Author's notes:

Standard disclaimer: It all belongs to JKR. Except where I might use some song lyrics which I will call out at the time and give proper credit. Thank you JKR for letting us play with your toys.

HARRY POTTER AND THE MUGGLE'S DAUGHTER

Sharpening the Blade

Part II

HPHPHP

"You're joking," David said.

"What's that, Dear?" Malala asked.

"Our ride's here."

"THEY'RE HERE!" Hermione cried and tore past her parents out the front door.

"Oh my," Malala said as Harry climbed out of the black stretch limousine. A second later Hermione barreled into him, knocking him flat on his back on the pavement where she sat straddled over him.

"Offha!"

"Where have you been!" Hermione demanded. "Our flight is supposed to leave in four hours!"

Tonks poked her head out of the car. "Brilliant tackle there, Herms."

"Don't call me, Herms, Nymphadora!"

Tonks glowered at the younger girl. "Truce?" she offered.

"Deal," Hermione agreed.

"Ahem," Harry complained.

"Oh! Sorry," Hermione cried. She scrambled up and pulled Harry to his feet where she proceeded to give him a hug as bruising as her tackle. "I'm just so excited!"

Harry hugged her back. "Well, if you'd stop trying to put me in hospital, we could get going."

"All set," Sirius said. He and the driver had helped load the Grangers' cases in the boot while Hermione was greeting Harry.

"Come on then!" Harry grabbed her hand and pulled her into the car where they took seats either side of Tonks.

"Hello, all," Malala greeted everyone.

Sirius' proposed Muggle holiday with assorted wizarding add-ons had grown to quite the undertaking, with the total party at ten, three Grangers, three Tonkses, Sirius, Remus, Harry and his mum. It was enough that even the biggest limo available was a bit of a tight fit.

"Hello," everyone greeted her in return.

Sirius pressed a button on the console next to him. "Heathrow or bust, take it away, Joe."

"Yes, sir," the driver's voice came over an intercom system.

"Well this is certainly a bit nicer that I was expecting," Malala said.

Sirius winked at her. "Just wait, my Lady, just wait." He then reached in a little cupboard Harry hadn't noticed and pulled out a bottle of wine.

"Sirius!" Mum gasped.

"Relax, Lils," he assured her. "Just a bit of bubbly to start us off on the right foot."

Mum rolled her eyes. "I swear, Sirius."

He grinned and started passing glasses around to each of the adults plus Tonks, who got a half glass. He then eyed the Grangers. "One sip?"

"SIRIUS!"

"Oh tosh, Lily," Malala said. "I'm French. I grew up drinking wine. One sip," she said to Sirius.

"Lils?" Sirius asked.

"Fine," she sighed.

"That's the spirit!"

"A small sip," Mum amended.

Sirius promptly disobeyed and poured both Harry and Hermione what was probably two good sips or three small ones. That done he raised his glass. "To good friends and going on holiday," he said.

Everyone raised their glass and clinked them together. "Good friends and holiday!"

"Oh," Malala said, "that is stunning. What is it?"

"Krug, 1928."

Her eyes widened. "You're joking."

"Nope. One of two-dozen bottles I found in the basement of the Ancient and most Un-Noble House of Black. With luck my beloved mother is rolling over in her grave right about now."

"I take it there is something particularly special about the vintage?" Remus asked.

"It's only considered to be possibly the best ever. Certainly in the top five," Malala answered. "I doubt you could buy a bottle for less than ten thousand pounds."

Remus eyed his glass speculatively before focusing on Sirius again. "Well, old dog, I imagine this wolf alone was enough to restart her heart."

Sirius barked out a laugh. "Can't restart something she never had, Remus.

While all that had been going on, Harry had tipped his glass and given it a sniff. It was quite bubbly. Enough that he could feel the tiny little bubbles popping on his lip and nose. Cautiously he tried a sip. It turned out rather fruity, a bit sweet and oddly, dry. He tipped his glass back and downed the last swallow. All in all it was rather pleasant, but, "I think I prefer Sprite," he said.

Remus choked on his glass while Sirius roared. "Harry, if you ever set foot in my parents' home, I have a painting I want to introduce you to and I want you to tell it exactly what you just said."

"It's still there?" Remus asked.

"Against all my best efforts," Sirius muttered. "But enough of that." He focused on Malala. 'You're a coinsure then?"

"I wouldn't go that far," she said. "But it does intrigue me."

"Well, my good Lady, I shall do some searching through the racks and see what else I might intrigue you and your husband with."

About an hour later Harry was watching out the window when Hermione's father said, "Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe we missed our turn?"

"No, we're good," Sirius said.

About a minute further on the driver pulled the limousine into a drive with a large gate across it. A security guard approached and talked to the driver for a minute before signaling to another guard. The gate drew open and the driver pulled the car through. He then drove it right onto a large paved area where there were about a dozen small jets, pulling to a stop in front of the largest of the lot.

