Chapter 23
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A few weeks later, Harry was indeed feeling much better. It had taken considerable coaxing, even on Sebastian's part, but Harry finally ventured out into the gardens, and he had plenty of company. The twins sat comfortably in the double pram Harry was pushing, as Sebastian skipped along at his side, and the pups, Seren, Ceri, and Alun, ran circles around them, chasing each other. Narcissa, Lucius, and Severus watched discreetly from the veranda doors. Narcissa, overcome with the joy of seeing Harry feeling better and finally enjoying an afternoon walk outside, periodically dabbed at her eyes with a lacy handkerchief. Lucius had one arm around his wife and the other arm casually across Severus' shoulders. He looked quite pleased as well.
"Your potions, and your son's huge heart. Quite a potent treatment, my friend. One perfectly suited to cure our Harry."
"Indeed, Luc. But, I believe it is my son who has had the most effect on him. He loves Harry very much, and I believe Harry loves him too. That, is something I cannot put in a potion, no matter how successful a Potions Master I am."
"Ah, Severus... but you don't have to put it in a potion to share it with him." Narcissa replied quietly, never taking her eyes from the children in the garden.
Lucius gave her a knowing look before returning his gaze to the gardens without looking at Severus. Severus looked over at her, his eyes narrowed a bit, as he wondered if she'd suddenly become an accomplished Legilimens.
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After that day, Harry took a walk in the gardens every afternoon for at least an hour, weather permitting. Sometimes he went alone, with just the dogs for company, and on others, he took the twins, pushing them in the pram, as he described the flora and fauna to them, much to their apparent delight.
When schedules permitted, Narcissa and Lucius would join him, chatting encouragingly with him about what he might like to do with his future. And whenever Sebastian visited, he was always at Harry's side. Severus had yet to join him, at least until today. Narcissa had pushed him out the veranda doors with orders to keep Harry company, since Sebastian apparently was experiencing the beginnings of a cold, and she insisted he needed pampering, inside the manor.
Coincidentally, the twins were also inside today; already enjoying their afternoon naps. Severus didn't think it was a coincidence at all, but he knew better than to question Cissa about it.
He could see Harry, several yards away, sitting on a bench under a small group of trees. The afternoon was on the cool side, so Harry was wrapped in warm outer robes in a pleasing shade of deep green, that he just knew would accentuate the young man's eyes. His mother's eyes. Yes, they were his mother's, but they were also Harry's eyes; because they showed depths of emotion and pain he'd never seen in Lily's eyes.
He thought as he slowly walked, of all the things he knew Harry had gone through, and he was sure there were many others he wasn't aware of. Those things, both good and bad, had molded the young man in front of him, rather than destroy him. It amazed him how Harry could still look at others in a positive way, with a level of compassion and caring he shouldn't be capable of. How he had managed to avoid a fate similar to Riddle's, escaped him. The Goddess had made sure that Harry had more of his mother in him than his father.
If he'd had more of James Potter in him, the world would have seen another Dark Lord. And possibly worse than Riddle ever thought to be. He was very grateful that had not occurred.
He studied Harry as he drew closer, since Harry was distracted, staring off into the distance. The breeze ruffled the dark hair, long now that Harry had let it grow. The flush of color on his cheeks from the chill was an improvement over the wan pallor he'd sported for so long. The heavy robes masked his body, but Severus knew, from speaking with Cissa, and with Hermione and Neville, that Harry had begun to finally put on some weight again. It seemed the small addition of an appetite inciter to his Nutrient Potion had helped. He smiled at that. Harry would have been unhappy about it if he'd known, but Cissa, Luc, Sirius, and Remus, had all insisted, and the healers had thought it a good idea. If he'd gotten any thinner, they would have had to resort to less pleasant methods of getting food into him to increase his weight and his immunity. Overall, Harry looked well, if still a bit tired at times.
He stopped a few feet from the bench, and cleared his throat to announce his presence. Harry turned at the sound and smiled up at him.
