CHAPTER FORTY-ONE: MORE SHOCKS
TUESDAY, JULY 16th, 1996 – Potter Manor, Charenwell.
Tabatha followed Daphne into the large Banquette Hall on the Ground Floor of the Manor. Chairs had been arranged in a circle with one large chair that stood out from the others. Tabatha took her seat next to Daphne to the left of the large chair. Immediately to the left sat Luna, her House Consort and then her House Matron Mallory. Then there was Dora and Daphne and her. To the right of the large chair sat House Potter. Hermione sat next to the chair, followed by Minerva, Astoria, Stacey and Ginny. Tabatha knew their names, but aside from Stacey and Daphne, she had hardly begun to get to know the others.
The other families filed in. First were the Longbottoms, who took their seats alongside the Potters. The Lord Longbottom looked very young. His Consort Susan was no older really. Next to them sat two older witches named Amber and Penelope, each being his wives in all but law, meaning they were both Love Bonded Concubines, like all of Harry's save Tabatha. The Lord Longbottom (whose name was Neville) announced the new bonding stating that his newest family member had taken the bond just hours after the initial bonding the day before. Next to Penelope sat and older couple who were introduced as Frank and Alice Longbottom. They were Neville's parents, which surprised Tabatha. Then again, she had been told that the families would be here one day.
The Weasleys were the next to arrive. Tabatha was told that the three red haired young men were Ginny's older brothers. Bill and his family took their seats next to the Longbottoms. Tabatha recognized the young woman who was apparently his Consort. Daphne told her it was none other than Fleur Delacour, the Tri-wizard Champion from Beaubatons in France. Next to Fleur were Bill's two wives Mary and Samantha and then his newest Concubines who Tabatha recognized from the day before Peggy and Beth Nolan.
The family of Fred Weasley, another of Ginny's brothers was next. In addition to Fred were his Consort Alicia and wives Verity and Danielle and his new Concubines from yesterday Vicki and Rachel Peters. Then there was George Weasley. Daphne noted and Tabatha agreed that you could not tell them apart without their women. George's Consort was Angelina and next to her were his "wives" Shelly and Ellen and his new Concubine Anna. The circle was finished when an older gentleman - at last relatively given how young most of the people were - took his seat with Cissy between him and Tabatha. She was told he was Lord Mayor Lupin and was like the Minister for Magic, although Daphne and the other Hogwarts students knew him as Professor Lupin, the best Defense teacher they ever had.
Harry arrived last with a stack of papers. He did not sit down; rather he stood in from of the large chair and looked around the room.
"I guess you are all wondering why I called you here," he said. "Basically, the Goblins have completed the eviction of the dead beat tenants in the Black properties back in Britain and had sent me a list of assets they confiscated in their raids. It would seem my no account tenants have been hoarding. The properties seemed to have been used to store things, far more than the tenants could ever need in a lifetime. The Goblins are going to ship the stuff here. We've got potions of every description and literally tons of ingredients to make more. There are some rather interesting devices I'd like the Weasleys to look at. Seems they are portable ward generators and portable ward breakers. Could be useful you know."
"I take it," Fred said, "if these things are useful…"
"You'd want more?" George finished.
"You don't mind, do you? I know it's not jokes…" Harry said.
"No problems your Dukeness," Fred said.
"Jokes are for fun, but the real profit is elsewhere," George added.
"We never saw jokes as the end all."
"Just a way to have fun and allow us to research."
"For example," Fred said, "you ever thought about mass production?"
"Bloody brilliant it is," George said. "Muggles got loads of ways of making things."
"And given enough supply…"
"And the right equipment…"
"We could make any potion in large quantities…"
"With near perfection…"
"Highest quality…"
"At a fraction of the cost."
"Could become the largest potion supply company in the world…"
"If we went in that direction."
"Works for other things as well," Fred said.
"Lots of other things," George agreed.
"For a small capital investment…"
"We see a huge return!"
"We were meaning to talk to you about this, Your Dukeship," Fred concluded.
Harry could not help but chuckle. "Fine. Whatever you want. We'll talk in more detail later, but that's not the real reason why I called you all here. In addition to all that, the Goblins also seized certain perishable goods which I need to deal with now."
"What kind of goods?" Remus asked.
"Concubines," Harry said sadly. "Thirty to be exact ranging in age from sixteen to twenty-five. Ten of them are from Charenwell."
"You want to keep them?" Alice asked.
"I'm sure as hell not going to sell them," Harry replied. "They were all owned by Death Eaters. Talk to Stacey and some of the others about that life. I won't risk their being sent back into that hell. So yes, I have to find a way to keep them. That and as ten of them are from here, what can I do? This country would expect me to find a way to bring them home."
"I take it," Alice said, "that this does not change your plans for the others? You're bringing all of them here?"
Harry nodded. "I can't let them suffer. But I don't know how this will work. I asked you all here for ideas."
"We can take a few more, Harry," Hermione said.
"What about the numbers?" Harry asked.
"That was in a perfect world, Harry. The numbers will work in any event."
"How many?"
"Four is preferable," Hermione said. "I can work a decent schedule with that. Six can be done but is pushing it."
"We can take four as well," Susan said.
"We can?" Neville asked.
"It'll work Neville," Susan said with a smile. "I have faith in you and us that it will work."
"Okay then," Neville smiled. "We're in for four."
"If we're building factories," Fred began.
"We need the labor," George finished.
"We'll take four each for certain."
"Four here as well," Fleur said.
"Are you sure?" Bill asked.
"A little late to back out now, My Love. Besides, I know where your heart is."
"Okay then we're in for four," Bill said. "Gives us sixteen, you know," he added.
"Thanks Bill," Harry said. "That's twenty. Ten to go." He added watching Alice and Frank whisper.
"We'll take at least five," Alice said. "I would prefer none, but five can be done."
"Alice?" Frank asked.
"I'm forty, Frank. We lost a whole decade of our lives to that damnable curse. I can't say I can have children anymore. But we did want more and we should have more. We did take Amber in once upon a time. I've been here for two weeks and have seen Harry's family grow and work. I've seen our Neville too. Those girls need a proper home and we can give it to them, Frank. They deserve a life and we can give them that too. It's the right thing to do as Harry and Neville have said over and over."
