Harry lay in Thursday morning. He really didn't want to move. He knew he was supposed to have breakfast with Neville and Augusta before Lokaxe arrived and the day's lessons began, but right now all he was thinking about was the last lesson of the day. He was wondering what Theo would do, how he would act and how he should go about apologizing. With a groan of frustration and the start of a headache from thinking too hard, Harry got out of bed and ready for the day.
Neville and Augusta were already waiting on him, as was one of Gringotts regal eagle owls. Harry heaved another sigh and sat taking the letter.
Harry,
Trilu told me what happened and as you requested I dropped Miss. James as your tutor.
I will contact our best legal team and be putting together all of Lord Nott's dirty little secrets, but I think it would be best to put off our meeting until after your birthday. Take next week with your family and relax. Get reacquainted with your mate and act like a child for a bit. We can meet on Monday the 2nd at 10, with lunch after, if our discussions don't put you off eating.
Trilok
Harry smiled at the letter. "So when is your meeting with the lawyers?" Augusta asked with a bit of disapproval in her voice. Harry had far too much on his plate for a boy his age.
"He says I should take the week off to spend with my family and Theo." Harry told her. "Our appointment isn't till Monday after my birthday."
The matron smiled glad that Harry had at least one other person in his life worried about his health. "That sounds like an excellent plan. You boys have been working too hard. I think you should tell your tutors you're taking the week off as well."
"I don't think so." Harry replied rubbing his forehead. "I'll be taking off from tutoring when I go to visit the Delacour and De'vale families. I know it's a lot of classes and lots of work but it's all stuff I need to know. I'm trying to cover 12 years of information in two months. I need all the time I can get."
Augusta chuckled. "Harry. I would assume from that statement you are unaware that Hogwarts allows students to have two tutors for classes not taught by the school."
"Really?!" He replied shocked and excited.
She nodded with a smile. "Depending on how the lessons go. You could either have healing and Goblin classes, politics and Goblin or healing and politics. Once the summer is over I feel you will have a good enough grasp of investments and estate management to be able to study that on your own. I know Serpens and he loves playing political games so I have no doubt you will learn more from him over the rest of the summer than Moby will be able to teach you."
Neville spoke up. "We are getting good in Goblin. Maybe by September we could study that on our own too and take fencing or archery. Ever since Trilok told us about our ancestors I've been dying to try it."
Harry smiled. "Maybe. We can tell everyone today about our plans so they can tailor our lessons so that we are ready for self-study by September. If not, we can change classes over Christmas break instead?"
With that decided and smiles all around, they finished breakfast and began another day of lessons. Lokaxe and Joshua were glad to change their lesson plans and teach the boys how to self-study in their subjects. Both liked the boys and would be a saddened when their lessons finally ended but they would be sure to keep in touch.
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Harry started to get antsy at the end of his lesson on politics with Joshua. He was nervous about seeing Theo again. Like always not long after the man left Theo stepped from the floo. He looked almost as nervous as the first day he had arrived at Longbottom Manor.
Harry came over and offered him a single purple hyacinth. "I am so sorry. I let my temper get away with me. But Theo I promise you, I will never, ever hurt you." His face turned bright red. "I like you." He added quietly looking down. They may be forced to get married but Harry was growing to truly care for Theo. He wasn't sure if it was love yet but it was something.
Theo took the flower and looked at Harry. He was still frightened of his power and especially the power the contract gave Harry over him, but in the last weeks he'd learned Harry was kind and Theo was beginning to believe that the other boy would never hurt him on purpose. He rolled the flower between his fingers thinking for a moment. Theo leaned forward and kissed Harry's cheek. "I like you too." He replied with an equally bright blush. He was still nervous from yesterday, but he did care for Harry.
Harry beamed at him and hugged Theo. "Thank you." He said into Theo's neck planting a kiss where his neck met his shoulder.
Harry couldn't wipe the grin off his face for the rest of the lesson. Theo was pink for most of it as well. They told Theo of their plans for the school year. He blushed even darker knowing Harry was going to keep letting him take healing lessons when they returned to Hogwarts.
