As I was engrossed with dad on the rules for a familiar at Hogwarts, the guests continued to arrive at the apparition point just inside the front gate and wards. The second to arrive, after cousin Ominis, was Heir Black.
One Sirius Black (II) and his betrothed Hesper Gamp. Cousin Sirius has been teaching me to control my metamorphmagics. His father, Lord Black, wanted to pass it onto a lesser family member, but Heir Black felt the need to do it himself. After all, truly, no one cares what Phineas Nigellus thinks anymore anyway, everyone is just waiting for him to kick the bucket at this point, as poison isn't working.
- Now, it should be known, or obvious at this point, that squibs weren't as despised as the books led us to believe. It is known that they hold some magic, that they can bring magic back down the line, and that their descendants can revive a bloodline. Magic is more sacred here and loved for the beautiful thing it is.
With that cleared up, the next to arrive was my cousin Gellert. I do not like my cousin, even as a little kid he's got a big head and is rather creepy. He seems to have no innocence already, cares little for anything other than himself, and is really interested in Albus already.
- Another big difference, although it could just be my fault. Since I exist here, Gellert came to 'visit' his auntie and spend time with his cousin, me, in the summers away from Durmstrang. So Albus and Gellert don't have a summertime fling at the end of their schooling, but instead grow into each other from year three Hogwarts. Just as those pesky hormones start to kick in, he meets his one, because I came to this timeline. We are totally screwed.
- I suppose I should also mention that the timelines don't add up here. Hogwarts Legacy isn't really a thing with all the ancient magics and such, but those characters exist. The expanded countryside around Hogwarts is a thing (we had to visit to get me registered). Ominis Gaunt and Sebastian Sallow, Natsai Onai, Poppy Sweeting, Albie, Headmaster Black, Deputy Weasley, Professor Garlick, they are all at Hogwarts at the same time. And there is no impending war or struggle with the goblins, no ancient magic thing going on.
BUT, I should also say that the timelines are screwy.
- I am not enough of a nerd to know everything HP Universe, however, Aberforth and Albus are opposites to what 'we all know': Abe is more bookish and calm, and Albie is more rash and head strong. Abe is studious, and Albie hangs with Gellert and they go muggle baiting. Aberforth and I are 11 in 1893, Albus and Gellert are 16 in 1893, and Ariana is 10 in 1893. Ari is going to attend Hogwarts next year, she wasn't scared and beaten by those muggle boys, and she won't become an obscurial. So things are quite different.
Next to arrive are The Dumbledore's. Lord and Lady Dumbledore, Albie, Abe and Ari. Albie b-lines for Gellert as if he was his entire reason for attending. Percival and Kendra go inside with dad to help mum. Abe and Ari stick around to see the cat in my arms.
"Hey guys, this is Jeff, my new familiar, just bonded today."
"You named your cat Jeff?" Abe asked with a bit of amusement.
"He's adorable!" Ari squealed. "Jeff, The Cat, A dignified name for a dignified being."
"I like her." Hisses Jeff "You should keep her."
"What!?" "Only you, Benny." Both Ari and Abe, respectively.
"Yup," I said, popping the P. "Unintentional, but I managed to give my familiar parsletongue." With a grin wide on my face, "Jeff, do you mind being carried off by Ari and Abe while I greet my other guests? I can have them bring you to our room and you can rest on the bed until you're ready. If you want."
"I'm fine, Benevolence. Just have Ariana carry me, she is warm and her magic feels nice."
"Ari, do you mind holding Jeff for a while? He needs rest after the bond, and I have other guests to greet." I ask her.
"No problem, Benny!" She picks up Jeff, "Let's go Jeff, you can rest with me as long as you'd like." She gently pets the purring bundle in her arms and walks off with Abe.
"I'll see you guies in a bit." I say to their retreating figures before turning to greet whoever just popped in.
It's Greta and her parents. "Big sis Greta! Thanks for coming to my party, Lord and Lady Marchbanks," I give a more formal greeting and a slight bow," Auntie and Uncle, welcome. Mum's inside, dad's somewhere, and everyone is gathering in the pitch." I gesture to the side of the house, "Please come on in and settle somewhere. There's a few more expected visitors yet to greet."
"As long as we aren't the last to arrive. I think I see Lord Dumbledore, I'll go that away then." Uncle George says, and him and the Marchbanks head to the back just as a new pop is heard.
Lord Octavian Prince, his Heir Gaius, and Gaius's three younger siblings arrive at the point.
"Greetings, Lord Prince," I say with a low bow. "Heir Prince," I say with a bow. "Cousins," I say with a nod. "Welcome, dad's over in the yard with Lord Dumbledore and Lord Marchbanks, mum's still inside along with Lady's Dumbledore and Marchbanks, as well as Greta, and the other Heirs and kids are on the pitch organizing a game."
"Impressive as always, Benny. Kids, off to the pitch. Is this going to remain a private affair, Benny?" Lord Prince says.
"Only for the first meet and greet, after the Potters arrive and everyone eats, we'll open up first to British Minister for Magic Faris Spavin, Deputy Weasley and a few others from the school, some members of the Historian's Guild and Portioners Guild, a few Squib support members, and the last guest that may arrive is Lord Gaunt, but I won't be greeting anyone else past The Potters personally." I reply.
"I suppose I shall loosen up before hell breaks loose." Lord Prince says before walking off towards dad.
"Perfect timing, Lord Potter. Welcome Heir Potter, cousins." Bowing and nodding as before with Lord Prince, with a little bit less dip in my bowing. "The other Lords are with dad, the Ladies are with mum, and the kids are all out on the pitch. You are, as schedule, the last of the family and friends to arrive, we shall begin in under 20 minutes, giving you some time to settle in."
"Thank you Benny," Lord Henry Potter chimes in, "We'll go on as directed, see you soon." The Potters break off into groups and head on as directed.
With that all done up, it's Party Time.