Categories > Books > Harry Potter > Harry Potter and the Witches' Secret
Harry Potter and the Witches' Secret
Chapter 23
Evening of 12 Sept 1995 (Sidereal)
Harry stepped into the entry hall to the appreciative stares of his mates. He was rendered speechless. They had all dropped their glamors and were dressed to impress. Elegant evening gowns showing a nice bit of décolletage and bare arms and elegantly beautiful bare backs were the order of the day. Between the mates there seemed to be acres of firm, warmly tanned skin on display. They were stunning.
Nym eyed her bonded critically. Harry was dressed in a set of perfectly fitted dark, blood-red dress robes trimmed in old gold. His black hair had a devil-may-care kind of messiness to it that seemed to somehow be essentially Harry. No glasses tonight; he had stopped wearing them some time ago, she suddenly realized, and his bright green eyes shone brightly. Harry would simply slay the mothers.
She could feel her mates agreeing with her. She turned her attention to them. No attention to detail had been spared; they were gorgeous and perfect in their many different-colored robes.
It was almost time. The front door opened and Sarah, Andrew, Beatrice, and Eugenie entered. They were as perfect as the other bonded, and Andrew was almost as well presented as Harry. Eugenie was in the cutest pale-blue formal gown Nym had ever seen on a five-year-old. She would slay also.
Harry stepped up beside Nym and offered her his arm. She took it and he escorted her through the great double doors. They stood at the top of the broad stone steps and waited. While they waited they communed with their mates in the bond. The mates were nearly overwhelmed by Nym's pride and Harry's awed gratitude that he was their mate.
The landau, with the top up, approached the steps followed by two enormous post coaches. It stopped with the door precisely aligned with the center of the stairs. Harry stepped forward and handed down the Queen. He kissed her knuckles swiftly and released her hand. "Your Majesty, welcome to Potter Castle."
She looked him up and down and beamed at him. "Your Grace."
Elizabeth turned to Nym, who dropped a curtsy. "Your Majesty, welcome to Potter Castle."
Surprising everyone, the Queen hugged Nym as she rose from her curtsy and took her arm. "None of that, Nymphadora. Thank you for having us on such short notice."
Nym blinked in surprise.
Harry had turned to Phillip and bowed from the shoulders. "Your Royal Highness."
Phillip grinned at him and shook him warmly by the hand. "Your Grace. Modest little place you have here."
Harry, in his excitement, quipped, "Well I like to keep a small place in the country."
Phillip blinked while the Queen chuckled. "Lets go inside while the boys are playing, Nymphadora. I want to see the Duchesses."
Nym led the Queen inside while Harry and Phillip watched the two huge post coaches unload a veritable hoard of people.
"Sorry about this, Harry, old man. The Queen, however, cannot travel without all these people, or so they think."
Harry nodded to show he got it.
"We'd better catch up, Harry. Don't want to leave the women alone too long; no telling what will happen."
Harry nodded and led the way inside.
When they entered the hall, the Queen was going down the line of Duchesses, sprinkling kisses and compliments, shaking hands, and smiling. She asked questions here and there and complimented the mates on their appearance often.
She came to the place in line where Janet, Krystal, and Krista stood. "We have heard of your exploits in defense of the Light, Duchess-all of you, actually."
She looked thoughtful for a moment. "Kneel."
Janet dropped to her knees.
"Swear."
Janet found herself saying, "I, Janet Maria Potter, do swear fealty to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and to Harry, Duke of Magic, of the same."
The Queen smiled as the courtiers who had filed in gasped. Elizabeth smirked. They hadn't seen anything yet. "Sword."
The Sword of State appeared in her outstretched right hand. She gently tapped Janet on her right shoulder, then her left, then the top of her head. As she rested the sword on her head, a light flared from all of the bonded and the Castle.
"Rise, created Duchess of Magic of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Defender of Magic."
Janet rose on Harry's offered hand and the Queen repeated the process with Krystal, Krista, Cynthia, and Clarissa.
She spoke quietly to Victoria and Emma. "Ladies, we will wait for your parents and create you before dinner."
Victoria and Emma beamed.
Elizabeth approached Minerva again. "Min, you are looking very nice. The tartan is different, though."
"Elizabeth-" another sharp intake of breath was heard from the courtiers- "I'm a bonded witch. You know I wear his tartan."
Minerva was wearing a tartan sash over her right shoulder and covering her right breast, pinned at the shoulder and left hip with ancient mithril brooches bearing the Potter crest. The tartan was deep red, almost black, and old gold with green and black stripes.
"So, are we ready for our in-laws, Min?"
Phillip and Andrew were watching Harry.
"Yes, Elizabeth-all twenty-three sets of them."
Phillip and Andrew stepped up and put a hand apiece on Harry's elbows.
"How about a nip while the ladies talk, Harry?"
"Certainly, Phillip," Harry mumbled. Geoffrey popped in and led them to the Maste'rs Study, a quiet, dark, wood and leather-upholstered space. They sat Harry in a chair and Andrew poured each of them a finger of single malt.
As Harry recovered his wits and took a drink, Phillip and Andrew chuckled.
Back in the entry hall, the ladies' tongues wagged busily. "My God, Min, he has a will of iron! I didn't think he'd break, for a minute there."
"He can face anything except a threat to the bond or parents, Elizabeth; he's a young man, however. He'll recover fast."
"I hope so. Baron Fellowes?"
"Ma'am?"
"How long until the first guests arrive?"
"Fifteen minutes, ma'am."
"That will be fine."
"Ma'am?"
"Nym?"
"Ma'am?"
"Psssshht-Elizabeth, Nym!" Another gasp.
"Let's form a line, and some of these people with breathing problems can introduce themselves." The courtiers received a scathing look from the Queen.
Nym escorted Elizabeth to the front of the line. The bonded fell into line on Nym's left. More gasps were heard when Sarah fell in line directly to Nym's left with the Primary wives to her right, including the Princesses.
The Queen actually rolled her eyes. Nym laughed. The first courtiers began passing down the line, with Baron Fellowes doing the introductions. His staff paid close attention.
In the Master's Study, Harry had recovered assisted by the humor in the bond at the Queen's abuse of her courtiers. He stood and moved over to where Phillip and Andrew stood looking out of the illusioned wall at the Hollow below.
"Harry, did you know something has dug a dirty great hole in your garden?"
