Author's Notes:
Hi everyone! Guess what? Chicken butt! Just Kidding! It's a surprise posting! because my last several chapters have been significantly short I wanted to treat you guys to another chapter! Please enjoy this one as I'm delving into the characters and really establishing them.
Miss Elyon: Thank you so much! I've enjoyed writing this so far and I can't wait to hit the Hogwarts years! Keep tuned! Fast Frank: thank you! Midnitewanderer: You're becoming quite the regular! Thank you again for another awesome review!
Anyway, enough rambling. Please enjoy!
Chapter Seven: Houses and Letters
When Harry opened his eyes, he saw the biggest building he had ever seen.
He looked around the area as his body readjusted from the compressed space, he had just been in. He took in all of the lush, green grass and rolling hilltops that went on for as far as the eye can see. And just behind the building Harry could make out what looked like tall golden hoops surrounded by a thicket of trees. Harry looked up at his dad and then back to the large house before him wondering why they were in the presence of such a beautiful building.
The house looked as if it were made entirely of rough-cut stone. It was about three stories tall and quite large on the front. It had more windows than Harry could count. Though, considering he could only count to about six or seven, that wasn't overly impressive. The door, however, is what caught Harry's wandering eyes. The door was twice as tall as the man holding him and was made completely out of intricate wrought iron. The iron bent and twisted into ivy, giving the appearance that it had overgrown onto the door; it even had the shape of leaves put into it. Behind the iron was one solid piece of opaque sea glass, worn smooth from its time in the ocean. The light bouncing off of the glass from the sun made it seem as if the iron ivy was alive and moving; although, after seeing the man do magic, it was definitely possible that the iron was actually moving.
Harry slithered out of James' grasp and landed on his feet in the grass before looking up at the man's face and asking, "Where are we?"
James looked sadly at the front door of the building and then down at Harry whose green eyes were boring into his, "Homes, Harry."
"Who's home? Is it your home?"
"Yes, it's my home. It's your home, too, if you want it to be," James replied.
Harry looked at James, scrutinizing him with his gaze, "What do you mean?"
James sighed and knelt down next to Harry, "Harry, remember how I said you wouldn't have to go back to your aunt and uncle's house again unless you wanted to?" Harry nodded, "This is what I meant by that. You don't have to go back because I want you to stay here, with me. I'm your dad, remember?"
Hesitantly, Harry nodded and then frowned, "I'm sorry. I know I'm not supposed to be asking questions."
Confused, James asked, "What do you mean, Harry? Of course you can ask questions. Why wouldn't you be allowed to ask questions?"
"Well," Harry started hesitantly, "Aunt 'Tunia says I'm not to be asking questions."
James' eyes hardened, "And is your aunt here, Harry?"
Harry shook his head and then glanced back up at the large house before him, "Can we go inside?"
"We sure can, bud," James smiled.
James carefully shifted the boy in his arms and walked over the rolling grass up to the large house and stopped just short of the door. James admired the intricate beauty of the doors to his childhood home before he placed his hand on the handle and pushed. The door didn't budge.
Furrowing his brow, James attempted to open the door again but was once again met with unyielding resistance. He pulled out his wand and tried unlocking the door magically to no avail. So, he simply knocked on the glass and waited with bated breath before the door creaked open and a small house elf peeked out from behind it scared and confused.
"Who is knocking on Potter Manner? Who is there? There is no person here," the small elf squeaked before looking up at the tall man before him. When the elf caught sight of James he jumped and squeaked, "Master James! You is coming home! Cirri, Master James is coming home!" He yelled to someone behind him, "Master James you is coming in?"
"Thank you, Gus," James said as he stepped through the door, "But why was the door locked to me? It wouldn't open when I pushed on it and I couldn't unlock it magically."
Gus looked at James confusedly, "Master James, you is being ill and we is protecting Potter Manner until we is hearing that you is better. We is not hearing that you is better and so we is not unlocking Potter Manner for anyone, not even Masters Remus, Peter, or Sirius. Is this not what we is to be doing?"
