Thanks to ocarinadove and Millie072 for reviews. And thanks to all others who read and favorited my story.
This chapter is beta read by WyrdFyre.
Chapter 3 : THE ADOPTION RITUAL
After sending Harry to his room, Perenelle turned to her husband and told him what she thought.
"Nicolas, I think the Potters have been mistreating Harry, and I think they abandoned him in muggle London." She told him.
Nicolas looked at her, there was anger in his eyes. "Mistreating is an understatement Perenelle! Oh, they didn't abandon him. That would be better than what actually happened. They lost him in the station, but you know what the funny thing is," His eyes were blazing with anger, magic cackling around him. He never lost control of his emotions. "You know those self-righteous bastards still don't know that their child is missing."
"Oh Merlin!" Perenelle exclaimed, not believing. How could one be so neglectful, and to their own child, their flesh and blood?
"Oh, yes! They lost him four days ago in the train station in London, in the muggle world. Four days Perenelle, four days and no one, and I mean no one even checked on him, so caught up in the fame and glory of one child, they simply forgot that they had more than one."
Then Perenelle remembered Harry's earlier words, "she also forgot about me." Oh that poor child, Perenelle couldn't take it, it was too much for her. She sat down on the sofa numbly. Tears in her eyes. She could never have children of her own, and then Nicolas discovered the philosopher's stone so they could wait for Lady Magic's blessing and the curse of the Flamels could be lifted. They would outlive any child they adopted. So, to keep that pain of losing their child away, they had never adopted. And to think someone could treat their child in such a way... to Harry, of all people. To not love him and pay attention to him, was a great sin in her book.
In seeing his wife's grief, Nicolas went to sit next to her. He wrapped an arm around Perenelle, comforting her. Knowing how much she liked kids. He also couldn't believe the evil in those people's hearts, and those of the so called world-renowned faces of good, morals, righteousness. He snorted. Righteous bastards.
"I checked the Potters for potions, spells, but I couldn't find any. They really are caught up with the fame of the Boy-Who-Lived, all their friends and family too." Nicholas told her. Perenelle was sobbing, but she needed to know.
"When I went to meet Albus, to tell him about Harry. He invited me to join him in wishing Danial Potter on his birthday. So, I went with him in disguise. They were all so happy, wishing him happy birthday, cheering for him. It was really hard to believe that they were so happy despite their other son being missing, I was confused." His own voice breaking. The only sign that Perenelle was still listening was the sobs that came from beside him.
"I don't like to use legilimency on anyone, but I used it on James and Lily Potter, and you know what I found, " Nicholas took a deep breath, reining his anger. "there was not a single memory after the Halloween of Voldemort's defeat where they paid any attention to Harry, with the exception of scolding him when his twin brat of brother blamed him for something. Oh, how I wanted to teach those bastards. You know, Harry even got happy when they scolded him, thinking they were acknowledging him at least."
"Harry is not going back." Perenelle whispered. Looking Nicolas in the eye.
"Harry is not going back to those monsters." She said firmly. "I know we never adopted anyone, but I want Harry. I won't hear you, don't disagree. He fits for your heir; his magical core is the same as what's told in legends." She took a deep breath, "Harry is already your ward. He is a part of the council. You became his guardian the very moment he was chosen as a part of the council. You are responsible for him. Merlin save you, Nicolas, if you ever thought of sending him back to those monsters." She said looking him in the eyes, daring him to deny her.
Nicolas gulped, he knew his wife wouldn't hesitate on her promise, and he knew her anger. The wrath of a Veela, no one wanted it directed at them. He knew Perenelle well enough to know not to cross her. So, he nodded. He was also thinking about the same thing. But... to hell with that now!
"Well I was thinking about same thing, about blood adopting Harry. He clearly has the blessing of Lady Magic which we were waiting for. At least I hope he has and we are not mistaken about his identity. If all goes well, he will lift the curse on the House Flamel. When my magic alerted me to a new addition to the council, and a minor at that. I thought about adopting him when I found him in the orphanage, but... " Perenelle narrowed her eyes at him, so he continued quickly trying to placate her. "but he was Harry Potter, a child with a family. At an orphanage, I know, but still with a family, thinking he was lost. Which is true. The only thing is, his family don't care enough about him to notice that he was gone." He sighed trying to explain situation to her. "He is my ward. He is my responsibility, but we can't adopt him if he doesn't want to be. Try to understand Perenelle, dear, but if he agrees, then we will adopt him. That I can promise." Nicholas told her. Perenelle nodded in understanding.