"Ladies and gentlemen, myself excluded, I present you with the Dog Star, our transportation for the day.

"A private jet?" Hermione squeaked. Harry gawked at the plane. He hadn't even known such things existed. "David," Mrs. Granger said in the stunned silence, "From now on Sirius is in charge of all our travel plans."

Sirius laughed. "As I've just recently purchased her, any time you need a ride, you let me know."

"Purchased," Mum gasped.

"Well, since apparating much more than about fifty miles is stretching the limits of most sorcerers and getting the pillocks at the ministry to authorize an international portkey is next to impossible, not to mention our secrecy issues, this little beauty is about the fastest thing going. Lets also not forget, a man of my stature should travel in style."

"Your stature," Andromeda teased, "is less than that of a flobberworm."

"Be that as it may, dear cousin," Sirius retorted, "I own that. The flobberworm does not." He opened the door and clambered out with Harry quickest to follow. "Go on, Kid. Just don't touch anything that looks even remotely important." Harry bolted for the steps, skidding to a halt as an attractive woman with blonde hair tied back in a simple pony, wearing black pants and a white button down shirt appeared in the doorway of the aircraft. "Watch him!" Sirius shouted. "He'll have it started and in the air if you give him ten seconds alone with it."

"Certainly, Mr. Black," the woman replied. She smiled warmly at Harry and Hermione, who had just joined him. "Would you two like to check out the cockpit?" she asked.

"Yes, please," they chorused together.

"Well come on then." She stepped back into the plane with Harry and Hermione scrambling to follow.

Trailing behind, Tonks quietly said, "Don't mind if I do," and joined them.

Back on the tarmac, Sirius turned to find Lily giving him a calculating look. "What?" he asked defensively.

"Are you shagging our pilot?"

Harry was on sensory overload. The Dog Star, was a brand new Gulfstreem IV private jet widely considered to be the most luxurious available in the world. Or so Sirius had told them. The plane had eight seats that faced front to back on either side of the aisle. Each pair had a table that folded out of the wall between them. With the table put away each seat could recline all the way back so passengers could sleep comfortably. Behind those eight spots were another group of four, two facing front and two back. These were arm to arm with each other though and had a larger, fixed table between them. On the opposite side of the plane from that grouping was a sideboard loaded with glassware, china and cutlery. Next there was a couch along one side of the plane that could sit two. All told there were seats for fourteen passengers. Opposite the couch there was a large telly and a VCR for watching the movies stocked in the cabinet beneath. Then came a bulkhead and door, beyond which was a toilet. There was even a shower! Going the other direction, the front of the plane had a small coat locker and a galley kitchen. There was a single seat for the flight attendant and then the cockpit where the pilot and copilot sat.

Every little bit of the interior; every single detail was immaculately finished. The various woods and trims positively shown and the seats were all upholstered with stunning, cream coloured leather. And they were so comfortable. Harry wasn't certain even his bed was as comfy as his seat. It just kind of seemed to let you sink into it and then gently held you. Sirius said the cushioning was made of something called Memory Foam. Harry called it Heaven. The pilot, copilot, who also turned out to have been the limousine driver, and attendant were all immaculately turned out as well. His mum, Mrs Granger and Mrs Tonks were served wine before they'd even boarded the plane. Hermione's mum was as over the moon with this vintage as she had been with the champagne. There was just nothing that was out of place.

Harry had known his mum was well off. Remus had told him she was even better off than Sirius. And if Sirius could afford this… well, nice as it was he wasn't certain what to think of it. All this would have been more than enough to convince his aunt and uncle to treat him well. But they would only have done so because of the money; not because they actually cared about him. No, Harry decided, he was pleased to have money. But coming from where he had, he was rather more pleased to have the people in the plane as friends. Something told him they would have been just as happy to stay in Bourton, have cake and share dinner with him on his birthday, as they were to go on an expensive vacation with him.

He caught Hermione grinning at him. "Excited?" she asked. Ok, maybe this was a bit better than just cake and presents, but without them, especially Hermione and his mum, it wouldn't be worth anything.

Harry returned her grin. "Yep."

"Here we go!" Sirius said eagerly.

The noise from the engines grew and the plane seemed to strain with pent up energy. It even lurched a tiny bit, skidding across the runway before the pilot released the brakes. Sirius had asked the pilot, Ms. Nigel, to give them as good a show as she could get away with and she seemed more than happy to oblige. With the brakes released, the plane hurtled forward. Harry was pressed very firmly back in his seat, while Hermione, who was facing backwards, lurched towards him, only held in place by the belt across her lap. In seconds the plane was rampaging down the runway far faster than he'd ever gone in any car or his broom. A few more seconds and the nose rotated off the ground and they were in the air.

