Chapter 10 - Breaking the Mould
As everyone began arriving at the Kitsune Compound, Harry's tension mounted higher and higher. Not only would he be closer to his friends finding out the things he had been hiding, but he would be asking them to accept Oaths of secrecy before they found out what secrets they would be bound to keep. He was afraid they would see it as insulting, and if they did he couldn't blame them. This was both asking them to give up some freedom of action and implying that they couldn't be trusted without force. He knew, though, that his parents didn't want to give away any knowledge that could hurt their family, in which they firmly included Harry. It went counter to their professional instincts and centuries of life experience. This was one of the relatively few times when his parents' background was a hindrance to Harry rather than a help, and while Harry did feel annoyed about the matter, he did know that he much preferred his life even with that cost, to just about any other.
He guided Hermione and her family along the well-maintained path out to the field that was now the home for these exhibitions. Most of those attending were Apparating in, or brought by someone who was. Justin's family were being brought by Amelia Bones and a couple of her bodyguards, while another bodyguard was bringing Susan directly to the arrival point. He smiled as her parents gasped at the display. There were extra tables set up today, both for the extra guests and for extra activities. Supplies for the various spells they would be demonstrated were ready, as were a variety of cold drinks, including some delightful summer wines. Well, he was told they were delightful, to Harry they smelled just off, like all alcoholic drinks did to his young senses. And last, but not least, both Professor McGonagall and Professor Sprout, their Head of House, were present to observe and help out today.
Snacks and drinks were offered, almost everyone accepting an iced drink of their choice, and everyone settled in, mingling with whoever was near. Minerva McGonagall noticed Harry playing his part well, relaxed and confident, offering polite conversation with whichever guest happened to be with him at the time, though he was obviously happier to talk to his friends. She felt both happy to see him growing up well, and guilt at not stopping Albus placing Harry with a thoroughly unsuitable family. Her friend Pomona had told her she was so close to hexing Albus that day in the office. She didn't share details, only that Harry was much better off with his new family. Left unsaid was what the Dursleys had done.
Soon it was time for her to earn her pay, so to speak, and she led the students out to the area cleared for their work, setting up protective shields out of habit just in case of accidents. While she was serenely confident that this group wouldn't make the shields necessary, she had no intention of skipping such a basic precaution.
Almost exactly two hours later, a break had been called, and everyone gathered in under the grand marquee set up to provide shade, and the kids rushed for their drinks, their parents proud of them as they were working their way rather well through the program of spells. Their host, Naruto, called for their attention when everyone was settled and cooled off from the summer sun.
"Thank you for your attention, everyone. I hope I speak for everyone here when I thank Professors McGonagall and Sprout for their efforts today and throughout the year teaching our children." He allowed the applause to settle, then launched a speech thanking them all for coming and for welcoming his son into their lives. "As I hope you understand, it makes me as a father very happy when my son gets to make such great friends, hopefully establishing connections that will stand the test of time." Naruto paused, taking in their smiles as he praised their children.
"Sadly, one of those tests will be coming soon I'm afraid. There are things in Harry's life which he has wanted to share with his friends but couldn't, for they weren't his secrets alone. He has wanted time after time to share his joys with you, but we forbade him. We're older and more cautious for it, and we hope our concerns are misplaced, but all of you who have read your history know that there are times when caution is vital, and when it comes to Harry, we love him too much to let him get hurt when we could have prevented it.
"I am telling you this today because we are hoping that soon we can tell you, share with you, what we have been afraid to tell you before. Recently, we learned of the existence of magically binding Oaths, which if used correctly, may allow us to skip a further lengthy period of getting to know each other by exchanging mutual Oaths against betrayal of secrets. We are hopeful, for Harry's sake, that each of you will understand why we are asking this, out of our love for Harry."
Naruto finished, looking out into the faces of those assembled. The Grangers looked fairly receptive, as did the Finch-Fletchleys, but since the parents couldn't be bound by the magic involved their opinions were less important as they wouldn't be true participants and at worst, the Clan could silence them. However the response among those raised in the wizarding society was far from happy. He saw cool masks and disapproval among many of the parents, and they would have to understand this before they could move forward with the plans. For his part, Harry had the urge to hide his face behind his hands. He had been afraid they would stuff it up. 'How could they have ignored my warning? They're treating these people like they are their citizens from back home, already primed to secrecy and paranoia, and subordinate to the Clan!'
Several of the parents muttered to each other. "What in Merlin's name do they think they're doing? You don't do it like this!" Mr Brown said to his wife, though he didn't say any more, leaving the hosts unable to conclude from that just how they ought to have done it. From the Patils, Harry's family caught resigned looks and sighs. Parvati looked embarrassed to be there. Again, it was obvious they had done something wrong and again, no indication how to fix it.
Naruto and Anko, disguised as Hinata, moved into the crowd and started trying to draw out the cause of their negative reactions. From Mr and Mrs Greengrass, they heard that even the proposition of an exchange of Oaths was regarded as very private and personal, and from Madam Bones, there was the automatic suspicion of just what the secrets were, as well as anger at being treated as Naruto's inferior. She was also suspicious at the way they had convinced her to turn up without her Auror bodyguards. They quickly made apologies to all of their guests for that, but some hurt still remained.
