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 14
Edited 19 Sept 2024
-oOo-
August 8, 1999
Great Easton, England
The Potter-Black clan descended on the rather unsuspecting farmhouse a little after five. It was a sizzling summer day with storm clouds in the distance when four figures suddenly appeared in the drive of the sleepy looking farm. Their appearance was only noted by a sheep dog that barked at them and the bleating of a few sheep.
Astoria quickly let go of his arm. "Merlin, I can't wait to be able to apparate on my own. Why can't you get a floo connection in your house?" the girl whinged.
"Because I don't trust the ministry and the floo was used too many times to trap people in their houses when attacked by others," Harry told her.
Daphne rolled her eyes. "You can always walk to the pub on the other side of the square if you want to use the floo."
Astoria made a face. "That takes too long."
Harry shook his head. The Red Badger was a newly opened wizarding pub run by three graduated Hufflepuffs. They were nice blokes. Apparently with word getting out that Harry now lived in Nottingham, it was becoming vogue to live in the city or in the surrounding area, so the place was giving the Three Broomsticks and the Leaky Cauldron a run for their money. There were enough magicals around the area now that the ministry was talking about establishing a new alley for shops and such.
"You are just lazy," Daphne retorted.
He shared a look with Gabrielle, who smirked. "There is always the Knight Bus," the silvery-blonde suggested.
"No," both sisters adamantly stated, turning on Gabrielle.
The door to the house opened. "I thought I heard arguing. Won't you come in?" Ted said with a grin.
Harry shook his head as Gabrielle wrapped an arm around his.
"I was not arguing," Astoria defiantly said, sticking her chin up, just like Daphne did when she thought she was in the right.
"I still say you are lazy," Daphne put in. Harry put a hand to her back and rubbed it.
"Easy, luv."
Daphne huffed.
"Hello, Ted. Are my favourite little people here yet?" Astoria asked. She had been earning her own pocket money this summer by babysitting Victoire and Teddy. Tonks wasn't quite ready to leave Abi in the fifteen-year-olds hands yet, but they had accepted the help of a house elf named Cilly.
"Just inside. You are the last ones today," Ted said, letting them in.
Astoria breezed past him. Daphne stopped to hug Ted. "It's good to see you. We missed you last week."
"Always a pleasure. We'll tell you about our time in Iceland. You are looking good," Ted told her.
Daphne thought she was starting to look like a whale at four months pregnant. Harry knew she would get much larger but found her to think she was exaggerating and to be just as beautiful now as she had been a few months ago.
"Thank you," she said.
Harry had a warm feeling to know how readily his family had accepted her and that she had accepted them. Even Astoria was treating them all as family.
Gabrielle was next, giving Ted a hug. "I want to hear all about Iceland. I never thought of going there, but maybe that can be our next trip after visiting the New World."
"It was good a time. We got to see some of the fae and the trolls there are more intelligent than most of the ones in Europe," Ted said before letting her go.
Harry reached out a hand to grasp his forearm. Ted did. "Good to see you."
"You know I look forward to these dinners," Harry said before Ted let go and showed him into the house.
People were spread out between the kitchen, the sitting room and the dining room. Astoria was already playing with the now talkative Teddy, who was speaking dozens of words and running everywhere.
Victoire was crawling after Teddy, laughing and squealing as the little boy played with her, got distracted, then ran off to the next toy. Bill and Ron were sitting on two chairs, talking with each other. Being the last of their family, everyone had agreed that Ron should be invited. Harry wasn't sure if he would ever really be friends with him again, but they were friendly and getting closer the more they did these dinners.
His two women had already joined Fleur and Tonks in the dining room. Abigail was under a cloth as Tonks breast fed her.
He smiled to see that everyone was happy to be around each other.
"Andi and Remus are in the kitchen," Ted said, before going into the sitting room to play with his grandchild.
"Thanks," he said, moving off that way. The smells of fresh bread, a beef stew and some other treats were heavy in the house. Walking into the kitchen, he was pleased to see Andi and Remus leaning against the counter and talking. Andi had a wine glass in her hand while Remus had a beer glass.
"If you and Ted want, we could get the fields on the hill. I know they are for sale, and we have about a dozen elves too many at the Abermagwr farm, even if we do expand to another greenhouse or two," Remus was saying to her.
"We already have four working the sheep and yarn in the barn. What else would you have us do?"
"Remus tells me that the old milk and beef supplier to Hogwarts and the butchers in Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade has gone under," Harry told her.
"Are you trying to take over all the food and potion supplies in the UK?" Andi enquired.
Harry went into the icebox to take out a beer. "I want to be the biggest supplier in Europe, but I won't put the smaller family farms out of business. Almost two-third of what we are producing right now goes to the goblins to sell in the normal world," Harry told her.
He went to the counter, and she gave him a hug. "I'm glad you could make it."
"I never miss these if I can help it," he told her.
There was some laughing from the dining room.
Harry reached to grasp Remus's arm, who pulled him into a one arm hug.
"Why not start a new farm?" Andi asked, moving to the stove.
"It's easier to get the permits from the ministry to just expand what we have, and I've already bought the land," Harry told her.
She looked up to him. "I didn't even know the Prices were selling."
Harry shrugged. "I've started to make it a habit of buying up anything I can around my current properties or the family's homes. Remus, the goblins are finally advising that I can sell the old Potter estate property. Are you sure you don't want it to expand anything?"
Remus shook his head. "I looked at it. It might be good for some pasture lands, but the magic they used to crash the wards and destroy the house make about two-thirds of the property unusable for the electricity we use in greenhouses for the more delicate plants, and that is what we really need. I think I'm close to finalizing a deal with the Browns and Longbottoms.
I also think I might have Neville convinced to take over as our lead Herbologist once he gets his mastery," Remus added.
Harry grinned. "Brilliant."
Andi shook her head. "For someone that hated their fame and power, you seem to be building up quite a bit."
Harry tipped her glass to her. "I've learned some lessons hard, but there are reasons why I keep my business, politics and family as separated as I can. I never want that much power and will never use what I have to subjugate people."
