Disclaimer: See Chapter 1

-oOo-

Chapter 10

10 Feb 24

-oOo-

This time on Duel of Fate: The hearing and Harry chooses his guardian.

-oOo-

April 28, 1995

London, England

Harry had been escorted to the Ministry by a WCS agent, Misses Diggory. He had no clue she was the Head of the Department or that it was going to be such an explosive meeting. He thought he was just going to have to go before a panel, tell them he wanted to live with Madam Bones, and then be done with it. Like most things in his life, it was never that simple.

His nerves shot through the roof to walk into a large circular room on level two. Another man in yellow robes like Mrs Diggory was sitting at a table before a raised podium in the centre of the seats. To his right was Mr Malfoy looking stuck up. His eyes angrily flashed at Harry when he saw him. Harry glared hatefully at the man and the greasy looking man next to him. Harry thought the man had been barred from taking his guardianship? Harry would run away before he went anywhere with the man again.

A few feet over he saw a woman in tweed robes and wearing a hat with an ugly vulture on it. He had only seen her twice before but knew who Madam Longbottom was. Next to her was a man who looked a few years younger with a head of hair as white as hers and a middle-aged man that screamed solicitor in the nice clothes and the briefcase on the bench next to him.

He had been told that the bint had put her hat in the ring, but he wasn't about to go anywhere near a Longbottom. He wasn't sure he wouldn't kill her first.

Madam Bones was sitting with a woman in her middle years and looking like a solicitor. He gave her a slight wave as he moved to the table with Mrs Diggory. Madam Bones waved back.

The surprise that he hadn't been expecting was another woman with long brown hair and an aristocratic flare to her features who was sitting with a shorter man whose head was starting to bald. They looked like kind people, but he didn't know who they were, and Mrs Diggory hadn't mentioned anyone else.

He was also surprised to see Headmaster Dumbledore sitting in the top row and looking over everything.

"Remember, when the board comes in, you need to stand. Don't say anything until you are asked to speak," Mrs Diggory reminded him.

"Yes, ma'am," Harry said, knowing today wasn't a day for him to be snarky. To be honest, he was nervous. More than nervous as his stomach gurgled in fear. He had the potential to be leaving the orphanage. He had the potential to be going to a home with his own room. He had the potential to be wanted. These were all foreign concepts to him. Not that the nuns hadn't been fine, but he had the potential to be someone's son? Nephew? He didn't care. He would have a parent.

A few moments later a door opened in the back wall and three people in plum-coloured robes came out, followed by a scribe and a clerk. The scribe and clerk took up seats before the podium while a blonde hair woman stood at the podium while the two men with her took up seats on either side.

"Good morning. I am Lady Racheal Turgeon and will be the lead judicator for this board. Lord Williams and Lord Brown will be the presiding judges. This is the custodianship case of Mister Harry James Potter. Is the boy present?" Lady Turgeon enquired.

Mrs Diggory stood up. "Heir Potter is present. I am Head Mallory Diggory of Wizard Child Services and will be lead representation for Heir Potter today. My associate, Agent Marcus Everwand, is here as an observer and secondary council."

Lady Turgeon nodded her head and opened a folder before her. "Scribe, please start the record. Note that a board of three Wizengamot members of the peerage are presiding over the case and that Harry James Potter is present and represented by the WCS. Clerk, please read out the agenda for today."

The clerk, a young man in black robes, rose and held a paper before him. "The Department of Wizarding Child Services, representing Harry James Potter, Heir of the Potters and Scion of the Blacks, is being presented before this review board to determine the legal status of said minor to be placed with a guardian and custodianship of said minor and to hold in trust an inheritance lain out for said minor."

"And what is the inheritance?" Lady Turgeon enquired.

"Head Turgeon, the WCS has asked that to be sealed and to only be disclose under oath to his assigned guardian," Mrs Diggory said as she stood up.

"There is a petition in the brief," the clerk said.

"Thank you, Head Diggory and Mister Roy. The request will be granted," Lady Turgeon said.

"We object, Head Turgeon," the greasy looking man next to Malfoy said. "It should be known what this boy is to inherit so that the proper people can look over his estate."

"I do not find that appropriate. Heir Potter has an inheritance that is not insignificant, and I would not like it published," Mrs Diggory countered.

"May I see the statements?" Lady Turgeon asked.

"I would only like to disclose this to the board under oath," Mrs Diggory said.

Harry was looking between them. He knew he had a sizeable inheritance but was starting to suspect it was much larger than Master Flitwick had indicated.

"Granted," Lady Turgeon agreed. The three board members took an oath and then Mrs Diggory walked over a folder with a Gringotts seal on it. By the way Lord Brown's brow rose up, Harry was really wondering how much he was worth. After a moment, Lady Turgeon looked up. "This board agrees with the WCS. All financial and inheritance records will remain sealed for the minor, Harry James Potter, and only released to the custodian of the estate. Now, we have four proposed guardians that have been presented. Has the minor been introduced to the prospectives?"

