CHAPTER 17: A CONFRONTATION OF EMOTIONS
Leaving the birthday party was no easy task for them, far from it. The difficulty lay mainly in discretion, but it was hard for Harry and his mother to slip away quietly when they were the two main protagonists of the celebration and when the duet dances had just begun. Harry had just left Daphné on the dance floor, but several older girls offered to be his new dance partners when he passed by them, just as Marie-Louise was besieged by many suitors wanting to do the same with her.
Discreetly escaping proved to be impossible for them in the end, even when trying to avoid the numerous groups of people. Not a step without someone bothering them for trivial matters or to catch up, and it was very difficult for them to politely fend off the nuisances as their nerves were on edge.
But finally, they managed to reach the gate leading to the long gravel path that would take them near the castle, and luckily, it was perfectly deserted.
"Mother, perhaps we should take two horses," Harry suggested, considering the length of this immense road. It would take us well over half an hour to reach the end...
"Let's not worry about that, Gabriel," she replied, tightening her grip on her son's hand. We have a much faster way to reach our destination, and it will take us only a few seconds at most...
Harry shrugged, although internally, he questioned this rapid means of transportation. There were no animals or magical creatures nearby, no broomstick or even a flying carpet. As for apparition, the spells in place did not allow it, and it took a long time to remove them. Only a stretch of rock lay before them, and on closer inspection, none of the stones seemed different from the others. Yet his mother continued to examine them one by one with a quick glance, as if the answer to her son's unspoken question was right there, right under their noses.
"It's here," she said finally, leading him to the left side of the path.
Initially, Harry noticed absolutely nothing, except that the sun couldn't blind them thanks to the beech tree shadows along the edge of the road. But once Marie-Louise used her wand to remove several pebbles and specks of dust from a very precise spot, he noticed a strange marble slab on which two men were depicted, with one of them caught in a tornado-like whirlwind.
"A rune?" he wondered, carefully examining the stone. What is its purpose?
"Come on, Gabriel, don't you remember already? This symbol appears in many textbooks..."
Turning his attention back to this strange rune, Harry looked at it in great detail, and soon, other features caught his eye. The first sculpted man didn't seem frightened but rather appeared to be running straight into the tornado, while the second remained perfectly upright in the middle of the storm, as stiff as a corpse.
"Imich Adhar?" he ventured, looking up at her. Air travel?
"COMPLETED*," she simply said, nodding her head. It's usually used for urgent situations that require my presence as quickly as possible, but I will make an exception today to get to the castle quickly. Another rune is right in front of the dungeon entrance, allowing you to quickly move from one point to another without having to use much longer methods.
"Fascinating," said Harry, although he still felt a slight apprehension about this means of transportation. "Isn't it dangerous? I mean, our destination is quite far, and it's not easy to move this way."
"As long as you hold my hand, nothing can happen to you," she explained while placing one foot on the platform and gesturing for him to do the same. "You will have the strange sensation of being pulled from your navel during the brief moment we are transported, and everything around you will be a jumble of colors, but you can see for yourself."
Far from reassured by the prospect of being swept away in a whirlwind of wind, Harry nevertheless agreed to obey and did exactly as his mother asked, while making sure that his wand was still securely attached to his forearm to guard against any potential issues.
"Cur Thuige," Marie-Louise said as she took Harry's hand.
Harry didn't have time to wonder about the meaning of these Gaelic words because the platform beneath their feet suddenly began to glow, and a violent gust of wind surrounded him. In less than a second, he had the distinct feeling of leaving solid ground violently, being forcibly dragged by a hook that had caught him by the navel. Everything around him was so blurry that he couldn't even see his mother, who was, in fact, right beside him and whose hand he could feel on his own. He couldn't even differentiate the ground he had just left from the apparent sky. Everything was a swirl of colors that made him feel like he was in the middle of a canvas on which an artist had decided to mix and blend several shades of green and blue, except that this canvas was very much alive and spinning him through the air.
Just as quickly as he was carried away by this strange whirlwind, Harry found himself right in front of the castle's dungeon. He thought he was going to crash miserably to the ground, given the strength and speed of the wind, but he was rather surprised to realize that he had landed gently and without suffering any injury. His surroundings had returned to their usual appearance, and aside from a slight dizziness and the odd sensation of having his organs crammed into the lower part of his abdomen, he had no reason to complain about this method of transportation.
"By Merlin, that's a very strange way to travel. I can't say whether I prefer Apparition or traveling with the runes..."
His pondering occupied him long enough that he didn't even realize he had arrived in the dining room in no time. As with the rest of the castle, no one was there to greet them; almost everyone was still in the clearing, enjoying the festive birthday celebration. Only a few servants remained in the kitchen, preparing some dishes or cleaning dirty ones. His mother immediately sat him down on one of the chairs around the table where they usually had dinner, without caring about the curious look Harry gave her as she did so. She then proceeded to check his appearance and remove any visible traces on his clothes.
"Wait for me here, Gabriel," she invited him while quickly running her hand through his hair to restyle it. "This matter doesn't require your presence for now, and I'll only bring you to me when I'm certain you're not at risk."
"You worry me, mother," he admitted, looking at her strangely. "The way you talk, it seems like we could be attacked as soon as you step through that door. Your visitors mean no harm, do they?"
"Oh, dear God, rest assured: I'm certain you have nothing to fear," she reassured him while kissing his forehead.
Harry noticed that she didn't bother to assure him that she was also not in danger but chose not to comment on it.
"I don't know how long this will take, but rest assured that you will have to join me sooner or later. I'll come and get you when the opportunity presents itself. In the meantime, stay here. You can ask Giuseppe if he has any pastries left to satisfy your appetite or practice with your wand."
"Very well, mother," he acquiesced, picking up his wand with a simple flick of his finger. "If I may ask, is this meeting important for me personally, or is it just a matter you need to deal with quickly and requires my presence?"
"Both, actually," she affirmed as she walked away. "But you'll see for yourself when the time comes."
Faced with so much mystery, Harry admitted defeat and quickly got carried away by the frenzy of spells he cast absentmindedly on various objects in the room.
However, what he did not suspect was that several people had just appeared within the castle, and one of them, in particular, had already managed to trouble Marie-Louise without even meeting her yet. An unexpected visit that both of them no longer expected, and especially one that he had not even thought about all day, had finally taken place, and there was no turning back for them.
At least that's what Marie-Louise thought as she now advanced towards the stairs leading to the upper floor with heavy steps. She had never felt the weight of her fifty years as much as in this moment, and, just like many of her friends had done a few years earlier, she had the strange feeling of walking towards a scaffold with a guillotine poised to sever her little neck. The click of her shoe heels was the only audible sound on her way, except perhaps for the beating of her heart, which kept increasing as she approached her unexpected guests.
Her approach was slow and laborious, as she was trying to buy some time before facing the person to whom she now owed a lot of explanations and answers: Lily Potter.
Who would have thought that a meeting between mothers could cause her so much trouble? She had never thought about it until now, or at least, she had thought about it many times before, embellishing the idea that the meeting would go wonderfully well, and she would easily get along with Harry's other mother.
But now, even though she would never admit it in public, a different feeling had taken root in her heart: fear. The fear of meeting this woman and being faced with a wall that would throw back in her face the decision she had made almost three years ago. The fear of being accused of being a thief for taking a little boy who already had a loving mother. The fear of seeing Lily gradually regain her place in her son's heart and her own presence slowly diminish and eventually disappear. And most importantly, the fear of Lily leaving the castle with Harry, something she dreaded more than anything but was determined not to let happen.
