Small bombs have detonated, causing chaos, mayhem, panic, injury, loss of limbs, and death. However, nothing came close to the bombshell that the deceased Xenophilius Lovegood had just dropped into the lap of Harry James Potter. He was staring out the window for a long moment, trying his best to process what he had just learned, "Harry? Ca va?" asked Fleur, putting a hand on his shoulder, gently.
"Fleur… I don't quite know how to tell you this," he smiled weakly, "I've just become a father…"
The only response possible was total silence until finally, she ventured to ask a single question, "Who?" However, she was capable of answering her own question. "Colin and Luna?" She asked quietly.
He nodded, "I don't have all the details right now, but there is no other woman," he said with a weak smile before falling silent. She could read it in him, despite the humor. There was frustration, even desperation as he slammed his fist down upon the table and it cracked beneath the blow. The wood itself began to smoke, gradually burning the outline of his hand into the wood.
His thoughts came to her, easily, without effort, "Mon Amour," she whispered, "I could try to read your thoughts, but I don't think I have to." She hugged him from behind, "I can hear you asking yourself the questions."
"Do I ask that question that much?" he asked her.
"Oui, but you have more reason than most to ask, 'Why does fate like to fuck with me?'" He blinked in surprise, "I'm part Veela," she shrugged. "If you were part Veela, you would be able to… read my… que vous dit… thoughts." She explained. "There is much about my kind that is not known, mostly because we prefer to keep such knowledge to ourselves."
"How long have you been able to read my mind like that? Literally bypassing my Occulumency?" he asked.
"Since our relationship was… consummated," she said quietly, "with love, not lust." His eyes widened slightly as that hit home, "I told you I loved you, a long time ago, but I knew all along that we were just… having fun… until, our midnight discussion." It had only been a day, perhaps not even that long, not that it mattered. Even before then, she knew virtually all of his secrets: She knew his nightmares, and she knew the dreams that haunted him. He had to wonder what he had done, to deserve a woman like her, one who could look past his failures.
"You did one thing that only Cedric has done for me before," she answered softly. "He saw me as Fleur Delacour, a person, not just a Veela to be chased, or hunted or lusted after." She wrapped her arms around him, just holding him, "Like you… even before you knew that you loved me. You accepted the Veela and me, as one and the same."
"So what do you see in me, that makes me worth you?" he asked in half-whisper.
"I see a man, who has never really been a child." she said cryptically, "There are many who see you as the Boy-who-lived. Some would love the spotlights, the fame, the attention. You just want to be Harry Potter. You are kind and will protect those you care about the way a Lion defends his," she struggled to find the right word, "Family is not the correct word, but you understand?" He nodded.
"When it comes to matters of the heart, Veela can see through all the masks that people wear to hide the truth. Hermione… she was the first you loved, and you feel… unworthy because you failed to protect her." She kissed his cheek, "You did not fail her, and there is no disloyalty in what we have. It is that ability to love, that loyalty, that honor that makes you who I love."
The couple stood staring out the window, looking down into the relaxed ocean of moving people that were at the Diagon Alley so close to Christmas. He was not sure if he could, or would, ever accept that he was not to blame despite the fact that everyone was convinced of the fact. "One day," she said quietly, "perhaps you will understand that, and stop hating yourself for something you could never have controlled."
He squeezed her hand, gently. "Perhaps, one day." He said quietly. There was a knock at the door and they turned as one of the Goblin guards entered, ready to escort them back to Griphook's office.
Whatever had been said by the memory of Luna's father had brought tears into the eyes of both young teens, and the couple leaned against each other as Harry and Fleur both entered. "Harry," said Griphook softly. "Acting in my capacity as Senior Accounts Manager, I have taken the liberty of inviting your legal counsel Marinashka Thaz-Dom and also Director Sheppard of the Department of Family Services."
"With respect to Ms. Delacour," said Marinashka, "Legally, she should not be present as this matter does not concern her."
"I would disagree," said Harry, "I want her here, and I value her opinion and advice. But, I think we should start right at the beginning. Can someone tell me what exactly my rights or responsibilities are as Guardian?"
The Goblins looked at each other for the fraction of an instant and passed the floor to Director Sheppard, "Basically, you are their legal guardian, with all the attendant rights and responsibilities including providing a home, shelter, food, clothing, and everything else you can imagine."
