Happy St. Patrick's Day!!

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

Christmas Holiday was creeping up on the inhabitants of Hogwarts. Harry was packing his stuff the night before and Ron's owl would randomly fly through Lucius' bedroom with items that were left up in the dormitory. Harry was casting summoning charms everywhere to collect his items.

Lucius was running in and out murmuring about brat sons and ridiculous teenage break-ups.

"Did he finally get some sense?" asked Harry, idly. He was sitting on the bed and had reached over to take Lucius' clothes and folded them.

Lucius smirked, "Yes, but now she's stalking him."

"Hmm, murderous stalking or cringe worthy stalking that consists of being followed around like a love sick puppy, crying, and begging?"

"What if I said both?"

Harry laughed, "Poor Draco, then it shouldn't be brat son, it should be bitch Pansy."

"Ah, you're right, although its his fault that she's taken to coming to me, begging me to talk sense into Draco."

"You should have told her, if you were to talk sense into Draco that would mean telling him to run as far away from that wench as possible and not look back."

"Who says I didn't?" declared Lucius, taking his folded clothes from Harry.

The Gryffindor giggled and looked back down at the shirts, "Preserve that memory, I have to see it." Harry smiled and took another pile of shirts, he looked up when he heard a sweep of robes and saw that Lucius was standing in front of him. "Need something?" he asked, sweetly.

"You." said Lucius, fingers sliding under his chin. He leaned in and pressed an open mouthed kiss to Harry's innocent lips.

An instant, "Hmm." came from Harry, placing the shirts aside his hands crawled up Lucius' chest and wrapped his spread legs around the Slytherin's waist.

Lucius took possession of Harry, holding him close, and laying him down on the bed at the same time.

The kissing was beginning to turn into more, when they heard, "Oh shit!"

Lucius came up, Harry blinked and tilted his head to where he saw Draco upside down. Lucius scowled, "What now?"

Draco closed his eyes and shuddered, "Uh - nothing. I'll come back later…"

"Best idea you've had all day."

Draco shook his head furiously and walked away grumbling, "Potter and my dad, and I thought life couldn't be more strange…"

Harry couldn't help but giggle furiously, his head titled to the side lazily. Lucius growled and immediately sank his mouth down onto Harry's neck, causing the giggles to die off quickly replaced by an overwhelming, "Oh."

"Now, where were we?" hissed Lucius.

Harry whimpered, bringing Lucius up, and kissed him sultrily on the lips. "Right about here…"

Harry received two port-keys the next morning, one was to be tied to all the luggage that would be sent directly to the manor and the other which was password activated to go off whenever Harry said, fruitcake.

Hermione had just come through the portrait, with Draco right behind her. Her cheeks were slightly coloured and she looked as though she had been running.

"Are we about ready?" asked Lucius, glancing mainly at his friend Severus, whose lips had pursed together.

"I suppose." said Severus, in a slightly darkened mood.

Harry smiled and wrapped his arm around Hermione, "The luggage has already been sent on. I just have to activate the port-key." he said, holding up a large glass phoenix. It was bigger than the one he had used when he went to Lucius' Manor for the first time. "It'll take us straight into the Entrance Hall."

"Do you live at the manor?" asked Draco.

Harry shook his head, "No, mum didn't want to be that far away from the muggle world. We go there on special occasions." He informed.

"Well, let's get on with it." He touched the statue, then Hermione, Draco, and finally Severus.

"Fruitcake." said Harry, the statue glowed blue and before he knew it he was being yanked familiarly by his navel.

The moment they landed, Harry's hand moved out to steady Hermione to keep from embarrassing herself but Draco had already beat him to it.

Harry turned away and smiled, when he stared around the familiar white marbled Entrance Hall of the Potter Manor. It was expansive possibly the exact same size as the Malfoy Manor the walls were a warm crème with light oak double doors leading to different rooms. there were two flowing cascading staircases angled in a graceful arch made of ivory and the steps were carpeted with the same crème colour that the marble hall was made up of. The corridors stretched from each side on the first floor and then another single staircase lead upwards to more floors.

There were beautiful bouquets of flowers sitting on elegant gold stands behind them was a set of beautiful light oak Victorian doors with silver handles.

"On right leads into the dining room and then the kitchen," Harry then grinned, "Which we are banned from entering, according to the house-elves after Sirius and James blew up the - er - what is it? Fourth stove?"