"The minor has only been presented to Madam Bones and Mister Malfoy. I was unaware until just yesterday a fourth party was available. The WCS has submitted a retraction for the Malfoy's after they improperly followed procedure and Heir Potter was seriously injured while in their care…"

"I object. There is no evidence that Mister Malfoy was in any way involved in what happened to Heir Potter. Any injuries obtained by the boy were no fault of the Malfoys," the greasy looking man yelled out.

"We have a Healers report of the injuries when Heir Potter suddenly appeared at Madame Bones after three days with the Malfoys," Mrs Diggory said.

"Those were not obtained while under my clients care," the man said.

Harry couldn't keep his temper in. "You used the Cruciatus on me!" Harry yelled out.

A gavel banged on the podium. Mrs Diggory put a hand on Harry shoulder. "Please sit and stay quiet," she whispered.

"I did no such thing," Malfoy said in a calm voice. "You fell down the stairs."

"Either way, the WCS does not view the Malfoys as fit guardians," Mrs Diggory said.

The three board members were looking at parchments before them. "This board agrees. Mr Malfoy, perhaps you could explain how Heir Potter obtained these injuries? The report from the DMLE said he was traced leaving your house straight for Madam Bones through the floo? It also said you were arrested under allegations? I also find it interesting that none of the injuries were reported as blunt force trauma."

Malfoy's solicitor was whispering into Malfoy's ear. He was not looking pleased. After a moment, the man got up. "All charges were dropped and any confessions illegally obtained. I do not need to explain myself for anything else. My wife is the last recognized member of the Black family. This boy needs to be with family. If he is not, my solicitors will be in touch about the illegal usurpation of the Black heirship."

The man walked out. As he did, Lady Turgeon said, "Let it be marked that Mister Malfoy has withdrawn his request and will be stricken as a possible candidate."

Harry let out a sigh of relief.

"Next on the list is Dowager Augusta Longbottom. This board finds this petition rather peculiar given the well-known animosity between the Longbottoms and Potters in the last few years. May I enquire why this petition has been given to this board?" Lady Turgeon asked, looking towards Madam Longbottom. The nice-looking man stood up.

"Thank you for your attention, Head Turgeon. The Longbottoms and Potters have a long-standing alliance that should have seen Heir Potter in my clients' hands but was denied for years by the Muggle system. She is offering a loving home and offers to honour the alliance going forward," the man said.

Lady Turgeon rose an eyebrow. "Interesting. Were you aware of a brief filed detailing the lengths that your client has gone too to obtain Heir Potter's inheritance, even filing petitions to have his magic bound and expelled from our world? I find it hard to believe that there is a sudden change of heart to care for this child in the way he should be."

"What brief? You told me this was a sure thing!" Madam Longbottom pointed an accusing finger at her solicitor.

The man looked green around the gills. "Head Turgeon, what brief? The Longbottom-Potter alliance should overrule all other claims."

"That would be true if it was not for the bad faith shown by Madam Longbottom over the years. I would say this brief would have enough evidence for Heir Potter's regent to declare bad faith on the Longbottoms," Head Turgeon stated.

"The little brat deserves to be drowned and reparations paid for my Frank," the woman said angrily.

The solicitor groaned. Harry couldn't help it but give the lady a two-finger salute. She looked livid and her wand was drawn. Mrs Diggory moved to block him. It took two Aurors to subdue her and drag her from the courtroom.

"This board finds Augusta Longbottom unfit to be a just guardian and will request the WCS to open an investigation into her guardianship of her grandson," Head Turgeon said.

"It will be done," Mrs Diggory said.

Harry slouched in his chair trying to hide his smile.

"Now, to go to the next person of claim. It has been brought to the WCS that the first choice of guardian per the minor parent's will is putting in a claim. Is Lord Sirius Black in the room?" Lady Turgeon questioned.

There was a gasp and murmuring as the regal looking lady and the man next to her stood up. "I am Andromeda Tonks, and this is my husband, Solicitor Theodore Tonks. We have been asked to represent Lord Black today as he is unable to be present."

Harry blinked. He knew of Sirius Black.

Head Turgeon's eyebrow rose. "I was under the impression that Lord Black was in a coma in St Mungo's?"

"As of five days ago, that would have been true. My cousin woke this week and has been asking about his godson. We are here to represent his interests until such time he is well enough to represent himself," the woman said.

Harry was looking at her with huge eyes. His godfather, the man that supposedly was sent to St Mungo's while protecting him, was awake?

"What is Lord Black's condition," Lord Williams questioned.

"My cousin is still very weak and will take some months to recover being bed ridden for the better part of the last thirteen years. As his lead Healer, I can attest he is strong for his condition, mentally sound and will recover," Mrs Tonks said.