Lily was indeed Harry's biological mother, the one who gave birth to him and raised him for over eight years, but for the past three years, that role had been entrusted to her, and now her blood also flowed in Harry's veins. Regardless of what Lily might think, Harry was now her son as well, and she also had a say in the course of their child's life. Waiting so long for an heir and then seeing him disappear from her life without a fight was not in her plans. If she had to use force to make Lily understand, Marie-Louise was determined to do so, even though she hoped not to have to go that far. There was nothing worse for her son than to see his two mothers tearing each other apart.
She finally reached the first-floor landing, and with slightly more confidence, she walked towards the fateful door, the door to Junon's salon, which she had mentioned in the letter she left for Lily on the night of her departure from the orphanage. There was no other way to get here quickly, and the risk of Lily being somewhere else was nil.
As she approached, she noticed the astonishing almost religious silence in the other room. Not a single sound that could hint at the behavior or mood of her guests, and she almost regretted not hearing the sound of someone pacing on the other side of the door. Lily and her two companions appeared to be as calm as can be and were making as little noise as possible.
"I hope their anger doesn't burst forth when they see me," she murmured with a tense voice.
Upon opening the door, Marie-Louise confirmed that the mysterious red-haired woman who had startled her servant was indeed Lily. Thanks to the description her son had provided, she had no trouble recognizing her at a glance. However, she also noticed that her guest appeared to have aged ten years beyond her actual age, with dark circles under her eyes. Her complexion was pale as if she hadn't seen daylight for a long time, and her figure seemed thinner than it should be, so thin that she almost seemed to be floating in the dress she was wearing. Marie-Louise quickly deduced that Lily must not have taken the news of Harry's disappearance and adoption well, and she inwardly blamed herself for putting this poor woman in such a state.
For now, Lily had not yet noticed her presence, as she was busy reading the latest issue of "Potins de Paris," a newspaper of the same kind as the Daily Prophet, which currently featured an article about an international festival of Europe's best potion-makers, apparently won by a certain Severus Snape. The caricature of the winner on the front page did him no favors, but Lily was looking at that page in a curious and somewhat melancholic manner. The other two people mentioned by her servant were also there, both with their backs turned as they admired one of the paintings in the room. Just as she had no trouble recognizing Lily, Marie-Louise quickly identified the auburn-haired little girl, who was undoubtedly Rosalyn Potter. As for the man, it took her a little more time to see in him the godfather of her son, or at least the godfather chosen by the Potters when Harry still lived with them. All of Harry's loved ones had apparently decided to make the trip, and she couldn't blame them for it. If she had to wait for three long years to find a missing loved one, she would have certainly brought with her all the people who cared about him.
However, she was briefly surprised not to see James Potter or Harry's brother among them, but then she remembered that those two bore a strong grudge against Harry and certainly had no intention of celebrating the reunion of someone they both considered an undesirable. Three years had apparently not been enough to ease the tensions in that family, nor had it allowed them to put aside their differences and work together to truly become the warm and welcoming home that every family should be. No, everyone had remained firmly entrenched in their positions, and from that perspective, Marie-Louise found James's choice quite judicious. If that man had had the audacity to show his face here, she wouldn't have taken long before expressing her thoughts about the way he had mistreated Harry and making him pay for his ill treatment. He would have undoubtedly left with several bumps and a severe headache after that.
Finally, she decided to inform them of her presence by clearing her throat. Three heads immediately turned toward her, and each of them looked quite surprised to see her. Her clothes might have played a part in that, or it could have been her thick, voluminous hair that she stubbornly kept, but Marie-Louise chose to ignore it.
"I apologize for the long wait," she quickly said as she walked toward them. "I was unfortunately not at the castle when you arrived, but deep in the forest, and I never once thought that I might have visitors on this day."
"It's not a problem," Remus stammered, returning to Lily with Rosie in tow. "We've had the opportunity to keep ourselves occupied by admiring this magnificent room..."
I am delighted to meet you," she said as she extended her hand, which he awkwardly kissed. "I am Marie-Louise de Savoie, by the way, and if I'm not mistaken, you must be Mr. Lupin, correct?" she continued.
"Yes, madam," Remus replied, "and you must be the little Rosalyn, am I right?" He lowered his gaze to Harry's sister, who was observing him timidly.
"Yes, ma'am, but my friends call me Rosie," she responded, trying to curtsy.
"Does that mean you already consider me a friend?" Marie-Louise asked with a smile.
Rosie just blushed deeply, preferring to look at the floor of the room. Lily, on the other hand, had her attention fixed on the last visitor, the only one who hadn't said a word so far. She stood next to her daughter, her figure slightly unsteady, as if standing up was difficult for her. Her complexion looked even paler up close, and if Marie-Louise didn't know her age, she might have believed that Lily was at least in her forties. She looked pitiable, but the true reason for her condition remained somewhat unclear to Marie-Louise.
Of course, Marie-Louise was not aware of Lily's sudden rebellion against her husband and her flight from the manor, nor did she know that since then, James had repeatedly tried to find her, employing rather dubious methods at times. But until now, Lily, like Rosie, had managed to elude him. However, the long sleepless nights she had spent since then had begun to take a toll on her physical and mental health. She couldn't even remember the last time she had been able to sleep for more than five hours, and even the dreamless sleep potions could only make her doze off for a few hours, far too little to Remus's taste, who had been kind enough to take her in.
The stress of being found and taken back to the manor, the anxiety about her husband's schemes to reclaim her, and the threats she had heard about regarding her daughter had also taken their toll, and paranoia was slowly but surely taking hold of her. The slightest suspicious noise, the smallest gaze she crossed, or the faintest whisper she could hear would send her into a frenzy, and most of the time, she remained holed up at Remus's, lying on the bed, pondering what the future held in store for her. Rosie had adapted much better to her new environment, far from a father who had frequently beaten her. The little girl was starting to come alive to the world again and was constantly smiling. Remus, who worked as a dockworker on the banks of the Thames due to his inability to find work in the magical world because of his lycanthropy, couldn't help but be uplifted by Harry's sister's joyful spirit, as she accompanied him to work and took the opportunity to explore the city of London and the fascinating Muggles who intrigued her.
Her good mood was thus contagious, and Remus found himself appreciating her constant presence, sometimes feeling like he was spending a day with a daughter. In any case, he already considered Rosie as his own daughter, just as he considered Harry as his son, having more or less raised them in support of Lily, unlike James. He had always been there to help them when things got tough.
The presence of Rosie was like a ray of sunshine in his dull and sad life, a balm for his bruised heart, battered by discrimination and rejection due to his difference.
However, the situation they experienced just a few days after Lily and Rosie's arrival with the werewolf almost destroyed the facade of happiness that had quickly appeared.
As a precaution, and especially to avoid having to encounter James or any of Dumbledore's spies, Harry's recovery from the orphanage took place some time later, when they were certain that there was no risk to hinder their journey. Concealed under multiple layers of Metamorphosis and shabby clothing spells, all three of them undertook the journey to Wool's Orphanage with palpable tension. Luckily, nothing happened to them until they reached the iron gates of the imposing building, except for a poor drunkard repeatedly begging them for a small coin to buy food.
However, their anticipation of the reunion was abruptly interrupted by the astonishing sight they had of the orphanage. Once in ruins and dingy, the façade had undergone a complete transformation, and the multiple coats of plaster and paint had made it look very pleasant and much more welcoming than before.
The interior was no different, and, as they learned later, most of the furniture stored there came straight from Ms. Cole's old apartments. She had considerably enriched herself through the donations given to the orphanage. From floor to ceiling, from the basement to the attic, everything had been refurbished, and even the clothes of the young orphans had been replaced with a uniform common to all, radically different from the drab rags they used to wear. Even the employees had been overhauled, and all those who had, in one way or another, turned a blind eye to their former employer's schemes had been replaced by new, motivated workers who cared about the well-being of their young charges.
