The consensus is that mild weed usage is tame, so I'm keeping the rating. Also, there was a question on money. When I started writing, I found an analysis of HP money and have used that reference ever since I began. It puts the conversion at about 20-21 pounds to the galleon. For all those worried about the salaries, there you go. I've used that figuring in all my stories for years and I am a creature of habit. One final bit of news. This story completes at 14 chapters, so at 2 posts a week this won't take too much longer. Hope you are enjoying.
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Chapter 10 – A Kerfluffle and the Farm
After Christmas and the new year, the next big happening on the island was the arrival in mid-January of the two demiguise tribes. Although all the residents were intrigued by the animals, their elusive nature and semi-dormant state meant that there wasn't much to be viewed by eager onlookers who didn't have Luna's aura capabilities. Still, she kept everyone appraised at dinner each night with how the progress was going with their settling in. All was looking good and they seemed content in the temporary nests that Luna had constructed out of hay and mud for them. They were nothing like the permanent nests the demiguise would make for themselves come spring, but Luna happily reported that they had crawled into them ever so slowly and gone back to sleep after their long travel, which was the most that she could hope for. Other than providing food once a week, and checking on them occasionally, there wasn't much else that could be done for the next three months or so and Harry knew that Luna would inform him if anything came up. Hopefully though, no news would be good news at least until spring when the animals woke up completely again.
While Luna was taking care of the demiguise, she found that the regular portkey travel was taking a toll on her and was glad when she was able to have her charges safely settled. Unfortunately though she didn't start to feel much better and, as January progressed, she soon had her answer when her monthly failed to arrive on its usual schedule with the moon's cycle. She took a test one afternoon and confirmed what she had already known, that she had apparently slipped up on one of her contraceptive charms. Looking at the shade of the pregnancy potion, she was between five and six weeks. Checking a calendar, that left her in a bit of a quandary. She rather thought that Harry was the more likely possibility, but she had slept with Ron once as well, so there was no definite assurance on who the father was. Luna contemplated for several days and finally decided to make her announcement after dinner one evening when all the members of the commune were present. She rather liked the term they had come up with for their family and now she hoped that the family could help her find a solution to figuring out who the baby daddy was. She waited until Dina had cleared the table and then took her chance.
"Everyone, I have an announcement and a kerfluffle I need help with."
"Um, sure Luna, go ahead."
"I'm pregnant. Almost six weeks now. I've known for a couple of days. My charms must have slipped. Or the nargles got to me. Anyway, I need to figure out the baby daddy. It's either Harry or Ron. Odds are on Harry, because we had sex quite a bit, but Ron is a possibility. I am unaware of any way to find out before the baby is born. Does anyone know?"
Everyone looked a bit stunned at Luna's matter of fact statements. Harry and Ron both looked particularly pale. It was Hermione who spoke first.
"Wow, um, okay. I'm not sure about what a healer can do Luna. Muggles have a test called an amniocentesis that can run a DNA test on the baby and then match it to a father's DNA, but it's quite invasive. Have you been to a healer?"
"Not yet. I was waiting to figure this out."
Harry shook his head and reached past Tonks to put his hand on Luna's.
"Alright Luna, I'm shocked, but I'm here for you. Even if it's not mine, I'm still your friend and you're part of the commune and the baby will be too. You need to see a healer first for yours and the baby's health. Maybe they can help. Ron?"
"Um…uh…yeah…I'm here too. I'm just shocked."
"Maybe Ron and I should go with you to the healer."
"I'll go as well, a bit of female support."
"Me as well."
"Why not, let's make it a group trip."
"This should be interesting."
"So, alright, when, Luna?"
"I guess tomorrow, just before lunch if everyone can get away?"
Everyone nodded and it was agreed, Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Ginny would accompany Luna to the healer.
The next day Luna sent an early owl and got an appointment at St. Mungo's. Then, as agreed, everyone met at St. Mungo's in the lobby. Although the large group was a bit perplexing, they were all shown back to the exam room with Luna. When Healer Rye actually entered the room, she was a bit surprised.
"Hello, Miss Lovegood, I'm Healer Helena Rye and who are all your escorts if I may ask?"
"Over here are Harry Potter and Ronald Weasley, one of them is the father. We need your help with that. And here are Hermione Granger and Ginny Weasley, friends along for support."
"The entire Golden Trio came with you? Sorry, excuse me."
"Um, no problem, except we really prefer to not use that moniker, we didn't choose it."
"Right, my apologies. You said something about determining the father? You have no idea?"
"Well I had sex with Harry more than Ron, but Ron and I did have sex at about the right time. You see, we live in a commune where we are allowed to sleep with whomever we want freely. Do you have a test to help?"
The healer looked at Luna a bit stunned and then looked at the other four, who were all huddled around Luna, smiling. She caught her breath and replied.
