AN: So the cause behind the delay on chapters as of late is that I've had to take up a second job to pay for Uni. I actually had to wait two years before I went off to school so I could earn enough money to pay for my classes, and now it looks like I might have to drop out until I can save up enough to pay for the rest. So patience on you the reader's part is very much appreciated.

I chose to cut the Christmas break in half because I knew this chapter would run too long otherwise. Despite this being a little on the shorter side (just under 10,000 words should not be considered short!) there's actually a lot to this chapter. Lastly see the bottom for poll details.

Thanks go out to Joe Lawyer for beta'ing and for helping me become a better (English) writer.

"Croaker..."

"Normally, I wouldn't ask this of you Lily. I know you're happy in retirement, but you're the only one I can trust with this job."

Lily chose to keep silent, her long red hair swaying lightly around her shoulders and face as the breeze charm that had been cast on the room pulled and tugged at the normally stifled air of the office. Expressive green eyes peered down at her robes, avoiding eye contact with the head of the Unspeakables and her close personal friend, Croaker Longbottom.

He had called her to his office, located deep within the Department of Mysteries, in an attempt to ask her to come back and work for him. While normally this wouldn't be a problem, this was no normal job offer. He was asking too much of her and they both knew it.

"I was already debating with myself whether or not I should give you a floo when you contacted me." The man with thinning sandstone-colored hair looked pleadingly at her with his coal-like eyes. She may not be able to see him staring imploringly at her, but he knew for a fact she was perceptive enough that she could feel the intensity of his gaze. "I didn't say anything to you at the time, but now my hands are tied. You asked me for information on the Royces and I delivered as any true friend would, despite the danger involved in doing so. Now I'm asking you, not as your former boss, but as a friend. Will you take the job?"

Lily winced, his words getting to her. "I know I owe you for the information, it was invaluable. However... this is-"

"Lily, you're the only one who can head-up this project." Croaker told her honestly, his tone thick with desperation. "I know of no one who's better at runes than you are and that includes any and all of the rune masters currently gracing Gringotts' halls. Your theoretical and practical applications with wards are second to none. And I've never heard tell of someone with a mind better suited for the intricacies of Arithmancy."

"I could continue well into the night, and still, I would be unable to put a dent in everything you can do better than anyone else I have. The simple fact is that you're your generation's great mind, no matter how much those who are stuck in the old ways want to deny it. We need you to do this. If you don't accept, we'll have to wait until we can gather a team filled with the best of a number of different fields. And I can assure you that by the time all of their schedules coincide, I'll be able to call up your son and ask him to do this job."

Up until now Lily's eyes had been troubled and unsure, signs of her inner conflict yet still showing a desire to help her friend. Though she knew the job was outside her grasp with all her current responsibilities, it didn't keep her from wanting to take part in what was sure to be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity - but when the man across from her chose to bring Harry into the conversation, her emerald gaze shifted into what could only be called the Avada Kedavra in orb form.

"What do you know of my son?" she questioned in a voice that was as cold as a dementor's presence.

Croaker's pleading gaze turned intense, as he eyed the deadly redhead with a great deal of respect. Gone was the kind and friendly man from before, what sat before her now was a calm, calculated individual, who knew of many of the magical world's best kept secrets. His knowledge of the workings and going-ons of the world's most powerful secret organizations, especially those based in Britain, made him a deadly individual to tangle with. It was one of the reasons that she had come to him for material she could use to blackmail the Royces into staying away from Harry.

"You know, as well as I, that all activity in magical Britain is watched over by those who wish to harness our nation's seedlings before they have a chance to bloom." he stated in a soft tone of voice that poorly matched his current rigid posture. "Not only has young Harry gained the attention of those who want strong wands at their command, but the power of his mind is already known to those looking for such gifted individuals."

"While being surrounded by many promising Ravenclaws he has managed to stand out in his academics, with, from what his professors say, is an ease that not even you possessed during your time at Hogwarts."

Slowly, Lily's features softened as Croaker spoke. She knew everything he said to be true. There were many 'secret' organizations and hidden orders that worked from the shadows, always keeping an eye out for promising young minds and wands, either for their own use, furthering their private agendas, or to keep those with such potential from the clutches of those who may oppose them in the future. Lily, herself, had been approached in her fifth year of Hogwarts and many times after by such groups. These 'offers' that they gave her didn't stop until she had officially joined up with the Unspeakables, at which time they knew they had lost all hope of obtaining her to their separate ranks.

"My sources tell me that he's even gained the attention of the Gray Lady." Croaker informed her, breaking her from her short lived musings. She stared at him with slightly wider eyes. "And how could he not, he has all the attributes she and many of those that matter most respect. He's been gifted with excessively large pools of magic. His mind is as sharp as your own. His dueling is reminiscent of Bellatrix's, a woman who is world renowned for her dueling ability. And though he may be effeminate, no one can deny the beauty he holds - and he's still only a young boy!"

"You seem to know a great deal about my son, Croaker."

"Of course I do," he admitted, unashamed about knowing as much as he did about an eleven-year-old boy. "I have plans to attempt recruitment when the school year ends. I've already been in contact with your father-in-law, Charlus, about it. Seeing what he thinks about my future offer to his grandson and how he thinks you'll react to the news."

If he had thought Lily's eyes were sharp before, they were dull compared to the glare that was now being sent his way.

"You shouldn't have gone to Charlus about this, but come to me directly! I could give a damn about his position as head of the Potter family. I'm his mother and your friend! I have a right to know what happens to Harry."

Lily was seething. After the treatment Harry had received at the hands of others in his past life, she had vowed to protect him no matter the cost.

"It looks as if Charlus was correct when he told me you'd be furious that I was making plans for one of your children." he noted, his tone light despite the angry powerful witch glaring murderously at him.

