The Heir of Slytherin
Great News
27 June 1993
"Pleased to see the pep has returned to your step," Henry said when Harry swaggered outside.
They, including Frederick and Jason, had returned to Dawn Park that morning. They had all gone to bed as they had stayed up late with the Rosiers and arrived in England early. As such they were having a late breakfast.
"Huh?"
"Your arrogance has returned."
Henry was sitting at a table on the high, back steps, which overlooked intricate gardens with swirling and curling hedges. Some were in the shape of boxes with intricate designs. Among them were the favorite flowers of deceased wives.
Harry touched the glass table. "There's no gold here." He looked around then glared at Henry. "Or blue. The table should be in the center or two should be out here. You have thrown off the entire symmetry of the house."
Henry laughed at him. "Euphemia said the same thing. I cannot believe those words just left your mouth."
Harry tossed his head. "I pay attention."
"Yes," Henry said, "and everyday I regret allowing you to converse with those gossiping, old hens. I can only imagine what will happen in the next few years when you truly begin dressing yourself." Henry touched his forehead. "You will pay for your own clothes."
Harry looked horrified. "I will not. That stuff is expensive."
Henry glared at him.
"Ah, good morning, fawn," Charlus said with a smile. Darius, who was apparently staying, trailed behind him. "Henry."
"Good morning, Darius, Charlus…have I done something to offend you?"
As he poured himself some tea, Charlus shook his head. "Why?"
"I can't help but notice the difference in your greetings."
"Well you're not Harry Potter."
Harry paused with his spoon halfway to his mouth. With wide eyes, he looked at Charlus, who, too, had paused and was staring at the sky. Harry then looked at Henry as a smile blossomed on his face.
"Yes!"
"I'll be damned if you sweep through here and leave with both my face and my name."
Harry grinned in delight. "Even your own son no longer thinks of you as Harry. Now imagine people sitting at breakfast discussing Harry Potter and they only mean me. Oh, the battle is won. Victory is mine. It's the dawn – "
"Oh, shut up."
Charlus and Harry laughed.
"I'm sorry, Harry," he said to Henry.
"Go to hell, Charlus."
Harry slid the bowl of fruit over to himself. "Err – Grandpa?"
"Yes?" Charlus said.
"I think it's time I learn English. Can you teach me, please?"
Charlus raised his eyebrows. "Why the change of heart?"
"I'm forced to be here. Against my will no less."
Charlus sighed. "You don't want to be in your house?"
Harry sniffed as the rest of the family trickled in.
James grinned at Harry. He'd been grinning at Harry since he'd won. "Hello, my sweet Fawn."
Harry shook his head. "Merlin, please."
Jason skipped over to Harry then punched his arm before sliding into the seat next to him. "Guess where I'll be next year?"
James and Charlus stared for Harry just looked at the sky and shook his head. "I'll barely be there, so good luck." He paused. "Wait. How did you do? I don't want you embarrassing me. I've built up a reputation."
Jason rolled his eyes and handed Harry a parchment. Harry took it and looked it over. Jason had scored in the ninety-eighth percentile or above on each of his exams. He'd done very well in transfiguration, the Dark arts, herbology, and potions.
"Not bad. You can go, I guess."
"Because you had a say."
Harry nodded. "I did and you're welcome."
"For what?"
"Convincing your grandfather." Harry kissed his cheek. "You're welcome."
His father and grandparents looked on flabbergasted and astounded.
Jason pushed Harry's face away then turned to Frederick.
"Only reason I'm letting you go is because Harry is there. At least in spirit."
He huffed then turned back to Harry. "I think Astoria is coming."
"Oh, no."
Jason laughed. "She's upset you missed her birthday party last year."
Harry opened his mouth, but paused to look around. "Father…"
"Don't start with me," James said.
"I feel at peace," Harry said. "Why?" He looked around. "Where is your wife? Still in bed this time of morning?"
James touched his forehead. "No. Well, I don't know. Shut up and eat."
Sirius straggled in and Harry asked, "Sirius, why didn't you tell me?"
"Sirius," James called.
"'Cause your father asked me not to and you probably would've asked Smith why she was still here during Christmas."
Harry's eyes widened comically and his mouth dropped open, which brought Sirius up short. He glanced at the glaring James and the amused Charlus.
"Oh, hell." Sirius flicked his fingers and somehow water splashed in Harry's face. "Anyway. That little tiff you had in August did it."
Harry placed his hand over his mouth then twice tried to speak. Sirius and Charlus, who were both clearly amused, didn't help. However, he managed to speak on the third try.
"I am so sorry."
The last word came out with a gasp.
Sirius snorted. "I've never seen you lie so terribly."
"You're lucky you got that," Harry managed.
"I could've done without it," James said.
Harry poured himself some tea. "So…before Christmas?"
"Yes," James said. "I was going to tell you, but then you pulled this stunt and everything escalated from there."
"So…this Christmas?"
James made a face and Harry wiggled his eyebrows.
"What is wrong with you? If you have something to say spit it out."
Harry grinned. "No, I don't think you want that."
James relaxed his face. "I love you, Harry, but I'll hurt you if I have to."
Harry just continued to grin until he tapped the table. "Oh, can I go to Hogwarts tomorrow?"
"For what?" James asked.
"Err – Professor Flamel wants to brew with me."
James looked at him with sadness. "It's over. You'll never be an athlete again. Just some academic who can run fast."
"And duel very well," Harry said. "Don't ever forget that."
••
Origin Story
28 June 1993
The next day, Harry sat on a French blue sofa not far from Perenelle Flamel's desk. He was munching on pink macarons while she set up for whatever they were doing.
"Give me a theory for basilisk blood," Perenelle said.
"It's a conductor of change," Harry said.
