Chapter 12

Persephone Black had never flooed to a muggle home. But she had been in one before. Australia was more open minded than Britain. She supported her husband and Grandfather-in-law in their political goals.

She wasn't surprised to see a taller version of Hermione waiting on her.

"I was worried about this visit upsetting Hermione, but I didn't expect her home this quickly."

Amelia Bones stepped forward the minute she cleared the floo.

"It's all my fault. I knew both Neville and Harry just adore the girl. With everyone coming over to work on a school project, I just assumed that she would have been included. We are working so hard to get rid of prejudice, but Neville's grandmother refused to allow Neville to visit Potter Manor if anyone from a muggle background came. Neville is Harry's best male friend. He's grown up with so few boys to play with. For his first visit? Harry maybe could have worded it better. But the problem was he couldn't host them both at the same time without breaking a promise.

"I came to apologize since I was the one who invited Hermione to begin with." Amelia said.

Hermione came into the room, clearly having heard.

"What about Daphne being there? Did she come back after I left?" Hermione demanded.

"No, she wouldn't do that. Can we all sit down?" Persephone waited for Mrs. Granger to invite them into her lounge and offer tea. Persephone called for Jexter and the prepared tray he had ready.

Emma gasped at the little being who bowed and served as the ladies spoke.

"Hermione, girls develop a bit earlier than boys. It's clear to me that both you and Daphne like Harry. The real Harry, not some arrogant sword and staff waving Boy-Who-Lived, but the real person. She has grown up around him. He likes her, maybe even loves her, but only as a friend. He regards her as family."

"Oh." There was a lot of relief in that oh. Hermione didn't have a pureblood mask yet, and Persephone never wore hers much to begin with except the most formal occasions.

And around Lord Black.

"We have a wonderful library at Potter Manor, and a lovely observatory. Hadrian will be taking several courses over the summer he wanted to invite you to join. He was not the architect of the disaster of today. But I know from family magic, that he misses you, and wishes you were there.

"Especially since he has training brooms and was hoping to teach you to fly." Persephone finished.

Amelia chimed in then. "The boy's a natural. Should be able to make the team next year if he wants to play. He's very, very good."

"Flying?" Hermione's face and tone said it all. She would rather read the driest tome about goblin rebellions than ever fly a broom again.

-00-00-00-

Arcturus had an elf pop a few calming drafts to his heir. Of course the boy was upset. But it was up to the adults to protect their children.

Having a muggleborn over to their home would be fine if they were providing catering to an event, or flowers, or even being hired as a research assistant.

Having one come over as a friend?

This was a step too far, they might as well just cozy up to the muggles themselves!

What if Hadrian developed feelings for the girl? No, if such happened, and they married, yes Lord Black would have to stand by his earlier statement and bless the union. Arcturus disliked how impolitic the boy had been at the time! It was not right what he did. A forced vow was no vow at all.

But Draco would then be Heir Black, or even Ares himself who deserved it.

By now the girl would be gone, hopefully in tears and with hurt feelings, and never darken their doorstep again.

He would have to take her name out of the ward book the minute that they were back.

This lead was promising, and too important to turn back now. He'd send Ares home later tonight if they weren't completely done.

Harry would be hurt, but he had a lot of friends, and Neville came from a fine family. It would be good for the boys to become closer. Yes.

They were far too young to be involved with witches yet anyways.

-00-00-00-

Hermione, once she found out about extra lessons, was more receptive to what Persephone Black was saying. Once she really processed the word library, she was bouncing, ready to forgive Harry, and when could she go over and meet his books? Or rather his family?

Amelia and Persephone sat and had tea in a muggle home. They discussed the similarities and differences with Emma. Talked about their husbands, or in Amelia's case her lack of her husband on this earth, who was killed by who-know-who after they had only been married a few short months. The love, laughter and joys of having that kind of love.

The frustration that sometimes comes with it too.

Persephone learned a lot about Dan that she couldn't wait for the men in her life to learn. Men after all, were just little boys at heart.

The ladies even walked to a nearby cafe for lunch. Amelia offered to pay, but neither witch had the right money, and both were embarrassed, as neither was poor. Persephone slipped her some galleons that Emma could use on Hermione later.

Emma was very gracious about the whole thing, and waved it off.

Finding out that Emma should have been working much longer hours, but was home because she didn't want to leave a 12 year old girl on her own saw Hermione receiving multiple invites for different activities. All adult-supervised and appropriately chaperoned.

The little girl who had been so lonely only a year before would find her summer quite busy.

-00-00-00-

Arcturus was having dinner with Narcissa and Draco at Malfoy Manor.

"I truly do wish you would move permanently to Wales. We have plenty of room, and you wouldn't be alone here" Is what Grandfather said. But his tone was 'And you would be adequately chaperoned.'

