Co-writers: Tyler Nator, kuqiphobia (Helena),Calten
Beta reader:Luke Knight, LadyLucius, grimmypigeon, aelfred
Chapter – 16
The guests had started to arrive and Harry and Ginny, with the help of Terin and another elf Troty, were escorting them to their rooms. Harry had just escorted Aunt Muriel when he got a swan patronus.
"Harry, Dudley said that Aunt Marge is coming to their house." The patronus said in Susan's voice.
"Expecto Patronum" Harry uttered, bringing his silver stag out, "Tell Susan to bring her as well," and resumed to attend to other guests.
After Four and a half hours, Harry walked to the gate to receive the Dursleys, Mr Weasley was stepping out of his car a few feet away from the gate, followed by another car. Vernon and Petunia came out of the car that was behind the Weasleys, along with Marge. While Dudley, Susan and Mrs Weasley stepped out of Mr Weasley's car.
"That boy lives here! In these ruins!" Marge spat her word dripping with contempt. "Dudley, I thought you said he got a castle for himself. Can't blame him after all, this place is bigger than that cupboard in your house Vernon."
Harry could hear Molly growl at her, on the other hand Petunia hung head low in shame.
"Here, Ms Marge," Mr Weasley said as he waved his wand over her to allow her to get past muggle repelling wards.
"Wh… What…" Marge began to protest but stopped when she saw the big castle in front of her. He took it as an opportunity to lift the spell from the Dursleys. While Dudley and Petunia didn't object, Vernon allowed him very reluctantly.
"You see, Aunt Marge, I am a wizard and you are a mu… non-magical person, so you were not able to see my holiday home."
Harry said smiling, though he was worried that someone may hex her, especially Ginny.
"Let us get inside, it's getting cold here." Mr Weasley said, breaking the awkward silence between them.
"Oh! One more thing, Aunt Marge. You used to always say that my father was useless, good for nothing and last time we met you even compared him to dogs. He didn't work because he didn't need to, he was a rich wizard. It doesn't mean he was unemployed or wasting his parent's money, he used to manage his estate. You can say he was a businessman. He was a powerful wizard too and had been involved in lots of activities that were required to protect our world." Harry told her calmly but glaring at her.
As they entered the castle Ginny came with fussy Teddy. "There you are!. Teddy has been fussing very much" She said, "Hello Aunt Petunia, Dudley."
"Hi Susan," she said and hugged her after giving Teddy to Harry.
As soon as Teddy saw Harry holding him he stopped crying. He held him tightly as if he would lose his life if he left Harry.
"Err... Ginny this is Aunt Marge, and Aunt Marge this is Ginny, my girlfriend. This is Teddy, my godson." He introduced them.
Ginny nodded toward her
"I'm sorry but I have to go, there's so much work that's still unfinished and It's nice to meet you," Ginny said and hurried away in the opposite direction.
"I have set your rooms next to mum and dad just in case you need any help. And please don't go wandering around as we are still exploring this castle." Harry said to his uncle and aunt as he showed them their room.
"And one more thing, try not to annoy any house elf. They still didn't like the idea of inviting non magical people into the castle; they will be very nasty if you annoy them. Especially Kreacher."
"What are house elves?" Harry heard Marge whisper to Vernon
"Or Better question, why did he call them Mum and Dad," Vernon asked
He showed them to their rooms in the west wing, where other guests were staying. By dinner time all of the Weasleys, most of the members of DA had arrived, except for Charlie who would be arriving the next morning. Dinner was an informal affair under the buffet system, so everyone was sitting wherever they wanted to. Marge was glaring at Harry, and if looks could kill, she would have killed him millions of times. While Muriel was complaining that Harry should have sent Teddy to an orphanage instead of taking care of him by himself and forcing others to help as well, which everyone was trying to ignore.
"Err... Harry, if you don't mind, can we give our gift early to you? It's getting very difficult for us to hide it," Dudley said as everyone was heading to their room after dinner to retire early.
Harry nodded and Dudley said: "I will meet you in ten minutes in your room."
Ten minutes later Dudley and Susan came into Harry's room with a box in his hand. Harry opened the box, it contained two puppies sleeping peacefully.
"Oh Harry! They are so cute!" Ginny exclaimed.
