Author's Notes:
I would like to thank everyone for the reviews! And shout out to Fire Dolphin and merdarkandtwisty for pointing out that little Teddy's last name should be Lupin, not Tonks. Thanks a bunch!
Anyway here is the promised third chapter, though this would just be somewhat a filler chapter to answer a few of your questions. Really can't focus this time because of the upcoming licensure exams. I already have very rough drafts and random scenes prepared on how the story would go, although reviews and suggestions are most welcome!
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Letters and Visitors
It is an oval locket made of white-gold enough to fit the tip of her finger with the letters HP embossed at the front and sparkling small diamonds adorning the edges, hanging on a fine chain. Harry lifted the locket and opened it. Tears sprang to her eyes, for inside are pictures of her parents on one side and a picture of hers when she was just a child at the other. However, after a few moments, both of the pictures started to fade and her parents' picture was replaced by her own, the other side left blank. She would have panicked about the pictures disappearing if she hadn't known that the locket was from her parents. There should be an explanation regarding what happened. It is then she noticed a parchment sticking out from one side of the jewelry box, which she took and decided to read its contents. It said:
My Darling Harmony,
If this letter and the locket is all you have from your mother and me as you come of age, then we would have perished because of the war. Because of this, we apologize deeply. As much as we would like to be with you, the desire to have you grow into a safe, peaceful world without Voldemort and his minions is far greater. We know that explanations are long overdue, as you would have learned all that you needed to know from Professor Dumbledore, Sirius, Remus, Peter or anyone from the Order. It is regrettable that we were not able to witness all the important things that have happened and those that will happen in your life, and that we were not there to protect you as you grew up. But your mother and I have already accepted the possibility of us passing away and leaving you when we decided to fight against Voldemort, especially now that we are aware of the prophecy, forcing us to go into hiding.
Even if we have accepted the possibility of it, our hearts are burdened with the possibility of leaving you all alone, and could just fervently hope that you'll be able to find someone, just as I have been lucky to have found your mother. With this in mind, we decided to make sure that whoever you choose to share the rest your life with when the time comes, that person should be able to make you happy, safe, and should be worthy of you. You probably think that it is too early for me to think about things like that, but as of the moment, all I can think of was to ensure your future. Prophecy or not, I know that the Order, especially Professor Dumbledore and Sirius are more than willing to take you in and take care of you, but even they know that they won't be able to do so forever. So, I took it upon myself to assess that bloke who'd try and win you over. Your mother was against this at first, but after a lot of arguments, explanations and begging on my part, she agreed.
I can promise that the enchantments placed on the locket would not interfere with your decisions or your feelings, because of course the final decision would still have to come from you. It would merely serve to satisfy my paranoia as your mother would put it. She repeatedly reminds me that you are a lot stronger than I think, and that I could lay off a bit with the overprotective, anxious father persona that I'm trying to be. So please forgive me for this predicament. In my defense, I just can't bear the thought of leaving you alone. It is probably to make up for us leaving you, but most importantly, it is because we love you so much.
Your mother arranged that her sister be the one to give you the locket and this letter. You should have known by now that your mother was muggle-born, and that she said it would not do well if you aren't aware of your other family. And let me just say this, no matter how nasty and uncaring that prick of a woman you call your Aunt may be, I myself wouldn't be able to deny the fact that she does care for your mother deeply. Of those rare occasions that I went with your mother to visit, even with those sneers and scoffs, you could see yearning and love behind her eyes every time she talks to your Mum. Because of that, I agreed that she be the one to keep the locket safe until you're eighteen years old, the age when I believe muggles come of age as per your mother's request.
I am sure by now our pictures inside the locket have faded and was subsequently replaced with your own. This means that the charms your mother have placed on it have already started its work. Let me explain. First is the incantation you've heard when you opened the box. The enchantment means exactly as how it was said, that before anyone can claim you as his spouse, he should have proven himself worthy. About your picture replacing ours, it marks the start of your journey to start a family of your own, so don't worry about our picture fading from it. Besides, at eighteen, you're still too young to think about having a family if I may say so myself.
