FicWad

FIXED! Ok, so apparently there's a character limit to the chapters on this site (an asumption), because splitting the chapter in half solved the problem. I'm a little put out, because the chapter numbers are significant, but oh well, such is life.


A/N: Hello again, and welcome to chapter 12. Bit of a lengthy author's note here, mostly just responses to some of the reviews left. Only a few people commented on whether or not they cared if I responded in the actual chapter text, but I got a couple negativos so here's a compromise; instead of responding to reviews individually, I'm just going to respond to them as a whole, and I'm putting it right at the top of the chapter, so there's no scrollbar trickery about when the chapter actually ends. Future responses like this I expect to be much shorter, this is the last huge rant I promise, unless some serious explanations are required.

So, first a couple of points on Amortentia. Amortentia apparently has the properties of smelling simultaneously like one's 3 favorite smells. There is no inherent relation to attraction, so regardless of whether Harry is being dosed, it wouldn't change the properties of what he smells, i.e. treacle tart, brooms, and Ginny's shampoo. So yeah... there... (Do ya think Harry has a thing for hair? It's something he notices about just about everyone)

As for any claims to there being no groundwork for Harry/Ginny and Ron/Hermione, I mean that's just ridiculous; regardless of your personal preference. Rowling left many a clue as to the final romantic outcome of the principle characters, even early on.

That being said, DnG, thank you for saying it, at the end of it all, this is just a fic, and if you don't like the pairing don't read. I mean, I'll take any criticism to heart, but do you really think you'll influence the story at all just by expounding on how much you hate GInny? I plotted the whole story before I started writing, and it's not going to change dramatically from my original vision, no matter how much you plead. The girls involved have been decided, and there's so much importance to each of them that I couldn't change one of them now even if I wanted too.

Trademarc you glorious bastard, never once in all the times I read/listened to the Harry Potter books have I ever thought about Crookshankes as foreshadowing for Hermione's feelings for Ron. (Bow)

Just a few more things: Katie was cursed by a neckless in Hogsmeade earlier in the timeline than the beginning of this fic, and for those of you who are wondering about Slughorn's memory and why Harry isn't training non-stop, that hasn't happened yet. The last memory of Riddle so far in the timeline was Dumbledore meeting him at the orphanage. Harry doesn't yet understand the true difficulty of the task before him, and it took Dumbledore dying to draw him forward towards his destiny. There will by a catalyst that grounds Harry in the situation he's in for this fic, but it's a different one than the books.

I don't know French, at all. It's just google translate so don't expect it to be even close to readable. I've had a couple of French speakers ask me to stop, and I'm inclined to agree with them. Often times it's there just as a visual joke, like just this whole block of dialog Harry has no idea what it means, and sometimes it's just nonsense, and none of it is important. I'm still going to drop in occasional words and phrases, but I'll stay away from actual written dialog in French.

Oh, and for those of you that think I've been neglecting Gabby, well I have a bit, but that's the nature of the story. Each girl in Harry's life is vitally important (unlike a lot of Harem fics which just seem to glomp Harry together with as many witches as possible) Each girl that's included will be a fully fledged character, with a meaningfulness to their inclusion in both plot and character development. As such, the story will at times get away from Gabby, though I will state this once and for all, this is not a bait-and-switch. Harry/Gabrielle is the main pairing, and she is the constant thread that runs through the story. The catalyst if you will...

Two more things and that's it, I swear:

1) I am done discussing Ginny. Hornet's nest, consider yourself kicked and then smothered in bug spray, I'm done arguing with all of that. Believe me I could write research papers on Harry and Ginny's relationship, and all the subtext and foreshadowing that exists, but I'm not. Done, wash my hands of the sit'yu'ation.

2) I do not discriminate against promiscuous people (though I would have thought that was obvious) but I also don't discriminate against non-promiscuous people. If that's what you gathered from my rant, consider myself misunderstood. I meant to impart a hatred of the act of judging. I honestly don't care if you are promiscuous or not. Actually, I find both lifestyles to be commendable. I find the idea of sexual liberation to be admirable, as do I the thought of the strength of character required to remain a virgin until your wedding night. I approve and respect both extremes and everything in-between for that matter. However, I have no patience or regard for anyone who JUDGES another for their lifestyle. I feel no remorse for 'name-calling' of the highest order for people who judge others, as little remorse as I have for racists, or sexists, or bigots of any kind. I actively try not to discriminate against anyone for any matter (except for those narrow viewpoints I mentioned before). I'll admit I'm not always successful, there's an awful lot of cultural negativity and ignorance that's fairly pervasive, but I try.

Anyhoo, on with the chapter. It's a doozy, longest one yet in fact. Sorry it took so long... sheepish face but hopefully the length makes up for it. : )




Chapter 12: Making a Home Together

Harry woke with the dawn, on his side, absolutely smothered in hair. The first thing he noticed, was that the hair was not uniform. There was the bushy brown curly mess his face was currently buried in, the attached neck smelling of 'girl' and 'exertion'. Said girl was pressed head to toe to Harry's front, and his hands wrapped warmly around what was clearly Hermione. One arm being used as a headrest, the other sleep fondling her right breast. It was the other hair, straight and impossibly silky smooth, that was currently draped all around him that gave him pause. He knew it was Gabrielle, but he wasn't sure where he was, or why he was in bed with both of them yet. Gabrielle also had quite inconveniently found the optimal spot for her head as she slept wrapped around Harry's back to be his head, cheek to cheek, with her chin tucked neatly against his shoulder, cute soft snores disturbing Hermione's hair, tickling Harry's nose.

Yesterday slowly coalesced, and the vividness of last night with Hermione came wonderfully back to Harry, who flushed anew in wonder and satisfaction at the beauty of Hermione's face, shagged until she lost the ability to speak, and the inherent male pride that came with the fact that he, Harry, did that to her. For all his titles, and accolades, this one took the cake, and it wasn't even a proper title. Just a knowledge: 'I Harry Potter, shagged the brightest Witch of out age into non-sensical blubbering and multiple screaming orgasms'. He wondered briefly if he shouldn't try and petition the Daily Prophet to change his moniker to The-Boy-Who-Shagged, no not boy, Man-Who-Shagged, no not that either... What had Gabrielle called him that one time almost in jest? Oh yeah, "le dieu qui baisée" The-God-Who-Shagged, but perhaps that was a bit much.

