Hollow. That was the word for it. Petunia felt hollow.
Deep down she had always known Dudley was not a good person. He had too much of his father in him for that. It had already been a year since she'd consigned what had been left of her son to the embrace of the earth, but the feeling never went away. The knowledge of what he'd done was always there too, it hovered just out of sight and dared her to feel sorry for herself. Whenever she started to, it appeared out of nowhere and supplied images of the boy's mangled jaw, his backward fingers, the wheelchair he'd spend the rest of his life in.
Petunia had no doubts whatsoever that Dudley had earned his fate, but ultimately she knew that had been her fault. He'd been her son, the product of her choices. She knew, in the darkest corner of her honesty, that Dudley would have always ended up the way he did. He'd been a stupid, arrogant, violent boy from the time he was a child. She may have even coddled him. A little. If she were to be masochistically honest.
Vernon's passing had left her unexpectedly wealthy, from the private life insurance they both had and the huge sum paid from Vernon's company - doubled due to the court ruling that it had been the stress placed on him by the police that had caused his heart failure. Even that had been less than the Yard had been willing to part with in order to keep her from going to the press. Vernon's death had honestly been the best thing that had ever happened to her.
She had used a fair bit of the sudden influx to try to fix Dudders, to get him the counseling he needed to stop his aggressive behaviour, but it hadn't worked. He'd gone straight back to his friends, back to stealing and violence.
Even so, she'd still gone frantic when he hadn't returned home. She'd gone to the Yard with pictures, filed missing persons reports - she'd done everything she could think, even drove around the neighbourhoods at all hours hoping for a glimpse of her son.
When the call came three months later, she had already known.
She saw his face sometimes in her nightmares. Bloated, blue and purple, half-eaten by fish. He'd washed up like that on a beach across the channel. She'd apologized to the officers a hundred times for making them transport him all the way back to Brighton. They'd been very understanding. The worst part of it - the part that squeezed tears from her every time - wasn't that she would never hug her son again. It wasn't that she'd never see his smiling face at Christmas. It wasn't that he'd never settle with a nice girl and give her grandchildren. The worst part of the whole thing was the relief she'd felt after identifying his body.
The officers had mistaken her sobs for grief, but she had wept for guilt. For shame. For the stupid, childish hatred that had driven her to marry Vernon in the first place, just to spite her sister. Just to show her that she wasn't so special. She had been, though and Petunia knew it. Lily had a light in her that Petunia didn't, and desperately wanted. To be special. To be adored by their parents the way Lily was. To be anything but ugly little Petunia.
Even at his end, the tears she shed over her son's corpse had been for herself.
Petunia dabbed her eyes with the back of a finger and sipped her tea. The gardener had been by that morning, and left the front garden with the diagonal mower lines that she liked.
She needed something. Something to fill the hollow inside her. She knew she was on the older side, but older women had had healthy children before. She had a few years left before she hit fourty, if she could manage a decent man and another child or two before then...
Petunia finished her tea and opened the newspaper to the local community section. As it happened, the Royal Pavillion had scheduled a fundraiser for the coming weekend.
A tiny spark of hope lit the gloom inside her chest as she reached for the phone to make an appointment at the hairdressers.
"Want to go hang out in Hogsmeade tomorrow?" Neville asked as they exited Runes class.
"Sorry Nev," Hermione replied, "We already promised to meet Sirius and his personal trainer, and we should check in with Mother, see how Father is doing. It's been three weeks since we last saw them."
"Oh. Alright, next time then I guess." Nevile shot her a smile.
"Actually..." Harry said, "I was thinking we could just go see Mother now, tonight. It's Friday, we don't have any more classes and skipping one Study Group won't kill us. I'll talk to Sirius and see if he and his personal trainer want to meet us in the three broomsticks tomorrow for lunch. You know how he loves to flirt with Madam Rosmerta."
"And how she loves to spank him for it. Alright, I like that better. We're studying three hours Sunday though to make up the lost Study Group time." Hermione warned.
Harry laughed. "As if we wouldn't be studying all day Sunday anyway."
"Not all day." Hermione hmphed.
Harry just looked at her with droll incredulity on his face.
Hermione sighed. "Okay fine, probably most of the day, yes. I'll be researching more Arithmancy while you're working on your super-secret project, even when we're not reviewing. Smug prat."
Neville just smiled at their mock argument.
"So yeah, we'll go." Harry smiled back at him. "Meet you in the Great Hall for breakfast?"
Neville nodded. "We'll wait for you before we leave. Let us know how Father is doing at breakfast, though I'm sure one of us will ask again."
"Will do, mate." Harry grinned again.
Harry and Hermione split off from the stream of students and headed back to their apartment to change out of their school robes and get something small to eat. They headed up to the Owlery after, and floated up and away from the castle.
Rather than simply land in Mother's nest, they hovered over it in case Father was awake. Neither knew how he would handle them being so familiar with his Mate.
"Hello Mother!" Harry called out.
"Hello -" Mother began, but Father lifted his head from the hoard and turned a baleful glare on him and Hermione.
"PINKSKINS!" He bellowed, as wisps of green flame escaped his mouth and nose.
Mother reached out a claw and put it on Father's neck, to force his head back down, then she turned to look into his eyes. "Be calm. These two are my Young and his Mate. They brought you home to me." She let him up then, and he blew short flames of indignance.
Mother gestured them forward, and they landed in the nest next to her, as far from her Mate as they could be.
"Sorry about the pinkskins who took you from here." Harry said. "They aren't all bad. Many Questions and I have culled some of the pinkskin drive while you were captive, so hopefully their drive will improve."
Father grumbled unintelligibly while flames escaped between his teeth.
"Excuse my Mate, young ones. He has awoken only a short time ago and was never pleasant in the morning."
"You don't need to apologize for me, not to a clutch-thieving pinkskin!" Father hissed at her.
She cuffed him upside his head with the back of a claw.
"DId you not hear my words?" Mother growled at him, "This pinkskin IS MY YOUNG. I RAISED HIM. He is a pinkskin, yes, but also Svurtr. They both carried you here on their backs, AND THIS IS YOUR GRATITUDE."
Father had an obstinate set to his muzzle as he glared back at Mother, but after a long moment he softened. He took a deep breath and blew hot air from his nostrils.
"You are right, I am being a goat's waste." He grumbled softly to Mother. He turned then to Harry and Hermione. "Apologies, young ones. I am not at my best." He said grudgingly.
Harry smiled back. "Think nothing of it, Father. We would have done anything to bring you back to Mother. Neither of us wants to even think about what it must have been like to be apart."
"What's important is that you rest and get your strength back." Hermione said. "We have years to talk."
Father grunted and shook his head, as though in disbelief. Mother shot them both a look that clearly apologized for her Mate's behaviour. Hermione thought it was cute.
"I... if you did free me..." Father said haltingly, "What became of the Balaur?"
"She told us she knew of you, and then refused to tell us where you were. She demanded my Mate as payment for the information." Hermione replied. Mother hissed when she heard it.
Harry pulled the trunk from his pocket and enlarged it to pull out Sulita's skull and held it up for Father to see. "Many Questions did not take her rudeness well." He said with a proud grin.
Mother reared up and blew a short blast of flame. "My daughter is dominant as she should be! Many Questions is triumphant in battle!" She roared. "I am disappointed I did not get to end her myself!" She growled when she settled down again,
"How?" Father asked quietly. "How did a pinkskin kill a Balaur?"
"She struck once, aiming to impale my Hidden Colours." Hermione explained with a loving glance at Harry, "He dodged her horns but she still hit him with a wing and hurt him. After she hit him I climbed onto her muzzle so she could not look away, and I took her mind."
"Impossible." Father declared. "No pinkskin could -"
Mother cuffed him again. "You have not listened." She admonished. "They are Svurtr. You remember Last Shadow?"
Father nodded. "She Mated with Rides-On-Waves."