Your mother is way better at Charms than I am even when we were at Hogwarts, so I am not really sure about the enchantments she placed upon the locket. She mentioned something about Penetralis Cordis and the Praestrigia Somniare Charm so it's most likely safe for that poor little bugger that will try and win you over, but knowing your Mum, it would surely be hard to pass and hopefully it involves torture for my enjoyment and satisfaction.
That covers about everything you need to know about the locket. Although, you can ask Professor Flitwick if you want to know more about those charms your mother placed on it. But even with these precautions and the protections given by the Order, I want you take good care of yourself my princess, and choose well. I deeply hope during this time, the threat of Voldemort no longer exists, and I want you to remember that we love you so much.
Your Loving Father,
James
Tears were flowing from her eyes by the time she finished reading the letter. She had always imagined her father would be funny and stubborn though not this overprotective, but she understood his paranoia. No parent would be able to handle going through the torture of knowing that sooner or later they will leave their children on their own. Besides, which parent wouldn't want the best for their own child? She just hopes that whatever charms her mother placed upon the locket would not cause her any more problems, for god knows that she has had enough trouble to last her more than seven lifetimes.
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That morning, Harry woke up to the delicious smell of breakfast brought in by Kreacher. Before she could say anything, the house elf said, "Good morning Mistress. Here's breakfast for the birthday celebrant."
"Thank you Kreacher, but you shouldn't have bothered." Harry replied as she got up from bed.
"It was no trouble mistress, and it was Madame Andromeda who told me to bring your breakfast here as a special treat. And she also asked me to inform you, if you would be so kind to join her in the parlour after you've prepared yourself for the day. She said she has something to discuss with you. Also, Master Ronald and Mistress Ginevra left early this morning and also asked me to tell you that they will pick you up this afternoon around four. Miss Weasley also insisted that you have to wear the dress you bought the other day, under the threat of the Bat-bogey hex." reported the house-elf with a smirk.
Harry groaned, knowing those two, they surely prepared a party even if she told them not to. Harry thanked Kreacher, and asked him to tell Andromeda she won't be long. She then proceeded to eat her breakfast then changed into a pair of denim pants and a long-sleeved v-necked cotton shirt, which made her locket visible for all to see.
At the parlour, Harry saw Andromeda sitting by one of the windows feeding Teddy. Upon approaching the two, Harry touched the tip of Teddy's nose saying "Wotcher, Mr. Lupin." causing little Teddy's hair turn from Harry's messy black hair and green eyes to sunshine-blonde and his eyes the brightest blue, with the biggest toothless grin he could manage. Harry smiled at his reaction, and proceeded to sit across Andromeda, who was staring at the locket.
Having noticed Andromeda's stare, Harry told her about the letter and everything she knows about the locket, which earned a giggle from Andromeda. At Harry's confused look, Andromeda explained, "Oh sweetheart, I knew James was quite protective, but I never knew he'd be this anxious! If my calculations are correct, you must have been about a year-old then, and he was already thinking about your marriage!" It then dawned on Harry that her father was really a paranoid and overprotective man, which made her adore her father more, although she admits that it is somewhat exasperating.
"I can't blame him though. During those dark times, he had every right to be scared." Harry answered.
"So true." Andromeda agreed.
"Enough with the past please. My friends will have my head if they learn that I've been moping again." Upon remembering what the house-elf told her earlier, Harry said "Kreacher told me you wanted to discuss something?"
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Draco Malfoy never thought there would come a day when he would dread going to his father's study. Since he was a child, a visit to the study means spending time with his father, learning new things, and sharing stories among others. But due to what happened the previous years, he was proven wrong. When his father offered the manor as a hideout for the Death Eaters, his vision of what his father's study stands for was forever gone. It is because fear creeps into his heart every time he was summoned into that very room during those dark times. Fear for his life, his friends, and most especially, absolute fear for his family.
