Mending

Chapter 2- The Proposal

Harry choked on his tea. "Ohio? You mean America?"

Lucius slid the brochure over to Harry. "I present to you one of the finest Preparatory schools in America, Dalton Academy for Boys."

Harry stared at the cover. A beautiful mansion with a well-manicured lawn was featured along with images of young men dressed in navy blue blazers. Harry opened to the first page featuring a statement and photo from the current headmaster and gasped.

"It's-what? Huh?" Harry just sputtered and pointed while Lucius laughed.

"Yes, that is indeed part of the personal family history I planned to reveal. Yes, that is Victor Malfoy, my twin brother."

Harry's brain official shut down. "You have a twin brother that runs an all-boys muggle boarding school in Ohio?"

Lucius nodded. "Yes. We learned early in our childhood that Victor was a squib. In our society that meant he would either live on the fringe, accepting jobs that most wizards would not take and live under constant persecution, or make his way in the muggle world. My parents sent him away to school where he became passionate about education. You can see he persued several advanced degrees and devoted himself to teaching. For the past six years, he has been Headmaster of Dalton, of the youngest in their history, I might add."

Harry continued to stare at the photo of the man who looked exactly like the wizard sitting across from him. "I'm sorry, but this is really hard to believe that you of all people have a squib in your family and seem pleased."

Lucius looked down at his tea before meeting Harry's stare with a hard gaze of his own. "I agree that our society, particularly the pureblooded faction regard squibs in the most atrocious manner. As someone expected to be a leader of such a faction, it has been my public role to encourage these manners. But let me make this very clear, Mr. Potter." Lucius leaned in closer, a hard look on his face. "Victor is my brother and my family. I love him and am exceedingly proud of his accomplishments. I do not hide him in shame, rather for his own safety. He decided to settle far away from where the Malfoy name would overwhelm any chance he would have to live the way he wanted."

Harry nodded. He had always known Lucius cared about his family the most and would extend this passion for his non-magical twin.

Lucius refilled their cups and began again. "That said, I have spoken with my brother and he has already agreed for you to attend Dalton. The Malfoy family will financially support you through your tuition and boarding needs. Victor is aware you have not attended muggle school since you began at Hogwarts and is able to provide whatever tutoring you require. In addition to providing to your academic needs, we have agreed your spiritual needs are our primary concern. Victor has a good friend, a squib from a prominent wizarding family in New York who has located himself in Ohio as a muggle mind healer, I believe they are called therapists. The doctor will be able to meet with you regularly to help you deal emotionally with the war. As he is a squib, you will be able to speak freely about your experiences in the magical world without facing the consequences of breaking the Statute of Secrecy. Victor will be considered your 'sponsor' while you are at Dalton, basically, he will be considered your guardian and will look after both your personal and academic interests."

Harry felt overwhelmed, there were so many things to consider at once, but of course he had to address the main thing on his mind. "What about my friends? Even if this is something that I do need, how can I abandon them when they need me most."

Lucius regarded him sadly and briefly squeezed his hand. "You are not going to be running away for two years, never to be heard from. I had planned to work with your Miss Granger to find out ways to maintain communication through muggle means. I have been informed that there has been great progress in telephone and computers that are beyond kneeling in front of a fire."

Harry giggled and Lucius continued. "In addition, you can return to England for prearrange weekends and holidays through international portkeys that I can provide. You will be by no means cut off from those you care about. But, Harry, I want you to realize, that by accepting this offer, you are not abandoning them. You have sacrificed so much for our world, it is okay to take time for yourself. You are a person, Harry, and you need to find out who that is. I believe your friends will be able to accept that."

Harry tried to discreetly wipe his eyes. No one had ever insisted that he take time for himself. He always felt pressure to be something for everyone that he wasn't even sure who he was anymore. His entire identity had been so closely tied up with Voldemort, that he didn't know who he was anymore. Who was Harry Potter? So far, all he could come up with was 'Quidditch fan'.

Lucius once again reached into his briefcase and pulled out a large envelope that he passed over to Harry. "Inside you will find everything you need to be able to accept my offer. I took the liberty of having a British passport created that will satisfy both muggle governments. In addition, there is a student Visa that allows you to live and study in America. Victor has created the necessary school documents you would need to attend Dalton and is prepared to assist you in obtaining your driver's license after which you may select an appropriate car, an essential for every teenage boy. You can see we've made a few changes to your records. Rather than your actual age of 18, you will be considered 17, in order to be considered a minor and give you the opportunity for two years of schooling. You will enter Dalton as a Junior. "

Harry watched as Lucius pulled form after form out of the envelope and placed it in front of him. He was impressed by the detail of the plan and felt hope that this might actually work. Lucius pulled out the last piece of paper and paused before placing it on the table.

"Now, this last bit is your choice. Here is a plane ticket to Ohio. In order for you to get the environment I believe you need to heal, I think it is essential that your location is secret. Using muggle transportation will prevent the ministry from tracking you to America and will also keep you off the radar of the American wizarding government. You can still travel back and forth through port keys that Victor and I will set up, but your initial departure from England cannot be magical. You must decide who will know of your location. Trusting close friends to these details is not the same as the Ministry. If they were to find out, you would be hounded and most likely forced back to England. That of course, is completely against the goals of your relocation, so I strongly encourage discretion."

Harry took a deep breath. This is it. This was the perfect opportunity for him to move past the war and find out who he is and wants to be. He saw Victor's statement emphasized a "zero tolerance harassment" policy. Harry couldn't even fathom school without bullies. If he ever hoped to continue to contribute to the world he helped save, he would have to heal and he knew that wouldn't happen the way things were going. Even though he dreaded the Weasley's reaction, he look up to meet Lucius' gaze straight on and smiled for the first time in months.

"It looks like I'm going to Ohio."