AN: School plus life equals little progress. Sorry.

Ron bashing, he will a total arse.

Love to my beta dainemalfoy

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Harry was even shocked at the mass of red heads. Hearing your friend had six siblings and meeting all of them at once is two very different things. Harry took a good look while they were steadying one another and Mrs. Weasley was fussing over the youngest two.

Ron and Ginny were much the same as the last time he saw them, only with more freckles due to the Egyptian sun. Fred and George must have hit a growth spurt both were much taller than last year. Percy had actually tanned which looked odd with his lightened hair. Harry had vague memories of Charlie. Standing there, he was the tallest of the family, half a head taller than Bill who was the thickest. Bill, the oldest, was burly, barrel chested, had a fang earing and was wearing a wife beater making it look like he'd jumped straight from a metal cover. Mrs. and Mr. Weasley hadn't changed much at all. The only change he could see was the sunburn on Arthur's balding head.

"What a growth spurt Har." George said as the twins came over for a hug.

"Got us beat dear brother." Fred added as they were wrapped in Harry's arms.

Harry chuckled, the twins had been kind to him since he joined the team in first year. Harry guessed with so many brothers, it was no problem to add one more.

"Makes it easier to spy on you trouble makers." He told them with a grin.

"This is Theo, we're together." He hadn't had the chance to discuss with the other boy what they were going to call themselves to people not in the know. He wouldn't care to tell the Weasley's but too many people were near for that discussion.

"Good going mate." Ron said looking Theo over. The leer made Harry's hackles rise but he said nothing, Theo was beautiful and he was lucky.

"Ronald, have a little tact." Hermione abolished.

Harry smiled in thanks. As he thought on the action though the smile fell from his face. Maybe this was what was wrong with Hermione. Perhaps it was partially their fault. Harry didn't like her bossing him about, but when she did the same to Ron, he appreciated it. With Ron always there and always putting his foot in his mouth, it that could have made her even more bossy and overbearing.

Harry shook his head and pushed those thoughts back. There was much more important things to think about right now.

"Harry son, thank you for the invite." Arthur said coming over and shaking his hand. "But I have to wonder how you got us invited to Lord Perciville's coming of age party."

Harry smiled, making Arthur wary. Arthur knew that grin from his mischievous twins.

"Why thank you Lord Weasley." He said pretentiously with an exaggerated bow. "I would like to take this time and introduce myself."

The twins were snickering in the back ground having already put the pieces together and enjoying the coming punch line.

"I am Harricius John Potter-Perciville, Lord of both houses."

Fred and George laughed. Bill chuckled, stepping forward. "Then as Heir Weasley I must thank our most gracious host." He took Harry's hand and kissed it.

Harry wasn't offended the man had a wide grin showing more teeth than most, Harry recognized it from the way goblins smile.

"I have some friends you might be interested in meeting." Harry said leading them deeper into the home. He had guessed meeting the Weasley's would take some time and had the portkey times spaced accordingly. "This is Trilok, his mate Trilulok, their children Lokaxe, Xilok, Balok, and Shimusnox and her mate Mirnox. This is Griphook. These are Valor and Thelose." The minotaurs had stayed with the goblins not sure of their true welcome in a large group of humans.

Bill gave the same toothy grin and a bow to the goblins. "William Weasley, a pleasure to make your acquaintance."

"I am well aware of who you are Curse Breaker Weasley." Trilok replied. "I was the one that asked Grimknot to give you leave to join us."

Bill blinked then nodded. "Thank you. I have been looking forward to meeting Harry. My siblings have told me so much about him."

Ron opened his mouth again. "What is that?" He asked looking at Valor and Thelose.

"They are not thats." Harry said grabbing his ear and twisting it.

Ron yelped. "What was that for? It was just a question."

"A rather rude question." Hermione said crossing her arms. "If you would open a book now and then you would know what a Minotaur is."