Remus grinned. "I have another pack that I want to bring into work on the Rhigos farms."
"Remus, I won't tell you how to run all that," Harry told him.
"I know. This bunch is fleeing Russia, but I don't see any issue with them," Remus told him.
Harry shrugged. "You know the rules and we provide the wolfsbane potion every month. Do you need a hand, Andi?"
"The bread should be done, and you can start bringing out the condiments," she told them.
Harry moved over to the old fireplace. He was thinking of putting one of these into his large flat because the bread from the old oven in the fireplace was some of the best.
Remus levitated the bowls and trays with the condiments.
"Harry, before you go out," Andi said as he put the bread onto a wooden cutting board.
"What's up?" he asked, opening a draw to get a cutting knife.
When she didn't reply right away, he looked up. She looked a little uncertain before saying, "I was contacted by someone the other day."
Harry scrunched his brow. "Why do I have a feeling I won't like this?"
"Because you won't. I don't think I do, but Narcissa was my sister at one time," she said.
"Bugger," he scowled. He hadn't heard anything about the Malfoy's since he had married Daphne.
Andi gave a dark snort. "Pretty much." She sighed. "Listen, I would never ask this but…"
"She's your sister, even if she disowned you," he said. Technically, the woman and her daughter hadn't really caused him any issues except try to disinherit him. He didn't blame them with how hard up it was rumoured they were. Her dead husband and son, on the other hand…
"I am not asking you to do anything but read a letter," she told him.
Harry knew this woman. "What do you want, Andi? You know how I feel about them, but you and Ted have been the parents I've never had."
"I know, Harry. It's why I didn't even want to bring this up," she said.
He sighed. "Just tell me what you want?"
"Narcissa wants out. She's being pressured to either marry into the last of the dark houses or to sell Cassandra to a man three times her age," Andi told him.
Harry grimaced. "What do they need?"
"Money and a reference. She has lost everything. Lucius got himself into some unmanageable debt and business deals. She says she will leave you alone if you let her just silently walk away," Andi told him.
Harry looked into her eyes. "Do you believe her?"
"Not as far as I can throw her, but you know the contracts the goblins can make," she said.
Harry nodded. "Australia or the MACUSA? I will give them ten thousand galleons and pay for the last of Cassandra's schooling. After that, they leave, never come back and never bother us again."
She nodded. "I will work out the deal. The letter is in the draw. I told her I would give it to you. What you do with it after that, it's up to you."
He took the letter before taking the still hot bread to the table.
"It's good to finally see you doing some chores," Tonks was teasing Remus.
The man leaned over to kiss her. "I can be domesticated."
Gabrielle giggled. "Does that mean you wear a collar?"
"Only on the nights I where my leather boots," Tonks said.
Remus winked at Gabrielle. "What she is not telling you is that she is the one in the collar."
Gabrielle flushed some.
"There is such a thing as TMI," Harry said.
"It can be fun. I just get to tell him what to do…" she was cut off as Remus kissed her again. Tonks had a smirk on her face as he did so.
"Harry has no issues listening to what I like him to do. Of course, that is when I can talk myself," Gabrielle rather suggestively said.
Harry felt himself heating a little. "Gabrielle," he said warningly.
Daphne had a nice pink hue to her face. "He does know how to use his tongue."
Tonks started to laugh.
"There is more stuff in the kitchen," Harry said, quickly making a retreat. The girls all laughed at his back.
He heard Fleur comment, "I have heard those that can use Parseltongue can be quite good."
"You have no idea," Gabrielle and Daphne both said in unison with dreamy looks on their faces.
In the kitchen he was happy to find Andi moving about getting things into dishes. "Take the vegetables and Teddy's dinner out then let Ted and Bill know to get ready."
"Sure."
A little while later, they all sat around the table. Harry sat between his veela and his other hot blonde. Astoria was on the other side of her sister. Across from them was Fleur and Bill. Victoire was in a highchair next to bill. Ron was on the other side of his niece. Abigail was looking around with wide eyes from Tonks lap as everyone talked and ate. Remus was trying to help Teddy not make a mess, which was getting easier with the older boy. Andi and Ted were on either end of the table, presiding over the rabble.
Harry gently squeezed Daphne's hand under the table. She seemed to understand that his grin was because of all the people he was surrounded by. Both his girls now understood what he had gone through growing up. Daphne understood the value of family just a little more now that she had lost most of hers and gained a new one.
-oOo-
January 2, 2000
London, England
Harry started, his wand coming to his hand as a pair of lips pressed against his forehead. A soft hand with long fingers reached for his wrist. "It's just me, my Black Knight."
Harry blinked a time or two before he processed who was leaning over him. "Bloody fuck, Gabrielle! You know not to surprise me."
She pulled back enough to give him a soft smile. "You would never hurt me, Daphne or your son."
A smile came over his face. He moved to sit up. Over the night he had slumped down in the chair next to the bed that held Daphne and his son. HIS SON! Harry had a son. They had a son. He didn't think he could say that enough or think it. "I have a son. Is Daphne up?"
"Non. She is still sleeping. Aiden is stirring. You said you wanted to get up after an hour or two and the nurses said they would check in soon," she softly said.
He stretched. His silvery blonde pecked his lips. His blonde with the darker hair was sleeping on the bed. Between them, a small figure was shifting and moving. Harry stood up. Luckily, he had three nieces or nephews to be become comfortable around children, so he easily ran the back of his hand over the little boy's cheek. He started, much like Harry had, then settled.
Smiling, he enjoyed looking down at the thin blonde hair. "Easy there. Daddy is here," he soothed the baby. Picking Aiden Grover Black-Greengrass up, he could tell right away that he needed a diaper change.
Gabrielle rubbed Harry's back as he moved over to the changing table. "You seem an expert," she whispered.
"I should be by now. I've been changing diapers for a few years now," he said.
Gabrielle gave a little giggle. "Who would have expected the man that would take down a dragon would be so gentle with a little babe."
