Birthday Celebrations

For a change, Sossogenese was not the knocker upper, it was Blaise.

“Hey Guys, wake up, it’s your special day.”

Harry pretended sleep, not that it did much good for he could see what Draco was looking at, so he sighed and opened his eyes too.

“The family has had a conference. We’re going to delay the present giving until a quarter to midday. The focussed chaos of that will hide our keeping a lookout and readiness for battle. I have an African battle charm to teach you; once that’s been learnt you can charge up the five Muggles with three charms each. Alan’s a really eager tiger, so give him three battle ones, Betty and Connie would make wonderful battle witches if only they could fly. Two curses and a shield for them I think. The two older Muggles give them shields, so if necessary they can hide their offspring after they’ve done their bit. Come to think of it, give Betty and Connie the same as Alan. Anthony and Susan are teaching them to focus their wills on their knives. I’ve charmed them as discharge points; maybe you could enhance them too.”

“Thanks for the pep talk Blaise. We’d sort of found out about charging yesterday, but not how to use it in battle. Say Alan had discharged all his hexes, could we recharge him during a lull?”

“Yes, but don’t forget you are lending him some of your magical energy, so you’ll tire more easily.”

“Thanks for that. We’re fully awake; we’ll shower and be with you in a few shakes.”

“The whole company is going for a pre breakfast swim, have your shower afterwards.”

Draco and Harry got up, donned their trunks and followed Blaise. A stretched table had been set out between the tents and the house, everyone was there and they sang happy birthday to the duo and a sleepy-eyed Neville. Someone had tiled the coal house and the pool passageway, during the night. So a chattering party wended their way through a delft tunnel to the pool. It was delightfully cool, compared to the sweltering night before, and a slight mist made things more mysterious. Each of the birthday boys was thrown in, Draco notwithstanding. Blaise even managed to debag the Duumviri, much to everyone’s amusement.

D: ‘D’you think he’s secretly gay?’

H: ‘I shall hex you if you try to chat him up.’

Harry managed to duck Draco, and received a squeezed package in return. Half an hour’s exercise had everyone hungry, quick showers and tucking into the enormous cold collage breakfast, were the next order of the day.

Draco and Harry took the five Muggles aside and asked them if they truly wanted to be part of the battle. As Blaise had surmised, the parents were more interested in protecting their young ones. The three teenagers, despite parental objections, had a very ‘up-and-at-em’ attitude. As there was time each parent was charged with one shield charm each and each teenager with one Mobilliarbus charm.

Having explained what the spells could do; each parent had to shield from a teenager’s body lift charm. Mary floated as she was too late for Connie’s hex. Gerald foxed Betty’s go. Alan was slightly naughty and nearly caught Blaise, who used the mirror charm, so it Alan started floating. Blaise used the Prior Incatato Finis charm to put things right.

“Now we’re going to give Mary and Gerald three shield charms and we’ll add a revealing edge to them so that you can see the edges. It is possible for one of you to hold a shield in front of your chosen young person, and they to dodge out to deliver a hex.”

Ron and Hermione gave a demonstration, aiming sparks at Neville’s shield.

“Now, our three belligerent friends; we are giving you a hex that will freeze the person you aim at. The effect wears off after five minutes, that is, if you get past your opponent’s shield and hit them. What happens is that Draco and I are lending you some of our strength. If you don’t use them, we can claim the energy back, so Blaise tells us. Please only use them in dire emergency. Note too that the shields will only take so much battering. We think about one curse or three hexes, possibly more, as we are very strong.”

The five Muggles looked very serious, but Draco could sense some excitement in Alan. Everyone sat round the table for coffee and biscuits chatting nervously. The elves cleared away and started piling the presents on the table. Draco was surprised at the pile in front of him, not much smaller that Harry’s. Neville’s was quite substantial too, but the biggest pile was that in front of Hermione and Ron.

Harry watched as Draco opened his present.

Draco kissed his soul mate. “Thanks Lover, I shall treasure this personal spell book greatly.

It was Harry’s turn to return the kiss. “Thanks for the suit token, I knew that was coming, but my first adult wizard’s hat was quite a surprise. How does it look?”

“Great! Let’s look at Mother’s gift next, they look identical.”

The presents were almost identical, golden seals with intertwined DM and HP letters forming the shield; Harry’s had a small J in it whereas Draco’s had an L.

D: ‘My middle name is Lucius, after my father.’

