CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE: THE GOOD WEASLEYS
MONDAY, JULY 8th, 1996 – Potter Manor, Duchy of Charenwell.
The meeting was called to order. The large group of those loyal to the Duke was present has they had been a week earlier when that meeting had been interrupted by the attacks in Britain. But there were some additions. Luna was now present not just as a friend of Harry's, but now as Harry's Wife and Consort the Lady Black. Also present were the older Longbottoms and for those who did no reside at the Manor, this was the first they had seen of Alice and Frank in over a decade.
"First," Harry said, "some introductions are in order. I know you met her last week, but I would like to formally introduce my Wife and Consort Lady Luna Black." Harry indicated the young blonde seated to his right. There was a polite applause from the others, louder from the residents of the Manor. "As you may recall, Luna was one of The Ministry Six attacked last week and brought to this Manor by Dora. She has been a dear friend of mine for about a year and if there was any young witch I would wish for my Lady Black, it was and is her."
"Congratulation Lord and Lady Black," Remus said.
"You got enough time for all them ladies laddie?" Mad-eye snarked.
"It requires management skills," Harry said with a smile, "but I would say yes."
"More than enough time," Daphne added with a smile.
"That will probably change when training and schooling starts," Minerva said. "But, then again, we shall enjoy it while it lasts."
"Indeed we shall," Luna said with a blissful smile, "especially our group activities."
"That borders on too much information," Remus said shaking his head.
Harry cleared his throat. "I would also like to welcome to our circle Frank and Alice Longbottom who have been missing in a way for over fourteen years."
"It's really them?" Mad-eye asked. "But the healers said they were incurable.
"Obviously they were wrong," Harry said. "Mallory?" Mallory spent the next few minutes explaining what had happened to the Longbottoms all those years ago and how they had recovered, as well as their long term prognosis. Neville then followed, thanking all who had made his family reunion possible and explaining how it was he remained Lord Longbottom.
"So they've been missing from St. Mungo's for almost a week?" Kingsley asked. "I'm surprised that no one reported it."
"Probably no one really noticed," Mallory said. "The paperwork was all in order stating that the Longbottoms were being relocated to a Sanitarium overseas, which in a way is true."
"As strange as this place is," Frank said, "it's far saner than what Alice and I were going through."
"And what are your plans?" Moody asked as pleasantly as the gruff warrior was capable.
"Well," Alice replied, "to get our health back, of course. Get our magical skills back as well. But mainly, we plan to be here for our son and his family and for Harry and his family as well. I am his Godmother, after all. That, and once we are capable, maybe add a few other Longbottoms to the family lists. Although, it seems our son has got a head start on us in that regard."
"Oh?" a few voices asked.
"Amber's expecting," Neville said with pride.
"Congratulations!" several voices asked.
"Amber?" Bill asked.
"Neville's Wife in all but law," Harry replied formally introducing Amber to the group.
"And Susan?" Fleur asked.
"I hope to be very soon," Susan said with a blush.
"So, he beat you to it?" Bill asked Harry.
"We found out she's pregnant today," Harry said, "along with Minerva. We found out Mallory is pregnant last week."
"How can that be?" Fleur asked. "No offense Professor, but you are not exactly young." Hermione then explained how their bonds as concubines might well have extended their ability to bear children by years if not decades. "It might also explain why they are pregnant so soon. The rest of us, with the exception of Astoria, are trying. I think the decades they spent under the bond increased the likelihood of their conceiving once the infertility aspect of the bond was lifted."
"It is plausible," Mallory said. "Impossible to know for certain, however. No one seems to have bothered to study such things. Then again, the Potter Concubines almost never were placed in an infertile status for such a period of time and we all know the status of concubines in Britain and how few of them are ever allowed to conceive."
"You think it wise to start a family in these times?" Moody asked.
"The War is in Britain, not here," Harry replied. "Sirius told me in a letter I should live life. Even if I was still in Britain, I probably would have travelled the same path under the circumstances. If we place life on hold because of the troubles, we are conceding a defeat at the hands of our enemies. I will not concede!"
"Me neither," Neville said and it was clear that all the "wives" were in agreement.
Harry could see Fleur whispering to Bill and he was beginning to blush, nodding as he listened.
"The next bit," Harry went on, "I received a package this week from Ginny Weasley." Bill looked up. "It contained cakes and pies, not unlike 'care' packages I received in previous summers from the Weasleys and others. The goodies were laced with an obscene dose of amorentia."
"That bitch!" Bill said.
"What do you intend?" Moody asked.
"The use of a love potion of such strength against the Head of an Ancient and Noble House is grounds for sanctions under wizarding British law and custom."
"Blood feud?"
"I would be within my rights to declare one," Harry admitted. "But as I do not believe the whole family is culpable or even complicit in this plot, I hope to resolve is short of violence."
"The Weasleys hardly have the means to pay a blood price," Moody said. "You could wipe them out financially and they still would be subjected to more severe sanctions."
"There is Ginny," Bill sighed.
Harry nodded. "By custom I can take a daughter as concubine in payment of the blood price."
"You will treat her well?" Bill asked with obvious concern in his voice.
"In time," Harry sighed. "I'm not vindictive enough, I guess. Her treatment at first will be determined based upon her complicity in the crime."
"We have reason to believe this was entirely the mother's doing," Luna said. "The method is an act of desperation, and Ginny never made a real run at Harry. She might well be an innocent pawn in this."
"In which case," Harry said, "she will be treated the same as my other women, with all rights and privileges they enjoy. If, on the other hand, she is guilty of this crime, she will not enjoy the same status in my House for some time. I don't have it in me to treat her as poorly as many concubines are treated. She won't be sent to a brothel or even shared out. I can't do that to a woman. But, she will not enjoy the same advantages. She will be a domestic for a time. Once all my other ladies have born children and she sees what her greed cost her and I feel she has served her penance, she will be afforded a more equal status in the House. I myself hope this was all Molly's doing and that the girl is but the pawn."
"Will I be allowed to see her?" Bill asked.
"She always said you were her favorite brother," Hermione noted.
Harry nodded. "Yes Bill. But I hope it will be under the best of possible circumstances given the situation."
