Chapter 6 – Meet the Future In-laws
Finally it was time for Blaise to go and after a quick hug she floo'd back to her manor. Sighing, Harry turned and walked out of the sitting room and into the kitchen to talk to Remus. Luck would have it that Winky was just setting the table for dinner; he was starting to get hungry again.
"So... judging by the smile on your face; you enjoyed yourself today," Moony said with a small chuckle. He sobered up a bit before saying, "That's something that I am most pleased to see."
Harry smirked at Moony, "I can't say that spending my afternoon with a beautiful lady, that I'm going to marry, is necessarily the worst way to spend a summer afternoon.
"What did you do this afternoon?"
"I went to visit some folks and wandered around the library for awhile," Moony said in between bites.
The next sixteen days past relatively quietly; physical training in the morning and magical training in the afternoon. The biggest differences were when Dumbledore would arrive to train Harry during Occlumency lessons, spending time with his two new pets and working or training them to do what he wanted, and of course, having Blaise stop by a couple of times.
It was the night before Harry's birthday and Blaise was in Harry's bedroom, selecting his clothes for tomorrow. "So… should I bring James and Lily with me tomorrow or should I leave them with Moony?" Harry asked as he sat on his bed waiting for Blaise to make her decision.
"Bring them with you, the manor has plenty of open grounds for them to spend their time looking around," Blaise said as she pulled out a silver robe with green overtones and a blue lining on the inside and black stitching. "Besides, from what you've told me, they don't like to be left behind."
"True. This one's alright, whatever you want I know better then to argue at this point," Harry said as he hung it on the back of his door. "So… are you spending the night here or are you going to go back to your parent's house. I mean, it's your choice but it would be nice to see you in the morning."
Over the last two plus weeks, since their first meeting, they had grown closer. They were dating but insisted on taking things slowly for the time being. They didn't want to rush into anything. After all, they literally had the rest of their lives to do things together. They had yet to do anything more serious than hold each other sometimes and kiss each other good bye.
"I already told you the last time you asked. I'm staying here tonight," Blaise said with a roll of her eyes. "Now come on we need to go to bed so that you're at least rested for tomorrow. Being exhausted wont do anything positive for your nerves; I can guarantee you that much."
"Yeah, yeah, I know. Are you going to stay in my bed tonight," Harry asked with a mischievous gleam in his eyes.
"Yes but sleeping is all we will be doing. You're too noble to try anything else anyways. Bloody Gryffindors," Blaise said as she moved over towards the bed.
"Hurry up and go use the bathroom I'm tired and want to sleep."
It was one of the things that Harry liked the most about his new living arrangements. The adjoining restroom made getting ready everyday, and night, much easier. Within ten minutes both he and Blaise we dressed and ready for bed. Harry climbed into the bed first and settled in and Blaise followed, backing up against him. In less time than it took them to get ready for bed both we sound asleep in Harry's bed.
It turned out to be the best night's rest that Harry had had in almost two years. For the first time since the third task he was able to make it through the night without a nightmare. He thanked Merlin for Dumbledore's Occlumency lessons since he hadn't had any real visions since the night at the ministry but he still saw vague and blurry images from time to time.
Harry awoke a little before Blaise but was more than content to just lie in bed next to her. She didn't wake for nearly another half an hour but it didn't bother him at all. He gave her a slight squeeze around the waist to let her know that he was awake when he felt her stir.
"Happy Birthday," Blaise murmured as she pushed the rest of her body against Harry so she could feel his warmth. "Now, as much as I would love to stay like this, we both need to get showered so we can head out to my house and meet the in-laws."
"You first. It takes you longer to get ready than it does me and you know it. I'll go have the house elves start breakfast," Harry said lazily before getting a wicked grin on his face. "Unless, of course, you want to shower together?"
Blaise giggled slightly, "No, Harry. You know better then that. No showering together until we're married and the same goes for sex. So just stay there while I go and shower." Blaise sauntered over to the restroom in a way that made it damn near impossible for Harry not to stare. He silently cursed her for what she did to him but he sucked it up and waited for his turn in the shower.
Blaise took a short shower, short for a girl anyway, while he thought about the fact that he had to meet her parents today. Once she came out of the bathroom Harry went in to take his shower. It didn't take Harry long to shower and in about half the time it took Blaise, Harry was out of the shower and into his boxers, trudging across the room to get dressed.