"Yes." Mother agreed. "Their firstborn was named Breathes First. He Challenged Hidden Colours during his Declaration. Hidden Colours carries the heart of Breathes First in his chest. They are Svurtr."
"So you're correct Father, no pinkskin could do what I did, but we are not just pinkskins." Hermione added.
"Hmph." Father snorted. "If Swims-In-Stars says it is so, then it is so, however strange it seems. It will take time to adjust to such a thing. I have much anger, but it should not be directed at those who reunited us. Apologies, and deep thanks for returning me to where I belong."
"We could change our forms to be Svurtr to show you, but I do not want to cause accidental Challenge by being another adult Svurtr in your nest." Harry added, "It is better that we look like pinkskins while we visit you."
Mother gently bumped him with her nose. "It is gratifying but strangely sad to see you grown so, my Young." She bumped Hermione then as well, and Hermione hugged her. "I am proud of you both, and so very happy to have my Mate returned to me, even if he is angry and obstinate."
"Mother, if I had been through what Father has been through, I daresay I would be angry and obstinate as well." Hermione smiled.
"Probably even moreso for me." Harry grinned as well. "We'll go round up some more food for you and then be off I think."
"Good plan." Hermione agreed, and took his hand as she Resonated.
They dropped another few deer and goats into the cold part of the nest under stasis charms a half hour later.
Harry and Hermione both hugged Mother as they readied to leave.
"We'll visit again soon to see how you're doing and if you need anything." Harry told them.
"We hope you regain your strength, Father. We'll see you soon." Hermione waved down at them as she and Harry rose into the air and flew back toward the castle as the sun set behind them.
"That went about as well as I could've hoped." Harry said as he wrapped his arm around her waist while they flew.
"He does have a reason to hate humans." Hermione smiled at him. "He's probably in pain and feeling weak as well. I know I hate feeling weak, so his attitude is completely understandable."
"You're so brilliant." Harry rolled under her and wrapped both his arms around her to nuzzle her neck while they flew. He sighed contentedly and kissed her neck. "Thanks for being so understanding, Hermione. It's wonderful to see you getting along with Mother so well. I was actually a bit worried about how Father might react."
She squeezed him as well, and kissed his neck in return. "I should be saying the same to you. My family was far more hostile, and you were still wonderful. Even more now that they're taking some kind of interest in my - our - existence."
"It's also wonderful of you to give them a chance."
"Well. We'll see how it goes. They are fifteen years late. We'll see if they can wrap their heads around me being an adult. I have no compunctions about leaving there at the first sign of condescension."
Harry chuckled quietly as they landed in the Owlery and startled a couple of Hufflepuff firsties who were sending letters out.
"Sorry guys, excuse us." Harry smiled at them as they set gently down on the floor and walked toward the stairs.
The kids just stared at them as they passed.
They set to studying when they got back to their apartment, and actually managed a few hours of it before they both descended into snuggle mode.
The next morning, they walked into the Great Hall hand in hand, as they always did. Neville and Luna already sat at the Slytherin table and were already engaged in conversation with the Slytherin first years, and surprisingly Milicent Bulstrode.
Harry and Hermione sat on the end next to Tiffany, and began to eat a bit of breakfast.
"We are going in to Hogsmeade for the day." Daphne told the firsties, "And no you can't come. If you have any problems or questions, you can ask any prefect from any house for help. It doesn't just have to be Slytherin."
"Good." Moira responded, "Blaise is weird and creepy."
"Yes, yes he is." Milicent agreed.
"This is Slytherin, Moira. Do you know for a fact that Blaise himself is weird and creepy, or are you seeing that he's weird and creepy because that's what he wants you to see?"
Moira opened her mouth, and closed it again. She clearly hadn't thought of that.
"Blaise is the only Slytherin boy in fifth year." Daphne continued, "He didn't want to be a prefect, he just wasn't given a choice. So if you didn't want to do something you were made to do, what would you do to ensure nobody bothered you?"
"That's sneaky!" Tiffany beamed. "I love it!"
"Now, it's perfectly possible that Blasie is in fact weird and creepy, but until you know for sure, you don't know if you're being manipulated, do you?" Daphne asked.
All four eleven-year-old shook their heads.
"Exactly. Slytherins should always know the truth, whether or not they show the truth. Choose carefully who you share the truth with. You might have to meet a lot of people before you come across friends you can trust."
Her charges nodded at her with smiles. "Yes, miss Daphne." Roger added.
Neville leaned over and whispered something to Daphne, who flushed a light pink and bit her lip.
"Alright, we're leaving now. Have a good day everyone." Daphne smiled briefly at the younger students, and strode quickly toward the exit. Neville followed her close behind, so Luna, Harry, and Hermione all went as well. Daphne had Neville pinned to the wall for a quick snog when they caught up.
"Bet she learned that from you." Harry whispered to Hermione. She elbowed him in the ribs, but smiled playfully.
Daphne pulled herself off Neville then and straightened her robes and hair. "I'm thinking Tomes and Scrolls first." She said. She took Neville's hand and pulled him toward the castle entrance with a smug grin on his face.
Hogsmeade was lively, with students who'd never before been allowed to go easily spottable in the crowd. They spent a long time in the bookstore, and Harry and Nevile quietly stole away while the ladies were in the clothing store to discuss and make purchases for Hermione's impending birthday.
It was nearly noon by the time they entered the Three Broomsticks, and Harry saw Sirius sitting at a table for eight with a much younger woman who had bubbegum-pink hair.
"Excuse me miss, is this creepy old man bothering you?" Harry asked the woman - who they assumed was his personal trainer - while he grinned cheekily at Sirius.
"Hah!" Sirius barked a laugh and cast a stinging hex at Harry. "Just like your father, little git!"
Harry laughed and shook Sirius's hand in greeting.
Harry didn't notice, but Hermione definitely noticed the woman noticing Harry.
"Harry, Hermione, Luna, Neville, and miss Greengrass I assume? This is my cousin Dora, who has enthusiastically agreed to kick my flabby behind into shape." Sirius introduced them. Daphne curtsied, as was proper.
"A pleasure to finally meet you all." Dora smiled at them. "Old and creepy here can barely shut up about you, so I feel as though I know you already."
"Nice to meet you Dora." Harry smiled.
"Please, just Tonks. I still throttle my parents over their choice of name."
"Any relation to Lord Tonks?" Luna asked politely.
"My well-throttled father." Tonks replied with a smile. "He still can't believe someone made him a Lord."
"He's one of Daddy's new friends then, you're practially family." Luna smiled. "I'm Luna Lovegood, nice to meet you."
Tonks grinned back at Luna. "Your dad was over for tea last week! It's good to meet you Luna."
A stranger walked up to their table then, and spoke to Sirius with a smile. "Is this a private party, or can anyone join?"
Sirius jumped to his feet with a grin and shook the man's hand enthusiastically. "Everyone, please welcome my best remaining friend Remus. He was a very good friend of your parents as well, Harry."
Harry stood and shook the man's hand as well. He had been one of the people Sirius had suggested when they'd asked him for help distributing titles. "A pleasure to meet you, Remus. Any friend of Sirius's... probably needs therapy."
Tonks roared with laughter. "He DOES know you!" She shoved Sirius's shoulder.
Hermione reached over and gave Harry a swat. "We're in public, behave!" She admonished.
Remus took the remaining empty seat while Harry sat back down next to Hermione and kissed her cheek. "Yes dear." He said with a cheeky grin.
"Besides," Hermione grinned at him and Sirius, "There's no glory in picking on the elderly."
Tonks laughed again, and Remus was hard-pressed to keep the smile from his face. His eyes did dance as he looked on Sirius's growing ire. He also couldn't seem to take his eyes from Tonks, who had a similiar problem.
"Bloody kids." Sirius grumped.
