Chapter FIVE

A Long Overdue Meeting

...

A fundamental rule of good manners is to give. When you meet someone, you can always think of a genuine compliment to give, along with your attention and interest. A "Hello" or "How are you?" is most often not enough. Be generous with sincere words of praise, warm greetings, sympathy, or whatever is appropriate to the occasion.

When in polite company, always exercise self-control and good taste. Your voice, your behavior and even your clothing should reflect elegance. It is considered course behavior to brag about accomplishments; a well-mannered person has no need for self-advertisement. Your deeds will speak for themselves.

Appreciate the value of time, yours, and others. If you make an appointment, arrive on time. If you must be late, be sure to inform all parties immediately. Never arrive early for a social engagement (unless this is in a business setting). Lingering good-byes cause frustration and can ruin an otherwise good time. A quick, simple exit at the proper time is the best course of action.

Business Etiquette, or That of the Nobility is a different matter as the social order here is based on power. In this arena, men treat women as their equals, not in a chivalrous manner.

When attending a gathering of any sort at another's dwelling, stand until the host/hostess tells you where to sit.

Be sure to help the women in the party be seated before you take your own seat.

These are just some of the basics of proper etiquette. As member of the Nobility, it is your duty, to present one's self at their very best. Through the pages of this guide, we will go over table etiquette and plate settings. The proper way to greet those above your station as well as below. How to approach someone on equal footing. Dancing, Courting and every other aspect befitting a proper witch or wizard.

Sitting back in his chair Harrison yawned into his fist before he stood and stretched out the kinks in his lower back. He had spent the better part of the past week continuing his reading while he waited for word from his lawyer.

The letter he had received this evening had brought him a mixture of relief and excitement. Only a couple of days and he would finally be able to meet his Godfather. Something that mad Harrison nervous. Would the man like him? Would he treat him the same as the Dursley had these past 9 years? Or would Harrison finally find someone who loved him and treated him as if he were important to them?

A part of him knew that he didn't have anything to worry about. His dream-memories had shown him a tall man with grey eyes and black hair talking to him, hugging him, telling him he was their pup. But he couldn't help his insecurities from getting to him. Something that he worked hard on most of the time but couldn't fight it now.

Looking at his alarm clock on the beside table and noticing it was half past 11 at night, he headed out of his room and across the hall to the washroom to quickly brush his teeth before getting ready and climbing into bed.

HPSBHP

The following morning Harrison was awoken by the ringing of his alarm clock before the sun had risen above any of the building in his neighborhood, leaving him just able to see the first signs of daylight as he quickly changed into workout clothes and headed on his morning run.

He closed his eyes briefly as he made a steady pace on his usual route, just taking in the calmness he felt at the quietness of the surrounding streets. Having been out running every morning for a little more than two weeks, Harrison felt a slight accomplishment, when he was able to breathe a little easier and run a little further each day.

As he had done every day after his run, Harrison stopped at small café near the end of his route to grab a small smoothie to drink as he walked that last couple of blocks at calm but steady pace.

As today was Saturday and the last weekend before the new school year was to begin, Harrison's relatives were away once again for a long holiday-having left first this that morning. They were taking Dudley and his rat faced friend Peirce to an amusement park two towns over and wouldn't be home until Tuesday morning. So when Harrison arrived back at number 4 Privet drive, he let himself in through the back patio doors that he had conveniently left unlocked -since the Dursleys wouldn't dare give him a key- ran upstairs to have a quick shower and change into a pair of black slacks, royal blue shirt and his shiny black shoes before he proceeded to grab clothes to last him a few days as well as the current book he was reading and heading back out the door and on his way to the Leaky Cauldron. There was no way he was going to be staying in his relative's house if he didn't have too.

HPSBHP

Tom greeted him as he walked in the door and over to the counter with his usual nod and a polite "Good Morning young sir."

"Good morning Tom", Harrison nodded in return. "Id like to book a room until Tuesday if I could?"

"Of course, room 12 is available, will you be adding the breakfast to the room fee as well?"

Harrison nodded as he accepted his key and bid the man goodbye before headed through the door to the left of the fireplace and up the stairs to his room. He set his bag on the bed and was about to unpack when he heard a tapping on the window above the desk.

