April 6th, 1978
White marble stairs and pillars sparkled in the warm light, rivaling the dance of the sun in Marlene's golden curls.
'The goblins called upon their cousins.' Harry noticed in amusement, spotting a pair of large security trolls guarding the entrance of Gringotts Wizarding Bank in Diagon Alley: 'But their record of being impenetrable is only spotless in this time.'
"I've never seen people in such a hurry to finish their shopping," Marlene commented next to him. Her eyes followed a pair of siblings, whose mother dragged them over the cobblestone road by their hands.
'No time for window shopping.'
"I have." Harry grimaced, remembering all too well how empty the alley had been during the summer of his sixth year: "And I don't really blame them."
"Let's see what the goblins have for us then." Marlene clutched his hand more firmly and climbed the white stairs, striding past the security trolls.
"How may Gringotts be of service today?" The nearest teller greeted them with a sharp stare as the couple approached him.
"We have an appointment with my account manager." Harry took out the letter of correspondence and placed it on the counter.
"Wait here, wizard." The goblin checked it and soon turned back to the stack of Galleons he'd been counting: "You'll be led to Director Ragnok's office shortly."
'The Director then.'
A few minutes later, Harry and Marlene took a seat in the Director's neat office, facing the old goblin over his large mahogany table.
"Mr. Peverell and Ms. McKinnon." Ragnok studied them with small black eyes through the golden rims of his glasses: "I suggest moving the reason for why I called you to the end of this meeting and allow you to address any inquiries you might have first."
'He's unnaturally polite today, we must have caught him in a good mood.' Harry mused: "Well, how about we start with the current state of my investments and assets, Director? I trust Gringotts has overseen them?"
"We have indeed." The goblin turned a few pages in a journal, eyes roaming over tables filled with numbers: "The last time we spoke, your total assets amounted to 80.000 galleons, Mr. Peverell. Since then your fortune has grown by a little over 25%, amounting to a total of 101.796 Galleons, eleven sickles, and three nuts."
"I like the sound of that." Harry exchanged a small smile with Marlene who whistled in appreciation: "If you don't mind me asking, Director, what was Gringotts' rate of rate return during the same time period? I'd love to know by what margin I outperformed the market..."
"The rate of return we offer our most esteemed customers is 5,5% per annum." Surprisingly the Director's sharp smile didn't falter despite the poorly hidden insult: "However, Gringotts' internal rate of return for the last fiscal year was also 25%."
"You've replicated my portfolio." Harry broke out in laughter: "That's why you're in such a good mood and haven't insulted us yet."
"Only for the wizarding business, Mr. Peverell, the muggle exchange is still too volatile and unpredictable for our liking." The Director corrected him with a greedy grin: "Still, you've saved this establishment quite a lot of money. We thought your missive from September, instructing us to sell your majority share of Nimbus Broom Manufacturing was very strange. Why sell an undervalued firm that is just about to produce high cashflows? But then the markets crashed because this petty war between you wizards started heating up..."
'And there are the insults I've missed.'
"Most of our clients lost quite a hefty sum of gold over the last few months." The goblin continued: "You, however, sold your shares in any wizarding business and invested everything in the muggle world instead. Almost like you knew what was about to happen..."
"And what's the current exchange rate?" Marlene asked curiously.
"It had been rather stable at 50 Pounds per Galleon for the last three decades." The Goblin told them after a quick glance in his folder: "But due to the inflation caused by the war, it currently stands at 35 Pounds per Galleon."
"And with the majority of my assets being invested in muggle currency, my purchasing power increased substantially." Harry smiled and leaned back into his chair. 'I won't have the goblins' gratitude, they're too proud for that, but at least they treat me like an actual customer now.'
"Do you have any other inquiries?" Ragnok asked them.
"No, I think- "
"Actually we do have one more." Marlene interrupted him firmly: "I would like you to transfer the entire contents of my trust vault, including any assets I have recently inherited, to the Peverell vault and invest it in the same manner as my fiancé's fortune."
"Marlene, you don't have to do that." Harry tried to placate her. "I don't expect you to- "
"Harry..." When Marlene shot him a pointed look and flashed the band of gold on her finger, he gave in with a sigh. However, he didn't miss how the Goblin's eyes briefly dipped to the ring and narrowed as a snarl formed.
"I insist on it, love." The blonde held her head in pride: "We are to be wed soon. What is mine, is yours. Everything." She turned back to the goblin: "What's the consolidated worth of my vault right now, Director?"
