Chapter 14

Harry pulled at the uncomfortable dress robes. Narcissa had surprised the family by asking Lord Black permission to marry before her official year of mourning was done. And it was time to meet the prospective groom.

Acturus knew that Lucius had originally asked for Andromeda, and Narcissa was substituted when Andromeda showed her displeasure of said contract by marrying someone else. Someone that her family had disapproved of to the extreme. Poor Narcissa had constantly been belittled by her husband 'your sister wouldn't have done this or that' or 'your sister is so beautiful'.

The Tonks were therefore not invited to this meal. Narcissa's and Andromeda's relationship might not ever recover, truth be told. Narcissa had been very upset to her that her sister was officially a member of House Black again. Fortunately, none of the vases broken were irreparable. The house-elves had everything back to rights.

There had been a bit of yelling about mudbloods during that tantrum as well. Some members of the house were not happy with the acceptance of muggleborns as potential spouses.

Lord Black had asked to meet the man she was interested in, and she had asked to wait until she was sure. This dinner being arranged was not a surprise. Everyone was surprised however to find the Minister of Magic at the dinner table that day. Dinner was very formal, and both boys were on their best behavior. They were dismissed just as soon as the desert was served.

They took their plates, and with quick farewells, escaped to Harry's rooms.

Ares and Persephone took their leave as well. Leaving the couple holding hands and the lady's head of house.

"Lord Ogden, please forgive me, but I thought you were married." Lord Black tried to ask delicately.

"I am. My wife has given me three daughters, and is no longer of an age to bear children. I have sufficient resources to provide them with adequate dowries. I do not wish my house to end with me."

That all of the daughters were over 30, of sour dispositions, and had never been considered attractive to wizards was completely being ignored by everyone involved, including the father of said daughters. Doubtlessly, they would eventually be married. Dowries might have to go from 'adequate' to 'excessive' but the girls would marry. Ogden was by no means a poor man. He was one of the wealthiest wizards who had ever held the office of Minister of Magic.

Considering how some went into politics to line their pockets with gold selling favors and such, this was viewed as a very good thing for justice.

Ogden made his money the old fashioned way - one bottle at a time of the wizarding world's finest firewhiskey, fruited brandies, and a variety of cordials. Many were very exclusive, and Lord Black's personal yearly bill would provide for a small village.

"It is not common to have more than one wife." Lord Black intoned. Many wizards did, they just kept it private. It really wasn't anyone else's business, after all.

"No, but let's look at the facts. Narcissa is young enough to have more children if she wants. She doesn't want a young buck, she needs someone settled. She has been lonely. Ares' wife Persephone is a foreigner, and used to acting as Matron of the home. Narcissa is living by herself in her son's manor house for the most part. I could join her there, give her companionship. Lucius let her pursue no career, no interests outside of being in that mausoleum. I intend to allow her to learn what she wishes, to participate in politics if she wishes. I intend to make her happy Lord Black. Can you tell me that her last husband even tried that?"

"Tiberius, I meant no disrespect. If this is what both you and Narcissa wish, then I will bless your union. Narcissa is a Black by birth. I do not feel that she would be affected by the Weasley curse, but I will gladly pay for a curse-breaker if one is needed."

"Your offer is noted. Draco Malfoy will be welcomed into my home, and be my heir unless or until I have a male heir of my own."

"Narcissa, if you pursue this, then Draco will have to become a blood adopted member of House Ogden. His Malfoy inheritance is not at stake." No one said it, but it also meant that Draco would no longer be considered second in line for Heir Black. If Andromeda had a son, or even Ares, or the House recognized one of the other branches? Even Neville could inherit the title before Draco.

"I welcome such a change." Narcissa said firmly. "Potter is strong, and he holds the affection of several witches. I feel that both boys will likely marry twice. Draco already is betrothed to Astoria Greengrass, but there are many witches of good family." She didn't say that she didn't like the policies of the house either, but it was accepted, unspoken.

Lord Black strongly disagreed with her assessment about Harry marrying twice. He kept his own counsel on said matter.

"You indeed have my blessing."

