Chapter Twenty Four
Harry stood in his graduation robes holding his son,with Nadya standing on one side and Hermione and Ron on his other, waiting for Dennis Creevey to take his hundredth picture. The Dailey Prophet was held in front of them; with it's headlines broadcasting- BOY WHO LIVED KILLS VOLDEMORT!
Snape stood by, bowing politely, as people congratulated him on his award, Order of Merlin First Class. He had received it from the new Minister of Magic, Henrietta Poppin during Hogwarts graduation ceremonies. He constantly perused the crowds of people who wanted Harry's handshake or a picture, his face a mixture of disdain and concern.
Snape had been the one to help Harry from the wagon several nights after Nadya had given birth and had held him on his feet and steady as Harry proclaimed to the camp, holding his son high in the air; "This is my son, Yanel James Potter. Greet him!"
He stood now waiting patiently. Harry would not let him move away and he was not inclined to be far from the boy.
Remus Lupin stood next to Jolie. He, too, had been awarded the Order of Merlin Third class, as had Hermione and Ron. Jolie had refused, as had Harry, reporting the Romani did not care about such things.
Remus couldn't help but smile as he watched Harry, now leaning on a cane and staring down at his wife and holding his new-born son. He, also, had not been far from his side.
"Mr. Potter, oh, Mr. Potter!" A fairly large woman dressed quite strangely in red, white and blue Quidditch robes was shoving her way through the crowd of people surrounding Harry.
Snape leapt forward to stand in front of them.
"It's all right Severus," Harry said and laid a comforting hand on his arm. "I know her."
Portia Matisse, the scout for the Britain's Quidditch team- Puddlemere United- pushed her way congenially through the crowd, followed by a sheepish Oliver Wood. "Mr. Potter, I have been looking for you for ages! And here I've managed to find you; a hero. You know our Mr. Wood don't you."
"Hello, Oliver," Harry shook his hand grinning broadly. "Good to see you."
"Hello, Harry," Wood grinned back. "Is this your son?"
Harry grinned and showed Yanel to Wood.
Matisse interrupted. "Well no better time than the present, Mr. Potter. We are offering you a position on the team, as it's new Seeker. Training starts in a month." She caught sight of the cane. "Don't mind that Mr. Potter," she said, nodding to the cane, "we won't be haven' you chase the Snitch on your legs now will we. So what do you say?"
Harry stood gaping at her. Hermione grinned and Ron was jumping.
"Harry, how cool," Ron shouted, "Seeker!"
Remus watched as Harry glanced over to Snape and raised an eyebrow. Snape barely nodded, as if giving his consent, and Harry broke into a broad grin. He bent to whisper to Nadya and she smiled at him, also nodding.
"Miss Matisse, I'm scheduled to go into training at the Department of Magic at the same time. I don't know if I can do it," Harry said.
"Oh, but you can," she replied jovially. "Arrangements have been made. We'll work it all out. Minister Poppin seems to think you may get through your Auror training rather quickly." She smiled back. "Got a head start and all that, she says. Well, what do you think?"
"Harry, you've got to come," Wood urged. "I've talked you up and everyone on the team wants you."
Harry was grinning so hard he couldn't speak at first, "Yes. All right. We'll give it a try."
Later in the afternoon, as people wandered off to join in the party the Romani were putting on in the woods, Remus walked with Harry.
They stood by the lake, its blue melting with that of the sky. It was a warm day and they had both slipped off their robes and rolled up their sleeves. It was the first time they had been alone together in two weeks. Remus watched Harry carefully. He wasn't completely healed physically and Lupin worried he wasn't healed emotionally at all.
"Are you going to stay on and teach, Remus?" Harry asked.
"I don't know, Harry," Remus watched the tentacle of the squid lazily wave to them from the middle of the lake. "I think I'll take the summer to think it over."
Harry nodded. "You know Severus says Malfoy has gathered forces together and is trying to rebuild Voldemort's empire. There were so many Death Eaters who weren't caught. He seems to think we're not out of danger."
"He may be right, Harry," Remus said. "But I think you can let the Order take over for awhile. You've done your part."
Harry stared at the lake and nodded. They moved on.
"Are you going to take the offer to play Quidditch?" Remus ventured.
Harry smiled and nodded. "I think I'll be busy. I have my training and Quidditch and most important there's Nadya and Daniel."
"Daniel?" Remus asked.
"Well, Yanel is a Romani name and it's easier for people to call him Daniel. He has a secret name given to him by Nadya's people; one I can't pronounce," Harry said, smiling. "I'll be busy."
