- Chapter 4 -
Harry was waling down the stairs as he had just finished exploring his home with Dipsey. The little elf had shown him all 6 bedrooms, the office, the huge family library which Hermione would literally die in, the big and open kitchen with both new and old appliances, the dining room that had a table that could seat 12 people, sitting room with cozy looking furniture that resembled the ones in the Gryffindor Common Room, and the finished basement that acted as the lounge den/bar. Outside was the open deck with a family picnic table and lounging chairs, there was a small pool and BBQ pit just below the deck. Finally, a distance out was a nicely size Quidditch Pitch, roughly the size of the one at the Burrow.
Harry was beyond happy with his home and noticed that the house elves really made sure it was taken care off. Dipsey let Harry know that the manor was protected by many ancient and powerful family wards and also repelled muggles from seeing it unless brought by a family member or secret keeper. Since there was no gates surrounding the property, the wards were placed around the huge manor itself and it extended to the back of the home. The Quidditch pitch had its own ward as well as cushioning charms at the bottom.
As they reached the main entrance once more, Dipsey shoo'd her master to the sitting room, handing him a small amout of biscuits to take with him. He chuckled at her but did as she wanted.
He made his way to the sitting room, taking a look at the family pictures on the book shelves and eating the biscuits that Dipsey had brought him, he finally felt relaxed. Even if no one was talking to him, even though Voldemort was out there. Harry was finally in a place he could call his home. Dipsey popped back into the room with a tray of more biscuits and freshly brewed Lady Grey tea was placed on the coffee table beside them. "Master Harry, dinner will be ready in an hour or so, also, this came for you." She handed Harry some letters with Ministry's seal. "Thank you Dipsey." Harry said as he opened the letters. Skimming them over, it stated that Harry was now, as he already knew, a legal adult wizard in the eyes of the Ministry and that his seat within the Wizengamot was to be taken once he ended school or could request to take it sooner. Once he was finished reading, he hesitated a second, but then handed the letters back to his head house elf. "Dipsey, could you put these documents on my office desk? I will need to refer to them later." Harry asked, a bit nervous trying to sound as a lord, but the elf did not seem to notice his hesitation nor sense his nerves and simply nodded popping away with the letters.
Harry looked down at his house gold ring. He looked at the elegant gold and silver design, tracing his fingers over his house motto. He never thought his family was this important in the Wizarding world til today. He thought the only reason people even knew of him was just because of the all "the boy who lived" nonsense. But, he was wrong, he was an important asset to the original 27. He wanted to make his family proud and hold his title with respect, that's why he didn't ask Effie to just call him "Harry," he needed to get used to being a Lord and announce himself as such in certain situations going forward. 'I wonder what Hermione's take would be in all of this?' he thought to himself, he always knew she was interested in the history of wizards and overall how modern wizardry came to be but he also knew she had some issues with the whole Pureblood laws and customs at the same time. 'As long as I don't have an arranged marriage or mistreat the house elves, I should be fine.' He confirmed in his head. Ron then came to mind. He felt, with Ron's sudden bursts of jealousy in the past year, that he would get either a high five or, more likely than, an angry outburst of him becoming even more wealthy and important. He sighed, wanting to not think about it further as he knew their friendship was still up in the air anyway.
Suddenly there was a bell sound that rang through the house, taking him away from his thoughts. Harry walked from the sitting room to the front door but Dipsey was already there opening it.
"Hello Mr. Black and Missus...?" Dipsey tried to greet the people at the door but was not sure who the girl was, pausing to let her state her name but as Harry stepped behind Dipsey to see who it was, he was happy to see it was his Godfather and, surprisingly, Hermione of all people at his door step. He locked eye with hers, noticing that she looked sad and happy at the same time though Harry did not know why. Before he could ask, they both exclaimed his name and when they tried to step in, they face planted on an invisible ward. "Sorry Mr. Black and Missus. Though you can see the Manor since Mr. Black is the secret keeper, you both have not been fully allowed within the protective wards by the new Lord." Dipsey explained then turned to Harry. "Master Harry, for your guests to come into our home, you will need to welcome them in using the proper Potter Greeting." Dipsey stated before gesturing Harry to squat down, as soon as he was within reaching height, Dipsey then whispered something into Harry's ear. He grimaced at whatever Dipsey had told him but she gave him an encouraging nudge and smile.
Harry stood back up and awkwardly extended his hand to Sirius first which the old animagus took without hesitation. Harry let out a nervous sigh and then started speaking loud and clear, "I, Harry James Potter, Lord of House Potter, welcome you, Sirius Black, officially to Potter Manor." Sirius smiled as a bright light sparked around their hands then as the spark disappeared he walked inside, giving Harry a fatherly hug. "It's awkward, I know." Sirius whispered into Harry's ear, making him chuckle.
Once they parted, Harry then extended his hand to Hermione who took it firmly while looking directly into Harry's emerald green eyes. Her skin was soft and the skin to skin contact sent shivers down Harry's spine. 'Remember, Ron likes her.' He reminded himself, shoving his feelings down to the pit of his stomach before clearing his throat. He spoke loudly and just as clear as before, "I, Harry James Potter, Lord of House Potter, welcome you, Hermione Jean Granger, officially to Potter Manor." The same light sparked around their hands and as it disappeared, Hermione jumped into Harry's arms, giving him a body crushing hug. Harry hugged her back, filling his nose with her sweet fragrance before pulling back, he felt light headed. 'You are just friends.' He repeated in his head, while the nagging voice in the back of his mind reminded him he was still very upset with her.
