Chapter 8 – Growing a Family
As June progressed, the six residents of Potter Island settled into life together gradually. The elves made short work of setting the rest of the lived in half of the manor and grounds to rights and even Hermione settled into the idea of having the help around. Harry still cooked on occasion when he felt like it, usually large breakfasts on the weekend, but dinners were now fixed and waiting when the scattered group of friends came together after their long days busy with their different tasks.
As for the dynamics of the four humans living in the manor, the addition of Neville had taken some adjustment. He was welcome, but the trio found it difficult at times to include him amongst themselves. He never seemed to make a fuss about it, but it was obvious that he felt like the odd man out. It had never been a problem when they had a larger group, but it was more troublesome when it was just the four of them.
One day a couple of weeks after Neville had arrived, the regular shipments of plants tapered off a bit and Neville's constant work seemed to lessen some. He hadn't left the island in weeks and he began to disappear regularly enough that his friends started to take notice and Harry commented one night at dinner.
"So, Neville's missing again. Do you think everything's alright? I mean, I know he's not tied down here, but I wonder about him."
"I think he's alright. He was a bit out of sorts for a while, but he's seemed better lately."
Hermione was looking between Harry and Ron and chuckled. She had a woman's intuition of an idea what was happening.
"Guys, I think Neville is fine. He worked himself too hard for a couple of weeks there. Plants were arriving at all hours. Now he's finally taking a break. I think he's seeing someone if you want to know the truth."
"Really? But Hogwarts doesn't let out for another week."
"Really Ron, there are other girls besides Ginny and Luna. Anyway, I wouldn't worry about Neville. You know he won't neglect the plants and he seems happier now."
Neville was back by the next morning and continuing with his duties as usual. He was cheerful and fine, so Harry decided to let him be. Then the business needs brought an answer to more personal questions when Neville arrived at Harry's office a couple of days later. He knocked and Harry called him in.
"Hi Nev, come sit down. How are things going?"
"Everything's going well, the wilting with the mudbog flowers is doing better. I think I'm going to save them."
"Brilliant."
"I wanted to talk to you about traveling Harry. I've sourced what I can from suppliers for this season and there are a few items I can source in the wild that are in season now. Specfically, I want to go to Morocco, Algeria, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Pakistan for the arid plants. Then Venezuela, Brazil, Angola and Zambia for some Highland plants. I may need to do some winter traveling as well for a few unusual species, but this should cover the majority of what we need. I know its short notice, but with portkeys and traveling alone, I should be able to be in and out quickly of each country. I think maybe two months total travel. I'd like to leave at the end of the month."
"Alright, that is a quick turnaround, but everything we've been doing has been quick with the nursery. What about taking care of things while you're gone?"
"I have a person planned for this, but it gets kind of personal as well…"
"Really Nev? We're friends first."
"I know, and I appreciate that Harry. You, um, probably heard I've been involved with Susan Bones?"
"I heard a rumor, but I've heard several rumors."
"I'm sure. Well, Susan and I are friends and more, similar to what you and Hermione have, except we don't see each other as much. I actually didn't see her for a couple of weeks and I was really missing her. I've been visiting her again and she's really great. It isn't just her though. She's been friends with Hannah Abbott since before Hogwarts and they're a couple. I mean really bonded, but they both enjoy a bit of variety, but only with certain friends. I'm one of those. That's probably some of the rumors you've heard. I'm telling you this because I want to nominate Susan to hire on and take over while I'm not here. She has an O in Herbology and works in an apothecary in Diagon, but she hates her job. She's ready to quit and stop being harassed, and I think this opportunity would work for both of us. If I collect enough samples on the trip, I'll need part time help after. I told you about Hannah, because you need to know that Hannah may come and visit too. She may do odd tasks for Susan, but she may just hang around if Susan is really busy. The two of them really like being together and you need to be aware. First though you should know that I'm picking Susan based on her Herbology skills. I wouldn't trust the nursery to her otherwise."
