AN: 3-18-2016. I am so sorry to all my readers. I wasn't paying attention and posted the unbetaed version of this. Please forgive me.
6/15/16 Fixed the Noblemen issue
Snaps for dianemalfoy and her wonderful work as my much loved beta
….. I have been spelling Fleur's name wrong forever. So sorry. I think a few people may have said something but I just noticed my auto correct changing it. And now it's trying to change Nott to Lott
To Jouami and any other readers that feel I've been getting a bit heavy handed with bashing. Currently only Dumbledore and Ron are being bashed, all other negative comments and personality traits are not bashing but trying to show they are human and they have negative traits that are going to cause friction. Some of that is from Harry, in cannon his has a temper so certain things pushing his buttons or too much pressure will see him let off steam, maybe at the wrong person. Oh and warning there will be a bit of Malfoy bashing, but that is pretty cannon and they are one of Harry's personal and political rivals.
Sorry for the rant and the few cuss words found in this one :/
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The following week flew by in a haze. Harry was so glad he'd agreed to forgo classes between his birthday and the ball. His days were overly stuffed with learning to dance from Lydia, using Theo and all the girls/ subs in the house. Then Ian, Anthony and Christian would take over and teach him about being a drake and what other changes he should expect over the next 24 months until he becomes fully matured. They told him he may add some height but not much. He could expect his wings and tail to continue growing. The wings would stop when he fully matured but his tail was like a human's ears and would never stop growing. Finally, the day would end with Serpens, Alex and Amea (Liam's wife) trying to drill the names of every guest that would be arriving for the ball on Saturday.
Even with all this going on around him, there was something weighing on his mind and troubling him. Wednesday, Harry decided to deal with the problem.
He knocked on the door to one of the guest rooms. It being half open already, he stepped in. "Remus, do you have a minute?"
"Of course Harry, come in." He said giving Harry a smile that didn't reach his eyes.
Harry stepped into the middle of the room head slightly bowed. "I wanted to apologize for the way I spoke to you the other day. I shouldn't have accused you without letting you tell your side of the story and I shouldn't have said anything in front of a crowd putting you on the spot like that. I had just come into my inheritance and was trying to get it under control before everyone arrived."
Remus nodded. "Harry... I..." He turned his back looking down at the closed book in his hands. "Why did you ask me to come here?"
"When I wrote to you I had no idea about my mother, or about having any living family that could ever want me." Harry told the werewolf honestly. "I was hoping for a connection to them, a way to know the people I lost as a baby but have dreamed about every night since I can remember. When I was young, I would pray for anyone anywhere to take me away from the Dursleys. I hated it there. If not for my pride, I would have ended my life a hundred times before my Hogwarts letter came."
Remus was looking at him in shock and horror, to think Harry's home life had been that poor. He knew Lily said her sister hated magic but to mistreat a child? That's inhuman. Once Harry was done speaking, he pulled the boy into his arms. "It breaks my heart to hear you say that. Your mother and father loved you more than air. They would have moved heaven and earth for you Harry. You would have been so spoiled." Remus sighed, tears in his eyes thinking of those months of happiness just before it all went wrong. "When I was young, after I was bitten but before I became friends with James, I thought the same thing. I thought the world, and my family would be better off if I was gone. I one time even picked some wild wolves-bane to make a drought that would kill the wolf, Moony."
Harry hugged him tighter. "Did you ever look for me?" Harry asked softly as if asking louder would shatter something.
"I... I never searched for you Harry." He replied gripping the younger but now larger boy tight to him. "That doesn't mean I didn't care. I asked about you, asked about your health and if you were happy. I asked if you had friends and if you were attending muggle school. I even sent you gifts when I could afford to. From the way you talk, I realize that I was being lied to. Professor Dumbledore told me you were happy and healthy, a good student, with a few close friends. He told me having a magical creature nearby would draw attention to you and make you easier to find. That for your safety I had to stay away."
