Sep 18

When the

Roses Bloom

Again - How

Times Change August 1956

He tapped the top of the desk impatiently with the tip of his

finger as he glared at his youngest son. It had been many

years since Arcturus had been so angry and disappointed in

a member of his family, not since Cassiopeia had aligned

herself with Grindelwald.

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The woman remained in St Mungo's, and though her

condition had improved considerably, she was not fit for trial

or to be released into society.

Arcturus shook his head of the thoughts pertaining to his

older sister, shifting them once more to the thoroughly

cowed Cygnus.

The boy had always been impulsive and hot-headed, but

what he had done this time was so foolish that Arcturus still

struggled to believe it.

At almost fourteen years old, the Lord Black thought he

had taught his son better, but evidently not.

He himself had never followed his father's example by

physically punishing his children, or by means of magic, but

it was tempting to do so now.

"Do you realise how monumentally you have fucked up?" he

snapped.

"I didn't think…"

Arcturus interrupted the retort by slamming his hand on the

desk.

"You never think, Cygnus!" he hissed. "Have you got shit

between your ears, boy?"

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The teen was hurt by the words of his father, but Arcturus

was too furious to care.

"Did you not consider the consequences? Did you not

consider her motivation for draining your balls?"

The boy blushed and looked towards his mother pleadingly.

Melania's nostrils merely flared in response.

Cygnus was granted a reprieve in the form of Elgar arriving.

"Lord Black, your guests have arrived."

Arcturus's jaw clenched and Melania rested a hand on his

forearm.

"Calm, Arcturus," she urged gently. "It will serve no purpose

to lose your temper."

"Show them in," Arcturus grumbled.

Only a moment later, a trio of people were led in by the elf

who vanished immediately.

Arcturus's steely gaze swept over them, coming to rest on

the sixteen-year-old girl who was looking at Cygnus.

The idiots even had the unmitigated gall to smile at one

another, though as Arcturus exhaled deeply, they broke eye

contact, both suddenly becoming nervous.

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"Did you put her up to it?" Arcturus questioned the man in

the group without preamble.

He was offended, and once more, Arcturus didn't care.

The Lord Black had not invited them for placation or

pleasantries.

"Of course not," Lord Rosier sputtered.

Arcturus grunted as he turned his attention to the Lady of

the family.

"Did you?"

The woman shook her head.

She was quite terrified, too terrified to have orchestrated

something so foolish.

"No one put me up to it," the girl huffed irritably. "It just

happened. It was a stupid thing to do, but we got caught up

in the heat of the moment. Has that never happened to you,

Lord Black?"

"Not until I was married, you stupid girl," Arcturus growled.

The girl, Druella, eyed him defiantly and was chastised by

her father.

"Enough, girl, you have caused enough problems."

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Druella narrowed her eyes at her father.

She was defiant, unafraid, and oddly, Arcturus felt his

respect grow for her.

Making a mistake was one thing, but owning it was another,

and Arcturus knew exactly how he was going to solve this

issue.

"When is the baby due?" he questioned.

"Four months," Lord Rosier sighed. "We only found out

about it a few days ago."

Arcturus waved off his excuse.

"I could do this one of two ways," he mused aloud. "I could

cut the little bastard out of her, and no one would be any the

wiser."

"Arcturus, no," Melania pleaded as the Rosiers paled.

Arcturus held up a hand to silence his wife.

"That would be the easiest thing to do in the circumstances,

but I have a better idea."

Lord Rosier swallowed deeply and nodded for him to

continue.

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"The two of them will be married," Arcturus said simply.

"Your daughter will become a member of my family. She

will have the baby, and when she is ready, I will pay for her

to be tutored for her NEWTs by a person of my choosing."

"That is very generous," Lord Rosier murmured.

Arcturus leaned forward in his chair.

"You will receive no dowry payment for her," he added, "and

that is me being more than generous, Rosier."

Rosier looked towards his wife who seemed to be pondering

the terms before she nodded.

"That is fair," Rosier agreed, offering his hand.

Arcturus accepted it and held on longer than was deemed

decent.

"If it ever comes to light that she acted on your behalf, I will

fucking bury your entire family. Do you understand me?"

Rosier nodded, wincing at the tightness of the hold

Arcturus held him with.

Eventually, Arcturus released the man.

"They will be married before my idiot son returns to

school," he declared. "He will do well, and he will provide

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for your daughter and the child. You have my word on that.