He hip checked her. "You're making fun of me."
"Oui," she smugly replied.
Harry was fastening Aiden's diaper when a soft voice came from behind them. "Is he hungry?"
The boy was mouthing and sticking his tongue out. "Looks that way. How are you feeling?"
He moved their little bundle of joy over to Daphne. She looked tired. It had not been an easy delivery. "I feel about ready to explode," she told them cupping her breasts.
Harry gave her a sympathetic look. He may not understand what women went through when having children, but he had been around Tonks and Fleur enough to understand it wasn't always easy, but it was worth what you got from it.
Gabrielle took the chair he had been in while Harry leaned against the bed to put their son into Daphne's arms. He kissed Aiden's forehead.
"Did he wake up?"
"I walked him around for a few to let the two of you sleep a bit more," Gabrielle replied.
"Thank you," Daphne said.
Daphne moved the hospital gown down to expose her engorged breast. Aiden almost at once latched on. Daphne had such a beatific look to see him doing that that Harry knew he was just as in love with her as he was with the small boy that had grown in her.
His odd family was quiet as they watched his son feed.
When a knock came at the door, he looked to Daphne. "If it's the family, let them in."
He nodded.
Astoria and Tracey were at the door. The now sixteen-year-old girl reached him first. "Congratulations. We heard it's a boy?"
He smiled to hug his sister-in-law. "Aiden Grover Black-Greengrass," he said proudly.
"You gave him our grandfather's and father's names?" she asked, pulling back.
"Daphne insisted," he told her.
Astoria looked a little emotional. "Can I see them?"
"Come on in. Hey, Trace," he said, happy to see Daphne's cousin. She gave him a hug too. "I hope he has your eyes."
He grinned wider. "They are already green, but with Daphne's hair and smaller nose."
"Thank, Merlin. Your nose is huge," she teased.
"Oi!" he playfully shot back.
He joined Gabrielle by sitting on the arm of the chair as Astoria and Tracey fawned over their nephew and cousin.
"He's beautiful," Tracey said.
"That came out of you? How big is he?" Astoria bluntly asked.
Daphne rolled her eyes. "Yes, he came out of me. Aiden was just over a half stone and twenty-one and a quarter inches."
"That is huge," Astoria said. "At least he's cute."
Harry shook his head as Tracey whacked the back of her head.
"Thanks," Daphne said.
"That hurt," Astoria whinged, rubbing the back of her head.
"Are we sure we still want to do this?" she asked towards Harry.
"She has to grow up at some point," Harry said.
Daphne looked a little dubious.
Astoria's eyes narrowed. "Are you talking about me?"
"Well, Tracey at least knows how to balance her accounts, so she is somewhat an adult," Daphne deadpanned.
Tracey laughed. "At least you aren't bringing up that time I almost burned down the flat."
"Good thing the wards mask underage magic when Astoria had to put it out," Daphne said back to her.
"I put it out," Tracey indignantly shot back.
"We were talking about me," Astoria butted in.
Gabrielle leaned towards him. "I still say that Fleur and I are not that bad."
"Worse," Harry said laughing, then winced when she drilled a finger into his side.
"I am talking about my son and was hoping to ask you to be his godmother," Daphne shot at Astoria.
Astoria looked ready to snap back, then came up short. "Wait? What? You are talking to me? Not Tracey?"
"You are my sister. I want you to be his godmother. Tracey can get the next one."
"Bril! I always like being second fiddle," Tracey teased.
"Oh, shut it. You know it's not like that," Daphne told her. Harry was happy to see her looking livelier than when she first woke up.
"Can I hold him?" Astoria asked.
"He needs a burping," Daphne told her.
"Here, let me show you," Harry said.
Astoria waved him off. She had been taking care of Abigail on and off last summer. She didn't bounce, make any snarky comments or anything as she seemed to fall in love with their son. "You really want me to be godmother?"
"We really do," he told her.
Astoria looked up into his eyes with unshed tears in them. He was fairly sure she was feeling the same way he had the first time he had held Teddy. "I will be the best godmother ever."
He laughed. "I bet you will."
"I bet she is why he is expelled before his third year," Tracey teased.
"OI! I never got expelled," Astoria retorted.
"Not yet. You still have two and a half years," Daphne quietly stated.
-oOo-
March 23, 2001
London, England
Chief Warlock Longbottom tapped her wand on the dais. "Presented today is the final bill for the Magical Beings bill of two-thousand and one. As agreed, we will have a total of twenty minutes for arguments for those supporters and opponents of the bill. Five minutes will be allowed for rebuttals. Warlock Potter, I cede the floor to you for your final arguments," Augusta said.
Harry stood up. The effort of nearly three and a half years was finally up for a vote.
This vote was important as he could finally fulfil his word to the goblins given nearly four years ago as well ensure his wife, children and all those oppressed would be guaranteed equal rights.
Today was a key step for many things. Once all intelligent beings were fully recognized as magicals, he would be able to transfer the Potter seat to Gringotts, the Black seat to the Potters, and keep his promised when the goblins had pledged to help him eliminate the Death Eaters. It would ensure any child he had with Gabrielle would be fully recognized, not classed as a creature or half-creature but a magical, and it would open any race that wanted to sign the Wizengamot charter to earn full seats like any witch or wizard.
He was sure it would be a surprise when he announced the dissolution of the Blacks next month. It would be needed to keep his word with the goblins. Once that was done, Daphne and Aiden would be able to take on the Potter name as Potter-Greengrass.
He was sure it would raise the ire of many, but the other Wizengamot members and the old houses were not his family. The only ones that mattered to him in this decision were Sirius, Andi, Tonks and Daphne.
Sirius had asked for the house to be dissolved in his will. He thought the house disgraced and too tainted to go on. Harry didn't disagree and Andi wanted the taint of her family and sisters to finally be forgotten. Daphne would prefer their son to have Harry's name. Tonks didn't care.
His next fight would be to present a bill for later this year to add ten seats for the goblins to represent the major clans. So far, they were the only peoples actively wanting to deal with the wizards like this.
