A/N: Thanks to everyone that leaves reviews. Also, thanks to the Guest who pointed out an error in Chapter 8: I've now corrected that mistake. There's something I'd like your opinion on and that's whether you'd like to see Narcissa in this. I already have a pretty good idea of what will happen with her but I'm not entirely sure if I'll bring her in. I do want to, but I'm not completely sure. Thoughts? Anyway, enjoy…

CHAPTER 11: Last Days of Freedom

The morning saw Nym return to her usual, bubbly self. Yesterday had brought a lot of her fears to the surface, overloading her otherwise resilient character. Today at 12, both the Weasleys and Grangers were coming to spend the weekend at the Manor. Everything was ready, and the house was prepared for the clan. Andi had made Harry start taking replenishing and nutrition potions to counteract his decade and a half of abuse. She told him it would take a few months for them to fully restore him to perfect health, as he should be. Also, he would have to take them three times a day. While Harry accepted his fate the Tonks matriarch returned to her own home to tidy things up before everyone arrived, leaving Harry and Nym in the conservatory. There, the atmosphere was calming, which let them read in peace.

They were resting on a sofa, their legs entwined while on either end of the couch. Harry was simultaneously speeding through both the Slytherin and Gaunt Tomes, while Nym finally cracked open the Black's. They were immensely educating, but she was a little more reluctant to put words into practice – spell wise. She outright skipped over the blood purity propaganda, whereas Harry read it to at least see if there were any logical explanations. From the Gaunt's there wasn't; there was only blind faith and no reason. But in Slytherin and Salazar's younger years, he initially believed that magic was tied to blood: a half-blood would be less capable at magic than a pure blood – which spawned his blood purity beliefs. He quickly realised this to be wrong. His problem with the other three Founders pertained to school fees. Salazar believed that tuition should be paid by them or at least reduced significantly, granting everyone witch and wizard the opportunity to study. The other three balked at that and pushed him and his radical idea out of the school. However, because the Founders never aired their 'dirty laundry' rumours sprung up and painted Slytherin as a blood-purist and magic supremist. If that was true, then why didn't the other three remove Slytherin House from Hogwarts? To make matters worse, Salazar never corrected anyone, adding legitimacy to the rumours. Harry was beginning to regret his hatred of his ancestor. Once again, it was the public's fault. He started to feel a kinship with Salazar and an understanding of how he must have felt.

Nym was reading about the dark curses and in particular, the Cruciatus Curse. The Blacks had extensive knowledge of it, which almost made her close the Tome. However, she pressed on and read about the requirements to cast it. She already knew what was needed as a requirement during Auror training was to be able to cast at least one of the three unforgivables. She only was able to fully cast the Imperius Curse, and the Cruciatus for a brief second. She didn't want to attempt the killing curse. Moody told her she was too soft and goaded her to use her anger, but it wasn't enough. Sure, she had anger for days when she thought about her time at Hogwarts: boys that wanted her to change, and girls shunned her because she could. She lacked the sadism needed to torture someone, however, that didn't quell her fears about becoming another 'crazy Black'. Sirius, her mum, Regulus, Harry, and his maternal grandmother aside, the Blacks had one of the worst reputations next to the Gaunts. However, they isolated themselves whereas the Blacks were forefront in society. She then thought about her aunt – the dead one: Bellatrix. The fact she had a particular obsession with her and looked like her mum left Nym troubled. She always feared she'd end up like Bellatrix: dark, crazy, and a murderer. Even worse, she thought she'd die by Bellatrix's hand.

By this point Nym had stopped reading and was staring at nothing. Harry was growing concerned. If not for yesterday he'd think she was daydreaming. That wasn't the case now. "Nym?"

She snapped her head and looked at him. "Huh?"

Harry closed the two Tomes and placed them on the floor, shuffling forward to her. "What is it?"

"Nothing."

Harry moved closer and took her hands in his. "No, none of that. You told me I needed to open up. What is it?"

"I'm doomed, you know."

"What?"