"Alright, I understand. It's a tiny bit shocking, but not overly so. I like Susan and Hannah, they were really good in the DA. They're both welcome on the island and I know you'll pick the best person for the job. You probably need to start training Susan soon, so we'll put her on salary starting Monday if that's okay? Have her quit her obnoxious job and floo out here. Bring Hannah along and they can stay for dinner. We may be running a business, but we're friends first. I don't want to lose that. And start working on your itinerary for travel. It sounds interesting."
"Thanks Harry, I appreciate it. Susan and Hannah are both great gals."
Neville left the office and Harry was left to ponder the latest interesting developments in his nursery business. As he thought of Susan and Hannah, his mind drifted to Ginny and Luna and he couldn't wait for one more week when Hogwarts would finally be done. Then he realized that the two of them were probably in the middle of NEWTs and shuddered when he thought about how stressed they most likely were at the moment.
The following evening Susan and Hannah floo'd to the island with Neville and received their first tour of both the manor and the developing nursery. Dinner that night was served out on the veranda and the weather was perfect and warm with the sun setting over the ocean and the two new arrivals were completely enchanted by Potter Island. There was some talk of business, but mainly the group of friends spent time catching up. Susan and Hannah had never been part of Harry's immediate group of friends, but they were both sweet and he found it interesting to see how bonded the two of them were. Ron may have gaped at a couple of points when the two were more affectionate, but Harry had no problem with their cuddling or hand holding.
With Harry in complete agreement of Neville's choice to hire Susan, she officially started the following Monday, not quite two weeks before he was due to leave on his trip. She floo'd to the island each day and then made her way directly from the manor entrance to the greenhouses, where she began the process of learning what each plant's specific needs were.
With Susan around to help, Neville decided that it was time to go ahead with his own plans to take his NEWT tests. He hadn't studied for a lot, but he went ahead and tested for Herbology, Charms, and DADA. With Neville making the time for his tests, Ron yielded to peer pressure and also signed up the same week and took exams in Charms, DADA, Transfiguration, and (amazingly) Potions. Despite Bill's tutoring, he still bowed out when it came to History of Magic. He admired Harry, but he just couldn't handle the endless facts and drilling the subject required.
With Neville preparing to add more plants to the greenhouses soon, Hermione was busy installing the last of the runestones in the couple of last empty greenhouses. So far her runestones that were installed in functioning greenhouses had all been working fine and the central runestone was showing a surplus of magic buildup, so that she didn't have to worry about it running low.
With the greenhouses done, Hermione talked to Harry and he was eager to have her start to install the system in the manor. The manor system would be much larger and more complex, so Hermione started with an intricate keystone that she carved and buried in the basement. On the afternoon she placed it, Harry joined her and they made an occasion of removing a section of stone flooring and then digging out the dirt underneath. The keystone was roughly 1.5 meters square and required a bit of excavation, but it was eventually sunk a meter under the floor and approximately where the ley line should cross the manor. With the keystone in place, the floor was put back together and then Hermione had to begin the tedious process of putting the individual tied runestones in place around the manor.
In each room of the manor Hermione placed a small runestone by the door into the room and tied the runestone to a tiny runestone in each light fixture in the room. The light fixtures in the room then had a runestone with a lumos rune that was keyed to the individual activation stone for the room. Each room had to be keyed individually, so that turning on one light would not cause all of the lights around the house to go on. Each individual light fixture's rune stone could also be operated separately, so that individual lamps could be turned on and off separate from the rest of the room, but still drew their power from the room's main runestone. It was a long process to install, but after finishing a couple of rooms, everything worked flawlessly and Hermione was encouraged as she continued through the large manor.
In addition to lights, Hermione developed runestones to run all the water in the house. Currently the generator drove a pump for hot water from the hot springs and cold water from a well. Instead, Hermione located the two sources of water and put large summoning runestones on them. By then putting smaller, tied runestones on every hot and cold water source, it meant that turning on any hot or cold tap essentially summoned delicious spring or well water into the house. Magic could always create water with an aguamenti, but the water created was completely neutral with no minerals and at a flat temperature. The island had incredible natural resources and the summoning charms on the taps allowed the manor to utilize the water without relying on outdated generators and pumps. Hermione had come to adore her mineral soaked baths and was not willing to give them up. All of the small lumos and summoning stones pulled power from the master stone in the basement that drew off ambient magic in the house, as well as from the ley line that ran through the land. In the end it would take a whole week to finish the stones in one wing and the basement, but at the end of the week another 'ceremony' was able to take place.
