CHAPTER NINE

Carlisle glanced in the rearview mirror, equal parts amused and satisfied to see a pouting Harry in the backseat, gloomily staring out the window. It was a rainy day and so Carlisle was able to take Harry personally to his dentist appointment. The absolutely dreaded and feared appointment (apparently a kid at school had recently had one of his teeth pulled and had emphatically told Harry all of the details) that was the cause of Harry's dismay.

"But you're a doctor! Can't you tell if my teeth are healthy or not?" Harry had asked desperately. A year ago, Carlisle had made sure Harry was up to date on all his shots, got him a new prescription for his glasses and a sturdier frame, and taken him to the dentist. Harry had been too shy then to voice his displeasure, but after a year he was slowly coming out of his shell. While Esme and Carlisle made sure he was a well-behaved boy who knew his boundaries in the Cullen household, Carlisle was happy to allow the quiet pouting in the backseat, as it was a sign that Harry was in a much better mental state than when he had come to visit.

Their relationship had grown much stronger and it made Carlisle happy to know Harry regarded him as his father figure. Harry had even brought the Pack closer to the Cullen family. As the Cullens couldn't really go out when it wasn't raining, it was the Pack who took Harry out on sunny picnics and one extremely memorable beach vacation where Harry had come back looking like a tomato and sweet Esme had spent half an hour lecturing the shame-faced Jacob about proper skincare.

Harry found he enjoyed playing games, whether it was sports with Emmett (they had fun coming up with the most ridiculous handicaps to try and make it possible for Harry to win) or even chess with Jasper. He had also begun to express interest in learning more about his heritage and spent some quiet nights reading his magic books with Bella, Edward and Renesmee. Renesmee had started to teach Harry the piano as well, and while Harry didn't seem to be musically gifted he was intelligent and had a grasp of the basics. But everyone knew Carlisle was his favorite person, and Carlisle could not describe how wonderful the feeling was when he came home from work to find his loving family and see Harry's face light up with undiluted joy.

It wasn't all fun and games, of course. The rest of the Cullen family had also been reading up on the magical world, its laws, old families and abilities. They had been especially interested in the mind branch of magic, and within that book was information on how to master Occlumency. It advised learning from a true master, but it listed the basic techniques that "even a muggle could learn". Legilimency required magic to launch an attack, but Occlumency was just strong mental defensive, and with their own resident natural Legilimens, they had mastered the art, much to Edward's equal relief and ire. While they were still unsure if it would hold against a magical Legilimens, and if Bella's shield would hold against any wizard attacks, it still put their minds more at ease.

Carlisle was so used to Edward being able to read his mind that he often left his Occlumency shields down, as did most of the family. However Edward did admit that it was nice not to have to hear the more intimate thoughts of his family, which was a plus. Even Jacob, at Renesmee's insistence and the promise of not having his father-in-law in his head, had buckled down and learned it, thereby shielding his entire Pack.

They had also acquired two house elves by the names of Popsy and Nilly. They had been part of the Lestrange family, but they had been delegated to backrooms and as such they had not been privy to more important information that made them useful. With the Lestranges in Azkaban and too many house elves for the left behind estates, they were unnecessary. Popsy was an older house elf and Nilly was his daughter. They had done odd jobs for years, and by the time Carlisle came around they were desperate for a family to bond too.

Popsy and Nilly provided the Cullen family with more information about the Wizarding World, house-elves in general, maintained the wards that Gringott's had put around the Cullen property and Charlie's home, and provided a quick escape for Harry if he ever needed it. They also ensured the Cullens, if found out and attacked by Dumbledore or any of his associates, would have a magical defense and a way for their memories to be brought back or at least be told of what they had forgotten.

Another change that strengthened their relationship with Harry was the visits to the Dursley's. The first time they had dropped him off, Harry had begged them not to leave, terrified they wouldn't come back. It was to be a sunny weekend and so they would not be able to watch him closely. Seth offered to keep an eye on him, and Leah of course went with him. Apparently, since it was only a few days, the Dursley's intended to keep Harry locked in the cupboard and only let him out for appearances sake once or twice, mostly to make him do yard work.