"Severus! What brings you out here, in such chilly weather? I'd imagine you'd be brewing away on a day like this."
He answered, giving a quirky smile, "Do I need a reason to visit a friend?"
A light blush appeared on Harry's cheeks. "O-Of course not! Would you join me for a walk. Cissa is adamant I get my daily exercise...though surprisingly, the twins are down for their kip early today."
"And Sebastian has a runny nose. Must be something going around. He's not happy that he has to stay inside. Narcissa insisted on pampering him."
"She'll take good care of him. I'll miss the children's company immensely, but, I have your company to make up for it." Harry rose to join Severus on the stone walkway. "I can't complain."
"You are looking better, Harry. How do you feel?"
"A bit better lately. A little hungrier too. I actually finished my lunch today. Moine says I've gained half a stone in the last month."
"That's good, Harry. A good healthy appetite will do wonders for you in the long run."
"Yeah." He chuckled. "It definitely makes everyone--including the house elves--happy."
"Everyone just wants to see you happy and healthy again." Severus replied, casting Warming Charms over both of them.
"Does that include you too, Severus." Harry asked, his voice quieter and his eyes on the path.
The question almost startled him, catching him off guard, it was so unexpected. "Of course it does, Harry! I care about you, and your well-being--just as Sebastian does."
"Sebastian tells me often that he loves me--and I have come to love him--as the son I wished I had. Does that bother you, Severus?"
Severus stopped walking and turned to face Harry, as the younger man turned to him. The green eyes held hesitancy; the semblance of a question the young man was afraid to ask. He had an intuition of what that question was, but he wasn't sure if he was ready to give the answer yet, either to himself, or to Harry.
"Merlin, no! Sebastian is a child with an abundance of love and affection to give. The more he gives, the more he has. A trait he inherited from his Da. It makes him very happy, as it does those around him--as I'm sure you've experienced."
They began walking again, Severus' words breaking the tense moment.
"Most definitely. Without his visits, I may not have healed as well as I have."
"Everyone would agree with that assessment--including myself."
"Coming from one who was once so contrary, that is indeed high praise." Harry smirked.
"Insufferable brat." Severus mumbled.
"Git." Harry snickered, as they continued to walk together through the garden.
Three pairs of eyes watched from the windows.
"Aun'ie Cissa, wiwll Hawwry be my new Da an' brin' me bro'der's an' sist'rs like Zoe' an' Sasha?" Sebastian asked, wide eyes looking up at Narcissa and Lucius.
He sneezed and Cissa cast a gentle Cleansing Spell on his little red nose, before pulling the woven throw closer around him. Lucius picked him up, and the three of them moved to sit on the settee by the fire.
"If the Goddess is willing, child. We can only hope and ask in our prayers to her. Harry and your Papa would make each other very happy. They just don't know it yet."
He sniffled and rubbed at his nose. "Ah cou'd tewll dem!"
Lucius chuckled and Narcissa smiled.
"I'm afraid that wouldn't work, Sebastian. In matters of the heart, one must be Slytherin, or it will scare the two people apart. You are a bit young yet, but I will try to explain."
Lucius situated Sebastian between the two of them, as his wife encouraged the boy to drink some herbal tea.
"Both of them have been hurt in the past by people they cared deeply for. So they are very cautious; not wanting to be hurt again, but, as friends, not wanting to hurt each other either. So, if anyone were to help them along..." He gave Narcissa a knowing glance over Sebastian's head. "... they would have to do it quietly, carefully, and without Harry and your Papa finding out."
"An' tha's bein' Slyverwin?"
Lucius and Narcissa both chuckled at that.
"Yes, Sebastian, that is most definitely being Slytherin."
Sebastian grinned widely, proud of himself, at least until a small bout of sneezing overcame him. Lucius produced a linen handkerchief and helped him cover his mouth and nose. Once it was over, Sebastian's face clean and dry again, Lucius scooped him up.
