Author's Note and completely off-topic: As I was writing this I had a knock on the door and there was a UPS guy with 2 large boxes from the UK. Inside were two cases of my own personal favorite cookie (biscuit) in the world. Milk Chocolate Hob Nobs! Thank you to those 12 of you who went around behind my back and sent me what is arguably the sweetest birthday present I've had in forever!
OOOOOOOOOOO
By the time they had their food in front of them Harry had given Jack a fairly brief but all too painful summary of his childhood. Enough of one that Jack had half a mind to go find old Uncle Vernon and teach him some manners. When he'd mentioned that, Harry had simply smiled, looking pleased despite the fact that he shook his head.
"It's not as bad as it was before I met the others," he told Jack. "Uncle Vernon's afraid of Sirius."
"Why?"
"Because he's a convicted murderer and escaped from prison."
O'Neill raised an eyebrow at that, but Harry was quick to explain.
"He wasn't guilty of what they accused him of doing – it was Wormtail who really-"
"Wormtail?" Jack interrupted. "That wouldn't be a short, balding guy that can turn himself into a rat, would it?"
Harry nodded.
"You know who he is?"
"Let's just say we've met."
Harry nodded again, and took up a piece of his toast.
"Sirius was my dad's best friend – he's my godfather, although I didn't know that until recently."
"That's the guy that can turn himself into a dog, right?"
Just making sure they were talking about the same guy, after all.
"Yes. Uncle Vernon's afraid of him. So all I have to do is mention him, and I'm usually left alone."
"Why do you live with the Dursley's then?" Jack asked, curiously. "Why not live with this Sirius guy?"
"Because Sirius is an escaped convict and he doesn't stay in one place long."
It was obvious to Jack that Harry wished otherwise.
"Besides," Harry added. "Professor Dumbledore says that I have to stay with my aunt. It's kind of complicated…" And he didn't want to talk about it, Jack could tell. So he changed the subject to one that was hopefully less painful.
"So… you didn't always know you were a wizard?"
Harry shook his head.
"Not until I got the letters – although I had strange things happen a lot of the times. Things that I know now were magic, but didn't know then."
Jack wondered if Charlie had had strange things happen before he'd realized what it was, but thinking about it, he couldn't remember anything odd, really. Maybe he hadn't been around enough to notice? That particular thought stung, and it must have shown on his face, because Harry grew silent for a minute, watching him.
"Are you okay, Jack?" He asked, finally.
O'Neill nodded, his attention back on the boy in front of him and not on his son.
"I'm fine, Harry, sorry." He took a bite of his breakfast (biscuits and gravy with sausage and hash browns). "Tell me about your school. I know what it looks like, but-"
"But you haven't read the books so you don't have a clue what happens there…"
Jack smiled.
"Exactly."
"We have classes, just like Muggles do. They're just not the same kind of-"
"Good morning."
They both jumped, startled, and looked up. Without either of them noticing, Sam Carter had entered the dining room, and couldn't help but be surprised at finding her CO once more sitting with Harry Potter. She would have thought the last thing he'd have wanted to do was hang anywhere close to a teenaged wizard – especially after hearing that it was what his own son had been destined to be. But there they were, and both of them seemed to be comfortable with the other. They were even talking.
Jack recovered first.
"Good morning." He looked at Harry. "Harry? May I have the privilege of introducing Major Samantha Carter? She's my second in command, and about as brilliant as they come. Carter, this is Harry Potter."
Sam held out her hand to the boy, who blushed and took it.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Harry."
"You, too, Major Carter."
"Call me Sam."
He nodded.
"Okay."
Jack moved over in the booth.
"Have a seat, Carter. Harry was just telling me about his school. You might find it interesting…"
He didn't mention the events of the night before – but with the boy sitting across from him that didn't surprise Sam at all. She smiled at the invitation and sat down, and the waitress immediately came over to ask if she needed a menu.
Sam shook her head, gesturing at O'Neill's plate.
"I'll have what he's having – and a glass of orange juice, please."
The waitress left and quickly returned with a glass of orange juice, then told her the rest would be just a bit longer. Sam wasn't in any hurry, of course, so she just nodded, and then turned to the guys when the waitress had left once more, giving Harry a wide smile.
"What are you guys doing up so early?"
Harry blushed again, and Jack smiled. The boy probably wasn't used to pretty women giving him this much attention – at least, if what Jack had heard about his home life was any indication.
"Harry's been telling me about himself."
"It's nothing interesting," Harry said, quickly. "Just… stuff…"
Sam's smile grew.
"I find that hard to believe… especially after what I've read."
Harry's face was so hot by then that Jack was surprised there wasn't steam coming out his ears. Taking pity on him – although it was amusing to watch – O'Neill nudged Sam lightly with his elbow.
"He's going to spontaneously combust if you keep that up, Carter."
She didn't look all that repentant – after all, she rarely had a chance to tease a teenaged boy, now did she? Especially a famous one who wasn't supposed to really exist.
"Sorry." She smiled at Harry – who was still brilliant red, but looking as if he was enjoying the attention nonetheless – and took a sip of her orange juice. "So… can I listen in? Or is it secret stuff?"
Just as she said it a small group of early risers walked past, each of them wearing a gold and scarlet cloak or scarf, and holding wands.
Harry looked chagrined, and shrugged as they passed by.
"It's obviously not a secret…"
