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Thousands of Reasons to Smile
Chapter Twenty One
For a Pessimist, I'm Pretty Optimistic
- Paramore
"Eww, don't sneeze on me." Alphard moved away from Harry whom was packing the last bit of his things in his trunk before they were to head off for the train in the hour.
"You've been sneezing and coughing for the past two days, you may be sick." Ignatius came up the stairs leaning against the door frame.
"I'm not sick." Harry said grouchily, slamming his trunk top lid close.
"And you're grouchy, all signs of a sick young boy."
"Shut up, Al." Harry said standing up, levitating his trunk so that he could carry it down stairs. "Can you move?" Harry said to Ignatius, but not before sneezing twice.
"Bless you." Alphard replied.
"Sorry, my apologies." Ignatius said stepping aside.
Once Harry was out the door and down the stairs out of ear shot, both Alphard and Ignatius shared a knowing look.
"What is taking you guys so long! Let's Go!" Harry shouted form down the stairs.
"The holidays are going to be a blast." Alphard said sarcastically.
When they finally made it to the Great Hall where they were supposed to meet up with Tom and Charlus. Both boys were already there of course. Tom was talking with Minerva and Charlus was talking with Conall, not as energetically as one would talk with a friend.
Alphard and Ignatius were walking behind Harry, not wanting to get in his way. Minerva was the first one to spot Harry as she frowned at his appearance and nudged Tom to get his attention towards Harry. Tom stood up from the table and met up with Harry half way.
"You look sick."
"I'm not sick!" Harry practically yelled. Some passerby students were staring at them, curiously so.
Tom glared at Harry, not amused by his behavior.
"Look, I'm sorry, it's just that-" Harry stopped in mid sentence as he started having a coughing fit.
"You're sick and you're grouchy. Let's just head onto the train now so that Harry can maybe get some sleep on the ride home." Minerva suggested standing beside Tom.
"Mum and Dad can give him some potions when we get home." Charlus said sounding unconcerned as he gathered his things and walked away out of the Great Hall.
"That was the most words I heard him say in a while." Alphard commented.
"Whatever, let's just go please." Harry said wiping his nose with the sleeve of his brown vintage jacket.
"I can take care of your trunk," looking at Alphard and Ignatius Tom added, "why don't you two make yourselves useful and make sure Harry actually makes it to the train without any mishap."
Rolling his eyes Alphard put his arm around Harry's shoulder. "Come on Harry, your chariot awaits."
Harry was cold as he walked steadfastly towards the train. It was only a few more feet ahead, but it seemed like miles to his shivering form. The frosty air chilled him to the bone which seemed odd to him seeing as he was wearing the warmest clothing and he even had put a warming charm on himself. He could see his foggy breath as he exhaled, snow flakes dancing lightly around his face. Harry sucked in the freezing air out of distraught, but ended up feeling it sting as it traveled down his scratchy throat, and settled heavily in his lungs.
Harry watched in front of him as Charlus walked by himself as everybody else seemed concerned about him and was walking at his side. Tom was shooting daggers at Charlus back feeling annoyed with the boy, Harry could only guess anyway. Harry didn't understand Charlus anger, but he was going to try to not let it bother him.
Every muscle and joint felt stiff and achy, and Harry stumbled slightly, walking into the empty compartment that they had finally found.
'I'm definitely sick.' Harry thought as he sneezed viciously, four times in a row, and moved his arm up to hastily swipe his drippy nose with the cuff of his jacket one again. 'Nice… just what I need; a snotty jacket sleeve.'
"Hey, you okay?" Charlus paused, concern evident on his face.
'Oh so now he cares.' Tom thought as he went to sit next to Harry along with Minerva whom sat on the other side of him.
"Peachy." Harry said curling up into a ball as he sat himself by the window, leaning his head against it.
For the first time in his life Tom was looking forwards to the Christmas season. Minerva was chatting excitedly about all the things that she would be doing while she was with her family for the holidays.
"And of course there's the Potter Christmas Ball on Christmas eve. My family, we always go to one of the pure bloods Christmas Balls. It'll be exciting to go to yours. Mother took me to Paris last year to shop for dresses, maybe she'll do the same this year."
Tom leaned towards her and kissed her on the nose. "Sounds good."
"Eww," Alphard said scrunching up his nose, "I so do not want to see that!"
Tom shrugged and Minerva didn't look to be embarrassed in the slightest. Tom had forgotten whom he was in front of, it was just out of habit when he was around Minerva.
"Are we invited to the Potter Christmas Ball?" Ignatius asked Tom pointedly instead of asking Charlus whom he was sitting next to on the other side of the compartment.
"Harry invited you to our home and our parents agreed to it, so naturally as our guest you would be invited." Tom said holding Minerva's hand.
The compartment door opened and in came Dorea Black and Lucretia Black.
"Why is there so many of you guys in here?" Dorea asked frowning in distaste.
"There's plenty of room, Dorea," Alphard said smirking at Tom and Minerva, "Just have Minnie sit on Tom's lap and everything will be good."
This time Minerva did blush in embarrassment much to Tom's amusement. Tom usually didn't like the idea of public displays of affections but found that at this moment the idea of Minerva sitting on his lap didn't bother him at all and was actually quite appealing.
"Argh! Forget it, we'll sit somewhere else." Dorea said, throwing up her hands in defeat. "Come on Lucretia." The compartment door shut back once more.
"Oh good, the train is moving!" Minerva said looking towards the window where Harry still had his head leaned up against it, snoring in fact.