"Lily, I can assure you that I had no intention of approaching Harry without your permission first... Well 'permission' might be too strong a word," he said to himself, but loudly enough for her to hear. "But I was honest when I said I would have come to you beforehand."

Lily's gaze was still poisonous when Croaker finished speaking. Opening her mouth, a creative and offensive insult lying on her tongue just waiting to be flung at the man, she stopped before a sound could be made, a pensive look overtaking her, at the moment, rather severe-features, her potent rage dissipating.

While Lily had drifted off into her own little world, Croaker had taken the chance to pull his wand out and hit the rune on the underside of his desk, activating the shield charm he had in place to protect him. Lily Potter was a woman to be reckoned with; add in her legendary temper and easy to anger personality and you had an unstoppable force on your hands. Which was why he had activated his desk's protections; he was unwilling to chance her temper getting the best of her and him having to suffer the consequences.

"I'll take the job," Lily said suddenly and softly, catching Croaker off-guard by her sudden change of attitude and lack of anger. "However, I have a few... conditions."

S2ndC

"We'll be performing your animagus training in here," James said, leading his son into the Potter family dueling chambers. It was located where the basement of a normal home could normally be found. In the middle of the room was a large platform, equal in size to that of half a football pitch, elevated only slightly off the floor. Its intended use was blaringly clear to the young Potter.

Besides the abnormal dueling platform, there was little to make note of. A few life-size mannequins slumped lifelessly against the wall opposite to where the entrance was; next to them was a door that Harry was clueless as to where it would actually lead.

"Well, to be honest, the first part of the process you can do just about anywhere," James admitted, hopping onto the dueling-platform with a child-like exuberance.

Chuckling at his father's playfulness, Harry raised his foot the bare minimum as he joined the man on the platform. "How long does the full process take?"

"It all depends on the individual. I took about six months to complete it; that however, was more a result of the first step taking me so long. After I had found my inner animal, all it took was for me to do the actual physical change. That part was by far the easiest for me, as I'm quite good at transfiguration. It was the exact opposite for Sirius."

"You said something about finding your 'inner animal.'" Harry repeated as James nodded. "I'm guessing this means that some type of meditation is required." Kar had already informed him as such, but Harry wasn't in a hurry to tell his father as much. He quite enjoyed spending time with James - it was comparable to spending time with one of your best mates - and even if the information he was listening to was a bit redundant for him, in his eyes it was time well spent.

"That's correct," the older Potter nodded; impressed his son had figured this out from just his words.

"Does that mean we'll gain traits and mannerisms from completing the transformation?" Harry asked, truly wondering if he'd be able to use his form as a way to explain away his future abilities to others.

"No, thank Merlin! Could you imagine having to suffer through things like your inner animal's mating cycle?" James wrinkled his nose in disgust, before his features shifted to understanding. "While I admit there would be a number of benefits, such as the reflexes and enhanced senses, the drawbacks could possibly hinder you more than the perks could help."

Harry nodded, seeing his father's point, a little disappointed his plan wouldn't work. "Is there any benefit to the transformation... other than the whole 'changing into a different species thing?'" James chuckled.

"Depending on what your animal is, yes. Whatever your animal can do in nature, you can do while in that form. However, your animal abilities do not carry over to that of your base - human - form. If you're a... Let's say your animagus form is a species of fish, then you won't be able to breathe underwater unless you're transformed."

"Okay, I understand."

"Good!" Waving his wand, James conjured a round throw-pillow that he let fall to the floor. "Like you've already figured out, you must search within yourself and find your animal half before you can start attempting the physical change. But before we start anything, I have something I'd like to ask you."

"Shoot," Harry said, curious as to what it was his father wanted to know.

"Before you and Daphne got off the train yesterday, Marcus and Arana informed us that some of their family would be arriving from France in the next few days to spend the holidays with them."

"They've expressed an interest in taking our family out one night before their family leaves, so that we can meet them. The Greengrass' are doing this as a way for the two daughters of the visiting family to get to know some of their future schoolmates before they start Hogwarts," James explained.

Thanks in great part to the use of occlumency; Harry was able to restrain his shock, showing only a mild interest at the news. He had thought his father was speaking of Fleur and her family at first, but now he knew it couldn't be them. Gabrielle was too young to be starting school and Fleur would have already started her magical education at Beauxbatons by now.

Putting the Veela sisters out of his mind, he smirked lightly as he asked, "So Hogwarts is getting French twins?"

James released a bark of laughter that was very similar to Sirius'. "No, no French twins in your future my son. The younger of the two will be starting her first year alongside Iris and Astoria, next year. The older of the two has only just turned thirteen; she'll be two years ahead of you in classes."

"What are their names?" Harry asked, hoping to confirm the suspicion that was looking more and more likely.

"Fleur and Gabrielle Delacour." Harry nodded, putting on a pensive look that completely hid his shock from his father.

'Gabrielle being older in this timeline really shouldn't surprise me as much as it does.' he thought jadedly, resolved to the unforeseen changes that he knew he would experience more of in the future.

"The reason I brought their invitation up is due to the way you were outright glaring at Marcus when you got off the train." James admitted, his voice sounding half amused, half concerned. "Are you going to be alright around him? Is there a problem with him that I should know about? Can I expect you to show him some respect, or at the very least know you won't cut his throat, like it looked like you were planning to do yesterday?"

Harry shook his head wearily, all thought of silvery-blonde hair and heart breaking-blue eyes pushed from his mind. Pulling out a black leather cord, he plopped down on the cushion his father had conjured as he tied his hair back in a messy bun at the base of his neck, leaving only a strand by his right temple hanging free.