Harry held Remus, who was sobbing now that he realized what sort of life he'd doomed Harry to by not insisting on seeing the boy he'd once seen as a son. Harry and Remus embraced one another for a long while. When Dobby popped in to tell them lunch was ready, Harry was half sitting on Remus' lap in the middle of his bedroom floor talking about this and that, reforming the connection that had been made thirteen years ago.
Both were much happier for the few hours they'd spent getting to know each other. When they came down to lunch together, Serpens and Alex watched the pair. Alex had quickly taken up with Remus and the two were growing to be good friends. Serpens, on the other hand, was naturally suspicious and had a hard time trusting anyone he hadn't known for at least twenty years or shared blood with. He would be civil and cordial with Remus but until the man's true colors were tested he wouldn't trust him fully.
Ian and his daughters, Natasha and Bethany arrived late on Friday. Harry was already asleep and didn't get to meet them until the next morning. Ian looked very similar to Alex, tall and slim. His hair was mostly grey with a few streaks of deep brown. His eyes were a gray green and he had laugh lines that warmed his face. His daughters on the other hand, looked nothing like any of them. Bethany was only four months older than Harry, she was short and plump with dyed purple curls and blue eyes, while Natasha was tall and slim with jet black, pin straight hair and haunting almost white irises. She didn't look anywhere near her actual age which was thirty.
Despite Bethany's punk rocker look and Natasha's haunting one, they were both very sweet and were soon cracking jokes with Sammy and the other cousins. Natasha and Sammy play fought over which of them would be escorted by Neville, much to his embarrassment and everyone else's entertainment.
Before he knew it though, it was time to get dressed. Martian, one of the butlers under Alfred's command helped Theo and Harry get ready. Harry felt totally ridiculous with the vast number of grooming charms that had been used on him. All complaints died on his lips though when he saw Theo. His outfit accentuate the collar around his throat instead of hiding it. His hair had been lengthened and pinned with jewels the same color as his eyes, which made them stand out even more.
"Wow." Was all he could say, coming over and taking Theo's hand. He kissed the back of it then Theo's cheek, not wanting to get scolded for messing up the rosy tint that had been put on Theo's lips. "You look even more beautiful. I didn't even know that was possible."
Theo's cheeks turned the same color as his lips as he looked away from Harry's intense stare. "Thank you. You really look like a lord tonight." Harry did look very striking in his robes which looked black but with a hint of red that brought out his green eyes and deepened his tan.
Harry smirked. "Doesn't matter. With you on my arm, I could be going starkers and no one would notice."
"That is quite enough flirting for now." Serpens said from the door, Augusta was on his arm. Her dress hinting at the beauty she must have been in her youth.
"Sorry." Harry said also blushing. "You two look great, but I didn't know you were going together."
"Thank you." Augusta replied. "Serpens is an old friend and attending on his arm sends a strong message of a renewed and strengthened alliance between our houses." She gave him a wicked grin. "That and it will put my dear brother-in-law's nose out of joint."
Harry chuckled during his stay he'd learned of her disputes with her husband's three younger brothers. None of them were pleased that Frank had set up contingencies so that his mother had sole control over the family if he was dead or incapable of running the house. She told him of how Algie had tried to steal the seat from her the same day her son was attacked.
"Let's go and collect the others before heading down." Serpens said in his usual tone but his lips were turned up in a wolfish smirk.
Harry nodded offering his arm. He knew Fleur and Neville were going together and that Sammy was being escorted by Jose, Javier's son. At the time it was discussed, Harry thought nothing of it. In light of what Augusta said though, their dates seemed much more political.
Neville escorting a veela from a closely allied family would send all kinds of messages to the guests. Allying the Longbottoms with the Delacour family and on some level telling their stance on creatures' rights. Sammy and her date were doing the same. The De'vale family were close allies to the Percivilles as well and their lord's only son escorting her was saying that the bond would be continued in the younger generation.