Quickly opening the window and taking the letter that was attached the owl, Harrison offered a treat before proceeded to sit on the chair and began to read…

Heir Potter-Black,

As per protocol I am informing you, that the enquiries into Mr. Dumbledore, and retrieval any artifacts that he may have removed out of your vaults have begun.

Thus far we have retrieved a handful of old tombs, once belonging to your ancestor Ignotus Peverell as well as a trinket used for tracking those of Potter blood. The items have been placed inside the Family Vault.

We will keep you informed as the rest of your property is returned to you, as well as compensation for the theft has been paid.

May your gold ever flow, and your enemies perish at your blade.

Sharpclaw,

Account Manager for the Ancient and Most Noble House of Potter.

Harrison sat the letter down, as satisfaction began to fill him. He was glad that his family heirlooms were being returned to him. But mostly that Dumbledore was getting what he deserved. After reading about the Goblin race, Harrison had no doubt that after the man paid him what the Goblins deemed appropriate, they would be collecting their own compensation in the form of Fines for the man breaking the laws they laid out to protect themselves and their clients. While it had been within his rights to remove items as Harrison Magical Guardian, it was NOT his right to do so without informing his charge. As the sole Heir of a Noble and Ancient House, Harrison was always to be kept in the loop.

Harrison grinned to himself. He couldn't believe how his luck had changed over the past couple weeks.

The best part of it all was that tomorrow he would finally get to meet his godfather. Jumping up from the chair at the thought, and racing to the bed he grabbed a fountain pen out of his bag -as he wasn't used to using a quill and ink pot yet, so always made a mess of ink droplets onto the parchment – He took a piece of parchment from the desk drawer provided and quickly penned his response to Selwyn's letter from the night before.

Mr. Selwyn,

Thank you for keeping me informed, I am more than grateful. Tomorrow at 11am is agreeable, I am looking forward to finally meeting Lord Black.

As you can see from the stationary stamp at the top righthand corner of this parchment, I am currently staying at the Leaky Cauldron. So, I will meet you tomorrow morning at your office at quarter to 11am.

Sincerely,

Harrison Potter,

Heir and Lord apparent to the Ancient and Most Noble House of Potter,

Heir to the Most Ancient and the Most Noble House of Black.

Sealing the letter with the Potter crest that he had had Sharpclaw find and locate in the main vault when he read mention of them in one of his books.

After quickly penning out a thank you to his Account manager as well, he tied the letters to the owl that was still sitting on the sill waiting for him and watched at it took off in the direction he knew the law office was located before it would then head to its final destination at the bank.

Feeling to wound up to just sit around, Harrison grabbed a plain but well-made robe from his bag and left his room to head into the Alley. He figured getting out would help him settle quicker than if he chose to sit and read the afternoon away.

HPSBHP

Harrison explored Diagon for the entirety of the afternoon, taking his time to wander around and really learn the layouts of the stores he entered. Talking to the shop workers and nodding in greeting to people he recognized from his previous visits.

He had a small assortment of items shrunken and tucked away in his robe pocket already, having decided that after being locked away for so long his godfather might enjoy it if Harrison brought him a few things to keep him busy when he wasn't attending his appointments with either his Healer, or Mr. Selwyn.

He had picked him up a stack of parchment, ink, and a set of new quills, -in hopes that he might wish to write him if he were allowed- as well a couple of action and adventure, novels to read simply for pleasure and a small assortment of snacks.

He would bring it up with Mr. Selwyn in the morning to confirm if he was allowed to give them to the man first of course and if the answer was no, then hold onto them until his next visit. But even if he wasn't allowed to bring them with him tomorrow, he felt happy just at the idea that he was buying them for him. Because despite his insecurities trying to creep in on him, for the first time in a long time, he felt like there was someone out there who could care about him, someone who could be his family.

As the afternoon turned into evening, Harrison made his way back out of the Alley and ordered the dinner special to be delivered to his room as he wasn't up for sitting in the busy dining area before heading on up and unloading his purchase to wait.

It wasn't long before his meal had been, delivered and eaten, his purchases un-shrunk and sorted into what was his and what was bought specifically for his godfather and he was getting himself ready and crawling into bed exhausted. Falling asleep almost as soon as his head had hit the pillow.

