Chapter 18 Dinner Party
Kupping was waiting for everyone that was staying at the Potter’s House as they emerged from Susan’s Room. When all were present, she began to introduce them to the house. “Misses and Sirs are currently in the Grand Hall. To the right of the stairs are the formal Dining Hall, the Ballroom, and the Sitting Room. To the left of the stairs is the Dining Room, Ground Floor Library, exercises rooms, access to the pool, and the gardens. Up the stairs on the first floor to the right is the Master Suite. To the left of the stairs is the first floor library access, several offices, and meeting rooms. The second floor has to the right and left of the stairs married family and friends suites. Third floor has the maidens to the right and bachelors to the left.”
While Kupping was talking, Hermione was looking around. The brightest witch of their time could only think of one word to describe what she was seeing, “Wow!”
In no time, everyone was being led to their rooms by House Elves. All the females were complaining that three hours was just not enough time to get ready. Harry was just about ready to ask Kupping to delay the dinner an hour when Arthur whispered to him. “Don’t worry, Harry. They may be complaining but I guarantee you, every one of them will be ready five minutes before six.”
Harry was ready early, so he went down to the Grand Hall to greet the guests who were not staying at Potter’s House. Professor McGonagall and an older gentleman were the first to show. Professor McGonagall and her escort were dressed in full clan colors and kilts. Harry was just about struck speechless when we saw Professor McGonagall in her formal clothing. This was the first time he had seen her in something other than her school robes or a dress robe. Minerva introduced the gentleman as her father, Healer Casey McGregor, a St. Mungo’s Potion Master.
For once, Harry’s brain was working overtime and he instantly knew that Professor McGonagall must be married. But he could not remember ever hearing anything about her husband.
Professor McGonagall saw the slight confusion show in Harry’s eyes. “Harry, my husband was killed by a Death Eater long ago. We have never been able to determine who.”
Harry’s face definitely showed the shock of this statement. “Professor, I’ll sorry. I…we…no one ever told us.”
“That’s okay, Harry, if was a long time ago. It is the main reason I'm in the Order.” Harry immediately called Ron, Ginny, and Hermione and relayed them this bit of information. All expressed a mild shock in their mine link they shared.
Healer McGregor spoke up, “Mr. Potter, it is so good to meet you at last.” Healer McGregor and Harry shook hands.
“It is a pleasure to meet you, Healer McGregor. Since she mentioned it, I judge you are in the Order too?”
“To a point, I mainly, until recently, just confirm the potions the Order received from a certain ‘person’, shall we say? I’m now providing the potions.”
Harry was about to make a comment to this extraordinary statement when the door to Susan’s Room open again, “Excuse me, Professor McGonagall and Healer McGregor,” Harry gave a slight smile and nodded to the door, “I’ll would like to talk to you later, please.”
“By all means,” replied the Potion Master. Harry then walked over to the door to greet the next guest.
Next to arrive were the Lupins. Closely following them were Charlie and a blonde-haired, slender witch from America who worked with Charlie in Romania. Charlie introduced her as Debra Highreach. Harry remarked how fast Charlie was able to get to Romania and bring her back, and with plenty of time for her to get ready. Charlie explained that by chance she was visiting London. By the slight blush Charlie had, Harry figured there was just a little more going on than he was admitting to. Charlie avoided any other remarks by turning to one of the several House Elves who were mixing among the guests offering drinks and getting Debra and him a beverage.
The twins, who arrived with Alicia and Angelina, were in formal black robes while Alicia and Angelina were in almost identical lavender robes. Bill and Fleur arrived with Fleur wearing silver robes with a slight orange tint that was a departure from her all silver robes.
Molly was the first to come down the stairs. Harry was close enough to Arthur to hear him mumble, “She gets more beautiful every day.” Arthur greeted her at the bottom of the stairs and gave her a kiss. He then offered his arm and led her to the small group clustered around Charlie and his date.
Hermione was next and Ron was so mesmerized by her that Bill had to poke him in the ribs before Ron went to meet her at the bottom of the stairs. Harry admitted to himself that there seemed to be a little extra glow to Hermione. Harry didn’t notice the tears from Molly as she watched Ron and Hermione.