H: ‘Same here, only mine’s James.’

A Number of wards lighting up stopped any further conversation. Everyone sprang to their previously agreed positions, wands at the ready. There was a scream from the house.

‘Nothing to worry about, just a burnt Death Eater in the floo fire.’ Ron reported over the flower net.

The onslaught lasted for about half an hour, apart from a lot of noise, there were Death Eater screams as various ward hexes took hold. The various protectors lit up as they were struck, so there were some fireworks to mark the day.

The following lull lasted half an hour, and the attack started again, aimed at the gate. The duo went over and added a few more protectors, just in case. The pattern settled down, a brief burst of energy then half an hour’s lull. By three o’clock it was obvious that the inmates had better take the battle to the besiegers. Blaise and Neville went to the Marsh entrance, bubbled up with Blaise steering and Neville at the hole. The duumviri went to the mine entrance, which they had made ‘Potfoy’ responsive. Uncle backed them up with a shield. Ron’s daffodils buzzed and the teams struck at likely targets with simultaneous Incendio curses; then retired before the source could be traced.

During the next onslaught, Hermione and Susan went in the bubble and the twins backed by Father Weasley sneaked from the mine head. Between them they set fire to another Death Eater. At the same time, when Wormtail tried to use his magic hand on the gate; one of Mad-Eye’s specials stripped him naked, so he retired embarrassed to derisive comments from both sides.

‘He won’t be able to wear clothes for at least a week,’ chuckled Mad-Eye over the daffodils.

Harry and Draco had enlisted Alan’s help, and they were making a small Potfoy opening in the pool’s shields. They got it open and as they climbed out Alan saw a lurking enemy. He discharged his spell freezing the wizard. Harry and Draco Stupefied and a Flippendo had the body off to the west somewhere; giving Alan the thumbs up in the process.

During the next attack one of the chimneys was overcome. Mr and Mrs Granger and the two girl cousins were nearby. The shields went up and both girls struck simultaneously, Connie receiving a small burn for her trouble. The frozen Death Eater was propelled back up the chimney by Molly. Severus then repaired the protectors in that fireplace and added some more Incendio wards in the other ones, causing the burned body of the first dead Death Eater to dissolve, when he came to it.

The bubble sorties were the most effective, as the enemy forces never knew where the next hex was coming from. Quite a few assailants were in pain from Mad-eye’s specials. So by five o’clock, the bubble party could report no sign of any Dark attackers. Draco and Harry were worn out, but revived a little when the Muggles returned their unused charms. The elves had prepared the high tea to replace the missed lunch. After everyone had cleaned up and Molly or Uncle had laid Episkey charms on the odd burns and scratches, everyone set too with heightened appetites and a high exhilaration. The rest of the presents were opened and congratulation speeches made to the newly engaged couple. Feeling somewhat rested, Harry and Draco were especially taken with the Weasley Parent’s present. It was clothes, of course, but two beautiful silk dressing gowns with, on each pocket, the same monogram that was represented on their seals. Uncle had given them almost identical books: ‘Unusual Spells for Unusual People’, Harry's had a red cover and Draco’s a green one. The duo set about repairing the protectors which had been released, and were surprised how few needed replacing.

Once the exhilaration had worn off tiredness set in; the sense of security that they all felt, having seen the protectors withstand the onslaught, helped to lull them into a lazy mood. Exploding snap became the rage with the teenagers, especially when the three cousins found that Harry or Draco could charge them with the necessary magic to be able to take part fully. Ron and Blaise enjoyed some wizard’s chess; the older ladies went into the usual maternal huddle. When the Weasley Twins suggested the evening fireworks display it was agreed to put it off until the following day. So they created a marquee to cover the space between tents and house. That made the company feel quite snug, wandering around between common rooms, chatting as the mood moved them.

Towards the end of the evening Molly suggested a light supper.

“Oh no Mum, your light suppers turn into mini feasts.”

Molly looked hurt.

“I know you have a special cake ready love. Lets just have that and some special chocolate cup, shall we?” tempered Arthur.

They gathered round the stretched table, there were a few sandwiches with the cake and drinks, the company had great fun watching the various celebrants blow out the candles. They were magical of course, so was the inscription. The ‘happy’ remained the same, ‘birthday’ and ‘engagement’ altered to suit the name, which changed as soon as the previous person had blown out the myriad candles, then, as could be expected, the candles relit themselves. The random sequence repeated itself, until Draco organised all five of them to blow at once. The cake then divided itself up; a piece floating to every participant, including the row of elves sitting on the window ledge and Sossogenese curled up on the sundial.