It was Saturday the 26th of June and Hogwarts had released the day before. Ginny and Luna had each gone to their respective homes for one night before showing up at the manor the following morning, where they were greeted by an effusive round of hugs. There was much to catch up on over breakfast, but the biggest topic of discussion was the runestone project. Luna had taken Runes and was especially interested. After breakfast Hermione gave a demonstration of both the light and water systems. To turn on the lights in a room, one just had to run their hand over the lumos panel, similar to a muggle light switch. The ambient magic would activate the lumos spell. Doing it again would turn the lights off. To activate the water, she had set the runestones to detect the movement of faucets, so that turning a faucet caused the water to come on. Essentially everything worked like it always had, just much more efficiently. Both girls were impressed and it was then that Harry made an announcement.
"Well, since we're all here and the system is working, shall we all go together and shut off the generator?"
A round of cheers met his idea and everyone trooped out of the manor and down the path to the generator building. When they arrived, Harry stepped back and gestured to Hermione.
"I think after all your hard work, you should be the one to do the honors Hermione."
Hermione thanked him sagely and stepped forward to switch off the enormous machine. As it gradually wound down, the noise stopped and Harry grinned.
"Now I just have to finish the other wing before someone decides to move in there."
"Which won't be immediate."
Everyone left and wandered slowly back to the manor. Harry looped his arm in Ginny's and felt relieved to have the other two girls back, he had really missed them.
"So Gin, what are your plans now that you're a graduate?"
"I'm undecided still. I'll probably help at the Hogsmeade shop some. I suppose I could apply at the Ministry when I get my NEWT results. That's what mum is pushing me to do."
"Well don't do it just because of your mum."
Ginny shrugged, having grown a bit morose with the topic and Harry decided to switch the discussion to plans for the day. Everyone agreed that it was a perfect beach day and went in the house to change. Ginny and Luna had thankfully come prepared with bags in hand and all the wizards were appreciative when the three scantily clad witches removed their wraps once they reached the beach. The elves popped in at various times with cold drinks and lunch and the day was good fun. Ron had even found a fishing pole in storage and manage to bring in a couple of large fish out of the surf that Dina happily took away to add to the dinner preparations. As Harry lay back with a pretty witch on each side of him, friends around him, and a cold butterbeer in hand, he thought that life was pretty good.
The following day Harry decided to throw a large 'summer party' at the manor and invited all of his friends from school, as well as a few that he didn't know as well that were from Ginny and Luna's year. Although it was last minute, there was a lot to celebrate and he hoped for a good turnout. Along with his and Hermione's NEWT results, the celebration was marking the end of Ginny and Luna's Hogwarts years. The party would also serve as a send off for Neville, who would leave several days later. It would also be the first opportunity that Harry's wider group of friends would have to see Potter Island and he knew that curiosity was high.
The party was scheduled to start at six in the evening, with a preparatory beach party and everyone was instructed to bring swimwear. All of Harry's immediate friends were down on the beach already while Harry waited by the floo as guests poured in at regular intervals. One of the first to arrive were Fred and George with Angie and Alicia. Fred brushed ash off himself and whistled as he looked around.
"Wow, nice digs Harrikins. Ron wasn't exaggerating."
"Probably not. I'll be giving tours later, but we're going to hang out at the beach until sunset. Just follow the marked path out the back door and off the veranda. If you get lost, yell for Mingy. I'll be with you all when everyone else arrives."
"Sure thing, I hear a beach calling me…"
The foursome left and Harry spent the next twenty minutes fielding arrivals. Almost everyone who had been invited showed up, with a good crowd of forty or so. Once everyone was done arriving, Harry made his own way down to the beach.
The next hour or so was spent playing in the surf and sand with the large group of friends. As the sun lowered in the sky, the party adjourned back to the veranda where a fire pit and barbeque had been set up. Earlier that day Harry, Ron, and Ginny had spent a good few hours fishing and had brought in a good catch to add to the evening meal. As everyone sat down to eat, they were all appreciative of the range of seafood, both what had been caught earlier, and the shellfish that Harry had bought fresh off the docks on nearby St. Mary's island. Dina prepared all the food perfectly and drinks flowed in abundance as dinner ran over an hour. By the time the dishes were cleared, more than one groan could be heard.
