Danny's Doctor Visit, Part I: The Gathering

Disclaimer: I do not own Danny Phantom, Harry Potter, Midsummer Night's Dream, Peter Pan, or CaelumFelis's "Walk Three Worlds" (the story wherein Godric's Hollow Secondary School and Headmaster David Solomon were invented and introduced).

For the record, Don Rabbi Dr. Mitchell Serels was knighted by the King of Spain on December 4, 1996, for his extensive work to reconcile Sephardic Jews to Spain, as many Sephardic Jews maintain a historic bitterness against the country for the expulsion of Jews from Spain in 1492. Among his many accomplishments, he served as a Rabbi and professor in Yeshiva University, in New York, until he retired.

After a wonderfully edifying Shakespearean tour that took the half-ghosts all over Norway, Denmark, Italy, Greece, and Britain, they took one of the 'official' tours that took them everywhere the Ministry of Tourism would bring them to see in London.

On Friday, July 11, as ghosts, they took a very unofficial tour of the Tower of London, where the ghosts made much of them. Visiting the Tower of London as a ghost was a rather different experience than visiting as a human. The ghost princes who were children saddened them, even as the children remained playful.

When they returned to the hotel, Danny curled up in a chair and hugged his knees.

Vlad put an arm around the suddenly subdued boy. "Daniel, what's wrong? I can't imagine more of a celebration of your presence when we were in the Tower than if you would have been in the royal family."

Danny sighed. "We had a great time, and I can't thank you enough for all you've done. But… all of those ghosts we saw weren't like us. They were all from people who were killed, for one reason or another. And… I don't know. I just want to go home."

"But Daniel…"

"I know that no one is there now, but in ten days, it'll be a year. I just…" He trailed off, but his tears spoke poignantly when his words failed him.

Vlad knelt in front of him and hugged him tightly. "Of course. On Wednesday, we'll head back to America. I have some business that needs to be attended to, and we can go visiting. I'm sure Ida Manson, the Greys, and the Foleys would love to see you. Of course we can visit the cemeteries…"

"And I'd also like to visit Aunt Alicia. It has been a long time since I've seen her. I mean, I know I had to stay safe in Hogwarts, but still, it's almost a full year since I last saw her."

Vlad looked askance. "Your point is…?"

Danny shrugged a shoulder. "I know Aunt Alicia isn't the most social person, but she doesn't have Mom anymore. I know we don't either, but we have each other and the wizards. I don't know who Aunt Alicia has left."

Vlad sighed. "Then I'll see what we can do." Danny flashed him a half-smile.

Vlad furrowed his brows and put a hand over his mouth in thought. "Let's see. The Weasley wedding is on August 1, the Lupin wedding is on August 10. Sometime after that, I expect that we'll spend time with the Lovegoods, the Longbottoms, your favorite uncle and Harry. I've planned a lovely honeymoon for the Lupins. Draco, your SATs… Ah, yes. I haven't planned all the details, but we'll be quite busy during the month of August.

"That's why we'll take this weekend to go to the Ghost Zone and get your medical exam."

Danny jerked his head and lowered his legs. "What? But why? Besides being a little sad, I'm feeling just fine."

Vlad smiled; he knew this reaction was coming. "You know, when most students go to a boarding school, they usually have to undergo a complete medical physical exam. Last year, there were extenuating circumstances, but honestly. It's about time."

The teen thought over the man's words. "You just want to bring me to the Far Frozen 'cause they'll give me an even bigger reception than the ghosts in the Tower of London did!"

Vlad tilted his head. "I won't lie to you, son. That is a serious added benefit for my amusement. However, I am concerned about your growth and development. No other doctors I know of would even begin to understand your issues, not even Madam Pomfrey."

Danny scowled. "What issues are you talking about?"

"My little badger, you are sixteen, but you are no bigger or more fully developed than you were at thirteen."

"How do you know? You didn't know me then," Danny stated argumentatively.

Vlad sighed. "My dear boy, I did discuss a few things with your parents while I was in Amity Park during the Ghost King fiasco."

Danny thought for a moment. "You… when we used to fight all the time, you made fun of me for lots of things, but being short was never one of them."

Vlad sighed again, as he recognized some of his regrets. "I chided you for your inexperience and made comments to undermine your confidence in your competence. If there was anything about you that I thought would be better if you looked up to me, I made sure to point it out as a shortcoming. That way, you would recognize how much better off you'd be if you were with me.

"But your height and your physical development – how could I criticize what nature hadn't seen fit to bless you with? If I couldn't improve upon it, what would be the point in calling attention to it? To be honest, I thought it a point in your favor that you physically took after your mother and not your father. But at this point…" He shook his head.