"Now, tell me again, why am I wearing these clothes?"
"Three reasons," Blaise said, ticking off her fingers. "First, the colors look really good on you. Second, it makes a good first impression. But Third, and the most important reason, I said so and, as your soon to be wife, that means my word is as good as law. The sooner you realize and understand that, the better it will be for both of us.
"Now, remember, just relax at the manor. My parents know that we are going to fulfill the marriage contract but they still want to meet you and see what kind of a man you are. They want to make sure that you're going to treat me right and all that.
"Even though my family was neutral about the war they still want to have any guy who marries their daughter to protect and provide for his family. It's actually somewhat of a mystery why my grandparents signed the contract with an obviously outspoken 'dark' family during war time. But that's not here nor there. Just be yourself and everything will be fine," she reassured him as she fixed his shirt collar.
"I can handle that, I think."
"Of course you can, now come on…," Blaise said as she got behind Harry and pushed him out of the room and towards the stairs. Harry was glad that Remus was already awake, since he hadn't gotten out of bed to tell the elves to start breakfast yet. They found breakfast already on the table and Remus drinking tea from his mug, while reading yesterdays paper. It had become a habit to get the paper from the day before as having too many owls flying to the area would attract unneeded attention.
"Professor you are coming for dinner tonight right?" Blaise asked as she took a seat at the table with Harry sitting next to her. "My parents would like the opportunity to meet you and I know that Harry would like for you to be there as well."
Harry just say back and watched in amusement as his pureblooded fiancé handled the situation as diplomatically as one would come to expect from the heir of two of the oldest families in the wizarding world.
"Of course I'll be there and how many times do I have to tell you not to call me professor. Remus or Moony will do fine. I've not been a teacher in three years," Remus said as he looked up from the paper with a smile. "Now, you two had best be off if you want to make it on time. I have a few errands to run in London but I should be on time for dinner tonight. Have fun you two," Remus said with a wave, ushering them out of the kitchen.
Less then five minutes later Harry and Blaise had arrived at a local floo spot. They still had a ways to walk to the Manor so Harry decided to ask, "Um… not to sound rude, but why did we have to walk to your house?"
"Well I could floo directly into the house but because you aren't recognized by the wards yet we have to go through the main gates and key you in to them. Then you'll be able to floo directly to the Manor, though I think my dad may make restriction for when you can actually floo travel into the house to stop any midnight adventures you may or may not have the urge to make," she smirked. "Also when we get there you can help me to key Moony into the wards so that he can floo here directly," Blaise said as they approached a gate to a large manor, which was situated about a hundred yards behind the gate, with James and Lily following behind them.
After being keyed into the wards, and keying Remus into the wards as well, Blaise led Harry up into the manor to meet her parents.
Just before they reached the doors they were opened by Blaise's parents. "Hello Mr. Potter it is good to finally meet you," Mr. Zabini said formally. "Please come into the house so that we may be better acquainted."
"Mr. Zabini, Mrs. Zabini, it is a pleasure to meet the two of you. I assume that you have heard some stories about me from the Prophet, or other sources," he said with a sideways glance at Blaise. "I hope that the other sources have been more accurate than the Prophet's been recently."
"Don't worry Blaise has told us good things about you this summer, although she forgot to mention how attractive you happen to be," said Mrs. Zabini with a smile. "Now you two can take your pets out behind the manor so they can roam around the yard and then have Blaise show you to the solarium."
Once James and Lily were left to play around behind the manor, Blaise led Harry to a room where her parents were sitting down on a sofa waiting for them. "So… what would you like to know about me?" Harry asked, his nerves starting to show.
Seeing this Mr. Zabini gave a small chuckle and said, "Relax Harry, you're already engaged to my daughter so you don't have to worry about me doing anything to you, but we would just like to hear about you in general."
They spent the next hour and a half talking getting to know each other. The Zabini family as Harry found out was neutral because they simply found that being neutral let them talk to people and make unbiased decisions. Then eventually they finally came to the point where they asked about the end of last year and how Harry came into this marriage contract.
Blaise reached over and took his hand as he thought about how to say what needed to be said. Finally taking a deep breath, he started, "Well the reason that I inherited the marriage contract from the Black family is because my godfather died close to the end of the last school year. He made me the heir to the Black family and because the contract was not fulfilled I inherited it," said Harry. "Before you ask my Godfather was Sirius Black, who, contrary to what the papers have said, was an innocent man." It was still hard for Harry to talk about this in a casual conversation, so he tried his hardest to crush the overwhelming emotions building inside of him.