In short, the orphanage had gone from a gloomy and unwelcoming place to a near-perfect establishment. The new owner, a certain John Bradshaw, was quite the opposite of Ms. Cole: a broad smile from ear to ear, never stingy with compliments, and equipped with a sense of humor as sharp as his charm. He immediately endeared himself to them and especially to Rosie, who had her first childhood crush, even though her Prince Charming was almost twenty years older than her.
However, their mood changed drastically when he talked about Harry, and his response left them flabbergasted: "Harry? But... we don't have a boy named Harry here..."
At that moment, Lily was on the verge of a heart attack, and with the support of Remus and John, she was guided to a chair to prevent her from collapsing. Her legs could no longer support her, and her hands trembled so much that she was unable to hold her daughter's hand any longer. It took her nearly ten minutes to regain some semblance of composure and ten more minutes to berate and scream at poor John about her son's disappearance. The orphanage director tried to explain that he had taken over the management of the orphanage a year after Harry was dropped off there, but nothing worked. Lily was insistent on finding him guilty. Remus couldn't calm her down either, even though he was also furious and worried about his nephew's fate. As for Rosie, her views on the matter were summed up in her silence and the tears streaming down her cheeks. The brother she was eager to see had disappeared, and it took the unexpected help of John and the adoption records he maintained to finally solve this mystery.
Hearing from his own mouth that Harry had been adopted was a relief for everyone, better than learning that he had ventured outside the orphanage and never returned to London's seedy neighborhoods. However, discovering that he had been adopted by a princess quickly turned their astonishment into celebration. Rosie was the only one to rejoice at that moment, already imagining Harry living in a magnificent castle with a drawbridge, moat, battlements, and a multitude of servants catering to his every desire. Her imagination even went so far as to imagine him having several unicorns that he kept in his stables and which she would have the opportunity to ride when she saw him again.
The other two were far less pleased with this announcement. Remus couldn't say a word, stunned by the turn of events and wondering how on earth a princess whose existence he didn't even know had managed to adopt a child who was not supposed to be adopted. As for Lily, images of Harry living in luxury and wealth crossed her mind, and just like Rosie, she could easily imagine her son residing in a splendid castle with this lady, happy, and especially happy without her. She thought she would see her son again the same day, and now he was out there somewhere, undoubtedly far from her, further than he had ever been.
Her sadness at the thought intensified when she found out that her little boy had been bought like a mere object, and this princess had put a price on his adoption: £9,000. To make matters worse, this woman had the audacity to leave her a letter explaining how she had met Harry and the reasons for his adoption, and even adding that she could visit him whenever she wanted, and that her presence was not only desired but also required. Yet this seemingly harmless letter, full of sentiments, had the power to send her into a rage, and she used every expletive against this "thief." Her anger only subsided a few days later, once the tension had dissipated, and she felt ready to visit Harry. Although the resentment toward Marie-Louise persisted, the desire to reunite with her son and hold him in her arms was stronger than anything else. This was the reason she found herself in this room today, waiting for the moment she would see Harry again after three years. Seeing the person responsible for his disappearance, and especially without being accompanied by him, greatly unsettled her, and new scenarios that could explain his absence began to intrude on her thoughts—scenarios where Harry usually ended up between life and death. Her paranoia knew no bounds now.
"Mrs. Potter, let me welcome you to Lamballe Castle," Marie-Louise greeted her as she took her hand. "I must admit I wasn't expecting your visit, and seeing you within these walls is the most astonishing thing I've seen in a while. I hope your journey here went smoothly."
But Lily remained standing there without uttering a word, seemingly unable to even open her mouth. Her eyes were the only place on her face where any trace of life could be discerned, and the emerald green of her irises shone brightly in the daylight—eyes that were strangely familiar to the Princess of Lamballe.
"I can easily see the similarity between your beautiful green eyes and his," she said to lighten the atmosphere. "My husband had eyes that were more or less the same, except they weren't as vibrant and didn't radiate as much warmth as yours."
If Marie-Louise hoped to please Lily by talking about her son, she quickly learned otherwise. By mentioning Harry, she did manage to wake Lily from her stupor, but she also suddenly exploded in anger for no apparent reason.
"Where is he?" she demanded, grabbing the collar of her dress. "Where is my son? Tell me where I can find him!"
"Now, now, madam, calm down!" Marie-Louise advised as she tried to free herself from Lily's grip. "Your son is safe right here. But before you see him, I'd like to go over a few things with you, if you don't mind!"
"I don't have time for that!" she retorted harshly, starting to shake her like a ragdoll, her brows furrowed. "It's been three years since I last saw him, three years of suffering at the thought that something might happen to him without my being able to act to help and protect him, and three years where I haven't even had the opportunity to hold him in my arms! How can you think you can impose a discussion on me while Harry is inside these walls?!"
Lily didn't have time to unleash more of her anger on Marie-Louise because a sudden shock, like an electric shock, on her hand made her abruptly let go and pushed her into the chair behind her, knocking her out long enough to prevent her from repeating her assault. Remus and Rosie didn't understand what had happened, although Remus still had some doubts about the possibility that she might have used some magic without a wand to free herself from Lily's grip.
"You waited three years, as you say, so you can wait a few more minutes before seeing him," Marie-Louise asserted firmly with an equally stern voice. "Believe me, I'm not doing this to punish or hurt you, but it seems important to inform you about certain matters before we allow for the reunion. Now, if you don't mind, I'd like to discuss this while sitting on these armchairs."
Lily, unable to respond, simply nodded briefly and settled more comfortably in her seat. However, her face remained smoldering, and anger was still visible in her eyes. They each took their seats around the small coffee table in a heavy silence, interrupted only by the rustling of dresses and high heels. A small plate of cake and a few coffee cups appeared in front of them a few seconds later, thanks to the hostess who wasted no time in serving and pouring a generous amount of the delicious brew into each cup. She was the first to take a sip, while the two other adults were cautious about the dark liquid poured into the cups. Rosie, who had been given a glass of orange juice, didn't take long to enjoy the pastries, savoring them with appreciative grunts.
"I haven't poisoned your cups, in case that's bothering you," Marie-Louise assured them as she put down her cup.
"You mentioned wanting to talk to us about certain things before we could see Harry," Remus finally said, accepting a sip from his cup. "I suppose these are matters related to him, which is why he isn't with you right now. Nothing bad has happened to him, has it?"
"No, rest assured, or I would have informed you at the beginning of this conversation. In truth, it concerns the past few years he has spent here and the decisions I have made regarding him. It is imperative that you know all of this before we discuss what will happen to him in the future."
"There's nothing to discuss," Lily asserted categorically. "I will take back my son, and we will return to Britain, compensating you for the inconvenience of having Harry with you. I saw that you purchased my son for the modest sum of £9,000, and I will do my best to repay you that amount."
However, Lily was interrupted by a burst of laughter, Marie-Louise's laughter. She was even holding her stomach and struggling to cover half her face with her hands.
"Excuse me," she said after a while. "Money is not an issue for me, far from it. I inherited a very tidy sum from my late husband and his family, and added to that, my parents' family fortune, which makes me one of the richest women in Europe. £9,000 is just a drop in the bucket of my fortune... However, I want to clear up a misunderstanding: I did not buy your son, as you say. I only bought his freedom and liberated him from the hell that was that orphanage."
"Hell?" repeated Remus, not understanding. "What do you mean by that?"
"Were you not informed of the director's actions towards him?" she asked, turning to him. "By the way, is she still in charge of that institution?"