"Hermione, you're also being rude." Harry corrected gently. Seeing her with Ron was opening a whole new kettle of worms. Having been away from them and gaining new friends, he had a better perspective on what was wrong with the golden trio.

"You are correct, but I don't care what their species is. They are nice fellows I wanted to get to know better."

Harry looked at Ron. "You, I live with for ten months, if you can't be nice now among friends, how are you going to be next week when all those snotty lords that make Draco look sweet get here?"

Ron turned red. "You would kick out your best friend for a cute face and some beasts?" Ron said in a rage.

Harry decked him knocking the other boy to the floor. He stood over his fallen friend. "I never realized how much was wrong with our friendship. You are such a little brat. I don't know if something is wrong with you or the twins but they are two of the nicest people I have ever met. How did their little brother get to be such a self-centered prat? I'm going to have to live and work the rest of my life in circles with those Lords coming to gawk at me and what do you do? Whine about unfairness. If I could give you the damn titles and lime light I would. You wouldn't last a week." Harry ranted.

"People following you everywhere, students pointing and staring like you're a zoo exhibit. People you thought were friends calling you a monster because of one little rumor. Having to sit for hours trying to learn how to eat a certain way, how to talk, walk, how to spot a liar by the wording of a proposal, how the Wizengamont works so I can take my seats." Tears were clinging to his lashes by the end.

Theo stepped in front of Harry and held him. Harry tucked Theo under his chin and buried his face in the boy's curls. He took deep breaths to calm himself down.

"Harry dear." Molly said coming over and petting his back. "Arthur and Bill are talking to Ron. We never taught him those sort of things. He was the baby, there's next to no chance he'll ever need that kind of training."

Harry looked at her. Sure enough Ron was gone, having been removed while Harry was calming himself.

"That's not a very good excuse. There are heirs from almost all the major British families in Hogwarts right now. Our peers, people whose opinions might shape our future. Ron alienating those with the most power is only going to hurt him in life. Who wants their child married to a man that all those in power can't stand?" Harry sighed, kissing the top of Theo's head.

"Ron was my first friend my own age. Looking back though, if I were anyone else they would have decked him. The very first thing he asked, after blabbing for nearly five minutes about himself, was if he could see my scar. His introduction was worse than Malfoy's."

Molly looked saddened. She put her arm around Harry and pulled him down to kiss his cheek. "Don't you worry Harry, we'll sort him out. If he can't behave at the ball he won't go." She said firmly.

Harry nodded. "Thank you Mrs. Weasley." He hugged her back kissing the top of her head. "You have been so kind to me since the day we met. Sorry but the next portkey should be arriving at any time." He said at Alfred's small motion.

"Don't worry Harry."

"We'll keep an eye on him." The twins said.

Ginny and Percy were both silent, the former very subdued compared to last year and the later thoughtful. Charlie watched Harry walk out with Theo at his side. If he invited a pair of minotaurs to his birthday what other creatures could he have access to?

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Harry was relieved to see Blaise, Tracey, Daphne and her sister step out of the fireplace. Even in the short time he'd known them, Harry knew these three could be relied on for calm. After hugs and birthday wishes were exchanged, Harry spoke.

"Ron is here and so is Hermione. She seems to be trying to make headway, but Ron's attitude is setting her back. Can you girls help me out?"

Daphne gave him a soft smile. "Only because I feel sorry for you. This is my sister Astoria by the way."

"Nice to meet you Astoria, I'm Harry." He said kissing her hand, which made the young girl blush darkly.

"She'll be starting her first year this September." Daphne told them with pride.

Harry just smiled. "Theo will you show them in? Neville and the girls should be coming soon."

Theo nodded and led them into the party room to make introductions. Astoria looked at the minotaurs with wide eyes but all she commented on was their height. That made the two of them chuckle. Valor went so far as to scoop her up and sit her on his broad furry shoulder.

"How do you like being so tall little one?" He asked.