Harry nodded soberly, 'Figured it was something like that.' He thought, "What about the Protectorate Laws?"
"When I mentioned those laws to you, Harry," said Sheppard, "I had no idea what Mr. Lovegood had decided. While you are now recognized as the guardian of both Luna and Colin, that guardianship can be terminated by yourself, or the ministry, in the event a suitable home is found for one, or both of them."
The soft light only betrayed the harshness of the sudden emerald glow in Harry's eyes, "You," he recanted immediately, "The Ministry would split them up?"
"It is a distinct possibility, but that would depend on whether we can find a suitable home for them, together or separately."
He did not need to see to know that Luna's grip on Colin had gone white knuckle, as had Colin's. "Not. Happening," said Harry, "They are not going to be split up by the Ministry unless it's over my dead body."
The Director smiled, "I felt you would say that." She may not have known Harry personally, but what she had seen of the young man had long ago convinced her that he would fight to the death to protect those he cared about, and she could respect that, "It is for precisely this reason that I mentioned the Protectorate Laws of 1592."
"These laws," began Marinashka, "were conceived in the middle ages as a protection for young orphan witches and wizards to prevent them from being sold as slaves. Though the laws have not been enacted since 1784, they were never overturned and as such, they remain in force and can be enacted if you so choose. This would make both of them the protectorates of House Potter."
"What's the difference between having Harry as guardian, and protectorate status?" asked Colin.
"Under the former, he is essentially a temporary parent," began Director Sheppard, "until a suitable home can be found." She was twirling a quill between her fingers, no doubt contemplating what was going to happen next, "Someone who carries the status of Protectorate is considered a member of the host family until they reach the age of maturity or the status is revoked or voluntarily surrendered."
"Between the two… Protectorate status would probably be the more permanent solution." said Marinashka, "But the final decision is not mine to make."
He turned to the pair, "What do you think?" They stared at each other for a long few moments, and Harry realized they were not exactly sure what was expected of them, "Luna, Colin, it's up to both of you to decide. These are your lives. I don't have the right to make such a decision for you."
It did not take them long to decide after that. In fact, the couple only exchanged a single sidelong glance and nodded to each other. Still holding Colin's hand, Luna took a breath and let it out, "Lord Potter, I request sanctuary as a protectorate of House Potter." Colin echoed the request a moment later.
Harry stumbled for a moment, not sure how to phrase his response. Last, of his line, head of an ancient and noble house he may be, but he had never received the formal education about his duties, his rights, responsibilities, or privileges. Indeed, he had been learning about them piecemeal from all over the place as and when required. Fortunately, in this case, he needed to do very little, "I grant the protection of House Potter to Luna Lovegood and Colin Creevy, effective immediately."
Griphook smiled slightly, as did Marinashka and Director Sheppard. The latter produced a stack of parchment, and its sheer size made Harry pale slightly. "The formalization of Protectorate status," she explained, "It will take a few days to wade through it, I'm afraid."
"Lord Potter," interceded Marinashka smoothly, "has long had myself as his legal counsel in numerous matters, and I trust he will allow me to continue to represent him?"
Harry nodded quickly, and the stack of parchment changed hands. "Then I will have these reviewed and a summary prepared, and we shall be able to proceed with the formalization tomorrow. Until such time, there are adequate witnesses here to prove that a verbal contract has been created between the concerned parties."
The meeting adjourned and at Harry's instigation, they agreed to meet on Christmas Day at Potter Manor to take care of the last of the formalities regarding Colin and Luna's situation, as well as take a few preemptive measures against the Ministry, whom Harry had a feeling would be looking to cause trouble once they learned of his actions.
Though Christmas Day dawned bright and clear, it still felt as if the sunshine left its warmth on the outside, despite streaming in through the open windows although they did their level best to keep things cheery and upbeat. The tragedy that had befallen their group remained at the back of everyone's mind. The wounds were too real, and time did not seem to heal them. "It is early yet," Fleur had said quietly, "They need time alone, and together, to come to terms with their memories."
Fleur had quietly taken matters in hand and arranged a Christmas gathering. Party was simply not the right word. The guest list was longer than Harry would have liked but still, it was not all bad as Harry made one or two amendments to it.