Lord Black asked for permission to raise his wand, and sent a stream of magic to the couple.

The glow let him know that this was a good choice, despite the fact that Ogden was nearly twice as old as Narcissa.

Tiberius kissed her hand and took his leave. The men exchanged shallow bows.

"Where will you live for now, Narcissa? You are welcome here. "

"I'll stay in my son's home for the time being. Lady Ogden is resigned to her husband's decision, and we have spoken briefly. She is not as hateful as she could have been."

"I want you to be happy my dear, you deserve that after Lucius. I know I gave my blessing for that mess, but I was blind and stupid. Please forgive me."

Narcissa held a gentle hand on his cheek. "You couldn't have known. And I did want the marriage. I had had a crush on Lucius for years. He never loved anyone but the great man in the mirror. The one that didn't really exist."

Acturus wanted to say something, anything.

"Please feel free to plan your nuptials any way you please. Anywhere you please."

Narcissa offered. "Draco will have an easier time in school next year, I think."

Acturus nodded. The adopted son of the Minister of Magic? Oh yes, for a Slytherin, Draco would be treated as royalty, not that anyone had dared abuse a child of House Black.

Acturus had watched a change in his family ever since they had decided that it wasn't the muggleborns that were the problem.

He smiled. The future looked bright for his small family, bright indeed.

-00-00-00-

It was such a boon to the Grangers that Hermione had made friends in more than one way. Normally, during the summer hols, Emma would work a reduced schedule, but it still left Hermione either with babysitters or on her own too much as she got older.

Now, with friends participating in a variety of activities, Hermione was leaving to go be in her friends' homes. Homes that had adults in attendance. Sometimes Emma would be invited as well. She spent more than one afternoon lounging by the pool at the Bones' home, book in hand, enjoying the pre-teen screams, splashes, and laughs.

Such noise filled her heart with joy.

The ladies even enjoyed tea in Hogsmeade, Amelia's treat.

And Ares and Persephone took all of the children to EuroDisney for a couple of days, with Emma and Dan coming along. All Harry's close friends except Neville and Daphne, since Hermione was going, as were the muggles.

Neville's gran wasn't the only ones upset by that excursion including them.

Lord Black had scowled at that. "You're turning my Heir into a muggle!" he shouted at Ares.

"No, just one who can appreciate some of the good things from the muggle world. And they are all servants, after all." Ares sniffed.

His grandfather had come a long way in a short time. But it was one thing to accept all magicals as people. It was quite another to accept non-magicals as people.

Lord Black waved his hand. Muggles were still a lesser life form in his mind. If Ares wanted to be served by the creatures, fine. Why did he have to corrupt Harry?

-00-00-00-

The school Herbology project went very well, and Hermione did hers with Susan and Hannah over at Susan's home.

It was too bad about Justin being left out, but that was his choice. He refused to apologize to Harry. And Harry just let it all go.

At least Alastor hadn't lost his job over all this. Harry eventually had mostly forgiven him. But he never let his guard down. Not around the master auror.

And certainly not around sneaky healers.

It was all too soon to be doing school shopping, and packing and getting ready to go.

Had anyone seen Trevor?

-00-00-00-

Harry laughed as Hermione came into the carriage carrying a basket with a tiny kitten inside. Her apology gift was just as unusual looking as Harry expected. But seeing the gold thread between them?

"You bound with a familiar? Wow! You are very young for that!" Harry said proudly, jumping up to give her a hug.

Hermione huffed at Harry - he had known!

"How can you tell? I mean, any first year can bring a pet?"

"Sure, and cats help keep down the mice, as do the owls, as well as providing help with the post load, not sure about toads. Neville, what do toads do again?" Harry asked, deflecting the real question.

"Don't ask me. Trevor is totally tone deaf, we couldn't join the frog choir, and he likes to sit in the greenhouse. Does eating bugs count?"

"Yep, insects can have a negative impact on plant growth. You want the right pollinators at the right time, but you don't want anyone munching on your valuable stalks. That's wasted gold!" Daphne said vehemently, trying to scoot closer to Harry. But he had stood to help Hermione with her things!

