Chapter 7: God Brothers
Harry's days took on a flexible routine. Remus insisted on daily lessons to get him caught up to his peers. He would be expected to know more simply by virtue of his name and reputation. It wouldn't matter to his classmates that he was muggle raised. They wouldn't understand why he was ignorant of wizarding ways and he would be greeted with suspicion and anger due to imagined slights. And so Harry was subjected to etiquette lessons on top of the other things Remus planned to introduce Harry to.
When Harry complained to the Marauders about it none but Padfoot pitied him. "Don't worry Harry, Prongs told him. Most of it is common sense. You know the golden rule right? Treat others the way you want to be treated. Well just do that and you'll get along just fine."
Harry rolled his eyes, "I don't want anyone kissing the back of my hand! How does that apply?"
To which Padfoot folded his arms across his chest and nodded emphatically, "Yeah Prongs? How does that apply?"
"Shut it you mangy cur." Prongs growled.
"Not helping," Moony complained.
Remus insisted that wizards put a lot of stock into appearances. They were a judgemental and fickle lot, but Harry had a lot of leverage he could use if he understood the power dynamics. As the head of a powerful family and the last of his line, he had perks that others might not have. He had access to a large quantity of gold. His vault would always have a certain amount in it, and it would refill each year. Once he reached his majority, that was 17 for most wizards, unless you petitioned the Wizengamot, which Harry should consider at some point, he would receive the remainder of his inheritance, which included all the Potter properties.
Harry spent most mornings with Remus getting a crash course on all things wizard. The variety of greetings between wizards was one of the lessons that tripped him up.
"But how do I know if a wizard is my better or not?" Harry didn't think anyone was better than anyone else.
Remus smiled "Harry, you are the head of a powerful magical house. There are no families that can claim higher status than the Potters with the possible exception of the Blacks and even then your paternal grandmother was a Black. You have no betters Harry except perhaps the Queen." Remus shrugged. "Mostly just treat everyone like they are deserving of respect and you'll be just fine. Also blood status doesn't matter at Hogwarts. Well, it does, but teachers are supposed to condemn it, and Hogwarts doesn't discriminate. It's a bit harder to get the students to believe that though. Anyone who doesn't believe that way is called a blood traitor. They consider Professor Dumbledore a blood traitor." Remus talked a lot about blood status to Harry, expecting it would be a bone of contention among his peers and he wanted him to understand the issues before being confronted firsthand with bigotry.
It came as a shock to Harry to learn that he was a Lord. The title would never be used in Hogwarts. But in all places where business was being transacted in his name, in contract negotiations with the goblins, in the Wizengamot, in the House of Commons, or called before the Queen of England herself, he would be called Lord Potter, Head of the Ancient and Noble House of Potter.
He went into full blown denial when Remus told him that he held a seat on the Wizengamot. "That's the wizarding governing body here in the UK." Remus told him he wouldn't have to take his seat until he had reached maturity, and that there was someone, he didn't know who, sitting on his seat in proxy. That meant that someone appointed a person to sit in his seat until he was 17. Harry wondered who his proxy was, and who appointed him.
"Can I change who my Proxy is?" Harry wondered, thinking Remus would make a great Proxy!
Remus wasn't sure, "I don't know cub. Maybe. If you have a cause."
Remus also gave Harry a preview of what to expect in each class. They read through the highlights of each chapter in each book working through the subjects one a day. "He pointed out the most salient things he would learn in each chapter. Harry didn't have to read the chapters just to be familiar with them. Remus said that he would save himself a lot of headaches if he developed good study habits. "Read ahead Harry. Especially just before class. If you are studying in chapter 5 read chapter 5 before you go to class. Write down your questions on the chapter. Make good notes. After class, read your notes and do your homework right away while it's still fresh. Once you start procrastinating it will never end." Remus warned and Harry had to admit that all his suggestions had merit.
After an hour or two of bookwork and instruction, Harry was released to do whatever he wanted within reason. He could fly, as long as he stayed within eyesight of the cabin. He could go down to visit the Marauders. He could read or study. The freedom was almost more than Harry could stand. He kept asking Remus if there were any chores that needed doing. He offered to weed the flower garden but Remus just held up his wand. "Weeds are no match to magic."
Remus was aware that Harry had never had a friend his own age before. His cousin was a bully from what he understood listening to tales of Harry Hunting and accidental escapes. Harry had been with him a week and was staring morosely out the window. "Why don't you go flying Harry?" Remus asked the boy.
Harry shrugged.
"What's wrong cub?" Remus asked, using his pet name for Harry. Harry always seemed to brighten when he used it.
Harry sighed. "I'm worried about Hedwig. She only took a day to find you. And she was back right away." He shook his head, "Maybe she can't find me because I left."
It was clear to Remus that Harry really was concerned for his pet. Remus smiled, "Don't worry Harry. Owls are very resilient. And I'm sure that she's having more trouble delivering the letter than finding you. Owls know where their owners are unless they are behind powerful wards. I don't have an owl ward here, so Hedwig can find you."
Harry nodded but frowned at something Remus said, "What do you mean she might have trouble finding Padfoot?"
