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Harry Potter and the Dark Lady
Chapter 12

Potter Castle
Master Suite
Sunday
29 Sept 1996
04:55

Harry was dreaming again. This was a very pleasant dream, though. A hard athletic body covering his; slim, almost boyish hips under his hands...mmmm, very nice...oh my, right up against her...just a little push.

Beatrice was dreaming, too. She was lying on her love and he was gently stroking her with his warm, slightly rough hands. My, this was very nice—oh, there he was...mmmm-hmmm, right there...just pull her hips down a little.

Nym snapped awake just as Harry and Beatrice awoke at Beatrice’s pain.

“Oh Merlin, Beatrice, are you okay?”

Beatrice didn’t know whether she was disappointed or relieved. “Fine, Harry.”

“I didn’t—you aren’t—errrh.” Harry was approaching panic.

Beatrice actually curled up and looked and felt of herself. “No, it’s fine, Harry. Morgana, that hurts, though. How are we going to do it when it’s time, Harry?”

Nym shook her head at the two dufuses in her bed. “With more preparation, and you’ll be bigger, Beatrice. You’re still growing. It won’t be quite so bad.”

“Really, Nym?”

“Yes, really, minx.”

“Now what happened?”

“I was dreaming, Nym,” in stereo.

Nym laughed. “Okay, must have been a good dream. Why don’t you two change and work off the rest of your dream?”

Beatrice smiled and Nym heard Harry’s exclamation of surprise as they faded away. She curled into Hestia.

“All right, then?”

“Yes, Tia, scared themselves.”

“Yeah, neither of them is ready quite yet.”

“Maglubiyet, it’s going to take forever at this rate.”

“Eugenie, don’t use Goblin curses—hey, wait a minute! What are you doing here?”

“I was lonely and it gets cold in that bed by myself, Nym.” Eugenie crawled over between Nym and Hestia and collapsed.

They let her snuggle in and went to sleep.

At 5:30 splashing from the bath awoke them.

Eugenie sat up and looked around; about half the mates were missing. She padded to the bath and discovered Harry and some of the mates in the tub, with other mates in the showers. Oh my, and what was Harry doing with Paula and Nanna? Hehehe that looked fun for later—years later.

Oh well—she was here, might as well get a shower. Eugenie folded her nightshirt and put it on a Romanesque marble chair; she stepped into the shower and was instantly grabbed and dragged into a pile of squealing teenagers. Nym and Hestia found them slightly later with shampoo foam and hair sculptures that made Harry’s Yule Ball ice creatures look tame. Nym laughed and wished for a camera. She did send Sarah a focused message in the bond, though, and Sarah faded in nude with a wizarding camera.

Sarah smiled and yelled, “HEY!”

The girls snapped their heads around and the menagerie on their heads moved almost as if they were alive for a moment. The picture of the surprised girls and their animals would hang, hugely blown up and amongst a few others, in Harry’s bedroom for the rest of his life, much to the chagrin of hundreds of Potter girls. Sarah and Andrew’s bedroom got a copy, too. The Queen got her copy framed from the mates in the picture for Christmas.

It was just a tad too much skin for public consumption—nothing exposed aside from several very firm derrières, but the girls were very obviously naked. Just tasteful enough to grace a proud parent or husband’s bedroom wall or nightstand. The kind of picture that for most girls would have been dragged out for the really serious boyfriend by their mothers years from then.

Harry felt the teeth touch the back of his neck while he was resting with Melissa pinned to the illusioned wall of the tub. He turned and locked his lips onto Vanessa, one of the younger vampire mates. Vanessa leaned back and broke the kiss. “Good morning, Master, love me.”

Harry grinned. “Of course I do.”

A petulant “Now, Master” was the reply, followed by a “Hey!” from Melissa as Vanessa wriggled her way into the circle of Harry’s arms.

Nym shook her head. “Breakfast at eight here at the Castle, Harry.”

Nym, now clean from wrestling soapy teenagers to allow Sarah to escape with the camera, went and flopped in the bed.

She was joined by a very affectionate Harry at a little after six. They made breakfast on time, barely.

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Potter Castle
Dining room
Sunday
29 Sept 1996
07:59

Harry and Nym tumbled into the dining room leading a veritable horde of mates. Elizabeth smiled and shook her head; it looked like a very active day already.

“Good morning, Your Majesty!”

“Yes, it appears to be, Your Grace. And what has you so happy today?”

“I would think that it was obvious, ma’am.” Harry held Nym’s hand up and pulled her slightly forward; in the bond the mates felt his use of Nym as a representative of them all. They were very pleased.

“Come over here and sit with me, you wag—and yes, we can see why you’re happy.”

Harry seated Nym and ensured the mates were seated. “How will Court be today, Harry?”

“Bad, Phillip, Dark—all Dark and all guilty of capital crimes, 234 of them.”

“Harry, have you given any thought to not executing them?’

“Yes, ma’am but, well, they will simply commit other crimes. Capital crimes most likely; they fled to Russia hoping to avoid my reach. They were not to know that Roxanne extended my reach into Asian Russia. I can’t face a victim of the future crimes they will commit. I’m left with two choices: I can imprison them so securely that they can never escape, or I can kill them. Reforming them is not possible. I can’t come up with a way to imprison them so there’s no chance of their escape, and I can’t make myself ask someone else to take on the burden of their execution.”

“Did you speak to the Pope about this, Harry?”

“No, but I did talk to Father Jozef when he was here, ma’am.”

Elizabeth smiled at the fiction John Paul had created. “And what did our Duke’s Confessor have to say?”

“The Realm and the Church are separate and interested in separate things. He doesn’t approve of the executions but in the end it will be between me and God. He also doesn’t approve of the activities of the people I execute. So in the end I’m alone with the Realm.”

Elizabeth nodded; she was, in the final analysis, as alone as Harry. “I’m sorry, Harry.”

“Its all right. We seem to be doing okay so far, ma’am.”

Phillip decided it was time to move along. “It’s a little early for all this; have a banger, Harry, and let’s talk about the varsity Wargs’ chances against the ’Claws.”

Elizabeth rolled her eyes at her single-minded husband. Harry grinned and threw a spanner into the works. “Phillip, did you know Anastasia is your cousin by blood and marriage?”