"I'm a Black and they always go nuts or dark. And now I'm the Head of House."

"Nym, you won't go dark."

"How do you know?! I look just like my aunt and look how she turned out! I killed her for fuck sake!" Her hair was cycling through shades of black, white and grey.

Harry knew Bellatrix was dead but didn't know who killed her. He thought he heard it was Molly. "I didn't know that."

Her hair stopped on a vanilla white. "Know what? I know I change my face but it's still there!"

Harry rubbed one of her shoulders while still holding her other hand. He needed to calm her down before she had a panic attack and shut down. "Sorry. I meant I didn't you killed Bellatrix."

That seemed to do it, but she seemed to deflate. "Oh… Yeah… She almost got me, though…"

"Then I'm glad you killed her."

"What?" She looked hurt. "How can you say that?"

"Because you're here and she isn't."

"It's not that simple. I killed someone. I've never done that before."

"No one good plans on killing someone. If you're worried about going dark, don't. That guilt will stop you, I promise… Although, you would look great in black." He tried to say that last part in a way she would when she'd try to cheer him up. It worked. Nym smiled and kissed him softly. "Nym, I promise you'll never end up like Bellatrix. I promise."

She leant forward and placed her head on his chest. "I'm so sorry, Harry. I don't know what's wrong with me."

Harry layed back and wrapped his arms around her, pulling her down onto his chest. "Nothing's wrong with you. It's just… We've been through what most would never experience. The battle stress is just only now catching up."

"Merlin how are only seventeen?"

"I dunno."

Nym chuckled at his casualness. She was a bad influence on him. "I was hoping to not be a mess today. They'll all be here soon."

"And they should be the most understanding, then. You can go to sleep if you want. I'm not bothered."

"No, there's lets just stay like this… So, how's the reading going?"

"Oh, great actually. I'm learning a lot."

"From Slytherin and Gaunt…? Seriously?"

"Yeah, with Salazar in particular. Did you know he only ever believed in blood purity in his youth and that his friction with the other Founders came from wanting to give free schooling?"

Nym was genuinely surprised to hear that. "Really?"

"Yep. Or if not free, then a really low price. They disagreed, and the public still ruined him."

"Heh. You must see a friend in him."

"Yeah. Anyway, how about you?"

"Oh, the Blacks' are their usual selves."

"Uh huh."

Nothing else was said, nothing needed to be. They laid there in peace until just before 12 and Andi returned. She didn't want to ruin their tranquillity, but their guests would be arriving soon. The 'kids' begrudgingly got ready for the incoming friends and family, assembling at kitchen's fireplace. Harry had a quiet word with Daffy about the Weasley matriarch. "Now, Daffy, when our guests arrive Missus Weasley will try to take over the kitchen. This is your domain, and as such, I'm giving you permission to forbid her from trying to take over. Nothing harmful, though, just a little nudge out of the door, of course."

Daffy bounced happily. "Youses the bestest, most kindest, Master!" She hugged his leg but composed herself as the fireplace's green flames announced their incoming guests. First was Ron, closely followed by Ginny, George, Arthur, Hermione and her Parents, then lastly, Molly. Harry had added them all to the ward book, so no one was going to be compelled to flee from the property. Nym led the first four Weasleys to the sitting room and Andi escorted the Grangers. Harry purposely waited for Molly, who was already taking-in the kitchen. Daffy looked ready to exercise her authority of her kitchen.

"Missus Weasley?" Harry motioned to the door. "This way, please."

"Oh, Harry, surely I can help in here."

"Sorry, but this is Daffy's kitchen. House rules."

Molly looked a little insulted. "But, dear, this- this is…" She lost the words.

Harry placed an arm over her shoulders and led them out of the room, winking to Daffy, who smiled warmly at him. "Now, now, Missus Weasley. How can you enjoy your time here if you never get to see it?"

"My boy, mothering is what I do!"

"And I implore you to relax while here."