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Just after breakfast the following morning Harry took the floo to Greece. Romona wouldn't arrive till noon but he wanted to spend some time with his family and finally meet Remus.
"Lord Perciville good to see you again sir." Alfred greeted at the door to the receiving room.
"You too Alfred. Where is everyone?" Harry asked. He knew how large the palace was and wasn't keen on wasting his time before the 'date' hunting for his family.
"Master Serpens and Master Alex are in the study, likely with our guest. Lady Lydia is in the ballroom with Miss. Samantha and Mrs. De'vale."
"Thank you Alfred. When Miss. Romona arrives can you let me know? I'll then escort her to the third floor for lunch in the garden" Harry asked him. The butler nodded before leaving the room.
Harry made his way to the ballroom since it was the closest. He knocked on the door after opening just to announce himself. He saw the room barely decorated and the three ladies sitting at a table in the middle of the room leaning over several books.
"Harry!" Sammy exclaimed getting up and coming over to hug him. The cousins had been exchanging letters almost daily and had grown quite close. "How have you been? I haven't heard from you since Wednesday."
"I've been good. I and Theo had a bit of a rough patch so that's why I hadn't written. How about you?"
"Oh you know... planning a freaking huge party. The usual." she joked leading him back over with a laugh.
"My turn." Lydia said taking her great nephew from her daughter's arms and squeezing him. Harry hugged back moved by having an aunt that wanted to hug him. He kept an arm around her waist just soaking up the love offered as he turned to the final lady in the room.
"This is Angelia De'vale Javier's daughter, and the little rascal hiding behind her is her son Jamie." Lydia introduced the 25ish woman with long black curls and honey eyes, while also scooping up the 4 year old with brown hair and his mother's eyes.
"A pleasure to meet you ma'am, I'm Harry." he said kissing the lady's hand.
She smiled hand on her swollen stomach. "The pleasure is all mine. Father was so pleased Niam didn't parish. He's been driving me and Jose mad with all the plans for when you stay a week with us."
Harry chuckled. "Is Jose your husband?" He asked "And when are you due?"
She chuckled as well. "My wife is Savanna. Jose is my little brother. Don't be surprised if father tries to push you two together a bit. He does not approve of any boyfriend my submissive brother has brought home." She explained with a much lighter Spanish lit than her father.
"Now that introductions have been made." Lydia said before the conversation could go too far off topic. "Angelina is finishing the invitations, but we need to finalize the guest list for your private party. We can also go over some food choices and you can help pick out some decor."
Harry was prepared for the first question having written the guest list during his free time at the Longbottom's. After that though he was subjected to a new form of torture as he sat and listened to the ladies going over every minor detail from coordinating the colors of the drapes, napkins and tablecloths, to discussing who could sit with this whom and why. At first he'd been interested, but he was soon looking for an escape. It took an hour to get out of these ladies clutches.
Harry sighed as he leaned on the wall by the stairs. He'd learned his lesson well. NEVER interfere or volunteer when those ladies were planning a party. After catching his breath, Harry headed for Serpens, hoping the man was still in the study after all that time.
When he entered the study, he saw a stranger and Alex sitting at the Ebony and Ivory chess set while Serpens was behind his desk engrossed in paperwork.
Harry had asked Serpens if he could take care of all Harry's businesses until he'd learned how to do it himself. Harry was still needed to make large decisions but the day to day was now handled by Serpens. The older man was glad to help out his family.
"Hello" Harry said in way of greeting the three men.
/Good Morning/ Alex signed. With everything else on his plate this summer, Harry had not had any time to learn sign language and only knew the very basics.
"Good morning Harricius. I see you have finally gotten away from my sisters clutches." Serpens said with a small smile. Harry chuckled. "This is our guest Remus John Lupin. Mr. Lupin, this is my nephew Harricius John Potter-Perciville."
"John?" The man asked in shock. "I always assumed the J was for James. Not..." the man trailed off a bit pink at the possible reasons for Harry's middle name. "Sorry. I want to thank you for all this. Kindness is a rarity." He said standing and shaking Harry's hand.