The dining room’s occupants all watched as Phillip’s gears ground that question exceedingly fine. “Great Scott, I believe you’re right.”

Harry leaned back as the court of St James and the vassals chattered excitedly and laid siege to Garter King of Arms.

Elizabeth smiled. “That was very Slytherin, Harry.”

“Actually not, ma’am; we just figured it out and I’ve been waiting to spring it on him.”

Elizabeth chuckled.

From down the table Tim looked at Harry and sighed. Harry turned to him. “I know, Tim, and we’ll need to speak to Sir John, Sirius, Remus, and some others. How about tomorrow after dinner so the staff can attend, say 21:00 in the theater?”

“Certainly, Your Grace, I’ll set it up.”

Breakfast proceeded and at 09:00 they moved to the sports grounds.

It was a little cooler this morning and a high, thin overcast covered the sky. They found seats in the Ducal box as the first games started and the parade of females began. They no longer even pretended to be going to the concessions; in fact several tray venders set up on either side of the box and did a brisk business.

Hufflepuff beat Slytherin on their Keeper and an apparently lucky grab by their Seeker at the seventy-four-minute mark. Groaning and cheers flooded the bond and bets between mates were settled.

An edgy and irritable Bellatrix finally huffed and waved her hand slightly. Imelda came flying across the pitch and landed next to her. “Aaaack, Bella! Why did you do that? I had him right where I wanted him.”

“Who are you torturing now, Imelda?”

Imelda blushed furiously. “Erm, no one. What can I do for you, Bella?”

Amelia Fastida looked at her speculatively and applied a little compulsion. “Who and what were you doing?”

“Joeseph Conrad and trying to get him to notice me.” Imelda’s blush deepened.

Amelia’s peal of laughter was an uplifting sound. “Oh my, you are found then?”

Imelda kept blushing. “I think so.”

Sarah leaned over and put her hand on Imelda’s forehead. “Oh my, yes.”

Bella smiled. “Well, now you have something to keep you busy. You should follow the rules now.”

Imelda’s rapidly nodding head faded away along with the rest of her and a “Thanks, Bella” drifted back across the pitch as the Wargs took the field.

Harry laughed along with the rest as he watched the game start. Nym smiled at him indulgently.

Harry was thrilled. The game was fast and furious.

Augusta entered the box to talk to the Queen, who traditionally occupied her box only for court. “Your Majesty, what did you think of the list for today?”

“I was amazed we found no chattel, Lady Longbottom. But these are the soldiers, I assume—well, that and some just plain bad people.”

Augusta nodded. “Of the known ancient Houses. I refuse to call those evil gits noble. They’re all thirds and fourths, some thirds and fourths of cadet lines. I think Harry has scooped up the chattel of Riddle’s idiots. And that first massacre this term took care of the just plain evil gits and their chattel, ma’am.”

Elizabeth nodded. “Now, however, we are apparently going to expand the realm eastward in an attempt to re-establish control of Russia and defeat this Xi Shi.”

Augusta nodded. “I thought so. I had hoped to see an end for him, but....”

“Yes, well, nothing for it really. It looks like he’s going to slow way down, though, and that may put us back in the position of just collecting the minions and the random evil git.”

“And the rumor that she’s found by Harry, ma’am?”

“True, I’m afraid, and possibly Alpha—with designs of being the Alpha, apparently.”

“Morgana, no wonder he’s so stroppy and lights people on fire so much.”

Elizabeth chuckled. “Yes, keeping her alive may be a little difficult. He’ll incinerate her if she threatens Nymphadora or Sarah, any of the bonded for that matter.”

“If he can.”

Elizabeth actually laughed. “Augusta, if he can’t it won’t matter to us anyway. He’ll crack the planet trying.”

Augusta nodded. “He loves them all, but something about those two...it’s amazing really.”

“Scary is what it is, Augusta.”

“What about Dumbledore, ma’am?”

Elizabeth frowned. “What about him?”

“You do know he’s been receiving visitors, ma’am?”

“I did not! Amelia?”

“Majesty?”

A stern look later, “Elizabeth, then?”

“What, no eye roll? I’m somehow disappointed.”

“Elizabeth, Matthew and Chloe are testing my patience today. Please don’t help them.”

“What is it, dear?”

“Time to wean them, Elizabeth.”

“Bag balm.”

“I beg your pardon, Augusta?”

“American product for dairy cows. Kind of a potion applied externally, treats sore teats. Good for stretch marks too, not that you lucky cows need it, according to rumor. I have some at home that I’ll send tonight.”

Amelia Bones Potter almost cried. Anything for some relief really; her poor nipples were almost raw, and nothing she had tried had worked. A wet-nurse was simply out of the question. No one but her would nurse her babies.

Elizabeth smiled gently. “I’m sorry, Amelia, I didn’t know.”

“It’s all right, ma’a—Elizabeth. Sorry I’m so snappy. Now, what can I do for you?”

Elizabeth grimaced. “Almost hate to ask now. Did you know Dumbledore was receiving visitors?”

Amelia frowned. “No, I didn’t. Let me get Michelle.” Amelia fired a messenger off.

While she waited and the bond speculated on what was going on, Harry was concentrating on the smashing game going on. He would fix Dumbledore later.

A few moments later Michelle Woods strolled up and entered the box. She made her way to Amelia. “Amelia?”

“Dumbledore has been receiving visitors, Michelle?”

“Not that I know of, Amelia.”

Amelia raised a brow. “Augusta?”

“Amelia, I’ve been contacted by several Ancient and Noble families indicating that they were in contact—face to face contact—with Dumbledore.”

Dumbledore was suddenly standing in front of Elizabeth. “Errrh, Your Majesty?”

“Grrrr. Harry, some warning would be appreciated.” Elizabeth shook her head. Harry still had this tendency to go for the throat straightaway.

“The game’s on mum errr, ma’am.” Harry blushed furiously. Elizabeth beamed.

“Harry, what did you do?”

“Leave him alone, Nym. Look at her.”

“But Sarah—”

“Hush, Nym, it’s fine. I’m honored, Harry.”

A tongue-tied Harry blushed some more. He couldn’t even form complete thoughts. The mates didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. They generally settled on a combination of a few happy tears and enormous grins. Imelda popped up and got off two pictures before Beatrice and her girls changed and charged her in Warg form.