"Whoa," Harry gasped as they climbed. The ground was falling away so fast it almost seemed like they were going straight up! "It looks like a train set," he said. The acceleration seemed to have leveled off a bit and he was easily able to lean forward and look out the window now.

"I know," Hermione agreed. "It's my favorite part. Dad has a friend who owns his own plane as well. Not like this one though, just a little propeller plane that seats four people. He took us flying once and we just stayed at this height the whole time."

"That'd be really cool," Harry agreed. "The lorries already look like ants," he said a bit sadly.

"We'll be so high you can't even see them soon. And for most of this leg we'll be over the ocean as well."

Harry crowded the window of the monorail with Hermione next to him. The rest of the flight had been just as amazing as the first ten minutes. He, Hermione and Tonks had played games and joked the whole of the first leg. The older girl had them hanging on her every word as she told tales of her adventures at school. And he'd been in stitches over the arrival of two first-years that past year. The Weasley twins were the younger brothers of Tonks' current boyfriend, Charlie. Like him they sported bright, tomato-red hair and had been sorted into Gryffindor. And like almost the whole school they didn't get along with the potions master, Professor Snape at all. They'd actually pranked his robes to turn pink one morning at breakfast in the Great Hall! They'd gotten in loads of trouble, even gotten a Howler – a letter that screamed at them – from their mum for it. But to everyone but the Slytherin students, they'd become instant heroes. Tonks said it was one of a number of pranks they'd pulled that year. And they were only first-years! Harry was quite looking forward to the day he might see them in action. Just as long as it wasn't directed at him! Hermione had been a bit unsure about their behavior, especially pranking a professor, but in the end had laughed along with him. Sirius had chortled with glee as well, while Remus had chuckled softly. Oddly, his mum had seemed quite angry; though she didn't say anything. Harry had put it out of his mind. Professor Snape did seem like he deserved it; at least from Tonks' descriptions.

The second leg of the trip had been much quieter. Mum and the rest of the adults insisted they get some sleep and surprisingly enough they had. But now, as the monorail drove right into the atrium of their hotel and stopped, the two of them plus Tonks were eager to take it all in; actually, everyone seemed eager, perhaps his mum most of all. Out of the corner of his eye he watched as she sidled up to Sirius, took his arm, and squeezed.

"Thank you, Sirius," she said.

Sirius looped his arm over her shoulder, pulled her tight and dropped a kiss on her crown. "I know it's not perfect, Lils," he said softly.

She wiped a tear from her cheek. "It's fine, Sirius. Thank you." He gave her another squeeze and let her go. The doors opened and Harry grabbed his roller bag. Hurrying to catch up with her he slipped his hand into hers. She smiled down at him. "Hey, Love. What do you think?"

"It's amazing," Harry said.

About three hours later, the party had finished dinner and dispersed to their rooms. Harry, his mum and Remus were all sharing a two-bedroom suite, which meant he was in with his mum. He'd just finished brushing his teeth and climbed into bed with a map of the park to examine while he waited for her to join him. A few minutes later she came out of the toilet.

"Alright?" she asked.

Harry nodded. "Yeah, just a bit worried about Kaa." They had a small deck attached to their room and there was a large potted palm on it that she had claimed as hers. Remus had placed a number of charms on the deck, tree and Kaa herself to keep people away. She'd more than likely stay in her nest and barely move for the entire time they were there. He was still concerned though.

"I'm sure she'll be fine," Mum assured him. She sat down on the bed, sitting cross-legged across from him. "She's more than capable of taking care of herself."

"I know," Harry said. "I'd just hate for something to happen to her. She's my oldest and best friend. And she's kind of a part of me."

"Yes, I know. Trust me. She'll be perfectly safe. Remus' charm work is very good."

"I'll try," Harry sighed. He went back to perusing the map.

"Find something interesting?"

"Loads."

"Well where would you like to start?"

"Can we go to Space Mountain?"

"We can do anything you like."

"Anything?" Harry asked.

"Within reason, Buster."

Harry grinned and grabbed a pamphlet from the pile by his side. "Can we eat dinner here?"

"The Coral Reef Restaurant," she read. "That one's in Epcot. How about we save it for when we go to that park?"

"Oh, right," Harry agreed. "That makes sense… Can we do those mini power boats we saw coming in?"

"Only if I get to ride with you."

"Deal!"

"Deal!"

Harry smiled happily at her, but then turned serious. "Mum, can I ask you a question?"

"You can ask, I may not answer though."

Harry rolled his eyes. "I know. Those are the rules, until I'm old enough."

"Until you're old enough," Mum parroted with him. "Yes. Now what's your question?"

"What did Sirius mean on the train when he said he knew it wasn't perfect?"

