Family Reunion
24 December 1993
Harry threw himself onto the sofa. "Well I hope you're happy with yourselves," he said to Fleamont and Bartemius.
They were in the living room at Fleamont's house. Emmeline was on the sofa with Bartemius. Charlus and Fleamont were in separate armchairs and James sat opposite them in another.
Henry had, in the end, relented, but only because Mr. Delacour had made use of his aurors. Henry was further soothed by Bartemius following Harry around the continent until they met up him him.
In the present, Charlus sat up. "Now here's the tongue lashing you deserve for your haste and lack of consideration."
"I've been dragged back and forth for five whole days," Harry said. "I've been on every continent. I've been dragged across every continent. Bartemius took me to Barcelona, Pula, Borovets in one night. The next? Lucca, Paris, and Yvelines. Then your father takes us on a world tour. Lunch in Sydney, dinner in Pars, dancing in Mumbai. Lunch in Saint Petersburg, dinner in San José, dancing in New York. Lunch in Shanghai – "
"We get it!" Fleamont barked.
Harry ignored him. "All this for social capital. I insult and fight people everyday. Has my social capital suffered? I. Wish! It would not have hurt you people to fight in the streets! I do it! Sirius does it! He used to do it," he said pointing at Charlus.
Charlus bent over and his laughter sounded like wheezing.
Bartemius cleared his throat. "I am trying to remain minister."
"Remind me how you got it in the first place."
"We are in peace time."
Harry threw his hands in the air. "If you wanted something to break out all you had to do was tell Sirius."
"Tell me what?" the person in question asked as he entered the room.
Harry pointed at him. "I need you to go down to Knockturn Alley and find some bloke named Mundungus Fletcher – "
Charlus threw back his head and laughed harder.
Sirius smiled. "Ol' Dung. What do you need him for?"
"It's what the Minister needs. He needs to remind these people why they chose him in first place. Make use of Nymphadora if you have to, but I think if you can grab a giant or two you can get things moving quickly."
Sirius furrowed his brow. "Are you trying to get me to commit what? A-a terrorist attack or something?"
"If that's what you have to do to remind these people why he's a valuable Minister – oi!"
Sirius walked away to sit beside James, who was silently laughing.
"I thought you were bringing a date," James said.
Harry shook his head. "I didn't say that."
"You asked Mum to add another plate. So which dignitary's daughter are you dating?"
"Why can't it be a dignitaries son?" he mused. "There's a 'young Albus Dumbledore' joke here, but I'm not going to make it."
Bartemius touched his forehead. "Merlin, please."
James leaned forward. "I'm tired of having conversations with you."
"What? I did invite a dignitary's grandson to dinner." Harry turned to him fully. "Where's your date?"
Sirius placed a hand on his hips. "I'm getting damn tired of hearing about this mystery woman. How come he's met her and no one else has?"
"I'm bursting at the seams here," Harry told James. "Please get on with it."
James sighed. "Shut up, Harry. Don't you see we have guests?"
He waved a hand at Emmeline and Bartemius, who seemed to brace themselves. "These people? I have been harassed by them in the streets. They are your guests. Not mine."
The doorbell rang and everyone seemed to sigh in relief. Fleamont got to his feet and headed to the door.
"Thank, Merlin," James said. "New targets for you."
"Targets?" Harry said. "Do you feel targeted, Father?"
James exhaled. "Downright harassed."
"If only you'd confess then I would stop harassing," Harry said as the fireplace ignited.
Out of it stepped Simeon, who glared at Harry and spoke to no one.
Harry closed his eyes as he licked his lips, once again savoring words he couldn't say.
"Hi," he heard Simeon say. It was the most unfeeling and terse, two-letter word ever uttered and Harry couldn't stop the laugh that escaped him. The "Hi, Darius," had a lot of relief and warmth in it and Harry had to bury his face in a pillow.
Unfortunately for him, someone applied pressure. He had to use his hands to get whoever it was off him.
He sat up to find Nymphadora grinning.
He stared at her then raised his hand to touch his hair. "You messed up my hair?"
She blinked. "What?"
"You messed up my hair!" he barked.
Fleamont laid a hand on his shoulder. "Shh. Add a little water," he said as he did so, "and brush it back into place."
"Thank you," Harry said. He turned to Nymphadora. "You will pay for that," he spat.
She moved her mouth without speaking and looked around for help.
Charlus leaned forward. "Let this be a lesson to not mess with his hair or clothes when he's done up like a fine dandy."
"It's just hair," she said as she reached out to touch it. She drew it back when Harry tried to bite it. Nymphadora stepped away. "What's wrong with him?" she asked Sirius.
Sirius nodded in approval at Harry, who was smoothing wrinkles in his clothes with his wand. "Don't touch his hair. Or his clothes. Not when he's looking good and smelling proper. Behave yourself from now on."
Nymphadora stared with astonishment and was left even more baffled when she looked around the room. Not a man in the room came to her aid and it was obvious all of them agreed.
Even Narcissa, who Harry was surprised to see, held up her hands. "I cannot help you."
Harry looked around the room. "Hey, Nev," he said.
"Hi, Harry," he said. Neville was a chubby, round-faced boy with ash blonde hair and brown eyes.