About eleven the older ones wandered off to bed leaving the others chatting and playing games.

D: ‘I fancy a skinny-dip, how about you?’

H: ‘With you? Anytime, Lover.’

D: “Hey! Anyone fancy a skinny-dip? Harry’s just talked me into one. He says there’s something special about a naked midnight dip.”

H: “Don’t believe him; it’s all in his mind. However it does sound like a very good idea.”

Tony looked doubtful, but Neville persuaded him. The girls giggled and agreed. Blaise went very red and turned up in swimming trunks. Once he was in the water Harry and Draco playfully attacked him, successfully removing them.

When he objected, Draco replied, “Duumviri’s orders! Paying you back for this morning.”

There was a lot of splashing around, some showing off and an enormous amount of nervous laughter to begin with. Things settled down somewhat as they all enjoyed the water’s buoyancy and retelling the adventures of the day; pulling each others leg about the near misses. The whole experience became quite companionable, most of the sexual frisson was lost, even Blaise became less worried about his well proportioned endowment; something which the Duumviri covertly admired. After about an hour’s enjoyment the youngsters donned bathrobes and retired to bed, chatting quietly.

§§§§§

The duo was woken up early by Alan coming and sitting on the edge of their bed. Draco roused first, took one look at Alan, and nudged Harry.

D: ‘He looks like death warmed up’

H: “What’s the matter Alan? You look as though you haven’t slept all night?”

A: “I don’t think I have. I’ve been walking around for a while, trying to make up my mind to come and see you. I want to tell you something”

H: “I bet you’re cold?”

A: “I am a bit.”

D: “Get into bed with us, we’re warm.”

A: “I can’t. I’m naked under this bathrobe.”

H: “Don’t be silly, we won’t bite you. Anyway we’re naked too.”

D: “Listen mate. We’ll all get cold, so snuggle in between us and spill the beans.”

Timidly Alan took off the robe and slid down between the Duumviri. They realised that he was freezing and must have been walking round for ages. They took his hands and started rubbing them, not wanting to touch the rest of him in case he got the wrong idea.

“I’m not sure where to begin. Err … I suppose you know that Auntie and Uncle Granger took us three Ebola’s in recently?”

“No, nothing has been said.”

“Oh! Well; about six weeks ago our family went out to the theatre; I forget what we went to see. On the way back Mum and Dad were in the front of the car and us three in the back as usual. There was this terrific noise and a large lorry came ploughing across in front of us. It was horrible, Dad put the brakes on but it didn’t help. The two of them were crushed as the front of the car gave way.” At this point Alan dried up.

H: ‘He needs to cry and get it out of his system.’

D: ‘I can feel him all coiled up inside like a spring.’

Both Duumviri stopped rubbing and put their arms round Alan’s shoulders.

He shuddered and continued. “Grown men don’t cry, and at nineteen I’m supposed to be one.”

D: “Grown men do cry, Uncle wept on my shoulder for ages, when his friend Albus was killed.”

H: “We’ve both had weepy dos recently too. Tell us what happened, if you want to rage and shout we understand, same too if you break down.”

“Well … We were trapped in the back … We were caught by the knees by the backs of the seats in front … Mum and Dad were not breathing and their blood kept dripping on us … We kept on screaming … Someone came and talked to us … They calmed us down a bit … It took over an hour for the firemen to cut us free … They thought we injured, there was so much blood ... It was just theirs …”

Alan threw himself at Harry and started wailing, hanging on as if nothing could part them. Harry felt helpless.

D: ‘It’s all right Lover, you’re doing the right thing. I felt helpless with Uncle, but it helped him a lot. Just stick with it.’

Harry stuck with it. Draco stroked Alan’s back. Half an hour or maybe some more, Alan found his equilibrium.

A: “I’m sorry to have troubled you guys, I’ll go now.”

D: “No you won’t. We’re friends, see? You aren’t all right yet, and you know it.”

A: “But I feel so foolish …”

H: “So? You can be with friends; they don’t mind. We’d like to help, just ask.”

A: “I do feel rather shaky. Can I really stay?”

D: “Of course you can, for as long as you want; how about a hot drink?”

A: “Err … I’d love one, but I don’t want you two to leave me.”

Pop. “I have some specially fortified chocolate.”

H: “Specially fortified Sempra?”

