39Disclaimer: I think we all know who really owns what.
AN: Chapter Three! I actually wrote this chapter and chapter 2 at the same time. That just seems to be the way I'm writing this particular story, one scene at a time, and not necessarily completely linear. So just bear with me, it's not abandoned.
I have very little knowledge of the Godparents thing. I looked it up a long time ago, but I'm not really sure if there are two sets of godparents or just one. In this story there's just one - Ron as Lily's godfather (Harry's pick) and Ginny as Lily's godmother (Luna's pick). Since Harry and Luna planned on having more than one child, they would have swapped and Hermione would have been their second child's godmother (Harry's pick) and probably Neville would have been the godfather (Luna's pick).
I'm sorry that I'm not updating as much as I originally thought I would be - I've got about 500 ideas in my head, three of which pestered me enough I actually started writing them down. Plus, I've got my own original fiction that takes top priority, and my job. But I am chipping away at this story, and I do have a complete outline, so I hope you all enjoy it as it - slowly - unfolds.
Chapter Three - Wards
Harry was dashing around The Burrow. Ginny could occasionally hear him stop and scold himself for forgetting his rule about denying Albus Dumbledore's crazy schemes on principle, no matter how much he wheedeled or charmed or guilted.
Ginny allowed herself an unladylike snort. Yeah, like Harry could ever do that.
Lily garbled on the floor in front of her. Her mum was happily helping the sleepy-but-determined to-be-awake child sit up amongst a pile of cushions and blankets, talking which exaggerated care. Ginny wasn't sure which was more amusing - her mother's antics or Lily's gurgling giggles.
"Yes Lily, your Daddy is sooo silly." Her mum picked up the light rattle Lily dropped and let her try to lift and shake it again. It dropped to the floor with a clatter, and Lily gave a surprised little murmur while staring at her hand and where the rattle should be. Her dad was sleeping in the armchair nearby, reading glasses askew and a new book about Muggle and Wizards Relations Throughout History open against his chest.
"Mum, when did I first display accidental magic?" Ginny knew the science behind children and accidental magic, it was a topic often covered in her MediWitch Training. But text books held nothing to lovingly retold stories by her mum.
"Oh dear, you were probably a little more than three years old when you gave your first big sign."
Harry stomped down the stairs balancing a box filled to his chin with books and rolls of parchment and the muggle notebooks he loves. On his shoulder was his old book bag, stuffed full of what looked like more books, half of Lily's toys, and a shrunken Hedwig's cage. His glasses were threatening to fly off his face.
Ron, who had been lounging on the couch content to relax his sore muscles, looked over and burst into laughter at the sight of his best friend.
Lily, having no idea why her godfather was laughing, giggled along all the same.
"Really Harry, between you and Hermione I have to wonder. Are you a wizard man? Shrink that stuff down or at least featherlight it."
Harry's face blossomed in color.
"Oh," he stuttered, before things began to shrink and shift in his arms until the box he had been carrying was the size of one heavy tome.
"Showoff," Ron muttered.
"Ron, go help Harry pack."
"But maaa, Harry has another day or two before he leaves. And you were, ya know, in the middle of a story." Ron blushed.
Harry, as he headed back upstairs, shouted, "Plus, I wouldn't want his help. Likely to blow up whatever he went to shrink."
"Oi! That was one time! Once!" Ron shook his fist in the air.
"Mum?" Ginny prodded.
"Right. So you were just about three years old and the twins, dear Merlin, decided to help me out during breakfast and feed you themselves."
Ron suddenly let out a loud snort. "Oh man, I remember this now!"
Her mum cast an exasperated huff in his direction. Then she propped the sagging Lily back up.
"Yes dear. If I remember you were sitting at the table alternating between shoving sausages up your nose and eating them."
Ginny let out a peal of giggles so intense she had to let herself fall to the ground.
"Fred and George had, well, they had something to do with that!" Ron protested.
"I'm sure they did. Anyway, Ginny, you were a very picky eater when you were little."
