Chapter 25

Harry stumbled into the lounge still wearing his pajamas, his hair was sticking up in all directions. He sat down on the couch between Sirius and Remus. "What's for breakfast?" he asked, yawning.

"You've missed breakfast," Sirius said, grinning at his godson's appearance.

"Then what's for lunch?"

"You missed that, too."

Harry frowned. "I'm hungry."

"I'm sure Winky will make you something if you ask her," Remus said.

"I'm too tired," Harry said. He laid his head in his godfather's lap and placed his feet in Remus's.

Sirius ran his fingers through the messy black hair and Remus massaged his feet. "That feels good," he said, yawning.

"Which part?" Remus asked.

"All of it," he said, closing his eyes and going back to sleep.

"Are you two Marauders spoiling my son?" asked a feminine voice.

They looked up at the portrait where Lily, James, and Baby Harry were watching them. James was holding the younger Harry.

"We certainly are," Sirius said.

"Good," Lily said, laughing. "He deserves to be spoiled."

"Dat Hawwy?" Baby Harry asked, pointing to the older version of himself.

"Yes, that's Harry," Lily said, gently pinching his nose. "All grown up."

"Unca Daddy! Unca Mooey!" he said, clapping.

"That's not Daddy," James said, correcting him. "It's Paddy. P-P-P-Paddy with a P."

Sirius grinned mischievously. "He can call me Daddy if he wants to."

"No, he can't," said James. "You're Uncle Paddy. I'm Daddy."

"But he's never called you Daddy," Remus said. "He calls you Da."

"Still, it's the same thing. I'm his Daddy. Padfoot's his godfather. There's a difference, you see, and he needs to learn that."

The others just laughed. It had been a sore point for James since Harry was a year old and had first called Sirius Daddy.

Lily was gazing down at her son affectionately. "So, that's my little hero, is it?"

"You know," said James. "It's hard to think of him as a hero when you've spent 15 months changing his nappies."

"I heard that!" Harry said. "And I'd appreciate it if we could stay off the subject of nappy changing when referring to me."

"That's the hard part of having a family, Darling," Lily said. "Nappy changing, turning a bowl of cereal over your head, eating insects, and getting caught playing in the toilet become part of family lore."

Harry groaned. "I played in the toilet?"

"Only once," James said. "You were trying to baptize the cat, I believe."

Harry chuckled, his eyes still closed. "I suppose I missed my calling. I should have been a priest."

"Oh, then you would have been fun to be around," Sirius said sarcastically.

"I would have been a fun priest," he said. "You know, getting pissed on the communion wine and all."

"Harry!" his mother scolded.

"Sorry, Mum," he said. Suddenly his eyes flew open and he sat up. "I've never said that before," he said, looking at his mother in amazement. "I've heard Ron and the Weasley twins say it a thousand times, but this is the first time I've ever said it."

"Another first," James said proudly. "Lily, we should write that in his baby book."

Lily cuffed him on the shoulder.

"How did it feel?" Remus asked, grinning.

"It felt great," he said, and then glanced at his mother apologetically. "I mean, not because I was being scolded or anything. Just that . . . I could say it. I can talk to my mum!"

"Hey, what about me?" James asked.

"And my dad," he added, grinning at his father.

"Actually, we have some new family lore that we could share with you," Remus said.

"Oh, what is that?" James asked.

"Oh, yeah!" Sirius said. "Well, you see, we were on holiday at the French Riviera this summer, and . . ."

"NO! NO! STOP!" Harry shouted, trying to cover his godfather's mouth with his hand. "Don't tell them about that!"

"Actually, Padfoot," Remus said. "We really shouldn't tell them." Harry sighed in relief. "We should get the pensieve and let them see for themselves."

With a groan, Harry got up from the couch and started toward the kitchen. "I'm going to get something to eat," he said. "You lot continue to have a good time at my expense."

"We will!" Sirius called after him.

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After meditating and working on his occlumency with his grandfather, Harry began to practice the new spells his grandfather was teaching him.

"All right, Harry. Try the shielding spell, and this time I'll send some curses your way."

Harry stood in the middle of the gazebo in the Room of Requirement. He concentrated for a moment, and then tapped his head with his wand saying, "Contego Infragilis Valde!" He felt the top of his head begin to tingle, and then the sensation traveled down his body to his feet.

"Do you feel it?" his grandfather asked.

Harry nodded. "Does the feeling go away?"

"Not as long as the shield is up. Does it bother you?"

"No, I just wondered. It's good to be able to feel it. It makes me feel more confident knowing it hasn't gone away."

"I'll start with harmless spells, then we'll increase it a little at a time."

"All right. I'm ready."

"Rictusempra!"

