AN: This is a post-war, ewe fic beginning the day after the last battle. A legacy from Harry's ancestors may be the key to magic's survival in the twenty-first century and beyond. This will be mostly character-driven, with a little adventure and combat. Pairings will become clear as the story moves along, and I'll just be mysterious about it for a bit. I owe nothing related to Harry Potter.

Chapter 1

Gryffindor Tower

Pain. He is used to bad headaches, and this one seems as bad as it gets. Instead of centering at his scar, this one seems to be radiating from somewhere deep inside his head. Cautiously, he opens his eyes and reaches for his glasses. It's daytime. He can't seem to focus, everything seems blurry. With or without his glasses. He grabs his wand from under his pillow and casts silently the clock charm. Nothing happens. He repeats the motion and speaks carefully the incantation. "Tempus". The wand feels hot, and a bit of smoke comes out of the end. When he tries again, the wand feels dead, like a stick of wood. He gets up slowly, cradling his pulsating head as he moves. He leaves his glasses on the bed. He can see better without the glasses. He opens his trunk and grabs the two wands he had left inside the previous night. One is the brother to his own wand. It feels dead in his hand too. The other is the Elder wand, the Deathstick. That one feels alive and thrumming with power. It seems eager, like an overactive puppy. Harry casts "Lumos", pushing as little magic as he can. Instead of a soft light at the tip of the wand, he gets a bright flash and a crash. He startles, and checks around. One of the legs of his bed has been reduced to splinters.

"Blimey!". Harry's head begins to throb, as swimming black dots get added to his blurry vision. By touch, Harry finds some clean underwear and robes. He'd burned yesterday's clothes, after a long warm shower, the first since Shell Cottage and sleeps in his underwear. He stops by the bathroom, and after doing whatever he can, without magic or proper sight. Harry heads out, trusting his memory and squinting a lot, headed for the Hospital Wing. He's very hungry, but the headache and, worse, his malfunctioning magic, makes a visit to the healer his first priority. He was planning to get rid of the Elder wand, as it sounds like a potential source of both attention and trouble. But he is not about to get rid of his only functioning focus.

It's a fifteen minute walk, across the broken down castle. The castle smells of barbecued giant, rock dust and blood. Harry sees a few indistinct people from a distance, but nobody comes near, or speaks to him. In his mind, he replays both his duels with Riddle. He can't believe the unmitigated luck that sees him still alive this morning. It feels like a dream. He can't yet feel any relief of finally getting past the monster, his soul shards and the stupid profecy. He can't possibly be walking these corridors, looking for relief for a stupid headache. And he feels utter pointlessness of all that death. Fred, Remus and Tonks, Colin, Cedric, Sirius, Dobby, Alastor, Snape and Dumbledore... Tonks. He can't imagine living in a world without Bubblegum. He is not really sure he wants to. All because an unreasonably powerful coward was mistreated as a child and was terrified of death. Death. He died, yet he lives. The stupid snakeface monster doesn't. So many others just died. He wonders where Ron and Hermione are.

Edge of the Forbidden Forest

Ten days on his bed in the Hospital Wing, so his magic would recover and settle down a bit. A few visitors: Andromeda and his godson a few times, Hermione every day and Fleur and Neville, once. The Weasleys didn't show, as they retreated to the Burrow to mourn. No sign of Luna, which worries Harry a little. Without the horcrux, Harry's mind seems clearer, and his emotions less intense. Also, he can sense magic, and meditation and occlumency training finally seem to work for him. He's still forbidden to cast spells for another few days.

Morning sees Harry and Hermione are walking into the forbidden forest. Hermione has her wand out, expecting trouble. About a hundred yards into the trees, Harry stops.

"You are supposed to be in bed, Harry. What are we doing here, again?"

"I made a little mistake, which I'm trying to fix." Harry looks at the ground, doing a little search. "Cast 'Accio ressurection stone', please." Hermione does it, with no success. "Hm."

Harry closes his eyes and tries to feel the magic around. Hermione is a big source, and he can feel his own subdued aura. Broadening his focus, he doesn't feel anything at first. He walks about, trying to widen his perception when he feels a little knot of magic some thirty feet away. He walks in the direction of the disturbance, until he sees the little black stone lying on the ground. Harry picks it up and puts it in his pocket.

Hermione is impressed by his use of magesense. "Looks useful."

"It is. But you can also use a "revelio" charm, which is probably more effective."

Hermione waves her wand a bit."Magium Revelio" Their wands, the DA galleon each one has in his pocket and a charmed bracelet Hermione uses, all glow faintly. No glow surrounds the stone.

Hermione smiles. "Nope."

They walk slowly back to the castle entrance. "I'm still waiting for Death to show up and ask me: 'What can I do for you, Great Master Harry Potter Sir?'"

Hermione giggles. A rare sound Harry truly cherishes. "Prat."

Harry continues, in a booming voice. "Just bring me Nymphadora back. And keep the werewolf."

"And what exactly were you planning to do with undead Tonks?"