"COLIN!!" She screeched as the first contraction hit. It felt like her insides were both cramping and tearing apart simultaneously. Alis appeared with a CRACK, took one look at her, and popped away again, only to return a few seconds later with her husband.
She'd been consigned to puttering around the house for the last few weeks, knowing the baby could come at any time. It hadn't been anywhere near as much fun as when Colin was home, but she at least recognized that not exerting herself was a good thing. She'd spent the entire time just wanting the baby out of her, but she had not been prepared for the level of pain the contractions caused. Now that the baby was actually coming, she just wanted it to stop.
Colin smoothed her hair back from her brow and smiled at her, even though she could tell he was worried and frantic beneath it. He waved his wand at the wall, and two potion vials zipped into the room seconds later. He handed her the purple one.
"Pain first." He repeated the birthing coach's words, and motioned for her to drink it. She already had the stopper off with it halfway to her mouth when he did. It was bitter in her throat and tasted vaguely of mouldy lavender. She choked it down nonetheless, and kissed the vial when the pain simply evaporated.
"Fucking balls." She sighed. "Even when you know what to expect, Merlin's fucking balls that hurt."
He handed her the elasticity potion, and she quaffed that one as well. It didn't taste horrible. It didn't have much taste at all, really, but she immediately felt... stretchy. It was strange but not entirely unpleasant. She might have to brew a few of those for home use.
Colin gathered her bag and her jacket and took her hand while they walked to the car. He opened the door for her and helped ease her into the seat before he closed the door and got into the driver's seat. They'd made the drive to the hospital monthly for her checkups, so Colin knew the way. Gringott's had even supplied him a driver's license that said he was two years older than he was just so he could drive her to the hospital.
She paused to shake her head again at the stupid ideas she'd had beaten into her as a child. Life was infinitely better with friends and sometimes - like then - she was amazed at how much she hadn't known. At how wrong she had been. At how much joy real friends could bring. The care and concern Colin showed her every day in the smallest of things was worth a million empty, arrogant, arsehole Malfoys and all their undeserved wealth.
Colin parked the car and helped her out of it once they reached the hospital, and carried her bag and jacket for her. She held his hand and waddled toward the magical section of the hospital. The Welcome Witch smiled at them immediately.
"Name?" She asked them.
"Pansy Creevey and husband Colin." She replied. The Witch made some notes.
"Have contractions started?" She asked.
"Yes. I've had the pain and elasticity potions."
"Excellent. Head on up to Maternity, second floor, and your assigned Healer will be with you shortly." She finished typing, and gestured to the elevator.
Healer Oswalt was waiting for them when they stepped off the elevator to the second floor.
"Congratulations dear, your timing is excellent." Healer Oswalt gave her a quick hug then strode away down the hall and stopped in front of a room. "Go on in, I'll bring your birthing potion and get scrubbed while we wait."
The room had a comfortable-looking chair in it, some cabinets, and a stack of clean white cloths and towels on a rack by the far wall. Without a word, Colin handed her the prepared wipe from her bag - though his cheeks did go the cutest shade of pink when he helped her get her underwear off and wipe herself down. He put the prepared towel in the comfy chair, and helped her ease herself down to a sitting position. The elasticity potion made sitting more doable, but it didn't make it more comfortable.
Healer Oswalt returned then and smiled at her. "Knickers off? I'd hate to have to vanish them if they were cute."
"They are." She replied, "Both off and cute." She wouldn't have admitted it if anyone asked, but she was very grateful for Healer Oswalt. She exuded the same kind of quiet confidence that she remembered from her own mother, and Pansy desperately wanted an older witch's company just then. She and Colin knew what to do, knew what to expect - even Hermione, Daphne, and Luna had gone with them to their birthing and parenting classes - but she was still scared.
Healer Oswalt handed her the vial of birthing potion, and she thankfully slugged it down. It was tart and sweet and tasted almost like blueberries. The unexpectedly nice flavour took her entirely by surprise and made her smile.
The Healer closed and sealed the door for privacy, then waved her wand at Pansy. The chair reclined slightly, and lifted her feet off the floor while it split in two up the middle from the floor and lifted her legs out to the sides. She then began to use scouring spells on her hands and arms. As soon as the Healer finished and sat on a stool between her legs, Pansy felt her contractions change. Instead of clench-stop-wait-clench-stop-wait, they became clench-relax-clench, and she had the urge to push.
"I love that expression." The Healer smiled at her. "I never get tired of it. If you need to push just go ahead, dear."
Pansy bit her lip and nodded as she reached out for Colin's hand. He took her hand and smoothed her hair back from her forehead. He knew how much she loved that. After a quick look up at his smiling and worried face, she took a deep breath and pushed. She felt the baby move downward a little, so she did it again. On the seventh push, she felt a great release.
"Yay! There you are!" The Healer grinned widely, and waved her wand around the baby. The umbilical cord vanished, the bellybutton healed, the baby was cleaned head to toe, and began to cry, all within seconds. She swished her wand at the rack on the far wall, and a clean cotton blanket sailed over to wrap around the newborn.
"Congratulations." Healer Oswalt smiled and presented the baby to her. "You have a healthy son."
Pansy took the baby in her arms, and he - her son - quieted and gurgled at her. She held her finger next to his tiny hand, and he wrapped his tiny little fingers around it. They were so tiny, so cute, and perfectly formed. She wasn't aware she was crying until she looked up at Colin and found him blurry.
"Thank you." She told Healer Oswalt. "Thank you so much."
"You're welcome, dear." The Healer smiled back at her. "He'll want feeding before too long." She scoured her hands and arms again, then her robes, and she paused to smile at them again before she left the room.
"You're so amazing." Colin said. His cheeks were wet as well. He leaned down to kiss her forehead, and she felt warmth spread through her chest. It made her sigh, and she spent a long moment just watching the tiny life in her arms. A little life, all on its own. It was as she watched her son stretch his tiny fingers and move his tiny jaw that the penny finally dropped. She hadn't really believed what Colin and his father had taught her about her own upbringing, but as she watched her son - their son - it truly hit her just how wrong everything she'd been taught was.
Colin would never treat their son the way she'd been raised. He would never demand service or sacrifice or usefulness from him. Colin would support and teach and prepare their son to deal with the world. He would love him and cherish him the way she did - and at that moment, their son was her entire world.
Colin took a pair of panties from her bag and used his wand to clean her before he slid them on for her. He cleaned the back of her dress as well while she leaned forward and kissed him. He kissed her back and held his hands out, so she gave the baby to him while she levered herself out of the chair. She nearly fell when she stood - the elasticity potion made her limbs rubbery, and she suddenly had ten pounds missing from her front so her balance was off. Thankfully she was able to reach out and grab Colin's shoulder to steady herself.
He smiled at her and then looked back to their son, and her insides clenched to see them together.
"He's so small, Pans. He's so tiny and so perfect." Colin shed tears down his cheeks, and she felt her own eyes sting again. Colin kissed the baby's forehead - the way he often did to her - and handed him back to her. He put the towel she'd sat on back in their bag, made sure they had everything they'd arrived with, then held the door so she could exit.
When they got to the main lobby of the hospital, several people stood when they exited the elevator. She recognized Colin's father immediately, he was talking to two other older men, but smiled hugely when he saw them. Some of the others began to move toward them, and that's when she recognized Daphne and Luna and Hermione. Everyone crowded around her with warmth and congratulations, and Pansy's heart squeezed just to have them there.
Fenton kissed her forehead with a proud smile and held his arms out. "May I?"
She smiled back and handed the baby to him. He cradled the babe carefully and beamed the whole while.
"Boy or girl?" Hermione asked as she wrapped Pansy in a hug. "Have you decided on a name?"
She looked at Colin, but he was busy fawning over his son. "We decided Muriel if it's a girl, but this," She reached out and stroked her son's face with the back of her finger, "This is Miles. Miles Annisgwyl Creevey."