Gabrielle woke not long after Harry had. Rather than freeing him from his pleasurable prison, she somehow nuzzled even closer, sighing a little, "'Arry, you were a beast last night. Eet took me an hour to recover enough to be able to walk up here. Oh, and I soaked zhe sheets. Might even 'ave ruined zhe mattress."

Harry yawned and asked quietly, "Hermione wore me out," he said with a low chuckle, then added, "couldn't sleep?"

He felt her blush, "Non, not wizhout you."

Harry just sighed contentedly and wrapped Hermione tighter accidentally waking her. With a groan she turned to face him, "god Harry, morning already? I'm so sore in places I-" she realized with a shriek that Gabrielle was there and were it not for Harry's firm grip would have fallen out of the bed, "good lord Gabrielle, you startled me!"

Gabrielle giggled sweetly, "Pardon, I waited until you boze were asleep, but I could not sleep wizhout my 'Arry."

"It's fine," said Hermione mid stretch, several audible clicks in her spine and neck, "after last night it's understandable. I'm not sure how I feel about not getting anymore of that until after break."

"Oui, ee iz so passionate, non? And you Hermione, next time I want more zhan a leetle teasing before-hand and Harry's vicarious experiences."

Hermione blushed bright red, but Harry suddenly remembered what had drawn him back to the castle so quickly, "that's right," said Harry, a little awe sneaking into his voice, "you two snogged," he finished in a lecherous growl.

"Just trying to get your arse in gear Potter. I'd been waiting all night for that," she said in a carefully level voice.

"I would very much like to see you two snog, or more," said Harry, his gaze boring into Hermione's.

"After break," she replied with a smirk, "consider it something to look forward too."

"Tease."

"Extended foreplay."

"Semantics," added Gabrielle groggily.



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Harry made his way quickly down to breakfast. Gabrielle would have to go see McGonagall so she could 'meet' Harry at Hogsmeade, though in the mean-time she was still blissfully asleep, almost immediately unconscious the minute Harry and Hermione had left the bed. There was actually no rule about non-students utilizing the train as long as they had a ticket, and Harry for his part was glad that she would be there for the long journey back to London, not that he would be doing much besides sleeping.

At breakfast, Harry sat, still trying to shake the sleep from his eyes, next to Hermione, who seemed barely able to lift her arm enough to reach her mouth, and lazily chew her eggs. Despite the softness of the food she chose, her chewing was slow and listless, and her eyes still half closed. When Harry sat down she grumbled, "three bloody times..."

"Sorry Hermione, personally I think it was worth it."

"Seen Ron?" she asked dully.

"Not since last night. Wasn't in his bed, or the common room... not here now. Lavender looks beside herself."

Hermione just made a noncommittal grunt.

"I hope he didn't stay out all night..."

Hermione looked over at Harry, concern written on her face, "you don't think he'd actually do that?"

Harry shrugged, "he's... I don't know. I don't know," he finished softly.

"I'm sorry Harry. Everything is just a mess now. I didn't mean to mess up your friendship."

"What about your friendship?" Harry asked sadly.

"Are me and Ron still friends?" Her eyes glistened.

Harry wanted to immediately say yes, but he couldn't just lie like that, even to make her feel better, "I think so," he said instead. Hermione nodded, understanding immediately what Harry meant. "I think the break will help a lot."

"We've both been so cruel to each other."

"I'm never going to stop being your friend Hermione, I don't care what happens with Ron. If he makes me choose between him and you I'll choose you."

Hermione's expression died, "I think that's... terrible."

"What do you mean?"

She flicked her wand, "Muffliato, you shouldn't have to choose at all. Tell me it's not the sex-"

"Nothing to do with it."

"Then why?" She sounded mystified.

"Because you would never make me choose, and despite how much I care about Ron, and want to be his friend, you've never stopped talking to me because you were jealous."

A single tear arced from the corner of Hermione's left eye and trailed down her cheek. Before it reached her jaw she launched herself into a fierce hug with Harry, who responded warmly. She whispered, "I love you so much Harry, you're the best friend I've ever had."

"Hermione," Harry chuckled lightly and soothingly, "Hermione, you showed me what it means to be a true friend."

Hermione pulled back and gave Harry a wide watery smile, "I'm going to miss you over Christmas."

"Me too."

"WOULD YOU JUST SIT DOWN AND TALK TO ME!?"

Harry and Hermione jumped along with most of the Hall. Dean was standing and had just yelled at Ginny who was about ten feet from the table on her way towards the main staircase. Colin was staring wide eyed at Dean, fork held halfway between his mouth and the plate, whatever had been on it fallen and forgotten, oblivious to Dennis poking him in the side to get him to stop staring. Most were staring nearly as overt as Colin was, and the other tables were a bit more polite about it, but no less intrigued.

"DAMN IT GINNY! DON'T YOU FEED ME THAT CROCK AND WALK AWAY! YOU KNOW THIS HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH-"

Ginny spun, her wand suddenly in her hand and aimed at Dean's face, "ONE MORE WORD AND I'LL REPLACE YOUR DRAWING HAND WITH YOUR BOLLOCKS!"

"Ms. Weasley!" McGonagall barked over their shouting striding swiftly from the head table to where Ginny was standing, "that will be ten points from Gryffindor, mind your language or I'll have you in detention for the entire return week after break."

"Sorry Professor," Ginny said stiffly lowering her wand, "wont happen again."

"See that it doesn't, now perhaps you should take your breakfast somewhere else, lest you find yourself unable to control your temper."

"I think that's a good idea Professor. Would you mind if I had a word with Dean before I left? I just want to make sure there aren't any misunderstandings. I promise I'll mind my language."

McGonagall rolled her eyes, "if you must."

Ginny looked over at Dean cooly, "Dean," she started sweetly, "what you were about to say, if you actually say anything about what I said, revenge will be swift and merciless. Remember who my brothers are."

Dean gulped and sat down. Ginny walked back up to the table and leaned over it on her hands.