As the train moved to his destination, everybody seemed to be ignoring Charlus except Conall whom seemed to have some kind of sympathy for him.
"Bugger Ignatius, could you actually try to do something? You lazy ass." Alphard said as they were walking off the train.
"You know what Alphard? I've been moving crap all day-"
"Har-bear!"
Harry cringed as his great grandmother's voice yelled out to him from across the platform. Alphard was laughing beside him.
"That's so embarrassing." Ignatius said hiding his own laughter.
Hearing many snickers from his classmates, Harry trudged sluggishly forward.
"Hey mum," Harry said to his mother, sounding like his nose was totally clogged up.
"Harry, you look like an absolute mess! And your hair!" his mother chided him, "And where is your brothers?"
Boniface came to Harry's rescue as he went forward to hug Harry, but ended up frowning as he put his palm on Harry's forehead.
"I'm here," Tom said, he was forced to meet Mr. and Mrs. McGonagall. Having met her parents, Tom had pulled away telling her that he had to go greet his parents. Bidding her and her family farewell.
Mrs. Potter turned towards her son and smiled, pulling him into a hug and kissing him on the forehead. "My you look refreshed, my darling," she crooned and then seemed to see the two wizards standing behind Harry,
"Where are my manners, you must be Ignatius Prewett." Mrs. Potter hugged Ignatius as if he was her own son.
"Hello, Mrs. Potter. Thank you for inviting me over for the holidays." Ignatius said shyly.
"You are welcome, Ignatius." Valerie Potter said smiling as she went to hug Alphard Black as well.
Bowing Alphard kissed Mrs. Potter's hand in a courtly manner. "Thank you for your invitation, Mrs. Potter."
"Don't hit on my mother, Black." Charlus said coming up behind him with both his and Harry's luggage.
"Valerie, Harry seems to have gotten himself sick. Let's take the boys home so that I can give Harry the proper potions to take." Boniface said putting his arms around Harry, trying to comfort the sick child.
"Har-bear has been grouchy all morning. He's really sick." Alphard said smirking at Harry as said boy glared at him.
"Tom, I can't reach Alphard from here-" Harry said but didn't finish his words as Tom already knew what Harry's intentions were for him to do as Tom punched Alphard on his right arm.
"Ow!" Alphard said mouth open in shock as he rubbed his arm.
"Let's behave shall we?" Valerie said hiding her amusement.
The next morning:
Harry woke up with a painful sensation in his throat. He told himself 'Well, every ones throat is raspy when they first get up. Actually, it's not suppose to be a burning feeling though.'
"Are you alright, Harry?" Tom asked him from his bed, rubbing his eyes as he sat up.
Harry simply shrugged his shoulders, too tired and worn out to do anything else. "I've been better."
Frowning, Tom got up from his bed and walked towards Harry's. "Your voice sounds horrible," Tom put his hand on Harry's forehead, "and you're burning up. I'll get Mum and Dad."
Before Harry could even get a word in, Tom was already gone, out the door.
Tom came back into the room three minutes later with Boniface.
"Can I look in your throat?"
"Ye…yes." His throat was burning with pain. Boniface looked at his throat with the tip of his wand which was shinny light so that Boniface could see his throat clearly.
"Your throat is really red," Boniface frowned to himself,"hmm…" he put the light out with a swishing motion with his wand. "You need your tonsils out."
"What?" Harry asked raspy holding his throat repeatedly.
"Yes, you do. Sorry kiddo. You're going to St. Mungo's." Boniface wasn't bothered, his training as a Healer enabled him to deal with such things and after he'd gave Harry some fever reducer potion and spelled fresh clothing on him, he picked Harry up to carry him so he could Floo Harry to the hospital. Harry was already out with the potion he had given him.
"Is he going to be okay?" Tom asked worried.
Boniface just smiled at Tom. "If it is tonsillitis like I think, Harry will be there for about four days."
"And if it's not?"
"Don't worry son, Harry will be fine." Boniface promised. "Would you mind throwing some powder-?"
Tom threw some powder in the fireplace, making it turn green. "St. Mungo's Hospital."
Harry had been silent for two days now.
He didn't seem to be in any physical pain, he just couldn't talk at the moment. The Healer had been to see him three times in the two days that he remembered anyway and whenever he was there he'd concluded that Harry had contracted Tonsillitis. When he had finally gotten his tonsils surgically removed that afternoon he remembered his family and friends being there, but to be perfectly honest, he was totally out of it. The last thing he heard before he blacked out were "Harry, you got your tonsils out and there were complications", and the last thing he felt was somebody kissing his forehead. Then, he must have slept once again.
When Harry opened his eyes, they found Tom's bright blue ones that were slightly red just staring at him. Harry sat up straighter on his bed and looked around to see it was just him and Tom in a privet room with one huge window and four white walls.
"What's the matter, Tom? What happened?" Harry asked as his voice came out hoarse.
"You had an allergic reaction to one of the potions and you stopped breathing. You were in a coma for six days." Harry just stared at Tom confused.
"What?"
"You woke up last night for a minute, but then went back to sleep. It's four in the morning right now. Everybody went home except Dad. He's been monitoring you."
Harry frowned, his memory still fuzzy and he was still really tired. "I'm sorry, I'm still really tired, maybe you can explain this to me later on?" Harry asked him.