"Can I see him?" Harry asked, never having been able to meet anyone that really knew his parents.

Mrs Diggory leaned over. "Would you be willing to go to him if that was an option?"

Harry nodded.

Mrs Diggory stood up. "The WCS would like to know what the Tonks are proposing if Lord Black is on the mend? He obviously is in no shape to take custodianship at this time and Madam Bones is prepared to do so right now."

This time Mr Tonks spoke up. "My wife and I are willing to offer house and board until such time as Lord Black is on his feet, has a stable housing environment and is in the proper health to take over custodianship and regency of Heir Potter. Being the named Black heir, Heir Potter should be handed over to the Lord Black."

Head Turgeon looked to the Tonks, then down to Harry. "Heir Potter, part of this board is to determine where you would like to go and approve that the appropriate people will be your guardians. I know that you have expressed your wishes to go to Madam Bones, but I am unsure if you knew this option was available until now. What would your wishes be, knowing this board still must approve?"

Harry looked at the Tonks. Mrs Tonks had a nice smile and Mr Tonks had caring eyes. Madam Bones caught his eye next. She smiled and nodded as though to say, 'I'll back any decision you make.' It was not what he expected.

"Is my godfather a good man?" he asked towards Mrs Tonks.

"He is a very good man whose main concern has been you the last few days," Mrs Tonks said.

"Will I get to meet him?" he asked.

"If you want. I'm sure it would lift his spirits. We could go after lunch today," she offered.

He turned to Madam Bones. "Would you do the same?"

"He is your godfather, Harry. I would never keep you from him," Madam Bones responded.

Harry looked back to the Tonks. "Could I spend the weekend with the Tonks and decide on Monday?" Harry asked.

The board and Mrs Diggory shared a look. "The WCS has no objections if the board is willing to meet again next week?"

"Would you be willing to take Heir Potter for the weekend and return him to this court Monday morning, before he is returned to Hogwarts?" Head Turgeon asked.

"We would be willing to host Heir Potter for as long as he wants," Mr Tonks said.

"Madam Bones, do you have any objections to this?" Head Turgeon questioned.

"I have no objections. If this is what Heir Potter wants, I will support it," Madam Bones said.

"Very well. This board will reconvene at nine in the morning on Monday, May first," Head Turgeon said before closing the folder before her.

Harry got up as Mrs Diggory indicated. Once the board left the room, the Tonks and Madam Bones stepped down from the benches. Headmaster Dumbledore nodded to him before leaving the room. Harry still didn't like it, but after what he had done lately, he figured he had caught the man's attention.

"It is good to see you, Andromeda. I trust you, Ted and Nymphadora are doing well?" Mrs Diggory asked as she reached out to shake the woman's hand.

"Yes, we are all doing well. Even better now that my cousin is awake. Hello, Heir Potter, I am Andromeda Tonks, cousin to Sirius, and this is my husband, Theodore," the woman said.

Harry reached out a hand to shake hers. "Hello, Misses Tonks. You can call me Harry. Did you know my parents?" he asked unable to keep the hope out of his voice.

The woman gave him a kind smile. "I'm afraid not. I was out of Hogwarts when they were only entering their third year and I didn't really get time to spend with Sirius after that."

Madam Bones had joined them. "Hello, Madam Bones. I hope you don't mind?" Harry said afraid of offending one of the only adults to ever show him real care.

"Not at all, Harry. All I want is for you to be happy. Andi, Ted, how are you today?" she asked them.

"Very well, Amelia. I heard this one caused you some trouble last week?" Mrs Tonks asked.

"Harry is no trouble at all. He was a pleasure to have at Grace Hall and it was a treat to see him and his friend Sue at the tournament in Naples. He is welcome back anytime he wants. If you are good, Harry, I feel good to leave you in the Tonks' hands," Madam Bones said with a smile.

Harry felt a little guilty. "Are you sure?"

"Positive. If you ever need me, don't be afraid to get hold of me. My floo and office will always be open to you. Now, if you will excuse me, I do need to get back to my job," she said before leaving.

"Harry didn't bring anything for the weekend from Hogwarts and I know he has classes today," Mrs Diggory said.

"We can take him back to Hogwarts and pick him up close to dinner, if you want?" Mr Tonks offered.

Harry felt a slight pit in his stomach. "You don't want me to stay with you?" he asked. He knew he shouldn't have gotten his hopes up.

"We never said that, Harry. School is rather important, but if you would rather stay with us for the day, I can contact Professor McGonagall to get a weekend bag ready for you. Are you a Gryffindor?" Andromeda asked.

Harry stood tall. "Ravenclaw, ma'am."

"Ah, I see. I can contact Professor Flitwick then. Madam Bones mentioned and I noticed your name in the Prophet a few weeks ago for an under-aged duelling tournament," Mr Tonks replied.

Harry had a broad smile. "Yes, sir. I placed first in the U-14 division in Naples."