"Diapers."

Hermione guffaws, and then gives him a sideways look. She knew about his old crush on the auror, "Right. Did you change any diapers?"

"One. Not looking forward to the next one." Harry smiles at Hermione. "Andromeda is scary."

"We all need a little scary in our lives." She is thinking of her parents. "Besides, you're such a wonderful house-elf."

"Hm. I was well-trained." Harry walks a little slower, clearly getting tired. He leans a bit on Hermione's shoulder.

"You can actually call up the dead with that thing?"

"Yup."

"Magic. The wonders never cease."

"I know!" I'm amazed how the purebloods don't seem to get it. They are so used to the impossible that it doesn't make an impression anymore." Harry thinks of Mr Weasley.

"Muggles tend to forget how TV's, cars, microwave ovens, airplanes and computers are kinda miraculous too. Familiarity destroys wonder."

"You know I agree." Harry makes a short pause. "I'm completely at a loss about what to do with my life, you know. But here is a promise I'll make to myself. Never stop looking for wonder in magic."

"Well put, Seeker. Count me in."

"You got it." Harry makes a long pause. "You know Andromeda's late husband was a solicitor, both muggle and magical. I'm putting old his firm: Biddle, Trainer and Ash on retainer."

"Why are you telling me this?"

"I'm writing a will. Teddy will be Black heir. You will be Potter heir."

She purses her lips. "Why would you do that?"

"I'd blood adopt you into the House of Potter, if you want. It's not one of the sacred twenty-eight but it is pretty old and respected."

"No thank you. I thought blood adoptions were illegal."

"No. Just discouraged. But for a traditional family, with just one poor skinny little branchlet left, it is actually encouraged."

"No, thanks. No blood magic rituals for yours truly. I like who I am. You didn't answer my question, though."

"Well, I'm just thinking about avoiding the two wives thing and, at the same time, do my duty to preserve Black and Potter family magic."

"Why would you want to avoid the two wives thing? I wouldn't mind two husbands."

"You kinda have experience with that, don't you?"

"Let the two fools talk about quiddich while I read? What's not to like?"

Harry envisions a Hermione sandwich, with two strapping men inside her, and her screaming in pleasure. His tiny smile betrays the direction of his thoughts. Hermione knows what lascivious looks like in Harry's face.

"Pig."

"Just a teenager. Hormones and all, you know. Besides your mind went there too, pervy." Hermione just sighs and keeps walking. If only the thought of doing it with him didn't give her the creeps...

"Anyways, quiet is not how I envision living with two wives." The dry comment is received with a chuckle.

"I like this new Harry." She can see the same brave, kind and loyal soul looking out into the world from his green eyes. Even the dry, self-effacing wit was always there. But the clarity of emotion and thought? That's new. And a joy to be around. The old Harry would be a broken down ruin at this point.

The young wizard smiles to himself. In truth, and despite all the post-battle heartache, he feels a lot more confortable inside his own skin. "Thanks, Bookworm."

"You're welcome."

The pair leaves the wards, the young witch helping her weakened friend along. They turn around and stare at the castle, both lost in thought for a moment. The damage from the battle is still evident from this distance. Harry takes a metal ring from his pocket. They both hold onto it as he says: "Portus."

The Savoy

Harry and Hermione tumble down, sprawling in a tangle of limbs on the floor. They look around, seeing a featureless room, with a tidy muggle-dressed redhead in her thirties looking amused at them. Hermione quickly gets up, and helps Harry to his feet. The redhead extends her hand for a handshake. "Welcome to the Savoy, Mr. Potter." She turns to Hermione. "You must be..."

Hermione quickly extends her hand for a handshake as well. "Hermione Granger".

The redhead witch nods and makes a note. "My name is Amanda Knox, and I'm the magical concierge at the Savoy." She looks at Hermione and smirks. Hermione smirks right back. "You can count on our utmost discretion. I have you staying for one week, in one of our Royalty Suites. The only staff allowed in your suite are magically aware muggles, squibs or magic users, but outside your room, and except for the specifically designated magical sites around the hotel, the full force of the Statute of Secrecy is in effect. The rooms are protected, but you will have to cover any spell damage. The room wards are blood-keyed, and your house-elves are able to apparate in or out at will. I understand your house-elf has already brought your luggage to your room. How long are you staying with us, Ms. Granger?''

"Just one night."

"Very well. Any questions?"

Harry and Hermione exchange a look. "Not at this time."

"Follow me, then. I'll take you to your suite."

Hermione is lying on the gigantic canopy bed, belly down, wearing a fluffy white robe, with a fluffy white towel wrapped around her head. She has her ankles crossed in the air, her chin on a fist and her wand in the air, conjuring large, colored soap bubbles in weird shapes out of the tip of her wand. Harry is sitting crosslegged on the floor a few feet away from the bed, wearing exercise shorts and nothing else, and holding a straw. He is shooting down Hermione's bubbles with spitballs.

"So, Potter. How rich are you?"

