Disclaimer: NOT Blonde, Not rich, not living in Britain, initials are not JKR therefore don't own. Love the characters and the setting so I am just playing, I get nothing but the reviews my readers give me. Authorship shared with Darkshadowedrose. Beta read by Alix33.
A/N: My thanks to my many reviewers. I hope you continue to enjoy this story. To "Yet Again" followers it's coming! That muse moves along at a snail's pace, but I've got part of a chapter and am working on it. Unfortunately it's at the same pace as my muse. My life is still pretty out of synch so updates will come as they come. Sorry.
Trust is a Relative Thing
by Silverfawkes
Chapter 50 Summer '94
When Harry got to his appointment with Jack he was pleased that it took very little time because most the fashion decisions had already been made. Harry was especially pleased that the two men's kimonos he had swapped his designs for had already been made and were waiting for him at Jack's. They were as beautiful as Harry had hoped. He hoped Sensei liked the one he planned to give him.
Harry's arrival at Privet Drive was anticlimactic. "I'm home."
"Harry, welcome back. How was school?" Aunt Petunia asked.
"It was fine. Cassandra and I drew up a schedule of what I'm doing for the summer."
"That's nice," Petunia looked at it. "Wimbledon? Harry, how are you supposed to do that?"
"The Flamels sent me tickets, four for each match. They'll probably be there. Tante Nell is a tennis nut."
"Well. I suppose you'll have to go then, won't you? It couldn't hurt for us to go, judging by these seats there will probably be important people nearby. I'm surprised one of your world would follow tennis, it seems a bit too normal for that crowd."
Harry half smiled because- true to her social climbing form- Aunt Petunia was chomping at the bit to attend a see and be seen event. "Oncle Nic and Tante Nell are different than your run-of-the-mill magical. They like the normal world. While I was at their place over Christmas we watched several movies."
"I see. Well, I look forward to meeting them." She sounded skeptical about that part of it.
Harry and Dudley spent the afternoon doing a bit of work around number 4 Privet Drive, and figured out a chore chart for the summer. Over dinner Petunia told Vernon of the tickets.
"Really?" Vernon ate his forkful of rice thoughtfully. After swallowing he said, "Harry, I realize these are your tickets, but if you wouldn't mind, there's something you could do for me with them that would be quite helpful."
"What's that?"
"Let me escort you to one of those finals, and let me use the other two for some people I'm trying to close a new account with."
Harry agreed knowing it would be easier than arguing.
The next morning at breakfast they did what had become a traditional delivery of birthday gifts. Petunia liked the scarf from Paris and pearl bracelet she received. Vernon didn't particularly care for the tickets to several posh events, like the ballet, the opera, and a charity gala, that Harry gave him. He would have preferred the tickets to sporting events that Harry gave Dudley, but he knew his wife was very pleased so he smiled politely. Dudley was thrilled with his present. The six tickets to football and rugby matches for his favorite teams plus four tickets to a boxing match pleased him thoroughly. For Rose, Harry had had Cassandra find a local Gymboree class and then bought a two month certificate for enrollment as well as a giant washable teddy bear that was almost as big as her. Petunia thought it a perfect gift for Rose.
Since it was Saturday, after breakfast Harry headed to the dojo, anxious to see Sensei. It was early and classes didn't start for a half an hour. Harry checked to see if the door was locked. It wasn't.
Harry went in. "Sensei?" he called. He knew the older man was probably in what he called his meditation closest. It was actually a small four foot by four foot area set off with rice paper screens.
"Harry?"
"Yes, it's me."
Sensei came out and looked Harry over. "You're looking well, not as anxious as you used to be."
"I came to terms with a few things that used to trouble me. I've made a few decisions and am feeling more centered."
"That's good, will you be here much this summer? I know last summer you were taking courses."
"Actually, I should be able to be here Wednesday nights after 5, Fridays after 3 and all of Saturday."
"Splendid. I've missed you."
"And I, you. I brought you a gift."
Sensei took the box Harry carried and led the way to his office, where he set the box on his desk. He untied the broad ribbon holding it closed, then pulled the top off. As he pulled back the tissue covering the gift he couldn't hold back a gasp. He couldn't resist pulling the kimono from the box to get a complete look at the design.
"God, Harry, I can't accept this. It ...It's too much."
