Disclaimer: No, I don't own it or make any claims to.
AN: Wow, nice response. I need to explain that I was playing around with this idea and didn't really intend for it to be more than just a ridiculous idea. Some of this you may see again in another story I am working on. I was also using it to get back in the groove of writing. Now, for those of you who took offense to my pairing, if you continue reading, I think I have explained myself a little better. My thought process is that Harry and Andromeda are desperate for some normalcy in their lives even if it throws them into each other's arms. I explained that Andi is a forty something year old witch who thanks to her magic doesn't look a day over thirty as she hasn't had the life that Narcissa and Bella have had and so she hasn't aged as badly. Granted, the last year will have an effect on her unless she has a new lease on life. It may seem like it's another Harry finds a cougar and has a good time but that is not my intent.
Chapter 2
Andi led Harry and Teddy around muggle London for four hours before she was finally satisfied with Harry's clothes. She would have preferred to keep shopping but she couldn't decide whose whining was worse, eighteen year old Harry or one year old Teddy. Even though she was a little uneasy about her actions the previous day or should we say earlier that morning, watching the two of them together made things a little better. She could tell that Harry would be the absolute best man to raise Teddy even though she could see her new husband corrupting his Godson even at that young age. As she watched them out of the corner of her eye, she could see the whining was an act they were putting on just to annoy her so in turn, she found a way to get back at Harry. Every time Harry would try on clothes, she would make it a point to fondle oops I'm mean check the fitting of the different pants and jeans. When he started protesting, she simply told him that her boy toy had to look the part if he wanted to be with her. With Harry still not being used to such forwardness, she had him blushing most of the day much too Andi's satisfaction.
As a whole, the shopping trip had been a pretty enjoyable experience for the new family and antics of her boys were enough to keep Andi smiling most of the day. The most sobering part of the day had been when she insisted on having suits fitted for Harry and Teddy as well as purchasing a new black dress for herself. When Harry first started to protest, she cut him off saying that the three of them would have a proper goodbye to their family. That comment brought them back to reality and quickly put a damper on the fun they had been having. Once Andi realized what she had done, her eyes grew teary for running their first day out together as a family. When he saw the sad look on her face, Harry reached out and gently grabbed her hand in support. A gentle kiss to the cheek was enough to reassure her that he would be there to face it with her. She finally declared the trip complete when she was satisfied that Harry's clothes would no longer embarrass her whenever they went out in public together.
When they had returned to Gringotts after enjoying lunch in muggle London, Ragnok led them to his office where they met up with Blackclaw. After he had told the tale of his encounter at Hogwarts, Harry bowed to him and said "I owe you my thanks for so skillfully circumventing the truth."
"It was my pleasure Warrior Potter. However, cousin Filius may have figured out my deception."
Harry laughed "Master Flitwick is a wise man and not much gets past him. I don't think we have to worry about him saying anything as it was often he who counseled me during the rough times when I was at school. If anything I think he would be happy I made my escape."
Ragnok cleared his throat. "Have you decided on any properties yet?"
Andi responded "That is on our agenda for this afternoon, hopefully we will have a decision for you by the evening."
"Very good. The sooner we know where, the sooner we can start building. Remember that you also have to come up with a design and list the amenities you require. There is one other matter that I'd like to discuss with you and it is something I hesitate to ask."
Harry smiled "Just say what's on your mind. I won't take offense."
"When your father fell, there was no longer a Lord Potter to control the wards on the estate and they went into lockdown. In the past, every member of the Potter family has been buried in the cemetery on the estate but at the time, normal family burial arrangements could not be observed. Since you have taken the mantle of your family, we can right a wrong that was done many years ago and place James and Lily in their rightful place."
Harry softly asked "Can we place a marker for Sirius as well as bury Remus and Nym there?"
Ragnok smiled "Were they your family?"
"Yes."
"Then as Lord Potter commands, it shall be so. I only ask this because it would mean exhuming your parents' bodies and moving them to the family cemetery."
"Please do it. If it would be possible I'd like a massive headstone with the Marauder's design on it along with their names inscribed at their heads. Oh, could you retrieve Dobby's body from Shell Cottage and place it there as well?"
