Disclaimer: See Chapter 1
-oOo-
A/N: I will plan on posting 2 chapters a weekend but can't promise that is a hard schedule due to life.
-oOo-
Chapter 9
Edited 08 Sept 2024
-oOo-
March 21, 1999
Wessex, England
Tonks hugged him as soon as the door was open. "Thank Merlin you are both alright!"
Harry hugged her back. "Daphne and I are fine. Dumbledore won't be…"
She let him go to take him in. After a moment, she nodded her head. "Good. I need you around for a long time. Teddy needs a godfather and I need you give me a godchild with one of those hot blondes you keep collecting."
Daphne let out a snort of amusement. "He better not collect anymore hot blondes."
Harry glared as Tonks, who gave him a cheeky smile. Tonks moved to hug Harry.
Inside the whole family had gathered this week. They quickly greeted everyone and he soon found Victoire in his arms. He was holding the girl close as she tiredly rested her head on his shoulder. Her blue eyes were looking around the room.
"Teddy has tired her out," Fleur told him before moving off towards the kitchen.
Daphne took a seat next to him in the sitting room.
"How are you two?" Bill asked.
Daphne leaned her head against his shoulder. "I'll see the man burn."
Bill rose a brow.
Ted was on the floor playing blocks with Teddy. "What happened? We only heard that Dumbledore was arrested."
Harry felt his magic pulse. Victoire moved uncomfortably in his arms. He had to force himself to calm. He let out a long breath.
"That bad, huh?" Bill commented.
"Daphne sat up, her ire coming through. "He admitted to setting up Harry's entire family to die, and expected Harry to be a martyr. He came to kill him last night."
Ted's look darkened. Bill sat up, looking ready for a fight. It was probably a good thing that the others weren't in the room. "He was going to do what?" Bill asked in a deadly calm.
Given what they had all gone through during the war, anyone on this house would do anything had to protect anyone of their family. They had all killed or done other questionable things to make sure they all survived.
"Bill, the Aurors have him. Dumbledore doesn't have any support anymore. He isn't going anywhere and he isn't get close to anyone I care for," he told the man.
Victoire whimpered. Harry kissed her head. "I'm sorry, little sweets. Uncle Harry is alright."
Bill still looked murderous while Ted looked very troubled. "P'ay," Teddy said to his grandfather.
Ted turned back to the fourteen-month old boy with a smile on his face and worry in his eyes.
Bill didn't look mollified. "Harry, are you sure?"
"Harry used his family magic to make him confess," Daphne told them. "Anything the Dark Lord has done to Harry's family will be told to the Aurors."
Bill looked to Harry. "You used veritaserum?"
Harry shook his head. "It's old family magic tied to my blood. It's not something that should be used often because there is a backlash to the spell if not used properly," Harry explained.
"What type of backlash?" Bill questioned. Being a curse breaker by trade, Bill was very weary of any magic that could have that type of effect.
"It only works if the person intentionally and purposely did things to wrong your family. If they didn't and you use it, magic exacts a price," he said. Everyone understood that meant either a partial or full loss of their magic. To compulse someone to do what Harry had done was not a normal thing of nature and magic didn't like it when used in ways it shouldn't. It was why those that were large practitioners of the Dark Arts often lost their humanity and morality and became monsters, no matter the intention they had to initially start using dark magic.
Riddle and the Death Eaters were prime examples.
"I'll teach it to you, if you want, Bill," Harry offered.
Bill gave him a small smile, understanding that Harry considered him family. "I never say no to new magic."
The clatter of a tower of wooden blocks falling and the laughter of Teddy broke up the serious conversation.
Harry smiled to look at grandfather and grandchild playing. It was something he wished he had experienced growing up and would make sure his kids had that experience knowing the Jean-Paul, Appoline, Ted and Andi would look at his kids as their own.
"I can take her so you can play with them," Daphne offered.
"I rather like where I am," he told her.
She gave him a kiss on his cheek. "Fine. I'll play with the little terror then."
Harry chuckled as Teddy giggled while smashing some of the blocks as Ted tried to make a new tower.
Bill smiled at them. "You want a drink?"
"Anything in the ice box is good," Harry told him.