Whatever tension had developed between Daphne and Hermione was still there. Daphne still refused to be at the house when she was there, and only came over when Neville did. It was awkward, and Harry didn't know how to make things better.

At least Daphne was too cultured to snipe at Hermione to her face. And Hadrian refused to listen to bad things said about any friends in front of or behind their backs.

Harry tried to focus on the conversation.

Daphne wanted to go into Herbalogy professionally. Prove to her father that she was a worthy heiress.

Neville already was selling plants. He had three greenhouses of his own, not counting the new one at Potter Manor.

"Why don't we set up a greenhouse of our own at school? We could just donate it to the school after we graduate." Harry suggested.

"What about Astoria?" Daphne reminded him.

"Okay, we donate it to the school now with the provisor that our families can use it while at school. That would cover siblings, future children, everything!" Harry reasoned.

Daphne beamed at the future children comment.

"I like the idea, but aren't they very expensive?" Hermione asked, worried about how to pay for her share. She had a vault with gold, and with House Black paying for her school supplies, she hadn't had to worry about that. But she didn't want to spend it all too quickly either.

"Our elves will do what we did last summer. Buy a prefabricated building and they can have it up in a snap. Allow me to provide Hermione. It's money that was given me for birthdays and such from strangers. I don't feel comfortable keeping so much. This helps share it around with the school. It's an elegant solution, as Persephone would say."

Just then, Draco knocked and then entered the doors. They stood for him, which is why he came to visit. Harry just rolled his eyes, and offered his cousin a chocolate frog.

"I just wanted to let you know that Mother has left on her vacation, and won't be writing to us for the next several weeks. I know you will miss her treats when she is gone." Draco sneered, slurring some of his words.

"Cousin, whatever I did that has made you angry, I apologize." Harry said.

"When Lord Ogden found out I had a prototype 2001, he tried to take it away! He wanted to have it tested to make sure it was safe! When he found out that you bought the Slytherin team all new brooms, he suggested that I not try out. Said that it would look like my family bribed my way onto the team. Even though it's in memory of my father!"

"Okay, I understand why you are upset. I would be too if I thought that I was going to be able to do something, then had a stranger stop me. But you seem angry at me. Is anything my fault?"

"Of course it's your fault! Everything is your fault - the world revolves around you, you know."

Draco bit the head off a frog in a violent manner, and flopped on a couch. Daphne, who was still standing, took the opportunity to move closer to Harry.

She didn't like seeing her future brother-in-law like this at all.

Harry stood and walked over to his cousin. He smelled the air, and grinned. He winked at his friends who looked confused.

He went over to the dumbwaiter, and put in a note. A few minutes later, there was a ding, and he opened the rounded rotating door.

Inside was a bowl of clear broth, the requested potion, and a stomach soother.

Helpful directions were written down as well. They were tied to the potion with a long string.

"Draco, how much of your new father's whiskey did you bring to school?" Harry asked, bringing over the tray.

"None of your business, Potter!" Draco's face was flushed, his eyes were flashing.

"Just as I thought. You know, I sort of envy you. Grandfather and Ares gave me a talk before I started school again. It's not a good idea for magical beings of great power to drink alcohol, especially to excess. Dumbedore got drunk with his friend Grindelwald once. Ever hear of Krakatoa? Anyways, you are lucky. You can drink, if you wish. And with Tiberius Ogden as your new father, I'm sure that you have a nice array of what? Firewhiskey, firebrandy, blackberry currant rum..."

Harry was going to list more, but it worked, and Draco ran to the little loo in the back of the carriage. Terrible sounds came from there, until Harry waved his hands.

"He's drunk, wait, what? He's drunk?" Daphne fumed.

"Yep! I bet he's feeling sad about his mum going away with a near stranger. I've got stuff to help him here. I felt some of the same things when Ares got married, but he had to! I mean, they love each other right? You can't ignore that!" Oops.

Hermione came over and gave him a hug. "I'm sorry Harry. Ares and Persephone love you - they really do. You and Draco may not have traditional families, but they care for you and you love them. Family matters."

