Ch. 8
Friday 29 May 1998
By Friday afternoon, Nev and Harry were both knackered. However, both were looking forward to the weekend. Ted let them go at around three that day. As they headed out, Harry asked, "Do you want to go to Fortescue's for an ice cream, mate?"
Nev immediately perked up, "Sounds good. We deserve it after this week." He started to cross the alley to the newly reopened Ice Cream Parlour.
"Looks like they just reopened." Harry murmured as they walked in.
"Hello Mr. Potter, Mr. Longbottom. How can I help you today?" The man, only a few years older that themselves, asked.
"Well, are you related to Mr. Fortescue?" Harry asked, remembering all the help he got from the old man before his third year. He knew the old man died but he was unsure who this was.
"Yes. I'm his great-nephew. I decided to reopen. He would've wanted that."
"Yes he would. He helped me so much with my summer homework before third year." Harry reminisced.
"Believe me, I know. He talked about you for months after that. My name is Florean as well." He smiled at the boys. "What do you need?" He asked again.
They ordered their two scoop ice cream sundaes and went to sit outside. When they took a seat, both young men sighed. "Harry, I tell you, this is why I put my Gran off for so long about learning all this." Nev said as he laid his head on the back of his chair.
"I don't blame you. This is horrible. Every night my dreams include just this long list of numbers or names. I'm literally waking in a cold sweat from all this. Why can't we just be kids?" Harry ended up whining.
Neville just laughed. "Sorry mate. Our childhood was spent cleaning up the war our elders didn't finish last time. Now we have to clean up their bloody political mess as well. Cause we're the only people stubborn enough to make the changes needed."
Harry and he burst out laughing. "Yeah. We're pretty stubborn." Harry agreed as their sundaes were delivered. There was no more real talking until they were almost finished. "So Nev. You want to come home for pizza tonight? I'm sure Luna will be there hard at work with Mione. We could watch a movie tonight."
"Sounds like fun."
They apparated home from Diagon Alley and were nearly knocked over by their girlfriends.
"Oooomph." Harry grunted as Hermione knocked the wind out of him.
"We are so close Harry. It's amazing. We can have an hour-long conversation now on the phones. Our next step is to give it to Fred or George and have them use it to call us next week while it's in Diagon Alley constantly. We need to have them over this weekend to talk with them about this." She took a deep breath as she finished her rambling. Harry just laughed as he looked over to see his best mate in the same predicament. Although, he was pretty sure Luna was talking faster than Mione.
"Hey, everyone." Dora laughed at both boys on the floor. "You know, you are allowed to get up off the floor"
"We would if we weren't being strangled." Nev tried to reply. Just then both girls let their boys go and they all stood up.
"Where's my godson?" Harry asked suspiciously. He was always awake when Harry came home.
"Asleep. Don't you go up there. I just got him down." Dora answered severely.
"Fine. Fine." Harry pouted as he went upstairs to the game room. He always looked forward to seeing Teddy and unwinding with him.
When everyone got there, Harry racked the balls for a game of pool. Nev summoned butterbeers as Dobby popped in with some snacks.
"Thanks Dobby. We were thinking of ordering pizza tonight or do you want to try baking it?" Harry asked.
"Oh, Dobby already mades dough so we can make pizza of our own tonight if yous wants. Is went with Missy Luna to the pizza place and learned how." Dobby smiled as he bounced in place.
"Sounds like fun." Nev took the first shot.
"Okay. We'll do that when Pads gets home." Harry groaned as Nev sunk the first shot.
"Do you know if we have pineapple Dobby?"
"Yes Her-mine-ee. We haves it all sliced up." Dobby smiled.
"Good to know. Thanks Dobby." She smiled at the elf as he popped out. They played a few games of pool, watched the news and just generally acted like the teens they were until Sirius came home around 6.
"Why are you home early Sirius?" Harry was concerned.
"Because there was a break and nothing was getting decided, so I came home. The trials will be done in two weeks. Then you boys are going to have to spend some time in our sessions." He sat down and sighed. "Your Gran Nev is a bloody dynamo in session. She just steamrolls over any objections and makes you think it's your idea. If I hadn't grown up with Frankie I never would have noticed it."
"What?" Nev asked.
"How manipulative she is. I noticed early on how Frankie could get whatever he wanted from anyone. I learned to study how he did it and your Gran does the same damn thing." He chuckled. "I swear the only person he never managed to do that to was your mum. He couldn't string two words together with her around our first year. Then when they started dating, she somehow knew when he was trying to do it to her and she'd hex him." Nev and Harry laughed at that idea.
"Could Dad talk to Mum her first year?" Harry asked.
"Oh yeah. He could talk to her from day one. Couldn't stop being a prat around her though. He'd try to show off and she'd give him this look I've seen you use." He took a swig of his beer.
"What look?"
