Disclaimer: Harry Potter and his world belong to J. K. Rowling.

Notes: Harry's adult children: Victoria, Margaret, James and Beth. Adam Bourne is his stepson. Harry's staff includes Margaret Brown, secretary, and Jimmy Carr, horse manager. Rated for mature readers. Sexual content in some chapters.

Chapter 8:

Harry Potter was seventy-four, but still had the body of a man fifty years younger, and the face of a man little older. He had published books on esoteric branches of magic, had developed new theories and done new and original research, had telepathic abilities, and unprecedented power. He was the great wizard.

Julie Hibbard was a quite pretty girl of eighteen, with moderate intelligence, moderate magical ability, but considerable snobbery. She loved pomp and ceremony, and always read the social pages. When Harry first noticed her, she was repeating some spicy and nasty gossip to a female friend.

Harry Potter fell like a ton of bricks. Julie Hibbard took maybe five minutes longer. It was a mystery to all who knew them. Within days they were engaged.

And now there came a real problem for Harry Potter. Julie was a virgin, had never felt any particular desire for sex, and thought that they should wait for marriage before going to bed, and not all Harry's sexual attraction or persuasion could change her mind.

Normally when a man tells a woman that denying him sex could hurt his health, it's just a line designed to get her into bed as quickly as possible. But Harry was not a normal man, and within weeks, was getting nervy and increasingly irritable. He didn't dare just go with other women, as Julie would never forgive him. And he wouldn't lie to her. Julie thought a six month engagement necessary and proper. They were to have a very big, high society wedding, as Julie wanted, and such things could not be organised quickly.

So Harry spent a lot of time swimming in cold water, going for long walks, and before long, spending more time in meditation. By the time a month had gone by, Catherine started noticing him trembling more often. By the time a second month went by, she noticed that he had started wearing the watch that she now knew to be a sensor device for a red book/monitor. And now there were times when he held them up sometimes, either swimming, or walking, or holed up in his room. He asked Franz to put up with it, and said vaguely that sometimes he had health problems.

It was only when Catherine quizzed him that he told her about the nervous attacks that he used to have, that started with a need to move, went on into an escalating cycle of physical excitement, until, if not controlled, culminated in fitting. He was obviously uncomfortable with her questioning, so Catherine went to see Hermione the first chance she had, and learned a lot more.

There were some moves behind the scenes, and while Julie was not told that Harry's health was suffering because he was trying to be celibate for her sake, there were other hints made, and, to Harry's surprise and relief, the wedding was suddenly moved forward three months. He only had to survive four weeks more...

Early November, Julie was the radiant bride, in an incredibly expensive gown. Six hundred guests watched as Harry greeted her appearance with a tender smile, and took her hand in a caress. Some watched with tears in their eyes. He looked so happy, if very thin, and he seemed to tremble almost non-stop. All but a few put it down to nerves. Some watched with concern. What did Julie have to attract him? How could such a mismatch be successful?

Harry's family attended, of course, including Beth and Jeremiah, and little Kate. There were also all the important people the Hibbards could think of to invite. They preened themselves that even the Minister for Magic, Madam Bancroft, came. Harry said a casual hello to Barbara, while his eyes followed his bride.

Draco Malfoy watched him with amusement. With Draco were his grown up grandchildren, Nerrissa and her brother Kryall, both of them tall and pale blonde, like all the Malfoys seemed to be. Nerrissa was watching Harry Potter obsessively. Harry never noticed, his telepathic ability in temporary abeyance in his total preoccupation with Julie.

That night, in Julie's eyes, it was suddenly right and proper that they should make love. Harry had been celibate for three months, but forced himself to be tender, considerate, and to take his time. This was the basis for a marriage.

Julie was a virgin, and not a naturally sexual woman, and Harry was not a small man, to make it easier for her. All of his skills were needed now, and Harry had never in all his life made love to a young and totally inexperienced woman.

He did all right, though, as became very clear a half hour later, when she started murmuring to him, and caressing his shoulders. "More, please," and he kissed her with a great deal of tenderness, and gave her more.

Months later, they returned from a long honeymoon, after spending a great deal of money. They both glowed with health and contentment. Whatever problems lay in the future, for the time being, they were making each other very happy. Harry delighted in Julie, and Julie thought that Harry could do no wrong.

She chose the biggest upstairs bedroom, redecorated it, very expensively, and made herself at home. Her parents had been well off, and she had never been deprived of money. She knew how to spend, and while Margaret Brown turned a disapproving eye on her, Harry was happy to give her whatever she wanted. The loungeroom was redecorated also, and the downstairs bedroom that had been Harry's, although Harry was relieved that she was content to leave his office and the library the way it was. He had never noticed himself that furnishings were worn, and the curtains faded.