Tom nodded in understanding. Harry watched as Tom climb in bed with him, and wrap his arms around Harry before he fell asleep himself. Harry felt guilty for making Tom worry. I mean he must have been super exhausted if he just fell asleep so suddenly and his eyes were red like he had been crying. Not even a simple surgery could go right for Harry. It was like he was meant for trouble to come his way. Harry soon fell right back to sleep himself.
"Harry?"
The voice wasn't at all whom he expected to be, and he craned his head towards the speaker, who was to his right.
"Alphard?" he asked, and was surprised when his voice was hoarse and tiny. It sounded as if it hadn't been used in awhile. "What...?"
"Good to see you awake, Har-bear," Alphard laughed quietly, as he moved from his spot on the wooden chair next to Harry's bed and gave him a fierce hug. "How are you feeling?"
"Where's Tom? He was here this morning?" Harry asked confused.
"He's fine, your mother finally convinced him to go home and take a shower and eat something. He was really worried about you. Everybody was." Alphard said giving Harry some space.
"I got an allergic reaction?" Harry asked.
Alphard shrugged his shoulders. "Of course only you would have an allergic reaction to a potion. The Healers didn't know what to do, they've never had a patient allergic to anything they give them."
"Did you go back home with your parents?" Harry asked.
"Why would I? You were in a near death experience and you were supper sick, sicker once you got that allergic reaction. Your blood, erm... they needed to find you more blood with a match close to yours or you would die."
"Oh, who donated their blood to me?" Harry asked confused as to way Alphard was trying not to laugh.
"Your parents weren't a right match, nor were your brothers-"
"They're my family, how did my blood not match theirs?"
"Like I said, they need the 'right' blood type as close as possible to yours. So... your mother tried to find somebody on her side of the family."
Harry dread the words that he knew was coming. "Nobody on her side matched yours either, it wasn't Abraxas." Alphard laughed.
"You prat! Just tell me already!" Harry hit Alphard with his pillow.
Alphard smiled at him for a moment. "You're welcome."
Harry grinned sheepishly. "It was you? Really?"
Alphard nodded.
"Thank you. I owe you a wizard's debut for sure."
Alphard just shrugged his shoulders. "If you say so, but I highly doubt that it's necessary, we're friends and that's what friends are for."
"What about Ignatius?"
"He stayed as well, I mean he really didn't have a choice anyway, his family is in Australia."
"Charlus?"
"Ugh... Charlus and Tom got into it while you were in a coma."
Harry sighed and laid back fully onto his pillows.
"Tom accused Charlus for not caring enough and Charlus lost it and punched Tom in his face-"
"No." Harry said shielding his face with his hands.
Alphard tried not to laugh. "Once your parents broke them apart Charlus told Tom that he would give his life to you and that he was just as worried for you as Tom was..." Alphard shifted uncomfortably on the bed, "then Tom started crying and this whole bonding thing happened with the two of them as they hugged it out." Alphard shrugged his shoulders once again.
"That must have made you very uncomfortable." Harry said smiling.
Alphard rolled his eyes. "My family are not the hugging, sharing and caring type."
"Yet you just hugged me so willingly just a few moments ago." Harry commented.
Alphard stood up from the bed. "That's different."
"How so?" Harry asked eyebrow raised.
"You're my best friend and I guess your family actually did rub off me they way they baby you guys."
"It's called love." Harry replied back.
"Yeah, yeah," Alphard said offhandedly walking toward the door, "I'll get your Dad to let him know you're awake."
"Thanks, Al." Harry said as Alphard rolled his eyes before he walked out the door.
One Week Later December 24, 1938:
"Does anyone know who Harry is going with to the ball?" Alphard asked at the breakfast table.
Ignatius and Charlus shook their heads. Tom on the other hand just rolled his eyes at the boy.
"Harry is sitting right next to you, idiot."
"Tom! What have I been saying to you about your manners to Harry's guest?" Valerie said to him. Boniface was seated next to his wife as well, eating his omelets that the house elves had prepared for them.
"Sorry, mum." Tom replied offhandedly as he took a sip of his orange juice.
"Alphard is upset that he can't have Harry for a date. He asked Harry too late." Ignatius said smirking as he buttered his toast.
"For your information, I asked Harry at our last week of Hogwarts if he wanted to take one of my cousins, but he said that he had already asked someone else, and that she said yes to him." Alphard explained.
Everybody except Harry's great grandparents looked at Harry for confirmation. Boniface and Valerie already knew whom Harry's date was.
"It's not a big secret, I just didn't feel like explaining it to Alphard while I was sick. I invited Aurora Longbottom, as a 'friend' to come with me." Harry explained.
"You mean that girl who was in the orphanage with you?" Alphard asked.
"Yes, she and her brother got adopted by the Longbottom's."
"Oh... does she have any sisters?"
"Seriously?" Tom asked frowning.
"What? I don't have a date! Ignatius is going with Lucretia, thanks to me by the way," Alphard added to Ignatius whom blushed, " Tom is going with Minerva and Charlus is going with that Ravenclaw girl Melissa Babbling."
"Actually, miss Aurora does have sisters Alphard. two in fact, but unfortunately none of them are at your age, well except maybe Kayley, she's ten, she'll be starting Hogwarts next year." Valerie said to Alphard whom smiled.
"Should I go over to their house and ask? Seeing as you're next door neighbors and everything. I think a letter would be sort of ridiculous."