"You're sure?" Frank asked reluctantly.
"I know I will always be yours, Frank. I'm sure."
"Okay then. We'll take five."
Tabatha watched as Harry walked over to the Lord Mayor and looked the older man in the eye.
"Five left," Harry said.
"Harry, I can't…"
"Why not?"
"Werewolf…"
"Is Stephanie a Were as well?"
"No, but…"
"She knows you're one though?"
Remus nodded.
"And doesn't care?"
"She's Charenwellian. They know better than the Brits, Harry."
"It's not just that, is it?"
Remus shook his head. "Dora. She hates me for what I did."
"Dora?" Harry asked.
Dora stood and walked over to Harry and looked at Remus.
"I find it hard to forgive what happened to me," Dora said. "I wasn't even thirteen! For a long, long time I blamed you for it, Remus. I blamed you for making me what I am. But it wasn't truly your fault. Not entirely at least. You said it yourself, you thought it was necessary. Still, there always will be a part of me that was that terrified twelve year old girl being bound in a rite I did not understand to a man almost old enough to be my father. Creeps you out on so many levels.
"That being said, you were gentle with me. I might have been less traumatized if you had explained things first, like Harry does, but I can't say that for sure. But you were gentle and kind. You were more than a sex partner for me in the end. You taught me magic and helped me grow as a person. For that I cannot thank you enough, which is why I find what we had so weird. On the one hand I should hate you for taking my innocence away. On the other, I would never have done as well in school without your help.
"What I'm trying to say, Remus, is these girls won't see you as the violator as I did. They will see you as the kind, caring man you really are and the great teacher as well. They can have with you what I could not. I could never have Love Bonded with you for many reasons. But they can. And I'll be honest; they will be very lucky women if they do. I found the love of my life, Remus. Thanks to you and Cousin Sirius, I found my Harry. But just because I found Harry does not mean these women cannot find you, Remus. They will be lucky indeed and your little fury problem is not one, really. Help Harry, please?"
Remus nodded. "Fine."
"The last five then?" Harry asked.
Remus nodded.
"Right then," Harry said. "There are Charenwell girls who attended Prince Edwards Academy and St. David's on the list. Two each and those are the four I will be taking. You lot pick your four or five," he said handing the papers to Remus. "Dora?"
"Yes Harry?"
"Once they are all bound, I want a full debriefing. They've been with Death Eaters and their supporters as have Samantha, Mary, Stacey, Danielle and Verity. They may have information we can use going forward. I don't know what they might know, but anything may be of use."
Dora nodded. "We might be able to work out their Order of Battle, their bases of operations…"
"It seems I confiscated those."
"Perhaps not all, Harry. They may have heard things about others."
Harry nodded. "I also want any information as to where we might find the bastards. We may not be ready for all out war, but that does not mean we shouldn't find ways to hit the odd one here or there."
"Hit?" Frank asked.
"Kill them," Neville said. "The only good Death Eater is a dead one. Seen too much of the live ones, if you ask me."
Harry nodded. "This won't be the last war. Death Eaters did vile things to innocent people just to earn their marks. If they are marked, they are guilty of capital crimes. Bearing the Mark should be a death sentence. The Brits are too concerned about preserving their sick society. I have no such concerns. No Death Eater will survive the coming war. If I can find a way to reduce their numbers before I can engage in force, so be it."
"Some might say you've gone dark with that attitude," Remus said. "Just a thought."
Harry huffed. "Most of those who would probably think Dumbledark is their hope for the future. The man sure knows how to let others die for his cause, whatever it is. Yet he looks the other way when it comes to killing, doesn't he? Let the Death Eater bastards take a walk after the last war, despite the fact that they were all murderers, didn't he? Looked the other way and convinced others to do the same when the bastards claimed they were hexed into being Voldemort's followers.
"I've learned enough about loyalty oaths to know you can't be imperioused into them. The Concubine Bond is the only one that is involuntary and the last I checked, most Death Eaters were wizards. And, from what I do understand about the basic concubine bond, I can't order any of my girls to commit suicide. Voldie and Dumbledore have no problem sending their loyal followers out on a suicide mission. I can't do that! I won't order my people into a situation where there is no hope of them surviving.
"If killing the enemy makes me Dark, then I don't care. It's necessary. But I'm not like them, Remus. I don't and will not throw away lives just because they are available and deluded enough to go. I'm not like them!"
"No, Milord," Remus said. "No, you most certainly are not."
"Back to the matter at hand," Frank said. "With respect to the women, what are your plans? You bought a fair few and have started bringing them in. How does this new - er - wrinkle figure into things?"
"Meaning?" Harry asked.
"Why bringing them all in," Frank said. "I assume the girls you bought yesterday are still coming, yes?"
Harry nodded. "Unless they get lucky and bond as Consorts. But the Goblins want this inventory off their hands as it were. I need to bring them here now. My thinking is I can bring them all here and we pace their bondings out over the next four or five days. On Monday, we resume bringing the others in. By my calculations, we could still bring them all in and bond by mid August at the latest."
"And how will you achieve that?"
"I'll bring in all thirty today. I have room here for them while they await their bondings or you can take yours with you. If we each take one a day until they're all bonded that would mean all but two will be bonded by Friday. Might have to push off Ground School 'til Monday, but that's okay. My plane people tell me we'll have another six Tiger Moths ready by then and maybe more."
"Why all today?" Hermione asked.
"They are guests of the Goblins who confiscated them," Harry said. "I'd like to get them into a more inviting place, don't you think?"
"Makes sense."
"I'll take mine today," Fred said. "No reason not to as far as I can see."
George and the others nodded in agreement.
"If this is settled, I'll summon them," Harry said. "Someone should await them in the Conservatory."
"I'll go," Minerva said.
Harry nodded and gave her a few minutes to get to where she needed to be as a silence had fallen over the group.
Minerva had just reached the Conservatory when women began materializing out of the thin air. They were all young in her eyes and all were dressed in simple robes and slippers. They were all also very confused. That was understandable.