To the rest of the room, Harry said, "Great Merlin, what a nightmare. Not only has the doorstep been darkened, but all the lights have been snuffed out inside."
Most looked at him befuddled, but Sirius snorted, Charlus and Harfang laughed, and both Dorea and Callidora narrowed their eyes.
Neville, who was bemused, asked "What are you talking about?"
"The Blacks," Harry said in the loudest possible whisper he could muster. "Grandad said they weren't to darken his doorstep, but here they are and I cannot see."
Someone placed a hand on the back of his neck and squeezed.
"Reg!" Nymphadora said.
"Is this how you talk about us behind my back?" Regulus asked in his ear.
Harry scoffed. "Let go of my neck and I'll say it to your face."
Harry didn't get the chance, though, for Nymphadora, Narcissa, and most of the others walked over to greet the newcomer.
"Tell me this isn't the dignitary's grandson you invited," Charlus said.
"I can't."
Charlus leaned forward and pointed at him. "You complain about the pollution yet you invite another?"
"Thank you, Uncle Charlus," Narcissa said.
"Make no mistake, Madam, I am not defending you people," Charlus said.
Harry shrugged as he got up to give Lysandra his seat. "Grandfather brought a Black. Grandad brought a Black. Grandmother brought a Black. Father brought a Black." He pointed at Charlus. " You kicked the door wide open. Why can't I have one?"
"We are not… pets to get," Callidora said.
Harry looked at her. "Right. Pets are good people."
"They are rabid dogs," Charlus said.
Harfang, who was standing behind Bartemius, laughed. "Round one!"
Callidora inhaled. "I will not fight with a child."
Regulus had no such hangups. "As oppose to Potter?"
"Why would you try to make that comparison?" Harry held out his hands. "You cannot compare. Look at me."
"I cannot. You disappear in profile and Charlus' neck is in the way as it is."
Harry snorted then leaned forward to clutch his knees as he laughed.
Charlus looked at Regulus and blinked. "For moment there, Regulus, I thought you were Sirius."
Harry howled. Callidora placed a hand over her mouth as she looked away. Narcissa bit her lip and bowed her head. Everyone else joined Harry in laughing out loud as both brothers had visceral reactions to the statement.
Euphemia entered the room with Henry behind her and set off a bang with her wand. "What is going on in here?"
Every Black, including Sirius, pointed at Harry. "He started it!"
Harry held up his hands. "I'm just thirteen. They should know better."
Looks of amazement and general noises of disbelief went around the room.
"You should be ashamed of yourself," Bartemius said.
"I know," Harry said, "but I'm not."
Dinner was a raucous, three course affair that took place earlier than usual. Harry, Charlus, and Callidora did the heavy lifting at the table. The load, however, wasn't as heavy as it could have been. James, Narcissa, and Regulus got along with most people. James and Regulus even tried to converse with each other. Nymphadora was eager and kept Alice, Frank, and Emmeline occupied. And Fleamont and Euphemia made a concerted effort to get to know Lysandra.
The most uncomfortable person was probably Sirius, who seemed relieved to have been left to entertain Simeon and Darius.
"Where's our sweet dragon?" Harry softly asked Narcissa.
"So you are the reason I can longer refer to him as 'Dragon?'" she asked as she poked his cheek. "He's in France. I didn't want to push my luck."
Harry looked at her. "So you won't bring him next week?"
"You are annoying." She took a deep breath. "Your father has a home."
Harry paused while eating treacle tart.
"James will speak to Simeon and Sirius in the next few days and then we – us and our children, I mean – will have dinner this Thursday," she said. "Can you do this next week? Be your awful self until we've relaxed at the dinner table?"
"Awful?"
She placed her knuckle against his cheek and he made a face.
" Fine. "
After dinner, the party went to Oakland Court.
Nymphadora whistled. "Almost looks as good as the Garden."
"Nothing looks as good as the Garden," Narcissa said. When Harry looked at her, she said, "You disagree?"
"No." He laughed at James' wide eyes. "Nothing looks as good as The Rose Garden."
Charlus slowed down. "But what looks better than it?"
"Sunrise in Gloucestershire."
Charlus inclined his head and Harry grinned at Narcissa.
"I can't wait to see this house no one will shut up about," Nymphadora said.
"Merlin, and Audrey is getting herself ready right now," Narcissa said.
Harry threw his head back.
"It's so funny," Nymphadora said. "Grandpapa has changed his mind just as she's changing hers."
"Why would Laurent change his mind?" Regulus asked.
Sirius got it, though. He slowed down then shoved himself between James and Narcissa. Both had been walking too close and both looked annoyed with Sirius' intrusion.
Harry did hope both relationships could withstand whatever was to come in the next few weeks.
"Merlin's saggy balls," Regulus said. "Like that'll ever happen."
"I'm sure he'll be fine with Xanthe or Andromeda," Harry said. "The point is to get it done by any means necessary."
Regulus frowned. "Xanthe would kill him, but Potter and Andy? That works. Not a bad idea really."
Nymphadora bit her lip and looked at the sky.
"Yeah," Harry said. "I'd like Andy as a stepmother."
"Aren't you dating someone?" Sirius asked James. He looked at Harry. "You don't like this one either?"