Ragnok shuffled through a few papers: "Around 8.000 Galleons in total, Ms. McKinnon. Most of your late parents' inheritance was kept in the family vault since your older brother became the new Lord McKinnon. In fact, you mostly received jewelry, which I strongly advise against selling at this point in time for obvious reasons."
"Transfer it all to my fiancé's vault, please." Marlene decided decisively.
"Very well." Raknok scribbled down a few notes: "Shall we deactivate your fault now that it is empty, Ms. McKinnon?"
"No, keep it open. I will continue paying the yearly fee." A small smile spread over her lips and she squeezed Harry's hand under the table: "There will eventually come a need for trust vaults."
'Just not too soon.'
'But hopefully more than one when the time is right.'
"Done!" The Goblin informed them after a few minutes of scribbling: "Let us then talk about why Gringotts has asked you here in the first place." He placed a familiar-looking note in front of them on the table: "Last summer you hired Gringotts to look for a suitable property for you, Mr. Peverell. The market for real estate in magical Britain had been tricky, but we finally believe to have found something of your liking."
"Where is it located?" Harry raised an eyebrow.
"It's an estate in north Wales. The Manor might be on the smaller side, but the wide grounds surrounding it make up for it." Raknok shared: "Due to financial reasons the wizarding family who used to live there is forced to downsize."
"When could we take a look at it?" Marlene asked.
"Why do you think I've called you here, Ms. McKinnon? Certainly not just to talk about it." Raknok grinned before calling toward the door: "Griphook!"
The very goblin who had shown Harry to his vault the first time he visited Gringotts entered the room, hurried over to the desk of his superior, and gave a deep bow: "Director?"
'I wonder if he regretted betraying us in the few minutes he lived before Voldemort learned about our break-in.'
"Take these two clients to the North Dawn estate and show them around the premises." Ragnok handed his subordinate a folder out of his drawer together with a rune-covered wooden stick.
"Yes, Director." Griphook gave another bow and waddled back around the table to where Harry and Marlene had each stood from their chairs: "Hold on tight!" He thrust out the stick and waited for him and Marlene to curl their fingers around it: "North Dawn!"
The world swirled past them in a flash of colors and the next second Harry stumbled over neatly trimmed grass, his hand steading Marlene on the waist.
'On the smaller side, eh?' Harry chuckled and slowly turned around.
Fresh, clean air filled his nostrils. Bird songs and the faint splash of water rang in his ears. They had arrived in a valley between two large, tree-covered hills. A river wriggled itself through the valley and fused into a sizable lake to his right. The estate itself stood proudly on a peninsula that rose on a cliff from the lake.
His first impression was that the Manor looked like a miniature version of Hogwarts. A feeling of familiarity and warmth spread through him. Next to him, Marlene's blue eyes lit up at the inviting scene.
"It was built in a gothic style from large rectangular stones during the late 1700s." Griphook gestured for them to follow him over the lawn towards the trimmed hedge: "The main part consisted of a symmetrical three-story building, surrounded by slim, neat towers, bay windows, balconies in all directions, and even a larger terrasse from where one has a spectacular view over the lake."
"It must be significantly smaller than Potter or McKinnon Manor, though the architectural variety gives it a much larger impression." Harry mused loudly, letting his eyes roam over the magnificently decorated windows: "How many bedrooms are there?" He addressed the Goblin.
"There are six bedrooms, including the master and guest bedroom." Their guide explained: "The master bedroom has an ensuite bathroom. You will be given an opportunity to visit the rooms inside."
They walked over a gravel pathway along the edge of the lake through the gardens and soon reached the roof-covered entrance area. Griphook placed a single, slim finger on the twin oak doors, before pushing them open: "Follow me."
'Impressive.' Harry and Marlene slowly turned around.
Different muggle canvas and rich, colorful tapestries garnished the tall walls of the marble-floored foyer. A huge golden chandelier hung from one of the large wooden beams supporting the high roof. Two staircases, leading to the upper floors, joined from one side of the foyer each.
"We will start with the ground floor and the basement, then the upper floors." Griphook decided firmly: "Follow me and don't wander off!" He shot them a cruel grin: "Otherwise you will not be able to leave this place and will probably starve to death."
'I suppose he had those sadistic little fantasies long before I met him.' Harry shook his head.
"Come on, Harry!" Marlene didn't seem to care that much. She excitedly tugged on his hand and hurried after their guide.