"Daniel, even though a growth spurt might even come as late as next year, not a whisker has appeared above your lip or under your chin. And while I'm fond of your treble voice, it should have deepened somewhat. You should now be at least a tenor instead of a soprano."

Danny scrunched his nose. "I didn't think I sang often enough for that to make a difference."

Vlad stood up and began to pace. "It's not a question of musical ability, dear boy, but of the pitch and timbre of your voice. Puberty brings all types of changes, and I have yet to see one sign."

Danny narrowed his eyes. "Maybe there are signs that you just can't see!"

Vlad blinked. "Valid point. If you don't mind my asking, though… are there?"

The boy pursed his lips, so Vlad asked gently, "It's not a personal failing, and it doesn't make you less of a person if the answer is negative."

Danny lowered his eyes and whispered, "No."

Bringing another chair closer to Danny's, and sitting close to the boy, Vlad said, "Listen to me. While you are perfectly charming and adorable as you are…"

"Pápa, do you mind? I don't want anyone but a girl to think of me as 'adorable,' thank you very much."

"Unfortunately for you, you are what you are, and you are adorable." Danny huffed. "Be that as it may, you may one day wish to be married and have children."

Becoming perfectly sober so that Danny understood he was not teasing him, Vlad took one of Danny's hands. "While there is nothing wrong with adopting, it would be good to know that you have the ability to produce offspring of your own."

Danny hung his head. While it was weird beyond description to be having this conversation, he couldn't think of any one else at all who might even have answers if Danny actually had questions.

Peeking up through his bangs, Danny asked, "Did becoming half-ghost change your development?"

Vlad paused to think. "Emotionally? Quite possibly. Since my emotional meltdown over your paper on Midsummer Night's Dream, I realized that desiring the hand of a happily married woman eighteen years after the fact was not only morally abhorrent, it was ridiculously immature." He made a face as if he bit a lemon. "Daniel, it isn't normal for a man in his forties to have a teenager for a rival. Oddly enough, it took us fighting Voldemort for me to figure that out."

He sighed. "But physically? I'd long since finished puberty before I started college. There was nothing left for me to physically develop but muscle tone."

Danny shook his head. "Now that you put it that way… I don't know. I never really thought about it before. I mean… I don't want my body to be fourteen forever." He quirked his lips upward in a not-quite smile. "I realize that we're in London, and I can fly, but I don't really want to be Peter Pan."

Vlad laughed. "Especially now that we know fairies are real. But seriously now, that's why we need to get a check-up for you."

Danny nodded. "I can see that. Okay."

Tapping his chin, Vlad offered, "I don't remember if I told you, but Remus now has a teaching job in Godric's Hollow."

"Yeah. Uncle Remus is going to be teaching astronomy and biology."

"It's been a very long time since he studied biology from a purely Muggle perspective, if ever."

Danny brightened. "Then Uncle Remus can come with us! The people of the Far Frozen are amazing scientists, and maybe they can share their knowledge with him. I can't see someone like Uncle Remus needing more than a refresher course, though."

"My thoughts exactly, my boy. And it occurs to me that Severus would get a kick out of meeting Frostbite."

Danny nodded. "Uncle Severus would enjoy… Wait a minute! That would mean that Uncle Remus, Uncle Severus, and Harry would be coming along to my doctor appointment. Aren't these things supposed to be private?"

Vlad smirked. "Yes, they are. But honestly, you've brought your friends Samantha and Tucker into the Ghost Zone on countless occasions. True, their main purpose for coming at the time was either to help or save you. Would you truly deny access to people who would probably appreciate the experience far more, on a peaceful fact finding mission? Remus would get his biology refresher, Severus might learn how to prepare any vitamins or medications that you… come to think of it, he could learn to prepare any supplements or medications either one of us might need. While I'm more than capable and practiced at producing such things, he will have far greater access to a lab during the school year to prepare them.

"And you wouldn't leave out your favorite cousin, would you?"

Danny closed his eyes and smacked his head. "Alright, alright! You win! All these people are coming with us to the Far Frozen." Vlad nodded smugly and Danny growled. "You know, it's not going to be like when we brought Uncle Severus to your…"

"Our," Vlad corrected.

"Right. To our (really?) home in Wisconsin. It's called the Far Frozen for a reason. Even if they used all their winter gear with warming charms, it still wouldn't be warm enough."

"That's why you will open a portal and we'll take them to your parents' lab. You can show off a bit, and either you or I could fly us all in the Specter Speeder."

Danny processed what Vlad had said. "How do you know the name 'Specter Speeder'?"