But nothing compared to the vision Harry saw descending down the stairs next. ”She is so beautiful and she’s my wife.” Harry didn’t realized he had sent this statement until Ginny pause halfway down the stairs and made eye contact and gave him a huge smile. Harry reached the bottom of the stairs at the same time Ginny did. Harry gave her a short but passionate kiss and stood there looking into her eyes. Unseen by Harry and Ginny were the small amount of tears that leaked from Molly eyes, again, as she watched them.
Harry stepped to the side and extended his arm to Ginny. Harry led her over to Professor McGonagall and her father. Just as introductions were done, a House Elf that Harry hazily remember meeting earlier, appeared. “My Lord…My Lady, Mrs. Susan wished to inform My Lord that a Mr. and Mrs. Wheezy are asking permission to enter the house. Mrs. Susan states that Mr. and Mrs. Wheezy are not on the list My Lord provided earlier.”
“Thank you, huh…” Ginny started.
“Otchy, My Lady.”
Harry and Ginny made their way over to Mrs. Susan’s portrait who greeted them, “My Lord…My Lady, A Mr. Percy and Mrs. Penelope Weasley are waiting within my room.”
Harry quickly spoke up, “Mrs. Susan, Penny has access but please continue to announce Percy.”
Mrs. Susan smiled, “What is a family without a few rows now and then? I understand completely, My Lord.”
“Thanks Mrs. Susan, could you allow them entrance now?”
“Yes, My Lord.”
Harry and Ginny waited by the door as Percy and Penny entered the Grand Hall. Penny began, “Hello Harry…Ginny. Oh my, by the looks on your faces, I don’t think you were expecting me, or should I say, us, here tonight.” Penny looked at both for a few seconds. “Mrs. Weasley sent us an invitation, but being as smart as I am, I should have waited for an invitation from you, Mrs. Potter.”
Ginny quickly glanced at her Mum with fire in her eyes and then turned back to Penny. Ginny blushed slightly, “No Penny, it is perfectly okay. It was a mistake on my part not to…”
Penny held up her hand. “No, Mrs. Potter, this is your home, not Mrs. Weasley’s. I should have waited.” Penny paused a few seconds, “I knew my husband and his family was having a row. I thought if was just one of those things that happen to families now and then. If I was as smart as I just claimed, I should have realized it was more than that, it was going on too long. I never knew about his ‘activities’ until Bill and Charlie told me about it. Because of this, I have taken a more active role in his career now. The first thing we have decided is that Percy is going to resign from the Ministry. The second thing we have decided, with many thanks to Bill and Charlie for arranging it, is that Percy is going to be one of Fred and George’s ‘testers’. Besides, maybe it will help loosen him up!” Penny stage whispered.
Ginny let a small giggle escape.
Penny smiled for the first time, “Ginny, most of the time they are gits, but you just can’t help but love them.”
Ginny openly giggled at this statement.
Penny then pulled Percy closer to Harry and Ginny. Percy looked at Penny, who nodded. Percy turned back to them, “Mr. Potter… Mrs. Po…”
“Percy!”
Percy looked at his wife again. Turning back to Harry and Ginny, “Excuse me, Harry…Ginny, my wife tells me I have a whole lot of things I need to apologize for, mainly some things I have done to you and said about you. She tells me that I may never get your forgiveness.”
Harry looked at Penny with a question in his eyes and Penny nodded, just barely enough for Harry to catch it. Harry turned to Percy, “That’s okay, Percy. Please, come in and join the rest of the family.”
Penny gave Harry and Ginny a smile. “We wish to return this to you also,” Penny said holding the letter Harry had given Molly earlier.
“No Penny, you are family and it belongs to you,” Harry stated.
“But Harry, a million Galleons to someone who….”
“You are family, Penny, leave it.” Harry declared.
Penny again smiled and nodded. She then guided Percy over to Mr. and Mrs. Weasley.