James visibly relaxed and let Harry slide to the floor before saying, "No. No, that's perfectly acceptable, Gus. I'm glad that you took the safety of Potter Manner so seriously. And I'm glad that you barred Remus, Sirius, and Peter. We will need to discuss that arrangement once I have Harry settled in his room for the evening. We can readjust the security measures in place here, too."
Gus bowed and beamed at James before saying, "Absolutely Master James. Cirri and I is happy to help in anyway that we can. How is we to be helping Master Harry settle into his room?"
James handed Gus the purchases that they made earlier that day, "Can you just put these away for me and have Cirri start working on some dinner? I was worried about stopping to eat somewhere with Harry; I didn't want him bombarded by people."
"Of course, Master James," Gus said wearily, "But I is wondering, is Master Harry ok? He is looking quite green, sir."
Confused, James looked at the boy in his arms who did indeed look pale and green, "What's wrong, Harry?"
Harry looked at James, his eyes wide and then back at Gus before whispering, "What is that?"
James followed Harry's gaze towards Gus and then laughed, of course Harry wouldn't know what a house elf was, "Gus is a house elf, Harry. They're magical creatures that help Wizards in their homes. They help clean and cook and everything. We have two here, Gus and Cirri. They're married and live in the house outside the back of the Manner."
Harry nodded and said, "So, they're slaves?"
James paled, "No, they're not slaves. Gus and Cirri are welcome to leave any time they want or take off any time they want to. They choose to live here with us."
"So they get paid?" Harry asked.
"Well, no. House elves generally refuse payment for their services. They feel payment is below them. But we treat Gus and Cirri as if they are part of the family. They eat dinner with us, speak to us and us to them as equals, and they have all the rights and amenities that they desire in the house."
Harry nodded but didn't seem quite satisfied with this answer but he followed James up the marble staircase before them. The entrance hall around them was unquestioningly beautiful. Marble floors and stair case as well as portraits lining every well. The ceiling was several dozen feet tall and the doors leading out of the room were exceptional. Dark, deep purple, made of heart tree. They were dense and sturdy but not overly difficult to move. The stairway had a carpet running down the middle in a deep purple that matched the doors to the home.
Harry looked up at the second story that was growing before him and saw elegant portraits of people and places he had never seen. And when they moved Harry simply accepted it; he had seen weirder things today when he was at Diagon Alley than he had ever seen in his life and these pictures didn't even compare.
The second floor was much less luxurious than the first floor had been. The richness was now replaced with softer and warmer furniture that looked so inviting to Harry he wished that they could stop and sit on the wonderful couches. Harry saw a wonderful mixture of both magical and muggle objects scattered throughout the rooms. He saw everything from what looked like a magical game set, which he would later learn was called Gobstones, to a muggle television set and gaming station. Harry looked up to see an owl flying overhead and a saw a beautifully painted ceiling.
Harry continued walking down the hallway before he stopped and turned back around upon realizing that he couldn't see James anymore. Panicking, Harry looked around the hallway he was standing in but couldn't find a trace of the man who says he's his father. Harry sat down on the ground and waited, his eyes welling up with tears, before he heard hurried footsteps coming his direction. Fearful, Harry crawled under a nearby table and hid, pushed back against the wall. With his heart pounding in his ears, Harry saw feet standing in front of the table he was under before he heard someone calling for him. Then relief swept over him and he carefully crawled out from under the table and looked up at the tall man that was James.
James frowned at Harry before crouching down and looking him in the eye, "Harry, why were you hiding? I got worried when I couldn't find you."
Harry looked down at his hands and shrugged.
James put his fingers under Harry's chin and lifted his face to look into his own, "Did you lose sight of me?"
Harry nodded at James as tears welled in his eyes again.
"Did you get scared?" Harry nodded again; this time tears escaped his eyes.
James engulfed Harry in a large hug, holding him close and stroking his hair. "It's ok, Harry. I'm here. This is a big place and it's easy to get lost. It makes sense that you were scared and lost. I'm sorry that I walked on without you; I thought you were still standing beside me but when I looked back, you weren't there anymore."