"Um…ye…yes, although I've only read about it in school. Let's examine you first."
The healer proceeded with a very thorough examination and then pocketed her wand as she looked back up at Luna.
"Well, all looks good. You are right at six weeks, just as you thought. You're quite healthy, but I will give you a standard course of vitamins to take. There's nothing else except the paternity test. I need to get some potions, I'll be right back."
The healer left and returned a few minutes later. While she was gone, the friends all happily talked, glad for the good report so far. Then Healer Rye returned.
"Alright, this test is similar to a muggle one called an amniocentesis, except we don't use needles. I use a spell to summon a small portion of amniotic fluid. I then mix a bit with a potion and a saliva sample from any possible paternal matches. If the potion turns blue, the fluid and saliva matches, and that person is the father. Unlike the intrusive muggle method, there is no risk to you or the child."
Luna nodded and gave her consent to proceed. The healer waved her wand over Luna's belly and enchanted a complex spell, a bubble of fluid floated out and was collected into an empty vial. The healer then split the sample into two potions that she had waiting. She then turned and handed one each to Ron and Harry and asked them to each spit into their vials. Within a minute it was obvious what the answer was when Harry's turned bright blue.
"I was right! Sorry Ronald."
"Um, that's alright Luna."
"Wow, so okay, I'm going to be a dad."
"Congratulations Mr. Potter."
Harry just nodded, still absorbing the news while the healer finished talking to Luna. As she was getting ready to leave, Harry had one final thought.
"Healer Rye, thank you for your help. All of this is protected by patient confidentiality right?"
Harry's tone was firm and the healer looked a bit taken aback.
"Of course."
Harry just nodded and the healer left the room, leaving the group of friends to gather themselves and leave the hospital. The group split to go their separate directions, although Harry and Luna both apparated and then floo'd back to the manor.
When Harry and Luna arrived, Harry turned to Luna and gently wrapped an arm around her, leading her out to the back veranda. They sat in some chairs and he turned to her.
"Luna, I'm still in a bit of shock, but I want to know what your thoughts are? Do you want to get married? You know I'll take care of you and the baby no matter what."
"No Harry, you don't love me. At least not enough to be married. You care about me and I care about you. I don't want to change anything. I'd like to raise the child here at the commune."
"Alright, well…that's good…good. I mean, that way I'll be close. I want to be involved Luna. Anything you need, just tell me."
"Of course Harry. Now you have businesses to attend and I'm going to paint. Try not to let the nargles get to you Harry. Everything will be fine."
Luna rose, seeming unperturbed and left Harry sitting with his thoughts for another few minutes until he finally let out a long sigh and departed the veranda back to his office.
The rest of January passed uneventfully as Luna seemed to be undisturbed by her pregnancy. Although she ate some odd combinations of food, that wasn't wholly unusual for her anyway, so it went without remark. She still visited both Harry and Ron's beds, and even slept with Neville once when he wasn't with Susan, but none noticed any change in her yet except perhaps a bit more sensitivity with her breasts. She was blessed with no sickness or other noticeable changes, much like her own mother had claimed that she had escaped.
February was a dreary, soggy month on the island that saw no great changes except that Andromeda Tonks had decided to leave England for a trip to Greece and Teddy was once again left for an extended period of time in Hannah's care. The occasions were happening more often and neither Hannah nor Teddy minded, as she had discovered that she truly enjoyed caring for the little boy. The month also brought no appreciable change as far as the demiguise, although Luna was happy to report that their temporary dwellings were holding up well and there were no issues to report. As for the greenhouses, all but a couple of specimens were flourishing in their new environments and Neville planned on selling a few limited harvest items come spring. The plan was to have a full cycle of harvested specimens ready for sale within three years' time. Once that happened, Neville's next plan was to start to set several greenhouses to be reverse seasoned so that in a few years Potter Nursery could offer off season sales.
As for off island ventures, Weasley's Wizard Wheezes and Wares was doing well at both its locations, with Ron being full time manager at the Hogsmeade branch and Ginny working part time between the two branches. February also saw the first profits for Hermione's rune stones, a trend that would continue to grow and never cease from that point forward. It was also in February that Hermione received her first personal contract for a rune stone installation. Rather than simply buy a set of stones, the Brown family hired her to retrofit their manor similar to what she had done at Potter Manor. The job took close to two weeks, but paid well and the customers (Lavender's grandparents) were more than thrilled with the end result. It was something she had been unsure about doing and she had quoted a quite high price for in hopes of deterring them, but in the end Hermione found an elite niche market of about one customer every two months or so who was willing to pay her fees to have her personal touch retrofit their properties.
March passed and soon it was April and spring dawned on the island, bringing with it the first wildflowers blooming among the dune grasses on the island and the first promise of new life as Luna brought word that the demiguise had roused from their slumber and were building permanent nests high in the trees.
