A/N I don't know why, maybe it's because so much has been dramatic or heavy or negative the past chapter or two, but writing this chapter was so much fun. This one is like, just everyone in a good mood at the same time. Maybe it's just release of tension from yesterday or something. Let me know what you think.

Family Days

Harry woke suddenly with brilliant sunlight streaming in through his bedroom windows, and Dobby the house elf bobbing anxiously on his bed at his feet. Dobby's ears and multiple neckties flapped with his bouncing in a fascinating way that only added to Harry's momentary confusion. Reaching for his glasses, he muttered, "Dobby? Hi. Good to see you. What's the matter? Is anything wrong?"

"I don't know, Master Harry. I thought you called me!" Dobby looked anxiously at his favorite human.

"Oh, I don't know. Perhaps I did. I was asleep, and maybe I was dreaming. I don't need anything, I don't think. But I'm still happy to see you." Harry smiled. "Where are you spending the holiday? Here? Or back at the school?" Harry sat up, looking at the Tempus over his nightstand, amazed to see that it was 8:00 a.m. already. He never usually got to sleep in this late, even on weekends.

"I've been back and forth, but mostly here, getting acquainted with these House Elves. Things are very different here, Master Harry. They didn't even want to let me dress properly. And... and... they wear proper clothes... even the ones who are bound to Master Konstantyn's service. It's all very strange. But... anyway... I'm so sorry about yesterday. I had to go stand in the corner for Master Konstantyn because I got so upset. Do you need me to heal you? I'm so... sorry... I couldn't help!"

Harry laughed. He hadn't even remembered the "yesterday" Dobby was referring to, though now that he was reminded, he clearly recalled standing up for dinner, too uncomfortable to sit at the Kitchen table without a cushioning charm. Gently he sat up straight in his bed, testing for any discomfort. Finding none, he bounced an experimental time or two... then got out of bed and sat boldly on his desk chair. "Nope, Dobby, all's well with all of that. I'm fine. And don't be mad at Papa, little friend. I specifically asked him for to do what he did. It wasn't his idea."

"Dobby wishes Harry Potter would not ask for such things. It makes Dobby feel bad..." the little elf looked up with his sad bulbous eyes, sniffling just a little bit.

"Come here, Dobby," Harry laughed, holding out his arms as he walked back to the bed. Dobby reached up as Harry lifted him into a huge hug and they cuddled a moment. "You take wonderful care of me always, Dobby, and I'm very lucky to have you in my life and looking out for me. But so do Papa and John and Oxsana. You don't have to feel bad ever, about how they treat me. OK?"

"OK, Master Harry," Dobby snuffed one more minor sniffle as he nodded his head nuzzling Harry's shoulder... gently batting Harry with one floppy pointed ear.

"SO!" Harry said energetically, as he put Dobby back down on the bed. "What's happening downstairs? What have I missed so far?"

"Nothing really, Master Harry. Masters Konstantyn are sitting at the Kitchen table having breakfast as your Papa reads the paper. By the way," Dobby's voice dropped to a whisper, "his newpapers have very funny looking writing on them. In fact, everything around here does!"

"Yes, Dobby. Well, we're in a different part of the world now, where the alphabet is different. This alphabet, this writing, is called Cyrillic, and is based on Greek letters, rather than the Roman ones we are used to. Is that a problem for House Elves? Do you read the letters of human writing the way we do, or do you just 'understand' what the person means when they write?"

"We can understand whatever we need to. But funny letters still look odd." Dobby nodded.

"OK, then. I'm going to go get some breakfast, if you'd be kind enough to ask John not to eat it all. I'll be down in just a couple minutes."

"Yes, Master Harry. Dobby will tell them you are coming. And I shall make you more breakfast, if Master John eats everything."

Harry laughed as he dashed into his bathroom to take a shower, grabbing his clothes for the day and dribbling his nightwear on the floor one piece at a time as he went. Five minutes later, he dashed from the bathroom, tied his trainers on his feet, and headed for the kitchen. He considered sliding down the banister of the spiral stairs, but thought it a bit early in the day to court trouble with parental authorities. So, he settled for sailing down the spiral holding the center post and taking four steps at a time.

