Chapter Three
Disclaimer: See chapter one, I'm still not J.K. Rowling.
A/N: I apologize for the long wait. Between work, my chair breaking, and my muse being upset, it caused this chapter to be delayed. Thank you all for your patience.
While Harry got over being called Master, along with Misty's appearance and behavior, Misty went to the wardrobe to collect something nice for Harry to wear. What stuck out to Harry most though was Misty had welcomed him 'home.' "Misty, is anyone else here?" Harry asked as he watched the elf collect items of clothing for him.
"Yes, Master Harry. Master Charles be at the Mistress's wall. Master James," Misty shook slightly as if holding back tears. "Master James be still in healing chamber. Master Charlus says he wake in time, but we elves be worried. We are not allowed in healing chamber unless called." Misty said, placing the clothes at the foot of the bed Harry was in. With a smile that was clearly forced Misty said, "Now, Master Harry. Please be changing into these, then I be taking you to Master Charlus. He be most eager to meet you."
Then to Harry's surprise, Misty made a popping sound and disappeared. After a moment, Harry worked his way free of his confusion and the bed covers before making his way to the clothes. The clothes were made of fine silk and the shirt colored in a deep red with gold trimmings, the pants a tough black leather exterior with a silky interior. There was even a pair of briefs, red with what appeared to be little balls literally flying around the fabric. The socks were red with little symbols along the top, when he put them on, they resized to fit him and felt comfortably warm.
Once Harry was dressed in the comfortable and warm clothes, Harry didn't know what to do or where to go so called out, "Misty?" The little elf popped back into the room and smiled at Harry before offering her hand to him. Once he took her hand, she snapped fingers on her other hand and the door opened. Misty then led Harry out of the room and towards the center of the house. As Harry walked, he noticed the condition of the walls was rather mixed, as if the walls had recently been repaired.
When they made it to the Entrance Hall of the manor, Harry got his fist remembered look at his paternal Grandfather. He was a tall man with black hair with streaks of grey. He wore a suit with coloring matching Harry's, though Charlus's were clearly fancier and had seen a lot of wear. His eyes, from what Harry could see, were dark-hazel and filled with a mix of pain and determination. On the wall was the Mosaic of a regal woman with dark black hair, wearing a dress of deep red with jewels sewn into the fabric. Much to Harry's surprise, the moment they approached the lady in the Mosaic looked up and smiled at them, leading Charlus to turn around and face the newcomers.
"Harry, I'm glad to see your up. I must say you gave Misty a fright when you went to sleep in that shed, but it made it easier to retrieve you and see you safely here. Welcome to Potter Manor, what's left of it. Misty, thank you for bringing him, I'll take it from here; though some tea and sandwiches would be welcome, I imagine this might take a bit." Charlus said. Misty bowed and popped away again, returning shortly with a tea set and a plate of sandwiches on a little table by one of the damaged sofas. Misty clicked her fingers and the sofa looked good as new before facing her master's with a curtsy.
Charlus smiled at her and said, "Thank you, Misty. Could you ask Maple to start dinner, this is likely to take a while and Harry looks like he needs more than just sandwiches; ask her to fix a mix of light and hearty dishes for dinner." Misty bowed low before popping away. Once Misty was gone, Charlus motioned Harry to take a seat and welcomed him to take a sandwich. Once Harry did so, Charlus grabbed a sandwich himself and joined Harry on the sofa and started fixing them cup of tea each.
While Charlus was making the tea, he watched Harry, he could see the signs of what he'd learned in the Dursley's minds. They had starved and abused his grandson, the way he ate the sandwich slowly and watched both the plate and him cautiously, as if the tray would vanish or that Charlus would hit him. A darker part of Charlus wondered if he did enough with the Dursley's, time would tell.
Over tea and sandwiches, Charlus told Harry about the night they were attacked and what he'd been up to since he'd woken. He apologized for not getting Harry immediately, but the manor needed work to make it livable again. Charlus then went on to explain what he knows of the night of Voldemort's fall. He continued until he had caught up to him waking and finding James in the same state as was. By then Harry was crying silently and hugging him.
