"Welcome to the Villa Zabini," Blaise said proudly, spreading his arms wide.
He laughed at Harry's gaping mouth until Harry scowled at him.
"This is where ya live?" he asked incredulously.
"Sometimes," Blaise conceded. "We also have homes in France, England, the States, and I believe one in Taiwan."
"What the fuck?" Harry said quietly.
Blaise laughed, his mother was going to love him.
"Come on, come inside and meet the Contessa."
Blaise pulled Harry through the yard and up to the villa entrance. Harry spun around slowly, staring open mouthed at the ocean the villa overlooked.
"Wow," he whispered.
"That's nothing," Blaise said, waving off his awe with a wink. "Wait until you see the pool."
"You have a bloody swimmin' pool?" Harry hissed as they stepped inside the parlor.
"My, my, language please. There are ladies present."
Blaise beamed as his mother descended the stairs towards them. She had clearly prepared herself for their guest. Her royal jewels were affixed to her dark hair and around her slender neck.
"Blaise, my dearest amati, welcome home." She embraced him warmly, kissing both of his cheeks. "I trust that your year was well?"
"Yes Mother, Hogwarts was as wonderful as you told me it would be."
Thanks to Harry, he thought. Blaise was sure it would have been dreadfully dull if they had not been classmates.
"Eccellente," she patted his cheek fondly before turning to Harry.
"And this must be the Harry Potter that I have heard so much about!"
She lent towards him, very slowly and obviously showing her intention, and to Blaise's surprise, Harry allowed her to kiss both of his cheeks lightly.
Blaise had never seen Potter allow anyone to touch him, aside from Susan Bones, and even she couldn't do it without a flinch or glare from the younger boy.
"Thanks for invitin' me," Harry said softly.
"Of course dear, you are an ally of the Zabini's are you not?" She smiled gently at Harry and patted his cheek. "You are always a welcome guest for as long as we are tied together, Harry Potter. Casa mia è casa tua, my home is your home."
Blaise nearly laughed aloud at the look of awe that Harry wore.
He knew his mother would love him.
***POV Swap***
Juliana Zabini was not a woman easily impressed.
She had seven deceased husbands that could attest to the fact.
But Harry Potter was a marvel.
He carried himself with the wariness of a battle hardened soldier, with the gratuitous facial scars to solidify the image. Contrary to his physique, he was soft spoken, and seemed to do most of his communication through his enchanting emerald eyes.
Juliana could sense the power rolling off the delicate boy. Power which he manipulated and used easily, it seemed. Her Blaise had written many letters to her highlighting Harry Potter's many qualities and his lessons on respecting power that he taught other students.
The child was quick witted, cunning, clever, and, after having many discussions with him, seemed to be entirely Grey Oriented.
Meraviglia.
She went out to the backyard a couple of days after the boys' arrival to find them both laying on the chaise lounges and laughing.
"Good afternoon Gentlemen," she called to them, sitting gracefully next to her son.
"Evening mother," Blaise responded dutifully.
"'Ello ma'am," Harry said softly.
Juliana did not allow herself to grimace at the child's speech, she had too much grace for such an act. But it did remind her of her hope for the next 12 days...
"Harry, darling, I wonder if I could convince you to take a class with me during your stay here?"
Harry, the clever child that he was, gave her a shrewd look.
"What kinda class, Countess?"
She gave a small laugh, the child's consistent politeness was an enormous part of his charm. Even if he clearly misunderstood her title of royalty.
"Contessa, Harry," she corrected gently. "Although, I have told you, please call me Juliana." Harry blushed and gave her a small nod. "And as I believe that you will grow to be incredibly important to the Wixen World, I wondered if you would see the benefit of elocution lessons?"
Harry glanced quickly at Blaise, an obvious look of confusion on his delicate fae-like face.
"Electrocution lessons?" He asked, with his nose scrunched up. "'M sorry, I don't get it?"
Blaise laughed at Harry's confused face.