Narcissa contemplated that. "I should have come to you about Lockhart sooner. I apologize. There is someone I am interested in. But I wish to date a time first before introductions. See if there is any chance at compatibility if not happiness."

"Who Mother?" Draco demanded, frowning.

"No one unsuitable, my darling. Someone well placed actually, and is reasonably wealthy by rumor. He's not after me for your house or our gold." She laid a kind hand on his cheek.

"He'd better be nice to you!" Draco demanded. "And if he tries to slip you a love potion…"

"He'll find out the hard way what it means to cross a Black." Arcturus said, pointing to the place where Narcissa kept a stiletto blade hidden.

All of the Black girls had been taught how to defend themselves. With magic and without it. Sometimes, a magical trace of a crime was best avoided.

No one in the Black family had ever won Witch Weekly's Most Charming Smile Award, or any of its humanitarian awards.

Shame that ridding the world of polluters of the gene pool wasn't more rewarded.

Magicals as well educated as the Blacks were aware of some science, after all.

-00-00-00-

Persephone was giddy that night at dinner.

First off, Ares was home, checking in on Harry. That was always going to help make her day.

Second, she had wonderful news for Harry.

"It took some time, and an explanation of old notions, but in the end, Emma agreed with me. It was just very bad timing. I do think that House Potter should offer a gift for the upset, but all of us have been invited to go out to dinner with the Grangers this coming Friday. I explained that Lord Black is not comfortable in the muggle world, and would likely decline even if he were home. Otherwise, they might have delayed our dinner until such time he was back. This way, everyone's comfortable."

Harry bore a look of horror on his face. HE wasn't comfortable!

"You want me to go to dinner with MUGGLES? Are you mad?!" Hadrian screamed.

Ares was on his feet in a second, temper blazing. But he took a deep breath. James and Lily trusted him to raise Harry. He needed to be a good parent, and not just shout to the top of his voice.

"Never raise your voice to your Auntie again, Harry. I won't stand for it. Now, think about it for a moment. Calm down. And rephrase what you want to say." Ares said in a calm, even tone. Even though he was clearly angry. Ares sat back down at the table.

Padfoot was right, and Harry was embarrassed. He was upset all day, and had kept sipping calming draughts so he could focus on his friends that had stayed and worked on Herbology together.

Harry had wanted Hermione to be there, working with him! They hadn't gotten to work together on the last project either, and he missed her. She was smart, and funny, and she had the cutest laugh!

But he shouldn't have yelled either. He sat back down. Then stood again.

"My lady." Harry bowed. "It was very wrong of me to raise my voice to you. I was upset. I should have excused myself until such time that I was ready to communicate in an appropriate way."

She nodded her head. "Your apology is accepted. For my part, I apologize for my insensitivity. I was excited to be invited to go out to a Chinese restaurant. I very much liked Hermione's mother, who is a squib by the way, not a muggle."

Harry sat back down, and looked up. "Really?"

"She was telling me stories of her mother and 'feelings' she would get. Very accurate seer. Probably never told the family about her being a witch if she wasn't a strong one and the children never expressed. Her father was an American, and married her mother during the war."

Harry waited to be sure his auntie was done talking before resuming. "I agree with you about the present. I know the perfect one. And I remember that you and Ares said that I couldn't spend that much on her before, when it was a 'just because' gift. But now? She was crying!"

There were certain rules ingrained into his psyche. 'Never make a girl cry' was a rule. He had broken it.

Persephone saw a chance to be just as Slytherin as the men in the house. Catching her husband's eye, and seeing his nod, she continued. "We will give our permission if…"

"If?" Harry begged.

"If you go to dinner with Hermione's parents with us, on your best behavior too, and just give them a fair chance."

"I'll go, and be polite. But I won't like them! And I'll likely only talk to Hermione!" Hadrian said stubbornly.

This was another veggie battle. Just try them, you'll like them.

Persephone thought about what she had learned about Dan, Hermione's father.

'You're going to eat them all up, I wager.' she thought to herself.

"We'll see."

-00-00-00-

Draco patted Sable as he handed him off to the grooms-elf. They had had a nice fly around the grounds, but it wasn't the same without his father.

Daphne liked to ride too, but had declined his invitation.

The only other person besides Hadrian within a few years of him who liked to ride was Josephina Rosier, upcoming fifth year whose face was, was…

She wasn't very pretty, in fact, she was downright scary.

Draco wanted to go over to Potter Manor, but his mother refused to allow it.

Something had changed. She was angry. But at whom? Grandfather, perhaps?

It was though she blamed someone over there for something. Something bad.

Maybe he could invite Hadrian over for a fly. He loved to fly. And Draco owed him for Freyja. The kitten had been a huge comfort to him, more than he would admit.

Yes, he would send Dobby with a note. They could go flying together soon.

