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Harry Potter and the Witches' Secret
Chapter 7
9 August 1995 (Sidereal)

Harry arrived back at Grimmauld Place with a whoosh and a flare of green fire. Ron was asleep, so Harry quietly changed and climbed into bed.

Monday morning Harry woke up with a pounding headache. The window was closed and the room was stifling. He knew the window had been open earlier. Not only that, but Ron was doing his hippo impersonation again, this time with sound effects.

Harry grabbed his bag and a towel and went to the bathroom. He dropped his pants and pulled his wifebeater off over his head. Stepping into the shower, he tilted the shower head away from him and turned the hot water on. It came on hot, so he knew someone else must have just left. He adjusted the water and stood under the stream, trying to wash his headache away.

Nym, down in the kitchen, felt Harry get in the shower. She also felt his pounding headache. She threw an eyebrow at Hestia and in the bond told her, "Cover us for half an hour."

She went directly to the bathroom, and with a quick Alohomora she was in. She cast both silencing and locking spells on the doors, windows, and walls.

She stripped on the way to the shower.

Harry turned as she entered the shower and he simply took her into his arms and snuggled into her. They stayed that way for a few moments; then Nym spun Harry around and began washing him. As she washed him he returned the favor. Soon she felt the headache leave him and he looked out from under the spray of water and smiled in his half-broken way.

Harry turned the water off. They left the shower and Nym kissed him and dried herself and her hair. She kissed him again and said, "We'll be in the kitchen, Harry."

Harry smiled and nodded.

Nym canceled the silencing and locking charms and went back down to the kitchen. Once she arrived she looked at Sirius. "Sirius, Harry needs his own room. We'll pick it and clean it today."

Sirius took one look at the steely look in her eyes and said, "Yes, Nym. Also, I have an appointment at noon today that I'd like you to attend."

"Sure, Sirius, no problem."

The rest of the house awoke and Molly soon entered the kitchen and began preparing breakfast.

When Harry arrived in the kitchen, it was only through Morgana's mercy that had Molly turned away from the table. The first thing he did was kiss Tonks on the lips, and then Hestia.

"Harry! Merlin, be careful! Molly's right there."

"Oops."

Harry looked up and saw the horror on Sirius's face. He blushed.

Suddenly Harry got up and left. He went to the parlor and sat on a sofa, blushing and flustered. Sirius, Nym, and Hestia followed him.

Nym and Hestia sealed the room and sat on either side of Harry, panting and each holding one of his hands. Sirius sat in a wingback facing them.

"Harry, what is it?"

"Give us a minute, Sirius."

Hermione and Ginny had awoken and gone into the bathroom together. While Hermione was in the shower, Ginny had stripped and joined her. What had started out as an innocent measure in the interest of time saving soon turned into a full-on romp. Soon they were both on the bottom of the shower locked in a very aggressive bout of oral sex, and their mates were enjoying it right along with them.

Hestia, Nym, and Harry groaned as Ginny and Hermione reached their mutual climax.

After recovering for a moment, Harry looked at Sirius.

"Harry, you and Nym have to get control. You cannot be found out."

Chagrined, Harry nodded. "I know, Sirius. We'll have a conversation with the bonded in a few moments."

"How many?"

"Thirty-three so far, Sirius. Two are too young, and then there are Narcissa and Bellatrix."

"Merlin, Harry...speaking of Narcissa, I have a letter from her." Sirius withdrew it from a pocket and passed it to Harry, who read it and passed it to Nym.

"So this is the meeting we're going to?"

"Yes. I wanted you there to see whether she's telling the truth. It could be a ploy. My research tells me that you, as the Alpha, will not only be able to tell but should be able to establish control over her."

"Harry, this plays right to us. We can set up the purported rape and no one will be the wiser."

Harry winced. "Nym, do we have to keep using that word? What are the chances I could bond her somewhere before I have to-uhh-"

"Act out a rape on her in public, Harry, that's what we're doing."

"When do you plan on telling my ward you'll be doing this to her, Lord Potter?"

Harry looked at Sirius and saw he was in fact deadly serious.

Nym came to the rescue. "Sirius, we plan on getting her agreement. We can think of no other way to keep her alive without secluding her somewhere. And we know how well that's worked in the past. Harry will bond her, it will save her sanity, and even if she ends up pregnant we'll have nine months to think of a way to get her out of where she is and safe."

Sirius relaxed and grinned. "You know, this is crazy enough to work, and if you use Death Eater robes it could sow dissension in the ranks of the dork lord."

Nym nodded. "That's what I was thinking. Now, let's get down to breakfast before Molly comes hunting."

They went back to the kitchen and sat down at the table. Hermione and Ginny joined them. As they ate breakfast, Nym laid down the law in the bond.

"Ladies, I realize the temptation is there. However, please refrain from sexual activity until we're Turning. We must not be discovered. And Harry, while we appreciate your display of affection this morning, you must be more careful. Molly would have gone spare if she'd turned around while you were kissing Hestia or me."

She received a chorus of, "Yes, Nym," from all the bonded.

Harry sent his apologies and then flooded the bond with his love for them. The women returned his love, all of them. It left him stupefied.

"Harry! Wake up, mate. I asked what you were doing today."

Harry snapped out of it and looked at Ron. "Moving to my own room." Ron was crestfallen. "Not because of you, exactly, Ron, but you like to sleep with the window closed and I can't. It gives me a pounding headache. Also, I have a hard time sleeping with you snoring, Ron. I'm so sorry." Harry cringed, waiting for the explosion.

"Thank Merlin. Not to be rude, mate, but you sleeping with that window open is killing me. I think that's why I snore. I get all stuffed up."

Molly, having listened to this, whipped out her wand and scanned Ron. "Allergies, I think. There are potions for that."

"Mum, let's try the separate rooms first. Those potions are horrible and they make me tired."

"All right, Ron, as long as there's room."

"There's plenty of room, Molly. We'll just have to clean one up for Harry. In fact, there's a room right next to mine." Sirius winked hugely at Harry. Unknown to Harry, Nym, or Hestia, this would put him in a room that shared a bathroom with Nym and Hestia.

Harry just looked at him and nodded.

Molly said, "Well, we'll get to work on it after breakfast."

Sirius didn't want Molly to know about the shared bath, so he said, "I'll show Harry where, Molly. I'm sure he and I can handle getting it ready."

Molly nodded. "If you think so, Sirius. The rest of us will work on the main floor, then."

The kids all groaned.

After breakfast they all set off for their appointed tasks.

Harry, Nym, Hestia, and Sirius went upstairs to the door next to the master suite. Sirius pushed it open and they looked in. It was appalling. They walked in and Harry heaved a great sigh. "Well, this is the first time I've wished Dobby were here."

They jumped as Dobby popped into the room. "The great Harry Potter called Dobby?"

"Eerrr, no, Dobby, but now that you're here, could you do me a favor and help me clean this room?"

"Oh no, Harry Potter. Dobby will clean the room. You will do great wizard things."

"Dobby, really, I can...."

Harry trailed off because Dobby was already moving in a blur, cleaning. "Well, this will be easier than I thought."

"Sirius, isn't our room...."