Looking around the room, Harry touched his wand to his throat. "Thank you, Chief Warlock Longbottom. I would like to start by thanking the many hours and months that the dedication of those that support this bill have put into this final draft we will be voting on today."
He dipped his head towards Head Wellsford, Mister Crichton and the new Advocate McLaggen, who was now supported by Ffermydd a Mentrau Potter. Hermione gave him a small smile. They were in a better place now with Daphne and Gabrielle getting along with her, but Harry knew his wives would never really forgive Hermione, even if they understood the position she had been in all those years ago.
"More than five hundred years ago, Chief Burdock Muldoon attempted to define the differences between creatures, beings and magicals. To this day, that argument and subsequent treaties and legislation has treated witches and wizards as different from all the other intelligent, magical races of our world."
He motioned towards Rotgnasher. "Rebellions and wars have been fought over the right for representation, the ability to use wands or other foci, and to be considered equal."
Harry then motioned towards the scowling Warlock Selwyn, who had led the charge against this. "Or the rise of factions that look down on our brother and sister magicals as lesser beings."
Harry turned back to look around the chamber. "In the last thousand years, how many misunderstandings have occurred because one race or the other was unwilling to listen to another? Giants are just about extinct. Three other intelligent races have gone extinct in that time, and not just at the hands of wizards. Our world has been shrinking as the non-magicals have become the dominant force on this planet. We cannot afford to lose more of our heritage."
He picked up the two-inch-thick stack of parchments from his small desk. "This document has been labelled as the Beings and Creature Rights of Two-Thousand and One, but what it actually it is a proclamation that no magical being is held above another and that we must all work together and recognize each other's talents and that we are equal if we are all to survive.
I grew up in the non-magical world. I can tell you of the great advances and the way an open and inclusive society can work. I believe in this, which is why my name and those of my allies at the first ones to support it.
I have spent my life fighting against oppression and prosecution. The defeat of the most recent Dark Lords shows that we cannot afford to be so divided. We cannot afford to let hatred, derision, bigotry or misunderstandings to fester. We cannot afford another costly goblin rebellion, genocide of those that could bring fresh blood, magic and ideas into our society or to overlook the talents of those that do not practice traditional wand magic or have never been given the right to even try!"
He knew he sounded annoyed and upset at this. It was the root of so much in their society that had gone bad over the last hundred years or more. It was why three Dark Lords had been able to rise in Europe and threaten the entire world. It was why he had lost his parents, godfather, friends and family. It was why so many had, and not a single person in this room hadn't been affected by Grindelwald, Voldemort or Dumbledore.
He had vowed to never let that happen again when Remus and Bill had been able to get him out of his funk that summer.
He had too many people now that he was unwilling to lose or has subjected to the bigotry and hatred that he was told was just way things were.
The passion in his voice spoke to all his vows and frustrations. "Besides very personal reasons, I believe that if we are all to see each other as just people trying to do what is best for our people and ourselves, we will have a much better understanding of each other if we stop these practices."
He shook the thick wad of parchments while scanning the room. "With this bill, we proclaim to the magic world that Britain is stepping into a new era. One that not any other government or people have been brave enough or had the foresight to achieve."
He motioned to the goblins again. "Gringotts and the other clans have methods to expand our magical lands again to allow everyone the room they need. While I fully support the ministry's new stance on integrating us into the normal world in ways we haven't since the enactment of the Statute of Secrecy in sixteen-eighty-nine. I fear if we don't follow both these paths, that either we will all become extinct either from a war with the non-magicals or from our own isolationism."
"This is a step into our futures and a way to see every person in this room, our nation, our world, grow and prosper in ways we haven't in hundreds of years. Will you be brave enough to stand with me and those that see this vision?" Harry asked.
Daphne was the first to stand.
Susan and Neville were quick to follow. Amos and Tiberius were only slower because of their age. More and more around the chamber stood. Within thirty seconds thirty-four Wizengamot members stood, as did a clear majority of those in the heirs', media and spectator sections.
It was clear to anyone that was looking that Harry had the support. He knew it wouldn't be easy and that the current society had been crafted over hundreds of years, but he would be damned to see it not changed and would dedicate the rest of his life to see it so.
"Chief Warlock, I cede the rest of my time," Harry told her, taking a seat.
Daphne's hand snaked into his. She gave him a small smirk before taking on her passive face to look forward.
Augusta was smiling at him. She dipped her head as though to say, 'well done', before tapping her wand on the podium. "Would anyone else like to speak for the Beings and Creature Rights Act of Two-thousand and one?"
Harry was mildly surprised when not a single member, many of whom seemed to like to hear themselves talk, didn't raise a wand.
"Very well. Warlock Selwyn, you are the lead of the opposition. You have twenty-minutes to make your case," Augusta said to the man.
The man was clearly unhappy. His impassioned, almost manic speech that had to be stopped when his time was up, did little to sway anyone. When Harry lifted his wand to have it glow blue in acceptance, thirty-eight other members voted with him. The thirteen to vote against the bill was significant but meant little in the end.
That night, Harry would get the surprise of his life when Daphne joined Gabrielle and him for the first time while Gabrielle was showing him her appreciation for what he had done. Three very nude bodies would wake intertwined with each other.
Their children would never have to worry about being classified as anything but the same as witches and wizards now. They were all magical beings with the same rights.
It would be a shock to everyone the next fall when the student population of Hogwarts would include four werewolves, eight goblin, three half-goblins, a half-giant and a selkie child, all of whom had recently turned eleven. The outcry, from a vocal minority, of letting the things have wands was mostly ignored and would eventually die out.
Harry didn't care about any of that though.
Not tonight, at least.
That would all be in the future.
He was more concerned with how his eyes weren't popping out of his head to see the two most beautiful women he knew kissing and fondling each other before turning their attentions to him.
-oOo-
May 14, 2002
London, England
"THIS IS ALL YOUR FAULT, HARRY JAMES POTTER-BLACK!" a woman yelled in French.
