Child of Hogwarts, Part II: The Marauder Legacy

by AimeretVivre

Sequel to COH, Part I. Follows Harry through Year Three at Hogwarts. See Part I for the premise... With Remus Lupin returned to Britain and Sirius Black on the move, Harry, Albus, Minerva and Severus continue to adjust to their changing realities and prepare for an uncertain future... while the ghosts of their pasts refuse to lie dormant. Mentorship; Training; Adventure.

16. As the Seventh Month Dies, Part Two

A/N: It's obscenely early in the morning, so I won't leave too much of a note this time… I need my run and my tea before I can think straight again.

Review responses at the end of the chapter again – thank you SO much to everyone who commented! I really do appreciate hearing from the readers.

Enjoy Chapter 16!

Warning: Some language and graphic scenes.

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DISCLAIMER: Any and all familiar characters and story lines are the property of the wonderful Joanne Rowling, in whose world I am honoured and privileged to have an opportunity to play for a while.

Chapter 16: As the Seventh Month Dies, Part Two

Remus was seated by the fire, flipping through a tattered copy of Defence and Diversion, when someone pounded hard against the door.

'Coming,' Remus called at once, pushing the book onto the side table and hurrying to greet the visitor.

'Severus,' he said, raising his eyebrows as the Potions master was revealed on the threshold. 'This is quite unusual. Won't you come in?'

Severus pushed past him into the quarters without a word, looking highly uncomfortable as his eyes took in the shabby furnishings.

'Would you care for a cup of –'

'This is not a social call,' the professor interrupted impatiently. 'I merely wanted to relay a… concern.'

Remus raised an eyebrow. 'What can I do for you, Severus?'

Severus looked indecisive and angry, crossing his arms in agitation. 'Potter,' he said shortly.

'What about him?'

'Has he been… what has he been like, in your lessons this week?'

'I suppose a touch down in the mouth,' Remus admitted, frowning. 'He is still feeling guilty for his rash action last Thursday, I think. He misses his friends, and I gather he hasn't heard from either in a week or so. And he's rather –'

'You misunderstand me,' Severus said, cutting him off and rolling his eyes. 'I could not care less whether the brat is emotional, except in so far as it affects his ability to progress, and the use of my own valuable time,' he spat. 'I wish to know – is he making strides in Defence? Has he managed to cast a Patronus? Has he shown any signs that he is teachable in the slightest? Because he has been next to impossible in my tutorials this week.'

Remus frowned. 'Is that quite fair?' he protested. 'Harry has done well thus far. And – as you so rightly pointed out yourself – casting a patronus is difficult and highly advanced magic.'

'You did not answer the question,' Severus needled.

'He has not managed it yet,' Remus said shortly. 'But he is doing quite well, and he has shown abilities with other spells we've covered this week. He will master the patronus charm in the end.'

Severus dropped his arms, clenching a fist in tension. He began to pace the room.

'Severus, what is this about?' Remus asked in exasperation. 'If you are concerned –'

'He will not manage the charm, Lupin, because he does not want to,' the Potions master snapped at last, whirling at the mantle to glare at Remus.

'What are you on about? Harry requested that course of study himself – it was the only thing he asked of me for our lessons this summer. I think he wants it more than anything; to stop the sort of reaction he had at the beginning of the month.'

'Perhaps he did desire it then,' Severus allowed, staring resolutely into the embers of the fire, 'But he does not wish to learn it now. Not since…'

He trailed off, studying the coals.

'Not since what, Severus?' asked Remus coolly, his own arms crossed.

Severus was quiet a moment. But when he turned his gaze back to Remus, his expression was quite neutral again. 'Are you aware of what the boy experiences when the Dementor's power affects him?'

Remus frowned again. 'Yes…' he said slowly. 'I've witnessed it several times now. You saw it yourself – the day he realised what the memories were. He can remember the day that Vol–'

'Must I remind you every time!'

'You Know Who,' Remus amended, not bothering to hide his annoyance. 'Harry can recall the attack You Know Who made upon Godric's Hollow. That is what he hears when the Dementors approach.'

'Yes,' Severus said, turning for the fire again with stiffened shoulders. 'I am aware. But these memories of… his mother's voice –'

'Lily,' Remus said, his voice heavy with grief. 'Her name was Lily, Severus. Surely you can afford her that respect. We were all students together, after all, whatever quarrels you had with us.'

'I know her name, you fool!' Severus spat, his eyes blazing as he shot a glare up from the fire. 'My point is, Potter cannot get past Lily Evans' –'

'Lily Potter,' Remus corrected.

There was a whoosh of sudden ash as Severus kicked at the fire in temper, embers flying into the sitting room and swirling around his robes. He looked like some sort of demon rising from a fiery hell.

'Are you mad?' Remus cried in shock, hurrying to ensure that nothing caught aflame. 'What the hell has got into you tonight, Severus?'

The Potions master did not reply, dousing a smoking hem of his robes with a lazy flick of his wand.

'Look, wolf,' he said at last, turning to face Remus with a murderous expression. 'I did not come here tonight to rehash fond memories of our shared education. Do you wish to help the Potter brat, or not?'

Remus backed away, studying Snape's face with wary eyes. 'Very well,' he said at last. 'But leave the fire be, won't you?'

Severus made a noise of disgust, resuming his pacing instead. 'This memory he hears,' he continued. 'Potter was in something of a temper earlier this week. He told me at the time that it is the only memory he has of his – of Lily's – voice. He had never heard it before the Dementors, and he is unwilling to let it pass.'

'You think,' Remus said, understanding now. 'You think he is reluctant to succeed in the spell, because doing so may mean he can never hear his parents again?'

'His mother,' Severus spat viciously. 'He said nothing of Potter. But… yes, that is the impression I got.' He stopped pacing, adjusting the turn-ups of his robes. 'In any case, I thought you ought to know. Even for you, it seems a foolish waste of time should the brat be fighting you at every turn.'

Without another word, he made for the door.

'Severus,' Remus called, hurrying after him. The man stopped, but did not turn. 'I – thank you,' Remus said. 'It means a lot, that you would come to tell me this. I'm grateful.'

The man's shoulders stiffened, but he gave no other acknowledgement that he had heard Remus.

He slammed the door firmly behind him.

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'Troubled mind, Minerva?' Albus said quietly, trying not to startle her as he came through the door and onto the Astronomy Tower.

