Hello lovelies!
Welcome to March madness. That is what I have been affectionately calling this month since I am going to be uploading so frequently. I think this is a long awaited chapter, and I hope you all like it! I'm really glad everyone seemed to enjoy Rita's comeuppance!
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Disclaimer: Harry Potter belongs to J.K. Rowling, only the story line and any OC's belong to me.
Thursday, May 6th, 1999
Potter Manor
On Tuesday, at eight in the morning, Nymphadora Lupin skipped into the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, and headed straight for the Head Auror's office. She delightfully deposited a black jar on his desk. She clasped her hands behind her back to avoid knocking anything over, and swung back and forth in quiet glee.
"Tonks. What is this? It's too early for your shenanigans." It was a habit for people to still call her by her previous surname. She didn't mind.
"Firstly, it's never too early. Secondly, it's a present, Sir. An unregistered animagus to be precise," Tonks sang gaily. She marched out of the office without another word. She made a direct line for the break room so she could grab some coffee.
And thus, the Marauder's pesky insect problem was solved.
Currently, Riley and Hermione were sitting on the front steps of Potter Manor, and cradling mugs of hot chocolate (it was their second cup). Spring was melting into summer, but some remnants of the chilled air lingered. The sun was making regular appearances, but the frigid wind added a sharp edge to the otherwise pleasant days. The two witches were sharing a large, cable-knit blanket. Riley's legs were thrown over Hermione's lap.
"I think a winter wedding would be nice," Hermione said wistfully. "Draco loves the snow, and it would be stunning." The witches had been discussing Hermione and Draco's wedding all afternoon. Hermione had a visit with Narcissa the prior day, and they were brainstorming colour palettes, and settling on a season. The rest of the details would follow to suit.
"It's also nice that your Mum started wedding planning for you guys," Riley commented. Mipsy had found a scrapbook Dorea had made before she passed with ideas for her children's future weddings.
The ideas covered seasonal menus, floral arrangements, colour palettes for every season, and some rough sketches for dresses that would suit Hermione's figure. She'd included some samples of fabric, and some dried flowers were pressed between the pages.
Dorea had also seen fit to have a list of baby names prepared for all her children whenever they made her a grandmother. Sirius and Remus included. Hermione had filed a few of them away as she'd taken a liking to them.
"She had ideas for James and Lily as well. It seems she had faith that Lily would come around eventually," Hermione said, exhaling slowly before a smile crept onto her face. "Part of me wishes we found it before their wedding, but, another part wouldn't have changed a thing."
(Dorea had also started sections for Sirius and Remus's future weddings. For Sirius the ideas were vaguely centred around Riley, and for Remus, it was mostly about him since she didn't know what kind of person Tonks would turn out to be.)
"It was a magical day. In spite of everything, it was a magical day," Riley affirmed, dropping her head onto Hermione's shoulder. Hermione pressed a quick kiss to the crown of the woman's head.
"Draco and I briefly discussed it, but I think we'll give Narcissa the book with all Mum's ideas. I think she should be able to marry her ideas with Mum's and figure out everything from there." Hermione said.
"Seeing as Narcissa was one of the most successful hostesses in England in recent history, I think you'll be in good hands."
"I still want to be involved and have the final say on big decisions, but it will be nice to let someone else take charge. It will also stop me from having a row over napkins or something equally as trivial."
Riley opened her mouth to reply, but the telltale crack of apparition rippled from several feet away. Harry was standing on the grass, hands shoved into a black, pullover hoodie, his brow furrowed.
"Harry?" Hermione asked in confusion. Classes for the day would have just ended. The sun was in the middle of its daily descent. Robust oranges and pale yellows were abundant today across the sky.
Maybe he's here for Ron, Hermione thought. Ron had a free period at the end of the day. He and Harry shared all the same subjects, but some of their classes were separate. They'd had to break up the classes into smaller sizes to accommodate the greater number of NEWT students this year. It's why classes could run longer on some days depending on how their schedule was laid out, but end much earlier on others.
