CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR: A NEW LIFE
FRIDAY, JULY 12th, 1996 – Potter Manor, Charenwell.
It had been only about a day, but Stacey's life was very different, she thought as she stood on the balcony of her room. This was not her former life. She had a real room with a large, soft and warm bed, furniture, closets and it was off a living room that was hers as well. The bedroom opened onto a balcony that looked over the gardens that she was told stretched almost as far as the eye could see. As the sun had already set, she could not be sure just how far that was, but the fact she could be outside at all was a change. Her room had windows that would let in the sun, something she had not seen in over a year. Her huge closet was now filled with new clothes that Astoria and Daphne had helped her pick out on their nearly all day shopping expedition in a town called Pottersport. And, she once again had a wand. That vile cretin had taken hers away and said she never deserved it in the first place. Here, she could be a witch.
When Harry had left her not long after her arrival here, she was checked over by three women, all were the young man's Concubines. That's what she was too, although until yesterday all she thought was that she was a kidnap victim without the will to help herself or end her own misery. She knew there was some kind of magic at work. She knew it had to be dark. But it was not dark magic. In her case, it had been perverted and twisted to evil purpose. Here, she was told, that magic was not a burden. It could be a blessing if she really wanted it to be. She heard about how she could choose to alter the bond, which would both bind her closer to her wizard and bind him to her. He would not be hers exclusively. No magic could break the bonds between him and the other six Concubines and two Consorts in his life. But choosing that bond would raise her to the same level. Even if she did not choose it, she would never suffer the life she had known for three years ever again.
She was also asked a lot of questions about her former "Master," as were her friends Mary and Sam. These women were very interested in anything they could learn about "Lucius" and his associates. Stacey had come to believe "Lucius" saw himself as a very dangerous man, one to be feared. The man was nothing compared to these women and their wizard. There was an aura about them, for lack of a better word. They were good people, but they defended their own and "Lucius" and his associates were not going to be around much longer to do to others what they had done to her and her friends, she thought. For the last three years she had only known evil witches and wizards, the ones who were always villains in her childhood stories and she had wondered if there were any good ones out there. Now she knew there were and boy were they pissed!
Her first few hours here had been information overload. After getting checked over by the three witches, who told her and her friends even more about Concubines and what it could be, and would be for them, they had been led to the "Family Dining Room," which looked more like a banquette hall to her. As soon as she and her friends entered the room, a young, red haired girl was standing before them asking which one was Stacey. Stacey knew she had never met the girl before, but said she was anyway. Ginny was fourteen and had been a Concubine now for just over a day and judging by her attitude, probably thought it was the best thing that could happen to a young woman. She knew how horrible it could be, of course. But that was not here or her Harry. Ginny made the introductions as if playing the role of big sister to the older witch.
Stacey met the girl's three brothers. They all knew their baby sister was a concubine and did not seem to mind. Stacey's friend Mary knew two of the red heads: Fred and George who she said were the most dangerous jokesters known to man. These two boys were just a year older than Stacey was and had already started a thriving business.
"Been mail order," one of them said. "Tried to make a go of it in Diagon Alley but there no shoppers these days, times being dangerous as they are back there."
The two boys each had a Consort their own age. Both girls were Muggle Borns and had somehow avoided being sold, although they now knew that had the Merry Pranksters not bonded to them, they would have been this summer. Each of the twins had two concubines themselves and Stacey knew the ones bound to Fred. Verity and Danielle had been with her in her hell for a time. She was so happy they were alright and they were overjoyed to see her as well. They had been sold to a shopkeeper in Diagon Alley and their lives had been an improvement of sorts. They worked as shop girls, mostly. But the store owner did use them to derive revenue from a more carnal line of work. It was not nearly as bad as it had been, but it was not pleasant either. While they were free to leave the store and shop the alley on their time off, the "customers" were out there and might want a free sampler. The twins took over the store when it went under and they were part of the deal. That sort of stuff stopped immediately. These boys favorite tactic for discouraging former customers was a hex that changed men into women. They had invented it and, while they were fairly sure it would wear off, they never bothered to find out.
The twins gave their sister a little ribbing about finally being Harry's Girl. Apprently, she had had a crush on him at one time. It was obvious this Ginny was probably a match for her brothers.