Harry shrugged. "Meh, she's alright. She comes from this awful family, though, and, Merlin, she has this kid. I'd love to smack him in the face."
Nymphadora coughed.
"Awful family. Terrible kid." Sirius shook his head. "You have a type, mate."
Harry laughed then his eyes widened and Sirius smirked at him. "Oi!"
"I think the Minister and your great-grandfather are waiting for you," Narcissa said tersely.
Harry winked and grinned at her before jogging to the head of the pack. Henry placed a hand on his head then Harry watched as he raised his eyebrows to…Regulus.
Regulus paused with Narcissa, Nymphadora, and a reluctant Sirius.
The group divided itself up by name with Longbottom in the middle.
"Ready?" Harry asked Henry.
"No."
Still Harry said, "Steady?"
"No."
"Go!"
••
The Dursleys
25 December 1993
Harry threw himself onto the sofa beside Charlus at Fleamont's house. Everyone who had had dinner with them wad there except Narcissa and Nymphadora. "Happy Christmas, Potters, Longbottoms, and Blacks."
"I'm glad you've stopped giggling," Charlus said. "You have to stop drinking, son."
Harry grinned as he touched his forehead. He leaned over and his shoulders started shaking. "I-I wasn't ," he gasped. "I wasn't drinking."
"What is so funny?" Henry asked.
Harry laughed out loud. "Whew…I-I was in a cup – err – "
Regulus nodded at him with a grin on his lips.
"Where I was doesn't matter. Madam Marchbanks was in the hall with Mrs. Ogden and Mrs. Prewett and-and…oh my – " He leaned forward to cackle some more. "Mrs. Prewett…she said – she said 'o-of course he shows up with a younger woman.'" Harry opened his mouth and laughed.
Everyone except the Black brothers had more decency. Some closed their eyes. Others looked to the ceiling. A few, like Neville, bowed their heads. Sirius and Regulus? Grinned.
"And why is that funny?" Lysandra asked.
"Oh, no," Henry said.
Harry snorted. "B- because everyone involved is hundreds of years old. Why does that matter? Everything should be blurry by now."
Charlus and Bartemius shot to their feet and hurried from the room. James turned to the wall and placed his forehead against while his body shook. Emmeline and Alice leaned against each other while their own shoulders shook.
"A lesson learned," Henry said. "Harry isn't cowed by tone. In fact, it spurs him on. Don't ask questions you don't want answers to."
Harry fell over and howled in the sofa.
Later that morning, while the majority had either gone home or were in their rooms, Harry put on his coat.
"Where are you going?" Darius asked.
"None of your business."
Charlus touched his forehead as Dorea pursed her lips.
"I'll see you later?" Harry said to Charlus.
Charlus waved his hand. "Be back by lunchtime."
"Yes, sir."
Ten minutes later, he entered Lily's townhouse to find Robert entertaining guests. One was a beefy man with dark hair and blue eyes. Above his uneven lips was a thick, walrus-like mustache. On the other end of the couch, was a large, pink-cheeked blond that couldn't be older than Harry. Between them was a thin blonde with pale eyes like Robert and a long neck.
"Hello," Harry said. "Err – Happy Christmas."
He bent down for Robert to kiss his cheek. "This is my daughter, Petunia, her husband, Vernon Dursley, and their son, Dudley."
"Hello," he said. "I have a gift for you," Harry said. "But – err – " He glanced at the Dursleys.
Robert glanced at Mr. Dursley. "They've seen magic before."
So, after a little more hesitation, Harry pulled a gift from his backpack to enlarge. "Enjoy."
Curious, Robert tore the blue and gold paper off as Lily entered the room.
"What is that?" Lily asked.
"Books on botany," Robert said. With mirth in his eyes, he said, "Thank you."
Mrs. Dursley cleared her throat. "And who is this exactly?"
"Harry Potter," the person in question answered with a grin on his lips.
Lily closed her eyes. Harry didn't know if it was because he had a smirk on his face, because her secret was about to come out, or a combination of the two.
"My question is…" Mrs. Dursley looked at her father and trailed off.
Her husband, who eyed Harry with distaste, picked up where she left off. "I believe my wife wants to know why you're here."
"I was invited. You?"
Mr. Dursley's eyes widened. "It's Christmas!"
"So you weren't invited?"
Robert smiled at Harry for a brief moment then glanced at the ceiling.
"This is my sister-in-law's house," Mr. Dursley said.
Mrs. Dursley was eyeing Harry with no small about of concentration. "Your father is that Potter boy? Jamie? James?"
Harry nodded.
Mrs. Dursley looked at her sister with pursed lips. The expression made her look like a horse. She then turned to her husband to whisper in his ear. Harry assumed it was for her son's benefit.
He'd see to that.
Mr. Dursley purpled.
Harry, in turn, grinned. "Hello, Aunt Tuney. Sev told me a lot about you."
Lily threw her head back.
Harry ate some Christmas lunch, which was a tense affair that kept Robert entertained. Harry, in turn, was amused to realize Robert was just like his other grandfathers, biological, adopted, and honorary. He'd never be truly reprimanded by them and they'd always have stars in their eyes. Well, except Fleamont, but he had come around, too.
