7/29/15 dianemalfoy's edit for this chapter.

AN: A few time and place jumps in this one don't get confused. The scene with Theo and Blaise is back 2 days from normal time, to give their POV on what's happened and hopefully show more of Theo not being a petrified uke.

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Small Shack in the Scottish Highlands Wednesday July 14

Two pieces of mail found Remus J. Lupin at almost the same time. The first was flashed in a blaze of glory, also known as the headmaster's familiar Fawkes. It was a job offer to fill the once again vacant Defense position. This letter also told him of Sirius's escape. He glared at the letter but in his mind he heard Moony whine. The wolf couldn't accept that one of their pack betrayed them.

Remus was about to write his reply when a large snowy owl flew in the open window. She was beautiful and attached to each of her legs was a letter. She thrust one toward him and on the letter was his Marauder name. Though the letters were shaky and the parchment tear stained, he still knew the hand writing anywhere. He almost didn't want to read it but he was far too curious to burn it without a glance.

Moony;

Please here me out.

I've made more mistakes than any man can atone for. I regret many things, but Remus I swear on the blood of my line, I am no traitor. I loved James like a brother, MORE than my own brother. I was not the secret keeper. I was to play decoy, be visible to throw the Death Eaters off our trail.

Peter, he was the one. The little RAT, he was marked to beat all and we didn't even notice. I left Harry to go after him. Remus, I knew I was going to be a shit god father and I was. When that baby, our little Prongslet needed me the most, I abandoned him. That is what I regret the most. I love him more than air Remy I could never, never harm him.

I need help getting a trial proving my innocence. There are too many in the ministry that are corrupt and easily bought. But I don't have access to my family fortune. I'll worry about all that. You, Remus, must keep an eye out. Peter didn't die that day. I saw him in the Prophet. He's alive living with a family of contest winners. Fabian and Gideon's family Remy. YOU have to protect Harry, because right now I can't

Padfoot.

For all he had done, for all that this letter may be a trick Remus could not believe Sirius would ever harm Harry. Remus looked up decision made. "Where did that owl go?" He asked himself for the snowy owl had flown off the moment his eyes were off her. Fawkes shrugged his wings waiting for his own reply.

Remus wrote that he would take the position. If nothing else he would protect his cub from any who tried to harm him. With the letter sent and a plan in place, Remus felt 20 years younger. He had a purpose again, a reason to live.

The next morning still feeling the high of having a job and seeing Harry again, he set out to visit James and Lily. That was something he always did when he was feeling like the world was too much.

As usual, Remus first stopped by Father Mylard's to see how things were going. Unlike usual Father Mylard smiled at Remus and handed him a letter, before walking outside without a word.

Remus looked at the black envelope in his hands confused. He took a seat on one of the pews and examined it. Inside was a short letter with astronomical consequences.

Mr. Remus J. Lupin,

I am assuming this is you, Father Mylard only gave your first name. I am Harry Potter. James and Lily's son. You were their friend and the kind Father trusts you. So I would like to get to know you as well. Father Mylard told me that you have a disease that kept you from claiming guardianship over me as a child. Though he didn't tell me what sort of illness you have.

If you want, you can stay with me. I won't ask for anything of you other than information on the people my parents were. I would also like to know more about my godfather. I know he is in prison but according to some things I have learned from the goblins, he has been imprisoned falsely.

I'll be at a friend's house until the 24th, but you can still come. The elves will take good care of you. The floo address is Perciville Palace.

Hoping to see you soon;

Harry John Potter

Remus teared up. He abandoned finding his cub and here the boy was, not only forgiving him, but trying to take care of Remus. Remus spent most of that day crying over all he had lost. Not just the people but the time, the firsts he would never get to experience with the child he once thought of as his own. And he cried for all the things Harry had lost, his whole family, all his support. He just hoped the boy was safe and loved. Thinking over the letter, he smiled. The Perciville's were known for being a kind, grey family that refused to be bribed. If Harry was raised with them, he was just fine. With a smile on his face at the thoughts of the happy well cared for boy Harry likely was, Remus apparated back to the little shack where he was staying. The next morning, after packing all his things, he flooed to Perciville Palace.

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Zabini Manor Wednesday July 14

Blaise Zabini was a quiet boy. He was extremely ambitious and clever, but unlike some (Malfoy) he wasn't so outspoken. He had been expecting his best friend Theo for a week now, so he wasn't surprised by his arrival.

He was, however, surprised by the collar around his neck. "What's the meaning of this Theo?" He asked reaching out to touch the collar.

"It's exactly what it looks like Blaise. I'm the submissive in an absolute contract. That's why I haven't..." Theo said looking down a bit ashamed.

"I know you couldn't tell me before." He reassured his friend hugging him. "Who is it with? They haven't... Are you... well." Blaise blushed red.