While Charlus talked Harry through their recent history, Dorea watched on from the wall. When Harry started crying, her heart broke and she cried. She wanted to join Charlus in hugging the boy, to ease his pain, but there was still nothing she could do; she couldn't even give him words of comfort. By the time the three had calmed down, Maple popped in to inform them dinner was done.
After dinner, Harry asked if he could see his father, but Charlus had to advise against it. At the hurt look on Harry's face, he explained. "The Sanctum, which is never to be talked about outside of family, is the oldest part of the Manor. When the only child of Ignotus Peverell married Hardwin Potter, the House of Potter absorbed that branch of the Peverell House, and with it their family magic and secrets. The Sanctum was built to hold those secrets and use the Peverell magic most directly; while most Houses today hold their history and ancient magic in grimoires, the Peverell House engraved them into stone and built around it for safe keeping so that the House would fall before their enemies could use their secrets against them."
"While young children, even teenagers, grow they are susceptible to accidental bursts of magic when they get emotional. A burst of accidental magic in that room could trigger all the engraved enchantments and spells, causing chaos. While your father loved spreading a bit of mayhem, I don't think he'd appreciate being at the center of a catastrophic magical event; killing everyone here and likely cause another dark era. The Peverell House specialized in enchanting and necromancy, best not to accidentally trigger doomsday." Charlus said, no hint of mirth. When he saw Harry going white and shaking, he sighed and called for Tomsy to get a calming potion and dreamless sleep potion.
When Tomsy popped in with the requested potions and saw Harry he gave Charlus a disapproving look. Charlus knew if Dorea could speak, she'd be giving him an earful. When she heard about this, she'd either shun him by remaining still or become explosively active and shout at him in silence. Tomsy had Harry drink the calming potion before calling for Misty and handing her the dreamless sleep potion. Tomsy then gave a self-satisfied smirk at Charlus and popped away, causing Charlus to wince. When Misty saw the state of Harry she was near catatonic with worry and irritancy.
Charlus then had to deal with an agitated Misty while Harry slowly processed what he'd been told. He couldn't see his father until he woke from the family magic that saved him, not without potentially killing them both and everyone else in the process. While he was still upset at not being able to see his father, he could understand when put like that. By the time Harry had processed this and Charlus had calmed Misty, somewhat, Harry was robotically eating a slice of chocolate cake, courtesy of Maple. Charlus got a very small slice.
While Charlus wanted to be upset at the antics of his house elves, he couldn't fault them for being loyal to the young heir. Charlus had taken him from an abusive environment only to overwhelm Harry before saying he might kill them all when he asked to see his father. He wished that Dorea wasn't stuck in the wall, she always fixed his mistakes when he messed up with James and kept him from making horrible decisions; like wanting to march over to Arcturus and demand he deal with Sirius's mother after the boy had run away to him.
"Harry, I'm sorry for scaring you. It's been an overwhelming day for us both and I could have phrased that better. The Sanctum in old and powerful and must always be treated with care. We'll talk more tomorrow, but after you finish that slice of cake, I think a good night's sleep will do you some good. The bottle Misty has is a potion that will help you sleep without nightmares; I recommend you take it when you get back to our room. We'll talk more tomorrow, okay?"
With a nod of Harry's head, Charlus returned to the Entrance Hall, hoping to get his bollocking over with before Harry finished and passed back by. Harry took his time, enjoying the chocolate and cup of milk, calling for Misty to show him back to his room. She snapped her fingers at the dishes, and they vanished before beginning to guide him. They rushed past his grandparents; Dorea indeed was giving him a quite earful.
TF
It took half an hour for Dorea to silently vent her anger at Charlus for his poor choice in phrasing. He loved his wife, but by the ancestors did she have the Black family temper when you got her mad. The look she gave him hurt more than her silent yelling and hand signs, a look of frustration and disappointment. As he was about to leave to check on Harry, and apologize if he was still up, the reconstructed wards let him know someone had tried to enter the manor via phoenix travel and was redirected to the boundary. They then told him the bounced individual was inspecting, but not attacking, the wards.
Charlus sighed before he summoned his Patronus, a male lion. Once it paced the room, looking for threats, it turned to Charlus and sat, waiting for orders. "Tell the person outside the wards to walk up to the Manor and knock like a civilized visitor and stop looking for the phoenix ward, he will not find it." Orders given, the Patronus lion charged through the southern wall. Charlus sighed, he had expected this, but had hoped for a few days before Albus Dumbledore showed up looking for Harry. This was just not his night.