"Please, Sensei. You must accept. I...I designed it thinking of you. Thinking of what you mean to me, what you gave me. It's because of you I can be the person I am today. Years ago you took me and taught me about honor, and respect and strength. You taught me about discipline and compassion. You took an angry, hurting boy who would do anything for a sign of acceptance and you taught him that he first had to respect himself. You taught me to see what is out there, things like beauty and that man is just a dust mote in the cosmos. You taught me that I could chart my own course. You taught me that I could rise above what others expected of me and be a better person for it.
"I was originally going to give you this as a ink drawing on rice paper. But then a woman whose family makes kimonos saw it and several of my other artworks and we bargained. They got twelve of my designs and I got three kimono at cost. This was one of the three."
"But... this is worth thousands of pounds, Harry."
"The money is nothing to me. I know when I was younger money from my aunt and uncle was an issue, but we found out around the time I started my boarding school that I actually have a sizable trust fund. A fund that should have been looking after me all along but due to a paperwork foul-up it didn't. As result I have a lot of extra interest that is discretionary income. I wanted you to have this, because even its monetary value is only a partial repayment on the value of what you taught me."
"You designed this?"
"The motif, yes."
"Wow, I had no idea you were such a gifted artist." He looked into the earnest face of the boy he'd had been teaching of for the last seven years. He remembered the small boy who had first stepped into his dojo: scrawny, afraid, obedient without question, starving for some approval. He remembered the lessons in and out of the dojo: kempo, archery, kendo, knives, astronomy, navigation, bushido, survival, codes and code breaking. He remembered the gifts he'd given Harry out of his own pocket; most often books or a gently used uniform when Harry had outgrown the gies his family bought for the year. Then he thought in terms of what those lessons and gifts must have meant to the emotionally neglected boy. "I am honored." He gave his student a deep bow.
"The honor is mine, Sensei." Harry gave him a deep return bow of respect. Just then they both heard the door open as the first class of the day started to come in. "Shall I change and give you a hand, Sensei?"
"Yes, then after the class we will spar and see where you're at; after a school year away." As Harry took his daypack and darted for the locker room the more dedicated long term students used, Sensei John Howard looked once more at the gorgeous kimono with its bamboo, crane and stream motif. Then he carefully tucked it back into its box. He would have to get a proper display bar for it.
Dance camp wound up being a riot from the word go. Harry, Neville and Dudley were three of six boys compared to four times as many girls. Many of the girls were younger and smaller. There were also seven older girls who eyed the boys like they were candy. Neville and Dudley being big, husky boys with a certain amount of athleticism, found themselves in trouble whenever they were dancing with a much smaller girl, much to Harry's amusement. The first week they were learning the waltz, the cha cha, and the merengue. Harry kept confusing the rhythm of the steps on the latin dances and was amused when the niece of the dance teacher, chewed him out for tripping on her during the waltz, only to have her aunt tell her she was the one who had caused the accident for failing to follow Harry's lead. His laughter, of course, saw to it he got scolded, much to Dudley and Neville's amusement.
Monday afternoon saw Harry to Longbottom Manor where he and Neville were schooled in the scottish reel, and the quadrille.
Tuesday was a relief because after camp Aunt Petunia had Rose's biological mother baby-sit, and took Harry, Dudley, and a friend she wanted to impress to Wimbledon for one of the matches. Harry was pleased to see his guess that the Flamels would be in attendance was accurate.
"Tante Nell, Oncle Nic, I wondered if I would see you here. Merci mille fois, (Thanks a thousand times) for the tickets."
"Harry, I am so pleased you could make it." Nell's melodious voice washed over Harry. "And it was my pleasure. I'm just sorry our plans for the summer fell through."
"Moi aussi." (Me too.)
Nic who had let his wife handle the initial greeting said, "So, who have you brought with you?"
"Sir Nicolas Flamel, Lady Perenelle Flammel, May I present to you my aunt, Petunia Dursley, my cousin, Dudley Dursley, and our neighbor, Mrs. Johnson. Aunt Petunia, Dudley, Mrs. Johnson these are my friends Sir Nicolas and Lady Perenelle Flammel. It looks like things are about to get underway so we should probably take out seats."
"Quite." Nell agreed.