Bill nodded and got up.
After their day yesterday and last night, Harry needed this time with his family. He only wished Gabrielle was here too.
-oOo-
April 2, 1999
London, England
Harry and Daphne had managed to change offices so that he was next to Rotgnasher, and she was on the other side of him. Unlike many members, Harry planned to be available and around. He wasn't only going to show up to the ministry when it was time to vote or sit trial. The Wizengamot was supposed to represent wizards and others in their world. He would do that.
Dobby and a few of his elves had moved everything and taken most of the furniture that he didn't want. The bookcases were pretty bare as he only kept the active law books, scrolls and treaties available. The other almost five hundred years of history had been moved to the library in Nottingham.
The desk he sat at was much more modern with a few drawers built into the side but was mostly open with a rather comfortable leather chair. He wouldn't try to intimidate people like many of the old families.
He looked up when a knock came at the door. He was surprised to see a face he hadn't in a few years.
"Mister McLaggen," Harry said, indicating a seat. He wasn't about to get up for this man.
"Potter," the younger man said. He didn't look quite as arrogant. Last Harry had heard McLaggen was playing keeper for the Wimborne Wasps. The still rising quidditch star was rather fit.
"What can I do for you?"
The man ran a hand through his sandy blonde hair. "I need you to back off Hermione."
McLaggen had never been subtle or prone to small talk. "I don't know what you mean."
McLaggen pursed his lips. "Since that meeting where you shot her ideas down, she hasn't been the same and her boss is now threatening to put her on probation."
Harry leaned forward, threaded his fingers together and put his chin on them. "I haven't talked to Missus McLaggen or had any interaction with her direct supervisor or said anything against her since that day."
McLaggen didn't look convinced. "Things are not going well. You used to be her friend. She still thinks about you. I find her looking through an old album and crying at times. Whatever your thing is against her, drop it. The Healers are saying it is not good for her pregnancy."
Harry blinked, feeling surprised this time. "Hermione is pregnant?"
McLaggen ran his hand through his hair again. "You didn't know? I thought everyone did. It was why we got married over the Christmas hols."
"I did not. I haven't kept up with her since she decided I wasn't worth her time," Harry told him. The bitterness of her abandoning him when he needed it most was still there, but the pain was gone. Daphne and Gabrielle were filling that void that once existed where his best mate and girlfriend once lived.
"Oh, she thought it was you that gave her the glowing recommendation to get the job," McLaggen told him.
Harry shook his head. "I haven't said anything for or against her."
He could see the man's distress, thinking this would fix whatever issue was happening with Harry's ex-girlfriend and her boss. He understood that she was a scared sixteen-year-old girl at the time everything happened. That still didn't mean that Harry hadn't needed her. He had only been fifteen and his world had just fell apart…
Perhaps it was time for him to be the bigger man?
Merlin, where the bloody fuck was all this maturity coming from? he asked himself.
"I will talk with Crichton," Harry told the man.
McLaggen let out a long breath. "Thanks, Potter. I'll send you some tickets if you can iron this out."
Harry held up a hand. "I don't work that way. I will not be corrupt," Harry told him.
McLaggen gave him a wry grin. "I always thought you a ponce, but you're alright, Potter."
"Thanks. I think that's a compliment," Harry replied.
The man grinned at him, then got up. As he was about to walk out of the office, he said, "Listen. I don't know what happened between you two. She won't talk about it, but whatever it was, she's still really broken up over it. If you could…" he shook his head. "Never mind. Thanks."
Harry frowned as the man left. He leaned back in his chair, thinking over the talk for a bit, before getting up. Closing his office door behind him, he meandered towards the lifts. Now that he had been in the ministry more the last few weeks, most of the workers had stopped staring at him. It was a blissful ride down to the fifth level only because he wasn't interrupted.
Walking through the Department for the Control of Creatures was a little different than a month or two ago. Those that had glared at him before averted their eyes. Those that supported his view and politics, waved, smiled, and a few even shook his hand. The final vote would be in a few weeks, but it was looking highly likely that creatures like dwarves and goblins would be recognized as full magicals, giving them the same status as a witch or wizard. Most important to him were the veela.