"Oh-oh fine…"

They joined the others in the sitting room and Harry was immediately bombarded by Hermione's fury. He knew exactly what she was pissed about. "Hermione, before you rip my head off, can I finally meet your parents?" He gave them a meek smile, he could still be shy. Unfortunately, it had been beaten into him.

That seemed to quell her fury somewhat as she began the introductions. "Mum, Dad, this is Harry Potter. Harry, this is my mum – Jean, and my dad – Matthew Granger." Her tone was a little clipped and too heated to be genial. Her parents must've been used to it because they greeted him kindly.

Hermione was the spitting image of her mother, and Jean gave him a familiar rib-crushing hug. "Harry, Hermione's told us so much about you! It's so good to finally meet you in person."

"Thanks. It's nice to meet you, too."

Matthew was a tall and refined English gentleman, however, he didn't act like one. He shook his hand strongly while using the other smack his shoulder. "Good to meet you, Harry! Heh, you have a firm grip there, son."

"Thanks. Must be from Quidditch."

"Ah, Quidditch. I really want to see it."

"Don't worry, you will."

Jean fidgeted with her hands bashfully. "Ah, Harry, Hermione mentioned a library…?"

"Oh, yeah, sure. I've had Kreacher go through it just in case there were any charmed or lethal books. Don't worry, none were… Well…"

The name registered with Hermione immediately. "Kreacher?! Exactly how many elves have you enslaved, Harry?!" Her face was turning red, much like Vernon always did.

"Alright, with me!" Harry grabbed her arm and dragged them out of the room to the conservatory. Just before they were out of the room Harry turned to his guests. "We'll be back soon." Then in a more calming voice, "Nym, Andi, could you keep everyone entertained?" Then they were out. Her parents looked ready to follow but Andi was quick to explain things concerning House-Elves.

In the peaceful conservatory, Harry pushed Hermione onto a sofa, not his and Nym's, another one. He walked over to the windows and stared out. Her fury was making his own fury rise, his aura too. He was using every ounce of his self-control and occlumency to keep it at bay, but it was just barely surfacing. "Hermione, this space is special to us. It's not for arguing." He pointed a quiet stare at her before facing the window again. Hermione looked around and the peaceful vibe of the room was soothing. She could understand why he liked it. However, that didn't quench her anger.

Harry continued looking out "Hermione, I know it's different for us when looking at House-Elves but believe me when I tell you that it is not slavery."

"How can you say that?! They're bound to you!"

"And if you had bother to read about them, you'd know the difference between enslavement and elf bondage."

Hermione felt the verbal jab about not reading about the issue. After all, that is the one thing she does. "Explain it, then."

Harry turned to look at her again. He leaned back on the windowsill. "One, muggle slavery is enacted by force. House-Elves are bound by mutual agreement. Second, I gave them an oath on my magic that I'll never hurt or abandon them. Third, just because Lucius Malfoy and Sirius treated Dobby and Kreacher like garbage doesn't mean I will. Another thing, why didn't you ever bring rip off Sirius' head for his treatment of Kreacher? And fourth, the business of my Houses is my own and no others'. Please don't take it the wrong way, Hermione, but we're not kids at Hogwarts anymore. Which, by the way, House-Elves did everything there."

Hermione sat there in silence and listened to his every word. She had to admit she'd never properly researched and only equated the bonding and service of House-Elves to muggle slavery. While she didn't fully accept the truth right then, she knew Harry was right. "I-I… You're right, Harry. I'm sorry." She lowered her head in shame. "God, how could I be so stupid? Why didn't I read about them? I was so sure, so sure that it the same… I must've been a real bitch."

Harry sat down next to his wounded friend. Pride hurt everyone when they're wrong. "A little. Though, I'm more worried about your parents' thoughts about me." He took one of her hands in his.

"Nah, they've been wanting to meet you for ages! Although, we never really caught you at the station. You would just kinda take off."

"Yeah." Harry remembered those times when they'd return from Hogwarts. He really did want to meet her parents but he always warier of angering his relatives, which meant ditching her to run to their car. No matter what, though, he'd always get a few across the back for actually returning.