As everyone enjoyed after dinner drinks and a couple of joints were passed around, someone shouted something about a tour, which Harry had almost forgotten about and he dragged himself out of his chair as everyone followed to get the full tour of the manor. Of course the basement pool was a highlight. Where everyone ended up though was the large second floor game room. The rest of the evening was spent with lots of drinks and rounds of various games. Shortly before midnight the first guests began to leave and by two all those that were going to leave had gone. A few never made it off Harry's sofas, so the elves found extra blankets and covered them wherever they found them.
One of those who never made it home was Ginny, who woke up happily next to Harry the following morning. As she was coming around, Harry groaned next to her and cracked an eye open. He smiled when he saw the red hair on the pillow next to him.
"Morning love, ugh, I don't know if it's good yet. Dina!"
The elf popped in at Harry's summons and he rolled over to look at her.
"Dina, two hangover potions please."
The elf popped out and returned less than a minute later with the vials in hand. Both Harry and Ginny took them and downed them readily. Harry thanked his elf and she popped out as he fell back on the bed.
"Alright, the morning is looking better now, especially with you here Gin. I tell you, I didn't think the school year would ever finish."
"How do you think I felt? I may be unsure what I want to do, but I am glad to have that chapter of life done with."
Harry cuddled Ginny close and they kissed lazily for a minute before pulling back to continue their discussion.
"So Gin, what are your plans for the day?"
"I was hoping to hang out here a while longer and delay heading home. Mum is going to be a nightmare about me not coming home last night. And I know she has a list of chores ready for me. You'd think I was twelve. I start helping in the Hogsmeade shop on Monday, but I'm free for a couple of days and I really just want to relax."
"You know you could solve the problem and just move in here. I've got the room. Ron commutes to the store every day. It's a quick floo trip and then he apparates."
"Really? That sounds grand. Mum will pitch it, but I really don't care. You do know that Luna will be visiting frequently. Her dad expanded the Quibbler and has taken over most of the house with it. She's been using the Burrow to escape to, but if I'm here, she'll come here instead."
"There's plenty of room for Luna too. As far as I'm concerned, I'm building a new kind of family here. It's great if everyone pitches in, but I've got more money than I know what to do with."
Ginny looked into Harry's eyes with wonder and kissed him deeply. Then he rolled her over and both realized that the potion had taken full effect and they were more than ready for another go as they spent the next hour pleasuring each other. Once they were done, Ginny followed Harry to his spacious bath and joined him for a long and relaxing soak.
When Ginny and Harry finally surfaced, they found that most of the crowd from the night before had departed and just the immediate friends were gathered in the main dining room as Dina served them an elaborate spread. Once everyone loaded their plates, Harry decided it was time to voice his proposal.
"So, Ginny and I were talking this morning and she has decided to move in. No surprise, but Molly hasn't exactly been treating her like a grown woman and Ginny would like to get out on her own. She can commute to Wheezes the same as Ron does. She mentioned that your house has been overtaken by the Quibbler Luna, so I wanted to extend the offer to you as well. You're welcome to move into the west wing with us, or we can even open the other wing if you want."
"Really Harry, that's quite kind. I think I would like being here with you all, but I'll stay here in the same wing. The other wing has been empty so long I'm sure it's full of fluffhoarders and mumblies."
"Excellent, well your choice. That means we'll have all six of us living here now and I want you all to know that I look at this like we're building a family. I don't have any blood relatives, but I love you all for different reasons and I see all of us living here together as a unique family unit. We've already agreed to not be jealous of each other and that's just part of it. As much as I appreciate you contributing, everyone here is equal regardless of contribution. I just want to make that clear."
Everyone had paused in their eating and Ron even seemed to be choking a bit on some eggs, while Hermione was wiping a couple of tears. Luna had a serene smile and Ginny hugged Harry's arm. The entire group was obviously moved by Harry's words, but it was Neville who responded first.