Ron had strategically loaded up the front of the week so his Thursday and Friday were smoother sailing, and it gave him the illusion of a longer weekend. He'd been here for an hour. Draco and him were inside their Potions's room running through Essence of Insanity. It was a volatile potion that required a delicate hand and meticulous attention.
"I just need some tips so I don't blow myself up," Ron said to Draco when he arrived. Draco had been sharing a seat on the steps with the two witches. His hot chocolate was the only one without marshmallows. An open packet of Sugar Quills was on his lap.
"Don't be silly, I'll help you brew it."
"I need to do it on my own—"
"I won't be brewing it for you, Ronald. We can go up to our Potions room, and you can brew it in a controlled environment with some pointers and tips from me."
"Are you sure?" Ron shifted uncomfortably from foot-to-foot. He fiddled with the hem of his dark blue jumper. "I've been getting so much help from you with Potions as of late. It feels like I am taking advantage."
Draco snorted ungraciously. He shook his head as he stood up. With a hefty sigh, he turned and headed up the stairs. He paused when he reached the top, and peered at Ron over his shoulder. "If I didn't wish to help you, you would know. Besides, you're family, Ron. Now come along, we're wasting daylight."
"The potion needs to be brewed in a dimly-lit space," Ron pointed out sheepishly.
A crooked grin pulled up one side of Draco's face. He took a sip of his hot cocoa. "See, you know more than you think."
Harry strode meaningfully towards them. He halted at the foot of the steps. He didn't say anything, he unflinchingly stared at Hermione. The forges of never ending fire in his eyes was mildly unsettling.
"Are you here for Ron?" Hermione asked.
Harry's brow tugged together further. "Ron's here?"
"He's in our potions room. Draco is helping him. He pops round every few days for…" Hermione trailed off. Harry's expression crumpled, the boy looked forlorn yet angry.
"I think I should leave you two to talk," Riley whispered into her friend's ear. Riley patted Hermione's knee and rose. She arranged the blanket around Hermione's shoulders.
Riley shot Harry a reassuring smile, and waved. "Good to see you, Harry. If you'll excuse me, I ought to find my husband. He's probably raiding the icebox for sustenance." Riley headed for the Manor's interior.
"Ron comes around often?" Harry asked, his tone deceivingly steady and quiet. Hermione busied her mouth by drinking her now cold drink. She nodded curtly.
"Luna does as well, mainly to see Riley. Sometimes they stay for dinner."
"I see."
Hermione tried to lighten the heavy atmosphere with a teasing remark. "I'm going to ban you all from the Manor until after your exams shortly. You all need to focus wholly on your examinations."
"Right."
Harry was not amused. Hermione's smile faltered and she warily examined the boy. He was visibly upset.
Harry ascended the steps, the wood creaking underfoot. He halted and sat in Riley's recently vacated spot. The seat was still warm. Hermione wordlessly held out one end of the blanket, Harry scooted over, and wrapped it around his shoulders. His shoulder pressed against hers, and she involuntarily shuddered as cold seeped from his hoodie through her jumper and into her skin.
"Is it because I look like him?" Harry asked. He stared ahead, no evidence of his true feelings were betrayed through the inflection in his tone nor the expression on his face. He was carved from stone; stoic and unyielding.
"What do you mean, Harry?" Hermione asked. Her tongue was numb in her mouth. She hadn't expected this conversation. She wasn't intentionally trying to hurt Harry. She had inadvertently been avoiding him, but she needed time. Hermione rested her mug on the step to her right.
"Are you avoiding me because I look like my Dad?" Harry clarified.
Hermione angled herself in Harry's direction. She reached out and cradled Harry's face. She gently forced him to look her in the eyes. Harry's bottom lip was trembling, and his eyes were shiny. "No, love. It's not how you're similar. It's how you're different."
Harry stiffened and recoiled at her words, but her hands chased after him and she scooted forward. Her knees knocked against the side of his thigh, and her blanket slipped off her far shoulder. "No, no, no, not like that. You look scarily like your Father—with a surprising number of your Mother's mannerisms—but I just needed time to reconcile all the minor differences between you and your Dad."