The game halted and the crowd cheered Imelda or the mates. Nazo Ozawa dragged her down by her robe and all the girls puppy-piled her. The crowd oooohed and aaaahed; some booed, laughing, and some cheered, also laughing. The Wargs rose from the pile with Beatrice carrying Imelda by her waistband; they trotted back to the Ducal box amid cheers and the game got back underway. Beatrice dropped Imelda at Rita’s feet and went and lay down with her head in Harry’s lap. Another round of oooohs and aaahhs went around the sports ground. All of Beatrice’s girls stayed in their Wargs and lounged around the box.

Elizabeth looked around. “Well, now that the children are through playing—Dumbledore, have you been receiving visitor’s?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“At least you’re honest. Why? I’m sure you understood my intention.”

Dumbledore assumed a superior air. “Ma’am, they came to me. While I did not turn them away, I said nothing to them to either support their position or disabuse them of it. I have recorded their conversations and am prepared to surrender both the parchment and my memories. Truthfully, I thought my parchment was still being read.”

“No, the Duke intended to move on. You have been judged. I will write much clearer instructions for your confinement. Now, what do these people want?” Elizabeth was by now tapping her foot. Phillip began paying closer attention.

“I believe they’re simply upset and nervous, ma’am.”

“So Ancient and Noble families sworn to the Duke and Realm are coming to you for advice because they’re upset and nervous. What are they upset and nervous about, Professor?”

“To be blunt, ma’am, they are sworn to a killer. Harry has killed thousands, if the reports are to be believed; if he does not kill his enemies, he enslaves them. They are nervous that he is going Dark.”

The stadium erupted in cheers as the Wargs came away with the win. Harry was cheering wildly and as soon as Beatrice raised her head, he leapt to his feet.

Demelza did a loop high over the field and then dove off her broom. Harry braced and summoned her, catching her squealing form in his cushioned arms against his cushioned chest and kissing her very thoroughly.

The crowd obliged the drama with a shriek, an aaaaah, and then a very excited squeeee from hundreds, perhaps thousands of young females. Mothers over the whole sports ground shook their heads; the boy was mad. He had just firmly planted himself as the knight in shining armor for thousands of pre- and pubescent girls—hell, teenagers and grown women too.

“Harry, stop showing off.”

Harry favored Elizabeth with a rakish smile over Demelza’s head. Elizabeth threw up her hands and turned back to Dumbledore as Harry and the mates minus the furious Amelia Bones celebrated.

“Yes, Professor, I can see how they might be nervous. He is so very bloodthirsty, after all, protecting his wives, children, and the Realm we all live in; but what can you expect from the dominant vampire and werewolf on the planet? Perhaps you expect more from the Dragon King of Dragons. Mayhap we should all bow before your proven ancient wisdom, resurrect the criminal Riddle, and submit ourselves to his benign rule. He would, after all, only kill most of us as you continued your ineffectual scheming with your worthless pureblood sycophants.”

Dumbledore flinched at her biting tone and lash-like words. The entirety of the sports ground had frozen. You could hear a pin drop on the grass pitch.

Elizabeth continued. “You know, I have defended people to him on several occasions when he has referred to them as ignorant bleating sheep, but I don’t believe I will any longer. You and your little posse of puerile imbeciles do what you will, and when you cross him I will cheerfully sign your warrants. I thought he was being extreme when he turned your case over to me, but now I’m glad he did. If you continue down this path of manipulation and deceit, I will execute you or cause your execution myself. You have been judged and found wanting; you will submit or die.”

Elizabeth had risen to her feet, glowing, and turned the Realm on Dumbledore. In the silence of the watching multitude her pronouncement rang like a shot. Dumbledore collapsed to his knees under the weight of a severely displeased Realm. Around the grounds people withdrew from five others who collapsed with him.

These people were suddenly surrounded by Ducal House and Gryffindor students.

Phillip knew he had to intervene or Elizabeth would kill Dumbledore right now. “Ma’am, perhaps you intend their deaths now?”

Elizabeth was shocked. “Sir, you question me?”

“I would never, ma’am. However, you tread dangerously close to their end.”

Phillip’s timely warning saved Dumbledore. At Elizabeth’s request the Realm withdrew from him and his sycophants and lay snarling just beyond their ability to fully sense it.

Harry had let Demelza down until her feet were on the ground and pushed her behind him. Nym came to herself and realized the childless mates had formed a wall between Sarah, the children and their mothers, herself and Dumbledore.

Harry’s voice rang across the grounds. “Albus Dumbledore, you are charged with treason and sedition.”

A wave and APWB Dumbledore, erstwhile hero of the Light, disappeared. Gasps and growls sounded as his co-conspirators vanished with him.

Harry turned to the crowd and cast the Sonorus. “Well—and all before lunch! Sorry for the interruption. There will be a pause of twenty minutes to let everyone adjust before the games continue as scheduled. Thank you for your patience.”

In the press box Percival Gribbs’s face lit with joy. “Ladies and gentlemen, you heard correctly. Percival Gribbs reporting from the Royal Sports Ground on WWN Sports One. Albus Dumbledore and several pureblood Heads of House have been charged with treason and sedition by the Duke of Magic after the varsity Wargs’ shattering 420 to 60 defeat of the Ravenclaw varsity, the Snitch being caught by the Hogwarts Warg Seeker in the fifty-ninth minute after an interruption for reporter chasing. Demelza Robbins led the Wargs in, completely baffling the Ravenclaw Keeper who had till now only allowed forty points through this season. Stay tuned for breaking news.”

Percival leant back and put his omnioculars down. He shut off his microphone and blew his breath out in a long, loud exhalation and looked around the booth. The sports writers were going quite mad, scribbling and shooting off messengers.

He turned his head toward the shouting going on at the back of the booth and sat amazed as the WWN sports producer, Bruce Titterhorn, defended his turf like a lion against the news readers and Glenda Chittock. Didn’t know the little pouf had it in him. Bruce contended that it was happening at the sports ground so it was sports’ job to cover it. Oooh, that was very rude. Glenda might be slightly past her prime, but hag she was not.

Uh-oh, time to duck.

Paper exploded out the front of the booth as the blasting hex from Glenda’s wand impacted the Magical Le Monde writer’s desk.