"Uh... your welcome?" Harry replied confused. He wasn't sure what to make of Remus' thanks. "Maybe I was named after you? I've heard you were a good friend to my parents perhaps that was their way of making you an honorary godfather. Why wouldn't people be kind? Is it because of your illness?" Harry asked.
"Harricius, do you know what his illness is?" Serpens asked. Remus' eyes widened growing fearful. Even though these people were nice to him, he knew that would dry up the instant they knew he was a werewolf. He knew he'd be out on his arse again.
"No. All I know is that it makes it hard to keep a job and makes him really weak. Why?" Harry replied.
"This palace has a rather remarkable ward scheme." Serpens replied seemingly out of the blue. "They were written and raised by Micavale Perciville over 400 years ago. Among other things they alert the current holder and log the name and species of every person that crosses them." He said with another smirk.
"Y...You... You knew?" Remus asked in disbelief. "All this time and you said nothing?"
"What?" Harry asked, now realizing he was out of the loop.
"Mr. Lupin has feared we will chuck him out the moment we learn he had lycanthropy."
"Lycanthropy?" Harry said still confused. He had no idea what the term meant.
"It means I'm a werewolf." Remus said, head bowed in shame.
"And?" Harry asked. "If I recall correctly, don't we employ a few werewolves?"
"You what?" Remus asked dumbfounded.
"Yes. The man in charge of the third floor garden, one of our maids and her son who does some shopping for the house are all werewolves. They and a few others also roam our grounds once a month." Serpens explained calmly as if he were discussing the weather.
"You let transformed werewolves roam your ground? Aren't you worried about being attacked?" Remus asked trying to take in all this information.
"No. Another aspect of our wards are the ability to block certain species. They were designed for that very purpose to aid Micavale's werewolf wife and son. On the full moon, I raise the wards blocking werewolves from crossing. These wards cover the property line and house, as well as the barn leaving the wolves trapped between them until morning when I lower that ward again. I also block anyone from crossing the property line and possibly meeting the wolves by accident."
"I can understand why they were built but why keep that going now?" Remus asked curiously.
"Werewolves are just people with a terrible, incurable disease. Also they happen to be some of the most reliable labor, and very economical. Since the law in most countries labels them as dangerous dark creatures, they are very grateful to have a secure job making them extremely loyal."
"I don't like the idea of us paying them an unfair wage just because they are ill." Harry said with a frown.
"We don't. Their pay is less than others in a similar job, but not by a great deal, and they are given job security, health care and a safe place to turn. The other wolves that use our wards but are not employed by us pay for the service." Serpens explained. Harry nodded understanding.
"To be honest. Most wolves would work for free if they were guaranteed not to harm anyone on the moon." Remus told them. Serpens nodded, he was well aware of that.
"Is... is it true you looked for me?" Harry asked shyly, changing the subject.
"Yes Harry. I looked as hard as I could. I knew they would never let me take you. But you're part of my pack and I wanted... want to look out for you." The wolf replied misty eyed. "That's why I took the defense post."
"Really?" Harry said with a smile. "Maybe this year the defense teacher won't try and kill me." He said as a joke.
"Your defense teaches have tried to kill you?!" Serpens said with a growl.
"In first year, my professor was possessed by Voldemort." Harry noticed that while Remus flinched, the other two didn't seem affected. "He was definitely trying to kill me. When he was trying to steal the philosopher's stone, he tried to strangle me but according to Dumbledore, there was some kind of protection left over from my mother that burned him instead. I... I put my hands on his face and seared him to death." Harry finishing in a weak voice shamed that he killed a person. Before they could offer comfort though he continued. "Last year there was a basilisk in the school as you two know. When Voldemort took control of Ginny, my friend Ron's sister, and captured her to try and come back to life we went to Lockhart for help, since he was famous for defense. He tried to Obliviate us and leave us to the basilisk's mercy while he ran away. He planned to write a book about how he was tragically too late to save any of us." Harry told them with rage in his eyes.
Remus grabbed him and pulled him into a tight hug making his bones creek. "Seems a werewolf is just par for the course then pup." he said. "What next a vampire, or maybe a death eater?" The man joked loosening his grip but not letting Harry go. Harry was fine with that and wrapped his arms around said werewolf.
