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Albus Potter and the Deathly Hallows | ||||||
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Category: Post-Hogwarts Characters:Harry/Ginny, Other Genres: Action/Adventure, Drama, Humor, Romance Warnings: Death, Intimate Sexual Situations, Violence, Violence/Physical Abuse Story is Complete Rating: R Reviews: 77 Summary: Albus has his challenges during his first year. Cleopatra is obviously his soulmate, and has brilliant insights into magic, except she cannot do it like anyone else. Albus has to help her while keeping peace between the two brightest and most competitive students at Hogwarts, Scorpius and Rose. It doesn’t help that people are out to get Albus. Harry is not sure he can keep everyone safe. Then you have Ginny and Cleopatra. Hitcount: Story Total: 145939; Chapter Total: 4975 Awards: View Trophy Room Author's Notes: The story will not ignore Harry, who has to try and figure out what is going on at Hogwarts. He learns of dramatic changes at home as well. Thank you to Arnel for some key edits. |
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It was Monday, the sixteenth of October, just over a week after the Quidditch game and the attack. Harry had done everything he could to investigate the attack without spending a lot of time at Hogwarts. After talking to Kingsley, Hermione, Arthur Weasley and Dennis Creevey, it was decided that Harry really needed to personally take the lead in this case. So mid-morning Harry met with Minerva McGonagall. “Minerva,” Harry said, “I am trying to find out who knew when the Quidditch game would start, and who knew Albus would fly up like that so the Dementors could attack.” Minerva said, “Harry, that was probably the best publicized Quidditch game in the history of Hogwarts. After Albus’ catch, with your sons playing against each other, I expect the same sort of publicity every year. I even expect reporters here when only one of them is playing.” “I need to talk to the other professors about Cleopatra, and maybe I can find out more than I am asking,” Harry said. “Sometimes it is amazing what people will volunteer if you do not make enemies out of them, and by asking about Cleopatra maybe I can learn the Professors’ attitude about Albus as well.” Minerva said, “There is something very strange about Cleopatra. Tom Appleleaf says she does Transfigurations differently than anyone else. Albus is trying to figure out what is going on. Albus has some insight into how her mind works. He has not been able to tell Professor Appleleaf much so far, however. “Albus asked to talk to me, because Cleopatra seems to be able to see through some invisibility spells. When I charm class schedules I color code them, and then hide the color on all but the current day of the week. Cleo can see all the colors. On parchment she cannot tell what is not hidden, but on white paper she sees some sort of ‘other green’ over the hidden colors.” “Her descriptions of what she sees are just bizarre,” Harry said. “I would say she is crazy, except when I asked an Elf Prophet about her description of me she sort of understood it. We are dealing with strange things here.” “Sometimes our strangest students are some of our most powerful Magi,” Minerva said. “Think Luna Lovegood.” “What is your impression of Scorpius?” Harry asked. “From what I see, he is desperate to prove he is not like his father and grandfather,” Minerva said. “He and Rose spend more time in the library than any other first year students. I think everyone at Hogwarts knows who that foursome is.” “Anything else?” Harry asked. “There was some sort of confrontation last Friday,” Minerva said. “Your son, Albus, does not want anyone to talk about it, and I am pretty sure that they think I don’t know about it. Hogwarts castle has eyes, Harry. The paintings see much more than the students realize, and I learn about most of what I have to know. Not everything, unfortunately. The ghosts also help. But the Slytherin ghosts and some of the paintings are most unhelpful.” Harry turned to the painting of Dumbledore, and asked, “Albus, is that your doing?” “Professor Snape had more to do with it than I did,” Albus Dumbledore said. “You might ask him.” Harry had fiercely defended Severus Snape over the previous nineteen years, but it was not all that natural talking to him. He said, “Professor Snape, thank you for all your help. What more do you have to tell me?” Snape said, “Albus was in this office the evening of the first of September, and it looked like he knew most of the spells he is going to have to learn. He duplicated