"The one where you're beyond pissed but you don't want to let anyone know."
"Oh I hate that one." Hermione piped up.
"All the boys in our dorm knew to stay away when he had that look." Nev added laughing.
Harry heard Teddy in his room. "Well, since you all seem to be laughing at me, I'll go get someone who likes me!" He fake pouted as he walked down the stairs.
"I love him but he can definitely be a prat sometimes." Hermione sighed.
"All men are prats, just in different ways." Luna agreed as they all went down to the kitchen to make pizzas.
HP
After making pizza, everyone went up to watch Star Wars: A New Hope on the VHS player. While both Luna and Neville were getting used to the technology in the muggle world because they were spending so much time with Harry and Hermione, Star Wars amazed them.
"I love that little droid, what's his name?" Luna asked
"R2? The little white one?" Harry made sure as she nodded. "Yeah. That's R2-D2."
"How do they make the films? Muggles don't actually have machines like that do they?" Nev asked.
"Not those exactly but humans have walked on the moon." Hermione offered. At the thunderstruck looks on the purebloods' faces, Harry and Hermione turned to the adults asking for help.
"Don't worry." Dora laughed. "I know all about that. My mum may come from the same blood-purist stock as Sirius here but my dad is muggleborn and exposed me to everything muggle."
"I knew that because my best friend was married to a muggleborn—and she was bloody smart." Sirius grinned.
"We really need to change some of the core classes at Hogwarts." Hermione mumbled as she bit her lip.
"Oh no." Harry looked at Nev with fear on his face. He stage whispered to Nev. "This is when she'd run to the library at school and we wouldn't see her until she was done—which may be two days later." Everyone but Hermione burst into uproarious laughter.
She looked up from her musings, stood up in front of the three men on the couch with her hands on her hips and looked at them crossly. "If it wasn't for my trips, you and you." She pointed to Sirius and Harry. "would each be dead at least once. If I hadn't taken an interest in all my classes, I wouldn't have had the time turner to save you, Sirius Orion Black. And If I hadn't loved research you, Harry James Potter, would have died several times over. So don't get all high and mighty, as though my curiosity is a problem when it's benefited both of you!"
Harry stood up and took his love in his arms. "Mione we're just teasing. I love that you're so inquisitive—it's what makes you, you. And I love you just the way you are." He could feel her relax into his arms at that moment.
"What do you mean, we need to change some core classes?" Luna interrupted.
"Anyone magical, no matter what their bloodlines, should know about the mundane world. There are so many more mundanes than magicals that we need to learn how they live—even if it's only so we don't blow the Statute of Secrecy." Hermione theorised. "There should be an overhaul to the Muggles Studies class. They should teach about modern muggle inventions such as the VCR and telly along with how to deal in the muggle world with money and transportation and such."
"That would be so helpful to all of us non-Mundanes" Luna said enthusiastically.
"Then we could have a Wizarding class about how the Wizarding government works and the etiquette we purebloods grow up with that you first-generations don't. That could help you out." Nev threw out.
"Mum would be good at teaching that class because she's lived on both sides of the divide." Dora contributed.
Sirius was smiling at the interplay between everyone. He just sat back and let the ideas flow. However, he did take up a notebook and pen, which had become more prevalent in the house than parchment and ink wells, and started writing some of these ideas down.
"You know, since we're talking about an overhaul of Muggle Studies why not overhaul history, so we can include mundane history as well." Harry added.
"Why not include more muggle classes like English and Maths. At least lower maths before Arithmancy. I used to love Maths class. Learning Physics and Biology would be better than Divination." Hermione suggested. "That way if first-generation witches want to continue their study in the mundane world, they can."
Sirius was on to his third page of notes by now. "These are great ideas kids but you won't get anything done until you talk to Minnie." He grinned at how they blanched—as though just realising he was in the room.
"Are you suggesting we go to Headmistress McGonagall with these ideas?" Luna clarified.
"Yes. These are good ideas. If we can teach more about non-magicals, we can prevent the kind of bigotry we all have faced growing up." Sirius said. "I think you guys could put together a proposal that would get Minnie interested. What do you think?"
The three teens looked at each other but eventually all looked at Hermione. "What are you looking at me for?" she demanded.
Sirius and Dora started chuckling when Harry took his girlfriend into his lap. "We can give ideas and help talk to McGonagall but you're the best at this kind of report writing. Can you do it? Please, love?" He kissed her lips.
"Fine but we're going to need more ideas than this. Do we want to include ideas about how to change Transfiguration, Charms and Potions?"
"They've already hired a new Potions instructor because Slughorn doesn't want to stay." Sirius informed them.
"Who is it?" Nev asked.
"Don't know."
"Okay. What else?" Hermione asked. They stayed up so late that Nev and Luna stayed the night in two of the free bedrooms.