Harry pouted as the bonded laughed. "Errr, I did most of it, Phillip. It's the foundation for the Royal Academy of Magic and the excavation for the five hundred-acre lake beside it."
"Great Scott, Harry, it's huge! How long did that take you?"
"A couple of hours this morning and all afternoon. I would have finished, but Nym made me come in and dress. I'll have to finish it when we're back uptime."
Phillip looked at Andrew behind Harry's back, and the two of them chuckled. The young Duke had literally moved a mountain today and was afraid of his in-laws. It was too much; had it not been for lifetimes of training in suppression, they would have howled with laughter.
"All right there, then, Harry?"
"Sure, Andrew. And sorry, it's just that meeting parents scares the pants off me, and then I have to meet all of them tonight-well, you can imagine."
That comment was the straw that broke the camel's back. Phillip and Andrew broke up laughing.
Harry pouted some more.
"It's fine, dear. Wait till I tell you the story of Andrew meeting the Major. And the Queen Mother will have some interesting stories about Phillip, too, I'm sure. Bring the two dolts back now. It's almost time for the guests to arrive."
"Mum, don't call dad a dolt."
"And what should I call him, Beatrice?"
"A Hyena right now. Morgana,that laugh! Can't you do something about that, Mum?"
The bonded chuckled at this latest biting comment from Eugenie.
Harry gathered up Phillip and Andrew and they moved back to the entry hall. As they approached, their women eyed them up and down to make sure they weren't in disarray, but they were all perfect.
Harry fell into line on Nym's right with Andrew on his left, and Phillip fell in to the left of the Queen.
Harry heard the Queen say, "Dirty great hole in the garden, indeed-what were you thinking, Phillip?"
Harry suspected she and Phillip were fully bonded. Phillip fueled his suspicion when he said, "Well you said to do something, Elizabeth. It worked, didn't it?" sotto voce, for him anyway.
The Queen smiled a little Mona Lisa smile at Phillip that didn't settle his nerves any. He'd seen that smile before and knew it could mean everything or nothing.
He was saved by the door opening.
When Geoffrey had seen the Master return and get in the line and the Mistress nod her head almost imperceptibly, he had let the first elf know and the Greengrasses had popped into the driveway facing the open double doors of the enormous Castle.
William was impressed, the boy was well off. His daughter would be fine. He offered his arm to Esmeralda and she smirked at him and took it as they mounted the steps.
When they entered the hall Geoffrey announced them in a clear voice. "Lord and Lady Greengrass."
William was stunned to see the Queen standing there but he never faltered. He led Esmeralda to the head of the line and bowed from the shoulders. "Your Majesty."
"My Lord William, we're glad you could attend our family on such short notice."
That comment brought several starts throughout the room; the courtiers had not been included in the receiving line.
Luna just smiled serenely and nodded.
William passed on down the line and Esmeralda stepped in front of the Queen and dropped a curtsy. "Your Majesty."
"Lady Esmeralda, so very beautiful. Daphne comes by it naturally, I see. She's a fine Primary mate for our House; we thank you."
The writing was clearly on the wall now, and the courtiers reassessed their positions.
Esmeralda smiled at the Queen, knowing what she was doing and knowing the comment on Daphne was genuine. "Thank you, ma'am." She passed on down the line.
While the Greengrasses had been greeting the Queen, Ted and Andromeda Tonks had moved into line a few paces behind them. As soon as Esmeralda moved on, they were announced. "The Right Honorable Ted Tonks and Lady Andromeda Black Tonks."
The Queen smiled widely as Ted bowed. "A very fine daughter, sir, and a powerful Alpha for our House."
Ted smiled broadly and moved on. He was thrilled to meet the Royals, and if he understood correctly, his daughter-a commoner-had just been elevated to the Royal household. He had never been so proud of her.
Andromeda approached the Queen and dropped a curtsy. "Your Majesty."
The queen looked at her critically. "Such beauty and strength. A true daughter of your house, and a fine daughter and sisters you have given to our House."
"We live to serve our liege, ma'am."
Elizabeth smiled at the very Slytherin confirmation of the Blacks' fealty to the Potter House. Andromeda moved on.
"Lord and Lady Weasley."
Ginny was praying that her mother wouldn't go spare in front of the Queen. Harry was, too.
Molly and Arthur had landed in the driveway after reviewing the invitation and dressing in the horribly expensive dress robes that the twins had provided. (Ginny sent them to the twins and had them tell her parents that they came from their mail-order profits, which although she didn't know it could be very well true, since Harry had funded the beginnings of their enterprise and they regularly deposited a third of their profits in his accounts.) They looked at the enormous Castle and were taken aback; they had known that the Potters were wealthy, but this was beyond the pale.
Arthur offered his arm and Molly rested one hand gently on it, suppressing her nervousness over this adventure. The only reason she had come was the note signed by the missing Ginny. Minerva and Poppy's report on Albus had been disheartening, and then having to change the Order leadership on top of Ginny, Hermione, and Harry being missing had been almost more than she could bear.
They entered the door, and the first thing Molly saw was Ginny standing in the receiving line in a beautiful gown. She was radiant. Beside her was a vision of teenage beauty that was surprisingly, upon closer inspection, proved to be Hermione.
Molly's tunnel vision widened and she took in the other witches and then Harry. Could that really be Harry, so tall and well muscled? Morgana, he was gorgeous, and you could see the power radiating off of him. The other witches were radiating power, too. What was going on here? Minerva? Madam Bones? Tonks?
Suddenly it hit her and her knees started to buckle. Arthur changed his grip to her elbow and Harry cast an Ennervate on her. She snapped back awake and just as she was about to launch into a howling rage she saw the Queen looking at her. Molly snapped her mouth shut and let Arthur lead her over to the head of the line.
Arthur bowed to the Queen. "Your Majesty."
"Another Ancient and Noble House, and another fine Primary mate for our House. So very powerful, beautiful, and intelligent, too. We are happy to have the Duchess Ginevra as one of our Dukes' Primary wives."
"We are honored to serve our liege, ma'am."
The Queen smiled at this affirmation of fealty to House Potter and turned her eyes to Molly.
Molly was not stupid and had been raised in a pureblood house. She was accustomed to the usages and knew that Arthur had just said that House Weasley was a vassal of House Potter. She also had heard the Duchess Ginevra comment along with the Primary wife appellation. She smiled broadly and relaxed. Albus might be gone, but here was power beyond measure and her house was tied directly to it. The light literally came back on in Molly's world in that instant.