Leah was not having any of that, and while she and Harry hadn't been particularly close before the incident, and Leah refused to repeat exactly what she had said to the Dursley's, Harry now always looked at her with a bit of hero-worship in his eyes. After that incident, while the time at the Dursley's was unpleasant it was acceptable. They had not seen Dumbledore visit again, and so the plan seemed to be working well.

It had been a long year for the Cullens and while they still had challenges ahead of them, Carlisle was content with his life.

They reached the dentist's office and Carlisle got out of the car.

"Do we haaaave to?" Harry asked once more.

"Don't whine Harry, you're better than that, and yes we do." Carlisle chastised gently. He noted Harry's eyes twitching and he knew he was resisting the urge to roll them at his guardian. Now that he was more comfortable with the Cullens, Carlisle noted that Harry had a natural mischievous side and could be quite witty if the opportunity arose. It showed intelligence and creativity, and while he encouraged that being expressed in painting with Esme or the occasional non-damaging prank with Emmett or Seth (how they managed to to put a hole in the wall no one would say, or how Edward got involved or why Seth's hair was pink at the end), but as long as it didn't cross into being disrespectful he was alright with it.

Carlisle ruffled Harry's hair fondly, ignoring the outraged squawk as he tried valiantly to flatten his unruly locks and walked inside.

There was a receptionist desk to the right with a woman in her late twenties filing some paperwork. Over to the left was a young girl with bushy brown hair, curled up in a chair and reading The Chronicles of Narnia. The girl, Carlisle immediately noticed, smelled like a wizard. It surprised him so much he almost didn't respond to the receptionist's greeting, and quickly composed himself. He couldn't smell anyone else, and he felt no hostile intentions. Perhaps she was just a muggle-born or a half-blood.

"Why don't you go talk to her, Harry? She's reading the series you like." Carlisle had started reading the series to him when he went to sleep, and now that Harry was advanced in his reading level he had started to read it himself when he had the chance. Harry, who grew up around a bunch of girls and thought the idea of cooties was stupid, quickly walked over to talk to the young girl. Carlisle kept a close eye on him as he checked them in. Harry had asked her name (Hermione) and also what part she was at.

He went and sat down near the children, pleased to note that while very enthusiastic, Hermione seemed to be nice and Harry was happy to be talking to someone who was his age. Harry was still used to being a social outcast, and while he had opened up at home it would take him awhile to make more than just the few acquaintances he had at school.

"Mr. Cullen?" The dentist, a kind man by the name of William Granger, crossed the room and offered his hand. Carlisle gave him a firm but polite handshake. "Dr. Granger, good to see you again."

"You as well. And you must be Harry!" Dr. Granger turned to him with a smile. Harry stood up where he and Hermione had been sitting and pouring over the book, and after an encouraging nod from Carlisle, also offered his hand.

"Yes, sir." He said quietly. Harry still wasn't comfortable among adults, especially one as scary as dentists. Smelling his fear, Carlisle said, "Harry was told a horror story about dentists from a boy at school, and has been a little nervous ever since." Harry shot him a betrayed look and opened his mouth to deny it before Hermione interrupted him. "That's ridiculous! My daddy and mommy aren't scary. They're health care pruff….proofessionals!" She finished proudly.

"Your dad is a dentist?" Harry asked incredulously. "But - "

"But my teeth?" Hermione interrupted again, looking much too defiant and hurt for someone her age. Carlisle had noted the girl had some overgrown front teeth, but they weren't really that noticeable. It must have been a sore point for her though, if that was the first thing she thought of.

"What about your teeth?" Harry, bless him, looked genuinely bewildered. "I was going to say you're so nice!" Hermione and Dr. Granger both looked dumbfounded, and Carlisle smiled.

"My daughter, Hermione." Dr. Granger introduced. Carlisle looked at him with renewed interest. "My wife and I are both dentists, and we run this place. She's with another patient right now." He explained. Carlisle couldn't scent any other magical people or objects in the building, and concluded that Hermione must be a muggle-born. This could be quite fortuitous for us. Jasper is going to be livid.