Chapter 5

"Master Harry, the little Master is all being ready for bed." Winky told Harry a few hours later.

Harry looked up from the table he was sitting at. He and Alex had spent a good bit of the evening preparing his room and setting everything up in it. Alex had sat with Harry when they got all his things out to put away, while they were doing so Alex explained what each item meant to him and the story behind them.

But now he was thinking about the letters and not the stories Alex told him. After sending Alex to get ready for bed he had gone back downstairs and had started thinking about what to do with the letters he had received that morning.

He knew it would be best to respond to a few of them soon before someone came barging at his door. It was a miracle that they had lasted this long.

Andromeda's would probably have to be answered first. He needed to tell her about Alex and the adoption before she heard it from someone else. He understood her reasons for wanting to keep Teddy, Harry doubted that he could have taken care of a newborn anyways by himself and a few house-elves. He hoped that a four-year-old would not be too much of a problem. Besides Alex seemed like a good kid, he was smart and not to energetic. Andromeda might not be too happy with his decision but it was done and he would never change it for the world.

Along with responding to Andromeda he would have to respond to Kingsley's letter. After the war the man had been positioned as the new minister and had been asking about him joining the Auror program for a few weeks now.

Ever since the first letter Harry had been thinking long and hard about it. He was tired of chasing down dark wizards and just wanted to be himself for a while. Added to that he was starting to feel that even after time to himself he might not want to actually join with the Aurors. He wanted to be safe and done with danger.

Now that he had Alex to take care of that feeling was starting to solidify in him. He wasn't going to do that to a kid, make him worry if Harry was going to come home in the evening or leave him if something happened to him. A dangerous job and long hours was not what the two of them needed right now. He had already decided before that if he had taken the Auror position as soon as he had kids he was going to find a safer job. It turns out that came sooner than expected.

Kingsley wouldn't be happy but he wouldn't change his decision. He would not be joining the Aurors. But that left the Hogwarts letter. If he did consider McGonagall's letter about him coming back to school for his seventh year, he would have to consider Alex in the decision also. Maybe he would talk with Alex about it in the morning, see what he thought.

"Thank's Winky." Harry said. "Is there anything else? Did Alex go down okay?"

"The little Master is just waiting for you to come see him. But there was something that Kreacher and I is wondering." Winky said hesitantly.

Harry looked up curious when Kreacher popped next to Winky nodding his head.

"What about?" he asked curious. It was strange for the two of them to come asking about something.

"When you is saying you is adopting the young master, how is that being?" Winky asked. "Is you doing a muggle adoption? Or is you planning one of the wizarding adoptions also?"

Harry blinked and thought about the question. That issue hadn't occurred to him. He supposed he would have to register that Alex was now his son in the muggle world and do the same in the wizarding world.

"I hadn't thought about it. I guess that is something I will need to do. Thank you for bringing it to my attention Winky, Kreacher." Harry said looking fondly at his house-elves. "The way you phrased it, is there more than one way to adopt in the wizarding world? I wouldn't really have any idea how to go about it the right way either."

"Kreacher is figuring as much." The old elf mumbled.

"Can you tell me what the options might be? What would you two suggest?" Harry asked. Both elves were more knowledgeable about wizarding customs and the working of the magical world than he was.

"You could register the adoption at the ministry and have those files transferred and applied so that the wizarding community recognizes that the little master is yours." Winky suggested.

"That is only paper." Kreacher hissed. "Better to do it the pureblood way. Blood adopt the boy. Make him truly your son."

Harry leaned back in surprise. He hadn't known such a thing was possible. Could he really do that? Did he want that for them? Would Alex want that?

From the way Kreacher made it sound, it wouldn't just be a name on a paper like it was on the papers he has received in muggle London when they transferred custody. Or how it would probably be if he registered the adoption at the ministry. Alex would actually be his by blood. They would truly be each other's families.

"What do I have to do?" Harry asked.

"You is going to Gringott's with the young master and doing to blood adoption there. The Goblins is explaining." Winky said.

"Alright, we'll do that tomorrow." Harry said feeling a little giddy. This was moving fast with Alex, but the little boy made him so happy.

He felt better thaan he had in months. For the last few weeks he had felt like he was just living through the motions. Alex was like a bright ray of sunshine that had just lightened up his world and made him feel alive again.

Smiling Harry made his way upstairs to finish putting Alex to bed. It was something he had listened to enviously with his aunt and cousin when he was little. He had always wanted his aunt to tuck him in like she did Dudley. He may not have someone putting him to bed, but it was an amazing feeling knowing that there was someone waiting for him.

"Hey." Harry whispered opening Alex's door. Alex smiled at him sleepily from his bed.

"Look Harry isn't it pretty?" Alex said pointing at his night stand. Curled up was a miniature dragon light that was giving off a slight glow in the room.

"It's very nice, did Kreacher find that for you?" Harry asked sitting down on the edge of the bed and running a hand through Alex's hair.

"Mmhhh." Alex mumbled sleepily. "I didn't want it to be dark."

"That was very nice of him." Harry smiled. "Hey Alex, how do you feel about doing the adoption the wizarding way also?"

"What does that mean?" Alex asked snuggling up into Harry's side.

"That would mean making you my actual son. We would do a blood adoption making us share the same blood." Harry tried to explain to the tired boy. He would probably have to explain again in the morning.

"Can we really do that?" Alex asked blinking up at him. Harry smiled and nodded. "I'd be Harry's?"

"And you would be mine." Harry assured Alex.

"Can we?" Alex asked gently.

"Tomorrow." Harry replied placing a kiss on Alex's forehead.

"Harry? Can you stay here with me tonight?"

"Sure thing buddy." Harry replied settling down next to Alex and moving him over slightly.

"Tell me a story? Mommy used to do that."

"Sure." Harry replied thinking about what to tell Alex. He supposed he could tell him about himself some, he would have to know his story eventually.

"There once was a little boy. He was lonely and all by himself. He lived with his relatives who for whatever reason didn't like him. He thought nothing in his life would ever change and get better. But one day that all changed. On his cousin's eleventh birthday, only a few weeks away from his, at a trip to a zoo, something extraordinary happened. Something that had been building for a long time and would signal the start of change in his life…"


Sorry its been so long since i updated this.

So to reiterate from last chapter I want you opinions on Alex's middle name. Harry will have the opportunity in a few chapters to change Alex's name. he likes the name Sterling, but the name made him think that he wants to use the Black tradition of naming their children after stars. So Harry's idea is going to be keep the S, but make it a star name. my problem is I cant decide what star name I want to give Alex. So that is where you my lovely readers come in. I will give you a few of the names I found and until we get to the chapter I will take your votes and tally them. Whichever names gets the most votes I will use.

Sirius- after his godfather, means scorching

Sarin- could not find a meaning for the star name, but is part of the Hercules constellation. Did find an Indian translation of the name though, means helpful, or hopeful

Saiph- pronounced SAFE, means sword

Scorpius- the scorpion

Tell me which you think sounds good with Alexander Potter.k

Sirius- three votes,

Sarin- four votes

Saiph- three votes

Scorpius- two vote