Their family may not be an expressive lot, but they are close. Other people perceive them as cold, calculated and uncaring as their status dictates, but the experiences during the war proved them otherwise. He thought back about the time when he and his parents were held in one of the Ministry's holding cells during the trials, in which during that time he learned that his mother risked forfeiting her life in order to learn of his safety, and witnessed his father pleading to the court that his wife and son be spared of the punishment. He had been lucky he was cleared of all charges. However, when the decision was read he had never experienced such cold fear creep into his heart, squeezing it until it hurts so bad, not truly understanding what it meant. Not until his father was about to be brought to Azkaban did he fully understand how he felt. He loves his parents and he cannot live without them.
Draco shook his head, hoping it would clear out his thoughts. If only he could erase those memories.
"They're just mere memories. It's all in the past. I won't be able to do anything to change all that I did, but I now have all the opportunity to make up for it." He whispered. He was about to knock on the door when he heard his mother call out to him.
"Draco? Is that you darling? You very well know you don't need to seek permission to enter, so come in already."
Startled, Draco then went into the room and settled himself on one of the sofa situated in front of his father's office table which his mother is currently occupying. His mother has been the one to manage their family's businesses from the time of his father's imprisonment, and he himself has been occasionally helping his mother on quite a few transactions since his father told him he should start preparing himself on handling the family businesses the last time they visited him in Azkaban.
"Is there something you would want to discuss Mother? I would gladly help you on the negotiations between the Hughes regarding the mines. You very well know I can be persuasive." Draco declared with a smirk.
"Oh shush darling, I know their demands are quite ridiculous, knowing that they only control 35% of the company, but I believe they'd agree to our terms, knowing that market expansion to Russia would increase our profits. Sure, it would be challenging, knowing that our family has fallen to shame due to what happened but since the news that Ms. Harmony Potter has testified in our favour got out, more than half of the wizarding community has been more than grateful and was ready to welcome us back into the society. But that was not the reason why I called you over." Mrs. Malfoy said, while arranging the documents scattered along the desk. Afterwards, she looked at Draco directly in the eye then inquired, "Draco, you are aware that aside from your Aunt Bellatrix, I have another elder sister, am I right?"
Draco nodded to answer his mother's inquiry, but was not really following what his mother was trying to say. He was fully aware that his Aunt Andromeda was banished from the Black family when she married a muggle-born and they haven't contacted her ever since, nor talk about her. Why would his mother ask him about her sister now?
On her son's confused expression, Narcissa Malfoy cleared her throat, gaining back Draco's attention. "I have decided to renew my ties with her, and when I discussed it with your father yesterday, he agreed it is for the best. I am actually expected at Grimmauld Place this afternoon. We have always been close before she was banished from the family for she was the pleasant one as compared to Bella, and now I am hoping to have that bond again with her. After all these years, even if I tried, I was never able to forget her. She was and always will be my sister. And I deeply hope that through her forgiveness, I will finally be able to forgive myself."
Sensing that the message hasn't fully been understood, Narcissa continued. "My dear, did you not gain any lesson from everything that has happened to our family these past few years? We have always isolated ourselves from the rest of the society because of our crappy beliefs, and look what has happened to us, and your father and I have just realized that fact recently. Friends are important in life, family even more so. And the narrow-minded belief on purebloods being better than muggle-borns is already deemed irrelevant at this time. Why, if I remember correctly, there is a muggle-born wizard in your class, who has always proven that point. Granger, am I correct?"
"Yes. But what does that have to do anything with renewing your bonds with your sister?"
"Because I don't want you to commit the same mistakes your father and I had. Our prejudice against muggle-born wizards was the reason why we joined the Death Eaters, and is also the reason for our downfall. So, I would like you to forget about your animosity toward the students from the other houses at Hogwarts once you go back, especially the muggle-borns and the ones from Gryffindor. If experience was able to teach you anything, it should be about not passing judgement about other people just because of where they're from, who they're with or how much they're worth. If anything, just try to be civil and stop tormenting them - don't you dare try to deny it. We owe everyone that much, now that we have come back to the right path. Please Draco, do it for me?" Narcissa pleaded.
"I understand what you're trying to tell me Mother." Draco agreed. "But old habits really die hard, so I can't promise change would come easily. Be that as it may, I have already promised myself that I would do my best to change for the better even before this conversation, and now that you asked me to do so, I will indeed try harder. I may not be able to be friends with everyone at school, but I think I can be civil at least."
