Chapter 24 - More RevelationsClasses continued and March turned into April and then May. One of Sirius's packages arrived in mid-May with letters from almost everyone that had been writing them since they had moved. They sat together in the living room on a Saturday morning and read their correspondence in their usual positions: Hermione leaning against one side, Gabrielle against the other, and Ginny sitting on the floor leaning against his legs. Not that he would ever say anything, but it made Harry aware that three girls was really one too many for comfort at times. Sleeping was another example where three girls was really one too many, but he would not give any of them up now. They were all precious to him.
«Neville says hi,» Harry told them all as he continued reading his friend's letter.
«Hi Neville!» the girls all chorused before all four of them broke into chuckles and giggles.
«He also says that the Ravenclaws are pulling ahead in points for the House Cup.» Harry looked to Hermione with a grin. «He blames you for not being there, Hermione, then he asks you not to hex him.»
«Ha, ha,» she replied sarcastically. «Luna confirms that and says the race is tighter this year. She says Fred and George aren't playing as many pranks, although she did like the one that made Lee Jordan's hair grow long and twist together to look like little snakes, making him look like a Medusa.»
Ginny chuckled. «I would have liked to have seen that one.» She reached for her next letter.
«Me too,» Harry agreed. «Neville also says Hufflepuff won their match against Slytherin and won the Quidditch cup this year. Angelina is pretty upset they didn't win. And hey, listen to this. Ron is taking his classes more seriously now.»
«It's about time,» Hermione said somewhat disparagingly.
«Hey, he's lazy honestly, not because he had to work at it,» Ginny said.
«Err, sorry, Ginny.»
«It's all right, Hermione. Hey, I got a letter from Dad.»
Harry looked at the other two, sharing concern as they doubted it would contain happy news. Each of them reached over to touch Ginny in support as they sat silently with her. A tear started to course down her cheek as she flipped it over to finish the part on the back.
Ginny sniffled as she folded the letter back up and turned to face the others with a forced smile. «Thanks, but it wasn't that bad this time.»
«But you're crying. What did he say?» Harry tried to ask in his most caring voice, hoping she took it that way.
The redhead took her time stuffing the letter back into the envelope. «He said that he misses me, all of us really. He also said he had to force my mother to go to counseling with a mind healer. It's only been a month so they've only seen him four times, but he thinks it might be helping.»
«That's good, Ginny,» Hermione told her consolingly.
«It is.» Ginny wiped the last of the tears away. «He also said that he heard at work that the last task of the Tournament will be on the twenty-fourth of June and it will be in the evening. He wants us to come by that morning to talk to Bill, Charlie, and Percy. He promised that my mother would be gone for the morning.»
«I had wondered when he would have them together for us to talk to,» Harry said.
After a moment of silence, Gabrielle asked, «Did he say anything else?»
Ginny took a deep breath and nodded. «He … he told me why mother is like she is, or why he thinks so.»
Harry grabbed her hand and pulled her up into his lap, causing her to smile in appreciation as she made herself comfortable there as she also stretched her legs over Hermione's lap.
«He said it's because of the way she was raised. Her family was very set in the old ways and strict. Everyone had to act certain ways and a person didn't go against that, it was unthinkable.»
«Was she…» Hermione paused and looked afraid as she said, «abused?»
Ginny vigorously shook her head. «No, he specifically said she wasn't abused. It was that everyone had a place, a role, so everyone knew how they were to act and it had to be that way. That's why she's so controlling. Well, that and the death of her brothers, making her want to control life that much more to prevent anyone around her from ever getting hurt. As to her other problems, well, that is where the old ways or old beliefs are important to understand. Like I said, everyone in her family had a role - dos and don'ts. Young ladies do this; young ladies never do that. That's why she thinks I'm … shameful,» she ended on a whisper and another tear came.
The other two girls put their arms around her and hugged tightly.
«I'm sorry, Ginny,» Harry murmured. «It sounds like your home was only a little better than mine.»
She sniffled again. «No, I think you had it a lot worse; but that's why this hurts so much. Most of time, as long as we did what she wanted, home was nice. Though we didn't have much, we were fed, clothed, and knew we were loved. We had a family. But when … my mother made us do something her way just because or said something bad about us, it hurt that much more because of how good it was otherwise.»
«You have us now,» Gabrielle told her very pointedly.
Ginny chuckled for real and snaked an arm backwards around the young girl. «Thank you - my sister; that is how I think of you now.»
«And you are my sister too,» the blonde said just as happily.
When they broke the group hug, Harry went back to his letters, searching for a specific one. When he found it he tore into it.
«What is it?» Hermione asked.
«It was something Ginny said.» He scanned the letter. «Dumbledore says I need to be at Hogwarts at eight on the evening of the twenty-fourth of this month for a meeting about the third task. I'll ask Sirius to accompany me.»
«Be very careful, Harry,» Hermione admonished him.
«Always,» he promised heartily. «And I'll talk to Mr Martin after to see what he can think of to help me.»