"Furthermore, I told you that in confidence, and only after you badgered me about it for MONTHS! Now, I'm about to say something you're not going to like. Just remember, you forced me to say this, and that having this conversation in public was your idea. I am not breaking up with you for anyone else, despite what you may believe. I'm breaking up with you because you're an overbearing, over-protective, egotistical jerk, who only seems to care about himself and how far-" she actually used air quotes with the word 'far', "your girlfriend will let you go. It's things like pulling my chair out for me after the third time I asked you to stop, or," she stopped to laugh quickly, "or how no matter what I said, ever, you just agreed with me, no matter what. Did you know that sometimes I said absurd things on purpose just to see if you were really listening, and you never were!"

Absolutely no one was talking, students at other tables leaning and cupping their hand to their ear to better hear what Ginny was saying.

"We're just not right for each other Dean," she said almost pityingly, "and someday you'll find some dainty girly girl to fawn all over, but not me."

Ginny sighed standing up straight again, her anger appeared to be mostly gone, but when she looked at Dean again it was with a dangerous glint in her eyes, "however, if you even have a dream where you tell someone something I told you in confidence, you better wake up and owl me an apology, because if you break my trust, I will find you and hex you. Oh, and try to remember, my Bat-Bogey works on any orifice," she finished in a growl. "All done Professor," she added at the end as she spun around neatly and walked neatly out of the great hall.

McGonagall just held one hand over her eyes dismissing Ginny, and as she started walking back to the head table she added derisively under her breath, but just loud enough that Harry heard her, "over-dramatic teenagers..."

Harry looked over at Dean, who looked shell shocked, and stared at the door that Ginny left by. Harry honestly didn't know what to think.

"Wow... I've never seen her like that," Hermione finally said.

"Scary," Harry added quietly.

"Scary?"

"A little."

"You're scared of Ginny?"

Harry smiled, "more... a little intimidated."

"Ginny?" she asked, disbelief clear in her expression.

"What you're not?"

"Well, I mean, a little, but, I've never fought Voldemort. Also, you taught her how to fight."

Harry chuckled, "Voldemort hath no fury like a woman scorned, and I never taught her any of her best tricks."

Hermione shook her head, "well, I'm not surprised anyways."

"No?"

"Not at all, everything she was saying is stuff she was complaining about for ages. She probably thought she could rid him of his bad habits, but honestly, if you're complaining about the way someone acts from practically day one..." she trailed off.

"I suppose." Harry was really smiling now.

"I guess you're happy as can be now aren't you?"

"What gave it away?"

"That ridiculous smile."

Harry laughed again, "well, I mean, I don't think she could have timed that better. I'm about to spend almost an entire month at the Burrow, and now I wont have to steal her away from anyone."

"Harry, don't get so full of yourself."

"I'm not, I'm actually really nervous. I just figured if I acted confident, it might make me feel more confident."

"I find my confidence by making sure I know everything I can. When I'm confident for a test it's not because I act confident, but because I am confident."

Harry had a thoughtful silence, "that's a good point, though this isn't exactly a Charms exam."

"True. I really do hope for the best, and if you and Ginny get together over break, don't think for one second you're beholden to me. I've really enjoyed our... closeness... but I'll gladly give you up for her. I care far more about Ginny's friendship and our friendship than the ridiculous orgasms you give me."

"Thank you Hermione," replied Harry, his grin now so wide it hurt.

"No problem. Come on, I'm done eating, and if we leave now we can get to the train and get some sleep."

Harry grabbed a few more pieces of buttered toast and followed Hermione out.



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Harry awoke several hours later to soft dainty hands brushing his hair from his brow. He opened his eyes to see Gabrielle leaning over him. He lay with Hermione across one bench in the last compartment of the last car on the Hogwarts Express.

"I didn't expect you to be already on zhe train."

"M'sorry, we got here early and just drifted off," Harry responded contritely if a bit sleepily.

"Eet's fine, I sensed where you were, so eet was no trouble."

"How did you get through the wards?"

"Took zhem down, walked in, and put zhem back back up again, wizh a few additions."

Harry gurgled out a 'thanks' sleepily burying his head back into Hermione's neck and thicket of hair. This had the unintended side affect of waking Hermione, stretching languidly knocking Harry's hands out of place, and then quickly getting up, "Oh, I feel all rested, that was a lovely nap."

Harry sighing at the loss of Hermione grabbed Gabrielle by the hand and led her down beside him on the bench. He pulled her in against his chest, one hand going to her soft belly, the other to her right breast from under her bottom side; wrapping around her. Gabrielle giggled drawing Hermione's attention. She scoffed, "you're still randy?" His reply was muffled by Gabrielle's neck and hair that Harry was gleefully nuzzling. "What was that?" Hermione asked again.

"I said," Harry replied as he extricated himself just enough to clear his face, "that I don't need to be randy to enjoy a good fondle."

Hermione laughed, "Gabrielle how did you get through the wards?"

"I took zhem down?"

Hermione sounded stunned, "those were my best locking and sealing charms!"

"No ward charm eez foolproof."

Harry looked up again to see Hermione sitting across from them now, with a disgruntled look. "Did you replace them?"

"Sort of. I replaced zhem wizh a notice-me-not. Having zhe door locked and zhe compartment silenced iz a target."

"I hadn't thought of that," Hermione muttered to herself, lost in thought now.

Harry sighed into Gabrielle's neck, "how about you drop it now, so friends can find us. I know! Can you make the notice-me-not work on anyone wearing, say, a green tie?"

Gabrielle laughed sweetly, "Non, zhat iz not possible. I can condition a notice-me-not for anyzhing zhat applies to race, like muggle, magical, elfin, goblin, etcetera."

"Damn," Harry grumbled.

"However!" Gabrielle said dramatically, "a punching 'ex ward can be keyed to say, a green tie."

"How?" asked Hermione.

"Well, a punching 'ex ward uses line of sight to activate anyways, so eet's a simple matter of presenting eet wizh limiters. Make eet so zhe ward can see only green ties."

"Hermione looked bewildered, "how does one do that?"

"Focus on green ties, and a leetle twitch 'alfway zhrough zhe flick when you cast."

Hermione tried it once, twice, and on the third time got the faint shimmer on the door she was waiting for.

"Parfait," said Gabrielle dropping the notice-me-not.

"That will really hit anyone with a green tie?" asked Hermione.

"But of course."

"Fascinating. Though, I do have to wonder why the farther one goes into the mechanics of magic the less it makes sense."

