FicWad

Harry Potter and the Witches' Secret
Chapter 25
13 Sept 1995 (Sidereal)
11-13 Sept 1995 (Off Sidereal)


"Your Majesty, Your Highnesses, lords and ladies, honored guests. Please remember that there may be other Turned groups in this castle. We must avoid contact with them. Please ask an elf if you are unsure, and do not venture off on your own. Especially you, George and Fred. Physical training begins at 6 a.m. Breakfast is at 7:30. The Regimental briefing will be at 8 a.m. Classes will start at 9 a.m."

"Classes? Blood-"

Pop!

"Language, Ron!"

Ron looked at Lavender with a hurt expression whilst rubbing his head.

"Thank you, Lavender."

"You're welcome, Harry."

Ron was pouting now as everyone had a chuckle at his expense.

Neville chose that moment to come into the dining room with Marcia, Anna, Augusta, and Romilda. He bowed deeply to Harry.

"I am forever in your debt, my liege."

"Eerrr, why, Neville?"

"My parents appear to be cured, Your Grace."

"Harry, Neville-I'm sure you remember. That's great news! How did it happen?"

Neville stared at Harry while the Queen and Luna got little Mona Lisa smiles.

"You did it, Harry, don't you know?"

Luna took pity on her floundering lord. "He doesn't quite get that with his power levels the things he wants badly enough just happen, Neville. Even at his level he had to call on the Realm to-eerrr-fix? cure? uhh-do whatever it is that he did with your parents."

"See, Aunt Amelia? 'Harryistic'. It's the only way to describe what he does."

"It's still not a word, Susan."

From down the table Morag McDougal, who had accompanied William Jones, entered the conversation. "You mean like that Apparation thing he does, Susan?"

"Exactly. In fact, that was when I came up with that description, the first time he did it to me."

Morag nodded. "What exactly is that, Harry?"

"Easy, for me."

General laughter followed this comment. "I found out how to Apparate one day and then I was elf-popped to this castle the same day. As you know, my troubles with normal wizarding transportation are legion."

"Legend, you mean." Harry shot the wisecracking Su a raised eyebrow and continued.

"So I kind of combined the way the two felt, and there it is."

"Is there any limit on how many people you can take with you, Harry?"

"I'm not sure, Lester. I know I haven't gotten close to it yet."

"Can all of you do it?"

Eugenie wrinkled her brow and faded from view. She reappeared next to Morag. "Apparently."

Eugenie wrinkled her brow again and reappeared in her seat.

"Eugenie, stop that. It's not polite to just disappear at dinner; ask to be excused first."

"Mum!"

The astounded guests chuckled.

Beatrix Davis asked, "Is there anything you can't do, Your Grace?"

"Beside getting you all to call me Harry? Not so far. If I want to do it, I do."

"That sounds more like sorcery than wizardry, Harry," Bathilda Brocklehurst said earning herself a brilliant smile from Harry that made her glad she was already sitting, and a grateful smile from Mandy.

This comment launched a spirited discussion of the differences between sorcery and wizardry.

During dessert George asked, "Harry you don't know what happened to Malfoy and his cronies, do you?"

"Malfoy, Nott, and Zabini were found guilty of rape and murder and were executed this morning. Crabbe and Goyle are, uhh, not quite right and will be sent to a special secure treatment facility in the U.S. If they can be treated, they will be; if not, then they'll serve life terms or be executed. Eric Chambers was found guilty of supporting the Dark Lord and imprisoned until Riddle is eliminated and restitution is made to the victims of the raid he was on."

"They had to go to the Wizengamot, like you, then?"

"George, Harry is the Duke of Magic. He is vested with High, Middle, and Low justice. He questioned them under Veritaserum and sentenced them this morning along with twenty-seven other Death Eaters. The sentences are carried out at his pleasure."

"Yes, ma'am. Merlin, Harry, I'm sorry you have to do all this."

"Me, too, George. Now, as I know, the ladies are dying to talk." He looked at Ginny, who appeared to be nearing her breaking point. "Why don't we adjourn to the sitting room?"

Harry stood and offered Nym his arm while being thanked profusely in the bond by Ginny.

They followed Geoffrey to a huge sitting room. The younger females immediately surrounded Penelope in a corner, and the whispering and giggling began.

Harry led the males over to the illusioned wall. "Harry, your dirty great hole is gone."

"It's just not here yet, sir. Remember, we've gone back seventy-two hours."

"Phillip, Harry-and right you are."

"What hole, Harry?"

Geoffrey popped in with plans to the Royal Academy and Harry gave a paper tour and a description of the work so far.

"Bloody hell, Harry, how are you going to pay for that?"

"I'm not, George, you are. There will be a ten percent income tax on business and personal income, across the board."

"That doesn't seem fair, Harry. I don't even have kids yet. Plus that's double taxation for business owners"

Sirius was sputtering. "First the werewolves and now this. Are you determined to make enemies of everyone, Harry?"

"What's with the werewolves, Harry?"

"I don't classify them as Dark, Reginald."

"Reggie, Harry, and what's wrong with that? I have an Uncle who's a werewolf."

"And I have a brother that is," Sirius said. "My point is that this flies in the face of accepted wisdom."

Remus beamed at Sirius over the "brother" comment.

Reggie countered ,"And look where your accepted wisdom has gotten us, Lord Black-two Dark Lords in twenty years, and a government so corrupt it curdles milk at a hundred paces."

"But the people-"

"-are much more ready for change than you give them credit for, Lord Black, at least the decent, just-trying-to-make-a-living folks."

"Sirius, Reggie. And I hope so, because change looks to be Harry's new name."

While the males solved first the problems with the school system and then the government, moving on to the world at large over a finger of single malt and cigars for those who chose, Penelope was getting the very intimate grilling that only married females are capable of. Once the grilling was over, the advice started flying. The females without children sat back and hit Record as their sisters with children related the joys and sorrows of motherhood.

A very satisfying time was had by all.

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St Mungo's
Long-term care ward

Albus came slowly awake. He had taken a nap after dinner. This stone that Hestia had charmed around his neck seemed to be clearing his head. He had started to review the last month or so to see what had gone wrong.

The more he reviewed, the more he realized it wasn't the last month, or the month before that, or even the months and years before that.

His real problem seemed to have started when he had killed Grindlewald. But in his review he went back even further-one year further, to be exact, and the night he had arrived home to find the house burnt to the ground and the two bodies in it. Something in him had snapped then.

He drifted to sleep, playing the memories over and over in his head. Every action from that point until now it became a nightmare that would not end.

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Little Hangleton
Riddle Manor

Peter finally lay his head down on the nasty cot he slept on. The Master had been nearly killed and had had to use one of the Horcruxes he kept with him. It appeared that he would survive, but it had been damned close.

Maybe it was time to run. If it weren't for the damnable Mark.... He wondered where the rest of the Death Eaters were. He would have to use the Master's wand and Summon them tomorrow.

Nagini was coiled on the Master's bed, though, and every time Peter reached for the wand the snake lashed out at him in warning.

Try again in the morning; sleep now.