She giggled holding onto one of his horns.

"Everyone looks funny up here." She replied with childlike wonder. She made no move to get down from her perch so that's where she was sitting when Harry entered with the last of his guests, Neville, Susan and Hannah.

Hannah blushed when the two were introduced. "I never thought I would meet a minotaur in real life."

"Hannah has always been fascinated with legends and mythical beings." Susan explained. "Her greatest wish is to meet them all."

Harry smiled "There are some very nice Centaurs and unicorns in the forest outside school. I can show you the stables later. We have a few interesting things here too."

"I'd love that." She said with a beaming smile.

"What kind of things?" Hermione asked curious.

"Don't ruin my surprise." Hannah begged him.

"I won't." Harry had a thought. "One sec." He dashed off across the room where most of the adults in his family had congregated. After a moment of speaking he came back. "Why don't we all go riding before lunch?"

"I love horseback riding." Astoria said.

"I think it's settled then." Neville said. "I've always wanted to learn."

The group paired up those that had been riding helping those that hadn't. Hannah loved looking at all the beasts they'd collected that were tamed enough to ride. Astoria being a great rider already was allowed to mount one of the unicorns that accepted her. The unicorns shied from Harry and Ron for very different reasons.

Dragons were one of unicorns' only predators being near immortal themselves they had nothing to fear from the blood. As a consequence, unicorns were also frightened of the dragon kin. Out of those attending his party only Theo, and Neville knew why the pure beasts were shying away from him.

Sammy and all the Weasley boys joined Harry and his friends in riding.

Bill and Charlie were both experts. Charlie from his training to be a beast master and Bill because camels were a quick and efficient means of travel in the dessert where the movement of the sands makes portkey and apparition dangerous. The two of them, and Sammy supervised the others that had never been riding before.

When Lydia finally called them in for lunch, all those with little to no experience were feeling a bit saddle sore.

Trilu took Harry aside. While Ironfang was his healer, she was coming to see him as a son and wanted to make sure his features had come in properly and that he wasn't having any troubles with all the excitement right after the change.

Harry admitted to having some trouble with his mood. More than once today Theo had acted as a balm, soothing his anger quickly.

Harry had trouble keeping his temper and features in check with Ron and his bratty attitude here. He'd made subtle and not so subtle hints that Harry and Theo were much farther in their relationship than was polite for a friend to say in semi-public.

At one point, Theo had quickly asked Harry to take him and the girls to the third floor green house after Ron had said Theo wouldn't mind if they shared him. Harry took them up only after he had made it very clear that if Ron was still there when they came back he was going to get more than a punch to the mouth.

When the group did come back down, Harry was somewhat calmed but still tense.

Thankfully, Mrs. Weasley had taken Ron home. Mr. Weasley told him that his behavior was awful and that Ron would be spending the rest of their vacation with Aunt Muriel while the rest of them return to Egypt for another two weeks. Harry couldn't help the slightly vicious smile he gave Mr. Weasley at that news. He was still pissed about his former best friend's attitude. Harry had known Hermione was over curious and bossy, he'd been somewhat ready for that, but Ron's brash and hateful words were a total surprise. If Harry had thought about it at all, he would have guessed Ron hadn't begun to be interested in relationships yet.

"I can't believe my brother spoke to you like that Lord Potter-Perciville." Percy said once his mother had drug his brother away. "Even if I thought such a thing, which I don't, to say it at someone's birthday party is so far out of line. It makes me wonder about his ability to get a life mate later on."

"I don't know Percy. I never expected that from Ron. He's... he was my best friend. This thing with me and Theo is new and I expected some questions and teasing like the twins gave me earlier but never anything so senselessly cruel. To outright ask if Theo could take us both at once... I nearly tore his face off."

Percy's eyebrows nearly disappeared into his hair. "I didn't hear him say that." He replied.