"When has magic ever made sense?" asked Harry, still barely paying attention to the conversation.

"Well... it just does. I mean, how else have we discovered spells if not experimentation, observation, and concrete measurements?"

"Magic and science are not zhe same zhing."

"I know that," replied Hermione softly.

"Do you really though?" asked Gabrielle, "were you aware zhat most magical advances are discovered zhrough very undisciplined experimentation?"

"That sounds... foolish."

"Eet iz for the most part. Eet's why magical experimentation iz so risky, and why zhe Department of Mysteries iz so well... mysterious. Magical experimentation results in a lot of accidents and deaths."

"Luna's mum," Harry added quietly.

"What?" asked both Hermione and Gabrielle.

"Luna told me her mum died when a spell she was building went wrong."

There was a long quiet pause until Hermione had to break it to ask, "then how do we get new magic? It seems like new spells come out all the time. Not particularly relevant spells, but all the same. Every year there's new editions for spell books."

"Well, because despite zhe dangers, people are foolish, and want zhe money and fame zhat comes wizh creating magic. Also, a lot of times eet iz accidental."

Hermione was quiet now, lost in thought. Both Harry and Gabrielle recognize the expression so left her to her musings. After a while though, Hermione pulled out some parchment and rather than an ink and quill, she used a fountain pen.

"What are you zhinking?" asked Gabrielle quietly, not wanting to disturb Hermione if she could help it.

"I refuse to believe that scientific method wont work on magic, so... I'm going to conduct some experiments over break, amongst other um..." she blushed, "research projects."

"Science and magic don't mix though," said Harry.

"Not science Harry, scientific method. The process of meaningful experimentation. I refuse to believe the scientific method and for that matter the design process wont work on magic. If it doesn't then... well... I'll have to rethink my view of how the universe works actually, but if magic does follow certain rules, even if they are arbitrary non-sensical rules, then I can find them."

"I know you're smart Hermione, but how can you be so sure?"

"Because, I'm not talking about science in general, just the method of discovery. If it does work on magic, than it could be that I'm just the first person to think of it. It makes sense, despite all the hate mongering, Muggleborns are more accepted now than ever before."

"I think I'm confused, are you talking about science or not?"

"Scientific method."

Harry sighed.

"Oh right... um... so... scientific method is pretty simple; question, research, hypothesis, experiment, analysis, results."

Harry and Gabrielle stared at Hermione blankly until she decided to elaborate.

"Good lord, Harry you grew up with this stuff," she sighed dramatically and got the next bit out on a single deep breath, "first you need a question. So... let's see... well I've always wondered why electronics wont work around magic so let's go with that one. The next step is research, but so far no one has looked into why muggle technology wont mix with magic. Then you need a hypothesis, so let's say for arguments sake that magic contains some sort of radiation that destroys circuit boards or something. Then the next part, experiment, I suppose I'd get some geiger counters to check for radiation levels, and try different spells, and use them on various electronics, or if I wanted to be really thorough the same type of electronics over and over again and examine the results. That's analysis, and then when you've come to a conclusion you have to express it so others can understand, that's results. Oh and of course sometimes your hypothesis is wrong and then you need to go back to step three."

"That sounds very time consuming."

"It is."

"Boring too," added Gabrielle.

"To some I suppose," Hermione admitted reluctantly.

"You've thought a lot about this haven't you?" asked Harry.

"Of course I have. I'll have you know I won every science fair in primary, and after I finish out summer assignments I catch up on Muggle advancements in technology and science. Did you know that last July a Muggle laboratory in Scotland successfully cloned a sheep for the first time?"

"No I didn't," Harry replied, laughing.

"Still, I'm sure that magic can be applied to the same rules of experimentation. It's absolutely irresponsible that magic research hasn't kept up with Muggle experimentation. I mean, the basis for the scientific theory is fundamentally the rules of alchemy, even Muggles know that, even if they don't know alchemy was eventually successful. It came from the same place, and eventually lead to the creation of chemistry, that's like, the Muggle version of potions."

"Muggles studied alchemy?" asked Gabrielle astounded.

"Oh, yes, though they were entirely unsuccessful, they did discover the properties of a number of elements and new alloy metals, as well as what I said before, the beginnings of the scientific method. Their end goal was the same as well, turning baser metals into gold, but of course with out actual magic nothing ever worked like that. Oh, and of course the elixir of life was thought to be entirely myth."

"Amazing, I didn't realize we and Muggles had such a shared history aside from the obvious."

"We do, a lot of it is just hidden, or downplayed."

"I wonder if Flamel is dead yet. I know the stone was destroyed, but I have no idea how much elixir he had stored. Dumbledore just said it was 'enough to set his affairs in order'," wondered Harry out loud.

"Why would that matter?" asked Hermione.

"Because, if alchemy was the beginning of scientific method, and Flamel is the only known maker of the Philosopher's stone, then wouldn't it make sense that he used scientific method to figure out how, and why no one else has? Oh, and Dumbledore's 12 uses of dragon blood! Dumbledore apprenticed under him at some point."

It was not often that Hermione was left speechless. It was even more rare that it happened not because of her reaction to someones stupidity or foolishness. Harry relished it silently, Hermione would probably not take it like the compliment Harry considered it, after all the only reason he noticed at all was because it happened so rarely.

When Hermione finally responded it was quiet and contemplative, "that... is a very astute observation Harry." She sat quietly for a moment thinking something through, obviously, then addressed Gabrielle, "do you think it would be possible for you to catch me up to where you are with Runes and Arithmancy? I'm- I think this is going to end up being really important. I mean, I don't want to get ahead of myself but, this could fundamentally change Magical Research."

"Of course, anytime Hermione."

The rest of the ride was spent in companionable silence. Hermione reading through notes and making corrections of new observations, Harry and Gabrielle laying comfortably on the opposite bench, barely talking, more letting themselves get drowsy under the rhythmic swaying of the train. Draco had, much to Harry's general unease, stayed at Hogwarts for the break, no doubt doing whatever it was that snake was up to. Nothing good definitely, thought Harry. In fact, his general silence and quiet nature this year only worried Harry more, and he decided firmly that after break he would look into what ever Draco was doing. Harry was almost positive that the neckless that cursed Katie had come from him, but lacked proof. Well, next term Harry would just have to find some proof.

