Embracing His True Self
Chapter 82
One Month Later
"How dare you think you can just change the amount out of the blue! Don't think just because of who you are I will just bow to your whims! The whims of a spoiled impudent child!" Barnaby Babbling retorted fury exuding from him as he burst into the room they were using to house meetings in the Leaky Cauldron while they completed negotiations. It wasn't a small amount either, no, it was quite a significant cut of funds in a few days.
Harry who still had his back to the wizard, writing away, clearly unthreatened by the wizard's pathetic intimidation tactics. Finishing the paperwork, he closed the folio. Turning slowly to face Barnaby, blinking at the sight of his red face, clearly breathing that reminiscent of a bull. "You might want to look at the paperwork on the table before you go any farther."
Barnaby narrowed his eyes in annoyance, fiercely infuriated that the teen didn't so much as flinch. Stomping over to the table, he snatched up the folder, wrenching it open, he snatched the paperwork only to pale drastically at the not so subtle threat contained within the pages. "H—ho—how dare you threaten me?" he sputtered, suddenly pale and sweaty.
"If I were to threaten you Barnaby, you'd know," Harry warned him seriously. "I'm going to be spending money fixing the mistakes you've let run rampant. The buildings are going to be condemned and you'll get nothing for them…if you keep them." he'd make sure of it, then he'd just buy them from the Ministry when they were put on sale for the next of nothing.
"You've removed more than half the money you originally offered! It was your responsibility to do the checking before you gave an offer!" protested Barnaby still reeling, as he looked through all the paperwork, people threatening to sue, the condemnation status, all unsigned of course, Potter was squashing him between two rocks…leaving him in an impossible position.
"I did, I made the mistake of using one that you had in your pocket," Harry retorted, glaring at Barney for that, "I found the money you transferred to his account. I could add fraud charges on top of this…but I think what I'm saying is getting through…"
Barney slumped onto the seat, sweat beading up everywhere, nerves getting the better of him. He wouldn't be trusted again if he was so much as implicated in bribery in the contractor world. "And if I refuse?" he was losing money with this deal, he didn't want to lose money.
"You can see that the goblins have already begun the process of condemning your properties in the near future. This is the only way you're actually going to make some money out of this…and possibly end up not getting sued by very grateful tenants." Harry told him coolly, watching him sweat with great relish and amusement.
"I…I need to think," Barney muttered, staring blindly down at the paperwork Potter had shown him.
"Take all the time you want," Harry shrugged, standing up, grabbing his green dragonhide folio. "I have business elsewhere. So if you'll excuse me…" he stalked across the room, opening the door when a defeated but determined voice spoke up.
"No, you know what…you're welcome to it! It's been nothing but trouble since I bought it! More than half don't even bother to pay their rent! I have had it up to here," he ranted and raged, gesturing to his forehead violently, "Ungrateful sods, instead they just constantly owl me about problems they can take care of on their own but need me to blow their nose for them!"
Harry turned back around, lips twitching, moving back to sit beside him, flicking out the paperwork, once he had indeed signed it, Harry handed over a Gringotts check. "A pleasure doing business with you," he told Barnaby who stood, ruddy faced, staring Harry down, only to jump and squeal in fright when two wizards became visible.
"Yes, yes, p-p-pleasure," Barnaby stuttered, snatching up the check in his sweat slick fingers he all but tripped over himself to get out of the room as hastily as possible.
"Frankly guys, that's insulting," Harry said, looking up at them, "Do you think I couldn't take care of that piece of trash?" he was powerful, yes, had a lot of money, but come on…compared to him he was a little fish.
"Aww come on, you have to let us have some fun now and again," Barty whined, "The look on his face…I mean come on!" chortling in amusement.
"Plus, we're not about to deny the Dark Lord what he wants." Thorfinn Rowle stated with a scowl of his own. He wasn't pissed, of course, that was just Rowle's natural disposition, he was a bit like Severus in that way.
"Yeah, yeah," Harry sighed, snatching up the paperwork, "I'm heading to Gringotts, get this filed…I need some sort of assistant…I can only imagine how many people there are in Knockturn that needs to be informed that their tenements were now in the hands of a new owner and start construction."
"Bethany Greengrass is good at that sort of thing, very organised, presumed neutral, wouldn't panic people by appearing at their door." Rowle offered up, broodingly looking around for an enemy.
"Is she related to Daphne?" Harry queried, as they closed and locked the Leaky cauldron meeting room and made their way downstairs.