Lily sighed and shook her head. "You really are too observant for your own good, you know." Harry just watched her and waited. She reached for his hands and took them in hers. "This is where I wanted to come with your father for our honeymoon. But the war was going and we just didn't think we could be away so we didn't really go on one. Just one night in a little B&B in a place called Boscastle. Which, by the way, is where you came from."

"I'm sorry," Harry said.

Mum leaned forward and kissed his forehead. "It is not you fault, but thank you."

"But it is," Harry protested.

She sat back. "How is it your fault I didn't get my dream honeymoon with your father?"

"It's my fault he's dead."

Mum's eyes flashed. "Don't you ever say that again, Harry James Potter. Your father is dead because some pissheaded fucktard with a small dick killed him. You had nothing to do with it."

Harry very nearly laughed. His mum could swear with anyone when she was angry, but he remained focused on his thoughts instead. "But if I hadn't been—"

Mum clamped her hand over his mouth. "I wanted you," she hissed. "Your father wanted you. You were not an accident. You were a choice. We made that choice despite everything that was going on around us. We made that choice knowing full well that bastard was after us. We'd already sent him packing two times when he asked us to join him. He tried it again when I was two months pregnant with you. The magic of you growing in me was something else let me tell you. Your father and I sent him away with his tail between his legs that night. We might have killed the bastard if I knew some of what I do now back then. I miss your father every single day. But you listen to me, and listen good, Buster, if I had to choose between you and your father, I'd pick you every time. And if your father had to pick between the two of us, he'd do the same. I don't want to hear you blame yourself for what happened to your father and I ever again, do I make myself clear?" She pulled her hand from his mouth and watched him intently.

"I'm sorry," he whispered.

Mum pulled him into her lap and wrapped herself around him. "You let those demons go, Harry James Potter. Your father loved you. He adored you. Wherever he is now, he still loves you. I love you. I will always love you. That will never change."

"Ok," Harry agreed.

Andromeda reached out and tried to smooth his hair down. Their first day in the Magic Kingdom found Harry exiting Space Mountain with his honorary aunt. The ride had been fun, but it was nowhere near as exciting as the coasters at Thorp Park had been. But what it lacked in height and gravity defying loops, it made up for by being in the dark. It was a bit scary to think you were going to run into a wall or something else only to have the bottom drop out from under you.

"It's just a bad job, isn't it, Luv?" she laughed.

Harry blushed. The ride may have been a bit tame, but it was more than enough to rile up his perpetually messy hair. It seemed nothing could make it behave. Mum said it was because he had too much magic and it was leaking out through his hair and making it stand up.

"I wish it would just lay down," Harry muttered.

She chuckled again. Trust me, my Little Protégé, some day your hair paired with those eyes will drive girls insane."

Harry turned scarlet. Why did it seem everyone was always picking on him about girls? His best friend was a girl and he didn't see what the big deal was. She was just Hermione, his best friend. Though Mum said she was his partner in crime.

Harry thought that a bit unfair, they didn't really cause that much trouble. Well, aside from the incident with the chemistry set and picnic table… and the anti-belching potion they'd reversed and tricked Sirius into drinking… and the time they'd washed his swim trunks in itching potion… and when they had tried to use a vanishing charm to clean the chicken coop and ended up plucking all the chickens bare instead… The resulting feather tornado had been really cool though. But other than that there wasn't much; except maybe the diet coke and mentos incident with the six girls who had ganged up on Hermione as she'd been on her way to meet him and pushed her in the river. But they had deserved it, and even though he'd been made to apologize to each of the girls for making them sick, Harry hadn't been repentant at all. Harry couldn't help smiling at the memory. Alright, he conceded, maybe he and Hermione did tend to cause a bit of mayhem.

"I see someone might already have a girl in mind," she teased, misinterpreting his smile. She looped her arm in his and tugged him along after Tonks and Hermione who had gotten a bit ahead of them.

"I do not!"

"Hermione maybe?" she continued to tease.

"No. Definitely not."

"And why not? She's a lovely girl."

"Because."

"Because why?"

"Because she's… she's just Hermione. That's why."

Andromeda eyed him speculatively. "She is quite fetching."

"I didn't say she wasn't!"

"Alright," Andromeda said. They walked in silence for a few steps before she nudged him. "I'm only teasing you, Harry."

"I know," Harry said petulantly. "Doesn't mean I have to like it, does it?"

"No," she agreed. "But you do need to keep control of yourself, yes?"

Harry dropped his head. "You were testing me," he sighed.

"Your emotions can help or hinder you, Luv, never forget that, yes."

"I'll try."

"I know you will. But enough for now. Are you having fun?"

"It's brilliant," Harry said.

"It is. And I'm very glad you invited us along. Thank you."