Blaise, seeing that he might need a bit more support than holding his hand, mouthed to her parents, 'I'll tell you later," and proceeded to wrap her arms tightly around Harry, waiting for him to be back in control of his emotions. Her parents just nodded and sat there and waited for Harry to compose himself again.
Harry was about to say something before Mrs. Zabini said, "Don't worry about it dear we understand that is a sensitive subject for you. Now come on we should have some lunch before you meet Blaise's friends."
He stood up and followed them out of the room before whispering into Blaise's ear, "Friends? Do I even want to ask who I'm meeting?"
"Just some of my friends. Nothing to worry about."
"I take it that you won't let me get out of meeting them?"
"Nope, they saw the engagement ring so I figured that you could meet them the same day as my parents," said Blaise with a mischievous smile. "Sort of an 'all-in-one' type of situation."
Lunch was a quiet affair, filled mostly with small talk going on while they ate. Shortly after they had finished their food Blaise took her mom out to meet James and Lily, while Mr. Zabini went over to Harry.
"I understand this might be a bit awkward for you, but as a concerned parent I must know about your financial status and how you are going to take care of my daughter after you two are married. I know you want to have a December wedding, and that's fine, but I would like to know what she is getting into. I would like to talk to you after dinner, if that's okay with you."
Harry nodded in understanding. He was almost worried that he was going to ask about his part in the war and he couldn't really give a straight answer there. "I would like Remus to join us, if that's okay with you. He can offer some better understanding, I think, since he has more real world experience,"
Mr. Zabini just nodded his head before saying, "Well it looks like you should get ready for my daughter's friends. They should be here in a couple of minutes."
The afternoon passed in an easy manner after Blaise introduced Harry to her friends, Daphne Greengrass and Tracy Davis. Harry was surprised at how easy it was to get along with them once he finally relaxed in their presence. Being able to actually have a conversation with some Slytherins that didn't end in wands being drawn gave Harry a few ideas for the D.A. that he want to talk to Dumbledore about.
Daphne and Tracy left just before dinner time. Harry was surprised to see Remus already in a spirited conversation with Andrew Zabini. They sat down and ate a pleasant dinner before it was time for Harry and Remus to go and talk with Mr. Zabini.
Andrew Zabini led the group of three down the hall from the dining room, to a small office.
"Sit down gentlemen, we have some things to discuss tonight," Andrew said as he took a seat in a chair. "Now the only reason that I am questioning you about this is because I want the best for my daughter and it is not a reflection of your character in anyway. I just wanted to make that clear from the start.
"My first question concerns where you are planning to live with my daughter once you are married."
"Well I was thinking about having us live at Potter manor assuming that I can have the proper wards set up at the manor and have it placed under the Fidelius charm," Harry said in a calm manner. He looked at Remus and said "Of course after I'm married I plan on turning over official ownership of where we are staying now to you Moony."
Mr. Zabini smiled at this and said, "That sounds fine and if you would like I can arrange for the wards to be placed over the house. Now my next question is actually for you Mr. Lupin I was wondering about the extent of Harry's magical power as well as his skills at defense with the wand."
"Well presently Harry is entering his magical maturity, which means that his magical power should increase significantly. If truth be told this is a scary prospect for any person who tries to go against him because he was already a very powerful wizard when I met him. By the end of the third of his third year he was able to cast a powerful enough Patronus that was able to protect him from over a hundred dementors," said Remus in a calm tone. "Without a doubt he is the best at defense in the entire school and dueling. In fact by the time that he is married to your daughter he should be at least at the level of a senior auror but most likely he will be even better then that if he continues to progress at the rate he will be one of the best duelists in the country."
"That is something that is most welcome and makes me sure that he is capable of protecting my daughter," said Mr. Zabini. "I already know that he would do anything that he could to protect her from what I have heard and the way you speak Harry. Now my last concern is the financial side of the marriage, I do not know the extent of your wealth but I want to make sure that you have wise investments to be able to support yourselves as well as any children that you two have."
Harry sat there for a minute thinking before Remus said, "You don't have to answer that Harry if you do not want too."