Theo giggled at his friend's embarrassment. "No we haven't completed the bond yet. I only officially met him yesterday. It's Harry Potter, and he is so much more than the boy we see in school. There's a Slytherin core in him. He's clever and very, very powerful."

"Are you here to tell me we can no longer be friends?" he asked in the cold voice he usually reserved for public. "Has he ordered you away from us... from me?"

"No Blaise. Harry didn't seem to care that we are friends. He even said I can stay here while he's at Longbottom's till the 24th."

"So what orders has he given you?"

"He told me I had to be myself, be faithful, and get good grades. Harry has somehow become a friend of the goblin nation. He has made an appointment for me on the 19th at 3:00 for an examination by the goblin healers, along with international immunizations. I have to floo to Longbottom's on Tuesday's and Thursday's for the rest of the summer for classes in goblin." He rambled on to Blaise as he was often known to do.

"Potter a goblin friend. You're right, there is more to him than I assumed. What do you think of him Theo?" Blaise asked interpreting his friend's verbal diarrhea.

"He's... well different. I've known since I was 6 what was going to happen. I watched him at school and he seemed almost meek and stupid but he's really not. Harry's not a bull headed Gryffindor like Weasley or anything. Mother tested his patience yesterday and power rolled off him like I have never seen before. There is a good reason the Dark Lord fears him. I feel comforted by the power but at the same time I'm afraid. If Harry were ever to become... like father..." He trailed off. Blaise knew well what his friend dealt with at home.

Blaise just hugged him again, kissing the top of his head. He thought of Theo as the little brother he would never have. "I think Potter is far too noble to treat you the way Lord Nott has." To himself Blaise added I pray.

They chatted and caught up on the last few weeks since school had released. Blaise did his best to keep Theo's mind occupied so he didn't have time to worry. He hoped Harry was good to Theo and that the other boy could see how great his best friend was. But as the time to floo to Longbottom's drew close, he couldn't prevent him from fretting and pacing. Theo didn't want to disappoint his mate this early on. He really didn't want to be reprimanded in front of Longbottom.

At 15 till he couldn't stand the anticipation any longer and flooed over early. Harry greeted him politely and then formally introduced him to Madame Longbottom.

"Madame Longbottom, this is Theodore Nott, second son of the Nott family. Theo this is Madame Augusta Longbottom, regent of the Longbottom family." Harry said.

"A pleasure ma'am." Theo said with a small bow.

"Yes it is young man." Augusta said then turned to Harry. "Harry that is no longer how he is introduced. Now he is yours and a proper introduction would be: Theodore Nott my consort, to your friends or allies. To strangers or in very formal occasions then use; Theodore Nott, consort of Lord Perciville." She paused for a moment. "Though Theo may be the consort to either the Potter or Black families, but Harry, you two must choose one and stay consistent."

"Oh, I didn't know." Harry said ears turning red.

"Of course not, that's why we're here to teach you. You're still a child, just beginning to learn." She replied annoyed.

"Thank you Madame Longbottom. Theo and I will discuss it later. Griphook should be here any moment."

Theo did awful. He wasn't able to say the simplest of goblin phrases. By the end of the lesson, he was near in tears due to frustration and shame. How can I be such an embarrassment? Father was right, I am useless. When neither Harry nor Neville laughed at him, Theo felt a bit better, but still like a failure. In his self-defeatist mind set, he completely ignored that Harry and Neville also failed at the lesson. He kept thinking of the time he failed when his father's 'friends' were over for dinner. It was the first time he ever felt a crucio. I don't want to imagine how powerful and how painful Harry's crucio would be.

Theo was surprised when Madame Longbottom asked him to stay for dinner. He smiled happily when Harry told him they would be having a formal dinner. He could do that and redeem himself.

After dinner, when Harry invited him (and Blaise!) to the amusement park (whatever that is), he wanted to immediately say yes. Both because it would be nice to see Harry somewhere casual and to make his mate happy, but he knew he had to ask Blaise first.

When he returned to Zabini Manor, Theo told Blaise all about his embarrassment. After calming his worked up best friend down, Blaise agreed to join them and even invited their other friends Tracy Davis and Daphne Greengrass. Since Harry did say 'friends'. The clever Slytherin knew that Daphne's cutting tongue and Tracy's knowledge of obscure untraceable magic would quickly curb any notions of misconduct by their friends' new mate. It was always better safe than sorry in Blaise's book.

Once Blaise was sure Theo was in bed asleep, he sent us prayers to his Goddess. He prayed that he was right, that Harry wouldn't do Theo any harm. He also hoped that the chivalrous Gryffindor would be able to heal the breaks in Theo's spirit.

There was little he could do, but Blaise had known for years that Theodeon Nott beat and hexed his son at the slightest provocation. That the man had told Theo more than once that all he would ever be good for was a good romp and breeding. Theo came to him a few times in tears over his father saying he wasn't even good enough to breed squibs. Blaise understood why Lady Nott made the contract and he was sure that that piece of paper had saved Theo from worse hurts at the hands of Nott and his Death Eater friends.