When the train had finally come to a stop in King's Cross; Harry, Gabrielle, and Hermione slowly made their way off the train with their trunks, staying at the back of the herd, trading time spent waiting to get off the train for comfort. When they finally arrived Mrs. Weasley made a big show of welcoming all of them, but Hermione wanting to avoid the situation (Harry couldn't blame her really) left almost immediately and crossed the barrier to meet her parents.

"Harry! You- you look fantastic, I swear you've already grown an inch since summer, and Ron, you really need to stop growing," she added in mock seriousness, "soon you'll even be taller than Bill! Ginny, come hug your Mum hello."

"Leave it Mum," said Ron quietly, "least till we're off the platform, I've got a rep to maintain."

Mrs. Weasley laughed loudly, "a rep he says, Harry dear, now you're sure you don't want to come straight back to the Burrow? I've got-" she stopped suddenly, her eyes landing on Gabrielle, who's presence she had apparently missed at the excitement of both her Hogwarts bound children returned for a time, as well as Harry, who's presence always seemed to leave her beaming. "Oh, yes well I understand now," she chuckled. "This must be the mystery girlfriend Ron told me and Arthur about, oh my, but you do look familiar Ms.?"

"Mum, Dad's in the car right? I'm going to go say hello." Mrs. Weasley waved Ginny off, her attention still on Gabrielle, while Ginny, not waiting for a response started walking quickly towards the barrier.

"Delacour, Fleur iz my sister."

Mrs. Weasley looked stunned for a moment, "Gabrielle? Merlin's beard you've sprouted."

Gabrielle gave a tinkly little laugh, "Oui, eet's been a long two years."

"Well, that's actually quite the relief, I was wondering where we were going to put you up, but this simplifies things, as we were going to need a place for you anyway for the wedding. Excellent, excellent," she trailed off clearly descending into wedding planning land.

"Um," started Harry a little anxious to get home, he had a number of plans and he'd see all of them again by next week, "Well, uh, it's nice seeing you, we're only spending the week and we'll be at the Burrow by next Friday."

"Of course, of course, just give us a floo first this time, unless Dumbledore decides to just drop you in again."

"Bye Mrs. Weasley, tell Mr. Weasley hi from me, bye Ron."

"Later," said Ron sullenly, though Harry couldn't tell if it was because Ron was still angry from last night, or because he just wasn't looking forward to only having his parents and Ginny for company, all the next week.

Harry and Ginny made their way to the main road, called the Knight Bus and left for Grimmauld Place. For Harry it was the usual bone jolting ride, though with the added bonus of a cute girl sitting in his lap in one of the large squashy chairs. Gabrielle seemed quite taken with the whole thing, acting like it was some sort of amusement park ride. When they arrived, her hand in his, Harry lead them straight into the house. Once inside Gabrielle became quite disoriented. "Where, where are we 'Arry?"

"We are at Number 12 Grimmauld Place," he waited for it to sink in, but it didn't and Gabrielle was getting more distressed.

"'Arry, I- I can't focus," she was holding her head like she had a headache, and keeping her eye's closed."

"Damn, that's right! I'm not the secret keeper am I?" He shook his head at his own stupidity and went to the fire to hopefully call Dumbledore when an uplifting lilting croon swept through Harry and visibly calmed Gabrielle. Harry looked to the source and saw Fawks sitting serenely on the chandelier above them. He flamed and disappeared, a small slightly burnt piece of parchment fluttering towards the ground. Harry caught it with a practiced hand and saw, in Dumbledore's loopy slanted writing, 'the headquarters of the Order of the Phoenix are at number twelve Grimmauld Place'. Harry handed the note to Gabrielle and said, "here, read this."

She did and the note vanished in a painless burst of bluebell flames. Her head seemed to clear immediately and she smiled brightly now, "ah, Fidelius Charm, finally. Oh..." she sounded disappointed as she looked around. "How... dreary."

"It is, but hopefully we can rectify that a bit over the week."

"We can?"

"Yeah, want to help me redecorate?"

"Really, you would let me 'elp you decorate your 'ome?"

"First of all, not my home just my house, this is Sirius' home, well familiar home, and he only left it to me, it's not like I grew up here or anything. Second, the Order uses this place so, really only the upper floors are private, though many of the rooms have standing claims including but not limited to one Remus Lupin my Dad and Sirius' childhood friend and third year defense teacher; one Nymphadora never-call-me-by-my-first-name Tonks; and finally Fred, George, and Bill Weasley plus parents along with your dish of a sister, that being said I don't see why we can't re-decorate the whole place, and third, even if this was my home, it would most certainly be our home, so yeah, I'd love to have you help decorate. Actually, I'm probably gonna end up pretty useless on the whole, so you may be doing most of the actual deciding what stuff looks like, and what not."

"'Appily," she sounded excited.

Harry thought for a moment, "actually, seeing as we can't do magic this might be a losing battle really."

Gabrielle laughed lightly, a tinkling pretty laugh that Harry couldn't help but smile at, "'Arry we're inside ze Fidelius."

"Meaning?" asked Harry slightly bemused.

"Eet blocks everzhing, including ze Ministry's trackers."

"Really!?" asked Harry, realizing he had been a bit too loud when Mrs. Black's shrieking voice carried easily from the hall.

"IS THERE NO REST FOR ME!? HALF-BREEDS AND MUDBLOODS ALIKE RUNNING THROUGH MY HOUSE AT ALL HOURS! THE SHAME! THE MOST ANCIENT AND NOBLE HOUSE OF BLACK IS NOT MEANT TO HOUSE SUCH FILTH!" she shrieked, sounding crazed.

The minute Harry had heard her start yelling he had stalked straight out into the hall and towards her portrait. "Oi!" he shouted when he was standing right in front of her. "Maybe you need a courtesy-call, but this is my house, and the House of Black is no more."

"Oh yes," Mrs. Black addressed Harry cooly and with a great deal of venom, "the half-blood Godson of my greatest failure. I have no doubt that he left the name to you, a filthy Mudblood sired ruffian, just to humiliate me beyond the grave, and drive my once proud family further into the muck," she ended in a growl, "so you see filth, my house is not dead, just ruined. The death of my house would have been a reprieve in comparison."