"I myself don't think Harry will have any problem with it. He was basically raised by his maternal Grandmother. She would go to Potter manor to visit him, even though she was too old for the task and with having Alzheimer's. She tried to tell his parents about their behavior. But they never listened to her, thinking themselves to be the best parents, they didn't need any advice, so she stopped, thinking it to be a lost cause long ago. She died in November last year and in the next seven months, the Potters lost their child. If they are the 'Best parents', I don't want to know the worst." He told Perenelle.
"So, I think Harry will agree, but we will have to tell him the truth - that his parents still aren't aware that he is missing." Perenelle looked at him, shaking her head with horror in her eyes. He continued, "I know it will be hard, we will have to show Harry that we care about him. He is in a state of denial. He thinks that his parents will pay attention to him one day, but I don't think they will. Not until something happens, something big, like a tragic incident. I don't want that for Harry." Nicolas told her.
"We will tell him, but we need to be careful. It may be difficult for him to accept." Perenelle said softly. It broke her heart to know that they had to tell Harry, but some bridges need to be crossed. "We'll tell him after celebrating his birthday, is that okay?" Nicolas nodded at that.
"Well, I'm going to go make a cake, and dinner. It's 4.07pm so everything should be ready by 6.00pm. I'm off." Perenelle was about to go, but then she remembered something. "Nicolas what was your other business in the Diagon alley?" She asked him.
"Well darling, it was about Harry's birthday present. I know you bought him sweets and books, but I wanted to give him something special?" Nicholas told her nervously.
"What is it, if I may ask?"
"A broomstick, a Cleansweep one-hundred and one." He told Perenelle, conflicted between pride and fear.
"Nicolas, I warn you, first and foremost you will teach Harry about safety, I don't want my son injured. And there's nothing wrong with the sweets and books. Harry loved them." Perenelle huffed and went to the kitchen.
Nicholas sighed in relief when Perenelle didn't scold him for buying a broom for Harry. Though relief was short lived as Perenelle's words registered in his mind. She said her son, he really hoped Harry would agree.
O=O=O=O=O=
Harry was awoken by a house elf. He panicked, realizing he wasn't in his room, then he remembered he was in the Flamel castle.
"Mistress told Mikky to wake Master Harry and tell him to be down at 6.00pm sharp. She also told Master to wear the new clothes she brought him today." Mikky told him. He nodded to the elf and told him he would get ready. With snap of their fingers, the elf was gone. He looked at the clock, it was 5.30pm.
Harry thought about his day. Last night he had been really terrified when Nicolas came. In orphanage after the second day, he had lost all hopes that his parents would come. He had thought of running from home many times, especially in the last seven months, since his Granma went away.
Today Nicolas and Perenelle took him shopping and bought him sweets and books for his birthday. Nobody but his Granma had given him gifts on his birthday. But due to her Alzheimer's, sometimes his gifts came late. But she was the only family he had who cared for him and now she was gone, she left without him. He was alone now.
Shaking out those sad thoughts, Harry got ready to go down. He was wearing a long sleeved red cotton shirt with frills adorning it, Perenelle had really liked them, he mused. He put some green robes over the top of his other clothes, which Perenelle said complemented his eyes.
On entering the kitchen Harry saw that Nicolas and Perenelle were stood around the round table, balloons decorating it. Completing the scene was the cake on the table.
When they saw him, they started singing "Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday Dear Harry..." It was first time anyone had celebrated his birthday, not Danny's, his, Harry's. He was surprised and very happy, ecstatic even!
"Come Harry, make a wish and then we can cut the cake." Nicolas said, nodding to the cake.
Perenelle hugged Harry and wished him happy birthday, leading him to the cake.
"Now, why don't you make a wish and blow out the candle."
Harry looked down at the cake, it wasn't very big, but it was stunning and looked delicious, roses adorning it, his first cake. He smiled broadly as he blew out the candles, wishing for a family who would love him and care for him, never forgetting him. The cake was cut, and Perenelle gave a piece to Harry.