"Her sister, she doesn't have enough magic to get invited to Hogwarts," Barty explained, "Not quite a squib, but a lot of people would just say she was."
"And she'd want to work with me?" once on the main floor, he moved around, ignoring everyone who was staring at him. Everyone was on high alert these days, Dumbledore had been broken out of prison. Although, there was some good news on that front, Severus Snape was creating what they hoped was a universal antidote.
"I don't see why not?" Rowle shrugged, "Can't hurt to ask at any rate." Which was true enough, "It's hard for people that isn't extremely 'light' to get normal jobs…or it was…Dumbledore made it next to impossible for us…" moulding the world to his image as he had been doing…resulted in neutral and dark finding it impossible to get jobs. Thankfully though, most of them had family money, but they disliked just using it to live on without finding ways to replenish it.
"Why did you give him less?" Barty questioned, "I mean you're getting hundreds of thousands the Basilisk you've just started selling…"
"Because he's a greedy, uncaring bastard who doesn't deserve a penny more than I gave him." Harry stated firmly, "Thank you," he added to Tom, handing back the key, he no longer had a need of it.
"He is," Rowle scowled, he knew quite a few of the people who lived in the tenements in Knockturn Alley, "What are you planning on doing with it?" worried he might plan on knocking it down or some shit, which would leave the families homeless. Emerging from the Leaky Cauldron, tapping away at the wall until they got to Diagon Alley.
Some of the defensiveness had shown through his usual gruff demeanour, Harry noticed it, "Don't worry…I've got plans already drawn up. I'm going to be building new flats, and depending on the final estimate…find out whether the tenements are worth keeping…because if it's less expensive to knock them the fuck down and rebuild I'll do it." he said seriously, the structures weren't all that anyway, so he honestly did believe he would be rebuilding. "They'll have somewhere to stay while it's done…even if I have to put them up in the Leaky Cauldron or Hogshead.
"The tenements are really old, debilitating," Rowle grudgingly uttered, "Only magic keeps them up now."
"Proper flats fit for actual families and not the tenements that were built during the war…it's what people deserve." Harry said, "Just because they have less money doesn't mean they shouldn't have a house that's secure. I'll need to find out about the rent situation."
"They wont be able to afford proper flats," Rowle grumbled, "They can't even afford to send their kids to school."
"Oh, believe me you'll see a vast difference in how schooling works, they'll all get a chance to go to Hogwarts. If I hear any of the pureblood shit I will make sure they lose every penny they're supposed to get." Harry snorted derisively, as he stalked up the stairs into Gringotts.
"There is only so many scholarships Hogwarts can give out," Barty pointed out, wondering what the Dark Lord and Harry had been up to.
"True, but I sank in quite a small fortune into the Hogwarts scholarship fund, it should make sure most of the students can get in." Harry told them, "I want this passed to my estate goblin," he stated, handing over the documents, knowing without a doubt they'd have it within ten minutes. He didn't insult either himself or the goblins by telling them who he was, when they already knew.
"That's where you really put the Basilisk funds?" or the beginning of them at any rate.
"Some of it, ten percent," Harry commented, "It will keep it replenished for the next decade, and build up quite the interest too which will only help." Turning and walking back out of the bank now that he had done what he wanted.
"Do you know who's going to be the new Headmaster?" Barty asked eagerly, desperate to know more. The Dark Lord didn't confide in them with much, so anything Harry had was always juicy, sometimes they got some while the Dark Lord and Harry spoke at breakfast. Like the potion being a success.
"We haven't decided yet, we know it can't be anyone too obvious…" Harry shrugged, "Which puts Lucius out of the running…we're against using someone too young as well…"
"Huh, I actually liked teaching," Barty admitted, it had been a great deal of fun. "I wonder who will be picked?"
"Then why don't you go back to teaching? You were well liked, and having a teacher that's well liked makes a productive class…for the most part." Harry pointed out, shuddering just remembering Lockhart, not always productive indeed.
Barty snorted, knowing Harry well enough to realize what he was thinking about. "I'd need qualifications…something I most definitely don't have." Not with his old ID or his new ID. Which meant him getting a job at Hogwarts was very, very unlikely.
"You are qualified you just don't have the qualifications," Harry said wryly, giving Barty an amused smirk. "Fake it then, if you really liked being a professor…do what needs to be done. Nobody is going to stop you, plus I have a funny feeling there will be a dozen more classes at Hogwarts when the new year begins."
"I…" Barty paused, nothing, there was nothing he could say actually.