"I appreciate that Harry, I feel the same. I don't feel like this place is just a flat or a house where I'm living. It's different here. And I know I have a job to do, but it really feels like I'm contributing to something bigger."
Hermione nodded and was the next to speak up.
"I agree with Neville, this house is more than just a structure. Already in a short time we've made it a home. There's actually something that I was reading a while ago that I think describes us. I'll show it to you later."
A couple of others nodded and brunch resumed as talk turned to the task of moving in the two newest residents. It was decided that Neville and Ron would go with Luna to help her pack and move her things to the island, while Harry and Hermione would go with Ginny to face Molly Weasley and help Ginny pack and move.
Once brunch was done the two groups split up and floo'd out separately before then apparating to their different destinations. When the group arrived at the Burrow, Ginny took the lead and Molly was waiting.
"Ginevra! There you are finally! It's almost noon, where have you been? We have rules in this house young lady!"
"The party went late, so I slept at the manor mum. And yes, I know about the rules in this house, so I think it is time that I move out. Harry and Hermione are here to help me pack. I'm moving to Potter Manor."
"What? Now? Just like that?"
"Yes mum. I finished school for you, but I'm almost eighteen. I've been an adult for a while, it's time I start to make my own decisions. I love you, but I need to make my own way."
"But what will you do? You haven't even received your NEWTs yet."
"I'll figure it out. For the summer, I'm helping at Wheezes. Now, excuse me mum, but I need to pack."
Ginny proceeded upstairs with Harry and Hermione following after saying quick hellos to Molly. With the help of lightening and shrinking charms, packing took a bit less than two hours and everything fit in four boxes and two suitcases. When they were done, Harry levitated everything downstairs. Ginny said a final tearful goodbye to her mum, and the group each took hold of items as they portkeyed away.
Arriving back at the manor, the group from the Burrow found that Luna and her group had arrived back only a short while before. She and Ginny took all their things and spent the rest of the afternoon selecting bedrooms, unpacking, and settling in.
With the arrival of Ginny and Luna, the manor took on another flavor of life. Each new addition to the household added a new kind of variety. For Hermione, she loved her guys, but greatly enjoyed having women in residence with her to help balance out the perspective. The guys on the other hand enjoyed each of the unique witches in the household. Everyone had their own space, but often would come together in the evenings for dinner when lively discussions ensued over a variety of topics. As for more personal activities, everyone had their own bedrooms, but couples frequently divided up and no one had a reason to feel neglected.
After searching, Hermione was unable to find the book that she had thought of at dinner and desperately wanted to read again. She had read it a couple of years before during the summer, but she realized that it was probably packed with the boxes from her parents' house. Eventually she gave up and just ordered a copy from a muggle reseller. She spent a few days reading it again and then passed it off to Harry. He seemed intrigued, although she knew it would take him a while to work through it.
A few days after Ginny and Luna moved in, on the 30th, Neville left the island for his whirlwind tour of the world in search of plants. Susan had been working for nearly two weeks and took over seamlessly from him. She and Hannah were regular visitors on the island and, although they were not part of Harry's original group of friends, they started to mesh well with everyone.
Although Susan's main duty to begin with was to maintain the existing plants, a week after Neville left, her duties expanded when Neville's first portkey delivery of new plant specimens arrived that needed to be settled into a greenhouse. She was kept quite busy with that, as well as with the flourishing vegetable nursery that was seeing the first fruits start to appear. As her duties increased with each new portkey that delivered new specimens, she stayed longer on the island and Hannah was seen visiting more as well, since her girlfriend was working so much overtime. While there was a lot of work involved, Harry made sure that Susan always took time for lunch and both she and Hannah often stayed and had dinner with the rest of the household. By the time Neville had been gone for two weeks, the two witches were firmly established into the routine of Harry's unique, developing family.
While Potter Nursery was keeping busy, so was the latest expansion to Weasley's Wizard Wheezes in Hogsmeade, which was doubling in size and was due to re-open in time for the new school year. After the war, Headmistress McGonagall had instated a new rule that allowed all sixth and seventh years to have full Hogsmeade access every weekend and Fred and George were looking forward to the boost in business. Ron had been designated the general manager for the store and was leading the efforts to get it ready to re-open by September first. Ginny was just helping part time in the afternoons, but she welcomed the opportunity.