S: “It’s got some Tia Maria in it.”

H: “Ooh! Thanks Sempra.”

The three of them sat closely, mugs between hands, staring thoughtfully at the bed foot. The Duumviri could feel another revelation coming from Alan.

“Err … Look guys, thanks for the sympathy and understanding. There’s another reason I came to you too. You see no one else knows, at least I haven’t told anyone. Like you two are, I’m homosexual. Mum and Dad didn’t know; neither do my two sisters, though they’ve sort of hinted about my lack of girlfriends. So when you two were so open about it, I felt I wanted to be, and then I lost my nerve. There’s a bit more too, I rather fancy your mate Blaise. I don’t know what to do about it.”

“Anything more?” Draco asked with the slightest giggle.

Alan looked at Draco, and Harry felt Draco rethinking the giggle.

“No, I don’t think so. Apart from going hard every time I think about him.” Then Alan giggled.

Tension released Harry joined in the giggling.

After Dobby had brought in the second round of special chocolate, the duo admitted that they thought Blaise rather dishy, making the addendum that they had no real ideas about his orientation. A small discussion took place about the fact he was shy when they skinny-dipped.

Sempra brought some of Alan’s clothes to the tent as the trio had their shower; a small amount of horseplay took place, nothing serious, but it helped Alan relax somewhat.

D: ‘It’s unheard of, a Malfoy mixing with a Muggle and liking it.’

H: Don’t let the disdain show, or I’ll tell your favourite Mudblood, Hermione.’

A bright eyed trio approached the breakfast table. Molly’s porridge, followed by a Weasley fry-up plus mountains of toast and marmalade satisfied everyone’s hunger. Even Ron stopped eating after a bit.

Mad-Eye came to see the duo. “We have a problem at Grimmauld Place. Dumbledore was the Fidelius keeper, the charm is beginning to wear off, so we need to do something about it fairly urgently.”

“What’s Grimmauld Place?”

“It’s the house Sirius left to me. It was the Black family’s residence in London. The Fidelius hid it from everyone else. Bellatrix laid a claim to it.”

“As you two are soon to be inducted Draco may as well know; it’s the headquarters of the Order.”

“Father knew you had one, and was furious when he couldn’t find it.”

“Does it need to be hidden, Mad-Eye? If we could ward it like the Burrow, wouldn’t it be safer?”

“Would you two mind warding it anyway? The Fidelius charm is so complicated it’ll take some time to sort it out.”

“We have to go to town today to get Harry’s and Neville’s Apparating licences. We’d better go this morning; you know how the Ministry likes to shut down early on Fridays. Then we’re going for a fitting of Harry’s new clothes, we could do the wards after that.”

“Right! You’ll need a guard contingent, in case we’ve got lurking Death Eaters. There’re enough members here, so we’ll do a mass Apparation there and induct you four at the same time.”

“What about the Muggles?”

“Oh! I’d forgotten them. Err … Could you charge them up? Then some of us can Side-Along-Apparate them.”

“No idea, ask Blaise, he the expert on Duumviri.”

Blaise thought it was possible, pointing out that Sossogenese had suffered no harm: then went to borrow the twin’s book. He and Draco found the relevant passages and resolved to have a go.

“Perhaps another experiment?”

Alan was eager. So Harry prepared to do a little hop with him.

“Now concentrate on where you are and where you’re going. Collect every bit of yourself, eyebrows, nose, toes and all the other important bits. When you’ve done that think ‘jump’, grip my arm and nod at me, I’ll do the rest.”

It worked well. Alan was a little disoriented as he could see where he had been less than a second ago. They did a longer blind Apparate, Alan felt better about that. Each Muggle was taken through the same process by another witch or wizard. Connie left her shoes behind the first time. Thereafter everything went smoothly.

As it was a mass Apparation, only the Muggles were Side-Along-Apparated. The party reappeared in the grubby back yard at Grimmauld Place and went inside the old house. Molly set about another clean up whilst Mad-eye, Severus, Tonks and McGonagall accompanied Harry and Neville to the Ministry. This time the two youngsters were Side-Along-Apparated. Hermione brought her betrothed for his second exam.

“Can’t have the Ministry knowing that you break the rules, now can we?”

Quarter of an hour each, had the paperwork and tests done. Licences to Apparate and to practice magic legally in hand; the group mass Apparated back into a cleaner back yard. Harry, Draco, and Blaise took Alan to Diagon Alley for Harry’s fitting. They found a cloak for Alan so he didn’t feel too much out of it.