All in all, it was just as Harry expected. North Dawn Manor was spacious, but not overly so, like that of his fiancé or grandparents. Still, from some unused space in the basement that he could use for a dueling room, all the way over the kitchen, spacious living room, bathrooms, and even a library on the seventh floor, there was everything Harry could ever want in a home.
The tour eventually ended on the main terrace where Griphook looked at them expectantly: "I will ask you to decide now whether you want to continue this project or not. Time is Galleons after all."
"Allow us a second." Harry let the Elder Wand slip into his palm and erected a quick privacy ward, ignoring the goblin's angry hisses at being blocked out.
"What do you think, love?" He looped an arm around Marlene's waist and turned towards the lake.
"I like it. I like it a lot." The blonde sighed contently, nestling her head against his shoulder: "It's far enough away from nosey muggle neighbors and we have all the space we could ever need; even enough bedrooms."
"You're right." Harry whispered with a small smile: "Right now it's just an empty house, but we'll make it our home soon enough."
"Home will be wherever we are together, Harry. It doesn't matter whether it is the Shrieking Shack or Buckingham palace. Though, I would rather raise a child here than in the Shrieking Shack." She added with a faint chuckle, pressing a kiss to his cheek.
"The place is still large enough that we'll need a house-elf though." Harry mused.
"Something to think about when the time comes." Marlene rolled her eyes: "Let's give the goblin our answer before he actually vanishes and leaves us here to starve."
"I doubt they could actually trap us in here." Harry grinned, brushing his over her lips until he felt them curl into a smile.
"We take it." He simply said after lowering the ward with a flick of his wand: "How much is Gringotts asking?"
"Already?" Griphook stared at him in confusion: "You haven't even seen half of the grounds yet."
"We don't need to." Harry said: "We like it, so we'll take it. Name your price."
"Ridiculous wizards." The goblin cursed them under his breath and flipped through his folder: "The asking price for North Dawn Manor including the grounds is 27.300 Galleons."
'That sounds surprisingly fair.' Harry quickly calculated the current value in Pounds and estimated the size of a muggle home one could buy with that sum.
"I see." Harry nodded: "And what else is Gringotts trying to sell me?"
Griphook scowled at him before checking the notes again: "For an additional 2.000 Galleons, we will hire a contractor to renovate the entire building, patch up the roof where needed, and update the plumbing and bathroom to modern-day muggle standards."
He cleared his throat purposefully and smirked: "The multiple fireplaces inside will also have to be reattached to the floo-network and lined up correctly to allow inter-house travel. We charge an additional 500 Galleons for that. Finally, the Manor and grounds need extensive warding. A service we will also provide for another 1.000 Galleons."
'Sneaky little bastards.'
"We will take the complete make-over and the fixing of the floo network." Marlene decided after they exchanged a small glance: "That will be it."
"Don't be ridiculous! A wizarding home such as this requires wards, especially in times like this!" The goblin exclaimed indignantly: "Gringotts employs the most brilliant warders in all of Europe. Even a team of our own curse breakers would be stuck for a week before breaking through our most advanced applications."
"But they would break through eventually." Harry laughed while Marlene chuckled next to him: "Once we've done the warding ourselves, your curse breakers will die before a single toe crosses our thresholds. Your overpriced services are not required."
"You dare- " Griphook released a fury of curses in his mother tongue: "The arrogance of wizards such- "
"I'm not in the mood for a tantrum, Goblin! Your kind has underestimated me once when it came to investment and only now do you reap the benefits of changing your mind. Don't make the same mistake twice." Harry warned him: "Now, as your favorite saying goes: 'Time is Galleons.' So I suggest you show me where to sign so we can finish this transaction."
"You will sign with this, wizard!" Griphook handed them a long, sharp quill after scribbling in a few boxes on what Harry assumed to be a contract.
Harry accepted the blood quill and contract, hovering his hand over the piece of parchment while distracting Griphook: "Won't I need some ink?"
"You will see that it won't be necessary." The goblin flashed sharp teeth in an evil grin.
'An anti-replication and anti-forgery charm. Signing with any name but my own would be most unpleasant, though there are no other charms on it.'
"Very well." Shrugging unbothered, Harry signed his name in crimson ink down at the bottom. He forced himself not to make a face despite the sharp pain that seared the back of his hand.
"You as well, witch!" Griphook glared at Marlene, who mirrored Harry's actions, equally as unbothered.
"You are to leave the premises now!" Griphook hissed: "Gringotts will step in correspondence with you shortly, regarding a certified copy and the beginning of renovations."