Harry smiles at her. "Very, I guess."

"And what are you going to do with all that money?"

"I don't know. Spend it? I could buy you an island. Maybe Sicily."

Hermione laughs. She is named after the beautiful and virtous Queen Hermione of Sicily, a character in one of Shakespeare's plays. "That would certainly please my parents."

After a few bubbles, Hermione speaks again. "I almost forgot. I stopped by the Burrow. They are still pretty much in shock."

Harry frowns. "How's George?"

"Hasn't spoken since. I worry about him."

"Me too. He lost half of himself." Harry gets up and lies next to Hermione. She turns belly up and grabs his hand. "I can't even begin to imagine. The closest I can come is thinking of losing you." Both Harry and Hermione shudder.

"I went to check the Rookery. It's a half-burned ruin, Harry. There was nobody there."

"Damn."

"First thing, Harry. Get a wand, then find Luna."

"You think Xenophillius..."

"Yeah, I wouldn't be surprised. It looked like a death eater attack."

"Well, at least I know she survived the battle."

Hermione recalls the little blonde dodging curses and firing her own. "She added at least a couple of notches to her wand."

"Merlin! That would be the first time she kills."

"By the way, they are holding off Fred's burial until you're cleared to go."

"I know. Mrs. Weasley sent me an owl. Remus and Tonks burial is being held off too. I'm free next Monday. Then it's St. Mungos to get checked, Ollivanders for a new wand and Luna. I have to be at the Burrow for sunset and at Andromeda's the next morning. I'm going to miss you. A lot."

"I'll be thinking of you."

"Ditto."

"What's next, Seeker?"

"I don't know yet. I'm still doing it one day at a time."

"I'm going back to Hogwarts."

"Not exactly a surprise."

"I wish you'd come too."

"Give me some time. Right now, I don't want to go back. Too many memories."

They sleep spooning, Hermione's back to Harry's front. For the first time is a few days, there are no nightmares. They say their goodbyes after breakfast, and Hermione is off to Australia. Harry spends the day reading, meditating and arranging his mind's castle. Reluctantly, he goes for it. He sits in lotus in the center of his bed, and places the ressurection stone in front of him, a few feet away. He pushes a bit of magic into the stone and calls out "Nymphadora Lupin". The magic of the stone feels tainted, disgusting. In a few seconds, a shimmering likeness of Nym, in full auror robes, appears on top of the stone.

"Wotcher, Harry." She shivers and looks down. "This thing is awful. I know why you're calling. Please, let's make it fast. I have something important to tell you."

"All right. First things first. What do you want me to do?"

"Love him, protect him and tell him every day about his awesome mother."

"I'll make sure he knows everything about his parents."

Nymphadora looks down. "About that..."

"What?"

"Well... he is yours."

The world seems to stop at a knut. "What? What do you mean, mine?" Nymphadora is still looking down. "I think I would remember if... Did you obliviate me?"

"A memory block. Undercover aurors use them often. It's easier to revert."

"Bloody hell! Why?" Despite his confusion, Harry feels a dark knot of worry unwinding, and a great deal of anger he was holding towards Remus dissipate a little. Lycanthropy can be sexually transmitted, and Harry couldn't countenance Remus risking it with Tonks and the baby.

"It's complicated. Have the block removed and you'll get it. Let me just say it was you who asked for the memory block. And Remus agreed with it."

"I see." Harry sighs. "How do you get this block removed?"

"Any mind healer can do it. Hermione can do it too."

Harry sees the pain from the stone in Nymphadora's face. "All right, Bubblegum. Bye."

"Wait." She smiles. "I'll be waiting for you. In a hundred years or more. Also, about the battle. I'm sorry. I couldn't stay away. I can't even regret it. I saved at least a dozen lives that day. I know you're mad."

"I'd have stunned you, bound you and taken your wand."

She laughs. "You'd have tried. Remus did."

"I'd have succeeded."

"Perhaps. I have no regrets, Harry. Neither does Remus." She smiles, despite the pain. "I'm glad I was your first."

Harry squirms a bit. "I'm sure I'll be too, when I can remember it." a small pause. "I miss you, Bubblegum. I always will."

"I'll be waiting for you, my hero. Love our Teddy, and keep an eye on Mom too. And don't use this foul thing again unless you really need it. I love you. Bye."

Those three words shock Harry more than the paternity thing. "I love you too. Bye."

There's a small flash of light, and Nym disappears. The ressurection stone goes quiecent. It doesn't feel evil or cursed standing there, just dark. Harry figures that human sacrifice was probably involved in the making of it. He speaks to the wall. "Mine..."

=o=o=o=o=o=o=o=o=

The Burrow

Bill and Fleur apparate outside the wards at the Burrow. It was their first day of work after the battle. A long day, checking and double-checking the wards damaged by the trio's break in, their spectacular escape and the death eater attack the following day. Despite being a bit late, and Bill's protests, they stop at a muggle bakery in London for some baguettes. Fleur doesn't like coming for dinner without bringing something.