"Impressive. Do you have other tournaments scheduled?" the man asked.

"In June, and if I make the championships, another in July," he said.

"I hope you qualify. Do we need to look at a trainer?" Mr Tonks enquired.

"I already have a trainer, Mr Tonks. I am an apprentice to Master Flitwick," Harry replied.

The man smiled. "Ah, yes. I was able to see Master Flitwick duel twice when I was younger. I don't know if we could find better. Where is the next tournament?

"Madrid," Harry told him.

"I'm sure Ted can talk about this for hours if you want. He is a fan of the professional duelling circuit. I'm sure I won't have to convince him to go to any tournaments you have," Mrs Tonks said.

"I dear say not," Ted said, giving Harry a wink. "Perhaps we can sneak away for a professional match or three?"

Harry liked these people already.

"Now, it's about lunch time. We can go find a place to eat then see Sirius this afternoon," Mrs Tonks offered.

Harry's smile broadened. "I would like that very much. Can I use an owl to send a letter later? My girlfriend and a few others will worry about me."

"Of course. Aren't you a little young for a girlfriend?" Mrs Tonks asked with a smirk.

"I am fourteen," Harry said as though he was twenty.

The woman laughed. "Nymphadora was the same at your age. Who is your girlfriend?"

"Hannah Abbott," Harry replied.

"Daughter of Rose Abbott? A good woman," Mr Tonks said. "Mallory, do we need to sign anything before we take Harry with us?"

"If you would follow me to my office, you can be on your way shortly," Mrs Diggory said.

-oOo-

Later that Day…

London, England

Thirteen years.

It had been almost thirteen years he had been in this bed. Looking down at his thin arms and fingers, he felt disgusted. He had been a man just coming into his prime when last his eyes had been open. To find out that Lily, James and Remus were all dead had been devastating. It had taken Andi three days of him demanding to know where they were before she finally told him.

He remembered the attack from the Lestranges and the others. He had been doing everything he could to save Harry. He had seen James go down but didn't know if that had meant he was dead or not. It was the Cruciatus curse that had finally taken him down before Muggle bobbies had gotten involved. He remembered falling on Harry in a way that would protect the crying boy.

Now he wanted to know where his godson was. Andi had said he was still alive but not much else.

It was the fact that he had been told Harry might come by today that had him fighting to stay awake. He had slept enough in the last thirteen years. He could be awake today. He had to get better, but his body had been ravaged as the Healers had tried to keep him alive.

He looked a waif of the man he had been.

When a knock came at the door, Sirius croakily called out, "It's open." A familiar face poked in, bringing a smile to his face. "Is he here?"

"I wanted to see how you are doing first," Andi said stepping into the room. "No need to get you too excited yet."

Sirius growled at his cousin. "Fuck that, Andi. Is Harry here? Is he well? Did you and Ted get him? Please say you got him," Sirius asked with tears in his eyes. His emotions were still so raw.

She came over and took out her wand. "He's here, Sirius. He wants to meet you. He looks like James with Lily's eyes," she told him.

"Is he well, Andi?" he asked.

"He's well, Sirius, but don't count on him immediately taking to you. Harry's grown up in an orphanage and acts more mature than most his age," she warned him.

"An orphanage?" Sirius choked out.

"I'm sure he will tell you about it, but don't pester him. Ted and I took him out for lunch and he's a little guarded, but he asked a lot of questions about you. Just don't expect too much," she said.

"I just want to see him, Andi," Sirius told her. She nodded after her wand stopped scanning him.

"Give me a moment," she told him.

The wait was torturous. The young man that walked into the room a few minutes later was not what he expected. The last time he had seen Harry, the boy had been small and only sixteen months old. At closer to fifteen he looked like a young man.

The boy's black hair was as messy as James had been at the same age, though James always ran his hands through his hair to mess it up more. The facial features were mostly Potter, except for Lily's higher cheek bones and her brilliantly green eyes. He looked healthy. It was apparent he worked out with how trim his body was. Given a few more years Sirius figured he would bulk out a little more and catch any girl's eye.

Just the fact he was looking at Harry, the son of his brother and godson, had tears coming to his eyes. "Harry?" he asked, just to make sure.

"Mister Black? I'm glad to finally meet you," Harry said coming into the room.

"What the bloody hell is with this Mister Black shite? I look for my father when I hear that. It's Uncle Sirius or Pa'foo to you," he said with a small smile.

"Pa'foo?" Harry asked moving closer.

Sirius chuckled. "The last time I saw you, you weren't old enough to say Padfoot, so you called me Pa'foo."

Harry cocked his head. "Why would I do that?"

"It's my nickname that my friends used to call me," Sirius said.

"Why?" the boy asked curiously.

Sirius smirked, making his face look years younger. "Well, I'm an animagus, like your father. I turn into a large black dog, and they said I padded as quietly as a shadow."