Harry stared her down for a long tense moment, trying to figure out how to word what he wanted to say. Gabrielle stared with rapt attention, a bit to intimidated by the fierce woman to add her two knuts.

Finally Harry spoke, "you are a foul and unpleasant woman, and had I grown up here I'd have left long before Sirius did." Mrs. Black looked stunned so Harry continued quickly to avoid her inevitable retort, "this is my house now. Sirius left it to me and I'll do whatever I want with it, including letting my friends stay here, even if my friends include Half-bloods and Muggleborns, and Werewolves, and Veela, and Goblins, and Trolls, or bloody Giants if I want to!" Harry was quickly working himself up into a rage, remembering that this dark place and her ill presence had been a large contributing factor to Sirius' cabin fever all of fifth year, "I'm going to redecorate too! I'm going to replace all the snake stuff with lions and ravens and badgers after the three GOOD houses! I'm going to paint the whole thing in bright lively colors, and install muggle lighting and and get a fucking satellite dish and a TV! I'm going to turn this god damn place into a SHRINE to Muggles and half-breeds!"

Harry took a deep breath and forced himself to calm down. Mrs. Black had begun to speak but Harry talked over her, "very first thing I'm going to change though, is your portrait. I don't care if I have to take a bloody sledgehammer to the wall I'm destroying you. Then the House Elf heads, then the troll umbrella stand." Harry paused, "then I think we'll look at paint colors. I'm thinking a nice autumn theme for the entrance hall."

Gabrielle giggled at Harry's mention of paint schemes and it broke the tension nicely. Mrs. Black had drawn herself up into her most regal pose and fixed Harry with a calculating gaze, "perhaps," her voice the most pleasant Harry had ever heard her be, though still not very, "we can come to some sort of agreement rather than have you destroy my portrait."

"Perhaps," said Harry, not sounding at all like he meant it. "You've done nothing but make living her more unpleasant, so you'd better have one hell of a bargaining chip."

"I do."

Harry cocked an eyebrow, "and that is?"

"The full secrets and capabilities of this house."

"What, buried treasure in the crawl space?" asked Harry, laced with sarcasm.

"Hardly, all of our treasure is in Gringotts."

"Then what?"

"I want your oath as a wizard that you wont destroy my portrait before I tell you."

"How do I know it's worth it?"

She smiled, and it was the first smile Harry ever saw on her. It was cruel, and menacing, and Harry was forcibly reminded of Bellatrix and her taunting grin. "It's very worth it."

"I have two conditions," Harry said after a moment.

"And they are?"

"First, you don't harass anyone, that includes insulting, screaming, or name-calling-"

"Yes, yes, I assumed as much."

Harry spoke over her again, cutting her off, "second! I want to move your portrait.

"Where?" Her eyes narrowed.

Harry hadn't thought that part out yet, and said as much, "somewhere, more out of the way."

"What, so you can stick me in the attic?"

"Actually, the attic was converted into a hippogriff pen."

"Whatever, the point being that having my portrait destroyed and having it put into storage somewhere amount to the same thing."

Harry mulled it over for a moment, "how about the drawing room with the tapestry and Phineas' portrait?"

"Acceptable," she said quickly. "However, I have a condition of my own."

"Being?"

"Bring my family back to its former glory. I had high hopes for my sons when they were young. Regulus was a bit too reserved, and Sirius a bit too rambunctious. I had hoped they would have had a positive influence on each other, but their rift only grew, and then Sirius left."

"What do you mean, bring the house to it's former glory? That's not very specific."

"The Black family has always had a hand in shaping Magical London if not the whole of the British Isles, play your part, use your prestige and wealth and power to create change. What change matters not to me. I still hold true to my ideals, but I am dead. So, whatever you want done, do it, but do so wielding the name Black. Make the name Black on the edge of our society's lips for all time as it should be. Also, one of your sons must bare our surname."

Harry took a moment to think over what she had said. Either way, it seemed like a good deal, and there were, admittedly many things Harry would like to change about the Wizarding world. "Deal, under the conditions said I swear on my magic not to destroy you. You were really worried weren't you?"

"Agreed," with a clunk her portrait detached from the wall, hit the ground and settled back against the wall. "The enchantment protecting my portrait wont work if the wall is destroyed. Actually, I'm surprised Dumbledore didn't think of it, the old fool. I had a good time watching him fail to remove me."

Harry bent to pick her up ignoring her disparaging remark about Dumbledore, but then remembered what Gabrielle had said. "You're sure the trace doesn't work through a Fidelius?"

"Positive," she said quickly, her eyes still wide watching the exchange.

"Wingardium Leviosa," Harry said lazily and floated Mrs. Black's portrait to the drawing room. There was a convenient empty expanse of wall opposite the family tapestry, so Harry quickly affixed her there.

"Much better, oh, hello Phineas."

Phineas woke with a grunt, "oh my, Lady Black... my my, did someone finally figure out how to break your sticking charm?"

"Hardly," she said in a bored tone, "no one has ever broken one of my enchantments."

"Yes, yes, you're a world renowned enchanter, I know," Phineas replied with a bored tone. "Though here you are just the same? What happened?"

"The Potter boy threatened to destroy the wall like a Muggle."

Harry and Gabrielle watched them like a cricket match, back and forth, and back and forth.

"How droll... so why aren't I hearing the lovely sounds of construction then?"

"We struck a deal, I'm giving him access to the rest of the house."

"What!" That had caught Phineas' attention. "You cannot! He isn't a Black!"

"Actually, I rather think he is," she turned her attention back to Harry. "I'm almost positive Sirius made Harry a surrogate scion of the house."

"How can you be sure?" asked Harry.

"Yes, what he said!" added Phineas in outrage.

"Because, if there's two things I can count on from my eldest, it's laziness and pranks," she said the word as if it were a half crushed cockroach beneath her boot. "Potter clearly has ownership of the house as he can direct Kreacher, and legally it would have been much simpler to make a simple line extension will than separate the house from the title. I also rather think he would have been quite amused by this. He had no love of our family, or our... political leanings."

"You mean being Death Eater sympathizers," Harry added darkly.

