Blue Glow

28th of July, 1997.

Kato walked swiftly through Diagon Ally. He had a single stop to make that day. The shop was dark. It was early in the day and the sun shone brightly even on the narrow street holding Britain's largest shopping quarter. Kato opened the door and walked into Ollivanders. The bell chimed somewhere in the back and Garrick made his way to the front slowly.

"Ah, Mister Peverell, fantastic," he said. He brought out a long white box. "I must say this is truly a fantastical wand. I hope that you are right once again."

Kato opened the box and looked inside. The wand was white with golden marbling. In the dark, it seemed to emit a strange blue light similar to the plant that had been used as the core. "This seems to all be in order," he said. "Thank you."

"Just remember to come back if you need another one," Garrick said. While he had hoped to see the young one get their wand in person. It wasn't really up to him and he knew it.

The door opened and Professor McGonagall brought a scared-looking little girl in with her. A stone-faced father followed tightly behind them.

"Ah, Minerva how pleasant to meet you once again," Garrick said.

"You as well, Garrick," Minerva said. She looked over at Kato. "Mister Peverell if I'm not mistaken," she said.

"You are not ma'am," Kato said. He bowed low. "I shall leave you to aid the next generation," he said. "I better get home before Harry sets fire to the Potion Lab."

"How is he doing?" Minerva asked.

"Quite well," Kato said. "We're keeping busy. He is enjoying being a guidefather to little Leoline." He said goodbye and walked out. As the door closed he could hear Minerva telling them that his cousin Harry was attending his last year this year. He would have to keep his eyes open as the first-year students arrived at the train. He placed the wand box down on the table as he arrived back home.

Little hands grabbed onto Harry's pant leg in a vice grip. Harry looked down at Leoline as he dropped his earrings into a pocket. "Hello little guy," he said.

"'lo," Leoline said. He held his arms up and Harry picked him up.

"When are the Delacours arriving?" Remus asked.

"Tomorrow," Harry said. "Midday if I'm not mistaken." He walked over to the kitchen window and opened it up so the approaching owl could deliver their letter.

"Wol, Wol," Leoline cheered.

"No touching," Harry said calmly as he moved Leoline away from the owl. "Not all owls want to be petted." He took the letter feeling the weight of the envelope. "Hogwarts letter," he said. "You alright with accompanying me to Diagon today Remus?" He opened the letter up and poured the contents out on the counter. Two badges joined the new book list. Harry turned them over slowly. "Captain of the Quidditch team and Headboy," he said calmly.

"Same as your father," Remus said.

Harry chuckled softly. "You know in my first year Ron and I found the Mirror of Erised. We looked at it. Ron saw himself with these badges having won the Quidditch Cup and the House Cup. He said that would make him better than all his brothers combined. Looks like I'm getting what he wanted… of course, he always had what I wanted. The mirror showed me, my family."

Remus smiled softly. "Young people seldom see what is right in front of them," he said. "Let's have some breakfast then we can go get your books."

Harry smiled as he walked over to the high chair and sat Leoline down. To him, Remus felt like family. He wasn't sure what their dynamic was, but Remus and Leoline were his family. "Do you have any plans now?" he asked. "You don't need to you know. You can stay here for as long as you like."

Remus sighed heavily. "You know I can't just live off you," he said.

"No, but you could do something you really want to do and pay me back later," Harry said. "Leoline deserves to have his father, not a workaholic."

"I guess you are right," Remus said.

"Of course I am," Harry said while grinning mischievously.

Remus just sighed and shook his head. "I guess I could continue with the course books. I've never really liked the way they are written. I always felt like they could be better," he said. "My publisher seems to agree. They have been nudging me to make more."

"Please do. They are really good, and don't worry about money," Harry said. "I have more than enough and you have no idea what people are willing to pay someone like me. I'll be fine. It barely costs me anything to have you living here. Winky handles most of that, and she grows her own crops. A lot of the vegetables you eat are grown in her garden."

Remus blinked in surprise. "I didn't know that," he said.