Julie and Harry had scarcely an interest in common, but they were happy, regardless. Marriages are not always based on similar interests. It was a mystery to most what this marriage was based on.

Cissy still lived with Harry, and Cissy was just the same age as Julie. They became friends and companions.

Julie asked Harry for a horse just like Cissy's, only pure white. Harry spent weeks trying to track one down for her. It was already twelve years old, but Harry had a shrewd suspicion that Julie's interest wouldn't last long anyway.

For a while though, the two girls would ride out on their showy horses, enjoying impressing their neighbours. Julie preened herself that Harry was willing to go to so much trouble when she expressed a wish. It proved that he loved her, she thought.

Harry thought he was being a fool, and he still adored her, and delighted in her occasional silliness and superficiality. He didn't know why, but her very weaknesses were part of his love.

**x**

It was not until after Christmas that Harry resumed spell-breaking sessions at Ben and Hilde's practice, and made arrangements to resume his overseas trips.

There were fewer patients than expected on Wednesday, as Cissy had managed a few sessions, and had coped with nearly three quarters of the demand. Harry was very pleased with her. He was hoping that given time and practice she would be able to do almost all that he did, although it had become clear that she did not, after all, have quite his power. Or not yet. She had started to earn an income, though, from the spell-breaking the same as he did. And Cissy still found a tremendous satisfaction in it.

Hilde was present to watch that Wednesday, as Harry dealt with all those cases that Cissy had not been able to manage. There was one that required the telepathic cure, but Harry was able to avoid upsetting the patient on that occasion, as he cured the condition.

Harry liked Hilde, and agreed that if he needed a healer, and Ben or Hermione were not available, that Hilde could treat him. She already knew where his home was, as they had been there for dinner one evening. He didn't really want her though. He preferred Hermione, and would have preferred Catherine, if Catherine had not been a Ministry Healer first.

Hermione wanted to check him over, and Harry allowed it. He always did what Hermione wanted these days. Hermione was pleased to see him looking so fit and vigorous. The LV was still steady at 294, energy levels high, and he was just a little bit thin, but less so than he'd been for many years.

Catherine checked his health, too, when he resumed the overseas trips, being more thorough than usual. Again Harry put up with it. And Catherine, too, found him in vigorous health.

He still had fits of trembling now and then, and still mostly carried a cane, especially outdoors. He treated those things as minor, although Julie tended to look away if he trembled. She didn't like any hint of abnormalities.

He still had four aurors when he did the overseas trips, but it was mostly because there was little to do at home. It was peaceful again in England, and Jebedee wondered if the mere presence of such a powerful wizard as Harry Potter was a deterrent to Dark Wizards. Maybe they took one look at his potential, and took their evil overseas.

Harry always went home to Julie every night now, as long as they were at least in Europe. If they were not, he'd persuade her to go with them. Julie enjoyed that, too. She loved being a person of importance, and Harry was treated with enormous respect wherever they went. And the idea of having bodyguards thrilled her.

The aurors found Harry to be very easygoing these days. It seemed that nightmares and midnight walks were things of the past.

The frequency of the trips changed. Julie liked long holidays in exotic locations, so to make up, when Harry worked, he worked every week.

There were often female aurors rostered now, as Harry no longer showed any interest in any other woman than his wife, even when they showed distinct interest in him. Jebedee changed the team every few months, giving them all a turn at the favourite duty. There were a few romances forged, as the male and female aurors worked together in pleasant surroundings, and away from their usual routine.

Harry soon found that Julie hated mention of unusual powers, so hid them from her as discreetly as he tried to hide them from notice of the Ministry. And she hated any hint of his vulnerability, becoming very silent and unhappy when Zack made a casual reference to the time he'd spent in a wheelchair. So he made allowances, and continued to take a delight in his young bride.

Three more years passed in peace and contentment.

**x**

One Friday morning in Spring, while a gentle mist covered the ground, Harry lingered in bed. Julie had her head nestled on his chest, and his arm was around her, beginning to be numb. She'd gone back to sleep after the morning love-making. He'd be late for work if she didn't wake soon, but he lay still, cuddling this girl who was so precious to him. She was pregnant, very well, and blissfully happy with Harry, and with the life that they lived together.