She chuckled. "Specifically. As it is from a snake, it should have transformation properties."
"Aging," Harry said. "If used in beauty products it should be able to get rid of some wrinkles."
Perenelle raised her eyebrows. "Give me another."
Harry frowned. "Err…spider repellent?"
A nod. "Another?"
"It might be able to heal," Harry said. Before Perenelle could say anything, he said, "I don't know. I don't know a lot about basilisks, to be honest."
Perenelle nodded. "Most people don't as most who've encounter them are dead."
Harry smiled.
"I believe it will repel spiders," she said. "I don't believe it will reverse the signs of aging. I do believe it will increase the potential to reach a greater age, so I agree it will be a healer in some form or fashion. But, before we begin, let's examine the blood."
She poured some of it into a petri dish then placed it under a microscope before darkening the room, so that image would be visible on the wall. The cells were oval-shaped and were glowing.
"Is that magic?"
Perenelle nodded. "If you ever examine your own under a microscope you will see that it glows as well."
Harry frowned at the blood. They had come together, packed and uniform. They were also moving, but not like one would expect a liquid to move. They weren't moving in gentle waves as any liquid would after having just been moved. No, they were bouncing.
"Is your dish enchanted?"
"Oh very good," Perenelle said. "Yes, it is. It appears the blood repels other magic. Almost like a shield."
He tilted his head. "All creature blood doesn't do that."
"No, they don't," Perenelle said. "In fact, I cannot recall ever seeing this before. What do you make of this?"
"Their blood is the reason they're able to live for centuries? And it probably protects their insides from any venom they might accidentally swallow."
Sometime later, Perenelle placed a few drops of blood in a container with small spiders inside. They watched as the spiders moved away from the blood. They moved around it and did their best not to interact with it. The few that did, died.
"Now we have to come up with a bug spray," Harry said.
That afternoon, Harry was in Dumbledore's office when the headmaster returned.
"Has Gellert ever entered his study to find you lounging uninvited? Reading his books? Drinking his wine?"
Harry sat up and nodded. "Of course, but I was eating his snacks. His drinks were too strong. I wasn't a liquor person."
"'Wasn't.'"
Harry nodded. "Times have changed. Anyway, do you know where Salazar's office is?"
Dumbledore eyed him in contemplation. "It requires a sacrifice of blood."
"I take it you don't mean slaughter a goat?"
"Aberforth would have a fit if I came for his goats."
Dumbledore then led Harry down to the dungeons. He watched Dumbledore feel his way to an empty chunk of jagged stoned wall.
"It is somewhere here," he said. "Salazar closed it off before leaving. I believe no one but blood can enter. As such the other founders had the stone encase it."
Harry took out his penknife then sliced his hand with a grimace. He laid his hand in the center of that particular section of wall. A few seconds later, a door materialized.
"Well, well, well of all the families of England, it's the Potters who are now the true heirs of Salazar Slytherin," Dumbledore said. "Fascinating."
Harry pulled out his wand then opened the door, which had to a cobra door handle. "Incendio."
Every candle came to life and Dumbledore eyed him with approval.
He then held out his hand for Dumbledore to heal.
"You are unequal to mending minor injuries?" Dumbledore asked with far too much amusement in his tone.
Harry sniffed. "I had more important things to focus on."
"Episkey."
The skin knitted to together, leaving behind drying blood.
"Thanks."
He then looked around. They had stepped into an office that was well kept. Bookcases lined the walls and a large desk was on the other side adjacent to another door.
"Could a house-elf have done this?"
"No," Dumbledore said, "they've only ever wandered into one secret passageway or hole in the school. This is, no doubt, the doing of one of Salazar's own charms."
Harry tilted his head. "Slytherin was good at charms?"
Dumbledore inclined his head. "Oh, yes, a dab hand at it and potions. With your determined nature and taste for violence, he would have adored you."
"Who wouldn't?"
"Helga."
Harry snorted. "Fitting."
He walked over to the other door and turned the knob. It wouldn't budge, so he used his penknife.
"That is an interesting tool," Dumbledore said.
"Useful, too. It's a gift from Arcturus."
He entered a bedroom decorated in various shades of green and silver. There was also a view of the lake, which gave the room a glowing, green lighting.
Harry removed his dragon hide gloves from his rucksack then moved to search the room. He came across a number of interesting things in the cabinets and drawers. He also found stacks of personal books full of notes and experiments.
Bloody hell.
"Harry," Dumbledore called.
Harry hesitated, but left the books where they were before heading back to the office. He found Dumbledore standing before an open rectangle in the wall, which had been behind a bookshelf.
"He has a bunch of books back there," Harry said. "Mostly some experimental potions and charms, but some others, too. He even has notes on basilisk venom."
Dumbledore raised a finger. "This now. We'll divide those up later."
"'Divide,'" Harry said as he stepped forward. "I've got the blood. Lumos."
He entered a dark tunnel and Dumbledore followed with a scoff.
"So – err – who were the heirs before me?"
"He didn't tell you about his mother's family?"
Harry shook his head. "No, I think he was embarrassed by them. I figured they were really poor or really stupid."
"And. Not or. The Gaunts, as I'm certain you have heard, went out destitute and equally proud and witless," Dumbledore said. "After the Potters and Gamps ran them out of Gloucestershire and the Malfoys and Potters out of the southwest entirely, they took up residence on the outskirts of a muggle village in the north. The last of them lived and died there in a rundown shack you wouldn't wish on Abraxas."
Harry looked as they came across a set of steps. "You don't know me." Then he asked, "They were inbred?"
They walked up the steps and found themselves in another dark tunnel.
"Yes, and it showed in their faces and overall lack of skill unlike the Blacks, who are showing in their shortened lifespans."