As for Luna, she still hadn't decided how to pursue her magical creature studies and had instead decided to focus on a secondary hobby for the summer, her painting. On the ground floor of the manor there was a formal parlor at the back of the house that wasn't used often, as the household didn't do a lot of formal entertaining. The room faced the back veranda and received plentiful sunlight, making it ideal for her painting. Although she had only intended to make temporary use of the space, as soon as Harry had seen her working, he happily had the elves help move some furniture out and set up the space as a studio where Luna could be found most of the time. When Harry took a break from his own office, it was just a few steps to Luna's studio and he often enjoyed checking out what she was working on. Some of her paintings were a bit fanciful, but she was quite talented.
As July came to an end, Harry received word from Neville that he had finished all but his South American destinations and that he hoped to be home in couple of weeks. All of the greenhouses now had something growing in them, even if they weren't all full it would just take time as the small samples grew and were propagated. Susan seemed quite happy with everything that had been arriving, and from what Harry understood of what he saw, he was quite thrilled as well. Also, the first vegetables were just starting to be harvested and Harry especially enjoyed touring the vegetable greenhouse. Combined with regular fresh fish that was caught by different members of the household, Harry had the satisfaction that his land was starting to provide for those who were living on it. As for the cannabis greenhouse, it would need a bit longer, but with the help of some magical fertilizers, Harry hoped to be smoking his very own strain of weed before long.
As Neville wrapped up his whirlwind herbological tour, Susan was inundated with new arriving samples and it seemed that she was practically living at the manor. Harry was ready to ask her to move in, but wanted to wait for Neville to arrive home.
Everything was going well for Harry until a fateful day in mid-August when he received a panicked floo call late one night from Tonks. He had been just about ready to call it a night when Mingy had alerted him that someone was calling and they 'seemed most distressed'. As soon as Harry made his way to the floo, he knew immediately something was terribly wrong when he saw the face of the usually placid Tonks sobbing and shaking visibly, even through the distortion of the flames.
"Tonks, what is it? Teddy?"
"Yes, it…it's Teddy. We're at Mungo's. He's got Crup Cough. The healer says it's the worst case he's seen. Can…can you come?"
"Of course. Let me tell the others. I'll be there as quick as I can."
Tonks nodded her head and withdrew from the floo as Harry took a moment to collect himself. He'd heard of Crup Cough, but he knew there was a preventative potion for it, much like vaccinations in the non-magical world. He knew it was one of the more severe magical childhood illnesses, but beyond that he didn't know much. Shaking himself, he ran back upstairs to inform everyone else. Hermione was working on some runes, finalizing work on what would hopefully allow them to have a telly before long. Harry looked at her desperately for answers.
"Hermione, can you tell me more? I've only heard a bit about Crup Cough?"
Everyone in the room was in a state of distressed shock, as Hermione sighed and set her work aside.
"It's a bit like whooping cough Harry. It's an infection that feeds off the magical core. Children get preventative potions, but like vaccines, there's a small percentage that the potion is not effective for. Children have a very distinctive cough that sounds like a crup coughing up a hairball, thus the name. Also, a high, dangerous fever is common. The cough can get severe enough that some children break bones, vomit, or even rupture their throat partly. From what I remember reading, treatment options once a child is sick are mostly supportive care."
Harry groaned and felt a bit sick himself. Hermione, Ron, and Ginny discussed going to visit as well, but Hermione pointed out that visitors would most likely be limited to immediate family, so they desisted. Harry promised to pass on their wishes to Tonks and left after passing on the news. He quickly floo'd and then apparated to the outside apparition point for the hospital.
It took a few minutes for Harry to be directed to the right ward, but once he was in the children's critical care ward, he was soon greeted by a middle age healer who brought Tonks out to see him. The healer's name was Abernathy and he looked solemn as he passed sterile robes to Harry. Tonks was already outfitted. The healer briefed Harry as he gowned himself.