Saturday 30 May 1998
The next morning, Hermione woke up to Harry and Teddy asleep in bed with her. When she turned onto her side, she saw Harry laying on his back with Teddy laying on his stomach and Harry's arms wrapped firmly around him.
She smiled as she thought of little boys with beautiful green eyes and bushy brown hair. They would have such cute babies together but she didn't want to jinx her new relationship by bringing things like that up. She'd always considered herself to be a woman focused on her school or career goals. She'd never really thought of having her own children.
Sure when she thought she was in love with Ron, she'd thought in an abstract way that she might have one child but no more. But lately she'd been thinking of how wonderful it would be to have Harry's children.
These were no abstract thoughts either. She's been having dreams that she would be pregnant by the end of this school year. On several occasions she had dreamt about giving birth at Hogwarts with Madam Pomfrey. While the idea of having Harry's child had grown on her the last month, she –at least consciously—didn't want to even think of when.
Thinking about it now, maybe she should get some birth control potions because she DID NOT want to get pregnant before she even got engaged. Even though her dad liked Harry, she didn't think he'd approve of that.
"What has you thinking so hard, love?" Harry asked.
She came back to the present as she focused on his words. "Nothing. Just thinking I need to go to the apothecary to get birth control potion soon." She smiled at the hopeful look on his face and chuckled softly, Teddy hadn't woken up yet so they were speaking in whispers. "It's going to happen soon love. I want to be ready when it does, so sue me." She attempted to get up when he beckoned for her to come closer.
"I love you Mione. I don't want to push you but I'm glad you're thinking ahead." His eyes were so earnest, she had trouble looking away.
"I'm just glad we're talking about it. I've heard horror stories at school about people not feeling comfortable about how fast a boy wants to go and I've always been a little nervous about my first time." She took his head in her hands. "I'm so glad my first time will be with you Harry."
"And I with you love." They pulled apart as Teddy wiggled as he woke up on his Godfather's chest and the moment was broken. Hermione got up and looked at the clock.
"It's nearly nine. Want to deal with Teddy while I shower?" She asked.
"Yeah." He answered as they got up.
"Why are you and Ted in bed so late? You usually get up with him at six."
"Well, we all got to bed so late that I brought little man to rest with me after getting him fed and we both fell asleep." He gave her his lopsided grin.
A little while later, Hermione took Ted down to the kitchen and saw Nev and Luna drinking tea. As she sat down, Dobby brought her tea. "Thanks Dobby."
"You're welcome Her-mine-ee." He squeaked as he went to cook.
"So how'd you sleep last night?" She asked her friends.
"Wonderfully." Luna answered. "And this morning we had our own set of clothes on our nightstands. I think Dobby did that."
Hermione turned to Dobby. "Did you get Nev and Luna's clothes for them Dobby?"
"Yes Her-mine-ee. Did Dobby do wrong?" He asked a little fearfully as he wrung his hands.
"No Dobby. Thank you for taking care of everyone. You did brilliantly." She smiled at the little guy and he smiled back and went back to work. Turning to her friends, she said. "You know, you could keep some things here so you can stay the night if you want."
"We wouldn't want to put you out." Luna answered.
"You wouldn't be. There's more than enough bedrooms." Harry interrupted as he came in with Sirius and Dora.
"That's why we bought such a big place." Sirius informed them. "Besides, I like the noise."
"Okay. That'd be great." Nev replied. "We could go home this afternoon and pick up some things to keep here."
"Luna, I need to go to Diagon today. Want to come?" Hermione asked as talk turned to more about what they were doing this weekend.
"Can we watch the next Star Wars movie tonight?" Nev asked eagerly.
Harry and Hermione laughed. "Of course." Harry answered.
HP
Hermione and Luna went to Diagon to get the potions Hermione wanted. They also spent some time, and more than a little money, at the bookstore. Coming out Luna laughed. "We should never be allowed into a bookstore without supervision. You and I are too interested in too many things."
Hermione laughed as well. "Yeah. I think we finally purchased ten books each, yeah?"
"It might be more. You know the boys are going to tease us." Luna warned as she laughed.
"Yeah but I like my books so they can tease all they want." She said mock-petulantly. Luna just laughed as they apparated to her house and packed a few things and talked to Xeno a bit.
They got home just as lunch was being served. Dan and Emma were there talking to Sirius, Harry and Dora. Emma was playing with Teddy in the bouncer.
The rest of the day was spent with Dan teaching Harry, Nev and Sirius how to play football. Sirius magicked goals on the green of the Quidditch pitch.
The women, meanwhile, were up in the library organising the new books. Then they took some books out in the sun and sat on the terrace as they listened to the men play and rough house for a good part of the afternoon. Hermione also sent Hedwig out with invitations to the Weasleys, minus Ron, Lady Longbottom, Andi Tonks and Xeno to come for the afternoon tomorrow to play and eat.