Harry's body remained as stiff as a board, his gaze guarded, but he didn't move away again.
"Harry Potter. I love you. I love you so much. I saw the same differences in your Father when we first went back in time whenever I missed you, and now the roles have switched. It hurts more this time because he's…because Jamie is gone," Hermione faltered, her eyes burned. The insides of her ears tingled and her throat was dry.
"Hermione. I'm—I'm sorry," Harry began. Hermione shook her head adamantly.
"You don't have anything to be sorry for, Harry. I kept you at arm's length without a proper explanation. I thought I would be able to come to terms with things by the time you graduated. I didn't wish to burden you with my problems when it's not your fault."
"I'm still sorry. I know I'm not him, and I'm sorry that you lost him."
Hermione let out a wet laugh. "Harry. I am sorry that you lost him." The more she tried to keep her tears at bay, the more pressure mounted between her eyebrows. Hermione tenderly stroked Harry's face.
"Draco and I will take you through some memories after you graduate. I don't have an exact time or date, but we swore we would when we were in the past, and I plan to uphold that promise. It won't be the same as having him and Lily, but you deserve to get to know them through more than just stories."
"Are you sure? You can take your time, I don't want to push you when you aren't ready, Mione."
Hermione pressed her forehead against Harry's, closed her eyes and allowed her tears to flow freely. "You've waited long enough, Harry. We've discussed it, the entire pack. We'll all contribute, set aside a day, and go through them together. As a family."
Harry nodded against her forehead, his own cheeks wet from crying. "I'd like that. I'd like that very much."
After Ron retired for the evening and left through the floo, Draco made his way to his bedroom. The sight that greeted him was jarring. He was transported to another time, and for a brief, foolish moment, he saw his brother wrapped up in Hermione's arms. Draco swallowed thickly. Cotton was shoved down his throat.
Hermione was spooning Harry from the side, her curls haphazardly spread out around her. Harry was lying on his back, an arm underneath Hermione's head. It served as a substitute pillow.
Harry was awake. He was dragging his fingers up and down Hermione's arm, but he was staring out the window on the far side of the room at the star-speckled sky. He'd changed into some of Draco's loungewear, his shoes at the foot of the bed, his clothes neatly folded on top of Draco's chest.
The floorboards by the doorway creaked as Draco rested his weight on them. The sound drew Harry's attention. "Hi."
"Hi," Draco said as he strode over to the pair. He brushed Hermione's hair out of her face, and stroked her cheek before he turned a questioning stare in Harry's direction. There was enough room for him to sit on the edge of the bed beside them, so he did, and gazed down at the raven-haired boy.
"I talked to Hermione about why she's been avoiding me."
"Ah," Draco said, sighing heavily. He rumpled his hair thoughtfully. "That couldn't have been easy to bring up."
"I could taste my heart," Harry admitted wryly. His bright green eyes were like precious gems in the darkness.
"And?" Draco prompted. He wouldn't press further for details if Harry didn't wish to discuss it, but he figured he would attempt and see where they stood.
"We cried a bit, we both apologised. She said it's not how my Dad and I are similar, but the differences in our appearance."
Draco nodded, lips pressed together in a taut line. Sometimes, the minor differences struck him like a bolt of lightning. Not as often these days. It helped that Harry's personality was drastically different from James. It cemented them as two separate entities in his mind.
"You have tiny freckles on your nose, probably from Lily. She didn't have a lot, but they were there. It's your scars, the lack of tattoos, your voice, and your laugh. Not to mention your magical signature. I've gotten used to it now, but in the beginning it was jarring."
"You mentioned it before. Was it the same for Sirius and Remus?" Harry asked, mouth puckered in thought. Draco had no idea what it was like for them when they first met Harry, but he guessed they'd gone through something similar.
"Most likely. You have a smart mouth like James, but otherwise your personalities aren't alike. Not really. You have bits and pieces of both your parents, but you are you, Harry. You are your own person."