"Actually Alphard, I think a letter would be wise, Ms. Longbottom is sending her daughter to a fancy place to get a dress, I think it would be a good idea to inform them that you are intending to ask their other daughter as well. We will not be seeing the Longbottom's till this evening." Boniface said wiping his face with his napkin.
"Okay, I'll get started on that letter then. Excuse me." Alphard stood up and left out the room.
"Father, what are we doing prior till then?" Tom asked.
Sighing, Boniface ran his fingers through his messy jet black hair. "You're going to see your uncles today. Antioch, Cadmus, and Ignotus. They were named after-"
"The Peverell family? Excuse me sir, I just didn't realize that this family is so ancient. The Peverell's were really famous." Ignatius said with awe.
"The Cloak of invisibility was passed down from mother to child, until one of them had a son, continuing the father to son tradition, which of course nobody knows where the cloak is, I'm guessing Uncle Ignotus has it Dad?" Charlus asked.
"Son, why don't you ask your uncle when we see him?"
"Why are we seeing them now all of a sudden?" Tom asked sounding slightly annoyed.
"What do you think Tom? Family reunion tonight ring a bell?" Charlus asked him sarcastically.
Tom glared at Charlus for pointing out the obvious.
"Don't be mean to your brother Charlus. My brothers are triplets Tom and they all live together, They are very close to each other so much that they ignored my existence up to now. Well they are twelve years older than me and I never saw them much anyway. They are inventors and good at it. I just have a small meeting with them and then we'll be on our way. Let's be ready in an hour, is that good for everybody?"
"Yes, sir." The boys agreed at the same time.
"Harry?" Tom asked while they were getting dressed in their bedroom.
"Yeah?" Harry asked putting on his blue plaid shirt.
"Why are the Peverell's famous?" Tom asked him curiously so.
Harry sat down on his bed and faced Tom while Tom was putting on his snow boots.
"In the 'The Tale of the Three Brothers', the Peverell brothers are described to have received the Hallows from Death himself, After using their magical talents to cross a treacherous river that would have assuredly killed them otherwise, and Antioch, for his prize, asked for "a wand more powerful than any other in existence: a wand that must always win duels for its owner, a wand worthy of a wizard who had conquered Death!" and so Death crossed to an elder tree on the banks of the river, made a wand from a branch, and gave it to Antioch.
That being a supposedly fictional tale, it is more likely that Antioch invented the wand himself. Later, the three brothers separated. Antioch traveled towards a distant village, and met a wizard with whom he had a quarrel. With the Elder Wand as his weapon, Antioch easily won the duel that followed. Leaving his enemy dead, Antioch lodged in an inn to celebrate, where he boasted loudly of the powerful wand he had snatched "from Death himself", and of how it made him invincible. That night, as Antioch slept, another wizard crept upon him, stole the wand, and killed its owner."
"Can you image what you could do with a wand like that?" Tom mused to himself. Harry's head saw the future Dark Lord.
"Great and terrible things." Harry replied.
"You wouldn't want a wand like that?" Tom asked him with raised eyebrows.
"No. I've no reason for such a wand when mine works just as perfectly."
"You're a fool." Tom said frowning.
"And you're a power hungry prat. Can I go on with the story?"
Tom just folded his arms to his chest in response.
"Okay now Cadmus Peverell is the second son of the three brothers who were the initial owners of the Deathly Hallows. Cadmus, as the middle brother, was the owner of the Resurrection Stone, which recalled the dead (in his case his lover) until he realized the limitations of the stone, and killed himself to join the woman he loved in death. Though rumors presumed it much more likely that Cadmus merely created or enchanted the stone rather then receiving it from Death, with the tale coming into being given the abilities of the stone (along with the Elder Wand and invisibility Cloak)."
"Sounds useless." Tom replied.
"Sounds like something I would want to have. To recall somebody that you loved, lost to death." Harry murmured.
"Your parents." Tom whispered to him.
"Yours?" Harry said back.
"I have parents." Tom said narrowing his eyes at Harry.
"Right." Sighing Harry continued.
"Ignotus was the youngest of the three Peverell brothers and did not trust Death by any means, and rather than ask for something to further his own desires, he requested the power to leave that meeting without being followed by Death. Death, not wishing to betray any hint of his true intentions, begrudgingly took his invisibility cloak and gave it to Ignotus. Ignotus' two brothers met terrible fates due to the murderous lust the Elder Wand created in wizards and the limitations of the Resurrection Stone.
However, Ignotus used the Cloak of Invisibility to hide from Death, successfully eluding him for many years. Finally, when he was an old man and had lived a happy, long life, Ignotus took off the Cloak, passed it on to his son, and went with Death as an old friend, but on his own terms and not those of Death."
"Do you think Uncle Ignotus has the Cloak of Invisibility?" Tom asked.
"I don't know." Harry shrugged his shoulders standing up to look for his own snow boots.
"Harry?"
"Yeah?" Harry said spotting his brown snow boots in his closet.
"Do you know why Dad is not close to his brothers?"
Harry looked back at Tom to see him frowning, still sitting on his bed.
"I don't know that either, Tom, but I've noticed that both Dad and Mum have been making efforts to make sure that you, Charlus, and I stay close with each other."
"We will though." Tom said confident.
"I don't know about that, Tom. You can be a real pain in the ass." Harry said smirking at Tom's outraged look.
"Like you're just Mr. Sunshine yourself." Tom retorted back as Harry walked back towards him.
"You complain about everything!" Harry countered as he gently poked Tom's ribs to get his point across.
