Disclaimer: I own none of the things you already know of.
Harry Potter and the Smallest Change.
Chapter 05. Christmas break. 1991.
Harry sat on a seat inside one of the cabins of the Hogwarts Express, on his way home for two weeks. Beside him sat Susan, and across from them were Hannah and Daphne. They'd been on the train for a few hours and Harry couldn't help looking at the door every few minutes, as if expecting someone.
'What's wrong, Harry?' Susan asked, disrupting the previous conversation between the three girls.
Harry sighed and gave a sad smile.
'You always know my moods, don't you?' Harry admitted.
Susan blushed while Hannah grinned at her.
'I guess I'm just a little sad that Hermione hasn't joined us, or even stopped by to say hello. But I suppose if she did, we'd have to put up with Neville too.' Harry shuddered, echoed by the two Hufflepuff girls, while Daphne's lip curled.
'I have to admit, Hermione grew on me after her first impression.' Hannah admitted, and Harry smiled.
Daphne sat forward, looking eager to change the subject.
'What are your plans for Christmas?' she asked, and Hannah's eyes shone.
'Oh, oh, oh. My big brother is coming back from the United States. He's a spell creator, working for their Ministry.' Hannah gushed, and Harry raised an eyebrow.
'Why did he have to go on the other side of the world to do that?' he asked, and Hannah beamed.
'Apparently our Ministry doesn't approve of anything that could be dark. Which pretty much means new.' Hannah explained, and Harry frowned.
'Do you know what kind of spell he's working on?' Harry asked, and Hannah shrugged.
'Not really, something about digging tunnels.' She said.
Harry sat back with a thoughtful expression while Hannah gave him an odd look.
'What are you thinking, Harry?' Hannah asked.
'Oh, just that a tunnelling spell could be really useful. I bet Gringotts would be interested in it if they don't already have something like that.' Harry mused, and Hannah grinned.
'I know, right? I'm going to ask him about it over the break.' Hannah said, before turning to Daphne.
'What are you doing over the break, Daphne?' Hannah asked.
Daphne sighed and tucked a strand of blonde hair behind her ear.
'Apart from the Ball, probably spend most of my time with my little sister, Astoria. She will join us at Hogwarts next year.' She said, a fond smile on her face as she stared out of the window.
Susan shifted in her seat.
'Oh yes, the Ball. I'm excited about it. Harry, isn't Holly coming this year?' Susan asked, and Harry grinned.
'Yeah, she is. I think she'll love it, it's okay with you guys that she hangs out with us, right?' He asked, and the three gave him smiles in return.
'I'm looking forward to meeting this sister of yours that you don't shut up about.' Hannah grinned and Harry huffed.
'I don't think I'm that bad.' Harry grumbled, pausing as Daphne scoffed.
'Please, I think I may know more about your sister than I do about my own.' Smirked, Daphne and Harry groaned.
'Why did I make friends with girls again?' Harry asked.
Susan patted his shoulder.
'Because you don't get along with guys.' She said, and Harry let out a sigh.
Later that afternoon, the Hogwarts Express pulled into Kings Cross station and the students piled out of the train to see their families.
Hannah was the first to see her parents and gathered Daphne and Susan into quick hugs before capturing Harry in a hug.
'See ya at the Ball guys.' Hannah grinned, waving as she dragged her trunk toward her waiting parents.
Daphne was the next to spot her parents and gave Susan and Harry hugs.
'I hope you two have a pleasant holiday. We'll catch up again at the Ball.' She smiled and left, pulling her trunk along behind her.
Harry and Susan made their way closer to the Floo station, where they saw James and Sirius, along with Orion. Orion reached out for Harry upon seeing him, and Harry took the child in his arms.
Over the years, Harry had developed a sense for pranks and the amusement of his father and Sirius.
That sense was pinging.
He looked at the two adults and saw their wide grins. They looked far too amused for Harry's comfort. Harry shared a glance with Susan, who ran a hand through Orion's thick hair.
Harry turned back to the two adults.
'What is so funny?' he demanded.
'Well, it's just that you two are a little young to have kids already.' Sirius said, holding back laughter.
Harry's eyes widened and turned to meet Susan's equally wide eyes; her face turned as red as her hair. He turned back to the laughing men and cocked his head to the side.
'How did you two know what happened at school?' Harry asked, deadpan. Susan gasped beside him, and the two men froze, and the colour drained out of their faces.
Harry winked at Susan and led her to the Floo entrance. He held Orion close to him as he went through the Floo to Potter Manor and Susan followed a moment later.
'I'll be back in a moment.' Harry said, still holding Orion, and he walked upstairs.
Harry went up to his room and dumped his shrunken trunk on his bed. He couldn't unshrink it himself, so he'd have to wait until the spell faded or he got one of his parents to do it. He shrugged to himself and carried Orion back downstairs to Susan.
Harry took a seat on the couch beside her and placed Orion down between them. The child grinned up at the two first-year students.
'Mopsy.' Harry called and the little house-elf popped into the room beside the couch.
'I is glad to be seeing the young Master again sir, how can Mopsy help?' the elf asked.
'Can you please get us something to eat?' Harry asked and Mopsy nodded and popped away.
A moment later, a platter of sandwiches appeared on the coffee table and Harry reached out to take a sandwich, offering it to Susan, who took it with a small smile. He then took one for himself.
'Harry?' Susan asked, her face red.
'Yeah?' Harry said, cocking his head to the side.
'Why did you imply we did… things… at school?' she asked, her face redder than he'd ever seen before.
Harry sighed and ran a hand through his hair. He turned on the couch to face her.
'I am truly sorry, Susan. At the time, I meant it as a joke. But after thinking about it, it was in poor taste, and I apologise for sinking to the level of Dad and Sirius.' He paused and met her gaze.
'I am sorry. Please forgive my lapse in judgement.' He asked.
Susan smiled and took his hands in hers.
'You're forgiven Harry.' She said, before a small frown appeared on her face.
'But why would that be the first thing that came to your head to joke about?' she asked.
Harry sighed and rubbed a hand down his face.
'It was the thing that would mess with them the most, but-' he paused as the two Marauders popped into the room, still white as sheets.
Harry stared at them.
'Did you two take all that time just standing in Kings Cross like statues?' Harry asked. Susan smothered a giggle beside him, their hands still joined.
James blinked.
