Author's Note: Review Responses at end.
Chapter Ten: Adjusting and Worries
Harry wearily climbed the stairs the sixth year boys' dormitories. They had immediately started celebrating once the news got around the Voldemort was gone and hadn't stopped since. Harry hadn't been able to slip away, being the hero and all, until just now. He wanted to celebrate with the others, he was glad Voldemort was gone to, but spell had taken a lot out of him and all he wanted to do was sleep.
He was about to change clothes when he realized he still had Brian in his arms. Ever since Harry had picked him back up after casting the spell the child hadn't let go. He seemed scared to, and Harry couldn't blame him. If he had been in Brian's place, and found someone who didn't flinch at the site him, he wouldn't have let go either. He didn't know what that spell had done to then, but Harry felt like it was responsibility to protect Brian from his father, though he didn't have to do that anymore.
His body had been found in his room after dying of a severe heart attack. The man's drinking had finally taken its toll. Harry didn't know how Brian felt about it, he hadn't spoken much, but Harry could tell the child had been relieved.
Harry sighed and looked at the sleeping child in his arms. What was he supposed to now? He didn't know who he was supposed to give the child to, and he didn't even know if the child would let him give him to someone else. Harry didn't care. He would just stay with him for the night. As long as he got some sleep he didn't care.
He very carefully pulled Brian's arms from around his neck and placed him on the bed. The child stirred, rolled over, but didn't wake. Harry quickly changed and the surveyed his bed. He had laid Brian at the end of the bed and the child had quickly snuggled into the covers at the end of bed. Harry sighed. Might as well leave him there. Harry found a light blanket and placed it over him.
Harry slipped under the cover and fell asleep almost as soon as his head hit the pillow.
Harry opened his eyes and let out a strangled yell. "Brian! Don't do that! You scared me." The child immediately moved back from right in front of his face. He lowered his eyes, shrank back, and his face became downcast.
"I'm sorry. I won't do it again, I promise," he said quietly, not looking at Harry.
Harry sighed. He would have to be more patient. "It's okay. You just scared is all. Next time just poke me, or something to wake me up, okay? I'm not mad at you, I promise," Harry said soothingly. Brian looked at up at him hopefully.
"You're not?" he said as if it was the most amazing thing in the world.
Harry smiled at him. "No, I'm not. You just startled me. That's all. I'm not mad, okay?" Brian nodded and moved a little closer to him. Harry stretched his arms over his head and got out of bed. He gathered his clothes and went headed toward the bathroom being sure to be quiet. He didn't know when the rest of his peers had gone to bed, but he knew it was late. He was halfway there when he remembered Brian. He walked back over to the bed where the child was still sitting.
"Do you need to use the bathroom?" Harry asked quietly. The child nodded. "Okay, come with me, but be quiet. Everyone else is still asleep," Harry said taking the child's hand and leading him to the bathroom.
"Brian," Harry said as the child came out from the stall. "I'm going to take a quick shower. It's won't take along, I promise. Can you stay in here, and not get into trouble for about ten minutes?" The child nodded and sat down on the floor. Harry went into the shower stall, quickly showered, and the got dressed. When he came out Brian was in same spot.
"Are you hungry?" Harry asked gathering his things going back into the dorm.
"A little, but I don't have to eat now if you're not," he said quickly.
Harry frowned then sighed. He should have expected that answer. It was what he would have said if someone had asked his three year old self yet. He had always been afraid to admit to anyone he was hungry. If he told the Dursley's that he wouldn't have anything to eat for the rest of the day.
"Well," Harry said in a cheery voice, "I'm starving. The house elves always fix good stuff to eat. Come on, they'll be serving breakfast by now."
He took Brian's small hand and led him down to the Great Hall. There were only a few students, all from Slytherin, down yet and Professors McGonagall, Snape, and then Remus seated at the Head Table, along with Dumbledore's grandson. Harry had been told of the old man's death, but hadn't dealt with it yet, and didn't want to either.
Remus motioned them over. Harry began to walk over, but felt Brian hesitate. Harry looked down at the three year old.
"What's wrong?" he asked squatting down so he was eye to eye with him. The child avoided his gaze, determined on looking at his shoes. The child glanced up at the table, particularly towards Snape. Harry realized what was wrong.
"He won't hurt you, I promise. I know it looked like he was one of the bad guys, but he's really good. He was on our side. He won't hurt you, okay?" The child nodded hesitantly and held Harry's hand tighter. Harry resumed walking to the table and sat down beside Remus, Brian in the site next to him.
"I wondered where he was," Remus said nodding at Brian. "I saw you leave last night with him in your arms." Harry smiled.
"Yeah, I know. I didn't realize I still had him until I started to change clothes. He was sound asleep and I didn't know who to give him to, or if he would let me so he just stayed with me last night." Remus nodded and turned to McGonagall as she addressed him. Harry turned to Brian. "What do you want to eat?"
Big brown eyes turned to meet his gaze. "I can choose?"
Harry managed not to frown. "Yes, you can choose. I won't make you eat something you don't want to."
"Not even spinach?" the child asked earnestly.
