Chapter 32 - Epilogue, Part 1
(Oct 1996)
October 10th happened to fall on a Thursday, one of Gabrielle's normal nights with Harry. That morning, she greeted Harry at their early morning exercise time with a kiss and it was not one of her "normal" ones. Instead, she jumped up on Harry, wrapped her legs around his waist, and did her best to actually snog him - taking Hermione and Ginny back by the Veela's forwardness.
Eventually, Harry pulled back. "Gabrielle, I need to breathe."
"That's what noses are for, silly!" she told him with a big grin and a light giggle.
He couldn't help but chuckle at her happy mood. "And Happy Birthday to you!"
"Thank you!" She proceeded to kiss him again.
After Harry disengaged himself again, he put her down on the floor. "It's time to exercise … more kisses later."
"Yes, many more later. I have almost two years of kisses to make up," she informed him imperiously.
Harry and the other two girls laughed and then started their exercises for the morning, as they all continued to do at least twice a week together. Ginny tried to do it at least four or five times a week.
Harry could not help but watch Gabrielle and compare her to the others. While she was thirteen today, he thought she looked like a fourth year, or fourteen. He could not help but notice that Ginny's concern from last year was coming true; Gabrielle had breasts almost the size of Ginny's now, not that he thought she should have or wanted her to have large breasts. He would be fine with however the girls turned out.
Throughout the day, whenever Gabrielle could get Harry alone, she kissed him as much as she could. Harry had been expecting it as she had hinted often that she would do this. Still, he found it amusing and did his best to bear "the burden". Actually, he thought it was "good to be him".
That evening, as soon as possible after homework, Gabrielle told her friends good night and dragged Harry to their rooms, leaving giggling girls behind. During their normal hour of alone time, Gabrielle said very little, still spending a lot of time kissing Harry.
He finally pulled her back. "I'm glad you're enjoying this, but we can't do this all the time."
"Today we can," she corrected him. "It's my birthday."
"And tomorrow?" he asked.
She looked at him wistfully. "You're right, I can't do this as much for the next hundred years. Starting tomorrow, I'll act more like Ginny."
"Oh? Why Ginny and not Hermione?" He was totally lost on this one.
"Because Ginny kisses you more; I've noticed."
Harry chuckled as he considered that Gabrielle was probably correct.
"But until then…" She kissed him again.
That night, Gabrielle slept with Harry all alone for the first time and she thought it wonderful.
(May 1997)
Harry caught the Golden Snitch and felt like he was going to explode in happiness. This year, they were the Red-A team, and other than Bruno and Russo leaving, their team was intact from last year. They had found a good Keeper and Beater as replacements and swept through the round-robin play much like Blue-A had last year. The championships had not even been all that hard.
After a bit of celebrating on the field as a team, he was a little surprised to be approached by two men. It was obvious from their glares at each other that they were not together. Another man and a woman were approaching Ginny as well. He moved to within a step of Ginny in case he had to protect her from these visitors to the game, because they were obviously not from the school.
"M Potter!" they both shouted as they came near, as the others shouted "Mlle Weasley!"
"M Potter, I want to talk to you about playing professional Quidditch," said the one on the left, just before the other said the same thing, and the other two said to Ginny. He relaxed a little as he realized what this was about.
"Gentlemen, thank you for the compliment that you think I'm that good, but I'm only about to finish sixth year."
Ginny must have been listening as she said almost the same thing to her visitors.
"Yes, we know, M Potter, but I would like you to come visit our team and to talk to us about playing after you finish school next year. I like the potential I see in you," the one on the right said, and the other nodded and added, "I too would like you to come visit soon."
Ginny pulled on his sleeve. "What do we do?" she asked softly.
"This is very sudden for us," Harry addressed the four visitors. "Please leave us a way to contact you and we will soon, but I don't think we can agree to anything right now. We need to think about this."
"What is there to think about?" the woman asked. "This is professional Quidditch!"
Harry and Ginny chuckled. "Yes it is, but it is still sudden for us. I can promise that we won't decide anything now, but I can also promise we'll contact you before the end of the summer."
The four grumbled a little, but they eventually handed over contact information and went to other players to talk.
As the visitors left, Hermione and Gabrielle came over and gave them a hug. Letting go, they noticed more visitors, ones they were happy to see.
"Sirius!" Harry greeted his godfather happily, while Ginny started greeting the Delacours and then Dan and Emma.
"Did you see the whole game?" Harry asked as he hugged Dan.
"We did. Emma and I were thrill and scared for both of you at the same time. We're also very happy that you won," Emma said with admiration.
"We're glad you're here, but what caused you to come?" Ginny asked.
"Sirius thought it would be fun for us and Headmistress Maxime invited us at about the time we were going to ask. She thought we'd like to see you as she thought your team would win." Dan clapped him on the shoulder with a look of pride. "I'm glad we came."
"We are too. Come on," Harry told them as he started to lead them towards the school. "You can see the school and our dorms and join our party for a while."
"The Headmistress already gave us a short tour of the school, but we would like to see your rooms," Emma told them.
By the time Sirius, Dan, and Emma left, they understood why the bond-mates wanted to live together at home - they had their own home at school. All in all, the Grangers were far happier with Beauxbatons than with Hogwarts.
Sirius told Harry he had a surprise for him, but it would have to wait until they arrived for the summer.
(Jul 1997)
The bond-mates started their summer with a week at the Delacours and a promise to spend the last half of August there. Back in Britain, they resumed their usual summer arrangement by staying at Potter Manor and having the Grangers stay as well.
Unlike most summers, there would be no summer holiday trip. That money was being used for Hermione's wedding on August 2nd. Dan and Emma thought the young couple should wait, but ultimately, it was not up to them as to when. Hermione had it all planned and most items where already taken care of. They were having a small wedding so it was not too hard to arrange the details by owl and Hedwig was happy to help.
Their third day back, Sirius invited them over for dinner. Harry assumed Sirius would tell them his surprise now.
The four used the Floo Network to travel to Sirius's house. As the last girl arrived, Sirius walked into the room with a woman on his arm. She was only a little shorter than Sirius, had golden blonde hair, and carried herself well; she also greeted them with a smile.
"I'm glad you're here," Sirius told him as the bond-mates straightened their clothes after traveling. "I'd like to introduce you to Sophie Miller … my fiancée."
The girls all squealed softly and smiled. Harry was happy that his godfather had finally found someone. "We're all very pleased to meet you and surprised that Sirius found someone that would put up with him," he said cheekily.
Sirius made a face at him, but Sophie laughed lightly, as did his girls.
"I can see why you think so highly of him," Sophie said with amusement before she looked expectantly at Sirius.
"Of course, my godson, Harry and his betrothed: Hermione, Ginny, and Gabrielle," Sirius said, indicating each in turn. Harry responded with a bow and kissed the back of her hand, while the girls all curtsied.
"Where did Sirius meet you?" Harry asked, wanting to know how well they fit together.
"Perhaps we should sit?" Sirius suggested and led them to the formal living room, where tea was waiting.
"I've known Sirius since Hogwarts," Sophie told them as Sirius handed out the drinks. "I was three years behind him at Hogwarts and in Hufflepuff. He dated a few of my older friends, but not me. So I'm very aware of his antics," she said with a mischievous look at Sirius, who returned the look with pride at being a Marauder. "We were reacquainted at a Christmas party this last year and we've spent a lot of time together since then."
"Why didn't you tell us you were serious about someone?" Harry asked his godfather accusingly.