As they open the door, Ginny's voice is the first they hear. Raised and irritated. "You're late! What happened?"

Bill sighs and answers calmly. "We had a lot of work, Gin. It went a little late."

Fleur greets Arthur and Charlie, who are deep in conversation about muggle sports. Something neither knows anything about. Percy is talking to Ron about the ministry and George is sitting down staring at nothing. It's George's situation that makes Fleur's heart feel tight. Aside from William, the twins were her favorite Weasleys. She hears Molly's voice trumpeting from the kitchen. "What is this? Bread?" A little silence, presumably as William replies. "William Arthur Weasley! Don't ever bring food into this house, do you hear me? Specially these strange foreign inventions..."

Fleur mutters to herself. "Merde..."

"What is it, Phlegm... I mean, Fleur?" The bright eyes and the smile testify to the little witch's satisfaction at having her sister-in-law ill received."

Fleur can't resist dishing it back a bit. She exagerates her accent. "''ello, Ginevra. ave your 'eard from 'arry?"

Ginny instantly grimaces in anger. "Just call me Ginny. And no, I haven't heard from Harry since I replied to his note last week."

Twist the knife a bit. "Ah! My mozer tells me Gabrielle received a long letter from 'arry yesterday. She was verry 'appy." A baldfaced lie. Gabrielle has a way of monopolizing Harry's attention when they meet. After all, who can resist a scheming twelve-year-old that looks like the most adorable nine-year-old in the world? Certainly not Harry, needy, adorably soft hearted creature that he is. It drives Ginny barmy.

The annoying little Weasley retreats into a sulk. Fleur heads to the kitchen to help the annoying big Weasley set the table. "Can I 'elp, Molly?"

She grimaces as she looks Fleur. "You can grab the plates and set the table, dear. There is nine of us." Like the brainless frenchie cannot count.

As everyone sits to eat, Molly gets on Fleur's case again. "You know? This family really only likes simple English food. None of this fancy continental stuff for us. You should come by sometimes. I'd be glad to teach you."

"Zat is verry nice, Molly. Zank you. I'll try to make space on my calendar."

She twists her face. "You should quit work soon. After all, the babies will come, and you can't break curses with a baby can you? It's too dangerous..."

William finally gets on the act. "Mom..."

Molly turns around, facing Bill. "Well, it's true, isn't it? Besides, you don't need the money. Her family is plenty rich, isn't it? I'm sure they will help."

Fleur gets up, feathers showing up on her neck and arms. "Ah, putain! Zut alors! Je vais te bruler, cochon rouge..." She gets out of the room, banging the door on the way out. Before she leaves, she hears Molly saying, in an innocent tone. "She has a temper, that one. I don't know what possessed..."

A minute later William comes out after her. The feathers are still visible. He embraces her, which calms her a little. "I'm sorry, love."

"Eet is not your fault. You're not the one zat should apologize."

"She is like that, love. Talks without thinking. And she is still grieving too. Please, cut her a little slack. Let's go back to dinner."

Fleur stares at him, a small voice on the back of her mind asking her why she had married this stupid prick. She sees her husband recoil in fear, and, after a moment, her love for him asserts itself. Something snaps inside her. "We are not going back for dinner, William. But I do 'ave somezing to do before we leave."

She walks back inside, a determined look on her face. William walks behind her. "Fleur, love. What are you going..." Fleur grabs George's chair and turns it around, while everyone stops and stares. She sits on his lap, straddling him, and holds his face in both her hands. She looks straight into his eyes and pushes, with the full power of her allure. She sees George's pupils dilate into pools of black and kisses him ungently, sticking her tongue in his mouth. He is slack at first, but very soon he is reacting, getting into the kiss. She then cuts it, raises her hand and gives him a hard slap in the face. His pupils return close to normal. For the first time since the battle, he speaks. "What?"

Fleur now pushes him gently with the allure. Still straddling him, she responds in a sharp tone. "George Weasley! Moping around like zis? What would Fred zink?"

"Sorry?"

"No. Not sorry. Where is zat pretty girlfriend of yours. Ze yummy one with long, long legs?"

"Angelina. I. I. I don't know."

She raises her voice even louder. "Zen go find your Angelina, you stupid donkey! Apologize to 'er. Bury some of zis awful grief right between zose pretty brown legs of 'er." Fleur stands up, grabs George by the front of his shirt and pulls him up from his chair. She gets behind him and pushes his back towards the door. "Go now." He walks forward, past William, opens the door and hesitates, looking back at Fleur. "Just go!"

There is silence for about ten seconds, and then Molly starts screaming. "How dare you..."

Fleur whips out her wand and casts a silent silencio, while saying "Tais tois, cretin." She whips her wand around, and catches Ginny pulling out her wand. She casts a silent stunner, and Ginny goes down. Ron and Percy are still paralized by the allure, whereas Charlie, William and Arthur are all looking at her with a mixture of surprise and gratitude. By then Molly has her wand out, and Charlie whips out his wand and casts somnus at his mother, who then sits back asleep at her chair.