"I'll have you know," she said, "I would have applied for the position of Consort. But as there were no openings, I took the next best thing. And I intend to take full advantage of my new position to get shagged senseless three times a day and squeeze out a sprog or two a year beginning before I turn sixteen."
"You wouldn't," one of the boys said.
"Okay, the sprog or two a year probably won't happen," she said leading Stacey away.
She met Ginny's oldest brother Bill again. He was the one who was taking in her friends, although he promised she would still see them quite often. Bill was in his mid-twenties and was a renowned curse-breaker for Gringotts Bank. He too had a Consort whom Stacey remembered from the papers she saw her last year in school before she was locked away all the time. She was none other than Fleur Delecour, the Tri-wizard Champion from Beaubatons Academy in France.
From Ginny, Stacey learned about this new family. The patriarch (if you could call a boy who was not yet sixteen that) was none other than Harry Potter. Ginny told her, however, that the real Harry was far better than anything she may have read about him anywhere. He was head of two "Ancient and Noble Houses," a Duke and quite well off and would rather not be any of that. Being Harry was more than enough until recently. Now it was being the Girls' Harry. As head of two Houses, he had two Consorts. The one she had seen earlier was Hermione. She was a Muggle Born who was almost seventeen and, as Ginny described her, scary smart. The other one was a fifteen year old Pureblood named Luna, who Ginny said was about the nicest person one could hope to meet, but brutally frank about some things and "don't get her started on magical creatures."
It seemed that Harry had inherited three concubines. Before then, he knew nothing about that sort of thing. McGonagall had in fact been a professor at Hogwarts for decades and Deputy Headmistress for a long time, all the while bound as concubine to the Head of House Potter. The Healer was named Mallory Grant and had been the previous Lord Black's concubine and love of the man's life. Dora, who was a decorated Auror, was the previous Lord Black's other concubine, neither of whom he purchased. They had been gifts. Mallory had been the young Lord Black's thirteenth birthday present when she was barely seventeen herself. Dora had been part of the gift and was not even born yet. Mallory was now thirty-nine and Dora would turn twenty-two the next day. "Although, between you and me, I think Dora's forgotten that tomorrow's her birthday and don't say anything! We want it to be a surprise."
There were two other young Concubines bound to this Harry. They were, like Ginny, Pureblood witches and they were sisters. Daphne was sixteen and Astoria was fourteen. Both seemed happy, even ecstatic with their lot in life. The two girls were thrilled there was another who need a new wardrobe and pestered Dora about getting Stacey a few outfits first thing so they could take her shopping proper in the morning.
"Just make sure you wear comfortable shoes," Ginny said. "Those two took me shopping today and nearly walked my legs off and I need those to wrap around Harry when we do it."
She could not believe how open Ginny was about this. If what Ginny had told her was true, yesterday the girl had been a virgin, and now she was very open about her new sex life. All of the women were. In her past life, sex was one thing neither she and her friends never spoke about, much more looked forward to. These kind of bound women were very different than she had been. She sat between Ginny and Harry's other Consort Luna and they spoke to her as if they had been friends for years. Luna, it seems had not even been Harry's Consort for a week! She too was a virgin when it happened and was even more open about her relationship than Ginny was.
"Do you know what the difference between the Consort and Concubine Bonds is?" Luna asked her as she marveled at all of the food. To her, this dinner was luxurious. Not even the filthy louts who used her for after dinner entertainments ate this well.
"You choose to be a Consort?"
"And basically that's it. They are both sex based Bonds. The same sex acts used to bind you as a Concubine I did to become a Consort, but I chose what to do and who to do it with. It might be that accepting your Bond Mate and the Rite might alter the bond somewhat in your favor, which is why bastards like you knew make it impossible to accept. They won't take Consorts because they lose control to some extent and must accept a witch as equal. That's why they marry. You can ignore a wife and a concubine. You can't ignore a Consort. Yet, Harry cannot ignore his concubines either. You know why?"
Stacey shook her head.