Harry frowned. "So how…she used magic? His mother, I mean."
"I have to assume so, yes," Dumbledore said. "She was nothing to see." When Harry grinned, he said, "Don't misunderstand, I don't speak of beauty or lack there of. We notice people who are, to be frank, ugly everyday. She was unnoticeable. You would pass her on the streets without seeing her. A face in the crowd you would never take note of. Tom Riddle junior – or senior in this case – on the other hand, was handsome and wealthy and in love with a beautiful, young woman. He didn't see Merope and had no reason to. Unless, of course, she threw herself in his path."
"A love potion?"
Dumbledore hummed. "I believe so, yes. While the Imperius Curse, and other such mind tricks, would make the victim compliant, a love potion has the added benefits of adoration, affection, and romance."
"So what happened? Or what have you guessed?"
"I believe she fancied herself in love and took the chance to see if he was, too," Dumbledore said. "Unfortunately for Merope, Tom Riddle wasn't in love for that isn't how love potions work. He had no affection for her. In fact, I imagine he was disgusted for more than one reason. So he left her and his unborn son."
Harry could understand why Tom was the way he was. He wasn't all that different. He supposed Charlus was his saving grace, but there were things even Charlus couldn't erase or soothe.
"So which Gaunt did he meet?"
"His uncle. Morfin."
Harry looked at Dumbledore. "So Marvolo is his grandfather?"
Dumbledore inclined his head. "Before Merope ran off with Tom, her brother was arrested for attacking him. Bobby Ogden paid them a visit and Marvolo attacked him to protect his son. Both went to Azkaban."
"And she took advantage of an opportunity."
Dumbledore nodded.
Harry shook his head. "What a horrible family. Glad I don't have to deal with them."
"Ah, but Harry, we do, indeed, have to deal with the last, and worst, of the Gaunts."
They reached the end of the tunnel, which was just a stone wall. Harry sliced his hand again and placed it on the stone. Another door materialized.
He opened it to find another small staircase. He then made to step forward, but Dumbledore placed a staying hand on his shoulder.
The older wizard closed the door as softly as he could then stepped in front of Harry.
Dumbledore placed a finger to his lips. "Shh."
He then tiptoed up the steps with Harry gripping his wand behind him. At the top, Dumbledore opened another door and they stepped into a cottage.
They were in Hogsmeade.
There was also a terrible smell.
Dumbledore motioned his wand. Harry recognized the movement for the anti-apparation spells. Then something cracked and the room flashed bright pink.
No one was home.
But what the hell was that smell?
Dumbledore turned to him. "Please check the rooms upstairs for a body and pay attention. Touch nothing and leave me if you have to."
"Yes, sir."
Harry eased upstairs with his wand lax at his side. He opened two doors that were empty save for the beds. The third door he opened was dark and the smell was more obnoxious.
"Lumos."
He stepped inside and came face to face with a girl. She had red hair and cloudy blue eyes. Her skin was pale, her lips were blue, and a maggot wiggled out of her nose.
His eyes widened and he raised his wand, but she was faster.
She lunged and he screamed. They toppled to the ground with her on top of him. When she opened her mouth Harry got a full view of rotted teeth and larvae. She then lowered her head as if to bite him, but he managed to hold her back with fiery hands around her neck.
The girl howled and attempted to run away, but ropes tied themselves around her and a force pushed her against the wall.
Harry got up jumping and smacking himself for maggots had fallen into him from her mouth. "Oh my god. Oh my god. Oh my god…"
"He turned her into an inferius."
"I bloody well know what that is. Thank you," Harry hissed. "Damn Tom Riddle. I will burn him down for this."
••
A Night on the Town
16 July 1993
"Can I go out Friday night?"
It had been two weeks since he'd found Susan. Henry had questioned him about it and he'd given mostly truthful answers, but most didn't know he'd had anything to do with her finding.
Or anything about what he'd been up to.
He and Dumbledore had divided the books up, but only because Dumbledore wished to keep them safe for he couldn't read them. Salazar had come up with his own alphabet for parseltongue.
A genius.
Harry intended to painstakingly go through each, beginning with potions. Between Snape and Slytherin, Harry had a greater understanding of potions and almost had an appreciation for the both of them. But it was only Salazar Harry could call a genius. For he had been in all sense of the word. Snape had a great understanding of potions, but Salazar had had a great understanding of magic.
What a shame his legacy was that of a violent, blood purist who had been chased out the school he'd helped build.
"Where are we going?" James asked.
Harry looked at the letter from Cho. Her parents had taken her on vacation for her birthday and she was due to return the next day.
"A cinema."
"Why would you go to a cinema?" Darius asked.
Harry bit his tongue and settled on a shrug.
"I haven't been in a long time." James said. "What are we seeing?"
Harry wrinkled his nose. "We?"
"Do you believe you can stop me from going to a cinema?" James asked. "You'll go with your little girlfriend and – "
"You'll go with yours?"
James looked around and laughed a little when he found the others looking at him. "I don't…I don't have a girlfriend."
"That was so believable."
"Shut up," James hissed.
Sirius looked between them. "Who is it?"
Harry shook his head. "No, that's my leverage."
"Leverage?" James asked.
"No one at this table has a secret I don't know," Harry said. "I know everything 'cause I've seen everything. I leave no stone unturned. No door unlocked. No – "
James sighed loudly. "You're nosy and annoying. We get it."
"The point is, everyone has a secret I know about and I'm going to make use of my knowledge," Harry said. "Scientia potentia est."
Euphemia turned to him with narrowed eyes.
Harry smirked and leaned over to whisper in her ear. "You drink Charlus' whiskey and blame it on Grandfather. And you have that ugly vase of your mother-in-law's hidden in your study."
Euphemia cleared her throat then turned back to her food with color in her cheeks.