Percival grinned. Served the Frogs right—they were just here spying anyway. France didn’t even have a team in the league. Percival had argued that exact point with Duchess Rita—well, until her teeth seemed to start growing. Percival hadn’t known whether he was about to see a Warg or a vampire but he could do without personally meeting either, thank you very much.

Ooops, the Aurors were here. Yikes! It was Moody and his wand was out. Back on the floor, Percy old boy. Any luck at all and Glenda and the news readers would end up in irons on the pitch for court. Too bad about Bruce really, just as he had finally grown a spine. Ah well, sacrifices must be made. And there we are, Stunners all round, and there they go, levitated off to see the Duke no doubt. Up, Percy me boy, and back to the microphone.

“Well, a bit of excitement here in the booth while we were on break, ladies and gentlemen, I must say. Not to worry, though; we’ll continue this broadcast. And the Royal Hufflepuffs take center field against the Hogwarts Hufflepuffs. And we’re off. Oh, I say, that must be a foul. The Hogwarts Hufflepuff Beater has been called for cobbing against the Royal Hufflepuff Beater in the first seconds; not a very friendly inter-house game this, ladies and gentlemen, and from the Puffs too.”

Alastor came stumping up to the Ducal box with a stormy look on his mangled face, towing Glenda Chittock and several people Harry did not know on levitation charms behind him.

“Harry, this lot were having a brawl back of the Quidditch journalist booth.”

“And I’m expected to do what exactly, Alastor?”

“Sort it, Harry, sort it.”

Harry pulled a huge grimace. “You know, is it too much to ask for a day off?”

Rita huffed, “Oh Harry, don’t go on so. Wake them up, Alastor, and let’s see what they’re on about.”

Alastor grinned at Rita and dropped the journalist on the ground. He Ennervated them and Rita questioned them; Harry groaned as he listened in the bond—well, listened a little. He would do whatever Rita wanted with them. “Hannah, Susan, what’s gotten into the Puffs? This is rougher than Gryffindor vs. Slytherin when Flint was still captaining. Pomona is going to throw a right wobbler.”

Hannah sighed. “Well, words were said, Harry, and somebody took offense and the House is a little tense right now.”

“Tense? Hannah, I’ve seen skinning, stooging, blagging, blatching and cobbing—and it’s only the first five minutes. There are so many fouls going on the crowd isn’t even seeing them all.”

Hannah shrugged helplessly.

Harry faded away and reappeared in the middle of the pitch. “TIME” He waved the two teams down to him, and they came reluctantly.

A dome appeared around them, obscuring what he was doing, but several bright flashes of light leaked out. On one occasion the ground shook.

The dome disappeared and play resumed, scrupulously clean play from very white-faced players.

Percival gleefully reported, “Well, ladies and gentlemen, we may never know what happened there but the Duke seems to have solved the problem. Both teams are being very conscientious of the rules now.”

The mates were chuckling over Harry’s ranting about only Hufflepuffs being able to fight over who should be allowed—allowed, mind—to clean the Castle mews.

Hannah laughed. “Be nice, Harry. They love Melinda and the other Nightmares. They get to brush them when they clean the stalls.”

Harry glared at the laughing Hannah. He opened his mouth and was saved by Rita. “Next crisis, Harry.”

“Everyone knows it’s Sunday, right? And that two days ago the Division fought a major engagement across nine time zones? My patience is nearing an end. I’ll solve this next problem and then the next person that disturbs my one day off is going to be burnt at the stake.”

Rita rolled her eyes, then smirked. “Yes, yes, big bad Alpha. You were going to be bored until the Harpies played anyway. We all saw you eyeing Gwenog. We could wait and you could go tear off a piece right now. She’s in the locker room, I’m sure.”

Harry was completely white-faced. “Rita!”

Rita tapped her foot.

Harry pouted. “Oh, all right, they can duel for it. No permanent injuries.”

Rita grinned viciously and went to tell them. “Narcissa put a million Galleons on Titterhorn.”

“Are you sure, Rita?”

“Oh yes, Glenda told him to quit being an over-emotional little bitch. He’s going to destroy her on sheer rage-induced power.”

Harry threw up his hands. “Crap! I better go read them the riot act first.”

Percival watched the Ducal box as much as the game and commented on both. “Oh, what’s this, ladies and gentlemen? It appears that some of my distinguished colleagues are about to duel for broadcast privileges for tonight’s session of court. Yes, here’s the Duke reading them the rules. For coverage of the duels, please switch to WWN Sports 2 and my colleague Daniel Boxlighter. And now back to Quidditch.”

Percival was having the time of his life.

WWN sets all over the Realm were being changed to WWN Sports 2; those with multiple sets were putting one on WWN Sports 1 and one on WWN Sports 2. Those able to move at all were heading for the fireplaces or Apparating to the grounds, Sickles in hand.

Harry had moved to the dueling stages. “Professor Flitwick, I hate to interrupt, but we have a small problem. These people were having a brawl and we want to sort out their issues in a more formal way.”

Filius smiled. “What did you have in mind, Harry?”

“Same rules I use: no permanent injuries, and violators will have to duel me completely unrestricted.”

Filius winced. “I don’t think they’ll agree to that, Harry.”

“Oh, I think they will, Professor, or they’ll find themselves charged with attempted grievous bodily harm and at court tonight.”

“All right then, Harry, let us clear these matches and you can tell them the rules while they wait.”

“Yes, Harry, we need a few minutes. We’re still placing the bets. None of the Totes will cover it all in one bet. Rita, you’d better be right. Odds on Titterhorn are 100 to one against.”

“That’s because they think he’s a homosexual, Tracey.”

“Errrh, he isn’t?”

“Daphne! Of course he is, but that doesn’t affect his magic.”

“Oh, I didn’t mean that made him weak, Hannah. I just wanted to make sure my gaydar still worked.”

Harry shook his head and turned to the journalist still under Auror guard. “You will duel in a single elimination tournament under my ‘no permanent injuries’ rules using one stage. This duel will be for the privilege of covering Court. Any infractions will result in a completely unrestricted duel against me. Questions?”

Furious head-shaking followed and then they went back to eyeing each other and hurling insults.