Draco paused to consider how to delicately explain the complex emotions Hermione had been working through. "Hermione has been keeping her distance to resolve the differences between you. She was trying not to compare the two of you. It would be unfair to both you and James if she did that."
Harry mulled over Draco's words for several palpable moments. "Do you ever wish it was him instead of me?"
Draco almost choked on air. His back curved as his face fell down to Harry's. They were inches apart, sharing the same breath. Draco harshly grasped Harry's face. "No. Fuck, Harry. No. I miss my brother with every part of me, and I always will, but you're his son. I wouldn't trade you for the world."
Harry's eyes widened. Since his emotional talk with Draco atop one of Hogwarts' spires, the other wizard had been more open, but not like this. This was Draco's soul bared and vulnerable as he let Harry stare into his eyes deeply; into all the corners of his soul.
"Not even if it meant you got to have him and my Mum back?"
"Do you think James and Lily would be happy if we traded your life for theirs? They loved you enough to die for you, to protect you until their last breath."
"I—I know," Harry whispered. Draco understood. Harry needed to hear Draco's words. He knew how much his parents loved him, but he'd craved the validation that Draco's words would provide.
"The last time I saw Lily, she waddled down the front steps and rendered me unconscious. She was furious because we'd been away for so long. Hermione had already left the past, and I was about to. She forgave me for disappearing without a proper explanation for why we left, because that's who she was. I ended up talking to you in the womb then."
Draco repeated the sentiments he'd spoken aloud two decades ago, never tearing his eyes away from Harry's.
Thinking about the last time Draco saw Lily, brought to mind a small, personal promise. I have to pay a certain family a visit soon, Draco thought.
"Hermione mentioned memories earlier."
We should probably view the memories that Lily and James left us first, before we compile our own to show Harry, Draco mused. It would be best to have a break in between. They didn't know what to expect within those phials.
We also agreed to wait until Harry graduated to go through our memories, but we don't necessarily have to wait to go through James and Lily's, Draco thought. Harry softly said his name, snapping Draco from his contemplative state.
"If you'll let me, I'll show you countless memories of them. I think…I think it will be cathartic for us as well. Besides, Hermione doesn't know about the phials of memories James and Lily left for you." Draco said.
Harry hadn't forgotten about them. Neither had Sirius, Remus or Draco. They played on their minds constantly, but none of them had spoken of them again, nor had they re-visited James's chest.
"I think we can look at those separately. And if you don't mind, I'm sure we'd all like to accompany you and see what they are."
"I don't think I could do it on my own."
Draco withdrew from Harry, sitting up, but he didn't remove his hands. "Lucky for you, we're kind of like a fungus, can't bloody get rid of us if you tried."
Harry snorted. "It has its perks."
"I just remembered that I have to visit some old acquaintances. If you have a little bit of time, I'd like you to come with me." Draco pivoted the conversation before he forgot to ask Harry to accompany him.
"If you promise to spar against me so I can practise my nonverbal spellwork," Harry said. "I know it seems like I've been skiving off a lot lately, but I have been studying non-stop whenever I'm not here or in class…I want to do well in my NEWTs."
Harry didn't want people to say that his success in whichever career path he chose was purely because he was the Boy Who Lived.
"Your nonverbal spells are excellent, Harry."
"Never hurts to get extra practice in though, does it?"
Draco would be surprised if Harry didn't get Outstandings and Exceeds Expectations in all his subjects. The boy had been working extremely hard this year, and it showed. It was a combination of wishing to prove himself, and Daphne's influence. Also, Ron's desire to do well and dedicated work ethic this year had rubbed off on his best mate.
"No, I suppose it doesn't. So, is that a yes?"
"Yep. I'll come with you," Harry confirmed.
Draco grinned. His mind whirred as he flipped through his charms arsenal. He landed on the perfect spell to achieve the desired effect he was thinking of.
"You say that, but I've already drafted plans to give her a piece of my mind, and charm her hair violently purple the first chance I get." Lily's words echoed in Draco's head.
It was twenty years overdue, but Draco planned on following through with Lily's plans. It was time Draco paid the Dursleys a visit.