The Third Time is a Charm

Posted: 02 January 2, 2010

A/N I apologize for the wait of this chapter. The holidays got the best of me and… but I am sure you don’t want to know all of that. Here is the next chapter.

Chapter 59: Celebration

To say everyone was both excited and relieved to be home would be an understatement. As soon as Harry and Severus arrived a meeting was called to find out exactly how their activities were compromised. Sensei was there as well, even though he had been scheduled to leave and return home. He was there to give his opinion on what had happened to Regulus and also to help keep an eye on things since Harry and Severus had not been home.

When Harry had fire called Gorbink, everyone went into action. They found it a little too coincidental that Reg and Harry were having trouble at the same time. After reviewing the records of the sales from the trunks, it was found that a junior wizard sales person had sold five of the trunks and only listed the customer as cash. It was the only cash sale they had completed since the trunks went on sale to the public. It was also discovered that Dumbledore had tried to acquire a few of the trunks and the sale was refused by the Goblin in charge. He would only allow one per customer. One is all anyone needs, he had told the old man. Of course the Goblins already knew not to trust the Headmaster, even before some of the information Becca had sent back in time was released.

The Junior Sales wizard confirmed that it was Dumbledore that had bought the boxes. One was sent to Switzerland, which the carbon copy of Severus and Harry were able to replace the safety charms before disappearing as they had been the ones from the time turner. The second was sent to Germany, Harry took care of that. After they left, they found out one had been sent to the Australian Ministry of Magic. By that time everyone had been told about what happened and they called a Goblin from the Australian Gringotts to take care of it.

One also showed up at the Salem Ministry of Magic towards the end of Reg's testing. The last one they had a hard time locating, but Sensei contacted the Asian Ministry of Magic and found it. It was locked up right now and he would take care of it when he arrived home. They came up with a different safety feature that would allow anyone to get out of it if they were the owner with the correct password. Because the safety features didn't allow anyone in the trunk, they didn't think a password to get out would be needed. All the trunks were warded again with the correct new features.

They carefully questioned the Junior Sales Clerk to see if he was actually passing on information or if it was just a mistake. He admitted that Dumbledore had told him he wanted to help and that being on the light side he could suggest ways of helping if he knew more about the company. Since the clerk was newly out of school, he trusted Dumbledore. They had not told all their employees to distrust him, so Severus said it was really their fault for not making it clear. The clerk was moved to a different part of the company to minimize his contact with the outside and was told not to speak to anyone on behalf of Dumbledore. Although he looked a little confused, they had no doubt he would follow their instructions. For the first time since coming to this time line, Severus and Harry sent out a company wide memo restricting everyone from speaking about the company. They had consulted with the portraits Salazar and Merlin and as soon as an employee read the memo, there was a spell that was activated to prevent them from discussing business with anyone other than their fellow employees. Naturally this did not include the other three that had trained with them. These men needed to talk about the company in certain aspects to stay safe. Nor did it include the others that had come with them from the other time line.

The next step was to deal with the chauffeur. He had alerted Dumbledore who was leaving and although the area was under a fidelis charm to prevent him from revealing their location, he did leak the information that the men were leaving the country. Obviously they had gotten the Headmaster's attention.

For the next two weeks they were busy with the plans for the celebration party. The ladies group, all five students and some of the other high level employees were all invited. Becca had been conferring with the elves for days to make sure the food would be perfect. Harry decided that he wanted to decorate the pool room to look like an underwater Barrier Reef, just like he had seen in Australia. He covered the pool with a solid platform and decorated the walls to look like some of the coral cays he and Severus had visited. Using a pensieve memory of their visit, he got some of the elves to help. The walls were changed to look like the under water instead of the beach and there were fish, seahorses, jellyfish, starfish and even an octopus floating though the air above everyone’s' head to look like the marine life. The vibrant colors made the room very festive and Harry was truly happy with it.

To go along with the theme, Becca had the elves make all kinds of seafood including lobster, fish, scallops, and calamari. The other foods were colored to simulate the theme. Even the cake was decorated with colored icing that emulated the surrounding decorations. The overhead additions were spectacular, starting seven feet up and going to the ceiling. Even the air took on a blue green hue to depict the ocean.

Every one was slowly portkeyed into the top level of the manor two or three at a time every three minutes. After the security checks they were escorted to the middle level to where the party was getting under way. The first two people to arrived after the guests of honor were the Malfoys.

Both of them were dressed in high quality formal wear. Narcissa in resplendent powder blue robes, while Lucius was dressed in the formal black and white tailored fit robes worn by all pureblood nobles.

As soon as Narcissa and Lucius were transported to the security area, Dobby stepped forward to verify who they were and that they were actually on the guest list.

