Sir Harry J Potter GCOM

### JOINING ###

As the séance session was drawing to an end Albus appeared: ‘Your team did very well Harry, despite my not revealing everything I suspected. Problem was; I was hesitant in case Voldie was still leaching ideas from your mind. Do you remember what it was like to hold Resurrection Stone?’

‘Yes; but we agreed not to bring back after I had lost it.’

‘We’re not going to; Harry, but you can use the memory occasionally. After all – you are still the living master of the Deathly Hallows. The Memory will enable your parents and Sirius to be visible to others when you perform the Partnership ceremony. When I say visible I mean that you can open your eyes and see us; not as we are at the moment.’

‘Will it cause any harm, Sir?’

‘No, Harry. The Creator has granted a special boon for you.’

‘So …’ Harry started concentrating …

‘… Not so fast young man. You need to hold Draco’s hand and then Severus and Abraxas can appear.’

‘Oh! Right!’ Harry felt around for Draco’s hand.

Draco had been instructed by his Godfather and was seeking Harry’s hand. It was difficult with their eyes closed, so a couple of minutes elapsed. As soon as they touched each of them became aware of the spirits who were visiting the other one.

There was an amount of chat between the adult spirits resulting in Draco becoming aware of Harry’s special status, not only regarding the Hallows but also as the Queen’s advisor. Albus meanwhile had been flitting round the other contemplators in the party, not interfering, but watching for the conversations to finish, so as to give Harry the tip to start concentrating.

The Zabini forebears had instructed Ernesto in the charm to be performed; so the company formed an inward-facing circle with their grinning grotesques guarding their backs. The circle held hands with Ernesto holding one of Harry’s wrists and Draco the other. Harry concentrated, cupping his hands and remembering how the stone had felt; it seemed to become real in his hand and a number of spectres appeared inside the circle – two godfathers, one grandfather and two parents – they solidified until they seemed almost real.

The Spectres and humans shuffled round to form a linked circle, but now with Draco and Harry in the centre,

Albus was the last to appear and stood in front of them: “Right Harry, you have twenty-seven minutes of our time, make good use of it.”

“Yes Sir!” He turned to Draco: “I, Harry James Potter have in mind to offer my fidelity to Draco Abraxas Malfoy as a Partner in Body, Magic and Spirit in front of these witnesses.” Harry then turned to his parents: “I seek the approval of my Parents and Godparent in this match.”

“We give our approval!” The three spectres spoke together.

“I Draco Abraxas Malfoy have in mind to accept the offer of Partnership from Harry James Potter and seek the approval of my Family and Godparent.”

“We give our approval!” Narcissa, Abraxas and Severus spoke in unison.

Draco held Harry’s hands in his own: “I Draco Abraxas Malfoy accept the fidelity of Harry James Potter as my Partner in Magic and offer him my fidelity in Body, Magic and Spirit by return.”

“I offer Draco Abraxas Malfoy this ring as a sign of our affiliation.” Harry opened the box and took out the ring with the oval design upon it, giving it to Draco.

“I accept the ring from Harry James Potter and offer him another ring to seal the pact.” Draco gave Harry the diamond lozenge ring.

“I accept the ring from Draco Abraxas Malfoy and we thus seal our Partnership in Body, Magic and Spirit.”

Both young men placed the rings on their opposite’s finger.

As they did so Albus lifted his ghostly wand and a shower of golden sparks engulfed the pair: “You are truly sealed to each other as Partners in Body, Magic and Spirit as well as brothers in all other matters, before these witnesses both independent and guardian.”

Draco and Harry hugged each other and placed chaste kisses on each other’s cheeks.

“Before the general rejoicing starts,” Albus bellowed above the clapping: “There is another ceremony to observe.

The Partners looked at the ex-headmaster quizzically and he continued: “It is right that a master should approve of the joining of two elves in his household, in this case two pairs. It is also true that other knights should approve of such a union when it affects another knight.”

“Sorry Professor I don’t understand?”

Draco nudged his Partner and whispered: “Kreacher and Winky!”