"Well I-I-I didn't know what to give you as a gift for your birthday and Christmas. Then Ginny's dad told me that godfather can transform into an animal, and a dog was the form he took. So I decided to give you a dog and Susan agreed to help me. I wanted to give you one that's magical as well as good for guarding. So I chose Rottweiler. When we went to get the puppy, this Pug caught Susan's heart and she wasn't willing to leave it. So we bought both of them. The Rottweiler is male and the Pug is female. This is your Christmas and belated birthday gift from me, mum and Susan," Dudley told Harry
"Oh! They are so sweet and small!" Ginny cooed again
"Don't let their size fool you, Ginny. The non-magical Rottweiler grows up to 27 inches and weighs 95 to 135 pounds. Since this one is magical, it will grow between 33 to 36 inches in size and would weigh in between 120 to 150 pounds," Dudley said with a laugh
"Would you like to name them?" Harry asked Ginny
"Mm… how about Stella for the female and Winston for the male" Ginny suggested.
"Ok, Stella and Winston it is."
"Thanks Dudley," Harry said.
"I also bought a book on how to raise and train them," Dudley handed him the book.
"Well that's a nice change I never thought you would like to read," Harry said with a smile.
"I don't but electronic devices won't work at your home, book is only thing from which you will learn,"
"Thanks," Ginny said as she took the book from Dudley's hand
"Good night Harry, Ginny," Dudley said.
"Good night,"
"See you in the Morning,"
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The following morning, Harry and Ron were engaged in their daily routine of practising duels on the Quidditch pitch. Gradually, a crowd gathered in the stands to watch their skilled display. Hermione and Ginny had cast a shield to protect the Dursleys and Grangers from any harm. The duel between Harry and Ron was intense, even though they were refraining from using any dangerous hexes or jinxes as they used to do. Winston and Stella, unable to contain their excitement, became a challenge for Ginny as they eagerly watched the colourful beams of magic flying between Harry and Ron. Eventually, Mrs. Weasley came to her aid by creating her own shield, allowing Ginny to safely hold onto the puppies with both hands.
Meanwhile, Petunia, Serena (who Harry had invited for the occasion), and Trecy sat together at a distance, engaged in a conversation that couldn't be heard by anyone else. After half an hour, both Ron and Harry ceased their practice and made their way back to the castle, followed by everyone else.
As Muriel sat on the head chair, Terin appeared
"This place is reserved for the master of the house and you is not allowed to sit here, only master Harry can sit here," she said politely.
Though Terin didn't insult her, Muriel started shouting at her as if she had.
"What is going on here?" Harry called as he came inside.
"Your house elf is insulting me, Harry Potter!" Muriel spoke before Terin could have said anything.
Terin lowered her head and was dreading punishment.
"What happened here Terin? Is it true what Muriel is saying?" Harry asked.
"No Master Harry, it is not true. Terin do not insult Mrs Muriel. Terin requested Mrs Muriel not to sit at that place." Terin said, indicating the head seat of the table.
"Why can't she sit there?" Harry asked,
"Only the Head Master and Mistress can sit there. This tradition was made over two hundred years ago by Master's great, great, great grandfather," Terin informed him.
"Muriel, I don't think she meant to insult you. She was just doing her duty and I think we should follow this tradition," Harry said in a tone that left no room for argument.
The house elves had truly outdone themselves by making a full English breakfast. There was jam, toast, bacon, butter, milk, tea, coffee sausages, maple syrup, caramel, bread… the whole table was loaded with food enough to feed a small army.
After breakfast everyone walked back to the Quidditch pitch to play or watch Quidditch. It took a bit of time to make the teams so that none of them have any advantages over the other. After twenty minutes in the air, Hermione called Harry.
"Harry get down here right now!"
She shouted while struggling to hold fussing Teddy still. Harry descended immediately.
"What happened?" Harry asked worriedly.
"Teddy is fussing continuously and we can't calm him down," Hermione replied.
Harry took Teddy from Hermione. Soon, Teddy calmed down. He was still restless and remained like that the whole day. Everyone tried to cheer him up, but no one was as successful as Harry.
"Why is he crying like that?" Ron asked that night after dinner.
"I don't know. The last time he was this restless was when he was teething," Harry replied with a sigh.
"He looks confused." Ron commented, looking concerned.
At that moment Bill came and sat next to them
"I think I know why he is acting like that." Bill said.
Harry looked at him in surprise. "Why?"
Bill gave him a potion. Harry looked confusedly at it.
"It is a wolfsbane potion. I know it is very little but it will be sufficient for him since he is still an infant. Tomorrow is the full moon, so remember to give it to him," Bill said.
"How are you able to figure that out?" Ron asked with awe.
"If you remember, I have also been bitten by a werewolf a few years ago. Though I don't transform into a werewolf since it was not the full moon, I have been affected by it and I'm feeling the same way as him," Bill told him seriously.