When they showed Amelia some of the proposals they had for the wording, she immediately mentioned that one of the ones with an escape clause would be required by most of the parents, simply because open-ended Oaths were so long-term, and family interests and priorities could shift to make an existing Oath actively dangerous to those who swore them. Naruto acknowledged her point and asked her if any of the listed ones would be something she would be willing to swear after having had time to consider the matter, say a week during which she could go over the wording, and her decision, without being rushed. "And if you have any suggestions to improve it, we would be honoured to hear them," Naruto added.
She picked out one binding those involved not to divulge secrets of the other willingly nor to allow those secrets to be discovered, taking reasonable precautions to that effect. He asked her what that would normally cover, which was things like not writing down the secret, not talking about it where they couldn't reasonably expect to be secure, and so on. Also, she wanted one where those who knew shared secrets could talk about it freely with others who knew it, which was certainly reasonable enough.
After about twenty minutes of talking to the adults present, along with adopting a conciliatory note to soothe the feathers they had ruffled with their earlier attitude, Naruto had a sense that most of them would eventually agree, if only because they were curious what could require such a measure. That much at least was going as planned!
He looked around and signalled to Harry, who came over with the friends who were talking with him, he handed his son the version that was currently likeliest to be used.
Harry had been inundated with questions, first of all from Hermione as expected. "Harry, is it true?"
"Everything Dad said is true. There are things I've had to hide to protect my family, though they think it's to protect me. They could even be right."
Daphne was next and she was obviously upset. "Is this because of you seeing someone else make an Oath, it's somehow fashionable to your parents to insult our honour?"
"Oh Daphne, no, that wasn't the intent at all! Like Dad said, he was hoping this would allow all of us to trust you sooner. My parents really aren't the trusting sort, and they could teach several courses on keeping secrets. I still don't know what possessed them to say it so rudely! While I can't tell you what the secret is yet, I can tell you that it's not illegal, and that the secret is a good thing. They've just been hurt before when things have gotten out."
Padma followed her. "And why ask us like this? Oaths are a private thing, like the bond between husband and wife. You don't just shout it out to everyone that way."
"Padma, I didn't know any better. All I knew was that they aren't talked about in public. To my parents, this is a private gathering of close friends and allies, not public. Besides, I tried to warn them that this was risky but they told me they could handle it. You know how stubborn parents can be," He added with a sigh.
"But why didn't you find out first?" Tracey asked, disappointed.
"I tried. I hunted in Hogwarts Library and we've looked in Diagon Alley for information. None of this is written down anywhere I could find it, and my parents have even less experience with magic than I do, and you know I only entered the Wizarding World at the same time as Hermione and Justin. Even still, the only people who know now are you and your families, people I trust. The same people we were hoping would know in full later, when the Oaths were taken anyway. I'm sorry we broke custom, but it's hard to follow a custom you never knew was there. Like that business with that terrorist's name, it took a lot of effort just to find out he's a coward by name and by nature."
"You're saying that the Dark Lord was a coward?!" Parvati asked incredulously.
"Sure, his name means 'Flight from death', someone who is running away so badly he even has it in his name. He didn't face his opposition openly and none of his supporters even showed their faces until they were caught. He knew they needed to make people as afraid of him as he was of capable opposition. It's not a bad tactic, but he still took the path of a coward and a bully."
That got them thinking, and effectively distracted them from any hurt from his family's faux pas. Soon after, he picked up the draft of the Oath that seemed to be what they would use. He showed it to his friends, pointing out the safeguards that were included as well as honestly asking them for suggestions. Between that and giving them a full week to think about things, they soothed any remaining ruffled feathers, and heading out into the sun drove away their last reservations with the sunshine, soon they were playing and chatting as before, the tenseness of before forgotten. The rest of the day was drama-free, and that played its part in getting the parents more likely to accept the Oath the week after.
Harry that night sat down to dinner with all his parents. Before he had to say a word about the matter, Naruto started it off. "I'm sorry, Harry. We made a big mistake today and it could have cost you."
"It still might," Ino admitted, "and I'm sorry too."
"We got caught up, carried away with our own plots and plans, and didn't think about anyone else. We didn't stop to think really about how your friends and their families would react, instead we treated them like our allies back home, people who already followed our leadership." Hana said, ashamed of herself.
"We were arrogant, and that made us rude, and stupid," Naruto explained. "We should never have treated them in that way. We were just expecting that since we had made the plans, they would be successful."
"Really," Sakura added with a blush, "most of our time was spent looking at how to word the Oaths so they would be best for us. It's such an amazing intellectual challenge to come up with the 'perfect' Oath that we lost sight of the fact that it wouldn't be us who would have to go through with it, and that your friends and their families had the right to truly say no."
"You also ignored my warning about them not even talking about them in public," Harry added, catching a pleased expression on his father's face which made Harry think he had passed another test.
"You're right," Hinata replied for all of them, "we did ignore that warning and what it implied. We were almost as arrogant and thoughtless as that time my dear husband stole the forbidden Scroll of Seals from the Hokage Mansion."
"I was only twelve at the time," Naruto defended himself. "I'm older and wiser now!"