"You live with your father?" Mr. Dursley asked. "Where?"
"A house in Gloucestershire. Just outside the village of Stinchcombe."
Mr. Dursley smiled. "That's a small village, yes?"
"Yes, but we own the village and the one across town, too."
Mr. Dursley glanced at Lily, who looked unhappy with the answer. "How did that come to pass?" he asked.
"They were wizarding villages five and six hundred years ago," Harry said. "They were run by wizards and taken from wizards."
Mr. Dursley looked Harry over. He eyed Harry's clothing. The cotton, dress-shirt; the wool trousers; the dragon hide boots. His beedy eyes even glanced at the leather jacket hanging on the wall.
Harry was certain this man could tell him exactly what type of cotton, wool, and leather he wore.
"Your family is important?" Mr. Dursley said.
Harry smiled.
••
Hartwood House
30 December 1993
James had purchased a Jacobean house somewhere in Beaconsfield. It was a lovely, brick mansion that stood three stories high on a wide patch of land. Off to side, very near some ash trees, was a small frozen pond. Roe deer ran through the patch of woodland Harry could see.
It was a shame, Harry thought, he would never see Naomi's face; he would never know her reaction to the news of this house. All he would ever have was his imagination. That it tickled him was a small consolation.
The inside of the house was surprisingly neutral – various shades of white – with soft touches of royal blue and gold.
"This is a Potter household," James had said early. "Our personal rooms will represent us, but the rest will showcase 'Potter.'"
Harry had told his father he thought the house could due with 'a bit more blue and gold.'
James had subsequently left him in the hallway.
Now it was Harry's turn to stand in the hallway. The others – James, Narcissa, and their sons – were in the living room doing their best to talk to each other.
"Draco tells me you're doing well in the competition," Narcissa said to Simeon.
Simeon, in turn, just blinked at her.
Narcissa inhaled before asking, "Did your grandfather – ahem – Fleamont teach you how to brew?"
"Yes."
She gave him a chance to elaborate. When he didn't she asked, "And you like to brew?"
Simeon blinked twice. "Yes."
An awkward silence followed the statement. Narcissa took a gulp of the sherry in her cup and exhaled.
James decided to pick up where she left off. "You like potions, too?" he asked Draco.
"Yes."
"You'll try to compete in two years?"
Draco sniffed. "Yes."
"Your mother taught you how to brew?"
"Yes."
Harry turned his head to silently laugh as they fell into another awkward silence. He fell to his knees with his head against the wall. When he regained control of himself some minutes later, he stepped into the quiet room.
"Narcissa, do you like potions?" he asked.
The four of them seemed relieved at the sound of his voice.
When she didn't answer, he said, "Well do you?"
"Yes."
He stared at her.
"Yes, I like potions."
"Did your aunt – ahem – Aunt Cass teach you how to brew?"
She raised her chin. "Yes, she said I needed real skills as being a spoiled, pretentious princess was not one and no woman related to her would be a dainty fool."
"That sounds about right. Father, do you like to brew?"
"No."
Harry gasped. "Whyever not?"
"Because it's boring and I'd rather watch you get dressed."
Harry took a seat in armchair. "That's not very Potter of you." He shifted. "Why do you like potions, Dragon?"
Draco glared and shrugged.
"Come now. We are sharing as…" He grinned. "A family. No one will poke fun. Besides me."
Draco rolled his eyes as his cheeks pinked. "Because I like to brew with my mother."
"Aw," Harry cooed. "I like to brew with my grandfather. Henry, that is. It gives us time to chat and bond." He leaned over. "Is that why you like to brew, brother?"
"No," Simeon said.
Harry tutted. "Full sentences, dear. We should all know each other…as family."
"I like to brew because I'm better than you at it."
Harry inclined his head as the rest looked at Simeon. "I suspected and I'm glad you have a talent. Do you plan to brew for a career?"
They looked at Harry in surprise, but he was in a generous mood. Besides, his competition was Freya, Mia, and Uagadou. Simeon wouldn't ever matter to him.
"I don't know," Simeon said. "Maybe."
"Why not look into something on eyesight for us? Or do something for Grandpa's neck issue?"
James snorted.
Harry sat up. "Can we eat? That was exhausting."
They sat down and had roast lamb with mint sauce. The lamb was accompanied by roasted vegetables and red wine.
"So when's the wedding?" Harry asked to fill the silence.
James closed his eyes. "I haven't asked yet."
"Well…you're not getting any younger. I can see the gray in Narcissa's hair."
Draco laughed beside him. It turned to a cough no one believed when Narcissa looked at him.
"Speaking of…I would like to establish some rules…"
James looked at the ceiling.
Harry pointed at Draco. "Stay out of my room. You have a habit of visiting me late at night."
"I wish you would stop saying it like that."
"No." He turned to Narcissa. "I am to be consulted on future naming choices."
She blinked. "Excuse me, Cassiopeia?"
Harry grinned. "You aren't allowed to name any brother or sister of mine. I will not come back here if there is a-a Castor or Virgo or, Merlin forbid, an Eridanus upstairs." To James he said, "Two people looked at a newborn and called him Arcturus. Put your foot down, sir!"
James howled and even Simeon had a grin. Draco and Narcissa glared.