"Thank you darling, I sure hope so. Now then, would you like to accompany me later? I think it's about time for you to meet your Aunt."
"I'm sorry Mother, I'm afraid I can't. I already arranged a meeting with Mr. Ackerman later at one o'clock regarding the proposals for the new marketing strategies of the textile factory the other day because today is the only time he's free. If you want, I can come and get you after the meeting. I think it would only take two or three hours at most."
"Alright darling, I would have preferred that you come with me, but I think it is for the best. My sister and I have a lot to talk about, and I think you will just be bored to death, knowing you. I'll see you later this afternoon then. Just send one of the house elves to inform me of your departure."
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That afternoon, Harry was just changing Teddy's clothes when she heard a knock on the door. Assuming it was Ron and Ginny, Harry called out, "Just come in already! I'm about done changing Teddy's clothes."
She heard someone enter though the newcomer kept silent. Not waiting for the person to talk, Harry continued, "I know I'm not dressed yet, but I had to change Teddy's clothes. Andromeda has a visitor coming who would like to meet Teddy that's why I had to change him first. You very well know I won't take too long to change so don't nag me about being late. Now, make yourself useful and please bring Teddy to the parlour while I change."
Not hearing any reply, Harry snapped out while putting on the finishing touches to Teddy's clothes, "The least you can do is say yes so that I won't look like a fool talking to thin air." Still no reply was heard. Harry finally losing her temper, turned and yelled "What the heck is-"
"Hi Harry."
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Uncomfortable silence reigned as Andromeda Tonks led Narcissa Malfoy to the sitting room. Ill at ease, Narcissa attempted to start a conversation. "The mansion has changed a lot since the last time I was here. You did a very good job with the renovations 'Dromeda."
Andromeda nodded. "I agree. The changes done to the house is like a breath of fresh air. I didn't recognize it the first time I came here; I thought I was in the wrong house. Harry fixed the house last month with a little help from her friends. That girl has a flair for interior design if I may say so myself."
"Harry? You don't mean to say Ms. Harmony Potter do you? She now owns Grimmauld Place?" Narcissa inquired.
"Yes, I do. Don't you remember? Sirius transferred all of his properties to Harry two years ago based from the letter I received from the family solicitor. She then asked me to move here with my grandson last month so that she can give me some help taking care of Teddy since she is his godmother, and I agreed. Besides, I can't let a pure soul like that be alone in this big house. She has such a good heart, sometimes she forgets about herself. Someone ought to look after her too, don't you agree?" Andromeda asked, while she motioned Narcissa to take a seat on one of the settees in the room.
Narcissa nodded. "I guess her inheriting all of Sirius' assets slipped my mind, I was - busy. However, I never thought she was like that. Draco always described her as a conceited, self-important girl who isn't even a girl, although I can't really understand what he meant by that."
Andromeda chuckled. "I can honestly say that your son is wrong about her being conceited. Though I have to agree, Harry has always been some kind of a tomboy as far as I can remember. Two of her closest friends are boys even! But you can understand, knowing she grew up without her mother to guide her. And if I'm not mistaken, the Aunt who brought her up didn't treat her so well when she was with them. That child deserves to have a family, the least I can do is to be here for her."
"Speaking of family," Narcissa started, looking at Andromeda pleadingly, "I wanted to apologize for how I acted towards you all these years. I can only blame my stupidity and arrogance, and I would understand it if you wouldn't want me to bother you ever again. I just came here to apologize, not really expecting you to forgive me, although I deeply wish that I'd get to spend more time with my sister again."
"Cissy, I admit I was hurt. But I was never angry at you, I can never be. How could I be, you're my baby sister. It was not your fault we were raised to think that half-bloods and muggle-borns were not good enough. It just so happened that I fell in love with one who changed my views on what I have always believed to be true. Don't be so hard on yourself. I have always understood why you had to do so, so don't blame yourself. For what it's worth, it had made my life with Ted more meaningful, and I was happy – I am happy. Especially now that I have my sister back." Andromeda said, knowingly.