He walked into the small cell of cubicles outside the office of Crichton. He saw Hermione pouring through a thick tome and writing notes. She looked rather worn and tired. The other two workers looked up. "Good morning, Mister Potter," a man in his mid-twenties with black hair said to him.
"Good morning. Is Mister Crichton in?"
Hermione looked up. There was a quick look of panic before she looked away.
Harry frowned. He may have felt like he wanted her to suffer at one time, but that would be him being petty and a child. It would be the same way the people he was trying to make sure he wasn't like acted. Thinking about Fudge and Malfoy, he had to consciously stop himself from snarling.
"He's in the office. He has the door shut while he works on something," the man said.
Harry nodded. After knocking on the door, he waited patiently. After a moment, he heard a muffled, "Come in."
Harry entered the office. "McLaggen, this better not be another request for tomes we don't have the budget for."
"Nothing like that," Harry said, closing the door behind him.
The man's head shot up. "Warlock Potter-Black. Excuse me." Standing up, the man extended his hand. "Was I expecting you today?"
"I highly doubt it. Please, call me Harry. This isn't an official visit," Harry told him.
The man looked intrigued. "Really? I thought you would be busy with the final draft of your bill."
"I'm busy with getting the votes. What I wanted to talk with you about was our conversation in February. Has Missus McLaggen still been trying to find a way to free the house elves?"
The man sighed. "I still apologize for that. Head Wellsford told me what you said. I shouldn't talk about my staff, but if she doesn't drop this and do the projects I've assigned, I will have to let her go."
Harry shook his head. He knew how she was when she was on a crusade. He voiced the idea that he had devising in his head. "Do you know that I have been helping Ingrid when house elves have been being let go?"
The man's mouth pursed. "I did not."
"As many of the older families suffer from the economic downturn as the Muggleborn and Half-bloods have been boycotting their shops and businesses, I have been bonding with those that can't find another home or were abused. I give them all the choice to stay with me or to bond with someone else. I have been looking for someone to work with my foreman. Maybe someone that needs to do more research on house elves, their magic and their culture. It's something Ingrid and I have discussed a few times," Harry told him.
The man's brow rose. "I didn't have the sense you really enjoyed Missus McLaggen's company."
"At one time, I did. I wouldn't be working with her, but maybe she can make an official ministry book on the house elves. If that works, then she can maybe work with Head Creswell. I know he is looking for a good researcher and someone to author a new book on goblin relations," Harry suggested.
Crichton looked to be thinking for a moment. He looked towards his door, his eyes unfocused. "I don't have the budget for field work."
"I can give a grant. It will be self-serving, as well as potentially getting a problem employee out of your hair for several months to a year or more," Harry offered.
He focused on Harry again. "You would do that?"
"I have been willing to support any research into the different races around the isles and our world. I will be marrying a veela woman. This is very personal for me, as well as helping the ministry," Harry told him seriously.
Crichton nodded. "I will bring this up with Head Wellsford. If she goes for this, how soon could you have the grant ready?"
"This afternoon. I will send a missive to my foreman and meet with him tonight," Harry told Crichton.
"You do know she is pregnant?"
Harry gave the man a rather sever look. "Do you know of any place safer than to be around a half-dozen nanny elves?"
The man chuckled. "They will wrap her in a magic bubble."
"If she is lucky that is all they will do," Harry quipped.
The man smiled for a brief moment. "What if Missus McLaggen doesn't want this assignment or she tries to upset your house elves?"
"I'm sure she will accept this. I can see she is trying to disprove things. Often if you hit her over the head enough with hard facts, she comes to accept it. The house elves that have bonded to me understand that it is me, and only me, that would ever offer then clothes or transfer them to another person, and only if they asked," Harry told him. "Because of my friendship with them, they are different, but still the same little guys that make them so loveable."
Crichton nodded. He got up and Harry did as well. They shook hands over the man's desk. "I will see what I can do."
"I have some stuff to complete this morning, but I will go to Gringotts this afternoon to set up the grant. I will offer a two thousand galleon salary and three thousand for expenses and supplies to cover the next two years," Harry told him.