At 7pm on the twenty-fourth of May, Sirius Portkeyed in.
"Harry! Are you ready?" his godfather asked after he finished hugging the young man and saying hello to the three girls there.
"If I must," Harry said wearily. "You'll be with me, right? I don't want to get cornered by Dumbledore."
Sirius clapped him on the back. "Don't worry, Harry. I'll be with you the entire time and I'll help you avoid the old man. Oh, I almost forgot." He pulled a letter out of a pocket and handed it to Ginny. "This came just after I sent the mail package the other day. Ready, Harry? The Portkey should have recharged by now." He held out the silver cup.
Harry took a moment to give each girl a quick hug before he touched the Portkey.
Sirius said the activation phrase and they were transported to the Granger's house.
Dan and Emma each gave Harry a hug. "We'll talk to you when you come back," Dan told him.
Harry understood. They wanted to wait to see what would happen tonight.
Sirius Side-Along Apparated Harry to his house and they took the Floo from there to The Three Broomsticks. From the pub, it was a leisurely walk to the school grounds and then the Quidditch arena.
Only the Ministry judges, Crouch and Bagman, were there. Crouch still looked very tired and weary. It was nearly ten minutes before Krum and Karkaroff came, with Fleur and Madame Maxime arriving a few minutes later.
Harry greeted the Headmistress and in what he hoped was his best French. «Good evening, Madame Maxime. It is lovely to see you again and I believe you'll be pleasantly surprised when we talk in a month. Perhaps we can meet you in your office after you return and you can give us the tour you mentioned before?»
The tall woman smiled broadly. «Well done, Mr Potter. I would be pleased to give you that tour.»
He turned to Fleur and pulled out a letter for her. «Your sister sends her love.»
Fleur took the letter with a formal nod before putting it in a pocket. «Thank you, Mr Potter.»
Dumbledore and Cedric arrived last. Dumbledore gave Harry an appraising look, but said nothing for the moment.
Cedric gave Harry a friendly smile and a nod. "Good to see you again, Harry."
"You too, Cedric. Congratulations on winning the Quidditch Cup this year," Harry said sincerely.
Cedric gave him a very pleased look.
"Very good, we're all here," Bagman said jovially, preventing a response from Cedric. "So, does anyone know what we have here?" he asked as he waved his hand towards the Quidditch pitch to his left that was filled with small bushes across the entire pitch.
"A ruined pitch," Cedric said with dismay.
Bagman laughed. "Never fear, Mr Diggory. Your pitch will be restored shortly after the third task. So, anyone?"
As they all looked at the many lines of short shrubberies that were about a foot high, Krum finally said, "A maze."
"Exactly correct, Mr Krum. Over the next month, these plants will grow to nearly twenty feet tall. In the center will be the trophy for the Triwizard Tournament. The first person to grab it will be transported back here to the entrance for the crowd to see who the winner is. Inside, there will be a number of obstacles that you must overcome on your way. Hagrid will supply some magical creatures," Cedric and Harry looked at each other and both shuddered at that thought, "and a number of charmed and warded areas will also be inside to stop you."
When he paused, Crouch took up the explanation. "As soon as you leave tonight, a magical covering will be placed over these walls that were planted today. The covering will block your sight so you can't see the maze before the task."
"Quite right, we don't want cheating," Bagman jumped back in. "You will each enter the maze one minute apart. The order is determined by the number of points you have so far. That means that Mr Potter will enter first, followed by Mr Diggory, then Mr Krum, and finally Miss Delacour three minutes after Mr Potter. The allowance to bring a hand-weapon in the second task does not apply for the third task. The only item you are allowed to have on your person at the start of the task is your wand, just like in the first task. Are there any questions?"
"What time does it start?" Harry asked.
"Ah yes, you do need to know since you aren't living here," Bagman said with a bit of a frown. "The task will start at 8pm on the twenty-fourth of June, which should give you an hour or so before the sun sets behind the mountains. You should be here at the opening to the maze by half past seven. There will be a tent near here for you to wait in, like in the previous tasks. Are there any other questions?" When no one said anything, Bagman smiled at everyone. "Very good then, have a pleasant evening and I'll see you again in a month as we end this competition and declare one of you the winner!"
As the meeting broke up, Fleur walked over to Harry. "Do you 'ave a few minutes before you return?"
"I should." He looked at Sirius and received a nod. Harry stepped closer so he could whisper to Sirius for a moment.
Fleur looked at her Headmistress and nodded, causing the tall woman to leave, walking quickly back to the French quarters. Fleur started to walk very slowly back towards the carriage with Harry walking beside her.
Sirius stood where he was to give them some distance and privacy. He noticed that Dumbledore had remained as well and looked like he wanted to talk to Harry, but Sirius moved over until he stood between the Headmaster and Harry, preventing the old man from following without going through Sirius. That was enough to prevent Dumbledore from starting a conversation, allowing Fleur and Harry to stroll alone.
