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Harry had looked at the box almost every day since he had opened it. He had taken a few items out of the box and had them in his room. He could admit perhaps he was seeing a different side of the man. Both his dad and the twins tried to convince him to go back to the manor and speak to him. But for now Harry hadn't been ready to talk to him. He wished it was the man and he could actually confront him face to face. He was reminded though that the essence of his father had been placed into the painting. The painting could respond and speak to him as if he was alive. He knew his mum and James had never had portraits made during their life time. If portraits were made now they could move and talk like the Fat Lady, but they would not have their actual memories or essence in them. Severus at least he would have that.

The day before his birthday he finally found the courage he could admit to head back to the manor. He decided not to go alone and had chosen the most unique companion to go with him. He had sent an elf to ask the man to accompany him.

He arrived outside the manor gates and a few moments later the other man arrived. "You came."

Lucius smiled a tad. "You invited me."

"You seem to follow me around anyways."

Lucius smirked a bit from that. "Again don't flatter yourself."

Harry headed up the drive. "I guess I haven't seen you in weeks."

Lucius agreed. "Before you went into the court room. I heard he won."

"Though not sure Teddy was the winner."

Lucius was confused. "You don't think he is best with you and his dad?"

"Andromeda has boycotted visiting him." Harry admitted.

Lucius sighed. "I assume when she calms she will be when she can. Draco has visited once or twice."

Harry wanted to switch topics. "Didn't have any other plans today?"

"I don't mind a reunion with my old friend. And you may need a referee."

"Referee?" Harry this time smirked.

"The two of you seemed to need one even before you found out." Lucius reminded him.

"He cant threaten me with detention even if he was not…" Harry's voice trailed off.

Lucius smiled a tad. "I think he likely did them intentionally."

Harry chose to ignore that comment as they headed into the manor. Lucius hadn't known about Harry so it was purely speculation on his part. But he thought that Severus may have been wanting to spend some time with his son. And he could never have made it obvious to Harry that he was doing so. He also thought it likely that Severus had taught him occulemency instead of Albus because of it as well. Albus had more then enough skill in it that he could have taught Harry himself. Harry had often wondered why the headmasters hadn't.

They found their way to the portrait gallery with the help of the head elf once again. Unlike Tiberius, he was told Eileen and Severus were in the actual gallery. It was a large room located on the second floor of the main wing of the manor.

He looked at Severus but his eyes went to a woman. "He didn't look like her at all."

Lucius agreed. "Other then his eyes a tad. He was the image of his father."

Harry said the password to awaken both of them. As he waited he wasn't sure how this would go. "Here goes."

Severus came awake and looked at him. "Potter."

Harry snapped at him. "We both know that isn't my name."

Severus smirked a little. "It seems we do."

Eileen had come awake. "My grandson?"

Harry turned to look at her. "Yes."

Severus' eyes drifted to Lucius. "I wasn't expecting such a pair."

Lucius shrugged. "Since you left off telling me he was your son I guess not."

Harry drew the attention back. "Why didn't you tell me? Too ashamed?"

Severus turned back to him. "I was not ashamed of my love for…your mother. I needed to protect her."

"And me? An after thought? Or no thought at all?" Harry demanded.

"You know you'd rather have been the son of the hero James Potter. Besides it would do nothing but put you in danger."

"I would rather have had a father who was alive." Harry was furious.

"Dreamed of making potions with me in my lab. We all knew how much you loved it."

"Or Merlin forbid have someone to speak to. Or perhaps teach me occulemency without just attacking me."

Severus grunted. "Certainly didn't inherit my natural skill."

"Yeah well sometimes nurturing is needed." Harry reminded him.

"Well I had to learn it on my own. No coddling."

Harry went to leave. "I don't even know why I bother. Punishing me for your dad or whatever…."

Lucius shot Severus a look as he stopped Harry. "You once told me that you would never turn out to be Tobias."

Eileen actually spoke to her grandson. "I admit I never gave him a great example."

Harry turned to her. "I am told he adored you."

"I should have taken him from that home."

Severus grunted. "Bad parenting choices seem to run in the family."

Harry turned to look at him. He took a breath. "Your grandfather gave me the box. I opened."

Severus gave a bit. "Not much."

"The memories."

"I loved your mother." Severus sighed.

"At least I have that. Even if you couldn't me."