After the first game, Nell discovered neither Harry nor Dudley really understood the scoring. So she explained it. Dudley was bored by the end of the first hour. Harry found watching tennis interesting enough that he sort of wanted to try playing. He definitely admired the athleticism of the players. Four hours after it started the match finished. The Spanish player was moving on to the finals.
"So, Harry, what do you think?" Nell queried.
"The players have to be really fit and have a good grasp of angles."
"And you, Dudley?"
"I think it's not my cup of tea; although thank you for this opportunity, Lady Flamel."
"You are welcome."
That day set the tone for subsequent days; the Dursleys would use Harry's extra tickets to impress people they knew. Harry let them knowing it was easier than arguing. He enjoyed watching the different players and learning the game. The night of the last game, the night Vernon escorted him. After the match the Flamels asked if they could take Harry out to dinner with them. Vernon agreed because he wanted to strike while the iron was hot and close the deal with the potential new clients.
At the restaurant Nic put a small spell on their server so she would know when they wanted her but otherwise would leave them alone. He then did a notice me not charm. Nell put up a muffliato so no one could overhear them.
"Cool spells, what do they do?" Harry commented.
After Nic explained Harry said, "I definitely want to learn that last one. You did the last one back at Christmas, if I remember right."
"It's a exceedingly useful spell, and you're right. It's not very old though. It's only been around for the last fifteen or so years." Nell commented. "I'll teach it to you. But what I really want to talk about is your relatives. Are they always so..." She paused searching for an accurate but inoffensive word.
"Smarmy? Yes, you live with it long enough and you learn to ignore it."
Nic frowned, "My dear boy if that is the example of what you grew up with, then how..."
"Is it I'm not like them?" Harry gave a mirthless snort. He hadn't had a truly honest conversation about his family with anyone. Cassandra knew, but he hadn't told her she'd just figured it out. She'd been wise enough to stay out of it as Harry wanted. Probably because without Harry she was out of a job. Harry's instincts told him it was probably safe to tell the Flamels. They had been around in the era when parents had complete rights over their children to the point of death, and while they clearly didn't approve of how he'd been raised they wouldn't flip out about it. They also didn't judge based on if people had magic or not. Making them better candidates for a discussion of this sort than his trustees, who would interpret it as muggles abusing a wizard. The Flamels knowing would be good. They had the sort of wisdom and experience to be really good advisors to him.
"They didn't love me. Hell, they barely tolerated me. I was expected to be grateful and obedient and I was. There was a time before I turned five, things got very bad for several months. It was due to Dumbledore, he had taken away my aunt and uncle's ability to have more children. They were understandably angry. Then there was an accident, in a moment of anger my cousin pushed me down the stairs. I got pretty badly hurt. It woke my aunt up. She laid down ground rules. I learned what they expected from me and what I could expect from them. I got decent treatment after that, in return I did my best to be helpful, to do as I was told, and stay out of trouble. Things with them didn't change at all until I was nine.
"When I was seven Aunt Petunia took me to a karate dojo. Taking me to the dojo was more about spiting Dumbledore by seeing to it I could fight with more than magic, than it was about protecting me. There I met Sensei Howard. He looked at me and saw something, I'm not sure what. He took me under his wing. I think if it had been allowed he probably would have adopted me back then. He offered me extra classes. Since the Dursleys weren't willing to pay, he gave me a job helping him around the dojo to pay for the extra lessons. Like a seven and a half year old is going to be so much help. In addition to kenpo he saw to it that I had survival skills, and an appreciation of greater things than man. He taught me so many things: astronomy, codes and code-breaking, strategy, the list goes on. He taught me to look for beauty, and how to see beyond the superficial. Sensei taught me about caring, compassion, hard work and respect. He is why I understand honor, why I understand that caring for others is more than just empty words. He taught me martial arts but he also taught me about life. That's it's as much about giving as it is taking.
"Aunt Petunia has always been worried about the veneer of things. She has difficulty seeing the beauty of an old person's face or of an old well-used and beloved antique. She always made sure that no one could denounce her completely, when they looked at me. But we both know, she sees me as the instrument of her revenge on Albus Dumbledore. That's my biggest value to her. I keep her happy by letting her use me. She's far from perfect but she is family, so we both pretend.