"Cissa dear, I believe we need one of Sev's potions. I will meet you in Sebastian's room."
Narcissa called for one of the house elves to retrieve the proper potions, and headed upstairs behind her husband.
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Thankfully, Sebastian was feeling better in a matter of days, due mainly to the minor type of cold he'd suffered, though he seemed to bask in the fussing and pampering of his Auntie and Uncle, as his Father watched, in amusement. Harry and the twins were forbidden from contact with Sebastian for fear they would become ill, as well. Narcissa had been adamant, and Hermione had backed her up.
By the time he'd been allowed to spend time outside again, a week later, he was a bundle of pent-up energy. His first outing was a walk in the gardens with Harry and his Papa, and he couldn't wait. Standing by the veranda doors, he was bouncing on the balls of his feet, his outer robes already donned and buttoned.
The twins had been brought down, already wearing their robes, and Narcissa was currently making them comfortable in their pram, amidst their own excited squeals. Lucius would be joining his wife to take their young ones for a walk today; allowing some 'special bonding time' for Harry, Severus, and Sebastian, on their walk. Lucius entered the room with Harry a few moments later.
"Harrwy! Huwrry so we can go walk! Com'n Papa!" Sebastian called out excitedly, as he moved closer to the doors and reached for the handles.
"Patience, My Son. The gardens will still be there." He turned to Harry. "Good afternoon, Harry. You're looking quite chipper today."
"We're coming Sebastian." Harry chuckled as he spoke. "My sleep has been better these last few days. It seems the adjustments you made to my potions has made a difference."
"I am pleased to hear that. I will have to annotate my journal when I return to my lab."
"I'm happy to be of service--as your lab rat." Harry smirked, receiving a raised eyebrow in return, though there was no ire behind it.
Lucius closed his heavy outer robes and ushered Narcissa and the twins to the door. "Come Sebastian. You may walk with us until they are ready." He smiled down at the boy as he opened the doors.
Sebastian looked back at his Papa and Harry, then back up at his Uncle. " 'kay, Unc'a Lucius."
"It'll be fine. Let's let them have a little time together." He winked at his nephew, as Narcissa muffle a tiny laugh beside him.
Sebastian's eyes grew big with realization, as he looked at the two men talking quietly a few feet away, then looked back up at his Uncle again with a big smile. Leaning up, he whispered in Lucius' ear.
"Are we bein' Slyverwin, Unc'a Lucius?"
Lucius nodded with a grin and straightened. Opening the doors he ushered his family out, holding Sebastian's hand, and looked back briefly, a knowing smirk on his face. If all went well, in a few months, Cissa would be planning another ceremony for the family; this time, a joyous bonding.
When Harry and Severus finally made it out to the gardens, forty-five minutes later, they walked and talked for another three hours, totally engrossed in each other. This was something the others were grateful for since it enabled them to watch from a distance, noting the progress the two men were making toward becoming more comfortable together. When Sebastian asked if he shouldn't go walk with them, Narcissa suggested they'd been out long enough and some cocoa and biscuits sounded wonderful, and they headed back to the manor.
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Severus stopped in midstep, "Where is Sebastian?"
Harry stopped and looked around. "I noticed Sebastian leaving with Luc and Cissa and the twins, before we came out. I assumed he would join us. It seems we were so engrossed in our discussion--"
"Indeed. I find this quite distressing, that I wouldn't notice his absence."
"Severus," Harry put a hand on the older wizard's arm, as he looked up at him. "if he were in any danger--or whatever--you would sense it immediately. He is fine. Look."
Severus' gaze followed where Harry pointed, and watched Lucius guiding Narcissa and the children back toward the manor. His son skipped happily along beside Lucius. Just then Lucius turned and waved, giving a nod, as if to say we're fine, before entering the veranda doors with the others.
"See, he's just fine. Knowing Luc and Cissa, they kept him with them to give us some time alone."
Severus snorted. "You may be right."