"Still is," Ron said.
"Rooon!" Ginny tried to swipe at her brother with her foot, but he simply lounged deeper in the couch. "Better than eating everything in sight."
"Children, you are not setting a good example."
Lily giggled as her mum swooped down to tickle at her tummy.
"Merlin, I don't know what Lune's and I were thinking."
Harry, back with another box filled to the brim with baby clothes and diapers, was mock shaking his head at the lot of them.
"Quiet you, or I'll help mum sic Ron on you."
Her friends eyes sparkled brightly with mirth. After putting down his burdens he came to settle on the floor next to her. Ginny shifted to bump shoulders with him.
"Go on mum." Ron urged.
"Well, I think they were trying to feed you some spoonfuls of oatmeal when you decided you had had enough. You brought your little fists down with a big shout about how no way were you ever going to eat 'icky oatmeal', and half the bowls and plates on the table exploded all the way up to the ceiling. After coating the twins liberally of course."
It felt good to laugh like this. Ron with his loud and honest laugh, and her mum's wide soft smiles. Lily's little titters next to her, and Harry with his happy low chuckles close to her own ear. Her father mumbling in his sleep. It made remembering the liberal amount of dark and tense times they had only recently pulled each other from, and in some cases were still pulling Harry from, fade far away in her mind. It allowed them to forget that, despite copious amounts of teasing, Ron was shaping up to a very efficient Auror and would soon be reguarly handed dangerous assignments, and that Ginny's own exams were creeping up and looming in the near future, and now Harry was going back into another type of war. Even though he'd be constructing powerful wards and should be behind them at all times she still worried about the dark shadows that lurked so close to the surface in his wide green eyes. And no matter what Dumbledore said, she could not imagine vampires being pleasant company.
"Do you think I should leave Lily here?" Harry suddenly voiced into the calm atmosphere.
"Well, it might be a bit safer. Though we've had our fair share of scares." Her mum said evenly.
Ginny felt Harry wince beside her so she gripped his hand. "Even before you and Lils' got here."
"Oh yes, I didn't mean because of you hun."
It was true. The Burrow's wards were being steadily upgraded by Bill and Harry, especially since they had taken such a huge hit during the war. The new set-up was powerful and as permanent as possible, so it had to happen gradually to better prepare the earth and ward stones placed along the perimeter. Plus, they needed to get the whole family together for some parts, which was becoming increasingly hard to do.
"And I know you mate," Ron said, "You'll just drive yourself crazy with worry without her. I mean, you will no matter what, but at least if she's with you you'll know right away what to do if something goes a bit south."
Harry fell silent. Finally he just said,
"Well, I think Lily is just about done for the day. It's much later than usual for her bedtime. Plus, Hermione's coming over tomorrow afternoon to help me with the arrangements."
"I'll let you know what I hear in the meeting tomorrow." Ron said.
"Thanks mate."
Ginny said her goodnights along with her mum and brother, watching her slight friend cuddle his daugther as he headed up to his room.
"Vampires." Ron said with still bemused shock.
Ginny agreed.
/ / /
Hermione flooed into The Burrow at precisely 1 o'clock. She had two bundles packaged in her arms, her hair was in a messy bun, and she looked every bit as worried but determined that she had during the war.
"Hermione!"
And then Harry was there, gathering her up into a big hug, chin almost able to comfortably rest on her shoulder.
"Hey Harry. I also have a book of modern day efficient hexes, in case you decide to end this craziness and confront Dumbledore." Hermione wasn't even a bit shaken by her honest conviction when she said it either. Really, guilting Harry into participating in more crazy adventures and danger. What a completely crazy old man, Dumbledore was.
"Thanks, but I've given my word so..."
"Yes, yes. Your hero complex."
Harry gave a weak protest, never liking the wording since fifth year. But Hermione thought it prudent to remind her friend that sometimes he shouldn't play the hero. And it was only mostly because she was positively terrified about what he was about to do, and without her and Ron there as immediate back-up. All she could think about were those long months waiting for his body to surface after being taken by the Death Eaters and Voldemort. She felt her lower lip begin to tremble, and Harry's eyes widen in fright.