It was well past midnight, the nearly-full moon the only light in the otherwise blackened grounds. Its brilliance shone off the surface of the lake, and sent dancing beams over Minerva's figure against the ramparts as her dressing gown rippled in the light breeze.

'Albus!' she cried, whirling with her hand at her chest. 'Goodness, you gave me a fright.'

'Beg pardon, my dear,' he apologised, stepping out of the shadows. 'It was my intention not to startle you so.'

'It's quite alright,' she said, collecting herself. 'Come and join, won't you?'

He obliged, making his way toward the rail and following her gaze out into the grounds. 'Difficulties sleeping?' he asked solicitously.

'A bit,' Minerva agreed. 'Mostly, I was waiting up for you. I came up here after a while to clear my mind, and rather lost track of the time.' She took in his travelling clothes with a frown.

'Are you only just returned?' she asked anxiously.

'Yes,' he admitted. 'It was rather a long day. Cornelius has decided to pull all but a few Ministry employees from their regular duties, to increase the manhunt for Black. He sent missives to those who had taken August holidays, asking them to return to work. I do not doubt he will have more than one Howler in the morning.'

'And that took you until now?' she pressed with a furrowed brow. 'I don't think he should be keeping you so long, Albus, you're not as young as you were. You look utterly done in even now.'

'I am fine, Minerva,' he assured her, kissing her temple. 'Though quite happy to be home, I must admit.'

'You did not answer my query,' she pointed out.

Albus sighed. 'I was making a few inquiries myself,' he told her. 'I went from the Ministry to Elphias' home in Kent, to contact some of the remaining Order members. I want ears out.'

'Has it really come to that?' Minerva asked in concern.

'I do not know,' he admitted quietly. 'I hope not. But we cannot afford to be complacent. And there are troublesome rumours in town.'

They were quiet for several long minutes.

'What news from Harry?' Albus asked. 'Is he excited for tomorrow?'

'I rather think so,' Minerva said, relaxing her whitened knuckles on the rail. 'I've told him we can take lunch in the village, perhaps see Aberforth. It won't be quite the to do we had last summer, unfortunately, as both Ms Granger and Ronald Weasley are abroad, but I think we can make a go of it all the same. And he'll see his friends in a week or so, of course, for the match in Edinburgh.'

'I spoke with Arthur tonight,' Albus confided. 'And his eldest son, William.'

'He detests that name,' Minerva informed him, her lips quirking. 'It's Bill, Albus.'

'Very well,' the headmaster conceded with a nod. 'You are fond of him; I take it?'

'Bill Weasley was an excellent student,' Minerva confirmed. 'A brilliant mind, but with a sense of fun and excitement… one which was not quite so destructive as seems ingrained in his younger brothers.'

Albus' eyes twinkled. 'You are too hard on them,' he teased her. 'Fred and George Weasley are highly amusing.'

'To you, perhaps,' she grumbled. 'As their Head of House… not nearly so often. I am fond of all the Weasley children, of course, but the twins give me more grey hairs each week than their elder brothers did in seven years. I shall need to invest in a darkening solution before they leave us, you mark my word. And woe betide the both of us if they get close enough to influence Harry. We shall never have another peaceful moment.'

Albus laughed loudly. 'Well, at any rate, I remember Bill Weasley as an accomplished wizarding student and a superb choice for Head Boy,' he said. 'And he has grown into a fine young man. He wishes to be useful to the Order… if things move in that direction once again.'

Minerva narrowed her eyes. 'Molly will not thank you for involving her children,' she warned him. But Albus shook his head.

'Involving Bill was not my choice,' he said. 'It was Arthur's – he had already spoken to him before I reached out. He merely brought him into our conversation. I am sure Molly will object, but that is a matter for her family to sort out.'

'How was Arthur?' Minerva asked. 'Will he be involved in the Ministry effort?'

'Yes. He is preparing to depart Egypt tomorrow for London. I do not think Molly or the children are very happy with the decision, but Arthur can hardly refuse Cornelius, and I do not think he is inclined to. Molly and the children will remain through Thursday.'

'And Bill?' Minerva pressed. 'Will he be returning with the rest?'

'Not at the moment,' Albus said, shaking his head. 'He offered, but I do not wish to uproot his life while things are so in flux. And it is useful to have contacts abroad at a time like this. Bill would be well placed to assist if we needed him there.'

'I suppose,' Minerva agreed with a sigh. 'But I dearly hope this bleak future you envision will not come to pass.'

'As do I,' said Albus heavily. 'But it is a fool's hope to dream that we will live in summer for a lifetime. Whether in two days, two years, or twenty; whether by the aid of Sirius Black or the folly of an innocent, there will come a time when darkness rises again. And we must all be ready for it.'

'Well, it is not this day,' Minerva said bracingly.

'No,' Albus agreed. 'It is not. And I pray every night that Harry might be grown and happy before that day arrives.'

'But you do not think it possible,' Minerva said, studying his face closely.

'I… hope it can be so,' he said instead. 'I will certainly do everything in my personal power to ensure it. The centaurs are slightly less optimistic.'

'You spoke with the centaurs?' Minerva asked in surprise. 'When?'

'I saw Magorian on Friday evening,' he admitted. 'I wished to inquire with Firenze directly, but he is in some measure of disgrace with the herd. They are not to interfere with human affairs, generally speaking.'

'He did not interfere,' Minerva pointed out in clipped tones. 'He spoke to Harry, yes, but he let Black escape. It was mere luck that Harry was not killed in the fight.'

'Perhaps,' said Dumbledore. 'Perhaps not. It is difficult to say what may have happened if Firenze had not appeared when he did. But, in any case, he has no permissions at the moment to leave their camp, and Magorian was unwilling to bend the restriction.'

'So what did he offer, then?'

'Not much,' Albus said. 'He would say only that we wizards are in a lull between two wars, and that Mars grows brighter every night. They believe, or so I gather, that the bloodshed is imminent. Though, of course, centaurs and wizards measure time in relatively different fashions.'

'Stargazing and conjecture,' Minerva scoffed. 'Hardly a definitive premonition, Albus.'

Albus smiled. 'You hear what you wish to hear, Minnie,' he said softly. 'And I cannot fault you for it.'

He kissed her gently again, watching the moon rise higher above them. These quiet moments were a welcome reprieve from the worry and tumult of the day; the troubled thoughts of his mind. He relished the silence of the night.

'We ought to go in,' he said at last. 'Tomorrow will be a long day, and we should be merry for Harry's sake.'