Vlad sighed. It was fun to throw Daniel off-kilter once in a while, but he pushed the boy rather far. He was already emotionally delicate because it was so close to the anniversary of his family's death, and while it was amusing to have fun at his expense, there was a line between light-hearted teasing and vicious harassment. It was time to relieve some tension.

Vlad said quietly, "Last November, I raided the patent office. I quickly became familiar with the names and functions of all of your parents' inventions."

Danny winced. "Right. You did tell me about that, but… Pápa, some of those inventions could be really useful. Mom and Dad should get credit for their inventions."

Vlad smiled gently. "Of course they should. And they did. While I took all the pertinent pieces of information that describe how to make them, and how to make them function, I left the names of the inventions, the completed pictures of the inventions, and the patent numbers, and – of course – the names of the inventors.

"These inventions and weapons are rightfully your property, son. But I don't want them to be made available to the public until if and when you choose to do so. And since every one of these things works, I wouldn't want it to be possible to access them publicly, until you are capable of defeating them. However, there is no solution for the Thermos or," he winced, "Weasel."

Danny was thoroughly touched. He never realized how… thoughtful Vlad was when he put that operation together. He got up and hugged Vlad tightly. "Thanks again, Pápa."

As they embraced, Vlad smiled over Danny's shoulder. Daniel was safe, comforted, loved, and didn't have a clue about how amused Vlad would be once all three British citizens reacted to Daniel's titles and how Daniel was treated by the people who bestowed said titles.

An hour later, Danny and Vlad sat on a couch, having figured out the logistics of how this should happen. Vlad leaned on his armrest, crossed legs languidly, and called Severus from his cell phone.

Harry answered, "Hello?"

"Good afternoon, dear Harry. This is Vlad. Is your father available?"

It took Harry a second to process the moment. "Uncle Vlad? It's good to hear from you. Where are you calling from?"

Vlad smiled. He hadn't intended to confuse Harry, but he was amused to have done so. The boy knew that both half-ghosts were Muggles, but he only really dealt with them in a context of being with wizards. So receiving a phone call, while in and of itself was nothing out of the ordinary, created a bit of a cognitive dissonance.

"We're in a room at the Ritz in London. We've had a lovely set of tours. I look forward to sharing all kinds of details with you later, but it's rather important for me to talk to Severus now."

Harry smiled. He wondered how Danny took to the VIP treatment that seemed to be a matter of course for Uncle Vlad. "Give me a moment. I'll get him for you."

He ran to the office. "Dad, Uncle Vlad is on the phone."

Severus raised his eyebrows. "He is, is he? Tell him I'll be right there." Setting aside his lesson plans for next semester, he left the office and came to the living room, where the phone was. "Good day to you, Vlad. What brings you to call me this afternoon?"

Vlad smiled. "Daniel and I have finished our first bout of sightseeing. But I remembered that you showed an interest when I mentioned bringing Daniel to his ghostly pediatrician."

Severus sat straight. "I am." There was so much to learn about ghosts, his favorite nephew and best friend in particular.

"Very well. We need a place to meet you, Harry, and Remus."

"Ah, yes. Remus. I had almost forgotten."

Vlad was amused. "I did not. While we've kept up a regular correspondence, I have no way to contact him immediately. He doesn't have a phone, that I'm aware of, and I can't use the Floo, for obvious reasons."

"Right. This will be quite an adventure for the lot of us. When did you wish to get started?"

Vlad thought for a moment. "In about an hour or two, if we can all corral ourselves in a relatively inconspicuous place."

"Considering the fact that you're calling me, I assume you are in a Muggle location. Harry and I… have a couple of homes that I recently found out about, but the place we choose to call home at this time is also in a Muggle neighborhood."

Vlad raised an eyebrow. "A couple of homes?"

Severus almost smirked. "Between the Potter inheritance and the Black inheritance, young Harry is possibly one of the wealthiest young men in the Wizarding World. I know he has at least two rather impressive estates. Considering how well connected I've discovered my son to be… I assume he has far more than that." Vlad raised his eyebrows, not that Severus could see. "At some point, perhaps in late August, I'd like to schedule an appointment with you and a few goblins at Gringotts, and discuss estate management."

"Indeed. I would be honored to help Harry in any way I can, and managing finances is one of my specialties."

"I rather thought you might. But for some reason, despite all of these resources, my son prefers (at present) my rather modest family home. It isn't much, but it was left to me by my parents. It gives him a true sense of home, something you know he was never given before."

"Interesting. Then I should like to see it at some time."

"I beg your pardon!"