Arthur is the first to react. He walks forward, embraces Fleur in a tender hug. "Thank you, thank you, daughter. We were at the end of our rope with George. He steps back a bit and looks at his wife and daughter. "I'm sure when they calm down they will be thankful too." Fleur doubts that, but shrugs.

"Zat was not a solution. Just a little shock to get 'im out of ze 'ole 'e was in. You 'ave to keep an eye on 'im."

Arthur nods gravelly. Charlie puts a hand on her shoulder and squeezes. "That was brilliant, sister. Thanks."

She turns to Charlie. "Come outside. I want to talk to you a bit." She grabs William by the hand and pulls him outside, with Charlie following them closely. For the first time in a long time, Fleur feels like herself.

They stop outside, and Fleur turns to Charlie. "Did you guys find ze dragon zat escaped from Gringotts?"

"Yes we did. It was just sticking around in the hills east of Inverness, eating the local sheep. We have it hidden in the forbidden forest for now."

"Did ze goblins ask for its return?"

"Yes. We're going to return it, but we still have to negotiate a contract for our services."

"Ask Ron about ze conditions zat ze Dragon was kept."

"What? Why would Ron..."

"Just ask."

Charlie looks at William, who nods in agreement. Fleur is skirting very close to the loyalty clauses of her employment contract, but apparently she stayed on the safe side of the line. "All right. I will."

Fleur and William say their farewells, walk until they are outside the wards, and apparate to Shell Cottage.

The Savoy

Harry answers the door quickly, as he had been warned by the reception that Andromeda would be coming up. He greets her with a brief hug, and then picks up Teddy from the carriage. The baby snuggles happily in his arm, his magic fitting against Harry just as it should. His son. Harry directs Andromeda to sit on the big leather sofa, while dancing a little jig with Teddy in his arms.

"Slow down, Harry. He's only six weeks old."

"I know. Sorry." He stops playing and holds the infant close to his chest.

Andromeda is quietly happy, as she can see the beginnings of a real bond between Harry and Teddy. "Don't be sorry. You should play with him. You just have to learn his limits." She picks up a small package from her purse and casts a "finite" to expand it. "There's a couple of books in there that you should read. One is an excellent muggle book, called "What to expect: the first year", which you should read carefully and keep close. The other is called "Raising your magical child", which covers some basics, but should be taken with a large grain of salt. You know that organized magical knowledge tends to be a hit-or-miss jumble of fact, conjecture, common and uncommon sense, old wives tales and outright lies."

"Thanks. I'll read them both." Harry turns serious. "Look, there's no sugarcoating this, so I'll come right out. I'm his actual father."

Andromeda stiffens at his statement, a hint of anger showing behind the guarded facade. "What?"

"Nym told me."

The pureblood ice masks slips, and Andromeda growls. "And how would she do that? Is my daughter a ghost somewhere?"

Harry waits for a few seconds, and then speaks softly. "Andy."

A near scream. "What?"

"I survived the killing curse, twice. I killed a thousand year old basilisk with a sword at twelve. I dispersed a hundred dementors with a patronus at thirteen. I outflew a dragon at fourteen. I defeated the worst dark lord in a century several times, and I destroyed it utterly at seventeen. Impossible is an everyday thing around me."

Andromeda calms down a bit. "So?"

"Tom Riddle and I had several things in common."

"Who's Tom Riddle?"

"Voldemort. It's obviously an invented name."

"Riddle is not a pureblood name."

"He was the son of Merope Gaunt, a near squib and Tom Riddle, a wealthy muggle. Tom was a half-blood, almost a muggleborn, and muggle-raised."

"You're kidding."

"No."

"Bella would never fight for a half-blood."

"She probably didn't know. Very few death eaters knew."

"How did you know?"

"I know a lot about him. Sometime I'll tell you the whole story of this damned war, if you care to listen. Anyways, Tom Riddle and I were the last living decendents of the Peverells."

"You mean the brothers from the Deathly Hallows? That's a children's tale."

"Well... I ended the war in posession of all three Hallows. The invisibility cloak is a Potter family heirloom. The Elder wand was Grindewald's wand. Both Dumbledore and Voldemort died with it in his hands. It's mine now. The ressurection stone was a Gaunt family treasure, and ended up with me." As he speaks, Harry places the black stone in the floor in front of him.

"This is the ressurection stone."

Andromeda looks at it with a frozen countenance. "Prove it."

"No. Trust me on this. This is a foul object, and it should not be used."

"Have you used it?"

"Twice. Once right before delivering myself to Voldemort during the battle. I called my parents for advice." Harry looks at Andromeda, waiting.

"And the second time you called Nymphadora."

"Yes."

"When?"

"The day before yesterday."

Andromeda looks at the stone hungrily. "Call her again."

"No. She told me never to call her again. This thing tortures the spirit called."

"Then call Ted."