And, for the first time, Harry hugged James back and cried into his shoulder.
~ID~
Later that evening James was sitting in the library in his favorite armchair with Cirri and Gus the house elves sitting next to him on the couch. Harry had gone to bed several hours prior to this sit down, but James had wanted some time to himself in his rooms before coming down and handling business. The three of them had been discussing the security measures in place on Potter Manner and how best to reinforce them with the arrival of James and Harry to the estate as well as managing the assets that James had left mostly up to the elves in his absence. James had left a substantial amount of assets to manage to the elves and James was having difficulty remembering all of the pieces. He sometimes forgot how many businesses his family owns.
James looked over the list once more before he turned to Gus and Cirri and said, "We need to discuss who is and who isn't allowed within Potter Manner. How do I change those wardings? A lot has happened since the war and there are people now that we didn't think were enemies who truly are and I need to account for that."
Cirri spoke first, "You would be telling us, Master James, and then we is adjusting the wards for you. Who is you wanting to add and take away?"
"Well, to begin, who is currently allowed in Potter Manner?"
"Potter Manner is allowing you and any of your descendants, we is not being able to change that, sir. It is also allowing Lily Potter, Sirius Black, Remus Lupin, Peter Pettigrew, Albus Dumbledore, Minerva McGonagall, Filius Flitwick, Alastor Moody, Poppy Pomphrey, Alice and Frank Longbottom, Augusta Longbottom, Neville Longbottom, Arthur and Molly Weasley, Pomona Sprout, Horus Slughorn, and Fabian and Gideon Pewit."
"Ok. Therein lies some problems. We need to take off anyone on that list who is currently dead. So, Fabian and Gideon should be taken off as well as," James hesitated and swallowed before continuing, "Lily. Frank and Alice Longbottom were driven to insanity so I doubt they will be making a house call any time soon. I also want to bar Peter Pettigrew from Potter Manner. He's a no-good traitor and I will not have him set foot into my home in any way, shape, or form. Finally, I think we can be safe to remove Alastor, Pomona, and Horus from th list. They won't have any reason to just drop in and would most likely ask permission before visiting here. Which I would gladly give so don't ban them, just remove them from all access, please."
Cirri nodded and wrote the names on her list, "I is taking care of this as soon as we is finished, Master James."
Gus nodded and said, "Yes, we is. And, Master James, Cirri and I is wanting to tell you that we is so sad about Lady Lily's passing. She was a beautiful lady and is always being remembered by us and you and Harry. We is going to put up her portrait in the entry way if that is ok with you, Master James?"
James looked at the two elves with tears in his eyes before he quickly blinked them away, "Yes, that would be lovely. Lily would have wanted that. Thank you, you two, for helping me with this and everything since I've been out of commission. I promise that things will go back to normal soon."
The two elves nodded at James before turning and exiting the room, leaving James on his own in the library. James stood up and wandered around for a while, thinking to himself about everything that had happened to him. He paced around the room for what seemed like several hours before he was finally interrupted by a tapping at the library window. James looked up and saw a grey owl standing on the ledge, a letter in its beak. He rushed over and opened the window to let the owl into the house. It flew in and dropped the letter on the table before swooping back out again and flying away.
James looked down at the letter on the table addressed to him before picking it up and opening it and reading its contents.
James,
We have reviewed the evidence you left us here at the ministry several days ago. I have to say that the evidence you presented us with has severely contradicted all evidence that we had received in regard to this case several years ago. Your evidence prompted a further investigation into the matter. I personally withdrew Black's wand from inventory and inspected it for any signs of dark magic or misuse including regenerating the last several spells that Black had personally performed. I saw no signs of dark magic.
This being said, this evidence does not immediately exonerate Black (though I personally think it should; you can thank Fudge for his adamant refusal to Black's immediate release), however, I have been able to convince the necessary political heads that this evidence is sufficient enough to bring in reasonable doubt as to Black's guilt and convinced them to bring him in for a trial. Black will have the opportunity to put this evidence towards his defense as well as any other evidence that you, he, or any one else may be able to provide.