"Let's go, Harry." Marlene snatched his hand and strode passed the goblin. They walked through the hallways towards the Manor's entrance, taking their time and not letting Griphook's angry hisses bother them too much.
"Well, Griphook," Harry spoke as eventually, the twin oak doors fell into their locks and they stood back in the gravel yard in front of their new home. "It was a real pleasure doing business with you." Harry politely held out his hand.
"Gringotts wishes you a pleasant day." Griphook snarled, ignored the hand, and curled his fingers around his rune-covered portkey before saying something in his mother language and vanishing with a soft snap.
"Such vicious little creatures." Marlene wrinkled her nose: "Let's go back to the Potters and tell them."
"I'm curious to see what my grandparents think about us moving out so soon." Harry grinned. He circled his arms around the blonde's waist, held on tight, and apparated them back right to the doorstep of Potter Manor.
"We're back!" Harry smiled as they entered the large living room, seeing Charlus and Dorea reading the Daily Prophet in their favorite chairs next to the fireplace.
"How did it go at Gringotts?"
"Pretty good." Harry sat down with a content sigh: "We talked about some finances and combining Marlene and I's vault..." He ran a hand through his hair: "Oh and we also bought a house..."
"Wait, you did what?!" Charlus and Dorea echoed simultaneously, their heads snapping up from the paper.
"We bought a house," Harry repeated casually.
"Harry Ignotus Peverell, you better start explaining right now!" His grandmother's eyes flashed silver. She leaped out of her chair at a frightening speed for a witch her age and walked over to him, both hands on her hips: "Now!"
Harry swallowed and glanced at Marlene in support, who buckled in laughter: "Well, you see... We... that is Marlene and me- " He heaved the blonde onto his lap and nestled her against his chest: "- visited a house and decided to buy it. It will be our first and hopefully only home." Harry grinned.
"But... where?" Charlus asked, puzzled, joining his wife in front of them.
"And why?!" Dorea cried in a mixture of outrage and disappointment.
"It's a small Manor in the far north of Wales," Marlene explained, pushing her hair behind her ears: "The previous family is downsizing and it was a perfect fit for what we're looking for."
"But why would you want to move out?" Dorea frowned "You have everything you need here with us. You're part of this family, Harry. You as well, Marlene!"
They exchanged a quick glance and stood back up.
"We really appreciate the sentiment and value everything you two have done for us." Marlene shot them an apologetic, sincere smile before taking the older witch in a hug: "But Harry and I wish to marry this summer and officially take this next step in our joined journey. Having a place for ourselves is an integral part of that, don't you think?"
"Besides, now is one of the best times for people with galleons to buy wizarding real estate," Harry added, attempting a small smile at his grandfather. "We got ourselves quite a nice bargain actually."
"I- I- " Dorea blinked away a tear and took Harry into a warm embrace: "I know you will be safe with how good you two are at warding, but I can't help but think it would be better for us, for our family, to stay together in times like this."
"We will connect our fireplaces and I'll even make some portkeys for you in case you want to visit," Harry promised: "Marlene and I won't hide away up there, we'll still be around just as much."
"I respect your decision, Harry. And you're making the right choice as a couple." Charlus clapped him smartly on the shoulder, hazel eyes sparkling with pride: "We wish you all the best for your future."
"I should probably tell James as well." Harry mused loudly: "Are they outside?"
"No." Charlus' expression fell: "I granted them access to the basement. They're down there right now."
"Oh," A thrill of curiosity swelled within his chest: "Do- do you mind if I join them?"
"After James, you've probably the second highest claim to what you find down there." His grandfather sighed: "You'll see what I'm talking about soon enough. Please keep an eye on them and make sure they're safe."
"We will," Harry promised and took Marlene's hand to head towards the main staircase. They descended down into the dungeons underneath the Manor, following muffled noises.
"That almost sounds like spellfire." Harry frowned. "This way, I suppose." He pointed to a rune-covered door that he was quite certain hadn't been here before.
They soon found themselves within a large circular room that was split between a dueling pit on one side and library on the other. Bright flashes of light flared from the pit, where two people had taken up position and hurled one hex after the other at the opposition.
"PAUSE FOR A MINUTE, GUYS!" Lily amplified her voice and yelled over the sound of spellfire, which soon seized.
"Harry, Marlene!" James panted heavily in greeting: "Glad you found us down here." He silently conjured himself a glass of water, downing it in one go: "It's incredible, don't you think? This is where my father and grandfather trained to fight Grindelwald."
"What kind of tomes are these?" Harry stepped to the nearest shelf and let his eyes roam over crumbled letters.
