Having the memories Harry didn't even know where to start. He had the elf bring him several other years of vials though. He wanted to see the ones around when his parents were in the order. He was reminded that Albus had been involved with both Grindewald and with Voldemort. He had heard Albus received a pardon for his earlier work with Grindewald as he had been young and helped bring him down. Harry wondered why no one had thought his involvement with two dark lords was not more suspicious.
He needed someone to speak to about this. He knew he could trust Lucius who beyond Remus and Charlie was the only one who knew about it. He hadn't wanted to risk his family and those he cared about by telling those who didn't need to know.
Lucius was surprised when asked to meet him. "I know you promised a date earlier in the week but I wasn't expecting this."
Harry laughed and for a moment he played. "Why not? Didn't you ever have to face the parents?"
Lucius smirked at that. "My last marriage was arranged."
Harry shrugged. "I am told this is a custom to dating. I have never had a guy to bring home or a father to bring him to."
Lucius reminded him. "I do recall Remus."
Harry gave him that. "We can invite him next time if you insist. I thought you'd prefer a run down from a fellow Slytherin."
Lucius was pale. "I should have updated my will."
Harry nudged him in the ribs. "He is a painting. I don't think you should fear for your life."
Lucius wasn't sure. "If he finds out I have been kissing his son he may find ways."
Harry reached up and kissed him. "A bit more then kissing."
Lucius conceded that point. "Though not much more. Don't think it would save me."
Harry gave in. "We're not here to discus my dating habits with him anyways. Or a date."
Lucius had to wonder. "And why are we here?"
Harry showed him what he brought. "To go through these."
Lucius may have been told he was a Gryffindor but he had not been told about what he had access to. It wasn't common knowledge to the public. The school governors knew the headmaster had access to the school memories in certain areas but even that had limits. He could not spy on his teachers in their private rooms or in bathrooms of course. But since Harry was not the headmaster he had not had thought Harry had such things. Harry explained that his grandmother and her father had told him and how he had got his hands on it. Lucius reminded Harry that he needed to be careful about who he told about things. Harry reminded him he could trust both Charlie and Hagrid who knew and Remus was not a doubt. Hagrid had extra protection it seems. His giant blood actually protected him from some of Albus' tricks.
Lucius found himself in the den where he looked at Severus and the other two paintings. He remembered Severus' words about not touching his son. He wasn't sure Remus would be any more pleased when Harry told him about them. He hoped Harry would down the way.
Severus came around first. "Together again?"
Harry reminded him. "I could invite some Weasleys instead."
Lucius cut in as Severus winced. "You told me to watch out for him."
The painting eyed him as Harry woke the other two. "I recall the other part of that conversation."
Tiberius seemed as cautious about Lucius as his grandson was. "I am not sure this should go beyond the family."
Harry reminded both men. "He already knew. Besides he can help me understand. I thought you'd both approve my choice."
Severus reminded his son. "You brought the bowl here for us to help."
"But you cant come in the memories with me." Harry pointed out.
Eileen agreed with her grandson. "Lucius can see with his own eyes. You have trusted him for years."
Tiberius agreed with his daughter on that. "It cannot hurt to have another set of eyes. And he was your trusted ally."
Severus' eyes bore into Lucius as he spoke. "I assume."
Lucius watched as Harry poured the memories into the bowl. "You trusted me with your life since we were teens."
Severus eyed his son as he said. "I assume I am doing the same now."
If Harry heard his father he didn't react but Lucius didn't miss the meaning of that. Lucius was taken into the pensieve with Harry. He could not only be a second set of eyes and ears but he could also direct Harry at what to look at. Lucius had been alive and involved with this years before Harry had been. Even in Harry's school days Lucius would have had more knowledge of what the headmaster was up to. Harry had considered not calling him but he had really not been sure where to start. Its why he thought to come to the manor but he knew he needed more.
Harry was shocked when they saw Peter and Albus providing him with money. Lucius had an odd look and made Harry leave the memories and get an elf to bring some memories which he was surprised to find Aberforth involved in.
Harry looked at Lucius as they watched Albus talking to a man about goats. "His brother went to prison for….."
Lucius nodded. "Aberforth claims to this day he was innocent. And it seems he was."
Harry looked at how young the man was. "He couldn't have been headmaster back then could he?"
Lucius confirmed that. "No, Dippet would have been. So he wasn't embezzling from the school."
Harry had to wonder. "Then why take me back there? Can this help us with something?"
Lucius sighed. "Us? No, the statute of limitations on that fraud would be up. The school can't fire him as he wouldn't have used our funds."
Harry knew there was more. "Then why call for those memories?"