"No tears! You know how that gets to me. Come, come enjoy a Burrow filled with quiet since the Twins are in the shop and Ron's in a meeting. And, oh yeah, Lily is down for a nap."
His eyes hummed with humor, and she couldn't help but giggle in agreement. Lily was the quietest of the four, really.
"Where's Molly and Gin?"
"Out back. I think they're waging a terrifying battle with the Garden Gnomes."
"Poor dears."
Harry grinned, knowing she was referring to the Gnomes. The same Gnomes that took pleasure in mooning her whenever she tried one of her 'talks' with them.
"Were you able to find the Cherish Bracelet? Did I wire over enough money?"
Hermione handed him the smaller package.
"Yes and yes. I have to say, the Cherish Bracelet is one of the most promising recent inventions I've read up on."
"I think so too."
Harry had unwrapped the gift and was now crading a small, silver, bracelet. It was a new invention meant specifically to protect children under the age of five against most harms. It was powered by both the pure and innocent heart of the child, and the devotion of the parents. It should mask any appealing 'food' scent she could give off to a long list of magical creatures, as well as diverting a few of the nastier hexes and curses.
"Great. I know Albus assures me they're so called vegetarians but I've learned it is much better to be safer than sorry. Not stress their control any more than necessary."
"Absolutely."
Hermione followed her friend into the kitchen, where he had a parchment featuring a growing list, and a little crib where Lily slept. Giving Lily a gentle little kiss, her honorary god-daughter, she watched as Harry slipped the bracelet onto her arm and incanted the spells listed on the instructions. The single bead on the bracelt turned a gentle blue.
"It will even protect her against nargles and crumple-horned snorlacks." Hermione said distractedly.
Suddenly Harry was peering at her with earnest and happy love.
"Hermione Granger, just when I think you can't be any more amazing you say things like that."
Blushing to her roots, Hermione just good-naturely shoved at him.
"I am willing to admit that Luna had some fairly good ideas, especially concerning Magical Creatures that I may have needlessly contested in our youth."
Harry just looked at her.
"So, still up for coming along for the long Muggle travel schedule I've set up for tomorrow. I can still beg Gin or Remus to come along with Ron and I."
"You mean miss out on my boyfriend's first experience with an airplane? Please Harry."
Harry laughed, shoved his list into her hands, and they got down to business.
/ / /
The Cullens were in various states of amusement, wary anger, and happiness as more and more wizards popped into existence on their front lawn. Their guardians were going to be four official Aurors and three Order of the Phoenix members. Not including Harry and Lily Potter. All of yesterday had been spent planning and preparing their home to house humans. Dumbledore had assured them Harry was undoubtedly packing everything Lily would need, and either he, Dumbledore, or someone else would transfigure anything else that was necessary. Esme and Alice were restrained from simply going out and buying the furniture. They instead contented themselves with shopping for a massive amount of food.
Carlisle and Jasper were questioning Tonks and Remus - after, of course, the initial distaste of being introduced to a True Werewolf - about the Death Eaters.
"But won't they simply move on when they realize you have all arrived?" Carlisle asked.
"They could. But we've been hunting them down for a couple of years now. We've got trackers and people watching all over the place, and to be honest, they're probably getting incredibly desperate. They've managed to ensnare a view of the Creatures, such as werewolves and vampires, but many were reclaimed, killed, or turned on them after battles." Remus said.
"There was a messy month long siege in Ireland involving Banshees, Death Eaters, and werewolves at one of The Dark Lord's former strongholds, and they lost a lot of outside support and morale when we emerged victorious."
"Many of the vampire tribes in Europe have flat out refused to aid them, probably at the behest of your Volturi and also because they really have little to gain from a war it seems apparent has already been lost. They're targeting Creatures much further abroad, and with little actual knowledge of the state of the magical world, such as yourselves."