'There will be absolutely no funny business between the two of you until you're at least fifteen.' James shouted; Sirius nodded emphatically beside him.
Harry glanced at a bewildered Susan before turning back to James.
'It was a joke.' Harry said in a deadpan.
James and Sirius gaped at each other, then to the kids, then back to each other.
Harry leant over to Susan.
'I think we broke them.' He said in a stage whisper.
Susan giggled before she stood from the couch and took Orion into her arms. She walked over to Sirius and took his arm.
'Come Sirius, we need to get back home so I can drop off my things. We are coming back for dinner, right?' she asked.
James and Sirius stared at each other, lost.
Harry grinned at Susan.
'I'm sure you are. We'll see you in a few hours.' Harry grinned. He turned to Sirius and gave him shooing motions.
A white-faced Sirius left the Manor with Susan and Orion.
Leaving James staring at Harry.
James looked like he would say something, before thinking better of it, and disappeared upstairs, a bewildered expression on his face as he walked up the stairs.
Harry let out a sigh and took another sandwich from the platter. He settled on the couch and pulled out a notebook. Harry turned to a blank page.
He started a list of what exercises he could do over the Christmas break. He had a lack of gym equipment, the Room of Requirement, and his wand.
'Running, push-ups, sit-ups, wandless magic.' He wrote, then stared at the page for a minute.
'Research Occlumency.'
Harry had come across mention of it in the Room while conducting other research. He was sure that either the Potter or Black libraries would have some information. From what he'd read, it seemed similar in some ways to the meditation he'd been working on with Remus for most of his life.
Harry sat on the couch, brainstorming in peace for an hour before the Floo burst to life on the other side of the room.
Holly exploded out of the fireplace and a moment later threw herself into his arms.
Harry laughed and held her tight, but after a few moments he grew worried as his shirt grew wet and he felt her trembling in his arms.
He pulled back, keeping her in his arms as he peered at her tear-streaked face before crushing her against his chest. Harry made soft soothing sounds and rubbed her back with his hand.
'I'm home now, you're going to be okay.' He whispered, kissing her hair.
Harry looked up to see Lily standing a few metres away, tears also in her eyes as she watched the siblings reunite.
Charlus stood beside Lily and looked about to laugh before his mother covered his mouth with a hand and shushed him.
Harry pulled Holly closer to him as she clutched tighter to his chest.
He smiled at his mother and Charlus.
'I'm glad to be home, I've missed you all.' Harry said with a smile before his gaze fell on the silently sobbing Holly in his arms.
Charlus grinned and wormed away from Lily's grip, and made his way to sit on Harry's other side. Lily smiled and sat opposite her children.
'How was school after Halloween?' she asked, and Harry grinned.
He told them about how fun Hogwarts was, much to Charlus' amazement.
An hour later, Sirius returned to the Manor with Susan and Orion. Remus arrived a few minutes afterward, and James came back downstairs once he heard the other Marauders in the lounge.
Amelia arrived soon afterward and together the extended family caught up with what had been happening since Harry and Susan left.
'Harry, Harry, Dad got me a training broom.' Charlus beamed and Harry raised his eyebrows before he turned to James.
James grinned.
'Yeah, Charlus is a natural at flying, just like his old man.' He paused, mischief in his eyes.
'At least this son actually likes Quidditch.' James complained, and Harry laughed.
'Flying is great. I can't deny that. But I don't really get why everyone loves Quidditch so much.' Harry said, receiving faux disappointed expressions from James and Sirius.
Harry turned back to Charlus.
'We'll have to go out for a fly while I'm here. I'll show you how to really fly, little brother.' Harry grinned and Charlus leapt off the couch and ran to the stairs.
'Charlus, hold up. You can show Harry your broom tomorrow. We're going to be having dinner soon.' Lily called out and Charlus stopped, one foot on the stairs, before giving a heavy sigh and trudged back to sit beside Harry.
Harry smirked; it was as if Charlus had just been told that he could never fly again.
Sirius leant over to James as the group sat in the lounge room after dinner.
'Susan has competition for Harry.' Sirius stage whispered as both men smirked at Holly, who hadn't spoken or moved since burrowing into Harry's embrace.
Harry just stroked Holly's black hair as Susan continued telling the extended family about their time at Hogwarts.
'Harry always disappears on the weekends. None of us know where he goes though.' Susan said, and James and Sirius' eyes lit up.
'There's even a betting pool going on with our friends regarding where he goes.' She continued, and Harry gaped at her.
'Really? Since when?' Harry stared at her and she grinned.
'Since Halloween really.' She said and Harry sighed and ran his free hand through his hair.
He looked up to see excited grins on the three Marauders' faces, while Lily and Amelia looked on with worry.
Orion squirmed in his place between Harry and Charlus, he'd fallen asleep half an hour before.
'It's really not that exciting, everyone. I've just found a room in the castle where I can practice my spell work and exercise.' Harry explained, and the Marauders' faces fell at the revelation.
'When I go back to school, I'm going to start looking at Runes and Arithmancy. I think I'm far enough ahead in my normal classes to branch out a little.' He continued. Harry grinned as he saw how Lily and Amelia beamed at him.
Sirius and Remus patted James on the back.
'There's still hope in Holly, Prongs.' Remus said, then paused, the two other Marauders turned to Holly, who still clutched Harry's side.
'We can put our hopes in Charlus.' Sirius amended, as the two Marauders looked at a sleepy Charlus.
Harry chuckled before a yawn escaped him.
'I think I need to go to bed. Can someone take Orion, I don't want to wake him up.' Harry asked and Susan stood to take the sleeping Orion in her arms.
Harry looked at his mother, and she smiled. She looked down at Holly in his arms and nodded to him. He smiled at her and stood, picking Holly up with him. His time exercising in the Room of Requirement coming in handy.
He made his way to the stairs, carrying Holly with him.
'Good night all.' He called; Holly stirred against his chest.
As he reached the top of the stairs, he heard Holly's small voice for the first time in months.
'Can I stay with you?' she whispered and clutched at him tighter.
'Of course.' He whispered back, bypassing her room, and moved to his.
Once in his room, he placed her on the bed, and he moved his still shrunken trunk to the ground and changed into pyjamas from the cupboard. He frowned at how small they were on him now.
He climbed into bed and Holly snuggled into his side and fell asleep in minutes.
Harry held Holly in bed as he heard her breathing steady out and her body relax. He kissed her brow before sleep finally claimed him.