Mrs. Black fixed Harry with a stern look, "he did not start out a terrorist. His beginnings were political. It wasn't until after he had a loyal power base that he started to kill and destroy to extend his goals. I make no apologies for supporting a man who forwarded the beliefs I feel strongest about. We may have come to an... accord Potter, but I have not changed my world views. Pure-Blood Witches and Wizard are better than those of lesser births. Muggles have their own nobility do they not, and we are the Lords and Ladies of the Wizarding world, and our society was being destroyed by Muggleborns and blood traitors."

"That's hardly an ex-"

"He also was not as he is now. He was young, and handsome, and charming. We initially backed him as a politician. It was not until well after... after Regulus died that his true colours began to show."

"I know how he used to look and act."

"How could you possibly-"

"That's definitely none of your business. In any case, it may surprise you that I don't blame you for falling for his act, lots of people did, people I look up to. Your world views however disgust me."

She waved her hand as if Harry's disgust meant nothing to her, which Harry assumed it didn't.

"Oh, quit your bellyaching, the both of you. If you're truly the scion of our house, you better start acting the part. The Black's are a proud and noble house."

"Says the least popular Headmaster in Hogwarts history," said Harry with a shake of his head. "Honestly, I think by just being me I've brought more glory to the house than you."

Mrs. Black actually laughed, a real honest to god laugh. "You have some bite to you Potter, or should I say Potter-Black? Let us not tarry, I have much to show you."



.:~:._.:~:._.:~:._.:~:._.:~:._.:~:._.:~:._.:~:.



Mrs. Black had directed Harry and Gabrielle down into the basement. It was a foul thing, barely more than a root cellar, with a rough stone floor and torches spread too far apart to create more than a menacing and dreary gloom, only made worse in that they bore flames of Slytherin green. The ceiling was covered in spiderwebs and seemed to be leaking something foul.

"Well... what a glorious secret we've unraveled," Harry said drearily earning a giggle from Gabrielle, who was clutching Harry, a little uncomfortable being there. She was not as bad as Ron was, but she didn't like spiders at all, and made Harry very aware it.

They made their way to the far wall and just as Mrs. Black had described there were four torches affixed to the wall that had all lit when they entered. Harry stood in front of the second from the left and tapped it with his wand, "Purity."

Like the doorway to Diagon Alley behind The Leaky Caldron the stones and moved and shifted to create an archway. The room beyond was absolute pitch black, again just as Mrs. Black had described. Harry and Gabrielle walked tentatively through the archway, and it was as if a barrier made of shadow had been in place, the darkness immediately gave way to startling brightness. Keeping his eyes open to force them to transition Harry took in his new surroundings.

The room was immense, and made entirely of a shock white stone. Two rows of massive pillars carved to look like giant snakes coiled like springs ran down both sides of the room. There were no torches, the light seemed to be emanating from the walls themselves, backlighting the pillars, adding to their menacing presence and forcibly reminding Harry of the Chamber of Secrets. They stood in awe for more than a few moments, this single chamber was bigger than the rest of the house by far, extending well beyond what would have been the edges of the property-line. Harry didn't know if it was simply magic, or if they were far enough down to bypass the normal house's cellars, but either way it didn't matter.

"Mr. Potter, over here." Mrs. Black called from the far end of the room.

The duo made their way over to the back wall. Three massive wooden doorways stood equidistant from each other, and from wall to wall in-between and on the doors themselves hung dozens of dozens of portraits of wildly different sizes; each with a little placard with the subject's name and the years they served as the head of House Black.

Mrs. Black was the only portrait not slumbering quietly, "Welcome Mr. Potter, to the true ancestral home of the family Black. The house above has been continually rebuilt throughout the ages to represent the current time, but this place has existed since Brutus of Troy defeated the giants Gog and Magog, and was his familiar home until the Romans claimed and renamed the region Londinium in the year 43. My family is directly descended from the Roman general Calliopious Black who claimed Brutus' haven as his own where his descendants have resided ever since. If you are truly to regain the glory of this family, you will need to use the collected wealth of knowledge available to you. Every Head of house from 1270 to my husband Orion has a portrait here. Murcurius Black is particularly fascinating. It was he who dictated that London have seven city gates to guard from the Saxons. I'm sure I don't need to explain the significance of that number."

"This is... this is amazing. What else is here, and... wait, why do you have a portrait here when Orion was the head of house?"

"This is Orion's portrait. He is currently... indisposed in his other portrait. As for your other question, the center door leads to the living quarters: common room, bedrooms, reading room, library which is the same found in the upper house with a particularly unique bonding charm that remembers which hall you entered from, trophy room, servants quarters which are currently abandoned, sitting room, ballroom, dining hall, breakfast room, wine cellar, smoking den, music room, the lounge, the study, a sun room, and of course the kitchens and three bathrooms, and four water closets."

Stunned silence followed, "there's... there's a whole underground mansion here?"

"Quite."

"That's... that's a lot of rooms."

Gabrielle giggled, "my fazher's chateau has a similar set of rooms."

"Wow... I'd have been plenty thrilled with a two flat," said Harry shaking his head side to side in bewilderment.

"That, Mr. Potter, was just the center door."

"Right... I'm almost afraid to ask."

"The left door leads to the cellar-"

"I thought this was the cellar."

"Don't interrupt me, the left door leads down to the cellar, containing the potions room, the dueling hall, the unlistenable room, and the dungeons."

"This place has dungeons?"

"Yes."

"Like... a dungeon, like with iron bars and torture stuff."

"Yes, well, it did. Most of the torture devices were sold to museums. I think we kept the iron maiden and put it in the library. It was... decorative."

"What's an unlistenable room?"

"A room where secrets cannot be overheard by any means."

"That sounds useful."

"Quite."

"I can't believe Sirius didn't know about this place."

"He didn't. We lived upstairs for the most part. We, that is my husband and I, only used a few rooms like the library which can be accessed from the house proper."

"What about the third door?"

"That," Mrs. Black smirked, "that, is the room myself and Orion added. It is our... play room. I don't know how much use you will get out of it, but regardless it and all that's inside it are yours now."

"Play room?"

She was truly smiling now, "our sanctuary if you will, where we... expressed ourselves. Go on, see it."