"I will have you know it was three and a half!" said an indignant voice, from the left.

Harry looked over and saw Sirius standing there with a smirk across his features, his black hair fluttered into his gorgeous grey eyes as he sauntered through. "Behind me, is the Harry's lounge."

Harry rolled his eyes, "It's not my lounge."

"Yes it is, each Potter has their own lounge that they decorated, we only ever use Harry's lounge - well because James' is quite questionable and Lily's you'd never figure it out. Harry's is just more warmer and - inviting anyway."

Harry was blushing and he stuck out his tongue childishly, "Oh hush it Siri. Where's Rem?"

"What do you mean, where's Rem? Remus is right here!" called a voice from staircase.

Harry laughed and rushed to the man's side. Lucius and Severus had glanced quickly to Sirius, to see a flash of jealousy align his grey eyes.

Harry's arms tightened around Remus who lifted him up off the ground. "Hey Cub, I have missed you so much!" said Remus giving him a kiss.

Harry laughed, "Likewise!"

"Well, let's get out of the entrance and into a more comfortable place."

"Indeed!" said cheerful voice from where Sirius had come. James appeared in all his glory, "No need to stand around, we have lots to do with little time to do it in. Welcome to the Potter Manor, please, make yourself at home, my wife - where in the bloody hell did she go?"

"She's attempting to help Milly, Nilly, and the rest of the elves in the Kitchen-" They winced when they heard a loud 'crash' and then a crack and out of nowhere appeared a frazzled redhead who was staggering slightly to keep her balance.

"Oh bloody hell, them elves are stubborn!" she apparently hadn't noticed the group in the hallway, cause she rounded on James and Sirius, smacking them both over the back of the head. "And its all your bloody faults!" She gasped, when she noticed Harry in Remus' arms. "HARRY!" she shrieked and ran to her son and gathered him in her arms, before turning to see Lucius and Severus. "Oh dear-" she said, touching her hair immediately. "Oh, hello!" Lily's tune changed and her eyes glittered. "I am so sorry, I got beat up by elves."

Severus snorted and Lucius smirked, "Is that so? I heard about the stoves being blown up."

"Oh dear, you wouldn't believe it! The whole kitchen was a mess for weeks. I don't think I ever saw the elves so mad in their little lives. They clobbered James and Sirius." The two grown men winced at the same time. She shook their hands and let go of Harry so that she could hug Hermione. "Hi Lily!" said Hermione, laughing and picking up a piece of spaghetti from her hair. "Problems?"

"Oh, you have no idea. I wasn't even trying to help! I went in there for a soda and come out looking like this." She turned to Draco and greeted him with a hug even if she didn't know him well.

Harry laughed and walked over, "This is how we really act. Not formal like summertime. So, dad where's there rooms? Did you forget?"

James laughed, "Nope, just standing very still, hoping I don't get clobbered anymore-" Hermione giggled, as Draco laughed his eyes going to Lily immediately.

Upon hearing this the pretty redhead reached back and clobbered him again, causing Sirius and Remus to burst into laughter.

Severus smirked, "I can get used to this."

Lily beamed, "Oh, please, do." she said, clapping her hands.

When they began the tour of the manor, they started with the lounge that was known as Harry's. The teen laughed and bowed his head in shame. "I was twelve when I decorated it."

"Twelve?" asked Lucius in surprise, as he glanced around. "You have remarkable taste for a twelve year old."

"He's always been remarkable." said Lily.

The lounge was decorated with gold trimmed along black. The carpet was jet black and smooth as silk and the fireplace was beautiful black marble with gold lining racing around. The sofas were black leather and gold pieces on each end. The sofas curved in a graceful circle with sofas facing each other and a small opening so that one can slip in and out. It was very cosy. There was a round gold oriental rug underneath the small glass table in the middle. The windows were long paned with silk black tapestries, candle torches pressed in against the dark walls and the tables and shelves were made from black marble.

"Well, it's better than lime green and livid red." commented Harry, as James pouted and crossed his arms.

"Now, that's not fair! It's a fun room!"

"When you're not blind." hissed Sirius, to the older Potter.

James scowled and stuck out his tongue, "You chose red."

"You chose green! That's worse."

"You're both are just as bad as each other." put in Lily.

"Heh, she has a point." said Sirius.

"Quite the point."