"It's not funny!" Narcissa said to James.
••
Auld Lang Syne
31 December 1993
"Good morning."
The Rosiers had arrived early that morning or late last night. Harry didn't know, but he was surprised to see most of them in the dining room of Hartwood House when he entered.
"Hi, Harry," Audrey said brightly as she patted the chair next to her.
Harry peered at her over his glasses then moved to sit next to Auriel, who snickered.
"Good morning, blond people," Harry said.
He felt Audrey's eyes on him, but didn't look at her as he waited for his breakfast. After about a minute or so, he scoffed.
"This house…is not in order."
He turned to look up and down the table. It was all bread, meat, coffee, and tea.
James entered the room and greeted his guests. Harry didn't speak, choosing to eye him unhappily instead.
"What is your problem?"
"I have nothing to eat."
Timothé sighed. "Here we go."
James pointed to the food as everyone else started to trickle in. "Do you not have an assortment of food in front you?"
Harry sniffed. "You have bread and hot milk for the French. Meat and tea for the English. I do not eat like you people."
"Then don't eat. Not everyone is going to cater to you like grandfather."
Harry tossed his head. "Yes, they have. This is the first house I've slept in in a decade where my own personal breakfast didn't appear when I sat down. Or something I like wasn't on the table."
James looked at his guests, but no one dissented. "You cannot be serious."
"If mon petit wants yogurt and berries, mon petit gets yogurt and berries," Auriel said with a roll of his eyes. "It's disgusting."
"Even Uncle Arcturus ensured he had his berries and yogurt, porridge with kefir, spinach pies." Narcissa held up her hands. "He sits down and it appears before him."
Draco sat beside his mother. "It even happens at school. His type of breakfast is on the menu everyday."
Much to Harry's satisfaction, porridge and berries appeared in front of him as the fireplace ignited. "Thank you, Mother."
"For Merlin's sake, Harry," Sirius said.
"Ah, Black," Harry said. "Come join the Rosiers, Malfoy, and Cantankerous Nott's grandson."
Draco looked around and his eyes fell on James. "Really?"
Sirius pointed at Harry. "I don't like you."
Harry blew him a kiss.
"Introduce me to the people. Except him," Sirius finished nodding towards Timothé. "I don't want to know him. You shouldn't either. No one should."
Auriel raised his glass. "Here, here."
Sirius pointed at Auriel. "I like you."
"I see that you have not changed, Mr. Black," Laurent said.
Sirius inclined his head. "You told me not to and I haven't."
"I'm sure you've listened each time someone has told you not to do something, yes?" Celestine commented.
Sirius grinned.
After breakfast, Laurent said, "Harry, we are to spend the day in London. Will you join us?"
Harry paused for a fraction of second. "I…can't. I'm really behind on schoolwork." He got to his feet. "I'll see you later."
And he left the room before anyone could object.
While he wasn't behind on schoolwork, he did spend the day completing a lot of it. The majority of what he had left was reading, but his electives all had written essays or projects that needed to be completed.
Damn Karkaroff.
So he spent his day making headway and completing assignments for those classes. He'd drawn and painted a portrait of Diana. He'd make her move and meow later. He'd also made several photographs of various things and people move.
In-between the wait times for his Arts and Crafts projects to dry or take shape, he'd compared and contrasted magical birds and did the same with winged horses.
He wanted to be through with everything by April so he could begin his OWL prep.
He was midway through his six feet on dragons when his alarm went off. He paused for a moment then hopped up to run home.
He needed to wash and get dressed.
He opened the door and came face to face with Draco.
"Alright. New rule," he said. "You don't visit me after the sun goes down."
Draco curled his lip. "Your father wants you downstairs for dinner."
Harry went downstairs, but turned to the fireplace. He paused, though, to take in the people sitting there. "Who would've thought that one day James Potter would be entertaining the Rosiers, a Malfoy, and several Blacks."
" I didn't," Sirius said. "Merlin, had I known I would've been nicer to Evans."
Harry laughed. Then, when Laurent and Celestine entered, he said, "Well, l'll see you lot later."
"Where are you going?" James asked.
Harry tapped his watch. "Home to get dressed. It's seven o'clock and guests start coming at eight."
James shook his head. "I was told to be there by eight forty-five, but no later than nine o'clock."
" I'm greeting the guests," Harry said. " You are entertaining your family, but, also, you're not Harry Potter. Who wants to see you before a specific time?"
Regulus and Sirius laughed until they realized the other was laughing. Then they sneered at each other.
"Aw," Harry cooed. "You look like twins, but you also look like Pollux."
Draco grinned at Harry while Narcissa and Andromeda pursed their lips. Laurent laughed into his snifter.
The brothers got to their feet and Harry rushed to the fireplace.
"Tata. The herd!"
A little less than an hour later, Harry entered the entrance hall at Dawn Park dressed in emerald green. He stopped in front of Henry, who also wore an emerald green suit, and looked him up and down.
"Don't you think it's time to pass over the color, too?"
Charlus watched them with a smile.
Henry stared down at him. "No."
"Why not?"
"Because I'm not dead yet."
Harry shrugged. "What's that gotta do with anything?"
"You have stolen my name and my face. Will you not allow an old man his color?"
"No."