"He's just beautiful." Luna gushed as she wrapped her in a hug as well.
Harry walked up and wrapped his arms around Hermione while Fenton and the other two men his age made silly faces and goobling noises at Miles. "Congratulations, you two." He smiled at her and Colin.
"Thanks." Colin beamed back.
Everyone wanted a turn to hold Miles, and Pansy felt truly grateful so many people held so much concern for him - for her and Colin as well, for that matter. She hoped she never gave them cause to change.
Harry introduced the other two men with Fenton as his godfather and cousin-in-law, so she felt a bit more relaxed about them fawining over her son knowing they were related to Harry and Hermione. The fact that they were both friends with Fenton went a long way too.
Luna reluctantly gave Miles back to her when she said he still hadn't been fed.
"Sorry, we should get him fed and then I guess get ready for changing a billion diapers." Pansy scrunched up her face at the thought.
They laughed at that, but let them go.
Colin helped her into the car again while she held Miles, and drove very carefully.
"I honestly did not expect anyone to come to the hospital." She said.
"I sort of suspected. I knew Dad would be there, I didn't expect him to bring Mister Black or Mister Tonks. They seem like really nice guys though." Colin replied.
"They do. I'm glad your - that Dad has friends now. He seemed a bit lonely before."
"Me too." He smiled, "He sure smiles more now."
Colin helped her out of the car when they arrived home again, and MIles began to cry just as he closed the car door behind her.
"Shh," She soothed him and bounced him up and down slightly in her arms, "Just another minute and we'll get you fed."
She decided as she fed Miles that they would have to move back to Britain. Australia was wonderful, and she loved their tiny corner of it, but she knew the kind of conditions that existed in Britain, and she found that unacceptable. She didn't know yet what to do, but she knew outrage as she thought of any child being subjected to the neglect and abuse she had endured. They had resources, thanks to Harry and Hermione. They had a voice in the Wizengamot.
"We'll do everything we can." She assured her son, "For you and all the ones who aren't as lucky."
Hermione summoned the sheaf of parchment from one of her impossibly deep pockets, and skimmed it to be sure it was the correct thing before she handed it to Kneescthye.
"We had to work within the existing laws, but that is just a stopgap measure until we can get the laws changed enough to be fair." She said as the Goblin took the offered document.
"Ideally we're aiming for Autonomy, of course." Harry added. "We've already looked into creating shields and concealment to go around the entire city, and it looks to be feasible. As the landlords, we will be taking care of that, as it is necessary to have the rest of the proposal be possible."
Kneescythe skimmed the first half of the first page as he sorted through the legal jargon and definitions, then his ears stood straight up as his eyes flashed through the rest of the page. He jerked the first page off the second, and saw that the rest of the document was details - terms, clauses, that sort of thing.
"I..." Kneescythe's mouth worked, but he couldn't seem to find words. He also seemed close to hyperventilation. "You are serious?"
"Very much so." Hermione answered, "If were weren't, we wouldn't have taken the time to do the necessary research, nor write the required legal documentation."
"The research alone took five months. Writing that document took another few weeks." Harry smiled. "We wanted to be sure everything was correct so there are no obstacles. I even started work on the Ward crystals already. Got me an Outstanding Plus on my Runes O.W.L. last year."
"Still annoyed you beat me on that." Hermione grumped.
"And Defense. You beat me in everything else though." He reminded her.
"Hmph." She crossed her arms.
"Are you trying to establish Territory over your own Mate?" Harry looked at her with rasied eyebrows.
She frowned. "But..." She pursed her lips, then opened her mouth to say something, but closed it again instead and pursed her lips slightly. "No." She sighed.
Harry took her hand in his and put his other hand on top of it. "I'm the only one allowed to beat you at things. I love your sense of competition, but it's me, love. If I wasn't able to beat you in some things, we wouldn't be equals."
She took a deep breath and blew it out her nose as she relaxed. "I suppose you have a point."
Kneescythe skimmed page after page of the legal document while they gently argued, and when their attentions turned back to him, he stood and bowed from the waist. "I will be happy to serve as Liaison, but something of this magnitude needs to be brought to other attentions. Please excuse me for a moment. I am certain that others will wish to speak with you concerning this matter, forgive the delay." He stayed bent in half while he waited for their response.
"Nonsense, Kneescythe. Of course do what you must, we'll wait." Hermione answered.
"Sorry to hijack your afternoon." Harry grinned.
"You are most gracious, thank you." Kneescythe straightened and grabbed his battleaxe from its mount on the wall, then rushed from the room.
Hermione sighed when the door closed behind Kneescythe. "I just love how polite Goblins are."
"Well... provided you're polite." Harry reminded her, "Fudge's undersecretary not so much."
Hermione laughed. "I doubt we'll ever see Spinehook look quite so happy again."
"I'm just sad we weren't there to see it first hand." Harry pouted.
"You know where she is, you could visit any time."
"Pff." Harry scoffed. "And waste time I could spend with you? Why would I ever?"
Hermione smiled at him for a moment before she reached out and stroked his cheek. "I love you too."
Harry smiled back at her and kissed her palm. "So looking forward to getting away again next week. I've enjoyed this year despite remaining at Hogwarts, but time alone with you fishing and surfing and swimming and flying..."
"And cuddling."
"And cuddling." He agreed.
"I can't wait either." Hermione sighed happily.
The door opened again and Kneescythe entered the room, followed by two Goblins they'd never met before. One of them had to be the biggest Goblin they'd ever seen, hard with wiry muscle but fluid and relaxed at the same time. Harry caught sight of a squad of fully armed and armored guards in the hall as Kneescythe closed the door.
"Lord and Lady Potter, it is my privilege to introduce Ragnok, WarMaster of the Goblin Nation and Gringott's OverChair. WarMaster Ragnok, it is my pleasure to introduce Lord and Lady Potter." Kneescythe bowed again.
Harry and Hermione both stood and bowed as Kneescythe did, then straightened again. "An unexpected pleasure to meet you, Your Majesty." Harry said.
"Your Majesty." Hermione greeted him as well.
King Ragnok inclined his head. "A pleasure to finally meet you as well, Lord and Lady Potter. I am gratified that Kneescythe did not exaggerate in his reports. This," He gestured toward the other newcomer, "is Executive Chancellor Irgnuk. I only have one question for you - Why? Why do this?"
"The answer to that question has many facets," Harry began, "the largest of which is Honour and Fairness. The Goblin Nation has been unfairly treated for centuries, as has the Centaur Nation and the House Elves."
"We know we can't by ourselves cure the injustices of the past, but every People should have some place to call Home. It is our hope that this space will begin a sort of magical city where any species of magical being could feel welcome." Hermione continued.
"We... came into possession of a large portion of unused land, and I happen to know that the former owner of that land despised other magical beings. He fervently believed that Wizards and Wizards alone should have dominion over all. Hermione and I find a... fitting symmetry... in repurposing the land so." Harry took over again.
"We intend to - initially - lease different sections of the land to different magical Peoples, and we hope to build a city in the center where they can all congragate and do business, relax and share goods and information." Hermione finished.
Ragnok nodded through their explanation. "And the real reason, without the diplomatic dragonshit?"
Harry and Hermione both laughed. "Sorry, we've spent the last year studying the Wizengamot in preparation. We want to make a space where everyone can be equal and welcome, and stick it to the pureblood arseholes at the same time." Hermione answered.
"We couldn't think of a better way to stick it to the wannabe dark lord and all his idiot ancestors." Harry grinned.
Ragnok laughed at that, and held his hand out to shake, and they both did. "Brilliant." Ragnok said with pressed lips and lifted ears. "You don't disappoint. Thank you, Lord and Lady Potter, on behalf of the Goblin Nation. I will leave Executive Chancellor Irgnuk with you to hammer out the details." He gave Harry and Hermione a slight bow, and left the room to troop back down the hall surrounded by guards.