The man's eyes bulged. "That is very generous, Harry."
"I meant it that his is rather self-serving," Harry told him.
"We could use more self-serving people like you."
"I'm always willing to help when I can," Harry replied.
When they left the office, Crichton took off towards Head Wallingford's office. The workers looked to him. Harry nodded their head. Hermoine quickly looked back to her tome. Harry caught the title of the book. Walking next to her desk he said, "That is probably one of the best books to accurately document house elves and their magic, but it is still wrong."
Hermione looked up to him. At nineteen, he could still see the girl he knew in the young woman. She frowned at him. "Have you come to humiliate me again and get me fired this time?"
Harry let out a long sigh. With a small shake of his head, he left. He wasn't sure what he had hoped to achieve by talking to her, but she was obviously at that point in her mania where she would attack anyone that didn't agree with her opinion.
He hoped this helped her mature and realize that she wasn't always right.
-oOo-
April 6, 1999
Roussel, France
Gabrielle was holding his hand tightly as they walked the fields around her parents' house. Daphne was on his other side, seemingly content to let Gabrielle monopolize his time.
Gabrielle was laughing as she finished the story about a prank war that went wrong one night at dinner. "The headmistress was so upset. There were pastry pieces everywhere."
Harry laughed with her. "They sound like they are quite the troublemakers."
"They are," she said. "They will be in detention until the end of the year. If they are lucky, only half of next year too."
"And you weren't involved in any of this?" Daphne asked. Harry had suspicions too. Gabrielle seemed to know too many details.
Gabrielle stuck her nose up. "I would never… do something like that where the headmistress or certain teachers would see."
Harry laughed. "I'm going to need to keep an eye on you."
"I hope both," she said with a mischievous grin.
Daphne laughed next to him. "Are we sure we want Astoria to visit anytime she wants?"
Harry grinned. "Just set them loose on Tracey."
The gleam in Daphne's eyes said he may regret saying that at some point. "I am letting her know you gave us permission when it all blows up in your face."
Harry eyed her. "You don't need my permission."
"A scapegoat is always a good thing to have."
Gabrielle pulled herself to his side. "Oh, I like her. Can we keep her?"
Harry laughed as Daphne grinned.
"I think that can be done," Harry told his fiancée.
As they got to the edge of the field, they walked onto the lane. "Why did we come so far out here?" Gabrielle asked.
"I wanted a walk. I missed you. I thought we all needed a talk," Harry told her.
Daphne knew what this was about.
"And what did you want to talk about?"
"The wedding. Us."
Gabrielle gave him a questioning look, then looked to Daphne. "What about the wedding and us?"
"I know that you and Daphne have talked," Harry started, hoping that this wouldn't blow up in his face. "When we get married, I am taking you on a proper honeymoon."
"Why didn't you take Daphne?" she asked.
"We did what I wanted. At Christmas we would like to do a bigger trip, but I don't really want to travel that much," Daphne told her.
"I do not understand. I want to see the world," Gabrielle said, jumping before them and turning to walk backwards as they talked.
If they were all going to be living together, they should all be honest with each other. "My parents were gone on travel many times for the family business. We were left with a nanny and our elves. I do not want to do that. There are somethings I want to see, but it is not a burning desire."
"What would you like to see?" Gabrielle enquired.
"I've always liked the history of the old empires in the New World. I would like to go see some of them. Maybe visit Castelobruxo," Daphne replied." You and Harry should go and enjoy the two weeks away from everything."
"You are sure?" Gabrielle questioned.
Daphne gave her a smile. "I've had him to myself already. If you want to go see the world, I won't stop you. Just bring him back."
Gabrielle rushed Daphne to hug her. "Merci! Merci," Gabrielle said to her.
Harry could see how affected his veela was. He knew that Fleur and her often dealt with very jealous woman. One of the few ways to not be affected by their allure was to be in love. With how Daphne hugged the silvery blonde back, he had a good feeling she understood too.
Gabrielle took up a spot between them, her hand seeking his out again. "Where are you taking me?"
"A surprise," he told her. She gave him a pouty lip and eyes. He chuckled. "Not going to work."
