Hey guys I'm really sorry to have kept you all waiting so long, but I don't like leaving you so much as I love writing these chapters. I try to keep up I really do, but sometimes these things take a while to get done between my pending engagement, my job, all sorts of things come up to give me time and if I had more I would use it to write but I do what I can. I love you all for supporting this fic, and I'll try to get more into updating but with other fics and all it's not easy.

Now this has Harry socializing more with people who know Charlotte in the big Ministry. He goes to the ball, with Viktor as his date, and Charlotte becomes more motherly as she prepares him for what may come. Jean will show as well, he isn't through just yet. Expect a little drama though, but nothing too serious.

Written by myself and my sister author AnnaBoleyna1536, and we don't own Harry Potter.

Enjoy!

Prewett Castle:

Sometime after Harry had met Lord and Lady Krum he had been granted a free weekend at home due to the ball coming up. He was on the list with Charlotte, so he was expected to show but his mum had said not to worry about feeling out of place, since she had bought him a new set of robes to wear just for that evening and had them cleaned so they'd be comfortable.

"Mum?" Harry called out and knocked on her bedroom door.

"Come on in Harry." he entered the room and saw she was still in her white bathrobe, but her hair was done and she had her makeup out with her jewelry. "Something wrong?"

"No, I just can't get this robe on right." he held up the outer portion of his robes, a long black and purple coat that went over a suit of black and maroon.

"Here." Charlotte laughed as she helped him slip it on. "Now you are a handsome lad."

"You look good too mum." Harry smiled.

"I'm not dressed yet sweetie, hand me my dress will you?" Charlotte was wearing a red gown with glittered rose designs, something she'd had for a while but only wore it a few times.

"It's heavy." Harry grunted pulling the dress down from the hanger.

"I know, but it's easier when worn." he set it on the bed. "You look like a prince Harry."

"I doubt princes would dress this good." Harry laughed. "So how long are we going to be there?"

"For a while, but if you feel as if you want to leave just tell me and we'll go; I won't force you to stay so long that you'd feel uncomfortable around so many people."

"I'm just not used to big parties, the Dursleys…" Harry trailed off. "Every time they had company they'd lock me in the cupboard or in my room until they left."

"I know, and believe me if I had the connections back then as I do now I would've taken you sooner. You were a baby, and I was still a child when all this began." she touched his face. "You won't have to worry for anything now Harry, not while I am here for you."

"I feel that." Harry hugged her. "I feel like I can be safer here than I ever felt at Hogwarts."

"Well when you become of age your life will be yours to decide as it is now. Viktor will be at the ball, and I'm quite certain you two will have a splendid time." she winked at him.

"Good, the last thing I need right now is trouble. Mum, Lord and Lady Krum are they going to be a problem?"

"No sweetie, Lord Krum is just intent on his son fulfilling his family duty but he might come around once he sees how happy you and Viktor are together. Lady Krum, she's only worried about not having grandchildren but she knows wizards can conceive and give birth. Don't worry on it though, all that matters is that you and Viktor are happy." Harry suspected she already knew what would happen, but she couldn't tell him.

"Thanks Mum, but is there anyone I should worry about tonight?" Charlotte paused for a moment.

"Hmm, that Jean boy will be there, and there is one wizard everyone barely tolerates, Lord Kessler, he's an old man stuck in the old ways but he's only bad when he drinks so they have an eye on him."

"Is he ever rude to you?"

"Once he tried to impose that a woman as young as I couldn't hold a ladyship for too long and yet I've been emancipated since I was thirteen. Hell the first time I met him was when Ignatius took me to the Christmas party and he thought I was too young to be at such an event. He's even bent on the idea of me finding a decent lord to marry."

"He's bent on that? Don't tell me he…" Charlotte shook her head.

"No, he's been married and divorced three times. Yes wizards can divorce but it's a difficult process in some cases, and he has two sons and one daughter all of whom try to make light of things with him but their mothers have their attention more."

"Daddy issues."

"Indeed."

"I hope I don't see him…" Harry looked down.

"Oh don't worry, he'll likely be by the bar but they know when to cut him off. I shouldn't worry about you sneaking a drink shall I?" Harry laughed.

"No, so when do we leave?"

"As soon as I'm dressed, go on and make sure you have everything." he left her to finish and checked his robes to see his wand inside his robe pocket plus being sure his clothing was all straight and prepped for this evening. Harry didn't normally like big parties, but Viktor and Charlotte both asked him to come and he would. He hoped at the very least he could be close to Viktor, seeing as they were dating and all but he feared more or less being plastered on the front page if all of Europe found out about Viktor Krum dating a boy from his school.