Harry flinched at the venom in Gabrielle's scream. Her hand was crushing his as she cursed him out. She winced, then threw her head back. He could tell she was in pain.
"Misses Potter, you need to calm down," a frazzled Healer told her. "Just take a breath, then push again."
Gabrielle screamed as she pushed. Harry didn't say a word, afraid she would really come after him.
"That's it. Keep pushing," the Healer encouraged.
Gabrielle screamed again, then flopped back on the bed. "We have her," the Healer said to the Mediwitch at her side. Harry looked down as Gabrielle lay panting on the bed. She had let up on his hand enough for feeling to come back. He was fairly certain it was bruised, if not broken.
A second later, a baby's cry echoed in the room.
Gabrielle cried in a happy way, "Is that out baby?"
The healer looked up with a big smile. "I'm happy to say it's a girl."
Harry smiled and leaned over to kiss Gabrielle's sweaty forehead. He responded in French as she seemed incapable of English at the moment. "We have a girl."
Her body shook with sobs of relief. "How long before the other one?"
Harry repeated the question in English.
"I would expect the other one to crown and for you to start pushing in just a few minutes," the Healer said.
"Thank Merlin," she said.
As she pushed the second baby out, she cursed him to torch his 'le verge' off and use her fire to make sure it couldn't be reattached if he touched her again.
When the second baby's cry sounded, she flopped limply back onto the bed. "Gabrielle, are you alright?"
"Bring me my children," she told him.
Daphne, who had been standing off to the side with their daughter, moved in as the Healer handed their son to him.
Gabrielle tiredly smiled at them. "Beautiful," she said with tears in her eyes.
"Just as beautiful as their mother and father," Daphne said, putting the little girl into one of Gabrielle's arms. She kissed Gabrielle on the forehead.
Gabrielle kissed them both. "Can you help?" she asked Daphne.
Daphne moved to expose both of Gabrielle's large breasts, then to position both of their children so they could latch on. Gabrielle laid her head back and closed her eyes as the Healer and Mediwitch checked on them.
Harry went to move his hand and winced. The Mediwitch came over. "Do you want me to look at that?"
"Please."
After a few swishes, he hissed at the pain as a few bones mended themselves back together. "There were a few clean fractures. I will get you a cream for the bruises. Be careful for the next day or so."
"Thanks," he said, moving back to the bed.
"Sebastian James and Liliane Appoline," she said.
Harry smiled. She wanted to honour both families. "I think that is perfect," he said, moving in to kiss her forehead.
She pouted and opened her cerulean eyes. "I did not mean for you never to touch me again."
He smiled at her. "Whenever you are ready."
Daphne rubbed his back. "Should I go get Aiden?"
"Oui. He should meet his siblings. We should also tell them that he will have another sibling," Gabrielle said, looking to Daphne.
Harry blinked for a moment, then turned to Daphne, who looked slightly stunned herself.
Gabrielle giggled. "The Healer scanned you when you passed out earlier. I saw the colour of the scan."
They both turned to the Healer, who looked a little apprehensively at them. She cleared her throat. "Missus Potter is doing well. There was some minor tearing, but that is already healed. Your babies are also healthy, but we will be monitoring them over the next day or so."
Harry quirked an eyebrow. Daphne beat him to the punch. "Is there something you aren't telling us?" she asked in that tone that Harry knew she got when upset and wanted answers.
The Healer smiled. "Well, I was going to talk to you once everything was settled here, but I did a few scans when you passed out a few hours ago."
"And?"
"Well, I know you are celebrating the birth of your son and daughter, Mister Potter, and would like to tell you that your other wife is expecting," she told them.
Daphne broke into a smile and put a hand to her midsection.
Harry pulled her into a hug and swung her around. "HARRY! PUT ME DOWN!" she yelled.
He laughed. "This is brilliant!"
Gabrielle gave a mirthful laugh. "I hope you find it brilliant too as I need help burping one of them."
Harry was still grinning as he put Daphne down. They both moved in to help Gabrielle, who fell asleep soon after they took Sebastian and Liliane. Harry happily sat in a rocking chair to hold both his children in his arms while Daphne went to get their rambunctious two-and-a-half-year old.
Looking down, Liliane had her eyes open. She had a shock of golden hair with emerald-green eyes. They were the same eyes he saw in the mirror. His heart was bursting with love for his little daughter.
Sebastian was sleeping. He had a head of black hair, like Harry. He had seen the boy's cerulean eyes before he had fallen asleep as he rocked in his chair.
"Be quiet, mummy Gabi is sleeping," Daphne softly said as she led their son into the room.
He looked a little uncertain. His hair was as dark and unruly as Harry's, much to Daphne's dismay at times, while he had her more amber eyes and smaller nose. Walking up to them, he put his small hands on the side of the arm of the rocking chair to pull himself up.
"Hey, bud," he said, leaning over to let him see Liliane and Sebastian.
Aiden cocked his head, then looked up to Harry before pointing to Sebastian. "My brother?"
Harry smiled. "Yeah. Aiden, this is Sebastian and your sister Liliane."
Aiden looked to Daphne, then Gabrielle. He didn't seem to really get what was going on yet. "Why is mummy Gabi sleeping?" he asked in French. He often did that when it came to Gabrielle. For his age, he had a really good grasp of languages.
Daphne crouched down to wrap her arms around him. "Babies come out of the mummy's belly. She is tired after that. She'll wake up in a little bit."
He looked back to Sebastian and Liliane. After a moment, he looked up to Harry. "Daddy, go flying now?"
Harry laughed, while earning a glare from Daphne. He was still in trouble for that. Daphne didn't think it right for him to take their two-year old up on a broom. Giving Aiden a wink, knowing he would earn Daphne's ire later, he said, "Not right now, but I promise this weekend."
Aiden smiled, then started to jabber away like a two-and-a-half-year-old would.
-oOo-
June 14, 2005
Chudley, England
Ron plopped down on the couch. His head hit the back, and he closed his eyes. Only the soft scratching of crayons in the muggle colouring book could be heard in the now quiet living room.