Blaise offered to take Alan on a quick tour. “Try not to stare about too much, someone may challenge you. The charge does give you the feeling of a weak magical aura, so you should be all right.”

Once the fitting was done the four of them had lunch at the Leaky Cauldron in one of the more private alcoves. Even then Harry’s fame and Draco’s notoriety had various people looking. One or two came and asked questions and had ‘just-an-outing-of-Hogwarts-students’ kind of replies, and one or two ‘we’re-studying-in-the-same-classes-next-year’ when people started asking why. Blaise and Alan were just part of the scenery as far as the enquirers were concerned, which suited them well enough.

When they got back to the old house, Ms Black’s portrait was screaming imprecations about Muggles being allowed inside her house. Not helped by Kreacher egging her on. Harry and Draco decide to put an end to this nonsense.

D: “Do you recognise Harry’s right to own this house?”

“Yes but Sirius had no right to give it to him; it should have gone to Bellatrix.”

H: “Bellatrix is dead. As her only surviving nephew, do you recognise Draco as being her heir?

“Bellatrix dead? I suppose I must.”

D: “Harry is my Duumvir; do you understand what that means?”

“Yes Mighty One. A great honour is bestowed on this house.”

H: “Does that include me?”

“Y-y-yes M-Mighty One, it does.”

D: “So you have no more objections about ownership?”

“No Mighty Ones. But there are Muggles defiling this house.”

H: “Can you feel auras?”

“Yes mighty one?”

D: “Then sense the aura of all the supposed Muggles?”

“They are very weak, Mighty One.”

H: “Then we can have no more of this nonsense, can we?”

“No Mighty One.”

D: “As Duumviri we command you to keep silent from now on.”

“Yes but …”

H: “Do you wish us to invoke our power to make you?”

“Kreacher, you will obey your rightful masters, is that understood?”

“Yes Mistress. Kreacher is sorry Master Harry, for all the trouble he has caused you.”

H: “I hope you will be more cooperative in future, Kreacher.”

“Mighty One, I will be silent. I do recognise you as a joint owner and must reveal the true heir’s secrets to you.”

The portrait opened up on a hinge. The space behind was a set of descending stairs. As Alan and Blaise were still with them, the quartet carefully went down into the secret cellars. There were a great number of rooms with a great variety of objects stored in them.

“I think Uncle ought to have a look at some of these.”

“Hey guys there are two long rooms here with wardrobes in them,” Blaise indicated.

Alan opened one Cupboard. “There's a door at the back of this one … Hey, I’m in the other room … look! But there’s a solid wall between the two rooms.”

Draco went to look. “Harry? Do you recognise these?” There’s a space where one set has been taken; look!”

“They’re like the one Montague was pushed into.”

“Alan, did you feel a tingle when you went into the other room?”

“Yes Draco. Like when you brought us here.”

The duo looked at each other. “VANISHING CABINETS!”

H: “Draco, what is the effective range of these?”

D: “About two hundred miles. The attackers had to bring their end to somewhere near Uncle’s cottage. You’re thinking chains aren’t you?”

H: “Yes but its too far from here to the cottage, we’d need a safe house somewhere between Birmingham and Manchester.”

A: “Uncle and Auntie have their practice in Stoke on Trent; I think that’d be half way, give or take a few miles.”

D: “We’re going to have to protect them somehow. The Death Eaters are bound to find out sooner or later.”

H: “Then here, the Burrow, and then the Manor. It’s feasible.”

D: “No the Manor comes first.”

H: “I thought the Manor was in Cornwall?”

D: “Yes and no, there is a bit of deliberate misdirection it’s actually in Wiltshire. The Burrow’s in Devon, so that’s furthest away.”

“Err … Guys?”

“Yes Blaise?”

“Would you like to explain please?”

“If we could add grey recognisors to these cabinets; we could have a private highway from The Burrow all the way to Hogwarts. It’d take about ten minutes to cover the length of the British Isles. The Burrow to the Manor: to here: to Alan’s house: to Uncle’s cottage and then to Hogwarts. Five links in all, five pairs of cupboards here. What do you think?”

“Are you sure they’re only linked in pairs Draco?”

“Yes; I researched it thoroughly.”

“Could we Muggles use it Harry?”