Lily exited the toilet, looking forward to speaking with her son for a few minutes before turning the lights out on their first day only to find Harry already sound asleep. The jet lag had been chasing them all, and by the time they made it back to their room after the fireworks display it had been near eleven. She quickly doused the lights and tried to climb in without waking him. He shifted automatically and she spooned behind him. Perhaps some would think him too old to sleep in her bed but she had missed out too much time holding him in her arms and she wasn't going to let anyone but her and Harry say what was right or wrong for them. She kissed the back of his head and sighed contentedly. Life wasn't perfect, but it was as close as she was going to get and she was grateful to have this small bit of time. She knew better than anyone it could all be gone in a blink and she just prayed there would be enough time for him to become what he would need to be and that it wouldn't destroy him in the process.

"Mum?" he asked sleepily.

"Yes, Love?"

"Will you do the boats again with me tomorrow?"

She gave him squeeze and dropped another kiss on his head. "I'd love to."

Remus glowered at Harry. The little twit was currently leaning against Hermione and the two of them were in such stitches of laughter they could barely keep each other upright. Sirius and Tonks, weren't even bothering. They were both sat on the ground howling at his misfortune. Mind, it was devious misfortune. How he had failed to realize Harry was setting him up, he didn't know. But he'd been perfectly maneuvered into place to be drenched by the flume ride when one of the boats came barreling down the hill and hit the pool at the bottom. He was contemplating just how much of a drubbing to give Harry when he heard the click of a camera.

"Smile, Remus," Lily chortled.

"Y–you–you're face," Harry hiccupped.

"B–bril–bril–" Hermione gasped but couldn't get any further.

Before they could blink, Remus grabbed them both and spun around to await the next tidal wave.

"HEY!" they protested.

"THAT'S CHEATING!" Hermione cried.

"All's fair in love and war, Hermione," Remus chuckled, not letting them go. Absently he wondered what had happened to the shy, timid, girl Harry had first introduced him to. There was little doubt he'd had a corrosive influence on her.

"COWARD!" Harry ranted. "NO DUPLICITY, NO FINESSE, NO FLAIR, WHAT KIND OF REVENGE IS THAT!"

Of course Hermione was having a fair bit of influence on Harry as well. Duplicity, Finesse, what ten-year-old talked like that? "Satisfying," Remus laughed.

"ARRRGGHHH!" his captives cried as all three were hammered by a tidal wave of cold water.

"BRILLIANT!" Lily crowed and snapped half a dozen pictures of the laughing threesome.

Later that afternoon, Remus and Harry had found a bench to sit and wait for the ladies of their party while they looked through a costume shop they'd found. Of course one didn't just sit and wait at Disney World. One had ice creams! The depravation of his early childhood had given Harry a bit of an aversion to having too many sweets. He found he just got too jittery if he filled up on them. The one exception to that was ice cream. For some reason it didn't bother him and he loved mint chip.

"Quite the day, yes?" Remus asked.

Harry nodded. "Bril."

"Are we going to stay for the fireworks tonight?"

"Can we?"

"I should think so. At the least, if the others want to call it a day I'll stay with you.

Harry grinned. "Thanks, Remus."

"You're welcome, Harry." They sat in silence for a bit, each intent on keeping their cones from dripping. Summer in Florida turned ice cream to soup with frightening efficiency.

"Remus," Harry said.

"Yes?"

"Thank you for taking care of my mum."

Remus looked at him sharply. "Harry," he said putting his hand on the boy's shoulder, "my only regret is that I didn't say the hell with things sooner and come get you."

Harry shrugged. "You took care of my mum. And you came as soon as you could."

"I should have come sooner, Harry. I'll never forgive myself for that."

Harry turned to him. "I forgive you."

Remus stared at the young man; eventually closing his eyes against the sting of the tears threatening to fall. He wiped his cheek and gently wrapped his arms around him. Harry responded, hugging him tightly. It was the first hug he'd received from Harry since before the night Voldemort had come to kill him. "Thank you, Harry," he gasped. "Thank you."

Mum came out of the bathroom and hung her massive yellow gown on the hook on the back of the door. Harry sniggered. "What's so funny young man?" she demanded.

"You," Harry said. His mum, Mrs Granger, Mrs Tonks and Hermione had all purchased various princess dresses in the costume shop that day. With her hair dyed brown his mum had gone for Belle from Beauty and the Beast. Mrs Granger had chosen a Cinderella costume while Mrs Tonks had gone for Snow White while Hermione, with her brown hair had also gone for Belle. Harry thought his mum pulled it off far better than his best friend, but he still thought it had been the height of hilarity.

"Just because you are an old fuddy duddy, doesn't mean the rest of us have to be," Mum retorted pompously.

"Oh yeah, that's just what I need," Harry retorted, "Sirius teasing me about being Hermione's Prince Charming."

Mum laughed. "More like Prince of Pranks." Harry snorted. "Brilliant job on Remus, by the way." She climbed in the bed and settled on her side facing him.

