Disclaimer: This Harry Potter story was written for fun. All rights belong to the wonderful lady (JK Rowling) who gave the world Harry Potter to read and enjoy. No ships. Bashing around everyone.
Only three chapters to go.
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Daily Prophet / 3 July 1996Every afternoon, Harry Potter-Black appeared at the Daily Prophet offices. As the majority stockholder, his Gringotts' vault manager had invoked the wizard's right to review the articles that editor planned to publish the next day. Potter-Black and an advisor from the Royal Reformation met and reviewed every editorial, story and photograph with the editor and his layout artists.
In the edition printed and delivered on 3 July 1996, the editor had altered the lead article concerning McGonagall's trial to make her appear remorseful and included an unapproved editorial stating that the sentence of life imprisonment was excessive.
Lord Potter-Black popped into the lobby before 9:00 AM and stormed through the building, a coven of armed house elves visible behind him. When he found the editor, Harry fired the man. Then Lord Potter-Black's security team (elves) threw the man out of the building and followed up by pelting him with his personal belongings.
With all employees summoned to the bull pen, Harry Potter-Black threatened gave them the choice of quitting or obeying his rules and the directives of the new editor from muggleland. He offered them the opportunity to duel against Miss Winky, Dobby, or Kreacher to remain employed without any conditions.
The security team of Muggleborn soldiers stationed in the building didn't interfere with the company owner yelling at his employees.
"Now, either agree to follow my rules or get out," he declared. "Anyone who wants to argue can duel one of my elves. And they will leave you sorry you were every born."
Three witches quit but one wizard photographer duelled Miss Winky, the smallest elf with Mr Potter-Black. In the duel watched by the security team and every employee of the Daily Prophet, the photographer lost his left arm and one incisor before conceding the duel with the elf. (Winky held her meat cleaver against the prone man's neck and grinned.)
The arm was reattached at Saint Mungo's, but the tooth could not be replaced. The dull yellow incisor was added to Winky's collection of battle trophies on her meat cleaver.
Every remaining employee agreed to follow the rules as specified by Lord Potter-Black and the Royal Reformation of Magical Britain.
(During a later meeting in Gringotts, Sowsbreath suggested that Miss Winky encase the tooth in gold to protect her trophy. The elf did just that and set the standard for all elves who collected battle trophies from wizards and witches.)
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Baby NamesWhen the elves popped Harry back to The Wheel, he returned to the table in the kitchen where his cold breakfast was banished by Winky. She refreshed the teapot and provided a plate of scones but didn't offer to cook a new breakfast.
Kreacher watched Dobby staring at Miss Winky while their wizard found his appetite and tore apart a scone. Winky's masterful performance in the duel at the Daily Prophet pushed the last of Dobby's buttons and the elf quickly lost control of his desire to claim the dangerous, feminine elf as his mate.
Snickering at the vibrating younger Dobby, the Black Family Elf, cleared his throat and asked, "Foundling Baby Potter-Black be here soonest."
The wizard and the other two elves froze – the distraction of the collapse of the ministry and the trials had dominated everyone's minds for the last week.
"It could be any day! Today even!" shouted Harry. Dobby vibrated with excitement and forgot himself for a moment – he leapt across the kitchen, grabbed Miss Winky and kissed her.
Harry looked astonished and Kreacher simply cackled, "Kreacher say Dobby finding magic wand soon and Miss Winky gets stirred!"
As they watched, Winky who has several centimetres shorter than Dobby responded to the kiss and threw the elf to the floor before she taught Dobby how she liked to be kissed. Harry grinned and returned to his tea and scones.
He looked at the Black family elf and asked, "Kreacher, what is a proper wedding gift for house elves?"
The elf looked perplexed and replied, "There's be no such thing! Blacks never give gifts to horny elves."
Blushing to hear Dobby and Miss Winky described as 'horny', Harry glanced back at the newspaper that had set him off on a mission earlier. The new editor had been selected by the Royal Reformation commander and Harry had relinquished veto power over the articles to Colonel Harrison for the next six months.