"Each of them accepted this to some extent. They may not have wanted to be bound in the general sense, but accepted that if it must be, than is should be with our Harry. This enabled them to Love Bond with him, which all but destroys the unilateral nature of the Bond. All that remains from before is he can still decide whether you shall be with child or not. Of course, given your age, in this family all you have to do is ask. The only difference between Hermione and I was she is his first love and she is the Duchess. He does love me too, more perhaps than I could have hoped from any other man and I am merely to be a Countess. As for you and the others, he will love you as much as you will let him. You will never feel unloved if you let him in. Even if you cannot fathom that, take a good look at our Harry. He will be the last man you are ever going to be with and the only one you'll remember."
"How do you know this?"
The young blonde witch cocked her head slightly and said, "We read a lot. Oh I do hope there's pudding!"
Stacey had wondered if she understood both girls. Indirectly, Ginny was saying the same thing Luna had said directly: if you accept this, it will be wonderful.
She would never forget her Bonding with Harry. She had forgotten any details about her first one. It all became a blur in her mind long ago. But she would never forget this time, for to her surprise it was wonderful.
It was right after dinner and part of her was scared and another part worried that maybe she ate too much, a thought she found somewhat amusing in an odd way. Ginny had excused herself early, but Stacey stayed until all had finished, if only because she had no idea where she was or where she could or should go. The guests soon left and she said goodbye to her friends from her past life as they left with their "families." When the guests were gone, the others began leaving the dining room. She wondered what to do, but Ginny had returned. She had shed the nice dress she was wearing and now wore a silk robe with matching slippers. It was shorter than Stacey's bathrobe, ending in a hem just above the girl's knees. Stacey was told this is what all Harry's women chose to wear when the house was theirs alone. Harry never told them to, they just did. Ginny admitted that while she liked the robe, she was so new that she was not part of this fashion custom, but did not mind. She liked the idea that Harry could have her without too much fuss, demonstrating by opening her robe and revealing she wore nor undergarments. Nor did any of the others, she said, not even the Consorts.
She led Stacey to the Ground Floor, admitting she was following "directions." Not orders, she said. She was taking them to the Library and admitted she had never been there before, but she'd only been here a day and spent most of today out shopping in the town several miles away, talking about how she learned this was a magical country, but it was not a part of Britain at all. Despite that most of the people here were magical, they had lots of Muggle things. They drove cars and rode trains and buses – real ones, and had electricity and other things as well. A Muggle could come here and as long as they didn't look too close, they would never know this was a magical world and it seemed the people here liked it this way. Ginny admitted she liked the lights and the fact she had yet to need her wand. She loved magic, but this way was fun too.
They entered the huge Library and both of them were stunned. Neither of them had seen anything like it.
"Is there a book every written that's not here?" Stacey asked.
Ginny shrugged. "I can see why Hermione loves this place." Ginny then went on to explain that Lady Hermione was always studious, hard working and driven to learn and loved books and libraries. And this was an amazing Library. Ginny led Stacey to a long couch which she said was a reading bench. She seemed to be looking for something and when she found it, she sat down and invited Stacey to sit next to her, which Stacey did.
Ginny then explained how she came to be a concubine. What stunned Stacey was not how vile Ginny's mother appeared to be, but that Harry believed that the woman would use Ginny regardless and in ways that would not be good for Ginny. Not just Harry, but Ginny's brother Bill believed that would be the case as well. The only way to save her was to bind her to Harry. Even then, they did not know if she had been involved in the plot against Harry, so she needed to be under the bond to come here safely. She was bound as Ginny Black back in London.
"But that will be changed," Ginny said.
"Why?"
"Can you feel the magic here? Can you feel the magic of where we are sitting?"
Stacey remembered closing her eyes and feeling something magical. That she felt anything at all was such a relief. She feared she had lost her magic over her years in that hell. It was the first proof she had that she was still a witch.
"I don't know if this spot was magical before," Ginny said, "but it is now. Shopping today, Story and Daphne told me a lot of things about this place and our new life here. Apparently, some places are very magical and some of those place create powerful bonds between witches and wizards. The Longbottoms had such a place where they bound with their Consorts, and their occasional concubines, for centuries. They have a similar place here. I don't know if the magic existed before any of that, but it does exist now, perhaps because of the love that was expressed over time. If that's true, this spot is already very powerful."