She muttered something under her breath in French. He grinned, catching the gist of what she said. Gabrielle wasn't one to be patient for surprises. "You said there were a few things you wanted to discuss?"
Harry let out a long breath. "I want you to spend the night with Daphne and I," he told her.
Her eyes went huge. Gabrielle looked between Daphne and him. "You mean…?"
"No," Daphne stated with no ambiguity. "You will sleep on your side of the bed. I will sleep on mine. Harry will be between us."
Harry couldn't deny that since Daphne had broached the subject that he didn't dream about both of them at once, but he would never press something like that. He felt his cheeks heat a little at the thought though. "I missed you. I don't like not having Daphne at my side. I want to see if this will work between us like this."
Gabrielle held his hand tight. "I will do whatever you want."
Harry felt his cheeks grow warm at the thought… Daphne raised a half-amused brow at him. "I want you to do whatever you two are comfortable with. I just… I just want you both," he told them.
Daphne nodded. Gabrielle beamed at him. "We will be there for you."
"Gabrielle, I want you to be there because you want to be. This whole thing is unusual, I know, but we are all equal in this," Harry told her.
Gabrielle grew more serious. "I know, mon amour. I know how kind your heart is. I adore that you love Daphne so much and still have room for me."
"It's not like that," he began to protest.
"Harry, shut it and just listen," Daphne ordered.
He clamped his mouth shut.
Gabrielle grinned. "I see this is equal."
"OI!" Harry exclaimed as Daphne gave him a cheeky grin.
"Harry, this will work. I know you have an equal space for both of us. It is part of your magic. You have two strands running through you. If I was to deny one of them, you would never be genuinely happy. I am thankful that you found a mate that is accepting of this," she said more to Daphne than him. "We will work. What is the next thing you want to talk about?"
He looked to Daphne. She looked uncharacteristically unsure for a second. "I know that this is going to be a more formal affair than our wedding, but I thought that, if you want, I could be the bonder of the union."
Gabrielle missed a step. Harry had to keep the normally graceful girl from falling. They all stopped in the middle of the lane. "You would do that?"
Unlike the handfasting ceremony, a marriage was different in that it was conducted more like an unbreakable vow. It was one thing to have a ministry approved bonder doing the ceremony. It was another to have Daphne doing it. As part of the marriage ceremony there was the vows. The bonder or the father of the bride typically over saw the vows and did the binding. It was thought that the father as the bonder would hold both their hearts and vows in love, as well as have the power to break the marriage should they both desire. A bonder would do so out of professional obligation. To have Daphne offer this would bind the three of them together in a way few would understand or experience.
"I would not offer if I did not mean it. I love Harry. I see you do too. He obviously likes to two of us for our bodies," Daphne deadpanned.
"Hey! I like you for more than just your looks," he complained, enjoying the giggle from Gabrielle and the way Daphne tried not to smirk.
"And you don't like our bodies?" Daphne questioned. Harry was oblivious to the danger in her voice.
"I never said that."
"So we are ugly then?" Daphne asked with narrowed eyes.
"Merlin! That is not what I am saying!" Harry whinged.
"He is quite attracted to us both," Gabrielle said to save him. "I know he undresses us with his eyes." A slight tinge coming to her cheeks.
"I… You… bloody fuck!"
Daphne grinned. "I know." Daphne moved in to kiss his cheek. "He's lucky he's a looker as well when he's in the buff. Well-endowed too."
"Now you are just teasing me," Gabrielle complained.
Harry just groaned.
"Would you allow me to act as the bonder?" Daphne questioned.
Gabrielle jumped to hugged Daphne again. "Oui. Je serais honoré. Merci! Merci!"
Daphne looked to him. She was studying French as well but wasn't taking to it as well as he was. "She said thank you. And something about honouring you," he said the last rather suggestively. Payback was warranted.
Daphne blushed a bright red at his knowing smirk and wink. Gabrielle let her go and turned to him. He half-heartedly shielded himself as she hit his arm. "I did not say that!"
Harry laughed as his fiery veela berated him.