Spring also meant that Harry was ready to see his other plans for his land brought to fruition, namely opening his fields and bringing in more animals. Before he did so, he knew he would need some additional specially trained elves so he made his way to the Ministry and once again filled out the tedious paperwork. A week later Lona and Figgy joined Dina, Mingy, and Fin. Harry also converted a second small pantry to house the female elves and split the elves into two separate rooms. It was much more than any of the elves expected, but they all seemed quite happy with their quarters, as well as with the uniforms that Mingy made for them.
Harry's first task for the new elves was to repair his barn. While they were repairing that, he and Ron made a trip to Yorkshire to a magical farm that had horses and cows for sale. Harry had a lot to learn about the animals, but he and Ron received a surprise when they arrived and found someone they knew on site. Dean Thomas looked equally surprised to see them.
"Oi, Harry, Ron, what are you doing round these parts?"
"We have a meeting with a Mr. Thomas about some animals. Never figured he'd be a relation to you. Is he?"
"Aye, he's my uncle. Mum's brother. I'm just here helping out on the weekends."
"Brilliant, care to show us around?"
Dean nodded and proceeded to take them around the side of the barn where they met up with Michael Thomas, Dean's uncle. He and Dean then proceeded to show them the different animals that were up for sale and educated them a bit. Harry wasn't looking for meat cattle, so he quickly decided on a half dozen Ayrshire. As he found out, magic was helpful in providing spells to help cycle a cow's milk production, which was something Harry hadn't even given thought to. Next, he had to decide on horses. The farm had several nice thoroughbreds, but they were all a bit skittish whenever Harry or Ron got near them. Instead Harry opted for horses that were a bit more docile, picking three that were a crossbred variety between a Cleveland and a Suffolk*. Harry didn't know much about horses, but all of the ones he picked seemed gentle and were all good size without being huge. The oldest was seven and the youngest was four. The farm also had some nice ponies, but Harry figured that Teddy probably should wait a couple of more years until he got the boy a pony.
The final arrangement after Harry paid for all the animals was to setup a portkey that would transport the animals under stasis in a week once Harry was assured that the barn and field were all in shape. It was then that Harry had another idea.
"Dean, could I hire you for a couple of days to come along with the shipment and see that they get settled? That is if you don't mind Mr. Thomas?"
"No, not at all. Right good idea actually."
"Sure Harry. I'll just hitch a ride with the portkey. We can discuss details when I get to the island."
Harry smiled and shook Dean's hand and then Mr. Thomas'. With all the details done, he and Ron bid them farewell and apparated away.
The following week was spent busily back at the farm, as it was rightly now called. The elves had the barn rebuilt and the fencing around the neighboring field all repaired within a couple of days. The next task was to get the fields plowed. One of the unique treasures that had been found under a tarp in the barn was an old tractor. It had also been placed under a stasis charm, so it was in good condition, as was the can of ancient gasoline with it, which Harry was determined not to use. Instead, he 'hired' Hermione to find an alternative. After a few hours, she had modified a power runestone to work with the old tractor instead. Soon Figgy was plowing up the long unused fields and, within a couple of days a new crop of hay had been sowed in one field, while a second field was prepared for a large vegetable crop that would provide much more than the greenhouse could. It was Harry's goal to have the elves do some canning. The greenhouse would still provide fresh off season vegetables, but it would no longer be the sole source of vegetables for the larger commune family. The farm was officially on its way.
The farm's newest residents arrived the day after the fields were sowed, with two different portkeys depositing first the sleeping cows and then the horses with Dean in tow. When Dean arrived, he found all the members of the commune waiting, even little Teddy, who was beyond excited. Still, Tonks kept herself and Ted behind the fences while Harry and Dean carefully woke all the animals. Thankfully they had all handled the transit well and were soon wandering in their field. After watching them for an hour or so, Dean happily joined everyone back at the manor for lunch. He would stay for a couple of days to instruct on caring for the cows and horses, but soon those duties, including the milking, was handed over to the elves.
By the time May arrived, Luna was in full bloom at five months pregnant. She was glowing and looking even more beautiful than ever. The island was also in full bloom with all of the flowering shrubs around the manor showing at their best thanks to the efforts of the elves. Away from the manor, the wildflowers were also blooming, and in the greenhouses numerous plants were in full flower as well. Potter Island now encompassed multiple businesses as part of Potter Industries, and the Luna announced that at the end of April that two of the demiguise were showing signs of mating rituals. Potter Farms now included chickens, cows, and horses and, with beautiful weather becoming more regular, Harry had taken to learning to ride something other than a broom. Not everyone was as enthusiastic as he was, but on occasion Hermione would join him. Spring was flourishing and so was the commune.
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* Information on the breeds of cow and horses came from the internet, which hopefully didn't let me down. I'm a city girl and clueless otherwise.