Lucius reminded him. "You seem to be one for helping the under dog. Especially those who helped you."
Harry couldn't deny that. "I thought you said the information as too old."
Lucius corrected himself slightly. "Too old for us to use to have him arrested, yes. But Aberforth could clear his name."
Harry thought about Hagrid and how charges had ruined his life. "Can this really help him?"
Lucius nodded. "Give me the specific memory and I can have a friend at the ministry get it through the right channels."
Harry agreed to that. "But why? Why don't I just take it?"
Lucius reminded him. "We don't need Albus knowing you have access to anything or looking. I always had inside information."
Harry looked to the Peter ones. "What about these?"
Lucius sighed. "Peter was on his payroll that is for certain. But we don't know for what."
Harry felt a pit in his stomach. "Could he have known that Peter was the secret keeper?"
Lucius hated to admit it. "If Peter was working for him I fear he did. If we can prove it he could be guilty as an accomplice."
Albus had not been foolish to admit anything about the Potters or say Voldemort in his office. But Lucius knew some places he could look for information. And they could trace the money taken by Albus to pay Peter if it came from the school accounts. They could get him for embezzling if it was from school funds but they needed more proof to nail him for Peter. He could be held guilty for the man's actions as well.
Harry looked at Lucius as he bottled the memories Lucius asked for. "I am trusting you with this."
Lucius reminded him. "You have so far. I wont disappoint you."
Harry sighed. "I guess if only for your own sake against the man."
Lucius sighed. "I can admit I have my own issues with the man over myself and my son. But that's not what drives me alone."
Harry understood. "I guess we all have personal stakes in this. But it is more."
Lucius pocketed the memories. "I will look into this. We will find justice for everyone."
Harry turned to the paintings when the man was gone. "I trust him."
Tiberius agreed. "If nothing else you can count on Slytherins for caring about their own self-interest."
Harry put the other two to sleep and looked at Severus. "Was I wrong?"
Severus was silent a few moments. "He will keep to his word."
Harry reminded him. "You didn't sound confident before."
Severus agreed. "I trust the man with secrets."
Harry watched him. "There is more."
Severus grunted. "Life is different and more precious."
Harry reminded him. "You're already dead. Besides you trusted him with it before."
Severus said as he drifted off. "Not all of me is gone."
Harry heard the words now and he had heard them before. He had ignored them the first time the man had said them. He thought he took them the wrong way. Severus had loved his mother but this was more then that. He knew the man wasn't talking about the house and the estate he had left behind him. But Harry had a hard time believing Severus meant him. He tried to tell himself that he was talking about Draco.
As he went to leave he thought aloud. "But he would trust Lucius with his own son. He wouldn't doubt that. But he couldn't mean me."
Lucius went to work going through the school bank records and what information he had. The death eaters who weren't killed were in black cells and he couldn't risk going to speak to them as he didn't need this to get out. But he always had informants who could help him get information. He had promised Harry he would help solve this and he planned to keep his word. And not simply to Harry in this either. He would keep his word to his old friend. Well not about the hands off thing which he had never promised in the first place and wasn't going to do now. But on the keeping Harry safe. Harry may have missed the meaning of the life comment but Lucius had not.
Lucius handled the simplest thing he could at first and that was Aberforth. He wasn't sure he would have bothered but for Harry. Harry seemed to be rubbing off on him. The man was old and had no children to clear his name for. But Aberforth didn't deserve to be remembered for that.
He was leaving his office on Wednesday for dinner when he ran into someone. "Excuse me."
Aberforth stopped him. "Thank you."
Lucius turned towards him. "And you are thanking me?"
Aberforth showed him a form. "I am led to believe the proof originated from you."
Lucius smirked. "And I would have an interest in you why?"
Aberforth didn't buy it for a moment. "My brother will be hurting for money."
Lucius was stopped by that. "And he would be why?"
Aberforth admitted. "There was some land in our mother's family. She left it to me but he claimed it when I went to prison."
Lucius knew a sibling could claim an estate if it was being seized. "I don't recall him ever visiting the house."
"The land made some descent profit over the decades. I have been rewarded both the home back and the profits." Aberforth explained.
Lucius understood finally. "He has to pay you back years worth of money."
"Not all of it. He did purchase the pub and home for me. But that was only a small portion."
"And you are telling me?" Lucius asked.
"He will need funds else where and we know where he will get them." Aberforth explained.
Lucius understood where he was going. "The school."
Aberforth went to head down the hall. "If anyone can keep an eye on it I would think it you."