«Have you enjoyed the Chateau?» she asked softly and tentatively, using French to keep the conversation a little more private.
«We have,» Harry answered just as softly, wondering what she wanted.
«And Gabrielle? She is doing well?»
«She is doing very well. We are getting to know one another, if that is what you're asking.»
Fleur said nothing for a long moment. «Harry, I'm sorry for what I wanted to do in my room a few months ago. I have no right to impose myself on you, all of you. The idea of being with you was so tempting and I had not had time to fully understand the price. That does not excuse me and I am sorry, but I wanted you to understand that the idea of finding someone who wasn't bewitched by my allure was very tempting and that's why I started to try something with you. As I promised before, it won't happen again.»
He thought he understood now. She had been feeling guilty. He appreciated her explaining her reasoning. «I forgive you. As you say, you won't try again.» He was also pleased that they seemed to get along now, since they were now family.
They were nearing the carriage and the two stopped. «Good luck, Harry. While I am considered good at Charms, I think you will win. Three minutes is a long time for me to overcome.»
Harry shrugged. «It's a maze and I think luck will count more.»
«But you have three extra minutes to be lucky,» she teased him.
«True, but you have three extra years of classes to help you,» he returned playfully.
She stepped forward and gave him a light hug, touching her cheek to his. «Give everyone there my love and tell Gabrielle and my parents I will write soon.»
«I will. Good-night, Fleur.»
«Good-bye for now, Harry.»
He turned and walked forty yards to catch up with Sirius and they started walking towards the school gate.
"And?" Sirius gave him a look that indicated he wanted to know all the juicy details.
Harry shrugged as if nothing mattered. "She just wanted to give me an apology and for me to tell everyone hello."
Sirius gave him a disbelieving look. "You mean she didn't want to become number four?"
Harry snorted. "She will not become number four, at least not purposefully, and I'll thank you to get your mind out of the gutter."
"But it's so fun there," Sirius replied in his teasing way.
"Uh-huh, right. Just keep thinking that and you'll never find a girl for yourself," Harry teased back.
Sirius laughed. "I have plenty to choose from, Harry."
"Then pick one and settle down."
"Ha! Where's the fun in that?"
"Well, it allows you to make new little Blacks and give you an heir, as you reminded me a few months ago," Harry said before sticking his tongue out.
Sirius lost his teasing manner and gave Harry an appraising look. "You do have a point there." After a moment of walking in silence he asked with a perfectly straight face, "So, do you think you'll have a kid before me?"
Harry barely kept from tripping in his shock at the question, not sure if it was a joke or not. A glance showed him that his godfather looked serious about the question. They approached the gates while Harry was still considering the question. "I think you have six to eight years before that happens for us," he finally said.
Sirius grinned. "Which leaves me plenty of time to have fun then."
Harry shook his head, not understanding why the man saw having a child as a competition. "Let's hurry on so we can see what Dan and Emma have to say."
After they passed the gates, Sirius reached into his pocket and handed a sprig of greenery to him. "Not sure why you wanted this, but here you go. I summoned it when no one was looking."
"Thanks," Harry told him happily. "I wanted you to get it so I'd know what kind of hedges they were planting. Small details like this could be important, and since I'm not living there now, I couldn't get it on my own later. Now, I can show it to my Herbology teacher and learn what I'll be up against."
Back at the Grangers, the parents did ask what the third task was about. Harry explained what he knew.
"What are you going to do?" Dan asked. The other two adults looked very interested in his answer.
"Not sure yet, but I have a month for the girls and our Defense teacher to help me figure something out."
"And you'll be safe?" Emma asked worriedly.
"Safety will be foremost in my mind," he assured her and received a hug from his mother for that thoughtful answer.
Sirius Portkeyed Harry back to the Delacours, where he was greeted and interrogated enthusiastically. He told them the same thing, starting everyone there to think about solutions. He had a month to prepare and he would be ready.
Harry shrunk his broom and put it in his pocket, just in case he needed it later. Walking to the back door, he passed Hermione.
«Where are you going, Harry?»
«Out back, I think I need to take walk. I'll be back in an hour or so.»
«Oh, all right,» she said hesitantly, watching him closely as he walked on.
Harry headed out onto the back balcony and down the stairs to the back garden, then out into the vineyard. He slowly walked down a row while thinking, enjoying the peace and quiet as well as the greenery.
What were they going to do? That question had been plaguing him for the last couple of months, and he was not sure he was any closer to an answer. It was mid-summer's eve and he did not have much longer to solve their riddle.
He stopped to look at a vine, admiring how it grew and produced grapes and becoming lost in his thoughts.
«I don't think it's ready yet, do you?» came a voice from above.
The voice was so unexpected, Harry instinctively dropped to a crouch as he drew his wand, a Blasting spell running through his mind.
«Peace!» Jean-Aimé commanded from about ten feet up in the air on a broom. «Easy Harry, I apologize for startling you.»