"There will more than likely be more than one sort of defence class, Dark Arts, Defence Against them, they were actually classes before Dumbledore took over. He cut so many classes, and obviously took Dark Arts away…" Harry stated.
"Too much temptation I suppose for the dear sweet children who don't know any better," Barty sneered, disgusted.
"Actually I reckon it was to fuel people's addiction to them," Harry said thoughtfully, walking into the book store, with purpose, buying a few books he was going to need. "If they don't know how they work…what signs to look out for they'd be screwed and without classes, guidance and checking…they had no chance."
"You didn't do it," Barty pointed out, Rowle stayed at the door and Barty followed him around, as he snatched up the books he needed. Barty ended up plucking a few for himself, and sliding it into Harry's basket and handed over money, way more galleons than needed, but it wouldn't be the first time Harry had bought for him.
"I didn't actually use the spells all that much, I created my own," Harry informed him with a laugh, as he finished collecting the books he wanted and went to the check out. Waiting patiently as they were all rang up, packaged and shrank before he handed over the money, "Keep the change," taking is package he walked out, once more ignoring the look on everyone's faces.
"Look how scared he is! He has bodyguards!" one such fifteen-year-old Hufflepuff said in sympathy.
"Just one I think," her friend, a Ravenclaw reassured her. "It might not be because of Dumbledore…" the entire world was living in fear of Dumbledore controlling them, or worse, causing another war…like he had with Gellert. It was terrifying walking on eggshells.
"I've always said…they should keep watching the Weasley's, they'll lead the Aurors to dumbledore," the Hufflepuff insisted. "They were loyal to him."
"Yes, because of the potion," the Ravenclaw insisted.
"I wouldn't be surprised if they took it just after he was caught, so that they didn't get questioned…I can totally see it!" the Hufflepuff said haughtily.
Harry rolled his eyes, "I forgot just how bad that was," he sighed, "Sometimes I wonder how the hell I survived five years of Hogwarts. They're so different from me…I truly…do wonder how I survived."
"It's kids being kids," Barty said shrugging, "We don't really grow out of wanting gossip, especially if your life depends on it." which at one point it most certainly had, and the fact it was where they got most of their information from, pubs, loose tongues, the whole nine yards.
"I never really understood it at all," Harry shook his head, "Heading back…or is there something you want to do first?" asking both Barty and Rowle.
Rowle predictably shook his head.
"Nah, I'm all good, and you did gossip in your own way…it was just more important than airheaded gossip from the girls." Barty argued, it was true enough, if he didn't gossip he would never have gone after the Dark Lord when he was eleven. Then again, he'd known he was supposed to and he did, so eh, who can safely say whether he would have done it if it was something he actually wanted to do.
"Alright," Harry said, "I'm Apparating back home."
"Harry! Harry! Harry!" Ginny called out, jumping up and down as she ran towards him.
"Now," Harry said, wide eyed when he noticed her, if either Barty or Rowle took it upon themselves to tell Voldemort she'd approached him…her life would be forfeit, and he'd only just managed to stop him from doing it last time. He apparated away just in time, he didn't see Ginny dramatically falling through thin air, and smashing her chin against the cobbled ground.
Nor did he hear the dramatic sobbing as she clutched her face as if it had just peeled off, not just suffered a minor injury.
"She's persistent I'll give her that," Barty said, shaking his head, "Girls got a bloody screw loose,"
"Yup, that she is, you can't come where I'm going next," Harry called out as he ran up the stairs to get to his and Tom's bedroom.
"Why's that?" Rowle barked out, narrowing his eyes as he watched Harry move up the stairs.
"I'm going to the Longbottoms," Harry called back down, "It's time they're told about the potion…" and after that he was down the hall, and too far away to be seen or heard, or to hear Barty or Rowle.
Rowle scowled, "How are we supposed to protect him if he's going off half cocked everywhere?"
Barty laughed, "Better get used to it, he's always on the move, plus, he doesn't really need our help, it's just a precaution that the Dark Lord takes. There's a reason he's using an actual bodyguard."
"The Longbottom's are a threat," Rowle said through gritted teeth.
"Were a threat, yes, it's just an old lady and a boy…they're no match for Harry…you've seen him duel." Barty pointed out, patting him on his big broad shoulder, before taking off, "I'll see you later." He reckoned the Longbottom meeting would be a long one, probably only get home in time for dinner.