"I am so glad you are okay!" She first stated as she gave him a once over look as you would a child then suddenly she swatted his arm. "HARRY JAMES POTTER! Everyone has been going crazy looking for you! You had us worried sick!" She glared at him, as he squirmed a bit rubbing his arm. It really hurt but then he thought of Malfoy during third year when she punched his face in and realized he could deal with getting smack instead. "I'm sorry for making you all worry." He apologized, mainly to her but the nagging voice in his mind told him he shouldn't be sorry. She deserted him. Almost as if she could read his mind, her glare faded and her features saddened. "You're not mad, are you? At us? At me?" She asked but before he could respond she quickly added, "Because if you are, I understand. I deserve to be cold shouldered as we have been with you these past few weeks. It's just… Dumbledore made us promise! and as much as I hated it, he made us keep our word." Hermione explain, pain and sorrow lacing her words.
If Harry was honest, he was truly mad, pissed even. The nagging voice in his mind relayed those feeling. But his anger had simmered the moment she walked in. Even if Dumbledore made them promise, she was here, apologizing and defying her teacher's wishes. And ever since he found out about the Manor, he was able to think more clearly even if the voice fought with him and his emotions. He knew he wasn't mad at her, not really, he was mad at Dumbledore for making his friends betray him. For what, he had no idea but he was not about to take his anger out on Hermione even if the voice in the back of his mind wanted to.
"I forgive you." Harry stated firmly and truthfully, making sure his eyes were locked with hers to make sure she knew that he was no longer upset with her. Before Hermione could say anything, however, Sirius interrupted.
"Harry, I know you two haven't seen each other for a while and I am glad you are making amends but we are only here to take you to Grimmhold Place, my family home." Sirius stated, hating what he was about to say next. "This is orders from Dumbledore, Harry." Sirius muttered, not liking the look that framed Harry's face as soon as he uttered the sentence.
Harry's anger was returning, no longer restrained. He has only been able to enjoy his home for an hour and now Dumbledore wanted him to go back in the shadows, to the "safety" of his own fucked up design. He had some nerve to make his Godfather fetch him but he had a question Sirius might know the answer to. "Why has my parent's will and home been kept from me? I only just learned that I am the last Potter and head of my house. Why did no one seem to think that I might benefit from knowing about what my Family had or was?" He asked, his voice deep and rough with anger. Sirius was lost for words at first, but after a moment, answered truthfully. "I am not sure Harry, if it had been up to me, I would have told you as soon as you were able to talk. But Dumbledore wa-" As soon as Harry could hear his excuses coming, he cut his Godfather off. "Well Sirius, it isn't up to you anymore is it?! You decided to chase after Peter and leave me behind for 12 years!" That was a low blow to Sirius, his heart shattering at the anger at which Harry had delivered the worst mistake he ever made. Harry was fuming at this point though, his eyes had turned dark and his magical aura was seeping like lightening at his finger tips. Both Hermione and Sirius had took a step back, sensing Harry was not done. And they were right.
"Why has no one talked to me!? What was so important that Dumbledore had to practically order all of you to cut off all communication?! Did you think I wanted to mourn about what happened last year? I mourned! I am guilty Cedric is dead, it was my idea to grab that bloody cup together in the first place! But I needed all of you, I needed you to help me process all of this but instead you lot left me! I might as well've been left for dead at this point!" He closed his eyes at this point, letting the voice that take over his emotions, saying everything he would usually hold inside. He then opened his eyes, they were basically black holes now with anger. He now started asking the real question that he has mulled over for weeks. His voice dangerously lowered.
"Is Dumbledore afraid that since you-know-who is back that we have sort of connected to one another?" He paused, letting Sirius have ample time to respond but of course he just looked like a fish out of water at the moment. Harry's anger only increased, impatience growing. "TELL ME SOMETHING DAMMIT!" Harry started shouting now, a full roar that spoke volumes "TELL ME EVERYTHING! I DEMAND TO BE TOLD WHAT HAS BEEN GOING ONE THIS WHOLE TIME!" He was not getting anywhere with them, they themsleves did not know what exactly was going on and it made him so angry that he wanted to shake them. But he knew he needed to cool down and started fighting the voice in his head, willing it to submission as best he could but was failing miserably. Harry ran his hands angrily through his hair, pulling at the ends. Wincing in pain as if he was physically fighting someone. Hermione and Sirius tried to approach him but he stepped away from them. Looking at Sirius directly in the eyes once more. Sirius knew this was not a normal teenage tantrum, Harry was truly hurting and he felt guilt and shame that he had not prevented it. Suddenly Harry shouted once more, this time his voice cracked from the strain to reel in his emotions. "I WILL NOT DO AS ANYONE SAYS TIL SOMEONE EXPLAINS EVERYTHING! I AM TIRED OF BEING IN THE DARK! I'M DONE!" Harry finished then turned away from his best friend and Godfather, rushing past Dipsey who had been shaking in fear the entire time, and went out to the back courtyard. The fresh evening air hit his hot skin, cooling it as he marched to the Quidditch pitch.