"Harry, what is it?" She had noticed his far-off look.

"Hermione, did you ever wonder why I always left early at the station?" He figured she needed to know.

"I just thought you were shy to meet my parents or you wanted to get your relatives quick."

"Did you ever wonder why that was?"

"I… Maybe."

Harry stood up and walked back to the windowsill. He was contemplating his next move. After an internal 'fuck it' he removed his grey cardigan and white Henley t-shirt. Hermione was wondering what was going on until he turned his back to her. She saw it all. The dead silence of the room made her gasp sound like a shout. "Jesus, Harry! Wha-what did they do to you?!" She dashed to his side, her hands were hovering above the scarred flesh, but she pulled them back as if they were burnt.

Harry resisted the urge to spell out the obvious but that'd only make things worse. He reapplied his clothes and leaned back onto the windowsill again. "That's what I was lived through, Hermione, for… what, sixteen years?" He couldn't really remember the amount of time he was imprisoned there. He tried to forget.

Her head sunk into her hands. "Oh my God… Why didn't I realise? You always jumped when I'd touch you." She was backtracking to the sofa and fell on it in a heap.

"Well, I think I did a pretty good job at keeping it to myself… well, except for Ron."

"Ron? He knew?" She had removed her head from her hands. Her cheeks were already red, and her eyes were puffy.

"Not voluntarily. During the first week of first year I'd wait for everyone else to shower before I would. I guess Ron was curious as to why—although I have no idea why—because one night he followed and saw my back. I tried to play it off, but I think he knew or had a pretty good idea. He promised he wouldn't tell anyone, even the teachers. The next day he'd found out a few bathrooms that no one really used. I'd go there instead of the Gryffindor one… Even during fourth year and all that bullshit between the two of us, he never said anything about it."

"Jesus… I-I should've been more aware. I would have if I wasn't so obsessed with books!"

"Hermione, chill. I never expected anything from you, except to be a friend and you are. In fact, you're more like a sister to me."

Hermione ran at him and crushed him with a hug. At the same time her tears were soaking his cardigan. "Oh, Harry! I'm sorry! I'm so sorry!"

Harry returned her hug and she loosened somewhat. Despite him being bigger than her she still managed to crush his sides. "It's okay. You have nothing to be sorry about, least of all me."

"How can you say that? How can you be so… calm?" She managed to finish whilst blubbering.

"Well, I have Nym… and she's helped a lot. Besides, I'm pretty sure I've either repressed or compartmentalised most of it. I'm fine. Everything's fine."

"Nym?"

Oops. Harry slipped and kicked himself for it. "Oh, uh… Tonks. She only let's me call her that, though."

"She must really like you, then."

He pulled back and lifted her chin, so he could see her tear-soaked face. "Let's dry those eyes, otherwise your parents will think I ripped your head off." He dabbed her cheeks with his sleeve and draped an arm over her shoulders. "Don't tell her I told you her nickname."

"I won't." She thought it was funny that Harry was scared about Tonks finding that out above everything else.

They walked back to sitting room talking about various things: how her and Ron found her parents, what have they been up to at the Burrow, had Molly scolded them for kissing in front of her. She asked about him and 'Tonks'. That lightened the mood between them significantly.

Their return hushed everyone else. Harry expected it. "We're alright. Just had to talk. Worked it all out."

Hermione sat very close next to Ron, who draped an arm around her. He quietly asked what was wrong and she replied with an equally quiet, 'later'. Harry remained standing and was joined by a comforting Nym. She kissed his cheek before taking his hand and addressing the clan. "Tour, anyone?"