"Older, certainly," Isaribi allowed her husband. "I'm not sure any of us can say we're wiser after what we did today."
Vicky watched from the corner but held her tongue. While she no longer hated Naruto or his wives, she did like it when they were reminded they weren't as awesome as she was. They'd also hurt her friend Harry with their thoughtlessness and Vicky, or the Kyuubi no Kitsune, that is the Nine-Tailed Demon Fox as she was more properly known in her true form, knew how to hold grudges until they, literally, died of old age and she was very protective of her friend. The demon looked at her host with wiser eyes herself. For all that the Clan had done to improve her opinion on humans, she couldn't forget that it was the Elemental Nations where all those wretched people had lived and caused her to hate them. This new world was fresh and different and the people here had no animosity towards her. As a result, she preferred the humans here to back 'home'.
During the week, Harry was heavily involved in his training, getting another clone as well as getting more time with his friends. Hermione called a few times, excited about coming to stay as were her parents, a holiday that would be cheaper than the trip to France they originally had in mind but also a lot more enjoyable for the girls. For the elder Grangers, they were looking forward to checking various historical sites that they never had a chance to see before.
That Saturday, the Grangers drove out to the back of the Kitsune house, parking the car and unpacking their bags when their hosts appeared, taking the bags and showing the way to their rooms. Matt and Elizabeth noticed that the place was bigger on the inside, but attributed that to magic, unaware that their hosts didn't hire anyone to perform the enchantments. Hermione was curious, Harry hadn't mentioned any construction at home. Still, she expected she could ask later that day as they would be taking the Oath later that day as would her parents even if it wouldn't be magically binding on them, as would the Clan. Athena was just happy to be around Harry again, though she insisted on doing as much as she could by herself, emulating Hermione, as they began to settle in. The Grangers got everything settled just as the others arrived and the ever excitable Athena played hostess and tour guide, ignoring that the compound was not her family's home, as everyone was brought into the Kitsune house for the first time for each of them.
They were led into a large room, suitable for the forty or so guests there that day including both Professors McGonagall and Sprout, most of the Hufflepuffs in his year and their parents, as well as the girls he was close to and surprisingly Neville Longbottom and his stern grandmother, given her traditionalist views.
Naruto and Hinata were there waiting for them standing side by side with Harry in front and between. Naruto made eye contact with all their guests as he talked. "Thank you to each of you for agreeing to our request. We have learned that the way we asked you was unconventional to say the least. Hopefully today will mark the start of a long and fruitful association for all of us."
The first to volunteer to take the Oath was Hermione, with Susan, Daphne and Hannah only a heartbeat behind her. She walked out in full view of them all, raised her wand and began:
"I swear, on my magic, that I will make all reasonable effort to guard the secrets entrusted to me today, or in the future that are directly related to those same secrets, by those present in this room right now, with the understanding that I may only discuss them with others who already know or who are bound by an equivalent Oath so long as my silence does not contravene any pre-existing Oath, and that I may be excused from my Oath only with the consent of Harry and any others who have taken that equivalent vow. I swear further that I will not act against anyone present in a way that would lead to intentional harm to any significant degree. Lastly, I swear that I am bound by no Oath that would require me to report anything revealed to me provided it is legal as defined by my current understanding of the laws of Wizarding Britain effective at this moment in time, such that no future laws will require me to reveal these secrets. So I have sworn, so shall I be."
All of the guests gave their Oaths one by one, including the non-magical parents present, then Harry stepped up, giving his own, sealed with a flash of magic. At that point, Naruto and Hinata followed him before the rest of the Clan who had been in the room the whole time revealed themselves, one at a time, and identifying themselves as "Harry's family" and swearing their own Oaths, thus invoking the Oaths just sworn. By the time Isaribi finished, their guests were back on their feet mentally, and before they could protest too much, Harry stood up.
"These are my family, my father and mothers. They adopted me and brought me into their home and their hearts when I ran into them, running away from the people who were supposed to take care of me, and care for me, who had just finished beating me for showing up their own son by getting a good report card. I see Naruto as my Dad, and the women he loves as wives have been my mothers since the night they took a beaten, cold and half-starved young boy and gave me a good meal, a warm bed and healed my wounds.
"They taught me about love, they taught me that I was worthy of love, by giving me the love any good father or mother gives their child. I've seen other families, but while some equal the love and happiness I get at home, I've never seen a happier one." Harry looked around, his sincerity apparent to all. "I hope you can accept my family even if it's unusual, and I hope when I have a family of my own (many years from now) we can be as happy and as loving as the home they gave me."
Just as Harry was about to sit down, Minerva McGonagall walked over to him, he could see she was barely holding on to her rage, and he was sad, he had hoped for better from one of the teachers he respected. "Mr Potter, Harry, are you telling me that the people you lived with before acted so abominably as to punish you for doing well in school?"
"Yes, Professor McGonagall, as well as for things like failing to cook their breakfast right, never mind I couldn't see the stove top without standing on something as I fried their bacon and eggs."
"Couldn't see - How old were you?"