She dropped an elegant curtsy. "Your Majesty."
"I see the apple did not fall far from the tree, Lady Molly. Well done."
Molly Weasley had the proudest moment of her life to date right then. She had reached the pinnacle of success as far as she was concerned. Her daughters had married well, into both wealth and power. One of her sons was married, finally, and apparently was at the absolute pinnacle of power and society. Now she wondered if it was too early to think about grandchildren. She moved down the line thinking the whole time, Hmmm, Minerva must be seventy; if Harry is going to get me some grandchildren with her, he needs to get started-she only has about fifty years left. With all of these witches, though, we could fill this Castle.
"Molly, stop. Let the boy get used to this first. By the way, since when are Harry and Hermione yours?"
"Don't you take that tone with me, Arthur. I love that boy and Hermione like my own. You should give him the talk. He should already have half of these witches pregnant."
"Molly!"
"What, Arthur? We never had any trouble; I just want him to get expert help. Some of these witches aren't getting any younger."
Arthur stared at her and shook his head. Ginny was flaming red; eager to know what her parents really thought of the situation, she had used her Legilimency and picked up the whole conversation. Her mother had no shields at all.
Since Ginny had heard it, the bonded heard it, and Minerva was steaming-almost literally. She was going to have a long conversation with Molly, the bi-polar cow. Not getting any younger, indeed!
Inside the bond the mates were near hysterics at this whole turn of events.
While Harry was shaking hands and smiling, on the inside he had at first been terrified, knowing that Molly was about to launch into a screaming fit, and then completely awed by the Queen's skillful pulling of Molly's teeth. Now it was all he could do to keep a broad smile instead of howling with laughter at the mates' continuing comments about Molly.
Nym watched and felt what Harry felt both in the bond and mirrored in her own feelings. She glanced at Harry as he greeted Henri and Bakul Patil. She was right, he was slaying the mothers; and now, with that huge grin and those sparkling white perfect teeth and blazing green eyes, it was a wonder the women kept their clothes on.
Bakul nearly didn't. When Harry shook her hand an electric bolt shot straight to her sex and she was hypnotized. Unconsciously she was slowly rubbing his forearm.
In the bond Nym heard, "Padma, look at Mother. If her nipples were any harder you could cut glass. And look at the way she's holding on to Harry."
"Oooohh, that slapper! I'm going to kick her arse."
Su grabbed one of Padma's arms and Cho the other.
Nym barked in the bond, "There will be no mother-ass-kicking unless I do it! Harry is very, very on right now and we want them to be in love with him. If one of them goes too far I'll challenge her-if I think that's what needs to be done."
She was answered by a full chorus of, "Yes, Nym," in the bond, and the mates settled.
When Bakul greeted Padma and looked into her daughter's slitted, glittering brown eyes, however, she knew the naughty little fantasy of Harry that she had cooked up while touching him would never happen. She sighed deeply.
Emma and Dan Granger had arrived in the drive and stood completely stunned. A Castle, sure, it was England after all; but this was a city in and of itself. They had dressed in the evening wear that Hermione had sent, and while Emma was comfortable and radiantly beautiful as always, Dan was surprised by the Mess dress uniform of a Lieutenant Colonel of the 22nd Regiment of the SAS. He had never really even discussed his career with Hermione. He had never thought to see the uniform again, since he was only on the reserve list now.
Dan collected himself and offered Emma his arm. She smiled at him and placed her hand on his arm and let him lead her into the Castle.
They stopped just inside the door and waited for their introduction to a receiving line. Emma looked down the line and saw Hermione and many of her schoolmates. Hermione was stunningly beautiful and had filled out a lot. She had also grown taller; those magnificent breasts and perfect hips-how had that happened in a month?
The line in front of them moved and Emma turned and was looking at the Royals. She felt Dan stiffen under her hand.
"Sssshhhh...easy, soldier. We'll find out what's going on."
"Lieutenant Colonel Dan Granger, and the Honorable Doctor Emma Granger."
They stepped forward and Emma moved in front of the Queen, dropping a curtsy.
"Your Majesty."
"Mrs. Granger, a pleasure to meet you. Your beautiful daughter is a joy and a powerful Primary mate for our house."
Emma, her head spinning, could only nod and move down the line.
Dan moved up and bowed stiffly. "Your Majesty."
"Colonel Granger, you have raised a lovely daughter. I would expect no less from a holder of the Cross. It is an honor to have your daughter in the House."
"Ma'am."
Dan took his own now-spinning head down the line.
Emma reached Hermione and there was a furiously whispered conversation. "Hermione Jane Granger, what have you done?"
"Mother, not now. I'll talk to you and Dad at dinner."
Dan gave Hermione the "damn straight you will, young lady" eye and Hermione cringed.
The rest of the mates' parents arrived and passed through the line. Last through were Remus and then Sirius.
"Lord Lupin."
Remus bowed to the Queen "Your Majesty"
"Lord Lupin." She immediately disabused him of any notions of hiding his condition from her and told the world that she supported Harry's position on werewolves. "How are you? And have you made any progress with our other subjects afflicted with Lycanthropy?"
Remus smiled. "Very well, ma'am, and unfortunately no, I haven't been able to make contact with the pack leaders recently. We've been very busy lately."
"Please let me know if you or they require anything, Lord Lupin. I count on your leadership amongst the packs."
"Ma'am."
Remus passed on down the line.
"Lord Black."
Sirius approached the Queen and bowed. "Your Majesty."
"Lord Black, I'm pleased with your House-strong daughters all and a strong Ward. I'm concerned about your Ward Bellatrix. I wish her to be bonded to her lord, your former ward, as soon as that may be caused to happen. The criminal Riddle may not be allowed to posses her. Her languishing in prison is not satisfactory. You will speak to Duchess Amelia and resolve this situation tomorrow."
Sirius was amazed. Without mentioning his pardon the Queen had restored legitimacy to him, the House of Black, and Bellatrix, and criminalized and disenfranchized Voldemort and by extension all the Death Eaters, in one sentence.
He bowed deeply. "We are proud to serve our liege."
The Queen smiled at him and he passed on down the line. She waited patiently as Sirius passed all the others.
Sirius had passed the last mate and looked at the toddlers. He reached down and put a hand on each of their heads, and a light flared between them all.
"Well, I believe we've found their godfather," Nym drawled laconically. Sirius was hypnotized by the twin toddlers.
"And if he keeps this up, maybe the Black heirs," Narcissa added.