“Oh …! Um … Is it formal? Because I already approve of their union, and that of Grouchy and Huppert, for that matter.”

“Thank you, Harry, that is all we needed.” For once Kreacher managed a smile.

“Place you hands on their heads, Harry,” Draco whispered and then prompted Harry with the proper pronouncement.

Harry did as he was told: “I approve of the union of Kreacher and Winky and look forward to your progeny serving House Potter/Black.”

Grouchy and Huppert came forward and received a similar blessing.

Only then did the party commence, it was brief because certain of the participants soon started to fade away. But not before the two partners had managed to give and receive hugs with all their spectral guardians.

In their room afterwards Harry took Draco into his arms: “Now we are truly partners, Lover,” and gave the blond a deep kiss.

When they came up for air Draco managed to gasp: “Just hugs tonight please, Lover, I’m still in emotional turmoil … Sorry!”

“I’m not sorry … You spoke for my feelings too … I’m totally whacked.”

They supported each other as they took their shower, and wobbled back to the bed. Collapsing, they drew up their sheets and hugged in exhausted sleep.

### TEDDY ###

They were all late up on Sunday Morning. The breakfast chatter was about the various things discussed with their spirit guides. Ronald reported his conversation with Fred approving of his twin’s business partnership with Percy, who was looking after the administrative side of what was rapidly expanding into a commercial empire with the taking over of the Honeydukes shops and becoming partners in the Fortescues expansion; in all of which Harry had capital involved. Justin had received some exciting news for his father which entailed some extra capital expense, but which would prove a good earner for the consortium in the future. There were domestic items all of which added to the friendly atmosphere. Draco nudged Harry when he noticed four matronly witches going gooey-eyed over Teddy and Andromeda looking slightly less fatigued than before.

“Aunt Dromeda, we’d love you to stay here for a week or so, I know our elves would love to help with your young bundle. It would enable me to see Teddy occasionally too.”

“Thanks Harry, but I’d like him to grow up in the countryside, it’s healthier there.”

“That could be accommodated too, you know. Come with us and I’ll show you.” Harry performed the permissive spell and took his godson’s guardian through the cabinets.

“It’s just like a double set of doors, isn’t it? I’d heard about them, but our side of the family couldn’t afford one.”

“Is this enough countryside for young Teddy, do you think?”

“It smells fresh enough, and the garden’s well screened. Where are we?”

“Godric’s Hollow, in my parent’s place, Chantry Cottage.”

“That’s not too far from my friend Bertha’s house. We haven’t visited since she moved away after the battle – her old house was destroyed by retreating death-eaters when she wouldn’t give them sanctuary.”

“So, if you came to live with us you could visit regularly again.”

“Mmm – Let’s see what it looks like inside shall we?”

Harry and Draco took Auntie inside the main room.

“Oh! This looks like my room, but a bit bigger – some of the furniture is much the same; although in better repair. The kitchen looks bright and clean, what about the front parlour?”

“It’s suffering from damp, Auntie. My parents used it as a study – most of the books have been taken to a cellar in Grimmauld Place for safe keeping.”

“Why’s it damp?”

Harry looked forlorn: “It’s under the room where my parents …”

“… Sorry Harry, I should have guessed, I’m so sorry …”

“… No don’t be … In fact you’ve made up my mind … Well Mum told me last night … I had been wondering whether to leave it as a memorial or repair it … I’m going to repair it, so you and Teddy can have a decent cottage to live in … Gastropod!”

Pop: “Yes Master?”

“This is Auntie Dromeda … Well she’s Draco’s Auntie really … She’s the legal guardian of my godson, Teddy … We’re asking her to come and stay here … We’ll be repairing the cottage fully.”

“Erm … Master … Erm … Kreacher and his orphaned elves have been doing that already … Erm … It was meant to be a Christmas present to you.”

“Oh! Really? – Kreacher?”

Pop: “Yes, Harry?” His reeve looked slightly worried.

“I’m afraid I’ve spoilt your surprise.”