"Well, we shall start a new tradition with the Potter-Black family." Glancing once again at Kreacher, Harry noticed the elf appeared to be deep in thought. He grinned and asked, "Whatcha' thinking, Kreacher?"
"Kreacher think lots of changes in Magical Britains good and bad, but Mr Harry Potters-Blacks trying to make good changes. Good gifts might be trinkets to hanged on war cleavers and sharp knife of carvings."
Then the elf asked, "Whats names does Mr Harry Potters plans for Foundling Baby Potter-Black?"
This question caught the attention of Winky and Dobby, who straightened their clothes and ran to wait beside the table while still holding hands.
Harry nodded. "My first child is going to be named to honour my mother. If the baby is a girl, her name will be Lily Marie Potter-Black. If the baby is a boy, his name will be Evans Henry Potter-Black."
"Henrys?" asked Dobby. "Dobby not knows no Henrys in family trees."
"Henry was my grandfather's name – my mum's father. He was the man who made the book bag where Mum hid all her diaries and work." Looking at the trio of elves, Harry asked, "I know this is silly question, but is everything ready for the baby?"
All three elves looked insulted to be asked the question. Harry blushed. "Sorry guys, but this is all new to me."
"Mr Harry Potters going to be niffler daddy," said Dobby with resignation in his tone.
"Definitely niffler daddy," Kreacher agreed gleefully. "Be nices to sees and Kreacher enjoys laughs at him."
"What's a niffler daddy?" asked Harry while Miss Winky smacked the other two elves – gently but she registered her displeasure to hear them speak to their wizard that way.
"Like a dragon mother," explained Winky. "Holds, sleeps, and spends every minute of nights and days with babies. Be goods to bonds for tens days or so's but then must spends times away from baby to be a person again."
"I won't be that bad," Harry assured his elves. The trio of elves just slowly nodded their heads, pretending to agree with their wizard. "I'll stick my head into the nursery after I get through the letters Hedwig and Demetrius brought this morning."
"Maybes sends letters to Sowsbreath and Ironpants about blood adoptions?" suggested Dobby, who still questioned goblin competency. "Goblins going be frantic about sympathies magics and lots of questions for Mr Harry Potters-Blacks."
"The goblins will behave," Harry replied. "Ironstream and Copperknife will be curious, but Sowsbreath will protect me."
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Harry turned his attention to the letters the owls had delivered. There was one from Seamus Finnigan talking about a short holiday to Dublin, enjoying his mum's cooking and his dad's jokes.
'I always forget how much I miss the radio and music while at Hogwarts. And football! There are lots of matches around – come over and we'll go to game on the weekend.'
'Mum said to ask about tutoring – she says there's no reason to wait until September to get started. I think we should look at pushing through one NEWT at a time. How about finishing Transfiguration first since we're both good at that one? Maybe take the NEWT by Easter next spring? I gotta get a job too.'
'That's not a bad idea,' Harry decided. 'But we need the ideas from charms to help in transfiguration. It's probably the cost of tutors that's got Seamus worried. I'll have to find a way to get him to let me pay.'
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Jason Finch-Fletchley's letter mentioned tutoring and muggle classes. This made Harry consider Seamus's idea – there was going to have to be a compromise somewhere if the three were going to study together.
'But Jason's right – I want the mundane classes too. I want to attend university and study law or business. I'm going to need those classes if I'm going to be successful and work with the goblins on equal terms in finance.'
'We'll have to get together and talk.'
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Harry was surprised to find a letter from Parvati Patil in the pile of invitations, business inquiries, and offers for marriage from witches up and down the island. He was vaguely interested in the gossip about everyone losing their minds because the floo remained closed after a week.
'Padma and I have learned to use the bus, train and tube to get around. We were able to get within a half kilometre of Hannah Abbot's house when we went to visit. Her mum is muggleborn, so they live in muggleland. Padma and I were extremely jealous after we saw the ease of turning on lights, getting hot water, and using the telephone to get take-away. We're going to talk Dad into getting us a telephone so we can order take-away at our home!'