Geoffrey chose that moment to appear and save the day. "Your Majesty, dinner is served."
The Queen moved to the crest in the floor. "Duke Potter, I would have Lady Emma and Lady Victoria attend me."
Harry nodded and moved up on the Queen's right. Nym moved into place on her left.
Emma and Victoria almost skipped into position on the Potter arms in front of her. John and Millicent Dobbs stood nervously behind their daughter and Justin and Gladys Frobisher took position behind Victoria.
The Queen looked at Emma thoughtfully for a moment. "Kneel."
Emma dropped to her knees.
"Swear."
"I, Emma Christina Dobbs Potter, do swear fealty to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and to Harry, Duke of Magic of the same."
The Queen smiled. "Sword".
The Sword of State appeared in her outstretched right hand. She gently tapped Emma on her right shoulder, then her left, then the top of her head. As she rested the sword on Emma's head, a light flared from all of the bonded and the Castle.
"Rise, created Duchess of Magic of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Defender of Magic."
Harry raised Emma by her hand and installed the dazed young Duchess by Nym's side.
The Queen turned her gaze to the eager Victoria.
She looked thoughtful for a moment. "Kneel."
Victoria dropped to her knees.
"Swear."
Victoria, as had those before her, found herself saying, "I, Victoria Karina Frobisher Potter, do swear fealty to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and to Harry, Duke of Magic of the same."
The Queen gently tapped Victoria on her right shoulder, then her left, then the top of her head. As she rested the sword on Victoria's head, the light flared from all of the bonded and the Castle.
"Rise, created Duchess of Magic of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Defender of Magic."
Harry raised Victoria, keeping her at his side. He smiled and offered his other arm to Nym, who kept Emma at her side. They followed Geoffrey to a dining room they had not used yet; it was enormous, and the table was set for over one hundred. Harry moved to the head of the table, but on the right side; he left the head and the seats on the left open.
The Queen caught his eye and shook her head, motioning him to the head of the table, and she took the seat on the top left. The mates took alternating seats and were seated by their mates' fathers or the Queen's retainers. Harry seated Nym on his right as Phillip seated the Queen, and Andrew seated Sarah.
Dinner was excellent, and by the dessert course the Royal court was madly, deeply, and permanently in love with the witches of Clan Potter. Several of the males had made the mistake of flirting, however, and learned why they only wanted to love from afar when they looked up into a pair of flaming green eyes where they had expected to see warm brown or beautiful pale blue.
It was disconcerting, to say the least. What it really was was terrifying. You could see your imminent painful death in those eyes. And the misguided swains knew exactly who they belonged to; they had looked into two pairs of them in the receiving line. either of the owners was obviously fully capable of doing anything.
Little did anyone know they were going to get a demonstration the very next day.
Emma Granger had tackled Hermione as soon as they sat down. "Explain, please."
"Magical mating is a little different than non-magical mating, Mother." Hermione went on to explain to her mother and father, inside a privacy sphere, the Secret, Harry's power, her creation as a Duchess, and her bonding and re-bonding as a Primary wife. She held nothing back. There were both smiles and tears. Dan vacillated between horror and rage. He finally settled on a grudging agreement that she could remain bonded, but in his mind he was already planning his research.
The Queen watched the whole thing and determined that Andrew would speak with Colonel Granger in the morning.
Dinner was a great success, and afterward the party withdrew to a sitting room that looked out over the Hollow. It was a clear, three quarter-moon night and the view out of the illusioned wall was breathtaking.
Groups formed and broke up around the main group of the Royals and the Alphas and Primaries of Clan Potter.
Finally Harry stood and offered Nym his arm. "Ma'am, I'm afraid I must retire. Five a.m. comes very early and we have a very full day planned tomorrow."
"Of course, Harry. I'm sure you'll forgive most of us if we don't start quite so early."
"Certainly, ma'am. We normally breakfast at 7:30. Should I ask Geoffrey to make other arrangements for you?"
"No, Harry, that will be fine. We'll be attending the Regimental briefing in the morning."
"Of course, ma'am."
Harry escorted Nym from the room and the mates rose and fell in behind them as they passed.
Duchess Grafton sat in the seat Harry had risen from at the Queen's left. "My goodness, Elizabeth, you do know how to pick the fiery ones."
Elizabeth looked at Fortune, her closest female Household member for twenty-eight years, and chuckled. "I didn't pick this one, Fortune, the Realm did."
Fortune, no mean witch herself, nodded. "I thought as much. The Marquess Townshend may never recover. He actually went so far as to touch Sally Ann. If looks could kill, he would be dead."
"Why, the old reprobate! She's an obviously bonded woman, and he's seventy-nine, for Morgana's sake. Where is the rounder?"
"The Marchioness Ann took the Marquess to bed after he recovered from the shock. I wouldn't worry about it. He won't try that again unless he's decided to succeed."
"He'll send a formal apology to our Duke and the Duchesses or I will declare him forfeit and give the Duke his rights, privileges, and title."
Fortune knew from experience that when the Queen used that tone she was not joking at all. "Your Majesty."
This was all done with the courtiers watching and paying very close attention. It reinforced the Duke's and Duchess Nymphadora's burning glares. It was patently obvious that you took your life, family, and honor in your hands when you dealt with the young Duke and his Duchesses. They filed this away for dissemination. In three days the entire peerage would know that the second highest power in Great Britain was Duke Potter.
"Well, I've had enough for the day. I want to get an early start tomorrow. I'll be prepared to receive the State Briefing with my Duke of Magic after the Regimental briefing."
Baron Fellowes said, "Yes, ma'am."
Internally he groaned. He knew he would have a long evening getting the full briefing prepared with those present. There was no way he was going to give any less to this powerhouse of a Duke.
The Queen's Chief Butler appeared as if by magic and led the Queen and Prince Phillip to the Royal apartments. Andrew, Sarah, and the Princesses had withdrawn with House Potter, something not lost on the courtiers present and that would later cause much gossip among them and humor among the bonded. The gossipmongers would later learn to hold their tongues or face the Ice Queen of Slytherin as Daphne ripped them to embarrassed shreds.
House-elves appeared and escorted the various parents to their rooms. Sirius had withdrawn with his twin godchildren and their nannies much earlier.
His taking the twins over had been a source of much amusement as he tried to defend his godchildren against their parents.
He had been spectacularly unsuccessful when Nym had Petrified him and taken both of the twins in her arms. She had used neither word nor gesture. Only Harry had been able to release him.