Ragnok nodded as Blackclaw took all of this down.
Andi said "Harry, Nym wasn't a Marauder."
He defiantly said "In my mind she was. I can just imagine her and Mum giving the rest of us a run for our money."
She smiled affectionately at him "Well, we will get to see that for ourselves one day won't we."
"Yeah, um…Andi?"
"Yes dear?"
"We can place a marker for Ted there as well. I know he was...like Sirius and well, he was my family through you and Nym so…."
She pulled him into a hug and whispered "You are such a good man. I think he would have been honored to be memorialized there."
Harry smiled at her and then turned his eyes upon Ragnok.
Ragnok said "We will do as you ask and have it prepared the day after tomorrow. Is there anything else you would like to place on the large marker?"
"Yes Sir, True family is not measured by blood."
Blackclaw bowed to him and said "Well said Milord. A truer Goblin I've never met."
Harry smiled "I am honored."
**SO**
As the short meeting came to a close, Harry led a subdued Andi back to their rooms.
When they got in, she broke down in tears and ran off as Harry took Teddy and placed him in his crib. As he entered the sitting room, he heard her crying in their bedroom and went in to see if he could help. In the end he just wrapped her in his arms until she calmed enough to talk to him about it.
"I feel terrible. My baby is dead and here I am running around like a love sick teenager."
"Andi, I've been trying to do everything I could to distract you from reality even if it was only for a short time. With all the hurt we've been through, I just wanted you to have a little happiness. I'm here for you and we'll get through this together."
Her response was to pull him closer to him as he rubbed circles on her back. Finally spent from her emotional release, she eased into a fitful sleep. When he felt that she was truly out for the moment, he slipped out of her arms and went back into the sitting room. He sank down in one of the comfortable chairs and thought for a minute before saying "Winky, could I speak with you?"
A soft 'pop' was heard as she appeared in front of him. "Lord Potter be calling for Winky?"
"Yes, have you bonded with a family yet?"
"No sir, Winky still be at Hogwarts waiting for a proper family."
"Would you like to join mine?"
"Winky would like that very much but would have to refuse."
"Why Winky?"
"Winky be having a son and can't leave him Sir."
"Was he yours and Dobby's?"
She sniffed "Yes Sir."
"Winky, I owe Dobby so much, there's no way I could ever repay it. To have his family join mine would make me very happy. He gave his life to protect me and I owe it to him to protect his family in the same way."
"Winky felt Dobby die through our bond and even though he knew he was leaving me and our son, he was happy to save Master Harry just as Master Harry had once saved him. There be no debts between Dobby and Master Harry."
"That doesn't change what I said. I still want you both to join my family."
"Dinky?" 'POP'
"Yes Mama?"
"Master Harry Potter wants me and you to bond with him. Do you want to?"
"No Winky, I asked you to join my family, not bond to it."
"Harry Potter doesn't think Winky is good enough?"
Harry fell down to his knees in front of her and said "I think you are too good. I can never repay Dobby for what he did but I can take care of his family."
"Winky and Dinky accept."
Harry reached out and pulled both of them into a hug. He said "I, Lord Harry James Potter-Black, accept Winky and Dinky into the Potter-Black family. May they now be known as Winky Potter-Black and Dinky Potter-Black." A blue glow flashed around the three of them as Harry's and their magic accepted his oath.
Winky stepped back with a smile on her face and said "Winky expects you want us to call you Harry?"
He smirked "Yes, you are family."
She mock glared at him "Even so, we will be proper and take care of our family like is our duty."
Harry grinned "Yes ma'am, I would never deny you something that makes you happy. We will have a home of our own soon and I will introduce you to the Lady Black and well as the Black Heir when they wake up. By the way, they will be called Andi and Teddy. If you don't agree to this, I will start calling you Miss Potter-Black along with Mr. Potter-Black."
Winky grinned at him and said "Master Harry is mean to his elves. Winky would have never thought Master Harry was so cruel."
He hugged her once again and said "Now that we understand each other, things should be easier."
"Yes Harry, now that you know your place, it will make it easier. Is there anything you need Winky and Dinky to do?"