"Harry, I'm Sirius about everyone." He held the innocent look for a second before he broke into a grin.
"Sophie, can you fix him so he doesn't do that anymore?" Ginny asked sweetly.
Sophie laughed. "Probably not, but perhaps I can get him to tone it down - a little." She gave Sirius a loving smile, who returned it for a moment before looking back at Harry.
His expression darkened for a moment and he sighed. "I didn't tell you, or many people really, because I wasn't sure if anyone would have me."
"Sirius!" all four bond-mates exclaimed; Sophie did not look too pleased at that statement either.
He held up his hand. "I know what you're trying to say and I appreciate it, but Azkaban changed me and many people's perception of me." He gazed at Sophie for a moment. "She helped to heal the rest of me, or the rest than can be healed. Also," he turned back to them and his normal playful expression returned, "I had to consider that introducing someone to you would bring its own set of problems and I wanted to delay that as long as possible until everything was certain."
Harry understood immediately. "Well, she seems to have passed the first test." At Sophie's questioning look, he answered, "You're treating me like normal and I don't think Sirius would have introduced us if you hadn't when you first found out he was my godfather."
She nodded in understanding now. "I will admit I was surprised when I found out you were his godson, but you have to be related to someone, the Wizarding world is too small."
"You were born in a Pureblood family?" Hermione asked neutrally.
"If it matters, to a Halfblood family; my father was a Muggle-born," she clarified.
"It doesn't matter at all," Hermione replied quickly, "I was just curious."
Sophie nodded her acknowledgment before turning back to Harry. "What were the other tests?"
"There's only one other." Harry looked at Sirius. "You're very, very sure?"
"No doubts for either of us, Harry."
Harry nodded in understanding before looking at his bond-mates. At their look of understanding, Harry pulled out his wand and put up several privacy spells, surprising Sophie. She was totally floored when the three girls shared their hidden secret of their bonding to Harry with her.
"Now I understand why all Sirius could tell me was that the three of you were betrothed and lived together; but I still don't understand how." She looked at the four.
"And you'll have to continue to wonder," Harry said with a grin. "I don't share that secret with many. Perhaps I will after you're married."
Sophie looked at Sirius in wonder, but he put a calming hand on her arm. "No, he's not being rude so please don't take offense. He has a very good reason."
After a moment, she turned to Harry and said, "My apologies, you surprised me and I'll be patient."
"Thank you for understanding," Harry said graciously.
With the most important task done, at least from Sirius's point of view, they all adjourned to the dining room for dinner and more discussion, which everyone enjoyed. At the end of the night, all four bond-mates approved of Sophie for Sirius.
Harry greeted the last guest to his seventeenth birthday party. "Hello, Luna; I'm glad you could come."
"Thank you, Harry." Luna looked around uncertainly as she removed the small bag from her shoulder.
"If you'll hand it to Dobby," Harry pointed behind her as the elf had just returned from after taking care of Neville. She did and Harry then escorted her to the pool area, where music, food, and the rest of the guests were.
"Are you nervous, Harry?" Luna asked, blinking slowly as was her habit.
He knew she did not mean the birthday party. "A little … I'd say that it's not every day one gets married, but I will do it twice more."
Luna gave him a soft chuckle before they joined the others and he let her go so he could join his out-of-town friends.
So far, it looked like Philip and Camila were blending in reasonably well. Fortunately, they had learned enough English that they could communicate with everyone else here, even if it was slowly. Philip and Camila were also the latest to learn the bond-mates secrets, and like most others, they did not learn Harry's secret as to how it happened.
His two best Beauxbatons friends were presently discussing Quidditch with Ginny, Ron, and the twins.
Grabbing Hermione's hand and receiving a loving look from her, Harry surveyed the rest of his guests. The only person missing from those who had also been invited to his wedding day after tomorrow was Headmistress Maxime, who would meet them at the wedding site and perform the ceremony.
"It would be nice to have the ceremony here," Hermione said softly, as if reading his mind.
"Yeah, it would, but with the way the English laws are written…" He sighed with equal parts exasperation and frustration.
The British Ministry of Magic would only recognize the first one he married, Hermione; the others would have to be "consorts" and would not be recognized legally in the same way Hermione would. However, Magical France still had an old law on the books that allowed polygamous marriages, although usually only one or two were done a year. Madame Maxime had explained that it was at the request of the Veela, who had a large settlement in France and they were normally the only ones who took advantage of the law. They could have also been married in Egypt, but they did not really want to travel that far.
A slightly raised but indistinct voice caught his attention. Turning, he saw Arthur Weasley pulling Molly aside. Harry smiled and looked at Hermione, who was looking in the same direction with a slight frown. "I wonder what that's about."
"I'm not sure, but she had better not ruin my wedding," his bride-to-be said adamantly.
Moving his hand up to her shoulders and pulling her close. "She won't; Arthur promised there would be no problem. If it makes you feel better, I've got promises from Bill and twins that they help make sure we'll have no troubles in that area."
Hermione did look relieved to hear that and she stretched up slightly to give him a kiss on the cheek. "I love you, Harry."
He pulled her to him for a moment. "And I love you too."
"Dinner and then presents?" she asked.
"I think so, with cake before the presents." He kissed her on the temple before calling Dobby and setting dinner into motion. The only thing missing, he thought, was his parents. However, no matter how much he missed having his parents here, he would not bring them here with the Resurrection Stone - that was too emotional.
— — —
With the Weasleys, Sirius, and Sophie returning home for the night, the Potters were only one bedroom short for their out of town guests, causing Fleur to stay in Gabrielle's room.
Harry found Fleur's smirk at him to be amusing when she figured out why she could sleep in Gabrielle's bed. He also thought there might be a touch of wishful thinking also, but he had heard from Bill that the two were getting very close and Harry suspected that Bill might have already asked the Veela if Harry was not about to have his wedding, but Bill had delayed so as not to steal any thunder - as the saying went. Harry thought that was very honorable of Bill.
Knowing all of his guests were settled, Harry retired to his room. He had barely closed the door behind him when several spells shot past him and hit the door. There was no difficulty recognizing the various privacy spells.
Looking around, he gave a little gasp and did not breathe again for a long moment. Standing next to his bed were his three bond-mates all dressed in skimpy lingerie much like Ginny had been at the beginning of the summer.
"Come receive your last present, Harry," Gabrielle told him with a bright smile.
Harry had seen her dressed in little before, but somehow seeing her right now really drove home how much she had grown up lately. He would swear she was a fifth year and she had the curves for it.
Ginny was about to turn sixteen and she looked only a little older than Gabi, causing him to remember Ginny's comment at Gabi's last birthday party about them looking the same age soon. He thought it would be by Christmas time. Nevertheless, Ginny was still pretty in her own way that he found just as attractive as the young Veela.
Then on the other end of the line was the girl he was about to marry. There was no doubt she was a girl with the fullest breasts and hips of the three, as well as a face and mind that he was very attracted to. He also noticed that she seemed to be the least enthusiastic of the three.
Remembering to breathe, Harry walked slowly over to them. "What's wrong?" he asked the oldest.
When she did not immediately answer, Ginny did. "She didn't want to dress this way for you for two more days."
"And?"
"We told her she had to because this was your seventeenth birthday," Gabrielle said firmly, "and she had to do what we wanted because she was about to get you to herself for a whole week." A mischievous appeared as Gabrielle added, "I also told her it was like this or I'd come naked."