"Right next to this one?" Why, yes it is, Hestia, and I believe you can reach it through here." He opened the door to the shared bathroom and stepped into Nym and Hestia's room. Harry, Nym, and Hestia just looked at each other and grinned.

"What else can Dobby do for the great wizard Harry Potter?"

"First, call me Harry. Then, how would you like to work for me, Dobby?"

Dobby beamed at him. "Dobby would like to be bound to house Potter very much."

"Harry, you can't enslave Dobby."

"Hermione, you do know that house-elves must be bound or their magic fades and they die. They can be bound to a House or to a person."

"Which is better, Amelia?"

"We've always bound our elves to the House; they have the most freedom that way and they can draw the most magic."

There was a general murmur of agreement in the bond.

They all felt Hermione blushing in embarrassment for not knowing this.

Harry walked over to Dobby and put his hand on the house-elf's head. "I, Lord Potter, offer service in House Potter to Dobby the free elf. I offer this without reservation and under no coercion."

"Dobby accepts service in the Most Noble and Most Ancient House of Potter." He looked at Harry consideringly. "Would master consent to bind Winky to the House also? She is fading."

"Only on the condition that you not call me master, Dobby."

Dobby popped away and returned almost instantly with a very bedraggled-looking Winky in tow.

Harry knelt before her and put his hand on her head. "I, Lord Potter, offer service in House Potter to Winky the free elf. I offer this without reservation and under no coercion."

Winky stood stunned for a moment and then said, "Winky accepts service in the Most Noble and Most Ancient House of Potter."

Harry removed his hand and was attacked, each of his legs being hugged by an ecstatic elf.

Winky stepped away from Harry and looked at the dark, threadbare room. She waved her hand and everything was neat, clean, and restored to like-new condition.

"Winky thanks the most powerful master."

"Harry, Winky. Just call me Harry."

"Oh no, master, that would not be proper."

Harry looked at Nym and she just looked back and shrugged.

Harry sighed. "Dobby, Winky, I need you to continue to work at Hogwarts when we're there, but could you do me a favor and start here, and not work too fast? Do the attic and top floor first and then do the basements. Bring any Dark artifacts you find to the library. Watch out for the Hippogriff in the attic. And there's an elf named Kreacher here, but we think something is wrong with him."

"Yes, Master."

"Yes, Harry Potter."

The elves popped away.

"Harry, how are we going to explain this? Those are probably the two strongest house elves in the world now. I mean, look at this room-it's like new!"

Harry rolled his eyes and Nym sat on the bed, laughing.

"We'll just tell anyone who asks that Dobby wanted to help me." Suddenly something occurred to Harry. "Does my family have any properties?"

A strange elf popped into the room. He was instantly covered by four wands.

"Your House includes many properties, milord."

"Who are you?"

"I am Geoffrey, milord, chief elf of the House. It is good to see you well, milord."

The elf turned to Nym. "Milady, welcome to House Potter. Please relay our greetings to your subordinate wives. We await your instructions."

Harry looked at Nym. She shrugged.

"Nym, you're the Alpha. While Harry views you as the first among equals, all others recognize you as the Alpha female. We are your subordinate wives. Traditionally the Alpha wife is responsible for the household. Apparently House Potter is a traditional house in this respect. You are in day-to-day charge of the property and chattel of house Potter."

"Thanks, Daphne, that's what I thought."

"Geoffrey, will you meet us at three this afternoon take us to each property for a review of the estate, please? There will be five of us here, and we'll need you to pick up Susan Bones at the Ossuary and Daphne Greengrass at Long Acres."

Geoffrey bowed and said, "Milady," he then popped away.

"Well, Harry, life is certainly an adventure with you around."

Harry scowled at his godfather.

Nym and Hestia laughed. "Come on, Harry, let's go help the others."

They had another day of cleaning under Molly's watchful eye. Just before lunch Nym, Hestia, and Sirius stood and disappeared back upstairs; from there they Apparated to Andromeda Tonks' house. While the Grimmauld Place crew ate lunch, they met with Narcissa.

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Crawley Down
14 Angle Way

Andromeda sat calmly on her sofa as three cracks of Apparation were heard in the front hall. Narcissa, who had been sitting with her, apparently calmly, started and then stood nervously, facing the noise.

Narcissa saw two women in Auror robes sweep into the parlor and feared the worst. Then she felt it-the overpowering urge to submit. She was momentarily confused and then she oriented slowly on her niece. She dropped to her knees with her head bowed and her crossed wrists raised to her Alpha.

Nym stopped and looked at her for a moment. Making her decision, she stepped to her aunt and circled as much of her crossed wrists as she could with her left hand; raising Narcissa's face, Nym put her right palm on Narcissa's forehead.

Narcissa had read the references and thought she was prepared, but for the next few seconds she relived her whole life as her Alpha judged her. At the end Nym dropped to her knees in front of Narcissa and drew her into her arms. "Why didn't you tell anyone, Aunt Narcissa?"

Narcissa laughed bitterly. "That's not how it's done, my Alpha."

"No more, Narcissa. You will never be abused again." As Nym said that, a blinding blue light flared from her and was absorbed into Narcissa. "Narcissa Black, you are under the protection of the Most Noble and Most Ancient House of Potter. It is our intent to take you to mate and bond you if possible. So mote it be."

Sirius, standing behind, them said, "In fulfillment of our pledge to our liege, so mote it be."

From him an odd black fire flared and was absorbed by Nym and Narcissa.

Andromeda had watched this and now pulled her daughter off the floor. She spun Nym to her. "Nymphadora you are bound?"

"Mother, I am truly bound, and Alpha."

Andromeda suddenly sat on the overstuffed armchair behind her.

Nym picked Narcissa up off the floor and sat her on the couch between herself and Hestia. Sirius sat across from them in an armchair. Ted Tonks sat back down in the same armchair across from the couch from which he had risen at the first crack of Apparation.

"Nymphadora, who have you bonded to?"

"Mother, Father, I must asked for your oaths not to reveal anything you learn of the bonded-you too, Narcissa."

The three stood and one by one rendered oaths on both their magic and their lives.

"Mother, I am the Alpha of Clan Potter."

Sirius interjected, "And also the Alpha of the Heir Apparent of House Black."

Nym continued, "I am the Alpha of a multiple bonding currently comprising thirty-two wives. There is myself as the Alpha wife, four Primary wives, and Harry James Potter is our lord. We expect there to be more bonded. We know that Narcissa and Bellatrix are both potentials. We've been wracking our brains attempting to plan a way to bond them without exposing them."

Narcissa spoke. "Our lord should rape me in a public venue, preferably while he is wearing Dath Eater regalia, or the semblance thereof."

Nym, Sirius, and Hestia smiled at Narcissa. Andromeda's head turned like a gun turret and locked on Narcissa.

"Narcissa, my sister, will not be raped, much less in public."

"Andy, hush. If my lord needs to he can bugger me on the desk of the Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot in front of a full session."

"Cissa, you've lost your mind!"

"Ladies, if you please? My ward, your potential mate Narcissa, has flatly refused to rape you. He is currently fighting against his whole bond in this. I believe that we can bond you, Narcissa, and then we will have him take you very violently in a public place, in front of your husband and son, or at least one of them, while wearing Death Eater garb and with at least one accomplice. We will then make sure the attack on a pureblood woman is published in all wizarding media. Our objective is to sow as much discord in the dork lord's ranks as possible, as well as keeping your sanity, Narcissa."