a list of the students in Slytherin on parchment and paper. He was a little embarrassed that he did not know all the seventh year spells. Just how long has he been using a wand?” “Since he was five, but only in the hidden and shielded rooms under the adjoining Potter and Ron Weasley houses,” Harry said. “He has been the target of attacks, and the subject of prophesies. I did not feel I could keep him from learning magic. Officially, I did not know about it. I guess Ginny and I taught him to be sneaky by letting him practice magic in secret.” Snape asked, “Did the Sorting Hat offer to put you in Slytherin?” Harry answered, “It did, but I did not want to be in Slytherin.” Snape sort of snorted. “You are not as pure as some people portray you, Potter. How is Li… Ginny doing. She always reminded me of your mother.” “As passionate as ever,” Harry said, a crooked grin spreading all over his face. “I do not know what I did to earn the love of that brave and passionate woman.” “Is she still talking about having another child?” Minerva asked. “I think she is pregnant,” Harry replied. “She just hasn’t told me yet.” “You are a very lucky man, Harry,” Snape said. “I never knew that kind of love. Maybe in the afterlife I am Severus Snape, Virgin and Martyr.” Now it was Harry’s turn to snort. He had been to the Wizard Church in London, St. Merlin and Mungo’s, for just under half the Saturday night services since being introduced to the Wizarding branch of Christianity. He could not imagine Severus Snape in the company of most of the pious women called Virgin and Martyrs. “Albus Dumbledore said you were responsible for the castle spying on students,” Harry said. “May I ask why?” Snape said, “To protect all the students, but especially Albus. You can probably get more information from Myrtle Warren, Moaning Myrtle. She and Cleopatra talk regularly.” It was mid-morning when Harry was finished talking to the three heads of Hogwarts and Professor McGonagall had given him a master class schedule, so he could find out when each teacher was free. All were going to be busy until the next hour, so he went to see if he could find Moaning Myrtle. He went to Myrtle’s bathroom, and knocked on the door. “Is anyone there?” Harry asked. “Just me, Myrtle Warren,” Myrtle said. “Please come in.” Harry went into the girls’ bathroom, and saw Myrtle sitting calmly on a sink. She said, “Hello, Harry Potter. It is good to see you again. Your son, Albus, looks very much like you, except he has learned how to comb his hair. He doesn’t wear glasses either.” “You are not Moaning Myrtle anymore?” Harry asked. “Cleopatra convinced me that I could have friends and visitors, if I would just act nicely,” Myrtle said. “She keeps bringing people here to meet me, mostly girls, but some boys. It is real nice, actually. “If Cleopatra keeps introducing me to people I will end up with more friends than I had when I was alive.” Harry said, “Professor McGonagall said that the ghosts are trying to help see what is going on around the castle, and are telling her.” “Most of the ghosts are trying to help,” Myrtle said. “I doubt we know more than what we have told her. I know the Ravenclaw ghosts, Helena Ravenclaw and I, are trying to help. Sir Nicholas tries to help as well. We are trying to enlist his second for Gryffindor, Sir Patrick Delaney-Podmore, but the two Gryffindor ghosts do not get along. “Friar Tuck and his mistress, Mother Ursula, the Hufflepuff ghosts, help, as do Mother Ursula’s nuns.” “How did the nuns get to be ghosts?” asked Harry. “By doing for the Merry Men what Mother Ursula did for Friar Tuck,” Myrtle said, a twinkle in her eye. “Why did you think the Merry Men were so merry?” “Are Friar Tuck and his mistress, are the nuns, still intimate?” Harry asked. “You cannot even take off your clothes when you are a ghost,” Myrtle said. “If you die a virgin you stay a virgin. Boggarts!” “Is there more than one ghost for Slytherin?” Harry asked. “Nasty, uncooperative spirits,” Myrtle said. “The Bloody Baron is almost impossible to talk to. His second, the murderous and murdered second son Scorpius Hyperon Malfoy, has been just as impossible, I have been told, since his death about two hundred years ago.” “Scorpius was named after an ancestor who was murdered?” Harry asked. “I am the youngest of the ghosts,” Myrtle said. “I do not know all the history. Ask Professor Binns. He still haunts the history classroom, sulking because he is not still boring students. He has not been any help either.” “Thank you for your help, Miss Myrtle Warren,” Harry said. “I like Myrtle Warren better than I ever