"Thanks," Harry said gratefully.
The next day after reluctantly taking the potion and spilling a lot of it, Teddy was much calmer and cheerful than the previous day. He sat on the floor, playing with his toys. While playing, Teddy crawled towards Muriel and started tugging on her legs to get her attention.
"Don't you touch me!" Muriel shrieked, bringing everyone's attention towards her and Teddy.
In the efforts to force him away, Muriel kicked Teddy hard in the stomach. The impact sent him flying. In the efforts to protect him from getting hurt any further Nickey tripped over the side table, injuring herself in the process.
"HOW DARE YOU KICK HIM?!" Harry roared and removed his wand from the back pocket of his jeans.
Before Harry could hex her Neville, Ron, Charlie and Dean intervened. Ginny immediately grabbed Teddy trying to calm him down, but without success, while Hermione tried to take care of Nickey. Everyone was shocked to see Harry in such a rage. Molly and Arthur were speechless. Before Harry could have hexed Muriel, Bill and George grabbed her elbow and dragged her out. She tried to protest and get free but all her efforts failed.
Muriel tried to protest but no one listened to her. Back in the castle, everyone was having a hard time controlling Harry's rage. He didn't calm down until Ginny shoved Teddy in Harry's arms. As soon as Harry took Teddy he grabbed his shirt and buried his head into Harry's shoulder. Instantly, Harry took some deep breaths to try to steady himself as he looked down at Teddy. He was still breathing heavily, but he clutched the baby close to his chest like he was afraid of pain ever being inflicted upon the poor soul ever again. Seeing Harry calm, everyone sighed in relief.
"Show me," Harry said to Nickey. He needed to check if the elf was hurt. He couldn't let anyone else get hurt.
"Nickey is fine Master Harry," said Nickey.
"I didn't ask 'how are you feeling?', I'm ordering you to show me your injuries," Harry said sternly, and his voice shook.
Nickey instantly removed her hand from her forehead, revealing a nasty cut already turning purplish. She hissed as the pain stung her, and Harry's frown grew deeper.
"Terin," called Harry.
"Yes Master Harry?" The elf appeared right next to him and bowed deeply.
"Take Nickey with you and have someone to take care of her," said Harry. "She's hurt, and needs rest."
"But-"
"That looks nasty. I'm ordering you to rest," Harry pointed at the cut.
"As master say," Nickey bowed her head.
"Don't feel sad, and it won't be helpful if you're hurt. You can do more work being healthy," Harry said as he patted Nickey's head affectionately. He smiled at the house elf, and his eyes softened upon seeing her disappointment. "And thank you for trying to save Ted. It was very brave of you. Thank you again."
After Nickey left with Terin, an uncomfortable silence fell over the room. Harry continued rocking Teddy gently, who was fiddling with his shirt and looking around with his big eyes, the incident already forgotten.
"Well, who wants to play a game of Quidditch?" asked Charlie, wanting to break the tension between everyone. He offered them all a tentative smile. "I think we all need some fresh air to calm ourselves down. So, anyone?
Everyone agreed and started moving towards the Quidditch pitch. Meanwhile, Harry sat in the stands still holding Teddy, who refused to let him go though he had stopped crying.
The baby was now dozing in his arms and was breathing softly, his childish face at rest. Harry looked down at him and smiled tenderly, feeling all the anger leave his body. A small part of him still wanted to confront Muriel, but he agreed with Charlie that it was better to calm down first. Though his heart still beat erratically as the thought of what may have happened to Teddy if Nickey hadn't jumped in to help. He was still scared. He never wanted Teddy to be harmed, ever.
And he would do anything to ensure that Teddy could have the safe, loving life that he never had.
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In the evening all the girls whether young or old were gathered together in a room doing whatever they do at the time like this. Mr Weasley was bombarding questions towards Mr Granger regarding muggle things like how an aeroplane stays in the air without magic. Harry had just won a game of wizard's chess against Seamus, and was sitting and watching Dean's and Anthony's game while talking with Seamus about nothing in particular. He kept an eye on Teddy, who was playing with his toys on the floor near him. He only tore away his gaze when Dennis approached Harry.
"Err... Harry, can I talk to you?" He asked nervously.
"Yes?" Harry asked him with a smile as he gestured for him to sit on the armchair next to him.
"I want to be an auror. Could you help me?" Dennis said,
"Yeah, what do you want from me?" Harry asked him.