Screams tore through the room, ripping Harry from a dream forgotten in an instant. Harry shot up in bed and saw Holly clutching her head and tears flowing from her eyes.
'No, no, no please no.' she murmured.
Harry wrapped his arms around her and held her close. At first, she struggled against him, but a moment later she stilled and let out a sigh and burrowed into his chest.
'Are you okay?' Harry whispered.
She shook her head and remained silent.
'Did you want to talk about it?' he asked, and she froze.
After a minute of silence, he heard her voice in only a whisper.
'It was the same nightmare. The one in Diagon Alley where we were attacked by Fenrir Greyback.' She breathed; her eyes squeezed shut.
'But instead of you saving us, Greyback killed you.' She sobbed, gasping for breath against her tears.
Harry held her close. He felt her body trembling in his arms.
'I found a place in Hogwarts. It's an amazing room that nobody knows about.' Harry started and her sniffles paused as she listened.
'I have told nobody but you. When you get to Hogwarts next year, I'll show you everything. I'll always protect you Holly, no one will ever hurt you.' He whispered in her ear.
Holly's breathing slowed as she calmed.
Harry held her pendant in his hand and focussed on channelling his magic into it. It was a skill he'd been developing even more since he'd discovered the room. Channelling more magic into his spells to overpower them worked in much the same manner as recharging her pendant.
A minute later, the pendant was warm to the touch as it held his magic. Though it would dissipate over time like the last time he charged it.
If he enchanted the pendant, then it would hold magic for longer periods of time.
'There, all done. That'll last until I go back to school at least. Then I'll do it again.' Harry murmured as he watched her eyelids droop.
'I love you, Harry.' She whispered before sleep took her.
'I love you too Holly.' Harry replied, kissing her brow as sleep overcame him.
The first week of the Christmas break rushed past as Harry woke early each morning to exercise. The first morning, Holly sat against a tree beside the pond on the grounds of Potter Manor. She sat and watched Harry as he ran around the grounds, before doing push-ups and sit-ups until he collapsed.
The second morning, she joined him and even though it made his morning training take longer, he took the time to help her until she collapsed beside him and watched as he finished his routine.
The third morning saw James helping with Harry's morning training. After finishing his routine, Harry stood in front of the pond while James and Holly stood ten metres away. James fired tickling charms at Harry, who dodged out of the way as best he could.
What spells Harry couldn't dodge, he blocked by using his wandless magic to pull objects in the way. He used small stones and clumps of dirt as shields. His control over his wandless magic was still lacking, but it was enough to perform simple summoning and banishing spells.
Holly sat on the ground beside James, exhausted from her morning routine, but laughed as Harry got hit with tickling charms every few minutes.
By the fifth day of break, Sirius joined in the morning routine and, along with James, both fired tickling charms at Harry who struggled to avoid multiple spells headed his way. At the end of the morning training session, Harry summoned Sirius in the path of one of James' charms, ending with a cackling Sirius which triggered the others to join in.
After his morning training finished, Harry would head inside to shower and get ready for the rest of the day. He would spend a few hours with Holly and Charlus. But he spent most of the day with Lily in her study.
Harry walked into his mothers' study a week into the break. He'd borrowed Holly's pendant after their morning routine, and he'd just showered and wore a tired smile on his face as Lily turned in her swivel chair and grinned at him.
'Well, you finally made it in here, did you? I thought you were avoiding me.' Lily smiled and quirked an eyebrow.
Harry laughed. He shook his head as he sat down on the floor.
'No, I just didn't want to upset Holly and Charlus by not spending enough time with them.' Harry said before taking a breath.
'Mum, I want to learn about enchanting now. I want to make it so when I channel magic into Holly's pendant, it stays there.' He declared and Lily's eyes widened.
'Harry, what do you mean, channelling magic into her pendant? Since when have you been able to do that?' she asked.
Harry shrugged.
'Since I got it for her, I suppose. I charged it before I went to Hogwarts.' Harry said and Lily groaned. Her face fell into her hands.
'Harry. I don't think you understand quite what you've managed to do. They don't teach how to channel magic into an item until you get to your OWL year in Ancient Runes.' Lily said, shaking her head.
'Okay, how about this? I'll create a rune sequence for you to engrave onto her pendant. Then when you charge her pendant with your magic, the pendant will retain it.' Lily offered, and Harry beamed at her.
'Are you sure mum? You'd teach me how to do that?' Harry gasped and Lily grinned.
'Well, I'll teach you how to do it and give you a few lessons to get you started. But you'll have to read more of my books if you want to learn more than that.' Lily warned.
Harry jumped up and looked around the room.
'Which books do I need to read? Can you point them out for me?' He asked and Lily laughed.
'Are you sure you shouldn't have been a Ravenclaw?' she joked before she stood and moved to her bookshelves that lined most of the walls.
She flicked her wand and a dozen books came free of their places on the shelves and sat in a pile in the corner.
'There, those will give you a good grounding. Now give me a few minutes while I design something for you to put onto her pendant.' She sat back at her desk and pulled out a notebook, much like Harry's, and got started.
Harry rushed over to the corner where the stack of books sat and took the top one off the pile and started reading.
An hour later, Harry lay on his chest on the floor as he used his mother's enchanting tools to carve a rune cluster, designed by Lily, into a strap of leather. A dozen copies of the rune cluster were present on the leather strip, each one neater and clearer than the last.
The cluster comprised four Nordic Runes encased in a circle. In the top-middle position sat an Ansuz rune, which looked like an 'F' with the two horizontal lines pointing forty-five degrees downward. Beside it on the left sat an Inguz rune, which looked like a diamond from a playing card. Beneath the Ansuz rune was a Gebo rune, looking like an 'X'. Finally, a Sowulo rune took its place on the right of the cluster. It looked like a reverse 'N'.
Lily leaned over his work and chuckled.
'Good work Harry, that's perfect. Now doing it for real is the same, but we use this tool here to engrave into the copper of the pendant.' She handed him a tool. It looked like a wooden toothbrush, if the brush head was a thin steel spike.
Later that evening, Harry handed Holly her pendant back, and she stared at the rune cluster carved into the back of the copper pendant. The floral motif masked the cluster from sight, unless one knew what they were looking for.
Holly put it around her neck and clutched the pendant in her hands as tears slid down her face.