"Mum?" Harry broke from his thoughts when he heard heels clicking down the hall.

"Ready sweetie?" he nodded. "Alright then." she pulled out a silver button, their port key to the ball which everyone invited had been sent in their invitations. Harry grabbed her hand and they were whisked away into a large room. In front of them stood two doors, plus a man wearing a long pointed silver hat and matching robes holding a long scroll and a quill on a podium.

"Ah Lady Prewett, welcome." he scribbled on the scroll. "Your son?"

"Harrison Prewett, yes." she nodded.

"Welcome to the Ministry son." he shook Harry's hand.

"Thank you." another scribble and the doors opened.

"Everyone will be excited to meet your son Lady Prewett, do have a nice evening."

"Thank you Boric." they entered. "That's Boric Mordred, he's a good friend of the Minister and he's basically the party planner for all Ministry functions though there are others who work under him." Charlotte whispered.

"Charlotte darling there you are." Harry saw a witch dressed in gold robes with reddish blonde hair tied in bun, in her late forties coming over to them. "You look lovely tonight dear."

"Thank you Lady Joham, Harry this is Lady Mystique Joham, she's the undersecretary for our minister and also an old mentor of mine." the woman smiled at Harry.

"You must be Harrison, oh we have heard so much about you and I must say you are a handsome lad."

"Thank you ma'am." he bowed slightly.

"It's good to see you as well Mystique, but where is Ratcliff this fine evening?"

"Oh I'm afraid he's currently ill, he would have loved to come but this blasted weather has him under."

"How are your children?"

"They are doing well, Junior is touring the Caribbean with his wife, Mavis is having her apprenticeship nearly completed, and Felix is spending some time with his future in-laws for the weekend."

"How goes the planning?"

"Crazy, as much as I adore Lady Putnam she is absolutely horrifying when it comes to the wedding. Poor Jules care barely stand it."

"Well be sure to send my regards, oh Harry?"

"Yes mum?"

"I think I see Viktor over there, why don't you go see him?" Harry sent her a thankful look and did see Viktor on the other end near the buffet table. Viktor spotted him and waved.

"Hey Viktor."

"Evening Harry, you look good tonight." they smiled at each other. "I see your mum's already begun." he pointed at Charlotte still talking to Lady Joham.

"Yeah, looks like it might be a long night. Where are your parents?" Viktor pointed over at the bar, where they were talking with another couple.

"That there is Monsieur Dubose and his wife Madame Dubose, they own a huge charity foundation for underprivileged families and orphans."

"Do they have children?" Viktor shook his head.

"Neither one, one of the reasons they take care of children Madame Dubose can't bear any. They're very well liked around here." Harry stared; he didn't really get a bad vibe from anyone in the room yet. This was so much different from the way things were back in London, hardly any talk of war but also not many high and mighty people unlike those he'd met partially. "Harry?"

"Sorry, just thinking."

"Is this any different from London?" Viktor handed him a drink.

"Something like that, it's just so peaceful here. No talk of war, no evil lords wandering about, and certainly no one looking down on those less fortunate."

"This ministry tries not to meddle in other affairs through the British ministry; they know it's been partially corrupted mainly because of the war that happened. Our Minister doesn't fully trust theirs, but if they ever asked for help we could give it."

"They didn't ask during the war?" Viktor shook his head.

"No one knows why, but we don't discuss much of it because we try not to interfere in another's business but if it affects us as much as they then we jump in. It's not easy, but we did lose some people on that side."

"I see." Harry looked around, but didn't see Jean. "I thought Jean was coming?" Viktor rolled his eyes.

"He is, he's just running late or as he likes to call it 'fashionably late'." Harry snorted. "I know, but on the positive side it'll keep him away from me for just a bit longer."

"Are you going to set him straight? I doubt you can put up with him in this crowd."

"You're right, but it's not him I'm worried for it's his mother. She's worse than he is in persistence, she even tried to tell me how much of a perfect couple we would be if married."

"Seriously? I know some mothers go extremely far for their children but to meddle in love affairs?"

"I don't think Jean appreciates it either, ever since his father died she's been pressuring him to find a good match. Truthfully I don't think he actually loves me, he's just afraid of her."

"She's not abusive though right?" Viktor shook his head.

"Just horrid and vain, but she has her points where she is a good mother I've seen it. Jean I don't think he knows what he wants, he just needs to step up."