liked Moaning Myrtle.” “You are welcome, Harry. Oh, Cleopatra has learned how to see me even if I am not near water. We talk late at night a couple of times a week.” “Does Cleo see the other ghosts?” Harry asked. “Yes,” Myrtle said. “If we see anything you need to know I will make sure both the headmistress and Cleo know. Anything Cleo knows she tries to tell Albus, so he should know as well.” Harry tried to talk to Professor Binns about the first Scorpius Malfoy, but Professor Binns was in a bad mood and would not talk to Harry. Harry then went to see the other teachers. It took parts of three days, but he was able to talk to all the teachers who had Albus and Cleopatra in class. Harry spent part of one day at Azkaban, the British Magi prison. Zeek Zeller, the warden, thought he had information that Harry needed to know. “Astoria Malfoy visits with Lucius alone quite often, and from the conversations we are sure that no one else in the family knows.” Harry asked, “Do you have another recording?” Zeek said, “These are the latest recordings. Weasley Wizard Wheezes continues to refine the combination of their Extendable Ears with the Muggle recorders to allow us to record every interview. We have them all archived both here and at the Ministry.” Harry and Zeek could hear Lucius Malfoy being led into a room, and his legs and body being fastened to a chair with magic chains. Then Astoria was led into the room. Lucius said, “Do you have any useful information this time?” “Dementors tried to attack Albus,” Astoria said. “He was Seeker for Slytherin, and flew way up, and was attacked by Dementors.” “And they failed. I guessed that,” Lucius said. “Cleopatra is becoming very good friends with Albus,” Astoria said. “At least I saw them together at the Quidditch game.” “Then STOP THEM FROM SEEING EACH OTHER,” Lucius shouted. “I cannot talk that wife of yours, or Draco, from sending them to Hogwarts,” Astoria said. “We do not have anything to do with who they are friends with when they are at Hogwarts.” “Have you tried to seduce Draco?” Lucius said. “I still say that you have not used your womanly powers on Draco. He is weak, too weak to have forced himself on you. He would be putty in your hands if you used your body.” “I let him into my body enough to be married, and to have your grandchild,” Astoria said. “You are one of the people who has taught me to be selfish. I needed to let him use me, but I never loved him, and I will not act like I enjoy that physical violation of MY body.” “What are you learning from Scorpius?” Lucius asked. “Nothing,” Astoria said. “I write to him every week asking how he is doing, and he always sends me a one word answer back, “Fine.” “You should have taught him our ways, and instead you left him to be nursed and taught by that traitor of a wife of mine,” Lucius said. Astoria said, “He was in my body for nine months, after I let his father use me so you would have an heir. There was no reason for me to have him sucking at my body for more months. Aristocratic ladies get wet nurses. I was embarrassed that Narcissa lowered herself to nurse him. Ugly plebian thing to do.” “I don’t know why I pay you for information,” Lucius said. “Because that is what we agreed to years ago, and as long as I meet privately with you the money comes in,” Astoria said. “I am doing what I have to do.” Harry said, “We have heard a variation of that for years. It almost sounds like Lucius knew of the Dementor attack. The only new information he has is that Cleo and Albus are becoming friends.” “Here is a recording from Narcissa visiting Lucius,” Zeek said. Again they could hear Lucius being led into the room, and the chains put on. Lucius said, “Hello, Narcissa. Do you have any useful information for me?” Narcissa said, “I am not sure how any information I have would be useful to you in prison, Lucius. Scorpius was sorted into Slytherin, as was Albus Potter. They are friends. Scorpius seems to be doing very well in school, and is happy.” “How is Cleopatra?” Lucius asked. “Has she stayed best friends with Scorpius?” Narcissa said, “Cleopatra was sorted into Gryffindor. She and Rose Weasley are close.” Lucius said, “Cleo and Scorpius are in different houses? Not good. I am not happy with the way you educated them, and having them in different houses is not a good development either.” There was a long period of silence. Finally Narcissa said, “It is lonely in the house without the children there. I still wish we had a larger family.” “I have an heir, and he has one,” Lucius said. “That is what is important.” “There is more to family, to a marriage, than