Harry took a couple of deep breaths to get rid of the tension and adrenalin. Putting his wand away and standing back up, he said, «I'm sorry, but you surprised me.»
Jean-Aimé slowly landed. «I am glad you are so ready. It seems that Mr Martin's training has been helping you.»
«I think it has.»
«Forgive me for interrupting your walk, but I was flying back from inspecting the vineyard and saw you out here.» The man raised an eyebrow as he adopted a casual stance.
Harry ran his fingers through his hair. «I have a problem and I've been trying to find an answer, but the answer has not been very … forthcoming.»
«Perhaps I can help?»
Harry looked at him for a moment before he nodded and waved for his father-in-law to follow. He continued his slow journey through the vineyard with the man strolling beside him. «Half of us want to go to Beauxbatons next year and the other half us would like to continue our education here, if you would allow us. If you don't want us under foot, I certainly understand and then we'd definitely head to Beauxbatons.» He looked questioningly at his father-in-law.
The older man chuckled and patted him on the shoulder. «The difficulties of being married, and you have it worse with three.» He chuckled for a moment more. «I'm afraid I can't make your decision any easier. Apolline and I have enjoyed having all of you here and filling this old house. It has been almost no problem at all.»
«Uh, thank you.» Part of him wanted to know what problem they had caused so they could fix it, but Harry thought it would be rude to ask.
«I think it has been good for all of you as well. Your French is now quite passable. I will admit that I'm still not totally comfortable you sleeping with my daughter, but as long as it's not only the two of you, I can fool myself that it's still innocent.»
Harry looked down, unable to face his father-in-law and not sure what to do with that admission from the man.
«But you're welcome to continue staying here. What are the points for going and for staying?»
Harry welcomed going back to the original topic as well as no anger. «As you can imagine, going away and being on our own is one thought.»
Jean-Aimé laughed. «Yes, I can imagine how much my daughter wants to leave home, something else for me to try to avoid thinking about.»
«And as wonderful a library as you have here, the school will have a bigger library, Quidditch teams, and more things to do there that we can't do here.»
«Yes, more opportunity educationally. It also gives you the opportunity to have more friends.»
«Yes, I thought of that,» Harry admitted. «It also gives us the opportunity to be the target of rumors, stories, and be put in more danger too. We'd probably have to share the girls' secret to the school, to avoid much of that, but that creates its own problems.»
«Hmm, yes, I understand. But if you tell them the secrets, then they will know why three witches look to you, but they will not be able to tell anyone - although, perhaps we can come up with a plausible story that will not force you to tell your secrets. Still, I can see why you might want to avoid going there. Do you have a reason you must go? Something you can only do there?»
Harry thought for a moment. «Actually, yes. Ginny wants to try for a career in professional Quidditch. To do that, she's going to need to play on a school team for the experience and exposure to scouts. I don't think the rest of us have a career picked out yet.»
Jean-Aimé nodded sagely. «Well then, doesn't that make your decision for you?»
«You would recommend that, even though you said you try to avoid thinking about us being on our own?» Harry did not understand his father-in-law's thoughts.
The older man sighed and clasped the boy on the shoulder. «You will find problems like this in the future. Not every problem has an easy answer, or an answer that you like.»
«And that is why we have the saying about doing what is right and not what is easy?»
«Exactly Harry. While it might not be my preference, I must let my daughter grow up. Therefore, I will try to make it as good for her as I can. Note that I did not say easy. You will face problems in the future where you must disappoint someone, possibly even yourself. Being the head of a family has its good points, like you get to make the final decision; but it also has its bad points, like you get to make the final decision,» he said with a grin.
Harry nodded. «Someone is going to be unhappy no matter what I decide, so try to make it the best decision for all of us, what will benefit all of us the most?»
«That's not a bad way to do it. You'll have to find what works best for you and your family. That's especially true since you have an unusual family.»
Harry chuckled. «I do. Thanks, I appreciate the advice.»
«I'm happy to do help, as I'm sure your father would. You have asked him?»
«No, I wasn't sure he'd understand. The magical world is difficult for them to understand at times.» Harry loved and respected Dan - and Emma - even if they weren't magical.
Jean-Aimé nodded. «That is true for many things, but not all. I also suspect that if you talk to him, you'll find he understands more than you may think. I have a lot of respect for Dan and Emma Granger. It's not easy to raise a witch, and even harder when you don't have magic too.»
Harry snorted lightly in disappointment of himself. «I hadn't thought of it that way.»
«He's a good man, Harry. You're very lucky to have him in your life. Sirius can also be helpful.»
«When I can get him to stop joking around,» Harry returned with an easy grin.
Jean-Aimé chuckled. «He does enjoy life. If you have your broom, shall we fly back?»
With a smile, Harry gave the man a hug. «Thank you!» He pulled out his broom and enlarged it back to normal size and the two flew back to the chateau.