"Mr. Potter, Mrs. Lupin told us to expect you. Truthfully, we usually only allow in immediate family, but you are his godfather, which is good enough for me. Little Teddy is a very sick little boy right now. We've got him on a series of potions to combat the infection as much as possible, but Crup Cough is a multi layered infection that is quite persistent. As well as trying to combat the cause, he is on a potion to combat the fever and calm the worst of the cough. He really needs rest as well, so finally we have him on a mild dreamless sleep. It's a lot for a child under two, but we need to be aggressive in treating this."
"Can I do anything?"
"Just being here to support Mrs. Tonks is a help. She wipes him down with a cool solution that is a very dilute murtlap essence. You can certainly help with that. Here in this ward we keep a close watch on the patients. It's a waiting game now. The next couple of days are critical."
Tonks was listening, obviously tired. She had heard it before, but still she seemed to wilt a bit and Harry put an arm around her. When Healer Abernathy finished briefing them, he led them back to Teddy's room. Harry paused as he entered, not quite prepared for the sight of the impossibly small little boy in the cot with potion infusions running into him and a bubble head charm over him. Through the bubble, Harry saw his hair was reverted to his natural brown color. Tonks stepped over and dipped a cloth into a basin of solution and began to wipe Teddy's bare chest. Stepping over to her side, Harry put a hand on her shoulder.
"Why don't you sit down for a bit and let me."
Tonks nodded and Harry took over, carefully wiping down the little boy in an attempt to keep him cool. Even through the cloth, he could feel the heat radiating off of him. Harry found himself shaking and carefully began some breathing exercises to bring himself back under control. It was so difficult to see Teddy lying in the hospital cot helpless. He hadn't realized until that moment just how much Teddy meant to him.
Harry didn't move from his duty for several hours as Tonks managed a bit of fitful sleep in the chair behind him. When she woke, they switched and set a routine that they would maintain over the next couple of days. When Harry took a break from watching over Teddy, he made an occasional foray to the cafeteria for food for himself and Tonks, otherwise she never would have eaten. He also sent several owls to friends and to Andi Tonks to update them on Teddy's progress.
On his third day in the hospital, Teddy's fever finally broke and the healers stopped the dreamless sleep and allowed him to awaken. Thankfully only a light cough remained and the little boy was alert and happy to see his mother and godfather doting on him. He tired quickly though and it was obvious that he was still quite sick.
After another couple of days in the hospital, Teddy was finally released to go home with his mother. Tonks had been staying with her mum since the end of the war, but after a bit of late night discussion while Teddy slept, she agreed to come stay at the manor with Teddy for a while. They both agreed that the clean sea air would be good for his healing. Andi Tonks wasn't as happy, but Harry added her to the guest list on the floo and left an open invitation for her to visit whenever she wanted.
With Tonks and Teddy moving into the manor, Harry officially opened the other wing of the manor. When Tonks arrived and was given her selection of rooms to choose from, she was left stunned when she was presented with an entire manor wing for herself and Ted. Although Harry offered her one of the large master suites, she preferred a smaller suite that still offered a sweeping ocean view and had an attached door to the suite next door, which she set up for Teddy.
With the second wing of the manor now open, Harry was concerned that his elves might get over worked, so a couple of days later he made his way to the Ministry to apply for another elf. Although the paperwork didn't seem to be any less, he found that adding an elf to an established household required less wait than setting up a new household and, three days later, Fin joined Harry's rapidly growing family.
Tonks stayed at the manor with a recovering Teddy for another week, but it wasn't long before it was obvious that the little boy was thankfully fully recovered. It was also obvious that he adored living on the island. He loved to run free across the grass and dunes, build sandcastles, chase crabs, frolic in the surf, and go flying with his godfather. Although Harry was busy during the day and his business meetings frequently called him away from the manor, when he was free, he doted on the little boy. Teddy never lacked for attention from anyone else either and all the residents of the manor were equally in love with the mischievous little boy. By the time Tonks had to return to work and went to take Teddy to his grandmother's for the day, it was a battle to get the little boy in the floo and off the island for even a few hours.
