Someone asked me it seemed unlikely that Harry was underfed when he had just returned from Hogwarts, maybe malnourished but not underfed. I disagree with this. For the first 10 years of his life, he has grown up on literal scarps of food. His body and stomach cannot handle huge quantities of food. Maybe when he goes to Hogwarts his quality of food may have changed but the quantity would still be small. Unless he is on a specific diet with constant supervision, his food intake would be less. That is why I used the words underfed and not malnourished. Hope this clears it up and enjoy!

Red heads and best friends

chapter 10

The next one week in the Black summer house passed in bliss. The four people inside had made a pact that after one week, they would go and face the music, so to say. Their days began with late breakfast and talking about their days at Hogwarts, stories of his dad and mom that he could have only ever dreamed of before. He also found out many little quirks of his new family. He knew that Sirius slept as Padfoot on Remus's bed because it helped both of them alienate the loneliness of the past 13 years. He knew Remus had a preference for chocolate biscuits with his evening tea, especially the ones Astrid made. He could eat dozens of them without even noticing. He knew no matter how late Astrid slept she couldn't stand to stay in bed past 6. Sirius always exercised in the mornings, he said it was a habit he got from his father, something James did to be in good shape for quidditch, Harry joined him in this, a family tradition he could share with both his fathers. Remus loved old books, the smell comforted him, especially when nearing the full moon. Astrid surprisingly was an exceptional baker, she was a rubbish cook but her baking was to die for. He even started learning potions from his mom's old journals and books. His new room had soon come to feel like home. He had filled it with pictures of his parents and Sirius and Remus, and even a few they had with Astrid. He even had many pictures from this summer, ones he didn't even know Astrid had taken. His favorite though was the one Astrid had taken of the three of them when Sirius and Remus had told him they wanted to adopt him.

He was, for the first time in ever genuinely happy and felt free. He knew today the last day of 'vacation' and from tomorrow they would have to start working to reestablish the house and even his studies, he had to work to control his power now that it was unbound. The few times he did do it, it was very powerful, but he was determined to get it under control quickly.

Harry walked into the kitchen, hugging Sirius and Remus good morning and kissing Astrid's cheek in greeting.

"What are you all discussing?" He asked popping a few grapes into his mouth surveying all the papers in front of him.

"Game plan." Remus mumbled as he scribbled quickly.

"I thought it was all organized already." Harry said confused.

"It is, we're just making sure we haven't missed anything." Sirius said biting into his toast.

"Do you remember our schedule for tomorrow?" he asked Harry.

Harry nodded, he had memorized their schedule for the next three days, knowing it was going to be very hectic.

"Morning tea with the Weasleys and Hermione, meeting Madam Longbottom before lunch, Lunch with the Minister and Director Croaker, tea with the Malfoys, and dinner with the Tonks." His face took on a disgusted look at the word Malfoy but he knew he had to, they were technically cousins now and he also knew this was a way for Sirius to establish primacy and decide what to do about Lucius Malfoy.

"Good." Astrid nodded approvingly.

"I have sent out all the invites and all of them have accepted. We'll be meeting the Weasley's and the Hermione at Grimmauld, don't make that face Sirius, I know you hate that place but it is one the most heavily warded place in Britain and offers unique protections to both the Head and the Heir. I know the Weasleys and the Grangers are your friends Harry but I would rather be cautious if they tried something on Sirius, don't say my accusations are unfounded, they hate the Malfoys on principle alone, no need to add the fact that they are assholes. Then we will be going to the Longbottom's and then lunch back at Grimmauld and a break then tea and then again a break and then dinner"

Astrid spoke in one breathe addressing both Harry and Sirius's concerns before they even spoke them.

"Also Remus, the candidates for the secretary's position will meet you at the Leaky Caldron after lunch. Alright, what are we missing now?" She said looking at all the papers.

"Umm...your breakfast?" Harry said pushing the plate of rye toast with fruits in front of her as Sirius pulled the papers towards him.

"We have done everything, all the meetings are set up and all we need to do now is relax today and then we can start taking over the world tomorrow." Remus said.

"Of course." Astrid conceded as she stabbed a watermelon piece onto her fork.

At 9 the next day found Harry standing in front of the mirror in the living room, fidgeting, feeling self-conscious in his new clothes that Astrid had bought for him.