"No, she was arrested for various frauds and scams, largely involving the money that the British royalty provided her. It seems that a large part of these donations were used for her personal comfort, while the condition of the orphanage continued to deteriorate over time."
"I'm delighted to hear that," she said with a smile. "I knew from the very first time I saw that woman that she was not a reliable person, and your words tend to confirm my suspicions. It seems that she operated solely for the money, and I found no other way to take Harry away from her, even if it meant paying a more than substantial sum to do so."
"But why him?" Lily interrupted. "Why did you choose to adopt my son when you didn't even know him!?"
If Marie-Louise had hoped to prolong the conversation up to this specific point, she failed. Lily had just asked her the question she dreaded the most, mainly because it would put Harry's biological mother in a pitiable state. It's difficult, after all, to hear that the choice one made to protect her child turned out to be a very poor choice, and to hear from a stranger that the multiple bullying and deprivations that Harry suffered during his time at the orphanage were partly due to her decision and to crush Lily with remorse was the last thing she wanted for herself. Unfortunately, there was no escape, and the persistent gaze of the other three made her waver. So, after taking a deep breath, she gathered her courage and confessed everything to Lily.
The conversation, and especially her monologue, was long and painful for everyone, especially as she had imagined it for Lily. As time passed, guilt and distress became more visible on her face, and a continuous stream of tears flowed down her cheeks, ending up on the handkerchief she kept rubbing against her skin. Learning that Harry had become the scapegoat for an entire institution was a shock to her, especially knowing that it was precisely for this reason that she had chosen to remove Harry from his father. But fate had apparently played a trick on her, and wherever Harry went, a malevolent fate seemed determined to make his life a living hell, and although unintentionally, she was still the cause of his misery.
Many times, Lily broke down in tears and was unable to continue listening to the story of her son's adventures, even when it dealt with much less sad subjects than the orphanage from which he had been rescued. Even when she was told that she wasn't to blame for what had happened to him, the guilt, as well as the remorse and a hint of jealousy, still lingered, knowing that this lady had not only taken care of her son but also in a way usurped her role as a mother and teacher. Hearing from a stranger that Harry was a very curious, intelligent boy, and very advanced in magic for his age hurt. It was she who should have taught him all of this, who should have taught him his first spells, and who should have instilled all the values on which his morals and reflection were based.
She had certainly begun to teach him all of this, but hadn't had the time to really delve into the lessons she had given him, and Marie-Louise had taken over her role. Somewhere deep down, the feeling that Harry's education had been a duty from which she had been deprived stirred up emotions in her that she never thought she would feel towards anyone other than James: resentment, anger, even hatred.
"And from that day on, Harry has been considered my son by the authorities of this country," Marie-Louise concluded, ignoring the hostile feelings she could sense in Lily. "In fact, his name has been changed to appear much more French: Gabriel Louis-Victor Alexandre de Bourbon."
"It's... quite astonishing," Remus stammered, while Rosie kept her eyes wide open on her. "I must admit I never thought Harry... I mean, Gabriel, could experience so much in such a short time. I was worried about how he lived these three years away from his family, but I tend to believe now that he couldn't have hoped for better. I can't wait to see his progress in magic!"
"Oh, I'm sure you won't be disappointed," she affirmed with a mischievous smile. "I trained this child in the same way I was, and a few years ago it allowed me to beat dear Albus Dumbledore. I have no doubt for a moment that Gabriel will follow the same path... You don't feel well?"
At the mention of the headmaster of Hogwarts, her three interlocutors suddenly stiffened in their seats, their faces tense, their fists clenched on their knees or on the handles of their cups. The events of a few days ago were still fresh in everyone's mind, and talking about Dumbledore immediately made them think of James and that terrible day.
"Forgive us, but... Gabriel has probably told you that we're not very fond of Albus, haven't he?" Remus said.
"Absolutely, Mr. Lupin, and I must admit that I don't like that old man and his dubious practices either, which led, among other things, to the miserable life he had before I met him. I suppose he's obviously not aware of your presence here?"
"Not any more than James..." he replied solemnly. "In fact, we haven't seen them for over a week now, and we're hiding from them for safety."
Faced with Marie-Louise's puzzled look, Remus, after a nod of agreement from Lily, finally decided to launch into an explanation to clarify certain mysteries. This is how he told, more or less in detail, the living conditions of Rosie and Lily for the past two years, the numerous disputes that had taken place during this time, and the blows that soon rained down on them. Binding spells were not omitted, nor was Dumbledore's involvement in all this. Remus tried, however, to downplay the situation to avoid scaring or sending her into a furious rage. But even if she didn't show it openly, the cup she held in her hands trembled continuously, and a few drops of coffee fell into her clothes at times, but she didn't mind. She finally relaxed when Remus mentioned their escape from the Potter Manor and their situation since then. Marie-Louise finally understood where Lily's wretched appearance and the multiple mood swings she had experienced since the beginning of this discussion came from. She would have probably reacted the same way, although she doubted that she would have succumbed to a form of depression like the one the other mother of Harry was currently experiencing.
"I can't believe they dared to do that," she said, looking sympathetically at Lily and Rosie. "What man would raise his hand against his wife because he thinks she doesn't love him enough?! My husband would almost pass for a respectable man compared to yours! If... if you wish, I can host you here for a while: You would be safe among us, and you would have the opportunity to see Gabriel as often as you like..."
"It's Harry..." Lily suddenly corrected.
"I beg your pardon?"
"It's Harry!" she exclaimed, glaring at her. "Harry James Potter! Stop calling him Gabriel; he carries another name, and I want him to keep that name!"
Remus and Rosie were surprised by her sudden change of mood, and each of them kept their mouths open and their eyes wide as she continued her reprimands. Marie-Louise, on the other hand, listened without flinching, occasionally sighing with resignation at Lily's evident lack of an open mind: it was becoming clear that she still couldn't accept that Harry now had two mothers.
"You're not making it easy for me, Mrs. Potter," she said with a sigh. "I understand your reluctance to accept this situation, but you must understand that certain aspects of your son's life have changed, and you will sooner or later be obliged to accept them. For you, he will always be Harry James Potter, but when I refer to him, I will use the name I have chosen for him, Gabriel."
A heavy silence settled after these words, allowing the two mothers to stare at each other and for Rosie to watch this heated exchange between them with trepidation.
"I am also aware of the marriage contract binding him to Daphné Greengrass, and I won't object to it," the Princess of Lamballe announced to steer the conversation to less prickly subjects.
"You've inquired about us?" Lily retorted, still blaming her for everything she did.
"I did nothing of the sort. I only learned of it from your son and later from his fiancée and her parents."
"You... You're suggesting that the Greengrasses know you? How is that possible?"
"I met Mr. and Mrs. Greengrass two years ago when, as a reward for his excellent results, I gave our son the opportunity to reunite with Daphné and explain what had happened to him. Furthermore, upon learning that he was engaged, I also found out that their marriage contract had created a magical bond between them, which they could exploit. If Daphné hadn't been properly trained, this bond could have been an obstacle for Gabriel, because if he knew how to use the link, his fiancée wouldn't be able to, and she could have unknowingly drained all of his magic. So, I took the trouble to take Daphné under my wing and train her in the same way as her fiancé."
"But... They knew, and they didn't tell me..." Lily muttered darkly, lowering her eyes sadly. "I was so worried about him, I told them how much I missed him, and Belvina didn't even think to tell me that she could be in touch with him and tell me he was fine..."
"I made them promise not to tell you anything, and they swore on their magic not to tell you anything until I had done so myself. However, I find you rather unfair to them. You didn't think to inform them of his disappearance either, and while your intentions were noble, they only did to you what you did to them: keeping you in the dark to protect you. Admit, my dear, that you would have rushed here immediately without taking the time to prepare your departure when you learned that your son was in France with me. Haste can lead you to make many mistakes that can be harmful to you and your daughter."