'Mrs Abbott says to tell you she has talked to us about being safe in the public transportation – that means the buses, trains and tube. She was blunt and we talked to our mum and dad who agreed with Mrs Abbott. Mum moves us around some with side-apparition and Dad swears the Royal Reformation people will turn the floo back on in another week or two. The shops in Diagon Alley are out of food and I worry that some folks are going hungry.'
'Susan Bones is staying with Hannah – they are repairing their friendship and Hannah's mum is Susan's guardian now that her aunt is in prison. We didn't talk about that except how it makes Susan sad. She says she misses her aunt, but I think it's more the idea of her aunt. Madam Bones was always busy with the DMLE and never home, so Mrs Abbot raised Susan beside Hannah and two younger brothers. In most magical families you never mention younger siblings until after they prove to have magic. Lots of sad stories there from every family.'
'We're talking about tutors – Hannah insists that we include Neville in our plans so Padma and I said there had to be some other boys or Neville would be swamped by all the girl-talk. What's your plans? Let me know!'
'Are people going hungry?' Harry fretted for ten minutes. He called Kreacher to talk about some ideas while Dobby and Winky were preoccupied. Harry penned a letter to Colonel James Harrison asking about food for the regular folks – he suggested that the elves at Hogwarts could cook and deliver meals all over Britain, and Harry would pay for the food from his vaults.
'I'll write to Sowsbreath next and authorise the purchase of food stuffs from magical and muggle stores. And I'll call Charliedickerson, the head elf at Hogwarts to get things moving. This won't be a problem after today.'
It was relatively easy for Kreacher to pop over to the castle and speak with the head elf. They returned to The Wheel where Harry had a long conversation with Charliedickerson about the elves helping feed people. The elves had locked the castle up tightly after the last adult left and the only person around Hogwarts was Hagrid who worked in the Forbidden Forest every day. The elf said, "ICWs Aurors and Muggle Solider Boys comes and shakes gates for ten minutes buts elves and ghostses puts wards where theys supposeds to be once Whiskers be burned up in Wizengamottle. Nobody, no-how gets into Hoggiewarts Hotel until She decides."
Kreacher said, "Goods! Does elves want summer works to helping magicals children all overs Great Islands of Britannia?"
"Already started helping as soons as Mr Harry Potters-Blacks asks. Just need golds for foods to replace what we use from Hoggiewarts Hotel pantries."
"Kreacher will take a letter to Sowsbreath in just a minute," Harry replied. "Thanks for helping Charliedickerson."
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Vault Holder Harry James Potter to Chief Ragnock3 July 1996
Sowsbreath Black Family Vault Manager
Vault Manager,
How do I say this? I hope the baby arrives this week. When you have nafflings, do you feel anticipation and anxiety at the same time? Fear and happiness all at once. I know you are guarding your plans for my child's blood adoption ritual closely and you have selected a talented but discrete Secret Magic User.
I authorise you to call Dobby Potter Elf, Miss Winky Potter-Black Elf, or Kreacher Black Elf when you need to send me any message regarding the baby or about the next matter in this letter.
Feeding Magical Britain! My elves made me aware that the shops are running out of food because the floo system remains shut down. The Royal Reformation Armed Forces are working as fast as they can, but the wizards and witches of old Magical Britain are among the most stupid humans on the earth. But instead of letting any child go hungry or an elderly person suffer, the elves at Hogwarts will help prepare and deliver food to magical homes where there are hungry persons. (The elves refer to Hogwarts as Hoggiewarts Hotel in their conversations).
The head elf Charliedickerson is authorised to call on the Black Family Vaults for funds to pay for food stuffs from Magical and Muggle suppliers – elves are good shoppers and won't allow anyone to gouge them on prices during this emergency. Do whatever you need to streamline these payments to help the hungry.