Though their relationship had been awkward, they had come through it, and they matched each other very well. True Veela couples are perfectly in synchrony with one another as the bond allows them to share everything, from emotions to thoughts, allowing for an unprecedented level of understanding of their mate. In a relationship where only one is a Veela or of Veela descent, the bond does develop but is more one-sided: The Veela is able to read and sense their mate's emotions and mood, though the reverse is not necessarily true. It is for this reason that Veela rarely bonds with those who are not of their own kind.
At least, that was what Harry had been able to piece together from a half dozen vague texts on the subject. He sighed, and let his head bounce off the table with a thud. They all said roughly the same thing, even though different people wrote them, years apart. He scanned the next paragraph,
"The blood of the parents has little influence upon whether the child will be partial or full Veela. Due to forces as yet poorly understood by those who research this subject, what is clear however is that the mother can always tell, with absolute certainty, the extent to which their unborn son or daughter will inherit the traits of the Veela. What they cannot accurately predict, however, is which of those traits the child will possess." He tossed the book aside and looked across the living room towards the clock.
He stood and stretched before making his way to the Travel Room. His guests should be arriving shortly. At precisely eleven o'clock, the wards flashed and Griphook walked out of the fireplace, followed moments later by Marinashka. Director Sheppard followed a few minutes later, with an apology that was waved aside as they made their way to what for all intents and purposes looked like a conference room.
"Dobby, please find Luna and Colin and have them join us as soon as possible." The elf did not even appear but the orphaned teens wandered in a few minutes later and took their seats. At a nod from Harry, Marinaskha began.
"Having reviewed the documents and forms provided by the Ministry, we have found them to be complete and in order, with all of the relevant information completing the form. All that remains is for the signing and for approval from the Ministry's Department of Family Services."
"This is, of course, the last chance for anyone who wishes to back out, to do so," said Director Sheppard. "As the Director of Family Services with the Ministry of Magic, I hereby sign and state that I do not oppose the adoption of Ms. Luna Lovegood and Mr. Colin Creevy as Protectorates of House Potter." She signed her name with a flourish on both sets of documents.
Harry winced at the sight of the blood quill but took the instrument in his hand and signed his name twice, and then offered the quill to Luna, "Ladies first."
Signed, sealed, and done in minutes. The parchment stacks glowed a deep blue and then gave off an amber flash. "They are now your responsibility Mr. Potter," said Director Sheppard, "I will file these copies with the Ministry," she passed one set to Griphook and the third set to Harry, "For your records," Sheppard said her farewells and departed a few minutes later.
"Colin, Luna," Harry said softly, "Welcome to the family." He embraced them and with the hint of a smile said, "Now the first thing we need to sort out is your chores..."
Fleur interceded smoothly with a head slap that made Harry wince, "That will not be necessary, dear" she said, "and you know it."
"Yeah I know," he said with a smile, "But seriously, we are opening presents this afternoon right?" Given the somber requirements of the morning, opening presents would have made a poor prelude, and the group had unanimously decreed to move the present opening until a later time. Somehow, around teatime had been chosen and both elves were enjoying themselves in the kitchen preparing for it. Harry said nothing, but he knew that both of them were slaving away to create something that would help take Luna's and Colin's minds off things.
Fleur had handled the guestlist for dinner with practiced ease and put together a seating chart for dinner. Harry had wisely stayed out of the entire affair, and only made one comment on the arrangement, "That's a woman thing isn't it?"
"No. This is a motherly wife thing," she said in such a matter-of-fact tone; he could not help but wonder whether she was hinting at something in a very indirect fashion. He managed to contain the sudden shudder, as he glanced at his watch. She noted the time as well, "Less than an hour till they get here."
Naturally, the first to arrive was Ginny, followed by Neville. The last to arrive and fashionably late were the Twins - not that anyone was really keeping track of the fact they were fifteen minutes late. When it got down to opening presents, the argument was good-natured as to who should open first, and Ginny was first to suggest in order of age and that, as the youngest, she should go first. Fleur however argued that the eldest should go first.
It went back and forth, as mock threats were spouted until finally the twins intervened, and began handing everyone their presents from underneath the tree. Suffice it to say everyone received a variety of things, including a varied selection of products, clothing and other things. Harry, of course, had been careful to avoid throwing about too much money over presents, and he breathed a sigh of relief as he hit the mark rather well.