As soon as he was gone, Executive Chancellor Irgnuk bowed deeply to them, so deeply his ear tufts brushed the floor. "You cannot imagine what this means to goblinkind, Lord and Lady Potter. I thank you, from the deepest depths of our collective hearts."
"It is our pleasure, Excecutive Chancellor." Hermione replied.
"It's a tragedy that no-one has done so before now. We're serious about the honour and fairness as well though, none of the sentient magical species have received decent, respectful treatment from humans." Harry added.
Irgnuk straightened up again, and clicked his fingers. A map of Hangleton valley appeared on Kneescythe's desk, along with quills and coloured inks. "Please," He said, "Share your vision with us and we will do our utmost to see it become reality."
Harry and Hermione smiled at each other, and turned to the map.
"Please correct us if we're wrong, but we figured the werewolves might be best suited to this area here that's still covered by forest..." Harry began, "And Centaurs to these fields and hills here..."
"Do you, Stubenhocker Odwin Boardman take this woman Petunia Evans to be your wife, to live in the happy state of matrimony, forsaking all others, until death do you part?" The minister intoned, and Petunia felt giddy to hear it.
Her fiance turned to look at her, and she at him. He gave her the same quiet, humble smile he'd shown her the first day they'd met a year ago at the Royal Pavillion fundraiser. "I do." His voice said. His eyes said 'I Love You'.
Petunia hadn't ever heard those words from a man before - not one who meant it, at any rate. Not since she was a tiny girl, being tucked into bed by her father and that wasn't the same, really.
"Do you, Petunia Evans take this man Stubenhocker Odwin Boardman to be your husband, to live in the happy state of matrimony, forsaking all others, until death do you part?" The minister intoned.
"I do." She replied immediately. She had longed for a husband for years, if only for the stability and respectability being married carried, but she found as she said the words and committed the remainder of her life to her new husband that she didn't care about any of that anymore. He had shown her what real love was, and she loved him with every atom of her being. All she wanted was him.
"I now pronounce you man and wife." The minister decreed. "Congratulations."
Her husband lifted the veil from her face and smiled at her. "Meine Liebesblume." He rumbled softly as he leaned in to kiss her. His beard made tingles race across her skin when kissed her, and she loved it.
"Meine Liebestubble." She smiled back and cupped his cheek for a moment before he took her hand and they walked toward the doors of the quaint little church. The pews were empty on both sides, neither of them had any friends or family - at least none they liked enough to invite to their wedding. That was just fine with her, and he hadn't expressed any unhappiness with it either.
They walked out of the church into the bright, sunny day, and down the steps to the waiting car. He held the door open for her, and closed it when she was inside, then nipped around and settled himself into the driver's seat.
"Quick stop at home to change and pick up suitcases, then just the two of us all month long." He squeezed her hand before he started the car.
"I can't wait, love. Can't wait to watch the fish under us and join them for a morning swim, all from our own hut. I can't wait to watch you surf from a lounge on the beach."
"Nonsense, you'll come too. I'll teach you. You'll love surfing, Petunia. You can feel the whole ocean pushing you. It's brilliant. Besides, you don't want to go to the Seychelles and not surf. Think of the stories we'll be able to tell our little ones."
That sent a shock through her. It was the first time he'd mentioned children. She hadn't wanted to bring it up in case he didn't want any - she had resigned herself to it. It was enough just to have him in her life.
"You want children?" She asked as they pulled away from the curb.
He nodded. "I love kids. I never held out any hope I might have any of my own. Being a musician doesn't lend itself to long relationships, it wasn't until I wanted to stop being a musician that I thought maybe I had a chance. Is that... Do you want... kids?"
Truthfully she'd thought about it since they day they met. Dudley's loss had broken her, but she still felt a tiny flame of desire to hold a baby, to cradle a new life again. She thought that might go a long way toward healing. There was no way his children could turn out the way Dudley had, and she wouldn't spoil them either. She had learned harsh lessons.
"I do." She hadn't meant to say it just yet, but there it was.
Lord Sylvus Orelius Greengrass sat at the breakfast table and crossed one leg over the other as he lifted the paper from the table. The Prophet was worthless as a source of intformation, filled with circumstance, innuendo and outright lies, but it did serve to pique his interest in subjects that he habitually then researched on his own. The front page usually carried some libelous nonsense about some celebrity. It had briefly been all about the destruction of Voldemort last year, and the end of his reign of terror. He had been thankful Daphne hadn't been involved in any way. He opened the paper to see what sort of nonsense it held, but instead it showed him an altogether different headline.
KRUM SETS UNBEATABLE SPEED RECORD! SPAIN DESTROYED 150 - 0
The Quidditch world was left stunned yesterday in the aftermath of the shortest Quidditch match in recorded history. In interview, Spanish Keeper Rafaso Villa De Ramon describes the match like this: "I'm ready, pumped up for the game, I practice a few lateral bursts, and Krum shoots like an arrow across the pitch! Never have I seen anything move so fast! Then he is holding up his fist with the snitch in it, and I think Rafaso, why did you even get out of bed?"
Viktor Krum, on a sport-standard Firebolt, crossed the entire pitch and caught the snitch in just under twenty-seven seconds. You read that correctly. Twenty-seven seconds. After conferring with officials, this reporter discovered that the previous speed record, set by Grady Higginbotham in nineteen-nought-Four, stood at one minute twenty.
Is this a new era of broom magic? Was it just luck? Or is Viktor Krum just that good ? The answer might surprise you, in interview Viktor had this to say about his new record: "I...
Continued on page 6.
For more about Quidditch records, see page 18.
He quickly flipped to page 6, and picked up the article halfway down the page.
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
Krum had this to say about his new record: "I look forvard to beating my new record. I get very lucky these time."
When asked about his new speed capability, Krum smiled demurely. "I get flying lessons from my good friends. They not play Kvidditch because they too khonourable. Say it not be fair if they play. They are right. Even just vat they teach me make me so much faster. House of Krum is proud to be friends vit them. I salute you good friends!"
When asked who his friends were, Viktor shook his head and refused to name them. "Good friends value privacy. I vill never say, I respect their vishes."
Mister Krum had his interview cut short as his teammates all caught up to him and hoisted him into the air and carried him away. They all seemed quite happy with Mister Krum's -
He stopped reading and set the paper down. He wasn't so invested in the sport that he cared to read about the players, but the simple fact that Krum had set such a ridiculous record and then attributed the success to lessons from friends set his mind abuzz with questions. Who were his friends who valued their privacy? What did Krum learn from them that let him go faster than he already was?
On the surface, it was an irrelevant sporting issue. He didn't care a single fig for which Quidditch team won - except where possible betting might be concerned. The ability to fly faster than anyone else went far beyond sport, however. His own less legal endeavours relied heavily on broomflight to carry cargo from remote areas, as portkeys were very detectable and their paths very traceable.
He made a mental note to research Krum and his friends, and turned his attention to breakfast. He took a deep breath in through his nose and let it out again as he did. He was not looking forward to meeting The Boy again later in the day. Heir Longbottom was a good catch - far better than he'd anticipated Daphne being able to attract. Daphne was a beautiful girl, but he wasn't under any illusions as to just how enticing it would be to be entangled with House Greengrass. Besides, Sylvus didn't actually like Heir Longbottom. He had too much spine. He was the girl's father, Longbottom should be quaking in his boots to stand in front of him. The Boy was not intimidated by him at all, and that made him... irritated. Unfulfilled. Dissatisfied. More importantly, it also meant he would be harder to bully into additional concessions. He would have to appeal to The Boy's emotions other than fear, and that was less predictable.
Daphne took her seat at the table then. "Good morning, father." She said blandly as she inclined her head toward him and picked up her cutlery.