Also, you might inquire with Colonel James Harrison, commander of the Royal Reformation Armed Forces that have 'occupied' magical Britain as to other funds that require assistance. I don't want innocent persons to suffer needlessly after of the collapse of the stupid Ministry for Magic. If using my name helps with contacting Colonel Harrison, please do so discretely.
I look forward to seeing you in the next few days – hopefully with a baby in my arms.
Sincerely,
Harry James Potter, Lord Potter-Black, Potter Family, Fleamont Family, Perevell Family, Harding-Rollings Family, Stepford-Sackville Family, and Black Family.
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The last letter was from Neville Longbottom. Harry was pleased to read a regular apology for the other wizard's behaviour written below the proper pureblood almost-apology that began the letter. Neville wrote, 'Hannah smacked the back of my head when she read the letter without this postscript. She yelled about you declaring a blood feud if I stayed stupid. She is the most amazing witch in the world – not scared of anyone anymore. I hope you and I can be some sort of friends again after things settle down. Mrs Abbott, (Hannah's mum and Susan's guardian), polices our conversations closely. I think she's got an elf who listens to our talks, but Harrah swears her mum is just brilliant. We want to start working with some tutors this summer and hope you'll join us.'
The handwriting changed at that point.
'Harry! This is Hannah! I'm going to reform Neville just like the army is going to reform the wizards and witches! Thanks for everything you did at Hogwarts last term. The Patil sisters are in love with Take-Away now and will spread the news far and wide. My mum asked me to tell you that she is the muggleborn witch who was yelling at the Livingstone family about Elizabeth Slaughter. My dad is first cousin with the mother of that stupid idiot George Livingstone who is in the Queen's Gaol for the rest of his life. Anyway, Mum said to tell you thanks for blowing the lid off the myth of pureblood purity. Elizabeth and her baby Mary are safe with the Slaughter family somewhere. Mum will remain in touch with her.'
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BABY!A confidential message arrived in Sowsbreath's living space at 11:00 PM on 3 July. The witch carrying the Black foundling was in the delivery room at the hospital for the birth of the child / infant / human. The obstetricians anticipated a normal delivery, but they were unsure how the mother's metamorphic abilities would affect the timing of the delivery. Because of this same magic, the medical team had determined that they would not allow any magical or mundane pain medications to be administered during the first stages of labour.
Rather than call for an elf to deliver any message at the late hour, Sowsbreath returned to his office to work on profit projects of investments in Muggleland and plans to consolidate the Black Vault control of another business in Magical Britain.
'I wonder how closely the Royal Reformation intends to integrate the wizards into their economy. Thank Mother Bedrock that Lord Black demanded I study muggle financial practices last summer. Gringotts will bury everyone in a landslide of profits!'
At 3:14 AM 4 July, another message arrived that stated the child would be delivered in the next thirty minutes. After examining the baby's vitals, shape, and physical well-being, Stonechild would use an international portkey to transport Baby Black from Florence into Gringotts Bank Portkey reception area.
"Kreacher," Sowsbreath called out. "Kreacher Black Elf!"
The older elf appeared and bowed without greeting the goblin. "Wake your wizard and bring him to the Portkey reception area in the next twenty minutes."
The elf popped away with the loudest pop the goblin had ever heard from the departure of an elf. The goblin smiled, 'Everyone is going to be excited by the time the sun rises over London.'
A message was sent to the Cavern of Secret Magic Users. Copperknife remained rolled up in boulder but the eldest of the goblin's nafflings, Copperblade, had been chosen to perform the blood adoption.
Waving his knife over his desk, all papers returned to their secure location and any dust or pebbles collected in the goblin's free hand. Sowsbreath swallowed the meagre meal before setting off to check the meeting room he'd reserved.
'Will Lord Black recognize the room from his victory over the purebloods last month? Most likely he will not – humans are like goblins when a naffling unrolls for the first time.'
When Sowsbreath reached the portkey reception area at 3:30 AM, Lord Potter-Black stood there. His trio of elves had positioned themselves around the room to watch their wizard and the goblins. After greeting each other, the young wizard paced back and forth, while the goblin shared a few anecdotes from the days that his nafflings unrolled from their boulders.