Chapter 23
Evening of 12 Sept 1995 (Sidereal)
Harry stepped into the entry hall to the appreciative stares of his mates. He was rendered speechless. They had all dropped their glamors and were dressed to impress. Elegant evening gowns showing a nice bit of décolletage and bare arms and elegantly beautiful bare backs were the order of the day. Between the mates there seemed to be acres of firm, warmly tanned skin on display. They were stunning.
Nym eyed her bonded critically. Harry was dressed in a set of perfectly fitted dark, blood-red dress robes trimmed in old gold. His black hair had a devil-may-care kind of messiness to it that seemed to somehow be essentially Harry. No glasses tonight; he had stopped wearing them some time ago, she suddenly realized, and his bright green eyes shone brightly. Harry would simply slay the mothers.
She could feel her mates agreeing with her. She turned her attention to them. No attention to detail had been spared; they were gorgeous and perfect in their many different-colored robes.
It was almost time. The front door opened and Sarah, Andrew, Beatrice, and Eugenie entered. They were as perfect as the other bonded, and Andrew was almost as well presented as Harry. Eugenie was in the cutest pale-blue formal gown Nym had ever seen on a five-year-old. She would slay also.
Harry stepped up beside Nym and offered her his arm. She took it and he escorted her through the great double doors. They stood at the top of the broad stone steps and waited. While they waited they communed with their mates in the bond. The mates were nearly overwhelmed by Nym's pride and Harry's awed gratitude that he was their mate.
The landau, with the top up, approached the steps followed by two enormous post coaches. It stopped with the door precisely aligned with the center of the stairs. Harry stepped forward and handed down the Queen. He kissed her knuckles swiftly and released her hand. "Your Majesty, welcome to Potter Castle."
She looked him up and down and beamed at him. "Your Grace."
Elizabeth turned to Nym, who dropped a curtsy. "Your Majesty, welcome to Potter Castle."
Surprising everyone, the Queen hugged Nym as she rose from her curtsy and took her arm. "None of that, Nymphadora. Thank you for having us on such short notice."
Nym blinked in surprise.
Harry had turned to Phillip and bowed from the shoulders. "Your Royal Highness."
Phillip grinned at him and shook him warmly by the hand. "Your Grace. Modest little place you have here."
Harry, in his excitement, quipped, "Well I like to keep a small place in the country."
Phillip blinked while the Queen chuckled. "Lets go inside while the boys are playing, Nymphadora. I want to see the Duchesses."
Nym led the Queen inside while Harry and Phillip watched the two huge post coaches unload a veritable hoard of people.
"Sorry about this, Harry, old man. The Queen, however, cannot travel without all these people, or so they think."
Harry nodded to show he got it.
"We'd better catch up, Harry. Don't want to leave the women alone too long; no telling what will happen."
Harry nodded and led the way inside.
When they entered the hall, the Queen was going down the line of Duchesses, sprinkling kisses and compliments, shaking hands, and smiling. She asked questions here and there and complimented the mates on their appearance often.
She came to the place in line where Janet, Krystal, and Krista stood. "We have heard of your exploits in defense of the Light, Duchess-all of you, actually."
She looked thoughtful for a moment. "Kneel."
Janet dropped to her knees.
"Swear."
Janet found herself saying, "I, Janet Maria Potter, do swear fealty to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and to Harry, Duke of Magic, of the same."
The Queen smiled as the courtiers who had filed in gasped. Elizabeth smirked. They hadn't seen anything yet. "Sword."
The Sword of State appeared in her outstretched right hand. She gently tapped Janet on her right shoulder, then her left, then the top of her head. As she rested the sword on her head, a light flared from all of the bonded and the Castle.
"Rise, created Duchess of Magic of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Defender of Magic."
Janet rose on Harry's offered hand and the Queen repeated the process with Krystal, Krista, Cynthia, and Clarissa.
She spoke quietly to Victoria and Emma. "Ladies, we will wait for your parents and create you before dinner."
Victoria and Emma beamed.
Elizabeth approached Minerva again. "Min, you are looking very nice. The tartan is different, though."
"Elizabeth-" another sharp intake of breath was heard from the courtiers- "I'm a bonded witch. You know I wear his tartan."
Minerva was wearing a tartan sash over her right shoulder and covering her right breast, pinned at the shoulder and left hip with ancient mithril brooches bearing the Potter crest. The tartan was deep red, almost black, and old gold with green and black stripes.
"So, are we ready for our in-laws, Min?"
Phillip and Andrew were watching Harry.
"Yes, Elizabeth-all twenty-three sets of them."
Phillip and Andrew stepped up and put a hand apiece on Harry's elbows.
"How about a nip while the ladies talk, Harry?"
"Certainly, Phillip," Harry mumbled. Geoffrey popped in and led them to the Maste'rs Study, a quiet, dark, wood and leather-upholstered space. They sat Harry in a chair and Andrew poured each of them a finger of single malt.
As Harry recovered his wits and took a drink, Phillip and Andrew chuckled.
Back in the entry hall, the ladies' tongues wagged busily. "My God, Min, he has a will of iron! I didn't think he'd break, for a minute there."
"He can face anything except a threat to the bond or parents, Elizabeth; he's a young man, however. He'll recover fast."
"I hope so. Baron Fellowes?"
"Ma'am?"
"How long until the first guests arrive?"
"Fifteen minutes, ma'am."
"That will be fine."
"Ma'am?"
"Nym?"
"Ma'am?"
"Psssshht-Elizabeth, Nym!" Another gasp.
"Let's form a line, and some of these people with breathing problems can introduce themselves." The courtiers received a scathing look from the Queen.
Nym escorted Elizabeth to the front of the line. The bonded fell into line on Nym's left. More gasps were heard when Sarah fell in line directly to Nym's left with the Primary wives to her right, including the Princesses.
The Queen actually rolled her eyes. Nym laughed. The first courtiers began passing down the line, with Baron Fellowes doing the introductions. His staff paid close attention.
In the Master's Study, Harry had recovered assisted by the humor in the bond at the Queen's abuse of her courtiers. He stood and moved over to where Phillip and Andrew stood looking out of the illusioned wall at the Hollow below.
"Harry, did you know something has dug a dirty great hole in your garden?"
Harry pouted as the bonded laughed. "Errr, I did most of it, Phillip. It's the foundation for the Royal Academy of Magic and the excavation for the five hundred-acre lake beside it."