"Won't you give us some of your birthday cake." Nicolas asked Harry.
Harry took a piece and held it for him, he wasn't as tall as Nicolas, so he had to bend down to get it which he happily did. Perenelle did the same.
After eating, Nicolas gave him his birthday present. When Harry opened it, it was a broom, the latest broom. Harry looked up to Nicolas, smiling as he thanked him.
"I will teach you how to ride it tomorrow, hmm?" said Nicholas patting him on the head.
Harry nodded, smiling widely. His jaw was starting to ache, because he was smiling so much.
"Harry dear, let us eat dinner, It's still early but we need to do something afterwards, so come sit down." Perenelle said waving to the chair.
When they sat, she snapped her fingers and dinner appeared before them. It looked delicious. There were so many dishes. On Perenelle's nod they started eating. They talked about the books Harry red. Nicolas told him that they had a massive library in the castle. He promised to show Harry round both the castle and library. It was a really fun birthday. It was the best birthday ever!
After dinner Nicolas led them to the living room where they sat on the sofa. Nicolas and Perenelle sat on each side of Harry.
"Now Harry we need to tell you something." Perenelle said looking very serious.
Nicolas and Perenelle shared a look, when Nicolas nodded at her. "Harry, today Nicolas went to the Potter manor," at that Harry looked up to Nicolas, who nodded. Perenelle continued. "but when he went there to tell them about you, they didn't even know you were missing." Perenelle told Harry.
At that Harry looked down in his lap, not looking at anyone. Knowing that his parents didn't even care enough to abandon him, that they didn't even know he wasn't home... it was excruciating. There was familiar pain in his chest. They had forgotten him. It was too much, felt like he was suffocating. He couldn't think. They had forgotten him again. Perenelle and Nicolas were saying something, he didn't know what. Then someone held a vial of potion at his lips, forcing him to drink.
After some time, he looked around, Nicolas and Perenelle were looking at him worried. He was in the embrace of Perenelle.
"Harry, you need to calm down baby" She told him.
"Harry, I did not tell your parents about you. If you want, you can live with us. You need not go back there." Nicolas told Harry. Harry was confused, but Nicolas continued, "We would like to adopt you, you would be our son and Perenelle and I would be your mum and dad. We could have so much fun, like we did today. I will teach you Quidditch and Magic. Perenelle could also teach you magic. She would make you cookies. Would you like that? Being our son?" He asked him.
Harry was really confused, why would they want him to be their son. Everyone wanted Danny as their son. Why him, why Harry?
"Why?" Harry asked, looking to them.
"Why what, Harry?" Perenelle asked him.
Harry took a deep breath. "Why do you want me to be your son. Everyone wants Danny to be their son. Even my mom and dad don't want me." He whispered looking down.
"Look here Harry," Nicolas said. Harry looked at Nicolas. "We don't want Danny as our son. We want you, Harry, you and no one else. You know, last night I came to the orphanage to adopt you, not Danny. Lady Magic herself sent me. I just knew you would be our son. Danny is too imperfect to be our son. Our castle needs a prince not some Boy Who Lived." He joked. Though it was truth. Seeing small smile on Harry's face, Nicholas asked his wife, "Isn't that true Perenelle?" He winked at his wife.
"Yes, Nicolas, I want Harry to be our son, no other wizard will do, not even Daniel Potter, the Boy-Who-Lived. Harry will be our perfect prince, won't you Harry?" Perenelle asked, a nervous smile on her lips.
That was acceptable reason in Harry's book, so he nodded, smiling tentatively back at Perenelle. Her face illuminated with a broad smile and as she hugged him tightly, nearly suffocating him.
"Now Harry you need to know that you won't be Harry Potter after adoption. You will have to take name Flamel, as in the House Flamel, a royal house, far above The Most Ancient and Noble House of Potter. I don't know if you are the heir to the House of Potter, but if you are, then it will dissolve into the House of Flamel when lordship of the House of Potter is passed down to you. The blood adoption ritual will have to be performed at Gringotts. It will change your physical appearance. Of course, you will become more good looking, if I do say so myself. You will be Hadrian Nicolas Flamel. Is that okay with you? Do you still want to be our son knowing this?" Nicolas asked. He really wanted Harry to say yes but also wanted him to know the details of what he was getting himself into.