Then there was a bright light as a powerful portkey delivered a goblin on the landing pad in the gentlest manner possible. The goblin was Stonechild, the lead obstetrician at Gringotts Florence, and in the goblin's arms lay a small figure in swaddling clothes.
Sowsbreath watched his vault holder step forward slowly. Smiling at the familiar scene, Stonechild moved off the landing pad in case another traveller or delivery needed to arrive. This meant that the goblin met the human just beyond the edge of the landing pad.
The goblin said, "Vostro figlio."
Harry glanced up confused, but the goblin tilted its head to one side and repeated in English, "Your son."
"My son," Harry repeated as his arms rose clumsily. The goblin took the necessary time to show the young human how to hold the newborn. Once he had the baby in his arms, Harry stared at the tiny face. But Stonechild motioned for the elves to move closer. To Winky, the goblin handed two small bottles that held the mother's colostrum to feed to the baby when he woke. The bottles were spelled to preserve the precious fluid at the perfect temperature and natural state.
"The mother did not wait for the infant to wake and feed on the colostrum. She gave permission to withdraw it with magic and send here," Stonechild explained. Winky kept her disapproval of the witch from appearing on her face. The elf would make certain the baby got the fluid when he woke.
"May the Mother Bedrock bless this naffling," Stonechild said before he turned and moved away.
"Elves all says thanks you," Kreacher said, his eyes glued to the sleeping figure in the arms of his Mr Harry Potters-Blacks.
"Vault holder."
It took three times for Sowsbreath calling out to him before Harry heard the goblin. Tearing his eyes from the baby, Harry glanced up and Sowsbreath wondered at the expression on the human's face – poleaxed, enraptured, mesmerized, euphoric. Those were words that the goblin had heard before but never seen on the face of a human until this early morning in Gringotts.
"We should make our way to the room that is waiting," Sowsbreath said, his hand gently leading the wizard out of the Portkey Reception Room. The elves remained close and Sowsbreath kept the smile off his face when he saw all three of them with their weapons handy though still miniaturized.
There was no one – not even goblins – in the hallways between the reception area and the ritual room. Sowsbreath waved his free hand, and the door swung inward, allowing him, the vault holder and infant into the ritual room with the three elves immediately checking out the other goblin waiting in the room. The door closed and locked behind them.
Copperblade had heard from his father about Vault Holder Potter-Black and the elves who followed the human around. The goblin waited patiently for instructions from Sowsbreath. Both goblins were surprised when the room filled with house elves – many more than the seventeen that Sowsbreath understood 'worked' for his vault holder.
The goblin recognized the head elf from Hogwarts and concluded the extra attendees included the elves from that institution.
'No doubt, they wish to support the wizard who has given them work this summer.'
"Bring the infant to this altar, Vault Holder," Copperblade instructed the human. The large wooden altar had a small depression carved in the centre and the Secret Magic User told the human to lay the infant in the depression.
Harry looked reluctant to do as instructed until Sowsbreath said, "Your elves can hold him there. He will be safe."
Moving toward the altar, Harry stood awkwardly trying to position the infant on the altar until Dobby appeared to hold the infant carefully and with Winky's help, moved the little form to the depression.
"Your arm, Vault Holder," Copperblade said. "I need to harvest a small amount of your human blood for the ritual."
Harry's loose outer robes fell off his shoulder and he pushed the sleeve up, revealing his right arm. The goblin used his knife to nick a blood vein, and a glass vial collect enough red fluid to fill the glass container. With the wave of one claw, the cut was healed.
Standing on the opposite side of the altar from the vault holder, Copperblade instructed the elves to remove the swaddling clothes and any other wrappings from the infant. The baby lay naked in the small depression but continued to sleep. The elves jumped off the altar as Harry stared – his son had two arms and two legs, ten fingers and ten toes, and the other parts necessary to be a boy.
The Secret Magic User chanted and drew runes on the baby's forehead, chest and belly using Harry's blood. Then the runes were drawn carefully on the soft spot on the skull. Blood was wiped across the genitals, mouth, and eye lids with more chanting.