“You just did! That’s part of the idea, we could protect you if you’re all inside your house’s protectors, and it wouldn’t matter where we were in any of the other safe houses for we’d be there quite quickly. They’re about the only things that can transport us through protector wards.”

“Let’s try to put a recogniser on this set.”

It was easier that the Duumviri thought

As usual Alan became guinea pig. In the charmed pair the back went solid to someone the recognisor wasn’t tuned for. It wouldn’t work for Blaise either, just in case a magical person could circumvent the block.

Excitedly the quartet ran upstairs and went to see Uncle first. He was shown the cabinets and added magical mops and brooms to the blockage, as a camouflage trial.

When asked, Uncle replied, “Yes Harry, I would be prepared for the cottage to be a staging post. We’d better go and ask Alan’s Auntie and Uncle.”

They were found sorting out one of the bedrooms

“You mean we could have a dome like the one at the Burrow?”

“Yes!”

“We were worried about our enlarged family’s safety. But how could we let our patients in?”

“Is your surgery part of the house?”

“It’s in an annex built on to the side.”

“Then we could exclude that bit and fit your communicating door with recognisers.”

“Betty and Connie are acting as our receptionists. What about Alan when he goes to university?”

“What are you studying Alan?”

“Chemistry. I have an affinity for mixing things, and making others out of them. I want to be a research chemist; I like finding and recording patterns, I use my computer for that.”

“If you could put it off for a year or two, I could do with a lab assistant at Hogwarts. I keep losing track of where I’ve put my ingredients. You’d be paid in Galleons, but I’m sure Gringott’s would change them into Muggle money.”

“Really Uncle? I could stay with my friends then?”

“You could stay at home. If the chain works you’d be less than five minutes away.”

“What d’you think, Uncle, Auntie?”

“It’d help with your practical experience, especially if you had a certificate of competence to show for it.”

“I’m sure we could manage that.”

“What do you feel about it; dear one?” Gerald asked his wife.

“We saw what monsters they were. I’d feel much happier if our chickens came home to roost every night.”

“Okay. It’s teatime; let’s put it to the others.”

Many of the same questions were asked by the others. The security was thought about deeply and where the cupboards would fit in the various locations. There was no need for a show of hands as everyone agreed.

After the meal Harry and Draco set about making protectors for Grimmauld Place, Blaise and Alan went to search the library; Ron and Hermione made multiple recognisors. Severus and Narcissa Apparated with their cupboard and fitted it in a hallway in Malfoy Manor. They walked back allowing Molly and her husband to shrink two cabinets and set up one of them next door to the first one; then Apparate to the Burrow. By the time all those arrangements had been made it was dinner time, so Molly and the elves made dinner at the Burrow, and served it in the Manor’s grand dining room.

Sossogenese was a little worried about his ex amour; however, she seemed to be less agitated when Draco and Harry visited her.

“Anyway,” She hissed, “The fresh house rats taste much nicer than Sossogenese would, and my stomach’s quite satisfied for the present.”

Gondolum was intrigued by the system and promised proper help at Grimmauld Place as he was appalled by the mess there, noting that Kreacher was now in a cooperative mood. He was quite happy when the adult visitors decided to stay at the manor. The younger ones preferred the Burrow and the tents. So operations ceased for the day and recreations took over.

At the end of dinner, Narcissa took her two sons aside. “Lucius had a two man broomstick made, we used to ride it for fun; maybe you two would like to try it out?”

“Yes please Mother.”

“Thank you.”

The Duumviri tried it out over the Manor’s orchard. They soon got the hang of manoeuvring together because of their linked brains. Most of the others had their brooms out as well as a practice Quaffle. Connie and Betty were content just to watch but Alan looked mortified when he couldn’t join his new friends in the air.

The duo had a little think, Harry Accioed his Firebolt whilst Draco charmed Alan who, as ever, was game for another magical experiment. The trio plus Blaise went to one of the Manor’s lawns as they were softer than the orchard’s trees. Blaise stayed on the ground with a Mobilicorpus ready just in case. Draco volunteered to take Alan on his first trip with Harry beside to steady him. He fell off twice and failed to jump once on start off so he was left behind when Draco took off.

“Those twigs didn’t half scratch.”

It was obvious from the insides of his torn trousers. After Alan had taken them off Harry did a Reparo on the torn cloth whilst Blaise did an Episkey on the scratches. Blaise managed to touch the insides of both legs whilst doing it. Draco giggled, inwardly drawing Harry’s attention to Alan’s bulge and blush. However, Blaise did seem to linger longer than expected when healing those minor abrasions. After an hour’s practice Alan got the hang of being second man, both with Harry and with Draco.