He didn't know what he expected when he had come here. He knew the man had never loved him and never wanted to be a dad to him. He had hid Harry like some shameful secret from the world. He could have told those people he trusted like Lucius but he never did. Both Lily and him had hid who he was from those they were closest to. He could understand James. James didn't want the world to know that the baby he claimed was not his actually in blood. Lily and Severus were another matter all together. There was nothing the man could have said to change that.

"Be careful around Albus." Severus said.

"I always have been." Harry smirked.

Severus looked at Lucius. "There is a reason he didn't want me to tell you or claim Harry."

Lucius understood. "Control over Harry."

Harry reminded the man. "The war is over."

"He will not want whatever he was hiding to come out. Just watch your back."

Harry grunted. "I don't plan on going any where near him."

"It is your birthday tomorrow."

"Going to sing me happy birthday?"

"Just don't open any bank letters near him."

"I didn't plan to invite him."

"Like he always waits for an invitation."

Harry conceded that. "I have gone into my deeds and paper work."

Severus shook his head. "Not all of it I assume."

Harry stopped. "I found the deed to the cottage."

Severus understood. "He has it?"

Harry nodded. "It meant a great deal to him."

"Least I owed him. He gave me my life."

Harry went to leave. "They are expecting me."

Eileen stopped him. "I'd like a chance to speak."

Harry turned back to her. "Why not when you were alive?"

Severus saw the pained look on his son and he knew his mother would too though he couldn't see. "I made her keep away. You can wake only her next time."

Harry grunted as he left. "I may wake you both."

Harry did have plans to meet his friends for dinner that evening. Molly and Remus had planned a party for him for the next day. He had tried to insist that it was not needed as he was an adult. But they thought after all he had been through he could use some cheer. And it was the first time he would have a birthday as well. But his friends were taking him out for dinner for the quiet celebration that he would have preferred to have. He didn't need anyone making a fuss over him. And right now he didn't think he was really in the mood for a group of people.

Lucius turned to Severus' painting before putting him back to sleep. "You could have told me about him."

Severus grunted. "It was safer."

Lucius didn't buy it. "We both know how to keep secrets."

"Well now you know. And you can keep an eye on him."

Lucius didn't deny it. "He wont make it easy."

"I have never known you to dislike a challenge."

Lucius smirked and he could admit that Severus was not wrong about it. They both liked to be challenged in some way or another. They used to challenge each other as well. He could admit that he found it entertaining to spar with the little lion in the past few weeks time. He could admit that it was not simply Severus asking which had him wanting to keep an eye on Harry. But he wasn't about to admit that.

Severus said as he was about to drift off back to sleep. "Just your eyes Lucius. He is my son. Just your eyes."


The night before had meant a lot to him. And it had been what he had needed. After talking with the paintings he had needed a good distraction. And his friends had offered him that. It had been mainly the old quidditch team buddies but Bill and Charlie had joined them as well. Hermione and Neville had decided to wait until the next day. Bill and Charlie had almost not come as they thought it could just be the quidditch team but they had been welcome additions to the group. Bill really was the only odd man out as it occurred to Harry that Charlie had played with them as well. In Charlie's final year Katie had been a reserve, and the other four had been on the team. Harry was the only first year to be a starter in a hundred years, but first year reserves were common enough. Harry had taken over seeker from Charlie and Oliver as captain when he graduated. Bill loved to fly and play for fun, unlike Percy who you could not get on a broom, but he had never tried out.

The next day the party was being held at the coast so everyone could swim and have a good time. Molly was doing all the cooking and planning though Harry had offered her the help of elves. She had only agreed to have their help in bringing everything there.

Harry spent a quiet morning with Remus and Teddy before the party. "We could run away."

Remus laughed. "The party is for you."

"One I didn't want. I'd have been happy just us three."

Remus knew. "I told Molly but she thought you needed a party since you never had one."

Harry looked out the window. "Hagrid making me a cake and giving he Hedwig was the closest."

Remus squeezed his arm. "You did have one with your…..I remember you ripping into gifts and riding Padfoot."

Harry smiled a little. "Well at least one dad was there, well two with you."

Remus admitted. "He was there."

Harry was confused. "He didn't know back then."

"The order had been invited. He came though he looked ready to run."

"Did he bring me a pile of stink weeds?"

Remus laughed a little. "I believe it was a cauldron puzzle. James was not impressed."