Lucius could admit he was grateful for the man informing him. He had not known about the estate or that Aberforth would have money to claim. Albus was the eldest son but his father had lost any estate he had when arrested. It seems the rest had gone to his younger son. He had not thought to keep looking at the current books for the school for any concern. With the war done he didn't think Albus would risk anything right now. The man was feeling quite secure in his place and showed little concern Harry had anything to act on or interest to do so.
He reminded himself where he had been going and headed out for dinner. Despite their meeting two days ago Harry had agreed to keep to their date night tonight. They had both agreed though to focus on just the evening and not talk Albus.
His mind shifted to dinner as soon as he found Harry down waiting for him. "I am sorry if I am late."
Harry smiled and brushed him with a kiss. "No, I was running a tad early."
Lucius went to lead him out. "I know we agreed no business talk tonight but I thought you may want to know."
Harry smiled a bit when Lucius told him about Aberforth. "I am relieved we could bring some peace to the old man."
Lucius went to lead him out. "I want to focus on tonight."
Before Harry could agree a voice came from behind. "Tonight?"
Harry turned to see Bill behind him. "What are you doing here? I thought you said you had dinner plans."
Bill reminded him as he was joined by Charlie. "I never said it was with my wife. I was meeting Charlie. You turned us down."
Charlie eyed Lucius who was standing there. "Maybe I didn't have to take you out to the bar after all."
Harry tried not to blush. "I have no idea what you mean."
Bill didn't buy it. "Then you won't mind some company. A guy's night out."
Charlie agreed. "We can all catch up on old times if that was what you two were doing."
Harry looked at Lucius and back. "I…."
Lucius cut in. "More the merrier. I am sure we can make room for you at the table."
Bill noticed they were heading into the muggle sector. "Worried people will think we are on a double date?"
Harry smirked at him. "Maybe if your wife was along. I don't think anyone would think you were dating your brother."
Charlie smiled. "Oh but they would think you fell for my hot quidditch abs and Bill liked blondes."
Harry didn't find it funny. "Been off the broom too many years big brother. Your abs are a bit flabby."
Charlie elbowed him. "Keep commenting on my looks and your date may get jealous."
Harry didn't respond this time and simply blushed. Bill and Charlie were certainly shocked but they found it amusing at least. They had no issue with Lucius who they knew had been a spy. They thought Harry was lucky it was them and not other members of the family who caught them. The twins would be supportive but they would have given them a much harder time. Harry was thinking the same thing.
Lucius could admit this was certainly not the kind of date he had been hoping for. He reminded himself he was the one who invited them. He could admit he didn't mind someone on Harry's side knew. He knew he couldn't comment as his own son didn't know.
Lucius had decided on just dinner for the week night so they had gone to a nice restaurant. "I will get them to find more chairs."
Charlie looked at Harry as they were led in. "He has at least good taste even if expensive."
Harry assured them. "Lucius of course will be treating us all."
Bill laughed and reminded Harry. "No need."
Lucius motioned them to sit. "Dinner is on me. I invited you."
Charlie sipped the water as they looked over the menus. "We invited ourselves."
Lucius could be heard grumbling a tad. "At least it was not the twins."
Harry laughed a little. "That could be next time."
Bill thought. "Maybe Harry can invited Draco and Pansy next time."
Lucius smirked and Harry looked like he was choking on his water. "May wait on that particular dinner."
Lucius ordered a nice bottle of wine and he insisted they all enjoy whatever they chose from the menu. Bill and Charlie did better financially then their dad, even Charlie in vet training, but this was usually a bit fancy for their taste. But they knew better then to argue about being treated. They had to smile when they saw Harry and Lucius interact over dinner when they stopped with the date jokes. They didn't think they made a bad couple. They knew Harry would be worried about how others would react and wasn't surprised he would keep his tongue on this.
Charlie looked at Harry as Lucius went to the restroom before they left. "How long has this been going on little brother?"
Harry knew there was no point of denying it now. "We have gone out a few times."
Bill clapped him on the back. "No need to look like we are about to hex him. Or out you to others."
Harry was relieved. "Not even Remus knows. I want to….."
Charlie chimed in when Harry trailed off. "Our lips are sealed. But you know you have our support. And the twins certainly."
Harry shot them a nasty look. "Not a word to even them."
Lucius returned as the brothers assured him they would keep their mouths shut. Lucius was not too sad to see them depart after thanking him. He was reminded that he could not steal Harry away back home for the night. Neither Harry or Lucius had a private home in the city to retreat to. On weekdays Draco would be home and of course Remus. There was one upside to going out on a weekend that they were missing out on.
Lucius kissed him tenderly before Harry went to leave. "When Albus is dealt with we may have to look into a holiday or at least a private home."
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