Harry sighed. The fact he was able to put all that together was a testament to his tutors. He wondered what other alliances and messages would be displayed tonight. The biggest one was made days ago. Harry had been given the choice to wait and make a grand entrance after all the guests had arrived or he could be at the entrance to the ball room and greet everyone as they came. The former was a great way to make a splash but ran the risk of him seeming arrogant. The latter made him appear humble but passive. After hours of discussion and debate on the pros and cons of each Harry had chosen to be at the entrance to great each new arrival. He decided that having everyone assume he was humble and passive would put them at ease and allow him much greater freedom as everyone under estimated him.
Harry was a bit surprised when he met Jose. He's forgotten Javier telling him about the boy being a submissive. He was like the negative version of Theo. Jose was a bit shorter but where Theo was pale, blond with blue eyes Jose was a rich caramel, with black curls and grey eyes. Fleur's sister was also there being escorted by her submissive cousin Cassinder. He could be their twins, save his coco eyes, and like the fact that the two girls were also veelas.
Harry was introduced to the rest of the Delacour and De'Vale families. They arrived early to help show a united front behind the newest member of the family. Many of them couldn't wait to see the faces of the guests. Most of the lords coming would be expecting an adult who had recently be given the title. Augusta already told them of the rumors that were saying that one of Liam's boys was moving to Brittan. The invitations had all read for Lord Perciville's birthday and claiming. Potter, being the lesser house, was left off. Some may later call that move underhanded but it had allowed them to minimize the press at the event.
The first guests to arrive were logically those closest to the event. Harry greeted each of the Greek Lords and Ladies mostly by name. Seeing his age, he was forgiven for fumbling a few names.
By the time the first British Lords arrived, many of those from Greece, Italy, Rome and many of the other Mediterranean countries had arrived. When they were going over the different governments, it had taken Harry a while to get his head around Rome being its own country in the magical world.
Harry's eyes nearly dropped out of his head when sixteen people arrived at once, nine of them with platinum hair. There was no mistaken who these people were, all the blonds looked like clones of various ages.
Harry whispered to Theo "I knew the Malfoy family was large but I didn't realize there were more of them than there are Weasleys."
Theo chuckled at Harry's predicament, "Oh and look Draco brought Pansy as his date."
"After tonight, there is no way you can live in the snake pit all alone." Harry said all the sudden fearing what could happing to his little mate. Theo would be a prime target for Harry haters.
Theo just smiled, the mass of Malfoys being too close to make a verbal replied.
"Young man, where is this new Lord Perciville? I will not be part of some grand show he plans to play with these lesser lords." A slightly aged looking Lucius said once they were stopped before Harry and Theo. He could tell this man was likely the patriarch and main lord from the way the others politely followed him.
Harry gave him a pleasant smile hoping Theo was watching Draco's face so he could hear all about it when they got a moment alone. "It is truly a marvel to see all of the Malfoy family sir. I would assume you are Lord Markus and this lovely lady on your arm is your wife Aribell. Allow me to introduce myself, I am Harricius John Potter-Perciville, Lord of the Archaic and Noble House of Perciville, Lord of the Ancient and Noble House of Potter, aaand," He drew out the word to draw attention from the Potter name drop, "Heir of the Ancient and Noble House of Black." He paused to let them have a moment to digest that information. "This is Theodore Nott, to be Perciville, consort and future mother of my children."
Shock and awe was the only term Harry could think of to describe their faces.
Draco was always going to be the one to break the tension. "Potter! How did you steal my inheritance?!" He demanded dropping Pansy's arm and marching to his great-grandfather's side.
"I would be careful about calling a double Lord a thief, Draco." Harry warned. He then smiled. "I should really be thanking you and Lucius. If not for you trying to claim Last of Line rights to the Black family, I would never have known that was an option, that house elf you freed has been oh so helpful Lucius, I can't believe you'd let someone with so much knowledge of your family free like that." Harry tried to sound shocked, but he wasn't much of an actor.
The looks Lucius' family were giving him where well worth it. He knew Dobby probably did have dirt on the Malfoys, but he'd never go that route unless there was no other choice. Harry didn't want to stoop to Voldemort's level, but if they assumed he would, it might keep ferret boy out of his hair for a while.