"Elo-cu-tion," he pronounced slowly. "It's a fancy word for speech lessons."
Harry, bless his heart, turned a truly remarkable shade of red.
"No thanks. 'M fine," he mumbled sullenly.
Juliana moved to Harry's chair, and slowly sat down beside him.
"Harry, my Meraviglia, do you believe that I would insult you in such a way?"
Harry ducked his head, but shook it slowly. "No ma'am."
"And you are correct, I would not. You understand that we are allies, yes?" Harry glanced up at her, his large green eyes wide, "Yes ma'am."
She slowly placed her hand on his cheek, "As your ally I only wish for the best for you, yes? I wish for you to succeed because as you rise, we rise together. Now, I find your accent to be part of your... fascino rustico, your charm. But there will be those who will not, who will sneer down their long noses at my tesoro Harry for his pronunciation. And I will not have it. Not if I can prevent it. Will you appease a lady by consenting to spend one singular hour in the afternoons learning to speak with pride?"
Harry studied her carefully, she believed the child must be rather adept at reading facial tells, before nodding.
"'Kay, I can do that."
"Fantastico!" She said brightly. "We shall begin after our evening meal, yes? Yes!"
Blaise smirked at Harry's politely befuddled expression.
Yes, Harry Potter was a true marvel.
***POV Swap***
Harry couldn't believe how bloody posh Blaise's home was.
He could have spent all two weeks just exploring the house, and still not seen everything! And Blaise hadn't been exaggerating on his library- it was brilliant. Just rows and rows of books with the most interesting titles.
"Wixen Culture: The Forgotten Ways," "Defensive Magik: a Complete Guide," "Spells to Stop the Heart," and three bookcases dedicated solely to 'dark' and 'grey' classified spells.
Which, as Blaise told him, Hogwarts absolutely did not have.
Harry spent his mornings in the library, reading as many books as he could and taking careful notes on the spells he is itching to try.
After breakfast, when Blaise finally woke up, the two of them usually went down to the ocean front beach, which Harry loved. Or they swam in the pool, which Harry enjoyed much more after Blaise taught him how to swim. One particularly brilliant evening they went down to the closest Wixen Village and practiced team dueling with some of the village boys. Apparently Italy didn't have the same views on underaged magic that Britain had.
Brill.
After they ate dinner Harry sat in the study with the Contessa and worked on "proper pronunciation."
Which was bloody ridiculous.
But Harry couldn't deny that he looked forward to their lessons. Even though she spent a lot of time correcting his speech, the Contessa was brilliant and happy to discuss and debate all different topics with Harry. He thought it was nice that they had most of the same views ('Calling it 'dark' magic is just a way to make it sound dirty,' she had said). Although there were a couple topics they'd disagreed on.
"Creatures are simply not as intelligente as we Wixen are," the Contessa said. "With the exception of the Fae, who hold a seat on the Italian Counsel, they should not require representation to muddy the waters of our governing bodies."
"What about werewolves 30 days of the month?" Harry had countered with. "Or Goblins, who we trust with our gold. How many of your house-elves know your family secrets? How can you trust them to keep your secrets but not to have an opinion on their lives? Think about it."
***
On the morning of his birthday he woke up to an entire flock of owls perched on the generous windowsill outside his guest room.
"Merlin," he breathed, opening the windowpane to let them in.
He laughed as the six owls seemed to compete to be the first one he approached.
"Calm down, calm down, will ya?"
He carefully undid the packages and scrolls attached to each owl, stroking their feathers and pointing out the owlery window to them.
"Go there, okay? You can fly right in and there's all sorts of good food in there for you," he said softly.
Five of the owls immediately took off as soon as they were relieved of their parcels. Only one owl, a tiny little black fuzzy feathered thing with big yellow-green eyes, jumped around on the dresser hooting happily.
"Aren't you hungry?" Harry crooned. "No? Okay, you can stay for a while."