"Ladies?" she said in a loud voice to get the attention of some thirty witches. "Ladies?" When she had their attention, she continued. "My name is Minerva," she said by way of introduction. As none of these thirty young women had attended Hogwarts, she knew it was unlikely any knew her. "As some of you may have guessed, there has been a change in your living arrangements…"
"No kidding," one young woman said. "I kind of figured that when the Goblins hauled me off. What happened?"
"To state it simply, your former – er – employers …" to which most of the witches snorted "found themselves terribly in debt. Their property has been confiscated…"
"Meaning us," another witch said. "What's going to happen to us?"
"Please take a seat and I'll explain," Minerva said.
Minerva suspected that many if not most all of the young women had no real idea how they came to be what and where they were. Her experience in recent days suggested this might be the case. Stacey, for example, had no idea what had happened to her and had assumed some kind of dark magic such as the Imperious Curse was the cause of her life with Lucius Malfoy. So Minerva carefully explained the concept of magical bonds with particular emphasis on the Consort Bond and its close cousin the Concubine Bond. She made sure to emphasize the Bond's original intent, to unite a man and woman in a mutually beneficial relationship, not unlike the Consort Bond.
"That's not what happened to me!" a voice exclaimed. "I was a damned SLAVE! I had to do what I was told, who I was told when I was told. My Master had twelve guests for dinner and I would be the bloody dessert!" It was clear that most all of the others had similar experiences.
"It is true the Bond can all too easily be abused by the wizard," Minerva said. "Not all of us have similar experiences, but far too many do."
"So we can expect more of that?" another voice asked.
"No." Minerva said. "The use of the bond to enslave and subjugate while common in Britain is illegal here. Here, the wizard is expected to allow the Bond to mature or at least not to abuse the bond or his bond mate. The Bond can only mature if both the witch and wizard desire it to. The wizards here so desire, but they cannot make you desire it too."
"And if we don't allow the Bond to mature?" a voice asked.
"You can still live a decent life, but the immature bond does subordinate your free will without a similar repression on his. The law and custom prevents him from abusing his power over you, but you won't achieve your full potential. I can't tell you to allow the Bond to mature. I can tell you that the mature Bond is worth the apparent risk. Regardless, your days as playthings and slaves are over. But, the Bond must be maintained. You must Bond to another wizard."
"Why?" a voice asked. "If we're shot of the bastards, why should we risk it?"
"Two reasons," Minerva said. "You were sold under British law. You must be bonded to a wizard within six months of the termination of your previous – er – relationship or you can be sold at Auction; where in all likelihood you would find yourself in a similar situation most likely or, for you older ones, as a domestic servant who also performs services of a sexual nature from time to time. The other reason is the magic itself. You become dependent upon the magical bond with a wizard within a very short time, even if you hated the man. Your magic now needs a bond to survive."
"So what you're saying is if we don't bond we become Squibs?" a voice asked. "Small price to pay, if you ask me."
"You would be a Squib for a short time," Minerva nodded. "But we are talking about an eventual total loss of all of your magic."
"You mean unless we are bonded we may die?" a voice asked.
"That is the nature of it. The mature bond does not have such a debilitating effect. In that bond, you are mated for life and cannot be sold or transferred. Should your Bond Mate die, you need never bond again. But in its immature form, the Bond leaves you dependent upon it to survive."
"Better death than slavery," the same voice huffed.
"Death is not an option," Minerva said. "Your titles have already transferred to your new Bond Mates. Many of you may have the desire to flee, and yet you cannot. You will be bonded again, but this time you will not be slaves. You can choose to become wives in all respects to your Bond Mate or not. I would recommend you keep an open mind and heart, for the men who are about to become a part of your lives will be very good to you."
"Excuse me?" a male voice asked.
"Lord Mayor Lupin?" a woman asked.
"Indeed I am," Remus replied.
"Where are we?" she asked. "This can't be Charenwell, can it?"
"It is indeed Miss…?"
"Marks, Sir. Tara Marks."
"Really? Wonderful."
"Can we … will we be allowed to see our families again?" she asked.
"Indeed you shall, Miss Marks. Probably as soon as this coming weekend. But for now you shall be sent to your new homes. I have been asked to – er – host five of you ladies."
"You mean you have to Bond with us?" Tara asked.
Remus nodded. "And I will make the same promises to the five young ladies who will join my family as the others will make to the rest of you. First, you will be joining my family, such as it is, and not be a slave or servant. You shall not be shared out in anyway. Basically, the Wizard you bond to in the next few days will be your last wizard, for lack of a better expression. Should you ask, you will be allowed to Love Bond and bring your Bond with me to maturity. You will also be allowed to have children. You will be allowed to finish or continue your educations and should you desire a career, I shall support you in your endeavors. If you no longer have a wand, you shall receive another. Oh, and there will be shopping trips for clothes and the like. Finally, it is the policy of His Highness the Duke that Charenwell shall attempt to reunite all of you with your families. They will be offered the chance to move here in the near future."
"What's Charenwell?" a voice asked.
"We have a Duke again?" another asked. Remus spent several minutes explaining where they were and about their new Duke. For the British witches, he told them they would make every effort to move their families from Britain, but that due to the troubles, it would not be possible to travel to Britain at this time.
"Right then," Remus said. "I have selected five of you to join my House. Four I picked because you are from here and I know your families and the fifth is from Britain. Your name was drawn out of a hat as were most of you girls to keep it fair.
"Right then! Will Amelia Carpenter, Sarah Hanson, Tara Marks, Christy Matthews and Ellie Mitchell please step forward?"
Five young women did as they were asked.
"This way, ladies," Remus said leading them towards the front door of the Manor.
As soon as that group had left, an older couple was standing before them.
"Good afternoon, Ladies," the man said. "My name is Frank Longbottom and this is my Wife and Consort Alice. Five of you will be joining our family. Will Sandra Butler, Veronica Riordan, Gretchen St. James, Carol Timmerman and Marie White please step forward?"
The five young women in question rose one by one and walked over; each was surprised to be hugged by the man's wife. He told them he and his wife lived here at the Manor for now and led them to the main stair.