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Hungary
Nagybatony
Castle Gorog

Amelia listened to the report of Antonitus, the British clan chief, and cringed. A new power, and the land had accepted him. And he was apparently favorable to lycans. On top of all of that he was aware of the virus. Goddess, why did these little dark-lord wizards keep popping up? It had to happen that the earth would eventually tire of them, and now it had raised a power she would have to deal with. The lycans could not be any more organized than they were, and years to go before she could sleep. Goddess, she was tired.

Or did she have to deal with him? This Duke of Magic had not ventured from Britain. Sure the Dark Lord was recruiting amongst the vampires, but she could stop that easily enough. Hmmm...maybe just leave it alone.

"ZSUZSA! What is wrong with you, child?" From the explosion and scream, her daughter had just blown another male through the back of the castle.

Her human daughter was attempting to drive her insane. First there was the fact that she even had her. Admittedly the girl's father had been a dream lover-sweet, kind and vicious in exactly the right measure-but who had even known she could end up pregnant at a thousand years old? Well, a thousand again, then, if you had to be nasty about it. Who was counting any more, anyway?

Then the magic-oh my, what fun that had been. The coven had just barely survived before the male vampires had learned to leave her strictly alone no matter what signals she gave off. And now the child was eighteen, back from Durmstrang, and apparently insane, bawling her eyes out one moment and blowing the back wall off the castle by hurling some male through it the next. She was as strong as a vampire and a hugely powerful witch.

Antonitus finally said, "Amelia, I think you need to send your daughter back with me."

"Why? Can you turn her or get her laid without destroying the world?"

"How much do you know about human magic, Amelia?"

"Enough to stay away from it unless I have to. I can counter anything, but I wasn't a natural magic user, other than the sex magic, before I was turned."

"So Zsuzsa's father was a wizard, then?"

"A squeeb, I think he called it."

"Squib. If I might ask, what was his name?"

Amelia squirmed. "Henri Bourbon."

Antonitus'mouth dropped open; he finally clapped it shut to keep from laughing.

"What? I was going through a cold phase, and he was very warm."

"Did you kill him or turn him?"

"Neither, thank you very much. We parted amicably and then, well, I found I was pregnant and he had been killed in some kind of boating accident.

"Zsuzsa is a very powerful witch. This happens in wizarding lines. The magic goes dormant for a few generations and then comes back very strongly. The Bourbons are an old wizarding line.

"Witches bond with their mates, much like vampires. But it is the wizard's magic that finds them. Once the witches are sexually mature and found, if they are not mated it drives them insane or kills them. The more powerful they and the wizard that finds them are, the quicker this occurs."

"And? Antonitus, I tire of these games. I have this new power to worry about on top of my apparently insane daughter trying to blow the castle down. Speak plainly."

Antonitus could see her canines elongating. "I believe your daughter has been found by Harry Potter, the Duke of Magic."

"Surely you jest! It couldn't be this simple-an alliance by marriage? How very old-fashioned."

Amelia sprang to her feet. "Marius, pack the house. We leave for England in the morning. Antonitus, make the arrangements with Marius."

Amelia went to find her deranged daughter. It was relatively easy: just follow the screaming.

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Southampton
Zabini Manor

Katherine Nott, Carina Yaxley, Margaret Zabini, Eliza Goyle, and Katherine Crabbe sat comfortably in Margaret's drawing room.

"So Harry Potter, the Duke of Magic, according to the first note, is holding my son and says I may visit him if I'm not in the Dark Lord's service. Then the note arrives from Gringotts telling me that all accounts have reverted to the Head of House Goyle and I am no longer allowed access. Then I receive a letter from the Ministry telling me that Gregory Goyle is dead and all rights and privileges have passed to his successor, Harry Potter.

"While my reaction is, poor boy, oh no, yippee, and WHO, and what rights exactly? I thought some of you ladies might be able to help me insure I've deduced correctly."

Margaret chuckled. "Yes, well, I didn't receive a notice that my son was being held. Mine read that the little monster had been executed, thank Morgana. The rest was essentially the same. Then I had the odd experience of confronting what appeared to be an inspection parade of elves as this Geoffrey elf checked first the elves and then me to see that we were fine. That was the best-looking elf I've ever seen; looked quite the little major domo in those formal robes of his."

"Margaret, how can you be so mean about your son's death?"

"You weren't waking up under him twice a week all summer since the end of last term, Carina. He was the Head of House and wanted all the privileges. He tried to slip me some potion twice, and broke every locking charm I could come up with. I'm just glad this happened before his maturity. I wouldn't have been able to fight him off after that. As it was, he caught me twice."

Carina shuddered in disgust. She had no children, but she was still repulsed by the thought of a rape, much less your own son raping you. She had seen Margaret after both times. It was ghastly; the little monster had knocked her unconscious and then forced himself on her. Then he beat her.

Katherine Crabbe said, "I had the same experience as Eliza."

Katherine Nott said, "Mine was more a combination, I guess. Theodore Senior lost first and then Theodore Junior. I received two sets of all but the change of rights and privileges letter. I got that one on Theodore Senior. Junior hadn't quite worked up to raping me yet; he was stuck at fondling and groping me."

Margaret nodded "So Harry Potter defeated all of our men in single combat and cast the Praedia Bellica successfully. We are now his chattel and must find him and make him take us in probably no more than a week. Does everyone agree?"

The women all nodded. This was the most likely scenario.

They all had thoughts of how big a gift this was. They were free from their Death Eater husbands and their spawn. If Harry Potter didn't bind them, they could then move on. If he bound them, well, he would have anyway. They could shape a fifteen-year-old, surely-at least when he wasn't being helped by his Death Eater buddies. Besides, for freeing them he deserved something; and a good roll in the hay with a young man could be very nice for both parties concerned.

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Potter Castle

The ladies had broken up and Harry had picked up Nym and escorted her to the master suite. The bonded followed.

The families went back to their suites, and many discussions carried on until late in the evening.

The Royals and their party were escorted back to their rooms and settled in.

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Potter Castle
First Turned morning

Harry awoke at his now normal 5 a.m., Bellatrix firmly attached to him and Luna lying right beside her. Harry didn't last long, but before Bella could finish him he flipped her over and sank into her. She was highly excited, and they released together. Luna pulled them both up and into the bath. While the bath filled she took Harry on the bottom of the pool with the aid of two Bubble-Head Charms.

A parade of the bonded came by, and Harry took each one to release. At 5:50 Harry pulled out of Marie and said, "We'd better dress."

"We can be late." She pulled him back down and they finished what they had started. The mates, either in the gym or on their way, chuckled as Marie got what she had been wanting from Harry and he released in her. She wriggled joyfully. Harry laughed and jumped up, pulling her with him. They dressed and headed to the gym.

In complete disregard for the audience in the gallery and on the floor, they received wolf whistles on entering, but only from the bonded.

Harry and Marie, blushing, did their stretches and worked hard on their routines. They had caught up by the time the other mates started their cool-down, and then they all went into the cold pool together.

Breakfast was a great time. Ron stumbled in to copious abuse by the younger mates and a huge frown from Lavender. He wouldn't make that mistake again. Neville, Romilda, and Augusta entered with Frank and Alice. They received a standing ovation.