Harry looked at the older boy, wondering in a moment of suspicion if Percy was calling him a liar, but he looked shocked and a bit green. "I'll tell Dad about that later once he's calmed. You've seen Mom when she's in a row. Well Dad's much harder to set off but he's even worse than her when he gets really angry."

It was Harry's turn to look shocked. To say Mr. Weasley was worse after watching the way Mrs. Weasley laid into the boys last summer. He did not want to see the head of their house angry with him.

The party finally ended long after the sun had set and everyone was exhausted. All the guests save Trilok, Trilu and Neville had left. Neville was staying for the next week and Trilok wanted to discuss some business with Serpens. Harry had asked Serpens to work with Trilok to set up a study plan for him so Harry could take a bigger part in running his affairs. Neither liked seeing Harry take so much on his shoulders but they were glad he was mature enough to realize he needed help and ask for it. They both knew they hadn't been that level headed at 13.

Trilu had the three boys and Sammy take her for a walk around the grounds to calm Harry down further. It worked beautifully. By the time they made it back to the house, fairy lights following them to light the path, Harry was smiling and laughing. He wondered, not for the first time, if this was what his mother was like. Harry had had similar thoughts about his aunt, Mrs. Weasley, Professors McGonagall and Sprout, and now Trilu and Lydia. He didn't know which woman was the most like Lily Potter but he liked to imagine she was a little of each of them, save Petunia. Kind and loving but strict and unmoving when need be.

With thoughts of his mother and the wonderful women in his life aside, Harry tried to stifle a massive yawn. Trilu chuckled at him.

"Take me to that mate of mine and you kids can get to bed."

Sammy took the lead offering her elbow to Trilu. "This way my lady it seems my dear cousin is waning." She said jokingly formal.

Trilu and Neville giggled at her. Theo was having trouble keeping his eyes open after the scare and excitement this morning. Once they had taken her to Serpens' study, Harry in his sleepy state shocked her by kissing Trilu's cheek and telling her goodnight in sleepy goblin. She smiled at his back as he led Theo off to bed.

Neville hugged her and dropped a small kiss on her temple before chasing after the other two with a red face.

"You've made a big impression on Harry." Sammy told her. "He seems to care about you a lot, and only has good things to say when he's talking of you and your husband."

"Mate, husband is too weak of a word for our bond." She explained gently. "I've come to care for him as my kishi, my son. Theo is working his way into my heart as my kishae."

"What's a key shay?" Sammy asked saying the strange word the way she heard it.

"Kishae means daughter, or in this case submissive male. There are no submissive males in the goblin people so we have no word for a child who is one."

Sammy nodded. "I'm glad Harry can have that connection with you. Uncle Serpens wouldn't tell everything he said about the woman who raised him but with how angry he was about it there's no doubt his home life wasn't good."

Trilu frowned. She didn't know about Harry's past. She would ask Trilok to look into his non-magical up bringing. If he turned up anything they would be reporting to Ragnarok. Their king would be very displeased with someone attacking a friend of the nation.

In less than a month, Harry had increased business and tourism. There were even rumors of more politeness and civility from a few of the wizards and witches coming into the bank. She had no doubt those that were being more courteous were friends or allies of Harry.

"Thank you for letting me know that. I'm just glad he has a good family now. I fear there are even more trials in his future, ones he can't overcome without allies." Trilu told the 14 year old before knocking and entering the office.

Sammy thought about what she said as she walked up to her own room. From what she knew the British accounts Harry was in charge of were a mess and would take years to straighten out. She didn't think that was what the goblin was talking about though. Sammy didn't know what kind of dangers her cousin may face be she would do all she could to help him.

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AN: Again so sorry for the long wait. RL have decided to be a total jackass since I started classes again. At this moment I'm ahead and taking the weekend to catch up on some writing but I don't know when I'll get swamped again and when I will get a chance to add more.

The people being more polite to the goblins are Augusta and Madame Bones, and maybe a few of their other friends that came to the meeting but those two are the main ones.