Blaise knew there were few fates worse than being used like Theo might have been if not for Potter and the contract, but that didn't mean he worried any less about his friend belonging to a young man he didn't really know.

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Longbottom Manor Friday, July 16 (normal time)

Two days. Augusta couldn't believe that in the two days Harry had been staying with them, Neville had blossomed. The more she watched the boys, the less Neville resembled her dead husband and youngest. It was bitter sweet. On one hand she was glad to see him growing into himself, on the other she wanted to keep him a babe all his life.

She hadn't told the boys yet but she had already set a meeting with all her friends from the Wizengamont for the 21st. The older crowd she was often a part of were skeptical about meeting such a young lord but the more she saw of the boy, the less she saw him as a child.

The boys had a bit of a lay in that morning. Once they were up, Harry helped Neville pick out appropriate clothes for the non-magical world. Harry was in an excellent mood when he only had to be corrected twice at breakfast.

Just after they were done eating, two owls flew into the house and winged toward the boys. They both saw the letters were from Hogwarts. Opening the identical letters Harry read:

Mr. Harry J. Potter;

It is my pleasure to inform you that you have passed the required classes to be invited back to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry for another term.

As you are entering your 3rd year you are required to choose 2-4 elective classes from those listed below. We await your reply by no later than July 31st.

Deputy Headmistress,

Minerva McGonagall.

Harry looked at the list and saw that included was his scores from last year. He was surprised at how well he had done. "How did you do Harry?" Neville asked looking at him, his own scores in his hand.

"Why don't you both share your results with me?" Augusta asked them.

"Yes Gran. Potions...A" He looked down a bit, he was never very good at potions. "Charms: EE, Transfiguration: EE, History: A, Defense: EE, Herbology: O and Astronomy: O."

"Very good." Augusta said, earning a bright smile from Neville. She turned her gaze on Harry.

"Potions: EE, Charms: EE, Transfiguration: EE, History: A, Defense: O, Herbology: O, Astronomy: A." Harry said.

"Your scores are almost identical." Augusta commented. Seeing as they both made 2 A's and 2 O's.

"Yeah but it looks like we both need to stay awake a bit longer in History." Harry joked. "So what classes do you think we should take next year?"

Neville's eyes widened a bit. It sounded like Harry would take whatever classes he did. "Divinations is supposed to be an easy O, but I don't know. I like Astronomy, and Care of Magical Creature's, or maybe Muggle Studies."

"Well, I was raised in the Non-magical world so I'm going to ask if I can test out of that class. I think we should take Arithmacy. It's like math right? That will help with the accounting and management classes. I would like to take Ancient runes as well. I've seen some uses for runes and it looks interesting."

"Your right about Arithmacy. If you can help me, we can either test out of Muggle Studies or take the test for it at the ministry at the end of the year. Then I can take Runes with you."

"OK. Astronomy was interesting but really confusing to me." Harry said with a bit of pink in his cheeks.

Neville smiled at him. "I can help you with it. You should learn about it. The Black family were big into astronomy. They named all their children after stars or constellations."

"Really? I didn't know that. Well, we're all settled then. Runes, Arithmacy, Astronomy and Care of Magical Creature's. Let's go ahead and reply. Maybe we'll get our book lists early and can get ahead in our classes. We should both try and do our best. Could you imagine the look on Snape's face if we both make O's in potions?" Neville and Harry shared a laugh. "I even know a second hand book store we can use."

"Yeah. I heard some second hand books have notes in them from the other owners, we could search and find one with really good hints." Neville suggested.

"Great idea Nev." They both got to writing the replies, completely ignoring Augusta as she looked on proudly at their choices. "I'm going to ask Ron, Hermione and the twins how they did as well. Hedwig's not back yet so may I borrow an owl?"

"Sure. We can ask how Susan and Hannah did as well."

Harry nodded and once the owls were on their way he looked at Neville shyly. "Do... do you think this will be like a date? ... For me and Theo... I mean..." Harry said blushing.

Neville turned a bit red thinking of it. "Maybe, but we will be there as well so don't worry about it too much."

"Oh...ok thanks Nev. I might win a prize for him at one of the games." Harry said with a small smile.

With that settled they flooed to the Leaky Cauldron at 10 till 11.

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AN: Ok so I once again didn't get as far as I would have liked with this.

I have received a review or 2 about Theo being too feminine or weak. I'm sorry you feel that way is all I can say. In this fic he has been abused and belittled all his life. And abused kids almost always, even when with friends or in a good home expect the abuse to continue. Theo assumes Harry will curse, beat or abuse him for every little misstep because that's the way his father treated him. Once he realizes that Harry would never do such a thing he will calm and start showing his real personality.