That evening, Harry took all of his bond-mates into his room and shut the door. They sat on his bed as he stood in front of them.
«I've come to a decision on our school choice. As was pointed out to me, no matter what I choose, I'm going to disappoint someone and I'm sorry.» He looked at the wall over them, not wanting to look at any one person at the moment. «Assuming we pass the exams, we will attend Beauxbatons in September.»
Forcing himself, he looked at the girls and saw what he expected: two happy faces and one disappointed face. He was not the only one to notice.
Ginny rose and hugged Harry, whispering, "Thank you." When she stepped back, Gabrielle came over and did the same. "Take care of her tonight," the redhead said in a normal voice as she took Gabrielle's hand and led her out, closing the door after them.
Hermione blushed and looked down.
Harry walked over and sat down next to her, putting an arm around her. "I'm sorry you didn't get what you wanted. Are you going to be all right?"
She nodded slowly. "I will. It's not all bad."
"No, it's not."
Slowly, she looked up at him and stared into his eyes. "No, there are some very good things about going to school and I'll have to concentrate on them instead."
"You mean like the library?" he asked with a grin.
She could not help but chuckle. "There is that but it wasn't what I was thinking about."
"Oh?"
With a coy look, she said, "Let me go get my pyjamas and then you can take care of me, as Ginny suggested."
Harry swallowed with difficulty as she walked out. Perhaps going to school would be better than he thought originally.
(June 24th)
Harry and Hermione went through Harry's bag one last time, checking that everything he needed was there. The others only needed clothes for a week in England, starting with their overnight stay at Sirius's and then to the Grangers for the rest of the time. Harry also needed a few items for the third task tonight.
When Hermione was satisfied, Harry closed his bag and looked around. Everyone was looking at him.
"Are you ready, Harry?" Jean-Aimé asked.
"Yes, I don't think there's anything more we need." Harry led the group to the Entry Hall and they all took a special Portkey to Sirius's house.
"We'll see all of you at dinner, Harry?" Jean-Aimé asked.
"Yes, we'll all be there."
With a nod, Jean-Aimé and Apolline Apparated to Hogwarts to spend the day with Fleur.
Harry looked at his girls. «You all know what to do if there is trouble, this morning, tonight, or really anytime?» He received three emphatic nods.
Sirius gave Harry a strange look for the French as he led them to the Floo. "Are you talking about me, Harry?"
"Would your ego deflate if I said no?" he said teasingly.
Sirius chuckled and grabbed the bowl of Floo Powder, holding it out for them to use. "Arthur has promised me you'll be safe, but I'll be here if you need to Floo Call me."
"I hope we won't. We should be back by lunch," Harry assured him as he took some Powder and tossed it into the fireplace. "The Burrow," he called firmly and stepped in.
A few seconds later, he arrived at the Weasleys. He stumbled but did not fall, which pleased him. Looking around, he saw Arthur was the only person in the room.
"Mr Weasley…"
"Arthur will do, Harry," the man said as he stuck out his hand to shake.
As they shook hands, the girls started arriving. Harry helped each as needed.
"If you'll follow me, I thought we could have this meeting in my shed," Arthur said as he led them out the back door. "We'll have a little more privacy in case Molly comes home early, although I didn't tell her what I would be doing this morning. I sent her out shopping to make this time easier on everyone and she said she had a few errands that would take her most of the day. The boys arrived only a few minutes ago."
As they approached the shed, they heard voices come out through the slightly opened door.
"Did you really do that, Percy?"
"Yes, Bill, I really did walk out to help Ginny. Why do you doubt me? I was in Gryffindor."
"Well, Percy, I guess it's because you were the quietest one and it's … oh, I don't know, unexpected?"
"Your lack of faith is so gratifying," Percy said sarcastically.
Arthur grinned and opened the door, which squeaked and stopped the conversation inside. "They've arrived. Everyone take a seat. Oh goodness, I forgot the seats."
"Allow me," Harry said as he pulled out his wand. The others looked at him with disbelief, as he was only a fourth-year, but Harry only paused for a brief moment before he muttered the spell and a full-sized brown leather sofa appeared. He put his wand away with a smile and sat a little right of middle. He pulled Ginny to his right and let Hermione and Gabrielle sit on his left.
Arthur blinked a few times, amazed at seeing a fourth-year conjure something as complex as a leather sofa. "Right," he said slowly, "let me get the tea." He patted the back of the sofa once to assure himself before he walked over to his workbench to retrieve and pass out seven mismatched mugs of tea, keeping the last for himself.
"That was impressive, Harry," Bill said as the tea was being handed out. "I thought Conjuring wasn't taught until fifth year, or at least it wasn't when I was there."
"It was still in fifth-year when I was there," Percy commented, also giving Harry a close look, as was Charlie.
Harry gave a rueful smile as he looked down for a moment in embarrassment. "Well, you see, we had Sirius teach us early, and there are a few things that are useful enough that I've made sure I can do them: rope, cups, chairs, and lately a sofa. It took me a while to get the sofa and I only made it work recently. It'll last a few hours."