"Relax, you look fine." Astrid said as she wept into the room in a bright yellow dress.

"I know, I just, I don't know how they will react, I didn't tell either of them anything when usually I tell them everything." Harry said.

"It's alright love, they'll understand." Astrid said kindly. Sirius and Remus entered the room both dressed casually in muggle clothing just as the floo chimed. The four of them walked to the floo room just as , Fred, George, Ron, Ginny and, Hermione stepped out of the floo.

Fred and George were the first ones to notice them.

"Harry!" they exclaimed. A flurry of greetings, Sirius and Remus shaking the men's hands and kissing the back of the ladies' hands. A round of introduction took place between the guests and Astrids, with Fred and George copying Sirius and Remus with exaggerated bows.

They both took one hand of hers.

"My fair lady." George began.

"We are pleased to make your acquaintance." Fred finished.

Astrid laughed amused before curtsying herself. "Charmed gentlemen." she stated in the same exaggerated posh tone as the twins, while Molly admonished them to behave properly.

Soon all of them were seated in the sunroom, tea, and biscuits in front of everyone.

"Thank you, Lord Black, for inviting us today. Arthur, unfortunately, had to work and couldn't make it here today." Molly spoke.

"Oh, Sirius please, and I had to meet you, Harry has spoken greatly of you and your family's hospitality and I wanted to thank you for it." Sirius said with a smile.

"Oh nonsense, Harry is a wonderful child, but." Molly hesitated.

"But?" Astrid asked, immediately on the defensive.

"You see, Albus contacted us, yesterday. He said that it is imperative for Harry's safety that he remain at the Dursleys, something about blood wards and safety from Voldemort. And we were wondering wouldn't it be better if he did stay there, at least for this summer, I'm sure you need to recover from Azkaban and need to get your affairs in order."

"Oh Albus said did he?" Astrid spoke in a low voice.

Remus grabbed her arm, shooting her a look to calm herself down. Astrid pursed her lips but quietened.

"I appreciate your concern , but Albus Dumbledore is Harry's headmaster that is all. He has no right to make any decisions about Harry's home life, those will be made by his guardians." Sirius spoke in a loud voice brokering no argument.

"Yes, yes, of course." Molly spoke hurriedly. An awkward silence permeated the room, with the teens talking and giggling amongst themselves.

"Hey, Harry, why don't you come back with us to the burrow? We can play a match of quidditch!" Ron spoke suddenly loudly.

"Oh, er, that's a great idea Ron." Harry started hesitantly.

"Great! We can have a go at your firebolt!" he spoke over Harry. Harry threw a helpless look at his Astrid. Astrid gave him a pointed look, he let out a defeated sigh before speaking again.

"Ron! That is a great idea, but I can't today, we have plans."

"What are you doing Harry?" Hermione asked interested.

"Oh, just some house business before we have family meetings with the Malfoy's and Tonks."

"Malfoy's!" Ron looked alarmed.

Harry sighed. "Yes Ron, the Malfoy's are cousins and we need to meet them it's protocol."

"Oh," Ron said in a quiet voice. Harry could almost feel the awkwardness between his two friends, the questions they weren't asking him, and guilt erupted in him.

"Hey, can we talk? Just us three?" He asked them both, shooting apologetic looks towards the other three. The twins and Ginny gave him reassuring smiles, telling him they understood.

"Is it alright if me, Ron, and Hermione go upstairs?" Harry asked his guardians.

"Yes of course." Sirius replied.

An idea occurred to him and before leaving he leaned over to whisper in Fred's ear.

"Sirius and Remus are Padfoot and Moony, my dad was Prongs. Ask them about that but not Wormtail." He said giving him a meaningful look. The twins were smart they would figure it out.

"Don't go into any room except yours! They haven't been cleaned yet." Astrid called out as he ushered them out.

"I remember!"

The last thing he saw before closing the door behind him was the twins' starstruck faces as they stared at Sirius and Remus.

"Come on." He said with a smile before leading them upstairs. He took them to his room, which was furnished with just a bed, a table, and some clothes.

"Wow, um it's very clean." Hermione stated. Personally, she felt the room was very clinical and began wondering exactly what sort of home life her friend had now.

Harry chuckled at her and Ron's bewildered expression.