Just as Tonks and Teddy were settling into the manor, Neville finally returned from his whirlwind trip around the world. To welcome him home, Harry planned a large party with all their friends for a fish fry. He, Ron, and Ginny spent most of the day before his arrival fishing. Then Dina and the newly arrived Fin prepared the fish while everyone else hung streamers and a large welcome home sign in the entrance hall of the manor. All the guests trickled in for an hour before Neville's portkey finally deposited him in front of the manor. Everyone was waiting and welcomed him with a cheer. He looked a bit shocked as his face broke out into a huge grin. Harry stepped forward first with a manly hug and backslap.
"Good to have you back mate. You're looking fit and tan."
"Yes, I've been out in the sun a lot. It's good to be back. I've missed everyone. I wasn't expecting a big to do."
Harry waved him off and everyone else descended on the guest of honor, with Susan and Hannah being in the front row. Soon the initial greetings were done and everyone made their way to the back veranda. The rest of the evening was spent around the fire pit with friends all eager to listen to Neville's stories of his travels. Dinner was eaten casually, with fish and chips devoured in large quantities and enjoyed by all. Gradually guests excused themselves as the evening wore on. Augusta Longbottom was one of the first to grow tired. Then Tonks left to put Teddy to bed. Then others gradually drifted away. When Neville finally retired for the evening, no one questioned when Susan and Hannah decided to spend the night with him.
The next morning Neville was up bright and early and ready to follow Susan to the greenhouses. Hannah decided to leave them to it while she had a bit of a lie-in. Neville was thrilled with the progress of all the plants and the morning went quickly as he and Susan worked their way through the arid greenhouses. When they took a break for lunch, Hannah joined them on the back veranda where Harry and Luna had also come to enjoy the beautiful weather and a mid-day break.
Once lunch was finished, Luna left to return to her painting and Harry decided it was a good time to talk to Neville, Susan, and Hannah.
"So Neville, feeling good about everything in the greenhouses? Susan's been doing a great job."
"Yes, we've only been through the arid houses, but they look great. Not that I'm surprised. There's not much for me to do."
"That brings up something else Harry. You won't need me as much now that Nev's back."
"True, but I still want to keep you part time Susie. I don't want Nev to have to pull long hours. And he is the director of the nursery, so he needs to manage the long term goals of the nursery as well, future harvests and such."
"Well that sounds good. I appreciate the work."
"That brings up something else I've been meaning to discuss with the three of you. Something a bit more personal. I know I'm your employer, but I'm also your friend. Neville is living here in the manor and I know the two of you visit regularly. I know you and Neville are involved and I think it's great. I'm not sure where you're living right now, but I wanted to offer for Susan and Hannah to move in to the manor as well if you're interested. We have a bit of space in my wing, or the other wing is mostly free and has a lot of space. As long as you don't mind a toddler running around. You know how big the place is. And if you decide to move into the other wing, Nev may want to move over there. Whatever you all want. It's just that I know you've been spending so much time here, I thought it may be easier."
"Wow. That's an intriguing offer Harry. "
Neville looked excited and looked at Susan and Hannah. Both witches looked happy and the threesome whispered among themselves for a minute. Then Hannah spoke for the group.
"We're going to take you up on the offer Harry on one condition."
Harry nodded.
"Well, Neville has room and board included with his salary, so when you calculate a part time salary for Susie, figure room and board for her and me included, although we'll be in one room. Except I do eat. Right now we're renting a small flat and it's alright, but it's nothing special. We want this to be fair for you also. And we think that we'd like to spread out a bit and move into the other wing."
"And I'll probably move over there too Harry."
"Alright, sounds good. So, I was paying Susie by the hour, shall we discuss employment terms while we're talking? Nev, you're the director, what would you say you need, half time help?"
"Sure, that would probably suffice."
"Alright then, Susan I'd like to offer you a half time position with Potter Nursery for a salary 1,250 galleons a year, plus room and board for yourself and Hannah. Does that sound fair?"
Susan seemed a bit stunned, but collected herself.
"Um, sure Harry."
"Brilliant, I'll advise my account manager. Business concluded. Feel free to move in whenever. Take your pick of bedrooms. Look out for a wild dervish of a toddler goes by the name of Teddy."
That brought a chuckle as everyone raised their drinks and toasted the end of another successful negotiation and another addition to the growing family within Potter Manor.