A younger man entered. He had red hair and a beautiful blonde woman on his arm. There were four other young women with him. "My name is Bill Weasley," he said. "This is my Wife and Consort Fleur, my wives Mary and Samantha and my other ladies Peggy and Beth, whom we hope will become my wives one day as well. We currently live in a large house on the beach. Four of you will be joining us. Let's see," he said looking at some parchment. "Carla Masterson, Christine Paulson, Lana Powell and Donna Roselle?" The four young ladies in question rose and joined the group and followed the man and his Consort out the front door.
"Right then!" another young man with red hair was there. He two had several young women with him. "I'm Fred Weasley, world renowned jokester and entrepreneur. This is my lovely Consort Alicia – and a brilliant Chaser to boot; these are my wives Verity and Danielle and my two newest lovelies Vickie and Rachel. Okay, seems four of you lot are off with us to our lodgings by the woods. The lucky winners are: Caroline Folsom, Coleen Harrington, Helen Ivey and Elisha Stout."
After that group left, another group arrived. The young man looked exactly like the one who had left and had said he was a jokester. "What?" a voice asked, "back for more?"
"Er," the young man began, "I just got here. You must be thinking about my brother Fred. I'm George and yes we're twins, although no longer identical. Our friends can now tell us apart 'cause we have different ladies. Pity. But it's not like there's loads of identical twins out there. This is my Consort Angeline who's the best Chaser I've played with. These are my other wives Shelly and Ellen and my other lady Anna. And joining us today are: Roberta Larson, Eileen O'Malley, Georgina Parker and Isabel Tate."
"Georgina?" Shelly asked looking at one of the four women who stood up.
"Shelly?" she replied, "it can't be, can it?"
The two embraced in a tearful hug. "She's my twin sister, George," Shelly explained. "You knew?"
George shrugged. "I guessed it was possible. I just liked the name, to be honest."
"Thank you," Shelly said.
"You don't look like twins," George said.
"Not all of us are identical," Shelley replied.
When the group left, only eight young women remained. A much smaller group approached. The boy was the youngest they had seen yet and there were three women with him, one young and the other two were older.
"You seem a bit young," one of the women observed.
The boy shrugged. "I am Lord Neville Longbottom, Head of the Ancient and Noble House of Longbottom. This is my Consort Susan and my wives Amber and Penelope."
"Only three?" another asked.
"The others had a head start," he shrugged.
"Are you older than any of your wives?" another asked.
"Nope. Younger," he replied.
"But we have no complaints," Amber said.
"Anyway," Neville said, "four of you will be joining us. And yes, the other Longbottoms are my parents. We do not live in the same quarters, but we do live here for now. Right then, will Annette Harper, Amanda Kennedy, Deborah McLean and Miriam Riley please join us?"
"How old are you anyway?" one of the four girls asked as she stood up.
"I'm not the youngest," Neville said. "The last of us was born the day after I was. I'll be sixteen at the end of the month."
"Sixteen?"
Neville nodded.
"And we're not complaining," Penelope said just before Neville led his group up the main stairs.
"Which leaves you four," Minerva said looking at the four remaining witches.
"Is there no one for us?" one of them asked with a hint of trepidation.
"You needn't worry," Minerva said. "You may be the last, but I might argue you're not the least. You four will bond with my Husband, the Duke."
The four girls, all of whom had been raised in Charenwell, gasped. "How old is he?" one of them asked.
"He is the youngest of the wizards you'll meet today," Minerva said. "Lord Longbottom was correct in that. Our Harry was born July 31st, 1980 and turns sixteen at the end of the month. That being said, he also already has the largest family."
"How large?" one asked.
"And how old are they? How old are you, if you don't mind my asking?"
"It's alright," Minerva said with a chuckle. "I am the Matron of House Potter, one of the two Houses the Duke represents. I was fifty-two when Harry was born. At the time I was bound to Duke Charles so you can say he inherited me as that bonding, while not unpleasant, was not a fully mature bond. I was originally bound to Duke Charlus. I was fifteen when he bound me to him and we were together for thirty-five years. Alas, the final step in the full bond never occurred as we never had a child. I recently retired to take up a position as Director of Educational Development in the Duke's government. I was most recently Professor of Transfiguration and Deputy Headmistress at Hogwarts.
"As for Harry's other ladies, he has two Consorts and seven other concubines, six of whom are love bound to him. His Consort Hermione Potter was his first. She turns seventeen in September. His Consort Luna Black (which is his other House and line) turns sixteen in September. Mallory is the Black House Matron. She's thirty-nine and a Healer here and I would not be at all surprised if she delivered at least one of you. Dora is also a member of Black House. She's twenty-two and now is Chief of Security for the Duke and his family.
"Daphne Potter and Astoria Black are sisters. Daphne turns seventeen in the fall and Astoria turns fifteen in the fall. Ginny Potter is the youngest sister of the three Weasley gentlemen you saw earlier. She turns fifteen next month. Stacey Potter is seventeen and Tabatha Collins who bonded just yesterday is sixteen. Of all those women, only Tabatha and Astoria do not have permission to bear child. They also haven't asked."
"And if they ask?"
"Tabatha would be granted permission upon asking," Minerva said. "The Duke might wait with Astoria as she has finished only three years of her magical education and will not turn fifteen for about three more months. Basically, if you've finished four years of education, he will consider it. If you've taken your O.W.L.s, permission is automatic, provided you ask."
"He won't tell us to?"
"Once your bonding is over, he might ask you to do something, but he has yet to order any of us to do anything," Minerva said. "Then again, he hasn't needed to. It seems we all enjoy his – er - attentions. This is actually becoming the problem."
"How so?"
"Well, there's only one of him and as of today fourteen of us. True, being somewhat older my needs are not the same in that regard, but I do have them. The younger ladies have them. The Consorts are supposed to be working on that so that we won't feel as if we're neglected in that way. It would be so much easier if he was less … talented in that regard given as we are not required to service those male needs."
"If he was less talented as you say," one of the girls commented, "he probably would order you to."