"I understand," Bill sighed. "It's more than I should expect. How do you intend to make this happen?"
"The reading of the Will of Sirius Black is scheduled for Wednesday afternoon at two," Harry said. "I understand that the entire Weasley family will be there?"
Bill nodded.
"It will be done then," Harry said.
"Fred and George," Bill began.
"Yes?"
"They sent me an owl this past week. They know I've left the Burrow, that much is certain. They want to see me about my arrangements as they also suspect Fleur and I have moved overseas."
"How…?"
"They know I am still with Gringotts but also know I have not set foot in Diagon Alley in days. Their shop is just across from the bank, so I suppose they've been watching. I also know that business is way down in the Alley since You-Know-Who became public. Something tells me that the twins shop might not open. Many of the suppliers that they are likely to use have shut up shop and others are charging outrageous prices for their supplies. I don't know what they want, but it would not surprise me if they are looking for a more profitable opportunity."
"Can they be trusted?" Hermione asked.
"I think so," Bill said. "Unlike Ron and Percy, they were never tight with Mum. Never really greedy, either. They did try a few things to raise money for their shop, but that was all they wanted and when Harry financed them, well they went to work on building their business. That's all they ever wanted to do, to be honest. In a favorable economy, they would probably have to try not to succeed. Percy, in contrast was all about grades and gaining political power. Ron strikes me as one who thinks money should grow on trees, provided he doesn't have to care for it. He seems to think he's owed something and should not have to earn or work for anything."
"Fred and George never struck me as studious," Hermione said disapprovingly.
"If one judges a person by their marks, you are right. But they've probably learned more magic than the top students in their year. They're geniuses in their own right and one should not look at their performance at school as a marker."
"I always felt they were holding back," Minerva said.
"Indeed," Bill said. "They were. Three O.W.L.s each, Mum said. But she never saw what they were really up to. Between them, they got O's in Potions, Herbology, Ancient Runes, Arithmancy, Charms and Transfiguration, each focusing on three courses for O.W.L. purposes. But the truth is, they were probably N.E.W.T. levels or beyond in all of those by then. They had more important things to do – such as preparing for their shop. Their only 'failing' was in Defense, but they told me that with the exception of Professor Lupin, they never had a decent professor and they learned more from Harry last year than in their seven years at Hogwarts combined. I think they would be an asset, but that's just me."
"But for the war," Harry began. "Are you going to talk with them?"
"Before the Will reading," Bill nodded.
Harry nodded. "They can relocate here if they're interested."
"I'm sure they would be."
"Make them the offer," Harry said. "They can relocate here following the Will reading."
"To the Manor?" Dora asked.
"No," Harry said. "We can set them up in a guest house for now. I haven't seen any decent joke shops in town, so there may be a viable local market. They can always run a mail order business with Britain."
"Merlin help us," Minerva quipped.
"Thanks Harry," Bill said sincerely.
"What are you plans for the Will reading?" Kingsley asked.
"You're going to be there?" Harry replied.
"Things are chaos within the Ministry following your adventures in the Department of Mysteries and the recent attacks," Kingsley said. "Under normal conditions, for an estate such as the Black estate, in addition to the parties named in the Will, several other representatives are called to witness the reading. Usually, that includes the Minister for Magic, the Head of the Department of Law Enforcement, the Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot, where the primary beneficiary is still in school, the Headmaster, some others as well. However, because of the political chaos, recent murder of the Head of DMLE, and the fact that the next most senior person in the Department – the Head Auror – is currently being considered for the next Minister, I will be there as the DMLE rep. As Dumbledore is your Headmaster and Chief Warlock, Minerva will attend on behalf of Hogwarts School. Percy Weasley might be attending in place of the Minister. I'm just curious as to what to expect."
Harry nodded. "The Will is going to be a bombshell. A lot of people are not going to get what they think is coming to them. I will not attend the reading itself, but shall arrive immediately afterwards to attend to business. It should be quite amusing, particularly if anyone is fool enough to object. I will attend to House Potter business as well as the principals will be there." Harry then explained his plans in detail.
"That's going to cause some headaches," Moody growled.
"Payback's a bitch," Harry agreed. "Although, if it works it should keep the lid on things over there for a couple of years at least."
"You're effectively going to cripple the Death Eaters financially," Moody agreed. "Kind of hard to fight a war when you're broke."
"They'll find a way," Harry sighed. "They're too damned committed not to. But it'll be a while before they can be a real threat again. By then, I hope to be ready."
"Ready? Planning to take on the enemy yourself?"
"Lord Mayor?" Harry asked.
Remus rose. "The Duke has approved long range plans for the development of the unincorporated lands. Much will be opened to agriculture and plots have been offered to the residents of the Duchy. Construction of additional roads and rail lines to open these areas began today. In addition, on the South Coast, construction has begun on the city of Jamestown. Along the coast, we are going to build several resort hotels, hoping to open a tourist trade with the rest of the magical world, excluding Britain for now. There will also be several manufacturing plants, providing us with the ability to even the trade in that sector rather than rely primarily on our agricultural production."
"You need people to run those things, unless you're talking elves," Moody said.
Remus nodded. "By September, we should have flats and retail space available for immediate occupancy in the city. We will then begin an evacuation of Muggle Borns from Britain itself. Such evacuation will be voluntary, of course, but given the state of things in Britain right now, we expect most to volunteer."
"Just the Muggle Borns?"
"Others who are trustworthy as well," Harry said. "But the Muggle Borns are at greatest risk."
"And the Ministry will sit idly by as you drain its tax base? Surely they'll note the applications for portkeys or international Floo. Even if you were to circumvent their regulations, they will detect the magic."
"We will not evacuate by magical means," Harry said. "The people will travel here on Muggle conveyances."
"What are they going to do? Swim?" Moody asked sarcastically.
"We know this place can be reached by designated aircraft," Lupin replied. "It's how the Queen and Royal Family arrive for holiday and there was an RAF base here during the Muggle's Second World War. Basically, we are going to build and run our own airline."
"Build?" Hermione asked. "Planes are not easy to build."