A little wary, Harry and Gabrielle walked to the right door. With a glance back at Mrs. Black's portrait Harry turned the handle, rolling his eyes at yet another bit of snake motif, and opened the door. What greeted them was the last thing Harry had expected. It was a large square room, with just one door at the opposite side leading into a large lavish bath, the tub more along the lines of the prefects bath at Hogwarts. The room itself was brightly lit and filled with all manner of strange objects, four things immediately dominating the room. An enormous four poster bed, the biggest Harry had ever seen lay in the center, the curtains, lush and deep green hung closed. Off to one side four large brass balls, perfectly smooth hung side by side in mid air supported by nothing Harry could see. To the other side a confusing series of leather loops and cords hung from the ceiling. On the third wall an immense ornate series of shelves stood, filled to the brim with all manner of objects, many of which looked very similar to many of the things sold at Wanda's. Paddles, whips, chains, crops, floggers, gags, and all manner of exotic fare lined the shelves.

Harry quickly felt his face grow quite hot, the point of the room glaring and obvious. Gabrielle squealed in delight and ran to the shelves, looking over the many implements with an excited eye. Her squeal had drawn some attention though when a deep voice called out, "Who goes there?"

Harry and Gabrielle jumped and turned towards the source of the voice, a portrait hanging to the right of the door they entered. Just as quickly as they looked, they both looked away embarrassed, for the portrait showed an older man, stark naked, tied to a bed.

"Um," Harry began, one hand over his eyes, "who are you?"

"I'm Orion Black, but more importantly who are you and how did you get into my sex room?"

"S- sex room! Mrs. Black called it your um... play room... right..."

He laughed eerily similar to the way Sirius used to laugh, "yes well, she's always been a bit more... proper, so she let you in here then eh? Why would that be exactly?"

"Well, um... Mr. Black, I'm Harry Potter, Sirius was my godfather, and now this house is mine."

"Oh my! Walburga! Be a dear and unchain me so I can clad myself and greet the master of the house. Sorry about my state Harry m'boy, my little 'Burga is a harsh mistress."

"I heard that," said Mrs. Black darkly, striding into the frame and unchaining him.

"Well, it's true dear, and I've got the scars to prove it," he replied while throwing on a robe and sitting on the end of the bed. "I'm decent now, you can uncover your eyes."

They did, and were greeted by the far more welcoming sight of Mr. and Mrs. Black sitting warmly against one another on the foot of the bed. Orion was stern looking, and perhaps mid-fifties. Dark grey hair and romanesque features along with those grey eyes that had been so uniquely Sirius. It was not hard at all to imagine Sirius at that age, and Harry saw the resemblance immediately. Walburga Black on the other hand seemed to have transformed. Her expression was warm and loving now in the presence of her husband, and made her look years younger, though still looking every bit the powerful matron.

"So, you're James' son, the resemblance in striking, except for your eyes."

"That's what everyone tells me," replied Harry dryly.

"Ha! I'm sure you've heard that a lot. Shame really that we couldn't get James into the family. I had such hope for him and Andromeda."

"My father and Mrs. Tonks!?"

Orion snorted, "Merlin no, we encouraged the pair quite a bit, but both had eyes for others. Muggleborns both of them no less," he added in a weary sigh.

"How horrible," Harry noted dryly, the sarcasm obvious.

Orion harumphed, "oh, another one, well I suppose it can't be helped. What's done is done, and any hope of a... Pureblood cultural revolution probably died with the Dark Lord. I wanted to make him minister and get new laws passed, but nooooooooo, he had to start killing people. Shame really, charming lad."

Harry sighed and buried his face in his hands, "really, can we leave the positive commentary about Voldemort behind? He's sort of my sworn enemy."

"I suppose," said Orion with a shrug, like he didn't care much either way, which being dead, he probably didn't.

Mrs. Black had been eyeing Gabrielle for a moment and said, "I think I spoke to soon Mr. Potter, judging from the barely contained excitement coming from your friend there, you may have some use for this room after all."

Gabrielle who had begun examining the items on the shelves again said, "you bet your ass eet will get use."

Harry laughed and Mr. and Mrs. Black looked pleasantly shocked, and Mr. Black felt the need to say, "oh good, I mean, what use is a sex room if no one is using it?"

"Orion! Must you be so crude?"

"Here? Why not?"

She sighed, "that always was a losing battle."

Gabrielle had made her way to the floating brass balls, "what are these?"

Mrs. Black ginned, "those are an invention of mine that I'm... particularly proud of. They weigh almost nothing, and wherever they are moved they will stay fixed. Each one attaches to a limb, hands and feet. It let me immobilize and position Orion however I wanted. Ingenious really."

Gabrielle put her hand close to one and as if drawn to a magnet her hand flattened against it and stayed there despite her struggling.

"Tap it with your wand dear," said Walburga watching her.

Using her free hand she did so and found her other hand immediately released. "That is so cool," she said, "'Arry, you 'ave to use zhese on me!"

"Sure," said Harry a little distracted, the possibilities blooming suddenly in his mind.

Gabrielle walked over to Harry and wrapped her arms around him and spoke into his chest, "mmmmmmm, just imagine it 'Arry, totally helpless, you can put me in any position you want and do whatever you want. I'd be totally at your mercy," she nearly purred.

"Yeah," Harry replied thickly, "Mr. and Mrs. Black, thank you for showing me all this. It's a little overwhelming at the moment, but I'll definitely make use of this place... um, not just this room I mean, the whole thing. I'm going to do as I said I would, and bring the Black family's honor back, though it may take a while. I do have a bit on my plate at the moment. For now though, do you think you could give us some privacy?"

"Of course," said Mrs. Black succinctly. "Come Orion, let us adjourn back to my portrait."

"Of course dear," Mr. Black followed his wife out, but not before giving Harry a wink, "have fun."

"Something tells me Sirius took after his dad more than he ever wanted to admit," said Harry thinking out loud. His mind was awash in vague plans and wonderings. What he was going to do with this newfound expansion to a house he hadn't even gotten a chance to settle into yet. How he was going to fix the legacy of the Black family, which he was apparently now a part of. Exploration would have to wait. The underground mansion wasn't going anywhere, and the house proper was still in desperate need of a good redecorating. At the same time however, Gabrielle was giving Harry 'that look' and her arousal was cascading through the bond. The room had amped her up considerably, and the prospect of an entire day to frolic and redecorate using magic at the same time was more tempting than Harry was able to deal with.