"Great Scott, Harry, it's huge! How long did that take you?"
"A couple of hours this morning and all afternoon. I would have finished, but Nym made me come in and dress. I'll have to finish it when we're back uptime."
Phillip looked at Andrew behind Harry's back, and the two of them chuckled. The young Duke had literally moved a mountain today and was afraid of his in-laws. It was too much; had it not been for lifetimes of training in suppression, they would have howled with laughter.
"All right there, then, Harry?"
"Sure, Andrew. And sorry, it's just that meeting parents scares the pants off me, and then I have to meet all of them tonight-well, you can imagine."
That comment was the straw that broke the camel's back. Phillip and Andrew broke up laughing.
Harry pouted some more.
"It's fine, dear. Wait till I tell you the story of Andrew meeting the Major. And the Queen Mother will have some interesting stories about Phillip, too, I'm sure. Bring the two dolts back now. It's almost time for the guests to arrive."
"Mum, don't call dad a dolt."
"And what should I call him, Beatrice?"
"A Hyena right now. Morgana,that laugh! Can't you do something about that, Mum?"
The bonded chuckled at this latest biting comment from Eugenie.
Harry gathered up Phillip and Andrew and they moved back to the entry hall. As they approached, their women eyed them up and down to make sure they weren't in disarray, but they were all perfect.
Harry fell into line on Nym's right with Andrew on his left, and Phillip fell in to the left of the Queen.
Harry heard the Queen say, "Dirty great hole in the garden, indeed-what were you thinking, Phillip?"
Harry suspected she and Phillip were fully bonded. Phillip fueled his suspicion when he said, "Well you said to do something, Elizabeth. It worked, didn't it?" sotto voce, for him anyway.
The Queen smiled a little Mona Lisa smile at Phillip that didn't settle his nerves any. He'd seen that smile before and knew it could mean everything or nothing.
He was saved by the door opening.
When Geoffrey had seen the Master return and get in the line and the Mistress nod her head almost imperceptibly, he had let the first elf know and the Greengrasses had popped into the driveway facing the open double doors of the enormous Castle.
William was impressed, the boy was well off. His daughter would be fine. He offered his arm to Esmeralda and she smirked at him and took it as they mounted the steps.
When they entered the hall Geoffrey announced them in a clear voice. "Lord and Lady Greengrass."
William was stunned to see the Queen standing there but he never faltered. He led Esmeralda to the head of the line and bowed from the shoulders. "Your Majesty."
"My Lord William, we're glad you could attend our family on such short notice."
That comment brought several starts throughout the room; the courtiers had not been included in the receiving line.
Luna just smiled serenely and nodded.
William passed on down the line and Esmeralda stepped in front of the Queen and dropped a curtsy. "Your Majesty."
"Lady Esmeralda, so very beautiful. Daphne comes by it naturally, I see. She's a fine Primary mate for our House; we thank you."
The writing was clearly on the wall now, and the courtiers reassessed their positions.
Esmeralda smiled at the Queen, knowing what she was doing and knowing the comment on Daphne was genuine. "Thank you, ma'am." She passed on down the line.
While the Greengrasses had been greeting the Queen, Ted and Andromeda Tonks had moved into line a few paces behind them. As soon as Esmeralda moved on, they were announced. "The Right Honorable Ted Tonks and Lady Andromeda Black Tonks."
The Queen smiled widely as Ted bowed. "A very fine daughter, sir, and a powerful Alpha for our House."
Ted smiled broadly and moved on. He was thrilled to meet the Royals, and if he understood correctly, his daughter-a commoner-had just been elevated to the Royal household. He had never been so proud of her.
Andromeda approached the Queen and dropped a curtsy. "Your Majesty."
The queen looked at her critically. "Such beauty and strength. A true daughter of your house, and a fine daughter and sisters you have given to our House."
"We live to serve our liege, ma'am."
Elizabeth smiled at the very Slytherin confirmation of the Blacks' fealty to the Potter House. Andromeda moved on.
"Lord and Lady Weasley."
Ginny was praying that her mother wouldn't go spare in front of the Queen. Harry was, too.
Molly and Arthur had landed in the driveway after reviewing the invitation and dressing in the horribly expensive dress robes that the twins had provided. (Ginny sent them to the twins and had them tell her parents that they came from their mail-order profits, which although she didn't know it could be very well true, since Harry had funded the beginnings of their enterprise and they regularly deposited a third of their profits in his accounts.) They looked at the enormous Castle and were taken aback; they had known that the Potters were wealthy, but this was beyond the pale.
Arthur offered his arm and Molly rested one hand gently on it, suppressing her nervousness over this adventure. The only reason she had come was the note signed by the missing Ginny. Minerva and Poppy's report on Albus had been disheartening, and then having to change the Order leadership on top of Ginny, Hermione, and Harry being missing had been almost more than she could bear.
They entered the door, and the first thing Molly saw was Ginny standing in the receiving line in a beautiful gown. She was radiant. Beside her was a vision of teenage beauty that was surprisingly, upon closer inspection, proved to be Hermione.
Molly's tunnel vision widened and she took in the other witches and then Harry. Could that really be Harry, so tall and well muscled? Morgana, he was gorgeous, and you could see the power radiating off of him. The other witches were radiating power, too. What was going on here? Minerva? Madam Bones? Tonks?
Suddenly it hit her and her knees started to buckle. Arthur changed his grip to her elbow and Harry cast an Ennervate on her. She snapped back awake and just as she was about to launch into a howling rage she saw the Queen looking at her. Molly snapped her mouth shut and let Arthur lead her over to the head of the line.
Arthur bowed to the Queen. "Your Majesty."
"Another Ancient and Noble House, and another fine Primary mate for our House. So very powerful, beautiful, and intelligent, too. We are happy to have the Duchess Ginevra as one of our Dukes' Primary wives."
"We are honored to serve our liege, ma'am."
The Queen smiled at this affirmation of fealty to House Potter and turned her eyes to Molly.
Molly was not stupid and had been raised in a pureblood house. She was accustomed to the usages and knew that Arthur had just said that House Weasley was a vassal of House Potter. She also had heard the Duchess Ginevra comment along with the Primary wife appellation. She smiled broadly and relaxed. Albus might be gone, but here was power beyond measure and her house was tied directly to it. The light literally came back on in Molly's world in that instant.
She dropped an elegant curtsy. "Your Majesty."