Even if they had to be sneaky about it.

-00-00-00-

The day after the 'incident' , Harry and Persephone flooed over to Hermione's house. He brought a bouquet of flowers he picked himself, and some fancy chocolates. And a book.

Hermione and her mother were waiting for them.

Harry bowed. "Hermione, I was very distressed to be the cause of so much pain that I made you cry. I am very, very sorry. I wish that I could take back the hurt that I caused. Please accept these gifts as part of the reparation. The second part will be available in August."

Harry handed over the card from the animal shop.

"Oh, Harry! Thank you, thank you, thank you! Oh, this is too much! You need not give me anything. Your mother, well, I guess your aunt explained it all. You of course are forgiven. You made a promise. I bet it was because of Neville taking me to my parents at the train. Neville's gran saw us, and you could tell he was scared, but he never stopped! He walked right past her, even though she said some ugly things to him. It really wasn't your fault. And I'm so excited by the cat!" She said this very, very fast, and with a huge smile on her face.

Hermione clearly didn't have his training when it came to trying to filter what one said. But her sincere emotions did more to alleviate his fears than a month's worth of kind words from a pureblood witch would.

Then she hugged him, and the world was back where it belonged. He returned it with everything he had.

What the two forgot were the other women in the room who just had to say "Ahhh" together.

Was that a flash of camera?

-00-00-00-

Dobby popped into Hermione's house with a note for Harry, but they were outside next to the pool.

And the house-elf was visible, breaking all sorts of rules.

Harry took the note, but scolded the elf asking him what if the neighbors saw? He sent him home using a sharper tone than he normally would.

The elf took it to mean that the Heir was angry with him. Harry was always on edge when in the muggle world.

-00-00-00-

Mad-Eye read the note again, and sent an affirmative reply.

He loved elf-mail.

Alastor had taught and tested the boy again and again. Now he finally had the Head-of-House's permission for a real test. A great test.

And the subject? Perfect! If he could prove himself here, it would protect him later.

Alastor smiled.

This was going to be fun.

-00-00-00-

Wednesday was set for spending time with Neville in the afternoon after his lesson with Moody. So today, for at least part of the day, Harry wanted to spend time with Draco over at his home.

For some reason, Draco wasn't allowed to come over to Potter Manor.

They had a great fly together. Harry loved the huge flying horses, but found them uncomfortable to ride for very long.

"I wish I had a Pegasus. But there's no way that they would let me keep one at Hogwarts." Harry whined. "Wouldn't it be great to keep Sable there?"

"Yes cousin, but with my godfather as deputy Headmaster, I might be able to talk him into keeping them there."

"Really? I wonder if Bulstrode would sell me that one mare?"

Both boys had gotten to take a turn riding a Pegasus at Susan's birthday party the previous year. Gentle and sweet, of course, the owner was being very careful with everything.

"Don't know. I don't think he would mind you renting one once in awhile."

"That's a better idea. I'll talk to Grandfather about it. Thank you cousin for the ride."

"Anytime. Let's do this again Friday."

"Can't Friday. I have to go play nice with the muggles. Ares and Persephone are making me. But I could come Sunday if you wish." Harry complained.

"Oh, meeting Hermione's parents?" Draco was clearly upset, but not for the reasons Harry thought. "How, how…"

"Exactly! But I'm being bribed. Not the first time, and not the last either. So, best manners, and it will be over quickly. Then I can go home and shower." Harry didn't know it was a secret. No one had said so.

Draco said nothing, but looked grim.

His mother would never allow it, not in a million years.

-00-00-00-

Mad-eye took advantage of his student coming into the training room. He had told the boy a thousand times to be on guard constantly. Now he was going to pay the price.

"Imperio. You are going to break off all contact with the muggleborn girl. You won't even want to look at her again."

It took a healer three hours to wake the old auror. Harry had spent most of that time repairing the windows in that part of the house. He was taking so long because he was still angry, and was having trouble controlling his magic.

When his mentor finally woke, Harry was over there in a moment, and had him by the throat, holding him up to the wall.

"Why? Why would you do that to me? Why?"

Harry never noticed that they were both a meter above the floor.

The healer sent a spell to Harry's unprotected back, caught the auror from crashing and eased him to the floor.

He spelled calming potion into the boy, and then used a patronus message to call for help.

The auror-healer shook his head. Young mages. At least he only had to deal with the aftermath once a month or so. Most days, Alastor got away unscathed. For the most part.

Amelia Bones was ready to kiss the man in ugly green from saving her from a very long, boring and unproductive meeting.

Finding out why she had been called away made her blood boil. She checked the wand herself, then checked the peg-legged auror to make sure that he was bespelled. Unfortunately, for him anyways, he wasn't.

She checked again. Then again. It didn't make sense!