Harry felt his magic reaching out to the baby, learning and memorising the magical core in the child.
'My baby. My son,' Harry knew.
With a wave of his clawed hand, Copperblade banished the remaining blood and continued chanting. Harry watched as the bloody runes vanished into his son's skin. When the chanting was finished, the magical connection and adoption was complete.
"Do you have clothing for your son, Vault Holder?" asked the Secret Magic User.
Kreacher handed the wizard a nappy and everyone watched the young wizard attempt to secure the material around the baby. Eventually Winky provided the last pulls to get the garment securely in place. Then she and Dobby helped Harry wrap the newborn in a new swaddling blanket with the family crests printed in patterns across the material.
"Thank you," Harry said and bowed his head to the Secret Magic User, and then to Sowsbreath.
"Vault Holder, what name will you give your son and heir?" asked Sowsbreath. "I shall add it to your vaults and documents this morning before the sun rises."
"Evans Henry Potter-Black," Harry replied. "My son's name is Evans Henry Potter-Black."
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Kreacher's Fun"Is Mr Harry Potters-Black be still watching Evans Baby sleep?" asked the oldest elf when he popped back into the kitchen at The Wheel. He had inspected the work by the other elves at two rental properties and in the orchard at the Potter manor house.
"Mr Harry Potters-Black be bonding with his son," replied Winky.
Kreacher snorted, "Niffler daddy scared Evans Baby not breathing."
"That's be's normal for new niffler daddy," Winky assured the older elf. She asked, "Kreacher never sees this in Blacks?"
"No. Blacks only sees babies once a weeks at most maybe," Kreacher replied sadly. "Black babies think theys be elves until fours or fives years old grown."
The little elf frowned. "Winky be understanding Black Family Madness."
"Did Evans Baby takes bottles?"
Winky nodded and shared, "Winky not sure whose be more nervous – Mr Harry Potters holding bottles or Dobby Potter Elfs, who be watching and encouragements. Be funny when Evans Baby figures out and sucks down quick.
"Whats happen?"
"Evans Baby falls asleep and Mr Harry Potters-Blacks panics son stoppeded breathing. Takes Dobby and Winky to show Evans Baby be breathing and asleeps only."
"Niffler," Kreacher groaned softly. "Mr Harry Potters-Black be nifflers. Does Winky thinks Evans Baby get to walks on grounds before he be's five years old age?"
"Miss Winky nots takes stupid suckers bet todays," the little elf said though she smiled. Then she complained, "Dobby Potter Elfs be niffler-elf today too. Not kiss Miss Winky once!"
"Kreacher makes Dobby behaves."
The old elf popped into the nursery and whispered to Dobby who hesitated only one second before he popped down to the kitchen to approach Miss Winky, drop to one knee and beg her forgiveness.
"Will Miss Perfections Winky please dance with Worthless Dobby Potters Elf? Family has new wonderful baby tonight and we's must dance to make wards strongest safest in world."
Pretending to think about her answer, Winky smiled and nodded. Dobby almost shrieked with joy but remembered to remain silent. Miss Winky would slap his head if he woke Evans Baby.
Dobby grabbed Winky's hands and led her through the first steps of an elven dance of happiness, joy, and life. They danced across the kitchen floor to the cabinets and danced up the side to the countertop.
Ignoring gravity, the pair danced up the side of the wall and onto the ceiling. They twirled around, leapt and twisted to music only they could hear. The happy elves danced across the doorways leaping into the hall and dancing on the ceiling in every room on the ground floor of The Wheel.
In the nursery, Harry felt the magic in his house growing but it felt safe and strong, so he welcomed it and kept watch over his son. Kreacher climbed up the side of the rocking chair to stand on the chair arm while Harry gently rocked back and forth with the sleeping baby.
The elf commented, "Evans Baby breathes good and steadys."
"That's what Dobby tells me, but I can't put him down yet."