"Especially ones with nifty talents."
Jasper had a grim look on his face the entire time the two Brits were talking. Carlisle was a little worried for his son, but talking to him would have to wait until a more private moment.
"They seem capable of blocking our gifts." Jasper said at last.
"You're right. They probably took precautionary measures such as charms or potions when coming to face you. But most witches and wizards wouldn't have the defense, or the foresight, to do something like that. Your manipulation of emotions was effective even despite their security measures. I imagine it only heightened their desire to win you over to use that skills against us."
There was little Jasper or Carlisle could say against that. From the stiff look about Edward when Carlisle turned to the watch the proceedings it seemed his eldest had been listening in and was displeased. Do not worry, Carlisle projected, but was uncertain if Edward had cared to listen.
A red-haired man named Bill Weasley had arrived with eight thick cubes of stones, and they were covered in runic letters. They were about six inches all around, and a deep obsidian. Bill had explained that once the wards were activated many of the charms had repelling properties set in to make wizards and magical creatures unable to locate them.
"There will be two circles. A large one will be powered by four of the stones. Because of the breadth of the area and the stones being used, it will be the weaker of the two. However, there's no real way of getting around something like that. It will still be powerful enough to give us enough notice to man a forced together if they find one of the stones or are trying to break through the wards."
As he talked, he was showing them on a map what he was talking about. The Cullen house was marked with a glowing blue circle. Bill poked four times at the map and four red squares appeared, then shimmering red lines spidered out to connect the four squares and create a circle.
Emmett and Edward had appointed themselves the lead safety members of the family and were digesting everything the younger wizards said with an intent look on their faces.
"It will encompass a lot of the forest for your hunts. It acts like a trip wire. It will alert us if any other magical signature gets near it - such as wizards, vampires, werewolves, you name it. It will allow all of your guards in, as well as yourselves. But besides that no one else will be able to apparate-"
"Our version of teleporting," Tonks said.
"Oh, yes. Sorry. But no one will be able to cross the line through any means unless given permission. Unless they manage to twist or break the line, in which case, someone as sensitive as Harry would notice and he'd probably drop the outer line altogether to strengthen the inner circle."
Bill poked four more times to add four more red squares that were significantly closer to the Cullen house symbol. The shimmering red lines appeared to close that area into another circle.
"If this happens, the Aurors and Order members will appear into your house first, to start evacuating-"
"We're not just going to abandon our home!" Rosalie snapped.
Bill looked uneasy, glancing over to Auror Darson, the head Auror that Shacklebolt had placed to lead the team. He was a tall, muscled, balding man. Dark eyes peered out beneath thick brows. Darson shrugged.
"I'm sure with Mr. Potter in residence they will be taught the best ways to fight and survive in a battle against Death Eaters. We're not going to waste energy arguing with you, especially not if Potter's wards were breached. However, if you are going to join our fight I strongly advise you to listen to us in the battle. I won't have your pride causing my men and women to die."
Rosalie, Edward, and Emmett bristled, but one look at the worry on Esme's face stayed their tongue. The Cullens all agreed to Darson's plan.
"Right, well, the inner ward will be much stronger since it's smaller and located more to the wizard charging them. The good thing about these wards is that after the charge to start them all up, they're always on humming in the background. Harry will check them periodically to make sure there are no cracks in them, but they're the strongest non-permenant wards we've got so you should be very safe."
"How exactly are they charged? How can one person charge them?" Alice asked.
"Oh," Bill grinned. "Best wait till Harry arrives. Some things are just better shown. It's a combination of magic, runes, blood, and intent. These particular wards are called the Trust - sometimes Trust/Friend - ward. Plus, my speciality lies in breaking wards and curses. A friend of mine will be arriving soon and we'll start laying down the base for when Harry arrives."
At the mention of blood a couple of wizards winced and looked strongly at the vampires, as though just the mere word was enough to send them into a crazy blood frenzy. When no attack was forthcoming, the Aurors got back to work.