"I'm thinking with how busy we all are during the week that maybe we have a family get together on Sundays, at least this summer." Hermione offered.
"I think that is a great idea." Emma answered. "It means your father and I get at least one afternoon with you a week."
"I think it's a very good idea." Luna contributed. "You, Harry, Nevvie and I see each other almost every day. However, we're all working on our own projects. Yet we never see anyone outside our little quartet during the week. Nevvie even tells me that the boys have stopped inviting the twins to lunch because they feel they need to get back to Gringotts quickly. I think it will help us recharge on the weekends too."
"That's sort of what I was thinking too." Hermione acknowledged.
Sunday 31 May 1998
The next morning, Hermione and Luna decided to spend some time carving runes into two new phones. They were going to give them to their boys because they knew the boys would be separated at Gringotts this week. They were going into their vaults to inspect and catalog every item they have.
Luna thought it might be a good test to see if the phones work for long periods and underground. Meanwhile, Harry took Teddy to watch he and Nev play pool because Dora had nixed the idea of taking him swimming until he was eight weeks.
As Harry was racking the second game, Nev asked, "Why do you spend so much time with Teddy? I think it's brilliant that you do, but why don't you let more people help Dora?"
"I guess because I didn't have Sirius in my life and want to make sure Teddy knows that he can rely on me." Harry thought about it. "I guess, I also know what it's like to not have parents and I want to let him know at least he has me."
"Makes sense. We got a raw deal—all three of us—and you want to see it not affect him as much as it did us." Nev theorised.
"Exactly. You know, you will be a presence in his life too." Harry replied.
"Of course mate. I love him too." Nev picked Teddy up off the floor and cuddled him while Harry shot.
HP
That afternoon, everyone showed up with swimming trunks and Quidditch on the brain.
The twins were the first to show up in lurid, neon green robes. "Hey there Hermione." Fred began.
"How you doing?" George finished.
"Hi guys. Everyone's out on the terrace." She directed as Bill and Fleur came through as they waited on more arrivals. These greetings were apparently expected if you were the Lady of the house and Sirius had declared since they were dating Lords, that made Luna and her Ladies! When everyone was on the terrace, she heard Harry suggesting Quidditch, then a swim, then dinner. Needless to say, everyone was enthused with that. Again, Nev and Hermione didn't play but stayed in the stands and watched while the less Quidditch mad adults sat on the patio outside the pavilion and talked.
A little while later, Dan suggested Sirius, Arthur, Xeno and he go kick the football around.
"Dan, do you think these wizards will be able to play football?" Sirius asked teasingly.
"I'm up for trying something new." Xeno replied as he took off his robe to reveal more muggle clothes underneath.
"Wow Xeno." Sirius whistled. "You're wearing jeans and a tee shirt. Most wizards have a hard time dressing like muggles."
Xeno looked a little sheepish. "Luna brought them for me from one of her trips into muggle London with Hermione."
"Always good to have a woman do your shopping." Emma piped up to everyone's amusement. "Heaven knows what Dan would choose if I didn't pick it out."
"Hey! I'm not that bad." Dan objected.
"Yes dear." Emma agreed placatingly, which made everyone laugh.
"It's the same in the wizarding world." Augusta added. "Gerald was the same way. So was Frank. Alice bought all his clothes."
"Yeah." Sirius grinned. "I remember Lily and she would go out and buy Frankie and James both their wizarding and muggle clothes. I used to tease them about it."
"I do a good job of dressing myself." Arthur said proudly before Molly snorted.
"Yes dear."
"How did this become beat on the men day?" Dan asked as he got up. "Come on guys." He waved at them to follow him to the pitch and started explaining football. Soon the men were laughing as they fell down trying to kick the ball.
The women just sat talking about their kids. "I can't believe how much Neville has changed this last year." Augusta said.
"I think everyone's changed. Some, like Neville and Harry, for the better. Some, like Ronald, not." Molly replied.
"How is he doing?" Dora asked.
"He seems to stay in his room a lot. He seems mad at the world. I'm not sure that he's going to go back to Hogwarts come autum." Molly paused. "And I'm not sure that I can do my usual of demanding he go back."
"From what Hermione tells me, it seems that Ronald may need to experience a little hardship to see himself straight." Emma suggested, not really knowing what to say but wanting to help. "Maybe you should have him work with the twins for the summer and see if he wants to go back to get his NEWTS after a few months of that."
Molly became thoughtful for a few minutes. "I think I'll talk to Arthur about that."
At that moment they heard Teddy whimpering through Dora's wand. A second later Dobby popped in. "Does Mistress Dora want me to gets little Master Teddy?"
"Yes please Dobby. Could you bring him out here for me?"
"Yes Mistress."
"House elves are a gift straight from Merlin when it comes to children." Augusta smiled.