"Except," Minerva replied, "as all but one of us is bonded to him of our own free will either as Consort or by Love Bond, he can't order us like that. The Bonds are reciprocal. I can have a headache and he will respect that, the fact that I haven't had that issue notwithstanding."
"It sounds almost like a normal relationship," one of the young women observed.
"And what would that be?" Minerva asked rhetorically. "Normal is or should be what works for both the witch and the wizard. What's 'normal' for Harry and me is going to be different than what is normal for Harry and Hermione and normal for Harry and any other witch he is so bonded to. But yes, if by normal you mean a satisfying relationship at all meaningful levels, including physical, then yes I suppose it is almost normal. I'd further say it's probably better than normal. Now, let's figure out who you all are before we head up and meet the Duke and the others…"
Because of the unexpected arrivals, the afternoon schedule had been changed. Tabatha followed Stacey and Daphne from the meeting and up a back staircase to the second floor, a part of the Manor she had not seen yet. She listened as the two girls talked.
"Four more?" Stacey asked.
"Seems so," Daphne sighed. "I sure hope Hermione is right."
"About what?"
"She says she's found a way to help Harry with his scheduling problems."
"Scheduling problems?"
"You've only been here a few days," Daphne said. "This is supposed to be the summer holidays. Well, I can tell you Harry's been very busy and each week is busier than the first. Even if we weren't here with him, he'd still be busy, but he does try to be with us and all and that only makes it harder for him. He has to retrain with his magic 'cause apparently it had been bound and that's not supposed to happen. He was learning magic at half his capacity and even then he was scary powerful. So obviously he has to relearn everything so he can control his power, and that takes time. He's recently learned he has a unique magical talent on top of all that and needs to learn to harness it, and that takes time. Learning about his family legacy and this Country takes time. He's started up a fair few projects that require his attention and that takes time. He's doing stuff to prepare us for a war and that takes time. We haven't even begun to talk about actually learning to fight and schooling, all of which takes time. And then there's us."
"And we fit in to this?"
Daphne nodded. "He doesn't want us to feel neglected in any way. At least he doesn't want us to feel as if he's neglecting us. And I don't mean just the sex, although that is something I don't want to give up unless I have to. He likes talking to us as well. He likes waking up with us and holding us."
"I woke up alone," Tabatha said surprised that she was disappointed.
Daphne nodded. "His bloody schedule," she said. "I can tell you he really felt bad about that."
"He left me a wonderful note," Tabatha sighed.
"Which is so like him," Daphne said. "As I said, Hermione's trying to figure a way to make this all work for him and for us. With twenty-four of us, I'm not sure how."
"And where," Tabatha said. "Is there room here for twenty-four of us?"
"For now," Daphne said. They were now in a large sitting room on the Second Floor. "This is the Second Floor and our private apartments. This room is the Guest Sitting Room, or at least it was once. We don't really use it since the First Floor is open to us as well. There's also a dining room here, but again we haven't used it. But the reason we're here is to show you to your room.
"There are sixteen guest suites on this floor, each as two bedrooms, two baths, two huge closets and a large sitting room of its own. There are eight on either side of where we are now. Half are on the west side overlooking the gardens out back and the other half are on the east side overlooking the lawn and what will be the other two new Manors."
"Two new Manors?" Tabatha asked.
Daphne nodded. "The suites are fine for now, but we occupy this floor and House Longbottom the Third Floor and … well some of us will have children within the year and then this arrangement won't work. One of the new Manors is for House Longbottom and the other is really an extension of this Manor and will be connected I'm told at the basement and at least the First and Second Floors. Not the Ground Floor, though. When they're done, we'll each have our own flat with several rooms which we will live in when we are not spending the night with Harry. That's the way things are now. When we have our night with Harry, we sleep in the Master's Chambers as you did last night. Otherwise, we sleep up here."
She led them down a corridor almost to the end. They came to a room with the number "14" on the door. Tabatha saw there was a sign on the door as well:
Stacey Marie (Campbell) Potter-Black
(5/26/79)
St. Andrew's 6th Year
Tabatha Simone Collins (BP)
(3/11/80)
St. Andrew's 6th Year
"Here's your new room," Daphne said.
"I'm with Stacey?" Tabatha asked.
"We decided it would be best for now," Stacey said. "We know each other after all. I was with Ginny, but the Elves moved me in here this morning."
"Why are you a Potter-Black and I'm still Tabatha Collins?"
"That'll change when you Love Bond to Harry," Daphne said.
"Oh. And the "BP" by my name?"
"Same as on your collar," Stacey said. "Let's see if the Elves got your stuff yet."
"My stuff?"
Tabatha was led through a nice living space and into a large bedroom. While it was not nearly as large as the one she woke up in that morning, it was still larger than any other she had been in her whole life. There was a huge bed, dressers, a dressing table and a writing desk arranged around the room and she was told the Elves would help her decorate it to her taste. She also noted a trunk that looked very much like hers and several boxes.
"What's all this?" she asked.
"The elves went to your old home and gathered your things," Daphne said. "They also spoke with your parents telling them what happened to you. Not everything, of course. But your parents know you were in danger and now you're safe and you'll be able to write them. Harry's also going to try to convince your family to move here before the summer is out. Now, they might not actually move here then, but it won't be very long afterwards."
"He's even trying to find my family and bring them here as well," Stacey added.
"He'll do that? Why?"
"You do want to see your family again, don't you?"
"Of course I would. But how do I explain…"
"We've got time to figure that one out," Stacey said.
Tabatha turned to Daphne. "And your family?"
"They're going to move here too," Daphne replied. "They'll be living just down the road from here."
"Do they know…?"
"They know my sister and I are concubines and they know that we are bound to Harry. They didn't want that for us, but they are pleased we're here and not somewhere else."
"And if my family moved here (and assuming they don't hate Harry or me or us for all this), where would they be living?"
"That I don't know off hand," Daphne said. "But Harry's had me working on a project almost from when I arrived. You see, we got the List."
"What list?"
"One of Harry's Agents stole a copy of the Master List of all witches and wizards in Britain that's kept in the Department of Mysteries. Don't ask me how. I'm not even certain Harry knows. But we have it and we know where every witch and wizards lives. That doesn't mean we can actually find them. If their property is Warded, we simply know where to send the mail.