The bonded and all of the people who had participated in PT were energized and ready to go for the day.

They moved to the briefing theater.

Nym started. "Good morning, Welcome to the morning briefing of the Duke of Magic's own 1st Regiment of Magical Infantry. Your briefing packets are on your seats. The briefing has not changed from yesterday, as this is a Turned day.

"This morning we will use the briefing time to explore scenarios. I will be followed by the G2."

Daphne rose. "Good morning, everyone. We are going to present several items on which we have gained verified intelligence.

"First, Harry has successfully cast the Praedia Bellica on several Houses. He will need to finish his responsibilities to at least Katherine Nott, Carina Yaxley, Margaret Zabini, Eliza Goyle, Katherine Crabbe, and forty-seven witches of age of Clan MacNeil.

"We anticipate no problems with this, and letters have already been sent that will have them here on the fourteenth. That Turn will be dedicated to satisfying the obligation."

Ron turned to Charlie and whispered, "What obligation?"

Charlie blushed and whispered back, "Ius primae noctis. He has to take control of the House; the magic forces it."

Ron's forehead wrinkled as he worked it out in his rudimentary Latin. "WHAT? HE HAS TO-WITH FIFTY-TWO WITCHES?"

"Lord Weasley."

Eight "Ma'ams?" answered the Queen.

"Ronald, do you have some kind of problem with this?"

To his credit, Ron did not back down. "Yes, ma'am. His Grace is bonded to my sister."

Elizabeth smiled and started to answer when Ginny cut her off. "Ma'am, if you don't mind, I think I can answer this best."

Elizabeth nodded.

"So, Ron, you don't mind that I'm in a multiple bonding but you do mind Harry fulfilling his obligations?"

"Errrh, well, there must be some other way-I mean, really," he blustered.

"Ron, the Praedia Bellica subjugates the House to Harry as your oath does you. Dad gave his oath freely, as did you, so there's no imposed obligation. The Death Eaters and other supporters of evil are not likely to give their oaths freely. Harry has to gain control of them or destroy them utterly. I'd rather not have the blood of an untold number of innocent witches and children on my House."

"What makes you think they're innocent, Ginny? They were with evil men to start with, or their fathers, brothers, and sons were evil gits."

"Ah, and there's the Gryffindork switch. So by extension the women and children are naturally evil? Most if not all of these women, while harboring no love for Mundane or first born are not rabid blood-purists or evil themselves. We will, however, be subjecting them to interrogation and they will be judged. If guilty of major crimes, they will be executed."

"Why executed? Why not imprisoned?"

"They'll die if Harry doesn't complete his obligation, and he has no intention of completing it with criminals. It will be kinder to execute them than to let their Houses' magic slowly tear them to pieces."

Elizabeth looked over the audience. "Any other questions?"

Harry nodded and said in the bond, "Thanks, Ginny. That went way smoother than I expected."

"You'd better thank Lavender; I think she was screaming at him across their bond the whole time."

The bonded chuckled.

Daphne continued, "Next, sometime soon Voldemort will move on Azkaban. Our snatch stone traps are rapidly depleting his Marked forces, so he'll need to replenish them.

"Our options are to defend Azkaban or let him have the prisoners. If we defend it, we risk exposure, and of course face the risk of combat directly with Riddle. If we let him have the prisoners, they'll eventually be scooped up by the snatch stones and we can apply our normal procedure to them."

Hestia said, "We recommend that we remove the non-Death Eater prisoners and give the guards resist-and-retreat instructions. He'll get his Death Eaters and then we'll get them, eventually."

Harry thought a moment. "Let's let him have them. Move the non-Death Eater prisoners to the dungeons here and we'll question them under Veritaserum and verify their crimes and sentences. After Sirius's sojourn to the dreary isle, I don't really trust Ministry justice."

Nym and Amelia nodded.

Daphne continued, "Soon after he moves on Azkaban, he'll move on the Ministry to get the prophecy. We have no recommendation for this scenario yet."

Harry thought a moment. "Emmeline, what is the likelihood of a successful attempt at getting the prophecy?"

"Whatever you want it to be, Harry. We can make it easy for him to gain access or impossible by moving it to an Unplottable location."

Harry nodded. "Let's plan or research and war-game several strategies on this one. First, make it impossible. Second, make it hard, but take no casualties and let him have the prophecy. Third, substitute a different prophecy."

"How very Slytherin, Master."

"Thank you, Bella."

Bellatrix stifled a groan from her position at Harry's feet as he gave her a very intimate mental caress.

Daphne made some notes and said, "Lastly, we believe the vampire problem will cure itself. Amelia Fastida, the current awake vampire Elder has a human daughter, Zsuzsa Bourbon, a recent graduate of Durmstrang and an enormously powerful witch.

"We believe Zsuzsa to be in compulsion for Harry. Amelia Fastida is on her way to England with her daughter to find Harry and mate him with Zsuzsa."

Remus leapt to his feet. "This cannot happen! You cannot allow this bonding, Your Majesty."

The room went silent in complete shock. "Lord Lupin, explain yourself."

"Ma'am, vampires have sought to enslave werewolves for millennia. You can't allow this bonding. It will alienate the packs and bring the Balkan packs down on us."

"But you're brothers. Why would they enslave you? Oh, I see. Oh, my...well, no matter, Harry. You will bond Zsuzsa and dominate Amelia Fastida. I'm afraid you'll eventually have to kill-no, wait a minute. Oh, that's bad, she was so pretty and so much fun. Okay, we'll fix that and then just keep the conflict isolated to the Balkans. Selene and Michael will fix it in 2006. We'll have to help them, though. Oh, that's nice-Selene and her children will be able to walk in daylight." Luna stopped talking and was humming, her eyes completely white.

The bonded were shielding from her. Her thoughts were a whirling maelstrom of blood and pain.

Remus was sputtering.

"Luna, dear, can you make that a little clearer for the rest of us?" Elizabeth asked.

"What? Oh, yes, ma'am. The virus that causes lycanthropy and vampirism has the same root. They're headed toward another mutation that will recombine them in a vampire Elder named Marcus, a vampire named Selene, and a human named Michael Corwin. The coven council in the Balkans are fighting the change, while the packs are actively seeking it. Selene and Michael will win and kill Marcus and his brother, and then they will eventually subdue both the vampires and the werewolves, supplanting them with a hybrid vampire/werewolf race. They'll need our-that is, Harry's-help after 2006 in subduing the packs and the covens. Harry will bond Zsuzsa and at least mate-bond her mother, Amelia Fastida, and several other vampires. He is the only male left on the planet who can get them pregnant; that will cement the vampires. We'll need Remus to bring us Lauren Carthage to be bonded. Harry will also at least mate-bond several werewolves. That will cement the werewolves."

"Luna, have you gone mad? She's the daughter of the Alpha of Alphas."

"And in compulsion, Remus, so that's that."

"Luna, dear, are you sure? I mean, a vampire and a werewolf in the same bond?"