"Tom...?" Harry's eyes narrowed in confusion. 'Is he shaking?'
Suddenly, Harry heard a soft gasp for air before Tom began trembling again. Frowning, Harry poked Tom harder.
This time a soft laugh escaped Tom.
Harry grinned evilly. "Tom...you wouldn't happen to be...ticklish...would you?" Harry began to goose Tom ribs and soon, he was on the floor, laughing and begging for mercy. "C-Cut it out, stop! Stop it! CHARLUS!"
Charlus came running in, his room right across from their own. Seeing the scene for himself, Charlus just rolled his eyes.
"Help me!" Tom gasped out, tears coming out of his eyes from laughing so hard.
"Sure!" Charlus said joining Harry in the fun.
"Come on, stop!" Tom laughed.
"Aww, what's wrong?" Charlus said playfully as he tickled his belly. "Can't handle a little tickle fight?"
"AAAAAAAAAAAAHAAH!" Tom squealed as his belly was tickled, he struggled to get loose before he would explode. Finally, he kicked both brothers to the ground,
and raced out his bedroom.
"Ha, you won't get away that easily!" Charlus said and ran after him. Harry stayed behind to get his shoes on and the rest of his other clothing on.
"STOP IT! MUM, DAD, CHARLUS WONT LEAVE ME ALONE!" Harry laughed hard when he heard Tom yell at the top of his lungs.
"ALPHARD, CUT IT OUT!" Harry laughed all over again. I guess Alphard had joined in on the fun.
Harry stumbled out of the Floo and practically fell onto the floor. He had still never gotten the hang of using the thing. The fire flared green briefly and Alphard came flying out to slam into Harry.
"Alphard!" Harry said with a whine as he pushed himself up.
"Sorry." Alphard laughed.
"Most people don't have a problem with it, except Ignotus." Both Harry and Alphard looked up as 'three' men came up to greet them. Just as more of Harry's family members came through the Floo.
All three men were wearing a big chunky sweater, fisherman's hook knit with five large buttons and pockets. One in a light gray, the other in navy blue, and one in dark red. The three of them were wearing brown slacks and sneakers. They all had mid-back length jet black hair and hazel-green eyes.
"Sorry, sir. I have never gotten the hang of using the Floo." Harry replied as both he and Alphard straighten themselves up.
"Bugger the Floo I say, I'm Ignotus Potter by the way." Ignotus said winking at Harry. He wore the navy blue sweater.
"Uncle Ignotus! Do you have the invisibility cloak?" Charlus asked him, practically pushing Harry aside to ask the man.
"Charlus!" Boniface gave Charlus a disapproval look.
All three men laughed.
"What Dad? You said I could ask once we got here." Charlus said.
"So we know that the outspoken one is Charlus, which ones are my newest nephews Harrison and Thomas?" The triplet in the light gray sweater asked.
Tom brought his hand out first to shake the man's hand. "I'm Thomas sir and the one that got pushed aside so delicately is Harrison." Tom said as Charlus rolled his eyes.
"Well Thomas, Harrison, I'm your Uncle Antioch and this is your Uncle Cadmus," Antioch nodded his head towards his brother that was sitting on the sofa armchair, "you've already met Ignotus."
"These are my friends, Alphard Black and Ignatius Prewett. They're staying over our house for the holidays." Harry said.
"Hello, sir." Both boys said awkwardly.
"Oh we have a Black in our house brothers." Cadmus said amused.
"It's a very rare occasion that a Potter would ever befriend a Black and vise-verse." Ignotus said.
"Probably because none of them landed in Slytherin." Harry replied back.
Antioch laughed while his other two brothers stared in shock. "Next thing you're going to tell me is that you can talk to snakes."
"Is that a problem?" Harry asked. This made Antioch stare at him in shock while his other two brothers laughed.
"Come brother, we have a lot to talk about don't we?" Ignotus said to Boniface.
"How about you boys have a snow fight outside? Have some fun." Valerie said to the kids.
"Okay." Charlus said racing out the door.
"You can talk to snakes?" Ignatius whispered to Harry.
"He's not the only one." Tom replied.
"I thought you knew, Ignatius, I mean Harry has a pet snake that sleeps on his bed. That and the numerous conversations that Harry has with it." Alphard replied.
"I didn't know I was being loud." Harry replied sheepishly. He hadn't know that Alphard knew as well.
"I'm not deaf you know. Avery and Nott hear you as well, that's one of the reasons why they leave you alone."
"They're still messing with you?" Tom asked frowning.
"Not lately, no." Harry said to him when they finally reached the door that Charlus left open.
"Wow," whispered both Alphard and Ignatius said when they saw the snow-covered yard. Charlus was laid down on the ground making a snow angel.
"You ready for a fight?" Alphard said nudging Harry.
Harry grinned, and nodded picking up a handful of snow. "Oh yeah." Harry threw the snow at Tom whom hadn't expected it as it landed square in his face.
Alphard bent down laughing. Ignatius was shocked that Harry had did it knowing Tom's wrath.
"RUN!" Harry yelled as Tom chased after him.
"Charlus! Watch out!" Harry yelled, before him, but it was too late, Alphard and Ignatius launched a snowball attack on Charlus while he was still laid out on the ground. Harry was hiding behind a tree, but now was definitely running for it again as snowballs were coming his way by Tom.
"Hey!" said Charlus shock. His upper body was covered in snow.
Charlus got two handfuls of snow, to chase Alphard and Ignatius with. "Come back here!"
