him through learning how to play live with other players, and in a few minutes, he was again ready to play the Quidditch game, this time against a live opponent. His team was crushed, but Harry was having a blast.
"Who's the other player?" he asked Ginny, and watched as she pulled out her WiComm again.
"Say hello to the person that just defeated the greatest Seeker in Hogwarts history," she said with a laugh. "Call Gabrielle." Harry started to laugh too.
"You've been practicing," he told Gabrielle when they could see her brightly smiling face and brilliant, sparkling blue eyes. "Want to try for a best two out of three matches?"
Gabrielle laughed. "Sure. You've got the edge in Quidditch experience, but you're slowing down in your old age, so it should be a fair contest." Harry couldn't even pretend to be hurt. This was definitely up there with the top Christmas presents of all time.
"Before you get back to kicking Harry's team all over the Quidditch pitch," Ginny said, "you two need to know that this has to stay top secret. You have the only two game systems outside of my lab at the Institute, and the whole thing is going to be kept confidential until we start manufacturing, and Luna is ready to launch the advertising blitz." They saw Gabrielle nod.
"I promise Ginny," she said, and Harry nodded too.
"Thank-you. Only two more games tonight, though. You can go out and play again tomorrow night after we get back from Andromeda's." Harry and Gabrielle both laughed at that. Gabrielle thanked Ginny again, told Harry to give Ginny a hug for her and then get ready to watch his team be destroyed by the Wizarding World's first video game master.
Harry played happily with his new toy for a little less than an hour. He did lose both games, and then regretfully turned the fascinating little device off. Ginny had been watching as he played, loving every minute. He put his arms around her, and gave her the promised hug.
"That one's for Gabrielle," he told her. Then he tilted her head back and shared one of those rock your world, grand slam home run kind of kisses with her. "And that was from me." Ginny hugged him tightly. Harry pointed at the game.
"Did you invent all of that?" he asked.
"I had a junior researcher come up to me with an idea for this about a year ago," she told him. "I stole her from one of Hermione's teams, and she and I developed the whole thing together. You might remember her. Natalie McDonald? She started at Hogwarts the year of the TriWizard tournament." Harry nodded, remembering that she had been very excited to get sorted into Gryffindor.
"She hasn't been told yet," Ginny continued, "but I'm going to be making her the head researcher for the whole project, since we'll need to keep coming up with new games all the time." Harry was impressed.
"Make sure you re-introduce us next time I'm there," he said. "I'd really like to thank her in advance for the billions of galleons she's about to make us over the next ten years or so."
Ginny laughed. "I will," she promised.
Harry went over to the tree and got Ginny's present. When he turned around to carry it to her, she was almost bouncing with excitement. The wrapping paper flew, and she hurriedly opened the box and looked inside. She pulled out the remembrall she found inside.
"This is a very special, one of a kind, remembrall," he told her. "It remembers everything." She looked at Harry, trying to see if he was joking. "Seriously," he said. "Ask it any question about anything that has ever happened in the Wizarding World."
"What year was Harry Potter born?" she asked the remembrall, which immediately responded with - "1980". Harry laughed at her surprised reaction.
"That was too easy," he told her. "Try something harder."
"What is the full name of the founder of St. Mungo's hospital," she queried it next.
"Mungo Bonham," the amazing little device answered immediately.
"Where did this come from, Harry?" she asked, and he smiled a little self-consciously.
"From me" he answered quietly.
"You made this for me?" She was more than a little awed.
"Yes," he admitted. "It will also keep learning too." He held his hand out, and she placed the remembrall in his hand. "Who are the first people outside of Marauders Institute to play their new, top secret game system?" he asked.
"Harry Potter and Gabrielle Delacour," it answered. Ginny was speechless.
"This is priceless, Harry. I can't believe you made it for me." Harry handed the remembrall back to her and smiled at her.
"There is only one restriction on it. It will not give you personal or private information about anyone or anything. There's probably questions out there that you really don't want to know the answers to." Ginny laughed.
"I think I can keep it on a strictly professional level. Being able to get any answer right away while I'm working in the lab, though, is going to be brilliant. Thank-you." She gave him a very suggestive look then. "Why don't you carry me up to bed, and help me make a few new memories?"
Christmas morning they got up early, showered, and got ready to go out for the day. They apparated to Andromeda's house, and were greeted by a very excited Teddy.
"You're Here!" he shouted happily. Harry picked him up and hugged him.
"We noticed that," he said with a smile. They exchanged the hugs, kisses, and Merry Christmas greetings, and then Teddy was ready to get down to the opening the presents part of the day.
This was the first time in a few years that Andromeda had been home for Christmas, and Harry was glad they'd come for the day. Teddy went running off to the sitting room when Andromeda agreed to open presents now, and the three adults followed him. Ginny started handing out presents to everyone, and then she sat down with Teddy to watch him open his gifts. There were new books - he was learning to read now, and a new toy dragon for his growing collection. Harry and Ginny had bought him some new clothes, a toy snitch that he could chase around and catch, and his favourite - a child sized Firebolt.
"It's just like yours Uncle Harry," he yelled, as he hopped on it and started to rise off the ground.
"Stop right there young man," Andromeda told him firmly. "What's your number one rule on brooms?" Teddy sank back down to the floor.
"Not in the house," he mumbled. Harry laughed and picked him up, broom and all.
"Let's get your coat on and go outside," he suggested. He picked up the toy snitch too, and carried the boy, broom, and toy snitch toward the front entrance. "We'll take this with us, and you can start practicing catching the snitch too," he told Teddy as they walked out of the sitting room.
Ginny and Andromeda went to the kitchen, made tea, and talked while their little boys were out playing. They watched out the window as Harry chased Teddy around on his broom.
"There are times like this that I really miss Ted and Nymphadora," Andromeda said quietly, "but then I see Teddy playing like that, and I realize they're right there in front of me." Ginny went around the table and hugged her tightly.
They had hot chocolate and cookies ready for the two boys when they finally got cold and came indoors again. Harry and Teddy spent the rest of the morning playing with dragons, and the girls made up dinner. When they sat down to eat, they each took a side of the small kitchen table, and enjoyed a quiet meal together. Harry thought to himself that he might really love the excitement and noise of the Weasley clan when they got together, but this was pretty nice too.
He volunteered himself for cleanup, and Teddy went with Ginny and Andromeda into the sitting room. When Harry joined them after he was done, Teddy was snuggled in Ginny's lap, sound asleep. They stayed for the rest of the afternoon, playing with Teddy after his nap, and then headed back home. Christmas Day ended with Harry and Ginny each taking turns playing some long distance Quidditch World Cup with Gabrielle.
Ginny went to work on Thursday and Friday, and then they went to the island for the weekend, along with quite a few other members of the family, including Bill, Fleur, Victoire, Gabrielle, and the Delacours. There was a New Year's Eve party that Harry and Ginny went to with most of their friends, and they took Gabrielle to the Cannons' game on the Saturday after New Year's Day, happy to have a few hours with her before she had to go back to Beauxbatons on Sunday.
The Cannons won the game, and it had been another one of those really great days. Harry had thought that the whole holiday season had been filled with great days, a perfect way to end what had been a really amazing year, and if the first few days of the New Year were any indication, it was going to be brilliant too.