The team were in Albania, and already watching for him. He normally arrived about this time. There was Anthony in charge these days, two freshly qualified young aurors, Tracy and Jodie, and an older one about twenty-five, big Louis. It was an easy job, with Harry almost always departing straight after work finished, although the aurors never did. Only Harry could apparate such long distances, and he always pretended to do it in steps. Even Julie thought he did it in steps.

But they were going to have to wait for him a little this morning.

There was a gentle knock at their bedroom door, and Julie stirred. Harry gently kissed her, slipped on a dressing gown, and went to the door. Jimmy Carr was looking half concerned, and half amused. "Come and see Senorita and Lady," he said.

"Will it wait until I get dressed?" asked Harry.

"I guess, I think the damage has been done already." It only took a few minutes for Harry to have his shower, and dress, ready for work, before he followed Jimmy outside.

Grazing quietly on his lawn, outside their paddock, were the two extremely expensive Andalusian mares. They had come into season at the same time. With them, and looking very pleased with himself indeed, was a stallion belonging to the neighbour. It was not either of the Arab studs, though - this was the little pinto that was used as a teaser, the stallion that was used to get the mares in the mood to accept the nominated stallion. The poor teaser never had a chance, normally, to mount any mares himself, and Harry had always felt very sorry for him.

They quietly approached, and the little pinto pranced around, laying his ears back, and putting himself firmly between the men and the mares. Harry was very amused. These were going to be interesting foals, although he was concerned about Lady, the white one. She was a bit old for having foals.

Carefully, as even a 13hh stallion could inflict nasty injuries, they turned them into a field together, Harry wondering how on earth the little horse had escaped. He knew that the teaser was kept very well guarded, and thought that it must be a very intelligent little horse.

Jimmy was delegated to inform the neighbour, but Harry said to ask him if the little pinto could stay a few days if he wasn't needed. He reckoned the horse deserved a chance, and if the other mares, Kintu or Clarice, found their way to him, it didn't really matter. The stallion was not a bad horse, just not Andalusian, or Thoroughbred, or Arab. It was sometimes handy to have smaller horses around.

He went off to work then, where he had breakfast, and laughed with the others about the trouble the little stallion would have had to mate the big mares. But as Harry said, eyes gleaming, "There's always a way!"

There was no time left to do the hour's meditation Harry generally practised. It didn't seem to matter these days, it had only been in the months prior to his marriage that indications of nervous attacks had again appeared, and he'd been free of them for years before that.

The morning's work started easily, and Harry worked through the patients quickly and without effort, still with his mind on the likely interesting foals from a small pinto and a large Andalusian.

Then there was a difficult one, and Harry sighed. It had been so much easier when he had just had to call up his power, even if it did often make him tired. Now he had to carefully explain to the patient how he might feel, and that some people could not tolerate it. He was always careful to get their full and knowing consent. In spite of his warnings, they invariably wanted him to make the attempt.

Sometimes the patient tolerated his invasion easily. A few didn't even feel it, and usually, when the patient did revolt, there was enough warning for Harry to pull away.

But sometimes the revolt came quickly and furiously, and when Harry was still deeply concentrating on what he had to do, he was slow to react. These patients had several times injured him, usually only a bruise, but sometimes more serious. So now he nearly always had two aurors with him on these occasions.

Once he'd been cursed by a furious witch, and since then, they insisted that the patient hand over his wand before he started. The curse hadn't been serious to Harry - he'd just regarded the ugly lumps growing all over his body for a moment, and they'd melted away. But mostly they forgot about magic, and used fists, or sometimes fingernails.

He never persevered over full resistance. There was an option now, and he would refer them to Beth, even if they did have to travel. Beth could fix anyone, it seemed, using this method.

So now Harry had the big wizard in front of him, Tracy had taken the patient's wand, and both Tracy and Louis had their own wands in their hands, just in case.

Harry started to concentrate, finding the process slower than usual, although there was no hint that the alien presence in the mind of his patient was even noticed. Louis' mind began to stray. Tracy had a beautiful body, and he was remembering the previous night with pleasure, and looking forward to tonight, when he would be dining with her, and had every expectation of being invited back to her home.

The wizard went in an instant from calm to blazing fury, and swiped Harry off his feet, swiftly following it with a heavy kick in the ribs.

Louis was slow to react, and not only that, had somehow put himself between Tracy and the patient. It was Catherine who whipped out her wand, and put a spell of Deep Calm on the patient.

Harry was quietly swearing. He was on the floor, with broken ribs. He didn't move, waiting for Catherine.

"Are you all right?" asked Catherine.

"He broke some ribs," said Harry, his breathing very careful and shallow. Broken and displaced ribs could be very painful.