"Bloody hell," Sirius said.
"I. Know. Everything. Big and small."
Charlus inhaled. "I will not be blackmailed by anyone I can beat up."
"Can you beat me up?" Harry asked. "Your teeth are touching your ankles."
Sirius laughed.
Charlus paused, but ultimately ignored him as he turned to Henry and said, "I think we all should just tell our biggest secret."
Henry glared at Charlus. "I will not be corned by anyone I can beat up."
Harry snickered.
"With whom are you going to the cinema with?"
Harry sighed. "Cho and her friends."
"Cho," James and Sirius said together with a sigh.
Harry made a face. "I can see why people only want one of you in a room at a time."
"Is this the young lady I found in your bedroom?" Henry asked.
"What?!" James asked.
Sirius gaped with no small amount of amazement and Charlus raised his eyebrows.
Harry turned to Henry. "Really? I know your secret and this is what you do?"
"Excuse me?" Charlus said. "I'm the one who told you! And you've been keeping this from me?"
Harry scoffed. "I knew before you said something."
Darius leaned forward. "Cho? As in Cho Chang?"
Harry looked at him. "Yes?"
Darius smirked. "You know Simeon fancies her, right?"
Harry paused. "Well, that's what Warrington meant."
"Oh, no," James said. He swatted Sirius' arm. "I told you we knew that name."
"Not like we could've done anything about it. It was either too late or he would've dug his heel in."
Harry rolled his eyes. "Can I go?"
"Fine," Charlus said.
So that Friday, Harry came downstairs barefoot to find Charlus waiting for him.
"I want you back here no later than ten thirty," Charlus said. When Harry wrinkled his nose, he said, "You want to stay out late in two weeks at some party? Show me I can trust you."
"Fine," Harry said as he put on his shoes. "I'll see you later."
Twenty minutes later, Harry was inside a muggle cinema in London watching some movie about dinosaurs. He didn't quite understand everything that was being said, but did get the gist of it: some rich bloke had paid for dinosaurs to be re-created and now they were killing people in an amusement park.
"You look so amazed," she whispered in his ear with a laugh. She had her hand in his and, though it was a little warm, he wasn't inclined to move it.
Harry nodded. He was and he wondered why wizards didn't have films. Then he realized it gave muggles an opportunity to do their own things and entertain themselves. So, he, too, would leave it alone.
"There are other films, right?" he whispered.
She nodded with a hand over her mouth. "Yes, why?"
"Can we come back? But I don't know what's good…"
He raised his eyebrows when she perked up.
"Mum has a room that's all electricity and we have VHS. I can show you some others."
Harry nodded. "Brilliant."
After the film, the group headed to a pub. With bangers and mash in front of him, he sat at a table with Louisa Macmillan, a dirty blonde with hazel eyes and an upturned nose; Adrian Pucey, a pale teen with dark coloring and a strong jaw; Marietta Edgecomb, a thin, strawberry-blonde with blue eyes; and, of course, Cho.
Cho's friends, save for Eddie Carmichael, who was in conversation with Miles Bletchley at the next table, kept shooting him looks. He couldn't tell if Cho was ignoring them or didn't get it. Either way, their was a simmering annoyance at new money, a Bletchley, and a Macmillan, among others, looking at him with distaste.
"Have you heard from Andrew?" Louisa asked Marietta.
Marietta shook her head. "No, it's a shame what happened to Susan."
"Ernie wouldn't shut up about the Chamber," Louisa said, "so everyone in the house thought she was taken by Slytherin's monster." She rolled her eyes. "Mother wanted to take us out of school. Thankfully my father isn't mad." She met Harry's eyes and made a face. "Anyway, anyone get an in invitation to Ogden's party."
That caught Eddie's attention. "No, but Cormac invited me."
"Of course," Adrian said, "not like he could get a girl to go with him."
Louisa rolled her eyes. "I'm tired of kissing her boney arse." She looked at Cho. "We should do something that night."
Harry rolled his eyes when Louisa looked at him pointedly. He then turned to Cho. "Would you like to go?" he asked in English.
Cho opened her mouth, glanced at Louisa, then asked, "Where?"
"Willow's party."
Cho squinted at him. "You know Willow Ogden?"
"Yeah, we met at her grandparents' Christmas party." He shook his head. "Apparently I passed her test when I drank all the whiskey she, Cormac, and Marcy gave me."
"Why were you at Oakland Court for Christmas?" Adrian asked. "I didn't think the Potters showed their face in society."
Harry tilted his head. "Well, of course, you wouldn't know what the Potters are doing in a room you and your parents can't get in to."
Adrian flushed and looked to Louisa for assistance. Harry met her eyes, daring her to say something.
Carmichael snorted. "I'm a little offended, Potter," he said, "but that's funny as fuck. Now I see why Warrington wants you at Hogwarts."
Cho, on the other hand, swatted his arm.
"Ouch."
"Exactly."
He stuck out his tongue. "So?" Then, to add salt to their wounds, he said, "Davies also invited me to his, if you want to go to that one, too."
"I'm invited to that one, thank you," she said. "But yes to Ogden's."
Harry nodded and, with that, turned back to his food, but not before he winked at Adrian.
Almost an hour later, Harry and Cho were walking down the street hand in hand. Cho was chatting away about her friends. Harry was admittedly only half listening for his mind was on the possibility they were being followed.
"I'm sorry about them. They're not normally like that," she said. "Well Pucey is always rude, but Marietta likes him."
"Huh? Oh – err – it's fine. I'm use to it."
She frowned. "Oh, so people treat you like they do your brother?"
"Oh, Merlin, no. I'm too mean and too proud for most people to get cheeky with me, especially about Potter," Harry said.
She laughed. "You sound ridiculous."
