Hey everyone. Sorry for such a long wait between updating. I haven't updated any of my stories lately as I was away on holidays and then started a new job. I'm starting to get more settled into my new job so hopefully I will be back to updating different stories more regularly. I hope you enjoy this chapter also some of you may have been hoping to see the Slytherins reactions to what happened in this chapter, sorry but it will be in the next chapter instead.

Chapter 7

"Why hasn't he woken up yet?" Fleamont grumbled from his place beside Harry's bed.

It had been nearly two days since Harry had collapsed but he had yet to awaken. Dippet had explained to himself and Charlus why Harry had been so upset; the fact that he could no longer return to the future, that his future was in fact lost to him forever. It would have been a massive blow to the young man and Fleamont could understand his distress.

Madam Raston had already explained to him several times that Harry was merely resting from the huge outpouring of magic and emotions and when he felt ready, he would awaken. Still, Fleamont couldn't stop the worry that was gnawing at his insides.

Charlus rolled his eyes in exasperation but couldn't stop the look of worry that lingered on his own face.

Fleamont had yet to leave Harry's side, sleeping and showering in the hospital wing. Determined that Harry would not wake up alone after he had suffered so much emotional distress. Charlus had had to attend classes today but had come back to the hospital wing after dinner to spend time with his… brother.

"Now that he is staying permanently, we will have to ensure he is added to our family tree and accounts at Gringotts" Fleamont said quietly, the urge to do… something, nearly overwhelming him.

Charlus nodded in agreement, "we will need to prepare a room for him at the manor as well."

"Perhaps we can speak to Dippet about a shopping trip into Diagon Alley so that Harry can choose out what he would like for his room?"

"That sounds good, let's not overwhelm him though." Charlus didn't think Harry would be feeling up to shopping trips anytime soon.

On top of his general worry for Harry, Fleamont knew that Madam Raston was keeping something from him. She had run all sorts of tests on Harry when he'd first been brought to the hospital wing, the results had been extensive, but the healer hadn't said much more then he would be OK and would wake up in due time. He had thought about demanding to see the reports as head of the Potter house, but he didn't feel comfortable doing that with how little he knew of Harry at the moment.

So instead, he just sat and waited and worried.

"I'm happy to stay with Harry tonight if you want to head home and get some proper sleep?" Charlus offered, taking in the bags under his older brothers' eyes, but Fleamont just shook his head.

"I'd rather stay, Harry's been through a lot, I want to make sure he knows we're here for him. Besides, you have to go to classes tomorrow, I can afford a few days away from my responsibilities."

"Okay," Charlus said reluctantly. "But if he doesn't wake by tomorrow evening you are going home to sleep, and I will stay with Harry, he's my brother as well."

Fleamont nodded reluctantly, he didn't know what he would do if Harry still hadn't woken by tomorrow evening.

Fortunately, he didn't have to find out as he was awoken before sunrise the next morning with the sounds of Madam Rastons hurried footsteps. He sat up groggily rubbing sleep from his eyes as he looked around the hospital wing, his sleep addled brain struggling to process what was going on. It was only when he heard a small groan that it clicked, Harry.

He pulled himself out of the slightly uncomfortable hospital bed he'd been attempting to sleep in and walked the few steps to Madam Raston's side, eyes taking in everything he could about the teen lying on the bed before him.

Pale, hands shaking, dark circles under his eyes, green eyes clouded and confused.

Madam Raston waved her wand a few times.

"His vitals look good" she murmured softly to Fleamont, and he felt some of the tension that was running through his body start to ease.

"Madam Pomfrey?" Harry asked in confusion as he struggled to sit up.

Fleamont felt his heart break a little.

"No, dear, I'm Madam Raston."

Dark brows furrowed in confusion for a moment before understanding came like a kick to the stomach. Fleamont could see the exact moment realisation hit as Harry's face crumpled and he gripped his blanket tightly.

He reached out to rub a soothing hand down the young mans back, ignoring for the moment the way Harry jumped at the contact.

"Fleamont?"

"I'm here, Harry." What else could he say.

Harry looked at him with such a sad, lost expression on his face that Fleamont couldn't help pulling him into his arms, trying to offer what comfort he could.

Harry leant against him awkwardly for a moment before all fight seemed to leave him and he melted into Fleamont. Fleamont could feel his shirt getting wet as Harry cried silently in his arms, he just held him tighter. They didn't speak, eventually Harry cried himself to sleep but Fleamont didn't leave his side. Sitting beside him and stroking his hand as he watched the teen sleep.

Madam Raston watched on for a moment. "We will need to have a meeting with Professor Dippet in the morning."