'Today,' Minerva corrected. 'It is well past midnight already. But… not just yet,' she protested. 'Let's stay… just a few more moments.'

He acquiesced, too eager himself for the respite.

'Do you remember the day he was born?' she asked quietly, running her hand down Albus' arm. 'You were there at the cottage, weren't you?'

'I was,' said Albus, nodding. 'I could never forget it. A more terror-filled experience I have never had occasion to witness, or a more miraculous one. I thought it likely James Potter might curse me into oblivion before the drama had ended.'

'Curse you?' Minerva asked in shock. 'James? Oh never,' she disagreed. 'It was always Lily with the temper in that pair. Something Harry has inherited, I dare say. I never in my life saw James unhinged, he was much more laid back. I would even say carefree, had he lived in a different time.'

Albus chuckled. 'Indeed,' he agreed. 'Lily was a spitfire. But James… even he had his moments, under the right stressor, as I learned all too well that night.'

'I wish I could have been there,' Minerva whispered, looking out over the darkened grounds.

'Would you have come to my rescue?' Albus teased, kissing the top of her head.

Minerva gave a coy smile. 'That depends, I suppose.'

'On what?'

'On whether you were in the right,' she said primly.

Albus chortled. 'Well, I could not truly say then, on this,' he admitted. 'I like to think my decision was the correct one, but I suppose – had things gone differently – it could have been just as horribly wrong.'

'But they did not,' Minerva guessed.

'No, they did not,' Albus agreed with a smile, wrapping her more firmly in his arms.

Minerva sighed. 'Still,' she said, sobering once again, 'I do wish I'd been around a bit more often, when Harry was small. I wish I had more memories of James and Lily with him – that I could share a bit of their lives with him; show him how happy they were together, how much he was loved. He deserves to know that.' She sighed more heavily. 'He deserves to still have them here,' she corrected.

Albus stiffened.

'What is it?' she asked worriedly, trying to turn in his hold to see his face.

'Nothing troubling,' he assured her. 'On the contrary… you have given me a most marvellous idea.'

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Remus had been at ease with his book again for a mere thirty minutes when another, softer knock echoed through the room. The distraction was almost welcome, for he had done nothing since Snape's very odd visit but contemplate the miseries that surrounded the situation, and think on a way to convince Harry he must sacrifice this most precious gift if he wanted to defend himself.

Setting the book aside, Remus hurried to welcome the caller. He frowned as he glanced at his watch.

'Headmaster,' he greeted in some surprise, opening the door more fully to let Dumbledore through. 'It's quite late, is everything alright?'

'Perfectly so, thank you,' Albus said with a smile, stepping over the threshold and taking a seat at Remus' inviting gesture. 'I do apologise for the hour – I was rather late in returning to the castle tonight. I hope I did not disturb your rest.'

'Not at all,' Remus assured him. 'I was only doing some reading. Would you care for tea, or perhaps a whisky?'

Albus hesitated. 'A nightcap, I think, would be welcome,' he said at last. 'Only best not mention it to Minerva, if you don't mind.'

Remus smirked. 'Our secret,' he promised, summoning the decanter and two glasses. He passed the headmaster a whisky and settled in the chair opposite with his own.

'So, to what do I owe the pleasure, Albus?'

The headmaster took a sip before answering. 'I was wondering if you might fulfil a request for me,' he said at last.

Remus furrowed his brow. 'To join the staff?' he asked. 'I am thinking it over, Albus, I promise you. And I know you must send the booklists out quite soon. I will give you an answer by the start of next week.'

'No, not that, although I do hope you will oblige,' said Albus with a smile. 'I was actually wondering if you might provide a few memories.'

Remus was surprised. 'Memories of what, exactly?'

'Of Lily and James,' Albus said quietly. 'And Harry, when he was with them. It was brought to my attention this evening that he has no independent recollections of his parents… a deficit I should have corrected much earlier, and hope to address now, with your help.'

'You spoke to Severus,' Remus said, breathing a sigh of relief. 'Good. It's been preying on my mind this half-hour. I was hoping to –'

'Severus?' Albus repeated, his eyebrows raised. 'No… no, I haven't seen Severus in several days, in fact. What has he to do with it?'

Remus recounted the visit he'd received earlier in the night, and the disconcerting news the Potions master had brought. When he finished, Albus was frowning.

'A disturbing and worrisome development,' he said at last, touching his fingers to his chin in thought. 'I had not realised Harry was aware of what memories, precisely, the Dementors were causing him to relive. I will address it, I promise you. But it only reaffirms my belief that we should give him these recollections – something brighter to remember them by, so he will not feel the need to cling to such tragic memories.'

'And I will help if I can, of course, headmaster,' Remus agreed quickly. 'But I wonder… if I am really the best person to assist.'

'Why ever not?' Albus asked in surprise. 'Who better than you – who were so close to Lily and James and around so often when Harry was small? You must have more memories even than myself.'

'I'm sure,' Remus said, a pained expression crossing his face. 'But… they are all so interwoven, Albus. Sirius is in many of them. I would not want to colour the gift with his presence, nor – I expect – would you want Harry to discover the extent of their connection in such a way.'

'Ah,' said Albus in understanding. 'Of course, I should have considered… but it is no matter. You must have some in which Black does not appear – and a few happy recollections are all I request. Something for Harry to cherish, apart from their last, horrific moments together.'

'Of – of course,' agreed Remus, already racking his brains in thought. 'I'm sure I can find several that might be acceptable. When were you hoping to give these to him?'

Albus' eyes twinkled. 'I'm afraid I am giving dreadfully short notice,' he admitted. 'If it is not too much to ask, I should be very grateful if you would come by after breakfast tomorrow. I can assist you to extract the memories, and we can present them together to Harry at luncheon.'

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'So, I hear some nutter's gone and closed down my pub for a celebration,' Aberforth grumbled in mock disgruntlement, tossing a tattered rag at Harry from behind the bar as he, Albus and entered through the door.

Harry laughed, catching it easily before the filthy cloth could touch his face. 'Thanks!' he said, grinning impishly as he held up the rag. 'I've been wanting one of these.'

'Sharp reflexes for a cheeky devil,' Aberforth grunted, coming around the counter to greet them properly and mussing the top of Harry's head.

'You should see him on a broomstick,' Minerva said, bumping her cheek against the barkeep's. 'He's a true talent, it's incredible.'