"First on the need to do list is to pack up the Tonks' house and prepare it to be moved. If you would, bring my wife's clothing here along with Teddy's. The other thing that needs to be done is to pack up Remus and Nym's house. Again, bring all Teddy's things here. If you need trunks or anything, get the money out of my vault. Except for the clothes and Teddy's toys, everything can be shrunk and stored in trunks until our new home is ready and we will sort it out there."
Winky smiled at him "Winky sorry. Harry gives us lots to do. Harry is very good to his family."
He smiled at her and said "We will be very busy over the next few days so we will also need your help with Teddy while we are taking care of several things. One last thing, I've asked Ragnok to have Dobby's remains moved from the garden at Shell Cottage to my family cemetery. I hope you're not offended but I wanted him with the rest of my family just as you both will be one day."
She jumped up and hugged him tightly. "Winky not offended, Harry makes Winky proud to be a Potter that you would care so much about us. Just call us when you need us." They both disappeared with small 'pops'.
**SO**
Harry sat there smiling at his conversation with Winky knowing that he's made the right decision. He looked over at the property profiles and took a deep breath. He muttered "Might as well start looking through some of these."
He had been at it for a couple of hours and had made it through half the stack. His sorting system was unique in that he had four piles of which three of them were placed so that Andi could give her opinions. The first was 'Ooh, I like this'. The next was 'It's okay but let's see what Andi thinks'. That category was followed by 'Not thrilled by it but Andi can convince me if she sees something I missed'. And then there was the last category. It was the 'No way in hell even if Andi danced naked in front of me with the promise of sex as often as I wanted it'. As it always seemed with Harry's luck, this pile was the largest and continued to grow rapidly.
As he read the files, he became a little depressed as he realized that many of both of his families' estates had fallen into disrepair over the years as the members died or were killed off. He would talk to Andi about it but had just about decided to demolish the buildings on most of the properties and just keep the land for his children and their children. His attention then turned to Potter Manor and Grimmauld Place. He knew from the files that Potter Manor had been burned to the ground by Death Eaters during the first war shortly before they came after him and his parents. He knew that one day he would return to England and would probably rebuild it as his home but that too would be decided in the discussion with Andi. As far as Grimmauld Place was concerned, he knew the building was structurally sound but it was just so damn dark and oppressive that he didn't want to live there in its current state.
He sat there thinking about it for while before he came to the decision to ask Ragnok if he could contract them to renovate the once proud home of the Blacks. He had a lot of painful memories of Sirius from there but maybe a makeover would make it less depressing. In the end, he decided it would be a fine tribute to Sirius to make the house into a proper home as it would make an ideal home for them whenever they were in England especially with the impressive wards that protected it. He made a note to ask about removing the Fidelis Charm on the house and recasting it once the Goblins had completed their work. As he started to pick up another file, he heard Andi call out in a panicked voice. As he ran to their room, he saw the fear in her eyes and sat down quickly beside her. "What's wrong love?"
She sobbed out "I woke up and you weren't here. It scared me."
He bent down and kissed her gently on the lips. "I'm sorry; I was in the other room trying to take care of a few things."
She placed her face in her hands and started crying. "What have I done? I've trapped a man half my age in a marriage because I was too afraid of being alone anymore. Maybe it's true, maybe all the Blacks were insane and it finally caught up to me. (She started sobbing harder.) I loved Ted with my whole heart and what do I do, I grab the first man that shows me any affection and I shag him till I'm sore. I'm no good, you need to leave me."
Harry started running his fingers through her hair. "Hush now, I'm just as much to blame as you. I could have stopped at any time but I didn't want to. I won't deny that I loved your daughter and that my attraction to her bled over to you. So in that case, I'm just as wrong for marrying you. Maybe we both did it for the wrong reasons but since we were going to raise Teddy together, I'm pretty sure it would have happened sooner or later."
She sobbed out "You should be with someone your own age. I'm too old for you."