"Dobby!" Lucius exclaimed. "What are you doing here? You should be back at the manor!" He was not happy to see his house elf standing in front of him in a Prince Conglomerate uniform and doing sentry duty. He had given him several things to do before he left and one of them was to help watch the twins.

"I am not your Dobby" he replied politely. "I am Sentry Dobby of the Prince family. I came with them when they left the other place. I am a free elf." he stated with conviction.

"What do you mean you are a free elf?" Lucius ask as he eyed him suspiciously.

"Lucius," Narcissa said, "look at him; he is much older than our Dobby." She had become quite good at guessing the ages of the house elves around her. Not that they aged the same as humans, but one certainly could see this one was at least twenty years older. She only learned to pay attention because when they were too old they couldn’t handle as much day to day work and needed to have their workload adjusted.

Just as Lucius was about to say something else, Harry walked into the room and greeted them.

“Lord and Lady Malfoy, it is very agreeable to be in your presence again. I am so glad you could make it.” Harry extended his hand and after shaking Lucius’ hand the kissed the back of Narcissa’s hand. “Please step this way and we will go one level down to where the party will be held.”

Lucius, who was still staring at Dobby, asked Harry, “Is that our Dobby? Why is he here?”

“Ah, I was not sure you would recognize him. He came with us from the other place. He is not your Dobby, but he is very much like him, don’t you think?”

“Indeed” was the response from the Malfoys as they entered the lift to get to the lower level.

There was much merriment and general conversation as the guests arrived two or three at a time and they passed through the checkpoint on the level above them

In total about fifty people arrived within the half hour at the start of the party. When all the expected guests were present, and had been given a glass of champagne, Becca called for everyone’s attention.

“Thank you all for coming,” she said after tapping the side of her champagne flute to get everyone’s attention. All the pregnant women had actually been served sparkling apple cider but the glassed were the same. “We are gathered here today to extend our congratulations to five men who have worked very hard the past few months to achieve their success.” She paused to search the room for the men in question. “Would Remus, Severus, Severs, Harry and Regulus please come forward?”

As the five men, reluctantly, came forward, you could see the expressions on their faces. They had not been expecting Becca to make a show. Harry especially hated the attention this type of announcement created.

“Just in case you don’t know everyone, I wish to introduce to you Severs Prince, owner of Prince Conglomerate, his fiancé Harry Platt soon to be Prince, Remus Lupin the head of our werewolf cure campaign, Regulus Black who right now works in distribution with the publishing company and Severus Snape who is a Potions Master with our Potions Division.” Becca announced to the crowd in the room.

“Everyone, these are the future writers of Prince Publishing. These five young men represent thirty two master degrees in over twenty different subjects. They will be attempting to upgrade and write new text books for our future young ones in the next few upcoming years. Their subjects will be Transfiguration, Muggle Studies, History, Arithmancy, Ancient Runes, Charms, DADA, Weapons Making, Divination, Wand Making, Care of Magical Creatures, Potions, as well as Martial Arts, Ancient languages, Foreign Languages and Understanding Other Cultures as well as others I may have forgotten about. We also have plans for books on Occlumency, Weapons Battle, Warding and Wandless and Elemental Magic. Please give them all a welcoming hand in congratulations for their efforts in upgrading the education of the future wizarding world.”

Everyone clapped for the five men in front of them and as the men created a receiving line so that the guests could shake their hand and offer their personal congratulations.

“I am so proud of you, Regulus.” His mother said as she shook his hand and kissed him on the cheek. “You father would be very proud of you right now.” A tear found its way down her stoic cheek but she quickly got hold of her emotions and schooled her features to not reveal anything to the others in the room. It would not be seemly to show her feelings to the others crowded about.

“Thank you mother, I will do my best to make you proud. It will be much work but I am looking forward to the challenge.”

Snape was looking about the room as he shook hands with the people coming forward. He hated this kind of attention and if he had known that they were going to do this, he would have skipped this little soirée completely. In his opinion this was completely ridiculous. However, he was able to spot several Death Eaters among the crowd. Whether or not they were true followers of the Dark Lord, or escapees as some of the women were he did not know. He made a mental note to speak with the Princes as soon as this unnecessary fuss was over.

Just as they were about half way though the guests, all of a sudden the alarms started going off. There was a loud ringing and everyone covered their ears with their hands as the noise became almost deafening.

Severus and Harry gently but hurriedly pushed everyone to the side so they could get to the lift for the first level. Behind them were Remus, Snape and Reg coming to back them up in case there was any trouble. First Born showed up in the floo and snaked his way to the lift opening just as it was arriving. Harry heard some gasps from the guests but he was more worried about the trouble on the upper level and ignored it for now.