Vlad sighed. "I mean no harm, Severus. I would have been interested to visit your home in any event. But I am especially curious to see the very hard earned home my favorite nephew has acquired. All the money in the world can't buy happiness. Ask me how I know." Severus snorted. "But love can make all that you have so much more fulfilling." Vlad closed his eyes wistfully. "Maddie taught me that."

Severus paused for a few moments, allowing his friend to gather his thoughts. Clearing his throat, Severus picked up the thread of the conversation. "As I said, both you and I are in Muggle neighborhoods. The quickest and easiest place to reach almost immediately rather inconspicuously is Hogwarts."

Vlad smiled. "Fair enough. Where should we meet?"

"My office should suffice. I'll Floo Lupin and unless he's in the middle of something, we should be there in an hour."

Vlad smirked. This was all going according to his plan. "I expect the trip to last a few days, so be sure to pack at least a day bag. Further, the location of our ultimate goal is the Far Frozen. Be sure to pack winter wear for… an Arctic adventure."

Ultimate goal? Severus thought that whatever plans his friend had… He couldn't fathom what Vlad had planned, but if the last time they ventured into the Ghost Zone was any indication, it would be interesting, to say the least.

When the phone call ended, Severus was in a rare, playful mood. "Harry."

Harry looked up from his seat at the far end of the living room. He moved away to give his father a bit more privacy during his call with Uncle Vlad, but not so much that he couldn't hear the louder portions of the conversation.

"Yes, Dad?"

"Come closer and pay attention. I think you may appreciate this." Harry took a seat on a couch closer to Severus's chair and looked on curiously as Severus grabbed a handful of Floo power. "Remus!"

It took about fifteen seconds before the addressed werewolf's face appeared in the fireplace. "Severus. Is everything alright?"

"Everything is fine. Please step through to my home in Spinner's End."

Raising his eyebrows, Remus said, "Sure thing." Shortly after, he gracefully stepped into the living room. "Thank you for inviting me to your home. This is a rather unexpected honor."

"Come and have a seat. We have much to discuss."

Remus looked around the cozy living room and smiled. "Hello, Harry."

"Hey, Uncle Remus." Harry got up and hugged him, and the three of them found seats clumped close together.

Severus smiled. "So, Remus, how are your preparations coming along?"

Remus beamed. "There are so many great things going on! Vlad purchased tuxedos for Ted, Draco, and me. Dora wouldn't let me see her dress, as both she and Andromeda explained that this is standard operating procedure. I imagine that both of you will receive your tuxedos relatively soon." Severus raised his eyebrows. He knew that Vlad had Harry's measurements, but he didn't remember giving him his own.

Severus rolled his eyes as he realized that Vlad could have invisibly riffled through Madam Malkin's files, and no one would have been wiser or aware. He sighed. It didn't matter, in any event. "That's good to know. I'll thank him."

Remus shook his head and smiled at his good fortune. "I have never owned such an expensive outfit in my life!"

Severus smirked. "Not even the dress robes for James and Lily's wedding?"

"Not even those. Andromeda and Ted are thrilled, as Vlad refurbished and booked the same church they were married in. The reception is to be in the ballroom of any five star hotel my love will name, either Muggle or magical. Dora is so happy that she cried. The wedding is in one month, and her dreams are coming true."

Harry cocked his head. "What about your dreams?"

Remus put an arm around Harry's shoulder. "The fact that I am marrying a lady I love more than life itself is my dream come true. Everything else is bonus."

The werewolf sighed happily. "We have a week long honeymoon planned in Monaco, and we should be home in time for the full moon. I'll have a day to recover, and on August 20, I'll start the sessions for Muggle-born and Muggle-raised Hogwarts First Years and their parents and caretakers. It should be Wednesday to Friday, and then Monday through Friday the following week. Between Charity, Filius, Pomona, Andromeda, and I, we intend to give various lectures on everything from money and owl post to leisure and luxury, and to possible magical career choices, or possibly enhancing Muggle career choices, throughout that stretch of time."

Harry breathed, "Wicked! This type of thing would have been dead useful before my first year."

"I know. If this goes the way I've planned it, we'll continue to do this for many years to come."

Severus nodded. "And your preparation for your classes in Godric's Hollow?"

"Well, my lesson plans are ready. I have student rosters, and I even have a list of prospective students for my special, extra curricular class."

"It sounds like you're reasonably prepared. Do you have a way to reach your students' parents if you need to set up a parent/teacher conference?"

Remus's face fell. "I… hadn't thought about that. Headmaster Solomon fire called me, but I hadn't…" He threw his hands up. "Arg… With all of this time that I'll be spending around Muggles and Squibs, I can't believe that it never occurred to me."