"Huh. Thus Padfoot," Harry reasoned out. It was a gesture that reminded him so much of Lily it was uncanny.

"Right in one, pup," Sirius replied.

"I didn't know any of you were animagus. What was my father?"

"A giant stag we called Prongs," Sirius answered.

Harry nodded. "I have dreams sometimes of a giant stag and dog. I guess they weren't dreams," Harry said. He came closer and put his hand on his bed. Sirius wanted to reach out and grab it, but Harry was still too far away, and Sirius was still too weak. It sent a determination through him to get better.

"Lily used to yell at us when I would put you on your father's back and he would prance around the yard with you," Sirius remembered. "Of course, she didn't know I used a sticking charm. Bloody woman had a mean stinging hex."

Harry snorted in mirth. "Maybe he should have been called Prancer then."

Sirius let out a weak laugh. "Oh, he would have hated that."

Harry smiled at the man. "I'm known to have that effect on people."

Sirius laughed again. "You sound just like Prongs. He could infuriate people like no one else, especially your mum."

Harry smile broadened. "I'll have to take your word for it."

"I'll tell you everything I know," Sirius promised.

"Thank you."

Sirius looked to him, unsure what that was about. "About what, pup?"

"I've heard you shielded me that night. Thank you," Harry said.

Sirius gave a watery smile. "You are my godson. I would do anything for you. I would have done anything for James and Lily and Remus."

Harry got close enough for Sirius to finally take his hand. "Are you really getting better?"

"I'll be out of this bed before you know it," Sirius promised the teen. It was a promise he would do everything he could to keep.

"Then I can come live with you?"

"As soon as possible," Sirius vowed.

Harry seemed to struggle with something before whispering, "I've been all alone all these years." Sirius thought he saw the boy fighting off some tears.

"Come here, pup. You'll never be alone again," Sirius said. He meekly pulled Harry down. Harry leaned down on his own, allowing Sirius to wrap his arms around the boy. "I promise I will never leave you again."

"I don't want to go back to the orphanage. Please don't send me back," the boy pleaded. He sounded half broken.

"Never. Never again. You can stay with Andi and Ted until I'm well enough. You will never go back," Sirius promised the boy.

Andi walked in a few minutes later to see them still embracing.

-oOo-

April 29, 1995

Great Easton, England

Hannah had given her mother a huge hug when she had shown up at Hogwarts and saved her from the monotony of the library and writing another History of Magic paper that wouldn't mean anything except that she liked history.

The letter from Harry this morning had her feeling easier, but it didn't mean that she didn't miss him or worry about him. Thus, when her mum offered to take her away to go see him, she was just about jumping with joy.

"Hannah and Harry sitting in a tree," her brother Paul teased.

"And what would be wrong with that?" she shot back at her annoying ten-year-old brother.

"K-I-S-S-I-N-G," he said with a huge smile.

Hannah smirked. "Don't mind if I do."

"Ew! You wouldn't!" Paul exclaimed.

"When you are fifteen you won't find it as disgusting," their mother told her brother. "Now, behave. The Tonks are nice people and I want you on your best behaviour."

"Yes, mum," Paul said.

"Does that include kissing?" Hannah asked innocently.

"Keep it tame before everyone else," her mother told her. "Now, the address is Titmouse Field."

The Leaky Cauldron wasn't that busy before noon on a non-Hogsmeade weekend, so they were able to get to the fireplace without any wait. "Titmouse Field," Hannah said just after she threw the green powder into the fireplace. The fire flared green and she stepped into the maelstrom. A moment later she stepped out into a nice sitting room of a modest house. A man she had seen before met her. "Hello, Mister Tonks," she said to the smiling man.

"Good morning, Hannah. I trust you are having a good day?" he asked before the fire flared again.

"I am. Where is Harry?" she asked as her brother stepped out.

"He's out back in the fields exploring. He didn't know you were coming over, so he asked to take a walk. Hello, Paul. How are you today?" Mr Tonks asked.

Hannah was dying to go outside and find Harry but had to wait for her mother to come through, exchange some pleasantries and meet Mrs Tonks in their kitchen before she was let outside. Paul followed her to play on the swing on the tree. Hannah moved quickly over to a stone that allowed her to see over most of the fields.

Looking around, she caught sight of Harry down the small hill. He was sitting in the greening grass looking the opposite way. She smiled before scurrying down the rock, then running down the hill. "Harry!" she called out as she got closer.

His head spun around, and she could make out his smile when she was still a few hundred feet away. He scrambled to his feet and braced himself as she ran into his arms. Harry planted his hand on her hips, lifted her up, then spun her a few times before putting her down. Her lips sought his out before he could say anything. Harry met her lips, followed shortly by his tongue as she tried to tell him how worried she had been and how happy she was to see him. Her lips parted and her own tongue came out to dance with his. They kissed, their tongues tackling each other for dominance until he pulled back. He was trying to catch his breath as her chest heaved against his. They were holding each other as tightly as they could.