"To be honest I'm not at all adverse to being her revenge, as far as I am concerned Dumbledore's debts to me are nearly as great as the ones owed by Voldemort himself. It doesn't stop me from eagerly awaiting the day I can cut ties with my aunt and uncle and my trustees and start living for real."
"Your trustees? Those hangers-on that sent us invites to their parties hoping to pump up their own importance?"
"Yes, the magicals that are supposed to guide me into being a fully qualified and socialized wizard. I suppose they aren't bad. The law firm most of them are a part of, is really very good, but they have enough in common with my aunt and uncle, that I am somewhat eager to be shut of them as well. At least when it comes to them being able to make decisions for me that is."
"What changed when you were nine?"
"I apparated myself and my cousin from in front of a lorry that was sliding on ice. It would have likely killed us. That was when I went from being a nuisance and expense in my relatives' view, to being something that could be tolerated. When they found out about the stipend from my trust when I turned eleven I became semi-useful. Even if I was still around to remind them I was abnormal, I was a ready source of income and I no longer cost them anything. If anything, I paid them back threefold."
"Harry, are there people in your life that you trust?" Nic asked.
" Um..You and Tante Nell, Sensei, Neville, Cassandra, Luna, Aaron, I suppose Dudley is on the list. I mean in many ways he's like his parents, but if the chips were down I feel like he could be counted on. Beyond that, I would say it depended on how in line mine and the other person's interests were."
"That is a very small list." Nell said trying to hide the sadness she felt.
"Better a small list, than a larger one and being betrayed."
"I suppose." Nell responded.
Nic decided a change in topic was needed. "So, what are you doing this summer?"
"Most of it? Dance camp, so far I've learned the cha cha, the merengue, the foxtrot, the two step, and the quickstep. Lady Augusta has so far taught us the quadrille and the scottish reel. Other dances I'll be learning are the: polka, mazurka, schottische, viennese waltz, rumba, samba, tango, mambo, swing, hustle, salsa, jive and Lindy Hop. If that doesn't cover all my dance needs I don't care. I think that's more than enough for a lifetime."
Both adults bit back a smile at that, knowing the odds were good he'd learn even more over the rest of his life. "Anything else?" Nell asked.
"Well, the usual studies of my family magic. Then in August I'll be going to the Quidditch World Cup with my friends and my Slytherin teammates. I'll arrive there a day and a half before the game and am supposed to return an equal amount after it ends. That's pretty much it. I'm at the dojo three times a week and doing chores and school homework at the Dursley's, pretty normal summer for me. Unlike last year, I've actually got time this year to draw and paint."
"It sounds like you are going to be fine, but if you need us for any reason send Hedwig to us and we will come right away. I am quite fond of you, Harry. I think you deserve better than what fate has laid on your plate thus far." Nell said.
"Thank you both, I hope that you don't mind that I consider you honorary grandparents."
"I, for one, do not mind at all, but don't think to be calling me grandpere, I am far too young." Nic stated. Making both Harry and Nell laugh. Later after dinner and after Harry thought he could reproduce the muffliato spell, Nic side along apparated Harry home using coordinate apparition.
"Keep in touch, we shall try to have you at Christmas again."
"I look forward to it."
By mid-August Harry was more than ready for summer to be over. Dudley and Neville had a friendship spring up between them, and both boys made it a mission to tease Harry, usually about girls.
Harry wasn't sure why he could talk politics and economics and even legal matters but when it came to conversation with an attractive girl he usually got a little tongue-tied. What made it worse was he had next to nothing in common with most teenage girls. His experience pursuing Daphne had left a mark on his confidence. His dates with Susan had been more going out with a friend with whom he could talk to while they supported a budding romance of mutual friends. Cho had shot Harry down enough times that his confidence in this area was pretty low. On the train home he'd asked if he could write her and she'd shot him down, comparing him unfavorably with the Hufflepuff seeker..
The girls at dance camp had initially flirted with him, but now at the end of camp both his cousin and godbrother were far more popular.
"I know what it is, Neville."
"What's that, Lee?"
"Harry expects them to have more thoughts than fashion, gossip, and desire to be the queen bee in their heads."
"So what? I don't treat them like they've got nothing between their ears by showering them with meaningless compliments. I would think girls would appreciate that." Harry snarled.