"Poor choice of words. We will buy the planes. In case you're wondering, we do have a fair few pilots in this country and the means to get them up to speed with a new aircraft. We intend to provide the Muggle Borns and their families with Muggle transport from where they live to Heathrow in London, and then fly them on our planes from there to here."
"And where will they land?" Hermione asked.
"We currently have three active airfields on the island," Remus said. "RAF Pottersport is one, it can handle such flights, but it primarily exists to maintain and fly the Duke's collection of vintage aircraft. His Grandfather was a bit of a collector. There is an airfield on the South Farm, but it is reserved for Her Majesty's use. Finally, there is an airport outside the Port of Darby. It was also an RAF base, but is now used for charter flights to and from Britain and the Continent. However, while we could use that facility, we are building a new airport outside of what will be Jamestown. As that is where most of the evacuees will live, we felt a convenient and dedicated airfield was important."
"But it takes months, even years to build all that!" Hermione protested.
"By Muggle means," Remus grinned.
"Magic?"
Remus nodded.
"And how will this help with what's happening in Britain?" Moody asked. "Getting out the segment of the population at risk is a good idea. Merlin knows the Ministry won't waste its efforts protecting them, but aside from depriving Voldemort of targets, what does it do?"
"Estimates are that within the next several months one the evacuation begins, the population of the Duchy might well double," Remus said. "We have more than enough food to sustain that and more. We're opening new lands for agriculture not to feed our projected population, but to maintain our export markets. With a population comes manpower."
"We intend to build and army," Harry said. "A large one by magical standards. One with which we can take back magical Britain by force."
"It takes years to train hit wizards," Moody growled.
"But much less time to train a Muggle Army," Harry said. "While it will be a magical force, it will be armed with Muggle weapons."
"And you think the Muggles will sit idly by and let you invade?"
"Who do you think is paying for the army?" Harry said with a smirk. "I received a letter from Sir Stephen just this morning indicating there is an agreement in principal on the matter. It would seem Her Majesty's government is very concerned with the current troubles. They have almost as much confidence as I have regarding the Ministry's ability to resolve the situation – as in next to none. But they are also concerned about the potential long term ramifications should they intervene directly. Sir Stephen agrees a magical force of loyal subjects might be a better option."
"Merlin's beard! You going to give them any magical training?"
"We're still in the early planning stages," Remus said. "We don't expect to begin that training on any significant scale before next year. But yes, the magicals will receive magical training. We will need field Healers and magical sappers trained in Curse Breaking and Warding…"
"Guess I know where we fit in," Bill said to Fleur.
"Also, the soldiers shall be trained in magical combat as well," Remus said. "The combat training in the Aurors can be abbreviated and still provide an effective force. A lot of Auror training is unnecessary for our purposes."
"And our armed forces will not be restricted to wizards," Harry said. "We have not discussed age limitations – this is all in the very preliminary stages – but any resident of the Duchy can sign up without regard to magical ability. You don't need a whit of magic to shoot a rifle and I'm told rifles can kill wizards almost as effectively as they kill Muggles."
"As for the magical training, there's no need for the vast majority to learn undercover work," Dora agreed. "Most do not need any training in interrogation and all that law enforcement stuff is useless."
"It could be done," Moody said. "If they're not expected to need to duel, a lot can be done in a short time. Still, it would be a year or more before you would be ready."
"That is as anticipated," Harry nodded. "We intend to keep the pressure on in other ways to keep that problem contained. Pity we can't keep it contained for thirty years or so," Harry added with a chuckle.
"Why?" Moody asked.
"Neville and I would probably have an army from our kids alone."
"How?"
"Right now I have seven lovely ladies all chomping at the bit to bear children, although Astoria is going to wait a bit. Neville has two. By this time next week, we will be adding twenty-five others to that list, although not all at once."
"Bloody hell!"
"When all is said and done, I will have twenty lovelies to attend to and Neville fifteen. Today, construction began on two new wings to the Manor. One will house House Longbottom and the other will be for my expanded family."
"These are all young women destined to be sold at Auction next week," Remus added. "Harry is trying to corner the market and effectively destroy that vile trade."
"By this time next year," Harry said, "there will be no Muggle Born witches available for the market, as we hope to have relocated the remainder and their families here by then."
"For whatever reason," Hermione said, "there has been a 'glut' of witches in Britain for centuries. You cannot maintain a slave culture such as it exists without one. This should shift the demographics. Witches will no longer outnumber wizards. Right now, there are roughly two witches for every wizard. Some witches marry Muggles, taking them off the market, but those that don't risk being sold. Perhaps as many as one witch in three is destined to that fate. Eliminate the glut, and the sales can no longer sustain themselves. New witches, if there are any, would be outrageously expensive. Harry's plan will increase the asking price such that a witch would cost ten times what they do now. Few can afford such luxury and most of them would not bother in any case."
"But Hogwarts has just as many wizards as witches," Bill said.
"The other schools are not so proportionate," Minerva commented. "And even at Hogwarts, as many as half the women wind up as Concubines by the time they are twenty-five. This year's auction is actually an aberration, probably because of the troubles. There are only twenty-three new witches left on the ledger. Last year, over eighty were sold."
"Disgusting," Fleur noted.
"They don't have concubines in France?" Hermione asked.
"Indeed we do," Fleur said. "But where do you think most all of them come from? We do not have the glut you English do. Is it really that bad?"
"Look around," Minerva said. "Only you, Susan, Hermione and Luna are not victims of that trade. And of that list, only you were never set to be auctioned."
"Luna was?" Harry asked.
Minerva nodded.
"She was added to the list the day her father died," Remus said.
"Though so," Luna said. "Thank you Harry," she added kissing her husband on the cheek.
"There is still the possibility that more may be added to the list between now and Monday," Remus said sadly.
"I'm not happy about that," Harry said. "I've got my hands full already, but…"
"If there is a need," Fleur said, "we'll help."
"We will?"
"Harry is buying, yes?"
Harry nodded.
"Then we can help, Bill. We can give the poor dears a decent home and chance for a decent life."
"Are you sure?" Bill asked. "I mean, I really don't know…"
"I have nothing to fear," Fleur said. "I will always be first in your heart."