Several minutes later, which Charlus used to summon chairs for them and request an elf to make tea for him and his visitor, Albus Dumbledore knocked on the door and was allowed in. "Good evening, Albus. I dare say I'm not nearly as surprised to see you as you must be to see me. Now before you go assuming Dark Magic is the reason, I'm alive and using the phoenix ward as proof, I'm going to cut you off. Peverell Family magic is the reason I'm not dead, I was merely in a coma for seven years. The phoenix ward was designed to keep them away from the Peverell tombs. Only trained members of blood family are allowed in there."
Albus Dumbledore, Leader of the Light, Supreme Mugwump, ICW ambassador, and Headmaster of Hogwarts, was drawn up short. The moment he'd entered the old, damaged, manor home of the Potters Dumbledore was shocked to see the man that stood before him and the woman on the wall. The moment he opened his mouth to request answers he was cut short by a man he thought dead the last seven years. 'This at least explains why James refused to take up the Lordship of his House,' Albus thought.
"Charlus, well it is as good as it is surprising to see you, I'm here looking for your grandson, Harry. With you and Dorea assumed dead, your son and his wife dead, and his godfather in Azkaban, I placed him with the only blood family he has that I know of; his mother's sister, Petunia, and her husband Vernon, though it seems that was a mistake. I had wards around the house to protect the boy from any magical, be it creature or wizard. I didn't know how, but this afternoon Harry was taken from the house and his relatives stuffed into a small room under the stairs. I followed the magical signature here." Albus explained.
Charlus frowned but let Albus speak. When it appeared Albus was done, Charlus decided to correct him on a few matters, but first offered him a seat and request the tea be brought. Once the old men were settled into chairs and tea served, Charlus began. "Well, Albus, if appears your information is a bit off. First off, James isn't dead, he is currently in the same magical coma I was forced into by the Family magic to protect us. Second, if you had bothered to search there are several cadet lines of Potters hidden among their muggle cousins on every continent. By the ancestors, the American line holds strong since Abraham Potter journeyed there to help form their magical government, he was even godfather to that President of theirs that was named after him."
"Now on to the Dursleys and my grandsons care there. So, you know, he wasn't in the house when I came to get him. Those two muggles had locked him out while he was shoveling their driveway, Albus. When his elf came to me and shared his latest mistreatment with me I apparated nearby and watched. He knocked on the door and tried the handle several times before he gave up and took shelter in the tool shed where he quickly fell asleep. I picked him up and carried him to his elf, who brought him here before I went to confront his relatives. Yes, he is here, currently asleep after a large meal. He's far too skinny Albus." Charlus admitted. By this point Albus was looking rather contrite. At least he knew the boy was here.
"That little room I stuck them together in, that was Harry's room. It was his room since you left him there, in a basket, on a November night! They made him do everything and locked him away when that didn't need him. They treated him worse than the Dark families treat their elves. While unhappy to lose their slave, they gave him to me willingly, while cursing your name." Charlus said, glaring at the man across from him. Dumbledore was crying, hearing it from the muggles had been hard, while they cursed him. Charlus calmly and coldly laying it all out was even worse.
After several minutes to calm himself, Albus asked "Charlus, is there anything I can do to make this right? Can I see James, maybe I can wake him?"
Charlus sighed and rubbed his face. "Albus, come back tomorrow. It's been a long day and I upset Harry for telling him the same thing I tell you, no you can't see James. You are not of Peverell blood, and while Harry is he is too young to control his magic; accidental magic in there could be disastrous. If I won't bend the rules for him, I certainly won't for you. Besides, the only way to wake someone before the seven years are complete is to be the true master of all three Peverell artefacts." Albus winced at that, subconsciously placing a hand protectively over the Elder Wand.
Sighing, Albus rose to leave, before saying "Very well, Charlus. I shall return tomorrow to speak to the boy and you about his care. Good night." He bowed to Charlus and Dorea before making his way from the Manor, knowing he wouldn't be able to aparate out or call Fawkes to retrieve him.