Harry looked at Mrs. Susan who simply said, “I understand, My Lord.”
When Harry turned back to the Grand Hall, he was surprised to see that everyone was close enough to have heard the whole conversation. Just as Harry was leading Ginny to the twins, the doors to the Formal Dining Room opened and Kupping announced, “My Lord…My Lady, dinner is served.”
Harry was just starting to wonder why no one was moving towards the doors when two things got through his thick skull. The first was Harry noticing that Hermione was holding back Ron as he started towards the door and the second was that Ginny was gently urging him towards the doors. Harry blushed when he remembered this was a formal dinner and Ginny and himself would need to be the first to enter.
Harry and Ginny were led to the head of the table where there was enough room for them to sit side-by-side. Harry seated Ginny and then waited on the rest of the group to enter. When Ron entered, he had a very nervous look on his face, so Harry sent him a message, ”Ron, seat Hermione and then wait for the rest of the ladies to be seated. Just watch me.”
“Thanks, Harry.”
Penny was the last to be seated and then Harry nodded and the rest of the party seated themselves. Immediately, six Elves began serving drinks. Healer McGregor and Arthur both chose malted mead, while Fleur and Professor Minerva chose wine. Everyone else except Penny and Hermione chose butterbeer. The two ladies asked for pumpkin juice. As soon as the drinks were served, the Elves brought out trays and trays of food.
Eventually, even Ron refused more helpings and the dishes and food was cleared away. The Elves brought new glasses and offered after-dinner drinks to the guests.
Percy stood up and cleared his throat. “Penny has told me that I have a lot to make up for. I hope one of these days she will allow me to remember them.” Percy smiled at Penny, who had a shocked look. “Most of you already know this, but I would like to make it official. Penny and I are expecting our first child about the middle of the summer.” Molly was the first to go and give Penny and Percy hugs. Everyone hugged Penny and at least shook Percy’s hand, including Ron. Everyone settled back down into their seats except Ron who remained standing.
The room began quiet, “Well, you see, Hermione and I are expecting our first child in the early fall.” At first there was a shocked silence quickly broken by a mad rush to hug Hermione and Ron and to give them congratulations. When everyone had settled down from this bit of news, Kupping entered and asked, “My Lady, are you ready for dessert?”
“Yes, Kupping,” Ginny answered.
After everyone had their fill of dessert, Kupping entered and directed them to the Ballroom. There were small tables set around a huge dance floor. Music was softly playing in the background. Harry escorted Ginny out onto the dance floor. The dance floor was enchanted so that the music was at a volume perfect for dancing. Harry eventually danced with every female present including Professor McGonagall.
Later that night, Harry and Ginny found themselves in the company of Healer McGregor, his daughter, and the Lupins. Healer McGregor turned to Harry and Ginny, “My Lady…My Lord, it has been a long time since I have enjoyed such an extremely pleasant dinner and evening here at Potter’s House.”
Ginny beamed, “If was our pleasure, Healer McGregor. The House Elves did a wonderful job. You have been here before?”
“Oh yes, My Lady. It would have been seventy-five to eighty years ago. That would be your Great-Great-Grandmother Isbell’s time,” he relayed to Harry and Ginny.
“Sir, if I may, you are the only one to refer to Harry and I as ‘My Lord’ and ‘My Lady’, why is that?” Ginny requested.
“Don’t you know, My Lady?”
“Father!” Professor McGonagall shrieked.
Turning to his daughter, “But the House Elves acknowledges them and that is good enough for me.”
“Father.” Professor McGonagall lightly growled.
“Okay, okay.” Turning to Ginny, he took Ginny’s hand and lightly kissed it. “Thank you for a most exquisite evening, My Lady. I fear I must leave before my daughter gets mad at me. If I may be so bold, please allow me to attend again someday.”
Ginny, blushing from ear to ear replied, “Of course, Healer McGregor. It would be our pleasure.”
After the rest of the guests had left, Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, Ron and Hermione, and the Potters headed up to their rooms where Harry was able to claim many more kisses from his wife.
A/N Chapter 19 Horcruxes Again