“Oh! You’re not cross are you? We’re going to get Professor Flitwick to make a permanent charm so that people can see what the ruin looked like … There was no real way to make it waterproof … Erm … Could we make it a partnership present instead?”

Draco started chuckling; a few moments later Harry caught the same infection.

“Thanks, my fellow knight, why not? Can I see it now please?”

“It’s not quite ready; there are some furnishings yet to go in.”

“Perhaps that’s a good thing; if Auntie Dromeda decides to stay then she can have her things brought in instead.”

“Just my bedroom things really, Harry, and a few ornaments. Quite a lot of my furniture was trashed by the death-eaters when Ted went on the run. I repaired some but it still doesn’t all feel right. This furniture feels much happier.”

“Okay let’s see it then Sir Kreacher.”

They went into the front room – It had been re-made into a study, a new carpet adorned the floor and all the shelves had been straightened. However there were no books or any furniture.

“We’d thought of it as a quiet study, Auntie; but if you’d prefer a parlour …”

“… No Harry … We hardly ever used it … We were not that kind of people … I’d be happy with it as a study. Can we go upstairs please?”

“This way, Mistress!”

“Thank you, Gastropod!”

The rubble was cleared away and the fresh paint still smelled slightly. Harry looked into the back bedroom; it had a lovely carved oak double bed with fresh hangings in red and green – not quite as big as the one at the London house.

“This was to be ours, was it, Kreacher?”

“We had thought it might be, the other front room was slightly smaller and would be a very comfortable single.”

“And my parent’s old room?”

“Only just painted, we assumed that you wouldn’t want to sleep there, but …”

“… You assumed rightly … Well Auntie?”

“It’s where my bedroom would be. I don’t think it would be too much of a problem. Can we look, please?”

Harry was a little worried and Draco sensed it, so he took a very firm grip on his partner’s hand. Harry looked at Draco: “Thanks,” he whispered and squeezed the hand back.

“How did you guess, Kreacher? It’s just the light green shade that my room is and it feels friendly too.”

“We charmed it a few times Mistress. The nasty vibes have long gone; I think the rain washed most of them away beforehand.”

“Can I see Teddy’s room please?”

Harry gave Draco a knowing look.

“The bed in here collapsed and we haven’t yet replaced it, Mistress.”

“No need, I’ll bring his own with me … Mmm … We’ll have to put a guard over that fireplace. The room’s a bit bigger than the one he has now; he’ll grow into it though.”

Harry chuckled: “Well Auntie?”

“Yes please, Harry,” Andromeda looked out through the window: “Erm … Do we really need the glamour? My cottage hasn’t got one, and I’d love to have a colourful strip of flowers down there. It’s so welcoming when neighbours call round.”

“Not if you don’t want one, Auntie. There’s memorial enough in the square.”

“I think I’d like to keep the plaque though, it only shows when a mage comes calling. I’m sure George could fix up an alarm to let me know of any malcontent visitors.”

“Okay Auntie, I’m happy with that.”

“Erm … Harry?”

“Yes Kreacher?”

“I think we’d still better ask Professor Flitwick to come … He’ll have to cast a believing charm on anyone who looks over the wall … So that they just think the old cottage has been done up … If it suddenly appears the neighbours might get worried.”

Harry chuckled: “Well done, Kreacher. I’m glad someone’s watching my backside for me.”

It was Kreacher’s turn to chortle: “I think that that’s Draco’s job now … I’ve caught him ogling it often enough.”

Gastropod looked shocked, but Andromeda burst out laughing: “Well said, Kreacher. The earthy element of their partnership has to be recognised as well.”

The partners blushed and looked at their feet.

Their embarrassment was broken by Hermione calling from downstairs.

“Harry, are you here?”

“Yes, Hermione, upstairs.”

There was the sound of footsteps ascending.

“Ooh! You’ve repaired it! Nice colour.”

“It’s the elves’ partnership present to the two of us.”

“Oh! Kreacher, when did you change it from a Christmas present?”

“When they came exploring and found out.”

“Auntie’s going to take over here and bring Teddy with her, then I can see more of him and Gastropod can help out with the domestics.”