"Pardon my husband's assumption Lord Potter-Perciville." Aribell said smoothly with a graceful smile as if family secrets hadn't just been aired and threats made. "And do excuse my great-grandson, he is young and doesn't know his place."
"One can never deny a lady." Harry said holding out a hand and, when hers was placed in it, he kissed it gently. "I do hope this talk doesn't ruin your family's evening. My great-aunt has worked herself to the bone to make this celebration perfect."
"Lady Lydia's parties never disappoint, I have no doubt this one will live up to her high standards." With a final nod and fake smile, she all but dragged her husband into the ballroom with the rest of the family trailing after.
"Her, I don't want angry with me." Harry said to Theo once they were out of ear shot.
"I agree."
Before they could talk farther, more guests arrived. There were several families who Harry had been forced to learn the names of but had little meaning to him personally. Then the Zabini family arrived. They were much smaller than the Malfoy family but just as distinct. They were all very similar, dark tanned skin, black or deep brown hair and intense eyes.
Blaise's parents, Cilia and Franco, were in the lead followed by three other couples and five teens near their age. Every one of them were tall and built broadly in the shoulders.
"Harry, Theo it is so good to see you again." Cilia said coming forward and kissing both boys on the cheek.
"I am glad to see you both doing well." Franco added kissing the tops of their heads. "This is my family. My parents Maria and Damien," he motioned to the oldest couple. They reminded Harry of Ian, both aged but with laugh lines and kind faces. "My sister Savanna and her husband George, these are their two sons Martin and Francis, and my brother Travis, his wife Anna-Maria and their triplets Andrea, Avery, and Angelica."
"It is wonderful to meet all of you. I hope our families can grow as close as Blaise and my future husband." Harry replied honestly as he shook or kissed the hands of everyone. "I am Harry Potter-Perciville, new British Lord of both families along with a few minor houses, and for those of you who haven't had the pleasure of meeting him, this is Theodore Nott." He knew from lessons and talking with Theo that Damien, Blaise's grandfather was Lord in Italy where the family got its founding. Travis was the lord in Greece, that title being given to him over Franco who was older, was the causative agent that sent Blaise's family to Britain. Savanna's husband was a lord in Morocco where the Zabini's didn't have a title.
"I thought you would have brought a date?" Harry asked Blaise, he knew the other boy was very political and would enjoy making a statement like that.
"I was going to ask Daphne to come with me but deiced to make a bigger statement by going stag, that shows that I am here to support you and Theo rather than promote my family."
Harry stared at him for a long moment. "I would like to offer you Theo's second dance of the evening, to reciprocate that trust and honor." He said holding out his hand to the now shorter boy.
Blaise nodded shaking the offered hand. Theo chuckled, "You have to keep an eye on Draco, his weak little cousin making all these political waves is going to drive him mad."
"I'll make sure to memorize every detail." Harry promised with a kiss on the cheek.
With a chuckle, the Zabini family entered the hall. Soon after, one of the more interesting guests arrived. Harry remembered them easily for two different reasons, one they were the only Noblemen on the guest list the other was because his son was an up in coming Quidditch star.
"Good day, I am Nobleman Krum." the barrel chested man before him said, it was obvious English was not his strong suit.
"Harry Potter-Perciville, the new Lord. Thank you very much for coming. I am a big fan of Quidditch, if your son would like to talk latter." He said slowly but not patronizing. He shook the two men's hands and kissed the lady's "Please enjoy the party."
Even before the door closed behind then Harry could hear the woman speaking in rapid Bulgarian. Harry sighed, "Another Potter fan girl, and she's my parents' age."
Theo smiled and kissed his cheek. "Yeah but now you have another person to talk Quidditch and crazy fan girls with."
Harry smiled, "Yeah, if he speaks English. It didn't appear his mother does."
Theo shrugged.