'It is terrifying,' Albus disagreed, grasping hands stiffly with his brother.

Harry turned to face the headmaster with his best hurt expression. 'You don't mean that,' he said quietly.

'I do,' Albus said seriously. He fixed Harry with a grave expression, though his twinkling eyes gave it away. 'I am never more fearful of sudden cardiac arrest than when I am watching you play at Quidditch.'

'Then we'd best ensure you're in the air more often,' Aberforth quipped, clapping Harry on the shoulder.

'Abe!' Minerva chastised. 'Don't joke about such things.'

'Eh, Minnie, Albus knows I'm only taking the mickey,' he assured her with a quelling smile. 'We'd all be lost without him, much as it pains me to admit. Remus!' he greeted, turning again as the doorbell tinkled once more. 'Good to see you, lad, good to see you.' He grasped Remus' hand tightly.

'And you, Aberforth,' Remus said, smiling as the broke off the handshake. 'Been keeping well, I hope? I keep meaning to stop in, but things have been quite busy this summer.'

'Well enough, well enough,' Aberforth said. 'And how about yourself? Looking a tad peaky there, I must say.'

'Oh, I'm fine,' Remus said lightly. But Harry thought he seemed a little nervous… and he was paler and slightly more hollow-cheeked than Harry remembered him looking on Thursday.

'You're not getting ill again?' Harry asked in a hushed voice, as Aberforth ushered the rest toward a booth.

'I'm fine, Harry,' Remus assured him gently. 'Don't worry.'

'So, the man of the day on the end,' Aberforth insisted, pulling a high stool out for Harry to climb up. 'Budge up there, Remus, and we'll squeeze in together.'

Everyone shuffled around to get comfortable. Harry felt a bit embarrassed… but happy, as he gazed around the crowded booth. It was almost like having a proper family meal. This was a different sort of birthday than his time with Ron and Hermione last year; but the table was full of laughter, good food and butterbeer, and Harry could not help but enjoy it immensely. They worked their way through several delicious dishes and an enormous cake with treacle, which Minerva wouldn't allow seconds on – even for Albus, who compromised in advance by plating up three times a normal serving for himself and for Harry.

After the food, there were presents. Aberforth, as it turned out, had more in mind than just a filthy dishrag. He gifted Harry with an enormous box with the Zonko's logo emblazoned across the gloss cover. He leaned hastily over to slam it shut as Harry made to peek inside.

'Not in front of 'em' he warned out of the corner of his mouth, winking at Harry as he nodded his head at Minerva and Albus. 'Or you'll never get away with any of it on them, will you, lad?'

Harry grinned conspiratorially and thanked the barman politely, grimacing as he mussed his hair again.

Remus gave him a handsome leather wand holster.

'It isn't new, I'm afraid,' he said apologetically, as Harry ran his fingers over the curious etchings in the leather. 'It belonged to my father. But it is warded with runic magic, which is supposed to make it impossible for anyone but the owner to retrieve the wand. I never took Ancient Runes, myself, but I'm sure the headmaster could explain the symbols more clearly.'

'It's wonderful. Thank you, Remus,' Harry said, as Dumbledore held out his hand to examine the runes. 'This – you didn't have to give me anything. It really means a lot.'

And he meant it. He knew that Remus wasn't a wealthy man – had far less, really, than Harry had himself. That he would have chosen to give Harry something from his own family history meant more than if he'd gone out and bought half of Honeydukes.

'Very interesting,' Albus said, still mulling over the symbols. 'You see here,' he asked, leaning over to point one out to Harry. 'This series works like an anti-summoning charm, so nobody would be able to summon your wand or disarm you while it remained in the holster. This one,' he turned the leather slightly, 'Is a protection rune – like a shield charm. It keeps what is inside from damage or harm. And this,' he adjusted his grip again to show Harry the etching on the very bottom, 'Is a rune of recognition – so that the object knows its owner and its owner's weapon. The craftsmanship is quite impressive,' he finished, twinkling at Remus over his spectacles.

'I didn't know runes could do that,' said Harry, taking the holster back from the headmaster and examining the etchings for himself. 'I always thought, well,' he blushed a bit, feeling stupid.

'That Ancient Runes was a study in old and outdated magic?' Albus guessed, turning his twinkling gaze at him.

'Well… yeah, sort of,' Harry admitted. 'I mean, it isn't a required class, is it? And I know Runes are powerful, but you can do a lot of those types of things with ordinary spellwork, can't you?'

Minerva scoffed. 'This is why I should have insisted we drop Divination from his proposed timetable!' she complained to the headmaster. 'He could be learning something next term, Albus, instead of listening to that useless old fraud prattle on.'

Albus chuckled, though Harry was not at all sure that McGonagall meant it for a joke.

'Not at all, Harry,' he said, turning back to him without comment on Minerva's exclamation. 'I've hinted before that we shall cover some study in Ancient Runes during our lessons together. Perhaps before the end of the summer… but, more likely, in the next year or two. Runes are a powerful form of enchantment, and they are – as you have no doubt deduced – heavily rooted in ancient magic. There are many different branches of runic magic, usually representative of the different wizarding cultures in which they developed. Many predate the use of wands, while others are etched by wand alone. It is a demarcation for magic performed with carved incantation rather than spoken, more so than it is a different branch of magic in subject matter. And it is true that runic magic has fallen largely out of practise, as society has modernised with the times. But runes are still used quite frequently in the most powerful forms of protective magic. Particularly in the construction of wards. I wonder if you can spot the advantage?'

'Albus!' Aberforth interjected, rolling his eyes. 'You cannot mean to quiz the boy on his birthday?'

'Let him try it, Aberforth,' Minerva chided, watching Harry keenly.

Harry frowned, trying to remember what he'd learned about warding… and what he knew about spellwork more generally.

An advantage that would come from not incanting a spell? Wandless magic gave an advantage because you don't need a wand… but Albus had said that some runes were used only with a wand… Nonverbal casting gave an advantage because you don't give away your spell… But a wizard could read another wizard's rune, so that didn't make sense. Except, with nonverbal spells, the real advantage was that there wouldn't be time for –

'Countercharming?' Harry guessed. 'With spells – normal spells, I mean – you can shield, or you can counter. But how can you counter runic magic, if the magic is sort of… constant?'

'Very good, Harry,' Remus praised. Aberforth rolled his eyes.