"I see the apple did not fall far from the tree, Lady Molly. Well done."
Molly Weasley had the proudest moment of her life to date right then. She had reached the pinnacle of success as far as she was concerned. Her daughters had married well, into both wealth and power. One of her sons was married, finally, and apparently was at the absolute pinnacle of power and society. Now she wondered if it was too early to think about grandchildren. She moved down the line thinking the whole time, Hmmm, Minerva must be seventy; if Harry is going to get me some grandchildren with her, he needs to get started-she only has about fifty years left. With all of these witches, though, we could fill this Castle.
"Molly, stop. Let the boy get used to this first. By the way, since when are Harry and Hermione yours?"
"Don't you take that tone with me, Arthur. I love that boy and Hermione like my own. You should give him the talk. He should already have half of these witches pregnant."
"Molly!"
"What, Arthur? We never had any trouble; I just want him to get expert help. Some of these witches aren't getting any younger."
Arthur stared at her and shook his head. Ginny was flaming red; eager to know what her parents really thought of the situation, she had used her Legilimency and picked up the whole conversation. Her mother had no shields at all.
Since Ginny had heard it, the bonded heard it, and Minerva was steaming-almost literally. She was going to have a long conversation with Molly, the bi-polar cow. Not getting any younger, indeed!
Inside the bond the mates were near hysterics at this whole turn of events.
While Harry was shaking hands and smiling, on the inside he had at first been terrified, knowing that Molly was about to launch into a screaming fit, and then completely awed by the Queen's skillful pulling of Molly's teeth. Now it was all he could do to keep a broad smile instead of howling with laughter at the mates' continuing comments about Molly.
Nym watched and felt what Harry felt both in the bond and mirrored in her own feelings. She glanced at Harry as he greeted Henri and Bakul Patil. She was right, he was slaying the mothers; and now, with that huge grin and those sparkling white perfect teeth and blazing green eyes, it was a wonder the women kept their clothes on.
Bakul nearly didn't. When Harry shook her hand an electric bolt shot straight to her sex and she was hypnotized. Unconsciously she was slowly rubbing his forearm.
In the bond Nym heard, "Padma, look at Mother. If her nipples were any harder you could cut glass. And look at the way she's holding on to Harry."
"Oooohh, that slapper! I'm going to kick her arse."
Su grabbed one of Padma's arms and Cho the other.
Nym barked in the bond, "There will be no mother-ass-kicking unless I do it! Harry is very, very on right now and we want them to be in love with him. If one of them goes too far I'll challenge her-if I think that's what needs to be done."
She was answered by a full chorus of, "Yes, Nym," in the bond, and the mates settled.
When Bakul greeted Padma and looked into her daughter's slitted, glittering brown eyes, however, she knew the naughty little fantasy of Harry that she had cooked up while touching him would never happen. She sighed deeply.
Emma and Dan Granger had arrived in the drive and stood completely stunned. A Castle, sure, it was England after all; but this was a city in and of itself. They had dressed in the evening wear that Hermione had sent, and while Emma was comfortable and radiantly beautiful as always, Dan was surprised by the Mess dress uniform of a Lieutenant Colonel of the 22nd Regiment of the SAS. He had never really even discussed his career with Hermione. He had never thought to see the uniform again, since he was only on the reserve list now.
Dan collected himself and offered Emma his arm. She smiled at him and placed her hand on his arm and let him lead her into the Castle.
They stopped just inside the door and waited for their introduction to a receiving line. Emma looked down the line and saw Hermione and many of her schoolmates. Hermione was stunningly beautiful and had filled out a lot. She had also grown taller; those magnificent breasts and perfect hips-how had that happened in a month?
The line in front of them moved and Emma turned and was looking at the Royals. She felt Dan stiffen under her hand.
"Sssshhhh...easy, soldier. We'll find out what's going on."
"Lieutenant Colonel Dan Granger, and the Honorable Doctor Emma Granger."
They stepped forward and Emma moved in front of the Queen, dropping a curtsy.
"Your Majesty."
"Mrs. Granger, a pleasure to meet you. Your beautiful daughter is a joy and a powerful Primary mate for our house."
Emma, her head spinning, could only nod and move down the line.
Dan moved up and bowed stiffly. "Your Majesty."
"Colonel Granger, you have raised a lovely daughter. I would expect no less from a holder of the Cross. It is an honor to have your daughter in the House."
"Ma'am."
Dan took his own now-spinning head down the line.
Emma reached Hermione and there was a furiously whispered conversation. "Hermione Jane Granger, what have you done?"
"Mother, not now. I'll talk to you and Dad at dinner."
Dan gave Hermione the "damn straight you will, young lady" eye and Hermione cringed.
The rest of the mates' parents arrived and passed through the line. Last through were Remus and then Sirius.
"Lord Lupin."
Remus bowed to the Queen "Your Majesty"
"Lord Lupin." She immediately disabused him of any notions of hiding his condition from her and told the world that she supported Harry's position on werewolves. "How are you? And have you made any progress with our other subjects afflicted with Lycanthropy?"
Remus smiled. "Very well, ma'am, and unfortunately no, I haven't been able to make contact with the pack leaders recently. We've been very busy lately."
"Please let me know if you or they require anything, Lord Lupin. I count on your leadership amongst the packs."
"Ma'am."
Remus passed on down the line.
"Lord Black."
Sirius approached the Queen and bowed. "Your Majesty."
"Lord Black, I'm pleased with your House-strong daughters all and a strong Ward. I'm concerned about your Ward Bellatrix. I wish her to be bonded to her lord, your former ward, as soon as that may be caused to happen. The criminal Riddle may not be allowed to posses her. Her languishing in prison is not satisfactory. You will speak to Duchess Amelia and resolve this situation tomorrow."
Sirius was amazed. Without mentioning his pardon the Queen had restored legitimacy to him, the House of Black, and Bellatrix, and criminalized and disenfranchized Voldemort and by extension all the Death Eaters, in one sentence.
He bowed deeply. "We are proud to serve our liege."
The Queen smiled at him and he passed on down the line. She waited patiently as Sirius passed all the others.
Sirius had passed the last mate and looked at the toddlers. He reached down and put a hand on each of their heads, and a light flared between them all.
"Well, I believe we've found their godfather," Nym drawled laconically. Sirius was hypnotized by the twin toddlers.
"And if he keeps this up, maybe the Black heirs," Narcissa added.
Geoffrey chose that moment to appear and save the day. "Your Majesty, dinner is served."