His eyes went wide as he considered that, causing Hermione to harrumph. It was all he could do not to laugh out loud as the thought of Hermione being threatened with nudity.
"It wouldn't have been my first choice, but I might have gone along with it," Ginny said quietly and giving him a very interested look; she received a glare from Hermione. "Might," she reiterated for the older girl's benefit.
"Why are you grinning so much?" Hermione asked him pointedly.
It was not until then that Harry realized how much he was grinning. He shook his head slightly as he looked at her. "Hermione, while I realize that would cross a line," that will soon go away he thought, "I am a teenage boy and we're talking about three pretty girls - three very pretty and almost naked girls."
To show her he really meant it, he walked across the room and gave her a kiss, making it as passionate as he could. When he finally pulled back, she looked mollified to him. Then just because, he kissed Ginny and Gabrielle, each as they liked to be kissed.
Before long, he was pulled into bed as yet another girl kissed him and somehow one or more of them had taken all of his clothes off but his boxers - his line for the night.
Over an hour later, the lights finally went out and they were all snuggled together. Harry declared the last present from them to be the best one he had ever received - it was truly Patronus worthy. His only regrets were that it had come to an end, and that he had been so occupied that he was reasonably sure that Veela hands had wandered where they really should not have. Still, he thought he would forgive her since she had organized this time.
Harry also considered Gabi's comment about what this could be like when he turned twenty-one and they had no rules requiring clothes. He shivered suddenly and wondered if he would survive that. While he thought he was safe from that scenario as he did not think they could talk Hermione into it, he was not going to bet against it either, as he would have said tonight would never happen.
(Aug 1997)
Since they had to get married in France, the Delacours had graciously offered their house. Jean-Aimé had even created a beautiful rose garden with fairies in it for the ceremony.
Harry stood at the front with Madame Maxime officiating, Neville and Philip were beside him. All of his guests, the same from the party two days previous, were turned and watching Ginny as the Maid of Honor and then Gabrielle walk up the aisle. Finally, Dan escorted Hermione to him.
Hermione had tried to mix the Muggle and Magical ceremonies, which was fine with him. He would never tell her, but he really did not care as long as they were married at the end.
Truth be told, the ceremony was over before Harry realized it as he only had eyes for Hermione. There was no way he could tell anyone exactly what had been done, other than the placing of the rings on each other's hand and the final spell at the end that signified their marriage.
After another party, he and Hermione changed, grabbed their bags, and Apparated to Nice. The plan was to spend the night there and then board a cruise ship the next day to spend a week sailing the Mediterranean Sea.
— — —
When Harry returned from his honeymoon with Hermione, he tried to spend as much of his free time as possible with Gabrielle. While not overly fair to Hermione or Ginny, he had to as Ginny's birthday was three day afterwards, and he wanted some special time with Ginny, before his family was to go to France for the last half of the month. He really hoped he could relax again once he arrived at the Delacours.
On the twelfth of August, the bond-mates took the Grangers to the Burrow - and met Sirius and Sophie there - for Ginny's birthday party. They all had a lot of fun.
Back at Potter Manor, Harry looked at Ginny. "I think that went well."
"It did, although," Ginny grinned at him, "that might be because she worked herself like a house-elf and had little time for the guests. I think it's a little sad, but that was probably the best time I've ever had when my mother was around, at least after I was old enough to realize what was going on."
"Yeah, it is," Harry agreed, "but maybe it's because she's getting better and really starting to accept that you're growing up. She hardly sees you anymore and you go over looking so beautiful and not at all like a little girl."
Ginny blushed, but she also look appreciative. "I can hardly wait to show you how grown up I am, Harry," she teased him.
He kissed her to get back at her, but her smile did not go away. "I look forward to that tomorrow night."
The next day, Harry left Hermione and Gabrielle home for their own little holiday while Harry took Ginny to Dublin. He was not sure why she wanted to go there for her sixteenth birthday celebration, but he was fine with it. Then again, they did not see all that much of Dublin, staying in their hotel room most of the time.
When they returned from the trip, Emma gave them a knowing look, but did not say anything.
A few days after the bond-mates had arrived at the Delacours, Apolline called them all into the living room after she had put little David to bed for the night.
Harry instantly noticed the two adult Delacours looked very serious and Fleur was not present, not that Gabrielle's older sister was there very much because of her job and seeing Bill Weasley. Nevertheless, he mentally braced himself for something unusual.
"Gabrielle, are you still happy in this bond?" Apolline asked casually, surprising all the bond-mates.
"Mother! Why are you asking? You know I am! I will not leave Harry!" Gabrielle looked and sounded upset.
Apolline nodded and held up a hand for silence as she smiled at the girl. "I'm glad you are, my little angel, and I'd never ask you to leave him. I was just asking before we talked about something very serious. Your reaction also tells me it is time for this talk." She looked at the other two girls. "You need to know a few things about Veela so you know what to expect and how to … deal with Gabrielle when the Time of Change comes."
"I thought we were already in her Time of Change?" Hermione looked surprised.
"If I called it that before, I apologize. She is in and nearly complete with her maturation phase, or that's our official term for it. I expect her to finish in about a year from now, or by her fifteenth birthday at the latest, at which point she start to age normally for adult Veela.
"No, her Time of Change is completely different as it is equivalent to your finishing your puberty." As Hermione started to question her, Apolline stopped her with her hand again.
"For you, puberty and maturing are part of the same process, or perhaps I should say they happen at the same time although you can continue to grow after you're sexually mature. For a Veela, it's the other way around and they physical mature then they have their puberty or sexual maturity. So those two phases of growth do not happen at the same time like it did for you. In time, or from now until about three years from now, Gabrielle will become sexually mature and start her breeding periods. If you remember, I told you that all Veela do this twice a year, once in the spring and once in the fall. It is only then that we can get pregnant.
"During those times, Gabrielle will become very sexually active, or her desire will be twice what it would be normally." A knowing look and smile slowly came over Apolline as she watched all the bond-mates blush, with Harry being the reddest.
"It's not possible to say when this will happen, but it could start this fall. When this event comes, Harry, you must take Gabrielle somewhere private as absolutely soon as is possible. Gabrielle will be able to hold it back for only a short time. The first time for a Veela is very intense and possibly destructive to anyone else around … and I do mean everyone else."
She pinned the other two girls with a hard stare. "If you are around when Gabrielle enters her first mating, for your and Harry's sake, you must leave as fast as you possibly can. Apparating would be the best way."
"Of course their first time should be private," Hermione said, "but you make it sound like more than that."
"I am. Gabrielle will not be able to control herself and she will attack any other female present, and not as you see her now, but as a transformed Veela with all of her considerable adult powers. She will not recognize you as you are and will attack to defend her "territory", kill if needed. She will not be in her right mind and you should treat her as insane and get away. This is why most Veela live in a Veela colony from the time they are eleven until about eighteen. It is easily handled there. We had to take very special precautions with Fleur."
"What about Harry?" Ginny asked quietly and soberly.
"Harry will be safe in a way you are not because he is her mate." Apolline looked at Harry, "However, you have a different problem." She looked at her husband who pulled out three phials of a light blue liquid and set them on the table in front of Harry.
"That is a potion that you will need to take, Harry. It will allow you to be able to handle a transformed Gabrielle, just like a male Veela would."
"Harry," Jean-Aimé was just as serious. "Do not - ever - under any circumstances - take that potion and then attempt to have sex with Hermione or Ginny. It is possible you could kill them. Also, never take that potion for any reason other than for sex with Gabrielle, because when you take that potion, you will be having sex very soon thereafter, no matter who is around. Do you understand the seriousness of this?"