'Thank you, Harry. I can feel your magic now. It has got this slow pulse, like a heartbeat. It is incredible.' Holly whispered as she pulled Harry into a hug.
While Harry was caught in Holly's embrace, he missed the shocked expression James gave to Lily.
'He enchanted her pendant himself?' James whispered.
'Yeah, he did. He achieved in an afternoon something that took us months to do at school.' She whispered back.
Harry woke on Christmas eve with a smile on his face. The thought of seeing Fleur again after a year filled him with an anticipation that surpassed that which he'd felt about going to Hogwarts. Of course, seeing Fleur again didn't mean he would leave his sister for months at a time, which may have been what made it so exciting.
Holly rushed into his room, still in her pyjamas and leapt on him, tackling him in a hug.
'Good morning Harry. Are you excited about the Ball tonight?' she gushed, and Harry laughed.
'Yeah, I am, now let me get up so I can have a shower.' Harry grinned, ruffling her hair as he made his way to the bathroom.
Once he got back from his shower, Holly sat at his desk.
In her hands she held a pretty, silver pendant. It was shaped like a vertical rectangle and had a vertical rune cluster carved into its surface.
Four Runes made up the cluster, moving down in a straight line. First was a Wunjo rune, looking like a 'P' with the curved part instead being pointed. Second was a Dagaz rune, like two triangles laying on their side, their tips touching. Third was the Teiwaz rune, looking like a 'T' with the horizontal parts each pointing down at forty-five degrees. The final and bottom rune in the vertical cluster was the Gebo rune, which looked like an 'X'.
Harry grinned at her as she stared at him with wide eyes and a crimson blush, being caught holding the pendant.
'Do you like it?' Harry asked, and she nodded.
'Who is it for? It's not yours. It's too pretty.' Holly asked, and Harry laughed.
'It's for one of my friends. She doesn't have too many friends at her school and some people even pick on her.' He said as he moved to sit on the bed near her.
Holly's eyes grew wide, and a look of horror crossed her face.
'Will the pendant help her?' she breathed.
Harry smiled and pointed at the vertical rune cluster.
'Here, look at the cluster I carved into the silver here. This is supposed to protect her and make her feel happy.' He said, trailing a finger down the cluster.
'When she holds the pendant in her hands, it should allow her to feel my friendship and remind her she's not alone.' He explained.
Holly held the pendant in her hands and closed her eyes.
'It works, it really works. I can feel how much you care for your friend. It feels so nice and warm.' Holly whispered before opening her eyes and placing the pendant back on Harry's desk with near reverence.
'You must really like this friend to make her a pendant like this.' Holly said and turned to Harry. He grinned and leant forward to kiss the top of her head.
'I only make pendants for my favourite people.' He said, and she beamed up at him before she gasped.
Holly took his hand and pulled him from the bed and toward the door.
'Breakfast is ready.' She called and Harry huffed.
'Why didn't you tell me earlier?' he grumbled, but followed her downstairs without another word.
He marvelled at the change in her over the last few days. She had been in such a horrible state when he'd got back, but since then, she had returned to her normal self.
Mostly.
As the two entered the dining room, Lily beamed at them. She wore a horrible Christmas jumper; it was dark green with light green Christmas trees and red bow-wrapped bicycles and boxes covered the jumper.
'Good morning, you two. Are you excited about the Ball tonight?' Lily grinned, gesturing for them to take a seat.
Harry gave a small grin.
'Yeah, I am, but I think Holly might be more excited.' He nodded at Holly as she bounced in her seat, a wide grin on her face.
'Yes, well, this is her first Noble's Ball. But you'll look out for her, won't you?' Lily asked, worry creasing her brow.
Harry scoffed and took a piece of toast to put on his plate.
'I doubt I'll take my eyes off her.' Harry said, spreading butter over the toast.
'I can look after myself, Harry.' Holly pouted and Harry grinned at her.
'Of course you can, but I'll be right there with you so you won't have to do it alone.' He took a bite of his toast.
Holly frowned at him before she sighed and dug into her breakfast while Lily watched them both with a smile.
After breakfast, Holly ran upstairs to shower and Lily turned to Harry, her soft smile turning into a soft expression he couldn't place.
'Mum?' he asked, and she smiled.
'I'm proud of you for helping your sister. She's been a completely different person since you left for school.' She started, pausing to take a drink of orange juice.
'But you come back for a few days and she's back to normal, if a little clingier than before.' She admitted.
Harry nodded, smiling.
'I thought as much. But now that the pendant will retain its magic, it'll keep her company.' He paused, a frown on his face. He looked up and met his mother's eyes.
'She's always been with me. When I left, it was like a part of me was torn away.' He admitted, and ran a hand through his hair.
'I could deal with it by distracting myself with schoolwork, and Susan and a few other friends. But Holly hadn't been able to do that.' He trailed off before a smile crossed his face. Harry met his mother's eyes, the same as his, again.
'I have an idea that might help.' He grinned before standing and running through the lounge and up the stairs to his room.
He ran a finger over the books that Lily had given him, helping him to stock his own bookshelves, much like her own. But these books covered magical theory and Runes and he'd been collecting them since they had discovered his talent with wandless magic.
Harry picked out a book on the basics of magical theory. This book had helped when he was younger to understand how to channel his wandless magic through his hands, though it was not the intent of the author to do so.
He ran downstairs to see Lily giving him an amused smile.
'Where's the wrapping paper, mum?' he called from the bottom of the stairs, across the lounge room.
Lily laughed.
'In my office, beside the desk.' She called back.
Harry rushed into her office and found the wrapping paper, exactly where she said it would be. It was bright red with snitches on it. He shrugged and, with a wave of his hand, he cut the paper with wandless magic.
He reached over to find the sticky tape dispenser and wrapped the book.
Harry grinned as he held the wrapped gift. It could never be accused of being well wrapped, or even neat. But he grinned, nonetheless.
He walked back out to the lounge and moved toward the stairs, intent on putting it in Holly's room.
'You don't want to up there Harry.' Lily's voice came from the dining room, an amused lilt present.
Harry turned a quizzical look to her before he realised the sound of the shower had stopped. He blushed and ducked his head.
'Thanks mum. That could have been awkward.' Harry said and Lily smirked.
'Come over here and leave the present on the table for her.' Lily said, and Harry did as he was told and sat across from her at the table.
Lily sipped her juice.
'Why are you excited about the Ball tonight? Last year you were dreading it.' She asked, and Harry smiled.