Daniel Boxlighter cleared his throat and turned his microphone back on. “Ladies and gentlemen, if you are just joining us, the Duke of Magic has just brought a group of my colleagues to the dueling arena to decide by combat who will cover Court tonight. This was precipitated by Albus Dumbledore and five pureblood Heads of Houses’ arrest for treason and sedition. My esteemed colleagues were scuffling behind the Quidditch broadcast booth and spells were exchanged, leading to their arrest.

“The Duke has declared this a Class Three restricted duel; no permanent injuries may be inflicted. Infractions will be punished by the violators’ having to duel the Duke completely unrestricted, or a Class Four duel. I expect a clean match, as we all know the Duke’s penchant for lighting people on fire.

“Professor Flitwick, Chief Judge, British Dueling Society, will be the judge for these duels. We will apparently be under way with these duels on stage one and the varsity and uni duels will continue on stages two and three. We will bring you live coverage of this single elimination grudge tournament momentarily.

“I must tell you that the Totes are giving 100 to one odds on Titterhorn, 25 to 1 on Johnstone and Williams, and 4 to one on Chittock. Odds for any violator vs. the Duke stand at an astonishing one million to one.

“Shariff and Chudri are back in action now, and it’s a ferocious duel. Shariff appears to be—yes, he is—holding his Protego just short of the ground. And yes, I believe Chudri has seen it. Chudri deflected that Jellylegs and oh my, a string, very powerful and half of it is under the Protego. Looks like a Stunner got through and Shariff is down. The Lions take that varsity duel over Slytherin.

“And now it looks like we’re ready for the first round off the grudge duels, and it’s Johnstone and Chittock. And here we go. Two Protegos. Looks like a Jellylegs from Chittock and now an Incendio from Johnstone. My my, this has gotten very serious very early. Chittock replies with a very high-powered blasting hex, Johnstone’s shields are down and...there! The Expelliarmus! A quick win for Chittock.”

Harry sat grumpily in the stands near the dueling area, trying to watch the Quidditch. The mates were happily yapping away about life, the universe, and babies in the bond. Nym suddenly faded in next to Harry, followed by the mates and children. A few waves and a temporary box surrounded them, and Elizabeth and the courtiers and vassals appeared sputtering.

“Nym!”

Elizabeth got an eye roll. “Yes?”

“It’s only polite to warn people.”

“Oops, sorry, Elizabeth.”

Elizabeth gave her a smile and a head shake.

Narcissa was fretting. “Morgana! Titterhorn better save it if we’re going to win. He blasted Williams into the shield so hard it knocked him out.”

“Oooh, look at the Totes boards, Narcissa—the odds dropped.” Cho was looking at the boards with omnioculars.

“Trying to hedge, Cho. We put down two million at a hundred to one. It will take a lot of betting to cover two hundred million Galleons.”

Amelia Bones grinned viciously. “Teach ’em to get a license like the off tracks. I warned them.”

“You mean they aren’t licensed, Amelia?” Bellatrix was frowning at the untapped revenue stream.

“No, they refuse; and it’s tough to stop them under the current laws, Bella.”

“Well, if Titterhorn wins we better be in position to catch them, then.”

Maude nodded and mates began fading away. Soon all the Totes had a message whispered in their ear outlining the penalty for theft, which was how the Duke would see failure to pay just debts. The odds shifts were sudden and dramatic.

Narcissa watched the boards and chuckled. If Titterhorn won, the Totes were in for a rough go. If not, the House would hardly notice the loss. Teach ’em to offer those astronomical odds for a while.

“Daniel Boxlighter here again, and we’re back from the break. And here we go with the second round of the grudge match, ladies and gentlemen. It’s Chittock vs. Williams and Titterhorn vs. Johnstone. Johnstone and Williams, already having one defeat apiece, must win all their remaining duels to stay alive—well, in the tournament anyway.”

“Chittock vs. Williams first and its over in a flash. Chittock’s Stunner blasted straight through Williams’ shield and still had enough power to take him down. Glenda played a long odds gamble and won there; her first spell was both offensive and high-powered. Williams is out no way to win it now.

“The stage is clear and here we go for Titterhorn and Johnstone, and they have both immediately gone offensive. Two misses and two dodges—another two misses—oh, a shield from Johnstone. Titterhorn dives to the mat and fires three Stunners and Johnstone is down and out, clipped after his shield failed, and he dodged right directly into a Stunner.

“On the varsity match....”

Harry had watched the duels; they were taking huge chances.

“Down to the divas now.”

“Daphne!”

“What, Hermione?”

“You should have said Queens.”

“EUGENIE!”

“What, Mum?”

Harry’s laughter saved Daphne and Eugenie from Hermione and Sarah’s wrath. The mates laughed with him, even Hermione and Sarah, grudgingly and with a chorus of, “Harry, don’t encourage them.” But they laughed.

Elizabeth ignored them imperiously—well, at least until she cracked under the pressure and chuckled. Of course, then she had to explain it to the court and vassals. By the time they finished laughing the next duel was ready.

“Returning to stage one and here we are, ladies and gentlemen, down to the last duel of the grudge match, Glenda Chittock vs. Bruce Titterhorn. The duelists have taken the stage and are under judge’s orders. Some taunting occurring. Here’s the count: two...one...and Chittock has fired Titterhorn’s shield holds and he returns fire. Chittock Finites his Jellylegs and leaps over the Stunner! I say, I didn’t know she had it in her. That was a prodigious leap, ladies and gentlemen. Both with shields now. Some probing Stunners. Oh, I say, these are very good. A very even match.

“Titterhorn charges, one, two, three heavy Stunners and Chittock’s shield collapses. Oh my, Chittock took a cutting charm on the arm protecting her face and she’s down to a Stunner. I say! Well, a dramatic end to this Class Three match and the first blood of the day. Mediwitches are working on Chittock and the judge is examining the wound. Oh, some heated discussion here, ladies and gentlemen. Chittock is protesting the judge’s call, or non-call as it were. We’re waiting on the judge’s official call, and here it comes.”

Professor Flitwick cast the Sonorus. “Winner: Titterhorn!”

Glenda’s howl could be heard all over the grounds and across the wireless.

“And there you have it, ladies and gentlemen. Stay tuned to WWN Sport for all your sport and court news. This is Daniel Boxlighter, from the Royal dueling arena. WWN Sport 2 returning you to our regularly scheduled duels.”