Harry chucked. "No, not spinach. I don't like it either. What do you want? There are pancakes if you want that…" Harry laughed at child vigorous nodding. "Pancakes it is then. You want syrup, right?" Harry added though he had yet to meet someone who didn't want syrup on their pancakes.
"I can have syrup?" he said in a hushed voice. Harry's smile faltered.
"Yes, you can have syrup," he said already pouring it over the pancake. He began to cut it into bits for him. "Did you dad not let you have syrup?" Harry said watching Brian carefully. The child looked hesitant to answer, but after a few seconds he did.
"No, he said it would spoil me, and he wouldn't have a spoiled child," the child said quietly looking scared.
"You can have as much syrup as you want," Harry said placing the plate in front of Brian beginning to fix his own. "If you need more just tell me, okay?" Brian nodded and began eating.
Harry suppressed a sigh. Even the Dursley's had let him have syrup on the occasion when he was allowed to eat pancakes. It had never been much, but it was still some. He would just have to be very patient with him.
"Harry, is something wrong?" Remus asked jostling Harry out of his thoughts. Harry smiled and nodded.
"Just thinking."
"About what?"
Harry glanced over at Brian to find him engrossed in conversation with Dumbledore. "I feel like it's my responsibility to take care of him now, Remus, and I think it is. I asked him if he wanted syrup on his pancakes and he was amazed that he was allowed that. Even the Dursley's let me have syrup on the rare occasion when I was allowed to eat pancakes. I don't know what his father did to him, but it was bad. He's only three. I can't let someone else take care of him can I?" Harry confided to Remus. It took him a minute to fully realize what he had said, and realize that he wanted to keep Brian. That he wanted to be the one who take care of him, and made sure he was loved.
"Harry, what are you saying? You want to adopt him, or something?" Remus asked disbelieving. Harry blinked and looked at him.
"I think I do. I don't know what that spell was Remus, but I saw some of Brian's worst memories. His father killed his mother and forced him to watch, and then beat him bad right after as a way of saying that was what would be done to him every time he disobeyed. At least when Uncle Vernon beat me, I had done something wrong." Harry cut Remus off as he opened his mouth. "There came out wrong. I know that I didn't deserve to be beaten, really I do, it just came out wrong."
Remus gave him a skeptical look. "Okay, but Harry, you know you can't adopt him. You're too young. If you were of age, you would still have to have a steady job before being able to adopt him."
"I know that, but… I don't know how to explain it. I can't let him go to strangers. Remus, I can't…"
Remus locked gazes with his best friends' son. All he saw was genuine concern and something else that he couldn't identify, for the three year old child. Remus held his gaze a few moments longer and realized what the other thing was: love. Harry most likely didn't realize it yet, but he had accepted Brian as his own child and all the responsibilities that came with it. Remus sighed and looked away. He knew Harry was almost fully grown, by age, but by maturity he was certainly no longer a child. Remus pushed these thoughts aside. He would think about it later, now wasn't the time. He changed the subject to something lighter and continued eating.
Fifteen minutes later a now very sticky Brian was finished eating. Harry had to laugh as his sticky face. Somehow the child had managed to get syrup on his forehead. How he had was beyond Harry, but he had. Harry was about to begin wiping off the syrup, but Dumbledore stopped him.
"Let me," he said pleasantly. With a wave of his wand all of the syrup disappeared. Harry smiled his thanks.
"What are your plans for today, Harry?" Remus asked getting up from the table. Harry and Brian followed suite.
"I don't know. We need to go Brian's room and get him some clothes. Amanda will probably want to do something with me, along with Ron and Hermione, but you're welcome to come along. I want you to, and I know Hermione does. She was mentioning something to do spell, or curse she wanted to talk to you about," Harry as the trio left the room, Brian once again holding Harry's hand.
"Yes, I know what she's talking about. You can't any of Brian's clothes. It appears his father burned them all along with all his other things," Remus said soberly.
"All of my stuff is gone?" Brian said quietly. Remus nodded sadly. The child bit his lip.
"I'll buy you a bunch of new stuff, okay? Will that help, or was there something special that you wanted and can't be replaced?" Harry said bending down to Brian's height.
"You'll buy me new things? You don't have to. You don't need to spoil me," the child said, eyes downcast, shuffling his feet.
"Buying clothes for you is not spoiling you. Everyone needs clothes, and some toys never hurt anyone," Harry said grinning at him. Brian's face lit up at the mention of toys.
"Really? I can have toys?" Harry nodded. Harry was almost knocked over as Brian threw his arms around Harry's neck. "Thanks you, thank you, thank you!" he squealed. Harry laughed gently.
"Alright, come on." Harry stood back up and turned to Remus. "Am I allowed to leave school grounds?"
Remus was about to answer, but a voice behind got to it first. "Yes, Harry, you may leave school grounds as long as Remus goes with you. Amanda and anyone else may go with you if they want to. I believe Ms. Granger will be quite mad if she gets left behind."