Harry smiled at her, but he stored the statement somewhere in his mind. It would never leave it and years from then he would recall those words when chatting with every young woman the women in his family pushed in front of him.
They stopped in front of the door to her townhouse on a long and still busy street. The porch light and a light inside the house were on as well as every light on the street.
"Would you like to go to a Puddlemere match against the Magpies?"
Cho wrinkled her nose. "Yuck!" She sighed. "Fine, but only 'cause you'll be there."
He grinned and she stood on her toes to press her lips and against his. They only separated when his watch began to beep some minutes later.
"Alright, I have to go," he said. "Night, Cho."
"Night, Harry."
She stepped inside then he walked away with his wand in hand. He routinely looked behind him, but he didn't see anything. However, he felt them.
So he stopped along a sidewalk and, while patting himself down, said, "Shit."
He doubled-back and stopped again when the feeling of magic was strong. Quick as lightning, he reached out to grab the person with one hand and punched them with the other. They gasped, but Harry wasn't finished. He raised his knee which elicited a groan then kicked with his foot. He used his first one last time before taking off.
Harry ran down the street. When he reached the corner green light materialized from somewhere on the other side. He only just managed to duck.
And so did a roughed up John Dawlish.
"What the fuck?!" the auror yelled into the night.
Harry took off again and summoned his broom from his backpack as he did so.
He made it home at ten twenty-nine.
"Good job," Charlus said when Harry walked through the door.
Harry nodded as he walked up the fireplace. "If you'll excuse me, I need to go speak to Dumbledore." With that, he stepped into emerald green flames and spun away.
Dumbledore was behind his desk and facing the windows. He looked up at the sound. "Good evening, Harry. I assume this isn't a social call?"
"Are you having me followed?"
Dumbledore sat up. "Did you see your stalker?"
"One of them," Harry said. "John Dawlish. The other, who I didn't see, just sent the Killing Curse at me."
"No, I'm not having you followed, but Amelia Bones, no doubt, is," Dumbledore said. "John Dawlish bows to power because he wants it. A skilled wizard you can only trust to stand with the strongest in the room. Amelia is mighty and I nor Bartemius was in the room." He got to his feet. "May I examine your memories?"
A cabinet opened and a cauldron with runes and other intricate symbols floated out. It landed on the large desk and Harry stepped forward. Dumbledore showed him how to remove his memories and they spent the next half hour going over each.
"You see this young man with his hood up?" Dumbledore asked. "He has been in each memory. From now on you mustn't just see your surroundings. You have to take them in."
They stepped out of the cauldron, but Harry didn't sit down.
"I don't…do you think he'll change his face? No, right? He doesn't know – most people wouldn't think I'd come to you," Harry said. "He's probably somewhere laughing to himself over the fact I don't even know what my attacker looks like."
Dumbledore inclined his head. "Yes, Tom Riddle is arrogant enough not to change his face because he will be comfortable in the knowledge you don't know what it looks like."
Harry nodded. "Alright, alright, but – err – he knows where she lives."
"So do I."
When he returned home fifteen minutes later, he found Charlus waiting for him.
"What the hell was that?"
Harry stood by the fireplace eying him with his hands on his hip. If he didn't say anything, he more than likely wouldn't be allowed out the house. If he did say something, he still wouldn't be allowed to leave the house. What a conundrum.
Damn Tom Riddle.
Harry exhaled. "Amelia Bones is having me followed. I wanted to make sure it wasn't Dumbledore or Barty."
"Why would she do that?"
"Because Dumbledore is up to something and is using me," Harry said. "You know how their niece disappeared and was found dead? Well, he called me to his office in December while they were still in it, didn't actually clarify anything, and I sort of burned Edgar's neck, but, in my defense, he grabbed me by my collar. And I just beat up Dawlish on the street, so it's only going down from here."
Charlus sat up as James and Sirius entered the room from somewhere down the hall.
"Excuse me?" James said. "By your collar?"
"Oh, it's coming," Sirius said. "I'll be able to kick his arse soon. Oh, finally. I've been waiting for a good reason for years and now. Thank you."
Harry held up his hands. "He's grieving."
"Unless he put his hands on Dumbledore, too, that's no excuse," Charlus said.
"Dumbledore said they're trying to be the power of the Southwest?"
Charlus motioned his head. "Probably. Potter has been dormant for fifty years and the family that took its place has been done for the past seven. If ever there was a time to strike it's now. Unfortunately…" Charlus laughed and spread out his hands then pointed to Harry. "Have you thought about being a politician?"
••
The Weasleys
20 July 1993
The Burrow, where Arthur Weasley and his family lived, was a small piece of meadow land in Devon. It was surrounded by rolling hills and Harry could make out other properties in the distance.
He'd finally gotten in touch with Mr. Arthur Weasley, who had taken in his mother, the former Cedrella Black. From the letter Harry had received in turn, Cedrella was ailing.
The grass at the Burrow was full of weeds and needed to be cut. The house stood several stories tall and leaned to the left. Harry knew only magic could keep this building upright.
He knocked on the door.
A moment later, a small girl with long, fiery red hair and a face full of freckles opened it.
"Hi," he said. "I'm Harry Potter. Mr. Arthur Weasley invited me over?"
The little girl just stood there staring at him.
Someone cleared their throat and Harry looked past her to see Mafalda with a smirk on her lips. "Hi, I'm Harry Potter." She rolled her eyes. "Why are you here?"
"I'm minding my business."
She made to hit him, but he grabbed her hand. Same thing happened with the other hand. She picked up her knee and he jumped back. The little girl slipped away as Mafalda attempted to slap box him, but her hits didn't land.
"Afraid to fight me?"
"Yeah, I don't know where your unnecessarily large, thick-necked uncle is and Charlus isn't here to defend me."