-oOo-
April 9, 1999
Roussel, France
The three-month-old Victoire was sleeping on his shoulder as he watched the women of the house talking about the wedding. After how low-key Daphne had wanted their wedding, she was really getting into the planning. He liked that Gabrielle and Daphne were getting along so well. It wasn't perfect, but both were making an effort for him.
He had noticed that Daphne had woken up with her back to him the last few mornings with Gabrielle pretty much on top of him. The last month and a half had found Daphne pretty much laying on top of him. He could only hope things got better that way, otherwise he would be room hopping. It was something he didn't want, but he had meant it he wouldn't push them.
Victoire shuffled, then let out a fart.
Bill gave him a tired smirk. "Lucky. That didn't sound wet."
Harry grinned back. "She likes me. You know, that whole favourite uncle thing."
Bill chuckled. "You may be her only uncle, so you should feel pretty secure in that favourite spot."
Harry sighed. "I thought Charlie was at least on your side?"
Bill had a glass of wine in his hands that he half emptied in one go. "I thought so too. I think Dumbledore and mum got to him. He's talking about moving back home to take up the Prewitt seat. Aunt Muriel left it to him, which I find funny since she and mum never really got along, and the old biddy didn't want to give her anything."
Harry frowned. "You think she was forced to submit a will that wasn't hers?"
"Don't know, but he sent me a letter making sure I didn't want to take up the title and saying that leaving the family was a ruddy stupid thing to do for a little 'French tail'," Bill told him.
Harry felt the man's bitterness. "I think it a wonderful thing you did. Jean-Paul is very thankful you agreed to carry on his name."
"I know. I don't get it, Harry. My family isn't the same that I remember growing up. Mum wasn't this dominant. Dad taught Charlie, Percy and I how to do things right. Things started to change about the time I left school, but I was gone for most of five years. I just don't know what changed," Bill told him. He upended the glass. Looking at it, Bill eyed the dregs. "I don't know what happened to have Percy become a Death Eater. I'm going to get more. You want anything?"
"I'm good. You should watch how much you drink," Harry told him, knowing that people did stupid things when drunk and Bill looked to be in a mood.
Bill gave him a trademark Weasley grin that said he was an angel, when he was anything but. "I'll be good." Bill moved in and kissed his daughter on the crown of her head. "I wouldn't give them up for anything. I would fight those insane wankers again if it kept Victoire and Fleur safe."
"I'll make sure we never have to deal with that again," Harry told him.
Bill put a big hand on his shoulder. "I know you will. I know you'll love my sister and protect her." Harry knew Bill was talking about Gabrielle, and not Ginny. Bill never talked about her since that time he had drunk after they had destroyed the locket. Ginny's death that day changed things more than the night of the Department of Mysteries. He hadn't known he had killed Percy until the mask had fallen off. Harry was attacking a Death Eater, punching a fist sized hole in his chest with an overpowered bludgeoning charm.
A bludgeoning charm shouldn't normally do that, but he had just seen Sirius taken down by a killing curse.
He was rather distraught and his magic wild.
The Weasley's never would have known it was him, except shortly after the raid on Hogsmeade that had killed Ginny, a few other students and more than a dozen townsfolk, he had snapped at Ron when the git had been demanding to know where Harry had been and started blaming him for not saving Ginny and Percy. Never mind the fact that Harry wasn't even attending Hogwarts anymore, how was he supposed to be everywhere? While trying to hunt down the horcruxes, it was only a few people that kept him together, and three of them were in this house.
Jean-Paul wandered over to him after putting a magazine down. "You do not wish to plan this wedding?"
Harry shrugged. "I'll pay for whatever she wants and be involved in whatever she wants me to be, but I don't really have a preference."
Jean-Paul saluted him with his wine glass. "I see my Gabrielle is marrying a man wise beyond his years, but it is the bride's family that should pay."
Harry rubbed Victoire's back as she squirmed a little. "I have the money."
"It is not the money. Call it pride. You can put her in the crib. You don't have to keep holding her."
Harry didn't press the issue. He kissed her head. "I don't mind. Besides, I like babies."
The man nodded. "That is a good thing, as I know you will probably be a father sooner than later."
Harry gave a small smile to look at Daphne and Gabrielle. Daphne and him knew this was their goal. "Soon, but hopefully not too soon."