Harry shrugged. "She likes taking care of the plants. I'm seriously considering getting more elves so we could have animals on the grounds as well, but I want ones like Winky who have nowhere to go and want a family to belong to. The goblins are on the lookout for me. They will let me know if any elves show up," he said.

"I guess we should head out as soon as this little guy has eaten?" Remus said.

"If that is alright with you," Harry said. "I'd like to get it over with before Fleur and Gabrielle get here." He looked down at his clothes. "I'm going to go change since Kato has already been over there this morning in these clothes."

"Go for something more bored teen," Remus suggested. "Some jeans and a t-shirt or something. You tend to dress just a little too nice."

Harry laughed as he walked out of the kitchen. Maybe he would follow Remus' suggestion. He could pull off some jeans, but he would be adding a vest. He got back out to the kitchen as Remus cleaned things up. Leoline looked like a right mess so Harry grabbed him and headed into the bathroom. "You look like you smushed the sandwich all over yourself. You know you should eat it, bud," he said. He threw the dirty clothes in the hamper and cleaned Leoline off. "How about we go dress you so we can get going?" He lifted his guideson up and walked over to his bedroom. He opened the shirt drawer up and Leoline reached down and grabbed a shirt with a big lion on the front. Harry rolled his eyes. It wouldn't surprise him if Sirius had bought that shirt since it was red and gold. Someone was trying to influence little Leoline to become a Gryffindor. Harry might just have to get a cool silver dragon on green if he could. Close to Slytherin but not quite. He got Leoline into his carrier and strapped it on. He didn't want to lose the little guy in the crowd.

"Oh, you're taking him?" Remus said.

"I'm so busy this summer that I need to take whatever responsibility I can from you while I'm here," Harry said. "You do realise that you'll barely be holding him once Fleur and her family get here."

Remus smiled. "He won't know what to do with all of those ladies giving him attention," he said. "It isn't what he is used to."

"But he'll charm all of them in about a second," Harry said as he grabbed Remus' hand so they could apparate. It was still before his birthday after all so he wasn't supposed to be able to go on his own yet. They headed through the utility stores quickly before walking into the bookstore. Professor McGonagall stood in there with two seemingly confused parents while a little girl ran around and excitedly pointed at everything.

"It is a little rough isn't it," Harry said calmly. "I'm Harry Potter I will be Headboy this year. I had no idea I was magical before a teacher came and told me."

"So your parents are…" the mother said.

"Dead unfortunately they were killed when I was just a baby," Harry said. "But I live with my uncle Remus now so it is fine. I grew up with my non-magical aunt. I think she was scared so she never told me anything about magic. It was quite a shock to begin with, but I have had a lot of fun and learnt a lot." He looked over at Professor McGonagall. "The Headgirl is more like your daughter. If you want to I could check with her parents if they might be up to meeting with you," he said. He could see the professor give a small approving nod and a barely noticeable smile.

The newly introduced parents looked at each other. "We would like that. If they are agreeable," the father said. "Is a phone number good?" he asked.

"Considering that Dr and Dr Granger are dentists I think a phone number will work just fine," Harry said with a smile. "Just know that Hermione and I will look after her no matter which house she ends up in."

He was given the phone number and started walking around gathering his books. He would point at some books and talk to the little girl who he found out was called Tetra as he went.

"He is a very attentive young man isn't he," Tetra's mother said.

Remus smiled. "Harry cares a lot about others," he said. "He wants everyone to have fun. He brought a group of people together last year and they decorated a student lounge room where people can just relax and have fun. Minerva explained the house system, right?" He waited until the Drews nodded. "Well, Harry thought it was silly that friends of different Houses didn't have anywhere to study or hang out together so he pulled a few people together and talked to the Heads of the Houses. The room looks amazing."

"You have personal experience, sir?" Clara Drew asked.

"I taught last year," Remus said. "But I want to take better care of my son so I'm not returning this year. Maybe in a few years, I'll try again, we'll see."

When Remus and Harry left the Drews looked a little less shell-shocked than when they arrived.