I will be in touch with a contract within a few days."

The Rosiers took the hint of dismissal, and Druella shot

Cygnus another smile before following her parents from the

room.

"Wipe that stupid smirk off your face boy!" Arcturus

snapped. "Do not think of this as a favour for you. If you

step a toe out of line once more, I will ensure that this child

will be the only one you ever produce. Now, get out of my

sight."

Cygnus all but ran from the room and Arcturus dragged a

hand through his hair.

"Fucking idiot," he cursed. "Where did we go wrong with

him?"

"We spoilt him," Melania sighed.

"We spoiled Orion too, but he's never done something so

stupid," Arcturus pointed out.

"Mostly because he is quite taken with Walburga," Melania

pointed out.

"Pollux's girl?" Arcturus asked with a frown.

Melania nodded.

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"They have been writing to each other for the past two

years."

Arcturus released a deep breath.

"I suppose his choice could be worse," he muttered. "It

would save me having to put up with the lords trying to

curry favour with me and queuing up to kiss my arse."

"The other lords won't like it."

"All the more reason to allow it," Arcturus snorted.

"So, you've given up on the idea of marrying him and Evans'

daughter?" Melania questioned as she wrapped her arms

around his neck.

"Evans would never sign a contract for her," Arcturus

sighed. "She will choose who she marries. Those are his

words."

Melania giggled amusedly.

"I think you forget that he is not a pureblood."

"And yet, he is perhaps the most influential person in the

country," Arcturus pointed out. "It's a shame he won't accept

the post as Minister."

"Why won't he?"

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"Because Harry doesn't want power," Arcturus replied with a

shrug. "He doesn't lack ambition, but he lacks the desire to

be in the limelight. You know what he is like."

"All too well," Melania acknowledged. "Do you think he will

change his mind?"

Arcturus shook his head.

"Never," he answered confidently, "but the more he refuses,

the more people want him to do it. He prefers to do his own

thing with his investments and taking the occasional year to

teach at Hogwarts when asked."

Melania shook her head confusedly.

"He's a strange man."

"But the best one I know," Arcturus said fondly.

Melania narrowed his eyes at her.

"You're going to have him tutor the Rosier girl," she accused.

"The thought had crossed my mind," Arcturus said

unashamedly. "She wouldn't do any better than him."

Melania nodded her agreement.

"What are we going to do about Cygnus?"

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"He's getting married," Arcturus pointed out. "He's going to

be a father, so he'd best start acting like a man."

"You're going to make his life miserable, aren't you?"

"The next four months will be unbearable for him,"

Arcturus replied mischievously.

Melania gave him a look of disapproval, but Arcturus missed

it.

He was too busy conjuring ways to ensure his promise was

carried out.

He would make a man of his son if it was the last thing he

did.

(Break)

Harry put an end to the magic he had been casting as a

knock sounded at the basement door. It would not do for

someone to encounter such a dangerous series of spells, and

though the room remained uncomfortably hot, it was no

longer a risk.

"Come in," he called.

It was Jack that entered, the boy resembling Harry so much

that the man often did a double-take at his appearance.

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Looking upon his son was like looking at his past self,

though Jack was not as grim nor tired looking like Harry

had been at his age.

"Dad, can you help me with my charms work?"

"What are you struggling with?" Harry asked.

"I'm not struggling, I just want you to explain something."

Harry snorted and prompted his son to continue.

Jack was a calm boy for the most part, introverted but very

protective of his sisters. The only time Harry had known

him to lose his grip on his cool composure was when

another boy had made a lewd comment about Rosa at

Hogwarts.

Harry could only assume that Jack had learned the toe

separating curse he'd hit the boy with from his library, and as

such, his son was banned from the basement along with his

older sibling.

Neither Harry nor Minerva had been angry with what he

had done, but the boy had been given a week of detention

from Slughorn who was his head of house.

Where Rosa had been sorted into Gryffindor, Jack had

become a Slytherin, a surprise for many, but not his parents.

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"What do you need me to explain?"

Jack released a deep sigh.

"In The Standard Book of Spells, it says that magic can be

manipulated when it has been cast, but it doesn't explain

how."

"What grade are you reading?" Harry asked with a frown.

"Three," Jack answered sheepishly. "I already finished

number two last year."

Harry shook his head amusedly.

"The reason it doesn't explain how is because it can be

dangerous to manipulate magic," he informed the boy.

"Even a simple spell can be volatile if you make a mistake."