They were interrupted when Ted came in the door. "I hope you don't mind."

Harry turned to look at the man. "I am sure you have missed Teddy."

Ted smiled at his grandson but he looked at Harry. "I came for the birthday boy."

Harry accepted a hug. "I am happy you came."

Remus handed him his grandson anyways. "Is she coming?"

Ted shook his head. "No."

Remus had meant it when he said that he would not cut the couple from his son's life. He had not had any family other then his parents. His friends were it when his parents had died. He had wanted his son to have all the family he could get. And Tonks would have wanted her parents to be involved as well. He had sent an invite to today to the couple to extend an olive branch. He had thought they could take Teddy home with them if they wanted for the night. Now that he had the legal papers he didn't have to worry about them not returning his son. He hated to think it but he had worried prior to going to court. It had been the reason he had fought Andromeda about weekends before.

Harry felt a pang as they went outside that Andromeda had not come. He was happy that Ted had come and not simply for his grandson. Harry had grown closer to the couple because of their daughter. He didn't mean to hurt Andromeda and he wondered if she would hate him now.

Molly was putting the finishing touches when he came down. "Just about ready."

Harry looked around. "You didn't have to do all of this."

"You loaned me elves." She reminded him.

"We both know you only used them to bring stuff over. You know you could have used my kitchen."

Molly hugged him. "I prefer my own kitchen. Happy birthday."

Harry returned the hug. "Thanks for doing this all even if way too much."

Arthur came to hug him. "No point arguing with her. Just enjoy it."

Harry was and talking to his friends when he saw someone arrive. "What is he doing here?"

Remus saw his attention. "I don't know."

Albus came over. "Happy birthday my boy."

Harry bristled and kept back. "What are you doing here?"

Albus smiled. "Molly sent an invite to the school. Filius, Minerva and Poppy came as well."

Harry saw them. "Like Hagrid, They are most welcome."

Albus tried to hand him a gift. "I hope you will come have lunch soon. I'd like to talk to you about coming to teach in the future."

Harry had considered it but he didn't want to be near the man. "My lunch card is full."

Harry turned to the other teachers and welcomed them to his party. Minerva may not have been top of his list but he wasn't upset she or the others had come. Molly had simply invited any of the staff from school, Hagrid was the only one who had received a personal invite of them. Hagrid had of course come and had brought Fang with him. Harry was reminded of his so called father when he looked at Poppy and Filius. He had been told that Severus had been close to both of them. He doubted they knew though since he didn't even tell his closest friend.

Harry had a good time swimming and enjoying the water with his friends and those there. He could admit a party wasn't too bad though he hoped next year it would not be required. It meant a lot to have people around to celebrate but parties could be for kids he thought.

He was relieved his friends did joint gifts knowing he wouldn't want too much. "Too much as it is."

Molly smiled when he opened the quilt she made him. "No longer just school dorm."

Albus tried to hand him a package. "I thought you would like."

Harry ignored the gift. "Thanks."

Poppy came to his rescue and presented him something. "For my most frequent guest."

Harry laughed a little. "A wizarding version of first aid?"

Poppy shrugged. "I know the auror academy has healer on call but may come in handy."

Harry shook his head and looked at Charlie. "Did you get one? I thought you held the record."

Charlie agreed. "Maybe I should feel hurt."

Molly motioned when everything but the gift from Albus was done. "Dinner should be ready."

Hermione whispered to him. "We are stealing you away later for the pub."

Fred cut him off when he mentioned the night before. "Never too much fun."

Harry was surprised when an elf appeared and he knew it was from the bank. "For Lord Potter-Black-Prince."

He took the scroll from the elf. "What is this?"

The elf went to leave. "Bank to deliver it on your eighteenth birthday."

Albus was watching him from the side. "I am sure it is just a copy of records."

Harry eyed him and was reminded of what he had been told by the paintings. "I am sure."

He pocketed the scroll and turned back to dinner. He had known not to trust the man even before the paintings had warned him not to. He had no idea what the scroll was but he was not about to read it when the man was there. He would have thought it would simply been paper work before the paintings. But he had a feeling there was something more to them. Harry put himself into the party and did enjoy the pig roast feel to the dinner and the cake that Molly had made for them. None of the older adults were shocked when he and his friends when to ditch them.

Harry thought as he left. "I will speak to the attorneys about what this scroll is. Or heaven help me, Malfoy."

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