He quirked an eye open to see Aiden working on a book with dragons and dinosaurs in it. Out of the five little terrors in the house, he was the only one that was not causing issues and was being quiet without having to lay down.
A soft huff announced his wife entering the room. He only managed to move his eyes. "Is Gwen sleeping?"
The brunette flopped down on the couch next to him before putting her head on his shoulder. "How the bloody fuck does Gabrielle do this every day? I get tired with just our own, but four?"
Ron chuckled. Tracey had grown up an only child while Ron had grown up… in a big house. He couldn't see most of them as family anymore. He had two brothers left. Bill had his own brood of three, while Harry had his four, with another on the way now, while Tracey and him had their hands full with just one.
Of course, Aiden was five and a half, so able to take care of himself a little bit. The twins, Sebastian and Lianne, were now three, and right terrors. Belladona was two, and now Daphne was pregnant for the third time, due in November.
"This brood is easier than where I grew up. Gabi, Daph and Harry must be doing something right," Ron replied.
Tracey huffed, then pulled her legs up to cuddle into his side. "When do they get back?"
"It was just a day out. They should be back a before dinner," he assured her.
"Good. Wake me before then," she said, wrapping her arms around his and closing her eyes.
Meeting Tracey Davis at Harry's and Gabrielle's wedding almost six years ago now had been when his life had started to turn around. For whatever reason, he had hated Slytherins before and during Hogwarts. After meeting Daphne and Astoria, and seeing how Harry trusted them, he had taken a chance on the beautiful brunette.
They would be celebrating their second wedding anniversary in August. Last year they had found out about Gwenivere on their first anniversary when Tracey had been getting violently sick that week.
He smiled to think of the little redhead.
Tracey had suggested to name her after his sister. Ron had gotten emotional. Tracey had cried because of her hormones and Astoria had affectionately called them idiots. The twenty-two-year-old was just as snarky now as she was when Ron had first met her that night he met Tracey.
It was a little bit later when a small hand shook his knee. Ron started. Tracey let out a snort through her soft snores before falling over. "What!"
"Uncle Ron, I'm hungry," a small boy said.
He blinked a time or two as Tracey stirred behind him. "What?"
"I'm hungry," Aiden said again.
He looked down to the green-eyed, blond-haired boy. "Oh. Right. What time is it?" he asked.
Aiden turned to the clock. "Three and seven," he said.
Ron smiled. Aiden was trying hard to learn how to tell time. "It's fifteen thirty-six. Do you need a snack?"
Aiden nodded his head.
"Right," Ron said, rubbing his eyes.
"The others should get up too," Tracey's muffled voice came from behind him.
Ron made a face. "Do we really?"
"It's been almost two hours," she said.
He groaned before getting up. Aiden jumped on his feet and laughed as Ron took his hands and walked the boy into the kitchen. He smiled to see the old tea pot and kettle. Maddy had given it to him when he had moved out, even if it was only next door.
After giving his nephew some apple slices, he moved up the stairs. Tracey was already taking care of Gwen and Bella was sitting up, her black hair looking just as messy as her fathers and her amber eyes just staring off as the little girl came back to life. They had all been running around in the yard all morning and had crashed not long after lunch.
He poked his head into the room where the twins were sleeping. When he opened the door, he was hit in the face with a pillow. It exploded into a cloud of feathers and then there was the hysterical laughter of two little terrors.
"Why you!"
Sebastian and Lilianne squeezed between his legs.
"Get back here!"
The two three-year-olds ran towards the stairs.
Tracey poked her head out with their three-month-old daughter and Bella hugging her leg. Feathers trailed behind him and Tracey sniggered.
"When I get them," Ron swore. Alright, perhaps they weren't as much angels as he thought. He knew that was Gabi's influence.
They laughed and screamed as Ron chased them. He managed to grab Lilianne at the bottom of the stairs as they took them one at a time and started to tickle her. "SEB! HELP!" she yelled.
"Leave my sister alone!" Sebastian yelled.
Ron turned to grab him too to tickle him when the faucet on the sink suddenly broke. Water shot at him. "What the!"
Lilianne scrambled out of his arms. Ron put his hand ups to keep the water from drowning him. "RON!"
The water suddenly stopped. He was at the base of the stairs, spluttering and coughing.
Tracey came down next to him. "Are you alright?"
"What the bloody hell was that?"
Aiden came over. "You should fix the faucet before the bathroom floods, Uncle Ron. Mummy Daphne gets upset when Sebastian does that."
He looked up. Tracey had big eyes.
Ron looked into the water closet. The floor was flooding, as was the hallway.
"Merlin!"
He scrambled to his feet. Water splashed out of the broken sink as he drew his wand. "Reparo!"
Luckily it was enough to fix the faucet. Behind him Tracey had her wand pulled and was drying the floor. He moved to help her. She gave him a look that he knew meant trouble. "And you said you want more?"
Ron grimaced. "Not anymore."
"Good," she told him.
"Where are they?"
"Aiden gave them the rest of his apples. They are sitting in the living room watching the telly," she told him.
Ron sat on the toilet. Bella was still clinging to Tracey's leg. Her head was cocked as though trying to figure out what was going on. Ron rubbed his face. "How are you, Bella?" he asked.
"Snack?"
He gave a half crazed chuckled. "Sure." Under his breath he muttered, "Harry better get back soon."
Tracey gave him an understanding smile and a peck on his cheek.
He had just enough time to set Bella at the table with apple slices and to get more for Aiden and the twins before a knock came at the door. "It's open," Tracey yelled down from the sitting room where she was feeding Gwen and watching over the other three.
"Is everyone still alive?" Harry yelled.
"DADDY!" came from four different directions.
"How did you get there!" Ron exclaimed as the twins ran out of the pantry with biscuits in their hands and their plates of apples on the floor.
Harry laughed as he was bowled over by four kids. Daphne rolled her eyes as Gabrielle knelt down to start tickling them.