"The last thing I want to discuss is the Dursleys," Harry continued.
WEDNESDAY, July 10th, 1996 – Diagon Alley, London, U.K.
Bill and Fleur stepped into Diagon Alley and by doing so into magical Britain for the first time since they left the Burrow and moved to Charenwell over a week earlier. They still worked at Gringotts London. But the Goblin bank was technically a separate country and outside of the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Magic.
Most witches did not know much about the bank. Their dealings were largely limited to deposits and withdrawals and occasional investment services. The bank was merely one of many branches of the same bank with offices throughout Europe. They were all interconnected by their own private floo service, one restricted to Gringotts employees and certain honored allies of the Goblin Nation. At this time, that list was limited to House Potter. The jobs that Bill and Fleur did for Gringotts were such that their location was not important. They could perform their duties just as readily from London, Pottersport, or even Paris or Madrid. For now, they still worked in London and could use the bank's floo network to commute from their new home in Charenwell, although beginning tomorrow they would work out of the Pottersport branch. Because of the Will reading, they had been given the day off.
They exited the Bank and quickly crossed the Alley and were soon standing before Number 97 Diagon Alley. A sign proclaimed it as "The Future Home of Weasleys' Wizarding Wheezes." The windows, however, were boarded over and covered with posters of wanted Death Eaters and warnings about Dark activities. There was no indication from the outside that the shop would open anytime soon. There was a magical doorbell of sorts which Bill activated.
"We are sorry," a female voice Bill did not recognize said, "we are not open for business at the current time. Please try back in a couple of weeks. If you are a contractor with business with the Firm, please state your name."
"Bill and Fleur Weasley," Bill stated.
"Just a moment," the voice replied.
They soon heard noises not unlike that of locks being opened. The door cracked open and they saw a young woman's face looking at them. Her position suggested she had a wand on them, but they made no move.
"What did Fred say when he first met your Consort?" she asked.
"You mean recently? He said she's got a nice rack."
The girl nodded.
"And what was my reply?"
"Gringotts' accounts have been known to disappear," a male's voice said. "That's them."
The girl opened the door wide enough for them to enter. They stepped into the shop for the first time. The shelves were empty and there was no sign of any merchandise at all. A broad stair led to an upper level, which also appeared empty. They looked around at the vacant shop as they heard the door close and lock.
They turned and saw the young woman who was eyeing them warily. She was maybe Fleur's age, with blonde hair, a petite figure and wearing what looked to be a dressing gown. It was around breakfast.
"Follow me please," she said without introduction. She led them to the back of the vacant shop and into what would have been the storeroom. There were items here, but not many; not nearly enough to stock the shelves. She opened the door that led to a stair leading to an upper floor. While the shop had an upper floor as well, with its own stair, this one was clearly for employees. She led them up the stairs.
They entered a fairly large room that was clearly a living area. A dining table was set up at one end and Bill could see his two younger brothers seated there along with five other young women. The brothers and two of the women were dressed, while the other three wore robes similar to that of their escort. Their escort walked to the table and took a seat near Fred.
"Good to see you Bill," George began.
"Fleur," Fred added.
"Have you eaten?"
"Plenty to go around."
"Er, did I miss something?" Bill asked looking at the young women. Fleur merely stood there with her mouth open.
"Probably," Fred said.
"Who are your guests?"
"Ah, how inconsiderate of us," George said.
"Ladies," Fred added, "our oldest brother Bill…"
"And his stunningly beautiful…"
"Brave…"
"And scary good Consort Fleur."
"Beaubatons Tri-Wizard Champion."
"Dealt with a dragon she did."
"Didn't do so well later," Fleur said in a disappointed tone.
"You didn't snuff it," Fred said. "That's saying a fair bit." It was left unsaid that one of the competitors, Cedric Diggory, had not survived the tournament, although his demise was not as a result of the intended competition.
"And these young ladies?" Bill asked.
"This," George said giving the dark skinned young woman next to him a one armed hug, "is the brilliant Quiddtich Captain from last year."
"Won us the Cup without us or Harry, she did," Fred said.
"No mean feat," George agreed. "She is the former, yet still stunningly lovely Angelina Johnson." Angelina was one of the two who was dressed.
"Former?" Bill asked.
"My Wife and Consort," George added with a smile.
"And this, Fred said indicating the other dressed, sandy haired young woman who was clearly sitting on his lap, "is our other Chaser and totally captivating beauty, the former Alicia Spinet, my Wife and Consort."
"Excuse me?"
"Just following your example, Bro," Fred said.
"You found a lovely, fell for her and bound her to you before Mum could think twice," George added.
"Smart move," George said.
"We certainly were inspired."
"How's this happen?" Bill started before realizing it was a dumb question. "When?" he added quickly, but not quick enough.
"I do believe our big brother is unaware of the interconnection between certain acts of physical intimacy and magical oaths," Fred began.
"You see," George said, "when a wizard meets a witch…"
"And they fall in love…"
"And get naked…"
"I know how it happens," Bill said. "When?"
"Ah!" Fred said, "they came home on the Express and over to the shop as soon as they left the train…"
"And we were bonded by dinner."
"Good thing too. Bonding does work up an appetite."
"As if you need any help there," Alicia said to Fred.
"Give the boys a break," Angelina added. "At least they have table manners."
"Only when we're looking."
"Unlike a certain Weasley we know."
"But the bottomless stomach does seem to run in the family."
"Merlin help us," Bill pleaded. "Double Twin Speak!"
"Please tell me you don't share them," Fleur said.
"We share in all things," Fred began.
"Except that," George finished.
"Why so quick?" Bill asked.
"Why not?" Fred began. "Live while you can."
"Especially these days," George added somewhat darkly.
"It's your own damn fault, boys," Angelina said.
"We were going to do it this summer anyway," George admitted.
"Just didn't expect to that day," Fred added. "Not that we minded."
"Not one bit."
"Boys," Alicia scolded. "When they bought this shop, they got a bit of a surprise," she explained. "It prompted Angie and me to move our plans forward for several reasons."
"Surprise?"
The twins indicated the other four young women.