"Good morning." He replied. Even Daphne left him with an irritated feeling these days. He couldn't read her anymore, had no idea what went through her head. It was almost enough to make him regret pushing her into Occlumency so young. Daphne hadn't taken to it like Astoria had, but Daphne was his Heir and she needed it more, despite her talent for it being far less than her sister's.
"Is Astoria not eating this morning?" He asked.
Daphne chewed and swallowed before she answered, as was proper. "No father, she is in her room adding Amortentia to her perfume in an effort to steal my Neville away."
That made him chuckle, despite himself. "Her ambitions clearly need to be tempered with discretion. You don't seem affected by her aims." He knew with the stage of Occlumency that Daphne was at nothing would show through unless she were grieving or being tortured, but a little social shove might get her to betray some sense of what was going on in her head.
"I am not. She makes the same mistake that most do, and her ambitions will come to nought because of it." Daphne daintily dabbed the corners of her mouth with her serviette, as was proper.
"What mistake might that be, dear daughter?"
She stopped eating and turned to face him. Her Occlumentic blank-faced mask remained in place, but her eyes blazed through it. She had been downplaying herself, clever girl. She was much farther along in Occlumency than she let on. The glare she pierced him with made it abundantly clear that she counted him among the fools making the mistake she alluded to.
"Thinking that my Neville is just another Wizard." She replied. Her voice didn't change at all, but she somehow managed to convey a deep disdain nonetheless.
"I'm surprised you feel so strongly about him." He kept any actual emotion from his voice, intrigued by the notion of her faith in Longbottom.
"Oh father." Daphne tsked. "You should know better than anyone my feelings are irrelevant. You will see when he arrives today."
Hm. Perhaps she did know something he didn't. The Longbottoms were horrendously difficult to research. They had always been very circumspect with regard to what they showed the world. Perhaps Daphne was in deep enough with them to know. It would be interesting to see.
"Very well then, when will he arrive?" He sipped his tea as he surreptitiously watched Daphne return to her meal as well.
"His letter said precisely at ten. When your negotiations are completed we're going to lunch and then to Paris to meet friends."
"They must be good friends. International portkeys are..." He trailed off as he saw the scorn in her eyes. As though he'd been anticipated and was not proving interesting. That itself was interesting. Had she surpassed him then? He found himself looking forward to her Neville's visit after all.
Daphne retired to her room after breakfast and left him to stew in his curiosity. Astoria finished her preparations sometime later, and Quibly informed him that she had taken Astoria some food to eat in her room.
Daphne returned downstairs at five minutes to ten, and proceeded out into the garden, to the edge of the Wards rather than to the Apparation point.
For some odd reason, she looked northwest, into the sky.
Curious, he climbed the stairs to his second-floor study, as the large window faced north. He closed the study door behind him and turned his attention to the window, and there was something there, in the air northwest of the manor. He let his wand fall into his hand.
"Visus Aquila." He whispered, and the steadily growing speck in the sky grew ten times closer instantly. It resolved itself into a person. He'd assumed it was The Boy, just from Daphne's actions, and he was correct. However, two things caught his attention about The Boy's arrival. First, he was moving incredibly fast - faster than should be possible.
Second, he wasn't on a broom.
Sod Krum and his broom skills! Sylvus's mind went directly to what could be accomplished without the need for one. He had to get the boy under his thumb somehow.
He watched The Boy stop just outside the Wards and set down on his feet gently, as though he had simply descended a set of stairs. Daphne greeted him with a curtsey, and he kissed her hand before she led him toward the house. At least they knew better than to be overly familiar in public. He knew that Daphne hadn't soiled herself with him yet, or the magic of the courting agreement would have torn the agreement asunder. As it was still intact, so too was she. It spoke more about Longbottom's integrity than Daphne's, however, and that was the only reason Longbottom had arrived at all. If he'd been some smooth little shit just looking to get into Daphne's underclothes it would not have gone well. He certainly wouldn't be signing any betrothal.
Longbottom had proven his restraint, and had thus proven himself above the rest. Was he worthy of Daphne? Of course not. Nobody was.
Sadly, Sylvus knew that giving her away would happen whether he wanted it or not, so it was only sense to find her the most lucretive match possible. Compared to the other candidates - Nott, Malfoy, Warrenton and the rest - not only was Longbottom head and shoulders above, he was also still breathing. Tiny details like being alive mattered. Besides, The Boy's grandmother was Chief Warlock. Both his parents were formidable Wizengamot members. They not only had wealth, but power as well. Longbottom was definitely the best match - even moreso now that Sylvus had seen him do the impossible. He'd looked into securing the Potter boy after his re-emergence last year, only to discover that he'd been MacFusty all along and had already rejected Daphne's betrothal offer. Not only that, Potter had been married by magic itself not long after so that had been a dead end and a bloody shame.
No, Longbottom was the best of what remained, no matter how much he wanted to hex the boy.
Quibly appeared next to him with a CRACK. "Master, Heir Longbottom bes arrived."
"Yes, I shall be down shortly." He replied.
Quibly Disapparated with a pop to relay the message.
He took several deep breaths and invoked his own Occlumency as he exited his study and made his way back downstairs. The Boy stood a respectful distance from Daphne in the main floor guest lounge while they waited for him to arrive. Another point in Longbottom's favour.
The sound of heels on the stone floor behind him made him pause just inside the lounge and turn to watch his second daughter make her entrance. Astoria had indeed spent the greater portion of the morning on her appearance - not a hair was out of place, save what was artfully left out of her braid to frame her face. Her makeup, while a trifle overdone, at least made the attempt at subtlety. She wore her favourite dress, and heels that made her taller while complementing the dress. She would be another beautiful woman in a few short years. Her entrance reminded him it was time to start worrying about her betrothal and not focus so much on Daphne's. It would be interesting to see Daphne's reaction, considering there was a very real chance Astoria could ensnare Longbottom. Amortentia was incredibly potent, whole Houses had fallen to its influence.
Astoria ignored him as she strode past, directly up to Longbottom.
"Good morning, Heir Longbottom." She said with a coquettish smile, "Welcome to Greengrass Manor, it is lovely to see you here again."
Longbottom smiled in return and bent to kiss her knuckles. When he straightened, he deliberately took a deep breath in through his nose.
"Ahh." Longbottom sighed, "I love the smell of Amortentia. Thank you for that Astoria, it's very kind of you. It's nice to see you again as well."
Sylvus raised an eyebrow even though he tried not to. Clearly Astoria had brewed her potion correctly or it would not have smelled good to the boy in the first place. That meant he could simply ignore its effects, and that was... impressive.
Longbottom looked to him then. "If you don't mind sir, we should get started."
He had to stifle a scowl at that and maintained a carefully neutral face. LIttle bastard probably couldn't wait to get under Daphne's dress. Well, as long as he paid in full for the goods, he was entitled - even if he was unworthy. Still, he was a damn sight better than any Nott or Rowle or Malfoy.
"Wait outside, girls." He commanded. Daphne nodded and made her way out of the lounge. Astoria had her Occlumency mask in place, but he could tell she was crestfallen nonetheless. Her plans had flopped, her weapon was useless, and she would not get what she wanted. He hoped she remembered the lesson, it would serve her well in the future. Always make contingencies.
When Astoria finally closed the lounge door behind her, he turned to Longbottom and pulled his wand to summon the betrothal contract from where it lay on the sidetable. He set it down on the coffeetable in front of Longbottom. It was the fourth version of the contract, after they had each completed the preliminary adjustments. The first counteroffer contract Longbottom had presented had been fair, he had to admit. His counter to it had been ridiculously exorbitant - but to his credit Longbottom had rejected it immediately and suggested a slight increase over his initial offer. On the whole so far, the boy's business acumen had proven... adequate.
The Boy picked up the contract and read through at speed, noting only the additional clauses and stipulations added since the previous version.
"The additional per annum is unacceptable." Longbottom said. He pulled his wand and changed the figure to be fifty galleons more than had been there the last time they met. It was a reasonable compromise.
