Father's World
Disclaimer: See Chapter 1. Reviews are welcomed, flames are not.
Chapter 7:
Harry sighed. There wasn't anything left to do. He had a week before term started and he'd had the best summer ever! He'd taken care of all the soul leeches that he could, without help, and even got to be a normal teenager on holiday, with only a few interruptions.
Harry got to see many of the most historic tourist sites with good friends. That they weren't upset he'd lied about his name was a bonus.
Before she and Percy returned to the States, Annabeth did ask if Harry knew who his deity parent was. He admitted he did, but couldn't tell her as his sire could not officially claim him. Harry assured her that Lord Hades, however, did know. That was why the Lord of the Underground had worked out a deal which included Harry's year at Camp Half Blood.
Now it was time to return to the Wizarding World. Harry hated all it stood for. He hated the stares, the too personal questions, the manipulations and expectations, and the dismissal of his concerns and questions.
So a quick note was sent to Sirius saying he was ready for his 'great return.'
0o0o0o0
Albus Dumbledore wasn't having the best of summers. Harry Potter had disappeared at King's Cross and no one had been able find him since. The protection around Harry's relatives fell on the boy's birthday. With the dementors loose around Harry's home, it was a very good thing that the boy had not been there.
Even Harry's young friends had no idea where the boy was. Albus had commanded both of them to inform him if and when Harry owled them. Under no circumstances were they to reply, it wasn't safe!
Then there was Sirius. He'd been missing since Harry returned from the Third Task. He was last seen in the Infirmary that spring.
The animagus refused to reveal where he had been when questioned on his return. And to Albus' dismay, his stay in Azkaban had made his mind unreadable, so Albus couldn't lift the information from Sirius' re-enforced Occlumency barriers.
Thank Merlin he had been able to persuade the man to open up his London house for the Order!
"Albus? You there?" Molly's strident voice came from the floo. "Harry's contacted Sirius! He's in London!"
0o0o0o0o0
Harry was sitting in the back of the small café, flirting with a young waitress. His lessons in flirting had vastly improved that particular skill, courtesy of the Aphrodite Cabin! He'd had to keep a step ahead of the kids there, as they made it a game to see how many hearts they could claim.
It also didn't hurt to have a Marauder for a godfather, a trickster god for a sire, not to mention access to another Marauder residing in the Underworld. Harry had learned for sheer emotional survival, if nothing else!
Remus and another person walked in. Harry could tell she was magical from the aura she was emitting. According to the descriptions he'd gotten from Sirius, it had to be his cousin Nymphadora Tonks. He couldn't miss that bubble gum pink hair and punk look.
Harry decided to let them search for him; after all he really didn't look much like his old self, so it might take them awhile. He watched as they scanned the tables and snickered with amusement as they futilely looked about.
"I don't see him, Remus," the witch said as they took a seat. "I don't detect any magical signature here other than ours, either. Are you sure this is the place he said he would meet Sirius?"
Harry smothered a chuckle as he listened in. Of course she couldn't detect his magic, he was hiding it.
"I don't sense, or smell him," Remus replied just before the waitress, who had been flirting with Harry, came over to get their order.
Remus knew what Harry now looked like, but wasn't about to make that fact known. He had been in on the planning sessions with Sirius and Flintlock and knew of the scheme for Harry and Sirius to travel into the past. Now, the vow he took kept him silent.
Harry paid his bill and quietly got the girl's phone number. Sirius had given him a small black book for his birthday. 'For just in case.'
He waited a bit more, to make sure that no other wizard or witch was in the area. It looked safe, but one couldn't be too careful. So, with a smirk, he decided to send a bit misdirection their way.
'Illusory Harry' moved over to the table where his former professor was sitting. The real Harry had moved into the dark hallway that lead to the loos.
"Mind if I sit here?" 'Harry' asked. This Harry looked pretty much as he used to, with a cap pulled down covering his 'scar.'
"Yes we do. . ." the girl said but was stopped when Remus placed a hand on her arm.
"Hello Harry," Remus said. "Where have you been?"
'Harry' smirked and shrugged. "Around. I see Dumbledork has been notified."
"Harry! That's no way for you to talk about the headmaster!" Tonks sputtered.
"I sent word to my Godfather, not that old arse. Why isn't Sirius here?"
"The headmaster thought it was too danger..."
"Right! More likely he's trying to keep Sirius and I apart! Well, it won't work!"
Remus snorted. "So, ready to return? Molly's been fussing and fretting. She's been in a cleaning frenzy ever since Padfoot reopened his mother's place and let us use it as headquarters."
"We need to leave," the witch said, looking around nervously.
"Who's this?" 'Harry' asked, elbowing the old wolf with a sneer and a wink. "She's quite the dish, you sly old wolf!"
"Watch it!" she snarled. "Name's 'Tonks.' I'm an Auror and Dumbledore has assigned me to bring you in."