"Concubines?" Bill asked.
"You know 'bout that?" Fred asked.
"Mum never said a thing about it, as I recall," George added.
"She didn't," Bill agreed. "I've had a crash course in that recently. What do you mean they came with the shop?"
"Part of the deal," George said. "Fixtures or some such. Found out the day we took possession."
"Didn't know what to make of it at first," Fred said. "Not at all."
"But we had a long talk with the gals…"
"And what they told us was…"
"Disturbing."
"Well, if you know about concubines, then you know their usual lot in life," Fred said.
"It would happen to these dolls if we did not take them on."
"Couldn't do that."
"So we took them in."
"And they told us," Angelina said.
"All about it," Alicia added. "Including the fact that Muggle Born witches tend to wind up as concubines. Angie and I are Muggle Borns and knew we could be next."
"So we practically ran over here and did the deeds to keep from becoming…"
"And to keep an eye on these two and make sure they treat our sisters right."
"And they have," one of the other girls said. She had long, dark hair and smiled for the first time. "It's almost normal."
"That's my Dannie," Fred said. "Danielle Carter. She's twenty. And this lovely," he added indicating the girl who had met them at the door, "is Verity Smith, age twenty-one. I am their third… well, whatever."
"We don't like the terms 'owner' or 'master,' so…" George shrugged. "This is Shelly Parker," he said indicating the girl with auburn hair, "she's twenty-two and Ellen North who just turned twenty."
"I take it you divided them between you two?" Bill said.
The twins nodded.
"How?" Fleur asked.
"Rock, paper, scissors," George said.
"Most equitable way we could come up with," Fred added.
"And why were they here?" Bill asked.
"This used to be a dry goods store," Shelly said. "I was bought six years ago by the owner. He wanted a shop girl who would not talk back and, of course, that bond can do that. I was also cheaper than the other employees as he did not have to pay me anything. So long as I was fed and apparently healthy, he had no other obligations. And it helped, I guess, that I could not quit. He bought each of the others each summer thereafter replacing his normal help."
"We also could provide profitable services he could not expect of the regular employees," Verity added.
"Such as?" Bill asked.
"We entertained certain male customers in back," she shrugged.
"A bordello?"
"It was a profitable side venture for our owner," she nodded. "We never saw a knut ourselves."
"What happened to that owner?"
"Disappeared a few months ago," Danielle said. "Went out for something and never came back. We kept the place running until we ran out of inventory."
"Thankfully we made enough off of his 'other' kind of customers to stockpile food," Shelly said. "The goblins foreclosed the place a couple weeks before Fred and George took over."
"Horrible!" Fleur said.
"It was not as bad as some," Verity said. "My first Master was a right bastard. By that standard, the previous owner was almost decent to us. Still, it's not what I wanted to do with my life."
"All of us were good students and only of us were allowed to go beyond our O.W.L.s. You don't need N.E.W.T.s to man a register, stock shelves or provide adult entertainments, our boss told us," Ellen said.
"Hence, one of our problems," George said.
"Oh?" Bill asked.
"The girls are not unknown. Their former – er – customers still come around expecting similar – er – services."
"As we said," Fred added, "there are certain things we do not share."
"But we're not letting them go and we do not want to have those kind of conversations with certain customers in a joke store!"
"Not good for business," Fred nodded.
"Been hexing the sods for weeks," George added. "At least the ones we know are not Death Eaters."
"And the ones who are?"
"Told them one of the girls has the pox. They stayed away."
"I assume your girls' history isn't the only problem?" Bill went on.
"We want them to be able to get past that," Fred said. "But even if they didn't have that, this is no place for a business."
Diagon Alley was the largest shopping district in magical Britain. Bill knew that as well as anyone. "Oh?"
"Every day it seems another shop closes," George said. "Our usual suppliers have either shut down or raised prices to a level we could not possible sell our things and make a profit."
"Even if we could, there are barely any shoppers to sell anything to," Fred said.
"We were wondering if you might have any connections so we can move to France and have a go at it," George said.
"Why France?" Bill asked.
"That's where you two moved to, isn't it?"
Bill shook his head.
"But you're not here in Britain, are you?" Fred asked.
"No, not anymore. Fleur and I are shot of this place. It's another country."
"Oh," Fred said disappointed.
"So, we're stuck here?" Angelina asked.
"I would not say that," Fleur replied. "Bill, has not the Duke himself inquired into these two's condition?" she added.
"He has indeed," Bill said.
"Duke?" several voices asked.
"The ruler," Bill said. "It's another country and he's the ruler of sorts. Has the advantage, well for me anyway, that they all speak English there."
"It can't be," one of the girls whispered.
"You know this Duke person?" George added.
"Decent enough bloke," Bill said. "Hasn't been on the job all that long. He's still getting used to it and all, but he has heard of you and is trying to attract businesses to his country."
"What about our girls," Fred asked. "We've done some checking. A lot of countries outside of Europe won't let them in. We'd have to leave them here and that means they'd have to be sold or worse!"
"Worse?" Fleur asked.
"Former concubines of our age wind up in the bordellos anyway," Verity sighed. "We have no skills to live in the Muggle world and in the magical we are 'known' as being those kind of women. We'd either wind up as bound concubines and sex toys, or the same as without the bond. Worse, if the Bond is broken, there's a very good change we'd lose our magic altogether. We would wind up with a very unpleasant life."
"Or dead," Ellen said.
"Or dead," Verity agreed. "I want the life Fred is offering me. I think I speak for all of us in that regard. We may be bound to them, but we are not their slaves."
"It's probably the closest we can come to being wives," Danielle added.
"We made that clear to the boys," Alicia said. "We bonded with them by choice. These four had no choice. That should be the only real distinction between us. In all other ways, we expect our boys to treat our sisters the same as they treat us. Whatever we can do, so should they and that includes being mothers."
"Our bonds do not prevent us from giving these two an earful," Angelina added.
"There our family now, Bill," Fred said.
"We can't leave them behind if we go," George added.
"And we want to leave because no one should live here."
"Mum might think otherwise," Bill said probing.
"That woman is dead to us," Fred said.
"Oh?"