Harry sat down close to Hermione and the orange fur ball, and offered the string from the note for the kitten to bat about. Neither noticed Neville smiling at the friends.

Daphne, not so much.

Draco came back looking green. Harry handed over potions in the correct order, then sat Draco down, and gave him the broth. He looked better soon, curled up, and went to sleep.

"Shouldn't we tell someone?" Hermione asked, concerned.

Just then, there was a knock at the door. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson were checking on people. They had a quidditch playing daughter in Gryffindor, so of course, they were in charge of Slytherin.

Before Harry could stop her, Hermione took Mrs. Johnson aside and told her about Draco. She waved a wand over the boy, and went to talk to Harry.

"I will be giving 10 points to Slytherin for taking care of a classmate. Not the first young one to try and drown his sorrows. At least he isn't a muggle. He could have made himself very sick with all that. And 10 points to Gryffindor for informing his head of house. Too many students would try to deal with it on their own, and not ask for help."

She gave a mini-glare to Harry, who lifted his chin in a nervous tick.

"Draco is my cousin, and I did ask for adult help from my aunt. I also didn't want to get him into trouble. His mother just remarried."

"Yes, I read about that. Small family wedding, tasteful. Appropriate for a second marriage, and second wife. Sometimes your family is so proper it makes my teeth hurt. Don't you do anything wrong?" Mr. Johnson asked.

"Yes sir. I was greeting Mr. and Mrs. Granger, Hermione's parents, and the Weasley twins were behind me. Breakfast wasn't sitting well. I broke wind at a bad time. Loudly. Multiple times. They swear that they didn't prank me, but I was embarrassed."

Harry didn't mention that he pranked himself with just such timing to be funny to the twins. He didn't mean to get them in trouble with their mother! Boy, that woman had the best lungs anywhere.

Mr. Johnson tried to stifle a laugh, he did. But he choked, and snorted, and finally gave it up, and just laughed out loud.

"Honestly Howard!" Myrtle Johnson was unamused.

"But he asked!" Harry defended.

She just glared at him.

He rather thought that he had made a breakthrough there.

-00-00-00-

It was exciting to see the new schedules. He couldn't wait to compare with Hermione and see how many classes that they had together.

Morning mail included a lovely gift basket from The Menagerie as a thank you for his patronage. It included treats for both cats, cat toys, and some owl treats.

Draco got first pick of the cat toys, but he chose to defer to Hermione, and allow her first choice. Which Harry thought was very nice of his cousin.

Neither boy saw Daphne's mask drop when she found out that Hadrian had bought Hermione a pet from THAT store. The designer upscale pet store that only the elite could afford. Her friend Tracey did though, and furiously whispered in her ear, allowing the girl to regain her composure.

Focus quickly went back to schedules.

The only extra class that Harry was taking that his friends weren't was enchanting. Well, besides the ongoing extra charms with Flitwick, and Moody's class on control. Alastor had suggested that he get himself a real staff, but Hadrian declined.

"Mad-eye! Power control? You want me to bore a hole to Australia so that we can get there faster or what?"

Alastor had to think about it, and realized that the boy was right. He also made a suggestion to Harry about the enchanting class, and what to make.

The growing mage completely agreed.

-00-00-00-

Draco didn't make the team.

It appeared that being the son of the minister of magic was enough to get a try-out as a second-year, but it was not a guarantee of a spot.

Slytherin had held the cup for 8 years. They were not about to break the streak just so one child was happy.

With a change in tactics, everyone expected them to lose last year. But they didn't. And now half-bloods were on the team. And witches! It used to be all male. But the Slytherin credo had to be observed. Do whatever they had to do to win. The cup would not be lost due to lack of talent or skill or experience.

No.

Harry didn't try out. He could see magic. He always knew where the snitch was in a game. He could see which were the best brooms by the amount of magic flowing. He always knew where the bludgers were.

It just wouldn't be fair.

-00-00-00-

Enchanting, three years of it, was going to be offered at Hogwarts from now on. So, for this year, he had several beginning classes on offer. Normally starting with third year as a minimum age group.