"I'm sorry if I embarrassed you and mum with my behavior yesterday, it's just that..." Trailing off he grimaced lightly, contemplating how much he should reveal. "I guess you can say that I don't like him... as a man, or as a father."

James looked at him quite perturbed. "Harry, if there's something going on I should know about-" He was brought to a stop by the hand his son was holding up.

"It's nothing dad," Harry said disarmingly. "I just think he needs to take a step back and see that he has more than one daughter." He had given what Daphne had told him a lot of thought as he lay in bed the night before, and had come to the conclusion that his first thoughts on the situation had been correct. Marcus Greengrass was the one responsible for his daughter's stoic nature, and it pissed Harry off to untold heights.

"Those are quite the loaded words," James observed. Bending his knees he let himself fall backwards, summoning a throw-pillow to land on as he fell. "Care to clue your aged, yet devastatingly-handsome father in?"

"No, I wouldn't," Harry replied not unkindly. "It's just how I see things. Nothing more, nothing less."

"Harry if something is going on-"

"Truly, nothing's 'going on' dad. And you know it's the truth because otherwise I'd have to take matters into my own hands." Harry finished mysteriously, though it was quite obvious to both Potter males what he had meant. It was at that precise moment that James could see that not all of the 'old Harry' was dead and gone; that there was still a part of that boy, who he had once called a 'monster,' in his son, that Harry reserved for those who crossed him and would also use in the protection of those he cared for.

"Alright..." James trailed off, leaving a heavy silence between them. Glancing to his pensive son, James wondered if he should have Lily speak with him. Even to James, who could be quite clueless at times, it was clear to see how strong the relationship between his wife and son was. Maybe she would have better luck getting through the emotional wall Harry had created for himself.

"Before we get started," James said, cutting into the quiet before the awkwardness could become any more pronounced than it already was, "are there any other questions about the animagus process you'd like to have answered?"

"Actually, there is." Sitting forward he gave his father his full attention. "Do you know if my animal form was fully grown when I first made the change with the aid of the potion, or if it will continue to grow with me as I age? And is there such a thing as partial transformations?" James nodded as he listened to his son.

"Your animal form has yet to reach maturity; it's the same age as your human form, but only in its species' life cycle. Look at Sirius' form. He's the same age as your mum and me, but his form is a dog. Had his animal-half aged at the same rate normal dogs do, then he'd be nothing more than a pile of bones in the backyard."

"That makes sense," Harry nodded. "And the partial transformation?"

James smiled smugly at his son, earning a puzzled stare. "Partial transformations are well within the realm of possibility." Accentuating his point, a large pair of antlers sprouted from his hair toward the back of his head just behind his ears, their impressive width easily outshining the broadness of his shoulders.

Enjoying his son's slightly awed look, James continued where he had left off. "After finding your inner animal almost all of the remainder of the process is spent in a partial animal form, as you learn to turn each part of your body to that of your animal." The way James spoke made it clear that he had explained this very subject to someone in the past, and yet he did so without sounding like he was bored or annoyed that he had to repeat himself. "The last of the training is spent learning to shift completely from one form to the other fluidly. When you can change without any pain, or hesitation, that is when you know you're done and have become a full-fledged animagus."

"Is there any reason behind that particular question?" James asked, acutely aware that his son had yet to pull his eyes away from his antlers.

"I thought it would be cool to be able to change my eyes to those of my animal form," Harry lied, too embarrassed to tell what he really wanted to do. "My avian form has far better eyesight than myself." 'At least for the time being anyway.'

Scoffing softly, James sent him a knowing look that bordered on condescending. "You sure it doesn't have anything to do with you shifting only your wings out to make yourself look like an angel for some girl you want to impress?"

Harry sputtered, ripping his eyes from his father's antlers to gaze shamefaced at the floor. He would never admit it to another soul, but he was sure that in that minute he was as red as the girls he so loved to tease.

"I figured as much - you are most definitely my son," James admitted, smirking at him. "I would have done the same thing had I had a form like yours when I was younger. But remember," he warned, his tone and the way he held himself turning serious, "you can't tell anyone about your animagus training that you don't completely trust. If you wouldn't leave your life in their hands, then you don't tell them. Understand?"

Harry nodded, meeting his father's stern gaze while elsewhere in his mind he wondered what Iris would think of the wing idea. He knew girls had a thing for the whole fallen angel thing.

It was as his mind raced over all the possibilities that an amusing thought occurred to Harry. Glancing over at his still amused father he let an evil smirk take over his lips.

"So dad," he said, as his father's amusement slipped away at the sight of this smile. "If you're able to do that," he pointed to his new appendages, "then does that mean you have one of those oh-so-masculine deer tails?"

When James didn't say anything Harry fell back laughing at his father's suddenly stone-faced expression. His son laughing uproariously at him was too much for the glasses wearing man, red started to stain his cheeks and slowly started seeping all the way down into the collar of his flannel shirt.

"Oi! It's not funny," he exclaimed indignantly, making Harry laugh harder. "For your information your mother finds it very cute!"

"Keep you antlers on," Harry sighed, as he raised himself back up into a sitting position. His green eyes shining and sparkling from being almost brought to tears. "I'm sure you're a regular stag with your fluffy bunny tail." It was now James' turn to sputter.

"It's not a bunny tail, you cheeky brat." he defended, trying and failing to hide his growing amusement as it made a reappearance.

Releasing a deep sigh, Harry wiped at his eyes. "Enough talk about your supreme manliness. Let's get to it. What do I have to do first?"

Chuckling slightly, James nodded. "To begin with, you'll have to..."

S2ndC

"I don't think it was smart of me to have put off my shopping until a day before Christmas." Harry grimaced as the mid-afternoon wind cut at his exposed face. He, along with his mother at his side, made their way through Diagon Alley and the expected crowds of people who had left their Christmas shopping to the last minute as he had.