"It was pretty good," Harry agreed.

She smiled and reached to brush his fringe from his eyes. "You remind me of your father so much."

"How."

She leaned forward and kissed his brow. "He was a trouble maker too."

"Just that?"

"No, he was kind like you are, once he grew up a bit anyway. And he had a strong sense of right and wrong. He was noble. Again, once he grew up a bit."

"Once he grew up?"

"Well, he was a bit of prat when I first met him. Truthfully, he was a right arse and I couldn't stand him. But he grew up; changed, and became a truly wonderful man. I loved him, still love him and I see the best of him in you."

Harry smiled at her before rolling over and scooting back against her. "Night Mum."

She kissed the back of his head. "Love you, Baby." Harry groaned. "Don't sass your mother," she said.

"Yes, Mum."

She settled behind him, pulling him tight and they were quiet for a few minutes before she asked, "Harry?"

"Yes, Mum?"

"Let's ride the boats again tomorrow."

Harry boarded the Tomorrowland Transit Authority Peoplemover and sat next to Mr. Tonks. Despite having known him for over a year, Ted Tonks was pretty much an unknown quantity. Harry really hadn't interacted with him much when he'd come to the Briar Patch with Mrs Tonks for his Occlumency lessons and by the time Harry woke up from the nap he always seemed to need after the lessons he and Mrs Tonks had usually left. Even when they stayed for dinner Harry was usually fairly well out of it. He was nice enough and all. He'd have to be to be married to Mrs Tonks. And he was Tonks' dad and, in Harry's book, she was as cool as they came, so Harry figured he was a pretty cool person to have for a dad, but he just didn't know.

"Mr Tonks," he asked cautiously, "did you know my dad?"

Ted turned to the young man. "I'm proud to say I did, Harry. Not too particularly well, mostly from our mutual involvement in the war, but yes, I did know him."

"Did you fight together?"

Ted hesitated. That was a loaded question. Did they fight together? The simple answer was, yes. The more complex was, they'd killed together; and saved the other's life doing so. He knew what faced Harry and he knew Lily wasn't exactly sheltering him from what the future would bring. At the same time things were being withheld from him and he wasn't exactly sure what was appropriate to tell him. A hand on his arm drew his attention.

Lily and Andromeda were in the car behind them. "Just tell him the truth," Lily said. Andromeda smiled and nodded. It was in her he found faith. Of everyone, she probably knew Harry best; perhaps even better than Lily did. That's what happened when you trained someone in the Mind Magics.

"Yes, we fought together a few times. He was a powerful wizard, Harry. Not as powerful as your mum. But then, not many are."

Harry took that in for a minute. "What's it like, fighting a battle?"

Ted glanced at Lily. She nodded so he went on. "Chaos, Harry. Utter Chaos. But then you adjust and things slow down. It's astounding really, what the mind can process."

"Were you scared?"

"Yes and no," Ted hedged. "Before, I was terrified. And after, when you realize what just happened. But during the battle, for me at least, it just was. I did what I had to; most of the time without even thinking about it."

Harry appeared thoughtful for a time. "That makes sense," he said, almost to himself. "There was never time to be afraid while it was happening… only before and after." The ride came to a stop and Harry was off after Hermione before anyone could respond.

Ted stared after him, "While what was happening?" he asked.

"Ted," Andromeda warned gently.

"It's fine, Andie," Lily bit out as she climbed from the car. "I know what he meant." The very image of fury, she stalked away.

"What did I do?" Ted asked.

Andromeda took his hand and gently pulled him along. "The wounds of an abused child weigh heavily on his mother," she said. "You didn't do anything, Love. It just is."

Ted stopped. "You mean he was saying being whipped to within an inch of his life was like being in battle?" he asked in horror.

"I should think it was worse. At least in battle you have hope."

Ted pressed his lips together angrily. "I swear, Andie, if she doesn't kill Albus, I will."

She gently pulled him along. "He has much to answer for."

"I upset you," Harry said when she exited the toilet.

Lily crossed the room, climbed in the bed and pulled him to her. "I'm upset for you. Never at you. Not for that." She kissed the back of his head and settled in.

"Why do you think he put me with them?"

"He thought it was best. I just don't know why he thought that."

"Does it matter? Shouldn't he have done what you and dad said in your will?"

"Yes. He should have. But I guess there were extenuating circumstances; Amos' wife was killed the same night as Dad. He was a wreck with his own son to raise. You know what happened to the Longbottoms. I don't know, Harry. I can almost understand why he put you with my sister. What I can't accept is why he kept you there. He was supposed to check on you. The paperwork is filed saying he did. I don't know how he didn't know what was happening to you." She kissed his crown. "I don't trust him, but I don't think he meant you harm. If I'd have pushed harder you would have been with Remus."