Jean-Paul gave him a knowing look. "I only ask you give Gabrielle what she wants."
He looked at the man curiously. "What do you mean?"
"I mean if she wants, do not deny her desire of a large family, or only a single child. I know we have not agreed to a betrothal, but this type of thing would often be handled in that way," Jean-Paul told him.
Harry understood. "Jean-Paul, whatever we decide, we will decide together. I want to see my family name go on, but if Gabrielle decides she never wants a child, then so be it. Daphne and I will be required to have at least two. I don't see Gabrielle not loving any children we bring into the house."
"She will. She already loves her niece and your godson," he said.
Bill came back over and held out a butterbeer for Harry. Harry nodded his thanks.
"How are you, Bill?"
"Doing well. I'll be doing better if Victoire starts sleeping through the night. I can't thank you enough for letting Fleur and this little one stay with you the next month or two," Bill said.
"It is no issue. We will always want our children around. Do you think this job will take that long?" Jean-Paul questioned.
"It's a new tomb. I promised Fleur I would be done with all that, but the Cairo branch offered a sizable bonus for this job. If things go well, we could look at adding on a small addition. Fleur wants four bedrooms, and it would be nice to have a workshop. Fleur wants to get her enchanters licence, and I could become a private contractor for ward weaving," Bill replied.
"As long as you are back by the time we get married. Gabrielle will want to have you there," Harry told him. "And be safe."
Bill put his wineglass down and reached for his daughter. Harry handed her to him. Victoire cuddled against her father. "I have two exceptionally good reasons to get back in one piece. If you weren't already doing more good where you were, I'd offer you an apprenticeship."
Harry shook his head. "I have one girl already and will have another soon. I think they would get upset with me if I just scamper off."
Jean-Paul chuckled. "If you think Gabrielle was upset the last time we were in England, you will find out what the true temper of the veela can do."
Bill chuckled and Harry had a sinking feeling as the two men laughed more at his reaction. Victoire stirred and started to make noises.
"De quoi vous moquez-vous, les hommes?" Appoline put towards them.
"Ce n'est rien, mon bel oiseau," Jean-Paul replied.
Harry leaned into Bill. "She just asked us what we are up too, right?"
"You're getting better," Bill told him.
Gabrielle got out of her seat. "You must come over and see the flowers. I don't know which one to pick."
He let her pull him over to the table.
-oOo-
April 13, 1999
London, England
It was a little past three in the morning when a small hand shook them awake. Daphne grumbled, enjoying the warm body that was holding her tight. She snuggled into his warmth, her fingers intertwined with her husbands.
She had missed this most of last week, but Gabrielle deserved his time, and she had him mostly to herself until he married the veela girl.
The small hand shook them again. "Mistress Daphne," a soft squeaky voice said.
Daphne mumbled something.
Harry shifted.
"Mistress Daphne," Dobby softly said again.
"What is it, Dobby?" Harry asked over her shoulder. "What time is it?"
"It's about three, the Great Harry. There is a woman at the door," Dobby said.
"Five more minutes," Daphne muttered.
"Dobby, who is at the door?" Harry asked. She groaned to feel him pull away.
"An Auror looking for Mistress Daphne. She said she would have called but we's not have a floo," Dobby told him.
Harry shook her shoulder. "Daph, you need to get up."
She rolled over enough to look at him. She wasn't really awake. "It's still dark," she whinged.
"There is an Auror at the door," he told her. Looking at the table, she was wondering why her badge wasn't going off. This got her up. Her panic clearly coming out. "It's not Tori or Tracey?"
Dobby grabbed his years. "I's not know."
"Get dressed. I'll go to the door," Harry told her.
He slipped out of bed, putting his wand on his arm, then pulling a house coat over himself.
She jumped out of bed, reaching for the clothes she always kept ready when she was on call. Being in France all last week meant she was on call all this week. Why her badge hadn't gone off to alert her had her stomach gurgling with worry for her sister and cousin.
After getting dressed, she found a middle-aged woman in red robes waiting in the entry area with Harry. He was standing tall. She was getting to know him well enough that even though he looked calm and put together, the pinch around his eyes meant he was very worried.