"I am not so good with charms and DADA, Ok in Transfiguration and Herbology, but I am very good in Potions. Could you help me there?" Dennis asked. Harry considered him for a moment before he summoned some books.
"You are under age at the moment. Read through these to start, and when we get back at Hogwarts talk to me there. You can study the theory of the other subjects too and when we are at Hogwarts we can practise them. I will help you with everything I can." Harry said.
"Thanks Harry" Dennis said as he took the books from Harry.
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On the Christmas morning Harry woke up at his usual time and after his usual duelling practice with Ron, today also joined by Justin and Seamus, when he arrived at the dining room there were two huge piles of gifts waiting for them.
Harry got the usual jumper from Mrs Weasley, taking the moment to put it on to the older woman's delight. George gave both Harry and Ron a pair of gloves with eight tiny rings along with two wand holsters that can hold four wands each.
"You both have more than two wands with you so I made this wand holster with these gloves. Put these rings on your wand then you have to touch your fingers with your thumb to select which wand you want and when you will twist your fingers like you are holding a wand that particular wand will appear on your hands." George gave demonstrations.
Both Harry and Ron thought it did save those couple of crucial seconds.
"It will also summon the wand even if it is not in the holster as long as the wand is within hundred metres and both holster and gloves remain invisible and they are the only pairs I have made." George told them proudly.
"They are outstanding George." Harry said truthfully "but can you please make gloves to cover the fingers as well".
Hermione had given him some rare books on Defence against dark arts. Charlie gave Harry a dragon skin jacket. Bill and Fleur gave Harry a book on basic curse breaking.
"It will come handy to you in your auror career." Bill explained to him.
Ron has given Harry a new broom servicing kit to replace his old one. At last Harry opened the largest package from Ginny, feeling very curious about it. It contained portraits of James Potter, Lily Potter, Sirius Black, Remus, Dumbledore and Tonks. Harry had tears in his eyes.
"I thought you would like to talk to them." Ginny said cautiously.
Harry pulled Ginny into his arms and hugged her and gave a passionate kiss which she returned enthusiastically.
"This is the best gift I ever had." Harry said with still moist eyes and again kissed her passionately, they parted when Lily cleared her throat from the portrait.
"I see you got yourself too, a redheaded girlfriend." Sirius commented smiling.
"Yes she is my girlfriend." Harry said proudly. Harry had given Mr and Mrs Weasley a holiday tour package to Australia, with return by aeroplane. Mr Weasley was very happy since he had never flown in an aeroplane. He gave Ron full season tickets of Chudley Cannon matches. To Hermione he gave a rare handwritten book on runes. And finally to Ginny some of her mother's jewelleries
That day Harry spent long hours talking to his parents' portrait in the office. Lilly had agreed to teach Harry and Ron to make potions along with Harry's other friends who want help in that field while James, Sirius and Remus will give them tips related to refinement of wand work.
Once the portraits were hung in the office, Harry heard music start to drift through the hallways. He smiled as he followed the sound towards the gathering room. Harry was able to book a local band at the last minute for the Christmas and New Year party. Harry sat next to Ron who was waiting for Ginny and Hermione to come out of the room they had been using to change their clothes.
"Why do they have to take so long to get ready?" Ron commented, getting tired of waiting.
After five minutes and many more complaints from Ron, the door opened and Ginny and Hermione were standing smiling. It took a few seconds before both to remember to breathe again.
Ginny's hair, which was usually up in a ponytail or quick messy bun, laid over one shoulder in sleek, wavy curls. She wore short, white heels that gave her an elegant and poised posture. She didn't wear stockings which suited her because her alabaster skin contrasted perfectly with the deep rich green of her dress.
Her dress was simple. Designed not to be flashy or attention seeking yet it was so well fitting, it drew the eye to the subtle curves it tried and failed to keep hidden. Just above the knee, the flowing material fluttered as she made her way towards them. It was cinched at the waist by a ring of clear mesh that just barely showed the skin beneath as it wrapped her waist. The mesh, like the hem of her dress, also started around her neck and fell leaving just a hint of curve before returning to the earthy colour of her dress.
Hermione, who so often wore plain robes, was tremendously eye-catching in her striking red dress. Beautiful and elegant in red satin, her dress started nearly at her neck, was sleeveless, and stopped just above the ankle in a wide flowing ring. Hermione, being the most conservative of the girls, seemed to show very little skin and a small, black belt around her waist separated the looked perfectly. Then she turned around and Ron's jaw fell open in a blank, shamelessly gawking, stare.
