Disclaimer: Just having fun with what Rowling has made.
Chapter Two
(Authors Notes Are At The End)
Albus flooed to the Kensington Castle and was led to a comfortable but extremely large room, obviously one of the more private living areas of the castle. But there were many of those, especially when you lived in a castle twice the size of Hogwarts. The room was filled with antique furniture, also remeniscint of a family descendent of founders and Merlin. And was decorated in the Queens taste of cherry wood furniture, oversized chairs, and little baubles that seemed to make the over large room seem unbelievably homey. It was a far cry from where Harry was spending his days. Dumbledore heard footsteps and watched as the King and Queen entered, more commonly known to friends as Alec and Genevieve.
"Albus," Genevieve said pleasantly, while walking towards him with her regal bearing. She was only in her fourties, having had James when she was very young. She had the raven hair James had been famous for, but not the wildness as it casually looped down her hairs in curls, overall a very striking woman.
"This is a surprise. But a welcome one at that."
Genvieve sat down eyeing Dumbledore the same way her husband was. They were uncertain of him, and grieving over their only son did not make their suspicions any less. After all it had been Albus who had given support for James to go to school, not to be home-schooled, and Albus was sure that a small part of them blamed him for what had happened. And the sadest part of that, was the he couldn't blame Alec or Genevieve for their feelings.
Alec still hadn't spoken a word, as it was his way to watch and observe. He figured that there was less mistakes that way, and more was actually accomplished effectively. So much could be accomplished with just the correct look or gesture. Alec was an imposing figure standing a little over six feet, with broad shoulders. His hair of such a dark brown some swore it black. His electric blue eyes made such a striking contrast, that pinned with his gaze not many subjects dared look aware. When King Alec stared someone down it was a sight to be seen, and one to be described to others long after the event. Alec was not the sort of man who lost his temper very easily, however when he did loose it no one wanted to be in his presence.
So, he sat and watched Albus, figuring out what the old man was up to. But after a few minutes of pleasantries and talk of nothing important, it seemed as though the King had had enough waiting around.
"So Albus what can we do for you?" Alec said in his condescending way. He knew Dumbledore's power rivaled his own, but he still held the edge. Genevieve looked at her own husband with her glare of warning, one that he aknowledge but for the most part ignored.
"No Genevieve, Alec knows there is a reason I am here. And I appreciate him not looking into my thoughts, and giving me the opportunity to tell you. As you both know James, well he was quite adverse the thought of coming upon the thrown. I know you both had people keeping a watchful eye over him, but their was something you did not know. Something that James had worked very hard to keep a secret……….James and Lily had a son at the time of their death. It took many spells and potions to keep it a secret from you, but they pulled it off."
Genevieve took in a large breath of shock, and a little sound came out. Alec on the other hand only narrowed his eyes. He didn't have to ask how, or why he didn't know, if his son hadn't wanted them to know then they wouldn't have. And by god how it hurt to have your own son think so little of you, and hate you so much that he wouldn't want you to know about the birth of his own child, and their first and only grandchild. When James was born he had taken out full pages in all the Wizarding news papers, even muggles knew about a wealthy baby boy named James that was born that day. However when James had died all Alec could think was that there had been no chance for reconciliation, and no goodbyes. In just a span of a few minutes he had had a son and then he didn't. Life could be cruel, and uncompromising. He did not pretend to think Lily was a good match for his son in the lineage aspect, but Alec had known that her power and intelligence were a benefit. James just couldn't get over his wife's and his own concern about her lineage. And in the end, James had passed away, not knowing or not believing that his parents loved him enough to respect his decision, and allow the woman he loved into the family. James had proven his thoughts on that fact.
"Well I am sure you are going to give us details, so please do." Genevieve said calmly now. Her thoughts were much the same as her husbands, and she was filled with a sadness that she was certain only a mother could know. How the river between her son and them became and ocean, she wasn't sure. But the thought of a child made her inwardly curse herself that she had to be strong. They would get through this, because they had too, not because they wanted too. Royalty made you strong, as a queen she would be strong, but as a mother and suddenly a grandmother, she wanted to weep. Wanted to go upstairs and have herself a nice cry.
"His name is Harrison, James and Lily called him Harry. I won't insult your own intelligence by going over how exactly they hid him. He is a little over a year and a half old now, and looks already completely like James. Well accept for Lily eyes," Dumbledore said with a sad smile. He then told them about the attack, and all that had happened.The scar that Harry now held, and his fame in the wizard world, which had not gotten back to the royals since they were in mourning and not seeing visitors, or advisors. Any necessary meetings were handled quickly and no one had been stupid enough to bring up the deceased Crown Prince or his family. Dumbledore finally told them about the prophesy made.