'That is correct,' Albus agreed. 'For one, unlike with spoken incantation, curses and wards cast by way of runic magic do not usually die with the caster's death or defeat. And, regardless of the caster's health, runic magic is much more difficult to counter than traditional spellwork. There are some spells which will allow you to overpower a rune, but most are variations of cloaking spells, and even they are difficult or impossible to use against a powerful runic defence.'

'Cloaking spell?' Harry repeated, confused by the term.

'An enchantment based in concealment,' Albus explained. 'In the present case, some charm which would confuse the rune into thinking you are someone else – someone who is not a threat or, perhaps, nobody at all. With runic magic, it is usually necessary to cloak one's magical signature entirely. Most wizards cannot accomplish it. The more advanced the runes are, the more difficult that becomes. If a counter spell is not possible, there are only two options – to destroy the rune, which breaks the magic, or to provide a counter-rune. The former can be easy or utterly impossible, depending on how the rune was created and the ability of the wizard seeking to destroy it to know, precisely, which rune it is that blocks him and where that rune is etched. The latter is a bit more straight-forward, but it is completely dependent on the individual rune to be countered. It becomes more difficult if there are multiple runes involved in the protection, as their magics intermingle. Older runes strengthen with time, so are harder to counter. Runes must usually be undone by the same method of inscription by which they were created. And, of course, sometimes one must invent a counter-rune, if there is no known balance in existence. The process can take a lifetime.'

'You want me to learn all that,' Harry asked, frightened by the very prospect of this daunting, completely mad field of magic.

Albus smiled. 'Not this afternoon,' he clarified. 'But eventually… yes, I think you should learn some degree of runic magic.'

Harry thought his brain was likely to explode from the influx of information. Remus looked apologetic. Even Minerva was staring at the headmaster in confusion, and Harry was pretty sure she could read Ancient Runes and probably knew all of what the headmaster had just theorised. Aberforth looked downright disgusted.

'I give him a box of pranks, you give him a leather bracelet, and Albus gives him a lecture,' Aberforth grumbled to Remus. 'I'm just saying, who's the winner here?'

Everyone laughed, even Dumbledore, and the gaiety revived a bit. Harry hooked the holster around his forearm, smiling at it even if he couldn't read the strange markings yet.

'Thank you all,' he said, looking around the table with great affection. 'I really – I really appreciate this. It's nice, to all be together today. And you were too generous; I don't deserve all this.'

'Of course you do, Harry,' said Minerva fondly. She reached past Albus to squeeze his hand.

'And there is just one more thing,' Albus added.

He swirled his wand through the air and an ornately carved box of polished mahogany appeared, floating gently down to land in front of Harry on the table. Harry fingered the brass fastenings, furrowing his brow as he looked at Albus and then at Minerva. They had given him a marble set of wizard chessmen, a fur-lined winter-weight cloak and several new sets of robes first thing this morning.

'You guys already gave me a gift,' he said, feeling awkward.

'We did,' Albus agreed with a nod. 'But this is from all of us – Minerva, Remus, Aberforth and myself. And Hagrid, as well.'

Harry felt nervous as he ran his fingers along the wood again.

'Open it, boy,' Aberforth encouraged impatiently.

Harry turned the little brass hook, pushing the lid of the box up carefully. The interior was lined with deep purple velvet. Cushioned against the plush lining were several rows of neat phials, all corked, sealed and swirling in different patterns of a silvery substance. Harry reached out a trembling hand, hovering it lightly over the nearest phial.

'Are these…'

'Memories,' Albus confirmed, as Harry continued to stare in awe at the shimmering silver phials. 'You recognise the substance, I'm sure, from your foray into the Pensieve last year.'

'Yes,' Harry agreed, still fascinated by the box. He looked up at Dumbledore. 'They… they're beautiful, but I don't understand,' he said quietly. 'Why have you given me memories? Whose are they? What are they?'

'They are love, Harry,' Albus said quietly.

Beside him, Minerva's eyes were tearful. She dabbed inconspicuously at them, while Harry continued to stare at the headmaster.

'These,' the headmaster gestured at the array of glass tubes, 'Are memories that we have of your parents, and of you – of the time you shared together. We thought it was time you had the chance to see them.'

Harry's eyes widened, as he stared hungrily down at the box again. He wanted to touch one of the precious phials; to be pulled in to it right here, right now. But he was afraid he might break it.

'This… I don't know what to say,' he admitted, looking around the table at all four of them. 'This is… this is the best birthday present anyone has ever given me; could ever give me. This is incredible. It's – it's everything.' He felt his own eyes filling, but he couldn't even bring himself to feel embarrassed. 'Thank you,' he whispered finally.

Dumbledore smiled softly, brushing the back of his knuckles briefly down Harry's cheek. 'They loved you more than life itself, Harry,' he said seriously. 'You were their world. As, now, you are mine.'

Before Harry could think about it, he had thrown himself at Dumbledore, nearly sending the stool crashing to the ground in his haste. The headmaster caught him easily. He held him tight as Harry wrapped his arms around his neck, surprising Harry with the strength in his grip.

'Thank you so much, Albus,' he whispered, his voice choked up with emotion and the headmaster's significant amount of flowing white hair. 'This means so much to me. I can't wait to see them.'

'Memories are a beautiful thing, Harry,' Albus said quietly in his ear. 'And I hope these will be of some comfort to you, and that you will cherish them. Just… do not let yourself become so caught up in the past, that you forget to live for your future.'

'I won't,' Harry promised, pushing back a little from the headmaster's arms so that Albus could see the sincerity in his face. 'I promise.'

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'Sirius, let us see,' came a voice at his ear.

Sirius jumped. Albus must have apparated straight to the cottage, and he had brought Poppy Pomfrey with him. Any sound of their arrival had been drowned out by his own heartbeat pounding in his ears.

'Blood,' he said stupidly, redoubling his grip on the towels. 'There's so much blood. I tried – I tried to tell her. Tried to make her go. Tried to wake her up. I tried –'

'I know,' said Albus softly. 'Come – it will be alright.' He put a hand gently on Sirius arm, pulling lightly.

Vaguely, Sirius felt Madam Pomfrey's hands over his own. Her jaw was set and grim, but her focus was all-business. Slowly, he removed his pressure to allow her in.

'Albus, fetch blood replenisher,' she said in a clipped voice. 'Spell in four phials from my bag.'