Silence reigned for a moment, and then Narcissa smiled at Sirius. "Masterful, my lord, almost Slytherin. However, I would question the accomplice. I doubt he would be able to force me if I'm already bound. He should rape me first, before Harry takes me."

Andromeda immediately responded, "Absolutely not."

Narcissa rolled her eyes at her sister, who was sputtering indignantly. "Andy, hush. It's a good plan."

"Oh, yes-with the exception of you being raped by some unknown male and having incestuous sex in public with my daughter's bonded, it's brilliant."

Sirius added, "The accomplice would be for appearances' sake only and would probably be female. They would definitely not-eerrr-rape you."

He chanced a glance at Andromeda. Apoplexy appeared to be setting in.

It was Nym's turn to roll her eyes. "Mother, you have no say here. My lord requires this, so it will be done."

The room suddenly went deadly quiet.

"You will not speak to me that way in my house, Nymphadora Tonks. I will not have my sister used as a toy for the satisfaction of some pimply fifteen-year-old and his out-of-control magic. I may have lost you, but I'll whip your bonded into shape to be worthy of a Black."

Nym stood and the magic swirled about her, fully visible. Andromeda blanched and Nym spoke. "If you must use my full name, mother, get it right: Nymphadora Potter. Also, you insult my lord at your-"

Suddenly a whipcrack of a voice cut across the room. "Nym, sit down." She tried to resist, but her lord's will put her in a seat between Hestia and Narcissa.

"Andromeda, I am Harry Potter. It's a pleasure to meet you, and forgive me for invading your home." He extended his hand to her.

Andromeda automatically extended her hand. Harry bowed deeply over it and raised it slightly to his lips, kissing her fingers between the first and second knuckles. She felt the power radiating off of him.

Harry moved to Mr. Tonks. "Sir, I am so happy to meet you. I feel like I know you from seeing Nym grow up with you."

He extended his hand again, and again his target automatically extended his hand. Harry shook warmly and firmly and then let go. He stepped behind the couch where Nym sat and put his hands on her shoulders. Ted shuddered as he felt the power rolling off Harry.

The bonded all heard, "Very, very good, my lord. Now that you've defused the situation, let them speak. We'll guide you from here if you need help."

"Thank you, Daphne. Nym, I'd really appreciate it if you wouldn't fight with your mother over me."

"You're right, Harry. I don't know what happened."

"Two bonded Alphas is what happened, Nym. Now be a good girl, and remember: you're not subservient to her, but you are her daughter."

"I'll try to remember, Minerva."

"Andromeda, I don't intend to harm your sister. My bonded have cooked this up between them, and I haven't yet been able to make my objections heard. We were still in the process of reasoning our way through it, and Narcissa's opinion was needed.

"Lord Black received a missive from her asking for this talk. He asked my Alpha to accompany him. Hestia, one of my Primary wives, attended her. I would love to have a conversation with you, Ted, and Sirius about this."

Andromeda was completely floored. First this reasonable and erudite teenager had appeared soundlessly and shut Nymphadora down instantly when she was just on the verge of exploding. And what had that been? Nymphadora had never been powerful enough to create an aura before. Also, this handsome young man radiated so much power that it bent the light around him.

Ted looked at his wife and shook his head, smiling. "Harry, Sirius, why don't we adjourn and let the ladies work out their differences? I think they'll be all right now."

Harry and Sirius looked at each other and nodded. Sirius stood and they went into the study.

Nym said to her mother, "I'm sorry, Mother. I don't know what came over me."

"You're an Alpha, doing what you feel is right for your mate. You won't be deterred by anything less powerful than he is. I take it from that display before your mate arrived that you are, in fact, fully bonded and able to draw on his power?"

"Yes, as are all thirty-three of us."

"What? Morgana! How powerful is he?"

"One of the mates, a true seer, has said that looking at his aura is like staring at the sun on a cloudless day at noon. She also says that all of the bonded are more powerful than normal wizards. From what I understand, most of the bonded women are somewhat less powerful than Dumbledore by themselves-not much, but somewhat. Some of them are significantly more powerful."

"Nymphadora, you're talking about a mass bonding on a scale that hasn't been seen in hundreds of years, maybe ever. How did this happen?"

Nymphadora and Hestia sighed and then began relating the story of Harry James Potter. They covered his birth, the events of 31 October 1981, his abandonment and torture at the Dursleys', and his school years. They also relayed what Luna had said about how he got his power.

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While Nym and Hestia were relaying this story, Ted had taken Harry and Sirius to the study. Reaching into a cabinet, he pulled out three fully leaded cut-crystal highballs and a bottle of twelve-year-old Glenlivet. He poured one and a half fingers in each highball and handed two of them to Harry and Sirius.

Harry looked at his glass and sat in on of the oversized dark leather armchairs. Ted sat on the short couch and Sirius took the other oversized chair.

"Harry, do you have a room like this?"

"I don't know, Mr. Tonks."

"Ted, please, Harry. If you're going to be my son-in-law, we might as well use our first names."

'Thank you, Ted. As I was saying, I don't really know what I have. I mean, I haven't seen the property yet, but I'm told there are several manors involved."

"Good, Harry, it sounds like you'll need them." He chuckled. "Make sure whichever one she picks for you has a room like this. Someplace you can go and get away, with none of her things in it. Put some oversized chairs in it so she can curl up in one and watch you. Do not, however, let her move her things into the room."

"Uh, Ted, you don't mind that I'm bonded to your daughter?"

"Harry, I myself am fully bonded. I know the Witches' Secret. It's not really secret among the fully bonded wizards of the world, only among those who have never been fully bonded. Can't talk to others about it unless they know, though; the secret protects itself. Sirius, I wasn't aware you were bonded, so you must have been told. The important part of this really boils down to three simple questions: do you love her? Can you support her? Will you protect her?"

Harry thought for a moment. "With all my heart; if I have to dig ditches eighteen hours a day naked in Siberia; and with my life."

Ted smiled broadly. "Drink, up son. I understand you play a mean game of Quidditch. Let's discuss the merits of a real game-cricket." He picked up a remote control and the television came on, showing a bunch of men in white pants and oxford shirts and jumpers standing around.

Harry and Sirius were bewildered. Ted looked at them and chuckled; then he explained the purported rules of the game.

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Back in the parlor the ladies had indeed managed to get along. Nym and Hestia had finished their story. Now the women sat in contemplation.

A lot of yelling from the study interrupted them. Hestia rose, but Nym just reached out an arm and pulled her back down. She and her mother said at the same time, "Cricket."

Hestia and Narcissa looked at them both with arched eyebrows.

Andromeda explained, "Stupid, boring game. He watches it all the time on the Muggle television. Obviously he's bonding with your mate."

They all rolled their eyes, and then laughed.

Nym said, "Mum, I really am sorry."

"So am I, darling. I just wasn't expecting you to be bonded. I mean, you've never even brought a boy home. You obviously did very well, though, and the Alpha, too. I'm so proud of you."

Nym blushed very prettily. "Oh, Mum, we think it's because I'm a Metamorphmagus. Harry's a full Metamorphmagus-he can even change his sex."