"Bring me in? And since when is Dumbledore head of the Aurors? Hey, you must be Nymphadora, Sirius told me about you!"
"He's the Leader of the Light, and don't call me by my first name!" She snarled.
Harry, who had been disillusioned in the hallway, stepped forward as the trio stood. Remus paid the bill and Harry followed them back to the Leaky. When it became apparent that no one was behind him, Harry merged with his illusionary self, maintaining his old appearance.
They flooed to Grimmauld Place - Sirius' old home. Thanks to his godfather's lessons Harry didn't land on his face as he had in the past, but stepped forth gracefully into the sitting room. Sirius was waiting in an arm chair for their arrival.
"Welcome back, Harry. We have to be quiet now, or we'll set my mother off," Sirius said softly as they passed a wall with a black curtain covering it on their way to the kitchen.
The greetings from those present in the kitchen were pretty much what he had expected - a lot of shouting, overbearing hugs from Molly Weasley and Hermione and back-slapping from the twins and Ron.
After the four of them were seated Harry found it amusing as Sirius held court in the kitchen, claiming his rightful place at the head of the table. Right from the start, Harry knew that everyone would try, especially Molly, to keep his godfather and him apart. Well, it wasn't going to happen.
"Just in time for lunch," Molly said as she went back to the stove. She called for help setting the table and for everyone to come and eat.
The red-headed Weasley matriarch maneuvered her daughter Ginny to sit beside Harry, and Hermione next to Ron. Harry shook his head at the ploy and proceeded to ignore the Weasley daughter while the twins distracted everyone with a bit of silliness.
It had been difficult, but before he started eating, Harry managed to take a bit of food off his plate and hide it in a napkin. There was no way he could make a sacrifice with so many unbelievers in the room. He'd have to do it later. Harry sent a small prayer of apology that he couldn't do it right then, as was proper.
He wasn't as sneaky as he thought, though. Two people saw him do it – Sirius and Hermione. Sirius knew what Harry was doing, he'd seen it often enough over the past year and so he thought nothing of it.
Hermione, however, was just puzzled. 'Was Harry saving food for a new pet?'
After lunch, Harry quietly went into the sitting room and dropped his food into the fire. He silently apologized that he couldn't do it before he ate. He was in 'enemy territory,' as it were and hoped both his grandfather and sire would forgive him.
'Have no worries, Harry,' came a small voice in the back of his mind. 'It is understandable.'
'Thank you Grandfather.'
Harry didn't see the shadow of someone spying on him.
"Harry! Come I'll show you were you'll sleep!" called Molly Weasley.
0o0o0o0o
When Hermione noticed Harry hide the food at table she decided not to say anything, yet. There was something off about Harry, but she couldn't quite put her finger on it; like any puzzle she came across, she'd figure it out as soon as she had enough of the pieces.
There was a quiet determination in Harry that wasn't there when last she saw him. He was also distant with her and Ron. She was determined to get him alone and talking. If there were something dark going on, she would tell Dumbledore, but for right now, she'd keep her suspicions to herself.
She'd followed Harry to the sitting room, expecting to have that chat with him. What she saw there shocked her. He was throwing the food he'd taken from the table into the fireplace, like some kind of offering! What in Merlin's name was he doing?
"Harry!" Came Molly's voice from the kitchen.
0o0o0o0o0
Mrs. Weasley tried to set Harry up in a room with her youngest son, Ron. Harry was sure that this was another ploy to keep tabs on him. Well, it wasn't going to work. When she left him to get settled, Harry turned around and left the bedroom.
Sirius had promised Harry he could sleep in Regulus' old room and after speaking to his shade, he knew that Regulus would not mind.
When he reached the bedroom, he called Kreacher.
The old elf appeared, as Harry knew he would. He was very loyal to Sirius' late brother.
"What does dirty half blood want with Kreacher?" sneered the small elf from a distance.
Harry smirked. He was a half blood in more ways than anyone knew. "Kreacher. I have been to the cave where your former master died."
The old house elf froze as Harry went on. "I was able to send his soul on to peace. Before he left, he told me of the task he gave you."
The old elf began to shake, wringing his hands. "Kreacher couldn't finish what master ordered him to do. Kreacher has punished himself for failing."
"Do you want to see your task finished? I know how to destroy the locket. The Lord of the Underworld is very anxious to get his hands on what it contains," Harry said, kneeling and placing a hand on the trembling elf's shoulder. "Bring the locket to me after everyone's gone to bed tonight and I'll let you watch as I fulfill your beloved master's last order. Will you let me help you? Between the two of us, we can restore the honor and glory of The House of Black."
Kreacher nodded as tears fell from his rheumy eyes.
Harry stood and looked at Regulus' bedroom door. "Kreacher, do you think I can use his old room? I really don't want to sleep with others.