"Really?"

Harry nodded as he cast a lumos.

"Do not try this," he said firmly.

Pulling the ball of light from the tip of his wand, he held it

in his free hand where he manipulated it to change shape.

For a moment, it resembled a Thestral, and then a

hippogriff before it settled in the form of a unicorn.

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"It is very easy to unintentionally change the nature of the

magic you have cast. You must have a focused mind, or

something like this can happen," he explained as he threw

the unicorn towards a training dummy.

A blinding flash, and loud explosion rent the air as the

dummy was reduced to little more than splinters of wood.

Jack stared between Harry and the damage, dumbfounded

by what he had seen.

"That's why it isn't in book three," Harry pointed out.

Jack nodded as a grin tugged at his lips.

"Well, I won't be messing around with that," he declared.

"Thanks, dad. Oh, and mum said lunch is ready."

With an amused chuckle, the two of them left the basement

and made their way to the kitchen.

"What was that noise?" Minerva asked.

"I was just showing Jack why he shouldn't attempt

manipulating magic," Harry snorted before kissing his wife

on the cheek.

"That boy is too curious for his own good," Minerva

grumbled.

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"I wonder where he gets that from," Harry replied, dodging

the swat Minerva aimed at his shoulder.

"The kids get their recklessness from you," she countered.

Harry could only nod his agreement.

"Are you planning on telling them?" Minerva asked coyly.

"No," Harry answered simply. "They will find out when the

others do."

Minerva shook her head, though she was pleased that Harry

would be returning to teach defence at the castle, for the

upcoming year at least.

"Has Albus convinced you to return permanently?"

"No, and he won't for a while yet," Harry huffed. "He's

determined, I'll give him that. I'm happy doing what I am."

"Locking yourself in the basement?"

"We both know what is coming," Harry replied darkly. "He

can't hide from me forever."

Minerva shot him a sad smile.

Although the magical world had been at peace for over a

decade now, Harry hadn't.

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Not a day went by that he wasn't preparing for another war

or following up on the ominous whispers that reached him

from across the continent.

With so much time having passed, it was as though

everyone had forgotten about Tom Riddle, but not Harry.

If he could catch up with the man before he inevitably

returned to Britain, it would be for the best, but regardless,

he would put an end to the man once and for all.

"Did you write back to Petr?" Minerva asked, breaking into

his thoughts.

Harry nodded.

"And Eleanor," he assured her.

The Russian wrote regularly and visited as much as he

could.

Petr was already being tipped to replace his father when the

man chose to retire but continued to serve as the head of the

Russian security services.

Eleanor had taught at the school for a few years before

returning home to Bulgaria where she had eventually

married.

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She now worked as a consultant for the auror department,

something that Harry found highly amusing since she was

still technically an escaped prisoner.

"Are you looking forward to it?" Minerva asked with a

smirk.

"To what?"

"Another year at Hogwarts."

Harry smiled as he nodded.

Although he wasn't ready to commit himself to the castle

full time, and perhaps never would be, the prospect of

returning always filled him with a sense of excitement that

nothing else did.

For him, it was like going home, the first place he had truly

been where he felt as though he belonged, despite

everything that had happened there during his formative

years.

"Always," he replied sincerely.

Minerva rubbed his forearm and placed a kiss on his lips.

It was her home too in many ways, and the place their lives

had begun together.

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"Do you have to do that?" Rosa groaned from where the

children were seated around the table. "We are trying to

eat."

"How do you think you got here, Rosa?" Minerva asked.

The girl grimaced, shaking her head in disgust.

"It's bad enough knowing it, we certainly don't need to see

it."

The girl had been this way since Minerva had relented and

explained the circumstances of how Harry and Minerva had

met, at Rosa's persistent questioning.

She had been horrified to think of her mother in such a state

of undress in the Gryffindor common room and her father

walking in on her.

For both Harry and Minerva, it was an entertaining trip

down memory lane at a time when things were simpler than

they had become, but they had been young enough to enjoy

a little naivety before things unfolded as they did.

"Will you still help me with some training?" Rosa asked.

Harry nodded.

The girl's love for flying had bloomed into a love for

Quidditch, and only the previous year, she had been made

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seeker for the Gryffindor house team, though she had

certainly been taken aback by how good her father was.

Harry was a natural at flying, and Rosa had grown up

watching him whilst he would supervise the children on the

Quidditch pitch in the grounds, but she had never seen him

play until the beginning of this summer.