Andromeda blinked.

Narcissa slyly asked, "And just how did you find this out, Nymphadora?"

Nym blushed crimson, her hair going an impressive shade of Weasley again.

Andromeda said, "Oh, my."

They laughed as Nym pouted.

"Back to the situation at hand, ladies. I really liked Lord Black's plan. My question is, how were we going to get me bonded, or at least mated, before I have to do my show?"

"We're Time-Turning, Aunt Narcissa, trying to get us and Harry trained enough to kill Vulturewart without getting him or any of us killed. You'll Floo to the Ossuary tonight at midnight and we'll bond you on the Turn."

Narcissa blinked and then chuckled over the Vulturewart comment. "I can do that, milady. I'll be there."

"Narcissa, you can't really be going to go through with this?"

"Andromeda, are you bonded? Apparently I am not. His magic has found mine. I will not sacrifice my sanity or my life for my abuser or his miserable, weak spawn. I did love Draco, but Lucius has completely corrupted him. He'll kneel to the snake just as his miserable excuse for a father did. My biggest concern right now is how to get poor Bellatrix out of Azkaban and away from the Lestrange brothers. They've been using the Imperious on her for so long that I'm not sure she really isn't mad. Azkaban can't have helped."

Nym said, "We'll cross that bridge when we come to it, Aunt Narcissa. Right now let's worry about you."

"Yes, milady."

The women moved on to discuss many things; babies, homes, and mates were high on the list. They were interrupted at 2:30 by Hermione.

"Nym, it's 2:30. We have to go at 3:00."

"Thank you, Hermione."

"Mother, Aunt Narcissa, we have to go. Narcissa, I look forward to seeing you tonight."

The ladies nodded and rose. Andromeda led the way to Ted's study.

In the study Ted, Sirius, and Harry were engrossed in watching some type of bizarre ritual being played out on the television. Well, in Harry's case his head was turned that way but his eyes were a little glassy, and when Nym oriented on him she could tell he was a little drunk.

"Daddy, what have you done to Harry?"

Ted jerked and turned to look at first Harry and then Nym. "Uh, I just gave him two drinks, honey. He'll be fine."

Ted and Sirius both paled under the death-glares coming from all four women, and Sirius cast a quick sobering charm on Harry. "See? Right as rain, Tonks."

Nym growled at him as Harry shook his clearing head. Harry stood and took Nym's hand. "I'm sorry, Nym, I didn't know."

"It's all right, Harry. Daddy knew-he was playing with you. Just be more careful next time."

They sent each other a kind of hug in the bond.

"Daddy, we have to go. We have other appointments today."

"All right, Dora, it was good to see you. You and your mother all sorted?"

"Yes, Daddy."

"Good, Baby. I think I like your young man. He'll do."

Nym blushed gratefully. "Thanks, Daddy!"

They made their way back to the entrance hall, said their goodbyes, and Harry took Nym and Hestia's hands. Suddenly they were in their bedroom at Grimmauld Place.

"Harry, how did you do that? Side-along Apparation is difficult, and soundless is almost unheard of."

"Is that what that was? I found how to do it in your mind when you were so mad at your mother, Nym. Emmeline knows how to do it silently-something about doing it slowly so you don't disrupt the air suddenly, because it's the air that makes the noise."

This sparked a huge discussion in the bond, and then suddenly Hermione and Ginny appeared in the room.

"You all have to stop doing that until we can get provisional licenses for you. It's illegal to Apparate without a license. I'll get them for all the unlicensed bonded and bring them tonight."

A chorus of,"Yes, Amelia," met that comment.

Geoffrey appeared in the room. "Lord Potter, we will begin with castle Potter, if you please."

"Thank you, Geoffrey."

The elf snapped his fingers and they were transported to a position just outside a large iron gate. Daphne and Susan appeared right on their heels, with two other elves.

Harry hugged the new arrivals. Daphne took the opportunity to whisper into his ear, "Your visit with the Tonkses was masterfully done, my lord. I can't wait for you to meet Mother and Father."

Harry blanched. He received a kiss just under the ear and a nipped earlobe as a reward.

Nym chuckled. "Harry, you can shag her in the castle. Let's move on; I get the impression we have quite a few properties to visit today."

Before Harry could move, Daphne placed his hand on her obviously unrestrained right breast and he felt her nipple harden under his palm. In the bond they caught Daphne's fantasy of Harry ruthlessly shagging her into submission on the great seal in the entry hall of some anonymous castle. They all groaned.

"Daphne, please!" Harry withdrew his hand as she squirmed against him. He was rock-hard.

Harry looked at the gates and the great shield in the middle of them. On that shield two Griffins stood facing each other, supporting a shield quartered. In the top left quarter was an illuminated capital M. In the top right was a coal-black dragon. In the bottom left was a Griffin and in the bottom right was an illuminated capital P.

Harry, not knowing why, stepped forward and placed his hand on the P. The right-hand Griffin lashed out with its beak and bit down on his arm. It drew blood, and the blood ran into its beak; then it withdrew. As soon it withdrew, the left-hand Griffin lashed out and it, too, drew blood. Again, as soon as the blood touched its beak, it withdrew. No wound remained on Harry's arm.

Suddenly all of the women were flooded with the knowledge of the castle. Nym, however, was brought to her knees for a moment as the wards tied themselves to her and, through her, to Harry. They all felt it.

Hermione smirked as she and Hestia helped Nym back to her feet. "Well, no doubt who the Alpha is here, is there?"

The gates sprang open. The group advanced through them, and as soon as they were clear, the gates closed with a resounding clang. Geoffrey snapped his fingers and then said, "Lord Potter, the castle itself is quite some distance away. I've called for the carriage."

"Thank you, Geoffrey."

A carriage rounded the corner in the road ahead of them. It was a beautiful postillion landau in deep maroon with gold trim. The surprising thing was the horses. It was drawn by a matched pair of what could only be Nightmares; they had coal-black coats and red eyes. When they pulled the landau up perfectly in front of Harry, they snorted fire.

A surprised Harry walked to the head of the team; the lead horse leaned its head down to him and gently nudged him with its nose. Harry rubbed the horse's nose and felt at peace. He was home.

Harry walked back to the ladies, who by now all had tears running down their faces. They had never felt him so at peace before. "Nym, what's wrong?"

"Absolutely nothing, milord. I'm simply glad to be your mate." She leaned in and kissed Harry.

"Milord and ladies, if you please?" Geoffrey was standing by the door of the landau that the groom held open. The ladies climbed into the carriage and took their seats.

Harry moved to enter the carriage and paused, looking at the house-elf groom. "Thank you...."

The groom said, "Clem, milord."

"Thank you, Clem."

Harry mounted the small pull-out steps and took a seat between Nym and Susan on the forward-facing seat. The horses started at a walk and very smoothly moved into a trot.

From the seat beside the groom, Geoffrey kept up a running commentary about the estate.

"Milord, if it pleases you, this is the ancestral home of the Most Noble and Most Ancient House of Potter. The grounds around the castle consist of 24,281 hectares, or 60,000 acres. It is a valley approximately ten miles long and nine miles wide. The valley is covered by Muggle-repelling charms and other parts of the wards. This area is commonly known as Godric's Hollow. The Muggle village of Godric's Hollow is in the valley below us right now. We are at the southeastern edge of the estate."

