I do not own the characters, locations, nor situations described herein, those remain the sole property of J.K. Rowling.

Author's Note: Yes, it's been a while, ten months, but I needed to find a muse (and if you're reading my other work, you can tell I've been without a muse for a while). I figured a good summary chapter would be good, as well as finally getting a perspective outside of the Black Sisters and Madam Bones. Yes it's short, but I needed to dip my toes in before I started to wade into this story once more.

Chapter 17

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Six people, five adults and one nearly six year old girl, suddenly appeared in a trio of cracks in a rather stately room, a massive fireplace dominating one wall, while floor to ceiling windows dominated the opposite wall.

"Not the most comfortable journey," noted Emma Granger, releasing her grip on Andromeda Tonks' arm.

"But, a rather quick trip across country," counted her husband Dan, already talking an unconscious step away from Ted Tonks after letting go of the wizard's arm.

"It's not the most comfortable way to travel, especially side-along, but apparition does have the advantage of needing neither a connection between fireplaces, like the floo, or a license from the Ministry like a portkey," explained Narcissa Black as she let go of her passenger, the bushy-haired Hermione, who rushed the few yards to her mother.

"So, where are we exactly?" asked Dan, stepping towards the wall of windows.

"Rowan Hill is the ancestral manor of the Most Noble and Ancient House of Potter, on an island in the middle of Cardigan Bay. Due west of Tywyn and due north of Cardigan," explained Andromeda.

"There isn't an island in the middle of Cardigan Bay," stated Emma.

"Not on any Muggle map, no," countered Andromeda. "As I understand from what I've read so far in the family histories, around the time of the Norman Invasion the entire island was hidden under a predecessor to the modern muggle-repelling charm, tied into the land itself. It's only possible to get here magically, as even a witch or wizard flying from the shore wouldn't be able to find it."

"Like Avalon," said Hermione.

The adults paused.

"Actually, that sounds rather close," noted Ted. "The location's not right, but after all I've learnt, I wouldn't be surprised if the mythical Avalon was a place hidden much like Cantre'r Gwaelod."

"It's beautiful no matter the historical connotations," said Dan. "And that lawn, had I not known before, just seeing it would lead me to believe this was the home of the aristocracy. You could play all of the World Cup matches at the same time out there."

"Well, I think it would be best if we met up with the rest of the families," said Narcissa.

"Right you are Cissy," Andromeda agreed with a nod. She then gestured for the non-magical parents of the witch to follow her, "Come on, everyone should be in the Great Hall."

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When Dora (never "Nymphadora", and around family there were too many Tonks for her preferred autonym) had first seen the Great Hall of Rowan Hill she felt nostalgic for Hogwarts. The ceiling was similar to, but just different enough to realize that one had inspired the other (though she'd not known, nor cared to, the history of both locales to determine which ceiling was the true inspiration for the other), and presently it was showing the azure skies with wisps of clouds she'd grown accustomed to in the week her family had stayed there.

As the eldest of the future wives of the Boy-Who-Lived she had naturally grown into a mentor for the other girls as they had arrived. Luna and Susan she'd met first, just after returning from Hogwarts via Gringotts, at the same time she'd met Harry himself. He wasn't like the story books she'd seen at the book stores portrayed, but then, as a metamorphamagus she knew well the difference between what others saw and who a person truly was.

She also knew that in less than five years she'd be married and would become Lady Potter (as well as take over Regency from her mother), her husband would still be nine years old (though only two months away from his tenth birthday), and so she had to become more than just the loyal and fun loving rising second year witch she desperately wished she could be.

The other girls weren't half bad, though even the next oldest, Fleur, was over four years younger than she was, and Gabrielle was only two and a half as the youngest. The pair of French birds (and since they were part Veela she had to be careful not to actually use that slang aloud or else she'd get another washing charm to the back of her mouth) were one of three pairs of siblings, though they had the widest age separation (the Patil twins being separated by only a few minutes, and Astoria and Daphne being just over two years apart). Fleur, much like Dora, as well as the dark skinned half-blood Angelina, loved flying, and the three of them had convinced the adults to let them try out the brooms (Dora on a real broom, while the younger two, separated by only four months but destined to be in separate years at Hogwarts, on training brooms). Joining them had been the three eldest Weasley boys (Bill, a rising fourth year, Charlie, in her year, and Percy, destined to be a year ahead of Fleur) in a rather vigorous three and three quidditch match (Dora and Fleur were chasers while Angelina kept, and conversely Charlie and Percy chased while Bill kept). The boys, older and more experienced on brooms, had beaten them, but Dora felt that once the other girls spent more time on brooms, and perhaps if she could convince her mother, father, aunts, and future in-laws that it was safe enough, on real ones, it's be more even.

The Patil twins (and they played up their similarities enough once the Weasley twins had shown up that Dora had given up telling either set of twins apart) were the next oldest (aside from today's coming addition, the muggleborn Granger), and, well, Fleur and Angelina were on the lower edge of being able to be suitable playmates for Dora. She would hold her opinion of them (and the rest of her future sister-wives) until they had at least attended their first year of schooling (though Dora wondered if they'd go to a traditional hedge school like the Weasley boys and Fleur were or a muggle primary like she and Angelina).

Already, though, cliques were forming among the girls. Obviously Dora, Fleur, and Angelina had bonded over brooms. The elder Greengrass, Daphne, was already friends with Tracey Davis, and had brought Susan into their group, as future 'Independent Ladies', continuing their family lines rather than taking their husband's name (at least, one of them). Luna and Ginny had befriended Astoria, and looked to be trying with Gabrielle as well. She wondered where Hermione, the thirteenth future wife, would go. Likely not with the Independents, although she'd be a Granger even after marriage, and just a likely not with the Flyers, as although she was the fourth eldest, as a muggleborn would be at a disadvantage on a broom. And the Youngest were also likely out, so Dora supposed that the only place left for Hermione was with the Patil twins.

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Updated September 24, 2014