'I made a friend last year and I haven't seen them since last year.' He said and Lily cocked her head to the side.
'Who is this friend? I didn't know there were any kids there that didn't go to Hogwarts.' She asked, and Harry laughed.
'Her name is Fleur.' He grinned and Lily stared at him.
Harry blinked and leaned forward.
'Are you okay mum?' he asked, and Lily's face fell into her hands.
Harry got out of his seat and moved to sit next to his mother. He rubbed her trembling back.
'Are you okay, mum? It's okay, I haven't done anything to annoy the Ambassador or his daughter.' He said and her trembling body stilled before she burst out laughing.
Her hand slapped her leg as her laughter filled the house.
Holly ran down the stairs, followed by Charlus a moment later, both staring at Harry with looks that shouted, 'what happened?'.
Harry shrugged at them and stared at his now cackling mother.
The Floo exploded to life and Susan walked through. A moment later a pop sounded, signalling Sirius and Orion's arrival. Sirius' gaze fell on the cackling Lily, whose hands were clutching her stomach.
Sirius sent him the same look his siblings gave him and he could only shrug in answer.
Susan walked to Lily's other side and put a hand on Lily's leg as she struggled to breathe through her laughter.
'What's happening, Aunt Lily?' Susan asked.
It took another minute before Lily composed herself under the watchful gaze of the room.
Lily beamed at Harry before turning to face Sirius, whose confused expression turned guarded.
'What?' he asked, suspicious.
Lily grinned and looked back at Harry, putting a hand on his shoulder.
'Harry did something last year that his father has been trying to do for years and nobody else knew.' She boasted.
Sirius leant around Lily to look at Harry.
'Pup? What is she talking about?' the marauder asked. Harry shrugged.
'I only said that I was excited to see my friend Fleur again, I haven't seen her since last Christmas.' He repeated and pointed at the decorated Christmas tree in the corner of the lounge room.
Presents surrounded the tree, piled up on top of each other.
'Her present for me is in there.' Harry explained and Sirius blinked while Lily wore a smug grin.
Harry looked between the two, while Susan and Holly looked between the two adults and Harry.
Susan moved to Sirius and took Orion from his arms.
Now free of his burden, Sirius fell to the floor, his bark like laughter filling the air for a minute. As he finished, he wiped a tear from his eye.
Sirius turned to Harry and beamed.
'This has got to be one of the best pranks ever, and it was unintentional too.' Sirius grinned.
Harry blinked and turned to his mother for answers.
Lily gave him a soft smile and patted his leg.
'I'll tell you tomorrow.' She said and Harry shrugged.
'Okay. You guys are weird.' Harry said before turning to Susan.
'Did you want to go upstairs and hang out?' he asked, and she shook her head.
'It's going to take all day to get ready for tonight. I should start soon.' Susan smiled and Harry frowned.
'Really? All day?' he asked, and Holly smacked the back of his head.
'Really Harry? Of course, it's going to take all day. She needs to help me too.' Holly huffed before she made her way to Susan's side.
'Come on Sue, let's leave Orion with Sirius while we go get ready.' Holly said and Susan nodded with a grin, she handed Orion back to Sirius and the two ran upstairs and disappeared.
Harry looked at the two adults.
'How do they move so fast?' he asked, and Sirius chuckled.
'Who knows? You'll likely never find out.' Sirius said and Lily scoffed.
'Boys.' Lily groaned before placing a hand on Harry's shoulder.
'Harry, there no point in you getting ready so early. Why don't you do some study or something until your father comes home?' she suggested, and Harry nodded.
'Yeah, I think you're right. See you guys later.' Harry grinned and left the dining room and headed upstairs.
A minute later, Harry plucked a book of Runes from his bookshelf and fell on his bed to read.
Harry looked up from his book as he lay in bed and blinked. It was getting dark outside.
He put the book down on the bed and listened.
The amount of giggling coming from Holly's room had long since faded and faint conversation drifted up the stairs from the lounge room.
Harry stood from his bed and placed his book on the desk as he walked toward the door. He moved down the hallway toward the stairs and poked his head out around the corner.
His father and Sirius stood on opposite sides of the main couch where Remus sat and mocked them for their suits.
Harry turned and moved back to his room to get ready for the Ball.
He dressed, tried, and failed to tame his hair and glared at his mirror as it critiqued his hair in French. Before leaving his room, he took the wrapped box containing Fleur's gift and a brief note explaining its use. He tucked the gift in his pocket and gave himself a last check before heading down to join the Marauders, along with Charlus and Orion.
Harry entered the lounge room and scooped a waiting Orion into his arms. He grinned at Charlus who tugged on James' pant leg.
'Charlus, you're getting too old to be carried around.' James complained, but complied, nonetheless.
'Never.' Charlus denied and latched onto James' neck, drawing a chuckle from the other Marauders.
James tried to disentangle himself from Charlus for the next few minutes before he succeeded. After putting Charlus down on the couch next to Remus he turned to Harry.
'So, Padfoot tells me you know the French Ambassador's daughter? How did that happen?' James asked and Harry moved to stand in front of Remus, handing him Orion.
Harry moved to lounge on an overstuffed chair.
'We chatted for a while, and she wanted me to write to her during the year. What's the big deal?' Harry asked, his gaze moving from James to Sirius.
Both men wore wide grins as they shared a glance before turning to face Harry.
'It's the Potter charm, it works every time.' James boasted while Sirius scoffed.
'James, it took almost seven years for the Potter Charm to work for you.' Sirius shot.
James waved a hand in dismissal and beamed at Harry who quirked an eyebrow, still waiting for an answer.
James blinked and looked toward Sirius and Harry could almost see the silent conversation taking place.
Harry turned to Remus who shrugged, giving him a look that said, 'You're on your own.'. He turned back toward James and Sirius who grinned at him.
'What about Susan?' Sirius asked, Harry cocked his head.
'She's family. But what are you guys talking about? You're not making sense.' Harry huffed.
The two men shared another look before James sighed.
'Sirius will explain it to you when you're older.' James said, as if dispensing the wisdom of the ages.
'It's your job as a father.' Sirius snapped, before both men turned to Remus who put his hands up.
'I'm the only one without kids, it's not my job.' Remus explained.
Harry stared at the three men, shaking his head. He turned his gaze to the stairs as a door opened out of sight. He took a nearby cushion and without looking, tossed it behind him. Judging by the surprised squawk, it was his father that got hit.