Henry pointed to the door. "Charlus, please take your grandson outside to the gates."
Harry's eyes widened. "You're putting me out?"
"Yes."
Harry summoned his cloak and followed Charlus outside.
"So where's your grandson?" Harry asked.
"None of your business."
Harry shrugged and kept walking until he realized Charlus wasn't with him. He stopped and looked behind him until Charlus caught up with him.
"I tell you it's none of your business and you just shrug?"
Harry shrugged. "I don't really care where he is. I'm just making conversation. He either comes here or he doesn't. Won't hurt my feelings."
"Just what in the fuck – " Harry looked at him as Charlus shook his head. "Now isn't the time."
Harry nodded. "Never is the time. If there ever comes a time, it's because I want you to know exactly why I tried to kill him."
"That's not funny."
"I don't joke about your grandson," Harry said. "I'll laugh at anything unless it concerns your grandson."
Harry and Charlus eyed each other as they walked to the gate. Charlus didn't look angry, but he did look upset. Dejected, in fact, and Harry felt bad, so he changed the subject.
"Have you spoken to Thanos?"
"Yes, why?"
Harry shrugged. "Has she said anything about Morozov to you?"
"No, why?"
"Dumbledore said he's loyal to Grindelwald," Harry said. "Just asking questions before I see him again. Hopefully that'll be June, but, with Dumbledore coming to Brazil, Grindelwald might send him."
Charlus shook his head and laughed. "Grindelwald and Voldemort at the same damn time. Well, son, if nothing else you've brought the excitement back to our lives. If this is the end at least it came with a bang."
"You're welcome."
They stopped at the gate and a few seconds later Harry's watch went off.
"Ready?" Harry asked.
"Yup."
Harry pulled the gate open. "Go."
Bartemius entered with Emmeline. Harry saw a number of aurors move to stand on either side of the gate.
"Well let's see this pride and joy of Potter," Bartemius said.
Harry stepped back with his hand stretched wide and spun around. "There. You've seen me."
Emmeline laughed while Bartemius pinched the bridge of his nose. Behind them, Charlus said, "You asked for that, Barty."
Bartemius nodded. "I know."
Lysandra and the Longbottoms then the Blacks sans Narcissa and Sirius appeared in rapid succession.
Harry held out his hands. "Welcome to Dawn Park: the pride and joy of Potter."
Emmeline and Charlus laughed and Bartemius nudged Harry's forehead.
Pointing with his chin, Bartemius said, "Take me to the house."
"I'll take you to the next gate."
"What's in the forest?" Neville asked as they walked.
Harry looked to his left side. "Just deer and birch trees. Bluebells bloom in the spring and we hold them till the fall."
"Are there unicorns in there?" Nymphadora asked.
Harry held his finger to his lip. "Shh."
"A terrible habit to pick up," Lysandra said.
Harry laughed.
Bartemius whistled when they reached the opening.
"A shame no one here decided to birth a girl," Harfang mused.When Lysandra looked at him, he said, "Recently, I mean."
Callidora narrowed her eyes at him while everyone else grinned and he sighed. "You are the third oldest person here." He closed his eyes to the snickering around him. "We are both old! There ! It's been said. Can we go to the house now, please?"
Grinning, Harry held out a hand. "Straight to the door. You'll find my lookalike waiting for you."
Nymphadora appeared next to him and tossed her now elongated, blonde hair.
Harry looked at her. "You're a little long in the tooth. Let's try this James Narcissa thing in fifteen years when we're both divorced."
Alice and Frank looked at him with wide eyes.
"So that is a thing," Alice said.
"Huh? Oh, I think I hear Grandpa calling me."
But she didn't hear him for she called, "Em! Emmy!"
Nymphadora winked at Harry then made to move. Someone called her name, however, and they both turned to see the Rosiers coming with Sirius, James, and Simeon.
Narcissa and Audrey stopped at the sight of the house.
"Nothing looks as good as the Garden, but nothing compares to this," he said to Narcissa, who just raised her chin and tossed her hair in response.
Laurent and Timothé looked at him with contempt as they eased past him.
On her way past him, Audrey kissed both his cheeks then smiled brightly.
Harry snorted. "You're going to have to give this up, cousin."
She rolled her eyes.
"Lucky for you, I have friends."
"With houses like this?" she drawled.
Harry shook his head. "Yes, little Narcissa, they do."
Auriel and Draco laughed.
"I'll introduce you to them later."
Not that he was surprised, but Audrey wasn't the only girl to greet him with new enthusiasm. All of them flashed their teeth and/or tossed their hair. Some gave him hugs, a number of those kissed his cheek, and the brazen ones pressed themselves against him.
"Enjoying yourself?" Charlus asked as Fleamont entered the house. The two had switched places around eight-thirty.
Harry turned to him with pure joy on his face. "I-I have never had so much fun in my life."
Charlus laughed and Henry placed his hand on Harry's back with a smile.
They, Euphemia, Henry, James, and Charlus entered the ballroom, which was a vast, square space with brown, hardwood flooring in a chevron design and pastel blue walls with gold motifs. Blue or gold chairs were behind a border that framed the dancefloor.