Severus added a little salt to the man's wounded pride. "You know who else cannot contact you in a more immediate fashion? The gentleman who is financing your wedding. Such contact might be useful if there are any snags or last minute details to be discussed."

Remus covered his eyes in frustration. Harry sighed. Dad had enough fun at his uncle's expense. "Uncle Moony, it's not a big deal. Depending on where you live, you can get a phone installed, or if not, you can get a cell phone." He rolled his eyes in… he wasn't sure which emotion he had for Severus for the moment, but it wasn't a nice one. "I'm sure Dad will have no problem telling you how to go about getting that done."

Severus's dark eyes twinkled in wicked delight. "Oh, I will. Make no mistake about that. The only thing we need to worry about is timing."

Both Harry and Remus looked at him – there was something important that Severus hadn't said, and it appeared as though the man would enjoy telling them.

"You see, Vlad just called me. He would like the three of us packed and ready for a trip that will last a few days."

Remus shot him a sidelong glance. "Oh?"

"Indeed. And be sure to pack for the severe cold."

Harry furrowed his brows. "Are we going to Antarctica?" Where else would be that cold this time of year?

Severus smiled genuinely. "Ten points for good logic, but no. We have been invited to come and meet Daniel's new pediatrician."

Harry frowned in confusion, but Remus lit up with glee. "Harry, we've been invited to spend some time in the Ghost Zone."

Harry blinked. "Really?"

Remus nodded. "I have no idea how we'll get there, but somewhere in the Ghost Zone…"

Harry thought it would be fun to explore a whole new… Well, Danny described it as an alternate dimension. Then he remembered something else Danny said. "But Danny said that many ghosts from the Ghost Zone didn't like him."

Severus thought about the titles that Daniel was given, and said, "While that may be true, that won't be a problem with the particular ghosts we'll be meeting." He smiled as his son and Remus looked thoughtful.

Harry shook his head, clearing the dottle. "The only way we could get there is if Danny and Uncle Vlad took us."

Remus smiled. "I suppose you're right. In a section of the Ghost Zone peopled with yeti-like ghosts…"

"Yeti-like ghosts?"

Severus smirked. "I've been made to understand that they have a human-compatible sentience, not unlike your mostly human friends and relations." Both Harry and Remus blushed. "And they are probably the only people in creation that understand enough about half-ghost biology to be effective physicians for Daniel."

Remus nodded. "Vlad hinted that their medical facilities are advanced beyond description."

"And this section of the Ghost Zone is called the Far Frozen. I'm rather curious to see that all by itself, as the Ghost Zone has no natural sunlight." This brought Severus up short. "To be honest, I'm not sure the words 'natural' and 'ghost' belong in the same sentence."

Harry tilted his head. "You said I was close when I thought we were going on an expedition to Antarctica. Does wizard clothing protect against that kind of cold? If not, we'll have to go to a Muggle sporting goods store or camping supply store."

Severus wasn't sure if he wanted to be smug about being the first to know or efficient because of the time limit. He sighed and settled on efficient. "We won't have time for that. We should consider that for a repeat visit. But for now, I suggest bringing gloves and Transfiguring standard winter cloaks, but it makes more sense to hold off the Transfiguration until we're closer to our destination. I'm not quite sure of all that Vlad has planned, but he mentioned that the Far Frozen was our 'ultimate destination,' so we have time."

Remus tried to process this. "You said we don't have time. What is our time frame?"

"Vlad would like to meet us in my Hogwarts office about 5:00."

"But that's under an hour."

Severus smiled. "Then I suggest you start packing. You have the password for my office Floo."

Remus sighed. "Very well. I'll see you soon."

At ten minutes to five, Severus looked up when he heard knocking on his office door. "Come in!"

Severus, Remus, and Harry were bemused to see that Vlad and Danny were burdened with nothing but the cat carrier and a bag containing cat care needs. Severus nodded at the half-ghosts. "It's good to see you again, Vlad and Daniel." Everyone present exchanged handshakes or hugs, as seemed appropriate. "As we head towards the Hufflepuff corridor, I'm sure you will enlighten us to the reason you are both unencumbered with anything but the equipment to care for your cat."

Vlad smirked. "Considering that our journey will primarily take us to the Ghost Zone, Daniel and I will expend far less energy in our ghost forms. Once in our ghost forms, our… costumes are largely ectoplasmic emanations…"

"That can be torn, Pápa," Danny reminded him.

Vlad released a frustrated, noisy breath as he tried to explain their ghostly garments. They had so many extraordinary properties that the logic behind them defied description. But he would put forth the effort to describe the clothes, even if the logic was beyond him.