"We don't actually live here, this is just for meetings and meeting people for lunch and all. Sirius doesn't want anyone to know where we actually stay, that's why we are meeting here and not at home."

"It's not like we would harm you." Hermione said looking offended.

"I know, but they're just very cautious, especially about all that happened since I re-entered the wizarding world. "

"You told them?" Ron asked surprised.

"They're my family Ron." Harry stated simply.

"Yes, but Harry you don't even know these people-" Hermione began.

"No Hermione, he's right. They are his family and they have a right to know." Ron interrupted.

He shot his friend a grateful look.

"Anyways look guys, I wanted to apologize, for not telling you anything. We didn't want anyone to know until Sirius was free and I could move in with them."

"Yes but Dumbledore doesn't think it's a good idea does he?" Hermione stated nervously, she didn't want Harry to be mad at her.

"That is a point mate, I mean, I think Dumbledore is completely barmy but he does have your best interests at heart."

"I'm not too sure of that." Harry muttered under his breath. He felt hurt by their words, he thought his friends would be happy that he was finally out of that house, but even they aren't having any qualms about sending him back if Dumbledore thought it was best.

"Listen, guys, this guardianship thing is a family matter. Sirius, Remus, Astrid, and I have discussed it, and frankly, Dumbledore doesn't have the right to decide anything and he can't decide anything. I'm happy in my new house and I thought you guys too would be happy that I'm finally away from the Dursleys." He said frostily.

"No, we are." Ron said hurriedly, trying to not make Harry angry.

"Let's leave this yeah? Did you guys start your homework?" Hermione asked, trying to ease the tension.

"Blimey 'mione, the holidays have just started, give us a while eh?" Ron said with a disgusted expression on his face.

"Actually, I finished my homework already and I'm dropping divination." Harry stated.

"What!" Both his friends stated shocked.

"I promised Sirius I would take my studies seriously, and Ron come on, divination is utter rubbish and even you know it, I'm changing to Arithmancy while doing runes as an independent study."

"Oh! Harry that's great! Do you need me to check over your essays? I can help explain it if you want, wait let me just draw up a timetable." Harry said looking around for a quill and some parchment.

"That isn't necessary 'mione, Sirius, and Remus are tutoring me."Harry said.

"I can't believe you're abandoning me." Ron interrupted with a hurt expression.

"I'm not abandoning you Ron, you have the other guys with you, I just want to do something that actually challenges me for once." He explained patiently.

They're conversation was interrupted by an elf popping in suddenly.

"Master be calling young master and young master's friends. Young master needs to be getting dressed." Topsy stated.

"Thank you Topsy." Harry smiled. The three friends stood up and began walking down.

"What was that Harry?" Hermione asked ever the inquisitive person.

"Topsy, she's our house elf. House elf are beings which serve witches and wizards.:" He said preempting her question.

An outraged expression made its way onto her face.

"Like slaves?" Hermione asked angrily. Harry could see that she was building herself up into a rage and quickly spoke to diffuse it.

"No, not really. House-elves are dependent, they need to be bonded to another living person or they will die out. They love to clean, so that's how they repay the witch or wizard who has given them a lease to live, by keeping their houses clean and serving them."

Though a bit mollified he could see that she was still angry about this, the three friends made their way into the floo room where they could see the twins laughing with Sirius and Remus over something, their eyes shinning in awe.

"Now, Harry dear, are you sure you don't want to come with us? You are just a kid and I'm sure the adults can handle whatever it is themselves. " Molly said with a tight smile. Astrid laid a hand on top of Harry's shoulder.

"Actually, he is going to be turning 14 this month and needs to have known all this before, that's why he will be coming along with us today ." Astrid too said with a fake polite smile.

The red-haired woman didn't reply anything, just pursed her lips before ushering her kids away. After a chorus of goodbyes, the four people breathed a sigh of relief.

"Thank God she is gone. Harry I know she is your friend's mother but god does she get on my nerves." Astrid exclaimed.

Harry winced painfully, the tense atmosphere had already clued him into what his family thought of Molly Weasley.

"Well, I suppose you three need to be getting ready and I need to make sure everything is in place for the interviews." Remus stated looking at Harry's uncomfortable face and ushering all of them to their rooms to get ready for the next round of socializing.