"I understand your aunt survived," Remus said and regretted it when a ugly look crossed Harry's face.
He nodded. "Hermione offered to kill her for me." He stared at Lupin. "Can you imagine?" He shook his head. "We've changed. Anyway, I sent her back to Uncle Vernon. I can't hurt him anymore than doing that. She'll never be the same you know." Harry walked on.
"Harry, I don't keep meaning to bring up unpleasant memories but there's something I want to talk to you about," Remus walked beside him. "I want to tell you about your father."
Harry stopped and faced Lupin. "It's all right, Remus, Severus told me." His face registered pain once again. "I don't know how I feel about what he did. Maybe I'll never know how I feel about it and maybe I'll never forgive him, but I think all the secrets are out now. Even all of Albus' secrets and I feel better because of it. It's pretty terrible to always be waiting wondering what you're going to find out; what someone has kept from you." He sighed.
"I'm happy for you, Harry," Remus smiled. "I'm happy you and Severus have become friends. I've grown to respect him a lot." He was thinking of the night they went to Knockturn Alley and the sacrifice Snape had made.
"He's an old grouch," Harry said. "Everyone is still scared to death of him and probably for good reason, but he is a friend I trust." Harry turned once again. "As I trust you, Remus. That's why I wish you'd reconsider and stay at Hogwarts. There will come a time when I must return. It's inevitable."
"Is it?" Lupin asked.
Harry nodded seriously. "Severus didn't lie when he said I am tied to the school. I both love it and hate it, if you know what I mean." The green eyes peered into his own. "Well maybe you don't. But I will have to return. In the meantime, Severus guards the Guardians. Severus will watch over Neville; and Draco, since he can't go home. And Neville is quite comfortable as an apprentice under Madam Sprout. He'll eventually end up being a teacher I think."
Lupin began to walk around the edge of the lake and Harry hobbled after, "I'm sorry Harry."
"Sorry? For what?" They continued towards the woods.
Lupin shook his head. He couldn't put into words what he felt about James, Lily, Sirius Dumbledore or even Snape. He couldn't take away the pain Harry had suffered or the childhood he had lost.
They stopped short when a voice spoke to them from thin air. It was only when the elf moved that Lupin saw it. "Greetings brethren," Verillieon said.
Harry dropped to one knee with some difficulty, "May you always find peace in the wood land, an arrow for your enemy and a friend in me."
Verillieon bowed his head in return, reached and pulled Harry up, "Thee is a friend to us and will not bow to us again."
"Verillieon, this is Remus Lupin," Harry introduced Lupin who had never met an elf. He stood respectfully, his head bent until spoken to.
"If Harry calls thee a friend, then thee is welcome in the wood and no harm will come from our arrow," Verillieon said. "But thee is a werewolf and must stay away from other wood elves. They would most surely kill thee immediately."
Remus nodded and looked up. He studied the glorious creature and watched Harry's face relax. Lupin knew the two had spent time together in the prison caves.
"I have brought thee a gift for thy youngling," Verillieon said and handed Harry a package wrapped in soft deerskin. "Know that I will watch over thee and thy family." A frown flitted across the elf's brow.
"What worries you Verillieon," Harry asked.
"Thy youngling is very special, Harry," the elf said. "He is born as we are. Your kind call them Senseve. Perhaps it is because thee has special gifts given to thee by Dumbledore, but he will grow up with these gifts, too and they will be more than the sum of ours"
Harry's face paled and he stared at the elf and then looked at Lupin. "Yanel is Senseve?"
Verillieon nodded. "He will need to be trained. Thy female knows this already."
"Nadya?" Harry asked quietly. "Nadya knows Yanel is Senseve?"
The elf again nodded. "I will leave thee to enjoy the wood, friend." He stepped away and Lupin blinked and saw him disappear into the new leaves of the forest trees.
Harry stood silently holding the package already forgotten in his hand.
Remus waited until they had turned and began walking back towards the Romani encampment where music came drifting to them from across the lake. The entire student body and their families were partying.
"Talk to me, Harry," Remus stopped him by gently laying a hand on his arm.
Harry just shook his head. "I'm tired Remus. We can talk later. I want to see Nadya."
"It's not a terrible thing, Harry," Remus said. "If Daniel truly is Senseve, he will have wonderful gifts."
"You don't understand, Remus," Harry said angrily. "I want him to be a normal boy. I want him to grow up and enjoy his life, feel loved and not be pointed at and whispered about. I don't want him to be special, for any reason!"
Harry threw his arms around Lupin's neck as if he were a young child. Lupin held him as he heard the sobs breaking out. "It's all right Harry, it's all right." Remus held him until the storm passed and Harry dropped his arms slowly.