He stroked the excited little owls feathers softly and moved the packages to his bed.
"Are these all for me?" he whispered in awe.
He was glad that Blaise was still asleep because he had a hard time swallowing back the hot tears that tried escaping.
You will not cry over this, he told himself sternly.
It was just... that... he'd never had a birthday present before, had he?
Harry slowly opened the first box, scanning the letter to see it was from Ron.
'Happy Birthday Mate! Sounds like you're having fun in Italy! Maybe next summer you can come stay here for a few days? It's no Villa but I've got a lot of brothers we can play quidditch with! Mum made this special for you, I told her it's your favorite.
Cant wait to see you on the train!
-Ron
Harry grinned at Ron's short and to the point letter. He pulled a metal tin out of the box and was happy to see that it was his favorite, treacle tart. It was even still warm and smelt as if it had just came out of the oven. He picked out a small piece and nibbled on it while he opened the next parcel, a thick and heavy envelope from Neville.
He pulled the parchment out of the envelope and saw a little silver figurine fall out with it. He laughed when he saw it was a perfect model of a Devils Snare, except with a stamped insignia of a knights helmet surrounded by floral engravements, right on the front of it.
Hey Harry, Happy Birthday! I miss you all and can't wait for school to start
back up. Although it's been an oddly good summer with Gran. She seemed really pleased that we were friends, and even more pleased when I said we entered an alliance (she didn't seem to understand gangs much, course I'm not sure that I do either). She told me that sometimes allies give out tokens to each other-
something that has a meaning for us both. So here's a little Devils Snare for you with the Longbottom family crest on it. I'll see you on September 1st.
Your friend, Neville.'
Harry was happy that he had remembered Neville's birthday was the day before his, and had sent him a book on magical plants. He probably hadn't gotten it before he wrote the letter.
Smiling much easier than he usually did, Harry eagerly opened the next package. Which wound up being a banned book on blood magic from Theo and a short note reminding him to 'disguise the cover lest you get caught with it and we both end up as potion ingredients'.
Harry smirked and immediately put his hand on the cover, make it look innocent... and legal. He laughed when he saw the book now read "Magnus Bane's Trip to Mexico! A Graphic Novel." Theo was going to die when he saw the book now. Harry peeked inside just to make sure it didn't change the content and sighed in relief when the index still highlighted the sections for different types of blood magic.
The next package he opened also happened to be a book... alongside a six page letter from Hermione.
Who writes that much? he shook his head. He skimmed over most of the letter, vowing to read it more thoroughly later and laughed outright when Hermione wrote that she bought him a book on healing spells because "who knows what nonsense you'll get in to this year?"
Hermione could be funny when she wanted. He could see how she went to witty Ravenclaw.
Harry pulled the box clearly marked "FROM SUSAN BONES AKA YOUR BEST FRIEND" towards him and smiled at the obscene amount of stickers the witch had decorated it with.
'HARRY! I'm not going to write and write and write because I'll see you in 2 weeks! But you have to use your present to take a million photos (oops, that's a hint isn't it?) of Italy and Draco's home! I can't wait to see them and you! Happy happy HAPPY birthday! Love, Susan'
Harry thought Susan's letter sounded just like she did, bubbly, enthusiastic, and outgoing.
Basically, the opposite of Harry himself.
He immediately used her gift, a green magical camera, to go to his window and snap a few photos of the view. He'd have to ask her how to develop the film when he saw her in a couple weeks.
The little black owl that was flitting around his room hooted until Harry took a photo of it too.
"You're needy, aren't you?" he laughed.
"HARRY! Happy Birthday!" Blaise burst in his room, clearly hoping to catch him by surprise. "Ugh," he pouted, "how are you always awake before me?"
Harry slept a lot better now that he's gotten the hang of clearing his mind every night, but he still slept a lot less than his dorm mates.
"Probably because you're lazy," he joked.
"Lazy and proud of it," Blaise declared, flopping on Harry's bed. "What'd ya get?"