"How did it go today?" Daphne asked.
"I am never watching all four of them at once again," Tracey told her cousin.
Daphne laughed. "Chaos then?"
"Sebastian had an accidental burst of magic," Ron told her. He took Gwen from Tracey's arms and patted her back to burp his little girl.
"He broke the faucet again," Aiden cried out before breaking down into fits of laughter as they wrestled Harry and Gabrielle made it worse.
"Not again," Daphne said, looking down at the boy. He was on his back, breathing heavily. Sebastian's finger shot towards Ron.
"Uncle Ron was being mean to Lili," he said.
Daphne rose a brow.
"They smashed a pillow into my face, and I was playfully chasing them," Ron defended himself.
Harry laughed. "Did he get you with the faucet head too?"
"No," he said, giving his best friend an odd look.
"Harry did when Lili called for help last week. I had to heal the cut on his head from where the faucet hit him," Gabrielle told them.
"Harry was chasing them then too," Daphne said.
Tracey shook her head. "Daphne, I love you and the kids, but never again."
Harry chuckled. "Usually Remus and Tonks are around, but they are on holiday with Teddy."
"Go get your stuff and say goodbye to Uncle Ron and Aunt Tracey," Gabrielle said, getting up.
"I'll make sure they get everything," Daphne said.
"I'll help," Ron told her. He handed Gwen back to Tracey. He really did love his nieces and nephews, but he agreed with Tracey. Never again. He might even go tomorrow to take the potion to sterilize himself until he takes the antidote.
As he was going to walk away, Gabrielle said, "Congratulations."
"For what?" Tracey questioned.
"I can tell you are expecting."
Ron turned and walked into the doorway. "Bloody hell!"
He grabbed the side of his face.
Tracey was looking at her wide eyed. She had paled significantly. "I'm not expecting," she whispered.
"What have we said about you doing this?" Harry asked his wife.
Gabrielle didn't look contrite. "I am not going to apologize. I can tell she is expecting. It feels like when I had the twins. So maybe twins of their own?"
Ron scrambled as he saw Tracey sway. Harry was faster. He grabbed Gwen, who started to cry, while wrapping one arm around Tracey to keep her from hitting the floor as her eyes rolled into her head.
Gabrielle was there before him, taking Gwen out of Harry's hands. She tried to sooth his daughter as Harry gently put Tracey down. Ron was at his wife's side. "You didn't know, did you?" Harry enquired.
"Merlin, no! We were just talking about Gwen being our only one," he said. It was only that he had to worry about Tracey and Gwen that had probably prevented himself from passing out too.
"Well, looks like you are having more, mate. It's lots of fun," Harry cheekily said.
Ron glared at him.
By the time the kids and Daphne returned, Tracey was on the couch and was just coming around.
"What was all the commotion a few minutes ago?" Daphne enquired.
Tracey glared at Daphne. "I blame you!"
Daphne gave the brunette a questioning look. "For what this time?"
"Tracey is pregnant," Gabrielle blurted before picking up Bella.
Daphne laughed. "Don't blame me for wanting a night alone with your husband."
Tracey looked murderous. "I was just getting my figure back and now I'm pregnant! Oh, Merlin, I'm pregnant!"
Daphne moved to Tracey, sitting at her feet. "We can do it together this time."
"I don't want more," Tracey whinged.
Ron shared her sentiment but was wise enough to not say anything.
"Why don't we get this rabble home," Harry suggested to Gabrielle.
"Sure. Everyone say bye," the blue-eyed blond said.
"Bye," Aiden parroted.
The twins came to hug him. "Bye, Uncle Ron. Thank you," they said.
His ire at them melted. They moved to Tracey and hugged her on the couch. Tracey softened and returned the hugs. Bella was a little shier but crawled onto Tracey to say her goodbye. Tracey had a soft, longing look to her.
Oh, shite, he said.
When Harry and Gabi left with their kids, it was only Daphne, Gwen in her arms, him and Tracey. Daphne looked at them. "Are you two alright?"
Tracey put a hand over her eyes. "How do you do it?"
Daphne gave them a knowing look. "Some days we do. Some days we don't. All I know is that I love my children. Appoline says that children are mother magic's joke on parents. She said Gabrielle was a hand full growing up, and Sebastian and Lilianne are definitely that. Did they break anything else besides the faucet?"
"A pillow," he whinged.
Tracey smirked. "You looked like a feather monster running after them."
Daphne giggled. "That would do it."
He leaned against the couch. Tracey let him put his head on her stomach. "Am I really pregnant?"
"Most likely. It's a veela thing to tell," Daphne told them.
"Bloody hell," Ron muttered.
Tracey hit the top of his head. "You need to learn to control your mouth."
Daphne laughed this time. "Ted is the one in trouble for teaching them their first swears. Never sit with him when he's watching footie. Are you two going to be alright? I can stay and get you dinner or something. Do you want me to see if a house elf is available?"
Tracey scratched his head. "Naw. I think we'll be fine. It's just going to take the next month to recover from this. You are sure I'm pregnant? Gwen's only three months old."
Daphne gave hem a soft smile before giving Gwen to Tracey. "She's not been wrong yet."
Ron was calming down. "Merlin, another baby."
Daphne patted Tracey's leg. "If you want, there are house elves that you could hire. Otherwise, I'm sure Ted and Andi wouldn't mind helping, and you have Bill and Fleur."
"They are busy enough with their two and I feel guilty about Ted and Andi," Tracey replied.
"Don't. They love the huge family they have inherited. Do you want me to get dinner together for you?" Daphne offered again.
Ron shook his head. "I'll do it in a bit. Thanks, Daph. You better get back before they blow up your house."
Daphne shook her head. "Sebastian is more likely to drown them all. We suspect that Lilianne will be like Gabrielle, but we aren't sure if she is full veela yet or not."
"How can you tell?"
"She hasn't started to fling fireballs when she has her accidental bursts. Appoline and Jean-Paul said Fleur and Gabrielle started doing that about her age, and Victoire showed her fire about four, so it's still possible," Daphne confessed.