"I'm very impressed, Harry."
"Thank you, Mr … uh, Arthur."
Harry's use of the familiar name raised the eyebrows of all three boys.
"Dad, why are we here. You said it was important, and well, I know you relax a number of the usual customs and rules, but I've never known you to allow anyone of Harry's age to call you by your first name." Bill hastily looked at Harry. "No offense, but it is unusual."
Harry grinned. "None taken."
Arthur looked at each of his three boys with a serious expression. "I asked you to come here because it was important, and I have some news for you that I thought would be best given in person." He took a sip of tea. "And part of it needs to be done in person."
"Mr Weasley, if I may?" Hermione asked as sat her tea down and she pulled out her wand.
"What? Oh, yes, I suppose that would be prudent. Thank you, Hermione."
The witch casts several privacy spells all over the whole room. Satisfied, she put her wand up and grabbed her mug of tea again.
"There now, where was I? Oh yes, news. I suppose this is all related, but I'll start with your mother…"
"Dad, should they…" Charlie trailed off as he vaguely waved his hand towards the couch.
"Yes, Charlie, they should be here as it concerns them too. Actually, I believe they already know most of what I'm about to tell you. Ron and twins already know some of this and I shall share the rest with them when they return home next week." Arthur took a deep breath. "Your mother has always had a certain way of looking at life, one heavily influenced by the old customs and ways. The husband was the head of the household, but the wife ran it. There were many do and do nots, with a proper way for everything. I was raised in a slightly more liberal home, but I understand how she sees the world. Frankly, with seven of you children and with me being away for most of the day at my job, I was content to let her run the house and she did a good job most of the time.
"However, as it has become more obvious with time, her upbringing has created problems for us and I didn't do my job as husband to help stop the excesses." Arthur hung his head and looked carefully at his mug. "Let that be a lesson to you boys. A proper house only works well if everyone does their part. A good husband does what he needs to and also lets his wife do as she needs to, but all in a proper balance." He paused and looked up at Harry, cocking his head a little. "I suppose you'll have to modify that appropriately when the time comes," he said with a trace of humor. The older three boys were nodding, then they stopped and became confused at the last part.
"I tell you this so that you know that I am aware of the difficulties your mother, and myself, have caused the family. I understand why you all have left the house as soon as you could.
"As I mentioned in the brief letters I sent you, we've been going to confidential counseling and have started to work through a lot of this and it has helped us. We aren't done yet, but life is slowly getting better. Nevertheless, there has been some serious damage already.
"I would like all of you to come home for Christmas this year, even if only for a day or two." Arthur looked at Harry and the girls for a moment. "Perhaps we should plan on Boxing Day, at least tentatively. Some of the damage can't be undone and we'll just have to live with it, but I would ask all of you to try to give your mother a chance to make amends where she can." He looked at each of his children.
"Of course, Dad," Bill quickly agreed.
Charlie nodded. "I can give her a chance."
Percy looked thoughtful for a moment. "I'll give her a chance too."
Arthur looked at Ginny, who was making small grimaces as she thought through it. "Ginny, I know that in many ways, you have been hurt the most by your mother. You were never going to be just like her, no matter what she did; but I ask you to please try … for me." He saw Harry put a hand on her back and rub gently.
"I'll … try," she finally got out. "It will be up to her. But if she treats Harry or anyone else badly," she glanced down the couch, "I can't say what our reactions will be, only that she won't like it."
Her father nodded slowly. "I suppose that will have to do for now. Thank you, all of you." He finished off his tea and set the mug on the floor. "That's my first bit of news. I think I'll let Harry and the girls share their news before I discuss what happened after that. Harry?"
Harry cleared his throat. "Right. Well," he paused and blew out a breath as he realized the three Weasley boys were all giving him very scrutinizing looks, with a glance at their sister too. "I guess the best way to explain this is that we all have magical abilities and I've found that I have an unusual one. Completely accidentally, something happened a few years ago when I was with Hermione. This is important enough to us that we've hidden the knowledge of it under the Fidelius Charm."
"What?" Bill shouted, while his other two brothers looked surprised at his outburst.
"What's a Fidelius Charm?" Percy asked.
"Yeah, what he said," Charlie added, pointing at Percy. "I guess you've run into it because of your job?"
Bill nodded. "It's something that Curse Breakers can run into. A Fidelius Charm is used to hide information about something in a person. The most common use for it is to hide the location of the place someone lives to give them safety, but it could be used to hide almost anything as long as too many people don't already know." He looked at his father. "Are you all right with this?"
"I understand and agree with their decision," the father said calmly.
"Maybe we should just get this over with, in order. Hermione?" Harry looked over at her and gave her a caring smile.
Pulling out her special piece of parchment, she read her secret. Ginny quickly went next. Gabrielle went last, not bothering with the parchment as she had memorized it in English, although it was said slowly as she had memorized words she was not fluent with yet. Her English was much better after four months of hard work, but she still had a lot to learn.