"They got me started cooking when I was four years old. I was rescued by my family just before Christmas six years ago. They also made me do other chores, though they never fed me as well as their own son, I had to get by on table scraps if they left any. They refused to even call me by my name. I only found out just before school started so I didn't attract attention for my ignorance." Harry replied, carefully controlling his own emotions. "I told Mr Dumbledore and Professor Sprout about this when I was called to his office just before school ended. The Headmaster never did bother to say why he called me there, then again, he never bothered to talk to the Dursleys when he abandoned me." Despite his efforts, Harry's anger was affecting him.
"I told him you shouldn't have been left with those people." Minerva said to herself, however she didn't count on Harry's sharp hearing.
"Excuse me, Professor, did you say you told him? How did you know about this? For that matter, why didn't you say anything to me before?"
"Yes, Harry, I did say that. You have excellent hearing. And I know because I was there, watching over the Dursleys all day at Professor Dumbledore's request, he had said he was worried that Lily's family would be targeted. While I was there, I saw their boy kicking his mother as they walked along the street, demanding sweets. The mother and father were no better, and I told him you shouldn't be left with them. Then he said a few words and the next thing I know I'm turning away, letting him leave a baby on a doorstep. To this day I cannot understand what happened. All I can think of is that it had been a very long day and I wasn't thinking so clearly. Your mother and father, that is, Lily and James were my friends, and I never would have left their child with people like them. Somehow, I never thought about the events of that day before now, and whenever I would ask Albus how you were, all he would say was that you were happy and safe. He never even told me you had left them and found a decent family like you have now."
Harry nodded, taking a breath and letting it take his anger with it. "Thank you, Professor, I never knew any of that. All I know is that he wanted to take me back to the Dursleys even after I was fully adopted by my family. I cannot trust him and refuse to be alone with him."
Minerva looked a little hurt or perhaps disillusioned, but nodded sadly. "I understand, Mr Potter. All I can say is that his actions with you are not at all like the man I've known for fifty years, but I will not try to make you see him like I do. I fear the effort would do neither of us any good."
She looked around and changed the subject. "So, Mr Potter, I understand your concerns about your parents' arrangement. How has it been for you, being the only child in a house of twenty people?"
"In some ways, a nightmare." Harry grinned. "Have you any idea how hard it is to get away with not eating your vegetables with so many parents watching? Really, though, I love it. I am loved and safe and there's always someone ready to take an interest, or teach me, or just be there for me. Isn't that what any child needs?"
They talked a little more about Harry's home life with him introducing his Professor to his family one by one, before Harry left to talk to Professor Sprout, first of all thanking her for keeping his secrets since the meeting in the Headmaster's Office, and telling her she can talk with Professor McGonagall about what was said if she wants. She smiled, and teased him by saying it looked like he was going to copy his father's ways. Harry just grinned, thanking her for the compliment.
Harry gathered up the girls to talk to them in private after getting the signal from his parents that it was his call, leading the way to their living room and getting them to take seats. He closed the door, taking a seat by himself for once, his serious expression stopping the girls from sitting in his lap. "Hermione, Susan, Hannah, Leanne, Megan, Daphne, Padma, Parvati and Lavender, thank you each of you. There's an additional secret that I can share with you, but before I do, I want to assure each of you that it's nothing evil, and there's no dark magic involved." He got their nods then smiled, making a quick hand-sign and producing ten clones.
"The secret is that I am still able to attend the school in the Muggle world I was already registered for, and this is how. Each of my clones is able to think for himself, has my knowledge, but none of my magic." Harry stood, walking over to Hermione and taking her hand. If that hand trembled, he gave no sign as he pulled her up to stand and hugged her, then a clone gave her a smile and a hug. She felt just the same comfort from each Harry, and smiled. "My clones are a little fragile, a little damage and they dispel, like so." He picked up a pin, gave a lopsided smile to his clone and pricked it, the clone becoming just a puff of smoke that quickly disappeared. "When they dispel, everything they knew comes to me and any clones I have. So I just got the memory of hugging Hermione twice."
Susan and Daphne got up next, taking the nearest clone and hugging them, nodding to the other girls who did the same. They all took a Harry clone to sit on the clone's lap, none of whom minded, while the spare and the real Harry sat by Hermione and Daphne respectively. "Now, there are some restrictions, like I said they can't do magic, and they are rather fragile, and also I can't create an unending number. I'd feel better if you would let me watch out for you, try to keep you safe." All the Harry's hugged the nearest girl. "You're special to me, all of you." He grinned as a thought hit him. "Oh, and so you know, my clones are just as good masseurs as I am."
For the rest of the day, Harry was accompanied at all times by at least a couple of 'his girls'. They gave him extra smiles too. They had a party after the magic exhibition, and again the alcohol consumed by the adults present seemed to lubricate matters nicely. Hermione's little sister Athena was a big hit with the kids, none of whom could resist such a playful girl or her antics, not even Daphne's cute ten year old sister Astoria who had wanted to view the younger Athena as competing for 'her Harry'. At times, each girl ducked out, getting extra hugs from Harry, to the amusement of Harry's parents who honestly did the same. They were just better at hiding their quickies. At the end, all except the Grangers headed home, and Hermione and Athena were sitting on either side of Harry cuddled up against him, watching a movie.