"It's not your fault, Mum."

Lily kissed him again. "Thank you, Baby."

"Must you?" Harry complained.

"Yes."

Harry gave an exasperated sigh. He was quiet for a few moments but then slyly asked, "Sooo are we doing the boats again tomorrow?"

"Better believe it!"

"Bril," Harry said.

Pretty cool, don't you think?"

Harry grinned at Mrs Granger. They'd left the Magic Kingdom behind for Epcot today and were dining at the Coral Reef Restaurant for dinner. "It's so cool," he gushed. "Look, there's a shark!"

"I've always loved the sea," Malala said. "Did you know I'm certified as a scuba diver?"

"Really? That would be amazing."

"Yes, we all are, David, myself and Hermione."

"Hermione's been?"

"She has. We took her to Australia and dove on the Great Barrier Reef the summer before she met you."

"Wow," Harry said, clearly awed by what his friend had done. "Aren't there sharks though?"

"Yes, there are, but it's mostly safe where the boat takes you to dive. And there are dive masters to keep an eye out. Obviously, it turned out just fine for us." She leaned down to whisper in his ear. "Honestly I was hoping it would convince Hermione to think about a career in Marine Biology."

"She's smart enough," Harry snorted. "I don't think there's anything she doesn't know."

"Oh, there's plenty. And you're pretty smart yourself."

Harry shook his head. "Not like Hermione. She remembers everything."

"Well you should ask her about the shark diving trip we went on."

"Shark diving?" Harry croaked.

She winked. "Only I went. David and Hermione stayed on the boat. Myself and a few others went in a giant cage so we'd be safe."

"And did you see a shark?"

"Two of them. Both, Great Whites."

"Great Whites?" Harry breathed.

"Yes. They were amazing."

"How big were they?"

She leaned down to whisper in his ear. "The little one was twelve feet."

He looked at her, his eyes wide. "And the big one?"

"Sixteen."

"Sixteen?" Harry whispered.

"Yep. David said he saw her swim under the boat. He said he could see her nose on one side and her tail still on the other. She was longer than the boat was wide." She smiled at him while he stared back with awe and wonder written plainly on his face.

"You are so cool," he said.

"Maybe someday we'll go back and take you with, what do you think?"

"I'll tell Sirius to gas the plane up!"

She laughed and then pointed. "Look, a Hammerhead."

"Hermione's mum went cage diving," Harry said when Mum joined him in bed that night.

"Cage diving?"

"Yes, in Australia. They went out on a boat far into the ocean, threw chum in the water to attract sharks and then lowered a big cage in the water that they could be in with scuba equipment so it was safe to see the sharks. She said she saw two Great Whites. The big one was sixteen feet long."

Mum sat facing him, blinking rapidly. "No. No. No. And N. O. NO. Absolutely not. You may not go cage diving while I'm alive."

"What about scuba diving… Hermione's been," he added before she could answer.

"Would you jump off a bridge if she did?"

"I would if we were bungee jumping," Harry retorted. Mum grabbed him and pinned him down on the bed where she began to tickle him mercilessly. "ARRGH!"

"I'll teach you to smart mouth me!"

Harry squirmed and writhed trying to get way from her. "STOP!" he gasped.

"NEVER!"

"M–M–Mum."

"GIVE!"

"GIVE! I GIVE!"

Mum's finger stopped digging into his sides. "No cage diving," she said.

"K–k–k," Harry gasped. She let him up. Harry couldn't stop himself. "Does that mean I can go bungee jumping?" ARRGH! NO!" he cried as she grabbed him again.

Sirius paused at the sliding door and watched his Godson with his familiar for a minute. It was the 31st today, Harry's actual birthday and he'd finally talked Lily into letting him give Harry the gift he wanted. It had been a long road to this point for the three of them. It had taken three months from when he'd learned Lily was alive and Harry wasn't missing before Harry would even talk to him. Harry was exceedingly protective and loyal to his mother and if she was mad at you then Harry was downright hostile on her behalf. But eventually Lily had thawed. Yes he had been wrong to go after Peter when he did, but there were many other things that contributed to Harry being placed with Petunia. If he'd just been given a trial and Veritaserum things could have been vastly different. It was neither here nor there now, though. As Remus had told him, the past was the past, what mattered, was what he did now. He'd slowly earned Lily's forgiveness and that eventually brought a growing relationship with Harry.

He was quite pleased to have suffered the series of pranks played by Harry and Hermione. Some of it, he was certain, was still a bit of Harry telling him he'd better be careful and not upset his mum again, but they were much preferable to the first time Harry had tested him. That had given him nightmares for weeks. And considering where he'd spent the previous number of years that was saying something.