Lily and Amelia walked down the stairs, enjoying the stares from their husbands.
Harry watched the small smiles on their faces as he noticed both women wore green this year, but Lily wore a crisp, bright green while Amelia's dress was darker.
Harry thought they looked prettier this year than the last but wasn't sure if it was just him being older. He gave an internal shrug before he smirked as Lily approached James.
'Is the cushion for me my love?' she asked, an impish grin on her face. James looked down in shock at the cushion and tossed it away.
Harry smirked again as Remus shouted when the cushion hit him in the face.
Harry turned back to the stairs as Susan and Holly left her room. He made his way to the base of the stairs and grinned at both girls as they made their way down the stairs.
Holly wore a deep red that contrasted with her eyes. Her polished copper pendant shone atop her dress as her green eyes shone. Susan's dress was a midnight blue that complemented her hair which was put up in a complicated looking knot.
Harry kissed both girls' hands as they stepped off the stairs.
'You two look great, it was worth the whole day.' Harry grinned as the girls giggled and each wrapped him in a tight hug.
'Okay everyone, time to leave. I have a big night planned with Charlus and Orion.' Remus called out and all eyes turned to Charlus who blushed and shrunk down under the scrutiny.
Harry chuckled and offered his arms to the girls. Together, the three moved toward the Floo before Harry stopped.
He turned to his parents.
'Where are we going this year again?' he asked, and Sirius let out a single bark like laugh in the ensuing silence.
Lily covered her silent chuckles with a hand.
'We are going to Malfoy Manor dear.' She said and James scowled beside her.
Harry chuckled and led the girls through the Floo.
On the other side, Draco waited and wore a bored expression.
'Greetings to Malfoy Manor this yule.' Draco droned, as if he'd done it a hundred times already, which he probably had.
'Greetings Heir Malfoy, thank you for hosting us this year.' Harry greeted with a nod of the head, a polite greeting between Heirs. The girls curtsied but were not required to do anything else as Harry had already greeted the other boy.
Harry led the two girls past Draco toward the Ballroom before leaning to whisper to Holly, but still loud enough for Susan to hear.
'Draco can be a bother, but we can usually rely on him be distracted by the mention of the Boy-Who-Lived or a Weasley. If you ever get stuck in conversation with him.' Harry said and Susan covered a giggle with her hand.
'If you speak of the Devil, he shall appear.' Muttered Susan as Neville exited the Floo.
The three turned to watch as Draco looked to be tempted to throttle the other boy instead of greeting him.
'Are they always like that?' Holly whispered. Susan rolled her eyes.
'Unfortunately.' She muttered.
Harry led the two girls to the drinks table and was glad to see different types of juice this time.
'What type of juice?' he asked.
'Pumpkin.' Said Susan.
'Orange.' Said Holly.
Harry grinned and claimed two orange juices and a Pumpkin juice from the table. Standing at the table already was Hannah beside her mother.
'Greetings this yule Lady Abbot, Heiress Abbot.' Harry greeted with a grin, juices still in hand.
Hannah turned along with her mother and smiled at Harry.
'About time you guys arrived. I'll go take the girls to a table.' Hannah grinned, taking the glasses of juice from his hands and moving toward Susan and Holly a few metres behind him.
Harry, now empty handed, moved forward and kissed Hannah's mothers outstretched hand.
'I've heard all about what happened on Halloween Mister Potter. I'm glad you were there to help the muggleborn witch, Hermione, was it?' Mrs Abbot said and Harry nodded.
'Just Harry my Lady. And yes, she is a friend. There's nothing else I could have done in the situation.' He replied, and she smiled.
'Enjoy your Christmas Harry. Wish your sister well from me.' She said and with a last smile, she left.
Harry turned to get another drink and made his way to the table Hannah had taken the girls to.
The room was massive, almost the size of the Great Hall at Hogwarts. Tall windows on either side allowed moonlight to stream in from one side. Candles lit the Ballroom, floating high above. The centre of the room was made of polished dark wood while the stone of the rest of the room held dozens of small circular tables. Each table large enough to hold six in comfort.
Unlike the Longbottom's Ballroom, the Malfoy's did not have balcony's that led out to the grounds. There was one way in and out of the room, a large double door which Harry had led the girls through when they arrived. The entrance hall, with the Floo was on the other side of the doors.
Harry moved to the table the girls had claimed and found Daphne sitting with them, without a drink.
'Here Daphne, have my drink, I'll go get another.' Harry said with a smile, and she smiled back, a tinge of red on her cheeks.
Harry turned and moved back toward the drinks table. As he reached out to take another drink, he heard a lilting voice from behind.
''Arry?'
Harry turned to see Fleur, he grinned and stepped toward her, taking her hands in his and kissing them both. The silver haired girl smiled up at him, she looked much the same as she did the year before.
'I've missed you. It was nice with the letters, but there was always something missing.' Harry said, still holding the girl's hands.
She gave him a radiant smile which he returned.
'Did you want to come meet my friends?' he asked, and she blinked.
'Oui, I'd like zat.' She said, her voice soft.
Harry quickly took two drinks from the table and handed one to Fleur who grinned at him, one hand still holding his while they each held a drink in the other.
Harry led Fleur to the table of his friends.
Upon reaching the table, the four girls stared at Fleur in surprise.
'Hi guys, this is my friend Fleur. We met last time at the Christmas Ball and have been keeping in contact since.' Harry introduced before pointing out each of the girls at the table.
The five girls stared at each other for a moment before Fleur turned to Harry, her eyes downcast.
'Maybe zis waz not ze best idea. I am sorry 'Arry.' She said before moving to stand.
Harry scoffed and held her hands before turning to the four girls, wearing a half smirk.
'My friends and family are the greatest people I've met. They wouldn't dream of making you feel uncomfortable.' He said.
Holly blinked and stood, she moved to Fleur and pulled the other girl into a hug.
'Welcome to the group Fleur.' Holly said, guiding Fleur to sit between her and Harry.
Susan looked sad but leant forward.
'How did you two meet? Harry said it happened last year?' the red head asked, and Fleur blinked at her.
'It waz when we were both outside on ze balcony.' Fleur started, stumbling over her words.
'I am sorry, my Eenglish iz still not ze greatest.' Fleur admitted and Susan gave her a soft smile.