Every time Tom got near Harry, he would attack him with more snow. "You okay Harry?" he asked as Harry fell and disappeared down a hole.
Harry just started laughing. "Alphard?"
"I thought I was going to be buried alive! Charlus made a huge hole and dumped snow on top of me!"
"Tom can you get us out of here?" Harry called out to him.
"Grab my hand!" Tom said stretching his hand out for Harry to reach.
"I think Charlus took this way too far." Tom said amused as Harry helped Alphard out.
They continued with the snowball fight for another fifteen minutes until Boniface called out to them.
"It's time to go home boys! Let's go!"
The Potter Ball:
(A/N It's going to be a long detail about what they are wearing, so feel free to skip it if you like)
"No way, I'm not going," Charlus said. "I'm not wearing this."
Tom heard his mother sigh exasperatedly. His door was open along with Charlus door.
"Merlin," Valerie said, "Charlus dear, the outfit is gorgeous and you look fabulous in it!"
"No."
"Charlus is such a prat." Tom said to Harry whom was looking at himself in their three way seven foot mirror. Harry just looked at Tom and rolled his eyes.
Harry, Tom, Charlus, Alphard and Ignatius changed into their dress robes up in their rooms, all of them looking very self-conscious, but none as much as Charlus apparently. Harry hadn't had a chance too see how Charlus looked, just Tom.
Both Tom and Harry were wearing a black tux with white ruffles in front of his white shirt inside. Kind of what Harry wore in his fourth year at the Yule Ball. Tom didn't need to do anything with his hair, he just brushed it. Harry on the other hand, he had to brush it, gel it back, magic, just to make it stay put.
"Hey Tom? Do you know how to dance?" he asked, turning around to face Tom once more.
Tom blushed slightly at that but replied. "Yes. Mum showed me."
"Knock, Knock. You guys ready? Not including your princess brother?" Alphard asked them standing in their door way along with Ignatius.
"Shut up, Alphard!" Charlus said from inside his room.
Alphard wore a white tux with a light blue vest and ruffled shirt. His hair was brushed back and parted on the side. Ignatius didn't do much to his hair like Tom, though he was wearing a black tux as well with a red vest and black tie.
Ignatius rolled his eyes, "lets go downstairs."
As they came to the base of the stairs, and walked into the living room. Harry, Tom, Alphard and Ignatius were surprised to see that there dates were already there, including Charlus, which, wasn't Melissa Babbling.
Dorea Black wore robes of gold that shimmered in the firelight and went perfectly with her sandy blonde hair. Underneath the robe she wore a black cutout eyelet fabric that was dotted with flower detailing, along with adjustable grosgrain straps, empire bodice stripes with ribbon, lace and floral pattern, and the hem with a matching ribbon and panel of lace, and full satin lining. Her hair was falling around her in curls that shone and she wore golden sandals that were a perfect match to the robes. She had on little make-up but what she did wear, accented her features perfectly.
Lucretia Black wore a red dress robe with a red dress with a corset top with a big bow in the middle and a ruffle skirt bottom. She wore black sandals and her hair was left down with a black bow ribbon tied around her hair. Ignatius nodded his head at her in greeting and linked his arms around hers.
Minerva McGonagall smiled when she saw Tom. Harry thought she looked quite pretty in robes of blue wearing a blue brightly colored flower print silk baby doll dress that had a silver belt around the wast; underneath her robe. She wore a little make-up on her face. Her hair was put up in a curly bun. Tom thought so as well as he stared at her as they linked arms.
Kayley Longbottom, She wore robes of navy blue, with a simple navy blue plaid dress that had a black ribbon tied around the waist into a bow underneath. Her short brown hair in small curls and gold bracelets glimmering at her wrists. Her honey brown eyes brighten up when she spotted Alphard as she linked her arms with Alphard right away. Alphard looked like he was trying not to frown in discomfort.
Aurora Ziliac Longbottom, she wore a simple black cloak and the dress she wore was a pretty white outfit with a sleeveless dress with a high waist flare skirt. shoulder straps, faux button at top front with a tie strap at ruched waist and lace trim at the hem. She had on white socks with white sandals. It was the fashion in that year and it fitted her nicely. Her hair was in a high curly ponytail. She dressed like the elven year old she was.
A few minutes later Charlus finally walked down with his mother.
Valerie Potter walked down the stairs wearing a very long silver silk gown with a deep v-neck neckline and sweep design in mermaid trumpet silhouette. There were many diamonds displayed all over her dress. You couldn't even see her feet and she wasn't wearing her glasses. She left her hair down straight, not it's regular curly locks.
Charlus wore a white tux jacket with a pink vest and pink tie inside; his pants were black along with is shoes and his hair was brushed back put in a low ponytail. This made Alphard's day as he was grinning from ear to ear.
"How do I look? Melissa Babbling canceled on you at the last minute so Alphard and Harry asked me to fill in for her." Dorea said shrugging taking Charlus lack of talking the wrong way.
"You look okay." Charlus replied shrugging.
Harry groaned along with Alphard.
"Jerk! I did not even have to come you know-"
"You look great Dorea, honestly, don't take Charlus words seriously."
"Yes, you really do." Aurora said helping Harry out.
Dorea just scowled and folded her arms to her chest.
"Are we finally ready? Everybody here?" my father asked, checking the watch wrapped around his wrist; he huffed and pulled his white sleeve down over his wrist. Charlus was dressed to match Boniface, which was pretty funny. Though Tom seemed to think it was favoritism, father and son matching, but once he saw the pink, he got over it.