Thundering into the kitchen like a minor storm, Harry all but skidded to a halt at his seat, prevented only by the rubber treaded soles of his trainer, squeaking nonetheless as his chair skidded a bit with the impact of his body weight. "Morning all!" he chirped. "What's on the agenda for today? Did I miss anything yet?" Excitedly he began to pour hot chocolate into his cup, as John passed a platter of pastries his way, and his father slowly put down his newspaper.

"Good morning, Harry," Pavel laughed. "Were you, perchance, practicing your animagic by transforming into a baby elephant this morning? I thought that's what I heard coming down the stairs."

Harry nearly snorted a laugh through his cocoa as he composed himself. "No, sir. Sorry. Guess I was a little excited. Last night was fun, even if I did get a little tired of standing. So, what's on for today? Is Oxsana still here?"

"Of course not!" Pavel said, in a tone of affront. "She is staying with her mother at night, which is only proper. Otherwise she would have one of the Gasthausen, until she and Ivan are married!"

"Sorry, Papa, no offense meant. You DO realize we're living in the 20th Century, right?" Harry decided to tease Papa just a little.

"That may well be so, young man," Pavel realized Harry was poking a bit of fun at him. "But nonetheless, as you will discover when you begin to date, in this family even the 20th century includes proper behavior and manners. Speaking of which..." now it was Pavel's turn to smile at Harry's expense, "when our company arrives, you will find you are in the role of a host to guests at our country home. Your manners are to be impeccable, you will rise when a lady or elder enters the room, and you will dress properly for dinner each night."

"Dress properly? What does that mean? School uniform?" Harry almost whined.

"No, but it does mean dress shirt and tie, waistcoat, dress pants, and proper shoes. No t-shirts, jeans, or trainers at the dinner table," Pavel said in serious tones.

"WHAT? But Papa, surely Ron, Fred and George won't be all dressed up! Why do I have to..."

"This is not Ron, Fred, or George's home, Harry. They are not hosting this houseparty. You are wasting time and breath to argue on this. Even Ivan will be properly dressed, and he has argued this for years. I thought we may as well get this out of the way early on."

Harry looked at John seeking some support to his argument, only to see a resigned look on his brother's face.

"It's true, Harry," John said. "You may as well give it up, and if you argue long enough you'll only wind up in the corner. On the up side, however, it's only dinner... or some formal event out that we have to dress for. The rest of the time, casual clothes are fine.

"OK, then, Papa. I give up. But, then again... um... I don't think I packed my dress clothes," Harry offered with a degree of hope in his voice. "I think I left all that at Hogwarts!" he grinned.

"No fear, my son. You did indeed. But I packed them for you, and they're all neatly in your wardrobe, starched, pressed, and ready to go. No need tonight, though."

"How thoughtful of you, Papa. Thank you so much," Harry mocked, voice dripping with sarcasm.

"Think nothing of it, son. My pleasure. I live but to serve," Pavel responded, just as willing to jest as Harry. "So, to answer your original question, MY plans today are simple. This morning I have some work to do, both paperwork here in my Study, and a couple meetings and appointments. I should be free by Noon, when I thought we can eat lunch either here at home, or at the Pub, or at a little cafe in the village you may like. Your choice. After lunch I wondered if you would like to fly with me... and Ivan if you'd like to go, son... and just tour the estate a bit?"

"No thank you, Papa," John replied. "I should be busy this afternoon putting stuff away from this morning's shopping. I thought, if Harry isn't too busy or have other plans this morning, he and I could go get some of the specialty items for Thanksgiving Dinner that aren't available around here."

"Shopping? Like, for groceries? Vegetables and fruits and stuff?" Harry asked, somewhat disappointed... trying not to sound like he thought that would be as unutterably boring as he truly thought it would be.

"Um, yeah... sort of. I want to get some onions and snails from Paris, some lobsters from New York City, and some dates from Cairo. Also some mangos, for chutney, from Hawaii... and a few other things. But, if you don't feel like shopping, I'm sure you could..."

"That sounds FINE, John. I'll be GLAD to help..." Harry perked up immediately.

"You're sure... it won't be too much trouble?" John teased.

"No, not at all. I but live to serve, as Papa said," and the three of them laughed.