'It's okay, I can't speak another language, it must be difficult.' Susan said.
Holly smirked at Harry behind Fleur's back.
'What is it about Harry that you like most?' Holly asked and Harry rolled his eyes.
Before Fleur could speak Harry interrupted.
'Forget that one. What do you want to do in the future?' Harry asked, and he noted a flash of gratitude in the silver haired girls' eyes.
He'd already asked her this question in their early letters, and she gave him a smile in thanks.
'I want to be an Enchantress. I 'ave always loved creating zings and I enjoy Runes and Arithmancy at Beauxbatons.' She smiled as she spoke, and Harry couldn't help but smile too.
'Oh? Did Harry tell you that our mother is an Enchantress? And did you know Harry has always wanted the exact same thing as you?' Holly said, a wide grin on her face as Harry struggled to contain the blush threatening to spread across his cheeks.
Fleur smiled at Harry who rubbed the back of his head with a grin.
Daphne's eyes narrowed.
'What does a Veela see in an Heir of an Ancient and Noble House?' the Slytherin asked, and Fleur's eyes widened.
''Arry iz my best friend and I don't appreciate your insinuations.' Fleur said, her voice cold.
'What does an 'eiress of a traditionally dark family zee in familiez traditionally aligned against 'er own?' Fleur asked, her head cocked.
Harry groaned and Holly tapped his shoulder, gesturing with her eyes to the dance floor.
Harry nodded with a smile.
'Fleur, would you like to dance?' Harry interrupted the two girls before anything further could be said.
Fleur blinked and gave a slow nod.
Harry turned to the other girls.
'We'll be back once everyone has calmed down.' He smiled at them and offered a hand to Fleur who took it with a wide smile.
Harry missed Holly glare at Daphne as he led Fleur to the dance floor.
Once on the dance floor, Harry pulled her in for a slow waltz to match the music.
'Are you okay?' he asked, his voice only a whisper. She sighed as she moved in perfect sync with his steps.
'I 'ad 'oped to get along wiz your friends. I don't 'ave any of my own.' She admitted, and he spun her.
'Why is that?' he asked, glad she was a better dancer than him. He'd been taught like an Heir should, but he'd never been interested in it and so he'd learned the bare minimum.
'Ze boys in my year are more interested in ze girls 'ho are more mature.' She murmured.
'You're plenty mature.' Harry frowned, and she wore a sad smile.
'I am in my fourth year 'Arry. I may look like I am ten, but I am fourteen.' Fleur admitted while he spun her again.
Once she came in from the spin, he held her close to him.
'That doesn't matter, what matters is that you are a good person. One that I am glad to call my friend.' He smiled at her as they continued to dance.
He saw a tear escape down her cheek, and he reached up to wipe it away. She beamed up at him before she embraced him and placed her face against his firm chest.
Harry smiled down at her and from the corner of his eye saw Fleur's father watching them, a small smile on his face as they slow danced.
'Your father is watching us. Should I be worried?' he whispered, and she giggled into his chest, then she pulled away, a blush covered her cheeks.
'Not yet Harry.' She murmured in French before leaning back against him.
Harry smiled down at her, not seeing the glares from his table, nor the wide grin from Holly.
'Did you want a drink?' he asked, and she nodded, pulling away from him but keeping one hand in his.
Harry led Fleur toward the drinks table and got one for each of them.
'I think I am ready to go back to the table now, if you like?' Fleur said and quirked a perfect silver eyebrow.
Harry smiled and nodded.
'Okay, lets head back then. By the way, your English has got much better. Good work.' He grinned, and she blushed.
'Well, I wanted to learn it zo I might meet your friends.' She admitted, and he squeezed her hand.
They approached the table and Harry saw Neville sitting in his chair, the girls all looked uncomfortable in his presence.
Beside him, Fleur sighed.
'I would really prefer not to deal with that boy again.' She muttered and Harry chuckled.
'I envy you; I have to put up with him daily at school.' He replied in French, his accent less painful than it was the year before.
As they approached the table, Harry didn't notice their hands still holding each other.
The girls smiled at him at his approach and nodded to Fleur. Harry paused off to Neville's right.
'Neville, how is your night going?' he asked and Neville turned to glare at him.
'I saw how Draco behaved earlier, disgraceful.' Harry continued, shaking his head in faux disappointment.
Neville scowled, he looked ready to say something, before he looked down and saw Harry and Fleur's joined hands.
The Boy-Who-Lived huffed.
'You know what Potter? You're right.' Neville growled before he stomped away from the table toward Draco where the blonde boy sat at a table chatting with his Slytherin friends.
The five girls stared at Harry for a moment, open mouthed.
He grinned and led Fleur back to her seat and retook his own beside her.
'You just have to know how to deal with Neville.' Harry grinned and Holly scoffed.
'You said the same thing about Draco too.' Holly argued and Harry shrugged.
'I did say that didn't I?' Harry mused.
The group fell into light discussion for the next few hours.
Fleur sighed.
'I'm zorry, but I 'ave to leave. Papa iz looking like 'e iz ready to go.' She said, downcast.
Harry stood and helped her up, he turned to the rest of the table and smiled.
'I'll be back soon.' He waved and led Fleur away from the table.
Once they were out of earshot Harry glanced at Fleur.
'I think that went rather well, after a rocky start.' He said, and she nodded, gracing him with a bright smile.
'Oui, your friends are wonderful. I wish I 'ad friends like that.' She trailed off and Harry took her hand with a smile.
'But you do. They are your friends now too.' He grinned at her stunned expression as he led her toward her father.
Once they reached the French Ambassador, Harry released Fleur's hand and bowed to the man as he smiled down at Harry.
'Greetings Mister Ambassador. It is my pleasure to meet you, I'm glad I could entertain your daughter this evening, she is a good friend, and I am proud to call her as such. My name is Harry Potter.' Harry said in French as he bowed.
'No need for that young Heir Potter. I am glad that you took my daughter into your circle of friends, I appreciate you helping her to fit in.' Fleur's father said, a kind smile twisting his lips.
The man turned his gaze on Fleur and raised his eyebrows as she blushed beside Harry.
'My name is Dominique Delacour, please call me Dominique. My daughter has told me much about you Mister Potter.' Dominique said, smirking at Fleur whose eyes widened, and she paled.
'Please call me Harry, sir. I hope Fleur has only said good things.' Harry said and Dominique laughed, his eyes twinkling.