Rowle scowled before standing resolute he always went everywhere with his client, and Harry was a client, it was his job to keep him safe from all harm. He was determined to tell Harry just that, and luckily for him, he wouldn't need to wait long, his hearing picking up him talking to the Dark Lord as they both made their way downstairs. He quickly folded himself into a bow of respect, not a full out one like before he died, that was no longer required, but respect was still given, and earned too.
"Rowle," Voldemort stated firmly, as he continued on, "Make sure they sign it first before you reveal anything…" opening his downstairs office door, allowing Harry entrance before he walked in too.
"Right because pureblood's have a habit of doing that!" Harry argued, "Not going to happen…I need something to bait them with." Entice them would probably be a better word to use really.
"Touché, very well," Voldemort stated, "Mention Frank and Alice themselves, without any further mention of healing…that will definitely catch the dowagers attention."
"You mean if she trusts me?" Harry laughed wryly, picking up the secrecy contracts that had been created for both Neville and Augusta Longbottom. "I haven't heard from Neville much since my conversation with Augusta…she will have told him what she suspects…" brushing his hair aside as he made sure he had everything he needed.
"It will be worth the exchange to them," Voldemort took the paperwork and made sure it was the most recent one they'd created for this purpose. He found himself nodding absently, perfect, it was most definitely the one they'd had created specifically for the Longbottoms. It was tighter, the restrictions, than normal secrecy contracts, mostly because it's regarding general information not an actual one sentence secret. "One they don't deserve," he added with a grumble.
"She knows you've returned, she could have done something," Harry shrugged, "At least she wasn't one of the few drugged but we already knew that. If she had been…Dumbledore wouldn't have needed to convince her to attack them."
"…If she had been…Dumbledore wouldn't have needed to convince her to attack them." Voldemort easily echoed Harry's words as they spoke in sync. "Yes I'm aware of that fact." Same went to Neville Longbottom, but the boy was forgettable, nothing even remotely interesting about him at all. Watching paint dry was probably a lot more illuminating than a conversation with the boy.
"Well, I guess we'll find out," Harry said, just as Severus knocked at the door, "Here, everything on the potion it's been updated." Not that there was much else left to be 'updated' on other than the first recipients of the potions health, the side effects, absolutely everything was listed except of course, the actual potion, the ingredients and anything that would cause the knowledge to become public. It wasn't something Harry wanted, he wanted to do a lot, which required money, which would need smarts, which he had a lot of.
"Do you wish for me to accompany you?" Voldemort asked.
"Don't you have a meeting?" Harry queried slightly surprised, glancing up from where he was putting all the paperwork into his folio. It was turning out to be a rather handy investment, everything he needed quick at hand for business was in there, including a copy of his grimoire, which was connected to his real one in his bedroom. Nobody could read either unless he gave permission, and if it was ever lot, it would be set on fire.
"Not for twenty minutes," Voldemort informed him after a glance at the wall to find out the exact time.
"That won't be long enough to get in, do it and get out," Harry shook his head, "It doesn't matter I'll go alone."
"Take Rowle with you," Voldemort put his foot down, refusing to allow any other alternative…who knows how many people might actually be in the manor and might be in the know?
Harry groaned, realizing the look on Tom's face wouldn't leave much room for alternatives. Throwing his occupied hands in the air, "Fine," clutching the folio so it didn't fall, the last thing he wanted to do was have his neat and tidy paperwork scattering around the room – even if there was a spell that would only take a few moments to right it – it was a few seconds he didn't have. "I'll be back in time for dinner." He promised and with that he was gone in a whirl wind.
"Thor, come on, you're coming with," Harry called out to his current bodyguard, finding it ironic, he'd never had a bodyguard in all the time, and now with Dumbledore gone he had one.
Thorfinn grunted, and lumbered after Harry without a single protest to the shortened name. A secret smile set about his stern lips, rather amused by the nickname. All the while wondering if he ever stopped, he was constantly on the move and he didn't have any warning on where he was going in order to scope it out to ensure it was safe.
"Where are we going?" Thorfinn demanded to know once they were at the edge of the wards, as always trying to take the lead…but ultimately failing spectacularly.
"We're heading to the Longbottom's, it's no longer under the Fidelus Charm, I know where it, so lets' go," and before he could argue, Harry grasped a hold of his bodyguard and apparated them to the edge of Longbottom estate.
Thorfinn was tense and alert, the second they finished Apparating. He knew that Harry wouldn't have chosen to take him, no, he must have been told to by the Dark Lord. The Dark Lord seemed to be the only one that could get the guy to do a damn thing he's told.