After the Krum family, were the last few Mediterranean Lords and Ladies that had RSVP'd and then the farther away houses started coming in droves. There were only two lords from Romania, when Harry had asked why he was told that north from Bulgaria through to Norway there was an imaginary line. West of the line was what most called conservative countries, east were the more liberal countries. Countries like France, Italy, Germany, Austria, Britain, where non-humans and non-magicals had much fewer rights than wizards and witches. Lydia then went on to explain most of the fairy tales of Romania were based in some truth and many of its lords were creatures that would be killed just for existing in other countries.
Knowing that the Lords coming from those eastern countries where 'creature' laws were so different might be able to help Harry bring about more fair treatment to his non-human friends, Harry had put extra effort into learning their names and faces.
When the two Romanian Lords and their lovers came, Harry greeted them happily. He told them he'd like to know more about their countries policies on non-humans. That broke the ice quite well and the six of them stood and chatted until the next group arrived.
A few groups latter and Harry pulled himself up straight as the Russian Czar and Czarina arrived with their heir. It was a hard fact to forget that most of magical Asia was still ruled by monarchies. The Russian monarchs only agreeing to come because of Ian's personal dealings with them and an old, old friendship with the Slytherin family.
Harry was glad to be meeting new people, especially ones that might help him, as a creature, and his non-human friends, but he was very glad when the purely British families started to arrive. Amelia and Susan were first, Susan apologizing for missing his party last week, her and Hannah had fallen sick and didn't want to infect anyone else. Harry hugged her and said it was alright, he'd gotten her letter telling him about the change of plans.
Most of the families were shocked that Harry Potter was the new Lord Perciville at only thirteen. Some found it rather amusing, a little trick they'd played, while others were rather snobbish about it.
One family he was interested in talking more to soon came in. After the introductions, Harry spoke. "Lord Flint, Heir Flint." He addressed the two, "I'd like to setup a private meeting to talk with the both of you sometime before the summer is over, if that's alright."
Father and son looked at one another then nodded. Mrs. Flint was silent, she didn't look too bright, but Harry was hesitant to judge a book by its cover. The Greengrass family was next and Harry greeted Daphne as a good friend. Her parents had thought her tales of being close to Harry Potter were a bit exaggerated, they believed her now.
Following a very odd father daughter pair by the name of Lovegood, was someone neither boy would ever forget. Minerva McGonagall. Harry knew she was the last surviving member of her ancient and honorable house, but with Dumbledore turning down their invite, they didn't think she was coming.
"Mr. Potter, thought I suppose its Potter-Perciville now."
"Yes Professor." Harry replied. "I'm glad you could make it."
"As am I." She replied. "I have done much thinking since you and Mr. Nott came to the castle. I am not above telling you I was wrong. The things you said about me have truth to them and as such I will be stepping down as head of Gryffindor, I believe I can do more good if I focus only on my position as Deputy Headmistress and allow someone else to watch over our house."
Harry was silent after that speech. "Professor, I'm glad to hear you aren't leaving us. You are one of the best professors in the whole school, your fairness is a testament to you and all those in red and gold. I hope your thinking has also lead to you no longer seeing me as my parents."
She nodded deeply. "It has Mr. Potter-Perciville. I am very ashamed that I allowed my judgment of a student to be clouded by their family, I feel I should make the same apology to Miss Weasley."
Harry nodded giving her a smile. "I'm sure Ginny would love to be spoken to by you personally, most of the girls in our house look up to you as a role model. As deputy head, is there anything we can do about Theo?"
She looked him over, seeing the collar she gasped in shock, her eyes going soft and sad. "I can see the problem. There are a few solutions but I believe now is not the time to discuss them, I will send you a letter outlining your options, then we can talk them over on the first."
Harry nodded again. "Thank you professor. Please try to enjoy yourself."
She tipped her head before walking into the ball room.
"I wonder who the new head of Gryffindor will be?" Theo asked.
"I don't know, maybe one of the elective teachers since they don't have as many classes to teach." Harry speculated before the Diggorys arrived. Harry knew Cedric well enough from Quidditch having beat the older teen two years in a row. Harry was chuckling when they entered the ballroom Cedric's comment on Harry being too big to out maneuver him this year still ringing in his ears.