Harry would admit, cheerfully even, that he was surprised during the Grangers' stay. That he had fun with Hermione, even cute little Athena, was just as he expected, even the way both of them liked to lean against him (or sit in his lap if their parents were out) and read wasn't really a surprise. It was when Matt and Liz Granger let their hair down, literally in her case, and really relaxed and enjoyed themselves. His parents said it was probably just being on holiday, no work to worry about and they could relax knowing their children were taken care of, free to see them as much or as little as they chose. Liz had overheard them, adding that not having to cook was always a bonus, and that the meals here were fit for a queen.
They had another visit from Professor McGonagall midweek, she was helping Harry and Hermione understand some of the Second Year material as well as talking with Harry about his birth parents when they were at school and, after clearing it with his own parents first, during the fight against Voldemort's forces. Naruto had told Harry that she was surprised they had encouraged her to talk about those times with him, though she was relieved when Harry took it maturely.
On Thursday, Harry was showing Hermione and Athena around Cranleigh when Meaghan and Ella saw him, crossing the street to talk to him. "Hi girls, this is my friend Hermione, you may remember she was at my birthday party last year, and her sister Athena, she and her family is staying with mine for a week. Hermione, Athena, these are my friends Meaghan and Ella, we met at Park Mead Primary School over five years ago. We've been friends ever since." He smiled, internally hoping that this didn't backfire on him.
The four girls said hello, and decided they would continue on together. As Ella put it, they had more fun as a group. Hermione didn't object, which inspired some more thoughts in Harry that he fought down. 'Damn hormones, damn adolescence, damn Uzumaki bloodline kicking it into high gear' he growled to himself. They took a detour to buy some drinks on their way to a park, taking a table and enjoying the sun while they chatted, Hermione talking about growing up in London, Meaghan and Ella compared it to growing up in Cranleigh, mentioning that Harry's family had done good works for the local community, while little Athena didn't talk much, preferring to listen and stay by Harry's side.
"So how did you meet Harry?" Ella asked the question both she and Meaghan had wanted to know.
Harry smiled, "Actually, we met one day while shopping in London, she and her parents decided that this one bookstore just had to be raided, er checked out, and you know me and books, I was hooked the minute I stepped in there. We talked a lot and became friends from that day. This is the first time she's been able to visit my place though." Harry looked around, making sure there was no one to overhear for this next bit, then pitched his voice for their ears alone while Athena was distracted by some window shopping. "To tell you the truth, Hermione and I go to a boarding school, and well, you know how I get to do that. That day we met was when we all went shopping for school supplies. Since then, I've been lucky enough to get the best of both worlds, spending time with friends old and new. I can't tell you how lucky I feel, getting to know all of you."
Hermione smiled and nodded, relieved Harry had answered that one. She had no idea how to explain it without breaking that silly Statute, and she knew she was a terrible liar. Though as she thought on Harry's words she noticed he hadn't said anything untrue at all, merely told the truth in a way that gave the wrong impression. Her eyes narrowed on their own as she thought more on this revelation that you could say true things that would add up to a lie.
As the other girls left an hour later, Hermione looked at Harry. "Have you ever done that with me, Harry?"
"I'm sorry, Hermione, done what exactly?" Harry was confused since he had done lots of things with Hermione but couldn't, wouldn't read her mind.
"Have you ever told me things to make me believe a lie?"
"Hermione, I swear I've told you as much of the truth as I can. You know I've got secrets, I can't help that. I would be surprised if you don't have some of your own. You do keep surprising me, you know. As soon as I can, I will tell you more. I hate keeping secrets from those close to me, and you are special to me."
She looked in his eyes, saw his total honesty and an instant later was in his lap, hugging tight. He hugged her back until she got herself under control, giving him a final squeeze then getting off and smiling. "Thank you, Harry."
They had a quiet time after that, both of them enjoying the company, and were back to normal by the time they returned to Harry's home. Friday was likewise fairly normal and soon enough Saturday dawned, bringing with it another visit from Professor McGonagall and also Harry's other magical girls to stay. They had, somehow, convinced their parents that by all visiting at the same time they would be able to help keep each other out of trouble. Harry was completely unconvinced, and was fairly certain none of the parents actually believed the girls, but had no intention of dispelling the delusion. He had missed the other girls' presence and smiles.
They arrived after breakfast, each of them giving him a big hug even in front of their parents, and dragged him off once they were all present, looking at him until he produced enough clones so they all had a Harry to be their seat. Hermione proved she had a dirty mind, wiggling on his lap as if to get comfortable until she felt his reaction, settling immediately. Leanne just leaned back, whispered in his ear about the train ride and hoping he still found her cute. He wanted to shake his head at how confusing girls could be, but he did enjoy his time.
The magic exhibition later that day included the first perfect set of spells cast by Hermione and Padma, while Harry was nearly there, a glance to his parents telling them that he was holding back a little so they could have their chance to shine. Harry was happy to see them so happy. He showed his actual skill in the final set, letting the others get justly earned praise first. Minerva observed this, smiling as Harry was putting his friends first. He was rapidly becoming a good young man, she thought. She stayed for dinner that night where Harry helped with serving up and, she heard, had also helped cooking the delicious meal they ate.
She left more at peace with herself now, spending time talking to Harry had helped relieve her guilt from that night a decade before and reminiscing about James and Lily, her good friends, helped ease her burden. In the midst of the war and the terror, they had become close, and their murder had hit her hard coming as it did at the final attack by the madman.