Bill looked back and forth among the four on the couch. "So what you're trying to tell us is that all three girls are bonded to you, Harry?"
"Yes," Ginny answered for all of them.
"Ginny!"
"Bill, calm down," she said fiercely to get his attention. "Listen to what I have to tell you before you try to pass judgment. All of you!" she looked each brother in the eye, getting a nod before she continued in a more normal voice.
"Think about what Dad talked about at the beginning. Bill, you were ten when I was born. I was barely starting to talk when you left for school, gone for ten months of the year. When you left for Egypt, without even returning home I'll remind you, I was still eight. It was about that time that I first started to realize things weren't perfect here. Two years later, I saw Charlie also leave immediately after school just like you had, and then the next year Ron went to school and I was left alone for most of the day with our mother. Do you remember what it was like alone with her? I do, and I could hardly wait to escape."
She turned to her father. "Sorry, Dad. It was never you."
He nodded. "I know you never blamed me, Ginny, and I thank you for overlooking my mistakes."
Ginny gave him a loving look before she turned back to her brothers. "Anyway, I had a plan to escape and, I'm ashamed to say that … that my target was Harry. I was going to befriend him and convince him to like me enough to take me away from here, married the day we left Hogwarts if at all possible. So the fact that I'm bonded to him and know that I will eventually marry him one day is not a bad thing to me. It's just a small change of plans to get to the same goal of not being at home." She smiled impishly and looked down the couch. "Of course, I ended up with two sisters I hadn't planned on, but I always thought a sister or two would be great, so I like where I am."
Percy was the first to break the silence. "But I thought you and Hermione … well, you said you had an arrangement."
"We do, Percy, just not the one you were thinking of and, yes, I knew we were using the word differently and I purposefully didn't tell you. At the time, we were trying to hide our bond because we didn't know what it was."
"If I may," Hermione spoke up. "We didn't tell anyone about our bond until after the second task of the Triwizard Tournament because we didn't know what was happening. We had a good idea how it happened, but not what it was. However, Gabrielle's mother knew and explained it to us. Once we knew, we told all of our parents. We've also told Ron, Fred, and George already, since they were at Hogwarts."
"But Dad's letter said that you weren't at Hogwarts anymore," Charlie half said half asked.
"We're not," Harry answered this one. "After Gabrielle joined us, her father came up with the idea to solve several of our problems at once. Hermione's and my parents don't want us at Hogwarts because they feel it's not safe - and we agree. We have been planning on transferring to Beauxbatons, but didn't know enough French. So when Gabrielle joined us, her father suggested we move to their house in France and use tutors to finish the year. That let us learn French better and faster, as well as finish the school year in safety. I have the third task of the Tournament tonight, but we're otherwise finished with Hogwarts."
"I think I understand most of that, and even most of the reasons why you would do that, but I want to know how this bonding happened." Bill gave Harry a hard look.
Harry did not flinch and kept a neutral look. "While we do know how it happened, we aren't telling anyone. We don't think anyone needs to know." Bill bristled.
"Bill, boys," Arthur said, stopping an argument. "I do know how it happened. It was accidental and there was nothing that could have stopped it. In fact, it's actually a good thing as you wouldn't want the alternative. Your mother and I would prefer that Ginny and Harry be married normally at the appropriate time; however, this is far better than the alternative if Ginny hadn't bonded."
Bill did not look happy, but he did stop arguing.
"Do you have any other questions?" Arthur asked. Bill and Charlie shook their heads.
"I do," Percy replied. "What are your plans? You mentioned Beauxbatons, then what?"
Harry sighed and looked at each of his bond-mates, all of whom only smiled at him, leaving him to handle it on his own. "We haven't fully decided. We'll finish school at Beauxbatons. Ginny will try to skip to the fifth year to join Hermione and me next year. Gabrielle will try to start the second year next September, so we'll obviously need to stay in the area for three more years after we're finished with school. We'll find a house and jobs, and wait for Gabrielle to finish school." He shrugged. "Beyond that, I don't know."
Percy nodded and looked at his father. "I'm surprised you let them go to France."
Arthur chuckled lightly. "Thank you for the lead in, Percy. That brings us to my last bit of news." All humor left him as he breathed deeply a few times.
"As has been mentioned, things were tense with your mother when we found out about Ginny bonding with Harry, or that she had been bonded with him for a couple of years really. At the time, your mother was very upset and refused to allow Ginny to go, so I had to intervene as head of our family. Perhaps there was a better way, but I didn't see it then and I still don't now." Arthur looked down and his pause became very long.
"And what, Dad?" Bill finally asked.
"A year or so ago, Harry had approached me and said that he understood that a Life Debt existed between the Potters and the Weasleys," the three boys tensed, "but that as long as Ginny was treated well, he would postpone it indefinitely." The boys all relaxed.