"No. Trust me, Andi. You don't want to do this to your loved ones."

"Please, Harry. Just prove it to me. I need to be sure."

"No."

"Harry, I can't just take your word for it. Please."

Harry's shoulders sag. "Very well, Andi. Once." He looks up. "Winky."

The little elf pops up. "Will you take my son and change his diaper?"

"Right away, Master Harry." She picks up the baby and pops out.

Next, Harry pushes a bit of magic into the stone. "Albus Dumbledore."

The filthy sensation comes in, as the ghostly image of the Headmaster appears over the stone. His face contorted in pain. "Harry, Mrs. Tonks."

"How did I call you?"

Dumbledore looks down and grimaces. "You used the ressurection stone."

"Thank you, Albus." The image disappears.

Andromeda looks at the stone, a look of distaste on her face. "You're right. That thing is foul and should be destroyed." She then looks back at Harry. "Why him?"

Harry's eyes are cold when he replies. "He owes me."

A long silence follows, as Andromeda digests what she learned. Winky pops back with a freshly diapered Teddy. Harry's anger drains slowly, as he picks Teddy up and places him lying down at the center of his bed, while speaking babytalk to him.

"How did it happen?"

"I don't know. There's a memory block."

"So you weren't... an item?"

"As far as I can remember, I'm a virgin."

Andromeda shakes her head. "Why did you call her? Why not Remus? I thought you were close."

Harry sighs. Andromeda's distate when speaking Remus name is plain. "I understand you didn't approve of Remus."

"No."

He nods. "I had a big crush on your daughter. Before they were together. Hell, I think I was in love with her. It wasn't entirely one-sided either. I didn't like it when they got together, but I didn't say anything. I couldn't separate my jealousy from my real misgivings. I hated he risked giving her lycanthropy." Andromeda stares sharply as he proceeds. "I liked him, mind you. He was a good man, smart and kind, and one of the best teachers I've ever had. Also, he was the last close personal connection I had with my parents. But he was a depressive git, a bit of a coward and given to bouts of self-pity. I didn't think he was good enough for her. They were deeply in love, though. Can't deny that."

Andromeda nods. "I didn't know him as well as you did. I felt the same way, though."

"Nym was a bright light in a very dark time and place. After they got together, she didn't shine as bright anymore. So, you may understand why it's her instructions I asked. "

Andromeda nods her head, her grief showing. "We had a very hard time as mother and daughter. Thank goodness Ted always had a way with her."

"She loved you, Andy. She asked me to look after you too."

Andromeda nods. "Changing subjects, Harry. You need to tell me your plans. Where are you going to live? When do you want Teddy to move in with you?"

"Come Tuesday I'm moving to the Black Manor at 12 Grimmauld Place."

Andromeda shudders. "You think that's a good place to raise a child?"

"As it stands, of course not. But it's the only home I have, right now."

"I live in a muggle home, outside Oxford. It's a nice four-bedroom house, with all muggle ammenities, but connected to the floo. You could come live with us."

"Thank you, Andi. I can't say how much I appreciate the offer, but I have to decline. For the Summer, and actually for the foreseeable future, I need access to the Black library and to the training room in the basement. Beyond that, there's still death eaters around, that would love another shot at me, or at those I care about. I think the protection of the old wards there is a real necessity. I'd like to reverse the invitation. Wouldn't you come live with us there? "

Her eyes brighten for a second, but only just. "Thank you for the invitation, but I fear I must decline."

Harry is confused by her reaction. A couple of seconds later, he has an inspiration. "I'm not sure Black magic will accept me as head of house, but if it does, I'd be happy to reinstate you to the Black." The smile in Andromeda's face is unmistakable. "You miss Black family magic."

"The moment Grandfather cast me out was the worst moment of my life. It felt like half of what I am was ripped away from me. You have the right idea. I couldn't live in that house without Black magic. But if you give me the Black back, I'll be happy to live with you and Teddy. And I'm pretty sure Black magic will accept you, given Kreacher's behavior."

"It will be another couple of weeks until I try. My healers told me to go slow with the assumption of family magics because of my core instability. We can wait until after that for Teddy to move in. I'll have a nice nursery next to my bedroom furnished before that."

"That will work. Thank you, Harry."

"You're most welcome."

12 Grimmauld Place

Harry stands in front of of the old brownstone, feeling the Muggle glamour and the warding from the outside. The Fidelius is gone. Muggles can't see the house, but everyone else can. The facade looks worn, in need of a coat of painting. After leaving the Savoy a couple of days early, Harry's first stop was to buy wands. Ollivander's was still closed, so Harry went to a custom shop in Knockturn Alley. He got a pair of identical wands, blackthorn with thestral hair core, which were just about perfect. Harry was pleased with the thestral core, as he felt an affinity with the gentle skeletal flying horses ever since he first saw them. Next, he went to St. Mungo's, where he got a clean bill of health, and the recommendation to continue his nutrient potions and to begin a carefully planned physical and magical exercise regime. His next stop was home.