HP
When Harry caught the snitch, the game had gone on for two hours and everyone was sweaty. The men had come in a long time previous and had now been talking politics of both the wizarding and muggle worlds as they headed to the pool.
Sooner than Hermione thought possible, they were eating dinner. She and Luna were sitting near the twins on purpose that evening. "Hey George" Hermione began. "Luna and I have been working on a project to bring the telephone to the magical world and we were wondering if you could test it for us. We'll give you a cell phone and you call us every once in a while this week. We don't have to talk, you can dial my number and just put it on the counter and see how long it lasts until it fritzes out."
"Okaaaay." George said skeptically. "What exactly do you have in mind?"
"Well, we need to see first how long it will last not being used but in a magical environment. So you'd take it home tonight, we'll pick it up tomorrow morning to see if it needs charging. If it does, we'll take it home and charge it and bring it back to you tomorrow. If it lasts all week like that, then next week we'll have you call us and stay on the phone for several hours at a time. We may have more devices for you to test after that."
"How much are we getting paid for this?" Fred inquired. At that the girls squealed and slapped hands as they began hugging each other. They began talking price once they calmed down.
Monday 1 June 1998
The next day, Harry got up with Teddy and began breakfast. After breakfast, Dora and Teddy were going to her parents' house and Sirius, Harry and Hermione were going to their weekly meeting with Lady Longbottom.
Hermione had brought with her a spiral notebook, a sheaf of paper and an expensive fountain pen, along with some cheap biros for Lady Longbottom.
"This is a what is called a spiral notebook. It will keep all of your papers in one place. I prefer these to loose paper." Hermione began as she took both the notebook and the papers out of her pack and put them on the coffee table. At this Augusta looked very pleased. "This is a fountain pen. It's a little closer to a quill than most muggles are used to. And these are just ordinary biros." She finished as she put both on top of the paper and got out her own equipment.
"Thank you, Hermione. I thought you might have forgotten." She smiled at the teen. Nev was a little concerned by his Gran's reaction. Gran rarely smiled and yet she was smiling a lot lately. Maybe it was time to have a Healer look at her. After all, she was getting old. And she was not acting like the strict Lady Longbottom that he'd grown up with. She never lets anyone call her by her first name.
"So what's on the agenda today?" Harry asked.
"Allies. I understand that both of you will not take on your seats in Wizengamot until at least next year. Even then, you may decide to leave your seat in the hands of one of us." She pointed to Sirius and herself. "However, it is important that you learn what alliances are, how they manifest themselves in Wizengamot, who you are allied with and who you are most likely to be allied with in the future." She paused. "We also have to discuss who we are going to nominate for the empty seats when all the trials are finished next week."
The youngsters then got a crash course in the history of Alliances, going back to before the founding of Hogwarts. "Now, the Potter line goes back before Hogwarts. I know there are volumes in your vault that tell your family history back to the founding of Camelot, as there are for the Longbottoms." Looking at the boys' gobsmacked expressions, she laughed.
"Wait a minute, how do you know that?" Hermione inquired.
Augusta smiled proudly at Hermione for asking. "Well, my father-in-law George was in the same year as Fleamont Potter, who was Harry's Granddad. They grew up together just like every generation of Potters and Longbottoms do. My Gerald learned both family histories because Monty hadn't had a child yet. We had copies of the Potters family histories in our library until James was born. Then they were returned." She sighed "You see, Monty was afraid if he had no children, the family history would be lost, as is the case with most extinct lines, and he didn't want that. When James was born, Gerald gave them back.
As I was saying, because of that fact, we know that both the Potters and Longbottoms go back to the time of Camelot. Now, the Longbottoms and Potters have been Allies since that era. There are also several other old families that can trace their roots back that far. I know the Bones', Beckwith's, Blacks, Churchill's, Montague's, Notts, Peverell, and Sewlyn's can as well. These were all Knights of Camelot. When Camelot fell, these families went into hiding. It was not a safe time to be a witch or wizard. Some, like the Montagues and Sewlyns left Britain altogether for a while. Others, like the Longbottoms and Potters, stayed and tried to live amongst the muggles. However, that didn't work very well, so we went into true hiding. One entire generation of Potter and Longbottom females were killed by muggles in the 900's.
It was when the French came in 1066, along with their own magical community, that we came out of hiding. It was at this time that the 10 original families were reunited and started a Ruling Council. While these ten families were the Founding Members, they brought in several cadet branches. This means, for example, that the daughter of a Black married a wizard named Lovegood, so the Lovegood's were brought into the Council. By 1200, there were 25 families and they all sent their children to Hogwarts, just like now, so they all grew up together from age 11 on. Now, you'll notice that the Montague's are not on the Sacred 28, nor do they appear in Wizengamot. This is because the Head of the Montague family tried, unsuccessfully I might add, to kill the Head of House Black. They were banished for several centuries due to this.