"Auror Forsythe, what are you doing here? I'm on call this week, so you could have used my badge," she asked, putting her ministry badge onto her shirt.
"I'm sorry, but I was asked to come for you."
She gave a look to Harry. He slightly shook his head, telling her he didn't know what was going on. "Warlock Potter-Black is cleared to know about my work," Daphne told her.
"Understood. We need you to come to a hospital in Dereham. We have a bit of an issue there that has drawn more of the local interest than we can handle," the Auror told her.
Harry gave her a look. "Let me throw something on. I'll be there if you need me."
She nodded, patting her pocket to make sure she had the mirror that Harry had given her. He had been able to work with Fleur to make one that linked the ones he had already, meaning that Harry, Gabrielle and her could easily get hold of each other. Fleur was working on more for the entire family now.
As she walked out of the flat, she asked, "What's the situation?"
"A few Muggleborn modified a few automobiles. They were racing them and caused an accident. Thirty-two muggles are hurt, and the wizards are in a muggle hospital. We have a bunch at the scene, but I was told a local news station got footage. We need someone to explain this and help with the cleanup," Forsythe told her.
"Bloody hell," she muttered. This could be a catastrophe.
Forsythe took her arm and they apparated away. When she came out, there were three other Aurors and two Obliviators at an emergency site just across from a hospital. She hadn't understood that the cars had crashed into the hospital.
"Sweet Morgana, what happened?"
"Three wizards enchanted some automabils. They tried to get them to work like the Knight bus, then raced them around. They ported into the second floor," one of the Obliviators said. "I've tried to get everyone, but someone in your department said it's all over the picture wireless."
She put a hand to her mouth. Whatever the cars did, they took out most of the second floor and part of the building had collapsed. "Where is my boss?"
"Director Pringle is already on site, Missus Potter-Black. He asked for you. We need someone to talk with the press and to later prepare something to talk with the minister and muggle prime minister," the Senior Auror told her.
She looked at the bevy of muggle police, fire trucks, cranes and others. This must be killing the Healers, Magical Reversal and Obliviators because she doubted they could move in.
"I need to know all the details," she told them.
It was an hour later that she was talking with the press after working with Pringle after others had finally been able to get in. A local detective was standing at the podium. "We have a spokesperson for MI6 to talk about the potential of a terrorist attack like we saw a year or two ago."
She swallowed.
"Thank you, Detective Garand. I am special agent Rebecca Cummings. I know that there are rumours about a terrorist attack. Currently there is no reason to believe that. This appears to be an incident of some young men that were illegally racing. At this time, we don't know everything that happened, but an engineer has said it looks like one of the cars was launched into the air and hit a support beam," she said. Daphne had heard someone else say that somewhere before and it sounded like a good excuse. Realizing she didn't know much about engineering, she was going to put in a request to attend some university courses.
It was close to ten when she finally made it into the office. Two of the three wizards that had modified the two cars were dead. The third one was in St Mungo's. Three muggles had died. It was the worst incident since the raids had ended after the war.
Getting the strongest tea it the cafeteria, she sat at a table with a few crumpets and some clotted cream. She put her head in her hands. Harry was probably worrying about her, but she didn't have the energy at the moment to call him.
As she sat, she could hear others around her. It took a moment to focus on something that caught her attention.
"…the enchantments are rather ingenious. I think I can copy them," a familiar voice said.
"Arthur, you know we aren't supposed to do that," another man said.
"It's fine, Tim. This is all covered under the law if you don't plan to use them in muggle areas. I should be able to get in and see the other automobiles again," Weasley said with some enthusiasm.
She blearily looked up to see the two men at the table before her. She had a sinking feeling what they were talking about.
"Arthur, those things are only in our department to understand what enchantments were used on them. I hear there was a rather big incident last night," a man about Weasley's age said.
Her sinking feeling turned to a white-hot rage.
"It's fine, Tim. I would never use it. Molly would never let me after what happened with Ron his second year," Weasley said.
Daphne left her meagre breakfast and tea. She had to go find Director Pringle before this went any further.
-oOo-
Next time on the Angels of the Black Knight: Attack of the Weasleys!