"Yes, ma'am. Zsuzsa, while as strong as a vampire, is not a vampire, she is human-eerrr-uninfected...whatever. Henri Bourbon was her father. Amelia has been in a snit for 18 years now over having gotten pregnant, but she loves Zsuzsa-well, as much as a vampire Elder can love a human. And as for the rest, well, Harry won't have them fighting."

Into the vast silence that descended, Griselda said, "Can you blame her? I mean, really-pregnant at fifteen hundred? What must that be like? Wait until Harry knocks her up again. We're going to want that pregnancy to take place at her castle."

After a stunned silence and the almost hysterical laughter that followed, Sirius asked, "Luna, if you can find out all those details, why can't you tell us more about Riddle?"

"I don't know, Sirius-and believe me, it's not from lack of trying. Every time I try to 'see' our path in relation to him, it diverges. At first it was nine ways, but we've passed five of those...eerrr...turnings, I guess you'd call them, and now there are four turnings left. I'll continue to document whatever I see of them, but it hasn't helped much. I mean, it worked out with Dumbledore and Bellatrix, but I couldn't see the time or path until it was essentially upon us."

"Are you too close to it, Luna?"

"I don't think so, Nym. I mean, I saw all of the bondings, and you can't get much closer than a sister wife. I mean, we share orgasms, for Morgana's sake."

Into the male blush-lit silence that followed, Lavender said, "We should go back and try to correlate the passing of the turnings to events in the world and see if an outside influence is causing this."

"Oh my, Lavender, that's brilliant. Why didn't we think of that?"

Lavender beamed at Padma's compliment.

Elizabeth grinned. "Yes, twenty points to Gryffindor, I think."

Hermione opened her mouth and in a strange but pleasant contralto voice, she said, "Yes, ma'am."

In her normal voice she squeed and said, "It worked, it worked!"

"What worked, Hermione?"

The contralto came again. "We've been working together to create an avatar for me, Nym. We found that it might be possible to share Hermione's body, so that's what we've done."

Sirius, Moody, and Remus instantly pointed their wands at Hermione.

"And who exactly are you, lass?"

"The being you know as Hogwarts, Alastor. Nym, I would like a different name-Rowena, I think."

Elizabeth smiled broadly and Phillip stood, immediately offering her his arm. He led her up onto the stage and in front of Hermione.

Looking intently at her, Elizabeth said, "Kneel."

Rowena dropped to her knees.

"Swear."

Rowena said, "I, Rowena Hogwarts Potter, do swear fealty to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and to Harry, Duke of Magic of the same."

"Sword." The Sword of State appeared in Elizabeth's hand.

She gently tapped Rowena on her right shoulder, then her left, then the top of her head. As she rested the sword on her head, the light flared from all of the bonded and the Castle.

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Hogwarts Castle, as seen from the outside at that moment, glowed brightly with a slightly pink cast. Hagrid and Fawkes were the only ones there to see it, and Fawkes burst into song.

"'Ere now, Fawkes, don' do that. Disturb the lessons, you will. Professor McGonagall'll tear a stripe offen us both. 'Ow'd you make the Castle glow like that?"

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"Rise, created Duchess of Magic of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Defender of Magic."

Harry soundlessly appeared and raised Rowena by her hand and kissed her. She blushed prettily.

"I told you the torches went pink for a moment three days ago, George. You'll believe me next time."

"Yes, Alicia."

Elizabeth nodded at Bellatrix and suddenly she was kneeling on the stage.

Elizabeth looked at her intently for a moment and said, "Swear."

"I, Bellatrix Black Potter, do swear fealty to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and to my Master, Harry, Duke of Magic of the same."

The Queen gently tapped Bellatrix on her right shoulder, then her left, then the top of her head. As she rested the sword on Bellatrix'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 stepped to Bellatrix and raised her. He kissed her.

"This doesn't mean you can stop me kneeling by you, Harry," she said with a grin. "I'm still your property, and it's my right."

Harry looked at Andrew. "See? They all push me around." The crowd broke up laughing.

Finally, after Nym had waited for everyone to regain their places, she spoke. "Daphne, please continue."

Daphne stood again. "We have no new intelligence that leads us to suspect Riddle will conduct any raids soon.

"I think that's all, unless someone has questions. I will be followed by Hestia."

No one had any questions and Hestia rose.

"To recap:

"We'll remove the non-Marked prisoners from Azkaban to the dungeons here for interrogation and verification of sentences. Amelia, we'll need the paperwork for that. Then we will instruct the guards of Azkaban to resist and then evacuate, but to avoid casualties if Riddle attacks to free his Marked servants. We will continue as we have been with any snatches made.

"The next several Turnings will be used to consolidate Houses, and Harry will meet his obligations to those Houses. This may result in several additional bondings or mate-bonds. But we'll have to wait and see."

Elizabeth said, "I will vet and create any women who need to be created, Hestia."

"we'll send a letter to Amelia Fastida inviting her and Zsuzsa to the Turning on the fourteenth, with the intention of bonding Zsuzsa and establishing dominance over Amelia Fastida; and we'll send a letter inviting Peter Carthage and his daughter to the Turning on the fifteenth with the intent to bond Lauren on that Turning."

"We'll war-game solutions to the prophecy problem. Tim, if your agency could help with that?"

"Certainly, Hestia."

"Subject to your questions, Your Grace?"

"How exactly am I supposed to establish dominance over a fifteen-hundred-year-old vampire?"

Daphne blushed ferociously. Esmeralda said, "Daphne, you didn't!"

"What else was I going to do, Mother?"

"The day he brought you home, that's why you fell asleep when we were talking?"

Now Harry blushed crimson to the tips of his hair. "Mum, look-he's a Weasley after all."

"Hush, Charlie. Leave your little brother alone."

"GRRRRRRRR."

"Yes, dear, big mean Alpha male, we know. Daphne, didn't that hurt?"

Harry was scandalized. "Sarah!"

"What?"

Harry jumped up. "This concludes the morning briefing. If you'll excuse me?" he said over his shoulder, as he continued to blush, and he fled.

The males all chuckled until they looked at their mates or the other females.

Phillip said, "Hold on there, Harry, I'll go with you. We can go see the mews-I want a closer look at your Nightmares."

This started a general male route. Now the women chuckled.

"Now, Daphne, did that hurt or not?"

Daphne looked around and saw that some of her audience didn't fully understand. She groaned and then explained in broad detail what had happened atop the coat of arms in the entry hall. Then a blushing Daphne answered, "Yes, Sarah, but in a good way. And while it was terrifying, that was in a good way, too. Aren't you afraid Andrew is going to figure out you're peeking?"

"I know he knows, but he doesn't know that I know that he knows."

Tracy laughed. "Sarah, that's so Slytherin it makes my teeth ache."

"He's enjoying the benefits, trust me."

"Mother, please, we're right here." Eugenie rolled her eyes.

"You could go see Harry's Nightmares with your father, Eugenie."

"Most of his nightmares are right here." This biting comment earned her a stern look and then giggles all around.

Nym got serious again. "Funny, but true, I'm afraid. He's still deathly afraid of hurting or not satisfying one of us. And the mothers-in-law frighten him stiff, at least in a group. He seems to do well enough one on one, though."

Bakul muttered, "I'd like to test that theory."

