Joys
Charlus Potter stood before the fire in the entrance area of Potter Manor. It was 10:55. He was waiting for the visit from an unknown family member.
Beside him stood Dorea Potter nee Black. She looked very regal, despite the fact that she wasn't dressed in her most formal wear. Their visitor had told them that he would dress informally and so the couple had followed suit.
At 10:56, the flame within the fireplace turned green. Shortly thereafter a figure appeared out of the fire – and promptly fell down. The couple was amused as they heard the snatches of complaints from the man as he collected himself and stood up.
"… buggering floo … I can apparate silently … fly like the wind … finally learned to land properly with a portkey … the floo still lands me on arse over head every buggering …" It was at that moment that their visitor saw the two figures waiting for him. The man actually blushed.
Dorea looked at her husband and said, "He's a Potter alright. If the hair and build didn't give it away, his entrance using the floo would be a big clue."
Charlus' smile showed some small affectionate irritation for his wife's comment. He turned back toward the man who had finally gotten himself together. "Welcome to Potter Manor. May you find shelter and safety beneath our roof."
Their visitor bowed before the couple. "My thanks for your welcome. My name is Harry James Potter."
Charlus nodded to the man, releasing him from his bow. "I am Charlus Potter, Head of Potter. This is my wife, Dorea." Charlus shook the man's hand. Dorea then presented her own hand and their visitor lowered his head above it and their visitor gave the briefest of kisses.
In the Muggle world, it was becoming more polite to not actually kiss the woman's knuckles. In the wizarding world, however, it was still considered proper for a kiss to actually make a slight contact. Some families expected members to kiss the signet of the Head of the family – but the Potter family was not into creating subservience and had done away with the practice.
Charlus looked at their visitor approvingly. (He was very approving of proper respect for his wife.)
The man stood. Charlus smiled. "Come. Brunch is within the dining room. We shall eat and discuss your reasons for visiting."
Very soon, the three were seated around a table. There was a large amount of food of various types. Charlus looked at their visitor, "What would you like to drink?"
Harry considered that. "Fruit juice or pumpkin – whatever is easiest."
Charlus nodded. "Jolly!" Immediately, there was a 'pop' and a house elf stood within the room. "Whatever fruit juice is available for our guest."
Jolly nodded and then snapped his fingers. In front of Harry was now what appeared to be apple juice. Harry took a sip and said, "Thank you, Jolly."
Oddly, Jolly eeped and then said, "You welcome, Master," and then popped out.
Dorea's eyes squinted as she considered their guest. "May I ask?" she asked her husband.
Charlus, who also looked curious nodded.
Dorea addressed their guest. "Can you explain why our house elf calls you Master?"
Harry grinned sheepishly. "Well … yes. I think so." When neither of the couple replied Harry continued. "Magical beings sense much more than most wizards. And where I come from … or perhaps I should say when I come from … I am the Head of the Potter Family."
Charlus and Dorea looked at each other in shock. Charlus asked, "And when would than be?"
Harry sighed as he set down his spoon. "My name is Harry James Potter. I am also known as the Chosen One, the Boy-Who-Lived, the Man-Who-Won, Potter of Potter, Black of Black, Lord of Gryffindor by Primogeniture, Lord of Peverell by Primogeniture and Conquest, Lord of Slytherin by Conquest, Marek Ilumian – Fury of the Light, Master of Death. I was born 31 July 1980 to James Potter, Pureblood son of Charlus and Dorea Potter nee Black, and his wife Lily Potter nee Evans, Muggleborn of the family Evans. I am godson to Sirius Orion Black III of the main Black line. I am known throughout a number of Universes as the Lone Traveler."
The couple looked upon their guest in shock. Finally, Dorea had processed enough to react to one fact. Hesitantly she said, "You're our grandson."
Harry nodded. "Or at least an alternate version of him. My father was born a few years later than this in my home Universe."
In that moment, Dorea felt an unbelievable release of the constant tension and regret that she had long felt after failing to give her husband an Heir. She stood up and, almost in a daze, moved around to stand in front of Harry, who had risen himself. She looked in his eyes directly and saw the truth of what he had said. Suddenly she began crying in joy as she threw her arms around him.
Charlus watched with deep joy as the hurt that his wife had long felt was drained upon meeting Harry. From what he gathered, it was unlikely that he was actually their grandson; but, he represented true hope that they would eventually have a son and Heir. With that he was more than satisfied.
After emotions were spent and the brunch was finished, Harry brought up the reason why he contacted the couple.