producing an heir,” Narcissa said. “I thought you knew that early in our marriage, but maybe I was wrong.” “Too many children divide the family assets,” Lucius said. “You were happy with our wealth when we were first married.” “I think I was happiest when you were just learning about the family businesses, and we were living in the littlest apartment in the upper floor,” Narcissa said. “We made love often, without feeling that the only reason we did it was to produce an heir. I miss that closeness. It had almost totally left when you first became enamored with Voldemort instead of me.” There was another long period of silence. Finally Narcissa said, “I still miss you, Lucius.” “I miss the life we had,” Lucius said. “I planned on spending my days in Malfoy Manor, with us a respected couple. That Potter ruined everything.” Narcissa said no more, and the two listeners could hear her leave. There was one more meeting, with Draco. When Draco came into the room they could hear him say, “Hello, Father.” Lucius said, “Draco.” Draco said, “The family assets are still growing, Father. Rents are slowly going up on the properties we own in Diagon Alley and elsewhere. All the shops we are silent partners with are profitable. Let me show you the figures.” They could hear some rustling of paper. Finally Lucius scoffed, “I could make more money that this! You are not all that good with the family investments.” Lucius whispered, “You are trying to be too honest.” They could hear the papers being put away. Lucius was not allowed to keep anything. Lucius said, “Sending Scorpius and Cleopatra to Hogwarts was a bad idea. If you want to honor me, make sure they marry as soon as they are biologically able. I’ve told you that.” After a period of silence Draco said, “I will have another report on the finances next quarter, father.” Draco left. “I think Lucius knows more than he should,” Harry said. “There is evil in that family. I think I trust Narcissa, but not Astoria or Draco.” Zeek said, “I don’t like or trust Astoria. I am not sure about Draco.” Wednesday, Ginny spent most of the day interviewing Quidditch players and coaches, including a dinner meeting. Harry knew she was going to spend the evening working on her article, so he used the time to eat dinner at Hogwarts, at the Professors table up front, and then meet with Albus, Rose, Cleo and Scorpius after dinner. After going to a private room with the students, Harry asked them, “Do you have any idea why Albus was attacked at the Quidditch match?” No one answered at first, but finally Albus said, “I do not get the feeling that the attack originated here.” “What was the attack last Friday about?” Harry asked. The other children looked at Albus, who spent a moment composing an answer. He then said, “I think the attack on the girls was a diversion, so Frerin would not be shadowing me, and the boys wanted my wand, wanted to break my wand. The attack didn’t work out like they wanted it to. I took eight of their wands. I gave them back their wands later that night, after we had a good dinner with Hagrid.” Rose said, “Some girls from Slytherin attack us, but after just a little while they all ran away. They could not take Cleo’s wand, and they dropped my wand when they ran away.” Scorpius said, “They did not seem interested in my wand. I do not know what they would have done had they won.” Harry and the students talked for about an hour, but Harry felt he really did not have much additional information. He did talk to Cleo about Myrtle Warren, but she really did not have any more information, although the ghosts were aware that there were people who did not like Albus. Ginny was pretty sure she was pregnant. Her bust was beginning to grow. Ginny really didn’t get sick during her pregnancies, but food tasted a little differently. Thursday of the same week, she brought Lily Luna to the New Burrow for lessons, and Fleur was there, so she asked Fleur, privately, “Could you do a quick pregnancy exam, please.” Fleur waved her wand over Ginny, paying special attention to her reproductive organs. Then she asked, “Do you want to have another baby?” “I am having a very hard time thinking that all my children will be off at Hogwarts,” Ginny said. “I’ll still only have half as many children as Mum.” “It looks like you might be two months along,” Fleur said. “It is probably time to let other people know. If you keep adding to your bust most of the witches will guess.” “I cannot complain,” Ginny said. “I told everybody that when my Quidditch career was over I was going to make lots of pretty babies with Harry. Three is not exactly a