"Mother, I warned you!"

"A girl can dream, Parvati."

"Mother!"

"Et tu, Padma? Oh, all right. You have to admit your husband is monstrously hot, though."

"I think 'our husband' is the operative part of that, Mother."

Bakul stuck her tongue out at her daughters.

"Oh, grow up, Mother."

More chuckles all around.

Griselda smiled. "I think that's exactly the problem."

Sally said, "Yes, Harry turns our mothers into horny sixteen-year-olds."

Agnes blushed and the other females laughed.

Elizabeth frowned. "Excuse me, Griselda, but what did you really mean?"

"Elizabeth, he is 'monstrously hot' and he knows it on some level. He genuinely likes and respects your mates and he desperately wants not to hurt anyone. He's forever doing something so noble it makes your teeth ache, and when he plays with the twins...well, if I were a hundred years younger...."

Griselda was lost in thought for a moment.

"One on one he handles you fine, but if you mother and vassal bonded haven't noticed, when you're in a group you subconsciously compete for the strongest Alpha's attention. You can't really help it, and it doesn't mean your bonds are threatened or that you'd do anything, but it's there. Maybe if you're conscious of it you can work to control it."

Emma was nodding. "Even some of us Mundane women need to work on it, I think."

"Mother!"

"What, Hermione? I am human, after all. Although it doesn't seem like that matters much. How exactly am I supposed to compete with a fifteen-hundred-year-old vampire goddess?"

"You're not, Mother!" Hermione got the poked-out tongue for her trouble and there was genuine laughter now.

Griselda looked hard at Emma. "Emma, you don't exactly count as Mundane, you know. I'd wager if you worked on it here for six months you'd find that you're really quite the witch."

Elizabeth's face lit up. "You know, that would give us a qualified combat-experienced leader to train Harry, too."

"Do you think so?" Emma was grinning like a six-year-old on Christmas morning. Luna had a little Mona Lisa smile on her face.

Nym smiled as a thought struck her. "Geoffrey!"

Pop!

"These are all the wands and magical foci in the Estate entire, ma'am."

A vast array of wands, gems, and amulets were laid out on tables on the stage. At the back was a whole row of staffs in racks.

"Thank you, Geoffrey."

"Ma'am."

Pop!

"We've been meaning to do this for a while. Let's see if we can all find secondary wands, or in some cases, primaries."

"How do we do that, Nym?"

"Which hand do you write with, Emma?"

"Right."

"Okay. Just hold your right hand over the wands about an inch above them and walk down the line. You should feel a pull if any match you. If you feel the pull, pick it up and wave it toward the seats. If it's right, you should get colored sparks from it. If not, well, almost anything can happen."

"Oh, and ladies, if any of them talks to you, let's discuss it before you pick it up."

"Really, Nym?"

"Yes, Augusta. That wand Harry carries on his right arm is Merlin's staff. He picked it up because it talked to him when we were in the vault."

"Morgana! No wonder he's always knocking me around."

"I don't think that's the staff, Janet, I think that's those lightning-bolt Stunners of his."

"Maybe, Krista, but that staff isn't helping me out."

"Well, come on, then, o great warrior Queen, and let's see if we can find you Morgana's."

Janet rolled her eyes at Krystal as she mounted the stage.

Luna said, "Fifth from the left, but she's waiting on Nym."

Everyone froze. Nym walked to the beautiful ivory staff covered in runes and bound in mithril rings.

The bonded all clearly heard, "Mistress, I, Galadriel (Galadriel), have awaited you all these long centuries. Together with your mate and Lothar (Lothar), we shall rule the world until the end of days."

"Goddess, Nym, those are High Elf names. You don't think...."

Galadriel replied, "Very good, Sarah. Yes, we originally belonged to what you know as High Elves, the Lords of the Elder Peoples. Arwen (Arwen) awaits you, Mistress."

Sarah's eye was drawn to a silvery staff of rowan wood. Harry's bonded all gravitated to staffs and finally they reached out and touched them just as Harry entered with Lothar full-sized in his hand. As the last mate touched her staff they all flared to a burning white light and a gong-like note sprang from the bedrock of the Hollow.

"Mum, how do I carry Celestrial? Oh-never mind." The staff Eugenie had touched shrank to wand-size and then further.

Pop!

Geoffrey appeared and strapped one of the holsters Harry had purchased to Eugenie's arm. She smiled at him and stuck Celestrial into the holster. It disappeared on her arm.

When all the mates backed away with their staffs, three staffs were left standing together, separate from the remaining vast array. Harry went and touched them after holstering Lothar. They were patiently waiting Zsuzsa, Lauren, and Pansy. Harry wondered if they would be the last of his bonded. Wait-Pansy? Oh, no.

"Yes, Master, they are the last of your fully bonded for now. You will have hundreds of bonded as we pass through the endless progression of years."

Harry nodded at Lothar's comment. He shrank the three staffs and put them in his back pocket. They seemed to giggle.

Harry sat on the edge of the stage, Elizabeth watching him sharply as the others went through the staffs.

Slowly a broad smile lit Harry's face as he realized he had plenty of room in the Castle and none of the mate-bonded would need to take their children away where he couldn't see them. And if he ran out of room he could and would build more. He was planning flying lessons and Quidditch practices; in his mind the bonded could see squadrons of tiny children in the cutest Quidditch uniforms ever. Surprisingly, there were platoons of children in all different colors of uniforms, all with the burning copper-green eyes Harry had.

Elizabeth shook her head as the mates melted. The boy would never learn; if he wanted to get more sleep, he would have to stop being such a perfect catch. She wondered if she should leave now, as it looked like Clarissa and Rosmerta were barely restraining themselves from ripping his clothes off right here.

"It likes me!" Emma shouted as a huge fountain of blue and bronze sparks left the staff she was holding. Hermione looked at her mother in amazement and then grinned broadly. She and Rowena could start teaching Emma right away-well, after some Harry time. He had cranked them both up until they were almost out of control with his "keep my babies close to me" scheming.

Nym pulled Harry off the stage and said, "Ladies and gentlemen, classes for this morning are canceled." She trotted out the door towing Harry, with her mates in hot pursuit.

Morag watched them go and grinned ."For the rest of the day, I'd wager." She would prove to be correct. Dinner was hosted that evening by the Queen.

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Potter Castle
Second Turned morning

Harry awoke at 4 a.m. with Rowena looking deep into his eyes above the mouthful of him that she had taken.

"Harry, this is wonderful-you are wonderful-the mates are wonderful. I want to be pregnant."

Harry blinked. "How does Hermione feel about this, Rowena?"

"We're talking about it, Harry. Go ahead and practice with Rowena."

Harry flipped them while pulling Rowena to him and sheathed himself in her. He drove her to the very edge and then backed off, exploring her everywhere he could reach with his lips, tongue, teeth, and hands. After a moment he began moving in her again and then sucked her right nipple into his mouth; he gently bit her as he flicked her nipple with his tongue. Rowena exploded, screaming his name, and passed out.

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In the Gryffindor common room Seamus woke up as the heat from the common room fireplace, in front of which he was sleeping, washed over him. All over the Castle the fires and torches flared, and the staircase froze with all the stairs unconnected on one end. The temperature in the Castle rose ten degrees.