'Only the best things Harry.' The man smiled and Harry returned it.
Out of the corner of his eye Harry noticed Sirius and James staring at him, their mouths agape.
The two spoke for half an hour before Harry paled.
'Oh, I'm sorry Dominique. I've kept you from leaving, my apologies for delaying you.' Harry said, bowing to the man again.
'Oh, nothing to worry about young Harry. It's the best conversation I've had all evening.' Dominique smiled.
'Thank you for humouring me sir.' Harry nodded and turned to Fleur, taking her hands in his and kissing them.
'I look forward to seeing you again.' He whispered and drew his gift for her out of his robes and placed it in her hands.
Harry gave a short bow to both Delacour's as they turned to leave.
Once they were gone, he went back to the table with the girls, and they interrogated him for the next hour.
Finally, the night ended, and the Potter and Black contingent returned to Potter Manor.
Harry came through the Floo in front of Holly and Susan to find Sirius and James sitting on the couch with wide grins on their faces.
'Did you have a good night, Harry?' Sirius smirked. Holly wore a smirk that matched Sirius' while Susan looked a little lost.
Harry sighed and collapsed on the couch opposite his father and Sirius.
'Say whatever it is you two need to say so I can go to sleep.' He groaned and Holly giggled as she sat beside him.
James' grin faded as he leant forward on the couch.
'Do you know what you did tonight?' he asked, and Harry blinked.
'I had fun with my friends?' Harry replied and Sirius face palmed.
'You just aligned the House of Potter with the French Government and announced that the House had no interest in Blood Purity.' James explained and Harry stared at him, then at Sirius.
Harry cocked his head and looked to Holly who shrugged.
'But we don't care about Blood Purity?' he asked, and James face palmed.
The room was silent for a moment until Amelia's voice sounded through the room, having popped in a few moments before.
'Politics is a delicate game to play Harry.' Amelia said, a soft smile on her face.
'Huh?' Harry replied with as much eloquence as he could manage. Amelia face palmed.
Sirius leaned forward.
'These parties are where a lot of political activity occurs. By introducing the daughter of the French Ambassador to your group of friends, all Heiresses, you have displayed your intention of closer ties between the two nations.' Sirius paused, looking to James who nodded.
'And because you forced your friends to accept her, you showed that House Potter is taking this action seriously.' James continued.
Harry blinked.
'While politics is annoying, it is important.' James said.
Harry blinked again.
Amelia smiled.
'Fleur seems like a nice girl, but in the future, you might want to be careful about the political consequences of your actions. You are the Heir of House Potter after all.' Amelia explained.
Harry groaned and his face fell into his hands. Holly rubbed his back.
Harry looked up at James.
'How much damage did I cause?' he asked, dreading the answer.
James grinned.
'This time, you've done nothing wrong. But next time, please try to be more careful.' James said and Harry nodded.
Harry took a deep breath.
'Okay, on that note, I'm going to bed. See you all in the morning.' Harry announced as he moved toward the stairs, only for Holly to spring up beside him and lead him upstairs.
Outside his door, she pulled him into a hug.
'I think Fleur was really nice.' She whispered in his ear before going into her own room.
Christmas morning came and Harry woke up with Holly jumping on him, Charlus beside her. After getting out of bed and getting ready, Harry met them downstairs in the lounge with the rest of the extended family.
Holly gave him a framed muggle picture, the same one that was in her pendant, of the two of them of the couch when they were younger. Harry held her tight in thanks as he took hold of the present to him from Fleur.
He removed the wrapping paper with the care of an operating surgeon, he paused as the ambient noise in the room faded and he looked up.
'Harry, just tear the paper.' Holly said, her eyes glued to the gift.
'Come on Harry, tear it off.' Charlus called from his spot between Lily and James on one couch.
'Hurry up Harry, you're the last one to finish.' Called Sirius from the other couch beside Orion and Amelia.
He sighed and with a smirk and continued to remove the remaining wrapping even slower than before.
'Harry.' warned James with a twinkle in his eyes.
Harry sighed again and tore the rest of the paper off to reveal a thin, blue leather-bound book. The front cover had a single word embossed in silver on it 'Veela.'. He opened the book, and a letter fell out onto his lap. Closing the book, he took the letter and read through it, Holly peered over his shoulder.
Dear Harry,
Merry Christmas!
I felt the book might need a brief explanation. It was written by my Grandmother, and it is the same one that she gave to Papa when he became friends with Maman. Papa always told me to only give it to my closest friend and I would know when it was time.
Also, you are officially invited to visit my home in France during the summer if you want to. If you decide to visit us, let me know and I'll make sure Papa is free when you come.
I wrote this before the Ball, but I am sure we had a great evening. I hope to see you again in the summer.
Fleur.
Harry finished the letter and smiled.
'So, what is it?' Sirius asked and Harry looked up from the letter to meet the Marauders gaze.
'I've been invited to Fleur's house in the summer. I can go right?' Harry asked and turned his gaze toward James who gaped at him. Lily rolled her eyes.
'Of course, you can honey.' Lily said with a smile before turning to Remus and Sirius.
'Okay you two, help James pack up. Amy and I will kick Mopsy out of the kitchen for Christmas lunch.' Lily ordered, and the Marauders nodded, earning a smirk from Amelia who stood along with Lily.
After Christmas, Harry's routine during the holidays grew more intense. His morning exercise pushed him harder than before and through it all, Holly grew more and more his shadow. Each day that passed drew them closer to Harry's return to Hogwarts, and both knew it.
When their morning exercise was complete, the two would head inside to work on Runes. Harry helped Holly through the introduction to Runes book he'd given her from his own collection.
Neither saw the worried expression on Lily's face as she watched them studying together for days on end.
By the last day of break, Harry could avoid every tickling charm sent his way by James and if it were both James and Sirius, then he was able to avoid most of them. A celebratory lunch of sandwiches made by Mopsy followed the achievement.
Finally, Harry stood on platform nine and three quarters with the extended family.
Harry held Holly in an embrace while Susan hugged Orion.
'I'll be back before you know it. The pendant will help. But if it doesn't, let me know and I'll make you a new one.' Harry whispered into her hair, and she nodded, hiding her tears from him.
The train's whistle blew, and Harry sighed as kissed Holly's brow.
He stepped away from her and smiled at the rest of the family.
'See you all soon.' He said, before turning and walking onto the train, Susan in front of him.