The Queen moved to the crest in the floor. "Duke Potter, I would have Lady Emma and Lady Victoria attend me."
Harry nodded and moved up on the Queen's right. Nym moved into place on her left.
Emma and Victoria almost skipped into position on the Potter arms in front of her. John and Millicent Dobbs stood nervously behind their daughter and Justin and Gladys Frobisher took position behind Victoria.
The Queen looked at Emma thoughtfully for a moment. "Kneel."
Emma dropped to her knees.
"Swear."
"I, Emma Christina Dobbs Potter, do swear fealty to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and to Harry, Duke of Magic of the same."
The Queen smiled. "Sword".
The Sword of State appeared in her outstretched right hand. She gently tapped Emma on her right shoulder, then her left, then the top of her head. As she rested the sword on Emma's head, a light flared from all of the bonded and the Castle.
"Rise, created Duchess of Magic of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Defender of Magic."
Harry raised Emma by her hand and installed the dazed young Duchess by Nym's side.
The Queen turned her gaze to the eager Victoria.
She looked thoughtful for a moment. "Kneel."
Victoria dropped to her knees.
"Swear."
Victoria, as had those before her, found herself saying, "I, Victoria Karina Frobisher Potter, do swear fealty to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and to Harry, Duke of Magic of the same."
The Queen gently tapped Victoria on her right shoulder, then her left, then the top of her head. As she rested the sword on Victoria's head, the light flared from all of the bonded and the Castle.
"Rise, created Duchess of Magic of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Defender of Magic."
Harry raised Victoria, keeping her at his side. He smiled and offered his other arm to Nym, who kept Emma at her side. They followed Geoffrey to a dining room they had not used yet; it was enormous, and the table was set for over one hundred. Harry moved to the head of the table, but on the right side; he left the head and the seats on the left open.
The Queen caught his eye and shook her head, motioning him to the head of the table, and she took the seat on the top left. The mates took alternating seats and were seated by their mates' fathers or the Queen's retainers. Harry seated Nym on his right as Phillip seated the Queen, and Andrew seated Sarah.
Dinner was excellent, and by the dessert course the Royal court was madly, deeply, and permanently in love with the witches of Clan Potter. Several of the males had made the mistake of flirting, however, and learned why they only wanted to love from afar when they looked up into a pair of flaming green eyes where they had expected to see warm brown or beautiful pale blue.
It was disconcerting, to say the least. What it really was was terrifying. You could see your imminent painful death in those eyes. And the misguided swains knew exactly who they belonged to; they had looked into two pairs of them in the receiving line. either of the owners was obviously fully capable of doing anything.
Little did anyone know they were going to get a demonstration the very next day.
Emma Granger had tackled Hermione as soon as they sat down. "Explain, please."
"Magical mating is a little different than non-magical mating, Mother." Hermione went on to explain to her mother and father, inside a privacy sphere, the Secret, Harry's power, her creation as a Duchess, and her bonding and re-bonding as a Primary wife. She held nothing back. There were both smiles and tears. Dan vacillated between horror and rage. He finally settled on a grudging agreement that she could remain bonded, but in his mind he was already planning his research.
The Queen watched the whole thing and determined that Andrew would speak with Colonel Granger in the morning.
Dinner was a great success, and afterward the party withdrew to a sitting room that looked out over the Hollow. It was a clear, three quarter-moon night and the view out of the illusioned wall was breathtaking.
Groups formed and broke up around the main group of the Royals and the Alphas and Primaries of Clan Potter.
Finally Harry stood and offered Nym his arm. "Ma'am, I'm afraid I must retire. Five a.m. comes very early and we have a very full day planned tomorrow."
"Of course, Harry. I'm sure you'll forgive most of us if we don't start quite so early."
"Certainly, ma'am. We normally breakfast at 7:30. Should I ask Geoffrey to make other arrangements for you?"
"No, Harry, that will be fine. We'll be attending the Regimental briefing in the morning."
"Of course, ma'am."
Harry escorted Nym from the room and the mates rose and fell in behind them as they passed.
Duchess Grafton sat in the seat Harry had risen from at the Queen's left. "My goodness, Elizabeth, you do know how to pick the fiery ones."
Elizabeth looked at Fortune, her closest female Household member for twenty-eight years, and chuckled. "I didn't pick this one, Fortune, the Realm did."
Fortune, no mean witch herself, nodded. "I thought as much. The Marquess Townshend may never recover. He actually went so far as to touch Sally Ann. If looks could kill, he would be dead."
"Why, the old reprobate! She's an obviously bonded woman, and he's seventy-nine, for Morgana's sake. Where is the rounder?"
"The Marchioness Ann took the Marquess to bed after he recovered from the shock. I wouldn't worry about it. He won't try that again unless he's decided to succeed."
"He'll send a formal apology to our Duke and the Duchesses or I will declare him forfeit and give the Duke his rights, privileges, and title."
Fortune knew from experience that when the Queen used that tone she was not joking at all. "Your Majesty."
This was all done with the courtiers watching and paying very close attention. It reinforced the Duke's and Duchess Nymphadora's burning glares. It was patently obvious that you took your life, family, and honor in your hands when you dealt with the young Duke and his Duchesses. They filed this away for dissemination. In three days the entire peerage would know that the second highest power in Great Britain was Duke Potter.
"Well, I've had enough for the day. I want to get an early start tomorrow. I'll be prepared to receive the State Briefing with my Duke of Magic after the Regimental briefing."
Baron Fellowes said, "Yes, ma'am."
Internally he groaned. He knew he would have a long evening getting the full briefing prepared with those present. There was no way he was going to give any less to this powerhouse of a Duke.
The Queen's Chief Butler appeared as if by magic and led the Queen and Prince Phillip to the Royal apartments. Andrew, Sarah, and the Princesses had withdrawn with House Potter, something not lost on the courtiers present and that would later cause much gossip among them and humor among the bonded. The gossipmongers would later learn to hold their tongues or face the Ice Queen of Slytherin as Daphne ripped them to embarrassed shreds.
House-elves appeared and escorted the various parents to their rooms. Sirius had withdrawn with his twin godchildren and their nannies much earlier.
His taking the twins over had been a source of much amusement as he tried to defend his godchildren against their parents.
He had been spectacularly unsuccessful when Nym had Petrified him and taken both of the twins in her arms. She had used neither word nor gesture. Only Harry had been able to release him.
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