/ / /
Harry and Hermione had spent the entire airplane ride in a horrible, immature, snickering mess.
First had been Ron's reaction to the airport. They had had to shush his stage whispers about Muggles and elektrizity as they drew puzzled stares. They thought they might have seen a wizard or two, looking on with knowing amusement, but it was hard to tell.
Just the process of obtaining their tickets and getting through security was enough for most people to assume that Ron was a very very special and sheltered person. The kind exasperated tones of the security woman went right over his head. Harry thought he had just about burst a lung with holding in his laughter.
Hermione just grew more and more starry eyed.
"It's just so cute." She giggled into Harry's ear, as Ron was allowed the chance to poke at the ATM and retrieve some cash.
They split a pizza. Hermione demanded extra cheese and tomatoes, while Ron begged for sausage and pepperoni. Harry, trying to calm down a fussing Lily, just wanted a very large Coke and potion for his headache. They split a basket of breadsticks while waiting on their meal and softly talked about the Order and the Aurors that were in charge of the mission.
"I wish I could be there with you full time, mate." Ron said.
Still in training, Ron was unable to take on full missions. He was, however, going to be Apparating in to occasionally work through the Order on his days off. Hermione would as well, when not in class.
"It will be alright. Providing the wards have a good base, and the Aurors Shacklebolt picked seem pretty competent, I'm hoping this doesn't take longer than five weeks."
The Death Eaters were known for hitting fast and hard now that the last of their strongholds had fallen. Except in rare cases where they stumbled upon particularly powerful recruits, they tended to cut their losses and disappear in only a matter of days. If they were really bucking down to make one last grand stand, Harry wanted it to go as swiftly and smoothly as possible.
"The magic build-up is getting too big to ignore. They must be furious."
"I heard some of the higher ups talking about it. They reckon that if things continue in the this vein for another month, trainees like me and Finnegan should be able to track their Apparation tracks with blind-folds on."
Harry hummed in wonder. Apparation Tracking was one of the most useful tricks Aurors and other law enforcement groups could learn. Most people weren't powerful enough to create very strong tracks, and those that were normally learned how to hide them. But even the strongest wizard repeatedly using Apparation could not prevent a build-up from sinking into the earth. Any Auror who had the potential to become good at Apparation Tracking got picked for some big missions and awarded with big bonuses. Ron had been studying it since day one of training, and was almost at the top of his class, though he had difficulty tracking lines that extended outside of a hundred miles, and even more difficulty at tracking through common Appartion points where lines of Apparation became jumbled and tied up with others.
"Is Seamus still with Cecila?" Hermione was rooting around in her purse to put in her portion of the tip. Ron waved her efforts a way and added in a bit more to the pile.
"No. They broke up last week. Seamus said is was getting too stifling."
"Commitment phobia." Hermione sniffed.
Ron rolled his eyes. Seamus and his many torrid love affairs was a heated topic between the two. Mainly because whenever Ron said he could understand Seamus' desire to play the field while he was still young was typical and normal, Hermione immediately stiffened as though her and Ron's stable relationship for the past four years was some sort of crime. Hermione often dragged Harry and Luna's loving though short marriage into the mix, which Harry never appreciated.
"Anyway, it's about time to head towards our gate, right?" Harry snorted. Harry Potter: Peace Maker During Times of War, Diaper Rash Tears, and Best Friend Bickering.
Ron perked up immediately and all but chatted their ears off with how excited he was. It wasn't until they were on the plane and buckled in that his excitement abated long enough for him to put together the fact that the airplane was going to be very high up in the air without the use of magic. That's when he started hyperventilating.
Hermione, ever prepared, discreetly calmed him down with a potion-laced water bottle and by holding his hand. An alarming thirty minutes later where Harry was positively sure Ron was going to blow chunks all over the place they were in the air.
"How did I let you talk me into this?" Ron moaned towards Harry.