Charlus looked to Dorea, and said "Well, that was interesting. It could have been a lot worse. Good night, love." Dorea raised an eyebrow before smiling and nodding. With that, Charlus went to check on Harry, who was sound asleep, before heading to bed himself. It had been a long day and night and promised to be so again the next day.
TF
The next day, Harry woke up, prompting Misty to pop in. "Good morning, Master Harry. Master Charlus be wanting you to join him for breakfast when you be ready. He be sorry for scaring you last night." Misty said, bowing before getting Harry's clothes for the day.
Harry was somewhat nervous to face his grandfather after the night before, but he was hungry and he finally had family that wanted him, he didn't want to push him away because of one argument. So, with a nervous nod, Harry grabbed the offered clothes and got ready for the day. A few minutes later, he was ready, and Misty popped back in to guide him once more to the dining room. On his way past, he bowed to his grandmother, who curtsied back with a smile.
When they reached the dining room, Harry sat down across from his grandfather while Misty popped away to get his breakfast. A moment later, there was more food in front of Harry than he thought he could eat, far more than was given to him by the Dursleys. Peeking at Harry from behind his morning copy of the Daily Prophet, Charlus saw the amazed look on Harry's face when his breakfast arrived and frowned; those Dursleys truly didn't feed him enough if he's this amazed by a standard fare. It was going to be an uphill battle to get his diet up to scratch.
After a quite breakfast, where Harry ate his fill of breakfast for the first time he could remember, unaware of his grandfather's watchful gaze, Charlus folded his paper and cleared his throat. "Harry, I'd like to apologize for scaring you last night. It was not my intention to scare you, just explain why you mustn't go in that room before you're ready. From what I've found, he should wake within the next two years, then you'll be able to get to know him beyond the stories of him I'll tell you." Charlus took a moment to catch his breath and noticed Harry looking somber but nodding.
"An old friend will be joining us for a time today, and over the next few days I'll introduce you to some of my remaining friends and their children your own age, hopefully you'll be able to make some friends. If all goes well, you'll be visiting them while I continue to repair the Manor." Charlus stopped again to see Harry's reaction, his expression was a mix of hope and fear. He silently prayed to mother magic his grandson would be able to make some friends soon.
"After breakfast each morning I'll teach you what you'll need to know about being an heir to the House of Potter; our history and ethics, how to behave around others of high standing, even standing and lesser standing. The basics of education, we magicals usually homeschool our children until their eleventh birthday, when they can begin attending Hogwarts or one of the many schools of magic around the world. In the afternoons, I'll be working on repairs to the Manor, so you'll be self-studying or visiting other heirs, most likely your god-brother Neville Longbottom. Then we'll have dinner and, assuming I don't scare you off again, I'll tell you stories of your father when he was a boy and teach you sign language so you can talk with your grandmother." Harry looked a little lost with everything that was just said but eventually nodded, a determined look in his eyes even if his body language said otherwise.
"That's good, lad, we Potters don't run from our fears, we better ourselves to face them. To protect ourselves, our family, and our allies. I know it's a lot to take in, and its going to be a rough road for us both at times, but we are family and we will overcome." Charlus said, and assured smirk on his face. He watched as Harry reconciled what he'd been told and the determination shown brighter. "Well, lets get too it, shall we. I expect Albus will show up within the hour, and we should expect the Longbottom Matriarch and her grandson for lunch. Our families have had each other's backs for generations." With that, Charlus stood and motioned Harry to follow him as the table was cleared by the elves.
They made their way to the entry hall and sat on couches near Dorea's wall. While waiting for Dumbledore, Charlus gave Harry a basic explanation of how to behave with a guest. Fifteen minutes later, Albus Dumbledore knocked on the door. He was huffing a bit since he had to walk from the edge of property rather than apparate or have Fawkes take him. "Good morning, Charlus. Young Harry, it's nice to see you again." Charlus gave a nod while Harry gave a shy bow.
"Good morning, Albus. We'd just finished breakfast and I was giving Harry a lesson on how to greet others since I knew you'd be here soon. Harry, this is Albus Dumbledore; current head of the International Confederation of Wizards, Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot, and headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. He's also the one who placed you with the Dursleys." Charlus introduced him, while throwing in the closing barb with a stern glare and a raised eyebrow.