lot.” Fleur got a reflective look on her face, almost longing, and said, “Veela enjoy everything about being female. Being pregnant is a joy, not a bother, and even giving birth is not so hard. Nursing is a great joy. Sex when pregnant is very special. “Three is not exactly a lot. Four is not too many. I do not know. I still could have another one.” Ginny and Fleur talked more about babies, and having more children, before they parted for the day. Ginny had a regular appointment late morning with the healer checking her problems as a result of her Quidditch brain injury. After the appointment she had a little time, so she went to see her midwife. While she was there she saw a pamphlet for a potion that you could take to increase the size of your bust if you were pregnant. “In most cases you will not lose all your extra size after you stop nursing,” the pamphlet said, and, “Results vary.” Ginny never could lose all the extra pounds she put on when she was pregnant with her first three, and almost none of the weight went to her bust. Another size on top couldn’t hurt, she thought, and in addition to the pregnancy potions she purchased four of the potions to increase her size on top. “Ideal to add one size,” the instructions said, and, “Results vary and are not guaranteed.” Harry Potter walked into the kitchen through the fireplace about a quarter past five that evening like he did most days after work. He was a morning person, and by going in early he usually was able to leave more or less on time, even though he had been the head of the Auror Department for many years. As he walked into the kitchen he saw Ginny staring at the calendar. “A month before the boys are back for Christmas break,” said Harry. “You do miss them when they are gone.” Ginny replied, “I miss being their mother. I was not ready to be a full time mother until we had James, and feel a little sorry that Teddy had to be raised by a group of us and not by us, you and me, but I really was too young. I’ve told you since Al left that I really did not know what I wanted. If I wanted another baby.” “I love you, Ginny, have for most of my life. I am ready for anything you decide,” said Harry. Ginny went up to Harry and hugged him hard, putting her chest firmly into him. She looked up and kissed him, and they passionately kissed. Then she put her head against Harry’s chest and said, “Of the five of us only Hermione has made sure she cannot have any more babies. Angelina says that sometimes George and her talk about having a pair for Fred, and Fleur says she’s still young enough. We have no idea what Audrey thinks, but if she started on birth control she is probably still taking the same potions. And I never really decided anything except that after having the babies, after being pregnant or nursing for almost six years, I needed a break.” Ginny looked up at Harry, who had an amused look on his face. Harry was rather curious to see where this was going. “The birth control potions are really easy to take,” said Ginny. “You take one a week for three weeks after your period, and then wait until your next one. I always took them on Sunday, usually in the morning. They usually work even if you only take two some months. Remember about ten weeks ago the Harpies did an exhibition game in North American, and I didn’t get back until the next morning. Sunday, when I finally came home, I was so tired that I forgot the potion. The next weekend we were in China, and I forgot. The next week I thought that I needed to wait for my period, but it never came. I went to St. Mungo’s today and saw the healers. I needed to, well you know my head hurts sometimes, and they are watching me for memory problems because of my accident. My head is doing all right, well the memory isn’t any worse, but my body is changing, and Harry, I’m eight weeks pregnant. I didn’t really decide to have another baby, exactly, but, are you ready? It’s only eight weeks, but I think it is what I want. I enjoyed most of my pregnancies, and I really like nursing. Harry said, “I can’t think of anything sexier than a nursing mother, or more beautiful.” “You’re ready for more babies?” asked Ginny. “Even more babies, and getting up in the middle of the night to change them and bring them to you so you can nurse them, and not being able to travel quite as freely. It’s amazing how much stuff you have to bring along when you are traveling with a baby. If that’s what you want then that’s what I want, Love. I mean it interferes a little with our sex life, but how can you say it interferes with our love life, when the product of our love is as real