"So then…"

"Viktor!" speak of devil here came the blonde fool himself. Jean came trotting over to them but looked at Harry with disdain. "What is he doing here?"

"He was invited with his mother." Viktor answered. "I'm not in the mood to talk Jean."

"Oh come on, you can't talk to me for a few moments? You…" he pointed at Harry. "Go back to your mummy and leave us be." Harry stared at him.

"You don't tell me what to do pretty boy, I can speak to Viktor if I wish."

"How dare you…"

"Jean." Viktor walked between them. "Go away, go bother someone else and get it through your head I am NOT interested in you."

"Viktor…" Jean stared.

"No, I'm not ever going to date you I have found someone else." Jean's eyes widened.

"Who?" then he snapped his head towards Harry. "Him?"

"Yes." Harry answered. "Since just before Christmas." Jean's face turned an angry red.

"Why him? He's too young for you and he's not nearly as good looking as me." Jean flipped his hair.

"Okay one, don't flip your hair like that it's annoying and girly, and two Harry and I have taken things slow seeing as yes he is younger but he'll be fourteen soon enough so we can officially date." Viktor rubbed his eyes.

"You can't bed him until he's fifteen." Jean growled.

"Yeah that's obvious." Harry growled back but Viktor stepped forward.

"He knows, I told him when we first began. Harry is a special person to me, and I think we'll be fine. You on the other hand need to let go of this, otherwise you'd see several other boys at the school are interested in you." Jean froze.

"What?" Harry slapped his forehead, he knew what Viktor was talking about he had seen a few of the other boys eyeing Jean but he'd been eyeing Viktor too long.

"Several of the seventh years are interested in you." Harry said. "You've been so busy watching Viktor and I that you can't even see how much some others would like to know you. Let it go already." Jean looked between them completely flustered.

"Look Jean, you're an alright guy but you aren't my type. I've been dropping hints constantly but you don't listen, and I think you know that I'm not interested, and you don't really like me the way you believe."

"I…" Jean looked down. "Excuse me." he turned away and disappeared into the crowd.

"Think he'll be okay?" Viktor nodded.

"He just needs time, if he tries anything else it'll just be humiliation again. His mother, let's hope she doesn't find out until after this party." they began to walk around and Harry saw Charlotte talking to some people; when she spotted him she waved and he waved back. "You know who she's talking to right?" Harry shook his head. "That's the Minister."

"It is?" Viktor pointed at a man wearing some long black and blue robes, but he was in his late forties maybe early fifties and his silver hair was long and tied back. "Minister Eustace Laminar, great man to get along with."

"Mum said he was a good friend."

"He's friends with a lot of people, man never forgets an event." From what Harry remembered about Cornelius Fudge the man had some good intentions but sometimes he picked favorites and went one way from another. As for Minister Laminar, he could tell by the way everyone was speaking to him he was in fact popular and well known for good things.

"Boy." Harry stopped when he came face to face with a man. He immediately wished he'd gone the other way, because the wizard in front of him was glaring at him and it was extremely uncomfortable to be near him. "Are you the Prewett's son?"

"Yes." he answered as calmly as he could.

"Lord Kessler, nice to see you again." oh so this was Lord Kessler, Charlotte warned Harry about him.

"You too Krum, doing well in school I hope?" Viktor nodded. "And is he one of your friends?"

"Yes sir."

"Your mother's not married yet is she?" Harry tensed up.

"No sir, but she's a good mum to me."

"She'd have a real heir if she could settle down." the man growled. "Her adopting a child from London, don't understand why with another charity case." Harry felt his nerves harden more.

"Lord Kessler Harry is a good son; I've even heard Lady Prewett proclaim that any mother would be lucky to have him." Viktor jumped in.

"Is that so? London isn't exactly full of the best people."

"Lady Prewett was born in London." Harry threw in. "Mum warned me about you, and come to think of it you almost remind me of some people I knew. You are right though about London not being filled with the best witches and wizards, but maybe you could join them." the man looked insulted by Harry's words. "From what mum told me you seem to be held up in the old ways, you said she shouldn't be able to hold a title just because she's not married. She doesn't need to be married to love me."

"Perhaps not, but she should at least have found a kid more worthy of her bloodline." Harry was close to drawing his wand on the bastard but stopped when he saw Charlotte behind him.

"Since when is it up to you whom I have as a son Vladimir?" Kessler turned to face her.

"You adopted a boy, while it's a good choice you'd be better off with a blood heir."

"I don't need a blood heir, and I don't appreciate you hounding Harrison."

"Nor do I." the Minister showed up.