Traditionally, out of the Founding Members, Bones, Potter and Longbottom have been in an Alliance since that time. If it's not on paper, it is in actuality true. We have also been traditional allies with Ogden and Doge. The six of us are traditionally the core members of our Alliance; although members come and go with the times. For instance, when the Weasleys had a seat, they were our ally. And yes, I found out it was a Cannons game they lost their seat for." She smiled as the three youngsters and Sirius burst out laughing. When everyone had calmed down except Harry, she asked, "May I ask why that is funny?"
"Gran, Ron is a diehard Cannons fan. He won't even remotely root for another team." Nev answered.
"His room is done in Chudley orange. It looks like someone vomited orange all over." Hermione finished.
"Hmmmm." Augusta nodded.
"You mean to tell us Augusta that Harry's family goes back to Camelot?" Hermione asked with a sparkle in her eyes as she stopped laughing.
"Yes. They fought alongside William I when he was subduing the island and they also fought for the Lancastrians in the War of the Roses." At Hermione's excitement, Augusta looked at Harry. "You really should get those journals. Hermione might want to take a look at them." She loved seeing the kids so excited about family history.
"So, who makes up the Longbottom Alliance at this moment Gran?" Nev asked.
"Right now it's just Amelia Bones, Charles Abbott and us. I believe we'll at least be able to add the Potters and Blacks' as well. That brings us up to five."
"Yes you can." Both Sirius and Harry agreed
"Of the current families, I would like to add the Greengrasses and Bulstrodes as they are both at least neutral Houses."
"I can see that." Sirius confirmed. "At least we could have a non-aggression agreement with them if they don't want to join our Alliance."
"That's what I'm thinking." This discussion lasted until lunchtime.
HP
At lunch, in the Longbottoms dining room that could seat at least 20, they started discussing who they wanted to fill in the open seats in Wizengamot.
"Next week is the last week for trying the Death Eaters. It looks as though all those that have family seats on Wizengamot are going to be stripped of the seat. We need to come up with possible replacements for those seats." Augusta began after lunch was served. "Whom do we want to propose?" she questioned.
"I think McGonagall and Weasleys would be good choices." Hermione volunteered. "I think Headmistress McGonagall deserves it for how many years she's already shaped our society by teaching. If she doesn't have the time to make it to all the sessions, she could send her brother Malcolm in her stead and only come for the big votes. And, as much as Ron is a prat, his family is not. I think they deserve their seat back." At this, everyone nodded.
After lunch, they returned to the sitting room. "I think Justin should get a seat." Harry said softly. "He's a muggleborn in our year that, while he can be a pompous prick, is generally a decent guy and, like I said, he's a muggle born. I think that it's important to have a few of those."
Over the early afternoon, they came up with a list of about 20. Not all would be nominated as there weren't that many seats open, but they wanted enough back up names in case some didn't get elected.
HP
When the three residents of the Madhouse returned, there was silence. "Something's wrong. It's too quiet, yeah?" Sirius looked to the kids, who nodded as their battle senses came to the fore. Wands out and with their bodies ready for a battle, they went into the kitchen. No one was there.
They then split up to search the house. On the second floor, Sirius came upon Dora sleeping in her bed. He went to the nursery, where he found the little man asleep. He went back to the entrance hall "They're in their beds." He grinned as both kids relaxed as their senses went back to normal as they went up to the game room and sat with butterbeers.
"It won't be until the end of next week, Harry, after all the trials, that you'll need to start coming to Wizengamot meetings with me in the afternoons. That's why this week is still going to be with Ted—organising and itemising everything in your vault. Then next week, you'll work with Ted in the mornings and come with me in the afternoons." Sirius said.
"Sounds boring." Harry muttered.
"It is." Sirius snorted. "But it's needed."
Eventually, Hermione went to the library for what she called 'a bit of light reading'. Harry snorted and choked on his drink as she left. After he got himself under control, he racked the balls and put a 20 note down on the bumper. Sirius got up and chalked a cue.
"Put the money away kid. I've learned not to play you for money." Sirius ruffled his hair. Harry just smirked at him. "So how're things going with Hermione now?" He asked his Godson.
"Great. I love her Sirius and I can see spending the rest of my life with her." He replied earnestly.
"Really?"
"Yeah. Last week when I was going through the properties I own?" Sirius nodded. "All I could think was what part of the property she'd like most. Or how we'd really enjoy wandering around Rome together. How much fun it would be to take our kids on day trips from our houses. I can see a future for us that I can't wait to start."
"Merlin, you've got it as bad as your dad did." Sirius smiled at how alike Harry and James were—and how different.
HP
The rest of that week was very calm for the quartet as a whole but very difficult for the boys. Starting on Tuesday, Hermione and Luna spent part of every morning in Diagon Alley talking to each other on their phones. By Thursday, the phones had not fritzed out on them and they had had several two to three-hour conversations every day. They were ecstatic and were planning on buying a laptop that weekend and starting on converting it to work around magic.