"When I arrived in this particular reality, I ran across a wizard cursing a muggle with an unforgivable. Having stopped him and gotten the Ministry to take care of catching him, I want to make sure his family is prevented from being harmed."
Dorea was a little surprised. "That's a decidedly odd attitude for most to take. Usually, one sees very little concern for the families of criminals."
Her tone was only curiosity and not disagreement; so Harry did not take offense. He gave a small smile. "One of the advantages I have is seeing different decisions play out. Here's what I know: If something is not done, a happy little baby girl will grow up to be one of the worst examples of humanity in any universe I've seen."
He sighed and looked off in thought. "My presence in any world is usually at a time and place where I can make a difference for the better." He looked back at his semi-grandparents. "I've seen universes where the Wizarding world couldn't be saved. I've seen where even versions of myself were unredeemable. I've helped paupers and kings, magicals and muggles, Gods and demons. I've even seen and worked for the Creator of us all. In all of these universes, the one unchanging fact is this: A little effort on anyone's part to increase the good can change the course of history. No one, save God himself, is beyond being saved or damned. A little work and a little gold and thousands can be saved."
Charlus and Dorea were entranced by their visitor's passion and certainty. Both felt they were in the presence of history itself. The two looked at each other and then back at him.
Charlus asked, "What would you have us do?" Harry could see that he had their full backing.
Ordford Umbridge was morose as he was retrieved from his holding cell. He was regretting his getting drunk and giving in the temptation. While he despised Muggles, he knew he didn't have the power to get away with it.
He was put into a conference room and the Auror that brought him knocked on the door and moved off to one side.
Into the room came another Auror and a Ministry official – the Director of the DMLE as a matter of fact. The man sat down.
"Mr. Umbridge. On 14 May, 1949, at 12:30 in the morning, you were stunned by another Wizard after the other wizard had witnessed you casting an Unforgivable on a muggle. The other wizard, a Mr. Harry Potter, immediately messaged the DMLE and two Aurors were dispatched. When they arrived, they found you stunned and Mr. Potter standing over you. The wand nearby was verified by the Ministry as yours. The last spell cast was the Cruciatus Curse. You were then brought by two Aurors to the Ministry and placed within custody." The wizard looked up from his notes. "Are these facts true to the best of your knowledge?"
Orford sighed. There was no getting out of it – he recognized the Potter name and it wasn't one that someone of his standing arsed around with. "Yes. I did it. I was too far into my cups after a disappointment when passed over for promotion for a Muggleborn and struck out against the Muggles."
The DMLE Director looked at him curiously. "Muggles? As in more than one?"
Orford cursed himself. He was entirely too stupid. "The two Muggles were also in their cups. First I cast a tripping hex at the one but the two laughed it off thinking it was the whisky."
"Ah." The DMLE Director made a few notes. He then looked up again. "You know the penalty for casting an Unforgivable?"
Orford snidely replied, "That's why their called Unforgivables, innit?"
The DMLE Director replied with some disapproval. "You'd do well not to be too objectionable. You've not got a good future. I could make it worse."
Orford nodded. "Sorry. Just thinking about what's coming."
The DMLE Director nodded. "Understandable." He sat back a small amount. "I've been approached by an upstanding member of the Wizengamot families on this matter and been asked to make a deal with you." Orford felt a small glimmer of hope and his face showed it. "You're for Azkaban and I can't change that." The hope died. "But we can take some steps so that your life is as unpleasant as it could be. Are you willing to listen?"
Orford considered that. Finally he nodded.
The DMLE Director nodded at the second Auror that had come in and the Auror moved out of the room. Very soon, the Auror returned leading another wizard and a goblin.
Orford was surprised. One didn't normally see goblins outside of Gringotts. Usually they only did that when dealing with rich folks. Then he saw the cut and type of robes the other wizard was wearing and he understood: This was one of the wealthier members of society.
The wizard sat down. The goblin was provided a chair but instead just stood back after taking out several parchment sheets.
"Mr. Umbridge. I am Charlus Potter, Head of the Potter family," the wizard said.
Orford was leery. "What do you want?"
Potter sighed. "What I want is for this never to have happened. But it has. My … the member of my family that saw you do what was done came to me to plead for assistance."
Orford was confused. "Huh? For me?"
Potter shook his head. "No. For your wife and children. You've put your family in dire straights. Harry did not want to see your wife and children suffer for a mistake made by you. One thing that can be said for the Potters: We are not indifferent to the suffering of innocents. I met with him and agreed to this. I have a question for you, first: Do you love your wife?"