“Can we take the experiment further, d’you think?”

Alan was a sucker, as soon as anyone mentioned experiment, he was up for it.

Blaise took charge of the duple Firebolt with Alan clinging on behind. As on a Muggle motor bike, the pillion rider had to cling tightly to the driver. That really brought a flush to Alan’s cheeks, especially when Blaise wriggled slightly, seeming to be adjusting his riding position. Harry ensured that Alan was fully charged then stayed on the ground to catch them if the experiment failed. Draco was the steadying wizard in the air. There were no problems that the duo could see so after a time Draco ceased his close surveillance and the pair flew off exploring the grounds under the Manor’s protective dome.

Draco was looking amused when he landed. “You know what Alan asked, about what to do?”

“Yes?”

“Well, his hands were wandering away from Blaise’s waist when I left them.”

“Oh! I wonder how Blaise will react.”

Blaise was smiling when they came down, Harry thought he was a little flushed, but it was difficult to see under his dark skin.

“How about you steering Alan?”

“Could I Blaise? I suppose I shall be in close contact with another magical person so it might work.”

“I shall hold you as tight, or tighter than you held me, Brother. No doubt our two nannies will be standing by in case of any mishap.” Blaise winked at Draco and gave a little leer.

The take off was a little wobbly.

“Concentrate on flying, not on anything else,” Blaise whispered.

Alan flushed, but steered a steadier course.

Quarter of an hour passed, Harry was starting to worry slightly. Then the duple appeared over the hedge, with Alan looking extremely happy. They were deliberately hedge hopping over every little obstacle. Blaise held Alan round the chest with one hand, the other was what was making Alan smile delightedly.

“You knew?” Blaise accused the duo after landing.

H: “About Alan yes, because he told us.”

D: “About you? Well … We thought we detected little hints here and there.”

H: “So that’s why you know so much about Duumviri, you thought you might get the chance?”

“There have been three sets in our family, so it seemed quite a possibility. Now a certain cuddly Muggle has come along, I’m having second thoughts. As the second son I wouldn’t be inheriting the family practice if ever we go back; unless I found a suitable soul-mate. I’m not sure I’d want it anyway; all that practical healing magic would probably get boring. Now however there are other possibilities, combined medical research, for instance, Muggle and magical. Not much work has been done in that area. I think the next few years are going to be full of exciting surprises.”

With that, Blaise gave Alan a very searching kiss.

“Now all we have to do, is work out how to tell the others.”

“Tell us what?” Uncle and Narcissa walked round the end of a hedge.

“You know Uncle; you have the uncanny knack of appearing when things aren’t quite what you’d expect.”

“You must have a guilty conscience, Draco.”

“We have another putative enraptured couple in our midst. They found out using the duple Firebolt.”

“Yes it does give a good excuse for bodily exploring, Harry. I hope Blaise and Alan didn’t crash land as Lucius and I did once. We ended up in the lily pond; that definitely cooled our ardour.” Narcissa was obviously enjoying herself.

“No Mother, not this time; it was their takeoff that wobbled. We think Alan was trying to concentrate on two things at once. However it was his first time steering.”

The new pair looked slightly sheepish.

“Well now, it looks as though I’ve missed another chance at the happiness stakes.”

“Oh Uncle … I didn’t know you fancied me, and I’ve been in so many quiet classrooms with you too.

“Alright Mr Zabini, be careful you don’t overstep the mark.” The severity of Severus’s statement was offset by his quirky smile.

“Mother, would it be all right to offer these two the use of our room here tonight?”

“They can get to know each other better and decide how and what they want to tell the others.”

“Of course; on one condition though.”

“What’s that Auntie?”

“That Blaise makes a silence charm. From What Hermione tells me, another couple standing not too far from me were very vocal on their first night.”

“OH MOTHER!”

“Let’s not embarrass them in front of the other adults. You know the secret way in, don’t you dear, you’ve used it often enough.”

“Yes Mother and here was I thinking I was so clever.”

“A son’s clever mouth to go with it too; Goodnight boys.”

After showing the new two where the secret entrance was our duo felt rather chuffed with themselves, and rather horny when thinking about the antics that Blaise and Alan would probably get up to that night. So they retired to their tent bed earlier than previously, to work out a few more of those things for themselves.