"Most are on battle transfigurations, something the Potters apparently excelled in, but there are other branches of magic as well, like warding or healing," Lily explained.
'Potters or Peverells?' He pondered his grandfather's words.
"And you guys are testing some of the spells?" Marlene asked.
"Mostly we just want to bring our dueling up." Sirius admitted: "We've been practicing back at Hogwarts occasionally, but anytime one of us remembers how you dealt with Lucius Malfoy, or Marlene with Richard Wilkens, we can't help but think there's so much more to learn."
'They're going to spend their time practicing anyway.' Harry sighed. 'I might as well make sure they learn correctly.'
"You're right." Harry said: "We can show you a thing or two, but for that, I need to know where you currently are. How about you step into the pit with me."
"Which one of us?" James asked warily.
"All of you of course." Harry laughed, shrugging off his outer robes and letting them pool to the floor. "I need to get an impression from everyone in order to work with you."
"You want to fight all three of us at the same time?" Sirius asked bewildered.
"Trust me, Padfoot, I've faced worse odds." Harry spun the Elder Wand between his fingers, showering the stone tiles to his feet with silver sparks.
"And Harry will have plenty of moral support!" Marlene chirped with a wide grin and flourished her wand at herself.
'Is she going to do what I think she might?'
Harry felt heat creep to his face when her skirt tightened and shrunk to a scandalous length, exposing endless legs and smooth, creamy skin. With another flick of her wand, her blouse dropped its sleeves at the shoulders and rolled up her toned tummy. Within the blink of an eye, her perfect pureblood outfit had shifted into a very provocative, royal blue cheerleader's uniform.
'Straight out of some American muggle high school movie.'
"Now the finishing touches." Marlene giggled and turned around. Golden letters spelled the name 'PEVERELL' from one slim shoulder to the next. "And finally!"
"Ta-da!" A set of blue and golden Pom-Poms appeared out of thin air. She caught them and twirled on the spot, arms raised above her head: "How do I look?"
"Like a manifestation of moral support, love." Harry was the first to recover, breaking out in laughter. He fired a stinging hex at Sirius whose jaw had dropped almost to floor level.
"Oww!" The boy rubbed his back: "What was that for?!"
"For shamelessly ogling my fiancé, you mutt."
"Not a single straight bloke wouldn't stare at that!" Sirius replied accusingly, fingers pointed at Marlene's toned legs. "Right Prongs?"
"Nope, don't drag me into this." James was doing his best to look anywhere but the blonde, while also avoiding Lily's hawk-like gaze.
"I suggest we get started." Harry laughed. He slowly tore his eye away from his fiancé, who shot him very suggestive looks, and addressed his three opponents. "Use any kind of spell you want and don't hold back. I want to see how far you've actually come, understand?"
They each nodded, exchanged a grim look, and tightened their grip around their wands.
"Well then, I suppose- "
"Begin!" Marlene interrupted him with a bright cheer and jumped into the air, shaking her Pom-Poms.
Lily leaped into action, firing a bright ball of magic with a loud bang from her wand. White light seared Harry's vision as he twisted to the side, feeling a crackling heat miss his face by less than an inch.
'Well, at least they take it seriously.' Harry wrenched his wrist around and blocked the next wave of attacks. Sizzling Curses of the deepest red and blue battered against his shield, sending faint ripples outward.
James grinned and conjured a flock of squeaking rubber ducks before stepping back to allow his girlfriend to wrap them in a thick coating of her magic. The animated ducks spasmed and twitched to life, took to the air, and hurled themselves at Harry from all sides.
Harry sidestepped yet another curse from Sirius and slashed the Elder wand vertically, bursting the yellow ducks into a mass of molten rubber that pooled to the floor in angry, steaming hisses.
"Oh fuck!" James yelled as Harry went on the attack, matching his three attackers spell for spell and forcing his arm to move at an almost unnatural speed.
He redirected any curse that was sent his way, blending a few of his own into the mix, yet making sure none of them were actually lethal. Colorful beams of light splattered against the stone walls, floor, and ceiling all around his opponents, leaving deep scorch marks and small craters, hurling up dust and debris.
"How is he doing that?!" Lily cried in shock, ducking behind one of the large stone slabs that Sirius had ripped from the floor to intercept the incoming curses.
Harry yanked their physical covers apart with lazy flicks of his wand and banished the debris and smoke in their direction, forcing them to retreat back, step by step.
"Cover me!" Sirius's voice boomed over the dueling pit.