Henry and Euphemia went to the front to greet their guests and signal the band. The rest of them spread out. Harry linked arms with Audrey then led her to the Ogden table where he introduced her to Urias Ogden. Harry then linked arms with Willow, so that he and Audrey could dance with the brother and sister.
He spent his evening dancing and introducing her to names like Marchbanks, Gamp, Vulchanov, Taylor, and even his Potter cousins. She smiled and greeted them with natural charm and trained warmth, but it wasn't until the dance before dinner did she truly show interest in anyone.
"Potter," Terence Higgs greeted.
He was a tall, twenty-year old with wavy, brown hair and hazel eyes. His face was sharp and symmetrical, softened by dimples and full, bow-shaped lips. A handsome, young man and an old protector of Harry's from Malfoy Manor.
He looked at Audrey, who twirled her hair and grinned, then, to Harry and said, "Took you long enough to get here."
Harry rolled his eyes. "I was following my dance partners. What stopped you from getting to your feet and greeting me?"
"Dignity and common decency."
Harry sniffed. "Is that what we call weak-kneed and meek these days?"
He turned to Mr. and Mrs. Higgs, who looked almost offended. He stamped down his laughter. "Audrey, this is Warlock Egbert Higgs, his wife Mrs. Gwendolyn Higgs, and their son, Terence, a friend I made before my trip to France."
Terence and Audrey looked at him.
"Everyone, this is my cousin, Audrey Rosier."
Terence looked at Audrey's left wrist.
"Oh, no," Audrey said. "My brother was with Harry and Cassius."
Terence turned to Harry. "What's with the blond and his mother?"
"She's dating my father."
That brought Audrey out of whatever trance she was in while staring at Terence, who eyed Narcissa and Draco with distaste.
"Serious?" Terence said. "And you're fine with being in the same house as them?"
Harry inhaled with a cheeky retort on his lips, but deflated with the exhale. He had been around Narcissa for a decade. He had almost killed Draco, which had made both of them change and treat him well, but Narcissa had been hiding out on the continent where very few knew of her crimes…
"Yeah," he said. "I've been in her company a bit for the past ten years and he's scared of me."
Terence picked up his glass. "I'd be scared of you, too, but I wouldn't want to share a house with them. I'd lose my mind and you didn't have much of one when you were two." He looked at Audrey with a grin. "Would you like to share a house with the Malfoys?"
She bristled and Harry leaned over to whisper in her ear.
"Don't defend Narcissa and Draco to people that were held hostage and tormented in their house. You and your family know what they went through."
Audrey tossed her hair and Harry closed his eyes. "Well they are my cousins, so I've had no choice."
He exhaled.
The music started to play again and Terence got to his feet. "Would you like to dance?"
"No, thank you," Harry said.
Audrey smiled and let go of Harry's arm.
Harry turned to the Higgses. "Are you enjoying yourselves?"
Mr. Higgs sized Harry up through narrowed eyes as he pointed to Terence's vacated chair.
"I wasn't aware Terence knew you," Mr. Higgs said.
"Know of," Harry said. "I haven't seen him since I was about two."
Mr. Higgs looked at his wife. When he turned back to Harry he said, "And Miss Rosier is your cousin? Rumors say you are a half-blood."
"And a proud one," Harry said. "I was adopted by her aunt, Stephanie, and her husband, Taurus. Charlie's son. And the Rosiers have accepted me as family."
Mr. Higgs tapped his wine glass. "You were close to Arcturus, too, I believe. And you are well acquainted with the Minister." He frowned. "Who is her father?"
"Timothé," Harry answered. "Evan is his brother, but they don't get along at all."
"But he gets along with his cousin, Narcissa?"
Harry licked his lips. "Yes, and so do I."
"You were treated well at Malfoy Manor?"
Harry smiled. "No. I can say with certainty that between Malfoy Manor and Delphinium House no one suffered more than me." He held up a hand. "I'm not going to try to convince you to be nice to or forgive Narcissa. She doesn't deserve it."
He found he meant that. She had not earned it and even if she tried to…
"But you have?" Mrs. Higgs asked.
"I've accepted things I cannot change."
He spoke to Mr. and Mrs. Higgs a little while longer before moving to find Laurent with a cup of spiked punch in his hands. He was in what was the main drawing room, but there were cards and games tables set up in the enlarged room. Laurent was at one such table playing three-card brag with a cigar in his mouth.
Harry stopped beside him. "I don't think that's a good hand," he announced.
Laurent curled a portion of his lip, but otherwise ignored Harry as the others laughed. "Five thousand," he bet.
" Galleons ?!" Harry was aghast. "Do you know what I can do with that amount of money?"
"You will earn it this June."
Harry shook his head. "A little less than that. You are dipping into my portion of the will."
Laurent scoffed as someone upped the ante to eight thousand. "You have avoided my presence all day and you still think you are in my will?"
"I just showed your granddaughter around to wealthy first or only sons," Harry said. "Yes."
Someone bet ten thousand as Laurent said, "Where did you leave her?"
"Dancing with Terence Higgs. Egbert Higgs' son," Harry said. "Friends with Scrimgeour, Ogden, and a few others."
Laurent nodded. "Twenty thousand."
Harry clutched his chest.
"I know of Higgs," Laurent said. "Not all that old or well-known, but all that rich and old enough."