"I missed you," she said leaning her forehead onto his.

His forehead gently met hers. "It's only been a day," he said a little cheekily.

"To long if you ask me," she replied.

"Agreed," he said before pecking her lips. She pouted when he didn't deepen it. "What are you doing here?"

"Mum showed up at Hogwarts and asked if I wanted to see you," she said.

"And you jumped at the possibility?" he speculated.

"No. I told her she was mental," Hannah teased.

Harry chuckled and then pecked her again. "Good thing she is then."

"Hey! That's my mum!" Hannah said offended, then squealed when Harry suddenly tickled her side. "HARRY!"

He laughed. "I'm glad to see you."

"I am too," she said moving back in to lean her head back and claim his lips. They were breathless again, and she was feeling a little bothered as his left hand was going up and down her side and brushing the side of her tit. She pecked him. "Are you alright?"

Harry gave her a genuine smile. "I think I am. I got to see my godfather yesterday and the Tonks are nice people. They said I could live with them as long as I want and we will be going to the orphanage after the meeting Monday to finalize the adoption by Sirius, though I will have to live with the Tonks until he is better."

She launched herself at him, wrapping her arms around his neck and hugging him tight. "Oh, Harry, that's wonderful. I know how much you've wanted to leave that place."

Harry hugged her tightly back and buried his face into her golden hair. "I have a home," he said to her. She could hear the emotion in his voice. She hugged him harder. She knew he had wanted this for so long.

They sat in the grass after a few moments. She plopped between his legs with her back to him and leaned against him as he wrapped his arms around her midsection. "Why are you out here? I thought you would be revising for our exams already," she said to him.

His fingers tickled her stomach and she squirmed and giggled. "I'm not that bad," he told her.

"Bad enough," she teased knowing that he usually buckled down even more after Easter every year.

When he stopped, she leaned her head against his shoulder as his head rested on the side of hers. "I wanted to think for a bit. Things have just moved so fast in the last few weeks. Mister Malfoy showed up yesterday and wanted to take me."

She shivered in rage. "He did not! The man used the Cruciatus Curse on you! How could they even consider it!"

"The Board didn't. Lady Turgeon sent him running almost right away. Oh, I didn't tell you, Madam Longbottom was arrested for trying to assault me too," he told her. She could hear the smile on his voice.

"Neville is going to flip once he finds out. Can I watch?" she said hating the Boy-Who-Lived. He was an arrogant arse and had never done anything good for Harry. That alone would see her Hufflepuff loyalty sticking up for her boyfriend.

"I promised Master Flitwick I would try to walk away. If he goes after you or Susan, I'll make sure he doesn't leave the infirmary for a week," he growled.

She grabbed the hands that were wrapped around her and held him tight against her. "Don't get into trouble. I want to see you win in Spain."

Harry kissed her neck and she shivered at the delicious contact of his lips on her skin. She leaned her head to the side to expose more of her neck. He kissed her neck again. "I won't let him hurt you."

She sighed as his lips ghosted over her skin. "He won't. I heard that Hermione and him broke up."

Harry snorted. "About time. She's too good for him."

She moved his hands to be flat against her stomach. "Are you saying you like Granger?"

"As a friend. She is one of my top competitors," he told her.

"I thought you didn't care about that?" she asked as she encouraged his hands to move under her thick jumper. Even in the cool spring day his hands were hot and had her shiver to feel them on her goosepimpled flesh.

"I don't, but it's still nice to drive her crazy when I get a higher grade. Are you cold?" he asked. She rubbed his hands against her soft skin. She shivered again.

"Your hands are warm," she told him.

"And my lips?" he asked as he kissed her neck again.

She hummed in approval. Harry kissed her neck more and she let out a moan when he sucked on the base of her neck. Her hands pushed his further under her shirt. Harry got the idea, and his hands slowly made their way higher. She let out a long breath and groan.

He was starting to get bolder and rolled a nipple between his fingers through her bra before her stupid brother suddenly yelled out. "Hannah! Harry! Lunch!"

Harry quickly removed his hands and looked over his shoulder. Hannah growled. "I hate him."

Harry chuckled. "No, you don't. Come on. Let's go eat and then I can show you my room."

"Can we lock Paul out?" she asked, turning her head enough to give him a small kiss.

"Andi said the door has to stay open. I promise to take you on a date as soon as I can," he told her.

"Are there any rules about closed closet doors?" she asked wanting him to touch her more.

The smirk he gave her had the heat she was feeling come back. "I think we can find something."

-oOo-

That night…

Great Easton, England

"Harry! Dinner time," Ted called down the hall. "Wash up!"