"Very well then, sounds like a plan. I shall expect to meet you here at Noon, then, Harry. Let me know if you'll be late. There's no big hurry, I'll just get some more work done if so. Be safe, be careful, and have a good time when and where you go. And remember what we talked about yesterday, Harry... when you're out with Ivan, he is in charge and you are accountable to him entirely. That doesn't mean that if you misbehave you won't have to face me as well when you get home, but he carries my authority while you are away with him. You understand that, eh?" and Pavel waited for Harry's acknowledgment. "For now, you'd better get through those bacon and eggs... I think Ivan has a busy trip planned out for you."

"Yes, sir, I'm on it." Harry enjoyed breakfast immensely.

"And Ivan?"

"Yes, Papa?" John looked up at him.

"This is Harry's first trip to New York City, yes?" Papa smiled, as Ivan blushed a bit and nodded. "Well, let's see to it this goes a bit better than YOUR first trip there did, eh?"

"Yes, sir," John said quietly, as he too focused intently on his bacon and eggs.

Harry mind-spoke to John, "Big Brother, clearly there's a story there, isn't there?"

"Yes..." John answered, curtly.

"What happened?" Harry probed.

"I'll tell you later... maybe. MUCH later, Harry," John tried to close this topic off.

"OK. I'm sure Papa will tell me sometime..." Harry teased, bringing a withering glare from his older brother.

Pavel had returned to his coffee and newspaper, only to say aloud a moment later... "If Ivan does not tell you the story, I will do so... later."

"Thank you, Papa," Harry giggled, as John just groaned without further comment.

A little while later, Oxsana had arrived to go shopping with John and Harry as Papa came out of his Study to see them off.

"Wait, just one moment..." Pavel said, as he blinked away from them, and they heard his footsteps on the floor above.

"What's he doing?" Harry asked curiously, having put on his heavy jacket hanging at the front door. He'd enjoyed his breakfast, elves had popped away all the mess, and he was excited to be adventuring with his big brother and sister - as he thought of Oxsana - in parts unknown of which he had only read.

"Probably checking that your room is neat, Harry. He always did that for me when we were on holiday. 'Attention to detail', and 'courtesy to those who serve us', like any sort of manners... doesn't get a 'holiday' when we're home from school."

"Oh S**T!" Harry exclaimed clearly audible throughout the house, instantly blinking to his room, speaking the moment he arrived, "I'm SO sorry, Papa! I wasn't thinking. I just rushed down to breakfast the moment I got out of the bathroom and..." Harry was spouting his explanations and excuses even before he looked around to find Papa standing in the middle of... his perfectly orderly room. His mouth actually fell open as slowly he turned one complete revolution to find all his dirty clothes picked up, the bathroom dry and clean, and even his bed perfectly made. Realizing he'd put his foot in it big time, he just spun on his heel trying to exit with as much grace as possible. He knew that blinking away would be a wrong thing to do.

"STOP!" Pavel called, parade ground voice, suppressing the chuckle he felt at the back of his throat. "About face, young man."

Harry grimaced, as he knew the right way to do this, and executed the movement properly, right toe behind and just left of his left heel, placing his weight on said toe and heel to spin 180 degrees, ending in the position of attention, heels together, toes at 45 degree angle apart. He stood silently, looking straight ahead, as Pavel walked over to him.

"Why were you so distressed, my son? One would think you'd be proud to show me so orderly a room as you left the house, hmmmm?" Pavel used that silky voice that so often opened an episode of verbal castigation. It was the tone he usually reserved for thanking a latecomer for deigning to grace their classroom with their presence. Unfortunately, rather than just berating him, Papa was asking a question that required answer. The trick here was not to lie, nor respond with any disrespect. His mind was running at light speed to construct the proper response.

"Sir, I respectfully decline to answer on the grounds that I might incriminate, tend to incriminate, or lead to the incrimination of myself, sir!" Harry recited on a single breath.

"I see..." Pavel smiled, thinking through this puzzle before him. Harry had clearly failed to pick up his room before coming down to breakfast. He then forgot about it and was about to leave the house, violating a standing rule. The only penalty would have been that Harry be grounded to his room one hour for every item that was out of order, whether that was clothing on the floor, unmade bed, or whatever. This was not a serious matter, but it was a matter of consistency of discipline. He could see Harry's successful struggle to remain honest, of which Pavel approved. Yet here was the room, in perfect order. How could that be?... he pondered... then realized...