He pulled her closer. "Andi, if I had wanted someone my own age, I'm pretty sure the Boy-Who-Lived could have had pretty much any damn girl I wanted. But the bottom line is I'm not interested in them. Hell, I don't understand them and they sure as hell don't understand me. Andi, I've seen and done way too much for it not to have affected me. Hell, I've been at death's door and beyond so many times that I can't relate to people my own age anymore. Other than Neville, they don't have the maturity or stability that I need."
"Oh, like I'm the picture of stability right now. What about your friends Ron and Hermione?"
He sighed "Yes, they were with me for most everything but they never really had to deal with the horror that I did. I know they feared for their lives at times but that was as far as it went. I think they try to understand me but there really is no way they can unless they had gone through what I did."
Andi relaxed a little but gave him another squeeze. "I still feel like a cougar for what I did."
Harry lay down on the bed so that he was facing her. "So you married a younger man. When you look to the future, do you think we will have a happy life together?"
She smiled "Yes Harry, I really do."
"Well then, if I'm not complaining about what we did, then neither should you."
"You know that people are going to talk about us. About how I seduced you and made you my love slave."
He grinned "Damn right I am. If anyone asks me, I'll tell them I have the hottest wife on the planet. It is my hope that you tell anyone who asks that you found a man that could keep up with you."
"You're so bad."
"Andi, if we are happy then I don't care what anyone else thinks."
"Its not that easy Harry, you're a hero and people look up to you."
He sighed and sat up. "Alright then. Let's look at it from another perspective. When I faced Tom in the forest, I knew I was going to die and I did. I don't know if you know this but dying kind of ages you a lot so while I may only be eighteen years old physically, mentally I'm at least twice that. Besides that, I read somewhere that men hit there sexual prime about my age and women hit theirs about yours. So even if we were to base our relationship on sex, I don't see a problem here."
She chuckled "You're such a prat."
He smiled "You'll learn to love me for it. Anyway, let's say that I started dating Hermione or Ginny and we eventually get married. While Hermione is overly mature, she's still not where I am so do you think I'd be happy in a marriage where I had to wait for my partner to grow up?"
She laughed "I waited for years for Ted to do that."
He smiled in triumph. "Ah so you can see my point. What I'm trying to say is that if we both are willing and really try to give us a chance, I think we'd be great together. Andi, I don't want to replace the place Ted holds in your heart, I hope that a new one opens for me."
She sighed "It shouldn't be too hard Harry; I told you that the passion died years ago."
He huffed "You must think I'm stupid or something. I'm not so naïve to believe what you say about Ted. I'm sure that the fire might have cooled somewhat during your lives together but don't act as if you didn't love each other. You left your family for him Andi, there's no way that you would do that for someone you just enjoyed shagging. Hell Andi, I loved the guy and we barely knew each other."
"But we didn't….anymore….he acted like it wasn't important anymore."
"Did you ever tell him that it was important to you?"
"No"
"Then you were both stupid and you let your insecurities get in the way. I refuse to let that happen between us even if I have to beg you to make love to me."
She glared at him but was finally hearing what he was saying. He asked "Do you remember that night when Hagrid brought me to your house when they were helping me escape my muggle prison?"
She nodded "How could I forget? That was when everything started falling apart."
He smiled "The first time I saw you, I thought it was Bella walking into the room and I reached for my wand. (She frowned as he laughed.) Your older sister was an incredibly sexy woman. She may have been crazy as hell but damn she was hot. You also have to remember that this was before I had ever seen Nym's true form. Where was I besides getting all hot and bothered? Oh yeah, Ted saw me about to react to you and he stepped directly in front of me to protect you even though he knew he could never beat me. He willingly placed your life's value above his own and I truly believe that is why he went on the run in the hope that they would leave you alone if he was gone. So no Andi, don't ever think that again because Ted Tonks loved you with his whole heart until the day he died."
She sobbed "I loved him too Harry. That's why I'm so torn about us being together."
He pulled her into a tight hug. "I don't know how much Nym told you but up until last night, my life has been complete hell with just a few bright spots. I was a damaged person before I went through all the crap I did recently. Hell Andi, before you walked into Gringotts and gave me hope, the best I could hope for was Ragnok taking my head so that I didn't have to deal with it anymore."