Even though she didn't admit it openly, Lily couldn't help but agree with her words. The expected reaction of Marie-Louise concerning her was exactly what she would have done if she knew the truth, and being constantly watched by James, he would have quickly discovered the truth when she would have tried by all means to break the spells placed on her to leave the mansion.
"How is he now?" Rosie asked, looking at her with interest. "I mean, does he still look like Dad, or have you managed to tame his hair? Is he tall now? Is he still so thin?"
Her seemingly innocuous questions, however, embarrassed the Princess of Lamballe, who, to the surprise of the other three, began to fidget nervously in her seat.
"Do you see this painting, Rosie?" she said, pointing to the painting hanging above the fireplace with a nod of her head. "Please look at it closely..."
Rosie, as well as her mother and Remus, didn't need to be asked twice to obey, and three pairs of eyes immediately focused on the three characters depicted: two women and a young boy of about eight or nine years old. Each of them could easily recognize one of the women as Marie-Louise, while the other, of course, they couldn't know, as it was the Marquise de Tourzel. However, the boy was also completely unknown to them, even after a closer look. Only his eyes vaguely reminded them of Harry, but nothing, neither the color of his skin nor his hair, could give them any clues about his true identity.
"The woman posing with me is one of my best friends and the aunt of the boy sitting with us. As for the boy... I don't know how to tell you..."
Lily didn't need to hear more to realize that something was wrong with this boy, and upon seeing the fear clearly visible on her face, she suspected that it had something to do with Harry, although she couldn't connect the dots at the moment.
"I... As I told you, I have been a widow for several years now, and I haven't had the opportunity to have a child, as my body, unfortunately, does not allow it. Gabriel has been the son I never had and always dreamed of having, and these past few years have been the most beautiful I have ever lived, and I wouldn't want to go back and change anything about the decisions I made in the past."
Marie-Louise seemed to show her age at that moment as fear took hold in her speech and distorted her features. There was no turning back now, and no matter how Lily would react upon learning of her son's adoption, the most important thing was that she now unburdened herself and removed the heavy weight that had been on her shoulders.
"This boy painted beside us is Gabriel Louis-Victor Alexandre de Bourbon... My son for almost three years now, and yours too. I adopted your son from the Muggle authorities, but also by blood..."
If Lily thought she had heard everything today, the revelation of Harry's blood adoption was the coup de grâce on a day rich in discoveries. For a moment, she even thought she was in the middle of a burlesque and totally insane theater scene where extraordinary events were taking place: a play that she absolutely did not like. The very idea of her son being adopted by someone she considered a stranger seemed impossible to her, especially since she couldn't believe it. Totally mortified by this revelation, she didn't even notice Remus and Rosie's gasps of astonishment as they continued to look at the painting and at Marie-Louise, as if this story also seemed improbable to them. Lily also didn't notice that she had suddenly stopped drying her tears to pick up her wand and pointed it at Marie-Louise.
"How could you dare!?" she exclaimed, threatening her. "Adopting him to train and groom him to be a powerful wizard is one thing. Taking him out of an orphanage where he was mistreated, I can only thank you for that. But adopting him by blood!? By what right did you allow yourself to make that decision!? He has only one mother, and that's me!"
"Madame Potter, I didn't mean to steal your son," Marie-Louise pleaded, raising her hands in surrender. "You don't understand..."
"Oh, I understand perfectly!" she asserted sharply. "You thought you were right in taking my place in his life and seizing MY title of mother!"
"Jealousy and selfishness blind you, my dear," the Princess of Lamballe retorted, finally raising her voice. "I never intended to harm you by acting this way, and I absolutely did not want to usurp you from the glorious title of a mother! Maybe I acted in my interest by making this decision, but Gabriel consented, and the funniest thing is, he was convinced the day after his transformation that you would accept his decision with joy! Aren't you the one who wishes most of all that he has no more physical ties to your husband? Who would want to be biologically linked to a man who beats his wife and children!?"
"But... By adopting him, you also made the links between him and me disappear!" Lily persisted, glaring at her.
However, contrary to what she would have expected, Marie-Louise didn't even try to respond to her assertion, quite the opposite. Her angry expression for being so unfairly criticized and insulted gave way to a completely neutral face that completely unsettled Lily.
"Have you ever heard of the transmission of a parent's genes to a child, Madame Potter?" she calmly asked.
"No," Lily admitted, raising an eyebrow. "I'm not a biology expert, at least I only know what I learned at Hogwarts and from my own reading..."
"Well, this will be an opportunity for me to teach you something in that case. You see, every individual on Earth is born with certain physical characteristics given to them by their two parents, and these traits are found in the individual's blood. That's why, for example, your daughter has the same hair color as yours and those brown eyes that I suppose she inherited from her father. Now, to give you an image, imagine that you pour blood belonging to you and blood belonging to your husband into a bowl: These would mix together to form, after many manipulations, another blood that would be that of one of your children. This is a way to imagine the transmission of your genes to your son."
"I don't see where you're going with this," Lily interrupted, losing patience slightly.
"I was getting there," Marie-Louise retorted, in no way appreciating being continually interrupted. "An adoption potion works in the same way, except that it acts directly inside the body of the person being adopted and completely destroys the blood they had until then to replace it. Mine, however, is different in that it only destroys part of the genes, those of the person from whom one wishes to detach themselves completely. If we go back to my example of the bowl, now imagine that I decide to replace your husband's blood with mine without touching yours, both would mix together and gradually bind to each other by getting rid of Mr. Potter's genes. In the end, we would be left with a new blood resulting from the union of ours, which is the case for Gabriel."
"You mean that in a way, Gabriel is the... the result of the union between you and Lily?" asked Remus, blushing at the mere thought of the two women in bed together and engaging in practices not suitable for public.
"That's exactly it," she admitted, also blushing. "Gabriel no longer has a father now but two mothers to take care of him, with whom he shares attributes and genetic characteristics, which is quite unique in the world..."
"Is Harry still my brother then?" Rosie suddenly asked, looking surprisingly sad to the adults.
Marie-Louise was somewhat taken aback by her question, especially since she had never thought about it. In a way, Harry was no longer exactly her brother, as he had different blood flowing in his veins, and, most importantly, he only had one parent in common. Gabriel was now a half-brother in a sense, but she suspected that this answer wouldn't please the young girl.
"Yes, of course!" she affirmed, thinking of a way to smooth things over. "You still have the same mother, and you have lived together long enough to know that even this small difference couldn't taint your beautiful relationship."
"But... Doesn't that make him my... my half-brother now?" she persisted, tears in her eyes.
"Rosie? But... What's wrong with you?" her mother asked, quickly putting her arm around her to comfort her.
"It's just that... in a way, Harry and I don't have the same two parents anymore," she said in a trembling voice. "We have a different parent now, and it makes me feel like we no longer have the same family, like we're not completely brother and sister..."
And without further ado, Rosie literally burst into tears, under the mournful eyes of the three adults. Lily immediately hugged her and comforted her, reassuring her that despite all these changes, Harry would remain and will always be her brother, even if he had different blood than hers. This situation was quite astonishing in the sense that Lily couldn't come to terms with the fact that Harry had now changed and was no longer the one she had known, but in her view, he was still the same brother Rosie had always known. Her speech was contradictory, but no one bothered to point it out. Everyone preferred to wait for Rosie to calm down before continuing their conversation where it left off.
"Forgive my curiosity, but I assume you must have thought long and hard before deciding to adopt Gabriel in this way, and I doubt that the desire to have a son is the only true reason for this decision," Remus asserted, breaking the silence that followed Rosie's tears. "Is there anything else that pushed you to make him your child?"