All of the inside—minus Harry's room and the Elves quarters—was shown. Hermione and Jean wanted to stay in the library but stayed with the group when Harry promised them they can come back. Outside, the Weasleys and Matthew were taken by the Quidditch pitch. Coming prepared, the Weasley kids had brought their brooms. Matthew would finally get to see some form of Quidditch. The silver arrows were bought out from the equipment shed along with the various balls and two bats. Everyone was able to rope-in Molly, Arthur and Andi in order to make the teams even. Harry's team had him as Seeker, Nym as Chaser, George as Beater, and Molly as Keeper. Ginny had her as Seeker, Andi as Chaser, Arthur as Beater, and Ron as Keeper. Hermione would ref and keep score while her parents were their crowd.

Because Harry had hand's down the fastest broom with his Firebolt because he allowed Andi to use his Nimbus 2000, he promised to go at a reasonable speed. This was for fun, after all. The only serious battle was between Harry and Ginny as they hunted for the Snitch. He was naturally the better Seeker but Ginny was no slouch. She subbed him when Umbridge grounded him for life during fifth year and was a pretty good replacement. So much so that during sixth year he didn't need to worry about playing every game, even if he wanted to. He ended up catching it by using the broom's speed to gain an edge over her. He may have gone against his word, but no one held it against him. It was for fun, after all.

Lunch was held outside on the old wood and iron table. Molly tried to tinker in the kitchen and was kicked out by Daffy. Molly tried complaining to Harry, but he told her that he gave the elf permission to keep her out of the kitchen. That left her with a pout and good chuckle from everyone. After lunch, Harry told everyone to go exploring but to not enter his room, the study, or the elves' quarters, as they were more or less private. Everyone agreed and went separate ways. George and Ginny returned to the pitch; Hermione and Jean sprinted to the library; Arthur and Molly went for a walk around the grounds; Matthew forced Ron to have a 'chat' at the iron table; Andi also went to the library; Harry and Nym snuck off downstairs.

There they soaked in the water and each other, enjoying their closeness. Nothing further happened, but definitely would that night. They relaxed and talked. "Nym, I've been thinking about what Kingsley offered and I'll do it."

"You don't have to."

"I know, but I want to see it through. I have conditions, though."

"Sure."

"One, my NEWTs come first, absolutely. Second, only use me when you need to. And third, once they're all caught I'm out."

"Come on, Harry, of course I agree. I'd be mad if you didn't say that." She kissed him softly. "Though, sounds like you want to be used as an asset more than an Auror."

"Like I said, I'm only there to help bring them in, nothing more. You're the Auror."

"Hmm. It's not like Kingsley can turn you down. For once you have someone's balls in a vice."

"Nice image." They shared a laugh before redressing and heading back up to the clan. They braced themselves for the state of the library, hoping it hadn't been destroyed by the Grangers' excitement. It wasn't. Instead, what they found was Andi helping Jean through a magical history book and Hermione developing a rather large pile. "Like it, Hermione?"

She turned, and her glee was obvious. "Of course, I do! Harry, this is amazing. There's so many books here that I've only dreamed of seeing, let alone read…"

Harry cocked an eyebrow. "Although…?"

"Although, I would really, really, really like to see your House Tomes. Please?" The desperation in her voice was not lost on Harry or Nym.

He looked to Nym for guidance. He wasn't totally sure of the protocol on Tomes, but he did let her read his ones and nothing happened. She just shrugged an 'I don't know'. Harry turned back to his pleading friend. "Okay, I guess so. Wait here, though."

"Thank you! Wait, aren't they in here?"

Harry cocked an eyebrow again. "You're telling me you didn't already look for them?"

A blush formed on her face. "I… Yeah, I guess."

"I thought so. Look, just wait here, I'll go get them. I keep them somewhere safe. Okay?"

"Okay. Thanks, Harry."

"Sure." He went off to the study and retrieved all six of them. Technically, the Black Tome wasn't his, but he was able to read some of it, more than Nym was able to read any of his it seemed. She also didn't mind him reading it.

Nym stayed in the library to relax on a sofa and make sure Hermione didn't let her curiosity get the better of her. Said girl returned to pulling books from shelves and adding them to her increasing pile.