The only issue they were having was that they had to bring it home Thursday night and charge it because the battery had run out. They needed a way to make the battery use the magic around it to recharge it.
Friday 5 June 1998
They were in Flourish and Blott's researching possible protection charms on Friday morning. Hermione was looking out the side window when she saw Harry walk very quickly toward the tea shop next to Fortescue's with a very sad look on his face. She ran over to Luna, who was sitting in a chair with a Charms book. "Luna, I just saw Harry walk into the tea shop a minute ago. I'm going to see how he's doing."
Luna looked up. "Good. I'm sure he needs you."
Hermione didn't know how to answer that so she just smiled and left. When she walked into the Tea Shop, she saw her love sitting in the back with tea and a journal. She sauntered up to him. "Funny seeing you here stranger." She smiled as she startled him out of his reading. He smiled slowly and put down the journal. "What are you reading love?"
"Nothing much. What're you doing here?" He asked.
"We were at the bookstore and I saw you walk in here very sadly." She gave him her best 'tell-me-now' look. He sighed and gave her the journal.
It was red and gold and said L.M. Evans Year Three on the front cover. It was clearly his mum's journal. She took his hand and squeezed it as he looked down at their entwined hands. "Do you have all of them?" she asked, assuming he had more than this one.
"Yeah. There's one for every year from first year at Hogwarts to her death." He said quietly.
"How are you doing? Reading this has got to be hard for you."
"Yeah. But it's nice, you know. I get to know them—finally. That makes me happy but it also makes me sad because they aren't here." He sighed as he looked up from their hands. "Do you understand? Does that make sense?"
"Yes it does. You're glad you get to know them but at the same time mourn that you didn't get to know them personally. Am I close?" She asked as she hugged him close.
"Exactly."
"Is that the first one you've read?"
"Yeah. I probably should read them chronologically but this one is funny." He smiled. "When mum wouldn't go to Hogsmeade with Dad on their first trip, Dad charmed them together and wouldn't undo it." He laughed. "Mum found McGonagall in the village and had her undo it. He got detention for a week. Mum didn't think that was enough." He looked up at Hermione and noticed the look of vengeance on her face. "What?" He asked fearfully.
"Did your mum get him back?"
"I don't know yet."
"I hope she found some creative way of getting him back. I'll ask Sirius tonight. You might want to bring those home to read." She smiled as she noticed he was feeling better. She was about to get up when the door banged open and Luna rushed in like a blur.
"I found it Hermione. I found the Charm or the basis for a charm to recharge the battery. It's so simple. I don't know why we didn't think of it." She took a deep breath as she ran out of breath. "Come on!" she started to pull at Hermione.
"Hold up Luna." Harry interrupted as he pulled Luna to sit down. "Calm down before you explode so you can explain." She finally sat down and closed her eyes as Harry and Hermione exchanged glances.
When they looked back at their blond friend, her eyes were open and she was much calmer. "What?" She asked. "You said calm down, that's how I do it."
"Super." Harry stood. "I have things at Gringotts I have to do." He bent and gave Hermione a kiss. "Thanks for letting me vent, love." Then he left and the girls got up to leave as well.
They decided to go to the Rookery to test the variation of the new charm out on a phone because they didn't want to blow up the house and could shield the land around the Rookery more easily.
Hermione did the protection spells while Luna made the changes to the Charm. They cast it.
"Well, it didn't go boom." Hermione laughed as she took down the wards. Luna took the phone. "It's charging." She reported happily. They took it
back to WWW to recharge. The twins would bring it Sunday.
HP
That evening, they decided to watch Empire Strikes Back because they had not watched it the previous weekend. After the movie, they began talking about things the boys had found in their vaults.
"I found some really amazing books that I brought home to add to our library." Harry said. He looked at Hermione. "I went through the vault and found hundreds of books that I thought you'd like. There's even a copy of your favorite book that was printed in the 1500's."
Her jaw dropped and stayed there for several seconds. "I think you broke her." Dora laughed as Hermione got herself together.
"Where are these books?" Hermione asked with that innocent expression that he knew not to trust.
"They'll be delivered tomorrow." Harry laughed as the innocent look became murderous.
"Are you telling me that you told me about this but didn't bring them home?"
"Yes. I knew that if I brought them home, I'd lose you tonight. So I asked Swordback to send them tomorrow." He could see her giving his statement serious thought as he waited for her response.
"Well, I guess I can see that." She nodded her head.
Dora chuckled as she handed the bottle and baby to the Godfather. "Glad you're not going to blow the house up."
"Come here little man." Harry cooed to the baby.
"So, what did you find Nev?" Hermione asked.
"It amazed me how much furniture was in the vault. There was some really nice bedroom furniture that I want to use in my own space one day."