Percy even gave a nod to Harry. "I understand, this was the real arrangement I heard about then."
"It was part of it," Ginny said with a knowing grin.
Arthur cleared his throat and all looked at Percy again. "Yes, well, Molly wouldn't hear of Ginny leaving and I was having trouble standing up to her at the time; but I also knew that Ginny needed to go with Harry, so I took the easy way out. I asked Harry to call in the Life Debt."
"What?" This time it was Charlie who objected.
"It was my decision to transfer Ginny to his family," Arthur told them firmly. "Harry is blameless in this, he only followed my request. That allowed Ginny to stay with her bond-mate, and it was the proverbial straw that broke the camel's back between your mother and me. However, I now see that as a good thing as it has allowed us to start to repair our relationship and the other relationships in the family. If you feel you must blame someone in this matter, blame me."
"Of course we don't blame you, Dad, it's just … well, it's just so surprising," Charlie said.
"And sudden," Bill added, looking at Ginny.
"No, this was not part of my plan," Ginny told them, "but I'm happy with it anyway. I'm now Ginevra Emma Potter." She grinned mischievously, "Which will make getting married a little strange as my name won't change."
Percy shook his head and sighed. "And I thought all the strange stories I heard about people at the Ministry would never happen to our family." His father chuckled at his son's image of their family being perfect.
"If it helps, Percy," Harry said, "this ability for me to bond girls is very rare and takes unusual circumstances."
"If that's true, then how did you bond three girls?" Bill asked, quickly going back to how this happened.
"Believe it or not," his father answered, "other than Harry's ability, it's all Albus Dumbledore's fault."
Percy looked confused. "I don't understand, Dad. Everyone knows Dumbledore is a little barmy, but how could he have caused this?"
Arthur looked at Harry, who nodded back at him to explain. "I have to be vague as that secret is under a Fidelius too, so I'll only say that Dumbledore allowed some very … unusual?" He looked at Harry.
"I would have said bad."
Arthur acknowledged the choice with a nod. "Very well, Dumbledore allowed some very bad things at the school that never should have happened. In fact, the more I think about it, I'm surprised he hasn't been sacked yet. Nevertheless, what is done is done and I'm proud to consider Harry part of our family, even if it is unofficial."
Ginny looked at her watch and saw that it was now after eleven. "Harry, I know you're supposed to be going soon, but do you think I could stay here for lunch and maybe a little longer?"
Harry almost chuckled at the doe eyes and slowly batting eyelashes Ginny was giving him. He put his arm around her shoulders. "If that's what you want. When you Floo back, call Sirius's elf and have him find Sirius to bring you over."
"Thanks, Harry!" She stretched up a little to give him a kiss on the cheek.
"She always could get what she wanted," Percy said drily, causing chuckles from the rest.
"If you don't mind, Arthur, Ginny will be staying a little longer while the rest of us return." Harry stood, causing the rest of his family to rise as well.
"That's sounds wonderful. Thank you for coming over and explaining your secret with the boys," Arthur told him with a big smile. "Let me walk you three back to the house."
"Harry, I don't think this is the way I wanted Ginny to find a mate, but thank you for making her happy. It's easy to tell that she is happy," Bill said as he stuck his hand out.
Harry was glad they were not holding this against him and shook Bill's hand. "Thanks, Bill." Charlie and Percy also congratulated him and wished him luck.
Arthur walked them back to the house and they used the Floo network to return to Sirius's house.
Sirius greeted them when they came out of the Floo. "Wait, I think you lost one."
Harry grinned at him. "No. Ginny decided to stay a little longer to visit with her brothers and father. I thought that when she Flooed over, she could have Zoot come find you so you could Apparate her over?"
"That would be fine except…" Sirius paused, causing everyone to look at him strangely.
"Except that we came here," Emma said as she rushed into the room, with Dan following her.
Hermione and Harry were immediately swept into a hug by Emma and Dan. Gabrielle was also given a welcoming hug, although more sedately.
Harry looked at Hermione. "You'd think they hadn't seen us since Christmas when it's only been a month since I was last here."
Emma threw an arm around his shoulder and gave him a good-natured shake. "You just wait until you have children, young man. We'll see if you don't feel the same way," she teased.
"Probably," he answered with a small grin.
"So Ginny will be joining us later?"
"Yes, Mum."
"Gabrielle, will you please stand next to Harry?" Dan directed. When the girl did, Dan shook his head in amazement. "I didn't believe Apolline that Gabrielle would grow so fast, but I swear she'd grown an inch since we saw her last. That was what, a couple of months ago dear?"
"It was. She looks ten and going on eleven now. Magic is so amazing," Emma exclaimed.
Gabrielle giggled.
"Let's all eat lunch," Sirius said, leading them towards the dining room. "Zoot even promised Treacle tart for you, Harry."
After lunch, they all talked together in the living room, where Ginny joined them at three in the afternoon, looking very happy.
(A/N: Next chapter is the third task.)