Harry was laying down, taking the time to luxuriate in his own bed. The last twenty-four hours hadn't sunk in yet. It felt odd to say he had a home. He had a family. He had a godfather that would join them. Everything in the room was new. There were no dings, chipped or peeling paint or lacquer, or the signs that dozens of children had used the furniture before him. Even at Hogwarts, there were signs of all the students that had come before them every where.

The only signs that someone lived in this room where the ones he had added himself. Harry may not have much, but he hung up a poster from his last tournament with his metal next to it. It was a sign of how much he trusted he would not be thrown out to risk leaving those here instead of stuffed into his trunk.

Getting up, he walked out into the hallway. The old farmhouse was only one floor. Three bedrooms, a kitchen, a dining room, a sitting room, a study and an office made up the entire house. There was a small basement, but it was more of an old root cellar than anything else. The Tonks lived very frugally for what he knew Andi must have grown up in, but the place just felt homey, and he didn't want to leave. He was not looking forward to going back to Hogwarts tomorrow evening.

Harry had never had that feeling before.

He washed his hands, listening to the sounds of conversation and laughter coming from the kitchen. He was sure that there were three voices, which he was surprised to hear. Leaving the bathroom, he leaned against the wall at the edge of the hallway. Andi was giving a young woman with bright pink hair a hard time about the short skirt and Weird Sisters shirt she was wearing.

"You really should dress more your age. You are an Auror now," Andi was saying.

The young woman rolled her eyes. "Mum, it's fine. Scrimgeour and Moody really don't care how I dress when I'm off duty as long as I show up to work in the proper robes and dress nicely if I must go to the ministry."

"Still, you look like a loose woman," Andi said.

Ted shook his head. "She isn't dressed any differently than most of the woman I went to the concert with Dora last month."

"She is supposed to be more respectable," Andi shot back at Ted.

"Mum, it's fine! Dad, tell her," the woman, Dora, whinged.

"Andi, it's fine."

"Don't you tell me it's fine," Andi shot back.

Harry smiled to see them bickering. Even if they didn't agree, Harry could see they all cared for each other.

"What are you smiling at, squirt?" Dora asked, her eyes falling on him. They were a lavender colour he had never seen before.

"It's nice that you finally joined us," Ted said with a grin as he moved to drain out a pan of ravioli in the sink.

"Come in. Don't just stand in the doorway," Andi encouraged. "Nymphadora, this is Harry Potter."

Her pink hair turned red for a moment. "Don't call me Nymphadora, mum! It's Dora or Tonks."

"I am not calling you Tonks and only your father ever called you Dora in this house," Andi said with narrowed eyes.

"Wotcher, sprout. Mum, I mean it. I hate my name," Dora hotly replied. Harry had enough sense of propriety to not push the issue.

"If you want, you can take the plates out to the table. Dora, why don't you help Harry," Ted said, obviously trying to diffuse the brewing situation.

"Sure, dad," Dora said. "I need to get to know my new brother anyways."

"Cousins. You are third cousins once removed," Andi said as though she had already pointed this out numerous times.

Dora rolled her eyes and Harry grinned. Dora grabbed the glasses and silverware. "Through here," she said, nodding her head towards the door to the dining room.

"I think I've already figured where we eat," Harry replied.

"Oh, a cheeky one. You'll fit right in. Just make sure you drive mum up the wall," Dora said with a wink.

"I heard that!"

"Wasn't really trying to be quiet," Dora snarked back.

Ted chuckled while Andi threw her hands in the air.

Dora was still smirking as she put the stuff on the table. "There are reasons I moved out as soon as I could afford my own flat. I love dad, but mum and I would have killed each other if I stayed much longer."

"I like your parents so far," Harry said.

"I never said I didn't like them; it's just mum still holds onto her upbringing too much at times. I like dad's muggle side too much and hate the purebloods that threw mum out when she decided to marry dad," Dora said. She held out her hand. "Dora Tonks." Harry took her hand. "If you ever call me that other name, I'll make you regret it."

"What other name?" he asked innocently.

Her eyes narrowed. "I know you heard."

"Oh, Nymphado…" he started. Her wand came out. Harry was already moving, a plate coming up and intercepted the stinging hex that left her wand. It surprised her so much that Harry was able to slam the plate onto the table and grab her wand.

"What the bloody hell!" Dora exclaimed.

Andi came rushing in as the plate fell to the floor.

Harry was about to punch her when Andi grabbed his arm. "Harry, stop!"

Harry suddenly realized what he was doing and dropped the wand. "I… I didn't mean…" he said a little shocked.

"What the bloody hell was that?" Dora said, coming out of her shock and advancing on him.

"I told you he's had a rough couple of weeks!" Andi scolded her daughter.

Harry stepped back, afraid that he was just about to punch a woman that was a few years older than him. What had happened at the Malfoys was still too close for comfort and he wasn't going to have that happen again.

He turned and ran back to his room.

"You, sit! You draw your wand on that boy again, I swear you will spend a week under my administrations at Saint Mungo's," Andi said angrily.