"Dobby? Would you come here please?" Pavel said, quietly.

Dobby instantly popped into the room before them.

"Dobby, say nothing. Harry, in the total absence of any direct evidence that you've broken any rules, I cannot take your assertion of right against self-incrimination as being a guilty plea, or evidence of wrong doing. If I wanted to push this, I would ask Dobby right here and right now if he cleaned your room for you when you went to breakfast."

Dobby began to squirm a bit, as a small whimpering sound escaped him and he stared at his feet.

"Dobby?" Pavel said very gently, "I am NOT going to do that, so please don't be disturbed. But I am simply going to repeat, here where both of you can hear me clearly, Harry... himself... is supposed to set his room in order before leaving the house, whether here or at Hogwarts. That rule is in place for two reasons: One, attention to detail, at all times. Two, respect for the time and concern of those who serve us. There is no excuse for a healthy young man not to get his own clothes into a hamper, or make his own bed without the assistance of a House Elf. Now, is that clearly understood, by BOTH of you?"

Frenetic nods and "Yes, sir's" came in response.

"Very well, then we will let this go this time. Now Dobby, if Harry forgets, there's no reason you may not remind him of the need to take care of his room. But you are not to do it for him, is that clear?"

"Yes, Master Konstantyn. Dobby is sorry..." his pointy ears drooped sadly.

"Come, come!" Pavel laughed, stretching out his arms to pick up Dobby with a quick cuddle. "Nothing to be sorry for! I'm not angry at all. Just don't go spoiling this boy any more than we already do, eh?" And Dobby giggled as Pavel hugged him with a slight tickle around the ribs.

Harry smiled as yet he stood at attention, uncertain if he'd been dismissed or not. He decided to test the waters, "Permission to speak, sir?"

"Denied," Pavel answered, putting Dobby down gently. "Now, as for YOU, young man... downstairs, now. SCOOT!"

Harry scooted, heading over to John and Oxsana, hoping they were all about to leave. Pavel followed close behind.

"Ivan? Oxsana? Do I understand that your first stop was to be Marcel's Fish Market, La Poissonerie de Marcel?"

"Yes, Papa Pavel. I LOVE that market! And the little Pâtisserie there next door to it! Mmmmm," Oxsana gushed, excitedly.

"Very good. Well, you two go on ahead. Mr. Potter-Konstantyn here owes me ten minutes in a corner, for inappropriate speech. I will bring him to meet you when he is finished. You'll probably still be sorting through snails," Pavel smiled, as Harry just glared at him, not daring to speak from the position of attention he'd assumed when they arrived in the kitchen.

"Ah, all right Papa Pavel." Looking at Harry's crestfallen expression she said, "Don't be upset, little brother. I've spent HOURS in Konstantyn corners for speaking before I thought. We won't do anything fun without you, I promise!" and she planted kisses on both Harry's cheeks, as she grabbed John and they blinked instantly out of the room.

"Follow me, Harry." Pavel ordered as he entered his Study and sat down to a pile of parchments and bound leather journals. "That corner," Pavel pointed to the dullest corner of the room, at the junction of two bookcases.

"Can't I stand HERE, Papa?" Harry whined, picking a corner with a window wall, so he could see outside.

"Now that would rather defeat the purpose of the exercise, would it not? One more word and your time will increase!" Papa's voice took on that low rumbling growl that warned Harry discussion was finished for the moment.

"Yes, sir..." he mumbled in defeat, as he stood in his corner. Ever so softly, once in a while, he would kick the baseboard of the bookcase.

"One more time, Harry, and you'll find yourself on your knees for another ten minutes." Pavel said, in his classroom voice.

Harry nodded, as he snapped to attention and did the rest of his punishment without complaint.

"Why are you in the corner, Harry?" Pavel asked, as the Tempus ticked over the ninth minute.

"Because I cussed, sir."

"And why is that forbidden, Harry?"

"Because 'a wizard must always keep control of his feelings and his words, lest his magic go awry'" Harry recited from memory, almost managing to keep the sing-song of sarcasm from his recitation.