Mafalda stopped to laugh. "Oh my…" She laughed a little harder. "I'm telling."
"Go ahead. It's nothing Mrs. Prewett hasn't already said to him."
Mafalda howled and nodded her head.
While she was laughing and crying, a weedy man with thinning, red hair and blue eyes came to the door. He wore lopsided glasses and had an amused smile on his face.
"Hello, Mr. Potter," he said. "I was surprised to read your letter." They shook hands and he said, "Excuse us, Mafalda."
He took Harry to a garage where a Ford Anglia was. They sat on stools as Harry told his story.
"Cassiopeia Black killed herself?" Mr. Weasley said. When Harry nodded, Mr. Weasley's shoulders slumped. "So my mother isn't being truthful about the amount of pain she's in. And my choices are to watch her die slowly and painfully or give her a vial and turn my head?" He sighed. "How long did Cygnus last?"
"About a year and a half."
Mr. Weasley rubbed his forehead. "Alright, come on. She's upstairs."
Cedrella was in a small room sitting in a threadbare chair knitting something green. She looked a lot like her older sister and Cassiopeia, which made Harry do a double take.
"And who is this?" she asked.
Her voice was deep and raspy and Harry's eyes widened. He even took an involuntary step back.
Mr. Weasley looked at him. "Are you alright?"
She looked amused. "If this is Harry Potter, I believe he's seeing Cassiopeia in me. I'm the nice one," she said.
Harry managed a smile and, for a moment, wished he could tell Cassiopeia he'd met her twin.
"What brings you to me?"
"Your pain," he said as he stepped forward. "May I ask you some questions?"
She inclined her head then raised her eyebrows as Harry sat on the floor. Mr. Weasley stood by the closed door and watched as Harry pulled a case of potions.
"You brewed those yourself?" he asked.
"Yes, sir, but my professor approved them, so they're good and effective."
He banished a group of them to a nightstand and ignored the look from Mr. Weasley. This was no time to preen. He then went on to explain the situation to Cedrella and ask her questions.
"So I'm, indeed, a Black," she said when Harry finished.
Harry inclined his head. "Unfortunately, yes, you are insane and not fit for society."
She looked amused. "You belong to Charlus, yes?"
Harry laughed. "How could you tell?"
Before leaving, Harry told her he had more potions and all she had to do was ask.
"I thought your father was James Potter?" Mr. Weasley asked when they left the room.
"Yes, but I belong to Charlus. It's a bit complicated."
Mr. Weasley led Harry downstairs and introduced him to the rest of the family. Mafalada pulled him down to a seat beside her, so he had to stay a little bit.
Harry waved his hand. "Hi, Percy."
Percy, a stocky seventeen year old with horn-rimmed glasses, just narrowed his brown eyes.
Harry sighed. "I didn't do anything to you. Personally."
Mr. Weasley laughed. "Other than tear through Hogwarts' delegation for two straight years?"
Harry laughed. "No different from what I did to anyone else. Even had to rip through my own."
"Have I ever told you, you're annoying?" Mafalda said.
"Everyday we see each other."
Two tall and stocky twins entered the room. One was carrying a tray of custard creams.
"Ah, we heard we had a guest," one said.
"The great and formidable Harry James Potter," the other said.
Mafalda huffed as Harry couldn't help but smirk.
They stopped in front of Harry. "I'm Fred and this is George."
"I've heard about you," Harry said. "Great and formidable yourselves."
The two bowed. "Thank you."
"Can I have a biscuit please?" Mafalda asked loudly.
They held out the tray and Mafalda took a bunch in a napkin. Harry took a couple. The tray went around the room and everyone took some.
Harry hesitated.
There was something wrong with the biscuits.
Well, maybe 'wrong' was incorrect. Something was off about them.
He looked around the room. He felt a little foolish seeing everyone else eating them until his eyes landed on the twins. They were watching in a corner with identical grins. Harry looked at Mr. Fabian Prewett, who was watching him with disapproval.
"Is there something wrong, young man?"
Harry hesitated, but said, "Yes."
Just as soon as the word left his mouth, Harry saw Percy turn into a canary. His eyes widened and so did Mr. Prewett's. Both of them looked to the person beside them. Mafalda, too, was a canary.
Mr. Weasley sighed. "Next time, Harry, please tell us."
Harry smiled. "Yes, sir." He looked at the twins, who were thoroughly amused.
"How could you tell?" Fred asked.
"I…have a talent." He removed whatever the twins had placed on the biscuits and enjoyed them. "Your aunt mentioned your talents thousands of times. You create stuff, right?"
The twins stepped forward, grinning once more. "How would you like to be our ambassador?"
Harry shrugged as the canaries turned to regular people. "What would I be selling?"
Later, the twins took him upstairs to show him their inventory. They had a bunch of sweets – Skiving Snacks – trick wands, and spell-check quills among other things.
"Will you just focus on jokes or will you branch into other things?" Harry asked he waved a job wand. It turned into a garter snake, which he allowed to coil around his hand. "You know how there are toy brooms?" The snake turned back into a wand. "You could have toy wands for little kids to play with that do limited magic."
The twins shared a look.
"Your people have money, right?" Fred asked.
"I have money."
George nodded. "We had planned to go to Uncle Ignatius, or Uncle Fab and Gid, but you'd probably be easier. We'd be willing to part with twenty percent."
Harry eyed them with twisted lips. At last he said, "Charlus has my gold and, well, after what I did last summer, he's made some changes, so you'll have to go through him. But so long as you come to him with good grades, a plan, and some of your best ideas, he'll take you seriously." He glanced at their inventory. "I can sell some at Durmstrang, though."
Harry held out his hand and each twin shook it.