Harry ran to his room. He grabbed his bag and started to shove the clothes he had put into his drawers into it. He had thought this place safe. When he turned, Andi was in the doorway. Harry pulled his wand from his holster. The tip came to point directly at her chest. Andi held her hands out, making sure he could see that she didn't have any wand ready to use.

"Where are you going?"

"I can't stay," Harry told her.

Andi nodded and slowly moved the chair at the desk to sit in it. "Alright, I get that. Where are you going then?"

"Back to Hogwarts," Harry told her, not taking his wand off her. He had thought he could trust them, but he didn't feel safe at the moment.

Andi nodded and took a seat. "Alright. I won't stop you, but where do you plan to go once school is over for the year."

Harry's heart was thudding. He didn't know. He couldn't go back to the orphanage. He was free of that place, but he didn't have anywhere else to go. Andi looked to the tournament poster on the wall. "I like what you've done. There is lots of space to add more. Ted and I can get you a case to put your awards and medals in."

Harry looked to the poster. He did like how it looked on the wall. He also liked he could display it in the open. He had to hide everything when he was at the orphanage.

"Mum, Harry?" Dora said, coming into his room.

Harry's wand spun around to her. Her wand shot out of her sleeve and came to him. Andi got up. "Nymphadora!"

Dora moved her hands to open one, palm open, and to only hold her wand with two fingers in the other. "I'm just going to put this down," she told him. He watched apprehensively as she crouched, gently put her wand on the floor and then stood back up. "Listen, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to hurt you or anything. It was just a simple stinging hex that would have worn off after a few moments."

"I don't care. I won't be hexed again," Harry told her.

Dora looked to her mother. It was obvious she had no clue what was going on.

Andi sighed. "Can I tell her?" she asked, looking directly at him. His wand didn't leave Dora. He was ready to defend himself. After a long moment, he nodded.

"Even though he got off, Lucius Malfoy cursed Harry with the Cruciatus curse. I told him he would be safe here and no one would ever cast a spell on him that he didn't approve. You and your stupid aversion to your name just broke that promise," Andi said with some anger towards her daughter.

Dora's eyes widened. "Merlin's massive balls! That was what all that was about last week?"

Harry's hand was shaking now. It had taken him days to stop shaking and now he felt unsafe. This time it was shaking from nerves, not because his nerves were damaged.

"Bloody hell, Harry. I didn't mean anything by it. My friends and I used to do that all the time when I was your age," Dora said.

"I don't like being hexed," Harry told her.

"No, I suppose you don't. Will you put that down and come join us for dinner? Dad makes a good cheese ravioli," she said. "I'll even leave my wand here the entire time I'm at the house tonight. I swear I won't ever do that again to you."

Harry was watching her like a hawk. After a few minutes, he lowered his wand. His stomach growled. "I'm a little hungry."

"Sounds like a hippogriff," Dora commented.

"Nymphadora, keep your cheek down for now," Andi scolded.

Harry let out a long breath. "Can I still leave if I want later?"

"Ted or I will bring you back to Hogwarts if you want," she offered.

Harry nodded, unsure what to do.

Dora looked to the wall. "Wicked, did you go to that tournament? I hear some of the underage tournaments are better to watch than the pros."

Harry gave a questioning look to Andi. "We haven't really told her much about you, figuring you could get to know each other tonight."

Dora looked between them. "What am I missing?"

"More than you will ever know," Andi said.

"Oi! I'm not that bad. What am I missing?"

"Harry won the U14 division, Nymphadora."

Dora flinched but didn't lash out this time. She looked at the medal on the wall and then back to him. A finger went between him and the wall. "Wait, that reaction in the dining room?"

"Was Harry's reaction as a duellist," Andi said.

"Bloody hell. I am one of the fastest recruits and aurors in the department. He could almost beat Moody with that speed," she said.

Harry slipped his wand up his sleeve. "I like to duel."

Dora snorted. "Like to duel? That was more than 'like to duel'. Merlin, dad's going to have kittens with you."

"We can talk about this over dinner," Andi said, getting up.

"Sure," Harry said. Dora eyed him as he walked past her. Harry stopped. "You ever threaten me again and I won't hold back."

"We are not threatening each other in this house," Andi lightly said, but there was a hint of a mother scolding her children.

"You won't get any argument from me again. You must come by the bullpen. I would love to see you duel with a few of the men that think they are all that. With reactions like that, you'll mop the floor with them, sprout,"

"Nymphadora, we are not encouraging Harry to get into fights with real Aurors," Andi said.

Dora snorted as they followed Andi. "Real Aurors my arse."

Harry smirked at her, and she winked at him.

Luckily by the end of the night he felt good enough to let Dora have her wand back and stay another night.

-oOo-

The next time on Duel of Fate: Wool's Orphanage. Sue and Harry prepare for the U14 Tournament in Madrid.