"Nonsense," Lily admonished, the wind pulling wildly at the strands of her red hair that were hanging from her warm wool winter hat, just like her son's. "You only just got home yesterday and it was too messy out to go at the time."

"Still-" Harry was cut off from finishing what he was about to say as he grabbed a hold of a passing woman who had stumbled into him, her heels having caught in the cobblestone streets, pitching her into his side. Regaining her balance, her hands going to her hair to make sure it was still in place, she sent him a bright thankful smile.

"Thank you for the help, young one." She said, expressing her gratitude in an American accent. Leaning down she planted a kiss on his red-from-the-wind cheek. "Merry Christmas!"

"And to you too, my lady," Harry called out as she walked away, a wolfish smile splitting his face. Turning around to continue on, he stopped when he caught the dry look his mother was sending him. "What? That was only polite!"

Shaking her head at him, slightly amused, she started moving again, wondering just how long it would be before he gave in to his 'inner James.'

"Like I was saying, I know how to sneak off school grounds and how to move around without being seen. I should have started my shopping a while back."

Together, the mother and son turned onto one of the higher-end shopping districts, an off-shoot to the main thoroughfare of Diagon Alley.

"So, are you ever going to tell me what happened with you and the Royces?" He questioned anxiously. The thought of his mother dealing with the notorious crime family made him nervous, it didn't matter that the contract kept her safe. The Royces were feared for a good reason.

Noticing Harry's worried look she sent him a calming smile. "The whole thing was quite anticlimactic in the end. I gathered as much blackmail material as I possibly could, calling in favors and promising future ones in return for any information that could be of use. When I had everything ready, I owled the head of their family and requested a meeting in a public place."

Still listening to every word that passed his mother's lips, Harry pointed toward a random shop, indicating that he wanted to stop there. Nodding, Lily followed him, continuing her story. "At the meeting Vega's mother tried threatening us by saying she was going to go after our friends since they couldn't go after us directly." Lily informed him, rolling her eyes as they stepped into the shop that was considerably warmer than it had been outside. "When I showed her all the evidence I had against her, her family, and her 'businesses,' she laughed in my face, telling me that I could have all the evidence in the world, but that it wouldn't mean a thing when she had half the Wizengamot in her robe pocket."

Forgetting about looking for gifts, Harry wrapped his hand in hers, leading her to a corner where he cast a quick and over-powered privacy charm. "What did you do then?" he questioned, pulling off his large beanie, letting his scarlet hair fall freely around his shoulders.

"I told her she was right. That if I took all I had in front of the Wizengamot, it'd get me nowhere as there's far too many individuals in seats of power that would be incriminated by what I have to show for me to get any real results. Lily smiled, acting as if this was the most normal response in the world. "But if I were to take this to the ICW then all of Britain would feel its wrath, and she and her family would be the first ones they would descend upon."

"No offense by this, but why don't we do that anyway?" Harry asked, not seeing a problem with all the trash in Britain having the powers of the wider wizarding world coming down on them.

"There are two things holding back that particular course of action. The first being you." Harry looked at her strangely. He was going to question what he had to do with their inaction, but was cut off by her before he could start. "The ICW, if they were to get involved, would be beyond thorough in their investigation. It would take them little to no time at all to find the contract the old Harry signed. You'd be locked away for who knows how long for a crime you didn't even commit."

Harry cursed, tucking the loose strand of his hair behind his ear. "I would love to get a chance to kick my past self's ass." Shaking his head, he brushed away his anger, turning his attention back on his mother. "And the second reason?"

"Because as long as they're still around we can use them to our benefit. They're powerful, have connections, and can get us items we may find ourselves in need of in the future," she explained. "As loathe as I am to admit it, their help will be invaluable in the future."

"So it's safe to assume we won't be having any more trouble with them in the future." Glancing around the busy shop he watched for anyone who might be attempting to overhear their conversation. It would appear, after numerous sweeps of the room, that his awareness was unneeded, as no one seemed to be paying them any attention. All were too busy trying to find the perfect gifts at the last minute.

"Not exactly," Lily sighed, drawing his attention back onto herself. "From what her mother tells me, Vega is a very vindictive little girl. She's warned her away from making contact with you, but whether she'll heed her advice she doesn't know"

Harry snorted loudly. "I could have told you the vindictive part."

"On the bright side she can't force you to do anything. But knowing her, she may very well attempt to get at you some other way, even with the contract in place."

Harry thought back to the curse he had been subjected to and felt a chill run down his spine. "As long as I don't have to experience that spell again, I'll be alright. It was a right nasty piece of work, even after all my experience with the cruciatus."

"I looked into that as well. The spell Vega used on you should have damaged her as much as it did you. It's the price one must pay for causing such harm to another, or at least that's what the original texts in the tombs left behind by the creator say. Otherwise, it would make its wielder powerful - far too powerful." Lily shook her head slightly as she recalled his memories of the spell.

"As you've already seen, its power in the hands of a mere schoolgirl can rival that of a Cruciatus cast by Voldemort. Admittedly she's a very powerful schoolgirl, but a schoolgirl nonetheless."

"So how was she able to do it with a bloody freaking smile on her face?" Lily could tell the anger that had slipped into his tone wasn't directed towards her, but at the Royce heiress.

"A ritual their family has known for generations." Lily allowed a victorious smile to grace her lips. "A ritual that I now know. It'll take me some time to gather all that's required for the process, but it's well worth the wait. That spell alone will help greatly when it comes time to start eliminating our targets."

"I really wouldn't mind showing her what it's like being on the wrong end of that curse," Harry muttered absentmindedly, his imagination running away from him, filling his head with visions of his wand turned on her.