We have not told Black about his upcoming trial. I was under the impression that you would want to do that honor with Mr. Lupin. If I am incorrect in my assumption, please let me know.
Black's trial will be held on Tuesday the 20th of December, 1983, at the Ministry of Magic in Trial Room 3 before the entire Wizengamot and Chief Warlock. I have also convinced Cornelius to forgo the Dementors for this trial. I feel tensions in the room will be high enough that all they will do is exacerbate the situation. Mr. Lupin is, of course, welcome to attend. It is a public trial.
I am worried that without having direct evidence of Pettigrew's involvement with You-Know-Who that Black will not stand much of a chance of convincing the entire Wizengamot of his innocence. While the evidence is compelling, this particular group of witches and wizards are quite prejudiced against Black. I was unable to convince Fudge that he should have an impartial jury.
I have Kingsley set aside, unofficially, for your disposal regarding this matter. You, of course, understand that this letter cannot reach Fudge or his underlings in any manner. I wish you all the luck in your endeavor.
Sincerely,
Rufus Scrimgeour
James' heart soared as he reread the letter, almost unwilling to believe this turn of events. Once he'd read it through three times he turned, his eyes darting around the room, before he ran over to the large, stone fireplace in the library. James grabbed a pinch of the floo powder sitting beside the hearth and threw it into the fire and said, "Remus' Flat, London," and then stuck his head into the green flames.
~ID~
Remus was sitting on his couch reading the Daily Prophet while he was drinking his evening herbal tea. He had become accustomed to drinking an herbal tea in the evening as he found it to not only be a nice dessert but also a nice way to relax before heading to bed. Most of the time, not always, it helped him relax enough to stay the nightmares that plagued him. It was when he was taking a sip of his tea when his fireplace light up, causing him to spill tea all over himself. No one ever floos his flat.
Remus sat his tea cup down and moved towards the fireplace to see whose head was sitting in the flames. Remus was socked to see James' messy hair in the green.
"Remus! Good, you're home. I was worried I wouldn't be able to get ahold of you before it hit the papers tomorrow," James said quickly.
"James, slow down! Before what hits the papers? What's going on? Is Harry ok?" Remus asked quickly, his heart racing.
"No, no, Harry is ok. He's sleeping in his room right now. I have the baby monitor charm running. No, Rem, it's Padfoot. They're going to give him a trial! It's next Tuesday! The 20th. Scrimgeour convinced Fudge that the evidence was enough. He was pushing for a complete release but Fudge wouldn't hear of it," James passed the letter to Remus so that he could read it.
Remus quickly read over the letter, a smile growing on his face, before looking back down at James, "I can't believe this. This is amazing! We have to go tell him."
"We will. We'll go tomorrow. I'll see if I can find a sitter for Harry. Gods, I don't even know who to ask."
Remus thought for a minute, running his fingers through his hair, before suggesting, "Well, the Molly and Arthur have quite the brood, I'm sure they wouldn't mind one more. It might do Harry some good to have friends his age."
James shook his head, "I don't think he's read for that many kids, Moony. Maybe somewhere without any other kids."
"What about Minerva? The students are on holiday; she might be willing to watch Harry either at your house or at Hogwarts."
"That's brilliant, Moony. I'll floo her next and see what she has to say. If not, I might be able to ask Augusta. She has her grandson Neville and one kid would probably be fine for Harry. He's just so skittish and unsure of everything. You know?"
Remus nodded, "Yes, I understand."
"Ok. Why don't you pop over here tomorrow morning so you can meet Harry before we go see Sirius. I'm sure he would like to meet his Uncle Moony," James said smiling.
Remus smiled, "Yeah, that sounds great."
"Tomorrow, then," James said before pulling his head back out of the fire place.
We're coming, Sirius, James thought.
Sirius looked up from the floor of his cell; he must have imagined the words. There was no one here besides himself and the dementors outside of his cell. Even knowing this, Sirius wished, he wished that what he heard was real and James was coming. Sirius hung to that hope as he fell into a fitful sleep.
End Notes:
Thank you for reading! Please like and review Ignoring Destiny!