Maude and the mates faded away again. Some Totes edging toward the rim of the bowl found themselves looking int burning green eyes and sighed. They were ruined; they would have to start all over, all their profits of almost a year wiped out by a pouf. Maybe that license thing Duchess Amelia Bones had sent them that letter about wasn’t such a bad idea after all. They had to pay a fee in percentage of profit and the odds they could offer were lower, but then they couldn’t be wiped out by a single bet either. Oh well, write the drafts and go on. It’s that or taking the Duke’s Mark.

Jennifer sighed and faded to Glenda. She examined the arm. “Glenda, you big baby, this barely broke the skin. It wouldn’t even leave a mark if untreated.”

“That little bitch shot that horrid thing right at my face, Jennifer—my face! Horrid little bitch.”

“Glenda! Be sweet, dear, your fangs are showing.”

“GRRRRRR, fine, but if the little poufter thinks he gets the balls because of this he’s crazy. I’ll fight him again and I won’t be dodging next time.”

Jennifer shook her head and laughed at the unintended image Glenda’s diatribe created as Glenda stomped off in a royal snit.

Nym waved and the whole Clan, court and vassals included, shifted to the Ducal box and the temporary box faded away.

“NYM!”

“Oops, sorry, ma’am.”

“Well, now that the excitement’s over for today—” Harry looked around significantly— “I’m going to be watching some Quidditch.”

Hedwig materialized and landed on his shoulder, holding out a leg. Harry put his head in his hands and Allison took the letter and gave Hedwig a rub.

“Harry, so sad? Come fly?”

Hedwig took off and to the mates’ astonishment Harry changed and left with her. Nym sighed and took the letter from Allison.

It was a letter from Petunia Dursley pleading with Harry to intercede on her behalf with Her Majesty. Petunia hoped that his ancient and noble connections would win her and Dudley’s freedom at least. She understood if Harry refused to intercede on behalf of Vernon. Nym dropped the letter and sprang away; an eagle owl stroked skyward where she had been.

Sarah looked at the note and, sighing, passed it to Elizabeth. Mary, Nym’s owlet out of Hedwig by Harry, appeared on Elizabeth’s shoulder with a pen. Elizabeth wrote a short note to Chief Inspector Hamlish and held it out to Mary. Mary took it and faded away.

“Even if he did intercede, her own words convict her of at least neglect. She knew she was housing a child, and a child of the nobility, and she still didn’t report the abuse. She can stay at Lewes, and her nasty spawn too.”

Nym called to Harry as she stroked skyward. “Harry?”

“I’m fine, Nym, they’re Elizabeth’s to deal with. I’m done with them. Merlin, Nym, you’re a beautiful owl too.”

“Oh my yes, very pretty sister wife.”

“Hedwig?”

“Yes, Nym?”

“The bond is so much better with you this way.”

Harry and Hedwig chuckled. Harry sent, “Now you know the way of owls, Nym, it makes it clearer.”

“Where are we going?”

“Flying, Nym.”

“Good.”

Nym found it strangely satisfying to just fly with her mates and the owlets as they joined. Harry stalled and tumbled twice as he was paying more attention to the Quidditch below them than his flying. He grumbled curses as he recovered and climbed back to altitude and re-established his orbit around the sports ground.

“Harry, this is great! We can watch all the matches and events from here.”

“And nobody bothers us, Nym.”

Nym nodded and almost stalled herself. “It’s been a busy week. It will settle, though.”

Harry chuckled and replied, “Yes, I think so. We have the intelligence gathering meeting tomorrow, and Hedwig, I need you there too. Then I’m going to let the intelligence organizations work and we’ll mine Russia with the stones, rebuild Chita, and start building a school system for Russia there. The new teachers will be coming on board and we’re going to step up training activities with the Division. We’ll use resistance cells in Russia to train on.”

Hedwig sent Nym an image and Nym blushed under her feathers. Hedwig nudged her mentally and Nym began a series of maneuvers. Harry instinctively followed. The maneuvers led them away from the sports ground and the thousands of watching eyes. Finally, over the southeast corner of the Hollow, Harry tipped Nym with a wing and covered her as they fell.

The mates on the ground blushed as a thrilled Nym owl got covered in the air. Frieda grinned hugely. Nym struggled back to altitude and rested on the winds as Hedwig started her maneuvers. Half an hour later another blush overtook the bonded.

Harry, Nym, Hedwig, and the owlets materialized in the Ducal box and Nym waved slightly. The shield over the box became one-way transparent from the inside out and the nanny elves began popping in with babies who had been napping or handing mothers back babies they had been minding. The babies got fed and Harry looked at the tin box Augusta handed him. He sniffed it and stuck a finger in it and then concentrated. Another tin appeared in Amelia Bones’ lap and she smiled at him as Posey, one of the nanny elves, picked it up and held it while she fed Matthew and Chloe. The male courtiers and vassals all moved forward and down in the box and paid strict attention to the games and events.

Harry sat burping and smelling the head of whoever he was handed, starting with Nym’s Lily.

Minerva’s Cameron brought laughter as he gave a very audible burp in response to his father’s gentle patting. Black-eyed Carmen, his full sister, gave a very lady-like tiny little erp, and melted her father’s heart with a coo and a hair tug. She also lit fires in some of her mother’s co-mothers with the same gestures, Bonnie McNeil being the most urgent of them.

Harry smiled at the as yet childless Bonnie and after he handed Carmen to Blue Bell, a Nanny, he faded them both away to the roof garden.

Emma looked at Hermione. “He really is very active still. No other problems?”

“Mother!”

“Yes, yes, now keep your voice down and answer the question.”

Emma got the de rigueur eye roll. “No, no other problems. In fact he shags six or seven of us a day completely stupid if we let him.”

Hermione was expecting a “don’t be crude” or something like it. She got a smug, “Good.” And shook her head; the mothers were completely shameless.

Emma and Esmeralda looked at her and chuckled. It was good to keep the daughters guessing.

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Xi Shi’s Hold
Master Bedroom
Friday
29 Sept 1996
21:00

Ming Na lay naked on the pallet at the foot of the Mistress’s bed. She wished the Mistress would allow her some clothes or a thicker blanket. The nights were becoming quite cold.