**“First Born, do you know who is in the upper level?”** he asked as the lift opened after he had placed his hand on the electronic panel and stated his name. He felt the scanner on his eye and the door opened.

**“Yes, Master,”** First Born replied. **“It is someone from the other place.”**

**“What do you mean the other place?”** Harry asked as the lift started to open to the next floor. But as the door opened, he knew exactly what his familiar meant. There in the middle of the room stood three people Harry never thought to see again. There was a small child in the arms of a woman with brilliant purple hair and her spouse that was holding a trunk in his left hand even as he steadied her with his right. The other gentleman standing with them, the one with a wand in his hand, was the biggest surprise of them all. But Harry was focused on the couple with the child. He finally shook off his shock and cried,

“Remy!” he screamed as he ran forward and threw his arms around him. His honorary godfather dropped the truck and wrapped his arms around his cub.

“Cub!” Remus cried. “You are a sight for these sore eyes. I am so happy to see you again.”

They didn’t even notice the snake around Harry’s neck until it started hissing as it was crushed in between the chests of the two men. Harry gave First Born a quick apology and put him down before throwing his arms around Remus again. Tears were streaming down his cheeks as he hugged the man he had left behind and thought never to see again. As he started to compose himself, he then threw his arms around Tonks, who was standing there patiently waiting with a small child in her arms.

As he let go of Tonks, Harry started babbling with questions. “How did you.. How are you… Where did…” Harry took a deep breathe and tried again. “Where did you guys come from and how did you get here?”

It was Remus that replied, “I think we will let Sal explain those details. We hope it won’t be an inconvenience if we stay here for a while?”

Harry cheeks were stained with red as he realized he was completely ignoring Lord Slytherin that was standing there in his regal manner watching the interactions of the three adults.

“Lord Slytherin, please excuse my behavior. It is most agreeable to make your acquaintance this evening.” Harry bowed to the founder in his best manner.

“Harry?” Severus said behind him, “I think our guests may want to join the party downstairs while the elves prepare some accommodations for them.” Harry pulled himself together and looked to Remus and Tonks.

“We are having a party downstairs to celebrate the completion of our Masters Certifications. Would you like to join us?” He asked all three adults in front of him.

Lord Slytherin merely nodded and Tonks and Remy looked at each other before answering. “Is it alright to bring Teddy? He is our son and doesn’t do well with strangers. If not then we can just go to another room until your celebration is over.”

“No, I want you to come, and Teddy can come along. Here, let’s just change your clothes for a minute.” Harry then transfigured their clothes into a more formal look and then transfigured Teddy’s little blue jeans and jacket to formal children’s wear. He looked so cute in his little cape.

“Wow, Cub, you have learned some things since we last saw you.” Remy said.

“You don’t know the half of it Remy, but we will talk later.”

As the three came to the conclusion of their conversation, Remy and Tonks turned to follow Harry to the lift. Standing there, not saying a word were the other three men, still trying to comprehend what was going on. At least the alarm had been turned off by Severus where they arrived and it no longer sounded above the ground so they didn’t have to worry about the muggle neighborhood hearing it.

“Oh,” Harry said as they went toward the lift. “We have to give you another name. We can’t introduce you to the other guests as Remus Lupin, they will wonder about there being two.”

“Don’t fret Harry; you may introduce us as Dora and Remy Tonks. That should work for now until we get a chance to talk and make other plans.” Remy looked fondly on his young cub that had grown into a charming and intelligent man. He was certainly much healthier than the last time he saw him. Things must be going well for him.

“Remy, here I am Harry Platt, soon to be Prince. We don’t use my other name. You have to remember that, it is really important.”

“How about I just call you Cub and leave it at that.” Remy replied. “You can explain later.”

Harry nodded as they exited the lift into the party room.

It was obvious that Becca had taken control of the situation down here and calmed their guests down when the men had left. She would have preferred to go with the men and find out what was going on, but being the perfect well bred hostess she was, she had elicited Walburga Black’s help in getting the elves organized in serving the food around the room and circulating around to make sure everyone was taken care of.

As the eight adults and one child exited the lift, her eyes grew wide at the presence of the one man she would always welcome above them all. She quickly excused herself as decorously as possible rushed to the man she had only hoped to unite with in her dreams. There stepping off the lift was Salazar Slytherin in his signature robes of silver and green. Around his neck was First Born, who was apparently speaking to him about some of the things going on as Harry and Severus were preoccupied with the others.

“As she got close to the lift, she took a deep breath and said in a soft sigh, “Salazar!”

Lord Slytherin snapped his head and looked at the young woman before him. “Becca!” he said as he opened his arms and she rushed into them.

Harry and Severus were just behind the couple and both looked at each other as Harry said, “Alright, wasn’t expecting that!”

“Indeed” came the reply from his lover.