Catherine touched his side gently, and then started to pull away his clothing, but even this slight movement hurt, and Harry vanished his shirt instead. He could always conjure another.

Catherine jumped when the shirt abruptly vanished, but then ran her fingers gently along the rib cage, feeling for exactly what had happened, before getting out her wand, and healing them. Harry breathed a sigh of relief, "Thank you."

Slowly and carefully, he raised himself, looking at the patient, now held firmly by Louis.

"Sorry, Harry, I was slow," said Louis, looking very ashamed of himself.

"These things happen."

Harry was looking at the patient. "I wonder if I can do it when he's like that. It might be a lot safer." He looked carefully at the big wizard, even closed his eyes for a moment, and then said, "I'm going to try. Be ready this time."

The patient's mind was dense and sluggish with the spell, and to do what he wanted seemed even more difficult. And in spite of the spell, there was another surge of instant, ungovernable fury. But the aurors were ready, and the patient was stunned.

"That's enough," said Catherine firmly. "You'll have to refer him to Beth."

Harry was still moving rather slowly and painfully. And twice he'd been abruptly thrown out of the man's mind, which left him dizzy.

"We'll have a break now," stated Catherine. Harry didn't object.

The rest of the patients were easy, and the team went to lunch. They were to go home straight after. Louis was very attentive to Tracy, and without willing it, suddenly a clear picture came to Harry from Louis, of a particularly nice pair of breasts. Harry looked away, trying not to smile. No wonder Louis had been slow.

He was still stiff and sore, and he asked Catherine if she had anything to help, mentioning that he had a big job to do that afternoon.

"What is it?" asked Tracy, curiously.

"It's Julie; she wants me to find a medal. It's been lost something like sixty years!"

Catherine said that she'd put on a lotion if he liked, but it was apt to stain clothing. But Harry was wearing a lime green conjured shirt, which he suspected that Julie would dispose of even quicker than Chrissy would have done. So he said gratefully that that would be very good.

Anthony's mind was running on what Harry had said. "A medal that was lost sixty years ago? That wouldn't be your Order of Merlin, would it?"

And when Harry nodded casually, Anthony spluttered into laughter, joined by the others. Harry had been presented with the highest award available to the Ministry of Magic, and had apparently promptly lost it.

Harry looked up, surprised at the loud chorus of laughter. "Well, I had other things on my mind at the time."

"More important than an Order of Merlin, First Class?" asked Tracy. That was a very rare honour.

Harry grinned, rather shame-faced now, "Staying alive?"

Tracy asked, "Did you have bodyguards then?"

"Not then - the Ministry at that time, I suspect, would have been very happy to see me dead."

Louis was frowning, "That can't be right, the Ministry acts for the good of everybody."

Harry pointed out, "Maybe they thought that my death would be for the good of everybody. You only have to remember Percy Weasley, to realise that not everybody likes me!"

"So now you've got to spend your afternoon rummaging through old clothes to find your medal."

"Pretty much," said Harry. "Julie thinks they're important."

"Have you lost any others?"

"I'm not sure," answered Harry. "It seems that Margaret was keeping them for me, and there seems to be an awful lot. I'm not sure if any are still missing, except, of course, for that old one."

The week's work was finished, and afterward, Harry went to Sirius Black's house where he was joined by Vicky. They mounted an extensive search, room by room, combing every corner of the house. At last, in a small anteroom off a dingy bedroom, not slept in for at least seventy years, Vicky came across an old school trunk, a few text books still in it, and right at the bottom, loose under some scarlet Quidditch robes, the large and flashy medal.

Harry had a few supplies in the house, though nothing disposable, and they settled down with a cup of tea each, and the biscuits that Vicky had brought with her.

"What's Julie doing now?" asked Vicky.

"Shopping, I think," said Harry, "She's with Nerrissa Malfoy - they see a lot of each other."

"Does she know about this place?" asked Vicky, curiously.

"I never got around to telling her - I don't think she'd be interested," said Harry, and Vicky took note. Somewhere inside himself, Harry didn't entirely trust his wife.

She was curious. "How is it that this place has water on, and electricity? It's supposed to be so hidden, even from the muggles?"

"I don't really know about the water," said Harry. "It's always been on, though I've never had a water bill. But the electricity is from a generator which I put in when I was first married to your mother, before we bought the farm."

"And a shower? That's pretty modern for such an old place."

"Conjured, like most of the furniture," said Harry, casually.

Vicky frowned. "I know your stuff lasts longer than anyone else's, but does it last forever?" Conjured furniture lasted normally only a few months.