"Come now, I thought you loved my daughter? Is she not worth a few hundred paltry galleons?" He asked, "Would you not sacrifice for her? Is she not worth it?"
Rather than the conflicted, confused expression he'd expected, however, Longbottom smiled a little smile and shook his head. "I do love her, in fact. More every day. However, this is business, not love." Longbottom pointed to the parchment. "You'll not wring extra concessions from me by appealing to my emotions, Lord Greengrass. Nice try, though. I'm not so naive as I look."
He hid a smile behind his Occlumency. Perhaps he wasn't, at that. Good. At least Daphne wouldn't end up destitute or used as collateral to pay a debt. She had tried to hide it the day Longbottom arrived to ask to court her, but he could tell she'd been excited. He began to see why.
"Very well." He said sourly, and summoned a quill to hand to the boy. He took it and signed the contract, then handed the quill to him. He took it and looked at the boy for a moment pointedly, 'You'd Better Not Fuck This Up' written on his face.
Finally, he relented and signed his firstborn daughter away. He knew that she not only approved of the match but desired it, and that put his mind at ease despite the lingering trepidation. He expected Longbottom to grab the signed document and run, but instead he grinned and stuck out his hand. He waited a moment before he obligingly shook it.
"Lovely doing business with you, Lord Greengrass." The boy said. He bent to roll up the contract, then duplicated it with a tap of his wand and took a trunk out of his pocket. He tapped the trunk to make it enlarge, stowed his copy of the contract in it, then re-shrunk it and put it back in his pocket. "If there's nothing else sir, I'll see myself out."
"By all means, Heir Longbottom." He replied.
"Have a lovely day, Lord Greengrass." The boy - soon to be Son-In-Law - inclined his head toward him before he left the lounge.
He turned to watch as the boy left, and saw Daphne take his hand as they both exited out the front door. They walked hand in hand for a few steps, then rose into the air and passed beyond the frame of the window. It was something of a surprise to find himself saddened by Daphne's departure. With the betrothal signed and Daphne's seventeeth birthday a scant three months hence, he knew it was likely the last time she would call the manor home. He drew a deep breath and sighed at his own sentimentality. He was not yet out of problems to deal with however, and forcibly turned his mind toward the next one - what to do about Astoria.
Fulfilled. That was the word. Petunia felt fulfilled.
It was all Stubby's fault, naturally. He lusted after her, made her feel vivacious and sexy, and showed her repeatedly - on a nearly daily basis - that she made him feel the same. Even with the twins needing constant care, he showed what brilliant hunk of man he was by caring for their children with the sweetest gentleness, and then ravishing her like a naughty vixen while the girls slept. She was convinced that she lived the life she should have always lived. He made her smile with her whole being.
She reached her hand across the table and held his while he read the newspaper. Vernon would have grumbled about bothering him and taken his hand away, but Stubby, her Liebenstubble, paused for a moment to smile at her and sigh contentedly before he continued his read. She smiled back at him for a long moment before she got up to clear the dishes away. Elnora and Elspeth happily babbled away to each other from their playpen in the lounge, never out of their mother's gaze.
"Mama!" One of the twins called, followed by a high-pitched giggle.
Stubby immediately put the paper down and went to stand in the archway to the lounge. Petunia put the dishes on the counter and wrapped her arm around his waist as she stood next to him.
"I heard that plain as day." He said with an awed whisper. "Brilliant."
Something niggled the back of Petunia's mind as she watched her daughters and caused an undercurrent of dread through the otherwise perfect morning. They stood there watching them play, content and happy... until Elnora sneezed.
She scrunched her little face up, but instead of a cute little kerchoo!, there was a CRACK-pop and Elnora was suddenly on the back of the sofa ten feet from where she had been.
Stubby went rigid in her arms as Petunia's happy dream ended and her life crumbled to ruin and shame.
"Did you see that?!" Stubby demanded with a gleeful shout.
"It's my fault." Petunia whispered. "I'm cursed. I'm so sorry, Stubby. I'll understand if you leave."
"Your fault?" Stubby looked at her. "Whatever can you mean?"
"It's magic." She explained with a pained sigh, "My sister had it - a lot of it, from what was said about her - I never told you about her because I was hoping that it was only Lily. I didn't know it was in me as well. I'm so sorry. After she went off to that school and married that Potter boy and got herself murdered by that maniac, I thought it was over, that I was done with magic. I never thought... And now it's in my babies, Stubby. My babies!" She couldn't help it. The horrible guilt that had eaten away at her so long ago, that had finally abated surged up in her and forced tears from her eyes. "It's my fault. I'm so sorry."
Stubby's eyes went wide. "You... your sister married Potter? And got murdered?"
She nodded while she bit her lip.
"Hah!" Stubby coughed up a single laugh. "I must be the luckiest wizard in history."
Petunia stared at him. "You what?"
"Well, now we know the girls are magical, I'm allowed by law to tell you all about it, so I was trying to figure out how, but I don't have to! You're already magical Royalty!" He laughed again. "This is wonderful, Petunia! Just marvellous!"
He crushed her to him in a loving hug, then crossed the room to pluck Elnora from the back of the sofa and hold her in his arms. "I can't wait to show you - no, you've probably already been to Diagon, what am I saying? Magical Paris though, we should go there. And Geneva. Magical Geneva is just beautiful in the summer."
"You already knew? You're one of them?!"
"Them?" Stubby frowned. "What do you mean them?" He placed Elnora back in her playpen.
"...Magicals." She had intended to say Freaks, but she couldn't bring herself to do it, not while she looked into his big baby blue eyes.
"I guess from your tone and expression you aren't happy. Why? Why are you not over the moon, love?" His eyes grew more pained and disappointed while she looked at them, and that put a knife in her chest.
Because she hated Lily, that's why. With her beautiful face and her beautiful hair and her strong confidence and her oh-so-precious magic. In a flash of unprecedented self-honesty, she realized it was because she had desperately longed for her own magic since she learned of it. How could she not?
Lily was dead. Why did she still hate her?
Petunia looked at her babies, her precious girls as they played with their big colourful blocks. Did she hate her own babies then?
She looked back into Stubby's eyes as he watched her, and her pain, her longing, her confusion overwhelmed her and forced more tears down her cheeks.
"I don't know." She said as she hugged him to her, but she knew that was a lie. Magic frightened her. It frightened her when Lily had shown it to her, and made her hateful with envy. Vernon had hated it as well, though she recognized now that Vernon was just in his nature a hateful thing. She didn't want to be free of Stubby the way she did Vernon.
Stubby wrapped his arms around her and held her close while he rocked side to side gently. "I could not tell you why I left that world until now, it's forbidden by law. I left the magical world behind because I was frightened, Petunia. A dark wizard had risen up against the government, and the things that were happening were too big, too powerful, too much for just a simple boy like me. I ran away from that world and hid."
He'd run away? She took her head from his chest and wiped her eyes. "You were afraid?"
He nodded. "I understand all too well how scary magic can be, love. It can be wonderful too, though." He looked at their children. "I had forgotten just how wonderful it could be. Thanks to your nephew, we don't have to be afraid anymore. We can raise our girls in peace and love, without fearing for their lives and ours."
She sniffed. "What do you mean thanks to my nephew?"
"Your sister was Lily Potter, ya? Married James Potter?"
She nodded.
"Their son Harry - who everyone thought was dead for years and years - killed the dark wizard and everyone who stood with him. He and his wife received the highest honour the magical government can give for it, too. They and their friends have changed the magical government itself. I wasn't kidding when I said you were Royalty, Liebesblume. Your Nephew and his wife are the closest thing to a King and Queen magical Britain has had since the time of Merlin."