"Why this spot?" Stacey asked.
"Hermione gave herself to Harry right here. For each of them, it was their first time and it was here she became his Consort. It was also here that Luna became his other Consort, again it was her first time. Harry inherited Dora, Mallory and Minerva, and they were bound to him here. Daphne and Astoria as well lost their virginities on this spot and were Love Bound to Harry here on that very afternoon. I will be rebond to Harry here. He made me a Black back in London, but soon I'll be a Potter and will be for the rest of my life, and that bonding will happen right here. And it is here that you will become a Potter. Daphne says that Harry bonds with love, even if the girl does not feel that for him yet. She thinks it is the reason why all of their bonds have changed and why they are not the pliant, submissive type of concubines who do nothing unless told to do so. They regained their free will, with only their love and loyalty for Harry and his for them being the change from the women they were before."
"Luna said it helps to accept what will happen. With that, I really can become little different than what she is."
"I've known Luna since we were both little girls. When she says anything that makes sense, you can take it to the bank."
Soon, others began to arrive. They were all of Harry's women and they were all dressed in robes very similar to what Ginny was wearing. They sat on large, high backed chairs placed in a semi circle, not unlike seats in a theater with the place where Ginny and Stacey were sitting acting as the stage. Stacey grew nervous and scared about what was to come. It seems Ginny sensed this. She took the older witch's hand.
"I'll be here for you, if you wish it," Ginny said softly.
This was not at all what Stacey expected and she nodded, hoping it would be true. Harry stood before her and stated the oath, although Stacey thought something was off with it. She clearly remembered the last time and that man said something about a sale would break her from his bond. Harry made no such statement. When she was told to disrobe, Ginny helped her and kept a hand on her shoulder as Hermione did something with a wand. She was there when Harry first kissed her, something which had never happened before, nor had she ever had the reaction to Harry with any other man. Stacey remembered every detail of her bonding this time, for they were all wonderful memories from Ginny being there to how wonderful Harry made her feel. She never felt this way before. When it was over, she knew she was Harry's forever and did not care, because she knew that was what she wanted now.
She sat there and watched as Ginny served as her cross bonder, which she was later told was necessary to bring her into the House Black as her secondary family. After Harry … made love to Astoria … there really was no other word for it, he announced he would now rebond Ginny from House Black to Potter. Ginny asked her to hold her hand at least for the beginning. Astoria had been rebonded for some reason and had told Ginny that severing the first bond hurt. It was not physical pain, more like the pain of a broken heart. Stacey watched as Harry "cast out" Ginny. He was not mean about it and everyone knew it was only for a moment, but when the black collar disappeared, it was clear she was devastated right up until Harry repeated the oath, then a smile spread across the red head's face. As soon as Ginny's new collar appeared as she cuddled in Harry's arms, she asked Daphne to be her cross bonder. Apparently, Daphne's sister had been Ginny's first cross bonder and Ginny felt it was only appropriate that Daphne have the honors. The blonde readily agreed and so Stacey watched as Ginny became bound to House Black again.
The bonding complete, the two oldest witches begged "good night." Harry had apparently seen to their needs earlier. What followed was a lot more sex, as Harry pleasured the remaining three witches who remained and Stacey learned about girl sex with the others. Ginny then asked for another turn, and Stacey watched as Ginny Love Bonded with Harry and asked for and received permission to bear his children. Stacey did the same as soon as Harry was ready for her as well. It was a very sated witch, recently rescued from a hell on earth who joined Harry and Ginny in his bed that night, and they had more fun before finally falling asleep in each other arms.
This past day began in Harry's arms and making love before the three of them enjoyed a comfortable bath together. Stacey had received a silk robe just like the other witches had, but insisted on keeping and wearing her plain, white terry cloth one for now. It was the first clothing she had worn in ages, the first thing anyone had given her since her life changed for the worse and she treasured it as a symbol of what she now saw as her rebirth.