Harry pointed to the chair that Vicky was sitting on. "I conjured that when I was just left school. I don't know how long my things last, none of it has ever vanished by itself."

"My conjures last about ten months," said Vicky, "Which I thought is pretty good."

"It is pretty good," said Harry. "But I guess I'm just not normal."

Vicky said thoughtfully, "It'll be interesting to see how long Cissy's last."

Vicky rinsed out the teacups, in preparation for departure, although it would never have occurred to Harry to do anything so domestic.

"Going now?" asked Vicky.

"As soon as I fix the shower," said Harry. "I so seldom come here, I didn't know it was broken."

"That's where we found you after you vanished from St. Mungo's, don't you remember?"

"Only vaguely," said Harry. "I remember I needed a shower, and was so relieved I could still walk." But he was looking and feeling embarrassed, and Vicky changed the subject, laughing again about the little pinto stallion, with big ambitions.

**x**

Harry had only four days to work the following week, and Anthony relayed a request to Harry that he join them Friday for a meeting at the Ministry .

Friday afternoon, Harry smiled as he strolled into Conference Room Two. Barbara was better even than Amelia at providing afternoon teas. Sarah and Stan were there, Barbara and Jebedee, as well as Anthony and himself.

For a time, there was a general discussion about the trips, and whether there was any need for adjustment to the arrangements. Harry thought that there was no problem, but pointed out as he had before, that there was really no need to pay for a room for himself, unless Julie was going also. Sarah ignored him, as she had before. Harry should have his room in case it was needed. The host country always paid the Ministry very well for these visits, as well as normally providing just about everything necessary.

Finally, Stan came to the real reason for the meeting. "Turkey," he said. "Turkey want us to visit."

They hadn't been to Turkey since the disastrous trip that had left Harry crippled in a wheelchair. There was also the matter of a bus that had exploded. The Ministry had tried to pursue compensation for a time, for the incompetence of the Turkish mediwizard, and for the lack of protection that was provided, but the negotiations had broken down.

Harry was sitting in his chair, frowning at the wall. But it had been largely his own fault that he'd suffered so badly. If he'd let Therese have a thorough look at him when they returned, she would probably have picked up the problem in time to fix it before he had suffered much damage.

There was a silence. Jebedee had been there, too. And it was Jebedee who pointed out that they were in neighbouring countries almost annually, and the Turks could always travel.

"It's a matter of politics," said Barbara. "It was over ten years ago, now, and still hardly any of the wizarding communities have forgiven them. I think we should show a lead."

Jebedee said, "If we go to Turkey, we'll need to provide a lot more aurors, and experienced ones - the Turks can't be relied upon for anything. I won't send women - I don't like the way they treat women, and I'll go myself, to try and ensure our safety. And I still don't like it."

Stan said that they were willing to pay far more than usual, and they had promised to allow English researchers in to see the cave that had something called, and he glanced at a note in front of him, the Xinistrium.

"Are they?" said Harry. "Adam's been talking about that for ages!"

"What is it?" asked Jebedee.

Harry explained, leaving most of those present even more confused than they'd been before. But they gathered it was something fascinating and important and historical, to do with an almost unexplored branch of magic. But that the Turks had previously refused to share. It had only been discovered a few years before.

"Harry?" They were all looking at him.

"Ask Catherine," he said. "If she refuses to go, none of us should."

He helped himself to a second slice of fruitcake, and poured himself another coffee as Anthony went in search of Catherine.

When Catherine returned, Jebedee took the lead, explaining their problems the previous occasion. How Bedwin, Tom and Harry had been knocked out, and how the Turkish mediwizard had taken a bare glance at them, and cleared out. That they'd had to look after themselves when someone had set their bus to explode. Also that the Turks had paid no attention to limits on numbers, so that Harry had been exhausted half the time.

Harry raised an eyebrow. "It wasn't that bad."

Catherine finally asked, "So why are we even considering it?"

Stan and Barbara gave their reasons. The principles of goodwill and forgiveness, also money and the Xinistrium.

Catherine said eagerly, "They're going to let us have a look at the Xinistrium?"

Stan nodded. "Well, we can't miss that opportunity," declared Catherine.

"Harry?" asked Barbara again.

Harry gave his feeling. "I detest the way they don't value their women. Last time I was there, I fixed a lot of women who'd been cursed. And I bet that wasn't duelling! I also suspect that they wouldn't bother sending their women to neighbouring countries, Greece for example, to be cured. I'm prepared to go," and he smiled at Catherine, "And I'd like a look at the Xinistrium, too."

***chapter end***