"Thank you Andromeda. Thank you so much!" Narcissa sobbed with relief as she approached her sister and held her hand tightly.
"There, there Cissy." Andromeda said comfortingly. "And would it be too much to ask you to give me a hug? No one is going to see you here you know, you can let go of your mask."
"To hell with propriety!" Narcissa exclaimed when she threw her arms around a chuckling Andromeda.
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"Harry? Snap out of it. And close your mouth, you look more stupid than usual."
"Herman? It is you!" Harry cried then went to glomp the tall, brown-haired Gryffindor.
"Yes, I'm afraid so." Herman answered. "Kreacher let me in. The house looks nice by the way." He said after he let Harry go then approached the bed to play with Teddy.
"But I thought you were still in Australia with your parents? You weren't supposed to be here until next week!" Harry said, confused.
"Mum and Dad had to come back earlier for they had to attend a symposium. Our flight is scheduled on the second of August, but I told them I can just apparate here so that I'll be able to attend your eighteenth birthday. Mum became excited when they heard you are a debutant, so they let me come home first. So, here I am."
"Why didn't you tell me you were coming home earlier?"
"And ruin the surprise? I think not. Besides, Ginny already threatened me with a Bat-Bogey Hex if I ruin what she planned for you."
"Smart-assed prick." Harry muttered, when she remembered something. "She got you too, huh." At her friend's questioning look, she continued. "I have to wear that dress we bought the other day so that I won't be the receiving end of that dratted special move of hers."
"Really?" Herman raised his brows, and asked incredulously. "I guess today would be the day when Harry Potter is seen wearing a aside from the Yule Ball of course. But why are you so scared being hexed? You can always defend yourself anyway, Lady Defender." Herman teased.
"Argh! You're impossible! Will you please stop calling me that!" Harry cried exasperatedly. "And to answer your question, I don't like having bat wings flap on my face on my birthday, thank you very much. You know very well that Ginny is a very good shot."
"Yes, and I'm going to hold onto Ginny's threat and will have to make your day more miserable." Herman took out a box out of his pocket together with a bottle of fluid, approached Harry slowly, then placed the box in Harry's hand.
"Don't you dare tell me you don't know how to use this. You've been around muggles enough to be familiar with it. Now, if you'll excuse me. I believe you asked me to bring Teddy to Andromeda right?" Herman said, while taking Teddy, leaving a stunned Harry stare at his back until he and the baby were out of the room.
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"Excuse me, Andromeda?" announced Herman after clearing his throat. "I'm sorry to interrupt, but Harry asked me to bring Teddy over so that she can change into her dress for tonight."
"It's alright dear. I can see you came back earlier than expected. Harry told me you won't be back until next week. It must have been quite a shock for her to see you."
"Yes, you should've seen her face. It was priceless. I should've brought my camera as Ron had suggested, but then I wouldn't want to be the receiving end of whatever hex that girl has up her sleeves, knowing how bad her temper is." Herman answered with a smirk while handing Teddy over to Andromeda.
"Thank you for bringing Teddy over. And I would like you to meet my younger sister, Mrs. Narcissa Malfoy. You go to school with her son, Draco, don't you dear?"
"Nice to meet you Mrs. Malfoy." Herman addressed Narcissa while reaching out to shake her hand. "And yes, I went to school with her son. I can't really say we were close, though we get to interact with him quite a few times." Herman answered with a distinct emphasis on the word interact.
Andromeda was about to ask him another question, in which Herman has a high suspicion of what that question would be, when they heard the doorbell ring. Herman excused himself to answer the door. When he was out of earshot, he released a relieved breath thinking it was a classic example of being saved by the bell.
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He was a bit surprised to see Draco Malfoy on the manor's steps though he was able to keep his expression hidden from the blonde Slytherin.
"Speak of the devil." Herman muttered, which he intended Malfoy to hear.
"What are you talking about mu-, Granger?" Draco asked, barely stopping himself from uttering the hated word when he remembered the talk he had with his mother earlier.