A very embarrassed Harry nodded. This had to be worse than "The Talk" with Sirius because it concerned Gabrielle's parents, or so he thought. He started to talk, but had to stop to clear his throat to find his proper voice. "I'll be very careful, but why is it so dangerous?"
"That's a good question that you should ask," Apolline replied. "The potion will bring change you so that you are transformed into something like a male Veela. You can think of it like a combination strength, reflex, stamina, and lust potion. One dose should last close to an hour. Here are the instructions to make it." She pulled out small scroll and placed it beside the three phials. "Each batch makes three doses, each of which will last about one year. If you do not need them before next summer, please give them to us and we'll use them or find someone who needs them."
Gabrielle looked at Harry with a slightly strangled look. Thinking about one's parents having sex was never pleasant, even if you knew they must have or you would not exist.
"I would also advise you to have at least three doses with you the first time, although six would be better. Three is enough to satisfy the first urge while you make more." Apolline shifted in her chair a little, as if she was not the most comfortable with this topic either. "Having a house-elf available is another way to make it work better, as he can go get more of the potion for a reliable source. You might want to send your elf here to get some from me, for example.
"Do you understand all of this? And please ask questions if you have any at all, because misunderstandings can get people hurt." Apolline looked at each of them, although her longest looks were for Harry and Gabrielle.
"I do have one," Harry said quietly, trying to figure out how to ask it. Apolline and Jean-Aimé were very patient and gave him time. He wondered if Jean-Aimé had had a similar conversation with Grandmother and Grandfather Morel.
"Well, Gabrielle is only about to turn fourteen in…" he started and looked at the girl.
"About five weeks," Gabrielle filled in for him.
"Yes, five weeks. But, well, she'll be fourteen and, I uh…" He did not know how to really ask it without sounding like some sort of pervert.
Apolline looked at her husband and said, "I think I should answer this."
Jean-Aimé's mouth tightened but he nodded and looked away, definitely uncomfortable with this topic.
"Harry," she said with as much caring as she could. "Jean-Aimé and I both appreciate you trying to protect Gabrielle and make her as normal as you can, including being age appropriate in matters between you and her. I would like you to continue that for as long as you can; however, please understand that when her puberty - her sexual maturity - hits, you won't have a choice in this. If you do not mate, or have sex, with her, it will probably kill her and possible you, and that will probably cause Hermione and Ginny to go insane when you die because of the broken bond."
He stared at her in horror.
"I'm very sorry to have to be so … blunt, so graphic and to embarrass you like this, but you must understand the seriousness of this. It should help you to know that most Veela don't go through this until they are sixteen or seventeen. However, I'm telling you this now because a few Veela do this when they are fourteen, and a few more at fifteen, and I don't want there to be any accidents." Apolline took a deep breath and let out a weary sigh. "To make it worse, my mother and I don't know what will happen because of your Rescue Bond. It might make this come early, or late, or it might have no affect at all. We don't know and I'm sorry I can't give you a better prediction, but there isn't any information to guide you in your special case."
"I understand now." Harry looked at his youngest mate and grabbed her hand to comfort her. She smiled back, happy for his unspoken promise to help her through it.
"Apolline," Hermione said in the silence. "What did Fleur do since she went to Beauxbatons?"
"That's actually a good question," Apolline replied, leaning back in her chair and relaxing for the first time since the conversation started. "We made an arrangement for a Portkey that would take Fleur from school directly to the Veela Colony. The Headmistress was the only one who could put the proper spells on it to leave the school's wards. You should consider talking to her to do something similar for Gabrielle, especially if this doesn't happen by next spring."
Harry nodded in understanding. "Yes, for after we're finished with school, but Gabrielle is still there."
"Maybe I should leave and have private tutors so I can stay near you?" Gabrielle suggested and asked. She had not been aware of what had been done for Fleur before today.
"I don't know, but we'll decide something when we get there." Harry looked at Gabrielle then the potions and started to wondered if being married to a Veela as really all that great considering what she and he would have to deal with, not to mention what they would put Hermione and Ginny through.
Fortunately, the rest of their summer was relaxing. Harry, Hermione, and Ginny would be starting seventh year and Gabrielle would be starting fourth year in a few weeks.
(Dec 1997)
As Harry and the girls went home to Potter Manor for Christmas, Harry felt relieved, although he did not say anything to the girls.
While he usually had sex with Hermione and with Ginny once a week each, Gabrielle had not hit her puberty this fall. To make it all better, she was now fourteen but looked about sixteen. Since she looked as old as Ginny did, it eased his conscience greatly. If this spring was Gabrielle's Time of Change, then at least she looked old enough for him to rationalize being completely intimate with her.
He had also come to terms with what would happen to her and thought he understood a little better why the Purebloods in Britain wanted to classify Veela as "creatures". He thought the bigots were completely and totally wrong, but he did understand that some could view the Veela's urges as something that was uncontrollable, hence like an "unintelligent creature". He also recognized that the Pureblood bigots also overlooked that facts that Veela could successfully breed with normal wizards, therefore they were just as human, and the fact that the Veela were just as (and sometimes more) intelligent than the bigots (due to inbreeding).
Harry was looking forward to the Christmas holidays this year because Sirius and Sophie were getting married. He thought it would be a lovely time.
Several days later at the wedding, all of Harry's expectations were true except for two. First, the party after the ceremony was fairly large, meaning they had to navigate around a lot of people who wanted to talk to The-Boy-Who-Lived - something he never liked. Second, Remus surprised him greatly.
Since Remus stood up with Sirius, it was not until the party afterward that Harry saw Remus with a woman on his arm. She was near Remus's age and generally attractive, he thought, for a woman old enough to be his mother. The only thing really unusual about her was a long and ugly scar on the left side of her neck.
"Harry, I'd like you to meet Ruth. Ruth Shefferland, this is Harry Potter, a family friend and also my employer."
Without pause, Harry kissed the back of her hand to greet her formally. "Miss Shefferland, a good day to you."
"Thank you, Mr Potter, and a good day to you as well, but Ruth will be fine."
"Then please call me, Harry." He turned to Remus with an inquiring smile. "So, are you going to pull a Sirius on me?" Ruth looked lost, but Harry kept his attention on Remus.
Remus cleared his throat as if having trouble at finding his voice. After a moment, he told her with a sheepish look, "Sirius sprung his engagement to Sophie on Harry without telling him they were dating first." As she nodded in understanding, he continued with, "No, Harry, Ruth and I are merely friends at the moment, although we have been on a few dates that have gone rather well."
"I see," Harry said with a grin, looking at the woman and trying to figure her out.
Still a little uncomfortable, Remus said, "I took your advice, so yes she is."
Ruth figured out what Remus was saying and stiffened as well as glared at him.
"Please do not be too hard on him, Ruth," Harry easily said, trying to be as friendly to her as possible. "I hold no prejudice against you or him." When she looked surprised, he asked, "Didn't he tell you?"
She glanced around to see who was near before she lowered her voice. "Yes, but it's difficult because so few trust a werewolf."
"Fortunately for you, the Potters understand. When Remus is ready, I'll add you to the wards so you can come visit him as long as you follow the two obvious expectations or rules." He paused to see what she would say.
"Be safe so no one gets hurt?"