As he said this the carriage turned, and those in the forward-facing seat saw they were riding along a ridge with a valley to their right. Those facing the rear of the landau saw the valley on their left and a small Muggle town laid out below them.

Geoffrey continued. "The estates proper and the castle are maintained by ninety-seven house-elves. The estate still produces magical plants for sale, as well as food crops and livestock for the support of the estates population. The magical plants are sold and I have used that income to continue the operation of the estate and the maintenance of those of milord's properties that produce no income. If you look ahead of the carriage, you will see the castle around the next corner."

The carriage rounded the corner and they were stunned. At the head of the valley was an enormous castle, larger by far than Hogwarts. Sheer rock walls rose hundreds of feet from the valley floor into its walls on three sides. From the ridge, the castle proper rose twelve stories into the air. On the two sides perpendicular to the ridge, the lower six floors had arrow slits covering every possible approach. The wall facing out over the valley had two arrow slits in bays, one at each corner of each floor.

The landau approached the castle and it got larger and larger. They came around to the front and saw that the castle proper actually sat on a promontory, or possibly a man-made spire, separated from the walls of the valley. On the ridge itself was a massive barbican. They passed through the barbican, over a drawbridge, through another gatehouse with double doors, multiple murder holes, and portcullis on each end, and into the courtyard of the castle. Courtyard might have been an understatement for something a thousand feet on a side and containing a perimeter drive surrounding a formal garden.

The carriage stopped by a door in the center of what would be the wing facing over the valley. There were no other doors on the ground floor of the courtyard, and all the windows facing into the courtyard were arrow slits for the first four floors.

The groom dismounted and opened the door, handing the ladies down. Harry emerged last, and the groom nodded as Harry thanked him. Harry again walked to the head of the team and patted the offside Nightmare on the flank. "Thank you. It was a lovely ride." The Nightmare turned and looked at Harry with a soft nicker; the carriage moved forward, turned, and disappeared down a sloping drive in the center of the formal garden, taking Clem and the elf on postillion with it.

Geoffrey had proceeded to the door and pushed it open. They entered a splendid entry hall four stories tall, done in light marbles and rich, dark-brown woods. On the floor in the middle of the hall were the Potter arms. Harry looked at Daphne and raised an eyebrow. Daphne blushed prettily.

"You can molest Daphne on the arms later, Harry. Let's go to the library," Hermione said. Using the knowledge that the castle and wards had put in her head, she led the way. They went up the broad flying stairs in front of them to the first floor. On the landing, slightly narrower flying stairs doubled back, leading to the second floor. Above that was a still narrower set of stairs going back the other direction to the third floor. They could not see it but knew that there was yet another set of stairs leading to the fourth floor. From there the stairs were in left spirals in the corners of the castle.

In front of them, wide twelve-foot-high double doors opened into a massive library, the back wall of which appeared not to exist. They were looking out and down into the valley below. They looked up and saw that the library was at least four stories tall. Hermione squeed and ran for the closest shelf.

Harry walked forward toward a book stand. For some reason it seemed to call to him. Harry thought for a moment and then removed the book from his pocket. He placed it on the stand on its spine and let it go. The book fell open to a double page of what appeared to be handprints. Intrigued, Harry put his hands on the prints. The world around him faded away.

Harry found himself watching as Merlin sent his son into the world after changing his name to Potter. He watched that son find this valley and set up a camp. That camp grew into a castle-not this castle, but a different one. A woman appeared; the progression of years sped up. Harry saw life and death, joy and sorrow, triumph and tragedy, and in the end he saw himself. He knew now what the book was telling him. His first responsibility was to the family and to his women, no matter what any prophecy said. He was Lord Potter first, last, and always.

Nym had felt Harry leave the bond, and she panicked. She spun and saw him standing in front of the book with his hands on it. She flew to his right side and knelt, throwing her arms around his legs. Her mates collapsed around her and Harry and did the only thing they could do.

They waited.

In the bond, panic reigned for a few moments. Hestia calmed the mates, sending them images and feelings of what was happening. They dropped into a supportive kind of desperate waiting.

Suddenly Harry was back in the bond, not merely back but completely, overwhelmingly back.

Nym stood up and hugged him, sobbing into his chest. "Harry, never do that again. I couldn't feel you. You were gone."

"I'm sorry, Nym. I didn't know that would happen. I'll never leave you again."

The bonded felt he was talking about all of them as well as Nym.

Harry asked, "Well, ladies, are we ready to see the next property?"

"Harry, we're exhausted. Can we see the others some other time?"

Geoffrey popped into the room. "Milord, if you place your hand on the book and ask, you will see the properties of your entire estate."

Harry moved to the book with Nym very firmly wrapped around his torso. He placed his hand on the book and thought about the estate. Suddenly, images appeared in his mind. The images also appeared in the minds of the bonded.

There was Godric's Hollow and Potter castle, the ruined cottage in Godric's Hollow village. There was an enormous manor on the Isle of Wight overlooking Catherine's Point. And in London at Three Kings Bench Walk there was a townhouse under the Fidelius that made Grimmauld Place look like a pauper's shed. In Diagon Alley there was a bewildering array of buildings. Apparently Harry owned most of the buildings and leased them to the stores, the notable exception being Gringotts.

They looked at each other and Nym smiled. "Well, I guess we know there will be plenty of space for the babies."

At Harry's shocked face, the bonded giggled madly. Daphne took her opportunity and dragged Harry out of the library and back down the stairs, shedding clothes on the way. When they reached the main hall, she stopped on the coat of arms and turned to begin undressing Harry. The bonded stayed in the library, as did Geoffrey.

"Daphne, I'm sure there are beds here," Harry protested laughlingly.

"I don't want a bed, Harry."

Harry moved to cast a cushioning charm on the floor, and Daphne slapped his hand.

"No, Harry."

Harry tried to protest; Daphne employed her tripping technique again and then, after lying on top of Harry, rolled him over between her spread legs. "No talking, Harry-just take me."

Harry looked into her eyes and gave up.

Back in the library, Hermione shook her head. "What is that about?"

Surprisingly, Su answered her in the bond. "It's a dominance thing, Hermione. Daphne needs to be dominated, not physically so much as socially. Harry using her for his satisfaction on the arms of the house in plain view of any and all imprints on her that he is dominant to her in every way."

"But Harry doesn't want to dominate us; he wants us to be at least his equals."

"And in no way is Daphne, or any of us so far, not his equal in his mind. This, however, is not about Harry. This is about Daphne."

In the entry hall Harry could sense what Daphne wanted and he didn't hold back. He completely dominated her, physically and mentally. He used her in every way possible, not caring if she achieved release or not. He debased her and turned her into an instrument for his pleasure. At first Daphne enjoyed it. Then her conscious mind fought it, and finally she surrendered to him completely, and as he used her she gained pleasure from being used.

The bonded felt Harry's mind withdrawing in revulsion from what he was doing to Daphne. They began to move to the entryway and took up positions surrounding the arms.

Harry finally released into a nearly unconscious Daphne, tearing a scream from her as a gut-twisting orgasm hit her when he bathed her insides in cum. He stood and turned blindly, wanting to run from the arms, tears streaming down his face-a face that was contorted in an agony of conscience at what he had done to a woman he respected and loved.