Neither Harry nor Amelia would like his answers to their questions. But under the old laws it was allowed. She told Harry that she didn't need anyone in HER department if he was going to act like this though.

At least the man avoided Azkaban.

-00-00-00-

Harry was tense and grumpy for the rest of the day, and Grandfather was not replying to his notes.

Ares was not home, Persephone had been very supportive, but was angry as well. So they were feeding each other instead of calming one another.

Ares was tense, tired, and more than upset when he got home. His wife and godson's feelings were not helping.

Arcturus was the one with the most control of his emotions. Yes, he was angry too. But not for any of the same reasons. He had to be careful here, or he could lose everything that he had fought to build.

An epic battle royale was brewing. At the core was the question of what he wanted the family to be.

Toujours Pur.

What did that really mean?

-00-00-00-

Millicent Bulstrode's mother was a muggleborn witch who had been captured by death eaters and nearly killed.

Lesander Bulstrode had been out for a fly, and saw the woman trying to escape into the woods.

He swept down, rescued the girl, and set fire to a log nearby. He took her home, and asked his mother to send for a healer. The girl's entire family had been killed. She had nowhere to go. She offered to help around the farm in exchange for room and board.

The rest was history.

Their family may have been poor, but they were not death eaters. Not all of them.

He never understood the prejudice. Magic is magic.

He couldn't help but overhear Hadrian unburdening himself to his cousin as he brushed the mare he had just ridden. Good training that, taking good care of the wonderful beasts.

Lesander also appreciated the gold that Hadrian would start bringing in if he continued coming and brought friends.

He wanted to say something to the lad that not all wizards were as prejudiced as it seemed.

The boy's magic was under control, but his beasties surely noticed it.

And none of the normal barn kneazles were anywhere to be seen.

-00-00-00-

Lord Black returned on Thursday. He had a good reason for being late.

The ritual showed that the Dark Lord was gone. The last of his horcruxes were gone.

So, short of a necromantic ritual, he would stay gone.

And good riddance to bad rubbish.

His Heir was waiting for him in the formal study. He would have to wait. Arcturus had had nothing to eat, fasting was part of the ritual. He needed to break bread before dealing with any of the problems on his plate.

Hadrian was called to dinner, giving up his vigil.

They sat down to table together as a family, all of them but the baby. Persephone said the blessing. All of them were trying to keep their frayed tempers in check, but all of them were angry.

The fight really didn't start until dessert. Arcturus sniffed. Lily used to make this for him when he visited the cottage in Godric's Hollow.

"Muggle desserts now?" He sneered.

"I asked the house-elves to make something special." Harry gritted out. "I was told that it was my mother's favorite recipe."

The boy was reminding him of his blood. He wasn't just a Black through James, but a descendent of the great Slytherin himself through his muggleborn mother.

"I had a good reason for asking him to do that. You need to be ready…" Arcturus started to defend, but stopped as magic swirled around them.

Harry's eyes glowed green, and he took a deep breath. The small cyclone became a gentle breeze, then a slight stirring.

"You tried to take my friend away from me. You got my mentor fired from his job as he used a curse that is technically illegal. He had a letter from you saying that you had authorization for the spell. You lied to him."

"I forgot! We got an important lead! I couldn't stop to owl a letter. I meant to contact Amelia. I explained this to her, and the reasons. She believed me. I tried to take the blame. She said that she was not going to fire him after all. He's still working."

"That explains him getting into trouble, so you didn't lie. You told your employee to put me under the Imperius curse Grandfather? Do I need to go work for Lesander Bulstrode? Muck out stables?"

"I was trying to save our family!" Lord Black accidentally revealed.

"So you would never have given James permission to marry my mother. It's a good thing he only needed to give himself permission then. Unless he asked Grandfather before his death. No. I don't know if he did. You might though."

Arcturus looked struck.

"You needed to know what it felt like…"

"Don't. Lie. To. Me. That's just an excuse." Harry declared.

"Fine. I forbid any of you from going to dinner tomorrow. That's final." Lord Black had given a rare family command. "You'll have no further contact with the mudblood or her parents."

Harry turned to Ares and Persephone. "In the muggle world, you are my legal guardians, yes?"

At their nod, he asked the next question.

"Do you still want to go tomorrow?"

Neither one looked at Arcturus. This was a defining moment for the family, and they all knew it.

At their second nod, he demanded the ward book. Jexter popped in, pulling at his ears. But he was a Potter elf, not Black.

"No! I control the…"

With a pen, a blood quill that caused no pain, a line was drawn through a name, and an old man found himself outside of the wards of a large estate in Wales. Unable to get back in.

Harry turned to his godfather and his auntie.

His family.

His parents.

"What he did to me was unforgivable. And I don't just mean the spell."

The worst part was that it would have been the perfect excuse to get out of being with muggles.