Fleamont nodded in understanding and thanks, not taking his eyes off Harry, the latest Potter would need all the support they could give him.

Later that morning found Fleamont waking up with a crick in his neck and a sore back after having fallen asleep leaning on Harry's bed. He sat up slowly, stretching as he found green eyes already awake and watching him.

"Good morning, Harry. How are you feeling?"

"I'm fine" Harry said, voice hoarse.

Fleamont knew better then to take that seriously.

"You didn't have to stay."

"I wanted to stay" Fleamont said, letting the sincerity ring through his voice. "We're family."

Harry gave him a bemused look.

"Family." He said quietly.

Before Fleamont could respond Madam Raston was walking over.

"How are you feeling, Harry?" she asked kindly.

"Fine" Harry said again. "Just tired."

"I would expect you will be tired for the next few days. You will have to take it easy physically but also magically. You expelled a lot of magic young man and your core needs time to replenish."

Harry nodded in understanding, looking suitably chastised. Fleamont wasn't fooled for a second.

Everyone looked up as the door swung open and in walked Headmaster Dippet, his expression unusually grave.

"Ah, headmaster, you're early."

Dippet nodded. "I wasn't sure if Lord Potter had any urgent matters to attend to, so I thought it best that I make myself available as early as was convenient."

Harry looked confused for a moment, looking at the three people standing around his bed, eyes focusing on Madam Raston as she cleared her throat.

"Harry when you were brought in, I ran a full medical history on you to try to ascertain what was happening. The results were… concerning."

Harry's face paled even more at that, and he stared at Madam Raston as if begging her to stop.

With a wave of her wand a sheet of parchment appeared in front of her, and she began reading.

"Malnutrition, burns, broken bones, a basilisk bite…" she kept reading but Harry did his best to tune her out. He kept his eyes on his hands as they nervously plucked at a loose thread on his blanket.

Headmaster Dippet and Fleamont shared a dark look.

"Harry."

Fleamont's soothing voice broke through his melancholy.

"Do you want to talk about it?"

Harry just shook his head, what was there to talk about? It didn't matter anyway it's not like he was ever going back to that life now anyway.

Harry felt a hand land gently on his shoulder, the warm weight grounding him and giving him the courage to raise his eyes to look at Fleamont. To his surprise the older was looking at him softly, no pity, no disgust.

"When you're ready I think it would be beneficial for you to talk to a mind healer. You don't have to tell me anything, but it would make me feel better to know that you had someone to talk to. Harry's first instinct was to refuse, but Fleamont kept looking at him so imploringly, eyes wide and sincere that Harry found himself nodding in agreement instead. This having a family that cared thing was…odd.

Madam Raston and even Headmaster Dippet looked relieved at his words, while Fleamont struggled to understand how a Potter could be treated so.

"Charlus is very excited to take you shopping so you can pick out things for your room at the manor" Fleamont said, in a transparent attempt at changing the subject.

"You don't have to do that" Harry said, furrowing his eyebrows in confusion. "I will be out of your hair as soon as I can."

Fleamont looked positively alarmed at that.

"What!? No! Harry, you are welcome at the Manor for as long as you wish. You are a Potter it is your home. I'm already making arrangements to have you added to our family tree and get you access to our vaults."

Harry stared at Fleamont in surprise, though he supposed he shouldn't be, this was the man who had given him a bag of galleons on their first meeting, it's obvious his grandfather is a very generous soul.

"When you get a little more settled you could come for a visit to the Manor for the weekend? Get to see your new home." Fleamont continued softly, completely oblivious to the fact that he was offering Harry something the teen had only dreamed of on his darkest loneliest nights.

He nodded, a warm feeling filling his chest at Fleamonts pleased look.

Madam Raston started speaking again. "You will need to take several potions to assist with the malnutrition as well as to help repair the damage to your bones and muscles. I want you back here in two weeks time to see how your healing is progressing."

"So, I can go?" Harry said eagerly, already trying to sit up.

A firm hand gripped his shoulder and pushed him back down.

"No, I want you to stay one more night to make sure you're fully recovered from your ordeal."

Harry opened his mouth to argue but a look from the headmaster had him snapping it closed again. He supposed one more night wouldn't hurt him. It would probably be good to have some time to think about what he was going to tell his dorm mates anyway. He bit back a groan at the thought. He knew they would have question. Especially Tom, the Slytherin was too clever for his own good.

"There is one last thing" Madam Raston continued on. She hesitated for just a moment. "My scans also indicated that Mister Potter here, is a carrier. This really should have been mentioned when you arrived Mister Potter."

Harry looked confused at the word, while Fleamont looked completely gobsmacked.