After an amazing breakfast with Harry and the other witches, one which apparently Harry had made himself and without magic, Stacey was shown to her room. Her bedroom, while nowhere near as large as Harry's, was the largest she ever had and elegantly furnished. While she was told she was free to redecorate, she did not want to change a thing. She shared her Common Room with Ginny, who had her own bedroom opposite. In her bedroom closet, she found three nice dress outfits and a few pairs of shoes and sandals. The dresser had a few changes of underwear. She was told to get dressed, a thrill as these were the first real clothes she had had in a while. Apparently, Dora had picked them up as soon as the shops opened that morning. Dora had also dropped off clothes for her other friends Mary and Sam where they were staying. How Dora could find such perfect fits baffled the witch, although she was certain magic was involved.
Apparently, Daphne and Astoria had a whole day of shopping planned for Stacey, and they managed to drag Dora along with them over the older witch's protests as she already had been out with them and had a full closet.
Stacey was at least a little taken aback at what the two younger girls considered an adequate wardrobe. They bought everything from under garments up for every conceivable situation from riding horses or brooms, to shopping or casual dining out to all levels of formal occasions (short of a wedding). But the real highlight for Stacey was their first stop. It was a reputable Wandmaker shop on High Street and there she ran into Mary and Sam who were also out shopping with Fleur, apparently almost the clothes hound that the two sisters were. It was here Stacey and her friends became what they were born to be again. With their wands they were once again witches.
Stacey later learned that the reason Dora was out with them today was a conspiracy to get her out of the Manor for a day. The others were preparing a birthday party for the witch. Stacey noted that Dora seemed oblivious to the fact that it was her birthday today, even when Astoria dragged Stacey to a store wholly unrelated to clothes to by a gift from a list of possibilities one of the other witches prepared. Stacey wondered how she could buy anything. But learned that as she was now one of Harry's Girls, she had access to their charge accounts at several stores in town.
Dora's party began with dinner. The Family Dining Room had been decorated by those who had stayed behind and Dora was very surprised, admitting she had totally forgotten about her day with all that had been going on. The "party" was "just family," meaning Harry and his "wives," were almost the only guests. Dora's parents were there as well. Apparently, they were moving here and were staying at a nice house on a beach for the time being. Dora received gifts from almost everyone. Most were things to help decorate and personalize her room. Her parents gifts included pictures of her and them over the years and a copy of their album of pictures, which she really appreciated. It was no wonder, Stacey thought, that Astoria suggested a very nice picture frame.
"My turn," Harry said when all the other gifts were opened. "Okay, first off I have something for all of you girls. I just recently got them even though I asked someone to make them a couple of weeks ago. Dora? Your real gift is later, but as you're the birthday girl, you get yours first. These gifts are because I am proud of you all, I love all of you and want the rest of the world to know that."
He handed Dora a ring box. She opened it and gasped. "Harry! It's …" Dora could not finish but put a ring on her finger with a large diamond.
"I guess you could call it an Engagement Ring," Harry said with a chuckle, "not that we really courted. Each one is self sizing and only you can ever take it off. Each one is also unique with their own stone cuts and settings. Dora and all my Concubine's have a single one and a half carat diamond, with two smaller diamonds. My Consorts' rings are two carats with four smaller diamonds." He passed out the other rings from youngest to oldest individual, perhaps because he enjoyed the kiss Dora gave him for hers. To Ginny's surprise, she was second. She was surprised because he said he ordered these a couple of weeks ago, long before she was bound to him.
"How could you have…" she began.
"The only woman in this room who I did not know would one day be bound to me when I ordered this was Luna," Harry said. "I have hers as well. It was a rush job for her, but I managed to pick it up today on our one week anniversary."
Stacey was stunned she got a ring too. She was admiring hers as Harry cleared his throat.
"Of course, assuming I ever was, I am no longer engaged to any of you," he said handing Dora another ring box. There was another gasp as she opened it. "I guess you can call this your wedding band, although maybe bonding band is more accurate. It has five stones, 'cause I was told that is a magically powerful number. Two are diamonds and the other three are your birthstones."
"What stones?" Ginny asked.
"Birthstones," Hermione said almost bouncing on her seat. "Each month has a stone and it is said wearing the stone associated with your month has magical protections."