"Eustace my good man…"

"Save it Vladimir." the man frowned. "I was coming to tell you I had some complaints from the Petersons about your drunken behavior and now I see this, I'm going to have to ask you to leave."

"Me? I was only chatting with the boy."

"You stuck your nose where it doesn't belong again, and frankly I'm tired of hearing about it. Either you leave quietly and I'll keep you on the lists for future functions, or I can ban you for the rest of your days. So go." Kessler looked ready to argue, but more eyes kept looking his way so he grumbled some words and left after summoning his coat and hat. "Sorry about that Charlotte, I thought I made it clear to him not to cause a scene."

"I appreciate your help Eustace, oh and let me introduce you to my son Harrison Prewett." Harry stepped forward, also eager to meet the man who helped Charlotte save him.

"Hello sir." he bowed.

"Good evening lad, it's good to finally you." they shook hands. "I must say Harry, um, may I call you Harry?"

"If you wish sir."

"I must say that I'm glad Charlotte found you, I can't imagine the pain you suffered at the hands of those muggles." Harry grimaced a bit.

"Thank you for letting her adopt me." he leaned into Charlotte. "I have a home here now."

"You always will lad, and I hear you've adjusted well in your new school." Eustace looked at Viktor.

"I have, and I've made new friends. Viktor's good to me, as are most of the others."

"Glad to hear it, you have no idea how proud we are to help those that need it. When Charlotte told us about you I can assure that everything we did is completely legal. You won't have to worry about going back unless you choose it."

"I don't intend to." Harry could see clear enough this man was better than Fudge had been. "I'm happy here, I don't miss my old life." everyone nearby smiled.

"You are a very lucky young man to have Charlotte as a mother. We can't tell you how much she's done for us."

"He knows." Viktor stepped in. "I told him about it."

"Oh good, and Harry if you ever require anything feel free to write. There are lots of us here who can help."

"Thank you sir."

"Now if you'll excuse me, I need to find my wife; Charlotte would you care to join me?"

"Harry?" Harry nodded at her. "Sure Eustace." a quick kiss on Harry's cheek and they went off. Viktor pulled Harry over to an empty spot in the room, just away from wondering eyes.

"Viktor, look over there." Harry pointed around the corner and both boys could see Jean talking to a woman who could very well be his mother. The woman was wagging her finger at Jean, and he seemed to be trying to cool her down but it wasn't working.

"Looks like I might be getting a letter from her soon, but let's not get involved yet."

"Good idea, listen Viktor if us being in a relationship puts a strain on you and your parents then maybe we…" he was stopped with a finger to his lips.

"Harry I don't care about that, I've already told you that I don't care what anyone thinks of us. I like you, I care about you, and I want us to advance in our relationship but only if you are comfortable."

"I know, but Viktor there's still so much that I need to do. I mean I have to tell the others the truth, and there's more to it that I haven't told you." Viktor eyed him for a moment. "It's nothing bad, just…not something I'm glad to know or have. I wanted to tell you the straight truth before, but I wasn't ready."

"You can tell me when we go back to Durmstrang, when you are ready. I could tell you were holding back, but I didn't want to push. Listen Harry it doesn't matter to me if this gets plastered over the front page no one will ever hurt you again. You have me, the other boys at school, the headmaster, your mum; we all take care of our own down here." Harry felt a bit relieved.

"You mean that? Hogwarts is filled with stereotypes and it's almost hard to see who's loyal."

"Well you won't have to worry on that, because when we head back to the school on Monday you and I are going to have a chat with the rest and you'll see that we don't judge based on peoples' pasts." he said this with a hand on Harry's neck, his thumb stroking against his cheek.

"Yes." they stared into each other's eyes and Harry allowed Viktor to slowly guide his face upwards to gently kiss his lips. Viktor was a good kisser; Harry thought he tasted sweet like berries and honey. Soon enough Harry's arms went around Viktor's neck and the kiss deepened, but as passionate as the kiss was both boys failed to see someone glaring their way and hear the click of a camera.

I give my most sincere apologies for the cliffhanger I know they're evil and I hate them as well but I have to cut the chapter somewhere don't I? I hope this was good to last you for a bit but we'll see what goes down.

Next chapter, hmm is it going to be in the papers or is Charlotte going to catch the article before it does? Will Harry tell his friends and Viktor the truth, or will he only let a handful of people know as long as they vow to keep it quiet? Will Viktor's father catch wind of the article and confront them, or will Charlotte once again handle the mess so Harry doesn't have to worry?

R&R

Later!