The next day saw the Grangers leaving except for Hermione, and Athena trying to wheedle permission to stay instead of going to the ballet camp she had originally begged to go to. When she was still trying ten minutes later, Harry whispered to Hermione a suggestion, she nodded a second later so he walked over to her. "Athena, if you go, I'm sure you'll have a good time, and if you go without more delaying, I'll give you an extra big hug."
Her parents looking on sighed, they didn't like resorting to bribery, but at least it worked. Athena dove into his arms, trying to get the longest hug she could get until her father coughed and smiled, holding open the car door for her and smiling back. The devious girl got in without fuss now that she had gotten what she wanted, permission to hug Harry in front of her parents.
The girls watched this, Daphne especially admired the girl's sneakiness while the rest just wanted the Grangers to go so they could have Harry hugs, er, go have fun on their holiday. After seeing them off, the girls dragged Harry in, talking a mile a minute and flirting a little further than before. Hermione, the little minx, added a little wriggle as she sat in Harry's lap.
The girls 'dragged' Harry to a chick flick after Hermione and Leanne got the group worked up about the amazing romance. Harry wasn't really impressed by the romance or the acting, but the girls enjoyed it so he tried to enjoy it for their sake. They made up for it later, thanking him for going with him, smiling and all the rest. For the girls raised in the Wizarding World, it was an eye-opening experience. They didn't get all of the references but seeing the passion and the different environments showed there was more to the so-called Muggles than they had been told.
Apart from the visits from Professor McGonagall and more teasing, the week was filled with fun and introducing the rest of Harry's friends to each other. He was glad the Hogwarts girls were able to keep their story straight, Hermione going to the same boarding school as the rest made it easier to remember and had the bonus of being true. Plus seeing Harry treating each girl well had an effect on the others, earlier thoughts of sharing him taking root.
At the end of the week, his local girls had a meeting without him, talking things over and agreeing that they would ask him about sharing him at his party at the end of the month, before they headed out to meet the boy in question, taking him to the same movie his Hogwarts girls had wanted to see. Harry kept quiet about that, though. The way he saw it he was being asked to put up with a movie that he didn't want to see again in exchange for a great opportunity to cuddle with his girls, a deal he was happy to make. While the movie was boring the second time around, he had Meaghan and Ashley leaning up against him while he wrapped an arm around each of them and all the girls thanked him for putting up with it for their sake. Life was good.
That evening, he had invitations from each of their families to dinner. He dressed up for the occasion, the girls hinting that it would be best plus Naruto reminded him of their new status requiring that he dress up and learn to enjoy it or fake it convincingly. "Thanks, Dad, but I do enjoy it when it's for a good cause like making my friends happy."
"A good attitude, son, and good work. The clothes suit you well."
After that, he and his clones went to their appointments, a more formal dinner than usual recognising that he and the girls were growing up, even if their fathers still wanted to believe they weren't.
The week ended with his friends from Hogwarts each taking a Harry into their arms, giving him a big hug, teary in a few cases, before they were picked up by their parents as arranged with a more parentally acceptable farewell until his birthday party on the 1st of August.
After the last houseguest had left, Harry distracted himself from their loss with harder training and with spending more time with the, now dubbed, Cranleigh girls, attention they were happy to accept. Friday afternoon arrived at last, none too soon in Harry's opinion and with it his birthday party. He happily abused his ability to use clones, appearing in quite a few places at the party without quite raising suspicions in any of the guests not let in on the secret. He was helped by the alcohol served to the adults, the kids generally not worried by anything too unusual from Harry. They already knew that he was special, being both good at sports and doing well in school, plus he was often offering help to his friends. With all that he did for them, so what if he was a little weird, he wasn't stuck up like other kids in his place would have been. After the cake had been duly served, cut and eaten and that song sung, Harry opened his presents, the usual small things but good ones to help out with his hobbies, a cookbook from one of the girls, a football jersey from one of the guys, and so on. The girls caught his eye soon after, though, taking him to a room and closing the door, their expressions told him this would be serious whatever it was.
Ashley looked him in the eye. "Harry, you know you're special to us, right?" When he nodded, she continued. "Well, we've been talking just us girls, and we've seen the way the older boys and girls flirt and pair up, and none of us want a boy who doesn't measure up."
Meaghan took over for her. "The trouble is, we're worried some won't take no for an answer, they'll pressure us into agreeing to be their girlfriend."
Harry nodded and smiled, "Don't worry, I'll protect all of you from that. You know I will."
"We know, Harry, and we've been thinking that there's a way you can do just that. You see, the only girls that are safe from all that are the ones who already have someone. Now, we can't just pick any guy," Meaghan replied.
"Not at all. The guy would have to be aware of what you need and trustworthy. If he's going to be a boyfriend in public then you don't want some guy that will use that cover to pressure you." Harry interjected.
"Exactly, and the only guy we know that measures up is you, so, well..." Ashley trailed off, blushing.
Michelle blurted out "Would you be our boyfriend and protector?"
Harry was shocked, honestly, especially that it was this soon but he kept his expression the same instinctively due to his training.