"We overheard a conversation between her and Dumbledore," George said. "It was the day after we left Hogwarts."
"Spent a total of two nights at the Burrow," Fred said. "Then it was the Leaky Cauldron, then here. We're not going back."
"This conversation?" Bill asked.
"Apparently, Dumbledore's fixing to make sure Ron gets Hermione somehow," George said.
"We didn't understand the whole conversation at the time," Fred added.
"Didn't until we met these four lovelies," George added.
"But it unfortunately adds up."
"Hermione's a Muggle Born…"
"Dumbledore has the authority to sell her as a concubine…"
"Ron couldn't get a date with a troll, much less a girl…"
"Mum can't stand a Muggle Born who looks down her nose at ickle Ronniekins, the berk…"
"Ron wants her in all the wrong ways…"
"Dumbledore doesn't think much of Muggle Born witches who can think for themselves…"
"But Mum can't afford her…"
"So Dumbles is selling her to himself then giving Hermione to Ron as his toy, or some such."
"Disgusting on so many levels," George concluded.
"How did you hear this?" Bill asked.
"Extendable ears, mate," Fred said.
"We thought it was Order business," George nodded.
"And what did you do with this information?" Fleur asked.
"Didn't put the pieces together until a day or so before term ended," George said. "We were busy here…"
"That was before we figured our chances of opening this shop are practically nil in the current environment," Fred added. "So we sent letters to Ron, Harry and Hermione. The letters to Harry and Hermione returned. Ron responded to ours all but boasting about how Hermione was his and to stay the fuck out of his business, his words."
"Ickle Ronniekins is in for a rude shock," Bill said.
"Oh?" the two asked.
"Prank of the century, courtesy of our dear, departed Marauder," Bill continued.
"You going to leave us hanging?" Fred asked.
Bill handed Fred a newspaper. He began laughing after a couple of minutes. George grabbed it and soon was laughing as well.
Alicia picked up the paper. The photograph showed several people she knew: Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, Neville Longbottom and Minerva McGonagall. She recognized some of the others in the picture as Angelina peered over her shoulder.
"Monday, July 8th," she read aloud. "The Duke and his ladies brought some new guests to their Sunday Brunch at Martha's in Potter's Vineyard to formally announce new additions to our community and nation. Pictured are the Duke and his wives?? Pictured are Lord Sir Harry James Potter, Head of the Ancient and Noble Houses of Potter and Black, Duke of Charenwell; Lady Dame Hermione Potter, Duchess of Charenwell, Consort of Lord Potter; Lady (soon to be Dame) Luna Black (Countess of Darby Designate), Consort of Lord Black; Madam Astoria Greengrass Potter-Black; Madam Daphne Greengrass Black-Potter; Madam Dora Tonks Black-Potter; Madam Dr. Healer Mallory Grant Black-Potter and Madam Minerva McGonagall Potter-Black??; wives in all but law of His Highness the Duke with his good friend Neville Longbottom and Lady Susan Longbottom; Lord Longbottom's wife in all but law Madam Amber Harker Longbottom and Lord Longbottom's parents Frank and Alice. What's all this then?"
"Isn't Malfoy supposed to be the next Lord Black?" Fred asked.
"Everyone seems to believe that," George added.
"And they will learn later today they are all wrong,' Bill said. "Harry's been Lord Black since his Godfather Sirius died."
"And what's this Duke business," Fred asked. "He must bloody love that. Kid hates fame!"
"The Duke of Charenwell?" Danielle, Verity and Shelly asked in unison.
"He is indeed," Bill said. "Dumbledore is going to have fun today trying to talk down to a sovereign Head of State."
"What's this Charenwell?" George asked.
"It's where Fleur and I now live. It's Harry's homeland."
"Ours too," Verity said. "Ellen is the only Brit here. The rest of us were born there but we fell under their slave laws by attending school here. Since our parents were 'foreigners,' it seems the powers that be consider us Muggle Born in the eyes of the law. Doesn't matter that they were magicals."
"But if you returned home after terms, how could they claim you?" Bill asked.
"All three of us made the same mistake," Danielle said. "We went to a friend's house here for the summer, or at least that part of the summer when we were summoned and bound."
"We didn't think it could happen to us," Verity said. "Under our law, only the Duke or a Count may buy concubines. Only the Duke can import them or allow them to be imported. That's because as Lord Potter he is somewhat of a duel citizen. However it's against our law for the Duke or anyone else to sell concubines once they set foot in Charenwell. Once they arrive, they become subjects and cannot be bought or sold. The man who owns them must keep them and see to them for the rest of their lives. He cannot whore them out, either for money or favors or anything. Not even the Duke can do that."
"Why such laws?" Fred asked.
"In part tradition," Verity said. "Most all of us are descended from a Potter Concubine, thus it's not illegal to be a bound concubine or for the Duke to allow you leave to enter the country as such. The House bought them to ensure heirs and for other reasons not related to adult entertainments. It was a way to bring in talent in numerous fields. Our last Duke wanted to start our own school so we would not have to send our children here for education, but he died before that could happen. There are stories of prior Dukes or Counts (those being brothers of the Duke) buying back witches who were bound here."
"That didn't happen too often," Shelly said. "We were taught that the Brits did not sell us while there was a Duke on the throne. He doesn't really have a throne, that's just an expression. But we've been without a Duke for years. No one could help us when we were caught and bound." There was real regret in her voice.
"And now we have one," Danielle said.
"How do you know this?" Angelina asked.
"We were taught all about it in primary school," Verity said. "A lot of the most revered and famous people in our history were concubines."
"Did the Duke really say something about Fred and George?" Shelly asked after a pause.
Bill nodded. "He sent me here to ask them how soon they can pull up stakes and move to Charenwell."
"Girls?" Fred said, "how soon can you get dressed?"
The four girls practically ran from the room and Bill could hear at least one of them squeal with delight: "We're going home!"
GRINGOTTS BANK, LONDON, U.K.
It turned out the twins and their ladies had been all but packed for days and all that stopped them from leaving was knowing where to go. True, the three Charenwell girls said something about their country, but also knew that the others could not go there without leave of the Duke, so they were as stuck as the others. The twins were looking into the Americas as a place to go, among other places, and had written Bill asking for ideas and help, which prompted the visit. But they were not going to wait much longer.