"Come'on. I want to finish walking the perimeter of the gardens before it starts getting dark."
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Harry turned the corner and walked toward the small cafe', reaching up to adjust the dark grey wool Gable fedora he wore, making sure his scar was covered. Hermione had gifted him with it, suggesting it was a classy way to hide his scar and help change his look when he went out. Of course, the rectangular black plastic framed glasses he also wore helped.
When Hermione had, with Neville's help, finally convinced him to leave the manor for a shopping trip, to Muggle London, she'd helped him to choose a new wardrobe and build a new look for himself; one that would give him some anonymity when he ventured out in the Wizarding World. Noone had seen him publicly in quite some time and his appearance had matured. It was the perfect opportunity to build a new, more mature look to go with his new family name; Haralde James Lucien Abraxus Potter-Malfoy.
He had let his hair grow, and braided, it now reached well past his shoulder blades. Lucius had been quite pleased with his choice to honor the old tradition, and took the time to teach him all the special Haircare Spells he had learned and perfected over the years. He'd even grown a goatee in the center of his chin that happened to be about the size of a Galleon. Hermione teased him about it, good-naturedly, asking if he was carrying a baby Puffskein around with him. Narcissa told him it made him look dashing, and Sebastian just thought it was awesome. Severus was surprisingly silent, oddly.
When he had dressed that morning, he'd chosen soft Navy trousers, a brushed cotton dress shirt in pale blue, and a chocolate brown tailored knee-length walking coat. A sleek black leather belt, casual ankle boots, and a funky retro-patterned tie, completed his look, though the tie was worn loosely. Hermione told him he looked like a funky version of an oldHollywood star.
Witches and Wizards walked past him, oblivious as to who he really was. It amazed him, and he was still a bit worried about being recognized. All they saw was a classy dressed young man in tastefully tailored clothing, hat and glasses; sporting a long heavy braid of dark hair down his back. People nodded and smiled at him, but that was it. He shook himself and continued on to the cafe'.
"Hey, Har!" Sirius sported a wide grin and his pale blue eyes showed his pleasure at seeing his godson.
"Wotcher, Siri! Remi!" He replied as he slid into an empty chair at their table, on the patio outside the cafe'.
Remus cast a Confidentiality Charm, a variation on a Silencing Charm and Notice-Me-Not Spell. Once that was done, Harry leaned over the table to kiss each of his godfathers on the cheek. He'd missed them over the last year and a half, since the 'Incident', as everyone had come to refer to the fiasco with Colin Creevey. Both Sirius and Remus had been very busy, traveling and working for the rights of Were's. They came to the manor as often as they could to visit, and as time went on, convinced Harry to occasionally meet them outside the manor, like today.
The cafe' was run by a friend of Remus', a Were Lynx, they'd helped through a rough legal spot with the Ministry. In return, she protected the privacy of her patrons, especially fellow Were's and their loved ones, and that included the new young Lord Potter-Malfoy.
Isolde appeared at their table, balancing three large mugs and three lunch plates in her hands. "Hello Harry. It's good to see you again. How are you?"
"I'm doing better, thank you. And how is the cafe' doing, Issy?" He asked as he watched her set the mugs and plates down, adding linen napkins and silverware from a pocket in her apron.
"Splendidly! Thank you for your assistance. I couldn't have renovated the place so quickly without your help. The new ovens, sandwiche press, and espresso machine arrived last week. Maybe you'd like a quick tour before you leave later?"
"I'd like that."
"Great! Now, I've brought you something new to try. I've recently added Chai teas to the menu, and this one was a recipe from a friend in the States, that I thought you would enjoy. It's a Pumpkin Spice Chai. Tastes like homemade Pumpkin Pie. I brought the usuals for you two. And three orders of the Indie veggie wrap I just added to the menu. They're on the house. Just let me know what you think."
"Looks good." Harry commented, as he lifted his mug to take a sip. His eyes widened. "Ohhh! This is delicious!"