Harry had petitioned to join the class early with Persephone's and Professor Flitwick's blessing.

The teacher, a very stern looking man originally from Italy, was tall and handsome. In his early 60's, he had been teaching for more than 30 years in a variety of countries.

"I long to see the world. I work in a place for a few years to immerse myself, and then I move on." He had explained to the board.

He was not impressed with a 12 year being put in his class, and Professor Mateo Ricci was not going to put up with it. He didn't care if it was the boy-who-lived. One needed power for this class.

"You there, pull out your wand. I want you to cast 'lumos perpetuus' at this. And we start a timer yes? See how long little boy magic lasts."

Harry pulled out his holly and phoenix feather wand. The man had held up a simple hinged box. The cover was open. A red circle was painted where the spell was to be point was to have a covered light.

It also tested accuracy in casting. Something critical for enchanting work.

Harry cast, aiming for just the inside. He tried to keep the power down. He wasn't trying to show off for the class.

The instructor started a magical timer in the air, and went onto the next student. Soon, everyone in the class had cast the spell, except for two fourth year girls who were having trouble getting enough power to stay lit for more than a second or two.

This was the first year the class was offered, and the plan was to have beginning, intermediate, and advanced, Harry's class was aimed at third and fourth years. He was the only second year student.

After ten minutes, everyone else's light box was dark. Harry's was still going. After a quarter hour, the instructor shrugged, gave Harry a decided guarded look, and went on with the lecture.

The man apologized to Harry at the end of class when the lad's light was still glowing. And gave his house some points. He asked the boy to stay after class.

The professor then went to his office and came back with some books. They were in Italian, which Harry spoke, and were the beginning, intermediate, and advanced books on the subject taught to ICW standards in Italy. They were the best books on the subject available. Never mind that the professor had written them.

"Please, I insulted you. Please accept these books as a sincere apology. I never, never teach someone as powered as you. Never."

"It was understandable. I am very young. I accept your apology and the books. Thank you Maestro Ricci. I look forward to learning from you. This is one of the fields that I am interested in pursuing as a career, after all." Harry bowed, and lovingly caressed the books.

"You and I, we are going to get along, yes?"

"Yes sir. Oh, would you like to see something my father made?" Harry pulled out his communication mirror, and explained its function.

"Clever, very clever. Your father told me about this. I wrote it down, gave him credit, but not enough people trying to enchant. Needs power. So many people, getting older, no longer wanting to spend time on their knees on the floor! You make another fortune for House Potter, if you make these, yes?" He meant yes, but it came out like chess. The man was clearly excited, and Harry just decided to speak to him in Italian.

It was the best class ever after that!

-00-00-00-

Harry and Hermione were walking to lunch, when one of the new professors stopped him. Harry kissed her hand, and said that he would see her soon. She walked on as the professor took Hadrian to a nearby office.

Professor Flame was shorter than average, with nearly ice-blue eyes.

"I would like my stone back please."

Harry replied "I don't understand. What are you talking about?"

"Hagrid didn't have it. Dumbledore swore to me that the stone that Hagrid gave him was false, and thought I had sent it. Why would I send Albus a false stone? He asked to borrow it, and I was content to do so. But now, I would like it back, and no one knows where it is. Albus of the past didn't know. His portrait seems to think that you have it. That you stole it from Hagrid. So, if you do have it, it isn't your stone young man. It belongs to me."

"I don't understand sir. I don't know what you are talking about!" Harry repeated, trying to remember that awful day when he was kidnapped. Many parts of that day were still a blur. Even after over a year.

His magic was trying to help him when he took the restoration potion. The memories restored were from his babyhood with his parents. He remembered very little of the actual incident.

"You are telling the truth."

"Ares says that if you tell the truth, you never have to try to remember the false stories that you have said. Also, while you may get into trouble, people learn to trust your word. Sir, I was kidnapped the day that Hagrid came and got me for my school things. I remember very little, as I was potioned with a forgetfulness draught. I was given a memory restorer but it restored memories of long ago. I do want to help you. I would never want to steal from anyone. That is what Dumbledore did to me."