"But, with the list we know where all Muggle Borns are and their families. So, I've been asked to figure out who the families of all the Concubines are. Well, not just me. My sister's helping as well. He wants to know where they are and how many there are and all of that so he can bring them all here. My guess is he means 'here' as in very close by. Wouldn't be at all surprised if we see a lot of homes going up within a mile of here soon.
"In addition to the two Manors I told you about, he's already building three more about a mile from here on a lake for the Weasleys. My guess is after this afternoon, he'll be building one or two more for Neville's parents' new family and the Lord Mayor's. Since he already has places a half mile from here where Hermione's parents will live and my family, my guess is he'll build places for the lot. All of us who have families who want to move here will probably have them living nearby by Christmas if not a lot sooner. This place might actually qualify as a town of sorts by then."
"How big a town?" Tabatha asked.
"Four hundred people at least," Daphne said. "That doesn't include the thirty who arrived today and their families. Could be quite a bit, really. Big enough, at any rate, to get our own primary school, especially if we all start having kids. He'll have to think about shops, though."
"Why?"
"Nearest shops of any type are in Potter's Vineyard which is about nine miles away. The real shopping is down in Pottersport which is twenty miles away. It'd be nice to have at least some shops here if we have so many living here."
Tabatha nodded not knowing what to say.
"So why don't we get you unpacked," Stacey offered.
SATURDAY, JULY 20th, 1996 – Potter Manor, Charenwell.
Finally a quiet day, Harry thought, sitting in his study. Each week since he arrived here seemed even more hectic than the last one and this one went from the busiest to even busier. He wondered if it could get any more chaotic.
He knew the answer to that already. Last week was busy. He got up early every morning for magical training. That was followed by breakfast and then flight training down at the base. Actually, it was mostly ground school and the instructor had assigned homework. Not much, but it was but one more thing on his plate. He managed to fly only two times. There was barely time for more and even if there was, there were only twelve planes.
Then there were the unexpected bondings. Harry now wondered why he had not considered that possibility before. It made sense the Death Eater types would have concubines. He really should have seen it coming after the Malfoy Estate. But he didn't and Tuesday around lunch time he learned that the fates of another thirty witches were in his hands. The decision about what to do with them was easy, especially as ten of them were from Charenwell. He had made promises to a lot of people and intended to keep them, if he had the time. Now he had to work through the consequences of that decision.
This past week he had bonded with five witches, bringing his current total to fourteen. Tabatha had been the first, bonded the day she was purchased at the auction. He would admit it was not as pleasant as any of the others but had spoken with her a lot. He knew the reason was she had no idea what was going on really and not much time to adjust, but it had worked out in the end. He bound her to him on Monday. On Tuesday, to his surprise, she had volunteered to serve as the cross-bonder for the next Potter witch, which occurred that evening. She was surprisingly enthusiastic when the time came and Harry learned why when they had finished a complete "rebonding." As she cuddled with him, she offered the Love Bond, which he accepted. Tabatha admitted she wanted to wait "a bit" in regards to children but told him they would be coming in time.
Tabatha had been the cross-bonder for Laura Oliver who was bonded the evening she arrived. Laura shorter than the average, at least among Harry's Girls and had lovely blonde hair and a body that looked like it was designed to make a young man drool. She was twenty-one and from Pottersport. Laura's family had traditionally attended Prince Edward's Academy of magic. In 1991 during the summer following her O.W.L.s, she was sold at Auction to Terrance Flint, the father of Marcus Flint and never set foot in school again. She was used for entertainments by father and son. Laura was also bitter. She made it clear she had no intention of love bonding with a wizard unless she was sure the promises were real. She wanted to see her family.
Laura reluctantly agreed to act as cross-bonder the next day for Fiona Simpson. Fiona was a tall and willowy woman with auburn hair and piercing eyes. She might not have had the most impressive breasts, but she had legs "that went all the way up." She was twenty-two years old and had been born and raised in Port of Darby on the other side of Charenwell. She was among the first of his country's young women illegally ensnared when she was sold at auction at age 15 in 1989. Fortunately, her first wizard had not been a Death Eater type and she was allowed to finish her education, although she was transferred to St. David's for her last three years. In 1992 she became the property of one of the Rosier brothers and while her time was not nearly as horrific as Stacey's had been with Malfoy, it was still the life of a sex toy. Given that life, it was understandable that she was hesitant to offer the love bond.
Fiona did agree to be the cross-bonder for Harry's next witch Rhonda Lester. She was seventeen and from Port of Darby. She had been attending St. David's and had taken her O.W.L.s in the spring of 1994. That summer, while her family was visiting London, she was summoned. She became the property of Theodore Nott, Sr. She was used strictly for his pleasure being the only one of the five Death Eater slaves in Harry's family who had not been whored out regularly; although her Master's son was known to "sneak" a shag every now and then. She love bonded to Harry the next day when she acted as cross-bonder for the final witch of that week.
Her name was Karen Green. She was nice looking and had a wonderful smile when she chose to show it. She was eighteen years old and from Charlestown where her family still lived. In 1994, she had just taken her O.W.L.s at Prince Edward's and was staying with her friend in Liverpool when she was first summoned and bound. Her binder was the father of Gregory Goyle and she was not unlike Mallory in that she was bound to be the sex tutor to the boy. She at first thought that was odd, given that the boy was probably more "experienced" than she was. He was also dumb. Had the father not used her regularly, she probably would have barely been used at all. She was love bonded before the evening was over. Harry now had no clue how that worked. What was it that "encouraged" a woman to take that step?
Harry was going to keep his promise. He had agreed to host a lunch tomorrow for the families of all of the women who had just been returned to their homeland. Now he stared at the papers that Daphne had given him that morning before setting off for Pottersport for a day of shopping with Astoria and the five new members of the family. It was the list of families for all the other witches, be they concubine or consort, Potter or Weasley or Longbottom. He had promised to bring them all here.