Harry smiled at Remus grateful for him being there before he said, "Thank you Moony but I can answer this to both his and my satisfaction. To answer your question Mr. Zabini I have investments in several companies throughout the wizarding and muggle world.
"To make it a bit more clear. The interest my account makes monthly is more than most working families make in two months. We should be able to do whatever we want in life and our kids will never do without."
Mr. Zabini smiled at this and said, "It is nice to see some one who takes responsibility for their investments but does not divulge too much to people. I must say that it makes me feel a bit more at ease with this whole situation to know that you can truly take care of her the way I think she deserves."
Hearing these words Harry finally felt relaxed knowing that Blaise's parents accepted him for who he was and approved of him marrying their daughter. He knew it was stupid to worry about their approval because of the marriage contract but it was still nice to hear that his in-laws like him for who he was as a man and his character, and not because of his fame.
Watching Harry relax, Remus and Andrew let out a quiet chuckle seeing Harry finally relax. "Harry you look like James after he met Lily's parents for the first time," Remus said as he sat back in his chair.
"Alright, come on Harry it's your birthday and you still have to get your presents from Blaise as well as my wife and I," Mr. Zabini said as he stood up and waited for the other two.
"You know your family didn't have to get me a gift. I mean being welcomed into your family was more then enough," said Harry as he followed Mr. Zabini into the dining area that they had dinner at earlier.
Andrew hid a smirk at the classic response to the situation. He hadn't expected anything less from his son-in-law.
Harry found Blaise and her mom still in the kitchen talking quietly and giggling a little bit. Harry leaned over and whispered, "I take it they are discussing me in some manner or the other."
Andrew smirked again and cleared his throat.
"Alright you two, come on, it is time to give Harry his gifts," said Mr. Zabini. "I know you two are enjoying discussing this young man but it's still his birthday after all."
"Okay, fine, we'll stop talking about Harry here… for now," Blaise said with a smirk. Harry couldn't help but notice that it seemed to be a family trait.
"Ok come on and hurry up because I'm sure that the longer he waits the more time he will have to try and stop from getting gifts from us."
Harry opened a package from Mr. and Mrs. Zabini which held a set of contact lenses and an earring of a griffin made out of gold. "Those lenses are charmed like your glasses but once they are put on they won't be able to be taken out of your eyes. It is how most people fix their vision because they charms are dangerous if you mess up you could be blind. Now the earring will automatically pierce your ear for you and other then that it is just twenty four karat gold."
Harry just smiled at these gifts before saying, "Thank you for the gifts, just give me a minute to put these in to their respective places." He took off his glasses and put in his contacts, which allowed him to see just as well as his glasses that he bought in Diagon Alley. Then he put his earring and after feeling a slight pain it was permanently in place.
Blaise smiled at this before leaning over and whispering in his ear and saying, "Looks sexy… good thing I don't have to worry about anyone stealing you away otherwise I'm sure most girls in the school would be trying to fuck you. Now here open my gift I'm sure that you will like what is inside the box."
Harry's eyes widened almost comically at Blaise's choice of words and her daring at saying it in the same room as her family, whispering or not.
Harry whispered back, "You'll never have to worry about me being with another girl." He then proceeded to open the box where he found a silver chain with a griffin attached to it and in the griffin's eyes were emeralds. "This is beautiful… this is too much I can't accept this, I mean I'm not worth this much."
"Oh shut up you know that you are worth more then that and it is the least that I can do after you bought me Alex and the necklace. It is the least I could do to repay you…," said Blaise before adding in a whisper so no one else heard, "well for now."
At these words Harry's eyes widened again for the second time that night before looking at Blaise, who was smirking, yet again, at Harry's expression. He decided to be a little bold and leaned over and gave her a kiss. "Well I guess that there is no point in arguing with you so I guess that I should just accept this and put it around my neck."
The rest of the adults in the room smiled at this before Mr. Zabini cleared his throat. "Sorry to interrupt the two of you but it is getting late and I think that Harry needs to go back to wherever it is that he lives with Remus. You might want to take your pets with you. I don't know much about griffins but they don't like to be away from their owners for long."
After gathering Lily and Sirius and saying goodbye and thank you to Mr. and Mrs. Zabini Harry gave Blaise a kiss goodbye before heading back to Grimmauld place for the night with Moony. As he lay in bed that night reflecting about the day at the Zabini manor he felt that it was the best birthday that he had ever had in his life.
A/N: Hey, guess what, I'm still alive :)