"Bloody hell, has the Weasley twins inhabited your bodies?" commented Lucius, with dry amusement.

Hermione giggled furiously, "One would think, these two prepped Fred and George."

"Have you?" asked Severus, unable to contain his silence.

"Nope." They exclaimed at the same time.

Harry laughed, "There's a game room to the side of this room if one gets bored, which is easy to do." He said taking over the tour, while Harry's father and godfather began to act like themselves.

Lily was just laughing as Remus walked next to Severus. Draco kept laughing out loud at the ridiculous behaviour, while Hermione giggled softly.There wasn't any doubt that Lucius was most likely wondering when St. Mungo's would catch up to Sirius and James' insanity and lock them away.

They walked out into the grand entrance hall and began to scale the staircase, "The library, is up here on the left side it takes up one whole side of the hall likes yours Lucius, except one floor up. On the right is my parents' room, a study, and a bathroom.

They continued up the second flight of steps. Lucius gracefully beside Harry the entire time. James and Sirius were shoving each other and nearly knocking one another down the steps. Draco and Hermione would randomly look back and burst into laughter. Severus continued to walk next to Remus, who had a serene look upon his face.

Lily was shaking her head on her son's other side and murmuring, "I gave up years ago!"

Along the walls on the staircase were portraits of various Potters. Harry shrugged to Lucius, "I never really asked, who they were." Harry laughed, "I only know like four of them."

They got to the second floor and Harry told them the many studies and bedrooms. He looked to James who suddenly straightened and bounced over to Harry was, "Harry's bedroom is on this floor, and so you're all located around him. Hermione, you know where yours is."

"I've nosied about and hopefully, we got your tastes correct." said James heading down the east corridor. "Each room has its very own bathroom and study. We don't normally call them guest rooms - they're your rooms whether you visit once, twice, or every single time we have holiday." He smirked and glanced to Remus and Sirius when he said that.

Harry shook his head and took over, "This is my room, across is Hermione's - dad?"

"Next to Hermione's bedroom would be Draco's? Is it fine for you?" asked James. "If there needs to be a change, let us know so that we may change it up a bit."

Draco's room was a beautiful silver and white. "How did you know what my favourite colours were?" He asked, shocked and impressed.

Harry wiggled his fingers from Lucius side, "Me."

"It's great, thank you Mr. Potter."

"Oh dear god!" gasped James, horrified. "Mr. Potter? Ulgh, please, Draco, its James. For the love of Merlin I'm not a hundred years old." Sirius burst into laughter and doubled over.

"Oh, okay." said Draco, unsure.

Lily brushed her hand along Draco's shoulder, "And its Lily for me, being Mrs. Potter makes me sound loony."

Draco blushed slightly, when he felt her touch him on the shoulder again.

"Oye! Mrs. Potter is a privilege!" stated James incredulous.

Lily rolled her eyes, "Sure it is, keep telling yourself that darling."

James pretended as if he were a ruffled bird, and stuck his nose in the air. "I will."

Harry laughed and shook his head, "The shame." He murmured, smiling.

They showed the rest of the rooms, Lucius' was just a few feet from Harry's room and then Severus' was on the other side of the hall near Sirius and Remus' rooms. Both older wizard's were very satisfied with the arrangements.

The third floor had a beautiful indoor pool, sauna, gym room, duelling arena, and a potions room, which greatly perked Severus up.

"Fourth floor was kind of a er - refuge floor." said James as they went on up. "Harry's baby room is still here, in tact." He said fondly.

Harry groaned and scratched his head, "Which we'll undoubtedly skip over."

James scoffed, "Why? It's the bet place-" Harry glared forcefully, and James held up his hands. "Fine, fine."

Lucius smirked, "Why not? I would love to see it."

"Oh dear god." said Harry, staring up at the ceiling with exasperation.

"His room is adorable!" chirruped Hermione.

Lily beamed, "Isn't it? I still have everything as it was when he was first born."

Harry just shook his head, his cheeks were flushed. "Okay, also up here-" he said, hoping to distract them. "Was mom and dad's room another kitchen, another lounge, and dining hall."

"This whole room had been er - sectioned off. If you didn't have Potter blood you could not step onto the floor at one time." said James, waving his hand.

"Upstairs is - really nothing at all, a bunch of bare bedrooms and bathrooms. As you can tell - its humongous, but you shouldn't get lost, seeing as we only ever use two thirds of the room in this manor." said Lily brightly.