"I know you want to get even with her, but that route is cut off from you." An apologetic look in her eyes, she reached out tucking the hair that had fallen loose of his ear back into place. "The ritual makes any who've gone through the process immune to all of the spell's effects, both those from casting it and when the spell is turned on the individual." Harry's lips tightened in displeasure, but he nodded nonetheless, eyeing his mother as he did so.

It still surprised him that his mother was as amazing as he had always heard - greater than he had ever heard if he was being truthful - her ability to love unconditionally, the astounding intelligence she held, and her beauty that even Harry couldn't help but to admire, made her appear as if she were an earthbound deity forced to walk among the lowly creatures called humans.

However, what surprised him more than anything else about the awe inspiring woman he called mother, was her willingness to grit her teeth and do what must be done, even when others were too weak-willed to do so. Even now she was ready to begin hunting down and killing Death Eaters - and if he had picked up her hints correctly, those who had escaped justice by greasing the dirty palms of those in power - when they both knew that others, even James, would look down on such things.

She understood his need for revenge and accepted it. She wouldn't waste time with trying to deter him from getting even when she herself would have done the same thing. It made him glad that she was going to be the one to train him, but more so than this, it made him proud to call her his mother. Kar had come through for him once again - Lily Potter would make him the man he needed to be.

"Sorry to break you from what I'm sure was a critical musing session, but if you want to find the perfect gift for Iris then we should get a move on."

Smiling at her, he nodded as he dropped the basic, yet useful charm. Stuffing his headwear into his coat he turned to search the shop for anything Iris, or any of the others on his shopping list would enjoy.

The shop he had entered was an unexpectedly good choice on his part. There was a wide and varying selection of wares to be found. Enchanted items, jewelry, rare books, and if the sound coming from one of the side rooms was anything to go by, pets as well.

Harry was looking over the many enchanted items - his eyes lingering on an obviously aged, bone-white, beaked masquerade mask, inlaid with black spiraling vines at the corners of the eyes - when Lily spoke from his side.

"Knowing just how expensive a war can be, I've used your knowledge of future events to our benefit."

"How so?"

"I've invested in a number of muggle companies that I saw doing well in a few years' time thanks to your memories. I then went on to do the same here in the magical world. You now own forty-one percent of a largely unknown, but soon to be quite famous, broom company."

"I own?" he asked pulling his eyes from the mask to her.

"You didn't think the generous amount of galleons you gave me to start setting things in motion was going to be left to gather dust, did you? I've insured what I was given would grow into more and what was left over was put into a private account at Gringotts under your name." Just as they were about to part ways the last time they had met up Harry had given her a chunk of the money he had stolen from Bellatrix's vault and had told her to use it in any way she seen fit.

"Is that wise?" Harry inquired, a note of concern entering his tone. "All that I gave you was from the Lestrange vault. Is it possible for the goblin's to notice the serial numbers on the galleons in my vault match those currently in the vault of an incarcerated Death Eater?"

"It took some time, but all of the galleons you gave me have been carefully integrated back into Britain's economy. None of the gold I placed in your account is the same as what you gave me."

"Alright," he said, turning back to the mask that would only hide the top half of its wearer's face. "If the account ever runs dry, inform me and I'll give you more. Bellatrix was quite rich... I wonder how she would feel knowing she's helping fund those who will be her and her fellow Death Eaters downfall?"

Lily laughed lightly at that.

"If that mask has caught your eye, you should buy it," she suggested. Reaching out, she gently picked it up and examined it. "It's a rather fetching piece... quite old too. I wonder what types of charms or enchantments were placed on it."

"I think I will. Never know when I might need a little cover."

Searching the shop over, he found a number of things for people on his list, including Iris, who he had been nervous about finding the perfect gift for. It was as he was about to take his items to the checkout that Lily gave his sleeve a small tug, gesturing to the backroom where the animals were kept.

"You've yet to search back there."

"The only person I've yet to get a present for, that I'd feel comfortable gifting with a live pet is Ivy." Harry pointed out, looking thoughtful. "Are you and dad going to be okay with her having one? It'll be you two, or more than likely just you, who ends up caring for it."

"I'm fine with it," Lily smiled sweetly at him. "Taking care of an animal is hardly a problem. We'll just have to get this 'maybe-pet' a rune-collar."

Heading toward the back of the shop, his mother falling into step with his pace, he asked what a rune collar was.

"They're collars used to influence animals, both domesticated and wild," she explained, entering the area where the animals were kept. "Though they only work on animals of a certain size or below. They would be less than useless on an animal any bigger than your average grim. Mostly they're used to keep animals from defecating in their owner's home."

"Sounds useful," Harry commented lightly, as he scanned the spacious cages the animals were in. "I'd like to put a few on some of Arabella's cats and sic them on the Dursleys."

Lily's gaze slashed to Harry, who from the set of his lips was upset at himself for his sudden use of the Dursley name.

"Harry if you-"

"It's fine," he said, softly cutting her off. Lily didn't look convinced.

"Harry-" She started, but when he looked to be seconds away from cutting her off again, his gaze caught hers, the emotion behind her emerald orbs quieting him instantly. "Someday you're going to have to talk about all that happened to you, not only at their hands, but those who wished you harm as you grew up. Know when that day comes, I'll be ready to listen."

Harry nodded, his gaze glued to the wood below his feet, still avoiding making eye contact as his mother pressed her lips softly to his forehead.

When Harry finally did drag his eyes up from the impeccably clean floors, his attention was drawn to the many strange and exotic animals he was surrounded by. Bowtruckles, pixies, nifflers, small monkeys, kneazles, owls and so many more.