"Kreacher will clean this room for young master. Kreacher will help."
0o0o0o0o0
Later that evening Albus Dumbledore came through the floo, conveniently arriving just before supper. He greeted everyone present as if he was the lord of the manor and they were his loyal retainers. "Harry, my dear..."
"Everyone come and sit, supper's ready!" Molly commanded from the kitchen, interrupting Dumbledore.
Supper was just as boisterous as lunch, however this time, the noise set off Walburga's portrait in the entryway.
"MUDBLOODS! FILTH! Get out of MY HOUSE!"
"SHUT UP! YOU OLD HAG!" Sirius shouted back as he raced into the hallway and slammed the black curtains closed.
More people began to show up for the meeting that was to come after dinner.
Harry knew there would be a lot of questions if the odd glances he was getting during dinner were any indication. No one was being very subtle about it, not surprisingly that included the headmaster and Hermione.
Harry was sure that Hermione would not wait much longer for her questions to be answered. She could be quite scary when she wanted to be.
Well, let them try, no one would be getting any straight answers from him! He now had a better mastery of misdirection. His sire saw to that little skill. They wouldn't know what hit them!
Thinking of his sire, he had been awfully quiet lately. Harry wasn't sure what was going on. He hoped he hadn't offended him in any way. He shuddered to think what might happen if he had; it wouldn't be pretty.
Sirius was again holding court at his end of the table. His cousin, the young auror 'Tonks,' was busy entertaining the masses with her metamorph ability to change her features. Harry smiled. He could do that as well. Not as well as Loki, but he could at least change his hair and eye color.
Molly started to usher the teens out of the kitchen when dinner was over. The meeting was getting started.
"Now, Molly, I am sure the children would like to hear where Harry has been all summer. They are his friends after all," Albus chided.
"Alright but after that, they will leave," Molly grudgingly conceded.
Once everyone was settled, the moment Harry had been dreading arrived. He sent a silent plea to his sire.
"So Harry, my boy," the headmaster started to ask. "Where were have you been?"
"The goblins," Harry stated calmly. " I reckoned if anyone would give me straight answers, they would." Harry knew that was a dig at the headmaster, who had never given Harry a straight answer in all his years at Hogwarts.
"But you can't trust the goblins!" Someone from the Order said.
"Oh really? And yet, you trust them with your wealth," Harry quipped. "They were very forthcoming in answering my questions, since they have been trying to reach me for a meeting with them since I was eleven!" The angry teen spat in a clipped voice. "Seems I never received any of their letters, or my quarterly statements…."
"Harry, my dear boy. You were much to young to be burdened with such mat..." Dumbledore tried to assure, only to be interrupted loudly.
"Too young, headmaster? Too Young!" Sirius shouted. "He's the last living heir to an Ancient and Noble house!"
That simple statement set off a flood of questions, insults and mayhem. Harry heard a malicious laugh in the back of his mind. "Well done, my son!"
The meeting went down hill after that. Albus tried to bring them back in line without success.
"You were with the Goblins all summer?"
Harry shrugged. "Not really. Sirius lent me his motorbike and I've been seeing the sights. Never was allowed to have a holiday when I lived with my relatives. They never took me anywhere."
"Surely that is an exaggeration, my boy?" Albus chided.
"If you say so sir, but you know nothing of my life, as you refused to have anything to do with me except for your twisted schemes." Harry shrugged and that set off another round of chaos as many called for Harry to apologize.
Molly Weasley's strident voice sounded over the general chaos. "Harry James Potter! You will apologize to the headmaster, at once!"
If there was one thing Harry learned at Camp it was the fine art of back talking, American Teen Style.
With a nod and a smirk he spoke. "I apologize, sir, for your total lack of concern in the quality of my life, but I told the truth. My relatives refused to take me on any of their holidays. I stayed with Mrs. Figg. You know her, the cat lady who lives on Wisteria Drive? The one set up by you to watch over me, who you paid from my parents' estate? The one whose reports you ignored?"
That set off another round of chaos, led by Sirius this time. The old marauder looked like he was ready to strangle the headmaster with his own beard.
Bringing the meeting, yet again, back to order, Albus tried once more. "It was not safe to go gallivanting around England on a motorbike, my boy."
Harry again shrugged. "So? I didn't stay any place long. You couldn't find me, at least not until I sent a note to Sirius. I don't see the fuss. No one cared before what I did over the summer hols, especially you lot. So why start now? At least I had enough to eat, no chores and no one calling me 'freak'."
No one said a word about that as they all turned to the headmaster for answers. The meeting ended on a sour note not long after that.
Harry and Sirius exchanged a glance. No one had asked him what the goblins told him.
"It looks as if you've set the fox among the hens now! You truly are my son, I am most pleased." Loki's dark laughter echoed in his mind.