"I didn't know. I'm sorry. If I had known all this, I would have never laid my problems and insecurities on your shoulders. You've had to bear enough of a burden."
He leaned in and kissed her gently again. "No Andi, you're wrong about that. You walked into my life yesterday and I saw a new battle that needed to be fought. You gave me a reason to live. I saw a lot of me in you." (She grinned up at him.) He chuckled out "Not like that. Even though it was incredible and I can't wait for a repeat performance, I think this is more important right now. So, when I saw you, I saw someone who was just as damaged as I was. I mean, you were raised in the Black family and did everything they ever wanted you to do until Ted came along and then because you wanted to be happy, they threw you away. Of the people you were closest to, Sirius ends up in Azkaban so you lose his support and your two sisters turn out to be the two biggest bitches to you on the face of the planet. If that wasn't enough, in the last year, your whole world has been shattered and you are left wondering what the hell you should do now and if it wasn't for Teddy, you'd probably had been looking for a way to end it just like I was."
She nodded to him but he could see the fire building in her eyes.
Happy to see the fire returning to her, he said "The way I see it we have a choice to make. We can both give up and let the bastards win or we can build a life together. The moment you kissed me, as innocent as it was, I knew what I wanted and saw a chance for a life with you and Teddy. There was no way I was going to do anything to stop it once we started."
Tears were rolling down her face as she said "Me too Harry. I was dead inside with only the thought of taking care of Teddy holding me together. That kiss awakened something in me that I thought I had lost and once I got a taste of it, I wanted more."
He leaned down and kissed her more passionately. As he pulled away he said "You know I may be young but I now understand magic a lot better than people twice my age."
Her eyes lit up. "Oh teach me then Professor Potter."
He gave her a lopsided grin. "Magic is not only this wonderful thing that we can do or control. To me, magic is alive and she just lets us use the gifts she gives us and once you understand that we are just the tools she uses to achieve her goals, things become much easier. Our marriage is different from others because we didn't walk down an aisle and perform a ceremony although we can do that if you want to. Our marriage was created by the magic in us binding our hearts together and I think it is because she wanted to give something back to two of her people who had lost too much."
With an amused look on her face, she said "You have my permission to slap me if I ever say you're too young for me again. You are way older than your years and I'm beginning to wonder if maybe I'm too young for you."
With a smile he asked "So, do you still think we don't belong together?"
She gave him a quick peck on the lips. "No Milord, I think that we might be perfect for each other. It also helps to know that you'll always be here for me and Teddy. Speaking of Teddy, where is he?"
"If he started crying, I'm sure Winky or Dinky is taking care of him. But I can go check if it's make you fell better."
"No, that's okay. He has his mother's lungs so we would hear him if he was upset. So….Winky and Dinky? You bonded two house elves without talking to me about it?"
He looked at her sheepishly "Um….I thought you knew I was going to ask her to come help us out and bonded?….not exactly."
"Harry James Potter! What did you do?"
He replied with smirk "Andromeda Lucinda Potter-Black. Hmmm…two can play that game. No, I more like adopted them."
Her eyes grew wide "You adopted two house elves?"
"Well, you see, Dobby was always there for me and saved my life. Well he did more often than almost killing me. Anyway, Winky was his mate and Dinky is his son. I felt I kind of owed it to him to look out for them so I welcomed them into the family."
"Bet that went over well."
"You'd be surprised however she did admonish me and tell me that she would take care of her family like a proper elf should and with them being family, there was nothing I could do about it."
She laughed "Did she really say that?"
"Not in those words but I got her meaning. She's a tough little bird."
'POP' "I heard that Harry and it's not nice to talk about your family like that."
Andi laughed loudly and said "Oh Harry, I love this one. Winky I presume?"
"Yes Lady Black."
Harry said "Winky?"
"Yes Andi."
Andi laughed again and said "I think we're going to be great friends Winky. Is Teddy up yet?"
"Yes Ma'am. Dinky is in there playing with him. Theys be having a good time."
"Thank you Winky, call us if he needs us."
"Of course Andi. Harry, we've already moved Teddy's things to his room and Winky be bringing Mistress Andi's things next. We will then take care of the rest later."