"Here," Harry shoved the pile of opened gifts towards Blaise. "You can look while I open Draco's."
He went to open the thin, square, parcel and saw that it wasn't from Draco but was from Professor Snape.
'Potter, I hope that you are managing to stay out of trouble, although I
find the mere idea laughable. Ensure that you are studying hard, keeping up with your summer
assignments, and practicing Occlumency as often as you can. I believe you will understand the significance of the included
package.'
Harry pulled the gift out of the wrapping and beamed when he saw what it was.
"What is it?" Blaise asked curiously.
"It's a CD," Harry said happily. "Led Zepplin, my mum's favorite."
"It's a Muggle thing?" Blaise asked.
"'Spose so," Harry shrugged.
"But Muggle items don't work in areas with high amounts of magic, how will you use it?"
"Fuck. I dunno."
Harry turned back to Snape's letter to finish reading it, hoping for instructions on how to get a disc player to work at Hogwarts.
'I believe you will understand the significance of the included package. I am sure you are cunning enough to find a way to utilize it this year, despite the belief it is meant to be impossible. -S. Snape.'
Harry laughed, Snape was such a bastard.
"He said he's sure I can find a way to do the impossible."
Blaise rolled his eyes and peered inside the empty envelope. "You're his bloody favorite- hey wait, there's another scrap of paper in here!"
He pulled out a small note and read it out loud: "Potter, this owl is an unruly nightmare who has given me constant headaches. I believe you two will be a perfect match. He does not have a name but he looks remarkably like a demon to me. Write to me, brat."
Blaise looked at Harry, who was staring open mouthed at the flittering owl.
"You're mine?" Harry asked quietly. The owl hooted and nipped at his ear.
"You know, I bet Snape likes you more than he does Draco. And Draco is his godson," Blaise laughed.
Harry stroked his new owl and shrugged at Blaise with a tiny smirk. "I guess Snape's just got good taste."
"I almost wish Ron was here," Blaise sighed. "He'd take me up on the bet if Draco curses or cries when he hears me tell him that Snape prefers you."
Blaise jumped off Harry's bed and opened the door, "Come on now, Mother wants to spoil you with a ridiculous breakfast spread and gifts before Draco shows up to whisk you away to his Manor."
Harry put the tiny black owl on his shoulder and followed Blaise down to the dining room and stared in open mouthed shock at the room.
"You did this for me?" Harry asked Blaise. The room was decorated in green and silver balloons and streamers with a large banner across one wall that read 'Buon Compleanno Harry!'
"Of course, Harry dear!" The Contessa said, gliding over where he was and kissing both his cheeks. "You only have a birthday once a year, yes?"
Harry didn't want to tell her but this is really the first birthday he's ever officially had.
"And who is this beautiful creature?" She crooned, slowly petting the owls head.
"Thank you Contessa," he smiled at her shyly and ducked his head. "He was a gift from Professor Snape."
"No need to thank me, my Meraviglia, we are like family now. Come, sit, bring your darling companion. Trilli will bring us food while you open your gifts, yes?"
Harry allowed himself to be led to the table where the Contessa seated him at the head.
"Here," Blaise said, shoving a box towards Harry. "Open mine first!"
Harry carefully unwrapped the package and gasped softly when he saw what was inside.
"These are brill," he sighed.
"Do not shorten your words, Harry dearest. Brilliant." The Contessa corrected him.
Harry grimaced, she was always after him for how he talked, and apologized while Blaise laughed at him.
"They're dragonhide! And they're charmed to grow as you do for up to three sizes!" Blaise explained eagerly. "They're the most fashionable and practical boots for Wizards."
"Thank you," Harry said, stroking the obsidian scaled boots. "They're brilliant."
"Much better, my dearest," the Contessa praised him. "And this is from me." She levitated a small box to Harry who accepted it with a small blush.
"You guys d-didn't have to do all this," he protested feebly.