0o0o0o0o0
Harry waited in his new room for the town house to settle for the night. He had been highly amused at the discord resulting from his misdirection during the meeting. Mrs. Weasley was highly put out by Harry's lack of respect for the headmaster. But as anyone knows, respect is earned, not demanded and once respect is lost, it can be hard to regain.
Albus Dumbledore had lost any and all respect Harry ever had for him. There was no way the aged wizard would ever regain it.
The one person that had realized what was going on was Alastor 'Mad-eye' Moody. He gave Harry a nod as he left and only said, "You'll do."
The townhouse was finally quiet. Harry waited patiently in Regulus' old room. Kreacher had done a somewhat adequate job of cleaning, at least there were fresh sheets on the bed and his feet didn't leave tracks in the dust anymore.
A quiet knock at the door and Harry stepped out on to the landing. Sirius and Remus were already on their way down to the sitting room. No one else was awake.
Harry called Kreacher to him. "May I have the locket, please Kreacher?" Harry asked when the old elf appeared.
"Young master asked Kreacher politely for the locket," Kreacher muttered. "Kreacher is a bad elf, he failed his duty to young Master Regulus. Kreacher could not destroy it."
Harry held out his hand to the old elf for the locket. "Watch, Kreacher."
Sirius and Remus stayed in the shadows, watching. There was nothing they could do.
Harry took the locket and dropped it into the fire. "Lord Hades, please accept the soul leech within this locket. An it please you, return the locket clean of its taint, so that I may give it to one who has been faithful in his service."
The fire flared a bit, then died down. The locket rolled out of the flames and onto the floor, cool to the touch.
Harry picked it up and draped it over Kreacher's neck. "It is done, Kreacher. Thank you."
Kreacher's old eyes watered as he fingered the locket around his neck. "It is done. Kreacher senses no dark magic as before."
"Kreacher," Harry said, placing a hand on the old elf's shoulder. "Your Master Regulus was sorry he had to leave you. He was sorry he had to die the way he did. Now we must bring back the glory of the House of Black."
"Yes Young master. Young master has done what Kreacher could not. Kreacher will do as young master says."
Hermione slipped quietly back up the stairs. She couldn't hear what Harry was saying into the fire but she noted that what he had dropped into it fell back out. It was another piece to the puzzle and she was determined to figure it out.
0o0o0o0o0
Harry walked down to the kitchen for breakfast, but stopped at the curtain in the entryway.
Opening the curtain, he saw a gilded portrait of Sirius' mother.
"Good morning, Lady Black. May I have a moment of your time?" Harry put a bit of his magic into his words and gaze.
As Lady Black started to berate whoever had disturbed her, she paused. "And you are Milord?"
"Lord Harry James Potter, madam. Head of the Ancient and Noble House of Potter."
"There is more to you, isn't there, milord?" She inquired with sharp, calculating eyes.
"You are correct, Lady Black. As you may know, I am a half blood, but in more ways that one."
She looked at him for a moment, studying the look and feel of his magic. "I see, Milord." Her eyes widened. "Who is your Immortal Parent?"
Harry chuckled. " It would seem the Blacks have not forgotten the Old Knowledge like so many others. I am afraid, Madam, I am not allowed to say," Harry paused a moment before asking, "May I ask a favor, Lady Black?"
"If it is within my power, Milord," she looked at him a bit confused.
Harry could hear someone coming down the stairs, so he knew he had to hurry. "I know we are invading your home, but screaming like a fish wife is so unbecoming for someone of your obvious status."
"I shall take your words into consideration, Milord."
"My ears will appreciate it, Lady Black. I wish you a good day." Harry bowed to her as he closed her curtain. He took a deep breath and turned to face whoever was coming down the stairs.
0o0o0o0o0
The week flew by for some, but dragged for Harry who had gotten used to the fast, military pace of Camp Half Blood. There, every minute was full and he was used to being busy. His summer assignments weren't that hard to do. With a few hours work, despite Ron's attempts at interference, Harry got caught up on them easily. It wasn't that complicated.
Harry did send a letter to both Professors Babbling and Vector, asking if he could talk with them sometime the first week of classes. His parents had given him the basics of what was expected in the fifth year. They had been very disappointed that he had taken Divination instead of a more useful elective.
Well, he had a plan to fix that and since this was fifth year and their OWLS were in the spring, it was going to be a very interesting year.
0o0o0o0o0
For those that don't see any conflict in this story, we might remind you all that Frau and I like to take our time to build a story. The conflict is to come, be patient. Harry is now out of training and heading to Hogwarts.
We do try to stay close to canon but will admit not being that familiar with PJO as much as we would like.
The LotR reference was "There were dead faces in the water." Only Leonineus picked it up. The Monty Python was very unintended but looked to be well received from the many comments we got.
Thanks for all the wonderful reviews. Until next time. -GF and the Frau