The girl had been mesmerised by his ability and all but

demanded he trained her.

Harry did so happily, pleased to share something with his

firstborn that the others were either too young to truly enjoy,

or had little interest in.

Jack was an excellent flyer, but had no love for playing

Quidditch, and the twins wouldn't begin at Hogwarts for

another year, though both seemed to be determined to play.

"Why didn't you try to play professionally?"

That was the question Rosa had asked after their first

session, an innocent enough enquiry, but one that was not

simple to answer without Harry reliving the years that

followed his education.

"The world was a very different place then," he answered.

"The war," Rosa replied apologetically.

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Harry nodded.

It was the first time since Minerva had given the girl the

articles her first night of Hogwarts that she had mentioned

it, and having done so, she asked Harry questions about his

experiences.

It was not an easy thing to discuss, but he had answered her

honestly about his time as a Hit-Wizard, the things that

had been well documented by the media, and even the final

fight with Grindelwald.

When Rosa had run out of questions, she had hugged him

tightly.

"Thank you for everything you did."

Harry had been thanked by hundreds of people over the

years, but none meant more to him than the gratitude of his

daughter whom he had missed so much of her early years.

"I'd do it all again if I had to, for all of you."

Harry had meant it, and knowing just what was on the

horizon, he knew he would have to.

"Come on then, let's put you through your paces," he

chuckled, and Rosa sprinted from the kitchen to fetch her

broom.

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(Break)

The smell of blood was the first thing he became aware of as

he regained consciousness, and Lord Voldemort released a

groan before he opened his eyes.

He was covered in the viscous liquid, and the white walls

and floor had been sprayed during his brutal attack on the

woman.

She had not caused him offence, on the contrary, she had

been quite the useful companion, but she had outlasted her

usefulness now, and her life was better served creating his

second Horcrux.

Yes, she had provided him with some of the rarest tomes of

magic available to man, but that did not mean she had to be

spared.

She had been a curator at the library belonging to the Greek

Ministry, a building full of magical knowledge no longer

available to the public.

Voldemort had merely needed to charm the woman as he

had many others throughout his travels, and she had

willingly given him everything he required of her.

He had held on to the diadem in the hopes of unlocking the

magic contained within, but it was not to be. The relic

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would not yield what he desired, and that too was now being

put to better use.

Voldemort fought the urge to vomit as he stood on

trembling legs, a smile tugging at his lips as he rubbed his

bloody palms across his face and laughed heartily.

The excitement of a kill never failed to elicit such glee

within him, one of the very few things he felt now.

He had expected that he would one day become what he

had once been, but with the fragment of soul missing, he

simply hadn't.

Now, with another piece missing, he felt even less.

The nagging voice that would sometimes question his

intentions was absent, his mind focused only on his goals.

More power.

He wanted it all to himself, and he would obtain it.

Voldemort frowned deeply.

Power had never truly been his ambition, not outside his

own magical capabilities, and though he had pondered

grasping influence, he had never felt such a desire before

now.

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Was this another effect of creating Horcruxes?

Voldemort shrugged as he picked up the diadem and eyed it.

He needed to find somewhere to hide his Horcruxes.

It would not do to carry them around with him.

Shaking his head of the thought, he pocketed the

Ravenclaw relic.

There would be plenty of time to hide them, but first, he

needed to create more, and he knew exactly where he could

find two that were ripe for the picking.

"No," he muttered, "I am not ready yet, but I will be."

Lord Voldemort needed to be stronger before he made his

return to Britain, and though he didn't intend on

announcing his arrival, there was much more for him to do.

He needed to be stronger, to prove that he was worthy of

following, that his vision could be brought to life.

The former would be the easiest.

Thanks to his latest victim, Voldemort had acquired the

knowledge he needed to continue strengthening his magic.

When he was done with the rituals, and had acquired the

experience he needed, he would focus on his plan to return

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home where his campaign would truly begin.

With a final look at the mutilated corpse of the woman, he

left the house, his thoughts shifting to where he should head

next.

(Break)

Having attended a rather strange and unexpected wedding

of a boy younger than her and spending a considerable

amount of time on the Quidditch pitch with her father, the

summer had passed quickly, much too quickly for Rosa's

liking.

She'd always been close to him, but Rosa finally felt like she

understood the kind of man her dad was, though he was still

something of an enigma.

People loved him, respected him, and admired him, but it

was almost like he didn't want any of it.