Remus sighed, "Padfoot is in wizarding jail Harry. There's likely an owl ward on the prison. She'll have a hard time locating him where he is." He didn't want to lie to Harry and risk his trust. He hated telling Harry even this much about the matter.
Harry looked upset. "He's in jail? What did he do?"
Remus shook his head, "I'm not going to tell you that Harry. Maybe in the future. But not now."
Harry looked angry for a minute, perhaps angry for Padfoot. He watched the boy wrestle with his anger and feelings, his want to know more, his desire to rush to his godfather's rescue, all played out across Harry's face. Finally, he sighed and simply nodded respecting the boundary Remus had set. He'd promised to explain at some point. Harry tried to be content with it but would ask again.
Remus looked out the window now as well, and suddenly had an idea. He stood and went to the fireplace and gave Harry a mischievous grin. Upon the mantle was a box of floo powder. He reached into the box and tossed a handful of the powder into the floo calling out "Longbottom Manor." Harry watched mesmerized and a little worried when he saw Remus stick his head into the green flame.
He overheard a muffled conversation catching a glimpse of an elderly woman, and an impression of a spacious well-appointed room behind her. He heard the name Neville once or twice and then finally Remus pulled his head out of the fireplace and the green flame sputtered out.
Remus gave Harry a critical look over and smiled, "We are going to go visit a neighbor. Lady Longbottom is an elderly woman and quite a traditionalist. She is raising her grandson Neville who is your age and starting Hogwarts this year as well. Your mum and Neville's mum Alice were very close. Alice was named your godmother and your mum was Neville's godmother." Remus explained.
Harry's eyes widened as the story unfolded. "I have a godbrother?" A thrill of excitement and fear blossomed inside him. Fear that Neville might be another Dudley and a bully. He could do without that kind of disappointment. But there was hope too. Maybe Neville would be to him what the marauders were to each other.
Remus watched the play of emotions across Harry's face and he smiled, "Yes. Now I must warn you, Harry. Neville's parents were badly injured during the war. They can't take care of Neville and that is why his grandmother is raising him. He's a shy kid from what I hear." Soothing the fears that he knew Harry was having about Neville being a nice bloke. "So you shouldn't mention his parents unless he brings it up first." Harry nodded, though he didn't think he would have brought it up even without Remus's warnings.
He sighed at the state of Harry's hair and inspected what he was wearing. Knowing what he did of Augusta, he figured that Harry should dress in wizarding robes and directed Harry to put on the green day robes that they had purchased for him. Augusta was the kind of witch who would criticize no matter what they were wearing. She could be quite the shrew. But he also knew she had changed. He remembered her as a proud but kind witch once upon a time. What happened to Frank and Alice truly broke more than the couple's minds.
Remus cast a hair-cutting charm on Harry before he changed into the robes and though his hair still stuck up a bit in the back it looked a thousand times more presentable. Something he knew that Lady Longbottom would have harped on. Remus wasn't under the illusion that he'd escape the witch's sharp tongue but hoped to remove most if not all the ammunition.
Harry looked quite smart in the dark green robes that seemed to compliment his eyes. He wore a casual button-down shirt and a pair of slacks. Remus himself wore newly purchased robes and made an effort to look presentable.
"Now Harry, Longbottom Manor isn't far from here. This land actually belongs to them, I simply lease it from the Longbottoms. We can easily fly there, but it's faster to floo and Lady Longbottom is waiting for us." Remus then explained the basics of floo travel, and assured Harry that the powder turned the flames harmless, and told him that using the floo was safer than apparition. Harry didn't know what apparition was, but traveling by flame sounded pretty dodgy.
"I'll go first Harry so you can see how it is done. Wait about 30 seconds and follow me." Harry swallowed nervously but nodded. He watched and listened carefully as Remus performed the various tasks slowly and pronounced Longbottom Manor clearly and concisely and then disappeared into a swirl of green flame.
Harry, trying to be brave, followed Remus's example and carefully dropped the fistful of powder and said loudly and clearly, "Longbottom Manor." The world turned green and began spinning, when it stopped it spit him out violently and he stumbled out of the floo. If it wasn't for Remus he would have ended up at Lady Longbottom's feet.
He took a look around and thought they must be in a castle. An elderly woman dressed quite nicely with gray hair piled in a pristine bun looked down her nose at him. He straightened and, remembering Remus's lessons, waited for Remus to introduce him. "Lady Longbottom, may I present Lord Harry Potter. Lord Potter, Lady Augusta Longbottom." Harry, conscious of his every move bowed to her as he had practiced, took her hand, and placed a quick kiss on the back of it.
"A pleasure to make your acquaintance Lady Longbottom." He quickly straightened and gave a look to Remus to see if he was cringing yet. He merely winked. Then turned his attention to a young boy who was standing a bit behind and to the side of the dowager.
"And this is Lord Neville Longbottom." Remus introduced the pair and they both bowed stiffly giving equal looks of embarrassment at the protocol they had to endure." Harry quickly begged the pair to call him Harry and they then gave permission for him to call them Neville and Lady Longbottom respectively.
"Neville, why not show Harry the gardens? I'm sure that you boys can find something to occupy yourselves with until lunchtime." Neville looked relieved and nodded to his grandmother and with a shy smile led Harry from the room.