By the time the ante reached Laurent again, it was at fifty thousand. He doubled the number and two people dropped out, leaving him to go against Aldrich Lestrange, who dumped the same amount of chips into the bowl.
Mr. Lestrange placed a running flush on the table that consisted of an ace of diamonds, a king of diamonds, and a queen of diamonds.
"Ha," Laurent said for he had an ace of spades, an ace of clubs, and an ace of hearts in front of him. "That'll be all gentleman." He kissed Harry's cheeks after he sent the money in the pot some place. "Merci, mon petit. Now what do you want?"
They entered the dining room. It had also been enlarged enough to comfortably fit thirty tables of ten.
Harry pulled Laurent over to the side and the older man crouched down.
"These people don't like Narcissa and for a very good reason."
Laurent paused. "I…"
"Simeon doesn't have any friends, my father avoids the topic of my past, Narcissa held children hostage in her house, and Audrey is making eyes at Higgs, who has a bracelet on his wrist," he said. "I have accepted Narcissa without an apology and I'm not looking for one, but tell me how you would feel if you came in this house and saw Bella on my father's arm."
Laurent inhaled and looked around. Those in their vicinity watched James and Narcissa.
Indeed, Mrs. Warrington was in conversation with Mrs. Dolohova and Mrs. Shafiq. The three women spoke behind their hands, but their eyes were on Narcissa. Mrs. Higgs had her lips pursed. Mr. Higgs stood with Mr. Warrington and Mr. Gore, who had lost a son and grandson to the Malfoys and their Manor. All three had a curl in their lips.
"I would be insulted," Laurent said. "How dare you invite me into your home while the bitch who…" He inhaled ahh nodded. "Thank you. Excuse me."
Harry watched Laurent walk over to Charlus and whisper in his ear. He then went to Narcissa and placed an arm around her waist. He pulled her away from James, so that she could sit at a table with him.
Harry turned and came face to face with Sirius.
"You notice everything, don't you?"
Harry inclined his head. "Your family taught us both to do that."
"Simeon doesn't like her."
Harry shrugged. "Why should I care?"
"James got a divorce – "
Forgetting himself, Harry stepped to Sirius. "It took James seven years to get a divorce. Every time I came to England his parents allowed me to be insulted and he ignored everything his grandfather said. So don't tell me anything about what James did."
"Step back."
"You step back."
Regulus appeared next to them. "What's happening here?"
Sirius not only took a step back, but he walked away.
"Where are you sitting?" Harry asked him.
Regulus raised his eyebrows. "Shouldn't you be with Draco – "
Harry spun on his heel and found a table where Cassius, Auriel, and Nymphadora sat with Terence and Audrey. Vanessa and Fleur filled in the two seats between Nymphadora and Auriel. Andrei and Rolf filled in the two remaining seats at Harry's right.
Auriel poked his cheek. "You know you did exactly as Grandpapa wanted."
Harry paused then rolled his eyes. "Of course."
"What's wrong?" Auriel asked. "You're pouting, baby."
Harry hesitated, but, in the end, turned to him. "How do you feel about Narcissa?"
"What do you mean?"
Harry nodded then turned around. Like him, he doubted Auriel had ever contemplated it. Now that he was, it was bothering the hell out of him.
Auriel nudged him. "What about Narcissa?"
Harry shook his head. "It's nothing. It doesn't matter. It's only going to bother you."
"Come on. Tell me. What's wrong? I want to be bothered."
Harry exhaled then turned back to him. "Higgs has a bracelet and he and his parents don't like her and Draco. And for good reason. We were tormented in that house."
"I wasn't in Malfoy Manor, but I see your point."
Harry opened his mouth, but, in the end, shook his head.
"What has your big brain thought of that I haven't?" Auriel mused. "She married Lucius. He didn't hurt me. She was close to Bellatrix. She hurt me, of course, but I don't see how Narcissa…oh. She would've known what they were up to, wouldn't she? And she said nothing." He blew out a breath. "I never thought about that."
Harry shook his head. "I didn't either until an hour ago." He huffed as he picked up his menu. "It doesn't matter." To his bowl, he said, "White soup."
Auriel picked up his own menu. "Turtle soup? I've never had turtle. Here goes nothing." As they ate, he said, "I think it should matter to you."
"Why? It didn't matter before."
"It bothered you that Narcissa was at the Garden. You were there a lot then you saw her and made a face," he said. "Then you didn't come around until Cassiopeia made you. How are you by the way?"
He shrugged. "It's been a year."
"So?"
Harry picked up his wine glass. "Don't start with me. I'm already in a mood."
"I can see."
Throughout the first and second courses, Harry drank until he was grinning at Auriel.
"It's almost nineteen ninety-four," Harry told him when his watch started to beep.
Auriel raised his glass. "Bringing it in right."
Harry kissed Auriel's cheek making the older boy laugh. Then, against Auriel's cheek, he sang, "Should old acquaintance be forgot and never brought to mind ?"
"You're gone cousin," he said as he laughed.
Vanessa then Cassius, Higgs, and Rolf joined Harry for the first verse. Neighboring tables joined in and, soon enough, the majority of three hundred people were singing Auld Lang Syne as the New Year rang in.