"Why are we here?" Thorfinn asked, as they stalked towards the entrance of the estate, they could see that Augusta and Neville were already waiting patiently for their 'guest' plus one to arrive.
"I have something I need to do," Harry informed him, "It's good news, so nothing should happen." Trying to put Thorfinn at least, so that he didn't walk around like a ticking time bomb the entire time they were there.
It didn't help much, his shoulders eased a little but that was it.
"Good afternoon, Dowager Longbottom, Heir Longbottom," Harry said, with a teasing smile, but showing that he was there for business first, friendship didn't come into it. He could see understanding gleaming in Neville's eyes.
"Lord Black-Potter, welcome back to Longbottom Estate, we have lunch set up on the veranda if you like otherwise we can have it inside the drawing room?" Neville informed him, not once looking at his grandmother for guidance, proving that he had what it took now to care for the estate.
"It is a lovely day, and we won't see many more of them now that we're going into winter days," Harry said, agreeing to sit outside on the veranda. In a couple of weeks it would be November.
Once the three of them were sat down, with Thorfinn standing in the background like a glum waiter, Augusta spoke, as she handed out the food and drink. "How can the house of Longbottom help you today?"
"It's how I can help you," Harry said tapping his fingers against his folio.
"Oh?" Augusta asked, surprise gleaming in the depths of her eyes, "How so?"
"I'm afraid I cannot reveal too much without a secrecy contract, that will encompass all dealings with me," Harry explained, removing them and handing them to them both. So that all knowledge they already had would be safe. He probably should have worried about it earlier…but he hadn't.
"Why do you think you need this?" Neville asked, a little bit of hurt peeking through.
"Come on, don't act like either of us are stupid," Harry said softly, "I will give you one clue though, and I am not saying this to hurt you…but it involves Frank and Alice."
Augusta straightened immediately, her face becoming one stony mask.
"Mum and dad?" Neville murmured blinking at Harry in astonishment. "What about them?" no matter what side Harry was on, he would never mention his parents to be cruel to him, he knew what it was like. To grow up without parents, to be different from everyone else, they'd bonded over it.
Harry gave a small sympathetic smile, tapping the contract, "Just know that I would never be malicious…" giving them a look, he had to think of himself first and foremost, and they wouldn't just want to sign a contract, he knew it would take some convincing.
Augusta pursed her lips, reading it over thoroughly, during the time Harry was speaking to Neville. Her curiosity was almost overwhelming, what could Lord Black-Potter know about her son and her daughter-in-law? She refused to allow her emotions to get the better of her, or draw her into signing a contract of any kind under emotional distress.
"Gran?" Neville said quietly, watching her, knowing ultimately it was up to her for another year.
Augusta stared at Harry impassively, regarding the boy with wise shrewd eyes. If he had wanted them dead, it would have been easily accomplished. They'd been utterly incapacitated, it would have been easy to finish them off, and wash their hands of them. She also knew that what Dumbledore had done…was definitely what the old fool had done, no obliviate in the world could have enabled Dumbledore's trial to go the way it had. They'd all been manipulated but Harry had saw through it…if he saw through Dumbledore…perhaps he saw something in Tom Riddle…well, no matter.
"Sign it, Neville," Augusta insisted, plucking the self-inking quill from the table, she ensured the nib was perfect before she signed it, all neat and tidy despite her age and subtle shaking that heralded old age. She handed it over to Neville after making sure it was the same contract.
"Now, what is it about my son and daughter-in-law that you know?" Augusta demanded to know, "Has someone from your side created a potion as an anti-dote to the potion Dumbledore made?" refusing to call it by its official title, mea culpa indeed.
"Better than that, although really, it depends on who you ask," Harry said thoughtfully, after smoke puffed out from both contracts, they were now legally binding, his secrets were safe, all of them. "I've created…a potion that reverses the comatose brought on by the Cruciatus curse." Using comatose instead of insanity, since they weren't exactly insane in his opinion.
Augusta gaped at the boy, staring at him unable to comprehend what he just said, "E-excuse me?" she managed to rasp out, surely her ears were deceiving her? He did?
"It's already been tested on two subjects who were in the same way, for two more years than Frank and Alice." Harry said softly, shifting through his folio and holding the diagnosis out so that she could see for herself. "It's an extremely slow progress, they needed to re-learn everything…it's almost like stroke or heart attack victims, they remember everything…it's just re-learning how to talk, to remember some words, then there's moving, it can be a very frustrating time…the two patients are just beginning to regain the use of their arms and upper body. They're still bedbound for the majority of the day but will begin to re-learn to walk next week."