Harry thought about it. If he wanted Nicolas and Perenelle to be his mom and dad then it was obvious to his seven year mind that James and Lily won't be his mom and dad any longer. As for the name he liked his name but Hadrian Nicolas Flamel was also a cool name. For physical change he can sacrifice his looks for his new mom and dad. He thought.
As always, Harry looked adorable as he scrunched his nose and furrowed his brow as he was thinking, however at this moment, instead of amused Nicolas and Perenelle were more nervous. Waiting for Harry's answer felt like it lasted a lifetime. Finally Harry gave small node. And looked at them.
"Yes, I would like to be your son." He told them, and they let go a breathe they didn't know they were holding.
"Now what?" Harry asked.
"Now we go to Gringotts to perform the ritual." Perenelle announced. She waved her wand and they all were impeccable. No tears - totally clean. Nicolas held his and Perenelle's hand, apparating outside of Gringotts.
But Gringotts was closed. Nevertheless, Nicolas, his soon going to be Dad, knocked on the door three times. Someone from inside said something in gobbledygook loudly. His father answered in same language. His new dad was awesome, Harry thought. When the door opened a goblin was standing on the other side, his father greeted him in the goblin tongue. The goblin said something and bowed, as did his mother and father in return. Following their suit, Harry also bowed. His father gave an approving nod and both his parents smiled at him proudly. The goblin lead them through various corridors to a big, gold door. Tapping on the door, the goblin said something and there was a reply from inside, the door opened, leading to what looked to be an office, grander than any Harry had ever seen. Behind the wooden table, in a throne like chair, sat a menacing looking goblin. Seeing his father, the goblin grinned, showing his sharp pointed teeth.
"Nicolas, my friend, how fares your business?" the goblin asked Nicolas.
"Ragnarok, dear friend, everything is well" Nicolas answered smiling.
The goblin looked to Perenelle and greeted her. Then his attention snapped at Harry, "and who is this, my friend?" He asked Nicolas.
"Ah, this is Harry Potter, my soon to be son. Harry this is Ragnarok, director of Gringotts and my dear friend." Nicolas introduced. Ragnarok invited them in and they sat on the chairs in front of table.
Ragnarok looked at Harry, as if judging him. He then turned to Nicolas. His face not showing whether Harry had passed or failed his scrutiny.
"You understand Nicolas, that what you are doing could become a bloody business. Harry James Potter is heir to the Potter line. You cannot adopt him legally, even if you are Royalty?" Ragnarok told Nicolas.
Nicolas gave an annoyed look to the goblin, "He is part of the council, so he is my ward and my responsibility." Nicolas replied.
Ragnarok looked at Harry with wide eyes. Then Nicolas and Perenelle said something to Ragnarok in goblin tongue. Ragnarok looked murderous by the time they had finished talking.
"Everything looks good, and we can start the adoption ritual. Let us go to the Ritual Chamber. " He led them to a chamber, there at the center of the room was a raised circular platform. There were some scribbles and seven circles drawn over it. A goblin named Griphook led Harry to a side chamber and gave him white ritual robes to wear. Harry changed into the white robes and returned to the ritual chamber.
"Nicolas, Perenelle, put seven drops of blood in this bowl." Ragnarok said, giving silver knife to Nicolas. Nicolas cut his finger and seven drops of blood fell into the bowl, Perenelle did the same. A clear liquid in the bowl shined. Ragnarok nodded to Griphook who emptied a vial containing a blood red potion into the bowl. It turned golden in color.
Ragnarok turned to Harry, "Harry, drink this potion and then go and sleep in the middle of that platform." Ragnarok said pointing to the platform.
Harry took the bowl and drunk the potion. It tasted sweat, like Perenelle's cookies and ice cream. He walked over to the platform and lay down there in a sleeping position.
Then, seven female goblins wearing similar white robes formed a circle around the platform and started chanting, well, it was more like singing. Then Harry heard his father, Nicolas's voice .