HPSBHP

Before he knew it, morning had come and rose with a nervous anticipation.

"I get to meet him today!" Harrison thought as he leapt out of bed, unable to simply lay there. Grinning to himself, he headed into the washroom to shower, and brush his teeth before coming back into the room to dress.

Wearing black jeans, a deep red button down and his Welsh Red Dragon hide boots, Harrison packed the things he had purchased for his godfather the day before into an over the shoulder leather messenger bag before grabbing his cloak and leaving the room.

He arrived downstairs into the main dining area of the pub, and as it wasn't overly busy that morning Harrison grabbed at a table and ordered a plate of Bangers and mash.

As he ate, he observed the people who came and went through the pub, making up little stories in his head as to where they might be off too, or what they might buy for his own enjoyment to try and make the morning pass more quickly. By the time, his plate had been cleared, he had wasted over an hour and had come up with more than 50 different stories, each one funnier and funnier than the last. So, with a small smile and quiet chuckle, Harrison headed into the ally to while away the reaming hour and a half he had before he was meant to meet Mr. Selwyn at his office.

The time surprisingly seemed to go quickly for him, having browsed around any of the shops he passed as he kept heading in the direction of the Law office. Because before he knew it, 1045am had come and so he made it the last few feet to the front door and walking inside and was greeted by the same receptionist as his first day here sat behind the front desk.

"Good morning, I'm here to see Mr. Selwyn, he's expecting me" Harrison said as he smiled at her.

"Of course, sir you can go right in, he is waiting for you."

Harrison nodded in thanks and walked to the door to the office, knocking and pushing the door open when he heard "Come in" from the man inside.

"Hello, Mr. Selwyn," He greeted with a polite smile as he was directed to sit down.

"Mr. Potter, good morning, good morning. How are you doing? Nervous?" Cadmus asked as he grinned back at the boy who was slightly shaking in obvious anticipation in front of him.

"A little. But I'm more excited than nervous. I can't believe how quickly this week has gone. It's been hard to wrap my head around it all, but I can't wait to finally get to meet him. I went shopping yesterday, and I got a few things I thought I could bring with me today. Just some parchment and writing supplies, books and snacks for Lord Black if you think okay that I give them to him?"

"They will have to be checked over. Protocol I'm afraid. We will just have to get one of the guards to scan them, make sure there aren't any spells or anything on them when we arrive before you can give them to your Godfather. But it shouldn't be a problem Mr. Potter." Cadmus assured him gently.

Harrison nodded back relieved, he really wanted to bring the man something, he never had anyone to buy things for before. Or the money to do it with. He certainly wouldn't buy the Dursley anything, so he was glad that he wasn't being told no.

"Well, should we get going? I already sent a request to Tom at the Condron for three orders of the lunch special to be delivered to the ministry at noon. That will give you some time to talk before the food arrives." Cadmus asked as he stood and directed the boy out of the office and over to the fireplace.

"Now I'm assuming you have never traveled by The Floo Network before, so you will be accompanying me this first time through. This here is called Floo powder, you are to take just a pinch and throw it into the fire, and when the flames turn green like this, then it is safe to step in." As he spoke Cadmus, threw the powder into the fireplace and guided Harrison into the green flames. Harrison eyes widened when he couldn't feel the heat of the flames at all. In fact, if he weren't seeing them with his own eyes, he wouldn't even know they were there.

"Now you must state loud and clear your destination. It's very important that you are very clear where you wish to go. As you say it, you must 'Will' yourself to get where it is you want to go. Just think about rushing through the fireplace and walking out in another building understand?"

Seeing him nod, Cadmus spoke clearly as he grabbed the boy around the shoulders firmly, "The Ministry of Magic, London!"

With a rush, Harrison found him shutting his eyes quickly as room after room rushed past him. It was a mildly nauseating feeling, so with his eyes reaming closed he held his breath until he felt them stop a moment later. When he opened them again, he was looking into what he assuming was the atrium of a large building.

Exiting the fireplace, he was directed to a desk in the center where they quickly checked in and headed to a set of lifts and down to the 10th floor. This was it, they were finally here, only a few more feet and he would finally be meeting his Godfather at last!

HPSBHP

Sirius was pacing nervously back and forth across the small room when the door began to open. Holding his breath, he stopped to stare as in walked his two visitors.