"Professor McGonagall had another girl with her earlier today," Harry said. "She looked scared. I'm thinking I might bring all the firsties together on the train and have a talk with them."

"Bring someone else along," Remus said. "Preferably a girl and maybe not Hermione."

"I need her to guide the prefects, to be honest," Harry said. "I was thinking of bringing Hannah she is calm and sensible. She is from a magical family, but they aren't high and mighty like Malfoy or Macmillan."

Remus nodded slowly. He wasn't surprised that Harry had already thought this over. He had found that Harry did a lot more thinking after his return from Skyrim. He guessed a good bit of that was age, but it wouldn't surprise him if the people around him had also influenced him quite a lot. He smiled as Harry was splashed with ice cream as Leoline enjoyed his strawberry and lemon ripple ice cream from Fortescue's.

29th of July, 1997.

Harry was up early so he could get the Delacours when they arrived with their portkey. He had checked the beach over the day before. The wards held strong and the water was nice and clear. Knowing Gabrielle she would love exploring. She knew the waters within their wards like the back of her hand. Before heading out he donned the Kato glamour just in case.

"Kato!" Gabrielle shouted as she threw herself at her pseudo-big brother. "I'm starting school this year," she said happily. Then she pouted. "But Mama and Papa will not buy me a wand. Why won't they buy me a wand Kato?" she said. "I need a wand."

"Ah, well," Kato said. "That might just be my fault," he said. "How about we head to Ennerdale and get you sequestered in? You'll have to share the family rooms with me and Remus and little Leoline since I have the Longbottoms living in the guestrooms still." He held out a portkey so they could all go with him.

Apolline looked around with a smile on her face as they walked through the house and Harry pointed out the different rooms. "This is a beautiful home, my dear," she said. "It suits you."

"It is very big," Gabrielle said. "I like it. It feels almost like a place out of a fantasy book but modern without it showing."

Harry chuckled. "Thank you," he said. He opened the door to the room Gabrielle would be staying in. "Here you go," he said. "Check the nightstand." He waved Apolline and Marceau over so they could see.

Gabrielle found the crisp white box perched on her nightstand. She lifted it up and opened the lid. Inside lay a beautiful white wand with gold marbling. She grabbed it and swished it through the air, a shower of snow-white flowers that melted as they reached the floor flowed out of the tip of her wand. It glowed blue for just a moment before settling. Gabrielle was looking at the wand with awe in her eyes. "This is amazing," she said softly.

"I don't think I have ever seen such a reaction from a wand before," Marceau said. "When you asked to provide her with a wand I wasn't sure it was the best idea. Now I am glad that I trusted in your judgment, son."

Harry chuckled. "This wand is made from moonstone with a core of gleamblossom pistil and a pommel stone of amethyst just like my own wand," he said.

Gabrielle rushed over to Harry and threw her arms around him. "You are the best brother ever. This wand is fantastic," she said. Then she looked over at her mother. "Can I try some spells I have learnt mama?" she asked.

"How about we go out to the lake and you try on some things out there," Harry said.

Apolline smiled. "That sounds lovely, dear," she said.

"Winky has prepared food for when we are hungry," Harry said as they walked down towards the water through the pavilion of fruit trees that Winky was slowly rearing up from saplings. He spread out a blanket and spelt it with several cushioning charms so it would be extra comfortable. He pointed up and the wards revealed themselves as a faint orange shimmer where they touched water or ground. "The wards will protect you from eyes and others to the line," he said as he pulled his shirt off. He put his breathing mask on and drew his wand. "Do you want to come with me?" he asked Gabrielle while holding a hand out to Fleur. "I haven't taken a good swim around here so it would be nice to explore," he said.

"Yeah, that sounds great," Gabrielle said. "Will you give me a bubblehead, Harry?" she asked.

Marceau sighed as his children all headed over to the lake. "They grow up so fast," he said. "I'm glad Gabrielle has such a good role model in Harry. It would have been great if Fleur had the same, but at least she is alright now." He wrapped an arm around Apolline. "This will be a lovely place for the wedding. "I had no idea it looked so beautiful."