"Thank you Winky. You're a good little sister."
She blushed before she popped out. Andi looked at him and asked "What are you having them do?"
"Um…I'm having them pack up yours and Nym's house so that we can take it to our new one if we ever get around to having it built. I thought we could sort everything there and then you could decide what to do with it."
"That's very sweet Harry but except for Teddy's things, most of the furniture can be left there for now. They can move Nym's stuff back to the house since they were just renting it. I can always get anything I want later."
He leaned over and kissed her cheek. "So, are we good?"
She smiled "Yes dear. I'm sure we will both doing this for each other for the foreseeable future. It was just your turn."
He stood and held out his hand. When she reached for it, he pulled her up and into an embrace. Just because he could, he gave her a passionate kiss which had her melting in his arms. When he finally pulled away, he said "Come wife, we need to find a place for our home."
**SO**
They sat in the sitting room looking through files for a bit with Teddy and Dinky playing on the floor in front of them. Both would look up at Teddy's happy giggles as he had fun with Dinky.
He finally asked "So what do you think?"
She grinned "I agree with you completely on the 'dancing naked' pile. However, I will remember that and practice it quite often I think now that you have revealed your desires for such a thing. As far as the 'not really' pile, I agree with you there as well. I recommend we just contract someone to demolish the dwellings and let nature take back over. We can then hold them in trust for future generations. Part of what makes you a Lord is your vast land holdings so we don't need to start selling off properties. The 'maybe' pile, I think we should take our time and go see them for ourselves before we make any decisions. They could always be restored and then rented out as either magical or non magical housing. I also agree with you on the yeses but want you to consider something. There are always wizards who know about the houses in the Potter and Black portfolios. While I agree with keeping them, I don't want to live there much like I never want to live in mine and Ted's house again. Ragnok offered to build you a home wherever you wanted. I suggest we look into available property outside England so that we can have a home that is ours and add to this starting our lives over idea you had."
He smiled brightly "I was hoping you'd say that. Growing up, all I had was Dudley's cast offs. I wanted something of my own and not something that belonged to someone else at one time. It may seem wasteful but that's how I feel."
She leaned over and kissed him. "Then that's what we will do. It's time for some of your dreams to start coming true. Since we are going to be busy shopping for furniture and setting up house, I think we should hire Gringotts to evaluate the remaining properties and give us an assessment of their condition. If it is not cost effective to repair them, then I suggest we treat them as we do the ' hell no' and 'not really' pile."
"What about Grimmauld and Potter Manor?"
"I agree with you on Potter Manor to a point. I say we leave the ruins of the manor as it is until the time comes when we want to make a home there. There is already an elf there maintaining the grounds so we just continue with that for now. I don't mean to sound morbid but the ruins can be seen from the family plot and as we take the next generation there, it can serve as a history lesson on the sacrifices their family made to keep the magical world safe. Grimmauld is a different matter and its not just because I was raised a Black. You said yourself it is structurally sound but in need of a complete remodel and updating. Since the wards there are so formidable, I say we go ahead and have it done so that we have a place to live when we are in England. Remove Dumbledore's Fidelis and cast a new one in its place. As far as mine and Ted's home, we can put it under stasis for now or allow Gringotts to rent it out. I have no desire to return there only to be reminded of what I lost."
Harry looked down at that comment and felt saddened by her words. When she saw this, she placed her hand under his chin and brought his eyes up to hers. "I meant nothing by that love except we can't keep looking into the past if we want to create a new future for us."
She gently placed a kiss on his lips. "Harry, please remember that this is new for both of us and as much as we will be there for each other, we can't allow the past to continue hurting us. My life is now with you and I look forward to it."
He reached for a stack of parchment that was off to the side. "I held these off until you could go through the others. My favorite is on top."
She opened the file and her eyes went wide. "Can we really?"
He smiled "The money is not an issue."
"A private island in the Ionian Sea."
"Yeah, I thought it'd be a perfect place to disappear as well as allow you to get an all over tan."
She laughed "You'll do anything now to get my clothes off."
Harry smirked "Damn straight but I really like the idea of the privacy there."