"You can move it in here if you want." Sirius offered. "You've started spending nearly every weekend here along with some week nights. You should have furniture that you like" Sirius sighed at the looks of disbelief on the kids' faces. "Even if you weren't Frankie's son, you're Harry's best mate. You deserve a place here. And you know I like the noise. Much better than the solitude of Azkaban or the screeching of my mum's painting." He smiled. "If it were up to me, every bedroom would be filled on the entire estate."
"Thanks Sirius." Nev smiled. "I'll do that. There was also a painting of my mum and dad that I sat and talked to yesterday."
"That's great. They talked about doing that but I wasn't sure whether it happened. You can bring that here too if you want."
"Maybe. I just like knowing I can talk to them now."
"So, have you guys given any more thought to what has to change at Hogwarts?" Dora asked. Hermione popped up and ran down the stairs. Everyone looked at Harry.
"Don't worry. She'll be back with her notebook in a minute." He grinned as he summoned a Coke. "You know, I really like living part-muggle, part-magical. I just hope we can bring phones and computers to Hogwarts this year."
"You will. Phones definitely, computers we'll start on this week. The battery charms should be the same. I'm hoping to streamline the runes for getting it to initially work around magic." Luna confirmed as Hermione came back and cuddled to Harry on the beanbag chair.
Harry noticed the notebook in her hands and grinned at everybody. "Told you." He stuck his tongue out.
"I took the ideas we had last week and put them into two major categories. They are: possible new classes, and changes to the current classes. I'm also thinking we should add some sort of muggle sports so Quidditch isn't the only sport they have."
"Maybe we could also revamp the points system so it's more fair and evenly applied throughout the school." Nev suggested. "I know Snape's not there anymore but who's to say the new teachers will be any better."
"Good point." Harry contributed.
"Maybe we should ask for organised sports to be mandatory?" Luna submitted.
"Is there anywhere on the grounds to put a pool and training center of some kind?" Hermione asked as she saw her love's eyes light up. "Harry?"
"The Chamber. We could clean the dead basilisk out and turn that into a workout space." He grinned.
"Are you telling me that the basilisk is still down there?" Dora squeaked.
"Yeah. Why?" Harry looked at her confused.
"Harry, if you killed it, it's yours. You could sell it and get the money from it. Assuming it is still viable." Sirius explained.
"Could we put that money towards paying for these improvements?" The raven-haired teen asked.
"Yeah. But you could keep it too."
"I don't need it Sirius. I've more than enough gold for my heirs three generations down the line not to have to work to keep themselves comfortable. Hogwarts needs it if we request these changes." He was nearly attacked with kisses and squeals by his beautiful girlfriend. Which, of course, he took great enjoyment in receiving.
"You are amazing, my love." Hermione whispered into his ear as they came back to earth. He just looked dazed as the others laughed.
"We'll go to Gringotts tomorrow to see if they can render the snake and sell it." Sirius informed the group.
"We need to go to a computer store tomorrow to buy one or two laptops." Luna reminded them.
"I have a Gringotts card for you Hermione." Sirius got up to get into his jeans back pocket. "I gave one to Harry and I got one for you." He handed a card to her.
She frowned as she took it. "Why?"
"Because I know you and Luna are going to be buying a lot of electronics this summer. This is my opportunity to invest in something I think is important." He replied as she got up slowly, then pounced on him.
"Thank you, Sirius. Thankyouthankyouthankyou" She nearly bowled him over as she jumped into his arms, wrapping her legs around him. "This means I don't have to spend my savings. I have enough. I was just hoping to save that money for a house someday."
He just laughed as she got on her feet again. "You need to save your money. This is my contribution. Although I want a phone so I can talk to you all when you get up to Scotland. That's my price." He grinned.
"Of course." She grinned right back. They actually look like niece and uncle, Dora thought as she watched Hermione and Sirius interact. Looking at her baby and Harry she thought sadly, and they look like they could be father and son. Why can't his actual father be here. Gods I miss Remus. I miss his strength, his kind heart and his love of everyone around him. Gods I miss him. She was thinking these things as everyone else was talking and joking around her.
When she came back to the present, Hermione was asking Sirius and Harry, "So when are you lot going to Gringotts tomorrow?"
"Right after breakfast." Sirius responded. "And, yes Nev, you're coming with us. You need to know these things too."
Nev opened his mouth, then decided better. "Fine. You'll just tell Gran Sunday if I didn't go to learn how this is done. And I'd never hear the end of it."
"Come on." Harry intervened. "Your Gran isn't bad. At least you've always known she loves you. Besides that, she's just a neat person."
"You like her so much, you can have her. I'll trade you Sirius for Gran any day." Both boys laughed.
"No. I like Pads. But I'll take your Gran if you don't want her." Harry replied.
"You're barmy, mate."