Daphne had her list organized by wizard and Harry was looking at his list first. He knew some of his women had no families left and according to the list two had been disowned apparently, which meant whether they knew yet or not, they too had no family. His four newest witches all were from Charenwell, thus their families were already here. But there were still twenty-three families just for his witches that would need to be relocated; they were both the parents of the women and in many cases older (or in Mallory's case younger) brothers and sisters who now had families of their own. All told, his "family" alone needed housing for twenty-three smaller families totaling eight-nine people. For Neville, it was an additional twenty-one housed for seventy-four people. Bill's family would require seventeen houses for sixty-eight people. Fred added another twenty houses and seventy-three people. George added twenty-four houses and ninety people. Frank Longbottom's new House required fifteen houses for fifty-four people. Only Remus had cut him any slack as four of his five concubines were from Charenwell. But his fifth had two families of three.
That meant all told he needed one hundred and forty houses or flats for five hundred and fourteen people, and those numbers did not include the needs of the seven harems themselves. Right now, he had five houses in use including the manor and sixteen available spread out all over the huge West Farm. His original plan was for these families to live with the other "refugees" in the still under construction city of Jamestown. Now he was not so sure if that was a good idea.
These families were different really. The only thing they truly had in common with the future residents of Jamestown was their roots in Britain and not Charenwell. But their reason for coming here was more than just the threat posed by the Purebloods. They had family here in the form of the concubines. Harry had promised to reunite those families as far as possible given the fact he could not undo the bonds. But the question was would they be reunited if they lived ten, twenty or more miles away even with magical transport? He did not think so. No, he was now considering a new course one that, if he was right, would allow the families of the concubines to relocate here sooner than planned and live practically within walking distance (albeit probably a long walk) from their sisters, aunts and daughters.
There was a knock at the door to his study and Hermione, Luna and Cissy walked in. Harry looked up from the papers.
"What's that?" Luna asked.
"The numbers Daphne worked up," Harry replied. "The probable numbers of houses we'll need to bring all the girls' families to Charenwell. Excluding Hermione's parents and Daphne and Astoria's family, we need at least hundred thirty-eight houses for five hundred and seven people."
"This does not include the concubines themselves?" Hermione observed.
"No, just their parents, brothers and sisters and the like."
"That many?"
"You'd be surprised how many of the girls have older siblings with families of their own now. I haven't even bothered to figure out how many school aged children there are, or younger ones for that matter and none of this takes into account future children, either ours or theirs."
"Surely Jamestown will suffice?"
Harry nodded. "That was the idea, but is it the right one? Your parents and the Greengrasses will live nearby. Surely that right should not be so limited."
"So you want us all together?"
Harry nodded. "Neville's family and mine will be here at the Manors. Right now the three Weasley Houses will be built on the lake and I'm thinking now I should include Remus and maybe Alice and Frank in that plan. We're all within a mile of each other. The lands to the east to the road are all woods and I'm already building a road to the lake. I was thinking a town or some such between the lake properties and the main entrance."
"Does this town plan include the Charenwell ladies?" Hermione asked.
"No. I was primarily concerned with the others."
"You should allow for them as well. True, they won't have to move as they're already here, but they might want to anyway."
Harry sighed. "I'll ask Daphne to check those numbers as well. So, not that I can't use the interruption, to what do I owe the pleasure of your company?"
"Well," Hermione said, "as most of the others are out and about, we decided now's a good time to look at your scheduling problems."
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 22 (Hu); CONCUBINE (BLACK).*P
4. Minerva Grace (McGonagall) Potter-Black, age 68 (Gr); CONCUBINE (POTTER).P
5. Mallory Michelle (Grant) Black-Potter, age 39 (Hu); CONCUBINE (BLACK).P - boy.
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. Ginevra Molly (Weasley) Potter-Black, age 14 (Gr-4); CONCUBINE (POTTER).*
9. Stacey Marie (Campbell) Potter-Black, age 17 (SA-5); CONCUBINE (BLACK).*
10. Tabatha Simone (Collins) Black-Potter, age 16 (SA-5); CONCUBINE (BLACK).
11. Laura Teresa Oliver, age 21 (4/12/75) (PE-5); Sold at Auction to Terrance Flint (7/16/91); CONCUBINE HOUSE OF POTTER (7/17/96).
12. Fiona Michelle Simpson, age 22 (8/20/73) (SD); Sold at Auction to Cuthbert Shaw (7/17/89); sold to Horace Rosier (3/12/92); CONCUBINE HOUSE OF BLACK (7/16/96).
13. Rhonda Kaye (Lester) Potter-Black, age 17 (5/29/79) (SD-5); Sold at Auction to Theodore Nott, Sr. (7/18/94); CONCUBINE HOUSE OF POTTER (7/18/96).
14. Karen Maria (Green) Black-Potter, age 18 (1/9/78) (PE-5); Sold at Auction to Harken Goyle (7/22/94); CONCUBINE HOUSE OF BLACK (7/19/96).
Bill Weasley, age 25.
1. Fleur Patrice (Delacour) Weasley, age 19; CONSORT (BILL WEASLEY).P
2. Mary Ellen (Howard) Weasley, age 18 (Hu-5); CONCUBINE (BILL WEASLEY).*
3. Samantha Christine (Johnson) Weasley, age 17 (SG-5); CONCUBINE BILL WEASLEY).*
4. Peggy Louise Nolan, age 17 (9/6/78) (Hu-6); CONCUBINE (BILL WEASLEY).
5. Elizabeth Olive Nolan, age 14 (Gr-3); CONCUBINE (BILL WEASLEY).
6. Lana Catherine Powell, age 22 (6/19/74) (SA); Sold at Auction to Albert Runcorn (7/23/90); CONCUBINE (BILL WEASLEY) 7/16/96.
7. Carla (Masterson) Weasley, age 20 (1/27/76) (PE-5) Sold at Auction to Marcus Flint (7/17/93); CONCUBINE (BILL WEASLEY) 7/17/96.
8. Donna Lynn (Roselle) Weasley, age 19 (3/7/77) (SG-5); Sold at Auction to Walden McNair (7/16/92); CONCUBINE (BILL WEASLEY) 7/18/96).
9. Christine Celine Paulson, age 17 (7/2/79) (PE-5); Sold at Auction to Argus Selwyn (7/15/95); CONCUBINE (BILL WEASLEY) 7/19/96.