"What!?" He rasped out before clearing his throat. "Harry's a carrier?"

Harry's eyes swung between Fleamont and Madam Raston, "what's a carrier?"

Now it was Madam Raston's to look completely flummoxed.

"You don't know what a carrier is?" she asked incredulously.

Harry thought for a moment before shaking his head, "I don't think so, no."

Madam Raston glanced at Fleamont, but upon finding the older Potter still in shock she started to explain.

"A carrier is a very powerful wizard who is able to fall pregnant and carry a baby. It is exceptionally rare as the magical strength of the wizard must be near unparalleled. Magic supports the baby throughout the pregnancy and only the most powerful wizards would be able to sustain such a feat."

Madam Raston paused, lips quirking slightly at Harry's bright red face.

Carriers are highly sought after as the children they have are said to be particularly strong as they have been surrounded by and absorbing their carrier's magic for the term of the pregnancy. They are also sought after by gay wizards, particularly heirs as a way of fulfilling their sexual needs as well as producing heirs to continue their line."

If possible, Harry turned even redder at that. "What?" he squeaked again.

Madam Raston opened her mouth and began explaining again but Harry quickly waved his hand begging her to stop. Headmaster Dipper coughed and Harry was sure the old man was trying to stifle a laugh.

"I understood what you said, I just- how come I've never heard of this before?"

Madam Raston shrugged her shoulders, "now that I cannot say. At the very least you should have been tested on your first medical check when you started at Hogwarts."

Harry groaned, "they don't do medical checks in my time at Hogwarts."

Madam Raston pursed her lips in apparent disapproval.

"We are going to have every family in the wizarding world sending betrothal contracts in an attempt to secure your hand" Fleamont groaned. "Of course, I won't accept any that you don't want" Fleamont hurried to reassure, seeing Harry's face starting to turn green.

"I'm sorry to cause you even more trouble" Harry mumbled, but Fleamont waved the apology away.

"Don't be silly, it is quite the honour to have a carrier born into your family. Why, the only other carrier I know of is Dumbledore."

Harry blinked slowly. Dumbledore is a carrier, but during his time as headmaster he got rid of the tests that indicate whether you're a carrier or not. Why?

"You will have to make sure that if you engage in any penetrative sex with another male that you cast a contraception charm to ensure you don't fall pregnant." Fleamont explained, looking at Harry seriously, though his cheeks had pinked a little.

Harry simply nodded, embarrassment making his tongue stick to the roof of his mouth. Thankfully headmaster Dippet saved them from the awkward moment.

"I have officially entered you as a student at Hogwarts now that we know you are staying" headmaster Dippet said, a hint of a smile still lingering around his mouth. "If you need any assistance with your classes, please let me know. There are several things we can do to help get you up to speed."

"Thank you, headmaster" Harry said, not quite able to meet his eye.

With a final nod Dippet left.

"I will just go get your potion, mister Potter and perhaps a few pamphlets on carriers" Madam Raston said, walking away as well.

Fleamont pulled up the chair he had been sitting on and smiled softly at Harry.

"It may not seem like it now, but everything will be ok." Fleamont said softly, reaching out to grip Harry's hand and suddenly all embarrassment fled, and all Harry was left with was a hollow ached in his chest. He looked up at the ceiling, taking a deep breath as he felt his eyes start to burn.

"I just can't believe that I will never see any of them again" Harry said weakly and the grip on his hand tightened.

"Would you like to tell me about them?"

So, Harry did.

He spoke of a bushy haired witch, who would go on to change the world, of a ginger haired boy who shone brighter then all those around him. Of a blonde Slytherin who fought back against the worlds expectations of him and managed to befriend a Gryffindor. He spoke of feasts and classes and days spent in the air and if Fleamont noticed that he didn't make any mention of his family, well, he didn't say anything, for now.

HPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHP

Harry startled awake in the middle of the night, his heart was pounding and sweat beaded at his temples. He looked around wildly but found no one as he had insisted that Fleamont return home for a good nights rest. Hurried footsteps let him know that Madam Raston had been alerted that he was awake and was on her way. When she pulled aside the curtains surrounding his bed he practically shouted, "I need to speak to headmaster Dippet immediately!"

To her credit Madam Raston simply hurried off, Harry assumed to call the headmaster.

Harry twisted his hands anxiously in his lap, every second wasted felt like a lifetime.

Finally, when he was contemplating jumping out of bed and trying to make his way to the headmaster's office himself, he heard footsteps approaching. He looked up to find headmaster Dippet and Madam Raston hurrying toward him.

"Harry, what is it?" Headmaster Dippet asked, clearly confused.

"Hagrid's innocent!" Harry cried desperately.