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Harry drove into Rowena one last time and exploded, bathing her insides in warm come. Rowena spasmed, awoke, and shrieked his name again, then collapsed.

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The fires and torches flared again, scaring Seamus and prompting him to leap over the back of the couch he had been lying on. The flames settled and the stairs slowly and jerkily started moving again. "Bloody hell! What's wrong with that bloody fireplace?"

By the time the early risers headed for breakfast, things were almost back to normal. But the Castle seemed to be humming just at the edge of hearing, and the torches had a strange, contented pink glow around them.

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Harry carried Rowena to the bath. He held her as they both floated. He was exhausted again. The master suite was again covered in windrows of dresses and robes, and some very naughty underthings.

Eugenie and Beatrice entered the master suite and shed their pajamas en route to the tub. They climbed down into the tub and hung onto Harry, just floating and relaxing.

Sarah found them that way at five o'clock. "Girls, come on, let Harry and Rowena alone."

The two sleepy girls, now warm and wet, climbed out of the tub and into the towels their mother held out to them. Sarah carried Eugenie and herded the nearly sleepwalking Beatrice back into their bedrooms in the suite next door to the master suite.

"They all right then, Sarah?"

"Fine, Andrew. They took a bath with Harry and Rowena. And no, nothing went on. I'm not sure any of them were even really awake. They were all just floating in the tub when I found them."

She smiled as Andrew pulled her down into the bed. "Since we're awake...." Her smile turned into a grin.

She definitely liked staying at the Potter Castle. Andrew lived up to his nickname here, and they still had all that sea time to make up for.

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Harry awoke in the tub at 5:30. He was highly energized and bouncing around like a madman, changing forms between all the mates.

Nym smiled as she watched. He only did the changing-forms thing when he was really happy. As she watched, odd things were going on.

"Harry, what are you doing, sweetie?"

"Oh, trying different parts."

Nym arched a brow. Harry assumed her form and yanked his shirt up. As Nym watched, he kept changing the shape of her-eerrr, their-breasts and giving a running commentary. "Hannah, Sally, Padma, Luna, Katie, you. I like you best on you."

Nym laughed. "Good, goose, now get dressed."

Harry dropped his shirt and stood. He was in his normal PT outfit, which left a lot of Nym sticking out.

"Eerrr, Harry, sweetie, do you really want to show that much of me to Ron?"

Harry looked down at himself. "Oops. Sorry, Nym. I'm just so comfortable in you, I forgot."

Nym beamed at him, and without conscious thought, her smile it turned lascivious. "I'm comfortable when you're in me, too, Harry-but after PT."

She towed her fish-impersonating love to the training hall.

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Ron was there waiting for them, as were most of the mates, vassals, Royals, and their courtiers.

"All right there, Ron?"

"Mmph." Lavender elbowed him. "Yes, Harry, fine."

Marcia had watched this and walked over. "Ron, do you snore?"

Ron blushed. "Yes. Sometimes I wake myself up."

"Hmmm." She ran the staff over him. "See me after PT. I think I can help you out."

"Okay."

PT went well, everyone trying to keep up with the mates. The Queen was even in a pair of elegant sweats and did a workout and then thirty minutes on the treadmill, with Marie showing her what to do and determining her training heart rate. Frank and Alice received the same treatment.

Breakfast went well, and then they went into the classes. In Runes they created another rune set almost on autopilot as they discussed the intent-based snatch stones.

"Harry, we've deconstructed the intent portion of the magic you stripped from the marked Death Eaters." An equation flashed onto the board.

Bathsheba and Hestia studied it as the rest of them looked it over. "This string should do what we want, Harry."

A string of runes appeared on the board. "Okay, Bathsheba, let's see."

Harry picked up two stones and carved the string into them. He charged them and placed one near one wall and one near another. He waved his hand, and Malfoy and Fudge appeared. Harry levitated a Petrified Fudge over the wardstone and he disappeared, reappearing with a huge crack! floating over the other stone.

"Neat."

Harry grabbed Lucius and floated him over the stone; he just kept floating. Hestia scanned him. "Still Squib level, maybe lower. You stripped his magic and it took the intent with it, I guess."

"Okay, so it works, I guess. I wonder what the threshold is?"

"We can test it when we get the Azkaban prisoners here, Harry."

"Okay, Hestia."

"Your Grace, might I have some prisoners brought here to see if this will work on Mundane and Squibs?"

"Certainly, Baron Taylor."

"Harry, we'll need a control subject."

Harry nodded and stepped over the stone. He looked up. "Nope, nothing."

"Ah, Harry, you made it so we need a different subject."

Harry moved off and the Queen stepped over the stone. "I feel nothing either, Hestia."

"I think maybe that would be the lower limit of evil intent, then. I mean, I don't see us finding people with lower evil intent than you two."

The Queen moved off the stone and Baron Newton stepped over it. He blushed. "Small pull toward the other stone, I'm afraid. Sorry, ma'am."

It soon became a game or test of honor. In a few moments they all had stepped over it and no one had been transported, but several people, including two Mundane courtiers, had reported a pull, much to their chagrin. Bellatrix had felt nothing.

"How do we tell what those of you who reported a pull have done that could be considered evil?"

Alastor reported, "They all show clean to my little eye, Hestia."

"But there is darkness in their auras," reported a white-eyed Luna.

"If you can discover what it is, could you tell us, Your Grace? Eerrr, in public, if you please, as I've been discovered in public," Baron Newton requested of Luna.

"You had business dealings with a member of the privy council. You believe it may have been a conflict of interest. It wasn't, but you're uncomfortable about it."

The others who had felt the pull quickly lined up and Luna went down the line. It was all the same type of thing, either minor infractions or cases of them suspecting their own intents.

Harry had watched all this and he had a thought. "If it's measuring intent, would someone like Greg Goyle or Vincent Crabbe trigger it? From what you said, Chu, they're so-eerrr-deficient? damaged, maybe?-that they couldn't form intent but they've committed multiple crimes?"

"Oh, very good, Harry. I believe those two boys started out slightly deficient and then were damaged by their upbringing and, I suspect, some physical abuse. We can compare them to the Chambers boy."

"What if he has no evil intent, Chu?"

"I suspect he doesn't, Harry. I believe he made a horrible error in judgment and got trapped in it. I think he'll feel a pull but not be transported."

"So we can have criminals who have no evil intent?"

"Yes, Harry, that's why we use the Veritaserum and keep the Aurors around. Identify the crime and then get to intent. If you remember, you only killed those who said they enjoyed their crimes or who committed crimes against children. You've seen their memories, Harry; can you honestly say any of the others had no evil intent?"

"No, Chu."

Harry thought a moment, and Geoffrey appeared and transported the prisoners back to their cells.

Anastasia stood and they segued into a discussion on charms.

At lunch Ron slumped in his chair. "What's wrong, Ronniekins?"

"Lavender, you should find someone else. I can't even understand what they're talking about half the time. I'm nowhere even close to as fast or strong as even Emma is. I'm not sure I can protect you, and I'd rather see you with someone who could than see you hurt." Tears ran down his cheeks.