Harry felt no effect from the tickling curse, so his grandfather continued.

"Wingardium Leviosa!"

Harry's feet stayed firmly on the ground.

"Expelliarmus!"

He looked down at his wand, which was still in his hand.

"Petrificus Totalus!"

Harry moved his arms up and down freely.

"Finite Incantatem!"

Harry still felt the tingling sensation over his body.

"Accio Harry!"

Harry remained where he was.

"Lumos Maxima!"

The bright light did not blind him. He could still see his grandfather and their surroundings.

"Stupefy!"

Harry grinned and waved at his grandfather.

His grandfather backed away from Harry. "This one's going to be a little more serious." He raised his wand again and cast "Diffindo!" then looked at Harry questioningly.

"I didn't feel a thing," he said.

"All right, one more. Give me a minute to concentrate." Charles closed his eyes and his expression slowly changed to a look of pain. After a moment, it became one of intense anger. He opened his eyes and cast "Crucio!"

Harry looked at his grandfather in surprise, and Charles ended the spell and dropped his wand, wiping perspiration from his forehead. "That was hard," he said. "You felt nothing?"

Harry shook his head. "Nothing." He walked over to his grandfather. "What were you thinking?"

"I was imagining you were Voldemort, and I was thinking about the night he killed Jamey and Lily and tried to kill you. As angry as I was, I couldn't hold that curse, though."

Harry wrapped his arms around his grandfather and held him tightly. "I'm sorry, Granddad."

"It's all right, Harry," Charles said, hugging him. "We have each other."

Charles released him. "End the shield spell, and we'll practice on the Contineo spell. I'm really impressed, Harry. You did a great job on that shield. Just keep practicing."

"I will, Granddad."

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"Remus, I know the full moon is in 2 days," Charles said at dinner that night. "Why don't you rest tomorrow instead of taking a turn in the control room. I'm sure the rest of us can fill in for you."

"I'll be all right tomorrow, Charley. I'll just be sitting at the panel, unless something happens."

"If you're sure, but if you change your mind, let us know."

Remus smiled. "I'll be out of commission the day after the full moon, but I'll be fine tomorrow and part of the next day. The wolfsbane potion has been a big help to guard against injuries during transformation."

"You're still tired though, Remus," Sirius said.

"I know, but I don't have to spend the time in bed. I'll be fine at the control panel until the day after the full moon." He turned to Charley. "If I weren't, I would let you know. I wouldn't want to be more of a hindrance than a help."

"Whatever you feel comfortable with, Remus," Charles said. "If it becomes too difficult, just let us know. Albus, Harry, and Moody can take over for a while if you need them to."

Remus nodded. "Thank you. I'll let you know if it becomes too much."

"So, Harry," Charles said, turning to his grandson. "Tell me how you managed a corporeal patronus at the age of 13."

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After dinner that night, Harry entered the control room where his grandfather was watching the monitor. "Granddad, can I talk to you?" he asked, sitting down next to him.

"Sure, Harry. What's on your mind?"

"I've been thinking about the spell I'm supposed to use to kill Voldemort. I-I don't know if I'll be able to do it. I mean, not being able to practice it, I'm afraid I won't do it right."

Charles turned to give his grandson his full attention. "The thing about that spell, Harry, is that it doesn't require a specific wand movement or any particular skill to cast the spell. The only thing it requires is intent. You have to want him to die. Is that it? You're having problems thinking about killing someone?"

"Well, not exactly. Maybe. I don't know."

Charles smiled sympathetically. "Let me ask you a question. What would happen if Voldemort were to continue on as he is?"

Harry shrugged. "He would probably recruit more Death Eaters and kill more people."

"Do you think it would be safe to lock Voldemort in Azkaban?"

Harry shook his head. "They couldn't keep him in Azkaban."

"Do you think there is any way he could be sent through the veil?"

Again, Harry shook his head. "I don't think anyone could capture him," he said.

"Then what is the solution?"

"He's going to have to die."

"Harry, for you to aim your wand at Voldemort and want him to die, you're going to have to think about all the things that would happen if he were to continue to live. Think of the innocent people who would be tortured and killed. Think of your family and your friends. Think of the people who would be alive today if it hadn't been for Voldemort. When you speak that curse, you don't have to feel hatred or revenge. You only have to think about the necessity of what you're doing. Why you're doing it. And what would happen if you didn't."

"So it's okay if I feel regret?"

"Of course. I would worry about you if you didn't feel regret over having to kill someone. As long as you also realize that you are doing what must be done."

Harry nodded thoughtfully, then smiled at his grandfather. "All right, Granddad. I think I'll be okay with it now."

"I know you will, Harry. I have faith in you."