Harry was chuckling again when right behind them was Wood and his parents. Ollie said something similar to Cedric.
"And here I planned to introduce my favorite captain to Viktor Krum and he comes in insulting my growth spurt." Harry said with a sigh.
"Krum... Krum's here? Really!?" Oliver looked like a kid in a candy story.
"Yep." He replied popping the P, "I shook his hand just a bit ago."
"Flint and Diggory are here too." Theo told him, "Hope they don't meet the star before you."
The pair shared a laugh with the Wood parents as Oliver all but shot into the ballroom looking for the famous seeker. "Sorry about our son." Mr. Wood said with the shake of his head.
"Don't worry Mr. Wood. Ollie is a good friend and great captain. Don't tell him, but I've been looking into having a scout or two at our next Gryffindor-Hufflepuff game. Both teams are so good, I'd love to see the players get their chance." Harry replied. It was a recent thought, one he came up with chatting about the game one night with Theo, but seeing Cedric and Ollie today had officially put it on his very long to-do list.
Oliver's two fathers beamed at that news. They both feared Oliver would graduate with no Quidditch offers and scores in core subjects too low to do anything else. He's a smart kid but doesn't really apply himself to actual class work.
Harry was glad nearly an hour later when Alfred accompanied the Weasley's and told him they were the last of the guests so they could go inside and get everything officially started.
The twins joked with him about being fashionably late, Harry just smiled back remembering the previous summer when they had to turn around what felt like 1000 times to get something.
Serpens and Lydia stood with him on a raised platform in the center of the room and announced his birthday, a week previous and how he'd taken his lordships at such a young age, enacting the Last of Line clause on the Potter family. They listed all his titles and then gave the wonderful news that his mother was their long lost niece and not a muggleborn, making Harry a pureblood. That announcement got some cheers from the supremacists.
Hearing Harry was the son of Niam, Lord Flint knew right away why he wanted to meet with them. Many thought that just because he didn't make waves and wanted to be over looked that he's a fool, but Connan Flint is no fool, even if the same couldn't always be said about his son.
After the announcements, the buffet of serve yourself snacks was opened and the music began. Harry led Theo to the dance floor for the first dance of the night. It felt magical. Like they were living the Cinderella story for the whole three minutes of the tune. Harry was reluctant to let Blaise take Theo for a dance but decided that the political gain of letting him go was greater than the personal gain of telling his friend to piss off.
Harry instead danced with Susan, then Daphne, her sister Astoria, Sammy and even Neville. Neville and he chatted most of the time Harry was leading him about the floor. Neville was getting better about his shyness but had found his feet in this setting. Chatting with near strangers politically was not his strong suit but twirling their daughters, sons, wives or husbands about the floor was easy. Neville was smooth on his feet and could chat for the duration of one song before moving onto a new partner.
After Harry, when Neville lead his Grandmother around the floor, she told him how proud she was of the young man he was becoming and how suave he was being.
While Neville and Augusta were dancing, Harry had daringly asked for the Czarina's hand for a dance. She was a lovely woman who spoke English easily and by the end of their dance, she said her husband would contact him about strengthening their families' bonds again. Harry told her politely yet firmly that he would be delighted but marriage was off the table, he would only marry for love. She gave him a winning smile that lit her sapphire eyes before dropping a kiss on his cheek and pulling her husband into a discussion.
Harry being a bit tired, sought out Viktor to see if he wanted to chat for a bit or if he was being harassed by Ollie. He found the older Bulgarian leaning against the walls with a deep scowl on his face. "Mr. Krum, you don't seem to be enjoying yourself."
"No." He said shortly.
"May I ask why?" Harry replied. Wondering what the issue might be.
"I... I am not a monkey to dance for you at a party." The young man replied thickly accented.
Harry blinked. "I never expected that. Your fame is what saw your family receiving this invitation but I never intended for you to do anything other than attend and hopefully have a nice time. If it would make you feel more welcome, I can make sure none of the Quidditch players speak to you this evening... myself included."