"I... I remember he had messy black hair and green eyes. Lily's eyes. I thought he had died as well." She didn't add that she'd thought good riddance at the time. She suddenly felt somewhat guilty for that. He had been a defenseless babe, after all. What if someone thought good riddance about Elspeth or Elnora?
"He still does." Stubby said. "Tall like his father, too. I met his father once at a gig. Seemed a decent chap."
"I don't remember how he was, honestly. I'm ashamed to admit I hated Lily because she had magic and I didn't. I never bothered to try to know either of them really. Lily and I drifted apart before I was twelve."
"How... do you feel about magic now?" He asked quietly, clearly afraid of her answer.
"I don't know, Stubs. I honestly don't. Part of me is afraid and part of me confused and in despair that my wonderful normal life has vanished. I don't want to be without you or the girls, I really don't."
"You don't have any experience with magic then. Not really." He said gently.
She shook her head.
"I don't want to be without you or the girls either, Liebschen, but for their sake I will have to teach them how to control their magic. I can take them to the garden or off to a private park or something if it bothers you."
She just bit her lip, unable to clear her confusion enough to form an opinion.
He kissed her forehead. "How about this. It's nearly naptime for the princesses, how be I go put them down while you get yourself a cuppa and when I come sit with you, I'll show you something. Something small and sweet, to give you a reason to not hate it anymore."
She trembled all over, but she nodded even though it felt like she were being ripped in half by her own heart.
"Okay then. Go pour yourself some tea and I'll be back in a moment." He smiled at her, and that put some warmth in her.
She went into the kitchen and put the kettle on, making tea by rote and then sat at the breakfast nook with her steaming tea in front of her while lost in thought. She would have to either get past her fear and hatred or lose her Stubs and her babies. At that moment she sat while the two equal forces waged war inside her.
She would never be free of magic. Even though it denied her, snubbed her cruelly, she was surrounded by it, her life saturated with it.
That was when she realized that through all her hatred of magic when she was younger, maybe Magic hated her right back.
Harry quickly held his wand to his throat. "Sonorus."
The excitement and happy conversations had turned instantly to fear and screaming when Mother and Father circled overhead to scout a good spot to land.
"Everyone relax please, you're in no danger!" His voice cut through the din and halted most of the fleeing students. "I invited them, they're here to see us graduate, just like your parents!"
The two sleek, black and deadly predators landed softly in the grass twenty meters off and walked with sinuous grace to a spot next to the front section of chairs where they'd have a good view of the stage.
Harry and Hermione walked to them and hugged each of the dragons while the dragons hugged them in return. Luna was the first of the crowd to approach, she practically ran toward them, and only stopped when she was next to Harry.
"Hello!" She grinned, "It's a great pleasure to finally meet you!" Luna said happily as she bowed.
"Mother, Father, this is Luna, she was my very first friend here at school. We think of her as family."
Neville and Daphne arrived as well and stood next to Luna as they both bowed.
"I thank you, Light-in-Darkness, for caring for my Young and his Mate." Mother said. Luna heard the dragon-speech, heard Mother growl and hiss, but she also heard what she said in English.
"It is a joy and a privilege, Mother." Luna grinned back. "Welcome to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry."
While Neville and Daphne made their introductions, she quickly turned to Hermione. "How is it I can hear her in English?" She whispered.
"The ring just there, around that small spike by her left ear. Harry made her a translator as his Runes N.E.W.T. project. Father has one too, it's a matching set." Hermione replied. "Took them about a week to stop grimacing every time they heard English." She grinned.
"Remind me to demand he make me one." Luna smiled impishly. "That explains his N.E.W.T. scores."
"I hate that he beat me by one mark, but I'm proud of him too. Don't tell him I said that." Hermione mock-frowned.
Luna grinned and hugged her.
Daphne breathed heavily and trembled when she and Neville retook their seats, and Neville's eyes were a trifle wider than they'd been. The rest of the students and faculty slowly trickled back to their seats as it became clear there was no imminent danger.
Harry and Hermione hugged Mother and Father once more, then retook their seats as well.
It was with no small amount of trepidation that Headmistress McGonagall strode onto the stage and behind the podium. After she didn't get burned or eaten for nearly a minute, the other professors joined her. When everyone was in place and the graduates back in their seats, she cast the voice carrying charm on herself, and nodded her head at Mother and Father.
"Well," She said, "I daresay that explains quite a lot about you, Potter." She fixed him with a slightly brow-raised stare while Harry and the rest of the professors laughed. She turned to address the crowd then, with a nod of welcome to Mother and Father. "Welcome, family and friends of our graduating class. You've all worked and studied hard, and you've achieved what I'd wager many of you thought would never come."
There was some scattered chuckling.
"Take pride in your success, you've earned it!" She said, "And now, with your Diplomas and final marks, I hand the proceedings over to your Heads of House." Some light applause followed her as she took her seat. Mrs. Alexander took the podium first, probably because she had the fewest students who had lived to graduate that year.
She called them by their names, and each Slytherin graduate gleefully - whether they showed it or not - took their pre-shrunk packages and shook her hand. Harry had to admit he quite liked Mrs. Alexander. She was stern, but she always had advice to give with pleasant manner regardless of the topic. She encouraged students to think before they spoke, rather than insulting them for stupid questions as her predecessor had done.
Professor Sprout and the Hufflepuffs went next, followed by Professor Hawthorne and the Gryffindors. Harry and Hermione went up together since they had the same last name, and held hands the whole time - though that was mostly to keep Hermione from attacking the Professor and finding out what her marks were before he had a chance to hand them to her. Professor Flitwick and the Ravenclaws were last, but they had the most students graduating.
Headmistress McGonagall stepped up to the podium again when Professor Flitwick was finished.
"Just one more thing before the refreshments are served," She restrained a smile. "It's customary for a few words from your Head Boy and Girl."
Harry gave Hermione a quick grin and stood up to follow her to the stage. She paused to look out over their fellow students as Hermione took the podium, and couldn't help but smile at Sirius, Remus, Tonks, all four MacFustys, and her parents, who all sat as close as they could in the crowd.
Harry hit her with a silent voice-carry charm before she began to speak.
"It's hard," She started, then smiled at Harry after realizing what he'd done, "It's hard to graduate. We know this place, it's comfortable. We all know where we fit in and we all have friends to make it more comfortable. Today is our last day being the big fish in the little pond, and tomorrow we have to try to adapt all over again, to try to carve a new place for ourselves in a much bigger, much less friendly ocean. Some of us -" She pointed at Luna and Daphne with a quick smile, "Are looking forward to it with enthusiasm and determination, but even if you aren't, take heart. We're all going with you, and we're all going to have the same challenges and pains. We need to embrace the change and strive to make our world a brighter, happier, more welcoming place. Those who come after you will look to you for guidance, just as you will look to others in the coming months. Remember to be kind to the new people, and if you need help planning revenge on those who aren't remembering to be kind, give me a call."
Hermione's parents started clapping first, followed closely by the MacFustys and Sirius and Remus. Tonks preferred to hoot embarrassingly.
Hermione smiled and waved at them all as she stood aside so Harry could speak.
"Alright, calm down. Bunch of hooligans." Harry grinned at them. "I only have one small thing to add. No matter what it might seem like, no matter how it feels today, this doesn't have to be an ending. Our scope will change over the coming years, but friends don't just stop being friends. I personally plan on keeping my friends just as sick of my face as they are now." He stuck his tongue out at Neville.
"Got that right!" Neville shouted back. Laughter rang from the crowd.
Harry smiled out over everyone. "Enjoy making new friends and having new experiences so you can share them with the friends you already have, and we'll see you around." He took Hermione's hand again, and they both gave a little bow while the crowd clapped and cheered again. Tonks was still very noticeable.
Harry wrapped an arm around Hermione while they stood on the stage and looked out over their friends and family. "This is going to make some great pictures." He said with a smile.
Hermione wrapped her arm around him just as he did to her, and couldn't agree more.
The End.