"That's what I was told," Harry said slipping the ring on Dora's finger. As he went around the room, slipping on each of his ladies rings, he told them all what they were. "Dora, as you were born in July, your birthstones are rubies. As a result, we also have Astoria, born in September, sapphires; Ginny, born in August, Peridot; Luna, also born in September with sapphires; Daphne, born in November, Yellow Topaz; Hermione, born in September and sapphires; Stacey, born in May, emeralds; Minerva, born in February, Amethyst; and Mallory, born in January, garnet."
"This is amazing Harry," Dora said expressing what all the others thought.
"Very thoughtful," Hermione agreed.
"He is Harry Potter," Ginny said. "Could we expect anything less?"
"I don't know," Hermione said, "after last year …"
"You ladies brought me out of my funk in your own ways. Hermione by wanting to love me and letting me love her and all you others…even you Stacey and even though it's only been a day… Perhaps I needed to know that I was not truly alone to be more – er – normal." Harry wiped at his eyes. "But enough of this mushy stuff, there's more!"
"Boys!" Daphne sniggered.
Harry handed Dora another box, this one with her name engraved upon it. She opened it up and looked at him questioningly. "Show the others," Harry said, "as they all are getting one too."
She did. Inside on a velvet base that matched the color of her rubies was a black band with a silver colored "BP" at the center that looked like it might have diamonds in the letters. There were also three pairs of something. Once pair was gold, one appeared to be diamond and the third were ruby red.
"It's a collar?" Dora asked with some apprehension.
"Looks almost exactly like the ones magic has bestowed on each of you," Harry said proudly.
Dora looked disappointed as did some of the others.
"It was just an idea," Harry said somewhat hurt.
"What was?" Hermione asked.
"Erm – well only we can see your magical ones. I'm not ashamed of any of you and am thrilled you all are with me, even more so since you have all bonded to me of your own free will. You should not be ashamed, unless you didn't really mean it, I mean. I don't expect you to wear them, but I do want the world to always know you are my girls and I love each of you and am proud that I am allowed to be with each of you…"
Dora still looked unsure, but Astoria opened her box and took out her collar and put it on. "I am proud I am you girl, Harry."
Stacey and Ginny were next, beating Daphne by mere seconds. "Harry rescued me from slavery," Stacey said. "He made me human again, and I will wear this in thanks."
"He rescued Sissy and me too," Daphne said. "We probably would have wound up much, much worse off."
"Me too, it seems," Ginny said.
Dora nodded and put hers on. "I am proud to be your Dora, Harry."
Soon all his "girls" were wearing their chokers. Luna and Hermione's were gold, just like the ones that the rest of the world could not see.
"Th-thanks," Harry said. "I'm glad you chose to 'cause it would have ruined the other gifts. Anyway, these necklaces have some charms on them. They care charmed not to interfere with the magic in your magical collars. Like your rings, only you or I can remove them. They also have a rather nasty surprise for anyone who would make an untoward advance on you. Should that happen and the git gets zapped, please thank Fred and George as they came up with it. I won't have my girls victims of such behavior."
"What are these other things, Harry?" Dora asked.
"Um … earrings," Harry replied. "They go with the chocker and give you a choice."
"Where're the clips?" she asked.
"The what?"
"To clip them on your ears," Dora said.
"Um … that's what they had at the store…"
"These are for pierced ears," Hermione said. "Mine aren't pierced. Mum said she'd kill me if I came home with pierced ears, although that was about three years ago."
"It's not a common practice back in wizarding Britain," Minerva said.
"But I swear, that's all they had!" Harry protested. "And this country is even more magical than Britain!"
"Harry," Andromeda Tonks cut in, "it's not common practice among British witches, but if the shops here have them, then they are more modern. The older style clips went out of fashion ages ago in Muggle Britain. Unless we're talking antiques or fake ones for little girls, good luck finding them. There are a few of us witches who favored more modern Muggle fashions and we have pierced ears. Far more choices that way really. Anyway, there is a charm that'll do the job and I've been doing it since before Dora was born. Best part is, it doesn't hurt a bit. I can fix your ladies up in no time."
"Thanks Andy," Harry said.
"You get to explain this to Daddy," Hermione chided.