as James, or Al, or Lily. You know I love babies, and children, and having a loving family. ” “That is really good news,” exclaimed Ginny Harry gave Ginny a really big kiss and hug, said enthusiastically, “That’s great news! That’s wonderful! I love you so much!” The couple went up to the sitting room, and sat down on either side of a love seat. As soon as they sat down, like magic, (which it was,) there was a drink on the table at each end of the love seat, a large glass of cold tea for Harry, a hot chocolate for Ginny. Harry said, “Speaking of children, I have finished interviewing the Hogwarts Professors who have Albus and Cleo in their classes. “Henry Slughorn, the history professor, and Peggy Todd, the Muggle Studies professor, really do not have much to say. All four, Al and Rose, Scorpius and Cleo, are good students, the best. Sidney Stanford says the same, but until he gets into actual offensive and defensive spells he is not going to know much. “Tom Appleleaf says that Rose and Scorpius are good. Albus already knows all the spells, and somehow he can teach Cleo. Cleo seems to see, Tom put it, the magic behind the magic, and once she sees Albus do it, she can. She does the spells differently than anyone else, however, and almost always non-verbally. “Dragon Chen, the Potions Professor, seems to resent all four students. I didn’t get much out of him. “Neville is teaching the first year Herbology classes. He has no special insight into the four, although he says they all seem to be exceptional students. He agrees with all of the professors that Rose and Scorpius are very competitive, but Albus is just as smart. Cleo is erratic, as good as anybody on her best days. “Urban Umbridge, the Charms teacher, says he will know a lot more next week when they actually start doing charms. So far it has all been studying about charms, and the students’ written work has been good. “I cannot say I am any further ahead than I was before interviewing the professors.” “I also talked to the four students last night. I didn’t get much more information, though. I have been told that Cleo can be very talkative, and we saw that at the Quidditch Match, but she was almost totally silent. “Scorpius seems to be a nice person. He and Rose spend every spare minute they have in the library or reading, something that amuses Albus. Albus does not tell you everything that he does, and I know he has secrets from us. “I know I am missing something, maybe several somethings.” “I am sure we will learn more over Christmas,” Ginny said. “I am going to tell the family I am pregnant this Sunday. Do you think I should write to the boys?” Harry said, “Write to the boys, but have James tell Victoire. Within hours of Victoire getting the news Cindy will hear about it, so you should probably tell her as well.” The next morning Ginny had Cindy Hudson, the Potter/Weasley house publicist and reporter, over. After some polite greetings Cindy asked, “Is there a reason you wanted to see me, Ginny?” Ginny said, “I’m pregnant.” “Merlin’s messes, that is news,” Cindy said. “As soon as any of the papers hear about it I am going to be deluged with requests for information. Who knows now?” “Harry, Fleur, and my midwife,” Ginny said. “I expect Bill knows, but he will not say anything until I announce it to the family on Sunday.” “When are you going to tell the children?” Cindy asked. “I think I will send an owl to James and one to Albus, and ask James to tell Victoire so she can tell the cousins.” “We had better have an announcement in the Sunday Prophet, then,” Cindy said. “Harry and Ginny Potter announce that they are expecting their fourth child, when?” Ginny said, “The end of May.” Cindy said, “The paper will want a half a page from me, anyway. If I write the article we can control what the Prophet puts in the paper. I cannot control the headline, though.” “A headline?” Ginny said. “You cannot just bury the announcement in some obscure back page.” Cindy said, “I hope it is not the only article on the front page, but there is no way we are going to keep it off the front page.” “Boggarts,” said Ginny. The two women spent more time talking, before Cindy started on the article she knew she was going to have to write. Sunday morning James and Albus received similar owls at breakfast. Dear James, Towards the end of May, if everything goes well, there will be another child in the Potter family. I am pregnant. I am very happy, and hope you are as well. Please let Victoire know, and together let the rest of the cousins know. I love you and miss you. I cannot wait until you are home for Christmas