The older boy looked at him, lowering his arms from where they were crossed over his chest. "I do not mind talk of Quidditch, I do not want to be sold about like prized pig."
Harry chuckled. "I can't speak for everyone in this room, but I have no interest in buying you, at all. I'm thirteen and between classes and lordships I have more than enough to manage without adding a sports team or star on my plate."
Viktor actually cracked a smile at that. "This is good to know. I like my school and home, I don't want to leave."
Harry nodded. "I understand, Hogwarts is pretty crazy but part of me will always call it home."
That line lead to a discussion about their different schools, Viktor defending his, saying it wasn't the breeding ground of dark wizards and Harry telling him he'd never heard that rumor. Soon Ollie found then and was acting like an excited puppy. Viktor took the fast paced questioning like a pro and was actually glad the other boy wanted to know more about playing pro and how he got that job than about Viktor personally. Harry stayed until Oliver started to be too much before he dragged Viktor onto the floor for a dance.
"Is he always like that?" Viktor asked as Harry let him lead the dance.
"Only all the time." Harry joked back.
Viktor gave a deep laugh. "Any other rabid players I should watch out for?"
"Angelina and a pair of red haired twins. She will likely just try to get an autograph or a picture, the twins are just pranksters through and through."
"Pranksters? Like a trickster, yes?"
"Yes they like to play jokes on people." Harry told him some of their exploits.
"I would like to meet these tricky twins." Viktor said with a grin.
Harry made a fake shocked face. "Is the Viktor Krum a secret pranksters?"
"Maybe." He replied with a mischievous grin.
Harry laughed. He took the lead of the dance guiding them over to where the twins were dancing with their mother and Ginny.
"May I?" Harry asked giving Fred over to Viktor while Harry began dancing with Ginny.
"Hi Ginny. How are you doing?"
"Better. McGonagall apologized to me earlier. She said she was sorry for not paying more attention to her students."
Harry smiled. "I'm glad you're alright. Ron might have been a right brat, but your other brothers have always treated me like family and I don't want to see any of you hurt."
Ginny blushed. "Harry last year, I was really in love with the-boy-who-lived, but in that chamber watching you die I began to understand what that means, what a hero really is." She looked down. "I'm not brave enough to be married to a hero. I was thinking hard all summer and I talked to Charlie and Bill. I've decided I want a safe husband, with a nice job that comes home every night and doesn't have to fight evil or battle dragons or go on trips for weeks or months at a time. Is that ok?"
Harry stopped dancing and just pulled her into a hug. "Of course it is Gin. I want you to have that too. I wouldn't wish the nonsense that is my life right now on anyone. I feel bad that I have to drag Theo into this and my cousin Sammy. I want you to find a guy, or girl that treats you like you are the moon and stars. That loves you more than air. Ginny Weasley, you are like a sister to me and I want you to be happy. If that's with a man that has a boring desk job, where a paper cut is the greatest danger he'll ever face then more power to you. That doesn't make you a coward. You don't want to see your loved ones hurt. That's never a bad thing." He kissed her forehead before taking her over to Arthur. "We had a heart to heart and Ginny is feeling a bit raw right now."
Arthur nodded scooping up his daughter and holding her tight. He'd ask what was said later after she calmed down. He kissed Harry's temple and told the boy to go have a good time.
Harry snagged Gabriella, who was standing on the sidelines, and took her for a dance. When they reached the other side of the room, Harry was shocked to see Percy and Marcus Flint dancing together heads bowed close, the pair were mostly behind a large fern but his superior height let him see them. Harry wondered if there was something going on there, but decided to let them be. If they wanted to play the whole secret couple thing it was not his place to interfere.
By the time the night had ended, Harry felt like his legs were going to fall off. He'd danced with almost everyone in the room including over half the Malfoy's. That had been interesting, Harry had been returning Gregory Malfoy, Lord in Greece, when Samuel asked him to dance. The older man was the younger brother of Markus and as Serpens told him the one with the more political power. The man lived in Bulgaria and had massed a much greater fortune than his brother or his three great nephews. Harry learned over their dance that Samuel was discontented with the way his brother ruled the family and was looking to make alliances to work against him.