"I'm sorry," he mumbled.
Remus put his hand behind Harry's head and tugged gently. He stared into the green eyes, the face flushed red, "Thank god you can cry, Harry! I thought for awhile there that maybe your heart had turned to stone. It wouldn't have surprised me, but it would have broke my heart." Remus smiled. "You need time to heal, time to think about it all. When you're ready you will handle it. For now don't be embarrassed because your feelings overwhelm you."
Harry nodded. Together they walked towards the end of the lake where people danced and were having fun.
His trunk was packed and he had Dobby take it to the wagons. He was dressed in his Romani clothes and was preparing to leave. Harry had several things he had to do; one was pleasant, the other not.
He had said goodbye to Ron and Hermione at the train. He would be meeting them in two weeks to help celebrate their wedding, something he felt excited about.
Almost everyone else had deserted the castle except for Neville who had packed his own belongings and had moved to another wing . Harry also had not said goodbye to Severus and was on his way to the dungeon . The halls were silent and cool, the summer heat unable to penetrate. Harry walked along slowly using the cane. He'd gotten over being angry at needing it.
As long as I have my Firebolt, it doesn't matter if I limp, he thought. He refused to think about the reason for his limp; could not let his mind stray towards it.
The door to Snape's office was open. The man was packing a box, dressed in his own black clothing.
"Hello," Harry said. "Mind if I come in." Snape glanced up and waved him in. He was studying the titles of several books in his hand. Harry walked the length of the room, past the student desks and the cauldrons piled at the sink. He smiled to himself, remembering his very first day sitting at the desk, the one in front.
"Hello, Mr. Potter," Snape mumbled. "On your way out?"
Harry nodded, "I am, Severus." Snape didn't look up at his use of his first name. Harry once again smiled.
Snape noticed, "And what are you grinning about?"
Harry snorted, "I'm hardly grinning." His face grew serious.
Snape sat his books down and cast a glance at his face. "What is it, Harry?"
"You're all right with me doing Quidditch and starting the training?" Harry asked.
"Yes, Harry," Snape nodded. They had talked about it several days before. He found he had to reassure the young man several times.
"Severus, Nadya wants Jonas to do the Senseve training with Daniel. It is the Romani way. While I was gone, he seems to have made himself at home in the kumpania," Harry said and frowned, easing himself into a chair. "I have to agree, but I'm angry and…and worried."
Snape studied him. "I understand, Harry."
Harry looked into the man's eyes and saw his own concern reflected back. "You know I may be apart from them from time to time. Will you watch after them for me?" he asked.
Snape looked at him carefully, "Yes."
Harry nodded and stood to leave. His back was to Snape, "I'm going to see Dumbledore. Will you come down this evening for dinner? Nadya won't hear it if you say no." Harry glanced back.
Snape turned to his books nonchalantly, "Of course." When Harry was gone he laid the books aside and stared at the wall, his hands clenching and unclenching on the desk.
Harry found him in his office. The door was open and he saw the old man sitting in his favorite chair in front the cold fireplace. Fawkes sat on his perch and swiveled his head as Harry entered.
"Hello, Fawkes," Harry said. Dumbledore looked up. "Hello, Professor." Harry had not seen him alone since they had left the caves. He found his throat constricting as he limped in.
Dumbledore sat upright in his chair, the blue eyes warmly watching him. "Hello, Harry."
He waved a hand at the chair opposite him and Harry sat down. "I wondered if you would come and say goodbye."
Harry sat silently composing himself and Dumbledore waited.
"You probably already know I'm angry with you, Albus," Harry proceeded. "You used me, have been using me, all along. My father, well…he is another matter and I won't talk about him. I don't hate you, Albus. I can't. I've loved you too long… Maybe I can forgive you someday." Harry continued even as he watched the man's face, "I was ready to, you know. Even when you have so badly violated the trust I had in you. Then, I found out that Yanel is a Senseve and it's because of the magic you and my father and the others performed on me before I was born." Dumbledore's eyes moistened and Harry swallowed hard, fighting not to leap to his feet and leave the room. "I cannot forgive you for yet. Maybe never."
Harry managed to get to his feet and looked down at him, "I will return to Hogwarts; you know that I must. Someday." He turned to leave and looked back. "I still love you, but I want you to promise you won't seek me out. Promise you won't contact me until I come to you. Will you do that?"
Dumbledore studied the young man's face and nodded slowly.
"Goodbye then, Albus." He limped from the room.
Dumbledore covered his eyes with a tremulous hand and waved the door closed.
The End