Bill led the large group into Gringotts and through the Lobby, past the tellers and a small number of customers. The bank branch had seen a huge drop in business in recent weeks due to the troubles, as the Goblins called the situation in Britain. Deposits were few as it seemed the people were apt to hoard their money rather than risk going into public and possibly into a Death Eater attack. The few withdrawals were for large sums, far more than necessary for a day's shopping, again suggesting people were keeping off the streets.
Bill's party reached the far end of the Lobby and passed through a set of doors usually reserved for Gringotts employees. The few customers who may have paid attention would have noticed the guards stand aside without a word. They climbed a couple of flights of stair and walked down an ornate corridor to a set of doors.
"Gringotts has reserved this suite of rooms for the Duke and his guests for the day," Bill explained as he opened the door. Beyond was a large room with plenty of chairs and couches to sit down and a large table with chairs, probably for meals. There were two beings in the room that seemed to be waiting for them. Fred and George had no idea what they were. They clearly were not Goblins or House Elves.
"High Elves," Bill said noting the confusion. "House Elves are a corruption of them created by wizards."
"I am Dobby," one who was dressed in what looked like a fancy suit said, "personal Butler to the Great Harry Potter. This is Winky, Elf Maiden of his Duchess. We are to see to your needs while you are here. Please enter, friends of Harry Potter."
"Weren't you a House Elf once?" Fred asked.
"Indeed," Dobby said. "Once. The Great Harry Potter broke that dark magic for us."
"We are forever in his debt," Winky added, "and Lady Hermione's as well."
"Those two keep pranking," George said. "Look at them and what you see is not what you get."
"Indeed we seem to pale in comparison," Fred agreed.
They sat in silence for some minutes when the doors open and a number of people began filing in. Many of them seemed to be dressed elegantly, far more so than Fred or George had ever seen before. They recognized Harry and Hermione, but it took a while and was only when they heard the young man's voice.
"I bloody hate those things," Harry had exclaimed.
"Language," Hermione scolded.
"Sorry dear," he replied. "And it seems we have guests," he added seeing the twins and the others. "Bit more of a party than I expected."
Fred and George rose with Angelina and Alicia and walked over to Harry. When Harry noticed, the boys bowed low and the girls curtsied – awkwardly.
"You Highnesses," Fred and George said with more than a little mirth in their voices.
"Watch yourselves," Harry warned, "Weasley Twins being respectful? Prank alert!"
"We're wounded, Your Mightiness," Fred said.
"Such little faith, Your Worship," George replied.
"Cut the noise," Harry said. "It's Harry! Angelina? Alicia? I am pleased but confused."
"Our Consorts," Fred said. "Alicia," he said taking her arm.
"And Angelina," George said taking Angelina's arm. "And we've heard you and Hermione are hitched as well. Congratulations."
"Well, same to you," Harry said, "and now I can tell you two apart. Assuming I know which one is with which one."
"I'm with Fred," Alicia said with a smile.
"Are you sure," Hermione chided.
"Unlike most people," Angelina replied, "we can tell them apart. Just don't ask us how."
"So when did this happen?" Hermione asked.
"The day we got back from Hogwarts," Alicia said. "You two?"
"Day after," Hermione replied.
"Great minds think alike," Fred chuckled. As he did Luna walked in.
"Sorry," she announced. "The Nargles. Had to use the loo." She walked over and joined Harry and Hermione.
"You're Luna," Fred said.
She nodded.
"Harry's other Consort?"
"Since Friday," she nodded.
"The Lady Black," Harry said proudly.
"And your other ladies?" Alicia asked. "Mind explaining them?"
"You know about them?" Harry asked.
"Bill showed us a paper."
"You all know Minerva," Harry said as Minerva McGonagall walked up. They nodded. "She was bound to my Great-grandfather and then my Grandfather. She passed to me when I became Head of House Potter."
"And all this time we thought she was our formidable Head of House and Transfiguration Professor," Fred said.
"I was," Minerva replied, "and a spy for my Lord Potter."
"Against who?"
"Dumbledore."
"Makes sense. The man is not what he seems."
"Quite the opposite," Minerva agreed.
"Do you know what he and our … mother … are up to?" George asked.
Harry nodded. "Let's see? Enslaving my Hermione? Getting me soused with love potion and thrust into little Gin-Gin's amorous arms?"
"Didn't know about that bit," Fred gasped.
"They tried to do that?" George said in disbelief.
Harry nodded. "You knew about Ron?"
"We sent you letters," George said. "They all came back."
"Sorry mate," Fred said. "Short of killing the git, we couldn't think of anything else."
"Harry?" Luna asked. "They tried. That's all they could do,"
Harry had been on the verge of losing his temper. He calmed down. "This is Mallory Grant. I inherited her from Sirius along with Dora Tonks who's arriving separately with her parents."
"Do they know she's a … a concubine?" Angelina asked.
"They were forced to sell her," Harry said. "I don't think they know who she's bound to. Bloody sick, the whole mess. These are Astoria and Daphne. The Death Eaters forced their Dad to sell them to the next Lord Black. We think the idiots thought that would be Malfoy. The git's about to learn how wrong he was. Unlike the others, I met with their father. He at least knows where his daughters are and I promised him and their mother I would take care of them and make them as happy as the situation allowed."
"And he's doing a wonderful job of keeping that promise," Astoria said with Daphne nodding emphatically in agreement.
"And we thought we had it bad," Fred said.
"Excuse me?"
"Ladies?" George called over to the other four women. "Come and meet the Duke."
Fred and George introduced Harry and his ladies to their ladies and explained how they managed to wind up with two concubines each. They then added that three of them were born in Charenwell and were bound while they were at school in Britain.
"What? I thought it was just Clarice!"
"Who?" voices asked.
"Harry had a younger sister," Hermione said. "Dumbledore had her adopted out, but retain magical guardianship over her probably so she could be sold off."
"There have been others," Verity said.
