Terribly terribly terribly sorry for the long delay, i sooooo did not mean to not update. i could have sworn I had updated this already but I didn't, it was sitting in the document manager. . .forgivesies? alright, Kudos to my dear Angel of Tsuki, who is currently writing a pretty choice piece of fanfiction entitled "We Are Not Alone" - Not only is it one of the few worth reading, it's one of the best out there! Head on over there and read it! It's the first HP/Startrek I've ever read and It got me a little hooked. . .READ IT! You'll Love it!
alrighty, without further ado;
Chapter Six Y'ALL!
Harry returned to Washington D.C. in the early hours of a Wednesday morning, Ambrose asleep on his hip, and his luggage being carried by an Agent sent to make sure he returned home safely.
Ambrose remained asleep as Harry ascended the stone steps to the manor, and thanked the Agent for his aid. He quietly entered his home, and discovered that nearly everyone was still awake and milling around, waiting for him.
Their loud greetings died on their lips as soon as they saw the sleeping boy clutching Harry.
"Is-is that him?" Hermione asked, nervously.
"Yes. This is Ambrose." Harry whispered. "Why don't you all get some sleep and we'll talk over breakfast." Harry said. All of them nodded and disbursed, except for a sleepy Teddy.
The twelve year old slowly approached Harry, who knelt and swept him up in a gentle hug.
"Missed you, Teddy Bear." Harry said.
"Missed you too, Uncle Harry." Teddy said, face pressed into Harry's neck. Harry stood, readjusted his grip on Ambrose, and took Teddy's hand.
"Come on, love, let's get to bed. Your throat sounds better." Harry said, walking up the stairs to the master bedroom.
"Grandma gave me a potion." Teddy said with grimace. Harry gave an exaggerated shudder and smiled down at his godson.
He entered his bedroom and laid Ambrose down. With a flick of the Elder Wand, the young boy was dressed in P.J.'s. Teddy, already in his sleepwear, climbed in and watched Ambrose with curiosity.
"His name is Ambrose, he's going to be living with me." Harry explained, stepping back into the room from the walk in closet.
"Where's his parents?" Teddy asked.
"They're gone away." Harry said simply.
"Like me and you?" Teddy asked, turning to look at Harry.
"Exactly. And like you have Grandma Andy, and I had Grandma Molly, Ambrose has me, and everyone else. I'll need you to help make coming here easier for him, alright? He's been through a lot."
"Like you." Teddy said, knowingly.
"Sadly, almost exactly like me, probably worse." Harry admitted, stroking Ambrose's hair gently.
"Don't worry, Uncle Harry, I'll help. and so will Grandma and Aunty Molly, and Aunty Hermione and Aunty Fleur!" Teddy said, proudly. Harry pulled the Metamorph into a one armed hug.
"You can even help him with his Metamorphmagus abilities. We don't want them to get out of control in public." Harry whispered.
"He's like me? Really?" Teddy was excited.
"Yep. Apparently, having Black Blood gives you the Gift. Also, it seems to run in Half-Bloods." Harry mused.
"Then why don't you have it?" Teddy asked getting under the covers.
"Don't know. Who knows, maybe I do and it was just blocked by the Horcrux. We'll find out." Harry said yawning. He snuggled under the covers as well and teddy cuddled with him. Ambrose unconsciously gravitated closer to Harry and was soon pressed against Harry's side as he slumbered on.
Harry was awoken from his deep sleep by the sound of a camera clicking multiple times. He cracked an eye and found Hermione, Fleur, Neville, and Ginny hovering over his bed, making 'awe'ing sounds and taking pictures of the three of them sleeping.
Giving them his stern glare, they quickly vacated the room, not wanting to disturb the Children's sleep. Looking at the clock, Harry saw that it was just past nine thirty in the morning. He felt relatively rested and eased from the bed to take care of his morning routine.
When he emerged, Ambrose was still asleep but Teddy was just leaving to go to his own room for a shower and a change of clothes. Moving over, Harry gently shook Ambrose awake.
"Come on love, time for a shower then it's breakfast." Harry said. Ambrose yawned, looking not unlike a kitten, and stumbled into the bathroom. Teddy walked in a few minutes later with a set of clothes in his hands.
"I thought you could shrink them until he gets his own clothes." Teddy said, shrugging. Harry smiled and pulled the boy into a hug.
"You're going to make the best big brother, Teddy. Your dad would be so proud." Teddy beamed up at Harry before he fled the room, heading down to the informal diningroom for some of Molly's cooking, which while not Harry's, was still good.
Dr Daniel Goodman crossed his 'T's' and dotted his 'I's', and now all he needed was a final signature and everything would be in place.
He stood and tugged his suit into place as he strode from his office, papers stashed away carefully in a leather attache case. He smiled and nodded to passersby as he made his way to his car, intent on driving all the way in a contemplative silence.
Harry was just seeing that the last of his guests made it through the floo safely, when the doorbell rang. Not used to having anyone ring his doorbell, as all of his friends and family would merely floo call, he was momentarily struck dumb.
Teddy's giggle snapped him out of his stupor and he approached the front door cautiously. It could be anyone, from a Government Agent, to someone from the Jeffersonian. He made sure Teddy and Ambrose were well out of sight before he opened the door.
"Oh. Hello Dr Goodman, won't you come in." Harry said, stepping back to allow his boss to enter his home.
"Thank you, Dr Black. This is a lovely home, I didn't know you lived here." Dr Goodman said, looking around in awe. Wether it was the Egyptian Revival Columns, or the Black marble inlaid with gold, or hell, the giant Fountain, Harry didn't know the cause.
"It's a lot of house for the three of us, but Andy wanted the best." Harry said, shrugging. Dr Goodman smiled, having met Andromeda once, and knowing how strong willed she was.
"Three?" he asked. "Did Andy move in then?"
"Ah, no. I've recently adopted a little boy." Harry said, thinking on the documents that were barely dried sitting on his desk waiting to be filed in his personal records. They bore the seal fo both the ministry and the Queen approving his request for Adoption. It wasn't proper procedure, but then again, nothing about Harry was ever proper procedure.
"That's terrific." Dr Goodman said, genuinely pleased.
"Did you stop by for anything specific or just to chat?" Harry said, leading his boss into a side room that held a large oak desk and a nice fireplace.
"I've actually come by with an offer." Dr Goodman said, taking out a sheaf of papers and laying them on the desk, facing Harry. "Officially, I am taking a sabbatical, unofficially, I have been asked to Head up the Montagne Institute of Archaeology. In three days, I will announce my Resignation. I would like for you to take my place."
"Me?" Harry asked, in shock. "Why me?"
"Aside from your stunning leadership skills and credentials? Your rapport with the Staff of the Jeffersonian also lends credence to your placement." Dr Goodman said, smiling at Harry.
"Oh wow, I don't know what to say."
"A response isn't required right this moment, but if you could decide in the next two days? If you do decide to take this job, the third day will be used for the transfer of power, so to speak." Dr Goodman said.
"I-uh-I'll definitely give this some serious thought." Harry said, shocked.
"That is all I ask. I feel that you would be a great asset to the Jeffersonian, even more so than you've been thus far. Have a good night, Dr Black." Dr Goodman stood and left Harry staring at the stack of papers that was, all at once, a resignation and a job offer.
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