"Well then, call Ragnok and the builders at once. The sooner they start, the sooner we can be there."
He laughed "Winky, could you go see if Ragnok is available?"
'POP'
Another pop was heard and she replied "Lord Ragnok said he will gather the appropriate people and be here directly."
**SO**
When Ragnok arrived, he looked happily at the scene of the new family enjoying their time together. Harry and Andi had joined Teddy on the floor and were rolling around and playing with him. He cleared his throat and said "I trust everything is well?"
Harry smiled and replied "Yes my friend, we are slowly becoming the family that we should be."
"All good things come in time. Be patient with each other and lean on each other for support."
Andi smiled and said "Good advice Milord. We are learning a lot about each other with every hour that passes."
"That is encouraging. Now, I take it you have made a decision?"
Harry stood and smiled "Yes, we have. We need you to arrange the purchase if the Isle of Gaia in the Ionian Sea."
Ragnok replied "If I'm not mistaken, that is one of the Greek isles and is listed for five million USD."
"And?"
"Very well Harry, I'll go now and arrange the purchase while you talk to the builders."
"Thanks Ragnok. For everything."
"Always glad to help a friend."
As he walked out, Harry and Andi asked the builders' leader to take a seat. He pulled out a notepad and sat there waiting to take notes. At Harry's request, the main house would be built underground with every amenity they could think of. One of the requirements was that they could use mundane electronics so the deepest level would be the magical area which would be heavily warded to block errant magic from leaking into the other areas. The gym and pool would be the next lowest level with the kitchens and storage being right above. The next level would be the family area which would house a theatre as well as huge playroom. The next level up would house the family bedrooms. While they only needed four right now, a blushing Andi and Harry had requested they place a total of eight there. With a smile, Harry requested an additional level but opted to leave it open for the time being until they decided a purpose for it. The builder thought it was a good idea as it would allow for future expansion without having to anything major to the home if it was not added. Harry requested all ceilings to be charmed much like the Hogwarts Great Hall with the view of the sky outside but with the ability to cut them off and on. His last request was to place heavy wards keyed to family over the entrance to their home and he would add a Fidelis when they moved in.
When the builder asked what they wanted to cover the entrance, Andi said "That part is mine. While I'm not as paranoid as my husband, I can understand his reasoning and with that in mind, I would like the Black family wards set up on the lower house and the Potter family wards set up on the upper house."
When the Goblin nodded, she explained what she wanted which would be a luxury vacation type home with a large pool and patio. Her description of the house included ten bedrooms of which she created the Master Suite that she had always dreamed of along with a Jacuzzi hot tub on a deck right outside their door. The house would be primarily glass and would stand out as elegant sitting atop the rock where they would make their home. As he listened to her impassioned description of her bedroom above, Harry asked if the same could be recreated in the home below including the hot tub but in a room off the main family level.
When they were finished and the Goblin had asked some questions of his on until he was satisfied with what his clients wanted, he handed Harry an invoice with the estimate on it. Andi's eyes grew wide at the total but he just shrugged and signed the invoice giving them permission to get started. Harry asked "How long will it take?"
The Goblin gave him a toothy grin and said "Ragnok told me this was a priority so we will have three crews working around the clock. I would estimate that you will be moving in within seven days."
Andi gasped "That fast?"
"Milady, we take it as a personal honor to be building the home of such a noble warrior and his family. Not only that, said noble warrior is paying us very well for this honor."
Harry said "Thank you. Do you think when you finish my home that you could take on another project for me? It is not a priority so it could be done during your slow times."
"If Lord Potter-Black is satisfied with my work on his home, I would be most honored to take on any other projects he may have. After all, a busy Goblin is making money which makes him a happy Goblin."
**SO**
After putting Teddy to bed that night, Harry and Andi sat on the couch snuggling with each other and giving each other occasional kisses as they talked. They both noticed that they were still tiptoeing around certain issues but that was to be expected until the wounds were not so fresh. Harry asked "What do you want to do tomorrow?"
"Well I thought in the morning we could go out and start looking for furniture. We already have the stuff for Teddy but we will need a bedroom suit for our room. I want it to be something we both want."