The dress wrapped over her shoulder closely and fell open past her shoulders down her back and finally started just above the curve near her waist. Her back was completely exposed and something about that completely flabbergasted Ron. Hermione said his name twice before having to snap her fingers at him. Ron's jaw closed with an audible click. Harry and Ron gave their respective fiancée and girlfriend flowers.
"You look gorgeous." Harry whispered in the ear of Ginny as she hugged him.
"You are too not looking bad Mr Potter." Ginny complimented him.
Taking the hands of their respective partners and walking to the main dining hall. The arrangements were similar to that of Yule Ball at Hogwarts; there were round tables spread across the hall leaving enough space in the centre for dance. Instead of a menu on the tables a buffet table with many varieties and courses was kept at one corner of the hall. Many house elves were roaming carrying snacks and drinks to be served. Harry and Ginny went to the table which was reserved for them. Ron, Hermione, Bill and Fleur joined them shortly thereafter.
Fleur, as it had always been, dimmed most of those around her with her immense beauty. Even standing mostly still, she maintained an air of grace and elegance around her. Her long, willowy silver hair fell behind her and seemed to glow faintly, even pulsing slightly when she laughed at a joke Bill was telling.
She wore a strapless blue dress that was a sharp, electric blue with glittering gem-like stones at the top giving it a twinkling star-like effect. It hugged her skin tightly until just past. The colour reminded them of the richest blue of the ocean far from shore. As usual Ron was having trouble with speaking whenever he was near Fleur but this time it lasted only for a couple of seconds. Few minutes' later music started
"Do you want to dance?" Harry asked Ginny, offering his hand.
Ginny grinned and nodded enthusiastically and took his hand. The first song was a slow one but as the night progressed there were many high beat songs along with some romantic slow songs.
As the third song ended Harry kneeled down to one knee holding the ring in his hand right in the middle of the dance floor. The women who were near to Harry and Ginny grasped. It took a second longer for Ginny to understand why Harry abruptly stopped.
"Ginerva Molly Weasley, you know that I am not very good with speeches, so I ask you directly. Will you marry me?" Harry asked.
Ginny had tears in her eyes, she was overwhelmed by Harry's proposal all she could do was nod in agreement before she bent down to kiss him hard making Harry fall down.
"Yes! Yes! I will marry you." Ginny said excitedly as they came up to breath, and kissed him back.
A squeal from their right forced them to break their kiss.
"Is that an engagement ring?" Hermione continued at the same pitch of voice, turning everyone's attention towards them.
Ginny, unable to speak due to over excitement just nodded vigorously and thrust her hand in her direction.
All the girls swarming over her whispering and ooh-ing at the ring. While the men surrounded Harry.
"Finally," Arthur said, "I have been wondering when you will propose her,"
"You knew?," Ginny accused, pointing her finger at her father.
"We knew that he was going to propose to you. After all he asked for our permission, but we didn't know when he was going to," Molly said with a smile on her face. Her eyes were twinkling just like Ginny.
"First I had expected it to be on your birthday," Mr Weasley agreed with his wife.
"But after that we were also as clueless as you," Molly shrugged.
"Congrats mate," Seamus slapped Harry on the back, breaking the conversation.
Slowly all the Weasley men except for Ron came forward to hug both Ginny and Harry.
"Well you have defeated a dragon and rode another one, I can't say you are not a right match for my sister," Charlie joked.
"Well he defeated the darkest wizard, you think he would have cared for any of our opinions?" George said as he kept his hand on Harry's shoulder and hugged him sideways affectionately, "Beside if you don't want to face our sister's warth keep these type of comment to yourself,"
"Too right," Ginny said with a smile as she stood on the other side of Harry and leaned into him.
As the night carried on, the congratulations started to dwindle. Without the interruption of his family and friends, Harry found himself lost as he admired Ginny. She moved about as they thanked the guests. Noticing her stifle a yawn, he appeared beside her, an arm wrapped loosely around her.
"I think it's time we retired for the night," he muttered as she looked at him curiously. A satisfied smile came to her lips at the thought of relaxing with her fiancé. Harry provided some directions to the elves as they turned to leave the room. George let out a hoot, alerting all of the remaining guests that they were leaving. He cheered enthusiastically before Mrs Weasley pushed hard on his head.
"Don't taunt your sister," she mumbled before Charlie stood beside them. "You're not going to survive the night with that look," he added as he pointed to the glare Ginny was giving them. Harry could only smile as he gently tugged on her arm, bringing her attention back to him and an unspoken promise of relaxing in their suite.
By the time the party was over late at night they both were tired but satisfied and happy to spend time with each other.