"True." He grimaced in concentration. "Our clothes, as ghosts, are largely emanations of our imaginations, like more of a localized Room of Requirement – the only limitations to our clothes and accoutrements are our personal perceptions of self. But there seems to be a settling of self image such that it almost forms a… standard uniform, of sorts." He shook his head, knowing that his detailed description didn't even come close to a complete explanation. Two decades of having this as part of his biology didn't help him come closer to explaining the reasoning behind it.

Harry made a face. "How does that even work?"

Danny thought for a second. "Harry, in all the time that you know him, have you ever seen Sir Nicholas in different clothes?"

Harry blinked. "Uh, no."

"Why do you think that might be?"

"Well… He's a ghost, and ghosts don't really change."

Danny nodded. "Right. And Pápa and I are…" He rolled a hand in a repetitive circle, waiting for Harry to supply the answer.

It came to him suddenly. "Ghosts. So, when you're in ghost form, you don't have to really change."

Vlad smiled. "Very good, Harry."

The boy sighed. "It's hard to remember sometimes. You're…" Harry made a frustrated noise as he sought the right wording. "You just seem so human that it's easy to forget that your aren't really."

Severus caught his son's hand as they walked. "On a day-to-day basis, there is no occasion to bring this fact to mind. The actual difference between us is only relevant on specialized occasions, such as this."

Remus smiled quietly, thinking that it would be nice if more people thought this way about werewolves. But since Severus's apology in March, Remus noticed that Snape was closer to thinking this way, perhaps about even him.

When they reached the Hufflepuff corridor, Harry looked around. "So, where is this portal?"

At that moment, the four House Ghosts and Myrtle glided through the wall, and they caught Sir Nicholas saying, "Yes, well, visiting the Tower of London is a very different experience for living witches and wizards. But ghosts are almost always welcome to visit, especially after official tourist hours are over. Myrtle, my dear, it was clever of you to make the connection between Guy Fawkes to the name of the Headmaster's phoenix. Professor Dumbledore named him after…"

He blinked at the sight of the collection of folks. "Good afternoon, gentlemen. The Queen and the princes send their fondest regards, Sir Danny."

Remus and Harry chorused, "Sir Danny?" Danny peaked his eyebrows.

Severus raised an elegant eyebrow. "Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth sends regards to Daniel? While I've come to discover that almost anything is possible when it comes to either Harry or Daniel, I don't see…"

Sir Nicholas laughed heartily. "No, no, Professor. I referred to Queen Anne Boleyn. Sir Danny and Vlad were quite the pair on their ghostly tour of the Tower of London. The tour is significantly different for the living than for ghosts. Our very own…"

Remus cleared his throat. "Sir Nicholas, that's twice now that you've called Danny 'Sir Danny.' Why have you done so?"

Myrtle snickered. " 'Cause it's Danny's title."

Harry stared off for a second. Looking back at the assembled ghosts, he said, "Look – I realize how very much you like Danny. He's a very good fellow, but is all that… a good cause to invent a title?"

The Bloody Baron frowned. "It is not an invented title, but one duly earned and granted by royalty."

Remus knitted his brows in concentration. "But by who and when? Vlad, you told me that Denmark and Norway were part of your tour, as well as many locations all over Britain. But I hadn't heard anything in the news that would have been noteworthy for a knighthood."

Vlad shook his head in amusement. "Of course not. Daniel received both of his titles over a year ago. One was even closer to two years, at this point."

Harry closed his eyes. "Multiple titles? Uncle Vlad, I don't know much about it except from what I've gathered from primary school and from Aunt Petunia's gossip, but conferment of titles comes with a lot of pomp and circumstance and celebration. I can't remember hearing much about Americans receiving titles since… well, since that American Rabbi was knighted by the King of Spain last December. Hermione mentioned it once we got back from Christmas break."

Danny blinked. "What?"

Harry sighed. "Maybe it's an American thing not to pay attention to such things."

Myrtle giggled. "No, no, no, sillies. We met the princess who knighted Danny in the Ghost Zone at the Christmas party. Princess Dora, from the Kingdom of Aragon…"

"Principality of Aragon, love," the Grey Lady corrected.

Myrtle was undeterred. "Right. But Princess Dora isn't a former princess. She really is the active princess of the Aragon section of the Ghost Zone!"

Danny covered his eyes. He could tell this would be a long afternoon.

Severus took pity on the lad, as he was aware that they hadn't begun to cover all of Daniel's honors, and discussing the reasoning behind such things would take even longer. "Right. Be that as it may, we have a journey to take, and although I'm unfamiliar with the marking of time in the Ghost Zone, it isn't getting any earlier."