"It's only once a month, but yes. In case it's not obvious, the second is that we ask you to respect our place and our privacy; it is another downside of what happened when I was a baby - too much fame," explained Harry.
"I understand and I can do both of those," she told him with a smile.
Harry looked at Remus and the man nodded. "Very well, let's wait until later and find a private place and I'll add her to the wards." He looked around and found the girls and waved them over. "Let me introduce you to my wives." Noticing Ruth struggling to hold back words, he chuckled. "I'll explain that if Remus puts a ring on your finger, until then, just know that they are my wives - although the last is only betrothed.
The day that the bond-mates return to Beauxbatons, Ruth moved in with Remus.
(Mar 1998)
It was early on the Friday morning before Spring break. Like many such mornings, the Potters, Philip, Camila, and Jolien, along with one of the teachers, were having breakfast. As they were finishing, Headmistress Maxime came into the room and looked around for a moment before striding over to their table with a rather pleased expression.
Leaning over, the Headmistress softly spoke to him, "M Potter, please bring your family to my office as soon as you finish. There is a visitor here that you must speak with."
Harry looked at his bond-mates and noticed all eyes were on him, including those who were just friends. The four of them all looked to be done, or close enough. "Of course, Headmistress, we'll come now." The four rose together and they all said a hasty good-bye to their friends.
In the corridor, the Headmistress motioned for Harry to walk beside her; the girls walked closely behind him to more easily hear. "M Potter, I want you to know that my offer for your family to live here for the next three years and for employment in junior positions still stands. However, you will want to consider what this gentleman has to say in regards to your future. I will guarantee you that he is who he says he is and that you will be perfectly safe with him."
"Err, all right." Harry's mind was swirling with curiosity. At first, he had thought that maybe Sirius had come to visit again, but after her last statement, it was obviously someone else.
The Headmistress had offered he and Hermione junior staff positions for the next three years while Gabrielle finished her schooling. Ginny would come and go while living here while she pursued a career in Professional Quidditch - or at least that was the plan at this time. He was not sure about taking the Headmistress's offer, as tempting as it was. They had also considered moving to Potter Manor so the four could live together and then hiring tutors to help Gabrielle finish her school work so she could take her NEWTs one day.
Headmistress Maxime led them to the room next to her office and opened the door. Inside was a long table and many chairs around it: obviously the staff conference room. Standing next to a window and looking out was a man who appeared to be in his late thirties with medium brown hair and in reasonably good physical shape. When he turned around at the sound the group entering, they saw a kind face with light blue eyes, an amused smile, and goatee. He was dressed primarily in brown suede leather, laced up with a black leather cord at the neck opening.
"Ah, M Potter, it's very nice to meet you." He held his hand out and Harry shook it, completely bewildered as to who this was. "Mme Potter." He took Hermione's hand and kissed it formally. "Mlles Potter," he said to Ginny and Gabrielle, kissing their hands as well. "I am Nicolas Flamel and I would like to talk with you about apprenticing with me for the next few years while you need to stay close to the school."
Harry frantically searched his memory for that name as he was sure he had heard of the man before. Hermione obviously had by her gasp. He looked over and Ginny struggling with the name too, while Gabrielle looked wide-eyed at the man.
"The Nicolas Flamel?" Hermione asked reverently.
The man chuckled. "Yes."
A memory from History of Magic floated up and it hit Harry just who this was. He turned to look at his Headmistress so quickly he got a knot in his neck muscles.
The tall woman smiled at him and nodded. "I have met him twice before and this really is him. I'll be next door in my office if you need me." She quietly left the room and closed the door behind her.
Flamel pulled his wand and put up several privacy spells, one of which Harry had never seen before. "There, now we can speak of things no one else should hear. I'm sure you are wondering why I wanted to talk with you?"
All four nodded, Ginny had finally remembered who he was too.
"One of the ways I remain young at heart is to bring in a promising young wizard or Wizarding couple from time to time to work with me on a project or two as an apprentice to not only help me look at things differently, but to help push the boundaries of magic. Therefore, I keep watch on those who stand out in some way." He gestured towards the seats at the table. "Tea or coffee?" He poured himself a coffee and the four a cup of tea as they made themselves comfortable. One cup was left over.
"Like most others, my first introduction to you was your survival of the tragedy that befell your family. To anticipate your question," he said casually as Harry opened his mouth, "no, I did not know your parents. I am sorry for your loss as no young person should be deprived of their family.
"As interesting - magically - as that was, it wasn't enough for me to come speak with you as that was more a product of what your parents did to protect you. What did get my interest were the events surrounding you while at Hogwarts and your reaction to them, especially your relationships and by what happened during the Triwizard Tournament."
Nicolas mused for a moment to himself. "You could have met me your first year when I visited the school, but I believe you were in class at the time."
"How do you know all of this?" Hermione asked rapidly, a little bit of fear in her voice.
The man chuckled as he held his hand up to halt her protest. "Please, Mme Potter, do not be alarmed. Much of what I know comes from public sources. I will admit that I have a number of people from all over Europe who send me reports of interesting things from time to time, and I have one person whom I shall not name, at Hogwarts. From that person, who only knows me by an alias, all I know is what anyone who was in the Great Hall or the corridors would have seen, as well as speculation. I have no knowledge of what might or might not have happened in your dorms or in much of your personal lives. My request was for knowledge of people who do interesting things in a magical way. That may still be a little more intrusive than you're comfortable with and if so, I apologize. However, that is how I find people to apprentice from time to time."
Harry did feel a little uncomfortable about that, but was not sure what to do other than to nod acknowledgement.
"Exactly what did we do that caught your attention?" Hermione asked sounding very cautious.
"That's very simple," Flamel said with an engaging grin. "You didn't act like normal students." At their surprised looks, he chuckled. "Let me try to explain.
"Your first year, I'm told was fairly normal, except that you," he said to Harry, "and Mlle Granger developed a close friendship - one that caused you two be become almost inseparable even though you had never met before. In and of itself, that was nothing, at least until your second year.
"Then came the difficulty with the monster running around in the castle and petrifying people. I was very impressed with what I heard about your rescuing Mlle Weasley, although I'm sure I only heard the highlights of the story. After that, Mlle became almost inseparable as well. Now, as the number of unusual events surrounding you grew, my curiosity was pricked.
"The next year went relatively smoothly, except that all three your academics started to soar. Again, not an issue by itself, but with everything else happening, including Mlle Weasley starting to spend summers with you two - a difficult fact to find," he said with a smile. "That started me to thinking why that might be.
"I must tell you that at that point, you were still only intriguing candidates. Then came your fourth year and the Twiwizard Tournament."
He sighed and shook his head. "I can appreciate the results, but you have my sympathy for the difficulty of that year."
"What do you mean?" Hermione asked.
Flamel shook his head. "Having been alive at the time the Tournament was created, I'm reasonably sure there was a way for M Potter not to have participated, at least as long as it was done before the first task. Unfortunately, I was not able to do that without revealing myself again to Albus Dumbledore after he caused me to sacrifice the best fake I possessed of my Philosopher's Stone and we parted ways. You see, after that event, I told Dumbledore that was it and he would never see me again. The fact that he is on death's door and will never leave the hospital he is in is another reason I'm coming to you now.
"But back to your question. It was your fourth year that helped me to decide to give you an invitation when you were old enough. I was in disguise, but I was at all three tasks to watch firsthand. Your magical power and situational awareness is outstanding, M Potter. Your intelligence and wisdom is outstanding, Mme Potter," he said to Hermione. "And your power and loyalty are outstanding, Mlle Potter," he said to Ginny.