"Darn right, I will be mad," Hermione said from her place on the stairs. She came down quickly joining Harry. Harry felt Brian take a step closer to him and hold his hand tighter. Harry made a mental note that he seemed to be scared of new people. Harry frowned. He hoped he would be all right at Diagon Alley. "Where are we going?" Hermione asked.
Harry looked to Remus. "Diagon Alley?" Remus nodded.
"I need to pick some things up there, and you have to money to so we have to go there." Harry grinned. He had forgotten he didn't have enough money to but Brian the things he needed.
"What's Diagon Alley?" Brian asked as the quarter made their way out of the castle and into the additions to search for Amanda.
"It's a place where you can buy everything you need," Remus answered. "It's where you will get your clothes, toys, and everything else. It's where all the witches and wizards in the area go to shop."
"Harry, there you are!" a voice behind them yelled. Harry grinned as Amanda came running to them. She gave him a quick kiss on the cheek before saying. "Hey, where's everyone going? Hi, Brian, how have you been?" she said sweetly to the child.
"I'm fine," he said excitedly. "Harry said he's going to buy me new things since all of mine got burned, and he said he would get me some toys."
Amanda smiled. "Is he now?" Brian nodded vigorously. "So you're going to Diagon Alley?"
Harry nodded. "Do you want to come? We're looking for you."
She shrugged her shoulders. "Sure, I'll come.
Harry leaned against the wall outside of the dressing rooms in the clothes shop, his fingers entwining with Amanda's. Remus and Hermione had gone onto Madame Malkins while Harry and Amanda took Brian to get his things. They were going to meet up later for ice cream. Ron had shown up right as they were about to leave and was in Quality Quidditch Supplies.
Brian had been astounded when Harry had said he could pick out his own clothes. He had picked out several things and was trying them on now. He had dealt with all the people better than Harry would have expected. There weren't as many as there normally was, most were still celebrating the Dark Lord's defeat, so the shops were mostly empty. Harry had carried just to be on the safe side.
"This is really nice, what you're doing for Brian," she said quietly.
"I don't think much of it," Harry replied.
"I always do like someone who puts others before himself," she whispered and then began kissing him, arms going behind his neck. Harry deepened the kiss one hand going up to the side of her face. Harry forgot about everything else except for the feel of her lips on his.
Someone was giggling. Harry could hear giggling. Brian!
Harry immediately pulled back, face bright red, to see Brian standing outside of the dressing room in a shirt with the Gryffindor lion on it and a pair of blue jean shorts. Harry cleared his throat awkwardly.
"Do they fit?" he said in a strangled voice. Brian giggled before answering.
"Yes, this was the last outfit, and my favorite. All of them fit," the child said grinning madly.
"Okay, change back into your normal clothes and then we'll pay for the stuff." Brian went back into the dressing room still grinning.
Harry shook his head and started laughing, Amanda soon joining room. "We got caught kissing by a three year old," she giggled.
Harry took a deep breath trying to regain control. "I know. Oh well, we'll get over it."
"I'm ready," Brian announced staggering under the weight of all the clothes he was holding. Harry and Amanda relieved him of his load and headed for the register. Before they paid they got him a new pair of trainers, sandals, and a pair of dressier shoes. They paid for all the stuff and then went to the toy store.
Harry got him a chess set, a few stuffed animals, several board games, and set of exploding Snap. They then left the store to go to Quality Quidditch Supplies where they knew Ron would still be. There were more people out know, but Harry was laden down with bags and couldn't carry Brian. "Stay close," Harry said. He could feel Brian grab his pant leg. He heard Brian whimper and then someone say sorry.
"Harry, give me the bags. I'll shrink them so you can carry Brian," Amanda said. Harry handed her the bags and immediately picked up the now crying Brian.
"Shh, it's okay. The man didn't mean to bump into you. It was an accident," Harry said soothingly, rubbing the child's back up and down. His only response was a sniffle. They made their way to the story, and sure enough Ron was there looking at some keeper equipment. By this time Brian has stopped crying, but was not yet willing to get out of Harry's arms. Ron bought a few things and then they headed towards the ice cream parlor.
When they got there Remus and Hermione already had a table reserved. The trio ordered their ice creams. They arrived a few minutes later. They told each what they had done earlier in the day. When Remus asked Brian about his day the child giggled.
"I saw Harry and Amanda kissing," the child whispered in the older man's ear. Remus smiled and ruffled his hair affectionately. They finished up eating before heading back to Hogwarts where Dumbledore's grandson, Thomas, would have a huge surprise for Harry.
Author's Note: I must end it here because it's over 3,000 words and that's enough. Yes, fluffy chapter, but get used to it. Most of them will be, since this was intended to be a fluffy fiction. Okay, review responses:
Starangel2106: No, I will stay on topic. I have to. Lol. I want to anyway.
Lil-cat-ichigo: I update. I been updating quickly for me. I'm proud of myself.
CelticHeiressFiona: Lol, yes that was a plot twist. I was planning on putting that in here, but the chapter got away from me. I will put that next chapter.
Kenobi-girl1: Okay, I updated.
DarkAceGambit: I know it was exciting if you say it was.
Lynnzey-Dumbledore: I will keep it going, no worries.