"We do have a ballroom but it hasn't been in used for - ages. It's downstairs just between the staircases." James said, as if just remembering.

Sirius was now on the other side of Severus engaging the dark man in conversation that Remus had just been doing.

Soon the large group that consisted of Gryffindors and Slytherins headed to the dining hall for lunch.

The room was in precious colours of shimmery pale violet and soft ivory.

"Harry's doing." informed James. "He wouldn't let me do yellow."

Harry shuddered at the mention of the colour. "If there is one colour that ought to be banned from ever being used its yellow."

Lucius smirked, as Lily pouted, "Yellow is pretty if put with the right colours."

"Yellow is mum's favourite colour." He teased.

"Well, someone has to be sunny."

"It's better than orange." commented Hermione.

"Granted." agreed Harry.

"Which if you veer off to the bedroom next to mine, that's the only colour you'll find." Hermione pointed out.

The late lunch was a much more splendid affair than anyone had anticipated. This time, James didn't exactly sit at the head of the table. He comfortably sat next to his wife on one side with Remus, Severus, and Sirius. The other side had Draco Hermione, Harry, and then Lucius.

It was warm and relaxing; Harry was teased mercilessly and Lucius insisted he still would like to see Harry's baby room. Lily was very vocal about Harry as a baby, causing the teen to bow his head and practically bury it in Hermione's shoulder.

Out of the corner of his eye, Harry noticed that Severus was arching an eyebrow and glancing one way to Remus and the other to Sirius. He then before shook his head and tried to go about his business. Harry had a feeling that Sirius and Remus were up too something. He just hoped it wasn't malicious.

He glanced at Remus who winked, and shook his head lightly as if answering his silent question.

After lunch people broke off. Harry saw Remus and Sirius pull Severus away, and Hermione was ansy to get to the library, so after dancing around on her heels she raced up the staircase, Draco soon followed behind her.

This left Harry's parents alone, with Harry and Lucius.

They moved to the beautiful lounge that they had first introduced to everyone. Harry took a seat and raised his legs into Indian style, while Lucius gracefully sat down next to him. Lily and James just opposite of them.

Lucius began by thanking Lily and James for the invitation.

"As you can see, Lucius, we're not exactly formal family." said Lily, speaking for James. "We can be formal when we have too, but we prefer it relaxed and I believe during the start of the summer we all got off onto the wrong foot. First, us pretending as if we were something we most certainly are not and two the animosity between you lot. Not me, of course." she said hastily.

Lucius arched an eyebrow of amusement. James sighed, and leaned up, his forearms pressed against his knees. "Look, Lucius, I shouldn't have acted like a two year old. I made a humongous mistake and no one realises just how much I regret that. I apologise again."

"I accept your apology James. I did when Harry accepted your apology and I never once had anything bad to say about you, Lily."

The woman blushed, "As long as Harry's happy, I have absolutely no arguments with this."

"Neither do I - anymore." said James, scratching his head uncomfortably. "Earlier, you saw us acting different - well that's how we really are, and how we've always been. We're not a hard to get along with family. I grew up very formal but that's not me. It's never really been me."

"There's nothing wrong with that. I am not all formal, do you really think Harry would give me a chance if I was as uptight as you peg me to be?" He challenged.

James blushed, Harry laughed, and Lily looked at her son with a light glitter. "Your right, Harry never would have given you the chance if you were anything like some people has made you out to be." Her eyes narrowed and turned to her husband.

"I've already apologised Lily, and I meant my apology." He insisted. "I know when I've been an arse. Well, maybe not always have known." he corrected, seeing Harry's sceptical look. "But, when I'm pointed out as one, I try to fix it."

"That's better." said Lily, turning back to Lucius to hear him chuckle.

"Your parents are most amusing, love." He said, in a false whisper.

Harry grinned, "Yeah, they certainly are."

That afternoon, Lily requested a walk with Harry, and soon it was Lucius alone with James.

They sat there for several moments in complete silence, when James stood, "Drink?"

"Please." said Lucius, politely.

"Scotch, gin, brandy?"

"Scotch is fine." James smiled and poured both of them some scotch. He handed it to Lucius, "Thank you."