Vous êtes très curieux, Monsieur," she said, as Remus suddenly turned crimson. "Curiosity is indeed an ugly trait, but I'm willing to answer that question since it concerns Gabriel's future. I understand from what he told me that he was disowned by his father to allow your younger son to be the family heir, is that correct?" she inquired with a concerned tone.
"Yes, and that decision is unfortunately irrevocable," Lily admitted bitterly. "I tried to make some efforts to try to cancel it on my part, but it was in vain. I can't contest my husband's decisions due to my status as a woman and wife, and James is the only one who can reverse this decision with the goblins. I doubt he'll ever go back on what he did, especially if Dumbledore stays close to him for advice. Harry has as much chance of becoming the heir of the Potter family again as of seeing a man walk on the moon..."
"I would doubt that if I were you," Marie-Louise affirmed mockingly. "The goblins obey only their laws, and unless under the Imperius Curse, not a single one would bow to a wizard, which makes me find it very troubling that they have so easily agreed to change the name of the Potter family heir in their registry... You see, they handle these kinds of matters, and they can oppose a decision and even refuse to implement it if they find the reasons insufficient. What reasons were given by your husband, Madame Potter?"
"Simply that Matthew would make a better heir than Harry, and according to the decision made by the Wizengamot at that time, it seemed that nothing could challenge that decision," Lily explained.
"Except that your country's Wizengamot has no authority when it comes to purely family matters. I assume Dumbledore was present that day to assist with this issue?"
Two nods answered her, and Marie-Louise couldn't help but sigh loudly upon seeing this.
"There is no doubt that this old man was using his influence to make decisions that could be beneficial to him. Holding an assembly to judge the inheritance order of family members is absolutely forbidden and useless: It is up to the goblin nation to settle such matters since they manage the financial affairs of their clients. This means that dear Albus had committed some violations, and I am convinced that a goblin must have also had to deal with the tricks of this senile old man. The Imperius Curse would be a possible hypothesis, and the target seems quite designated: Ragnok. Only he could validate Gabriel's disinheritance without any other goblin being able to contest it."
The other two adults listened in silence, amazed despite themselves by their interlocutor's knowledge and her understanding of how the goblins operate. Some details were unknown to them, such as the requirement that disinheritance had to be done with the blood of the disinherited: Harry had never set foot in Gringott's, or at least not without Lily, and she was certain that James had undoubtedly used a detour to collect his eldest son's blood. As for Dumbledore, there was no longer any doubt about his complicity in this matter. The possibility that he was also responsible for the mysterious deaths of Charlus and Dorea was also conceivable, and if that were the case, she would make sure he paid for it.
"You still haven't answered my question," Remus gently reminded her, showing his curiosity.
"I simply needed an heir, someone capable of taking care of my work and my money when it's time for me to relinquish all the responsibilities and obligations that fall on me. However, I needed an heir of my blood for that to happen, a direct heir, preferably, so as not to see my money disappear. My family has always been meant to pass its fortune on to its descendants, and as with you, the eldest is usually the one who inherits a large portion of it. I was only sixth in the line of succession to my father, but by far the most skilled in magic and my parents' favorite child, which undoubtedly meant that I received so much in their will. The vault I have at Gringott's is, therefore, very well stocked, especially when you add to that the money that Prince Lamballe, my late husband, already possessed. Upon my death, this vault would have been sealed definitively by the goblins without any possibility of extracting any coin from it. However, by adopting Gabriel, I made sure that this fortune would continue to prosper, knowing it was in very good hands.
Absolutely everything will belong to him, even this castle, my numerous lands, and my noble titles."
"Will Harry become richer than Matthew?" Rosie suddenly asked, happy at the thought of her younger brother screaming at the top of his lungs about this 'injustice' towards him.
"Rosie!" her mother immediately admonished her. "Such manners! It's impolite to question people about their wealth, young lady. That's not how it's done!"
But Marie-Louise silenced her with a hand gesture, not shocked or even bothered by the completely innocent question from the young girl.
"I have no idea about the Potter family's wealth, but when you add the value of my castles to my vaults, we're approaching forty million pounds, which is equivalent to around thirty million Galleons in wizarding currency, a more than substantial sum, in my opinion. Your brother will have to manage a colossal heritage..."
For a moment, both the soon-to-be former Potters and Remus were taken aback by this announcement. The Potter family's fortune was once nearly ten million pounds, but James' multiple extravagant purchases and unnecessary spending had rapidly diminished it. If it hadn't been for the few financial contracts he had signed with some unscrupulous individuals looking to use Matthew's fame to their advantage, he would have gone bankrupt quickly. James had no concept of savings and economy, and the money that passed through his hands was often spent very quickly. Even if Harry had remained the heir of the family, his inheritance upon coming of age and taking over was going to be quite meager. So, knowing that he would become the owner of a fortune amounting to tens of millions of pounds was a shock they were not prepared for.
"I believe I've addressed all the questions you may have had concerning him," Marie-Louise said as she rose. "I have no reason to keep you waiting any longer. Gabriel must be getting impatient, and he has never been a very patient person since I took him under my care. If you would please wait here..."
After a final curtsy, Marie-Louise finally made her way towards the exit. The others waited for her to disappear behind the door before finally exhaling and releasing all the tension within them. With this simple gesture, they all relaxed, taking a moment to appreciate the comfortable, soft cushions on the chairs.
"What a story," Remus sighed after a few seconds. "It seems so unbelievable that I wonder if I'm not dreaming..."
"I understand what you mean," Lily agreed. "I feel exactly the same way, although I wonder if it's more of a nightmare that we're experiencing now..."
"What do you mean?" he asked, turning to her.
"It's hard to explain... I felt that Harry and I were on the same path, a path determined by destiny in which I saw myself by his side until the end, supporting him through adversity and difficulties. But now, with everything that has happened to him, I feel a weight on my heart, as if something is missing, and I have this terrible feeling that my son is no longer the one I knew, as if someone had taken mine and replaced him with another... You might find it silly, but the words of this woman make me feel like the Harry Potter I knew is gone, replaced by this Gabriel de Bourbon. I feel like my son is dead..."
"Actually, what you're saying is completely foolish. Your son may have changed his name and appearance, he may have made significant progress in magic and learned many things through this woman, but you're the one who gave birth to him and raised him for eight years. Family relationships are not just about blood, Lily. Rosie isn't my daughter, but I consider her as such at times... I could have also used Molly Weasley as an example with regard to Matthew, but her tendency to want to see her daughter marry your son makes me think that she cares about him only to gain favor with James and promote this union. Poor woman, I doubt your husband will ever accept the idea of his prodigious son marrying a commoner..."
His remark, while slightly condescending, was not without its point, and Lily, amid giggles, felt a sense of pity for this woman and her determination to see her daughter climb the ranks of wizarding nobility. Molly Weasley was a mystery to her, but a mystery she didn't want to solve. Her relationship with this woman was very poor, and Molly's continuous criticism of her bad behavior towards James and her lack of dedication to him didn't help matters. At times, she wondered how such a gentle and kind man as Arthur Weasley could fall in love with such an authoritative and annoying woman, sometimes questioning who was truly in control in their relationship. Love was sometimes a curious thing...
"Well, I have no doubt that this woman genuinely cares for him, and to make a choice like that, you must really love someone," Remus continued, picking up a small biscuit. "In any case, I prefer to know he's here and thriving rather than in the clutches of the former head of that orphanage. Knowing that she adopted him is indeed very surprising. It shows how much she cares for him and sees him as her worthy successor... You really have to love someone to make a choice like that."