Dumbledore gave him a put-upon frown before noticing the look on Harry's face; it was a look of fear tinged with anger. He sighed before trying to portray sympathy, but was brought up short when Harry's expression turned from anger to irritation. Dumbledore quickly realized he was dealing with a young man that was forced to grow quickly, one who he'd placed in such a situation. "Young Harry, I'm truly sorry you had to go through what the Dursleys put you through. It never occurred to me that she would treat you so poorly or allow her husband and child to do so much. It was a difficult time and with the one they trusted most having betrayed them, I felt it best to hide you with your only remaining direct relatives. Clearly I was wrong."
Harry surprised Dumbledore and his grandfather by not yelling or crying, but asking quietly, "What happened to those close to them or their wills?" Dumbledore looked like he didn't want to answer, but could see Charlus also wanted to know, so with a sigh he answered.
"Of those closest to them Remus Lupin has a… medical issue… that made his unsuitable to raise you. Peter Pettigrew was killed going after the one who betrayed your parents. Sirius Black was your godfather, the one they trusted the most, and the one who betrayed them, he currently resides in Azkaban, wizarding jail. Frank and Alice Longbottom, your godmother, were attacked three days later; their son is being raised by Frank's mother Agusta Longbottom while they remain hospitalized. Of your mothers' friends that didn't flee the country or killed by the Death Eaters, there was Greengrass, who remained neutral and refused to help either side, and Pandora Lovegood, the Lovegoods constantly travel out of the country in their search for rare magical creatures." Dumbledore finished, his irritation with the neutral faction clear.
"What about other members of the Potter family, are we all that's left?" Harry asked, stunned from what he'd heard.
Charlus answered this with a frown. "There are several branch families, but we haven't heard from them in some time. Abraham Potter for instance was a founding member of MaCUSA aurors, his decedents have never reached out to us but they still appear on the tree. The rest are mixed within the muggles that share our name." This news shocked Albus as much as Harry. There was a Potter in the same school as him, but now that he thinks about it the kid always seemed to shadow him but never help him or Dudley.
Dumbledore slumped and looked defeated. "Chalus, Harry, I'm sorry I didn't know. If you both will allow it, I would like to tutor young Harry on the weekends. I wanted to hide you from the wizarding world Harry, until you could be safely within the walls of Hogwarts. But if you are to return early, then I will help you be as prepared as you can." Harry looked to Charlus, who stared at Dumbledore before slowly nodding.
"Okay, Albus. I'll allow it, but it will be here and he will not be left alone with you. Also, return the cloak, I can feel its magic on you along with the wand. You can keep the wand for now, its allegiance is currently yours and I'm not inclined to fight you for it, but cloak belongs in our family." Charlus said, locking eyes with Dumbledore.
Albus sighed and nodded. "I had planned to give it to him when he reached Hogwarts, but your right. It belongs here and it barely tolerates me, whereas the wand works well with me. Thank you for not insisting I hand it over as well. I shall bring it with me when I come for young Harry's first lesson. Well, if that will be all, it has been an enlightening talk but I have a lot still to do today." With a quick nod to them both he rushed out the door, as if afraid Charlus would change his mind about the wand or ask for something more.
Charlus and Harry looked at each other, then to the door, then back to each other. Harry couldn't help a small giggle while Charlus just sighed and shook his head. After a moment for Harry to stop giggling and Charlus to settle his thoughts, Charls said, "Well, now with that out of the way, we can get back to our morning lesson before you meet with the Longbottoms at lunch. Depending on how that goes I might try to reach out to some other old friends with children your age."
Harry nodded and Charlus could see the determination in his eyes. He couldn't tell, but Charlus could feel the family magic at work, trying to correct the damage from years of physical, phycological, and emotional abuse. They moved to a first-floor study that was connected to the library. Charlus once again silently thanked whichever previous Potter thought to add a mass switching spell ward around the library; should the house wards ever fall the books would all be switched with blanks while the originals were safely hidden.
TF
Several hours later, when Harry's head was starting to spin from everything Charlus was trying to teach him, an elf popped in to alert Charlus of the arrival of the Longbottoms. Charlus couldn't help but chuckle at the relieved sigh Harry let out. He remembered his own early lessons, given to him by his father. "Well then, let's go and great our guests." Charlus said, as Harry tidied up the table he was given to work at.