"But, cuz, they're teenage girls. Most of 'em only have fluff between their ears. It's only brainiacs, and ugly ones that have more there at least until they're twenty. So which are you going to go for the brainy ones or the dogs, or is it they're one and the same? Because at the rate you're going that is all you'll be getting. Well, chaps, I've got to go, got a date with Marissa." Dudley bragged about getting together with the prettiest girl from dance camp.
"Bye, Lee." Neville said.
Harry had hope that with his cousin gone Neville would stop, but no.
"Harry, you make things so hard on yourself. You need to learn to give a girl a compliment, let her blather on, act interested. Then when she's comfortable, she'll snog with you."
"Is that what you do with Hannah?" Harry decided that he'd had enough. Neville had cut a bit of a swathe through the girls at dance camp as had Dudley. But he also knew that for Neville, Hannah was the one. Not only did the blonde Hufflepuff girl meet the not completely pureblood requirement the Longbottoms needed for the bloodline, but Hannah and Neville's magics were compatible. When Hannah was around Neville had eyes for no one else. If they followed magical custom a contract would probably be negotiated by their families the summer after OWLs.
"That's not nice."
"Yeah? Well, neither is cheating on Hannah."
Neville blushed hotly and frowned, " I'm not exactly cheating on her. We aren't boyfriend and girlfriend, yet."
"Really? Seemed to me you two were pretty exclusive by the end of third year."
"I-"
"Save it, Neville, if you want to stray on Hannah that's your business. I know you and Lee," Harry wondered if he'd ever get used to the nickname Dudley now used, "are popular with the girls and that's fine. I know you aren't serious about any of them because none of them are witches, but have you ever stopped to think about their feelings. How they feel when after a couple dates you drop them?
"And please stop harassing me about my lack of success. My hormones make me wish I were doing better, but I require more than a willing body that looks good. I want some meaning if I'm going to have a relationship, and frankly, lovely though many of them are, most of the girls at dance camp don't have enough brain cells to fill a teacup."
Neville looked chastised. "No, Harry, you're right. I shouldn't be messing around on Hannah. I just...don't want to be a complete dolt about what to do when it's time. I mean Gran gave me the basics of the changes I would go through as I matured, and how babies are made but when she finished she was so embarrassed. I didn't dare ask any questions, and believe me I have questions."
"There are books about sex, you know. I bet if you read them and then take the time to listen to Hannah in the moment, she won't care if you...you know fumble a little bit. In fact it will probably mean more to her because you've saved yourself for her."
"How can I get a hold of those books? Somehow I doubt I can just order them from Flourish & Blott's. I doubt any muggle store would sell them to someone my age either."
"Yes, they definitely aren't the -how can I describe it repressed or maybe just terribly Victorian- magical world's cup of tea. I'll see if I can get them or get Cassandra to get them before school starts. I should probably read them too. Maybe then I wouldn't be such a-" Harry stopped before insulting himself. "Shutting up now."
"Yeah, time for change of topic. Are things set for next week?"
"Yes, I went to the Manse last week and inspected the tent it's exactly what we need. I think I'll be putting you and the other cadre boys together. I'll bunk with the Quidditch squad. The girls will share with the women since they only number five together anyway. That will leave the fourth room for Sirius and Remus. Zinnia is thrilled to death, so bring an appetite."
"So, who all is coming?"
"Aaron, Blaise, you, Michael, Ernie, Hermione, Susan, Hannah, Cassandra, we might see Daphne because her family is going, but she won't be with us. Tracey will sit with us for the game but she'll be staying with Daphne's family. I ordered her ticket as part of my block and she's already paid me back. My godfather and Professor Lupin are coming, along with Madame Bones for additional adult. Marcus, Monty, Adrian, Ferris and Charles are staying with us too. We should have extra people for tea before the game: the rest of my teammates, Daphne and her family, Tracey. It should be fun."
"Gran won't be thrilled that I'll be associating with Malfoy for a meal."
"Ach, he's not so bad. He only pissed me of once this last year, he's getting downright tolerable within certain limits. I think he's actually managed to purge the words, "IF my father" and all the considerable variations thereof and mudblood, from his vocabulary."
"I'm not sure I believe it, but I'll take your word for it. Gran's probably wondering where I am so if I don't see you before, I'll see you in Diagon Alley on the 23rd."
"Cool."
