Hey everyone, I hope your holidays are going well! I'm so sorry for the late update, my final exam was cancelled due to a blizzard and I got into a sick because of that, along with some other things that have been going on. Anyways, here it is and I hope you enjoy. :) Reviews are welcome, both positive and negative.
I do not own Harry Potter nor am I making anything off of this and please as always be kind to yourselves and others.
Harry awoke a few hours later, now getting dark, he sits up and swings his legs over the side of the bed. His feet hit the cold castle floor and stands, ignoring the light-headedness and sudden weakness in his body and treks towards the high window across from him. Looking out he notices the stillness of the summer night and places his hand against the cool glass, closing his eyes and drinking in the scents of the castle. He was home.
Robert stood in the doorway, silently watching the teens actions, he seemed more content here somehow. Perhaps this is the best place for him. This thought made him smile gently, reaching his eyes. Not wanting to scare the boy he made a noise moving the door so it would look like he had just come in. Harry noticed and looked over.
"how are you holding up?"
"better"
"I'm glad to hear it, you had all of us worries earlier. Do you want to get changed and go for a walk? You've been sleeping all day." He explained.
To his surprise, Harry said yes and drew the curtains around his bed to get changed into a warmer set of clothes from his trunk that was situated at the foot of his bed. Emerging, he gave Robert a light smile. Not quite happiness but it was better than his other state, maybe it was just affect.
"so, where do you want to wander off to? I've never been to this castle." He explained.
"I dunno, maybe the great hall, the ceiling is something that needs to be experienced at least once" he said in a blank tone, now leading the way. The journey to the great hall was quiet and both seemed to content in that silence, it wasn't uncomfortable, it was mutually relaxing. When they arrived, Harry plonked himself onto a middle bench half way down the hall and rested his head sideways on his arms so that he could see the night sky. Robert was astounded and amazed, a nearly silent wow escaped his lips as he twirled around trying to take it all in. It was remarkable.
XXX
Minerva dismissed the men and invited James to follower her to his new quarters. Robert leaned over to James as he was rising from his seat and said he was going to spend some time with Harry, James nodded and smiled in appreciation. Tom hovered near the back of the room and tried to make a hasty departure back to the main gates so he could apparate back home but was unsuccessful. As he reached for the office door, James placed his hand firmly on his should and quietly whispered, so the headmistress would not hear, "we need to have that discussion I believe." Silently huffing, Tom frowned but allowed himself to be lead to James accommodations with James and his old professor.
James' quarters were situated somewhere on the third floor near the charms classroom tom remarked to himself.
"you'll need to come up with a magical signature for a password" the headmistress stated as she pushed open the door allowing the men to enter first.
The front room was open and welcoming; a deep red carpet accentuated the castle walls and the dark leather couches that were sitting adjacent to each other. An unlit fireplace was on the left side wall near the couches with a bookshelf to the right corner of the fireplace. The three proceeded inside slowly drinking in the rooms features. The kitchen was located behind an island counter and was quaint; it had a table that could seat four.
"this is lovely Minerva, thank you" James said in a warm happy voice.
"not at all Healer McCarthy. If this is what the boy needs then so be it" she huffed and continued "I told Albus not to place him there, I had watched them for days before leaving him there and he took no heed of it."
The men just nodded.
McGonagall moved past the men and down the single hallway. With a flick of her wand she silently opened the door to her right.
"This is the washroom; the house elves will clean it every other day. However, if you find it needs to be cleaned before then just call for Snazzy; the same goes for the rest of your quarters."
Another flick of her wrist and the door beside it opens, revealing the master bedroom. The dark mahogany bed was laden with plush pillows and deep coloured sheets. A matching dark mahogany armoire was across from the bed and had intricate designs carved into it and a matching desk and nightstand completed the room. The on-suite was lavish with a footed tub and marble flooring.