The headmaster summoned the potion at once, muttering a complicated charm as he directed the doses from their phials into Lily's prone form. Sirius backed away from the bed, watching the blood replenisher disappear into Lily's white skin in morbid fascination. The huge bulge of her stomach was bare now.

'James,' he croaked out finally, as Dumbledore finished with the administration and covered Lily's torso up again.

'He was just arrived as we set out,' Albus said. 'He was waiting for Lancelot, to apparate him in past the wards. They will be here any moment.'

As if on cue, Sirius heard footsteps pounding up the stairs. A moment later, the healer preceded James into the bedroom, rushing at once to join Poppy in the crisis management.

'Lily, oh Merlin!' James voice echoed from the door. He was white-faced and absolutely filthy, covered with muck and grime. He dove at once for his unresponsive wife, but Sirius tackled him, gripping him around the chest with both arms before he could reach her.

'Get off!' James growled, pushing at his hands. 'That's my wife!'

'Are you mad, mate?' Sirius hissed back, panting with the effort of keeping James restrained. 'You're covered in filth – you can't touch her in this state, when she's bleeding all over the place. You'll kill her with infection!'

James deflated at once, looking horrified at himself.

'I – what happened?' he said in a hopeless tone. 'What went wrong? It – it wasn't supposed to be like this.'

Nobody answered him, too intensely focused on Lily.

'Have the baby in the fucking cottage,' James spat at Albus, turning on him with eyes wide with terror and fury. 'I cannot believe I let you talk me into this.'

'It isn't safe for Lily or the baby in hospital,' Albus reminded him gently. 'You know that, James. I was only trying to –'

'It isn't safe for them here!' James bellowed back. 'Look at her! If I lose her over this…' he trailed off, swallowing deeply. Sirius had never seen him lose control this way before – it was normally Lily who shouted. 'I will never forgive you, Albus, I swear it.'

'Prongs,' Sirius said, trying to drag him back. 'Come on, mate, you have to let them work.'

James relented, allowing Sirius to pull him toward the edge of the room. Sirius gave him a once-over. He looked a right mess. The candles in the room were flickering again, but Sirius did his best to ignore them.

'Come here,' he said, turning James a bit so he could see him better. 'And take off your robes.'

James grimaced, but pulled the filthy work robes from over his head, dropping them carelessly into a corner. The shirt and trousers beneath were relatively clean, but Sirius cast several disinfecting charms on him anyway.

'Hands,' he said tightly.

James held them out without a word. Sirius conjured a flannel, wiping the worst of the grime away before spelling them clean as well. He cast a few last charms on James' face, vanishing the evidence of the day.

'Are you injured at all?' he asked, once James appeared a little more respectable.

'No,' James breathed quietly, his eyes still on the frantic bustle around the bed.

'You're sure?' Sirius pressed, not trusting his friend in this state.

James shook his head. 'Not that kind of day,' he said. 'We had to tramp through some pretty rough woods to get to the contact, but there wasn't any fighting.'

'Alright,' Sirius relented.

James was already moving back toward the bed. Sirius followed, some of the helpless anxiety returning now that he no longer had a task at hand.

'It's alright,' Albus assured them both as they re-joined the group. 'Lancelot has the bleeding under control, and we have given Lily blood replenisher already. Poppy is about to start dilating her, to make it easier for the baby to come. Lily will be alright, James.'

'Will she wake up?' James said, moving closer to run his fingers through her long red hair. 'Doesn't she have to push him out?'

Albus shook his head. 'Poppy can do it for her magically,' he said softly. 'We do not want to put her through the strain of natural childbirth right now. She will wake when her body is ready.'

James hesitated, biting his lip. 'Maybe we should wait,' he suggested. 'Until Lily's ready, I mean. Maybe tomorrow, or –'

'James,' Albus said gently, placing a hand on his shoulder. 'We cannot wait, my dear boy. The baby is in danger the longer we delay. He is ready to come today.'

'All set to get started?' Madam Pomfrey asked James, as she wiped her hands on a cloth.

'I don't –' James hesitated, looking lost as he stared at the matron's towel. Whatever crisis might had passed – the white fabric had quickly gone scarlet.

'Prongs,' said Sirius, smiling at him from the other side of Lily. 'It's all good, mate. You're about to be a father.'

'A father,' James repeated, coming to a bit.

'That's right,' Sirius encouraged. 'So let's get a move on, yeah? I want to hold my godson.'

'Right,' James said, running his hand over Lily's hair again. 'Right. Yeah. Let's do it. Okay.'

He nodded at Madam Pomfrey, who gave him a reassuring smile.

'Very good,' she said. 'Let's get going then.'

They started making magical adjustments to the bed. Sirius hurried out of the way – and the line of sight – moving around to stand behind James. James, for his part, was clutching one of Lily's motionless hands like a lifeline, darting terrified glances between her face and Albus'. He seemed too nervous to look down to where Madam Pomfrey and Lancelot Prewett were busy.

'What if she never wakes up?' James hissed to Sirius, as the latter joined him by Lily's head. 'What if she's not okay? I can't do this by myself, Padfoot. I don't know shite about babies.'

'You don't know shite about shite,' Sirius quipped, trying to inject a bit of the old humour into his voice, though he had never been in a situation less amusing in his life.

'Relax,' he said, squeezing James' shoulder. 'It's all going to be fine.'

'And… baby's out,' Poppy said from below. Both James and Sirius half-rose from their crouch, but the matron was still bent low over the baby's form, and they could see nothing but a tuft of jet-black hair. 'Lance – if you could,' Poppy added, her voice a bit more strained.

'Coming,' the healer – who had been adjusting a monitor over Lily's head – said at once.

He hurried over to join Poppy, who moved aside a bit so he could get in. In the fleeting instant there was a clear line of sight, Sirius saw the baby was a funny shade of blue. He turned quickly to block James' view, shooting a glance at Dumbledore. The headmaster looked equally anxious as he too made to join the healers.

'Why isn't he crying?' James demanded, panic rising again in his voice as he tried to skirt Sirius' body. 'Aren't they supposed to –'

But he was interrupted, as a tiny, insistent wail filled the room.

Sirius breathed a heavy sigh of relief, as James too relaxed beside him.

'He's alright,' James said, tears of relief welling in his eyes. 'He's alright.'

'He's perfect,' Poppy announced, glowing with pride herself as she straightened up with a tiny, swaddled bundle. 'Sometimes they just need a little encouragement coming into the world.'

'Stubborn, like his father,' another voice whispered behind them.