"I'll be happy with whatever you want. I really wouldn't know how to choose something like that. Tell you what, we go and you pick it out, if it is something I don't like, I'll be honest with you and we can look some more."
"I can live with that. I'd like to wait until we get to Greece before buying anything for the upper house. I just think the styles there would be more reflective of the house we'll have instead of the conservative styles found here. I would also like to set up an appointment for you with the Gringotts healers. Not that I think anything is wrong but you've been through too much for me not to want to make sure everything is fine with you. We may even be able to have your eyes healed so that those beautiful green eyes aren't so hidden anymore."
Harry laughed "You just want to make sure your boy toy is healthy enough to keep up with you."
She smirked "Yes, there's always that too. Come on lover, take me to bed and love me."
"As you wish Milady."
When Andi asked him to take her to bed and love her, Harry expected a much different night that he experienced not that he was complaining. In her own way, Andi was demonstrating another kind of love that Harry found just as pleasant as what happened the previous night. Andi kissed him with passion and then said "It's easy to love one another when you are shagging each other senseless. Last night was great but I want us to build something deeper than that. Hold me tonight."
He wrapped her up in his arms and found himself warm, content, and asleep very quickly. If last night was great, this night had been even better and he was starting to experience love in its truest form. It wasn't the sex and the passion but the feelings of deep emotion and contentment that he felt for the woman in his arms.
**SO**
Back in Hogwarts, Hermione was quite distraught and as was a fault of hers, she only heard the words of Blackclaw and not the meaning. Filius walked around shaking his head at the lack of logic being displayed by his students and his fellow staff members. It had even gotten so bad that the Minister for Magic had been summoned to be told of the news. In a moment of utter disgust, Filius pulled Hermione aside. "Miss Granger, might I have a word with you?"
Sniff "Of course Professor."
He gestured for her to follow him and said "I'd prefer somewhere a little more private."
As she followed him, she couldn't think of any reason why he would need to speak with her in her time of grief. When they stepped into an empty classroom, he turned and said "I'm disappointed in you Miss Granger. You were always such an analytical student and I know you and your friends have been through a rough time but that is no excuse for not thinking things through."
She was in shock at his admonishment. "I have no idea what you are talking about Professor."
"Miss Granger, what exactly did Master Blackclaw say to you?"
"He said that Harry had taken the punishment upon himself. We all know that Goblin justice may be fair but if convicted, the punishment is usually death."
"What else?"
"He said something about a Phoenix rising from the ashes better and stronger and that Harry was free of his pain."
"Yes Miss Granger. I don't know if you know this but there were many times where Mr. Potter came to me seeking my counsel. Many times I had to hold a sobbing boy that held the pain of the world on his shoulders."
"I never knew."
"Miss Granger, I'm going to say this one time. Harry is free of the pain he carried. He is not dead."
"But why would he leave?"
"Miss Granger, you grew up with Mr. Potter and were probably closer to him than anyone else. He carried the pain of this world in him and he is now free to live his life."
"But the punishment."
"He was a warrior and my cousins would respect that and give him a chance to speak. I'm sure he was only fined after explaining why he did what he did. My cousins are not cruel mindless beasts hell bent on eradicating the human race."
She indignantly said "I never said or thought that Professor. I'm just concerned about Harry."
"Miss Granger, Mr. Potter has left a society where he never felt he belonged after being guilt tripped into saving it. I think he is well within his rights to live out his life as he sees fit and I for one support him in his decision. As far as my cousins are concerned, they don't speak metaphorically or in circles without a very good reason. I would venture a guess that my cousins have merely given Mr. Potter the keys to unlock his shackles and make his escape."
She looked subdued and replied "Yes Professor. I guess I didn't listen very well to the others around me. Neville plainly told me that Harry would never be happy here. I would have liked to say goodbye to my best friend."
"I'm sure you will meet again one day."
She nodded but looked up in shock. "I hope so but what about the Minister? He's probably going to go into Gringotts with Aurors and do something stupid."
She looked on in shock as she saw the feral grin that had never graced her Professor's face before. His only reply was "Yes that would be tragic and probably never crossed my cousins' minds."