Harry watched as he twisted on the spot and turned into a midnight-black mass of fur. 'I didn't even know animagi forms were allowed?'
The Grimm bared his fangs and bounded at Harry on all fours, bypassing the spells sent his way.
'But I've already fought beasts much scarier than you.'
Harry poured heat into the stone tiles until steam rose from the joints. The black dog howled in pain and abandoned its attack, wrenching back into its human form to step dance on his burned feet.
A simple stunner was all it took to take him out of the match. "Go, Harry!" Marlene cheered from the side, doing a small twirl while shaking her pom-poms.
Lily and James grimaced as their numbers were reduced by one. Still, they worked surprisingly well together, shielding each other and playing to their respective strengths.
Harry slowly closed the distance twisting his body through the incoming spells with the grace of a dancer. With a few, fast flicks of his wand, thin strips of stone burst from the wall to his right, building a staircase for him to climb up.
He fired an explosion curse at the ground to their feet, hurling up a thick cloud of smoke to use as cover. As expected, James and Lily coughed heavily from within and ceased to fire spells out of fear of hitting one another.
'Raven time.' Harry leaped up his self-made staircase, praying it would support his weight. He jumped off the highest steps, arms spread to either side. Then he pulled the world past him mid-air, feeling thick black feathers spread through his skin.
The large Raven dove straight into the cloud of smoke, passing through to the other side of the room, where it quickly transformed back. A wide, horizontal wave of the Elder Wand vanished the smoke and cleared his view.
Lily and James covered behind a large stone tile, peeking over the edge to try and spot him: "Where did he go?!"
"Over here of course!" Harry laughed.
The couple whirled around in fright, yet it was too late for Lily.
"Expelliarmus!"
Harry caught his mother's wand and tossed it over to Marlene, who was levitating Sirius out of harm's way. He petrified the startled redhead with his next spell.
"Come on, Prongs, show me what you've got..."
"I'll show you!" James grit his teeth in anger and pointed his wand at the floor by Harry's feet with a roar.
The ground trembled and shook, making Harry stagger backward as each of the tiles started vibrating. Dust was stirred up from the walls, ceiling, and everywhere else in the room. The first of the old tomes dropped from its stand on a nearby shelf.
'I don't think this Manor was built to withhold an earthquake.' Harry frowned and glanced at James, who seemed just as surprised by the effect his spell had. It seemed rather exhausting as well since the boy dropped to his knees, panting heavily.
"You might want to do something, love." Marlene summoned Lily's unconscious body and gently placed her next to Sirius, standing in front of them protectively.
Harry quickly jabbed the Elder Wand at the ground and coated it with his magic. He squashed the spark of whatever spell his father had used underneath a thick layer of intent until the earthquake subsided and the basement stabilized.
"So- sorry." James winced, clutching to his side, his wand tossed away: "I probably should have actually checked what the spell does first."
"No worries." Harry heaved him back up and supported his walk to the others: "Let's get you over here."
"Well, that was fun to watch!" Marlene chirped and revived Lily and Sirius with two flicks of her wand: "Wakey, wakey, sleepy heads! Unfortunately, you guys lost."
"Bloody, hell." Sirius groaned, rubbing his shoulder: "I think I'd rather fight Death Eaters than you ever again."
'Good, I don't want either of you to fight out there anyway.'
"I think Harry just had the better motivation." Marlene walked over to him, hips swaying. She slipped onto his lap and planted a searing kiss on his lips: "Which is why he gets the reward."
"My personal cheerleader. There was no way I could lose." Harry grinned, hands on her hips: "Not if there was a chance to see you in that outfit again."
"Can you teach us some of that magic?" Lily asked in excitement: "And how did you get your body to move so fast? Your reflexes seemed almost unnatural?!"
"I've had lots of time to practice before Hogwarts and during my time there as well." Harry shrugged it off: "But I don't mind teaching you a few things. If you're going to practice dueling, I'll ensure you do it correctly."
"Awesome." James winced: "Well, I'm going to ask mom to nourish me back to health after hopefully surviving her scowling. She's probably on her way already."
"I'm off to have a shower." Lily joined in: "We've been practicing for a while down here anyway."
All eyes shifted to Sirius who frowned: "Fine, I'm heading out as well!"
The corner of his lips tucked upwards in a grin when he caught Marlene in Harry's lap, still in her cheerleading uniform: "Besides, if I stay any longer, I'll probably get the show of my life. By the looks of it, these two are about to skip the foreplay and act out another kinky fantasy of theirs."