Harry shook his head, trying to clear the cobwebs. He thought of Severus's earlier comment about 'no natural sunlight,' and came to a conclusion. "When were you in the Ghost Zone, Dad?" Remus raised his eyebrows, as he wanted to hear the answer as well.

Severus sighed contentedly. "On January 25, we left the Slytherin Quidditch victory party early so we could attend an interview Vlad and Daniel needed to complete the adoption process. We traveled to the Masters' Wisconsin home via the Ghost Zone. That is how I knew where the Hogwarts portal is."

He observed the half-ghosts. "Even though you carry no luggage containing your own clothes, I don't see how you would carry us with whatever else you have."

Remus closed his eyes. He imagined that what Severus said might make sense, but he couldn't see how or why. Since none of the ghosts commented on this, he guessed that this was a point that would become clear in due course.

Harry opened his mouth to object, as he knew that by Easter break, Danny could carry four tons easily, and Uncle Vlad could carry twice that, but Severus got there first. "Harry, it isn't a matter of weight. I think you might be uncomfortable if, say, Daniel used the same arm to hold you and your rucksack as the hand holding Morph's carrying case – for over half an hour."

Harry didn't know how to respond to that.

Vlad smirked smugly. "Then isn't it good that we're not using Hogwarts' natural portal? Daniel, if you'll be so good…"

Danny smiled. He knew this part was coming. It was a harmless prank, if somewhat disorienting for those not in the know. He stepped back and gestured to a space in the open hall. A portal filled with green light appeared in the place he gestured to.

The Friar's jaw dropped. "May the heavens bless you, child! Danny, this is a power beyond description! You never mentioned this one before."

"It never came up," Danny answered modestly.

Remus nodded to himself. Vlad had mentioned a few of his and Danny's powers that went above and beyond the average for ghosts of their sort. It never ceased to amaze him to see the variety and range of these powers. They didn't comply with the rules of physics, chemistry, biology, magic… There didn't seem to be a rhyme or reason to what these powers were, or even why they might manifest for one ghost and not another. Still, he was glad to see the House Ghosts as confused as he was at seeing this one.

He asked, "Danny, where does it lead?" There was a green membrane of sorts that shielded what lay beyond from visibility.

Giving a half-smile, Danny said, "The living room of Fenton Works, my family home in Amity Park. I don't remember the state the lab was left in, and I wouldn't want anyone to trip over anything."

Vlad lifted an eyebrow. "Or potentially set off any anti-ghost equipment."

"Yeah. That, too."

Severus sighed. "If you intended to have Daniel open a portal, it could have been done in my office. Why did you let me think you were using the portal here?"

"You never asked. You led our merry band here without asking my intentions. Further, this turned out to be far more fun."

Harry frowned. "But… besides the portal Danny just opened, I don't see what you are talking about with this 'Hogwarts portal'."

Severus ignored Vlad and answered Harry gently. "One can't see the way to Platform 9¾, either. But unlike the magic gateway in King's Cross Station, the Hogwarts ghost portal is about two feet through the wall next to the Hufflepuff Common Room. It's probably where our honored House Ghosts and Myrtle came from, as opposed to simply gliding through walls for expedience.

"But this leads me to ask about your travels, Miss Duncan, as I thought you were confined to the grounds of Hogwarts."

Myrtle might have been dead long before Severus was born, but even she knew to respond to the snarky Head of House when he was being professorial. "I am," she protested, "but Professor Dumbledore petitioned the Ministry on my behalf. It's been 50 years since I last caused trouble, and I've been good. So they changed my ruling a bit. Now I'm allowed to go anywhere off the Hogwarts grounds as long as I'm supervised, and now I can visit anywhere I wish in the Ghost Zone, whenever I want."

Severus pinched the bridge of his nose. Eleven-year-olds usually outgrew the whiny stage as they got older, but though Myrtle had been dead for close to 55 years, she was never going to be developmentally older than eleven.

The Grey Lady raised an eyebrow. "Professor, if you don't wish to listen to the protestations of adolescents, you should address questions of behavioral propriety to their guardians who are present. Instead of harassing Myrtle, you should have asked me. I am more than capable of supervising my ward, Severus."

The Potions Master had the good grace to blush. These were more words put together than he ever heard from this particular ghost, and she delivered a politely given but well-deserved rebuke. "Of course, Lady. Please forgive me."

Severus peaked his eyebrows. Only he would fall afoul of dissatisfied House Ghosts. He couldn't remember any time that such attention was paid to the ghosts on a regular basis, anyway.

He sighed. This was also probably Daniel's doing. Yet he couldn't fault the boy for this.

Danny huffed. "You know, guys, I'm glad you think generating this portal's a cool power, but it does take energy, and I'm getting tired. Can we please start moving?"