To most, fame and fortune was everything, and influence is

what they sought, especially the purebloods, but not her

father.

Harry Evans wanted nothing but a quiet life, and Rosa's

respect for him only grew because of it.

She would miss him this year, more so than the previous

ones.

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It wasn't that she hadn't before, but with how close she felt

to the man now, it didn't feel right being away from him.

Rosa stared at her empty plate whilst the sorting took place,

and then Dumbledore giving the start of term address.

She was too busy thinking about everything she had learned

from her father.

Not just on the Quidditch pitch mind, but when she had

asked to see some of the spells he had used to kill

Grindelwald.

Much to Rosa's surprise, he had done so, and though she

knew that he was a highly regarded wizard, seeing what her

father was capable of was something else entirely.

He was an incredible wizard, and she finally understood why

he was so revered.

Rosa was pulled from her thoughts by an elbow knocking

into her ribs.

"Ow," she grumbled, helping herself to the food that had

appeared on the table.

"Are you okay?"

Rosa nodded.

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The girl who had jabbed her in the ribs was Celia Jones who

was a chaser on the house team.

She was small, nimble, and nigh on impossible to mark

when in the air.

"I'm fine," Rosa assured her. "How was your summer?"

The blonde girl beamed.

"I finally got a new broom, a Nimbus 400!"

Rosa smiled excitedly.

"Do you like it?"

Celia nodded.

"It is amazing," she gushed. "I can't see how they will top it."

Rosa couldn't either.

The Nimbus 400 was fast, and the handling on it second to

none.

"Shall we go and do some extra training in the morning?"

Celia's eyes lit up at the prospect, but the plates cleared, and

Dumbledore stood to address the room once more before

she could respond.

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"Now that we are fed and watered, I have only a few

announcements to make before you return to your common

rooms," he began. "Firstly, to new and returning students

alike, the Forbidden Forest is out of bounds to all. Mr

Hagrid will be watching vigilantly."

His gaze swept across the Great Hall, but there was an

unmissable twinkle of amusement in the headmaster's eyes.

Not a year went by where someone didn't venture into the

forest and found themselves in trouble.

It had become something of a game to do so, and usually

involved a dare of sorts.

"Secondly, the commodity known as a Fanged Frisbee, has

been banned within the walls of the castle," Dumbledore

continued. "Mr Pringle has affixed a list of other items to

the door of his office. If there is any doubt, please do refer to

it."

The students whispered amongst themselves, many unhappy

at the banning of the popular product.

"Finally, there is only one change to the teaching staff this

year," Dumbledore spoke over the din, silencing the

students. "Professor Finney will not be re-joining us for this

year as he has been commissioned to assist with a rather

important project, but I can assure you, his replacement will

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be able to teach you just as competently. Some of you older

students may remember him, so please welcome back,

Professor Evans who will be taking up the post of Defence

Against the Dark Arts."

There was silence in the room until the door to the side of

the top table opened, and Rosa's mouth fell agape at the

sight of her father.

The other students erupted in applause at his appointment,

but Rosa was stunned.

She had hoped that maybe one day she and her father would

cross paths at the school, and it had happened when she

couldn't have wanted it more.

Evidently, Dumbledore had dismissed them, but Rosa did

not leave the Great Hall. Instead, she walked towards where

her parents were talking to one another, her heart jolting in

her chest as her father smiled at her.

She all but jumped in his arms, and he laughed as he held

her tightly.

"Surprised?" he asked.

Rosa nodded.

"The best surprise."

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(Break)

Having taught a couple of lessons, Harry knew that teaching

Defence Against the Dark Arts was what he was meant to

be doing whilst he was at Hogwarts. As much as he'd

enjoyed teaching Transfiguration, it was not his passion.

Being in this classroom reminded him of the days when he

taught the DA, and though it made him feel quite

melancholic, his memories of doing so were amongst those

he held dear from his former life.

He looked on as the fifth years entered the room, Rosa

amongst them. The Gryffindors shared these lessons with

the Slytherins, and even those garbed in the green and silver

robes looked upon him with respect.

It was something Harry had never gotten used to. He had

become accustomed to the sneers and snide comments, and

though that had been what seemed to be a lifetime ago, it

was not something he had forgotten.

"You will not require your books today," he declared.

Obediently, the students returned them to their bags before

placing them on the floor.