Passing a glass enclosure filled with flobberworms, a small disgusted look on his face, Harry spotted two small red fuzz balls stumbling around on stubby little legs. Walking over to get a better look, he was instantly reminded of Ivy by the red on their fur. Inside the cage were two young creatures reminiscent of foxes.

Spotting Harry bent over a cage, his items set to the side as he played with the animals inside, Lily made her way over.

"Aww," Lily coo'd at the sight before her. "Red pandas! How adorable," she gasped, reaching in to touch one as it rolled cutely onto its back.

"I know you said okay to one pet, but how about two?"

S2ndC

Coming out of the floo a few minutes behind his mother, Harry dashed through the kitchen as fast as he could without outright running. Being careful as he moved into the living room to listen for Lily, who was supposed to be distracting the ever clingy and always loveable Ivy, he made his way to his room to hide her gift.

He was halfway up the stairs, his bags in one hand, the covered traveling cage for the two newly adopted pets in the other, when his heart skipped a beat as someone came around the corner and stepped onto the stairs. He released a sigh of relief at the same time his shoulders slightly slumped when he saw it was Iris who had showed up, her eyes alight with joy at seeing him.

"Harry, I've been looking for yo-" She stopped when she realized how full his hands were. "Whoa, so that's where you've been."

"This is nothing," he replied nonchalantly. "You should have seen how much I had before I sent my friends their gifts through Diagon's local owl post office." Her eyes widened a fraction at that.

"A lot or not, do you need any help?"

"It'd be very much appreciated. Could you grab my bedroom door?" Nodding, Iris turned and dashed down the hall in the direction of her brother's room, Harry close on her tail.

Reaching his room and after he had placed all of the bags on his bed, Harry carried the still covered cage to his closet. Checking on the slumbering duo inside and making sure they had all they would need until he checked up on them again, he left his closet, using his wand to lock it securely behind him.

"You can't be so daft as to expect me to see you carry that covered cage in here, and not expect me to find out what's underneath," Iris said in a very matter of fact tone, her left hand on her hip, the right hand twirling her practice wand expertly between her small fingers.

Harry's barely glowing eyes mirrored her mischievous gaze. "Is that a challenge, my dark flower?" His words were rewarded with the sight of her blushing prettily. 'I'm going to enjoy not having to fight my feelings.' he thought, feeling pleased with himself, as he focused on the sight of her light dusting of freckles being overtaken by a flush in an attempt to better copy it to memory.

"And if it is?" She challenged defiantly, despite her obvious reaction to his words.

"Then I'd say you're welcome to try." Sending her a crooked smile that would be described as both devious and infuriating by many, but that he just knew the female sex to love; he bent at the waist giving her a deep flourishing bow.

"What are you doing?" Iris blurted out hesitantly, slightly distracted by her brother's quirked lips.

"Come now, Iris," he chided lightly, sending her a mock disapproving look. "I know for a fact that you know how duels work. Show me what you've got!"

As he spoke the nervousness his light flirting had brought on disappeared, only to be replaced with a cocky look of her own.

"You sure about this? I'd hate to mess up that perfect hair of yours," she taunted, drawing a light chuckle from him.

Waving his wand like a parent would a finger at a misbehaving child, he replied, "No need to fret about that my dear, everything about me is perfect, but alas, I very seriously doubt you'll harm even a single one of my perfect hairs."

"Cocky the peacock, flashed his feathers, then lost his head!"

S2ndC

"H-how is t-that possible?" Iris panted from her place on the floor.

Her back propped up against his bed, she followed his movements as he made his way around the room, looking as if he hadn't broken a sweat. Which, much to her displeasure, he hadn't, even after spending over an hour sidestepping and shielding himself against all the spells she knew that were even remotely offensive in their use.

"Practice." Iris snorted, rolling her eyes at his answer.

Shifting through the bags still located on his bed, he quickly found what it was he had been searching for. Placing the item into an unused bag, standing with his back to Iris, so she couldn't see what he was up to, he made his way over to his closet and placed it inside before resealing it once more.

"Is your offer of help still open?" He asked, as he stopped beside her, fixing her with his emerald gaze.

"I'm up for anything," she nodded.

"Then how about helping me wrap everyone else's gifts?" Giving a soft 'okay,' she rose to her feet, but hadn't been expecting to sway as she did. Fluidly wrapping his hands around her middle, Harry picked her up, getting a small squeak of surprise from her in the process as he placed her gently on his bed. "Joking aside, you've got impressive power and pools of magic for someone your age. Give it a bit of time and you'll get there."

Iris huffed, pulling a bag into her lap, refusing to meet his gaze. "I wasn't able to land even a single jinx or charm on you."

"I think your misses had more to do with who it was you were trying to hit, than it did with you being a bad shot. There were a few instances that you almost hit me," he revealed truthfully. Iris perked up at hearing this, a proud look entering her eyes as she started helping him sort out the cluttered mess around them.

Playful banter was exchanged back and forth as the siblings worked as one to wrap the purchased-at-the-last-moment gifts. It quickly became clear to them that neither of the two were talented in the subtle art of gift-wrapping. Though they seemed to be wasting more paper than they were putting to actual use, they enjoyed every second of it. Both of them getting to spend time with the person they held secret feelings for.

It was after they had started to make some headway in their war against their new foe, wrapping paper, that Iris suddenly went very still and wide-eyed. Harry, who was hyper aware of everything she did, noticed the abrupt change in her demeanor as soon as her hands stopped moving.

Gazing at her with unmasked concern, Harry laid a hand on her knee. "Iris, are you alright?" The combination of his touch with his caring and gentle tone pulled her from her musing.

"I'm fine," she muttered hastily, quickly sliding off the bed. "I'm going to go make us some tea. I'll be back in a minute." Hurrying from the room she left before he could utter a word, leaving him to stare after her, wondering what had gotten into her.