"Aww, Issy. How about something with meat in it! I'll waste away on this rabbit food." Sirius whined. "Ow! What'd ya do that for, Remi?!"
"For a non-Were, Siri, you eat enough meat for the both of us! A few fresh veggies wouldn't go amiss on that waistline." He poked his lover in the side again. "Can't have you loosing that svelte figure of yours. You'd have to give your leathers away. Besides, you know what they say, 'You are what you eat.' "
Sirius leered at his husband, and waggled his eyebrows, "If that's so then, I guess that means you're--"
Remus picked up half of the veggie wrap from Sirius' plate and shoved it into his mouth, effectively shutting him up. Harry snickered behind his napkin, sharing an amused glance with Isolde, as they watched his godfathers.
"I'd best get back inside. The lunch rush is starting and it's always busier than usual when the weather cooperates." She leaned down and kissed Harry's cheek. "Just let me know if you'd like anything else."
After she left, they sat in silence for about twenty minutes, while they ate, the occasional hum of enjoyment being heard. When they all finally sat back, sated and comfortably full, their empty dishes vanished and were replaced by fresh mugs of their chosen beverages.
Remus folded his napkin and laid it on the table. "That was wonderful. I think she will sell quite a few of those. There was just enough spiciness without being overpowering."
"I enjoyed it." Harry added, raising an eyebrow at Sirius.
Sirius rolled his eyes. "Yeah, it was good--but it would be better with some meat in it."
"Siri, you're hopeless." Harry shook his head. "Actually, the wraps can be served with added proteins on request--legumes, grilled fish or poultry, or occasionally a bit of beef or pork, when she gets a good price on it."
"Well, why didn't you bloody well tell me that, so I could have some?!" He winced when Remus swatted the back of his head. "Ow! Quit doing that!"
Hazel eyes twinkled as Remus chuckled. "I will when you grow up, Siri. Honestly, you'd think we were still sitting at Gryffindor Table, in the Great Hall at Hogwarts."
Scowling didn't seem to get him anywhere, so instead, he leaned over and nuzzled his husband's neck, causing Remus to blush and push him back into his seat. "Behave. We're here to visit with Harry."
"Oh, very well." Sirius replied, giving a dramatic sigh, as he winked at his godson.
Harry loved his godfathers, and watching them interact, especially the banter, made him love them all the more. His tension seemed to drain away when he was with them, just as it did at home with Luc, Cissa, the twins, Sebastian... and Severus. His heart flipped a bit when he thought of the older wizard. They'd been spending more and more time together as time went on, which he didn't mind one bit.
"Earth to Harry." Remus' voice broke into his thoughts. "A Galleon for your thoughts."
"Nothing really. Just wandering thoughts."
"Hmmm. Were they wandering anywhere interesting?" There was a mischievous glint in Sirius' eyes.
Remus nudged hm. "Leave him be, Siri. So, Harry, how are you enjoying your investments?"
"It was a grand idea, suggesting I help finance Were's that want to start their own businesses. The 'silent partner' thing is nice. I can help, and I don't have to see my name and all, splashed all over Wizarding media. And being listed as H. J. Lucian Abraxas P. Malfoy, doesn't hurt either. I still can't believe they haven't figured it out yet!" He chuckled.
"Well, count on the Prophet and all the others to live up to their reputations, of being idiots. The Quibbler would be the only one I would trust, and Luna refuses to print anything without your written consent first. Smart witch, that Ravenclaw. Who knew?"
"Yeah, Luna is quite the savvy intelligent witch. The 'Loony act', served her well, especially during the war. And it still does."
"Yeah, Kingsley told me, she's ace during interrogations. The suspects don't know what hit'em!" Sirius added with a snort.
Harry laughed aloud at the mental picture, startling his godfathers. It was the first time in a very long time they'd heard him laugh like that, and it warmed their hearts. It seemed Harry was finally healing.
Tbc...