"This year, you will be sitting your OWL exams," Harry

continued. "It is my job to make sure that you are ready for

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them, but it is also my job to ensure that you are capable of

defending yourselves from the Dark Arts. For the next few

lessons, I will be learning what it is I need to teach you for

both. Any questions?"

"Will there be homework?" a large boy in Slytherin robes

grunted.

Harry eyed him, recognising the troll-like features.

"There will be homework, Mr Crabbe, but how much I give

depends on how hard you work in here. Now, during your

exam, you will be expected to demonstrate your ability in

practical defence. Today, we will begin with the basic shield

charm. Can someone tell me the advantages of using it?"

"It is able to be cast quickly," a girl in Slytherin robes

answered.

Harry nodded.

"Take a point for your house, Ms Zabini. Can anyone

demonstrate it for me?"

Rosa raised her hands and Harry gestured for her to do so.

He had taught her the charm during the summer before her

fourth year, so he had no doubt she could do it.

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"Good," he praised. "Take a point for Gryffindor. What are

the disadvantages of the shield charm?"

"It is not very good against stronger curses," a Gryffindor

answered.

"Another," Harry requested.

"It limits your movement."

"Good. Another."

"It is tiring to maintain."

Harry smiled as he nodded.

"What should you do if you can instead of casting one?"

"Avoid a curse."

"Excellent," Harry returned, clapping his hands.

The chairs and tables slid to the sides of the room and

stacked themselves neatly.

"Despite its impracticality, the examiner will expect you to

be able to cast it," he explained. "You will work in pairs,

practicing shielding against minor jinxes and hexes only," he

added firmly.

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The students set to work, and Harry watched them for the

remainder of the lesson, offering tips to those that were

struggling, and also suggestions of other spells that could be

used by the attackers.

There was certainly room for improvement for the most

part, but when it was time for them to leave, there were few

that had not made progress.

"I want eight inches on the advantages and disadvantages of

using a shield charm," he instructed as they gathered their

bags and were readying to leave. "Off you go."

They filed out, most whispering excitedly, happy with the

lesson they'd just had.

"And what can I do for you?" Harry asked Rosa who had

remained behind.

"Nothing, I just wanted to say that you're a natural at this."

"Did your mother tell you to say that?"

Rosa giggled and shook her head.

"No, I wouldn't involve myself with hers and Dumbledore's

scheme to get you to stay. Will it really only be for this

year?"

Harry nodded.

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"Albus is already looking for someone else," he explained. "I

love being at Hogwarts, but now is not the right time to be

here permanently. Maybe that day will never come."

Rosa smiled sadly.

"If you love it here, then why don't you stay? We're all old

enough that you don't need to be home. The twins will be

starting next year, and Jasmine isn't a baby anymore."

Harry deflated.

How could he explain that he would need to be ready for

when an enemy that very few knew existed would return?

He couldn't, but he wrapped an arm around his daughter's

shoulder.

"There is more to my life than you lot," he snorted. "I like

my peace and quiet and working on other things."

"I know, but it's nice having you here," Rosa sighed. "You

look really happy."

"I am," Harry assured her. "Hogwarts was my first home,

but it isn't my home any longer."

Rosa huffed irritably as she rolled her eyes at him.

"Will you be at dinner later?"

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Harry shook his head.

"Nicholas and Perenelle have invited your mother and me to

theirs. We haven't seen them for a while."

"Uncle Nic is back?"

"For now," Harry snorted. "Come on, you need to be going

to transfiguration. I wouldn't put it past your mother to give

you a detention."

"She would too," Rosa grumbled before hugging Harry and

leaving the room.

Harry simply chuckled as he began preparing for his next

class.

It was good to be back and teaching what he was best at,

even if it was only for one year.

(Break)

For the past seven years or so, Nicholas and Perenelle had

spent no more than a few weeks at their home in France. As

much as both of them were fond of the country, and their

memories here, it hadn't felt the same since the war had

been concluded.

Much had changed in the intervening years. Even the

remains of the neighbouring house had been cleared away,

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leaving nothing but a patch of scarred land in its place.

Nicholas had always been against war of any sorts, but the

last had been more devastating than all the others he'd

experienced combined.

His gaze drifted to Harry who was spooning some of

Perenelle's broccoli soup into his mouth.

He truly was a good boy, and one of the few things Nicholas

and his wife appreciated in life.

Inevitably, his thoughts drifted to his four-legged

companion whom he had buried a few months prior, and

the alchemist swallowed a lump that formed in his throat.