When Iris made her reappearance she held identical tea cups in each hand, matching trails of steam rising from them in her wake. "Here you go," she said, placing his cup on his nightstand before making her way back to her spot on the bed.

"It smells good," Harry commented as the scent of the jasmine tea washed over him and filled the room.

Continuing where he had left off on wrapping his grandmother's gift, he was sure to keep an eye on Iris for any more abnormal behavior.

"So tell me, how many of the spells programmed into the training wand have you been successful in casting? Judging by the wand movements you used and the colors of the spells you sent my way earlier, I'd say you're just about done with them all." Out of the corner of his eye he watched her as she fidgeted nervously with her cup.

"I only have two more left to learn," she told him, squirming lightly as if she were trying to get comfortable. "I was blowing right through them until I realized if I finished them all too quickly, then I wouldn't have anything to occupy my time with when I'm bored."

"I'm sure mum would have been willing to program more spells for you." Setting his grandmother's completed gift with the others that had already been wrapped, he reached for his cup of tea.

"I know she would have, I just wanted you to be the one to do it," Iris whispered breathlessly, her eyes trained on her brother's hand. "Is something wrong, Harry?" she asked with barely restrained emotion in her voice. Harry had placed his hand to the cup, but had stopped all movement after that.

Said Potter had been about to pick up his cup when a foreign tingling spread up his arm, originating from the rune covered ring on his thumb that his grandfather had given him on his birthday. The prickling feeling quickly spread to the whole of his body making him freeze in surprise. As the tingling encompassed his head Harry was shocked to feel a presence slip into his mind, ghosting through his mental shields whispering to him.

'Veritaserum!'

In that instant it all clicked into place for him. Iris' sudden and random behavior, her running off as she had to fetch them tea, the way she had been fidgeting since she had reappeared and the loaded glances she had been sending him since. She was attempting to drug him with the world's strongest truth potion.

Harry suddenly found himself very thankful for the Potter family heirloom around his thumb. Had he not worn it since the day he had received it, he may have spilled his deepest secrets in a potion induced trance. But his joy at dodging this new bullet quickly vanished as a slew of new emotions overtook him, the strongest of which was betrayal.

'Why would she do this? Why to me?'

All these conflicting emotions and their accompanying thoughts passed through his head in the span of a heartbeat, and would have more than likely continued on, had it not been for the source for his inner turmoil calling out to him.

"I'm fine," he reassured her with a charming smile that didn't show his distress. "I just happened to become lost in thoug- oh, bugger!" Not seeing any other way out of his predicament, Harry had 'accidentally' spilled the scalding hot tea containing the veritaserum, burning his hand in the process.

"Harry," Iris cried, almost spilling her own tea in her effort to get to him. "Are you alright? We have to get you to mum so she can heal that!" Cradling his angry-red and heavily blistered hand in her own, she led Harry, whose thoughts were traveling over the many possibilities of the situation he found himself in, out of the room in search of their mother.

But even with his hand throbbing painfully and the possibility that the girl he was obsessed with may be trying something against him, Harry was still aware enough to be able to spot the genuine concern in her eyes, and the way she gingerly ran her fingers over his raw skin in an attempt to ease his suffering. This only was what stopped him from delving painfully into her mind, even though he knew he may come to regret his inaction later on.

'Why is nothing ever simple for me?"

S2ndC

"Harry! Wake u-" Ivy's morning wakeup call was cut off as she was swept up into her brother's arms. "Harry, you scared me!" she whined accusingly, attempting with all her might to crush him to her.

"I'm sorry," he chuckled into her hair. Reaching behind him with his free hand he pulled his bedroom door closed before setting off to the kitchen, his youngest sister still trapped in his arms. "Are you excited for your gifts?"

Bobbing her head wildly, her hair whipping around from the motion, she beamed up at him. "Did you get me something?" she asked cutely, a gleam in her eyes that Harry wasn't sure should be there.

"Of course I did," he reassured her, placing a small kiss to her cheek that made her erupt in giggles. "More than one actually." Still giggling and her cheeks red, her head perked up.

"Can I have them now?" She asked hopefully.

"Nope!" he grinned down at her and was rewarded with a look of shock forming across her tiny features. Her Harry never denied her!

Recovering quickly Ivy pressed on. "Can I have one then?"

"Not happening."

"Can I see them?"

"Negative."

"Will you tell me what they are?"

"Sorry, but no."

Huffing cutely, her once red cheeks now blown out in an adorable pout, she crossed her arms refusing to look him in the face. "You're mean!"

Laughter silently shaking his shoulders, he carried the two of them into the kitchen where their mother was already making lunch.

"Happy Christmas, mum."

"Happy Christmas!" Ivy cheered loudly from his arms before she became serious and continued on. "Can we open our presents now?"

Lily smiled at her daughter as she made her way over to her children. "Like every other time you've asked, Ivy, no you may not open them yet." Ignoring the 'aww' Ivy let loose at being denied by a second person she loved, Lily placed a kiss on each of her children's heads.

"How's your hand?" Lily caught his eye, making it clear what she was really asking. He had only been able to briefly tell her what had happened the night before.

"Fine, I guess," he replied offhandedly. It was clear he didn't want to talk about it at the moment, so she let it drop for the time being. "Anything I can help with?"

"No honey, you just enjoy yourself. It'll be ready in a little bit."

"Kay."

It was only a few minutes later that he had started reading Ivy one of her book as penance for denying her the right to see/know her gifts early, that the fireplace erupted in emerald flames, spewing out a handsome dark-haired man.

"Padfoot," Harry said, in way of greeting.

"Morning all!"