"Lord Mayor?" Harry called. He only used the title when he was pissed at something about the larger world or in formal settings, his investiture being the only of the latter to date.
"There have been incidents since the last Duke passed away," Remus admitted.
"Incidents?"
"Dumbledore," Remus shrugged. "He had guardianship over your sister, but he used his status as head of the Wizengamot to sell some of our other young women."
"Not all?"
"As he was not their true magical guardian, he couldn't," Remus replied. "But, if they were in the country when the auction occurred and bound before they could return home…I regret there were some losses. It was highly illegal, but it seems technicalities such as the law have not deterred the man before, or since. We think he was trying to gain some leverage over us. Without a Duke, he expected us to cave into demands or some such. We never did, but we were hard pressed to help our young women."
"Why not?"
"As High Steward, I lacked legal authority to impose economic sanctions or declare war unless we were attacked. As such, there was little I could do until a new Duke was installed."
"How many?" Harry growled.
"Forty-two between 1989 and 1995," Remus said with pain in his voice.
"And this year?"
"When you executed the documents declaring House Protection for your sister, they included the eight others who were set to be sold. They are no longer up for sale."
"And you didn't tell me?" Harry almost yelled.
"My apologies," Remus said. "You had just learned about your sister and concubines and were learning goodness knows what else. I felt it was not timely to spring that upon you as well. You've been Duke for a little over a week. Your ancestors trained their whole lives before they rose to the title. You were thrown into it blind. I did not think it prudent to mire you in details not immediately relevant to what you were learning or already dealing with."
"He has a point, Harry," Hermione said. "We're all still coming to grips with this."
The others could see Harry calming down. "Now that I do know, what can we do about it?"
"Dumbledore does not really know your sister is under Potter House protection," Remus said. "The formal documents merely state it is the protection of the Duke of Charenwell. He has no idea the Potter family has any connection with the Duchy. All communications with your family in the past were made through properties you own in Britain. As there is a Duke, he cannot sell our women."
"That's all well and good, Remus, but what about the forty-two others?"
"Thirty-nine," Verity said. "Three of us are here."
"Unfortunately," Remus said, "the bonds are magical. They can be transferred, but not broken. The women are bound for life in all probability. You can't force their owners to sell them. I'm sorry."
"So those other thirty-nine are lost to us?" Harry asked sadly.
"Unless they pop up for auction," Remus said.
"Are any of them…"
"No Harry. I did check that when you mentioned buying the others."
"DAMN! Why can't I just exercise House Protection over the lot of them?"
"Harry, once they are bound they are no longer subject to a magical guardianship," Remus said. "That's what House Protection is. You could only use it for an unbound witch. Even then, your authority is limited. You could exercise it in favor of your sister because she's your immediate family. You could exercise it over and witch who's a citizen of Charenwell because you are legally and magically their ruler. But the other women? You have no legal or magical authority to pre-empt their British magical guardians."
"There might be another option," Daphne said.
"Oh?"
"It's not ideal. But it will teach the bastards a lesson."
"And this option is?"
Daphne explained her idea over the next several minutes.
"That might work," Hermione opined. "Even if it doesn't, the bastards will squirm."
"Remus?" Harry asked.
"It might work."
"Slytherin bares its teeth," Harry said.
A/N: RELATIONSHIP SCORECARD:
If you didn't read the Intro, you missed that. This is so you can keep up with who's with who and how.
Key:
Names in Italics = OCGr – Gryffindor, Hu – Hufflepuff, Ra – Ravenclaw, Sl – Slytherin. SG – St. George's School, PE – Prince Edward School, SA – St. Andrew's, SP – St. Patrick's, SD – St. David's.(Number indicates last year completed. No number means they finished all seven years.)
Harry James Potter, age 15.1. Hermione Jane (Granger) Potter, age 16 (Gr-5); CONSORT (POTTER).2. Luna Celeste (Lovegood) Black, age 15 (Ra-4); CONSORT (BLACK).3. Dora (Tonks) Black-Potter, age 21 (Hu); CONCUBINE (BLACK).4. Minerva Grace (McGonagall) Potter-Black, age 68 (Gr); CONCUBINE (POTTER).5. Mallory Michelle (Grant) Black Potter, age 39 (Hu); CONCUBINE (BLACK).6. Daphne Renee (Greengrass) Black-Potter, age 16 (Sl-5); CONCUBINE (BLACK).7. Astoria Lynn (Greengrass) Potter-Black, age 14 (Sl-3); CONCUBINE (POTTER).
Bill Weasley, age 25.Fleur Patrice (Delacour) Weasley, age 19; CONSORT (BILL WEASLEY).
Neville Algicyrus Longbottom, age 15.1. Susan Marie (Bones) Longbottom, age 16 (Hu-5); CONSORT (NEVILLE).2. Amber Selma (Harker) Longbottom, age 33 (Sl-5); CONCUBINE (LONGBOTTOM).
Fred Weasley, age 18 (born 4/1/78).1. Verity Nicole (Smith) Weasley, age 21 (6/6/75) (SG-5). Sold 7/19/91; sold to Hardin Gracial (Diagon Alley) 7/12/94; CONCUBINE OF FRED WEASLEY 6/3/96.2. Danielle Louise (Carter) Weasley, age 20 (1/19/76) (SG-5). Sold 7/17/92; sold to Hardin Gracial (Diagon Alley) 7/13/95; CONCUBINE OF FRED WEASLEY 6/3/96.3. Alicia May Spinet, age 18 (10/10/77) (Gr). CONSORT OF FRED WEASLEY 6/22/96.
George Weasley, age 18 (born 4/1/78).1. Shelly Ann (Parker) Weasley, age 22 (6/21/74) (SD). Sold to Hardin Gracial 7/17/90; CONCUBINE OF GEORGE WEASLEY 6/3/96.2. Ellen Suzanne (North) Weasley, age 20 (2/11/76) (PE). Sold to Hardin Gracial 7/15/92; CONCUBINE OF GEORGE WEASLEY 6/3/96.3. Angelina Olivia (Johnson) Weasley, age 18 (12/21/77) (Gr). CONSORT OF GEORGE WEASLEY 6/22/96.