Mistress was still sleeping. The Healer hadn’t been hopeful; no magic would close the wounds on the Mistress. But yesterday the wounds on the Mistress closed as Ming Na watched. Now if the Mistress would just awaken.

Ming Na curled into a tighter ball to conserve her body heat and made sure her thin blanket was tucked in all around her.

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Godric’s Hollow
Royal Sports Grounds
Sunday
29 Sept 1996
19:17

After the very busy morning and early afternoon with Bonnie Harry faded them back to the box from the roof garden and the afternoon passed easily. Harry relaxed and played with his children as he discussed inconsequential—well, less than world-shattering then—things with his mates.

Soon enough though the events had all finished and it was time for Court.

“Percival Gribbs reporting from the Royal Sports Ground on WWN Sports 1, with my colleague Daniel Boxlighter from WWN Sports 2. All the events are wrapped up now and what a day of sport it has been. The grounds are completely packed, a true standing room only crowd. The surrounding hills have become impromptu stands but you’d better have your omnioculars. The admission is only fifteen Knuts, though, quite decent of the Duke really. Tray vendor elves are circulating; quite the nice day out for a family. A chance to see the Duke and his Duchesses. The Potter heirs have been much in public today and almost as big a draw as the sport. Several off schedule duels have occurred today and they were cracking, weren’t they, Daniel?”

“Yes they were, Percival. High-caliber Class Three duels of honor, a very nice addition to today’s scheduled activity in the dueling arena.”

Harry waved and the prisoners appeared at one end of the pitch. Dumbledore and his sycophants appeared in a cage. A moan went round the crowd; they knew what was coming. The Prophet had carried an article listing the bare facts, including the names of prisoners taken and their crimes, just that morning.

“And here we go for Court, ladies and gentlemen. The Duke has stepped on to the center pitch and yes, there are the prisoners. A surly looking motley crew if there ever was one. Dumbledore and his sycophants are here in the dock. And here is Duchess Hestia for the official opening of Court.”

Hestia stepped out on the pitch and cast the Sonorus on herself. “The Court of his Grace the Duke of Magic of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Defender of Magic and Magical Champion of the Crown and Realm, is now in session. All having business before this Court present your business and prepare to be judged.”

Percival watched and said, “Over to you, Daniel—more your cup of tea.”

Harry sighed, cast the Sonorus, and looked down the pitch. “You are all supporters of the Dark. Defend yourselves.”

Daniel nodded. “And we’re off in an unrestricted 234 on one duel to the death. The Duke is just standing there absorbing a blinding variety of magic: an AK, a banishing charm, Incarcerous, blasting curse, Petrificus Totalus—oh, there’s a Cruciatus and an entrail expelling curse and another AK. The Duke has just absorbed them all.”

Harry stood and let them cast desperately. They all ran down rather quickly and Harry waved a hand negligently. The resulting gigantic wall of fire hit them and left towers of ash in its wake. The wave rebounded off the shield and Harry extended his hand; the fire appeared to flow back into him.

“Merlin save us, the Duke has let them run down and he cast some kind of flame spell. The spell has created a fifty meter tall, fifty meter wide wall of flame perhaps five meters thick. The flame wall has rolled over the prisoners, incinerating them all. The Duke appears to be recalling and absorbing the flame. And back to you, Percival, after that stunning display of area focused combat magics.”

A surprised Harry thought, “So that’s how that wall of flame spell really works.”

“Maglubiyet Harry, only for you.”

“Really, Grindaknívur?”

“Really, Harry. It’s supposed to be a wall about twenty feet wide and ten feet tall, maybe a foot thick. Not fifty by fifty by five meters.”

“Oh, too much power then.”

Nym rolled her eyes. “Just cast the PB, Harry. Elizabeth wants to do Dumbledore.”

“Eeeewwwwee, Nym!”

“Hush, Eugenie.”

Harry cast the Praedia Bellica and the resulting faint glow would add a little to the coffers. Not even enough to cover reparations. Narcissa would fume all day tomorrow. She hated these most of all: poor excuses for nobles all, and poor also.

While the action in the bond went on, Percival was winding up again. “Thank you, Daniel. Well, the Duke is winding up his activities with the Praedia Bellica, it appears. As Dumbledore and his sycophants are still in the dock, something else is coming, but I don’t know what, ladies and gentlemen.”

Harry looked around. “Anybody else?”

Hestia grimaced and cast her Sonorus. “His Grace means is there anyone else with any issues requiring High, Middle or Low justice?”

Thousands of heads shook briefly. No one had any issues requiring attention with the Duke in one of his “light ’em on fire” moods.

Percival chuckled to himself and continued. “As you just heard, ladies and gentlemen, the Court has seemingly wound up its business, leaving Dumbledore on the pitch. Oh, wait—here we go, ladies and gentlemen. There is movement on the sidelines and Prince Andrew has stepped onto the pitch. The Wizengamot has taken its seats. They were not present for these last sentences as those prisoners were taken during combat action by the Division. Here we are, ladies and gentlemen. Let’s listen in.”

Andrew cast the Sonorus. “The Court of Her Majesty Elizabeth II, Dei Gratia Britanniarum Regnorumque Suorum Ceterorum Regina, Consortionis Populorum Princeps, Fidei Defensor is now in session. All having business with the Court draw nigh and pay heed.”

Inside, Percival was turning backflips. The Royals were taking a direct role for the first time in five hundred years and he was reporting it live. “Oh, ladies and gentlemen, what a development! We had heard that the Duke had recused himself from judging Dumbledore the first time around, and if anyone needed proof there it is. The Queen appears to be preparing to revoke his parole.”

Andrew continued, “Who represents Albus Dumbledore?”

Dumbledore spoke from the cage. “I represent myself.”

Andrew concentrated and Harry pushed some magic from the Realm through Sarah to him. Dumbledore faded and reappeared standing before the Queen.

“Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore, having been found guilty of various crimes including but not limited to the attempted murder of the then Chief Witch of the Wizengamot and my acting Minister for Magic, you were sentenced by me to remain in custody of the high-security ward at St. Mungo’s by me at my pleasure. My clear intention was to isolate you as if you were in prison. Allowances were made for your unfortunate condition and so that you could attempt to make reparations to the victims of the crimes in which you were complicit.”