"Great!" Harry moaned. "I promised your Dad I wouldn't marry you tomorrow without telling him and before you finished school. All of which I now have to explain to him and …"
"I'll handle the other stuff," Hermione said. "I'll even handle the rest of it, don't worry. Just teasing."
"Okay," Dora said, "since we can put these on, are there more pressies?"
Harry nodded handing Dora three more boxes. "These boxes contain a necklace, choice of earrings and a bracelet. The top one is the least fancy and has settings in your birthstones. The middle one is fancier. The bottom one is for State occasions and the like. They have the same charms as your chokers and all the necklaces have your house initials in diamonds, each one larger than the last…"
"Eeep!" Hermione squealed opening the last box. The chocker had more diamonds than she had ever seen outside of a jewelry shop. "Harry!" she scolded, "how much did these cost?"
Harry shrugged.
"You don't know?"
"Actually I do," Harry smiled. "I just don't care…"
"Don't care?"
"Even with all the money I've spent on these, your clothes, the new houses and such and other things as well, I'm still going to make money this year, Hermione. My combined estates made millions last year, far more than I can spend. And you girls are worth every knut!"
"Thank you Harry," Dora said kissing him. "This has been a wonderful birthday!"
"Not done yet," Harry smiled. "As I said, these are for everyone, but I have another gift just for you. But you have to follow me to see it."
As Stacey followed the others out, she wondered whether this had anything to do with getting naked and sweaty, not that she wouldn't mind – not with Harry. She really liked being his lover, even if she was merely one of many and it had only been a day. But she could not believe Harry would be so bold as to get busy with Dora's parents in tow. Still, given the last day, who knew? She followed the group down the stairs, but they turned towards the main entrance. Harry stopped them.
"Right!" he said. "The elves on staff here have informed me … when I asked for birthday ideas … that there was something at the estate Dora took a real interest in. Well, I couldn't give her that. Besides, the color was all wrong. But I did get her something almost exactly like it."
"What are you on about Harry?" Dora started.
Harry smiled. "Follow me?" He opened the door and headed out. The others followed. There in the drive under the lights was a small, two-seat convertible sports car – painted shocking pink. Dora squealed and hugged Harry. Then looked up embarrassed.
"I don't know how to drive," she said.
"See Tinker at the Garage," Harry said. "He taught me in no time."
"Thanks Harry," Dora said, "it's perfect!"
"Oooh!" Luna cooed, "do we all get one of those?"
"This is her birthday present, Luna," Harry said. "You'll get a car too, on your birthday. You'll be sixteen then. Although, it does not have to be anything like this one. Anything on the market for under about forty thousand quid is fine. More than that, and you'll need to talk to me first. Although I do have some in the fleet that are a lot more, these cars are for your everyday use and should be what you want, not what my grandfather thought was needed."
"Not very practical," Hermione said. "Can't see having a kid in it."
"Not much room for shopping bags either," Daphne added.
"This is her car," Harry said. "You can get another type. And, when there are babies, I'll get People Movers or some such for moving them about safely."
"If this place is magical, why cars?" Stacey asked.
"Hmm," Harry pondered, "um, some look nice, the magicals here prefer them to most other forms of magical travel. Unless you enjoy flying a broom, there's no other way to see the countryside, and the countryside is lovely. Personally, I don't mind flying, but I can't take you lot with me on my Firebolt. So I drive. And before you say it, I hate using the Floo!
"This country embraced technology some time ago. We use magic, but if there is technology that is better or easier, we use that instead. Electric lights are brighter and safer than gas lamps or candles. The homes here have central air which means they are warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer than magical homes in Britain. We have our own telly. Our fishing fleet is magically assisted Muggle ships, which is why we are the largest supplier of seafood products for most of magical Europe. The list goes on. Magic is but a tool, not an answer."
"So you're going to buy us all cars?" Hermione asked.
"For your birthdays," Harry nodded, "if you are at least sixteen."
"You're not and you drive," Hermione pointed out.
"I told you, as Duke I have a dispensation," Harry said. "Look, it's not like you'll need it all that often. But it will be there when you do. Do you honestly think your parents will floo over when they come here?"
"I guess I see a point to it. Still, all of us? What about parking?"