His first meeting with Harry's familiar had come on his second visit to the Briar Patch. He'd just closed the front door and was in the process of hanging his cloak on the coat tree when he realized his hand was now inches from Kaa and her lethal fangs. Harry was standing on the steps. And, if anything, his eyes were colder than the emotionless black pupils of the serpent. Without a word, never taking his eyes from him, Harry had descended the last few stairs and held his arm out. Kaa had slithered from the coat tree to Harry's outstretched arm and wrapped around his wrist. Harry had then walked away, leaving him in need of a change of drawers. He'd turned to find Remus with a bottle of whiskey in hand. He hadn't bothered with a glass.

But that seemed to be in the past now and he hoped the gift he had for Harry would move them further along the path to the relationship he wanted with him. Taking a deep breath, he gently rapped the glass with his knuckles. Harry turned and grinned and beaconed for him to come out. He slid the door open. "Hey, Harry, about ready for another day?"

"Yep, Mum and I are going to do the boats again."

Sirius chuckled. "By the time we leave you two are going to have spent enough riding those I could have just bought one."

"It's not too much is it?" Harry asked quickly.

"Harry," he said, mentally he berating himself. Harry was quite sensitive about money. The Dursleys had complained about the cost of keeping him so much, he wouldn't ask anyone but Lily for anything. And it was rare that even she received a request from him. No, he was still very much concerned everyone would decide he wasn't worth it and he'd suddenly find himself left in the lurch. "It is expensive to ride them. But I've got plenty and if I didn't want to spend it on you, I wouldn't, alright?" Sometimes it was best just to be brutally honest with him and this seemed like one of those times.

"Alright," Harry agreed, absently stroking Kaa's head. "Is it time to go then?"

"Not quite," Sirius said. He brought out the package he'd been hiding behind his back. "I wanted to give you your birthday present before we set out today."

"My birthday present, I thought that's what this trip was?"

Sirius chuckled, "Nah, that was just an excuse to get your mum out of the house." He offered Harry the package. "This is way better than any old trip to Disney World."

Harry moved his arm to the trunk of the palm so Kaa could return to her nest before accepting the package. Carefully he untied the string and peeled the brown paper back, revealing an old, leather bound journal. Sirius squatted down in front of him. "That belonged to your dad and me." Harry looked up sharply. "Go on and open it." He did so, slowly flipping through the pages. "It's our notes from when we became Animagus." Once again Harry looked up sharply. "I've already talked to your mum and the Grangers. We can start when we get back… if you're interested."

"Really?" Harry asked.

Sirius nodded. "Yep. We'll brew the potion and send you to meet your Spirit Guide."

"What if I don't have one?"

Sirius leaned in close. "Little secret, Kiddo, everyone's got one."

"Really?"

Sirius nodded. "Everyone's got a Spirit Animal. It's just the ministry has done a very good job of suppressing the information that your Spirit Animal is also your Animagus. They don't like not being able to keep track of people and Animagi are very difficult to keep track of."

"So anyone can become Animagi?"

"Theoretically, yes. In practice, no. But you and Hermione both have the most important hurdles covered in spades."

"We do?"

"You're powerful, which is huge. You're highly intelligent. You're willing to work. And you're patient. And that last one is probably the biggest, because you might work for a year or more before you even begin to affect the first partial transformations."

"What if you don't like your form?"

"That can happen," Sirius said carefully. "I'm sure it's put off one or two from completing it."

"Did he want to be a rat?" Harry all but snarled.

Sirius sighed. He'd hoped to avoid this. "Look, I'm not going to blow shine up your arse, Harry. He wasn't thrilled at first. But eventually he embraced his form. He had to or he'd never have completed the transformation. And yeah, he was happy with it. It was the first time he brought something really substantial to the Marauders that none of the rest of us could. It might sound sick to even say this, but rats are great spies and he was ours. I don't really know when he turned bad, but he wasn't always that way."

Sirius held his breath while Harry absently fingered the journal in his hands. Harry was always looking for ties to his dad, but there was just so little left from James. The house had nearly been destroyed when Voldemort's curse backfired and the Death Eaters had burnt it to the ground shortly after he had sent Harry off with Hagrid. He'd hoped to maybe offer him this tie, but knew it risked running afoul of this bit of history. But Harry's ability to connect the dots was sometimes frightening and it had once again reared its head.

"It'd be pretty cool if I could be a panther like Dad," Harry said softly.

HPHPHP

Author's notes:

It always bothered me that Harry's father was a stag animagus. Not that there is anything wrong with the stag, but when I think about why they became animagus, a stag doesn't seem a good animal to be. I really feel the werewolf would see the stag as prey and that is why I made James a panther.

Other than that, this is just a bit of fun where I tried to show the different relationships Harry has with people.

Also, for anyone looking for an interesting story, head on over to Nifty Niffler's page and check out The Beast Within and Unity in Diversity! Actually, check out all her stuff. There are some really great reads there if you've not yet your way to her page.