Orford was surprised by the question. He considered it for a moment. "I suppose. Kind of. We got married right after the war. She needed a husband and I needed someone to continue the Umbridge line. We weren't smitten with each other, but we each provided a need." He paused. "Is that enough?"
Charlus nodded. "I can understand that. Many marriages are for such things and nothing should be said against it if both parties are agreeable. But now, you've got a daughter and an unborn child that need to be looked out for. And you can't do it."
Orford sighed himself and nodded. "Yeah. I was stupid."
Charlus nodded. "Yes. Harry, however, as many of our family would have, has requested the assistance of his Paterfamilias to ensure two innocent children are properly cared for and protected. And so, with the agreement of the DMLE, I am willing to make a deal with you. Are you interested?"
Orford nodded.
"Here's what I am willing to do: I will ensure that your wife obtains employment sufficient to ensure that she and your children can properly care for themselves. My wife, a woman of Noble pureblood birth and upbringing, will ensure that your children are taught the customs and traditions of the Magical world. She will also teach them that what you have done was a mistake on your part and that you, as a respectable pureblood, took responsibility as society demanded. She will not paint you as a Dark wizard in your children's eyes. We will not teach them bigotry – but we will ensure that they can live and work within society and have the bearing to succeed as far as their willingness takes them. If your wife cannot bring together the funds to take of their full Hogwarts education, the Potter family will step in to make up and shortfall, making them Potter scholars. We will make sure they are not penalized or shunned for mistakes not their own."
Orford was shocked. He knew the Potter name – everyone did. With such backing, his children would be far more able to enter the highest levels of society and the Ministry. And, perhaps most important in that particular moment, his children would not grow up to curse his name. "What do I have to do?"
"You will agree to the Director of the DMLE's offer. You will sign an agreement, witnessed by Gringotts in the person of my accounts manager Slipknife, to release all funds within your accounts to your wife, for the purpose of the welfare and future of your children. I know it isn't much, but I have been assured that you have already begun in saving the tuition for their education. We shall see that it is properly applied. You shall agree to an immediate release of your wife from your marriage so that she can find her own happiness. The caveat will be that either your daughter as eldest or, if your wife bears a son, your son, or both, will carry the Umbridge name to continue your line, regardless of whomever she might marry in the future." Charlus paused. "The war already took too many magical lines from our world. It would not do to see another lost." Charlus nodded at the DMLE Director.
The DMLE Director said, "If you agree, we will accept a guilty plea in front of a closed hearing rather than in front of the full Wizengamot, thereby keeping your name out of the papers as some Dark wizard. In recognition of your taking responsibility without reserve, you will be sentenced to minimum security rather than maximum. You'll still feel the dementors on occasion – but they won't be living outside your cell. Do we have a deal?"
Orford took only the briefest of moments to consider it before saying, "Yes. I'll agree to all of that."
It took a good portion of the next twenty minutes to review and sign all of the agreements. The goblin, Slipknife, witnessed the contracts having to do with money and family. Charlus witnessed the ones having to do with the Ministry and the DMLE.
Finally it was done. As Charlus and Slipknife moved to exit Orford called out, "Why are you doing this? What do you get out of it?"
Charlus paused and looked back. "I get the satisfaction of seeing two children grow up better than their predecessors. I get the pleasure of seeing a bit of gold and effort making a difference in the world. But mostly? I get to see Harry, a Potter whom I love with all my heart, look upon me with approval and respect."
Orford nodded. He could understand that motivation.
Ellen Umbridge nee Cracknell was shocked when Harry Potter returned and explained what had been done and agreed with on the behalf of her family. While she, in truth, did not love her soon-to-be ex-husband with all of her heart, she felt a deep respect for his final actions as regards the future.
If nothing else, a man who does the right thing even when under duress should be respected.
Ellen and Harry took a bus to the Leaky Cauldron. "When we get in there, I'll get Tom to give you the means to find it again without a wizard's help." Ellen nodded.
The two arrived during peak lunch time. The pub was full and Ellen was fascinated by all of the types of people she saw. Harry directed her over to the bar. He said, "We have to wait a moment – Tom tends to get run ragged when it's busy in here."
One of the customers at the bar called out, "Another ale!"
They heard the voice from the back, "Coming! Coming!" Very soon, Tom Mockenridge, long-time owner of the Leaky Cauldron, appeared from out of the back.
Harry waited patiently for him to finish. He glanced over to his companion, and then suddenly glanced back. Ellen was standing transfixed for some reason. He waved his hand over her face and she came out of it. "Sorry." She blushed. Harry was confused.
He shook his head and called out, "Tom! When you have a moment."