"We were just talking about you before I answered the door, then here you are. It was just so fitting, don't you think?" Herman said between clenched teeth, trying to keep his temper in check after hearing Malfoy almost say that word.
"Herman? Who is it? If it's Ron or Ginny I swear I'm going to hex them both to oblivion if they don't stop nagging. I'm almost done. I'm just putting on these troublesome things you got me!" Herman heard Harry yell from upstairs.
"It's not them, don't worry. Just don't take too much time or we're going to be really late." Herman answered back, while motioning his head towards the stunned Malfoy to enter and follow him.
Draco Malfoy was quite confused with Herman's presence and the familiar voice he heard yelling from upstairs earlier. He was staring at the back of Herman's head wondering what the muggle-born was doing there, the supposed house of the Black Family, and was somewhat curious trying to rack his brains on where he has heard that voice earlier.
Herman on the other hand knows that the Slytherin is confused of his presence, and is most likely brewing over who the person upstairs was. Smirking, he decided to irk the blonde further. "You're probably wondering why I'm here, aren't you Malfoy? Well, you see I'm really close with the owner of the house, I practically spend most of my time here. Not expected from someone whom you thought was a pureblood manic, don't you think?" Herman looked back at Draco, sneering when he saw that the blonde-haired wizard was practically blowing steam off his head.
When both of them entered the parlour, Herman was looking practically smug while Draco looked like he was having a hard time trying to keep his temper in check.
"Draco, darling! Good, you're finally here. I would like you to meet your Aunt Andromeda, and your nephew, little Teddy here." Narcissa said, trying to revert her son's attention knowing full well what the look on her son's face means.
Sensing Narcissa's underlying distress, Andromeda approached Draco then reached out her hand. "Hello Draco, nice to finally meet you."
Not wanting to be disrespectful, Draco shook Andromeda's hand and replied accordingly then looked at the child in her arms. He was then astonished to see the baby's hair turn to the exact shade of his hair, as well as his eyes, he can practically say they look alike.
"Oh look! Teddy likes you!" Narcissa exclaimed seeing the baby's transformation. "Little Teddy here is a metamorphmagus just like his mother, isn't that wonderful Draco?"
"He only does that when I or his godmother is around, so I guess he really does like you. Would you like to carry him Draco?" Andromeda said, amused.
"Yes, Draco, why don't you carry your nephew? It's quite rare for babies to like someone they haven't even seen yet, so why don't you give it a try?" Herman followed though, trying really hard to stop himself from chuckling at the Malfoy heir's obvious discomfort of the possibility of carrying the little tyke.
Before anyone could say any further, Harry entered the parlour wearing an emerald-green sleeveless faux wrap knit dress reaching just above her knees, and to the amazement of almost everyone since Draco had his back turned to the entryway, she was not wearing her glasses.
"Hello Andromeda. Good day to you Mrs. Malfoy." Greeted Harry. "Herman? We have to go. Ginny will surely throw a fit if we're late." Harry stated.
"Oh Harry! You look wonderful! And I can see Herman was able to convince you to wear those eye lenses muggles wear. It's really refreshing to finally see your eyes not hidden behind those glasses, and the dress really brings out your eyes." Andromeda gushed.
"Thank you Andromeda. They're called contact lenses, and it was Ginny who threatened me to wear it, though I have a very good suspicion as to which one of all the know-it-all in the world gave them the existence of it." Harry said, and then glared at a certain tall, brown-haired boy who was looking anywhere but Harry, trying to look nonchalant.
While this conversation was going on, warning bells were ringing in Draco's head, finally realizing that the familiar voice earlier belonged to Harry Potter. Yelling numerous colourful expletives inwardly, he slowly turned to look at the newcomer, fervently hoping that his suspicions were wrong. Push came to shove when his brain finally registered who the girl is, causing it to sputter then come to a standstill.
It was official - Draco Malfoy was royally screwed.
Author's Notes:
To those whose wondering about the charms, descriptions will be given in the subsequent chapters, though I don't know when I'll be able to spew out the next one.
Reviews, constructive criticisms and suggestions are most welcome!
Thank you.