The Contessa moved over by Harry and put her small hands on his cheeks.
"We did, because you are familiare. And we spoil our familiare when we can."
Harry didn't know a lot of the words that the Contessa used but he could recognize 'familiare' and he had to will himself, for the second time that day, not to cry.
"Thank you," he whispered in more of a choked voice than he wanted to have.
The Contessa kissed his forehead and Harry kept himself very still while she did it. She wasn't scary, or threatening, it was almost like, like... like having a mum might be, he thought.
"Will you open the gift now, my Harry, so that my Blaise has a chance to be jealous?" she asked with a soft laugh.
Harry grinned at her, saw her wink at Blaise, and happily opened the gift.
He pulled out what looked like more dragonhide, it matched his boots anyway, but he had no idea what it was.
"Er, thank you?"
The Contessa and Blaise both laughed, although she quickly corrected his speech again.
Apparently, 'er' isn't 'a proper noise a young man of his standing should make'. Harry would have rolled his eyes except he was worried she would scold him for that as well.
"It is a holster, for your wand," she told him. "Allow me to help you attach it to your forearm?"
Harry tentatively held out his right arm, watching her warily as she took the holster and attached it.
"You slide your wand in here, yes? The material itself is charmed to be impenetrable. Only you will be able to summon your wand from it, which you can do with a small flick of your wrist," she explained.
"Harry doesn't use a wand, mother," Blaise scoffed. "I don't think he used it once, besides in McGonagall's class, since he got it. Have you?"
Harry thought he used it a couple other times but couldn't remember. "I used it last summer," he eventually said.
"See?" Blaise laughed. "He just terrorizes everyone with his hands." Blaise wiggled his fingers like a spider, as if to prove his point.
The Contessa gave Blaise a fond smile. "Which is all the more reason that he should carry his wand, yes?"
"Why?" Blaise asked, his dark brows furrowed. "Doesn't he look more powerful without it?"
"He does not need to look powerful," she corrected Blaise. "His allies know he is powerful, yes? It is about his enemies underestimating him. Imagine their expression of shock when our Harry is disarmed and still attacks with no wand."
Harry could picture it perfectly and gave the Contessa a sharp smile. "That's genius," he told her.
"It is strategy," she said simply. "You will learn my Harry, I will teach you."
Harry smiled all through the rest of breakfast. Which Draco interrupted, showing up four hours earlier than they had planned.
"Um, excuse me," he said, blushing faintly. "I suppose the uh time difference threw me off..."
Blaise and Harry shared a skeptical look before both bursting out in laughter.
"I told you he'd be early," Blaise said. "Bet you got up before the sun, didn't you?"
"Of course not," Draco denied haughtily. Harry smirked at him, he didn't like to bet like the other Slytherin boys did but he'd almost be willing to bet that Draco was lying.
"Suuuure," Blaise drawled. "Well you might as well sit down and eat. Mother won't let Harry leave until he's overly stuffed."
Harry scowled at Blaise, even as the Contessa easily agreed.
"Our Harry is much too thin," she said airily. "He needs to be reminded to eat more."
Harry mentally groaned at the gleam in Draco's eyes.
Like he said, he didn't like to bet, but if he did he'd put ten galleons on Draco pestering him to eat more during the next two weeks.
After breakfast Harry reluctantly packed his birthday presents in his trunk, situated his new owl on his shoulder, and gave one last mournful glance out his window.
"Write to me, won't you my Meraviglia? Put your charming new owl to good use, yes?"
Harry nodded shyly, "Yes Contessa. Thank you for inviting me."
She gave him a warm smile, making her brown eyes sparkle. "Of course my darling, you are always welcome. Casa mia è casa tua, Harry Potter."
And Harry, who had never had a real home, felt his throat swell with tears as he flooed away with Draco.
Don't cry over things you can't have, he reminded himself harshly. Weaknesses get you killed.
He couldn't forget one of the earliest lessons he had learned in his life.