"I know this is all a shock to you, but you need to know, and-"
"Where is our Grandchild Dumbledore!" Alec said threateningly. He had obviously had enough of other people making decisions that should be his own, and with a man who was used to not only make decisions for himself but for an entire magical world, it was beyond consideration that so much had been done with out his knowing. Dumbledore had been making the decisions, obviously, and they involved his grandson. How dare he, Alec thought, not let them know immediately! This was his grandson.
"He is staying with his Aunt and Uncle, and has been with them for the last 6 months. however" Dumbledore stated firmly when it was apparent Alec was about to let out a roar of outrage. "it was done for a reason. Blood bond protection was the best we could give Harry. However it is apparent now that he cannot go on living there. There has been some trouble." Dumbledore went on to explain about the Dursley's hate of all things magical, and little Harry's illness.
"So, I need to know if you want to raise him yourself. I know your upset, but think clearly. Harry needs to be raised a certain way, and with a lot of thought. He has a lot ahead of him, and I just cannot allow for him to turn out like….like"
"The whole pureblood lot" Alec said quietly, and understandingly. Realizing that Dumbledore had to rest a lot on his grandson shoulders. Harry needed to grow up a strong, compassionate man, and have his enormous power harnessed for the battle yet to come. He also needed love, even though Dumbledore did not quite seem to grasp that, Alec knew it was true. His wife and he were being given a second chance, and Alex wasn't about to take that lightly. No Genna and he would do this right. Dumbledore might not think that love was essential, but it was, and they would give Harrison all the love in the world. However, that was a mute pointto think about the "ifs", since they would be raising Harry. There was no doubt of that, yes his grandson would grow up properly and would be a king in the end.
Alec was up to the task of making it a reality. The Dursleys he would deal with. They had dared harm and ignore what was his, not seeing to his grandson's welfare was a mistake on their part and he wanted to punish them….severely. And catching Genevieve eye, he knew she was having the same thoughts. Oh, he pitied the Dursleys, hell hath no fury like a pissed off Kensington.
"He'll grow up like he should Dumbledore. But it will be in our way" Alec stated firmly, and Dumbledore realized that there would be no bargaining with them on this. His own way had been done with James, and now all trust had been lost. With an inward smile he hoped that Harry was allowed to leave the castle at some point before he reached legal age. Albus only hoped that their way of raising him would be sufficient, because the future rode on it. Dumbledore took his leave shortly, promising to owl in a little while with the final arrangements, leaving Genevieve and Alex alone.
"It all seems unreal," she said quietly. She finally allowed herself to sink back in the chair, and held a hand to her temple, trying to soothe the enormous pounding in her head that wouldn't go away. Trying to hold back the tears, that thankfully had stayed away for so long.
"James my god, how he must have thought we hated him. We have to do it right though Alec. I won't have less for our grandson. He will grow up here. Be raised to be arrogant but not spoiled, a fine line we often crossed with James, we will teach him everything he needs to know, and there is no way I will allow him to go to any of those schools. No, he will have the best instructors in the world right from the beginning, but they will come to us. I will not have it any differently…but if you think I'm going to make the same mistakes twice think again!" It was at the end of her ranting that she noticed Alec sitting there with a little smile of his face.
"Darling, I hadn't thought anything less….Yes Harry will be raised here. God, I can't wait to see him" And with that Genevieve got up with a start
"Oh my lord! I have so much to do. I have a nursery to prepare, clothing to buy, nanny's to hire, extra guards to assign. There is so much to be done!" and with that she scurried out of the room calling for the house elves to follow her, not even remembering that her husband was still in the room. This was good, Alec thought, a second chance and a little bit of a chance at healing. Yes this was very good, he thought strolling out of the room to get things ready for his Grandson . With a smile Alec thought about the Quiditch Pitch that would need to be built right away.
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A/N: Thanks for the reviews, I really appreciate the feed back and questions. I love questions, they help me develop things I hadn't thought of, so thanks.
Oh, and if any one is working on a mac and knows for to fix the problem of when you uploaded, needing to then back space everyline so it doesn't turn to be just a column of words please let me know. If that just makes no sense then nevermind.
Too answer reviewers comments/questions: Yeah I know structure is a little jumbled, but with having to deal with the uploading problem I am having, it is just turning out that way, but am working on it.
Spoiled Harry: Naw, don't think he will be spoiled (my king and queen learned their lesson the first go around), perhaps a little arrogant and more serious minded then the books Harry. Not anything to dramatic though. I never liked Harry's that were brattish though.
Pure Princess possibility?: No, a little to much of a cliche, and a little too AU for me. I figure another one of JK's characters might turn out to be perfect for Harry when he grows up.
The Sirius Question: Hmmm...some kinks with that since Wormtail is still missing and people did die. Added I don't think the Blacks with their Prejudices would have been allowed to run in the same circles as the Kensingtons. So the king and queen would never have known Sirius.I will think on it though. Very good question you posed...hmmm