"Be quiet, prat. You got the window seat. Come on, it's all perfectly safe and you should look outside to enjoy the view. It's like being on a broom."
Both Ron and Hermione gave him odd looks.
"Well, it's kind of like being on a broom. You're in the air, aren't you?"
Ron seemed heartened by this and despite never letting go of Hermione's hand he did start up a running commentary of the scenery and his thoughts on this new 'Muggle brand Magic' experience. Especially when the complimentary movie came on. Ron and the twins thought the telly and cinema were the best Muggle Magic Inventions in the world. Even if they didn't believe Harry and Hermione's explanation that there weren't actually little people inside the telly.
Hermione and Harry just shared knowing and humorous looks.
/ / /
Remus was waiting for them as they flew into the airport in Seattle. Lily, who had woke up and fussed for the past hour, was finally asleep. Remus looked at her with a happy twinkle in his eye and helped Harry strap her into the car properly.
"Remus, how are you?" Harry asked, while giving the man a fierce hug.
Remus, a bounty hunter and private Defense consultant, had been busy the past month. Harry had only had the chance to see him for two lunches in the past month and it seemed like it had been a long time since the last one. Hermione tackled the man into a hug as well.
"Just fine. Had some trouble in Romania, but it worked out in the end." Remus slipped behind the wheel, Hermione into the passenger seat to act as navigator in case Remus needed someone to check the map, and Harry and Ron took up the back with Lily. "This must be bringing back memories. When was the last time you three were on a crazy adventure?"
Ron laughed. "Not since that trip we took to Sweden."
"Oh please, please don't bring that up. It was terrible."
"You only think that because - "
Hermione swiveled to pin her boyfriend with a hefty glare.
"Ah… anyway, not since Sweden."
Remus caught Harry's eye in the rearview mirror. Despite driving towards Death Eaters and vampires, Harry felt completely relaxed and at ease. It actually felt good to be on an adventure again.
"Well, hopefully this works out better than Sweden." Remus said in a dry voice.
/ / /
Jasper watched as the two wizards and one goblin - what a shock his arrival had been - worked their way around the forest to deposit the last of the ward stones. Bill had kept up a running explanation of what they were doing and what it was causing the magic in the area to do. With the setting of each stone they had required Carlisle's presence, and had keyed a portion of each stone to him.
"The Friendship-Trust ward is powered by the magic in the surrounding area and the magic in the ward holder - this will be Harry. If used to protect a group of people like your family, it also helps to have it be powered by a chosen trusted leader. Carlisle, as the Sire of this Coven, is the obvious choice. I'm assuming you all trust and respect the decisions your Sire makes?"
When put like that, there was simply nothing to say.
Finally, when the last stone was put into place, there was nothing to do but wait for Harry's arrival. Remus had left a long time ago to pick everyone up in Seattle, so everyone else milled about the Cullen's front steps. Most of the Auror's were discussing past cases amongst themselves, while Dumbledore quietly talked to a tall, severe looking man with lanky black hair who had arrived with a set of three foul smelling potions.
Just the potions were enough to warm Jasper a little bit for the mysterious Harry Potter, because no one should have to drink such things.
Rosalie and Alice were entangled in a conversation with Tonks - now that both Rosalie and the witch had cooled towards one another - about Hogwarts and other magical schools. Having traveled all over the world and being magical without even realizing it, they wanted to know how they could escape things like owls fluttering about during the day and people on brooms and giant squids in magical castles. Tonks was theorizing that vampire magic worked a lot more on emotion and intent than most wizard magic, and perhaps just subconsciously denying the existence of most magic was enough to entangle them in a lot of Muggle Repellant wards.
From the interested glances Dumbledore was occasionally sending the trio of women, it seemed he likely agreed.
Esme was hovering near the Aurors to be ready when they - hopefully - caved and asked for some sort of refreshment.
Emmett was doing a good job at being completely ignored by the goblin.
At six o'clock the rented SUV the wizards had acquired pulled up in their driveway.
Things were about to start.