A/N: I'm not making money from this. This is J.K.'s world, I'm just playing in it.
Alexandra and Harry spent the rest of the day going through Harry's textbooks and watching Harry fly on his Nimbus. They had agreed that they would play Quidditch as soon as she could get her hands on a broom, which would be on Friday, after their audience with Ragnok. They had gone to bed tired but happy, and she woke with a smile on her face.
After discovering it was 7:00AM, she dragged herself out of bed and woke up Harry, and retreated to her own room to pull on her workout gear. Shorts, a tank top and her outdoor Nikes completed her look, and she jogged downstairs and out the back entrance to wait for Harry.
The cool morning air woke her up, and she could feel the warmth of the sunlight on her face as she began stretching. Technically speaking, she had done no physical exercise for over three weeks because of the accident, but her customary stretches came back to her with ease.
Looking over the grounds, she smirked to herself. Potter Manor had incredible outdoor facilities- their very own full size Quidditch pitch, a swimming pool, tennis courts and a separate building housed a gym with weight machines and a boxing ring. Clearly, Charlus Potter, Harry's grandfather, had appreciated the Muggle way of keeping fit as much as she did. She was surprised that she hadn't noticed them before, but they had been pointed out by Harry the previous afternoon.
The boy in question, however, had not arrived, so Alexandra set off running, allowing the pounding of her feet and the sound of her breath clear her thoughts as she ran. Running had always cleared her head when she was younger, and it worked now. She hardly noticed when Harry came to run as well, but after completing five laps, she stopped as he lay panting on the floor after three.
Leaning back with her hands on her hips she took a few deep breaths, before going to haul Harry to his feet. "Not bad, kiddo. Each lap is about a kilometre, so I'm impressed you made it so far. Must be all the Quidditch you play." She said with a wink, making her way to the gym.
The hour that followed was interesting- consisting mostly of her teaching Harry how to throw a punch and setting him against a punching bag while she used the weights machines.
Breakfast was a welcome relief, even for her, and Harry practically inhaled the food Missy had prepared, much to the elf's delight.
After a quick shower, and changing into a pair of jeggings, a black cami and a red checked shirt, she sat down in her study to read the mail that had been delivered during the night and the morning. Two were merely confirmations of the meeting from Andromeda and Narcissa as well as congratulations for the Headship, but it was Augusta's letter she was really interested in.
Dear Lady Potter-Black,
First allow me to offer my congratulations on your new position, I'm sure that you will prove a formidable addition to the Wizengamot. I invite you to Longbottom Manor on June 24th at 10 o'clock. I will send a portkey a few minutes prior to allow you to bypass the wards, if this is agreeable to you. In terms of Neville training with Harry, I wholeheartedly accept. It will be good for my son, and good for your cousin to have this extra tuition, and I thank you for your thoughtfulness. I very much look forward to discussing the future of our Houses- Houses Potter and Longbottom were once in alliance when James and Frank were young, and I would like to discuss a renewal of that alliance. House Black, however, has committed a crime towards my House, and while I understand that you have nothing to do with the atrocity committed, I expect to see full punishment enacted and proper recompense paid. Nevertheless, I feel it is something we should discuss in person.
I look forward to your visit.
Cordially,
Lady Longbottom.
Alexandra breathed a sigh of relief. While she had anticipated House Longbottom to be the first to join forces with them, she had expected Augusta to prove more of a challenge to win over. It would be good to discuss the issue of Frank and Alice, and she knew exactly what she would offer to Augusta.
Checking the time, she hurried up to the third floor East Wing, where Harry waited in the classroom. The room resembled McGonagall's classroom at Hogwarts, save the stone walls and floor. "Hey, kiddo. We can expect Neville to be joining us in a few days, so all we'll do till then is go over first and second year work for each, and maybe a bit more emphasis on Herbology, since it sounds like Neville's a natural. "
For the next four hours, Alexandra put Harry through his paces, casting every charm, spell and jinx in the first year course. Potions went surprisingly well- it turned out that without Snape breathing down his neck, Harry was rather competent.
They ate lunch down in the kitchen, discussing the morning's work. "It's clear you're perfectly capable when it comes to practical work, but we'll need to work on theory. I think we should tack on another hour in each subject until we get the theory nailed for both years. We can do theory as we go when we start third year work." She suggested as they ate the homemade pizza Missy had prepared.
Harry nodded as he took another mouthful. "That's a good idea- I was thinking you could set me and Neville essays over the weekend- not loads, but maybe two every week, just so we can practice how to write one?"
Alexandra grinned. "Very good, Harry, proactive thinking. 5 points to Gryffindor!" she joked, coaxing a laugh out of her cousin. "I wanted to ask you about going back to Hogwarts. Do you really want to go back? Personally, I'd rather not send you back to Dumbledore's domain, but if you want to, I need to put in place some protection."
Harry put down his pizza, and chewed thoughtfully. "I think I'll go back. Hogwarts…was my first home. I don't think I could ever feel right going to another school, but if you think it's not safe, I'll go to another."
She shook her head. "No. If you want to stay at Hogwarts you'll stay. Remember what I said when we first met? If you want something, I'll get it. I'll make sure you're safe there. I was always one of McGonagall's favourites, not to mention your mother. I'm pretty sure she had a soft spot for James and his friends too. So if I can't be there, she will be, at least until I can get there."
Harry grinned across the table, and she smiled back. I'm so lucky. A second life with Harry for a cousin…I can barely remember my Muggle life, and honestly, I don't think I care all that much. My parents in this world were much more loving than my Muggle ones ever were, and my friends here are closer than my old ones… maybe this is all for the best.
The afternoon again passed quickly- Herbology and History were short and kind of interesting, but she took pleasure in explaining to Harry the mechanics of Wingardium Leviosa, and seeing his eyes light up in understanding. The pair then retired to their studies to write letters, and she found herself sitting in front of parchment again. After a moment's pause, she began writing.
Dear Headmaster Dumbledore,
My name is Alexandra Potter-Black. I would like to request a meeting on June 28th to discuss my cousin Harry's safety at the school. I am concerned after hearing reports of a basilisk killed by Harry only a few weeks ago, and that Voldemort was possessing one of your teachers, and I would like to hear your plans for updating the security of the school, as I'm sure you are doing, since they are clearly inadequate.
Sincerely,
Lady Potter-Black.
She smirked in satisfaction. The letter was polite, but sent a few subtle digs at Dumbledore that satisfied her anger. The letters that followed were addressed to McGonagall and Flitwick, asking for a joint meeting after seeing Dumbledore, to discuss Harry's progress in school. The letters were sent off and she and Harry met again for dinner.
"I've written to Neville and Hermione. I thought it would be good to initiate contact with Neville, considering we'll be spending the summer together." Mentioned Harry as he sat down.
"Good! I've sent letters to Dumbledore, Flitwick and McGonagall, and I should be seeing them on the 28th. Successful evening!" she joked, reaching for the salad.
"I think we should take the evening off, and not worry about beginning plotting. I want to see where we stand in Hogwarts and with the Longbottoms and House of Black before we make any decisions." She added, glancing up at Harry.
"Sounds good to me. You're seeing Augusta tomorrow, so let's assume that'll take most of the morning. What do you want me to do?"
"We'll have time for physical and an hour of Charms, but then you can begin going through the practical of Transfiguration and DADA. Leave Potions and do Herbology instead- Potions is more likely to go wrong. When I get back, we can talk about my meeting, then an hour of Potions, History and theory work. Alright?"
"Perfect."