"Daph, I love you but get out of here. I just need some quiet time with Ron and Gwen," Tracey ordered.
Daphne gave them a smile. "Sure. If you need anything, just call on the mirror."
"Sure," Ron said.
When Daphne left, Tracey said, "Lock and bar the door. I don't want them anywhere near me for the next year."
Ron chuckled. "That short, huh?"
She tapped the top of his head as Gwen shifted and squirmed.
Tracey groaned. "You want this diaper?"
Ron scrunched his face for a moment. "Sure," he said.
He took his little red headed girl and rubbed his nose against hers. She smiled and hit his face. Ron smiled at her. "I was hoping you would be the only one," he said.
Tracey put an arm over her eyes. "I was too."
He went to move towards the nursery.
"Ron?"
"Yeah, Trace?"
"You are getting fixed, and we are having no more after this," she told him plainly.
"I'll go see my doctor tomorrow," he promised.
"Ron?" she said as he went to walk away again.
"Yeah, Trace?" he repeated.
She lifted her arm to look at him. Her expression was much softer. "We're having twins."
A myriad of emotions went through him before he smiled. "These two won't be the terrors those two are."
"Merlin no! I'd strangle them before they were five," she said.
Ron laughed. "We'll make it through this."
"As long as I have you and the others, sure. Maybe Astoria will watch them?" she said.
Ron shrugged before leaving the room. As much as he was settling on one child, there was a certain thrill to know that they would have more. When he looked to Gwen he whispered, "You are going on the potion the moment you even look at a boy."
Gwen smiled, then let out a wet fart.
Ron sighed, then kissed Gwen's forehead. "You're lucky you're cute."
-oOo-
February 14, 2016
Hogwarts, Scotland
Bill sighed as he walked the corridors. It was near curfew, and he would rather be at home making love to his wife for Valentine's Day than searching for amorous teenaged couples in broom closets.
He looked at the runes above the door. It told him the closet was not occupied by students.
He was going to keep going when there was a sudden clatter of something in the closet and a few voices. He frowned to look back. The runes above the door indicated that it wasn't occupied by a living soul.
Yet he swore he heard a giggle and… FRENCH!
There were very few in the school that knew French, and they were all related to him.
Not wanting to give any indication that he was onto what was going on, he moved to the door and touched the handle. He was figuring that he would find his most mischievous niece and nephew. The Potter twins were proving to be a headache. They had taken after their mother too much and were the scourge of the school.
There was another giggle.
Turning the knob and yanking the door open, he started with, "Okay, how did you do it this time?"
A girl screamed. A boy swore. "Oh, fuck! Uncle Bill!"
Bill brought up his wand. The light showed him a sight he never wanted to see.
His daughter! His sixteen-year-old-daughter! His daughter was scrambling to get her shirt back on while his seventeen-year-old nephew was scrambling to pull up his trousers.
"PAPA! Close the door!" Victoire screamed at him.
Bill slammed the door closed. His face was as read as the two teens he had just interrupted…
He had just interrupted a boy with his sixteen-year-old veela daughter!
Rage took over his embarrassment.
When the door opened, he was doing all he could to not rip Teddy's head off. They had all suspected the two of them were hot for each other, but no one knew they had been dating yet and doing… doing… doing what you do in a broom closet!
Teddy stepped out first. His face was still red as a beat, but he was standing tall. Victoire was behind him, her face buried into his back. Teddy met his eyes. Bill supressed the urge to start using his wand.
"Head boy Lupin, what are you doing in a closet with my daughter?" Bill asked with a definitive edge to his voice.
Teddy was every inch the Gryffindor and Head boy as he replied, "I was spending the evening with my girlfriend when she… I mean we wound up in the broom closet."
Bill closed his eyes and then pinched his nose. There was probably more truth in what Teddy was about to say than anything else. When he opened his eyes, he said, "Victoire, was this your idea?"
The golden hair girl slowly looked around the tall and fit Teddy. Her blue eyes… eyes just like her mother's… looked at him. She was just as red as Teddy. "Yes, papa… I mean professor."
Bill closed his eyes again.
"How long?"
"Since New Years," Teddy replied. All their children, even the Lupins, knew French.
Bill pursed his lips. He now understood where they had disappeared too that night.
"Does anyone else know?"
Teddy adverted his eyes. "Uncle Harry, Aunt Daphne and Aunt Gabi."
His brow rose. Teddy looked back to him. "I needed advice on how to ask Victoire to be my girlfriend."
"And how did you ask?" Bill put to them, looking at his daughter.
Victoire got a slightly dreamy smile. "He just kissed me."
Bill pinched his nose again. "You both need to go back to your dorms. Teddy, see Victoire back to Ravenclaw and then report to my office. We need to have a word."
"Yes, Professor Delacour," Teddy told him.
He watched them walk away hand-in-hand. Fleur was going to be insufferable. She had been saying this was going to happen. He had been convincing himself that twenty-five was too young for her be doing this, even though he knew her mother had only waited until she was fifteen and her aunt had only waited to be old enough for Harry.
"I'm getting too old for this," he whinged to no one. Before he went to head for his office, he had to find out how those two had circumvented his runes. He had little doubt it had been his brilliant daughter. She was almost as talented as he was ten years ago and had made the rank of Master at Twenty-five.
When he found the diversion rune set, he smiled. It was at the base of the door worked into the grain. It sent the detection field into the classroom next door.
Victoire was a brilliant witch, and if she was going start shagging anyone, he could deal with it being Teddy. He was a good kid. Head boy. Top of the class. Not to mention, he honestly loved the boy.
That didn't mean that he wouldn't put the fear of God into him if he did anything to hurt her or get her pregnant before they were thirty.
-oOo-
Ffermydd a Mentrau Potter (Welsh)= Potter farms and Enterprises
-oOo-
C'est Fin.
-oOo-
Thank you to those that have followed and liked this story. I do hope you enjoyed it and look forward to seeing you on my next project and those that are still on going.
~WolfgangNH