Professor Flame held up a moonstone.

Harry held his head and screamed as a river of memories, good and bad, cascaded down.

"Dobby!"

"The Great Master Harry Potter Sir is calling for his, what are you doing to my wizard?" The suddenly crazed looking house-elf knocked the boy to the ground, then stood over Harry, on him in fact, stopping him from trying to get up.

"Dobby, I need your help. I need my moke-skin bag. It should be in my desk in my room at home. If it isn't there..."

But Dobby was gone. He popped back, nearly standing on Harry once again. This time, he had a soft leather-looking bag in one hand, and a wicked looking kitchen knife in the other.

"Oh, for goodness! Dobby! Get off me! Give me the bag, and go home! I'm telling Ares that you need a healer!" Harry felt trampled. Was trampled.

The elf popped away, moaning that Harry now hated him, and he was going to punish himself.

Getting up, and waving his hand silently and wandlessly removing dust from his robes, he apologized to the professor. "Sorry about that. Lucius Malfoy liked to practice his Crucio spell on his elves. Made them crazy. Crazier."

Professor Flame nodded, and reached towards the bag. He tried to open it, but it belonged to Harry, and he was the only one who could.

"I was going to hold this in ransom to get my tuition money back from Hagrid. I never meant to keep it, and I certainly never meant to steal it from an innocent party sir. Truly!"

Harry handed over the beautiful blood-red rock that pulsed with magic.

"If you had, the stone would be no more, and you would have piles of gems or gold. But the economy isn't ruined, and the stone is intact. Thank you, young man. You saved me much work."

"What do you mean about ruining the economy?" Harry asked.

"Did you ever study history? The sudden influx of gold to Spain when the first ships went to the Americas? Gold, well a lot more gold into an closed economy without it being supported by goods just raises the prices of everything. You should look into that. Of course, a small amount can be absorbed easily."

"I can't say I enjoy studying History sir. Sorry."

The man took a small pewter cauldron. With a wave of his wand, and touching the stone to it, it turned solid gold.

"You can't visibly see that the stone is smaller, but it is. This stone would produce a ton of gold or so. For you, my boy. A reward for keeping it safe for me." The professor gave him the suddenly gold, and much heavier cauldron.

"But I, I..."

"No, I accused you of being a thief, and that was simply unfair and untrue. You did nothing more than react to a bad situation. If Dumbledore had gotten his hands on the real stone, well, I thought I knew him. He would have tried to make elixir, which wouldn't have worked for him, or made large amounts of gold, which really would have gotten him into trouble.

"Wow! I'm going to give this to Professor Snape. I won't tell him how I got it. But he's always whining about not having a larger gold cauldron."

"Do you have your student cauldron with you?" Professor Flame asked.

In answer, Harry pulled out a set of three nesting ones, the smallest holding about a quart of liquid. Within moments, they were all gold.

"Now, will you keep those for yourself? Put them away in a trunk for when you are older, perhaps?"

"Yes, sir. And I won't say how I got them."

"That was to be my next request. Run along now, and thank you."

Harry needed to hurry. Perhaps Professor Snape had a few extras and would trade the large gold cauldron for a new student kit. His cauldrons were ruined, well, ruined for his normal class that is.

Then a recently revealed memory struck him. Dumbledore tried to take away his family!

He shuddered. He would need to see his mind healer today if she were available. He needed to call Padfoot, Persephone and Cassiopia. Grandfather. He needed them.

This whole thing brought back a terrible day to him, and he was going to have nightmares.

-00-00-00-

A/N - Yes Nicholas Flamel is under a disguise and a pseudonym. I'm guessing that when you live for hundreds of years, you probably pop back to teach at Hogwarts now and then. Someplace familiar, and in canon, it was the first place Harry felt at home.

And yes, Professor Snape isn't teaching Harry, but has protected him in the past. And Harry knows that his father and Padfoot didn't treat Severus nicely in school. So the gift also makes up for a bit of that as well.