Before he could reply, Ella added, "It would mean a lot to us if you would help us like this, and besides, we do like you, but well, we don't think our parents would approve of us dating anyone for real, yet."
Stephanie was unusually serious as she looked in his eyes, "And we all agreed that the best boy in town is you, Harry. We can't say we'll definitely all end up with you, but we'd rather share you than miss out on the best. I know I love cuddling with you, and I hope that can continue, maybe even more?"
Harry thought rapidly, then decided he needed to make sure he understood. "So you want me as your boyfriend as well as protector, right? Wouldn't that make you more likely to be harassed? Am I just for cover or for real or what exactly are you intending?"
Ashley shared looks with the other girls, getting the go-ahead. "Harry, while we would each like you as our real boyfriend, we can't offer that yet to anyone, not with us so young in the minds of our parents. What we're asking is if you would be willing to be our protector at school so we don't get pestered by other boys, and let us tell our parents that's what you're doing to help us. We're hoping they will accept that, and when we are ready to date according to them, I want that to be with you. In private, when it's just us, I want to continue the closeness we have and more, you are that special to us, and well, you're very hot, Harry. Because of all of that, I can't even consider doing 'things' with any boy but you." She blushed as that admission escaped, but continued resolutely. "I know it's a lot to ask, but it would mean so much to us and we hope you'll enjoy yourself too." Her smile was inviting, and Harry had to admit to himself the offer was attractive, as attractive as each of his girls, really.
"So if I agree, we'll act at school as though you're under my protection, act with your parents as though it's only for that, and among ourselves, what?" He smiled to take any sting out of this, wanting this to be crystal clear. In his mind, though, he was doing a little victory dance at the prospect. All he had to do was keep the girls safe both from other boys and from rumours, and he knew the Clan would have plenty of ideas for that even if his own failed.
Michelle spoke up. "Well, speaking for myself, Harry, I'd like a lot more snuggling, running my hands over that hot body, and even kissing you when you and I are ready. I know I love your hands on me, too."
The girls nodded and groaned, his massages were amazing. "Oh yes, and if your hands were maybe to wander a little, well, that wouldn't be so bad after all." Meaghan voicing those thoughts surprised them all, herself included. She blushed but didn't back down from her offer. That the other girls nodded with her floored him.
"So, I get to tell those guys at school to sod off if they pester you, don't get in trouble with your parents, do get to have fun with you and explore things at our own pace, and don't have to hurt any of you? Sign me up!" He smiled and made clones, each of him walking over to one of the girls and getting a tight hug, each girl relaxing and smiling at him, then kissing his cheek one by one before chorusing "Happy birthday, Harry!"
They laughed and headed back to the party, thankfully he'd left a clone out taking care of keeping up appearances. The rest of the party was a lot of fun, and after the last guest left, his parents had some fun of their own, teasing him about his local girls and their decision to share him, or was that to be shared among him and his clones. "If they only knew they could each get four Harry's" Anko-mum teased him, "I'm sure they wouldn't have even gone home before they 'celebrated' with you." Harry rolled his eyes, but his mind started considering the naughty thoughts she provoked, just as she knew he would.
The next morning was his second party, this time for his friends from the magical side of things, where he would have fewer things to hide and even more girls for his family to tease him about. He knew, even before they explained, that the teasing was for a purpose beyond their own amusement. They had seen, lived through, so many occasions when a nominally superior opponent was defeated because they couldn't keep their concentration, and one of the most effective ways to break that concentration was through taunts and insults to embarrass or enrage their enemy. Anything that would make you mad or want to run could and would be used in their world to get an advantage since the stakes were literally life and death. As such, they were using the gentle though slowly worsening teasing to get rid of a weakness in his defences before they cost him where it counted. Ok, plus they enjoyed making him blush. He got to tease them back and they were all keeping it from going too far.
He stopped wool-gathering just as the Grangers pulled up, heading out to meet them and getting tackled by a bushy-haired missile, then a second straight-haired missile hit his other side, both sisters hugging him. He grinned and hugged back before greeting their parents as best he could, inviting them all inside. As usual for the Grangers, they were the first to arrive despite having the longest travel time, and greeted the Clan smiling. Next to arrive were Amelia Bones and her bodyguards, even here, escorting her niece Susan and her friend Hannah. The girls were shown into the living room where Harry and the Granger girls were waiting, demanding and getting hugs from their Harry, and joking that they missed his hands on them, before saying they obviously meant his hugs and massages. Hannah took advantage of the distraction to get Harry's lap, making the others grin before looking at Harry. "Please?" He smiled as his clones walked in behind them, taking them to their own seats and leaning them forward, facing the centre of the room, as his hands worked their magic, making Hermione moan which got her a surprise in Harry's lap. With Harry thus excited, he had no intention of standing any time soon, certainly not if she continued to wriggle like that.