Vlad recoiled as if struck. "I apologize, Daniel. Please step this way." With that, he disappeared into the green swirl.

Harry peaked his eyebrows as Uncle Vlad disappeared from view. All three wizards shouldered their bags, but Severus put a hand on his son's back protectively as they went through the portal.

Remus offered, "Danny, I'll bring Morph through for you."

Danny passed the carrying case to him. "Thanks. After you go, give me a minute. I'll let this one go, and I'll be a few minutes later." Remus nodded and followed the others. The portal closed after him.

Danny slumped his shoulders, relaxing for a bit. Sir Nicholas hugged him. "Forgive me for causing you stress, Sir Danny. I made sure only to use your title before those who know your secret. I've wanted to give you this honor since we learned of it. It is fitting, it is proper, and Queen Anne reminded us that it is correct to give you your honor when those who know your secrets are about."

When he was released, Danny sighed. "Thanks, Sir Nicholas. It's… just a bit overwhelming. I guess I'm not used to it. I didn't help Princess Dora for the honor. Tucker and I came to rescue Sam from her brother. Pulling Aragon out of the Dark Ages really was Dora's idea."

The Baron nodded gravely. "But you are the one who inspired her and gave her confidence to stand up for herself and her realm."

Danny shook his head negatively. "Sam was responsible for that."

Sir Nicholas put a supportive hand on his shoulder. "Perhaps. But, as such things often go, it was probably the combined effort of your rescue mission, being her inspiration for confidence, and your help in the defeat of her tyrannical brother that put her in mind of bestowing that honor upon you."

He lifted his head with his free hand and placed it more comfortably centered in his ruff. "Please listen to me. While Vlad likes to tease, please accept your accolades with good grace. You didn't act for the honor, which speaks to your valiance. You have earned what Princess Dora graced you with, and that is the title your uncles and Harry will relate to. Let them.

"When I spoke to the Ghostwriter, he told me of the Far Frozen's title for you."

Danny peaked his eyebrows. "Sir Nich…"

"No, Danny. Listen. The people of the Far Frozen are sincere. Let them be proud of you. It isn't a matter of the admittedly foolish celebrity that the media generates. They don't understand."

Danny cocked his head. "Well, Americans don't really get it, either, me included."

"Be that as it may… You can use this to your advantage in ways that you might not have considered. It occurs to me that some of your difficulties with your antagonists might be lessened. It is odd to your way of thinking, as noble titles aren't part of a culture you are familiar with, but they are far more powerful than simple symbolism."

Sir Nicholas smiled, raising his eyebrows. "At the Christmas party, I heard tell of a rumor or two that Plasmius started, forcing some of your most tenacious enemies to start thinking of you as Master, having nothing to do with your new last name. While the word master trips unpleasant thoughts psychologically for you, the fact is that the repetition of words leaves an imprint on the mind. I understand why you would be unhappy with random ghosts calling you Master. But what if these random ghosts called you 'the Great One?'

"Sir Danny or Sir Phantom will always serve you well, but can you imagine the power you would have over your enemies if they heard you regularly spoken of as the Great One? Or one better, the Great One, Sir Danny Phantom?

"This doesn't relate to the standard hierarchy of royalty or nobility, as such. It has everything to do with perception."

The Baron sniffed and continued the sentiment. "Imagine for a moment - what is the difference between harassing 'the Ghost Child' and harassing 'the Great One'? You are the same person, true. But the image created in the mind with these titles is worlds apart."

Danny rolled his head on his left shoulder. "I guess. I never thought of it that way."

Sir Nicholas snorted. "I would imagine not. When your main points of reference are the Fright Knight, the Ghost King, and the Ghost Zone's Greatest Hunter, I can see why the concept of titles would be off-putting. But think of Princess Dora, think of Frostbite and the deference Vlad gives him. And think of us. Let those who love you serve as your role models."

"Okay."

The Baron smirked. "Further, it will entertain Professor Snape and your new father, should you embrace the titles and all the power implied therein. It would be very Slytherin of you. With all things considered, it is very appropriate for you to accept this on many different levels."

Sir Nicholas raised an eyebrow and then chuckled. The Friar laughed heartily. "Now that is the point of the House rivalry: the comic value."

The Grey Lady hugged Danny. "Indeed. You make all of us proud."

"Thanks for saying so, Lady Helena."

When she let go, Myrtle hugged him. "Now, go. Your Pápa is waiting for you." She kissed him on the cheek and flew back to the Grey Lady's side.

Danny touched his cheek tenderly and smiled at her. He opened the portal again. "Thanks, guys. I'll see you when we get back." With that, he stepped into his living room in Amity Park.