Sirius and James whipped round at once. Lily was awake, looking tired but perfectly content, her eyes dancing with joy as she drank in James' face.

'I didn't think you make it in time,' she griped playfully.

'Oh, my darling,' James said, half-laughing, half-crying as he hurried to kiss her. 'You scared the life out of me, you know that?'

'Well, it was my turn,' she said with a smirk. She half raised her arms. 'Can I see him?'

Madam Pomfrey approached at once, the baby still fussing in her arms. 'You did beautifully, dear,' she said tearfully, bending over to place the child on Lily's chest. 'Steady him, James,' she added. 'Lily's not quite strong enough yet.'

Obediently, James sat himself on the edge of the bed, placing one hand below the little bundle as Lily took him in her arms. The hand was nearly as long as the baby's entire body. Albus led the healers quietly from the room to give the others some space, leaving the door cracked just a smidge.

'He's beautiful,' Lily breathed through tears, staring in awe at the baby's face.

'You're beautiful,' James said huskily, leaning in to kiss her again.

'I'm beautiful,' Sirius put in. 'Not that anyone's noticed lately.'

'Padfoot,' James growled, not taking his eyes from his new little family. 'You're sort of ruining a tender moment here.'

Lily laughed. 'It's alright,' she said. 'Come and meet him, Sirius.'

Sirius sidled slowly closer, looking down at the baby in her arms in some trepidation. He almost resented this tiny wizard, who had so nearly taken Lily from them. Although the scene in the bedroom had faded into contented calm, Sirius couldn't help but remember the last few hours as he stared down at the child.

Lily collapsing into him in the front hall; lights flashing like some demonic omen; glass bursting into shards; and the blood… so much blood everywhere. Sirius' hands turning red as he fought to keep Lily from dying, so sure he would fail before help arrived.

Then the baby gave a tiny yawn, and opened its eyes to stare at him. And Sirius could not imagine a world in which this child wasn't everything.

'Your eyes, Lils,' he said, giving her an impish smile. 'Got to admit, they're even better in a boy. He's gonna kill it with the ladies when he puts on a few inches. Pity it looks like he'll have Prongs' face.'

James growled and punched at him. Sirius dodged.

'Not by the baby, you idiots!' Lily hissed, pulling the bundle closer protectively. She gave a little gasp at the effort, and James and Sirius broke off the mock row immediately, hovering.

'Sorry, sorry!' Sirius said at once, while James steadied the child again.

Sirius brushed at the top of the baby's mop of black hair in apology. The gesture was much more natural than he could have imagined.

'Not even ten minutes old, and I'm already making you trouble,' he said with a smile. The baby hadn't cried at the ruckus, but continued to stare up at him with green-eyed curiosity. It would have been slightly unnerving from anyone older.

'What's his name, then?' Sirius asked, looking up from the child to his parents. 'It feels a bit weird to call him "him" or "it," doesn't it?'

'He's not an "it," you clot!' James chastised playfully. But Lily was looking at him very seriously.

'You saved him, Sirius,' she said softly. 'You were brilliant. Without your help today, he would have died. I would have died. You know that, don't you?'

Sirius felt a bit hot in the face. 'Lils – it's no big deal,' he said uncomfortably. 'I mean,' he corrected as she started to protest, 'I love you. All of you. I'll always be there, if you need me.'

'Thank you,' she said, with a small smile. 'We love you too.'

'Yes, yes, everyone loves you, and you're beautiful,' said James, with an impatient wave of the hand in Sirius' direction. 'Give him here, love, it's my turn.'

Lily obediently passed over the baby, watching tenderly as James rocked him softly, cooing nonsense with his head bent low. Then she turned back to Sirius again.

'You saved him,' she repeated. 'So, I think it would only be fair to let you name him.'

'Really?' asked Sirius, completely thrown.

'What?' James snarled. He stopped his cooing at once and stared from Sirius to his wife in horror. 'No way – not a chance.'

'James,' Lily chastised, her eyes flashing dangerously.

'Lils,' James said, coming back over to the bed with a pleading expression. 'It's alright, love. You've obviously had too much potion –'

'Don't you dare,' Lily warned.

'Hey – no takebacks!' Sirius joked.

'Shut it, Padfoot,' James retorted. 'Lily,' he smoothed her hair back with a placating look. 'We let Sirius pick one of the Marauder nicknames, did you know that? We each got to choose one. Do you know which one he supplied?'

'Wormtail,' put in a new voice from the doorway.

All four of them, even the baby, reacted at once. Sirius spun to see Moony, a grin breaking across his face at the sight. Lily gasped again as she too attempted automatically to face the visitor, and immediately fell backward in pain. James had jumped so badly he sent the baby into a wobbly, and was now torn between trying to greet the new arrival, hushing the outraged child, and attempting to tend to his wife.

'Sorry, Lily,' Remus said in sympathy, hurrying over to the bed. 'Albus let me in. And Peter. He's downstairs, he thought there might still be blood up here. I didn't mean to startle – oh wow, is this him?' he asked unnecessarily, leaning over James to see the baby.

The child stopped fussing as the new face came into view, fixing his gaze on Remus.

'He has your eyes, Lils,' Remus said, his own twinkling. 'Shame it's James' face though.'

'Why does everyone keep saying that?' James grumbled in mock indignation.

'Can we get back to me?' Sirius moaned.

'I said no, Padfoot.'

Remus looked between them in amusement. 'So, apart from what I've heard was a harrowing birth experience, what did I miss?'

'I'm about to announce the baby's name,' Sirius informed him.

'It's not happening,' James snapped. 'You're rubbish with names; we've just recounted that.'

'Give us a chance,' Sirius protested. 'I was fifteen last time.'

'I said –'

'I said, he gets to do it,' Lily said decisively from the bed. 'And as I'm the one who got to go through labour, I get veto rights here.'

James ground his teeth, but wisely did not retort.

'Fine,' he relented. 'So are we naming him after you then?' he asked in resignation.

'No…' Sirius said, thinking it over carefully. 'I don't like my name much, too many puns at play.'

'What about a family name?' Lily suggested. 'You must have one that you like.'

Sirius shook his head. 'Never got on well with my family,' he reminded her. 'It was always James' parents who looked out for me…'

'We aren't naming him Fleamont,' James said firmly. 'I loved my father, but that's a horrid thing to do to a child.'

'No,' Sirius agreed. 'But what about Harry? I always liked Grandad Harry. And it's a nice, short name. Goes with James, if you're going to keep with tradition.'