"They…they recognize people?" Neville stuttered out, eyes wet with tears as he realized this was very, very real.
"It took two weeks before awareness settled in properly, but yes, I had…almost given in thinking the potion was a bust when I was told." Harry said wryly, sheepishly cocking his head to the side a little before straightening back up. "After that, the process began to increase steadily,"
Augusta felt like she was going to have a heart attack reading all the medical jargon that slowly and steadily showed an increase in awareness, to movements and such of the two patients who were not named in the paperwork. This was very real, "I…I gave so much money to Potion Masters to find a cure…but they all ultimately failed…" heart lurching…and here sat a sixteen-year-old boy who had succeeded when the best of the best failed.
After all hope was lost. After she'd given up the prospect of her son recovering.
"How much?" she asked, noticing they required fourteen doses of the potion.
"I'm only going to charge you for the potion ingredients, not the brewing time or any profit," Harry explained, passing over the information pamphlet which included the price and why it was that price. "That includes the price the healer will demand, but personally I think you should get one you trust and have your son and daughter-in-law brought home to heal." They wouldn't need round the clock care for long, so it wouldn't cost an arm and a leg.
"That's it?" Augusta asked, staring at the price, expecting it to change.
"That's it," Harry confirmed, nobody else was going to get that good a price for it, of course. "I would…like for you to make a donation to the Hogwarts Scholarship fund or become a Kinship carer, to pay for someone's education, to guide them for the duration of their Hogwarts years. That's without fostering or adopting them. Information will be going out to everyone during the summer holidays, it will delve further into details. There are so many children unable to attend Hogwarts because they can't afford it…this will help the next generation in ways we cannot fathom yet." who knew, there might be a Longbottom out there, that they could actually take in.
"Do you have the potions prepared?" Augusta asked, heart pounding away…in a fortnight, just fourteen days her son and daughter could be revived. She glanced at her grandson to see him crying silently, as he stared at the spot behind Harry's shoulder, completely overwhelmed.
"I do," Harry confirmed, opening the folio and emerging with a small box, which he opened and were filled with vials. Fourteen of them along with a piece of parchment attached to the top, giving detailed instructions on how the potions were to be administered.
"Neville, be a dear and go get my check book," Augusta said, clearing her throat when Neville didn't respond immediately. She could have asked a House-elf but Neville needed a few minutes on his own, and this was how best to accomplish it.
"Yes, gran," Neville said politely before gratefully getting to his feet and disappearing inside.
"You told him everything," Harry said leaning back, fingers twitching.
Augusta nodded, "I did indeed, I also explained that it was inevitable that friendships would be tested with warring sides and it wasn't something he needed to do." She informed him coolly.
Harry's lips twitched, "Thank you," he said, grateful for whatever she'd actually said that's allowed him to keep at least some sort of friendship with Neville. Neville hadn't exactly glared at him or anything like that during the meeting that indicated a deep seated hatred or anger.
Perhaps not all was lost with Neville.
"No, thank you," Augusta said, glancing at the vials as if they were miracles, which to her they were.
"Will you still be saying that when Frank and Alice find out about Neville's upbringing? It will be one of the first things they ask after all." Harry pointed out, watching Augusta pale and swallow thickly as the reality dawned on her. It was in no way going to be a happy reunion forever.
"Yes, yes I will," Augusta murmured, sipping from her cup, strong and stalwart. "It is no more or less than I deserve." She'd take whatever punishment her son sees fit to give.
"I've often wondered why," Harry admitted, picking up a sandwich, "I mean it's clear you love your grandson, but your actions…well, they don't show that."
Augusta didn't reply, merely pursed her lips, mind reeling, if she couldn't answer Harry…how on earth could she answer her son? Her daughter in law? Merlin help her, for nobody else was going to. It was a very sobering realization.
Harry just watched on amused.
Even more amused was Thorfinn Rowle, who was badly trying to stifle his amusement and keep the emotion of his face.
He failed. With Harry though…it was very rare that things were boring.
There we go! Another chapter do you all like seeing more action after the bad guys taken over? Do you prefer it to the build up? If so why? I mean it's not like everything that's been done has been done...some of it changes up to make it a little more unique or at least I try to anyway...or do you think you like it so much because people rarely write afterwards? I mean Invisible had 30 chapters after the 'final battle or something i think' and it was spitting it's last by the end but i think it was enjoyed by everyone...anyway there we go! R&R please