Soon enough, the other guests arrived all dressed Muggle style as the invite requested, and Harry had to stand anyway, though he guided the other girls out first so the one holding Hermione wouldn't get exposed. Once out there, since that was the real Harry, he talked to everyone as expected of him, generally having a fun time catching up especially with the boys who he had only exchanged letters with. Harry had a laugh with the others his age at just what some of the adults considered the right style. One of the fathers was in top hat and tails, while another had obviously read too much into the 'casual' part of 'neat casual', wearing what looked like 50s surfer clothes. These fashion malfunctions were quickly rectified thanks to magic, and it looked like the party would be a real education for some of the guests, seeing their surprise at music like the Beatles, Rolling Stones and Queen, as well as the food and drinks on offer. Not a single glass of pumpkin juice was on offer since the party was supposed to be Muggle-style, for which Harry was quietly grateful. He still couldn't understand how it had become the standard drink for anyone.
They had another cake, more party games where the guests were unintentionally hilarious, especially with ones like Trivial Pursuit that required general knowledge of the other side of the wall. Still, the guests took it well, his parents even helping them see it as a challenge to rise up to meet rather than any sort of insult. The presents were presented and opened, much fun was had by all, and they ended the day with watching Blues Brothers before some dancing to the soundtrack. Amelia Bones shocked those present by how well she shook her tail feather, making Susan among others blush, though she was secretly pleased. It was much better than her aunt dancing badly, after all, and it was rare that Aunty would cut loose and relax like she had today. Even her glamour had been dropped for the evening, no longer hiding away her youthful face and long auburn hair. Amelia's only explanation of her dancing was a smile and "Ray Charles is a master." The Director of the DMLE enjoyed the looks of surprise sent her way and had to suppress a light laugh when she saw Imogen Finch-Fletchley elbow her husband for staring.
Fortunately for all concerned, they had more fun and Susan at least was able to forget her aunt's dancing, with the party finishing up fairly late, some staying over and heading home in the morning after sleeping off a little too much refreshment. Amelia was one of them, and explained in the morning that it's not a good idea to try to Apparate when drunk. Besides, she knew her niece would like a chance to stay overnight again with Harry, she said, making the girl blush more.
Harry had cause of his own to blush later that day, as he was given another seduction mission of a sort. Though this one gave him more time to complete it, he would also be working on someone he knew. He knew the Clan were having fun with their mission to burn out his embarrassment, they must be, because they had set him the task of getting his friend Sandra, the older girl who would often babysit his Cranleigh girls while any of their parents were out, getting her to ask him to make lingerie for her.
He thought more on it, and admitted to himself that part of the reason he blushed was that he did find the girl attractive. Her pink hair and blue eyes, her fun nature and yes, those. They were a definite draw for any straight guy, too, and he'd spotted her getting second looks quite a few times while he was in town. Still, at least his mission wasn't impossible, the girl already knew and trusted Harry so in a way the Clan were giving him an easy mission.
He started off by delivering other outfits to 'his girls', keeping her thinking of his skills with tailoring the clothes to the girls, and casually mentioning so only Sandra could hear that he would be happy to help her with more clothes if she wanted. She did, taking his offer immediately and arranging to have a fitting at her place. Once there, she tried to tease him by having him stay in the room as she tried on various clothes, letting him see what colours and styles worked best with what she had. At the next session, he upped the ante, mentioning that he had worked before with delicate fabrics that had to hug and enhance nature, letting her draw her own conclusions. And, by the third week, she had tracked him down in town, taking him away from any ears to ask if he was telling her the truth, if he could make her a better bra.
"Harry, this one is killing me," she groaned, "I can't afford to go into London shopping for new ones yet, my budget's stretched to its limit. Do you, would you, I mean, make me a new one? And maybe a full set while you're at it?" She posed for him, hand on a cocked hip, hoping he would say yes. She really was in pain as she was still growing, and a student's budget was notoriously tight.
Harry nodded, "Sure, Sandra, though we'll need a new fitting, and we'll want it to be completely private. Is that ok?"
"Of course, Harry, I trust you, besides I can't see how you'd be able to make the new clothes without a fitting."
They went straight to her place, glad that as expected her parents were still at work, and she put on a bit of a show as she stripped for him all the way, grinning as she said "I hope you like your bonus, Harry." He chuckled and nodded, he did indeed like the show and her joke helped break the tension. He gave her a professional fitting, keeping his mind firmly on task until he was done, telling himself he would think about this later.
The next day, he gave her a bag and blushed. "Here you go, Sandra, please tell me if they fit right."
A few minutes later, she came back out and hugged him. "Oh thank you, thank you, thank you! They're perfect. Is there anything I can do to thank you?"
Harry's mind was awash with images of what she could do, thanks to the hug pressing his head into her chest and his rampant hormones. "That's fine, Sandra, I'm just glad you like them." 'Besides,' he thought, 'between the show yesterday and the hug today, you've thanked me nicely.'
When Harry was home, he was taken to the dining table and debriefed in full. While they pointed out how he could be more subtle in future, they agreed that he had completed the mission in full, especially as it seemed Sandra considered the whole thing her own idea. Anko-mum smiled wickedly and added, "Sometimes subtlety is overrated."
He had had a fairly quiet August apart from those two surprises, enjoying visits to and from his friends and a quick visit to Diagon Alley for school shopping in the middle of the month. His training was progressing nicely too with the added clones allowing them to focus on one area each, but it was time to return to Hogwarts for another school year.
Another big thank you to my betas and to you for reading. Your feedback is always welcomed and if you have questions, I will do my best to answer them. I am still amazed by the level of support I have received.