'Not Henry?' Lily asked, frowning.

'No,' Sirius said decisively. 'Grandad Harry hated to be called Henry. He always thought it was too stuffy. He was Harry. Just Harry.'

'I… like it,' James said, almost distrustfully. 'It's simple. Strong.'

'Which is good,' Remus opined, 'Because this kid's life will be complicated enough.'

'Harry James Potter,' Lily said, smiling softly as she reclaimed the baby from her husband.

'Welcome to the world.'

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Review Responses, Chapter 15:

BlueWater5: Thank you for your review! Glad you enjoyed that bit. I thought it might make for an interesting change of pace from another traditional Snape rant. I think we could have easily gone with the Snape-chews-Harry-out-again route… but it's so much more interesting to watch the tension grow, and I think it almost fits better with Harry's character arc here.

AECM: Thank you for reviewing! I'm glad you liked the Snape-Harry interaction; although you are correct, I don't know that Harry really understood the subtext… which was perhaps Snape's intention – he's not particularly good at apologising… but it needed to be said. He definitely doesn't understand Snape's own guilt over the Potters' deaths (he reads it entirely as discomfort with Harry's emotional outburst). The darker side to Harry's childhood is definitely a subtext that weaves throughout these scenes – it's something I'm trying to integrate into this book in general, because it is so much a story of Harry's transition out of childhood, and away from innocence; and we can't really get there without addressing that – in many ways – he was stripped of some of that innocence far too early. Although we have seen snippets of adults confronting Harry about what went on with the Dursleys, he has yet to confide in anyone about the cupboard, or details of his neglect. I haven't forgotten that's a conversation we'll need to have in greater detail – and neither has Minerva.

And I agree – Minerva is a brilliant character that has sides well worth exploring in greater detail. As is Sirius… who is really a lot of fun to write, particularly before the imprisonment that completely reshaped his being. Thanks again for your review – and I hope you continue to enjoy the story!

Anyeshabaner (Chapters 14 & 15): Thank you for the review! I think you are correct, in part (see my longer, more detailed explanation of my views on Albus-Gellert in the comments at the end of Chapter 15). Gellert and Albus certainly have some sort of history; and I think Gellert represents a sort of inner-demon for Albus… his darker side incarnate, perhaps, in part. I think there's also an element of knowing when one's chastisement would be pointless… Albus scolds Gellert at times, or expresses disagreement, but there is really only so far to push a row when one of the participants is imprisoned, with no prospect of ever leaving his cell. Albus, I think, considers Gellert quite moulded in his own beliefs; and though he is certainly unnerving, he is not really a threat – at least, not a physical one. I think Albus intends to use Gellert for his insights, which can be helpful at times, and to bounce his own ideas off someone with just as sharp a mind (bent just as sharply in an opposite direction). It's a bit like debating with the angel on one shoulder and the devil on your other.

As to Sirius… yes, I think he is a combination of the two – or, rather, he represents that guilt and innocence are not so clearly defined. Just as so many of the other characters do, in their turn.

Leonore: Thank you for your great review! I'm glad you are enjoying it so much. Yes, Lily gets through it (spoiler! Haha). But… I just couldn't resist the drama of an exciting birth (it is Harry Potter's birth, after all) – and I wanted to put Sirius in the thick of it. I'm glad you liked the way the first half played out, and I hope you approved of the conclusion. The first flashback (the 'lighter' one, as you called it) was something I wrote a while ago, and was waiting for the right moment to integrate. It's something I am so excited for in my own pregnancy… the moment when you can feel the baby actually growing inside you. No matter how many people I've talked to who have had babies before, that seems to be everyone's favourite 'pregnancy moment.' And my closest friend is a male, so perhaps I shall put him through something similar – he was my inspiration for how awkwardly I thought Sirius might react to the proposal. : )

I addressed the Snape and Minerva interactions a bit above, so I'll skip it here… but I'm very happy you liked those scenes as well. Please keep reading and reviewing!

Lumos 34: Thank you for your review! Yes, there will definitely be more Minerva-Harry scenes in future. I spoke a bit about this in one of the other responses, but I just love writing their interactions and watching her protective side. I hope you'll have enjoyed this chapter as well!

LordTicky: Thank you for the review and continued support! I'm glad you like the flashback scenes… they're definitely among my favourite to share.

Sopnew: Thank you for reading and reviewing! I'm very glad you are pleased with the story, and thank you for the advice! I'll try and follow – though I must admit, as exhausted as I've been in the day, I also find it so hard to stay asleep at night! It's a paradigm I very much hope eases up a bit as we get further along. : )

Me (Guest reviewer): Thank you for your review! I'm thrilled that you're so excited about the story, and it's wonderful to hear from readers who are loving it! : ) You'll have your answer by now to the query from end of last chapter… but I hope you liked the conclusion to the flashback sequence. Thank you for your support and definitely keep reading and reviewing!

Shadowhunter: Thank you again for reviewing – and congratulations on your new computer! Nothing more exciting than that moment when you open a fresh, unblemished laptop for the first time… and think of all the new files and customisations you'll be filling it with!

I agree on Snape – he's a super complicated character, and a lot of that is wrapped up in his guilt and self-loathing that permeate all his relationships. It's Albus's ability to cut through a lot of this which I think makes him such a lifeline for Severus; and consequently Albus's disappointment, here, is a lot of the catalyst behind Snape's less-than-stellar 'bender.' His feelings for Harry are so wrapped up and confused between Harry himself, Lily, James, and his own hand in Harry's orphaning that I think even Severus can't quite work out what they are.

Poor Sirius… he has so many problems, and Wormtail is really just the manifestation of one of them. We're seeing more and more into his past, but we haven't even scratched the surface, really, of what this means for his future. I definitely agree that his long incarceration has made him unstable and in some ways 'frozen' at 21… which is one of the reasons it is so hard for canon Sirius to let go of the past and carve a place for himself in Harry's future. Remus too has shouldered far too many burdens and far too much prejudice… but at least he has been free to work through some of it.

I'm glad you liked the Minerva bit, and thanks for the vote of confidence! : ) Though, I must admit, being only 27 myself and only an expectant mother, I'm not sure I know all that much about raising children either… but these are the sort of things my mum always instilled in me, and I hope I will be able to make clear to my own children, one day.

Anyway, thank you for reviewing, and hope you enjoy the continuation!