By saying it twice, Ginny finally understood he had not made a slip of the tongue the first time. "Wait," her eyes narrowed, "how do you know to call me Ginny Potter? Outside of family, only the Headmistress knows that."
Flamel chuckled quietly. "I wondered if you'd catch that and I will answer that by going to the third." He looked at Gabrielle, "And you, Mlle Potter, gave me the final clue to it all … although you four covered your tracks so well, if I didn't write my research down, I believe I'd still be in the dark."
"But I am not a Potter yet," Gabrielle protested.
"Not legally, no, but magically you are. It took me nearly two months to figure out why various lines in my journals became so smudged I couldn't read them and why I had written that you, M Potter, are just like me," Flamel said as he leaned back in his chair with an amused smile as he watched them work through what he had said.
Harry saw Hermione look at him and it was obvious she was puzzling through his words as hard as he was. Why was the famous wizard just like me, he thought. After a moment, an idea started to form and he batted it around trying to make it take shape but it seemed to be resisting.
"What's wrong, Harry?" Hermione asked with worry as she saw sweat starting to break out on his brow and his expression become more pained. She turned to Flamel, "Whatever you're doing, stop it!"
"I'm doing nothing, Madame," he said leaning forward. "But perhaps I should help him before he hurts himself and I do not wish to wait two months for him."
"You're … like … me," Harry ground out. "You … are hiding … it."
"Excellent, M Potter. Please relax and I'll tell you…"
"You're … bonded!" Harry shouted the last word and then fell back in his chair exhausted as he had just finished his morning exercises. All three girls looked at the man.
"Bravo! M Potter, bravo! Listen carefully. Nicolas and Perenelle of the Flamels were magically bonded when Nick rescued Nelle and saved her life triggering a power, the discovery of his special magic."
Harry relaxed completely now with no reason to struggle and he noticed his girls nodding in understanding.
"I felt that was fair," Flamel said to them, "since I knew of your power and bonds."
"But how?" Hermione asked.
Flamel chuckled. "Mme Potter, the Fidelius Charm is not all powerful magic. All magic can be defeated in some way. To the normal person who has never heard of Rescue Bonding, your spell will protect you completely. To those few who know of its existence, they also will probably never figure out your secret - it's possible, but very unlikely. To someone who also has the power, you can not hide your secret if the person truly tries to break it. That is why I could, although it did take me two months. To use an analogy, it would be like trying to hide the truth that Veela can create fireballs. That might work against me," he pointed at Gabrielle, "but not against her as you're trying to deprive her of knowledge of her very nature. She might forget for a short time, but eventually she will recover the knowledge. There are other ways to defeat the spell, but my explanation holds for why I could discover your secret.
"Now, there is a very important part of my life that we have only just mentioned. My wife, Perenelle." Without looking, he waved his left hand as an introduction and a woman faded in just beyond his hand.
She was very pretty, Harry thought, as he looked at her hair that was so blonde it was nearly white, her pretty smile under deep blue eyes. She wore a simple dress that went down to mid-calf and matched Nicolas's style with a white blouse top and brown bodice and skirt. Her bodice was laced up in front with a black leather cord too.
Perenelle graced them with a curtsy. "Hello, and I hope I have not frightened you. We thought was best to conceal my presence until the secret was given. Also, you are the only ones that know I am here, except for the house-elves apparently." She moved over and took the last cup to pour herself a cup of coffee before sitting next to her husband.
As she made herself comfortable, Harry and Gabrielle said almost simultaneously, "You're a Veela!"
"Bravo, I knew you'd figure it out quickly. I'm sure you'd figure it out soon, but I will simply tell you that we can invite all three of you," she indicated the girls, "because you're already bonded."
Hermione nodded, "That makes sense. We are very careful to make sure one or more of us is around Harry when he is out in public."
"We've already prevented one other bonding four years ago," Ginny confirmed.
"Two others," Gabrielle added, "my sister too three years ago."
"So," Nicolas said as he clapped his hands together in enthusiasm and leaned forward in his chair, "let's discuss the details. We have a cottage on our property you can stay in. We'll need to expand it for you to be comfortable, but that's easy. Mlle Gabrielle will need three more years to finish Beauxbatons, so I'll offer a three year apprenticeship. During that time, you, M Potter and Mme Potter can live full time. Mlle Ginny can travel as she needs to for her profession, which I believe she will succeed in finding, and stay with us when she's not traveling. And finally, Mlle Gabrielle can either stay at school during the week and stay with us during the weekend or she can become a day student and stay with us every night and on the weekends."
"I can do that? I can become a day student?" Gabrielle asked very surprised.
"Yes, I've already cleared the possibility with Headmistress Maxime. I would suggest that you move in the last week in August to start this, as you probably already have summer plans."
Perenelle took over now. "We also have a number things we can teach you and," she grinned at Gabrielle, "I'm really looking forward to having another Veela around for a time."
"Yes, there are a lot of exciting things we can do," Nicolas said, still enthusiastic. "M Potter, what do you want to learn?"
"Well, I've started to become more interested in how things work. I've been considering going to a Muggle university for an engineering degree. I'd like to know if I can make Muggle electric things work with Magic."
"Bravo!" Flamel roared. "I've been trying to work on the theory of making Muggle electronics work under strong wards. Our projects will work together very well. Mme Potter?"
"Potions and transfiguration for me," she said thoughtfully, obvious considering the many possibilities in front of her.
"Potions with me and transfiguration with Nelle." He looked at Ginny. "There's no reason you can't take some of your lessons with you. Traveling can be boring after a while."
"Charms and runes," Ginny said a little meekly, still in awe of the famous couple.
"Charms with Nelle and runes with both of us." He looked at Gabrielle. "We can help you with advanced work for your school classes."
Gabrielle considered the question for a moment. "I don't have any special desire, but Charms interest me the most."
"Also with Nelle." Flamel looked at Harry. "Of course, Defense will also be something we'll do together because you are good at it and because you always need to be ready to defend your young ladies."
Harry nodded seriously. "I'd like to hope that will never be necessary, but I agree that I should always be ready."
"Wonderful…"
"Nick, you're jumping ahead of yourself." Perenelle had a hand on her husband's arm to stop him. Turning to the students, she asked, "My husband seems to have forgotten his manners and has assumed you want to come without asking. Do you want to take our offer and join us?"
Harry appreciated her asking, although he had a hard time imagining them telling the couple no. "Does anyone not want to do this?"
"I want to," Hermione said without hesitation.
Harry smiled and grabbed her hand, not surprised at her jumping at such a special learning opportunity as this. "Ginny? Gabrielle?" He received two yeses, so he said, "It looks like we be living with you starting at the end of August. We usually finish the summer with some time at the Delacours, so we can join you after that."
"Splendid! I shall send you a letter when I shall arrive to escort you to our place. It is well hidden and you would not find it without my help. I believe we must go tell the Headmistress of the new plans," Flamel said as he stood.
"And I must leave." Perenelle stood, pulled something out of her dress pocket and disappeared with a small pop.
Hermione looked at Nicolas wide-eyed. "She can do that here?"
"We can, but I don't think anyone else could," Nicolas said with a smug smile.
A few minutes later, Headmistress Maxime was informed of the bond-mates plans. While she disliked losing such able helpers for next year, she was happier for them with this special opportunity. She knew very well that this was a special opportunity for the Potters that they should not pass up.