"And that's why I'll stay with you, Ron. We just have to work hard and be the best that we can be. Besides, Hermione gave all of us these."

Lavender hooked the runestone around Ron's neck. "She said they'll 'set' them, whatever that means, this afternoon before classes start."

Ron held Lavenders hand on top of the table. They were oblivious to everyone else.

"Harry, I think Ron hanging out with you all those years was good. He has occasional Harryistic flashes."

"Thanks, Ginny...I think."

The others at the table chuckled.

"You know, Harry, Ron isn't wrong, though. I can't understand what you all are talking about, and runes are part of my life."

"You're up against two thousand years or more of knowledge, Bill. We have full access to each other's minds. That includes Rowena."

"Merlin, what I wouldn't give to be in there for a day!"

"How about graduate courses taught by us, Bill?"

Bills eyes glazed over. "When and where, Harry?"

"January, I think, and at the Royal Academy."

"Count me in, Harry."

"Harry, we'll have to give some kind of test for placement."

"Okay, Chu, we'll start working on the test in class. It will be a good project."

The group moved back to the hall and everyone watched as Moody took them through DADA.

Ron looked puzzled "What are those things Harry is fighting?"

Bill looked "Golems, Ron, and those look pretty tough and smart."

"Smart?"

Surprising everyone, Alice Longbottom spoke up. "Golems get smarter with experience. The older you let them get, the smarter and stronger they are. Additionally, they're almost impossible to destroy. You have to erase the second part of the phrase on their head."

Ron nodded but was still curious "Why is he fighting those instead of dueling with, say, Nym?"

Andrew answered this time. "Because even with the restrictors on, diverting magic to Hogwarts, this Castle, sixty-three sets of runestones, all of the stones around our necks, and the transport arms, he's casting magic strong enough to take down a Dragon. He's afraid he might hurt one of his bonded, so he won't cast as hard as he can when he duels them."

Charlie nodded. "He could take down a Horntail easily, the way he's knocking those golems around."

Frank Lonbottom nodded and spoke for the first time. "The bonded aren't exactly pikers, either."

Sirius nodded. "Yeah, you don't want to take them on unless you're planning on getting very embarrassed."

Frank looked at him speculatively. "How long?"

"Just over a minute."

Remus chimed in, "I went almost two minutes."

"A werewolf in under two minutes?"

Remus nodded and they turned back and watched. Moody saw them watching and it rankled him.

"You people get off your arses and get over here. Begging your pardon, ma'am."

The Queen smiled and nodded, but she pulled Phillip with her and joined them.

For the rest of the time Moody would work with the bonded, and then with the vassals and courtiers while the bonded sparred.

Ron was continually sorry, mainly because he was always sore all over. He loved the learning, though, and for a non-bonded he was strong. He found out the hard way that Lavender was, too.

She certainly had no compunctions about knocking him around; in fact, he thought, she might be enjoying it. As a matter of fact, all the witches seemed to enjoy knocking the wizards around.

It would take them years to figure out that while the runestones Hermione had given them at least partially ameliorated all magic cast at the witches, they let a witch cast at full power against any wizard.

Hermione swore the rune set should not have functioned that way, and every rune expert who examined them said the same thing. Harry and Luna always just smiled about it. Harry never admitted that his intent was for the stones to help protect females more, and this was how it came out.

Weapons, Stealth and Tracking, and Unarmed Combat were the same way. Moody or Marie worked with the bonded and then with the vassals and courtiers. The bonded took a wicked pleasure in taking Harry in front of everyone including the Queen in Stealth and Tracking.

Bellatrix caught on to the technique in the first S&T lesson. Her mates watched as she climbed onto Harry in front of the Queen and rode him to their mutual satisfaction.

At dinner, while Hermione arranged a basic magic group for her mother and some of the courtiers, taught by Frank and Alice Longbottom, and joined by all the vassals once they had reached a certain level, the Queen arranged for Harry to study command techniques, as she called it, with Dan, Andrew, Tim, and Phillip. This group would become very close over the years.

After dinner the group moved to the sitting room and discussed the day's events before starting on life, the universe, and everything.

Harry composed letters to Amelia and Zsuzsa, Katherine Nott, Carina Yaxley, Margaret Zabini, Eliza Goyle, and Katherine Crabbe, inviting them to the Castle on the fourteenth.

Hedwig appeared on his shoulder as if by magic, with what could only be called a smug look.

"Hedwig, how are you, girl?" Harry asked as he petted and then cuddled the owl.

Nym could have sworn she heard a voice in the bond say, "Ha! Mine."

"Hedwig, can you wait? I have some more letters for you to deliver."

Hedwig bobbed her head and nibbled Harry's ear.

Nym knew that this time she heard a "Mine!" in the bond. She dropped in and went searching around, and soon she found Hedwig there. She petted the owl in the bond and said, "Ours." The bonded paused in surprise and then continued what they were doing when they sensed the affirmative feelings from Hedwig.

Nym left the bond and met Sarah's eyes. "It's always something with him, isn't it?"

Sarah smiled and chuckled.

Meanwhile Harry had scratched out another set of letters-one for Peter Carthage, another for Lauren Carthage, and the last for Agnes MacNeil, the Alpha of Clan MacNeil. He invited them to come on the fifteenth and informed them he would make arrangements for their transport.

Harry tied the letters to Hedwig's legs and she took off from his shoulder and landed on Nym's. Hedwig gave Nym a head-butt and a nuzzle and faded away.

"Harry, do you do anything the normal way?"

"What? I just sent a letter."

Sirius just shook his head.

"Your owl just did that Harryistic Apparation thing."

"And?"

Sirius just groaned and went back to playing with the twins.

The Secretary of State for Education, Gillian Shepherd, sat in the wingback across from Harry's super-sized chair.

"Your Grace, I'm Gillian Shepherd, the Secretary of State for Education. Have you given any thought to combining the curricula of the Mundane and magical schools for the Royal Academy?"

"Yes, we're developing a test to proceed with that type of curriculum. The curriculum of the primary school will have the normal Mundane curriculum and introduction to magic courses.

"The first test would be given at grade five and determine the path the student will then pursue. A more heavily magical track or a magical career-oriented track will be aimed at grades six through eight-or first through third forms. The schools will be boarding schools from the sixth grade forward.

"These tracks will diverge only slightly from each other and will include the Mundane curriculum minus the language requirement. History of Magic will be changed to include all history.

"With parental or in loco parentis help from the teachers, and with dedication, a student in either track should be able to excel at both. The top four hundred students tested would attend Hogwarts. If any vacancies become available at Hogwarts, the top student of the appropriate grade will fill the vacancy.

"I believe I'm going to keep the House system, but I'll have a talk with the Sorting Hat first.

"After testing all students, proceeding will be sorted before the beginning of sixth year, or first form, if you will, provided I can determine that the Hat is not corrupted or insane. Those students not passing the test will be put in a special program which will attempt to keep them abreast of their peers but also does remedial work to bring them up to standard.