Tom looked over at Harry's voice, recognizing it. Suddenly, he accidentally moved his hand and the ale he was pouring missed the cup. The customer yelped. Tom looked back. "Sorry!" He quickly used to his wand to clean up the spill.
Tom came over and somewhat distractedly asked, "You need something?"
Harry nodded, wondering what in hell was wrong with the man. "Yeah. Mrs. Umbridge here needs to be keyed in – she's going to have kids going to Hogwarts."
A brief moment of disappointment flashed across his face. Harry actually didn't notice – but Ellen did. She volunteered. "Yes. I need to go to Gringotts to finalize my divorce." She thought she detected a small note of pleased surprise in the man's face.
He took out his wand and did something. She suddenly lost the small feeling of "urgency to leave" that she had felt subconsciously. She looked around and said, "I'm going to be looking for a job soon. You need a barmaid?"
Tom's smile was suddenly, intangibly, better. He glanced around and then back. "Yeah. I just might could use the help. It gets crazy and, well, it's just me … no wife or anything to help me out … so …"
Ellen was suddenly smiling brightly. "How about I come back after I finish my business at the bank and we can talk about it."
Tom nodded. "I'd like that."
Harry was shocked. In a million years he'd never imagined what he thought he was seeing as happening. He led Ellen to the back. He had a hard time catching her attention away from the proprietor of the Leaky Cauldron.
As the two walked down toward the tall white Bank building, Harry commented, "Well, I think I won't have to worry much longer about you landing on your feet." Ellen blushed.
It didn't take much time for the paperwork to be completed at Gringotts. Ellen was present, as were Harry, Charlus, Dorea, and Slipknife – who agreed to take over managing and investing the Umbridge account.
Finally, Charlus sat back and said, "Okay, young lady. Now, we should probably go elsewhere so we can discuss seeing what we can do about your getting a job."
Harry chuckled. Charlus and Dorea looked over curiously. Harry said, "She's already got a job. Likely for life."
"What do you mean?" Charlus asked.
"The newly recreated Ms. Cracknell here met Tom down at the Cauldron when business was particularly hectic. She asked if he needed some help. He agreed. Of course, the googly eyes they were making at each other weren't that well-hidden."
Ellen blushed. "I don't know what it is. When I saw him … he's just so Handsome!" She giggled a little bit.
Harry stood. "We'd probably better leave Gringotts. I'm sure Slipknife here has no interest in human mating rituals."
Slipknife nodded in amusement. "I'd prefer to deal with humans' gold .. and not other matters."
As the four walked back toward the Cauldron Harry commented to Charlus quietly (Ellen wasn't paying attention – she seemed distracted), "I'm kind of happy to see it, actually. Tom and his family have helped me in multiple universes – since I started this Traveling bit, I've always had a place to go."
The couple was curious. Dorea asked, "How does it work?" She was just as quiet as the two men.
"One of my visits was at the beginning of the Cauldron. I helped negotiate the deal which made it neutral and sacrosanct as the entrance to Diagon Alley. In exchange, they've pledged to always give me help whenever I showed up. A simple passphrase and I have a bed and meals as needed."
Both of the Potters were surprised at hearing this.
When the group entered the pub, it was obvious that the rush was over. There were still several customers, but it had thinned out. Harry saw Tom – who still had somewhat of a goofy smile. He called out, "Tom! I brought your future barmaid back." Tom looked over and his face lit up even more as he saw Ellen.
Harry felt the call.
He turned to Charlus and Dorea. "Well, I think I'm going to be moving on soon."
Dorea and Charlus looked a little sad, but accepting. "Well, I hope you visit again sometime," Charlus said. Dorea moved to embrace him.
Harry chuckled and said, "Well, it all goes well, you should see me again – or a reasonable facsimile – in, oh, thirty years or so." The couple smiled.
Several people became interested in the small drama happening. Harry turned to Ellen and Tom, who had walked over, "I wish you two a happy future. Somehow, I don't think it will be all that hard for you to find." The two blushed.
Harry started turning and then paused. "By the way you two," he addressed his grandparents.
Charlus said, "What is it?"
Harry grinned as he said, "I should probably warn you. You two had better stay in pretty decent shape. You kid's going to be somewhat hard to keep up with. He'll get the Potter Pranking trait in full. Just to let you know." Harry chuckled as he turned and moved off.
The Leaky Cauldron was witness to a sight out of legend. They all witnessed a wizard compress down to a ball of light and move off. Phoenix song could be heard in the background, sounding remarkably like "An Ode to Joy."