He missed Camille dearly.

She had been with him for but a blink of the eye that was

his life, but she had left a lasting impression on him.

"What's wrong, Nic?" Harry asked worriedly.

Nicholas wiped away the tears that had unwittingly formed

before he looked towards his wife who nodded solemnly.

Without a word, he reached into his pocket and removed a

wrapped package on the table before sliding it towards the

younger man.

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Harry frowned as he opened it and dropped it on the table

with a dull thud as though it had burned him.

The man knew what it was he had been given, and his

expression said more than any words he could ever speak.

Nicholas knew he had made the right decision.

"What is this?" Harry asked accusingly.

Nicholas released a deep breath.

"It's yours to do with as you please," he explained. "You can

use it, or you can destroy it. It makes no difference to us."

Harry looked between Nicholas and Perenelle who was

nodding her agreement.

She took Nicholas's hand, her expression and following

words almost pleading.

"Take it," she whispered emotionally.

"I can't take this," Harry sighed.

"Please."

Harry said nothing, his posture sagging before he shook his

head.

"Why?" he croaked.

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"We've had enough," Nicholas said simply. "The world has

become something that we no longer recognise. In the last

century, it has changed so much, and in another, it will only

become worse. We've discussed it, and we are in agreement

that now is the right time. We are tired of burying those we

care for, and that is all we have to look forward to. Albus

will go, then you, and then your children. It will be never

ending, Harry."

"Now, we have someone we can entrust the stone to,

someone we know who will not abuse it, or allow it to fall

into the wrong hands," Perenelle explained. "Giving it to

you means we can rest easy."

"That's it?" Harry asked.

"That's it," Nicholas confirmed. "We will no longer take the

elixir, and we can pass on our own terms. The stone is yours,

and all we ask is that you respect our decision."

Once more Harry looked between them before nodding his

understanding.

"I won't use it," he said firmly, "but I won't destroy until you

are gone, just in case."

Nicholas chuckled.

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"We won't change our mind," he assured the man. "I would

encourage you to use it for yourself. The world will always

need a man like you, Harry."

"Others will come along," Harry snorted.

"You'd think that," Nicholas mused aloud, "but in all my

years, I've never met someone like you, and it has been a

refreshing pleasure. You've proven to be a good man."

"The best we've known," Perenelle chimed in.

Harry opened his mouth to speak but fell silent as Minerva's

hand came to rest on his thigh.

"Put it away, Harry, that's a good boy," Nicholas urged.

"Perenelle has made you a treacle tart."

Harry could only laugh as tears streamed down his cheeks,

and though the man was taken aback, and deeply upset,

Nicholas knew he respected their decision.

He didn't like it, but he made no further effort to talk them

out of it.

Harry placed the Philosopher's Stone in his pocket, and it

would be the last of it that either Nicholas or Perenelle

Flamel would see.

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Comments (9)

Another fantastic chapter and the ending made me tear up a

little bit

They would have a few more years of life to enjoy together,

but finally, after more than six centuries of living, they were

ready for their journey to end, and they would be forever

grateful that it would do so at their own behest.

For them, time had become nothing but a commodity, but

with only so little of it left, they could finally appreciate how

precious it was.

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AvidReader2425 2 weeks ago · 0 Likes

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Lovely chapter, now to deal with dear old Tom

Some heavy stuff, but also some nicer lighter stuff, too.

Great chapter; I really like your story a lot. I'm sorry if I'm

being rude or annoying you with my reviews; I don't mean

to be rude or annoy you with my reviews; I just really liked it

a lot.

Great story. I enjoyed the slice of life that was that Black

and Evans families. The Flamels going ws a bit sad.

@Erick, That's pretty much what I wanted to say. :) Total

agreement.

Eli Rose 3 weeks ago · 0 Likes

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When the Roses Bloom

When the Roses Bloom

Again - My

Somehow I knew that Harry would have the stone, though I

expected Flamel to make him another one, and not choose

to die so soon. But, oh well.

I really do hope that Harry uses it, if only to retain his youth

so that he can be ready for Tom. When the time comes, he

can just stop using it like the Flamels did.

Great chapter!

Indeed! And perhaps even to stay around till his old self is

born to James and Lily.

I totally agree

Erick A month ago · 0 Likes

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Author/Site Owner: Lee : TheBlack'sResurgence

Email: (For all enquiries)

Again - Two in One

Father, My Hero

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