Climbing the steps, Harry feels the rejection of the wards, turning to eager acceptance as his hand touches the doorknob. He opens the door and looks at Walburga Black's painting, still guarding the entrance of the house. He lifts his eyebrows, expecting the old screaming invective. Instead, the portrait frowns at him, and speaks in a soft voice. "Welcome home, grandson."

Puzzled and surprised, Harry touches the painting's frame, feeling the subtle connection between the house and the portrait. "Grandson?"

Lady Black gives him a thin, mysterious smile. "Never mind, mylord. Have you taken up the Black?"

"Not yet, on healer's orders. Soon, though."

The portrait nods. "Make us great again, mylord."

Harry looks straight at Walburga, a serious look on his face. "I will do my best, Lady Black."

Kreacher takes Harry on a tour of the house, from the attic, where many Black family portraits and furniture lay gathering dust, the family rooms on the second floor, the guest quarters and the library on the first floor, the formal rooms, dining, kitchen, study and a small ballroom on the ground floor and the basement, with a large wine collection and the space for a workshop and a large training room. Off to one side of the basement, a hidden door opens when he touches it, revealing the main wardstone, an irregular granite piece, half buried and pulsing with power. Following instructions from a small handwritten booklet, Harry pierces his hand with a knife and places three drops of blood on the stone, saying "Familiae Domus". He feels the wards connecting with his magic, gaining a certain awareness of the house and its contents. Next Harry places his hand on the stone, pushing a little magic into it. He is not charging the wards, as that would be impossible. He is awakening the wards, and binding them tightly to his magical signature. The wards will be slowly charged from the two leylines that cross under the house. Finally, Harry picks up another small book and a blood quill, and crosses every single name written there.

=o=o=o=o=o=o=o=o=o=o=

Next to the master bedroom, there is another large room with its own bathroom, decorated in Slytherin colors and faded Quiddich posters. "This was Regulus room, I assume."

Kreacher stands quietly next to Harry. "Yes, Master."

"We will make it a nursery. Please, open a door between this room and the master bedroom. Do we have appropriate furniture?"

"Yes, Master. This room was the nursery for both Master Sirius and Regulus. Their furniture is in the attic."

"Very well. Paint it a clear color, say, a very light blue. Winky will buy pillows and sheets."

"Very well, master."

Harry uses the house's magic to place protections on the walls of the training room against spell damage. He then starts slowly, with first and second year spells, lumos, wingardium, expelliarmus, summoning and banishing spells, stupefy, petrificus totallis, incarcerous and so on. He repeats the spells many times, getting used to feeling the magic passing through the wand, learning the amount of pushing required by each spell. He changes to elemental summoning, aguamenti, incendio, glacius, nebula and simple transfigurations. Later he goes through the list again, casting silently with minimal wand motion. His new magical sensitivity makes this a lot easier than it was. He makes a few exercises with the elder wand. Other wands are tools. The elder wand, in contrast, feels alive. It adds to the spells, and it wants to be used. As instructed, Harry quits long before he gets tired. But he knows now that his magic is really dangerously enhanced.

The nightmares return at night. The house's magic embraces its young master, attempting to soothe his troubled spirit, with little success.

Diagon Alley

Walking around Diagon Alley, Harry knew it would cause a minor riot if he was recognized. He knew that without his glasses, his scar nearly invisible and in a tight fitting muggle t-shirt and jeans, it was only his messy black mane that would betray him. So, he cast a colouring charm on his hair, making it a deep red, like his mother's. Indeed, for people who don't know him personally, that works just fine, but for others...

She's a tall stunningly pretty brunette, long light brown hair, braided to the middle of her back, pleasant oval face lightly freckled, wearing a muggle dark green skirt below the knee and a white long sleeve blouse. She frowns at him, a pleased smile slowly forming on her face. "Harry?"

He recognizes her instantly. "Penny?" Penelope Clearwater. Clever muggleborn Ravenclaw, Head Girl during his third year and former girlfriend of Percival broomstick-up-his-behind Weasley. "Merlin, you look good!"

"Well, thank you." Her smile brightens a bit more and she checks him out. "And so do you." An unexpected hug, tight and long. "That color looks awful on you, though." Harry laughs a bit. He has a soft spot for the brunette, thinking of her as an older, more outgoing version of his best friend.

"What are you up to?"

Her face closes up with anger. "I'm looking for a job."

Harry's heart sinks. He knows there are no jobs for a muggleborn witch, even one as bright and accomplished as Penny. "Didn't you use to write for the Prophet?"

"I did. I also got caught by snatchers, four months ago, beaten, my wand taken and tossed in the street. I lost my job, and spent the next few months cowering in a house in Coventry, with five other wandless muggleborns. Nearly starved too."

"Crap. I'm sorry."

"I'm sure your life last year was no bed of roses either. Thank you, by the way, for killing the Tosser."

"Not much choice there. For whatever is worth, you're welcome." Harry figures it's about time for lunch. . "Wanna have lunch? I'm inviting."