"I'm glad you remember and are aware of that, my son. You seem to be struggling with that self-control on this trip. If I must address it again, you'll write that 200 times from your corner, is that clear?"

"Yes, sir. Sorry," Harry looked down. Papa didn't really have that many rules, compared to the cool stuff he got to do all the time. He regretted misbehaving and Pavel having to address his misbehavior.

A moment later, "Time's up, Harry. Come along, let's get you to Paris, eh?" Pavel rose from his desk, setting his work aside, and reaching for his outer robes and cloak.

Harry walked over to Pavel and held his clothing up to assist while Pavel put them on. Then Harry grabbed on to Pavel in a big hug around his waist. "I'm sorry, Papa. I don't know why I'm being so snotty here. Especially after you were so nice about my room and all. You're the best!"

Pavel dropped back into his chair to hug Harry deeply eye to eye. "Harry! Nothing's wrong. I'm not angry or disappointed. And you're not being particularly snotty. You're very excited with this holiday, and that is understandable. You were angry and resentful at being put in the corner for cussing, and that's exactly what you SHOULD be... it's a childish punishment, meant to restore my authority to my rules, and force you to conquer your resentment with obedience. Should you ever get to where you LIKE to stand in the corner, I would have to find some other way of spending your time that you resent. That's EXACTLY what a normal boy your age should be doing and feeling... I don't want a son made of spun sugar like some winged cherubic angel atop one of the cakes you will see in a few minutes. I want YOU, just as you are... complete with your periodic 'snottiness', 'forgetfulness', 'messiness', and kicking my baseboards. Because I love you just as you are, and as long as you mind and respect me, I can teach you how to behave along with being a brilliant independent thinker and tactician. And... even should you forget, from time to time, to mind and respect me... I can even deal with that too, eh?" And with this Pavel rose, tousling Harry's unruly mop of hair.

"Ayyyy! Papa!" Harry complained, whining as he tried to finger comb his cranial thatch back into something like order.

"Don't tell me you want to wait a moment and comb your hair!" Pavel gasped in mock amazement.

"Of course not! Don't be ridiculous... sir." Harry added as an afterthought. Taking Pavel's hand, he continued, "Now, where are we blinking to?"

Pavel had focused on seeing John and Oxsana in the current moment, assuring that there was sufficient space around them, and displaying that information to Harry clearly. He put a Disillusionment Charm on them both, so they'd not be observed arriving, and keyed his own blink in to Harry's impusion. "All right son, take us when you are ready."

So Harry closed his eyes, nodded when he had himself set up, and "POOF!" the two of them appeared... or rather didn't appear, exactly... right next to Oxsana and John as they scooped snails from a tank and placed them in a small net bag.

Gently, Harry and Pavel eased their way past a table of iced seafood and appeared, quite naturally, alongside the rest of the family. "I'm here!" Harry said.

"And I'm heading back home," Pavel nodded. "Now, let me repeat, Ivan? You are responsible for Harry and for this time, he's as your son. Harry? Don't take advantage. You mind Ivan as if he were me, and if there's any funny business Ivan can treat you as he would his own boy AND you'll face me when you get home as well."

Harry just nodded with nearly an eye roll, as he said, "I know, Papa. We talked about this yesterday, and before this... and today. I've got it! I ALWAYS behave for John and Oxsana, don't I?"

"Sure thing, Papa," John spoke up. "We'll be fine, and I'm sure we'll be back on time for Lunch. You just go on and have a productive morning. We'll see you when we get back!"

Oxsana double kissed Pavel, pulling him into a tender hug, as he growled his acquiescence, and blinked discretely home.

"WHEW!" Harry breathed. "I thought he'd never leave! SO! This is Paris, huh? Aren't there supposed to be dancing girls somewhere? Come on, what's fun to do?"

John and Oxsana looked at one another and broke out in laughter. "Oh my," Oxsana said. "This trip may be more fun than we originally thought."

A/N I'd love it if you take a moment to review. I know this chapter was shorter than the last couple, but I wanted to get it up, and hopefully I'll have the next ready soon as well. Feel free to comment, question, critique, or offer ideas. Grace to you, Gentle Reader. Thank you for being here - Mort