After a minute they were back in the Entry Hall, where Harry got his first impression of Madam Longbottom and Neville Longbottom. Madam Longbottom was a tall lady in her seventies with sharp features and wearing what appeared to be a live buzzard attached to her wide hat. Neville as a short boy that seemed to be trying to hide behind his grandmother. He was short and slightly tubby, though most of that appeared to be baby fat. Harry could see he liked to work with plants, because his nails had dirt under them though he was trying to hide them.
Charlus quickly stepped up to kiss just above her knuckles and welcomed her. "Augusta, it's been far to long since I've seen you. And I assume this young man is your grandson, Neville. How are you?" After Charlus released Aguta's hand he took Nevilles to shake. Harry waited back as he'd been told to do. After shaking Nevilles hand, Charlus stepped back to beside Harry and put an arm around his shoulder, causing him to flinch slightly, something that didn't escape the two adults.
With a gentle guide from Charlus, Harry stepped forward and bowed to the elder Longbottom before extending his hand to Neville while introducing himself. "Hello, my names Harry Potter, it is a pleasure to meet you." Agusta nodded her head to Harry and Neville shakily shook Harry's offered hand. With introductions finished, Charlus guided them all to the dining room.
Once they were all seated and the food was served, Agusta Longbottom spoke. "Well, Charlus, I must say it was a surprise to hear from you. After the attack on the Manor, everyone thought you and Dorea dead. It's good to see that's only half true, unless Dorea's around he somewhere?"
Charlus sighed at that and Harry patted him. "You passed her on your way in. In the last minutes of the battle, Voldemort cursed her, fusing her with the wall of the Entry Hall. That mosaic of Dorea is my wife." Agusta put her hand to her mouth, while Neville looked confused. When Agusta explained it to him, Neville looked ashen.
"I plan to rebuild the Manor and hopefully find a way to free her one day, but I wanted to ensure Harry here wasn't forced to just study for months on end while I repair and reestablish my position on the Wizengamot. That amount of studying isn't supposed to happen till Hogwarts." Charlus said, adding a small smirk for his joke.
Agusta shared a knowing smile with Charlus before nodding. "I'd be happy to host him while you rebuild Charlus. Maybe we could reach out to the others in our old group, I'm sure Amilia wouldn't mind helping. She's looking after little Susan, after the attack on their Manor killed her brother and sister-in-bond. I hear the Abbotts help her look after Susan while she's at work, she's head of the DMLE now."
Charlus thought about it before nodding, a far off look in his eye as he remembered old friends. "If you could help me arrange that, I would be most appreciative. Social events were never my strong suit. Would you mind catching me up on events while we eat, I've tried to find out while trying to avoid attention. The family magic saved me once, but I'd prefer not to chance it twice or take another seven-year nap."
Agusta quickly assured him she would. Charlus had told her how he'd survived and agreed it wouldn't be wise to spread that. Better to portray coming out of hiding after recovering from injury and rallying your allies than reveal the Peverell magic. They then began to eat while Agusta gave Charlus a recap of the political and social changes over the last seven years.
After lunch, Harry left with the Longbottoms for Longbottom Hall while Charlus went back to work repairing the Manor. It would still be many months before he was done, but he knew the value of diligence.
TF
Over the next week, Harry adjusted to the changes in his life. Breakfast with his grandfather before lessons, then lunch, before visiting the Longbottoms till dinner. After dinner he would hear stories of his father when he was a child and his friends from school. During the week, he was slowly introduced to the Abbotts and Bones, where he met Hannah Abbotts and Susan Bones. It was then that Harry learned what the Wizarding world thought of him. Harry dumped cold water on that by revealing what his life had been like since Halloween of 81. The next time they met, Hannah and Susan were eager to get to know the real Harry Potter.
The next Saturday, true to his word, Albus Dumbledore showed up during their lesson time with the Peverell Cloak in hand, which was quickly taken to the Sanctum by Charlus. Albus then gave an overview of the different branches of magic taught at Hogwarts along with several branches he knew but weren't taught at school like Alchemy and Rituals. Unfortunately, Harry wouldn't be able to practice what he was taught until he was a few years older; his magic needed to grow before he could even use a practice focus. It was worked out that they would focus on a different subject every week so they could give Harry a good foundation for when he started practicing.