••
Surprise
22 July 1993
"I'll see you later," Charlus said.
Harry waved his hand. "I won't be home. Cho's showing me more films."
Charlus sighed. "You're twelve." He shook his head. "I can't believe this. You're twelve and going out more than James and Sirius."
Harry laughed. "Night, Grandpa."
"Good night, Harry."
He walked through the vanishing cabinet back to Dawn Park, but walked back through it twenty minutes later. He'd wanted to get some more brewing time in and had left his book in the lab after his afternoon with Thanos.
He rushed downstairs to grab his book. On his way back upstairs, he heard…giggling.
Harry made a face and hesitated, but, given the dirt he had on Charlus was flimsy, he tip toed to the living room. They weren't in there, but they were outside on the terrace.
Harry stopped and stared. He closed his eyes and opened them again, but Alexandra Thanos was still at the table having an intimate dinner with Charlus Potter.
"For Merlin sake," he heard someone say. When they looked towards the door, he realized he'd said it. His face towards the darkening sky, he said, "Why?"
Thanos had a hand over her mouth and her eyes were closed. Charlus was frozen in his seat.
Harry just turned on his heel and made his way home.
••
Happy Birthday, Harry
30 July 1993
Harry avoided Charlus for the next several days. It wasn't that he was upset. Well, not entirely anyway. Well, he was, but he didn't know how to express that properly.
Billions of women in the world and dozens he'd snuck in the house, but it was his deputy Headmistress Charlus had chosen to look at with heart eyes. If she was simply a professor, he might have felt different, but she had power over him. What would happen if she ended up feeling slighted by Charlus? He'd been on receiving end of a petty person with power over him and revenge in their heart and he didn't want to relive the experience.
He didn't think he could express those thoughts in a mature way, so he kept away from Charlus. He even went to James to ask permission to attend the party.
"Where?" James asked over breakfast.
"Surrey."
James made a face. "Whose house?"
"McLaggen's."
"Who?" Henry asked.
James looked at his grandfather. "New money. His mother is an Ogden and he's close to his great-uncle and Scrimgeour. His father is a rep on the World Council and his grandfather was an elder on the Wizengamot."
Henry peered at James over his glasses.
James shrugged. "Naomi wanted Simeon and Cormac to be friends." He turned to Harry. "Be back here no later than one thirty and only 'cause it's your birthday."
Harry pointed at James with his fork. "I like you."
So Friday night Harry met Cho at her house then they headed off to Surrey.
"Harry!" Marcella squealed. "Happy birthday."
Cho started. "What?"
He waved his hand. "Tomorrow."
Marcella pinched his cheek. "The little baby will finally be a teenager. Thirteen at last. I remember my big day."
Harry snorted. "I should hope you remember two years ago."
She stuck out her tongue.
"Potter," Willow called. She lived up to her name in that she was tall and willowy. Pretty, too, with brown hair and eyes. She passed him a cold, plastic cup full of something amber.
He grinned then looked at Cho. "Would you like one?"
She took his cup and he laughed before summoning another. She slipped her hand in his and they walked further can into the large house.
"You didn't tell me it was your birthday tomorrow," she said as they walked outside.
He shrugged. He didn't make a big deal out of his birthday. So long as he got attention from certain people, he was fine.
They made their way to the back as two beautiful girls entered the house, wet and wearing bikinis. One was Fleur. The other was the tall and brown-skinned Vanessa Taylor. She had a rectangular face with high cheekbones and full lips. Her braids were long and went down her back.
Cho gripped his hand as Vanessa walked over with a grin. She snatched the cup out Harry's hand then down its contents in one go.
"Where's mine?" Fleur demanded. She snapped her fingers. "Let's go."
Harry summoned three cups and, behind a shield, downed all three as they watched. When he finished, he said, "Evening, Vanessa. I didn't know you'd be here."
"Matt and I met last year," she said. "Keep talking about me to people. I like it."
"Do you not see me?" Fleur asked.
Harry looked at her. "Hard not to – err…" He pointed at Cho and introduced her.
"This is the girlfriend," Vanessa said. "Pretty." She waved. "Vanessa Taylor."
Cho hesitated.
"Yes," Harry said. "That Taylor."
Vanessa moved to link arms with Cho and pulled her away, but not before Cho tugged on his hand. She looked back at Harry and Fleur.
"So have you ever been around London?" Vanessa asked as they walked away.
Cho said something, but Harry didn't hear. Vanessa did give him a look then dropped Cho's arm.
"Uh oh," Cassius said.
Harry looked him.
"Well it lasted a month."
"Huh?"
Cassius looked at Fleur then, after Harry punched his arm, said, "You're friends with peng tings in bikinis."
"Cho is – "
"Not one of us," Cassius said. He shrugged. "I know I'm new, but I got my own invite.
Fleur linked arms with Harry. "Come while it lasts."
Cassius laughed behind them. He laughed harder when he saw the look on Cho's face at the sight of Harry and Fleur.
Harry, too, saw it and unlinked his arm.
Fleur pouted. "Rude boy."
An hour later, Harry was annoyed.
Cho was, to be honest, getting on his nerves. Marcella had come to showed him around. Of course, that had been a problem despite the fact she went to school with these people.
Later, Fleur, Matthew, and Vanessa joined them. Their little circle grew and soon enough he was entertaining children of the upper echelon.
Unlike hers, his friends and acquaintances had tried to engage her. Well, except Marcella and Matthew. However, it became clear she did not like Vanessa and Fleur, which caused the former to completely ignore her and spurred the latter on.
And only Sirius Black could be a bigger asshole than Fleur Delacour.
Fleur moved over to sit next to him. She put her arm around his shoulders and played with his hair.
"Will you stop?" he said in Latin.