"Sure! Where do we go?"

"There's a nice little fish and chips place right outside the Leaky Caudron." She seems to hesitate and Harry, with years of Hermione-training figures it right away. "They have some figure-conscious options as well."

"It goes right to my thighs, you know?" Harry snickers. "That will do. Lead the way."

Harry tells her about the last battle, and about Teddy. She's very easy to talk to and, although not very powerful, her magic feels soothing. Eventually, Harry works his way to what he wanted to ask. "So, do you have a wand?"

"No. Ollivander's is closed, and when I asked around, people pointed me at this enchanter's shop that makes custom wands. Two hundred galleons for a wand! I have no money, and my parents are school teachers. I couldn't ask them for it."

After they finish, Harry pays for lunch with his muggle bank card. "I know a solution to your problem. Follow me." Harry walks fast and enters Knockturn Alley. Penny follows him, clearly scared. She must be feeling incredibly helpless without a wand. "C'mon, don't be scared."

"I thought only death eaters went to Knockturn Alley."

"Look, the stores are darker, but everything is legal here, at least on its surface. If you need an old out-of-print book, or exotic potion ingredients, the best bet is some of the stores here. Don't worry."

Harry opens the door to a dirty looking used book bookstore and lets Penny in. He calls out. "Hey, Merry!"

An old, bald man with thick eyebrows and a paunch comes to the front of the store. "Young Potter! Good to see you." He turns to Penny. "And who is the pretty bird? A girlfriend?"

"Merryweather Bainbridge, proud owner of this noble establishment, meet Penelope Clearwater, a dear friend from Hogwarts." Penny pinks nicely and whispers "Pleased to meet you, Mr. Bainbridge."

"The pleasure is all mine, pretty lady. You may call me Merry, like this rapscallion here does. No respect for his elders."

"Please, call me Penny."

"Very well. What can I do for you two?"

Harry explains. "Penny here had her wand stolen. I was hoping she could find a replacement in your inventory."

"Ah, I understand." Merry goes to the back of the store and floats a pair of large retangular wooden boxes, each filled with a hundred or more wands. "Pass your hand slowly, about three inches above the wands. See if anything jumps at you."

Penny slowly passes her hand over one of the boxes, and then the other. She frowns, a determined look on her face, and does it again. The second time she stops towards the end of the box and lowers her hand slowly. She grabs a light colored wand and pulls it out, squinting at it with a slight disapproving face.

Harry encourages her. "Well... try it."

"Lumos" A nice bright light shines at the tip of the wand. An involuntary sob escapes Penny's lips.

"Nox." The light goes off. Merry extends his hand, and Penny reluctantly gives him the wand. He rolls it around. "White ash and unicorn tail. Nice wand." He looks at Penny with bright eyes.

"So, how good is it?"

"It's not my wand... but it will do. How much?"

"Twenty galleons."

Her face droops, defeated. "I don't have..."

"Ten galleons, you old thief."

Penny mumbles. "But Harry..."

"Eighteen galleons"

"Twelve."

"Harry! I don't..."

"Be quiet, Penny! Can't you see I'm busy?"

"Seventeen."

"Fifteen, and not a knut more!"

"Done."

Both Harry and Merry chuckle, clearly pleased with themselves, as Harry pulls out his bag and counts the gold. Merry places the wand on Harry's hand, who presents it to Penny with a flourish.

"Harry..."

"It's a loan, Penny. All right?"

A lone tear rolls down her face. He is giving her back her magic. "I don't know when I can pay you back."

"No hurry."

She hugs him again. "Thank you, Harry."

"She's a good one, Harry. Don't let her get away." Merry adds as they leave the shop.

The old man's words bother Penny a bit. She hesitates, but decides to ask. "Harry, I'm happy as friends, but you're handsome, easy to talk to and, for the first time in a long while, I feel safe.

Look, specially after what you just did for me, I'd be happy to try for a little more."

Harry stops and looks into her eyes. She is tense, but a shade of a smile floats around her lips. "I'm flattered, Penny. Truly. You're smart, gorgeous and very easy to talk to. But..."

She exhales and relaxes. "Timing. I agree. And thanks." Truth, he is not really attracted to her that way.

"You remind me of Hermione."

"Now, that's flattering. I'm no Gryf, though. No heroics for me."

He smiles. "I see plenty of bravery from where I stand."

His words heal a bit of her she didn't know it was broken. "Thanks." She looks at her own shoes. "Still, I'm just a poor muggleborn with no prospects."

"Don't sell yourself short, Head Girl. Things are going to change, now that the monster is gone."

She laughs, bitterly. "And what do you think is going to change, Harry? The monster is gone, but it is still the same bigoted, small-minded, backwards little society it was before."

"There's one little difference."

"What?"

"Now, we get a say."

"You mean you get a say."

He shrugs. "I'm going to need help." He looks at her, an expectant smile on his lips.

She smiles back. "Oh, all right, Potter. I'm in."