An Interference of Portraits

And a Nogtail in the Undergrowth

I can't say I really understood what was going on when it came to my garden but when Lucius, Narcissa, and I got back down to the kitchen, all work had halted.

The first thing I noticed was Minerva McGonagall sitting in my kitchen drinking tea with Blaise Zabini and Luna Lovegood and Andromeda Tonks as if it were a perfectly normal and everyday occurrence. Teddy was running riot through it all until he saw me and launched himself into my arms for a hug before going to find Victoire.

Narcissa immediately made her way to her sister and Minerva stood up to greet me.

She said, 'hello, Harry. It's lovely to see you and the bits of the house that I've seen are very impressive. A vast improvement from our Order days.'

I was taken right back to just after the battle and standing in the Great Hall with her when she congratulated me on defeating Voldemort. I could have forgotten she'd just battled herself with her life as she'd gripped my arm firmly and said softly, 'you did it, Harry, you did it... you wonderful, wonderful boy.' I had hugged her then. I didn't know if it was appropriate but of all the people in the Great Hall that surrounded me and wanted to congratulate me, she was the one I hugged properly.

She held my arms once more, just like then, and I couldn't help stepping in and hugging her again. 'Hello, Minerva,' I said quietly. 'I'm glad you're here.'

When we released each other and we stepped apart, she searched my face knowingly. 'Are you quite overwhelmed by all these people?' she said.

'Utterly.'

Teddy was back, holding up his hands for me to pick him up so I hoisted him onto my hip.

Minerva said, 'I suggest you go and hide somewhere. No one will notice. Neville is too busy cajoling us into doing jobs. At some moment I want to hear all about your travels and what you've been doing.'

'I'd love to tell you. But everyone's stopped. Is it a tea break?' I asked.

'No. They've disturbed a Nogtail.'

'A Nogtail? In my garden, in the city?'

'Apparently so. No one is quite sure what to do about it so they've all retreated. Word is, it was snorting and stamping its feet a lot and charged at poor Bill.'

'Is he okay?'

'Yes,' she nodded. 'A bit shaken because he got knocked off his feet.'

'I see,' I said. 'Well, does anyone know anyone who owns a white dog?'

'Pardon?' said Minerva.

'Does anyone know anyone who owns a white dog?' I said a bit louder and the people closest looked at me quizzically.

'Has anyone lost a white dog?' said Luna into the growing silence.

'No...' I corrected. 'Does anyone know anyone who owns a white dog? There's no lost one, we need one... to get rid of the Nogtail... honestly, doesn't anyone know anything about defence against Dark Creatures?' I said in an exasperated voice and with a shake of my head. 'You can only chase away a Nogtail with a pure white dog.'

'Well, we're not all Harry bloody Potter,' someone mumbled. It sounded remarkably like Ron.

'No one?' I asked again.

'Percy...' said Molly cheerfully. 'He and Audrey just got one. I think it's some fancy French breed though.'

'That'll do,' I said. 'Excuse me.'

I handed a messy, black-haired Teddy to a stunned Draco and said, 'Teddy, meet your second cousin, Draco...' then I disappeared to go and Floo-call Percy, hoping he hadn't already left.