"Knowing my luck Snape will get the job." Harry said despairingly
"Snape? As in Severus Snape?" Harry nodded. "What does he teach?"
"Potions, and he hates Gryffindor me in particular."
"Of course he does. Snape was once your mother's good friend. But your father was jealous and he pranked him all the time, I would have called it bullying if Snape didn't give as good as he got. But one night, Sirius took things too far. He tricked Snape into meeting me on a full moon. Your father saved him from becoming infected but that pissed him off, now being indebted to his enemy. He took this anger out on Lily calling her a mudblood. She took great offense to that and refused to speak with him until he apologized. Which he never did before they died. Snape hated James after that for taking away his best friend and I suspect the girl he was in love with." Remus explained.
"Great. I'm doomed because my teacher was too much of a coward to apologize? Great." Harry said with a sigh laying his head on Remus' chest. "But then why is he so hard on Neville and Hermione?"
"I don't know Harry, but what I do know is that you can hire a tutor to help you in that class. It won't keep from being required to attend but it could help your grade." Remus told him.
"Will that take away from the two I can hire for subjects not taught in Hogwarts?" Harry asked.
"Not that I'm aware of. But I would keep it to just potions and history if you are planning other classes as well." When Harry gave him a look, Remus chuckled and explained. "If you're really that interested in learning I'm sure that like your mother, history both bores and angers you with Binns as the teacher. My advice would be to just read the text book and do other studies during class. That's what your mother and I did and we both received an EE on our history NEWTS."
Harry smiled hearing that he was like his mother. "What was her and dad's favorite classes? I took their journals from my vault but haven't had a chance to sit and really read them."
"Lily loved runes and Arithmacy. But her best class was charms. After we graduated, Flitwick was trying to get her to be his apprentice and maybe take over when he was ready to retire. She was also approached by the unspeakables to work for them. She fell pregnant before making her decision. James was a transfigurations prodigy. McGonagall had him working ahead of the rest of the class just to keep him from getting into trouble. He was also born to fly. James could do things on a broom that would make your heart stop but not once in his 6 years as a chaser did he end up in the infirmary. Before the war broke out he wanted to go pro. But with everything that happened he instead joined the Auror corps with Sirius as his partner. Sirius was the best of us at potions and our professor Slughorn was more than happy to help him with pranks just to get closer to the heir of the Black family. Slughorn was a good teacher but the worst kind of social brown-noser you can imagine. He'd bend over backwards for anyone that could further his social climb."
Harry smiled up at him as they took a seat in the office and Remus told him more about his family. Remus told him about his kind and jovial grandfather, Charles Potter, his strict but loving grandmother, Dorea and his great uncle Mathew Potter that was killed in a runes accident when he was only 20. The time until Ramona arrived passed quickly with tales of the Marauders and Lily's time at Hogwarts.
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Harry met Ramona in the receiving room and led the 9 year old up the stairs to the garden. She seemed impressed with all the beautiful flowers. As they had lunch, they chatted.
"So what do you like to do Ramona?" Harry asked as they began on their sandwiches.
"When Mummy isn't teaching me to be a proper lady, I like to ride our horses and play dolls." She responded.
"I've just recently learned to ride. I'll show you our stables here next time." He told her with a smile. She turned bright red and nodded. Harry had chosen her based on how shy she was. He planned to spend these 'dates' do things he'd been denied growing up. With that in mind he'd asked Dobby to pick up some crayons and coloring books for them to do today.
Once they were done eating the two spent the rest of her two hour visit coloring and chatting about whatever came to mind. By the time he escorted her back to the floo, Harry realized that while she was spoiled she wasn't near the brat Dudley had been at the same age. He was also sure there was a good chance the two of them would become friends but he doubted they would be anything more.
After she had gone, Harry said goodbye to everyone and stepped throw the floo the Leaky. He planned on showing them Creature Alley today.
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AN: RL is still kicking my butt. But I have this out for you all and have a bit started on the next one. Updates for this and all my other fics will be glacially slow until at least December and my classes end. The plan as of now is to spend the week after finals doing a marathon of writing.