It should have been like any other ball night. We should have arrived, been greeted, received a glass of champagne, well Valerie and Boniface and then made our way to the crowd that had already gathered. But, it wasn't just any ball night. This was the very ball that we had planned on going to, this was a 'family reunion' ball.
I suppose everyone tried to act normally, but there was definitely a delayed reaction. I mean the shock of seeing so many Potters at once.
The walls of the Hall had all been covered in sparkling silver frost, with hundreds of garlands of mistletoe and ivy crossing the starry black ceiling. The tables were about a hundred small made of glass, lantern-lit ones, each seating about a dozen people.
"Boniface," Mr. Harold Potter said, reached out to take Boniface hand. He placed his other hand on my father's shoulder. "It's good to see you. Let me get you all some champagne—" He stopped in mid sentence when he noticed the kids around his son.
"Which one are yours? Well beside the obvious one with green eyes, he's a Potter for sure." Harold said smiling down at Harry as he bent down to Harry's level and hugged him.
"It's shocking how much you look like me as a child. What's your name?"
"Erm... Harrison sir. Harry." Harry said smiling sheepishly.
Harold Potter's smile got even bigger. Then he whispered in Harry's ear. "You're going to be my favorite grandson." Then Harold straighten up again.
"Okay I'm missing Charlus and Thomas?"
Charlus was the first one to greet Harold as he walked up to him and lightly hugged him for the first time. "I'm Charlus grandpa Harold."
"Charlus Jamie Potter, is that you? I remember seeing baby pictures of you. My have you grown. Your grandma was very honored that your middle name was named after her." Harold said squeezing Charlus shoulder. "You have your looks from your mother of course."
Charlus slightly frowned at that but shrugged it off.
"I'm Thomas." Tom said bringing his hand out.
"Don't be silly, come here." Harold gave Tom a huge hug.
"You can definitely pass for a Potter young man."
"I'm a Potter, sir." Tom said. Minerva smiled proudly at him.
"Yes you are." Harold agreed smiling as well.
"Let's go dance, Tom," Minerva said, still smiling at him.
He smiled back and took her hand gently. Then Tom led them out onto the dance floor. Despite the fact that a waltz was being played by the live band, they stalked off to their own corner and slow danced.
"It's not often, well, ever that the Potter family come together for a family reunion. So you kids go ahead and enjoy yourselves." Harold said to the group.
"Shall, we?" Harry asked Aurora whom nodded.
They began to dance with ease, it wasn't as dramatic as Harry's fourth year when all eyes were on him. The rest of the group followed after them.
"Tom has changed so much." Aurora said watching both Tom and Minerva.
"Yeah, he has." Harry replied back watching the couple as well.
"He's not so... angry." Aurora said looking back at Harry.
Harry just smiled. "He has a family and a girlfriend now. I think that's all he really needed, just for somebody to care about him and his well-being."
Aurora smiled as well. "He still doesn't like me or my brother does he?"
Harry laughed humorlessly. "Not particularly no."
"The Longbottoms are a really nice family. I have two sisters and one more brother Ryan, he's in Huff.. huff-"
"Huffelpuff." Harry helped her out.
"Yes, thanks. He's twelve years old. Till Kayley and Ava go to Hogwarts poor Francis is stuck with a bunch of girls at home."
Harry just smiled. "So you're adjusting then, to the magic I mean?"
"Oh Francis and I are supper jealous, I mean all the wonderful things you guys can do. It's amazing. At first we thought that we got adopted by crazy people, but after we seen it for ourselves... it was overwhelming to say the least."
December 25, 1938:
"IT'S CHRISTMAS!" Charlus Potter's voice echoed through the currently empty halls of the Potter Mansion.
"Does he have to be so bloody loud!" Tom said grouchily sitting up, just as Harry put his pillow over his head.
"Of course I do! It's Christmas! MERRY CHRISTMAS!" Charlus repeated staring at his brother as he walked in. Then he went over to Harry's bed and started jumping up and down on it when he noticed that Harry was ignoring him, "and besides how else are we gonna wake Harry up?"
"Need more sleep. I'll be merry later."
"Get up or I'll keep bugging you until you do and you know how annoying I'm."
I'm up, I'm up!" Harry said groaning as he sat up with very messy hair. Harry reached over to grab his glasses at his bedside table.
"Merry Christmas!" Alphard came into the room in his green plaid pajamas along with Ignatius at his side. "Are we going to open presents now?"Alphard asked, looking at Charlus hopefully who looked at him for a second before nodding excitedly.
"PRESENTS!" Both Alphard and Charlus ran out the room.
"They are so immature." Tom said getting out of his bed along with Harry.
"I would be to if I wasn't so tired." Harry said yawning and stretching.
"UNCLE IGNOTUS GAVE ME THE IVISIBILITY CLOAK!" Charlus shouted excitedly.
"Let's go before Charlus rips everything up in excitement." Harry said following after Ignatius.
Charlus was all over the pile of presents sitting under the Christmas tree that the house elves had set up the night before with each person's presents underneath it. Both Boniface and Valerie were siting on the couch drinking coffee or tea, Harry didn't know.
"Ok this one's for you Tom from Harry, this one's again for you from me this time," Charlus called out as he chucked the presents over his shoulder in the general direction he knew Tom was standing.