The twins were delighted with the selection of muggle practical joke books and the muggle "magic" set. Hundreds of ideas and thousands of galleons in profits to be made. Harry shuddered to wonder what further brands of chaos and madness he had just unleashed upon the wizarding world.
Ginny was in awe over the combined present from Neville and her twin brothers. It was no Nimbus and definitely did not come anywhere near a Firebolt, but the Dyson 3600 was a solid all-round broom. Her first thought had been to the price until Neville had told her quietly, that his Grandmother had stock in the company and they had bought it at cost.
Neville had done goldfish impressions when he unwrapped the array of "mystery seeds," he realized he had a few hundred hours of amusement in his hands. Not only did he have to grow them, but also figure out what they were.
Colin's gift of choice had revolved around his love of photography. Harry had joked once that when given a choice between protecting Luna and his camera that the camera would win. Luna's gift of a dragonhide case amongst a slew of other accessories meant that the camera would come in second due to it receiving better protection than she had.
Luna's gift has easily cost the most out of every present under the Christmas tree that day. It was Harry's gift, and he had given her a bank draft worth 10,000 Galleons addressed to "Ms. Luna Lovegood, Current and Future Editor in Chief of The Quibbler."
Harry's gifts had included a near befuddling array of practical joke merchandise from the Twins amongst other things, but what had really gotten him was the joint gift from Colin and Luna. He had received a photo album from Hagrid once before. This looked like the same thing. The pictures did not go back nearly as far, but they covered the good times going back a year. The pictures brought a twinge of something as he skimmed over the album. The photographs ranged from the simply mundane like him and Hermione holding hands or taking a walk by the lake, to Harry in action during the first task, he soaked to the bone chasing Hermione through the Entrance hall, their impromptu Valentines Day party and so much more.
Of course, Harry had nearly driven Moony, Blake, and Dobby insane, and Harry was sure that the shop assistant in Diagon Alley would have hexed him if not for the generous tip he left. The girls had "oohed" and "aahed" over the pendant necklace he had bought Fleur. Luna had taken one look at the pendant and turned to Harry, "Garnet Harry?"
He had nodded, somehow not surprised that she had been able to identify the gemstone. It was a simple pendant with three pear-shaped gems set in titanium. Fleur had tried it on, found that the chain was the perfect length and she had a soft smile when she hugged him and gave him a kiss that flooded his mind with some very explicit images. Despite his best efforts, he still blushed ever so slightly. However, that was still better than going as red as the gemstone.
The afternoon blended into the evening, with Moony and Blake joining the gaggle of teenagers as the rest of the guests began to arrive. Besides professors McGonagall and Flitwick, other guests included Director Sheppard, Griphook and Marinashka, and the rest of the Weasleys including Charlie, who was visiting from Romania, and Bill who was back from an expedition to South America. Unfortunately, that had to include an invitation to Ron and Percy. Arguably two of the most surprising guests had been Aurors Tonks and Moody.
The arrival of so many people was somewhat problematic, given the Fidelius charm that shielded the Manor until Griphook had explained that as the Caster and Secret Keeper, he had the right to share the information and then remove it by simply verbally revoking the granted permission. "Even telling Ronald Weasely will be without risk as he cannot share the information as he does not have the necessary permission from you to share that information."
Harry made a mental note of that fact as Ron exited the fireplace into the travel room of Potter Manor. He was surprised at the polite greeting he got from Harry. Truthfully, Ron was surprised he was invited at all and then more than a little angry that he was being dragged along. 'Not like I want anything to do with the half-blood,' thought Ron as he cautiously shook Harry's hand.
"I revoke the knowledge of the location of my home," he said bluntly, and Ron felt the void in his memory. He knew that there was something important than he should know, and remember but for the life of him could not figure out what it was, "Enjoy the evening."
The temporary confusion made the first portion of the evening pass surprisingly well, as even Molly Weasely could find little to fault in Harry's living arrangements, given that the house was spotless, and the cuisine difficult to fault. Not that her objections would have made one whit of difference, given his emancipation and she wisely, though perhaps with some difficulty bit her tongue when it came to his "very adult" relationship with Fleur Delacour. Molly had limited her foray to only two questions, "Are you and Fleur…" and when the answer had been in the affirmative, "You are both taking the… appropriate… precautions?"
As had become his habit at these kinds of events, he made sure to make the rounds, chatting politely to all of his guests, but it was more his habit to ghost the conversations, simply listening in and contributing or asking a question of relevance when the opportunity presented it.