"Most cars will be garaged in the garage thing – for lack of a better word. It's more a warehouse with cars than what I'd call a garage, but still. You need your car, your elf will contact the garage and it will be brought up for you."
"Elf?" Dora asked. "We don't have elves!"
"Er … well …oops."
"Ooops?" Hermione asked.
"Well, you will," Harry said. "I've been told I have scores of young elves and elf maidens in need of employment. The new houses will require a fair few of them, but there's still a surplus. I was thinking of assigning elf maidens to all of you to handle, well chores and schedules and whatever it is you need to free you up for school and training or work and stuff. That won't happen until a bit later, but that's what I was thinking."
"I see," Hermione said. "They will be paid…"
"Hermione, these elves are not slaves. They are paid you remember. That won't change. All I'm doing is finding them useful employment. When they are not needed to tend to you and your affairs, there will still be work they can help with around the estate. Let's face it. We can probably use the help."
"Fine," Hermione said. "I can see your point. This place is a bit large for us to maintain ourselves, even with magic."
"Well, it's settled then," Harry said. "Let's say we pop back to the Dining Room for Dora's cake, shall we?"
As Stacey stood on her balcony looking into her second night here at the Manor, she realized that there was now hope. She stood in her bathrobe, which she considered a symbol of her freedom. Yes, she was bound to a wizard, but this was so different. Next week she would sit down with Minerva to discuss in detail continuing her education. She was thinking of doing her O.W.L.s all over again. She did not know how she had done, but given her life at the time, she doubted she had done well.
Just two days ago, she lived in a windowless room she thought of as a cell. She literally had nothing, not even clothes to wear. Now she was living in what could be called a Palace, she had a wand again, a closet full of clothes, and a handsome Prince (well Duke, really) in her life. True, it was not ideal in the fairytale sort of way. She was but one of her handsome Prince's "wives." Then again, there was nothing in those fairytales to suggest the heroine was not part of a harem in the end, only that she lived happily ever after. Perhaps, now, she could have a life. This was certainly a start.
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.)
P = pregnant.
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 22 (Hu); CONCUBINE (BLACK).
4. Minerva Grace (McGonagall) Potter-Black, age 68 (Gr); CONCUBINE (POTTER).P
5. Mallory Michelle (Grant) Black Potter, age 39 (Hu); CONCUBINE (BLACK).P
6. Daphne Renee (Greengrass) Black-Potter, age 16 (Sl-5); CONCUBINE (BLACK).
7. Astoria Lynn (Greengrass) Potter-Black, age 14 (Sl-3); CONCUBINE (POTTER).
8. Lady Ginevra Molly (Weasley) Potter-Black, age 14 (Gr-4); Bound to House of Black 7/10/96; CONCUBINE HOUSE OF POTTER 7/11/96.
9. Lady Stacey Marie (Campbell) Potter-Black, age 17 (5/26/79) (SA-5). Sold to Lucius Malfoy 7/17/93; CONCUBINE, HOUSE OF POTTER 7/11/96.
Bill Weasley, age 25.
1. Fleur Patrice (Delacour) Weasley, age 19; CONSORT (BILL WEASLEY).
2. Mary Ellen (Howard) Weasley, age 18 (5/5/78) (Ra-5). Sold to Lucius Malfoy 7/16/94; CONCUBINE OF WILLIAM WEASLEY 7/11/96.
3. Samantha Christine (Johnson) Weasley, age 17 (12/14/78) (SG-5). Sold to Lucius Malfoy 7/18/95; CONCUBINE OF WILLIAM WEASLEY 7/11/96.
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).P
Fred Weasley, age 18.
1. Alicia May Spinet, age 18 (Gr). CONSORT (FRED).
2. Verity Nicole (Smith) Weasley, age 21 (SG-5). CONCUBINE (FRED).
3. Danielle Louise (Carter) Weasley, age 20 (SG-5). CONCUBINE (FRED).
George Weasley, age 18.
1. Angelina Olivia (Johnson) Weasley, age 18 (Gr). CONSORT (GEORGE).
2. Shelly Ann (Parker) Weasley, age 22 (SD). CONCUBINE (GEORGE).
3. Ellen Suzanne (North) Weasley, age 20 (PE). CONCUBINE (GEORGE).