"Do you see Cedric here?" she asked in the same.
Harry couldn't help but laugh. "No way are you still hung up on him."
"No, but it's my excuse."
Harry sighed and shifted away, but she followed.
"Will you be coming to my house for Christmas this year?" she asked in English with a heavy, French accent.
"No, but you'll be joining us for the New Year's Eve," Harry said. "Invitations to Dawn Park go out on Sunday."
Fleur leaned back to look at him. "You're lying."
He shook his head. "Nope, the Potters of Stinchcombe will return on the thirty-first of December."
"The real thing of the portrait at your house in Greece?"
Harry nodded.
Fleur jumped into his lap and kissed his face. "Grandmother was right. I have to sink my claws in before it's too late."
Harry couldn't help but snort as most of the others howled.
Cho, however, stood up with a red face. "Excuse me."
"You bloody ass," Harry barked causing some of the others to laugh harder.
Fleur got up and tossed her head. "You better not be lying to me, you brat."
Harry gave her the bird and jogged after Cho. He caught her in the house and pulled her into an empty room.
"I don't like it here," she announced. "I want to go home and she's a bitch. All your friends ar-are rich cunts!"
Harry raised his eyebrows. "They were being nice to you, which is odd for Vanessa and Fleur."
Huh.
If nothing else told him he was their friend, that did. The thought made him both happy and protective.
"Oh, yes, asking me a bunch of intrusive questions about where I'm from, what my parents do, where I live…"
"They also asked you what you like to do and if you like shopping 'cause that's what they're doing tomorrow. If Fleur and Vanessa are going to be rude they would've done it outright. You were the one – " His eyes widened.
He wondered if James Potter had been in this position with friends like Stephanie Rosier and Marlene McKinnon waiting in the wings. Had he seen it and ignored it? Or had it all gone over his head? Harry supposed Naomi suggested it, in fact, did go over his head.
He wasn't looking for a wife, but he did want to have fun.
"You're very pretty – "
Cho rolled her eyes. "I know I'm pretty. Thank you. What I don't know why is you didn't tell me your birthday is now. Or what that bracelet means. Not that Pucey didn't tell me. Or why your friends are such bitches."
Harry scoffed. "I sat there while a Macmillan of all things was nasty to me. And don't get me started on the stench of new money convincing themselves they don't want to be here."
Her eyes widened. "You're just like them."
Harry nodded. "A cunt like them. Not a cunt like your friends because they couldn't get in here even after trying very hard." He ran a hand through his hair. "The difference is I'm not bothered by a group of nobodies with nowhere to go on a Friday night. You are by girls just as pretty as you are."
Cho flushed.
"I'm somehow always with pretty girls; pretty and rich and I can't make you feel better about it every time," he said.
"You didn't make me feel better this time, you arse."
Harry motioned his head in agreement. "Sorry?" They stood facing each other until he asked, "Would you like me to take you home?"
"No!"
He nodded and turned to the door. "I'll see you around, Cho."
He went back outside.
"Where's your girlfriend?" Vanessa asked.
"Bugger off."
Fleur patted his cheek. "Next girlfriend should be pretty and should get along with me."
Harry picked up a bottle of water and tossed the contents at her.
Was that possible? Harry knew very few girls who weren't threatened by Fleur and he didn't expect that to change. Nymphadora was family to him and so were Vanessa and Audrey. Delphine…bloody hell.
Cassius handed him a cup. "At least you gave her a taste of what she wanted."
Harry sighed and sat down. "Be careful what you wish for?"
"Uh huh," Cassius said.
Harry stayed until it was almost one thirty.
He drank and danced with girls named Orpington, Scrimgeour, and Rookwood. He even got into a raucous discussion on quidditch with Cormac, Eddie, and two pretty girls named Angelina Johnson and Alicia Spinnet.
His plan had been to take the Knight Bus home. Somehow, though, he ended up walking far away from the house. He only understood why he felt so confused when he came upon a dark figure in an abandoned alley.
His wand was in hand in a moment. "Hello, Tom."
"Good evening, Harry," he said. "I've longed to meet you. Happy birthday, by the way."
Harry snorted. "Thank you." A beat passed before he asked, "How do you know that?"
Tom laughed. It was cruel, high, and oh so very terrifying. He didn't answer, though. He just moved his wand instead.
"Avada Kedavra."
With a trash bin, Harry shielded himself from the Killing Curse. He transfigured the bin into a shield and a number of knives.
"Oppugno."
Tom transformed the knives into Fiendfyre. A giant snake headed to Harry as Tom said, "You should've run, Potter."
"Not my style."
The Fiendfyre disappeared, but then Harry had to deal with a waterspout. Harry moved his wand as if it were a lasso. Indeed, the waterspout transformed into a fiery one that encased Riddle's legs. Unfortunately for Harry, his opponent transformed it into a whip that caught his legs.
"Shit!" Harry heard a couple pops, but didn't stop his wand.
That was until someone grabbed him by his collar. Edgar's companion stepped in front of Harry to duel Tom.
"That's enough!"
Harry stepped on Edgar's foot as a blast of green light hit the auror standing between him and Tom. The man – a tall one with long, red hair – crumpled to the ground, eyes wide and surprise etched on his face.
A flash of orange light and Harry cried out. He elbowed Edgar then swung the shield. It made contact and Harry looked for Tom before Edgar was even down good, but Tom was gone. So he tossed the shield and took off into the night.
He ran and ran until the pain in his side became too much. At some point, he sat on the steps to someone's home. He touched his side and looked at his hand to find it red and sticky with blood. He looked down at his shirt. The middle and bottom were entirely red and it was seeping into the white against his chest.
As a car door slammed, he slumped on the steps and passed out, but not before looking into a set of the greenest eyes he'd ever seen.