He was unsurprised to learn that the Department of Magical Law Enforcement was still suffering from a budget deficit, which was one of the principal reasons that they were unable to respond in a timely fashion during the attacks a few days prior. "And those reports of a special unit in the Prophet are a complete fabrication," said Amelia, "If we had such a unit, it would have not fallen to a group of… vigilantes to defend the wizarding public."
Tonks nodded and sipped her champagne, "But what do you make of these vigilantes, personally?" Harry was lurking in the background, quietly listening in on this conversation with avid interest. And he was fully aware that Mad-Eye Moony's eye was fixed on him.
"They were well trained, but beyond that, they stood their ground and fought against the Death Eaters," she sighed, "Officially, they are vigilantes. Unofficially, I wish there were more like them that I could recruit to the ranks of the Aurors."
"You might find most of them to be uninterested in being recruited," grunted Moody as he sipped his firewhiskey.
Harry moved on, listening in as Ginny explained the revenge that she and the twins had exacted upon Slytherin House, "…not that it was hard to find the entrance to their common room, but the trick was getting the charm to activate at random." He grinned at the thought of Slytherin students having their homework and even their textbooks inexplicably becoming nothing but blank pages, "But Malfoy… we got him good."
"Well it was your idea, sister dear," said one of the Twins, "And you deserve the credit for it."
"Credit for its creation does however come to us," said the other, "Right Fred?"
"Indeed, George," replied his brother, "But its placement is a feat of skill in its own right." Fred looked at his blushing sister, "Inside the Slytherin common room and then again over the door of the library…"Moony and Blake sat riveted by the sheer audacity of the prank.
"…the entrance Great Hall…"
"…And Snape's dungeon…"
"Is amazing in itself!" they concluded.
"It is," agreed Harry. He raised his glass, "I was wondering why Malfoy was so quiet of late. Little did I know that you had charmed his underwear to shrink: To the Prank Master Generals, now three strong, and a triple threat!" there was a great deal of laughter at that particular pronouncement.
The quiet conversation between the various girlfriends he paid only scant attention to before retreating "….biblical legend that Noah hung garnet on the ark to light his way on the forty days and nights when God flooded the Earth," said Luna, "But old legends aside, Garnet is not the most valuable of stones but it's what it means, Fleur."
"Any man who gives a woman jewelry wants her to know how he feels about her," said Susan Bones. Considering that her mother was one of the guests, he had agreed with Fleur that splitting them up on Christmas was just not a good idea.
"True but Garnet is symbolic," said Luna, "It is seen as a protective gem of journeyers, symbolic of love, and the desire for a loved one's safe travel and speedy homecoming." Harry wisely retreated before he could be spotted and grilled like a lamb kebab.
He escaped but not before Fleur caught his gaze and winked at him. Some part of him realized that he would be talking in tongues before the night was over.
Ron, he noted absently, was ghosting conversations just as he was, but wisely saying nothing as he hung close to his parents who were lost in conversation with Colin and Neville about something to do with mystery seeds and muggle farming.
Dinner proceeded and went very well, laughter and merriment all around, and even Colin and Luna were able to join in the laughter and general happiness of the evening until at last, with everyone still seated and full after stuffing themselves with a selection of delectable desserts, Harry rose to his feet, glass in hand. The twins immediately began calling for a speech but he silenced them with a smile and nod in their direction.
'He silences them with a look!' Molly was amazed. At home, she had more than once come close to casting a silencing charm on both of them to get some quiet during the holidays.
"Family and friends," he began, "It has been my," he gestured towards his girlfriend, "our pleasure to host this evening and I hope that it will be the first of many in the coming years." It was polite, thanking his guest for coming, and of course made only an indirect mention to certain events, "In every age, there is a cause worth fighting for, and we have ours. The greatest threat to our survival is close at hand," he looked around the table, meeting the eyes of everyone, except for Ron, "We represent many backgrounds, and many generations, skills, and talents. What we have shared tonight is what I hope the future has in store for us: Peace, surrounded by loving family and friends. Thank you all for coming." He paused, "Now, it is still Christmas. I'm pretty sure that there are presents under the Christmas tree for everyone…"
Twenty people and only eight of them had opened their presents that afternoon after all. Unsurprisingly, there were plenty of gifts to go around.