"The next gate test would be at the end of the eighth year, or third form. This test would determine the same thing, career-oriented education or more heavily magical schooling to prepare for attendance at either an apprenticeship or the University.

"The top four hundred students in the University track would attend Hogwarts, and the others would attend the Royal Academy here. All students will be taking the same test and encouraged to study outside of their track to excel at both."

"There will be no leaving school at fifteen. All students will attend until they are eighteen and they will take their OWLs which will be expanded to cover the GCSE requirements between their fourteenth and sixteenth birthdays.

"Lady Marchbanks will need to expand her testing department. The test will be at the schools.

"The next test would be at the end of grade twelve, or seventh form, and would determine whether or not the student would be allowed to proceed to University or would apprentice. It would also cover NEWT testing requirements.

"The apprentice programs will be a minimum of four years and will be under the control of Chu, Minerva, and their staffs. Apprentices will test out of their programs. Masters will be held to curricula. Masters who do not produce Journeymen on time will not receive more candidates or the funding that goes with them.

"Another expansion for you, I'm afraid, Lady Marchbanks.

"The University will, as will the High School and Middle School, offer the minimum required Mundane courses and the magical curricula we determine.

"At the end of the fourth year of university the students will be tested to determine whether they will be allowed to proceed to graduate school, which will offer the full Mundane and magical curricula.

"The graduate school will offer only magical Master programs-Healing, Potions, Transfiguration, Charms, Defense, Herbology, Care of Magical Creatures, Alchemy, Technomancy, Runes, Wards, Arithmancy, Divination, Magical Law Enforcement, Battle Mage, Transportation, Elf and Goblin Magic, etc.

"Law degrees will be acquired in the Mundane manner, as will the other Mundane postgraduate degrees."

Gillian sat stunned for a moment. "Well, I guess you've thought about it, Your Grace."

Harry favored her with one of those knee-weakening brilliant smiles he was apparently trying to patent. "I would be most pleased if you could send some of your people to help, but they have to be at least Squibs."

"The University will start small, as will all the sections, but I expect to be filling up fast."

"Harry, why do you think something is wrong with the Hat?"

"It allowed me to not go to Slytherin, Rowena, even though it was sure that was the best place for me. Also, the songs it sings are a little crazy."

"Well, if no one else has questions?"

Harry waited a moment.

"Your Majesty, I bid you a good evening." Harry stood and raised Nym and then Bellatrix from where they had been sitting and kneeling beside his chair.

"Sirius, don't keep my kids up too late."

"We're going to bed, too, Harry."

The women all smiled as Sirius left the room with a twin in each arm and the nannies following behind him.

"Lord Lupin?"

"Ma'am?"

"Lord Black is unattached?"

"Yes, ma'am."

Phillip stood and raised Elizabeth. She looked around the room. "Milords, ladies, I will see you all in the morning."

Remus stood musing over what that little conversation could lead to. Little did he know that Sirius would not be heading into the fasting circle first.

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Potter Castle
Third Turned morning

Harry awoke with Amanda looking up his body at him. He smiled and rolled her over. He slid down her body and, reaching his goal, nuzzled into her folds and brought her to a slightly surprised but very nice climax. He slid back up her body and straight into her in one smooth motion. Amanda hummed and wriggled. Soon Harry had brought them, both panting, to the edge, and they shuddered in climax together.

Smiling, Harry carried Amanda to the bath and the mates began their normal passing parade. Some just cuddled in the bath for a while; some pulled him in for a romp; and, as always, a couple of them pulled him out of the tub and onto a cushioned floor for a longer session.

Harry was still amazed that they all seemed satisfied and happy. He wondered how exactly they figured out who went when. He knew he could go pull the answer out of the bond, but that would take the fun out of it; so he just kept working on it on his own.

Five-fifty in the morning brought Harry's by now normal dash into the dressing room and quick change. This morning Ann was in the bedroom, having just gotten dressed after a very nice romp, when she was tackled around the waist and hoisted onto a magnificently muscled shoulder.

Unlike Nym, Ann eyed the very nice bum in front of her and reached out and grabbed a double handful just as Harry turned into the hall. Harry, shocked, stumbled and ended up with Ann solidly on her feet in front of him, Harry's face in her lower belly, and his arms around her waist. It looked to be horribly painful; the apparent result at the start of the fall was Harry slamming Ann into the ground with his shoulder. But his athleticism and magic had saved her from the fall.

Elizabeth, who had been facing the door, commented, "So very well trained, Nym. You should write a book. You're like that Horse Whisperer fellow in America."

A vast silence fell as everyone turned to look first at the Queen and then at Nym. Sarah really should have know better and covered Eugenie's mouth, but the thought occurred too late and a piping voice said, "Nym's the Harry Whisperer."

It started with a furiously blushing Ann and Harry's giggles and then rolled across the crowd.

Everyone had shown up for PT this morning.

Harry stood and bowed floridly, and Ann curtsied deeply beside him. Harry and the bonded went through their workout with Marie, taking time to help everyone who needed it.

Breakfast was quick and they moved straight into classes. Frank and Alice took Emma Granger into another room and began their basic magic classes.

It was decided that anyone in the current group would be allowed to come on any of the Turnings that they wished.

There was no briefing this day, but they took the hour anyway and continued their scenario discussions over the scenarios they had discussed yesterday.

The rest of the classes proceeded as they yesterday, the instructors working with the new students and the bonded in separate groups.

Dinner was very pleasant, and after they moved back to the sitting room, Harry went with Dan, Andrew, Tim, and Phillip into the corner for some discussion while the bonded and Sirius fussed over the twins. Remus and the courtiers watched and contributed to the solving of the world's problems, or whatever other discussion came up.

"Ma'am, we're back in normal time now. Do you need me to take you back to Windsor now?"

"No, Harry; Geoffrey and Baron Fellowes have worked out our transportation for tomorrow morning after PT. We'll return for the next Turning at midnight tomorrow."

"If you'll pardon me, then, ma'am, I'm going to retire."

As the mates followed him out, Minerva turned to the Hogwarts students. "Please be in the great hall in thirty minutes for the return to Hogwarts."

A chorus of, "Yes, ma'am," answered her and she turned and followed Harry.

As everyone said goodnight and left, Ron asked, "Dad, how are you and Mum getting home?"

"We're keyed to the wards, Ron. We'll be fine."

"So we could just Floo here any time?"

"Except for the fact that this house isn't on the Floo network, yes. If you want to come, just call for Geoffrey to ask Harry's permission."

They continued their conversation until it was time to go.

The bonded, meanwhile, had been in the private sitting room just communing in the bond. Minerva led the Hogwarts contingent over and Harry kissed them all and led them to the entry hall.

Meeting the students, Minerva winked at Harry and, raising her arms, transported them all to the Hogwarts entry hall. She blushed when she got there in response to the very intimate mental caress she received in congratulation from Harry.

Angelina, watching this blush, suspected what had caused it and grinned. Next time they were at the Castle she would have to ask Katie if she knew how to do it, and if so, ask her to teach her how. She wanted to surprise Fred.

The Bonded and their supporters settled and slept-well, sleep being relative in Harry's case, as it seemed the mates were in a kind of constant passing parade mode.