Ginny was the one closest to him; she spun him around and pushed him back into the center of the arms. Harry almost tripped on Daphne when he blindly blundered into her. He collapsed to his knees and gathered her limp form into his arms and against his chest. Daphne looked up at Harry and her lips moved. He bent his head down and she spoke again, almost too weak to hear. "Thank you, master."

They were staggered by the amount of love and devotion Daphne was projecting into the bond.

Susan moved up beside a stunned Harry and knelt. "She needed this, Harry. You did nothing wrong. She drove you to exactly what she needed in order to be able to completely surrender to you."

Harry nodded. The other bonded stood Harry and Daphne up and dressed them in the clothes that they had collected from where they were scattered about the hall, a task made difficult by the fact that every time they released Daphne she attached herself to Harry in some way.

Finally an exasperated Nym said, "Damn it, Daphne, you limpet! Hold still while I get your panties on you."

The bonded froze for a minute and then they all broke up laughing at the image that Luna was projecting in the bond. It was a vision of Nym struggling to put panties on a seemingly endless parade of naked little girls. There were blonds, red heads, girls with raven-black hair, and not a few bushy-headed brunettes. There were all mixes of facial features on the little girls: Asiatic, Caucasoid, Amerind, and black. There was even one little imp whose hair was cycling through every imaginable color. In the background there were a few naked little boys running around, creating havoc wherever they went. Oddly enough, all the little ones had the most startling green eyes.

Minerva's thoughts summed it up perhaps best: "Oh, Morgana!"

Harry sat down in the chair Hestia swiftly conjured behind him. Daphne crawled directly into his lap, and Nym took the opportunity of both of her feet being off the ground to slide her panties on as Susan drew her camisole down over her head.

The bonded all felt Nym's triumph at finally getting the panties on her mate. "Luna, was that a true vision?"

"It was from one of the possibilities, I think, Nym."

"Possibilities?"

"With the prophecy operating, Nym, I see things from two different possibilities."

"Luna, what made the possibilities?"

"When Vulturewart took the first step and marked Harry, it made the possibilities exist because of the vagueness of the prophecy. That 'One must kill the other, because neither can live' blah, blah, blah nonsense either made the possibilities or is an affect of them, Amanda."

"The good news is I'm seeing less and less from the possibility we won't like. The bad news is that what I am seeing is becoming clearer and more focused. In the past that has indicated an event that is going to happen for sure. I'm currently recording these visions and will be prepared to discuss the clearest ones soon."

As this conversation occurred in the bond, the bonded who were present continued to get the "Limpet" into her clothes every time she shifted her shaky grip on Harry. Harry continued to dress himself, causing her shifts in grip.

Once they were dressed again, Harry spoke in the Bond. "Is there anything anyone else wants to do here?"

No one answered, so Harry, assuming that this was a negative, gathered his bonded into a group. circling them with his arms or touching, them he Apparated. The party landed in the foyer of a very fine home.

"Merlin, Harry, what did you do?"

"I brought us to Long Acres to drop Daphne off, Nym."

"I got that, Harry, but I was asking how you did it."

"Oh. I felt how Geoffrey did it, so I just did the same thing."

"Harry, what do you mean, you felt how Geoffrey did it?"

"I felt how the magic acted when he manipulated it, so I just did it the same way."

"I'm sure that's all very nice, but could we do the introductions first? I mean, it is traditional."

William Greengrass suddenly found himself the business end of five wands and staring into the burning green eyes of The-Boy-Who-Kicks-the-Dark-Wanker's-Arse. It was, while not untenable, very uncomfortable, like being lined up in a set of gun sights and knowing it.

Daphne recovered and unwound herself from Harry. "Daddy, this is Lord Harry James Potter, my bonded mate; Lady Nymphadora Tonks Potter, my Alpha; Lady Hestia Jones Potter, Lady Hermione Granger Potter, Lady Susan Bones Potter, and Lady Ginevra Weasley Potter, my fellow bonded primary wives. Lord and Ladies Potter, may I present Sir William and Lady Esmeralda Greengrass?"

Esmeralda had entered the foyer with her wand drawn. She had no idea how she was going to fight, as just looking at the group of people in front of her husband was painful for her. Their auras were so bright she could no longer see colors.

The Bonded lowered their wands. Harry stepped forward. "I'm sorry, Sir William, but I wanted to get Daphne home as we've had a trying afternoon."

William was nothing if not quick. "Certainly, my lord. Might we offer you some tea?"

Through the bond, Luna said, "Suppress your auras. You're blinding Esmeralda."

They looked in her mind and saw how to do it, and then did so, some more successfully than others. Ginny strained and fought with hers. Esmeralda came to her rescue.

"Ginny, if I may call you that, that's enough, and thank you all."

"Mother, I didn't know you were an aura reader. And yes, perhaps we should use our given names. There are a few too many Lady Potters at one time."

Esmeralda chuckled. "I don't tell you everything, dear, and it helps your father when he's doing business. I can read intentions."

Harry like the sound of her chuckle. It was an open, honest, warm sound.

"As I was saying, my lord, perhaps we could retire to the drawing room. I'll have our elves make some tea."

"Harry, please, Sir William. I'm not really used to all the titles yet."

William led the way to the drawing room. "William, then, please, Harry. Not Bill, though. I always disliked that name-it sounds as if I should be collected or posted."

They made their way through the very elegantly appointed home and into the drawing room. The bonded could feel that the rest of their mates had stopped whatever they were doing and were completely oriented on them and this meeting.

They were seated in the drawing room and a well-dressed elf popped in and began pouring tea.

William had had enough time to think by now and opened the conversation. "Harry, you do know that your parents and I completed a marriage contract between yourself and Daphne?"

"Yes, William. In the course of her investigation of the charges of under-age use of magic that pending against me, Director Bones discovered the contract along with three others. We've read the contracts and agree to their terms."

There was a sharp intake of breath as the room shook and the walls of the house rang. A brilliant light burst from Harry and the bonded and was met by an equally brilliant light emanating from the house and the Greengrasses. Daphne felt the immense power of the ancient Potter wards crash down on the Greengrass wards and augment them and then pass into her.

"You want to be careful of saying things like that, Harry. With the level of power you have and the immense and ancient power contained in your House, when you speak your intent it happens. Daphne, are you all right? I assume you now control the wards of Long Acre and that they have been augmented by the Potter wards."

Esmeralda answered first. "She and I have joint control, William. It's very strange."

"Yes, I have control with Mother, Daddy, and she's right-it is very strange."

"I'm sorry, William. I I hadn't realized that would happen."

"I suspected it would but was unsure myself. When your father and I signed that contract it was very powerful."

"Nymphadora?"

Nym cringed "Esmeralda-Nym, please. I dislike Nymphadora; it makes me sound as if I should have a vulture hat on. Of course, I disliked Nym, too, until Harry called me that."

They all laughed and Hermione said, "I'm telling Mrs. Longbottom on you, Nym."

Nym very maturely stuck her tongue out at Hermione, provoking more laughter.

Esmeralda continued after her laughter subsided. "Nym, do you know who the other contracts were for, and could you share that with us? We knew we were signing Daphne up for a multiple marriage, but we were hoping for good co-wives for her."