Neville Algicyrus Longbottom, age 15.*
1. Susan Marie (Bones) Longbottom, age 16 (Hu-5); CONSORT (NEVILLE).*P
2. Amber Selma (Harker) Longbottom, age 33 (Sl-5); CONCUBINE (NEVILLE).*P
3. Penelope Ann (Clearwater) Longbottom, age 20 (Ra); CONCUBINE (NEVILLE).
4. Annette Lucille Harper, age 24 (7/15/72) (SD); Sold at Auction to Cuthbert Bulstrode (7/15/87); CONCUBINE (NEVILLE) 7/16/96.
5. Deborah Leigh McLean, age 20 (10/22/75) (SA); Sold at Auction to Caratacus Burke (7/16/91); CONCUBINE (NEVILLE) 7/17/96.
6. Miriam Olivia (Riley) Longbottom, age 18 (4/2/78) (SG-5); Sold at Auction to Hargove Mulciber (7/17/94); CONCUBINE (NEVILLE) 7/18/96.
7. Amanda Kennedy, age 16 (9/30/79) (SP-5); Sold at Auction to Vincent Crabbe Sr. (7/23/95); CONCUBINE (NEVILLE) 7/19/96.
Fred Weasley, age 18.
1. Alicia May (Spinet) Weasley, age 18 (Gr); CONSORT (FRED).*
2. Verity Nicole (Smith) Weasley, age 21 (SG-5); CONCUBINE (FRED).*P
3. Danielle Louise (Carter) Weasley, age 20 (SG-5); CONCUBINE (FRED).*
4. Victoria (Vicki) Peters, age 17 (Ra-6); CONCUBINE (FRED).
5. Rachel Francine Peters, age 15 (Ra-4); CONCUBINE (FRED).
6. Coleen Harrington, age 23 (4/21/73) (SP); Sold at Auction to Rudolf Yaxley (7/17/89); CONCUBINE (FRED) 7/16/96.
7. Elisha Susan (Stout) Weasley, age 21 (3/3/75) (SD); Sold at Auction to Theobald Carstons (7/16/91); Sold to Harfang Rosier (7/17/94); CONCUBINE (FRED) 7/17/96.
8. Helen May (Ivey) Weasley, age 20 (10/23/75) (SG-5); Sold at Auction to Terrance Urkans (7/17/91); CONCUBINE (FRED) 7/18/96.
9. Caroline Folsom, age 18 (6/11/78) (SD-5); Sold at Auction to Walden McNair (7/17/94); CONCUBINE (FRED) 7/19/06.
George Weasley, age 18.
1. Angelina Olivia (Johnson) Weasley, age 18 (Gr); CONSORT (GEORGE).*P
2. Shelly Ann (Parker) Weasley, age 22 (SG); CONCUBINE (GEORGE).*
3. Ellen Suzanne (North) Weasley, age 20 (SD); CONCUBINE (GEORGE).*
4. Anna Melissa Jenkins, age 17 (Hu-6); CONCUBINE (GEORGE).
5. Roberta Elaine (Larson) Weasley, age 25 (12/14/70) (PE); Sold at Auction to Albert Runcorn (7/16/86); CONCUBINE (GEORGE) 7/16/96.
6. Georgina Emma (Parker) Weasley, age 22 (2/11/74) (SG); Sold at Auction to Severus Snape (7/21/90); CONCUBINE (GEORGE) 7/16/96.
7. Eileen O'Malley, age 21 (11/17/74) (SP-5); Sold at Auction to Amecus Carrow (7/17/91); CONCUBINE (GEORGE) 7/18/96.
8. Isabel (Tate) Weasley, age 19 (7/12/77) (SA); Sold at Auction to Thurston Jarvis (7/22/93); CONCUBINE (GEORGE) 7/19/96.
Lord Mayor Remus John Lupin, age 36 (10/31/59).
1. Sarah Michelle Hanson, age 21 (7/13/75) (SG); Sold at Auction to Carl Borgin (7/19/91); CONCUBINE REMUS (7/17/96).
2. Amelia Renee Carpenter, age 21 (5/19/75) (SG); Sold at Auction to Severus Snape (7/22/91); CONCUBINE (REMUS) 7/17/96.
3. Tara Frances (Marks) Lupin, age 20 (11/28/75) (SG-5); Sold at Auction to Victor Selwyn (7/21/92); CONCUBINE (REMUS) 7/18/96.
4. Christy Matthews, age 19 (4/4/77) (SG); Sold at Auction to Delmer Custus (7/16/93); CONCUBINE (REMUS) 7/19/96.
5. Ellie Beth Mitchell, age 18 (10/14/77) (PE-5); Sold at Auction to Walden McNair (7/17/94); CONCUBINE (REMUS) 7/20/96.
Frank Longbottom, age 41 (12/2/55).
1. Alice Maria (Pierson) Longbottom, age 40 (3/22/56) (Ra); CONSORT (FRANK LONGBOTTOM) 7/2/72.
2. Sandra Ellen Butler, age 24 (8/23/72) (SP); Sold at Auction to Iago Terrance (7/21/88); Sold to Caratacus Rookwood (4/12/91); CONCUBINE (FRANK) 7/16/96.
3. Veronica Helen (Riordan) Longbottom, age 23 (1/19/73) (SP); Sold at Auction to Thurston Rosier (7/21/89); CONCUBINE (FRANK) 7/17/96.
4. Gretchen Lee (St. James) Longbottom, age 21 (5/5/75) (PE); Sold at Auction to Herbert Diggory (7/19/91); Sold to Rastaban Lestrange (9/21/95); CONCUBINE (FRANK) 7/18/96.
5. Marie White, age 19 (6/21/77) (SD); Sold at Auction to Caratacus Rookwood (7/16/93); CONCUBINE (FRANK) 7/19/96.
6. Carol Matilda Timmerman, age 17 (10/1/78) (SD-5); Sold at Auction to Marcus Flint (7/17/95); CONCUBINE (FRANK) 7/20/96.
* - Indicates in flight training RDCAF.