Harry watched on amazed as Charlus did this with his great grandparents seemingly unfazed by what was happening as Harry caught both presents with lightning fast reflexes years quidditch had taught him when Charlus had tossed presents at him.
After a few moments went both Harry and Tom sat with Charlus and Ignatius followed after them.
"What's the matter Har?" Charlus asked, noticing his brothers' confused expression.
"Nothing, it's just you and mum and dad act though it's an everyday occurrence for Christmas presents to be thrown at each other."
Alphard laughed along with Charlus and his great grandparents.
"Well it's not an everyday occurrence, just every year. When Charlus was seven, he decided that he wanted to hand out everybody's presents and we stupidly let him, there were a few minor injuries that year. Every year after that he's just done it, you get used to it after a while." Boniface explained to Harry.
"What does this do?" Tom asked opening Harry's present first.
"It's a Sneakoscope. It's a type of Dark Detector. It lights up, spins, and whistles if someone is doing something untrustworthy nearby. Which it hasn't done, so you're safe." Harry said smiling at him. "Don't worry, I also got you a book to, 'The Origins of Wizardry' nine hundred pages and I got you a photo of me, Charlus, and you."
"I got you a book to because Harry said you would like a book more because you like to read. I got you 'Potter Line History' and 'Legendary Snakes'." Charlus said smiling at Tom.
"Thanks." Tom said sheepishly in return.
"A mirror, really Harry?" Alphard asked rolling his eyes.
"It's a two-way mirror. I've got the other one of the pair. If you need to speak to me, just say my name into it; you'll appear in my mirror and I'll be able to talk in yours. I got Ignatius one to. Neat right? Imagine all the fun we'll have in detention."
Alphard laughed along with Ignatius.
"Harry! Don't encourage your friends to be in detention." Valerie said to him.
"I was just joking." Harry said winking at Alphard.
Harry opened a box that contained a golden ticket. A year's worth of Honeydukes sweet shop. "Thanks Al, that must have cost a lot."
"Well it's basically for me to. Share the wealth." Alphard said grinning at him.
Harry just gave a small laugh.
"Tom, how did you know that I would be interested in this?" Charlus asked holding up a book about famous qudditch stars.
Tom just rolled his eyes. "I got Harry one similar to yours. Theirs also a box with it that has a snitch in it with both your initials on them."
Charlus leaned over and hugged him. "Thank you."
Tom was looking down in embarrassment. "Yeah, thanks Tommy." Harry added as well, smirking knowing that Tom hated that nickname.
"Aww..." Alphard said making Tom really turn red in embarrassment.
"Shut up."
"Is this a compass?" Harry asked confused as he opened the golden object.
"It's not a normal one, not that it doesn't help you find directions, but it also directs you to what you want the most. You see theirs pictures of each person of the family or it just points to the word Potter and of course north, south, east, west, and it has drawings of other things as well. Like for instance if you were looking for your shoes, theirs a picture of a shoe there and it points to which way it is, see... north, towards your bedroom."
"Thanks Charlus! This is great, I'm definitely going to need this." Harry said wrapping the compass around his neck.
"You're welcome."
"Thanks for the Auto-Answer Quill." Harry whispered to Ignatius whom smirked in return wearing a brown jumper that Valerie had made for him.
"Hey, there's one more present under there." Charlus said suddenly, starring at the tree, "I swear it wasn't there before."
"Who's it for?" Boniface asked curiously.
"Harry."
"Really?" Harry asked. I mean he had already received fifteen presents total so far.
Charlus walked back over to his place by the fire and sat down next to Harry. "It's a really small box. It says To Harrison, with love Grandpa Harold."
Harry opened the small golden wrapping paper. The contents within the small box held a small silver whistle like flute. Harry immediately knew what it was a he grinned and blew into it. A whitish brown Labrador retriever puppy came running into the living room and into Harry's lap. It looked about nine weeks old.
"Well we know who grandpa favors." Tom said sourly.
"Don't be ridiculous, Tom, its for all of us." Harry said as he held the puppy whom liked his face.
"He gave it to you. The box has your name on it." Tom argued.
"Tom, don't start, it's for all of us okay." Harry said starting to get annoyed.
"Boys lets not fight-" Valerie started.
"Yeah sure, whatever." Tom said grouchily. Harry passed the dog over to Charlus whom grinned at the puppy, playing with it.
"Why are you being a jerk?" Harry asked Tom.
"Harry-" Boniface started on him.
"I'm not being a jerk-"
"No I'm sorry I mean a jealous jerk."
"Boy's that's enough! Stop it this instance! It's Christmas!" Boniface said sternly sitting up on the sofa.
"It was." Harry muttered under his breath. When there was silence in the room, Harry looked up to see if everybody had heard his words.
"What?" Harry asked when everybody was just staring at him, or more like the top of his head. The Labrador retriever started barking.
Harry felt through his hair, but it felt normal. "Why are guys staring at me like that?" Harry asked getting slightly worried. Valerie gasped covering her mouth.
"Harry," Alphard said still staring, "your hair just turned purple."
Author's Note: I'm sorry if I didn't add everybody whom reviewed me, it was greatly appreciated. I worked 'VERY' hard on this chapter. I'm very proud with it if I must say so myself. Thank you for reading this far and I hope you guys enjoyed reading it. If I forgot to add something else I'm sorry, it's 1:47 am so forgive me for my forgetfulness.
P.S. Because I'm super awesome... because of Alphard's blood mixed in with Harry's, Harry is now a Metamorphmagus.