"Okay, how much do I tell?"

"They're your in-laws, Harry. You've bound the houses; I believe they can know it all.

There was general agreement with Amelia's sentiment. Harry nodded slightly at Nym.

Nym said, "It's a little more complicated than just the contracts, Esmeralda. Two of the other contracts were liege/vassal contracts between Potter/Black and Potter/Weasley. The last was another contract like yours between Potter/Bones. Ginny is the only unbonded Weasley girl."

Esmeralda was not slow, either. "Narcissa, Bellatrix, you, Amelia, and Susan."

Nym grinned at her and Daphne drawled, "Very good, Mother."

Daphne got a light pinch from Nym and a glare from her mother. Nym and Esmeralda looked at each other and chuckled while Daphne pouted outrageously.

Esmeralda continued, "That doesn't explain Hermione, the brightest witch of her age, or the indomitable Auror Jones, however."

Harry's face flamed. He knew what was coming.

Hestia, simply and efficiently, said, "Harry was raised in a Muggle household. He was not instructed to control his magic's mate-seeking. He is enormously powerful and the last remaining scion of an ancient and noble house."

Esmeralda sat stunned a moment. "How many?" she asked.

Nym answered this time. "Thirty-three have been bound so far. We know of four others. Of these, two are too young as yet, one is the wife of an inner circle Death Eater and one is an inner circle Death Eater."

Hermione did her usual trick, this time producing not one but two sheets of parchment with her wand. She handed one to Esmeralda and one to William.


Alpha
Nymphadora Tonks

Primary Wives
Hermione Granger Susan Bones
Ginny Weasley Daphne Greengrass
Hestia Jones

In Compulsion Wives
Rita Skeeter Minerva McGonagall Aurora Sinistra
Septima Vector Bathsheba Babbling Madam Rosmerta
Ann Morley Anastasia Romanov Chu Li Ming
Marie Crouching Cougar Amanda Sherman Emmeline Vance
Amelia Bones

In Compulsion (Probable [tentative])
Narcissa Black Bellatrix Black

Wives
Hannah Abbot Shelia Fawcett Megan Jones
Sally Anne Perks Mandy Brocklehurst Su Li
Padma Patil Cho Chang Marietta Edgecomb
Luna Montgomery Luna Lovegood Tracey Davis
Katie Bell Parvati Patil

Wives/Mates/Mistresses (Probable [tentative])
Victoria Frobisher Emma Dobbs

"Minerva McGonagall? Oh, my!" Esmeralda exclaimed.

Harry got a goofy smile on his face and said, "Yes, oh my!" remembering time spent with a very, very sexy Minerva.

Nym reached up and patted his check. "Later, lover boy. Not in front of the mother-in-law."

Harry blushed to his roots and then his hair turned that startling shade of Weasley that Nym's had on several occasions.

They all felt Minerva's pride through the bond.

William looked around at the stunned faces looking at Harry and chuckled. "Well, milord, that should get you some extra points when it makes it back to your mate from your other mates."

Daphne looked at her father and smiled impishly. "It already did, Daddy, and you should see what she's planning."

While Esmeralda and William were working out the implications of this and Harry's very startling color change, Nym hissed, "Daphne, shhhh."

Daphne returned, "Oh, Nym, it's not like they weren't going to figure it out. They're fully bonded, and I want them to spend lots of time with us."

Esmeralda looked at Nym again and asked, "How many?"

"All thirty-three are fully bonded."

"Morgana! How do you keep your heads if one of you is in public and he's with someone else?"

"We've only recently become bonded, so it isn't a problem yet; but we are going to have to have a discussion over it. Things got a touch out of hand this morning."

Hermione and Ginny blushed at this. William couldn't stand it any more and he started to laugh as well. It wasn't a chuckle or a polite laugh but one of those good, healthy belly-laughs that make your ribs ache. The others soon joined him.

After a few minutes, Harry said, "William, I had no intention of doing this this way. Had I known of this aspect of magic and the contracts, I would have properly asked for your daughter's hand and we would have been properly married before we did anything."

This had the effect of setting William off on another round of howling laughter. Harry pouted a little, looking hurt.

William got himself under control. "Harry, I'm fully bonded. I know how little control you had over this. When we signed the contract we had already done the test; you and Daphne were very compatible as babies, or we never would have agreed to this. What got me laughing was thinking of the look on Dumbassdoor's face when he finds out."

"William, we think he intended for this to happen."

Suddenly all the laughter was gone. "What, Harry? Say that again." Even as William asked, his head was already spinning through the details. He had not been the Slytherin Head Boy for nothing. His wife's brilliantly sharp Ravenclaw Head Girl intellect joined his. and the conclusions leapt at them.

William stood and began pacing, cursing under his breath the whole time. "The esteemed leader of the Light, APWB Dumbledore, is forging his weapon. He intends to use you, Lord Baron, to eliminate the threat represented by the Dark Lord Voldemort.

"Unfortunately for us, in his advanced years he has not considered the consequences of his actions-either that or he has considered the consequences and determined that in the interest of the 'greater good', sacrifices must be made.

"Alternately, and possibly worse, in the sharpness gained by his advanced years he has decided to use you as a weapon eliminating Voldemort, sacrificing you in the process but leaving him alive as the leader of the Light and the idol of the people.

"Either way, if we follow his plan you lose milord. Normally, me being a Slytherin, I would mourn the passing of an apparently fine young man; however, with my only daughter being involved with you rather intimately, I would much prefer that you stay alive and attempt to overwhelm Esmeralda with grandchildren. Now, that being the case, I would like to hear your plan, milord."

Harry sat for a moment contemplating this. He had been sensing pieces of this in his mates' minds, but William had put it together at light speed. Harry decided to use this sounding board to test some theories. "I beat Voldemort and disappear."

"Tomorrow? You'll continue to bond high-powered witches, milord. Do you know how many pureblood wives are not bonded to their husbands?"

Esmeralda said. "You will, at least, be putting babies in Juliet Mulciber, Katherine Nott, Alexis Rookwood, Carina Yaxley, Irina Dolohov, and Margaret Zabini. They are all of the appropriate age and power. They are not bonded, as they were mostly forced into what amounts to slavery, and they are not bonded with their children. You will at some point in your life also have the pleasure of at least impregnating Pansy Parkinson and/or her mother Jacquelyn."

William continued, "So unless we're leaving here to go kill the dork lord and you kill all of these Death Eaters and the neutral purebloods, you will have effectively sewn up the entire pureblood witch population of Britain, minus the clans, and you will have cherry-picked them. The pureblood males will be apoplectic. They'll have the Wheezengamot and the Ministry of Mismanagement throw you under Azkaban, or give you the Kiss or chuck you through the veil. You can't disappear without sentencing these witches to madness or death."

Harry nodded and said, "I kill Voldemort, and then Dumbledore and the Minister. Next I kill off all the Death Eaters and then we all live happily ever after."

William, smiling, rejoined, "Tut tut, milord, let's not be stroppy. Good plan, but it exposes us to both danger and legal liability. Instead let's wait and let them, the forces of Light and Dark, fight it out. Then after, when everyone is committed one way or the other, when it looks to go one way or the other we step in and turn the tide or finish it and effectively emasculate Dumbassdoor. Meanwhile we gather resources and strength and only move to protect our friends or the innocent. The only thing we need to implement this plan is a true seer."