Lily simply nodded, then turned to her daughter, who had been surprisingly quiet for a long time. She was surprised to see Rosie looking pensively at the pitcher of orange juice in front of her, seemingly lost in thought. Curiosity immediately led her to discover what seemed to be troubling her, and she mentally berated herself for not knowing the basics of Legilimency, which would have allowed her to find out more without asking.
"Rosie? Is something wrong, my dear?"
"Hm? Oh, um... No, Mom, I'm fine," she replied simply, quickly turning away from the coffee table and flashing a reassuring smile.
Her mother was about to question her further to find out more, but the front door opened again, allowing her and the two others to hear what seemed to be a very lively conversation between two people. Their host, who had clearly wanted to keep the suspense going by entering first, was obviously at the center of the discussion, even though she didn't seem as eager to speak as the young boy who followed her. Her anxious face had reappeared, and despite the courteous smile she wore, no one was fooled into thinking she wasn't panicking inside. Their future, Harry's and Lily's, was hanging in the balance, and the outcome of this interview could have consequences on their future careers and private lives.
"Really, Mother, you said it wouldn't take long, but I had plenty of time to ask Giuseppe for some pastries to sustain myself," the boy grumbled in the doorway. "I never thought an interview could take so much time, especially when it obviously drags on... Let's finish this quickly before our guests start wondering where on earth we've gone."
Lily couldn't understand a word of what the boy had said, but her brain hadn't bothered to translate what Harry was saying for her anyway. Only one thought kept coming back to her: this boy was her son, and it was very difficult to believe as he no longer resembled the Harry she had known. In truth, there was absolutely nothing that linked Gabriel de Bourbon to Harry Potter except their eyes. The potion had completely changed everything, from the long, flowing hair that fell gracefully to his shoulders with special care to the shape of his face, which had become much more oval than before. His cheekbones, chin, eyes, hair color... nothing remained to connect her image of her son and the one presented by the young boy entering the room. Certainly, Harry had lost all his baby fat by now, and his features had become more refined, but that couldn't explain such a dramatic change. She thought she felt Rosie tense up next to her while Remus let out a gasp of astonishment that she herself had to suppress. She never believed she would experience this, and if someone had told her earlier that she would discover her son transformed in this way, she would have surely laughed in their face.
"I thought we were going to discuss this in your office, Mother," Harry continued as he took a few steps into the room. "We would have been more comfortable there for an official discussion..."
It was then that Harry finally noticed the three newcomers at the castle, and for the first time since he had learned the basics of Occlumency, his shields were unable to contain the flood of emotions welling up within him. Of all the surprises he had experienced today, this one was by far the most astonishing and, given recent events, the one that shook him the most. Not for a single moment did he believe he would see his mother, his godfather, and his little sister here on his birthday, even though it was so obvious, the best opportunity for them to see him again. Their possible presence hadn't even crossed his mind, nor had the thought that they might come to see him on this important day. Three years had passed since he last spoke to them or saw them, hugged, kissed, or even laughed with them... The time that had passed suddenly felt so long, and the journey he had undertaken since he last hugged his mother and Rosie in front of the London orphanage seemed so vast now that he thought he had lived several lifetimes before experiencing this moment. So much ground covered to get here... He was the first to be surprised by it, at least if he had been capable of thinking, because for now, the shock was too great for him to even connect all the thoughts racing through his mind.
Tears even began to flow down his cheeks, tears he hadn't shed in a long time and never thought he would see again, but finally reuniting with his family was more than worth this display of vulnerability.
"M-mom?" he stammered with a trembling voice. "Is it... Is it really you?"
Lily didn't really know how to respond to this question, not being able to see the little boy she had left behind a few years ago in him. It was like hearing the word "mom" from the mouth of a stranger, someone she had never spoken to but who considered her as his mother. The situation was quite unsettling for her, especially when Harry took the lead and nestled against her. Unable to think or react properly, she didn't even notice that she didn't return his embrace.
"I missed you so much," Harry blurted out between sniffles. "I thought I wouldn't see you again for a long time... I had almost forgotten that you were supposed to see me on my eleventh birthday..."
His diatribe continued for a long time as he expressed all his feelings about this long separation. Lily let him speak without interruption, absentmindedly stroking his hair, which she found to have changed in texture: much softer and silkier, quite different from the unruly hair he once had. Despite it all, she also hugged him after a while, ignoring the awkwardness she felt about this remarkable change. Then it was Remus's turn, and just like Lily, Harry willingly let himself go with his emotions and showed affection toward him. Just like Lily, Remus was surprised by his new appearance, and just like her, he had the strange feeling of being embraced by a stranger. But unlike his friend, he quickly realized that his nephew's appearance had changed, but he himself remained the same, with only three more years and some physical differences. Rosie, on the other hand, didn't even pay attention to that and jumped on him as soon as he was free from his godfather.
"You've grown so much, Rosie!" he said, lifting her slightly to twirl her around. "But you should eat a bit more; you're as light as a feather!"
"Would you prefer me to have become a big whale like Matthew?" she replied in a mockingly indignant tone.
"Good Lord, no! By the way... Is he still as portly and short-legged?"
"It's even worse than before!" Rosie answered. "James has to buy him new shirts every month because the old ones never fit!"
Harry didn't make any comment on how she referred to her father, nor did he reprimand her for using his first name instead of the honorary title of "dad." He himself had lost that habit a long time ago. Instead, he congratulated her for her achievements in accidental magic, which Astoria never failed to mention during her visits.
"This one is going to hear from me!" she suddenly said, furrowing her brows as everyone returned to their seats. "She never told me she knew about you when she's my best friend!"
"She did it to protect you, and you weren't very talkative with her either. She didn't tell me anything about how your days at the manor went and how Matthew treated you. You can't even imagine how worried I was when I found out that she wasn't allowed to visit you anymore, and you could only see her once every two weeks... Did James force you to isolate yourself like that?"
In response, his usually chatty sister closed up and seemed very embarrassed by his question, much to his surprise. Such behavior was not customary for her, at least not since she was three years old. Out of the corner of his eye, he also noticed that his mother and Remus appeared equally uncomfortable and didn't dare to look at him.
"Rosie?" he called gently. "Is something wrong?"
"Harry," his godfather called nervously, "you need to know that just like you, your mom and sister have also been through a lot since you left, but not necessarily in the way you might think."
Just like his mother a few minutes earlier, Harry learned the terrible truth, and just like her, his blood boiled. Hearing that Rosie had suffered the same treatment as him was the worst revelation he had ever received, and the peak was reached when it concerned Lily as well. For the first time in three years, Harry couldn't control his magic, as his anger was too overwhelming, and the sofa he was sitting on suddenly began to tremble, as did the coffee table in front of him. He kept his eyes on his godfather, but in his mind, James's image had replaced Remus's, and the desire to break him with his bare hands and make him pay for what he had done was immeasurable. For the first time in his life, he wished for someone's death, whether he was responsible for James's death or not. Even the worry he might have felt from Daphne in the past few seconds took a backseat, although he suspected she might be aware of this rage in him and was trying to reassure him through their connection in some way.
"Calm down, Gabriel," Marie-Louise ordered. "You're so angry that I was able to easily break through your Occlumency shields, my dear. Haven't I told you that your emotions shouldn't override your reason? Look where it's getting you..."
"But Mother, this... this kind of... He dared to raise a hand against Mom and Rosie! I can't just stand by and do nothing! He must pay!"
"He will pay, rest assured, but we will do it our way. And I forbid you from attempting anything that could harm his life," she added, recalling her murderous impulses. "I don't want to see you locked up in a prison cell."