"And imagine in the winter when Harry has had the chance to make snow sculptures. Fleur can wish for this place to look like anything and he can make it happen," Apolline said. "He did say that the Longbottoms will have moved home before then. We can open the living room up with a pavilion and make room for everyone. The cousins that come from far away can stay over as long as they are willing to bunk up." She hadn't known just how big Harry's grounds were. They could make this look whatever way Fleur wanted. It would be amazing.

Marceau smiled. He was glad that Fleur had found a good man. It made him happy she would have a nice wedding that also wouldn't cost a fortune since Harry could create so much of what they wanted. She had made good friends.

Down in the lake, Gabrielle tapped Harry's shoulder and pointed towards some houses that slowly became visible beyond a jutting rock. It was the village. It looked much better now after the restoration work. Harry looked around. He hadn't looked around much after finding the village last time. Now that he was there with Fleur and Gabrielle, he took his time. The goblins had done a fantastic job. He wasn't sure what mer liked but the village looked much better. He moved about and placed magic lights in a few places. Then he looked back up towards the beach. His eyes narrowed. He swam up to a jutting rock and touched it. It jiggled dangerously. He turned and motioned for Fleur to get Gabrielle out of the way before he grabbed onto the rock. He charged magic through it and ripped it loose. The rock landed just outside the village.

Gabrielle and Fleur followed Harry to the surface as he passed them. "I had the goblins restore it after we found the place," he said as he helped Gabrielle up to sit on the water's surface. "I think they did a pretty good job."

"What happened to the people living there?" Gabrielle asked.

"I don't know but I'm keeping an ear to the wards in case someone shows up. It is a big lake so they could be anywhere else in it," Harry said as he grabbed Fleur and pulled her up next to him.

"It is kind of strange to have a village with no one in it," Fleur said. "Have you gone looking for the mer?"

"No but I might next year," Harry said.

"Could we decorate?" Gabrielle asked.

Harry scratched his head. "In the main square sure," he said. "We should probably leave their houses alone. I wouldn't appreciate someone else decorating my house."

"Well, let's head back down then," Fleur said before jumping back in the water.

Harry chuckled and jumped in after her. He applied a new water-breathing charm to Gabrielle and they followed Fleur down.

Remus came out and joined them for lunch with little Leoline who was so fascinated by the water that he barely wanted to eat. Once the young ones were done eating they took Leoline with them and sat down with their feet touching around him so he could play in the water without ending up in danger. Leoline laughed happily as he filled a bucket with water and poured it all over the three of them.

"That looks like fun," Neville said as she came walking down. His parents had wanted to walk down to the water only to find the group of parents sitting there.

"Do you mind some more company?" Alice asked timidly.

Apolline smiled. "Please come join us, dear," she said. "The more the merrier."

"Go join your friends Neville," Frank said. "I'm sure Remus can help me if I need it."

Neville nodded slowly as he started walking down towards Harry and the Delacour sisters. They moved to make room for him while Leoline smiled happily at him. "Nev," he said happily. He handed Neville a spade and placed the bucket down in front of him.

"They look so happy together," Alice said. "I'm glad that Harry decided to stay around and help Neville out. He gave us memories of what we missed you know and poor Neville was quite alone for a good while there. That wasn't what we wanted for him." She was glad that Harry had told her that the Delacours knew the truth the same as them. It made things easier not having to worry about what she could and couldn't say around them.

"He has given us quite the eye-opener," Apolline said. "Did you know he can copy the Veela allure and send it back at us? I never knew just what it felt like until he showed me."

"That is quite the thing to be capable of," Alice said. "Though knowing Harry it isn't all that surprising. He is capable of so much that seems impossible to most."

Remus was handed a yawning Leoline sometime later before the youths headed down to the mer village to look around again.

For the next two days Harry, Fleur, Gabrielle and Neville spent a lot of time down beneath the surface of Lake Ennerdale. They surfaced on the second day to celebrate Neville and Harry's birthday. Hermione came over and they had a small family celebration.

In the following days, Harry travelled around with the Delacours to see some of the sights of the British Isles before they headed back home.