James nodded and stiffly took a seat in the armchair rather than the sofa. He sighed and took a long drink and then summoned the rest of the bottle. "I have to admit, I'm not comfortable with this arrangement. In fact, I have no idea what the hell is going on. All I know, is my son has chosen you. This is arcane - arcane at its finest. But, I accept it, because my son means more to me than anything in this world, contrary to popular belief of certain newspapers and what he might tell you. Harry's my life."

"He has become mine as well, James." stated Lucius, with honesty. "He's gone right up there next to my son, however, in two very different feeling formats." He stressed.

"That's what I am having trouble understanding. I know it might not be my place to understand, I am his father..."

"Is it the Slytherin factor?"

"Not precisely." said James, downing his glass of scotch.

"My age?"

James was quiet a moment and then he confessed, "Part of it, you're my age."

"Yes, as far as I remember." said Lucius. "But, I'll have you know, I would never take advantage of your son. Had I wanted too, I would have the night I caught him pissed to high heaven at the bar at Cornelius Fudge's ball."

James grimaced, "I heard about that. Was he that drunk?"

"He made a pass at me, James."

"My Harry, doesn't hit on anyone."

"Precisely. He told me more than he ever expected to tell me and I became curious and concerned." began Lucius, he really didn't have to answer for himself if he didn't want too, but he could relate to James. For he too had a son the exact same age and life would be much easier for Harry, if James' conscience was relieved. "Your son has never truly been the age that he is."

"Too true." admitted James, staring straight ahead. "I always tried to get him into our pranks when he was younger. He could pull his fair share if he was pissed off." James' eyes dilated as if recalling. "But, he didn't do it to extreme, nor did he do it out of meanness. He's so much more like Lily, in almost every single way. My son has had a lot of press issues and I am proud to say that he has never turned out to be a parent's worst nightmare. In fact, my son is probably the furthest from a nightmare and when I lashed out at him - it had been the first time I ever even yelled at him or demanded something from him. He's always been the sensible one, he's always been his own man. I always respected that, but that day, I just let my pride and ego-"

"You're repeating yourself." reminded Lucius.

"I know." said James, softly. "I've been doing that a lot lately." He leaned up and placed the bottle of scotch down. "I should remember, that my son has never done anything half-hearted. He doesn't jump in way over his head. Not usually anyway." He pressed his palms against his forehead and stared at the ground. "This isn't easy for me. We both know what you were once were."

"Yes, we do." said Lucius, he knew that was coming. He had been ready for it.

"I realise everyone makes mistakes, either for their own selfishness, force, or any other way possible. I don't know and I really don't want to know. But, I must ask - if he; Voldemort came back-"

"I would do everything in my power to keep my son and Harry as safe as possible. Before Harry I shifted sides, maybe grudgingly and almost unwilling but I did have sense enough to do what was right for my son. If it came down to him coming back, no I would not join him and no I would not forsake Harry in anyway." said Lucius firmly. "I believe, that there is one or two factors that you and I have in common. However, miniscule it is, it's a factor that may help our relationship in the future." James looked up and met Lucius eyes, "We both have sons the exact same age and we both would do anything we could in our power for them, even with our egos in the way."

"That's true." said James, his shoulder's straightening slightly. "This still isn't easy. But, it's becoming just a touch more comfortable. Not much." he held up his hand and tilted his head, "But some. I do appreciate you being here, I know my son really, really loves you. You're really lucky." said James, his eyes going sad. "Sometimes, I wonder how well I capture his love. He's so close to Remus... so unearthly close. I've pushed him away already over the years. I know he would never admit it, he would always declare that we were close. But, when it boils down to it, we're not close."

"You could be."

"I don't even know my own son as well as you would."

"I don't know my own son as well as his closest friend." drawled Lucius. "I doubt any father knows their son that well."

"You're right. I always thought - that my kid would be close to me but instead he's closer to Lily but most importantly to Remus."

"Harry's not that old. You still have a chance."

"I know, I just wonder how to go about it."

"Maybe not like you go about Sirius Black." suggested Lucius. "You tell me he's so much Lily, why don't you try a little bit of that."

James suddenly looked thoughtful, "Yeah, thank you Lucius." said the former Gryffindor earnestly. He folded his hands together and placed them languidly between his knees. "You might be right. Treating him like Sirius won't work, and I have all these years."

Lucius sat back and finished off his drink. The conversation went better than could be anticipated. At least there were no curses flying at one another nor were their glares.

It was a decent start.