(Jul 1998)
When the school year ended, Harry's Quidditch team had easily won the school championship. That had helped to give Ginny the notice she wanted and she received four offers for playing professional Quidditch. One of the offers was from the Holyhead Harpies, her favorite team, to be a reserve Chaser and she took that offer. Harry made sure he bought tickets to all of their home games for the other three of them.
Harry had been made several offers to become a professional Seeker. He turned them all down as he did not really want to travel so much, and because he needed to nearby for Gabrielle. She still had not had her Veela puberty and he would have to be ready for that at a moment's notice.
All three thought they had done well on their NEWTs, although Hermione was a little stressed over them. Harry did his best to take her mind off of that by pulling her into the bedroom a little more often.
The bond-mates continued their usual schedule of spending some time at the beginning of July with the Delacours, then back to England and Potter Manor. This summer, the Grangers did not come to live a Potter Manor, but the bond-mates did have dinner many nights at the Grangers' home.
— — —
Harry and Hermione, with her on his arm, walked through the atrium of the English Ministry for Magic. The place was so busy, no one seemed to notice who they were, and for that, Harry was grateful. Stepping out of the elevator on the tenth floor, they found an older man waiting for them.
"Mr Potter, it's good to see you," Algernon Croaker said as he shook Harry's hand before turning to Hermione. "Mrs Potter, congratulations and it's good to see you as well. Won't you follow me?"
As he led them down the corridor, Croaker kept up light conversation until they reached his office, where he put up privacy wards.
"I want to thank you for coming to see me, I wasn't completely sure you would," the man said as he studied the two of them.
"We figured it was the polite thing to do, although it's not as much of an issue for us anymore. We really don't need a job at the moment as we've both accepted an apprenticeship with someone," Harry explained. "I don't know if you remember, but I'm also responsible for Gabrielle Delacour and she still has three years left in Beauxbatons, so I need to stay close to the school."
Croaker sighed and leaned heavily back in his chair. "I hadn't forgotten about Ms Delacour, but the apprenticeship is a surprise. May I ask who? Perhaps we have someone better here."
Harry looked at Hermione who smiled at him in mirth. "I don't believe that to be possible. I'm also sorry that I can't say who, as he strongly prefers privacy, but I promise this is an offer we simply can't refuse; he's that good."
The head Unspeakable grunted his frustration and tapped his desk lightly for a moment with a finger.
"If it matters, we did figure out the mystery of the ring," Hermione said, trying to make the man feel better. "I'd have to research in your Hall of Records to be sure, but from what I've been able to determine, Harry probably is the person with the closest ties to the Pervelle family."
"And did you figure out how to use it?"
"I did - once. It's in my vault now." Harry shuddered at the memory. He treasured talking to his parents, but it was still very haunting and deeply emotional for him still.
"And the other parts?" Croaker asked lightly, his finger still tapping, although it made almost no noise.
"If they turn up, I'll deal with them then. Personally, I wouldn't want the wand," Harry said neutrally.
Croaker looked like he was going to object then nodded slowly. "Perhaps that's wise. I would like to have it to study it, but who's to say how long I'd get to keep it." After a moment more, he asked very tentatively, "Would you be open to working part-time for me on some of our less sensitive projects? It would be a way to keep your foot in the door, so to speak."
Harry looked at Hermione and saw her raise an eyebrow at him, which he took as agreement that they did not really need that as Croaker seemed to be very intent on hiring them, even if he had to wait. "I suppose it doesn't hurt to discuss the possibility, but it would have to be work we could take with us and our mentor would have to be allowed to see it since we'll be living with him. Maybe he'd even offer suggestions, but I can't make a promise of that."
With a smile, Croaker leaned forward with his elbows on his desk. "How about you come work for me full time over the next month to experience what we do here? Then when you have to go, we can find something that's interested you and that I can allow out. You can work on it a few hours now and then and come see me one Saturday a month. When you're finished in France, we can talk about full time employment."
Hermione looked at Harry before she countered with, "We could work here full time for a month and take work with us, but let's only do that until Christmas. It's possible we'd be too busy to do that for long and it's possible you might not like the part-time arrangement; so a shorter time gives everyone an out sooner. But if it goes well, then we can extend it." She raised an eyebrow at Harry after her "thinking out loud".
"I like that idea," Harry told her with a smile. "It lets everyone test the waters." He turned back to Croaker with a serious look. "If you like that, we can start next week, or if you don't, we can see if you still have a positions for us in three or four years."
Croaker flopped back in his chair and he did not look completely happy. "I suppose I still might get what I want that way, but I was hoping for more commitment." He looked pointedly at the pair.
"But no one gets what they want all the time," Harry returned calmly and did not budge.
With a sigh, Croaker stood and offered his hand to each of them in turn. "Congratulations on employment with the Department of Mysteries. I'll start you at the standard pay for new hires for the next month then a pro-rated amount after that. I'll meet you at the same place next Monday at 9am and I'll find an office with two free desks in it."
"That's very acceptable, Mr Croaker," Harry said followed by Hermione.
"Except for you immediate family and your mentor, not a word to anyone please; and for those you share with, make sure they know it's a secret. It's not much, but I like to think it makes it all a little safer for you."
"Thank you, Mr Croaker," Harry told him.
"As of Monday, it'll be Algernon. I'll see you then."
They were now employed, something not every new graduate could say.
(Aug 1998)
Just before they were to return to France, Harry and Hermione walked up to a modest home in Sheffield. Since Harry was holding an elongated box, he let Hermione ring the doorbell.
An older gentleman opened the door. "Yes?"
"Good morning, my name is Harry Potter and this is my wife, Hermione. Are you Mr Bradford Simmons?"
"I am. What can I do for you, Mr and Mrs Potter?"
"I'd like to hire you for a job."
Simmons looked at them for a moment. "I'm sorry you've wasted your time, Mr Potter, but I recently retired."
"So I've been told, but you may be the only person in the country who can help me. I was hoping you might like a little challenge, something you can work on a few hours each day. I will pay you." Harry gave him a hopeful look.
After a long moment, Simmons motioned them in. "I suppose it doesn't hurt to talk." He led them to the living room. "Why don't you start with why I'm the only person who can help you? There are plenty of electrical engineers."
Harry set the overly long bread box down on the table and took a seat with Hermione on the couch. "Mr Simmons, yes, I'm looking for an electrical engineer, but I also need one who came from an older family, like your maternal grandfather's." When the man froze, Harry went on softly. "We're like him so we can't bring this problem to just anyone."
"It's been years and my father was so against it…" he said distantly.
"I can help you get in touch with him, if you want," Harry offered.
The man reached over to a table and grabbed a pipe, slowly packing and then lighting it, thinking all the while.
Harry and Hermione waited patiently.
"Exactly what do you want me to do? Not that I'll do it, mind you."
With hope, Harry leaned forward and unlatched the box to pull the top and sides off and set it on the floor. "I've put this experiment together over the last few weeks, although I've been thinking about it and planning it for over a year." On the table was the bottom of the wooden box, a light bulb in a socket on the far left end, a smallish generator next to it, a long rod to the far right end that held the rod, which was attached to a metal wheel. The wheel had a ring of golden crystals along the outside edge. There was also a mechanical switch in the middle near the metal wheel.
"What is that?" Simmons blew out some smoke and then leaned over to get a better look.