"I'm hoping you won't need these rooms for long but knowing mister Potter, I find myself doubting that statement" She said grinning, thinking of some of the mischief the boy gets into.
"let's hope for the former" James said playfully
"lastly, I'm not sure if you'd like for Harry to stay in the infirmary or with you but there is a spare bedroom just across."
McGonagall moves back into the hallway heading back towards the living room then pushes the door to her right open with her hand. The room also had a bed and wardrobe set. This room was slightly smaller and did not have an on-suite. The bed was a double and was the same wood and colour as the other one with matching sheets.
"I would prefer for him to stay with me and these quarters are quite generous. Thanks, you again for allowing me to stay and help Harry" James says seriously, now looking directly into Minerva's eyes before glancing around the place again.
"I'll let you get settled" Minerva makes for the door but turns back with her hand on the handle. "Although you have a kitchen in here and it is fully stocked we do have meals in the great hall and I encourage you to come down to them. All of the professors will be there."
"Thank you for the invitation" James replies and the headmistress left.
Now turning for Tom "I do believe we have delayed this conversation long enough…"
Xxx
Feeling a cool breeze Robert turns to Harry "are you cold?"
"no, not really"
"not really?"
"egh"
"in that case, let me cast a warming charm on you"
"k" Harry paused as Robert silently incanted the charm on Harry and himself.
"That's better!" Robert smiles now feeling warmer and knowing Harry would too.
"A'RRY"
Harry turns around recognizing the voice, "hi Hagrid" he skims a fake smile across his face. I know I should be happy and excited, I usually am to see Hagrid… This feels so wrong to fake it. Harry thought.
"ow've you bin?" the half giant asks, scooping the undersized Harry into a bone crushing hug, his feet coming off the ground slightly.
"fine, just been here and there, you know" Harry diverts.
"well, tha's nice ta 'ear!" setting the teen down Hagrid looks over at the man standing just a few feet away and extended his hand "Rubeus Hagrid"
Robert smiles and takes the giants hand which engulfed his own "Robert, it's nice to meet you."
"lookin af'er our young trouble maker 'arry 'ear eh?" he said beaming down at Harry, ruffling his already messy hair.
"trouble maker eh?" he says winking at the two in front of him "like what?"
"found 'imself a troll in 'is first year!"
"WOW, trouble indeed" the men laughed but Robert sensed Harry's discomforted and opted for an out. "anyways, I was just about to escort Harry hear back to the infirmary, if you'll excuse us." Robert smiles and gently guides Harry away.
"infirmary? Harry, you alright?" Hagrid asks concerned.
"ya" was his only answer.
See as the tension with Harry's open answer Robert pipes in "as you said, trouble maker" then continues to guide the teen back to the infirmary.
When they were comfortably out of earshot, Robert glances down at Harry and can feel the shame just radiating off of the young man. Making a split decision he places his hand on Harry's should and guides him to a nearby alcove. Without taking his hand off of the boys' shoulder, he kneels down; trying to look into his eyes. Harry tries to avoid the eye contact as best as possible but Robert was persistent and caught it. What he found there saddened him, all he saw was shame and disgust. Without words, he tries to have soothing magic flow into the boy. He had only done this once when he asked James to teach him. When becoming a healer, they don't teach you these types of magics unless it's required by your field because it takes a strong mind filled with empathy to be able to properly control it.
With Roberts luck, it was working. Harry's eyes began to clear again. Now moving to sit on the floor and staring at the adjacent wall he asks "do you not like that man?"
"I love him, he's the one that told me about magic and introduced me to this world"
"So why do you seem so despaired when you heard his voice?"
"I don't know" Harry replied not wanting to really say how much he felt he had let everyone down. He deflects "I could never hate him, he was the first one to take me away from them"
"them being your relatives?" Robert inquires, knowing full well that's exactly who the boy was referring to.
Harry nods.
"How about we move to where I said we were going. Come on" Robert says flashing a light smile as he helps the teen up.