The audience sat in shocked silence. Dumbledore’s crimes had never been published. Attempted murder? And the acting Chief Witch could only have been Duchess Amelia Bones Potter. This was patently unfair. Harry had killed for threatening his wives—well, the Death Eaters had done other crimes too, but still, why was Dumbledore still alive?

“Instead of accepting your fate you have decided to receive visitors, and instead of reporting it immediately you waited until questioned to offer a full disclosure and the excuse that you were simply watching and listening. What you were really doing was enabling treason and sedition by your silence.”

“You disgust me, to bite the hand that offered you some modicum of mercy in such a way. In your arrogance do you assume that I or my Duke would simply allow you to even attempt to regain your followers so that you could again launch your program of control of the wizarding world? Did you forget that it is my Duke who keeps you sane—over my objections, by the way?”

“Ma’am, I offer you no excuse as I need none. I am innocent of the further charges you level against me. I did not seek these people out, neither did I encourage them.”

The crowd, Percival, and the listeners at home held their breath as Elizabeth shook her head sadly. “Albus Dumbledore, it is our judgment that the runestone sustaining you be removed and nature be allowed to take its course. You will be confined to St. Mungo’s maximum security ward and you will no longer work. Your proceeds from the Dumbledore assets will be attached and managed by our Duchess Narcissa with the intent of the profits of them being used to pay reparations to your victims.”

Elizabeth nodded to Andrew as the crowd muttered and he concentrated again. Harry pushed some more magic his way and Dumbledore reappeared in the cage while the five scions landed in front of the Queen.

The Dukes of Aumale, Exeter, Cumberland, and Montagu and the Marquess of Lansdowne shuffled around like children as Percival read off their names into the microphone. “And now, ladies and gentlemen, let’s listen in.”

Elizabeth’s foot was tapping again. “I am waiting, Aumale.” Phillip winced.

Aumale looked up defiantly. “Majesty, what should we say? That we suspect the Duke of Magic to be a rising Dark Lord?”

The roaring crowd drowned his voice. He waited for quiet and then continued. “That he, a half-blood, has taken the flower of wizarding Europe as his own, denying our sons a chance at women of the appropriate station or power?”

Richard de Orleans leapt to his feet, over the rail, and before he could be stopped he had run to and struck down his Head of House in an incoherent rage. Moody cursed luridly as Percival reported the member of the public assaulting the prisoner at the bar. Aurors appeared on the pitch just after a ring of Divisional troops two deep and facing the crowd faded into view. Harry appeared and pulled Richard off his father.

“You see the lengths he has driven the Noble and Ancient houses to, Majesty, that my own son would take this course?”

Richard de Orleans screamed at his father, spraying him with spittle. “You shut your traitorous mouth, you lying scum. You’re no father of mine. Majesty, I petition that the current Duke of Aumale, Henri de Orleans, be declared forfeit and I, Richard de Orleans, be created as the Duke of Aumale.”

Henri continued shouting now over his son. “That he has stripped many of our industries of markets and collects his usurious tax in order to line his own pockets. That he uses our money to fund this den of iniquity he laughingly calls a school. I fear my words fall on deaf ears as he has subverted you to the point where you would turn on that beacon of the Light that is the slayer of Grindlewald, Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore. We have no hope; the Dark has overtaken us.”

Percival smirked. “Ladies and gentlemen, that pretty speech has not gone down well, let me tell you. The Queen is literally glowing and the Duke has thrown off all pretenses; the magic around him is warping the light. How Aumale has lived this long I cannot tell you.

“The Queen has risen and some kind of light has reached from her to the prisoners and Dumbledore, a bright golden glow.”

The Realm had used Elizabeth as a conduit and was judging the peers in front of her. She was amazed as at this point she was no longer in control of it, and it was controlling her. This had never happened before. The Realm found the peers wanting and ripped its authority away from them, leaving them howling on the ground.

“You are all forfeit. Your Grace.”

Harry replied, “Ma’am?”

“Trial by combat, if you please.”

“As you will, ma’am.”

The prisoners at the bar disappeared and then reappeared on the other end of the pitch. The crowd wore satisfied faces. Den of iniquity, indeed. Let them prove their claims against the Realm’s champion.

Harry began walking down the pitch and the peers knew they were dead men. They did not hesitate, and all cast the Killing Curse together. Harry’s smile shocked the crowd and his mates as he peeled away the intent and absorbed the huge jolt of magic. He raised his hand and wrapped their own intent around a tiny piece of magic and sent it on its way. The fire hose of neon green light vaporized all five former peers.

“It worked the same way, Nym.”

“Nym?”

“Give us a minute, Harry.”

“Luna?”

“Nym fainted, Harry.”

The pitch was suddenly devoid of life and Harry was holding Nym in the Ducal box.

“Harry, I’m going to beat you to a bloody pulp when I regain control of my body.”

“Me? Why me, Nym? They shot it at me.”

“Haven’t you ever thought of dodging, Harry?”

“Oh, sorry. The stripping thing works so well, Nym.”

“Oh sorry, the stripping thing works so well. Grrrr.”

“There’s no need to take that tone, Nym.”

“Grrrr.”

“Harry, you need to get back to the pitch. People are getting nervous.”

“Okay, Hestia. You okay, Nym?”

“Yes, go on, you great lump.”

Harry reappeared on the pitch to cheers.

Elizabeth waved and three elder sons and two oldest daughters appeared. She created them in their fathers’ titles and Harry took their oaths on the spot. Hestia waved her hand somewhat sadly and gave Elizabeth the runestone from around Dumbledore’s neck on its broken chain. Elizabeth shook her head sadly and handed the stone to Augusta.

Daniel commented, “Well, ladies and gentlemen, more action for the Duke of Magic, this time in his role as Champion of the Realm. Five victories in trial by combat; both a sad and joyous day for Britain. The loss of a champion of the Light and the final public emergence of the champion of the Realm.”

Percival nodded at Daniel. “This is Percival Gribbs reporting from the Royal Sports Ground on WWN Sports 1, with my colleague Daniel Boxlighter from WWN Sports 2, signing off and returning you to your regularly scheduled Sunday Night Serenade with Glenda Chittock.”