Harry didn't really care about the Malfoy infighting, but he said he would help if it would take Lucius down a few notches. Samuel asked him why he and Lucius didn't get along since Lucius had served Voldemort, the Slytherin heir. That led to Harry nearly shouting about the bastard being nothing but a lying line thief. Samuel became enraged when he learned the dark lord was really a half blood born to a near squib. As soon as their dance ended, he marched over to his family and took his son and grandsons home.
Once the last guest was gone and the whole family was splayed across various pieces of furniture in the living room Harry first met Serpens in, Lydia spoke.
"What was all that with Samuel Malfoy?"
"Yeah he ducked out of here like his hair was out of place." Sammy commented where she was laying shoes off spread eagle on the floor.
"He said he wants to destabilize his brother, I said I might help if he could knock Lucius back a bit. He thought Lucius and I were allies because old Voldy was heir of Slytherin I set him right and told him Fakermort was a line thief, when I said I could provide proof he got pissed and silent for the rest of our dance then left."
"Harry, I think you did more to destabilize his power base in one dance than the entire Auror force did in a year last time." Remus told him, the man had come to the party but kept mostly to himself. Remus had argued against it, but Harry said he wanted the man to come and the snobs could go screw themselves and that was that.
"Good, the Malfoy's are partly to blame for that damn collar around Theo's neck. I hate that thing because he hates it, I'm glad it helped us get together but I don't like the way it makes everyone look at him. He is not wearing something like tonight ever again. Unless Theo wants it shown, it will be covered from now on." Harry demanded. The fact that he too was sprawled on the floor with no robe or shoes didn't take away from the venom in his declaration.
Theo smiled and crawled over to flop down at Harry's side, using his arm as a pillow. "Thank you, I didn't like being looked at like a piece of meat. A couple ladies even asked if I was pregnant yet."
Harry growled curling his arm around Theo.
"Who cares what they say?" Sammy said poking Theo in the back with her toe. "You shouldn't care if they think he's a whore or a plaything. What people say can only hurt you if you let it. Ignore them, we all know you don't see him that way and Theo knows you don't think of him as anything less than an equal, so let them say anything they like." She took a deep breath and rolled onto her side so she could look at them. "Look, if people assume Theo is nothing but a piece of tail on the side or whatever, then they are going to ignore him and not see him as a threat. Just like you did tonight by willingly putting yourself in a weak position, you won the favor of the queen of Russia, made great impressions on the two Lords from Romania, and the Ministers of Germany and Britain want to adopt you. It's the same thing, people might say or do something where Theo can see or overhear and not think anything of it because he's just your little pet and who listens to the word of a pet?"
Harry huffed and snuggled his nose into Theo's hair. She had a point. "I don't like it."
"You don't have to and once you are older and have a better power base shout your love for him from ever roof top but for now try to ignore it." Adrian told him. He was rubbing his wife's feet as she lay on the couch with her head in Alex's lap.
Harry sighed. "This it too much thinking, I just want to take a bath and go to bed."
"I can take a bath in the morning." Theo replied already half asleep.
"Dobby can you get us changed and into bed please?" Harry asked not wanting to do anymore.
"Yes sir." The little elf replied popping in and then back out with the two of them. He quickly had them changed and tucked in, even using a cleaning charm to remove the sweat from all the dancing. Even before he had time to pop away, they were dead asleep in each other's arms.
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AN: So there you have it another chapter under my belt in this my longest fic. I want to say how much I love all my readers even those who I don't reply to. You guys are so amazing and even during times when I can't write like these past couple months when classes have been killing me, seeing your reviews and comments is a true joy. Even the not so nice comments just make me want to be a better writer.
Guest readers, I'm so glad to have you all reading my fic and mostly enjoying it, BUT, I CAN NOT reply to any of your questions or personally thank you for feedback unless you make an account and log in. that's one of FanFiction's rules and there is nothing I can do.