He couldn't take his eyes off the small boy that stood before him. As he knew from the photo, he had of him. Not was it a carbon copy of his late best friend that stared back at him from striking green eyes. But it was a boy, who took after his Grandmother Dorea Potter-ne Black. There was the aristocratic jaw, and cheek bones that was prominent in the Black family.

"Harrison", he breathed out finally. 'Its… its good to see you pup."

"Hello, Lord Black, I'm really happy to finally meet you," Harrison replied quietly.

"Just Sirius Harrison, or Padfoot if you like."

"I..remember someone with that name, he was called uncle Padfoot", Harrison breathed. "I don't remember a lot, but I can remember mom and dad mentioning it, and I can remember you holding me as a baby once, calling me your pup."

Tears sprang to Sirius eyes as they sat down around the table. His boy remembered him, even if it was only a little. "Yes," He breathed out his voice shaking. "Your dad was the one to give me the title of Uncle Padfoot after he asked me to be your godfather. You used to light up when I visited yelling 'Unca Pafoo' as soon as you saw me."

Harrison stared, as a memory flashed quickly. He still couldn't get a much, but he hears himself yelling for his Unca Pafoo in the back of his mind along with the image of a shaggy black dog.

"I brought you somethings, I hope you might like them," He said remembering the bag he brought with him and handing it over as he breathed in and out to keep himself from breaking down. He hadn't expected to be this overwhelmed this quickly.

"Thank you pup, you didn't need to bring me anything. Just seeing you is more then enough." Sirius opened the bag and began pulling the items out and setting them down onto the table and smiling gently at the boy as he saw everything laid out in front him.

"I wasn't sure what you liked, so just got a few different snacks for you to choose from, and a couple action books that sounded interesting… and I was hoping you might write to me? Its still a few weeks at least until you will be free, so I thought we could write during the week and I could visit on the weekends if you wanted."

Sirius watched the boy in front of him, as he bit his lip nervously waiting for the man to respond. He slowly reached across the table and gently placed his hand on top Harrison's arm and speaking with as much sincerity as he could put into his voice. "I would love that more than you know, Pup. I want to get to know everything about you if you will let me."

Once more Harrisons eyes filled with tears at the admission. Never before had anyone wanted to get to know him. No one had thought him important enough. The Dursley made sure to constantly remind him of how unwanted he was, how much of a burden, a freak. It he hadn't had an eidetic memory, allowing him to dream about his parents, remembering their love for him, he knew he would have believed their cruel words. Even still, they had caused insecurities in him that he now fought with as he listened to his Godfathers' words.

This man across from him looked at and spoke to him as if Harrison were the most important person in the world to him. Feeling himself getting overwhelmed again and silently longing to be able to hug the man in front of him Harrison closed his eyes and just breathed.

Seeing his boy getting worked up, Sirius stood from his chair and made his way around the table where he placed his hands on to small shoulders, and when Harrison eyes opened and looked at him, slowly pulled the boy into a hug. At first, he just held him loosely, allowing him to pull away if he wished too. But when he felt his pup lean into his chest and begin to shake. Sirius wrapped his arms more firmly around him and held on tight, speaking quietly into his ears as Harrison finally broke down completely.

For the first time in his life, Harrison let go and grieved. Grieved for the loss of his parents that he denied himself for years. Grieved for the life that was so cruelly taken from him. Grieved for the life that had been forced upon him. He grieved for the man who held him. For all he must have endured himself locked away in that prison. Abandoned by his friends and peers. He let his grief consume him, until it turned to anger at Dumbledore and his involvement in sealing his parents Will, for sending him to his Aunt and Uncles. For never checking up on him all these years, allowing for the abuse to take place. He cried for the relief he felt as feeling arms around him, hugging him, protecting him outside of his memories since that night so long ago. He cried, but he finally felt like he didn't have to be strong, to hold everything in like his Uncle had taught him to do. He could be a child, who needed the comfort of his guardian, his parent. So he cried simply for the sake of crying. Just because he could.

It was for the next fifteen minutes that not a word was spoken, except for Sirius' low re-assurances into the 10-year old's ears, as both man and child cried; because for the first time in years, they were finally home.