“That’s why I came to see you … Erm … I’ve found and older elf without a home and I was wondering …”

“… If I would have her … Yes?”

“Yes … She’s been a nanny to a youngster who was killed in the aftermath … It’ll help her to recover if she has someone to look after and some elf-friends nearby.”

“What’s she called, Hermione?”

“Hyacinth …”

“…Hyacinth …?” said Draco enquiringly.

“…Hyacinth …?” said Andromeda slightly surprised.

“It sounds as if you both know her?” suggested Harry.

“The Crabbes had one named that; she looked after Vince when he was small. His parents treated her abominably.”

“The same elf used to come and sob in my kitchen whilst I patched her up.”

“Vince didn’t have a good word for her, but I think he was toeing the party line, so to speak.”

“She’s got a bit of a drink problem …”

“… I’m not surprised, from the way they treated her.”

“Well, Kreacher, she’ll be in your charge. You did a good job with Winky.”

“That’s different, Hermione. I loved her … Still do, for that matter … Even more so.”

“I think she’ll respond to me, Hermione. I agree that if she has a young one to look after, it’ll help a lot.”

“Thanks, Mrs Tonks …”

“… Call me auntie, like everyone else does round here.”

“Okay! Can I call her?”

There was no need; Andromeda had her arms full of sobbing elf and an overpowering scent of alcohol. After Hyacinth had recovered a little; aided by a dose of Kreacher’s ear-steaming sober-up, she was introduced to the rest of the company, eventually climbing the stairs into the elf attic where the Reeve and Gastropod made her comfortable. She slept four twelve hours, only rising to go to the rehabilitated elfin attic loo.

### GRIMMAULD PLACE ###

They all returned to London for high tea and afterwards Andromeda left Teddy in Winky’s capable hands whilst she went home to label the things she wished to have transferred to her new home. Harry and Draco wandered up into the roof garden where they found an elf.

“Hello Gastropod, what are you doing here?”

“Hello Masters, Winky asked me to look at some of the plants, which she thought weren’t doing too well. You don’t mind do you?”

“No, come and go as you feel fit, Gastropod. I thought you were worried about using the cabinets?”

“I was, but Kreacher and Winky pulled such faces when I said I wasn’t coming to their wedding party that I gave in. There’s nothing to it, I don’t know why I made all the fuss, now. Although I suspect that they were a little underhand, because we all finished up dancing on Chantry Cottage’s lawn, so as not to disturb you.”

“I’m sorry if we landed you with Hyacinth.”

“Masters shouldn’t say things like that; we elves are to do as we’re told.”

“Perhaps, but we had to do something, before she did something serious to herself.”

“Yes Master. There’s plenty of room in your attic for her and me to almost live separate lives. Not that I think it will come to that. I’m very relieved that I don’t have to help with a toddler; I’m too old for that. I’ll be alright when he’s about five and can communicate reasonably, but baby talk seems to rub me up the wrong way. So Hyacinth, Winky or Huppert will always be welcome, as long as I don’t have to coddle him.”

Harry had an idea: “You like gardening, don’t you?”

“Yes Master, much better that domestic work.”

“That’s what I thought. Why don’t we make you our head gardener, as part of the team, instead of you being isolated at Chantry Cottage? Chat to Kreacher and see if he has an orphan or two whom you can show what to do. It’d be nice if we had flowers in our rooms here and at Hogwarts, and if you could supply fresh vegetables as well that’d be fine, too. It’s only and idea, I’m not instructing you to do it. However we could get Hyacinth to do some of the domestics to help out.”

“May I think about it – see how Hyacinth works out first – It has possibilities; not all of your kitchen garden is used to its fullest extent, there was no need when I was just feeding myself.”

“I’m happy with that, but you must let me know if Hyacinth is becoming unbearable. Don’t grit your teeth for too long if you can’t get along with her.”

“Yes Master.”

Draco and Harry retired to their room to have a quiet snog or two and later on descended to join the community in the drawing room. Most of the discussion was about how they were going to conduct Narcissa’s defence. Honorius Hooper was there, he was to be her barrister in court.