"Oh, Sirius, I didn't expect you," Lily said, showing obvious surprise, but appearing to be happy nonetheless. "Are you taking us up on our offer? It still stands you know."

"Nah, I'm just stopping by to drop off everyone's gifts." Reaching into his pocket he pulled out a handful of previously shrunk presents. Laying them out on the table before him, Sirius gave a wave of his wand returning the gifts to their original size. "I was hoping while I was here that I could watch all of you open them."

As soon as Ivy cheered, Lily knew there wouldn't be anything gained by denying her youngest this treat. "Go get your sister and father Ivy, then you can open your gift from unc- and she's already gone." The little bundle of energy had taken off the moment she realized the sooner she got the rest of her family downstairs, the sooner she'd get what she wanted.

Chuckling along with the other two, Sirius dropped lazily into the seat next to Harry. Giving the green-eyed boy a calculating look, he reached out and took a cubed shaped box in blue wrapping paper from the table and held it out for him to take. "Happy Christmas."

Harry didn't respond in any way, nor did he take the offered gift, choosing instead to send the Head of the Black family a dry look that said 'get real.'

"There are no pranks happening today, I swear." Sirius waved the box in a tempting fashion under Harry's nose. "Though I do plan on getting you back for that brilliant, yet evil prank. I thought my life was over until James stepped in. Well played!"

Sighing in relief, Harry took the offered gift. "Thanks Padfoot."

Unwrapping the box cautiously, despite Sirius' words telling him not to, Harry found himself withdrawing a large, crystal inkwell, filled with a substance that continuously shifted from one color to the next, and that seemed to expand outward filling more of the inkwell before it would shift back in on itself. Besides the fact that its size was big enough to cover his entire hand, and the strange lid atop it that was filed down to a sharp point, it looked to be a normal inkwell. Though Harry knew without doubt its contents wasn't the normal everyday brand of every-color ink.

"It's definitely pretty, but I'm guessing there's more to it than that." Harry observed as he leaned in close, tracking the patterns that would appear in the ink seconds before it would shift colors.

"Press some skin to the tip and find out," Sirius said mysteriously, earning the same look he had when he first offered the gift. "Do I need to make a vow? There aren't any pranks happening today, I swear on my family jewels!"

"Is it wise to swear on something that's already so tainted?" Harry quipped, momentarily looking serious.

"Just do it!" Sirius ordered, chuckling and rolling his eyes.

"Fine." Placing the palm of his hand over the sharp point that somewhat reminded him of a bee's stinger; he lightly touched the palm of his hand to the point, careful not to break the skin. It was only seconds later that a loud gasp could be heard coming from his mother.

"Sirius, you didn't!" Lily hissed at the now laughing man as he slumped slightly in his chair.

Harry who realized something was amiss attempted to remove his hand form his 'gift', but found himself unable to do so no matter how hard he tried.

"Mutt! What have you done to m-" Harry's growl was cut off as he felt the point where his skin met the inkwell heat up and start to sting. Turning the inkwell and his hand upside down so he could inspect what was happening, he found the source of his mild, yet unwelcome discomfort.

From the point where his skin met glass, the ink was flowing on to his skin, still changing color and fluctuating.

Instantly, the word 'tattoo' popped in his mind along with a mental picture of the last one he had seen. Much to his surprise, the small bit of ink that was already on his skin formed into an exact copy of what he had been picturing seconds before.

Sirius who had been watching the process spotted the poorly done anchor that looked to be fading from age, and let a small sneer grace his features. "I hope you have better taste in skin-art than that," his disgust was clear in his tone.

Lily who had left what she had been doing, unloaded on the back of the grim animagus' head on her way to her son's side.

Feeling embarrassed by what was upon his skin Harry tried willing the anchor away and was rewarded with it dispersing back into the rest of the ink that had appeared on his skin since it had first been formed.

Letting loose a calming sigh, he glanced up to find his mother standing over him protectively while Sirius hissed under his breath, his still smarting head cradled in his hands.

"If this is what I think it is then it's pretty damn cool," Harry admitted, earning a smile from Sirius, who stopped as soon as he saw the two glares being sent his way. "But the fact that you did this without telling me really pisses me off. I mean what if I hadn't wanted a tattoo."

"Before you get mad and all hitty," Sirius winced, throwing Lily a weak, but dirty look. "I'll tell you about my gift. It's called a Meta-Tattoo, and like the name implies, you can change it at will. The shape, the color, the size, what it is, how many separate ones you want, where it or they are located on your body, everything about it is in your control. So if you don't want a tattoo - which by the way I can tell from your voice you like it - all you have to do is will the ink to the same shade as your skin and you won't have to worry about it anymore."

Wanting to test this Meta-Tattoo Harry started willing the ink upon his skin into different shapes and shades of color. Green Celtic knots, colorful Chinese dragons, strange and random shapes, and even a few animals. Settling on the sentence 'Sirius is an ass' he glanced up to see said man pouting slightly and Lily with an approving look in her eyes.

"I think I'm going to enjoy this uncle Padfoot, thanks!"

AN: I think I did a pretty good job with this chapter. Next one will most likely be back to my normal 12,000plus word chapters. I'll try getting ch24 out soon. Remeber good reviews makes thing go faster.

Poll: Now I know people are going to bitch but I'm putting a poll up about the harem. The way I've got things planned out it would work better to have a smaller group of girls in the mix. But since I know some of you will want a say in this I've put up options. Some of which include getting rid of two of the girls and replacing them with either Fleur or Tonks. Fleur lovers and Tonks/Remus haters rejoice, the chance you have been waiting for is here! Rest assured there is an option to keep things the same. I have a poll for one of my other stories coming soon, so vote asap or you may lose your chance to be heard.