Harry nodded his head but said nothing. In the bond he heard Daphne say, "Very Slytherin, Harry."

"Did you know the Sorting Hat wanted to put me in Slytherin?"

There was a shocked silence in the bond as they found and reviewed the relevant memory.

"William, thank you-and thank you for the tea. We must be getting Susan home also. however. so if you'll excuse us?"

"Of course, Harry. And Harry, please feel free to stop by any time."

Harry shook William's hand and went to kiss Esmeralda's hand, but she pulled him into a hug and kissed him firmly. "Think hard, Harry. I want those grandchildren."

Harry nodded again and extended his arms. He scooped up Daphne and kissed her. Then he turned and gathered his remaining mates in his arms and they disappeared.

"Merlin, Daphne, could we have picked a more powerful or more confused young wizard for you? I'm sorry to have gotten you into this, baby."

"Oh, Daddy, do shut up, please. You did fine, and we-clan Potter-will be fine. I know you were trying to get him to think, but what you have forgotten is that he's bonded to five Slytherin and twelve Ravenclaw women right now, aside from Hermione who is without question the brightest witch of her age and possibly any age. Too bad her socialization didn't keep pace with that brain. By tomorrow he'll be bound to Narcissa Black, formerly Malfoy. I believe he'll have sufficient political advice. He just used you as a sounding board. By the way, his plan is tighter than yours. If we do this right, and with a little luck, we won't lose anyone."

"Daphne, leave your poor, illiterate, scheming father alone and come tell me how good the Boy-Who-Lived is in bed."

Daphne smiled at her father, who now had a distinctly unhappy look on his face as he headed for his study. She suspected that there would be drinking involved soon.

Esmeralda saw the same thing. "Not too much, dear. I have plans for later."

Williams face suddenly lifted from its scowl. The women laughed.

HPATWSHPATWSHPATWSHPATWSHPATWSHPATWSHPATWSHPATWSPATWSHPATWSHPATWSHPATWSHPATWSHPATWS

The Ossuary


Harry and the other women arrived in the entry hall of the Ossuary, and Harry looked at Susan. "See you tonight. We need to get home before Mrs. Weasley starts snooping."

Amelia swept into the entrance hall and hugged Harry. Then she kissed him and stepped back, making shooing motions with her hands. "Go, Harry."

Harry hugged the four remaining women to him and they disappeared. "Susan, how does he do that?"

"I don't know, Aunt Amelia. It's some kind of Harryistic combination of Apparating and elf-popping."

"Harryistic? Susan, that's not a word. What does it feel like?"

"Nothing. There's absolutely no feeling. You're in one place, and then you're in the other."

"Okay, so Emmeline and her colleagues are going to want to see this."

"Why is it so important, Aunt Amelia?"

"It's completely silent and goes right through the wards."

HPATWSHPATWSHPATWSHPATWSHPATWSHPATWSHPATWSHPATWSPATWSHPATWSHPATWSHPATWSHPATWSHPATWS

Number Twelve Grimmauld Place

The remaining bonded appeared in Nym and Hestia's bedroom at Grimmauld Place just as Sirius opened the door. "Thank Merlin, Harry. Come to the library. Molly is snooping around and it's taking all of us to keep her misdirected. Thank Merlin for Dobby and Winky. They've been able to make it look like we've all been cleaning all day." He turned and left.

Harry and the mates followed. In the library Harry sat in the middle of one of the facing sofas. Hestia and Nym sat with him, and Hermione and Ginny sat across from him. Sirius sat in a wingback with his back to the door, facing the fireplace.

"Harry, Narcissa will meet you at the Ossuary tonight. Just take your time over the Turn and see what develops."

"Sirius, I'm not so worried about it any more. I guess I was...I don't know, thinking like a Muggle, maybe. I felt like we were being denied choices. I just couldn't get the idea that our magic was doing the choosing. I mean, it's us, but it isn't. And then on top of that, we have the raised-Muggle-so-expecting-monogamy thing. I've gotten used to the idea, though, and I know now that my primary responsibility is the family. These women are family, too, so...."

"I know, Harry. I'll admit you were scaring me there for a while, though."

"Ha, me scaring you? Guess how scared I was of telling Ron this? I thought his head would explode!"

"Oy, I heard that."

Ginny looked up. "Ron, why are you hiding back there?"

"I'm not hiding. I want to start studying some. Harry's upped the ante on finding witches."

Ginny got up and walked to her brother. She reached up, putting the back of her hand to his forehead. "Nope, not hot. The twins must have hit him in the head."

They all chuckled. "Har, har it may take me a while but I learn eventually," Ron muttered.

Harry smiled. "Well, I'm glad, Ron. It looks to be a tough year coming up. We're all going to have to maintain the same type of behavior we've displayed in the past, but we may have to run some errands. I'm working on what I want to do, but I have a hang-up right now."

"What is it, Harry?" Sirius asked.

"Sirius, I want to keep the bonded hidden. The only problem with that is that we're going to have to figure out a way to keep Riddle from killing people. I get the feeling Luna can tell us where and when he'll attack, but how do we replace the people he's going to target?"

"Simacrula and Obliviation, which means you'll have to win the battle every time. The first time you lose, not only will it cost you personally but the Death Eaters may get away and then the whole thing will blow up in your face."

Everyone was paying attention, but Sirius saw most of them had a kind of lost expression. He sighed. "If we know where the attack will take place, then we'll know who they're likely to be attacking. We go in early, replace the targeted people with simacrula, and evacuate them. The Death Eaters arrive and attack. We attack, them Stun them, and use Veritaserum to interrogate them. Then we Obliviate them, tell them they were successful, and send them back and act on whatever intelligence we've gathered. Your goal should be to gain control of the monetary and commercial resources while Dumbledore plays whatever stupid game it is that he's playing. We can hide people, if we need to, at the other Black estate properties."

"Also the Potter estate; it's enormous. And empty except for the elves and magical creatures."

Nym and Hestia looked at each other and felt the amazement of the bonded. Nym said, "Oh my, very nice, Sirius-you too, Harry. We probably can actually pull this off."

The group fell silent in contemplation while the bond came alive with refinements and improvements to the plan.

Molly entered the library after a few minutes and found everyone sitting around apparently reading. She was not pleased with the fact that Harry was sitting between Tonks and Hestia. She was even less pleased that Ginny was sitting almost in Hermione's lap. She would have to talk to Ginny again. The girl needed to be more proactive in capturing Harry's attention. Also, Ron was going to have to do better with Hermione. This closeness between Ginny and Hermione was fine, a little experimenting never hurt a witch; but things couldn't be let go too far. Things just weren't going according to plan lately. She looked at Harry again and wondered momentarily if what Ginny had said about his magic's seeking could be true. Tonks was certainly sitting very close to him, as was Hestia. She shook her head. No, it couldn't be. Those legends were just that-legends. Ginny would have Harry, and Ron would have Hermione. It just needed some more time.

"Dinner will be ready in a few moments. Hermione, Ginny, could you help me, please?" Hermione, Ginny, and Harry stood and left with Molly.