Harry returned shortly after and motioned Hermione over to a table. They sat down, and he presented his heirlooms. While she beyond excited, she had enough sense left to treat the Tomes with the utmost care. She started with the Potter's first. The only information privy to her were the patents and potions they had created. Even if that was all, it was still interesting. "Harry, your family has patents and created all of these potions?"

"It looks like it."

"Wow… Uh, everything else is blank, like, everything."

"Yeah. Like I said, the only way you can read it completely is by marrying the Lord, which would be me."

"It's still not fair."

"All's fair…"

Hermione poked her tongue out at him. They both laughed. Next was the Peverell's. That had even less that she could read. Hermione was hoping to get some information about the famous Peverell brothers, but alas, it was locked from her. Frustrated, she moved to the Gryffindor Tome. Again, not much could be read. In fact, except for the Potter Tome every other one gave her next to nothing. It was kinda funny for Harry as he watched his friend be angered by the books she loved so very much. He decided to rub it in a little. "Actually, I can read a good chunk of the Black Tome. I think it's because I was Lord Black… for about three minutes."

"I still can't believe you have six lordships… It's impossible."

"Well, it is me, right? And I only have five, now."

"Right. You gave it to Tonks. Do you mind if I ask why? No offence, Tonks!" She shouted that in case Nym could hear her.

"It's all good!" Nym equally shouted across the library.

"Harry?"

"Uh, Nym was making fun of me for having six lordships, so I wanted to get back at her." He started laughing when he watched Hermione's face develop a look of bafflement. "Seriously, though, I didn't feel like the right fit. Plus, I didn't want six lordships."

"What happens, then, when you have that many Houses?"

"Do you mean in terms of successors and heirs?"

"Yes."

Harry scratched the back of his head. "There's no easy way to say this… I have to have five kids, one for each House."

"Five kids?!" She might have said that a little too loud as the other three women in the vast room were looking at them. Jeans was the only one confused at hearing it, though. Andi tried steering them back to the book. Hermione clamped a hand over her mouth and whispered. "Sorry, Harry."

"It's okay. But yeah, five kids… However, Griphook did suggest having a wife for each House- but I'm not doing that." He got that last part out rather quickly because he could see her gearing up to let loose again.

"Good." Hermione paused and glanced to Nym, who was laying on a sofa with her eyes closed. However, Harry knew if she wanted to Nym could tweak her ears' sensitivity to hear them. Hermione looked back at Harry and nodded her head towards Nym.

Harry just shrugged. "I don't know. We're not thinking about that at the moment."

"Sure… It's always something with you, huh, Harry?"

"Yep."

The next two days spent with the Weasleys and Grangers were some of the best times for Harry, and certainly for everyone as of late. Hermione was completely okay with the House-Elves until Kreacher popped in and addressed her as his friend. She almost didn't realise it was him at first because of his less wrinkly appearance and the uniform. Harry resisted the urge to rub it in as well.

All in all, when Sunday evening rolled around Harry was thankful for the time spent with everyone, but he was itching to start his studies with Andi. Hermione was somewhat jealous because she had to wait until September to go back to Hogwarts. Harry tried to give her some books to read but they quickly discovered that they were charmed to not leave the Manor, further disappointing her. While Harry felt bad, what could he do about it? They house didn't want its property leaving, so he obliged. For once in his life he had possessions and he was going to exercise a little selfishness by keeping the books within the Manor's walls.

Sunday night saw Harry and Nym go to sleep late and wake early the following morning. It was a bad mistake to make for their first day of study and work, respectively, but they had to keep their heated encounters to a minimum while everyone was at the Manor. It didn't exactly stop them from a quickie here or a quickly there, but they felt like they shouldn't spend all their time locked away. That would be rude.

After a quick 'wake up' and shared shower, they were dressed and eating breakfast. Harry praised the elves as blessings because otherwise Nym would be rushing to the Ministry on an empty stomach and he wouldn't get to say goodbye to her properly.

Andi called Harry into the library and sat him down in their impromptu classroom. The next four to six months were either going to go by quickly or be the hardest school year he had ever endured…

end of chapter 11