Harry pulled out his wand, which did not startle Simmons in the least, and touched it to a crystal while pushing some magic through his wand. The crystals lit and then the metal wheel started to spin and turn everything it was connected to. A second later, the light bulb lit. "That, Mr Simmons, is free energy. As long as the bulb doesn't break and the generator doesn't fail, it will continually run."
"Damn." Simmons moved his chair forward so he could sit right in front of the table. He moved his hand towards the contraption then stopped with a look to Harry, who gave him a nod. The man unscrewed the light bulb and examined it before putting it back in, where it lit up again. The generator continued to quietly turn with only a hint of noise from friction of the various bearings. "How do you stop it?"
"I can either throw the switch, which would disengage the rod - the wheel would continue to turn; or I can use a little magic to stop the wheel," Harry explained.
"To answer your original question, Mr Simmons, my husband would like you to find out why we have to separate the wheel that far from the generator. It's well known to us that magic causes electrical devices to not work. That means the magical field causes the electrical field to fail, or the electrons to stop flowing. We want to know why, what the limit is in distance with regards to the various fields strength, and if that interference can be shielded against. Did I leave anything out, Harry?"
"No dear." He gave Hermione an appreciative look. He had sort of forgotten the original question.
"So you want me to perform tests to answer those questions?"
"Yes, Mr Simmons. We'll pay you fifty pounds an hour, but we also expect you to keep a journal which we will duplicate and use in our research as well. I hope to do something with this in the real world one day and we'll offer you a percentage of the company when we do," Harry told him.
Simmons blinked. "That's very generous." He turned back to the device. "How big do you think you could make one of these?"
Harry grinned. "I've yet to try to make a big one, but I think I could make a flywheel large enough to turn a megawatt generator, maybe bigger if I'm lucky."
"That's not big enough for commercial applications," Simmons said with disappointment.
"I know, but wouldn't it be better with a whole field of these?" Harry argued. "If one breaks, you don't lose an entire power station but only a small part of it so it could be replaced more easily."
Simmons waved his pipe as if batting the idea. "A common argument and one that shouldn't be completely dismissed, but you'll have a harder time convincing the power companies to buy them when they're small."
"It may be possible to make bigger ones," Hermione told him, "but we need to know more about this whole thing before we try. I'm also going to research if I can make a potion that allows for a frictionless surface so the bearings wouldn't break and it could all turn faster."
The man blinked slowly at her. "Damn, that's a good idea if you can pull it off." He puffed he pipe for a moment. "This won't stop?"
"No, it takes ambient magic out of the environment to continue running once it's started," Harry replied. "That means you can't show it to anyone else as that would go against the Magical Statue of Secrecy."
"I see." Simmons looked at it again. "Timeline?"
"The sooner the better, but I'd like answers a year from now if possible." Harry held out his hand and Hermione put some folded papers in it. "Here's a basic contract that states you work for us and that you're expected to keep the research to yourself."
"An NDA, wise." Simmons took the paperwork and looked it over. When he finished reading it, he signed both copies and gave one back to Harry. "My number is on there. Call me before you come to visit. It's just me now and I might have to tidy up."
"I'll be in the area once a month. How about I stop by on the last Saturday?" Harry suggested. "We can copy any notes and talk about progress. We can also help with any magic required for your experiments. If I'm not available, my wife or someone else in my family can stop by to help you test."
Simmons stood and held out his hand. "Thank you, Mr Potter, this looks like an interesting project and something to keep an old man busy. Mrs Potter, it was a pleasure meeting you too."
Harry left very pleased and he thought Nicolas would be too, at least once they started to get some real results.
— — —
It was three days after Ginny's seventeenth birthday and all of his close friends and family were gathered together just like last August. This time Philip was his best man instead of Neville. Gabrielle was the maid of honor and Harry would swear that she had toned down her look a little so as not to distract from Ginny. Hermione looked as wonderful as ever, but he was watching for Ginny.
As promised, Arthur Weasley escorted Ginny in. In the back of his mind, he realized he heard Mrs Weasley sniffling, but he only had eyes for Ginny. She was so beautiful, just as Hermione had been last year. He truly loved them both, although in different ways.
He was looking forward to his week honeymoon with her. She had wanted to travel to Italy and he had arranged that.
Again, Madame Maxime performed the ceremony and he remembered a little more this time, but not much. Ginny had created this ceremony to be almost entirely Wizarding in nature, although he could see a few small things from Hermione's that Ginny had copied. In the end, he really didn't care as long as they were married.
— — —
Several days after Harry and Ginny returned from their honeymoon, the bond-mates packed up again for Nicolas and Perenelle Flamel's arrival. Harry found it amusing that Apolline immediately knew that Perenelle was a Veela and had to assume it was a Veela thing. He had known when they met because Perenelle had not bothered to control her allure and just let it go naturally. Today, Perenelle was controlling it but that did not seem to matter. He wondered if Gabrielle had told her mother.
After Jean-Aimé and Apolline had bid them good-bye, the Flamels took them away via a Portkey. They landed outside a large cottage. Other than being larger than normal, there was nothing to distinguish it for any other cottage in the area. In the back was another smaller cottage and a building that looked like a barn.
"Welcome to our main home," Nicolas told them. "Since we will be seeing so much of each other, you may call me Nick."
"You may call me Nelle," Perenelle told them.
"Thank you, and please call us by our first names," Harry requested. "I think that will be much easier."
Nelle smiled and nodded. "Thank you, I believe you are correct. We'll show you the main house later, but that building over there is our place for magical and experimental work. This extra cottage will be yours while you're here." She led them inside.
"I like it," Gabrielle said quickly and the others agreed.
"We tried to make it like a real home. There are also four bedrooms so you can each have some privacy if you want it. We didn't know how you handled your sleeping arrangements," Nelle said without embarrassment, "so if you need to make some changes then do as you wish. You have a full kitchen and if you'll give me your shopping list, I'll make sure our house-elf buys the food you need. Of course, we'll host most evening dinners in our home and you can join us there."
"There are only a few rules," Nick told them seriously. "First, you're old enough to be adults, so we will treat you as such. That means that you should also act as such. Second, there are few rooms that you are not to enter. I'll show them to you later, but they are also clearly marked. This is for your safety as we may have dangerous experiments in there. Lastly, other than Gabrielle going to school, please let us know when you leave and when you expect to return, even if it is only through a note. If something should happen to you, we need to know where to come look for you. As we asked you before not to mention you're staying with us to anyone besides immediate family, please continue that and be on your guard when away from here. There are those who are less than honorable who may try to get to us through you."
"We understand," Harry assured the man.
Nicolas reached into a pocket and pulled out four short gold chains. "Put these on a wrist like a bracelet, please. They are a Portkey that will bring you and only you here. You each must travel separately; the Portkeys do not work if anyone else is touching you. Gabrielle, yours will also take you to school; I worked with Madame Maxime to create that for you."
"Please take the rest of the afternoon to settle in and then come join us in the house for dinner. We can discuss what we shall be doing and plan." Nick looked at Ginny. "When will you be starting your job for the Harpies?"
"In two weeks," she replied excitedly. "I can hardly wait to play on the team, although I will miss being with everyone all day long."
Nick chuckled. "I understand. However, your special Portkey will bring you here, even from England. I'd suggest you get a similar Portkey to take you to work every day. Of course, if you wish, all of you can travel to your home in Britain on the weekends if you desire. There is no requirement that you spend every moment here," he smiled kindly at them, "you only must stay here enough that we make progress and our time together is useful."
Harry thought that was considerate of the Flamels and promised himself that he would work hard when he was here.