Break. Mum. And to Albus. Dear Albus, Towards the end of May, if everything goes well, there will be another child in the Potter family. I am pregnant. I am very happy, and hope you are as well. I love you and miss you. I cannot wait until you are home for Christmas Break. Mum. Shortly after the boys received their owls, the Daily Prophet came. On the front page, in big letters, the headline was POTTERS EXPECTING ANOTHER BABY. A half page followed, saying nothing more new, but going over some of the Potter family history. Albus did not say much, although he was the subject to some good-natured kidding from his Slytherin classmates. He ignored the few nasty remarks. After breakfast Cleopatra came running over to Albus, and said, “Your mother is going to have another BABY! I think that is so exciting! “There were not any babies or little children at Malfoy Manor. I hope there are babies at your house.” Albus said, “Aunt Luna has a couple of little boys, and our cousin Fred and his wife are expecting a child. There should be babies and little children around this summer.” Cleo said, “I really do not want to spend the summer at Malfoy Manor. I hope I can spend it at your house with the babies.” “Not with ME?” asked Albus, feigning shock. “Of course with you,” Cleo said. “It is just that I really want babies, and I cannot remember ever holding one.” Shortly after Cleo came over to see Albus, Victoire came over to see him. She said, “Congratulations, I guess, Al.” Al said, “Mum was not all that happy that all her children would be off at Hogwarts. I am surprised, but not shocked.” Victoire said, “We probably ought to have a cousin meeting today. I think most of the school is talking about your mother having a baby, and people are going to ask the cousins about it. We all need to be telling the same story.” “Why?” asked Albus. “Because otherwise strange rumors will get out, and as a group we stick together,” Victoire said. “We just need to decide who to invite. Any of the cousins who has a best friend of the opposite sex is usually allowed to invite the best friend, because they are also asked questions. The only problem is that some people act like anyone in the cousins group who is not a biological cousin is going to marry one. “Teddy and I are sort of engaged to be engaged, and Roxanne and Frank Longbottom are planning on getting engaged this summer. Molly Weasley will probably marry Rich Hudson as well, but Lucy and Rich’s brother Bob are just best friends. They have made it pretty clear that they are just going out with each other because they have not found anyone else, and in some ways it is easier if the sisters go out with brothers. We still let Bob come to the cousins meetings because people assume that he knows, and we want to keep him on the same page with us. “Besides Rich and Bob’s parents are the publicists for the Weasley/Potter family, and it helps if they know. “Louis always has a girl for dances or parties, but none he is serious about, so we don’t worry about him. At some point we may have to include Erica Lionheart with James, but right now all they care about is Quidditch, and we can ignore her right now. “Cleo, do you understand what my concern is?” “No,” said Cleo. “I’m with Al.” “But Cleo, if I invite you what do I do with Scorpius? Rose and Scorpius are usually together, even if they are studying or arguing most of the time.” Al said, “People will probably ask Scorpius as my roommate as much as they will as Rose’s friend. Can you use that as an excuse?” “I guess,” Victoire said. “Roxanne will be in charge of the cousins next year, but after that I do not know who will do it. I may have to ask you and Rose to take over.” Victoire rounded up the cousins and others, and they talked about the pregnancy of Mrs. Potter, and what they should say. As the meeting broke up Victoire emphasized, “We agree, then, that if anyone asks about Aunt Ginny we will just say we will know a lot more after Christmas, and try not to say much more.” After the meeting broke up the four friends were together, and Cleo asked, “Does Victoire run the cousins?” Al said, “She doesn’t exactly run the cousins, tell us what to do, as she makes sure we are all on the same page when it comes to talking about family. She is all about family, and relationships, and people. “She keeps telling people that she and Teddy are going to have a dozen children when they get married. It is almost like she is trying to be just like Grandmother Weasley.” Rose shook her head at the mention of a dozen children, but Cleo just beamed. |
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