The rest of his family observed this exchange without reacting, giving them time to realize that Harry had apparently made such progress that he could now speak the challenging French language fluently, without a trace of an accent.
"It's so weird to hear you speak another language," Rosie commented shortly after. "Did it take you a long time?"
"A few months, especially to get rid of my English accent. But Mother found a very clever way to make me learn it quickly. Maybe you could do the same?"
"I'd love to! I could insult James and Matthew, and they wouldn't even know what I'm saying!"
"Rosie!"
"Sorry, Mom," she mumbled, blushing.
The reunion continued in a slightly more joyful atmosphere than before, even though there was still lingering animosity between Lily and Marie-Louise. The former held the latter responsible for her involvement in Harry's life, while the latter was dismayed by her immature behavior, which sharply contrasted with the good image she had held of her. Harry didn't even notice this and preferred to fully enjoy the company of his closest relatives to reconnect and make up for lost time. It was mostly Rosie who was in demand by her brother and spent more time than the others laughing and learning more about his life. Even his changed physical appearance didn't deter her; in fact, she found him quite charming. An idea even sprang into her mind at that moment, a completely crazy and unconscious idea that could allow her to bypass their blood difference permanently: getting herself adopted as well. The odds were low, and it would probably require her mother's consent, but even though she had known Marie-Louise for barely an hour, she already preferred this woman to James and would be thrilled to become Harry's true sister once again. The only drawback was her mother's obvious hostility toward this lady, and given the way things were going, there was little chance she would accept it.
"I will find a solution," she thought without knowing that a certain woman had intruded into her mind and got a glimpse of what she wished for.
As quickly as the day passed, and as the guests began to wonder about the increasingly long absence of Harry and his mother, the time for departure seemed inevitable, and Lily was already impatient at the thought.
"Well, I think we've taken advantage of your hospitality long enough, madam," she said, getting up, surprising the other people in the room who were enjoying their conversations. "I think it's time for us to leave. Thank you once again for what you've done for Harry, and believe me, I will do my best to repay your kindness in some way..."
"But I told you that..."
"No, no, I feel indebted to you, and I consider it my duty to repay this debt," she continued, quickly taking Rosie's hand. "Have you packed your things, Harry? We won't bother this lady any longer..."
"My things?" he repeated, not understanding. "But... for what purpose?"
"Come on, Harry, you know it! We're going home, or rather, we're going to Remus's!"
"That's out of the question," Marie-Louise warned darkly, furrowing her brow. "Gabriel won't return to that country, nor will he go to that old fool's school. It would be foolish of you to expose him to danger, and I don't want to see him fall into Dumbledore's clutches..."
"That's not a problem," Lily persisted, falsely smiling. "I'll just homeschool him and have him take his exams at home under the supervision of an examiner."
"And condemn him to be cooped up at your place all year... madness, all of it! It wouldn't be a life for him, and you would do exactly what Mr. Potter did to you: imprison him within four walls!"
"Lily, she's right... Harry would be better off here than with me, and he wouldn't have the fear of being found by Dumbledore and forcibly taken back to James..."
But her friend wasn't listening, convinced that she was choosing the best solution for him, not even realizing that she was ultimately satisfying her own interests.
"Please, Harry, I've waited long enough to bring you back home. Don't complicate things..."
"But Mom, I have obligations now... I can't leave Mom here with all the responsibilities she's left me, and I'm about to start at the academy. Everything has already been planned, and I can't afford to ruin it by going with you to London..."
"The academy?" she muttered incredulously. "What academy?"
"The Military Academy of Metz," Marie-Louise replied. "He has been enrolled there for a few months now and should start in September. Before you reproach me, know that in France, there are two educational tracks: Girls attend schools like Beauxbâtons to become accomplished witches and excellent wives. The same magic courses taught at Hogwarts are also taught there, but in addition, they have language, geography, history, math, science, as well as etiquette, manners, sewing, music, and everything that will make them cultured and educated mistresses of the house. Some of them don't even know how to read when they first arrive at this school, so reading and writing courses are also provided. As for boys, they enter academies like this one, follow the same magic courses as the girls, but in addition, they have military training to learn how to handle weapons, develop their physical strength and dueling skills, improve their logic for strategy, ride horses, and serve their country's interests by excelling on the battlefield or ensuring the security of their country and its cities. The magical society in France is much less developed than yours because it is fully integrated with Muggles, and our ministry has only existed for a hundred years. Therefore, unless you can be certain of having a job in our government, and God knows there are few, the only way to work after completing one's studies is to get involved in the Muggle society."
"You mean you want to turn Harry into cannon fodder!?" she exclaimed, raising her voice. "To see him fight and risk his life for a country and a man he'll probably never even meet? Have you lost your mind!? I'd rather see him at Hogwarts and confront Dumbledore than see him die in a war that he has no stake in!"
"You don't even know how his training goes!" she replied harshly. "The 4th Hussar Regiment is one of the best, and the risk of mortality is extremely low! Gabriel has as much chance of breaking his neck in your school by falling down the stairs as he does of getting shot by a musket ball!"
"Let him choose, then," she said, turning to him. "Harry dear, what would you prefer? Stay with me and avoid this war, or stay here and take the risk of dying for a cause that doesn't concern you?"
"Mom, you know... There is also a war in Great Britain, and as Dumbledore said, Voldemort will return one day. I will be just as much a target for him as you are, and here I am safe, and I have a new identity that ensures significant protection... And I'd rather die on a battlefield for a noble cause like serving my country's interests than die in a conflict I don't want to get involved in, and that's exactly how I feel when I hear about Voldemort and Dumbledore... This war is not my concern, and..."
"I see..." Lily interrupted, looking at him with a wounded expression. "You've chosen this woman over me, your own mother..."
"No, Mom! I'm not choosing between you! I love both of you equally!"
But Lily wasn't listening, convinced that she was making the best decision for him, not even realizing that she was ultimately satisfying her own interests.
"Please, Harry, I've waited long enough to bring you back home. Don't complicate things..."
Harry felt torn between his two mothers and was unable to make them both happy. The pressure and guilt weighed heavily on him. When Lily suddenly dashed into the fireplace, taking Rosie with her, and announced their destination for Apparation, it caught Harry completely off guard.
"47 Upper Street, London," she shouted sadly before disappearing with her daughter.
The scene was absolutely devastating for Harry. His biological mother had just abandoned him once again, and he had never seen her as dejected and sad as he did at that moment. Lily was hurt, and he was the one responsible. Guilt immediately took hold of him, and the tears of joy that had flowed earlier were now replaced by tears of sadness that he didn't even try to wipe away.
"I'm sorry, Gabriel," Remus apologized as he turned to him. "Your mother is... how shall I put it... very impulsive and sometimes reacts too hastily without taking the time to think and reason properly. We should give her time to digest all this information, but I'm sure she won't hold it against you for long for your decision..."
His godfather then hugged him, and Harry let himself cry on his shoulder. Knowing that one of his close relatives accepted his decision felt good, even though he wished it were the case for everyone. Remus then bid farewell to Marie-Louise by kissing her hand before he, Lily, and Rosie disappeared through the fireplace.
"Are you feeling okay, Gabriel?" she asked, placing her hand on his shoulder.
"I've had better days, Mother," he mumbled, gazing vaguely at the fireplace. "Excuse me, Mother, I don't feel very well now... I think it's best for me to go to my room for a while before considering going back to our guests..."
"Of course, my dear," she replied, kissing the top of his head. "I'll inform our guests that you're not feeling well."
With one final nod, Harry eventually walked towards his quarters, not looking back. The day that had started so well had unfortunately ended very poorly for him, and there was nothing that could bring him more joy now than to bury himself in his sheets and try to forget the scene that had just unfolded before his eyes.
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