"I Nicolas Kellios Flamel, Lord of the Royal house of Flamel, accept Hadrian James Potter as my son, my flesh, blood and magic. Naming him Hadrian Nicolas Flamel. Lady Magic may seal the ritual." Then it was his mother's voice,
"I Perenelle Ellis Flamel nee Hufflepuff, Lady of the Royal house of Flamel, reagent of The Most Ancient and Noble House of Hufflepuff accept Hadrian James Potter as my son, my flesh, blood and magic. Naming him Hadrian Nicolas Flamel. Lady Magic may seal the ritual." Then Harry felt pain, so much pain. Like his whole body was burning and his bones were breaking. He cried in pain. Then his vision blackened.
When Harry woke, he was in a white room with beds lining wall. Perenelle, his mother was sitting by his bedside. He tried to call her, but no sound came. His throat was dry. Finding his voice he called her.
"Mom!" Perenelle woke startled. When she saw him, she started fussing over him. Like his mom, his former mother, Lily, did for Danny. It was kind of nice.
"Oh, Harry are you alright? We had no idea it will cause you pain, it shouldn't have." Perenelle started babbling.
"Water" Harry said, his throat was sore, it must have been due to screaming. His body muscles were also in pain.
"Sorry dear, here, drink this. It's a throat soothing potion, the healer told us to give it to you." She helped him drink it. The effect was instantaneous. Then his mother gave him the pain relief potion, he was feeling much better.
"What happened?" Harry asked his mother.
"Oh Harry, you were screaming and in pain, I didn't know what to do. The goblin priest said that there was another fragment of soul in your scar. It was trying to possess you dear, only your magic kept it from harming you. Purity of soul is important in rituals invoking Lady Magic. So, the soul fragment became the center of her wrath and she destroyed it. It was because of her blessing that nothing bad happened to you." Perenelle told him.
"I am better now, Mom" Harry assured Perenelle. She smiled at him which he returned.
At that moment his father, Nicholas entered with Ragnarok.
"How are you now, my son." He asked Harry, proudly looking at him.
"I am feeling good now, Dad." Harry answered.
In hearing Harry calling him Dad, Nicolas smiled broadly. Ragnarok chuckled and Perenelle was also amused. But she knew, that feeling, how it felt when Harry called her Mom. It felt like all her wishes had come true.
"Well I was right Son, you are certainly looking more handsome than before." Nicolas told him.
"He looks stunning, just like his mother." Perenelle said proudly.
"But Perenelle, he looks just like me, look at his face, his nose is same as mine and has my high cheekbones too." Nicolas complained.
"But darling he has all my other features, he has my Veela blood in him, he has to look amazing." Perenelle huffed. Nicolas shook his head, seeing a lost battle.
"Someone show the poor lad how he looks " Ragnorak said. Harry looked gratefully at him and he smiled in return at Harry.
His mother conjured a mirror and held it in front of Harry. His skin looked like his mothers, pearly white and glowing. His hair was platinum blonde like his father. His nose was straight like before, but looked more like his fathers, as did his high cheekbones. But most astounding were his eyes. They were blue green golden. On looking closely, he saw he had golden ring in the centre around his pupils then blue and green at periphery. All the colors were actually intermixed, it depended on angle you were looking at it from. There were golden flakes scattered throughout. His eye shape was similar to his mothers. He looked good, if he did say so himself. He wasn't bad looking before, but still.
"Then to business," Ragnarok announced, snapping him out of his thoughts.
"It seems like the soul was of someone who was lord of house Griffindor and Slytherin, so by magical conquest and as some kind of side effect of the ritual, it seems that Harry here is heir to both houses until he reaches the age of maturity, along with Hufflepuff house from Perenelle." He told them to their surprise. "Nicolas you will be reagent to both houses, until Harry reaches maturity, so you can review the bank statements and estate documents now or at another time." Ragnarok asked Nicolas.
"At latter date would be good, dear friend. " Nicolas answered his friend.
After some time, they returned to Flamel Castle, his home, with his mom and dad, who loved him and would never forget him.
When Harry closed his eyes that night, he thought he'd had the best birthday ever. That night he dreamed about his Mom, Perenelle and Dad, Nicolas. His Granma Evy was also there telling him that she was really happy.