The weeks flew by like that, with Harry catching up on what he should have been taught already and getting closer with Neville, Hannah, and Susan. Once summer started, Charlus added physical exercise to their daily lessons, stating "It takes a strong body as well as a strong mind to make a strong wizard. Most wizards now forget that, relying on their magic or house elves to do everything for them. Won't last long in a fight if you stay in one place and just shield."
Harry took it in stride, and thanks to having to run from his cousin Dudley all the time he was already a good runner. Harry shared this and his friends started running as well. They all saw an increase in their stamina. On the 31st of July, Harry and Neville had a shared party with their friends at Longbottom Hall. They all had a great time, Harry and Neville even got a kiss on the cheek from each girl, making both boys blush.
The weeks moved on, and on the 31st of October, Charlus took Harry to visit Lily's grave. While they were there, they found someone else visiting Lily's grave, Remus Lupin. When Charlus asked why he hadn't been around, Remus admitted he'd been out of the country, trying to make a living. Remus revealed that every year he came back after the October full moon to look for Harry, then left before the November full moon. Dumbledore never told him where he'd placed Harry or that he was now with Charlus.
They took him home after they finished in the graveyard and after getting a warm meal into a haggard looking Remus, Charlus and Remus shared lots of stories about Remus's Hogwarts days with James and Lily. Charlus offered to let him stay and offered him some money to help Charlus finish fixing up the Manor. It had come a long way in the year since he'd woken, but the work was barely half finished. Remus tried to say no, but Harry begging him to stay left little choice for him. Charlus set him up with a room and got the ingredients for wolfsbane potion, which he would make for him.
With Remus's help, the Manor was repaired by Harry's next birthday, leading them to have the party at Potter Manor. Over the year, their circle had grown to include Daphne Greengrass and her sister Astoria, the Weasleys, and Luna Lovegood when the Lovegoods were in the country. When Dumbledore found out Charlus had formed political ties to the Greengrass family, he encouraged the Arthor and Molly to approach him, claiming that Harry needed more male friends. The Saturday after that was watched over by Remus, as Charlus had heated words with Albus.
It was at his birthday that Harry's party that Harry and Neville both used accidental magic for their first memorable time. Ron was being a prat and trying to bully the girls while he thought the parents weren't looking. Neville had enough and told him to shut up, when Ron turned to insult him, he found he couldn't speak. Ron got angry about this and assuming it was Neville tried to run at him, only for Harry to yell at him to stop. Next thing Ron knows he's on the lawn unable to move or speak. Mrs. Weasley wasn't happy about that and was about to tell them what for, but Remus moved into view and set her right, turning her ire towards her youngest son.
Agusta and Charlus were both thrilled when they found out, though their excitement with the children's magic was tempered by the cause of the outburst. Molly took Ron home before the cake was cut and then grounded him when he had a magical tantrum when they got home. With their magic having grown strong enough, Harry and Neville each got a practice focus after their birthday. Harry was excited, he could finally start learning spells after having the magical theory crammed into his head every week.
Dumbledore started Harry on the first-year curriculum of spells and Harry was able to cast each of them after only a few tries. Dumbledore was impressed, but warned he would have to wait till he got his wand before moving on to more advanced magic. Harry nodded and moved onto the next spell.
Eleven more weeks went by, when on the last day of October, Harry could feel an energy throughout the Manor. Remus could sense it too and whatever it was had put him on edge. Charlus though looked like Christmas had come early. They went through their day, Charlus not explaining what was going on; when asked he would just smile. After visiting Lily's grave, they came home for dinner. Just as dinner was finished, the Manor shook.
Charlus got up and rushed for the basement, instructing Harry and Remus to wait in the Entry Hall. After several minutes, just as Harry was getting worried, Charlus stepped into the room with a man beside him. Remus barely gasped out "James!" before Harry ran to embrace the man, with a call of, "Dad!"
James was almost knocked over when Harry nearly apparated to him in his eagerness to embrace him. "Harry?" James asked, as he hugged the crying child. With Harry's nod, he hugged his son all the stronger before Remus moved over to embrace his old friend.