When the bill was paid, they adjourned to the lobby. Draco threw Floo Powder into the fireplace and said, "The home of Celeste Marie de Dumas."
Each of the men repeated the phrase in turn.
They arrived in a sunlit room with a view of the ruined garden and the herb fields beyond. The furnishings were old fashioned, but scrupulously clean. Viktor and Draco did a tour of the house while Bill and Harry sat down to talk. An elderly house-elf appeared to ask if they wanted a glass of wine.
Draco watched Viktor's face as he surveyed the house. There were fleeting emotions that ran across the Quidditch player's face to Draco's delight, longing, determination, and when they walked into the library, satisfaction. Draco stood in the doorway, leaning against the frame. "Most of the furnishings and the books will go with the property. The portraits will stay with the family, but the rest is negotiable. If you are done with the house, there are several barns and outbuildings to see. At one time, she ran a flourishing herb and potion ingredient business from here. There is a complete potions lab in one of the outbuildings. And there are five freed house-elves that have been here for many years. You could negotiate with them about staying. Oh, and there is a whole nursery wing at the other side of the house, lots of room for children."
"I vant it. Tell me how much," Viktor said, swinging to face Draco.
Draco grinned at him. "Well, Viktor, I need to consult with Ginny about it. She has some ideas about the place. We'll talk it over tonight and let you know after the conference is over and you have won that exhibition game. Don't worry, yours is the only offer we are considering. Come on, let's go look at the barns"
When they passed through the country kitchen, Bill and Harry decided to tag along on the barn tour.
In one of the barns there was a collection of Quidditch gear. Viktor grinned when he saw that.
The potions lab made Bill and Harry whistle. All in all, the place was perfect for the life Viktor wanted with Hermione.
Draco knew the Bulgarian wanted the farm very badly. He would talk it over with Ginny that night. It would make a perfect wedding present for Viktor and Hermione.
The four men Disapparated back to Paris where Viktor asked Harry to come on a shopping trip with him. Mystified, Harry agreed, if for no other reason to keep an eye on Viktor.
Viktor left the confines of Wizarding Paris and headed for the closest Muggle bookstore. Harry was quite pleased, Viktor knew exactly how to appeal to Hermione.
The cookbooks, herbals, and photography books on Provence that Viktor bought were exactly what Harry knew would delight Hermione. Viktor then made a side trip into a children's store. He picked out a teddy bear that made the sound of a heartbeat and a pair of sleepers with dragons and winged horses on them.
After making the purchase, he handed the bag to Harry and said, "For your son, Potter. I helped vith his entry into the vorld, so I will help with his care and upkeep. You can tell him he may ask me to teach him to play Quidditch. Vith the two of us teaching him, he may become the best player ever, eh?"
Harry was dumbfounded. He had never expected Viktor to do anything like this. He would talk to Luna later; and possibly ask Hermione and Viktor to be the baby's godparents.
They returned to the hotel just as the conference let out for the day. Hermione was walking out holding the baby, while Luna was collecting her notes.
Harry took the baby and went to find his wife. Viktor saw his mother and sister catch up with Hermione. They all looked over at him and grinned.
The three women in his life, all laughing, all happy. He wanted to make Hermione a permanent part of his life.
From the doorway, Harry and Luna watched the play of emotions on Viktor's face. Luna spoke softly into her husband's ear, "Harry, we should ask them to be James' godparents."
Harry grinned hugely at his wife and replied, "Exactly what I was planning on talking to you about later. Look in this bag. Viktor bought stuff for James and has already said he will teach him to play Quidditch when it is time. We couldn't ask for better people to be his godparents. I love you, Luna."
"I know that, silly. I knew it at the end of your fifth year. We were the only two who could see the Thestrals. That made a connection of sorts," she answered him. She took the baby and the packages and added, "Ask them to come up to the room about nine, I'll have James ready for a nap by then."
Harry watched his wife take the lift to the upper floors and realised how very lucky he was.
He walked to where Viktor stood watching Hermione, and said, "Why don't the two of you come up to our rooms about nine. There is something we'd like to talk to you about."
Hermione looked at Viktor before agreeing. Viktor simply said they would be there at the appointed time.