"Kreacher sees. Be's okay," the elf replied. "Youse changed nappy yet?"
"Just once. Winky watched me carefully."
"Easy?
"Yes, it was easy."
"Good. Just waits a few days. Magic hides poison, horrible smells todays so Daddy cans learn."
"What do you mean?" asked Harry, suddenly worried.
The elf replied innocently, "Evans Baby poops get stink in a few days. Then Mr Harry Potters-Black learns how to holds breath. Maybe needs to learns to cast bubble head charm without wands real quick? And charms to freshen cleanse air too."
Nodding his head as if he were very wise, Kreacher stressed, "Very important to learns these spells Mr Harry Potters-Black."
Harry turned his attention from his son to stare at the elf who smiled innocently and added, "Kreacher gets bottle for Evans Baby."
"He's not awake," Harry replied but when Kreacher returned with the second small bottle of fluid the obstetrician had brought, Evans was stirring and snuffling.
"Be's feeding youse son," Kreacher instructed the young wizard, watching carefully as the niffler-daddy teased the baby's lips with the nipple for a moment before the baby began sucking motions and the nipple slipped inside the tiny mouth. The magic of the happy, dancing elves spread through the entire house.
And Harry practiced invoking the bubble head charm without his wand. He wasn't sure about Kreacher's tales but decided not to chance it.
CHANGE SCENE &&*
Royal ReformNot falling asleep until almost 1:00 AM on 5 July, Harry's elves let him sleep through the first early morning nappy change and bottle feeding. The wizard roused about 6:30 AM and scrambled to check on his son. The baby breathed fine, unconcerned about his father's tension.
Dobby was seated beside the crib where Evans Baby slept. "Good morning, Mr Harry Potters-Blacks."
"Did Evans sleep through the night?"
"No Mr Harry Potters-Blacks, Evans Baby wokes at 2:30 for nappy and little bottle. Then he sleeps. Wakes at 5:00 for bottle and needs nappy at 5:20. Youse has time for shower and breakfast before next nappy and bottle."
"Are you sure?"
Dobby's tone was stern when he replied, "Mr Niffler-Daddy Potters-Blacks trusts Dobby about Evans Baby. You showers and dresses in clean clothes. Miss Winky brings breakfast to nursery so youse has time to eat before time to change nappy."
Standing under the shower, Harry almost rushed through washing his hair and body, but he used his common sense and took his time. He shaved (only necessary two or three times each week). Then he found muggle pants, trousers, socks, shirts waiting for him on his bed The trainers he preferred to wear in the house were there and he was back in the nursery in twenty minutes.
There was a small table set away from the crib with a great breakfast waiting. He still stopped by the crib to check on Evans who slept on. Harry's stomach rumbled when his nose caught the smell of bacon on the plates behind him and the new father made his way over to fuel his body for a busy morning.
While drinking his tea, Hedwig flew into the bedroom with The Daily Prophet. For one second, Harry worried about an owl being in the nursery but again his common sense assured him the elves kept the room spotless. Besides Hedwig would deliver mail for Evans too and she needed to meet her wizard's first child.
Harry rose to pet Hedwig on the roost placed in the corner and feed her bacon while talking about Evans Henry Potter-Black. She settled down to sleep in the nursery and Harry sat back down to read the paper.
The Royal Reformation announced the preliminary plan to reform the undemocratic government of pureblood rule. The 'lords' of the Wizengamot would surrender their rights and seats to the Crown on 14 July in a ceremony in the Wizengamot Chamber that afternoon. Elections for a new Magical Parliament would occur in two years.
Lifetime titles for deserving persons – wizards and witches – would be granted by the Crown as seemed appropriate in the future. The new Magical Parliament would be elected and answer to the Prime Minister and the Crown.
The laws of the new Magical Parliament would follow the laws of the United Kingdom. A commission would be appointed to begin this massive task before the new year.
Harry wasn't surprised to see an article about Hogwarts remaining closed for the 1996-1997 school year.
Then Evans woke and snuffling, wanting his bottle.
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