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Dreams of Home Chapter 10
🕑 Added 2023-02-28 16:48:36 +0000 UTCChapter 10
The remainder of the summer went by all too quickly. Harry had spent his mornings and afternoons training with Charlus, and Dorea, while his evenings were spent playing Quidditch with James and Sirius. It was some of the greatest moments of his life, getting to have those moments with his father, and getting to know the man behind the hundreds of stories he had heard since his admission into the magical world.
James was not as arrogant as Harry had imagined though. He had heard both Moony and Padfoot in his time confess the man was a bit of an arrogant sod at times, but perhaps they were meeting at his turning point. He knew from the pensieve memory he saw in Snape’s office that the bullying had reached an eruption by this point in their Hogwarts careers, and the werewolf incident between the Marauders and Severus Snape had already occurred, so perhaps his change in attitude had already started. Something from the story had to have been missing. After all, James had been appointed Head Boy, and the young man knew Dumbledore and McGonagall would not have approved the Marauder if he was not capable.
The day before going to Hogwarts brought an interesting change of pace in the form of a visitor that Harry had not expected. It was late afternoon well into his training day. Harry and Charlus were out in the field dueling, while Dorea had long since retired for some social plans she had that afternoon. Charlus had confided in Harry that he had no idea what the woman was up to, but he figured he would let the woman do as she pleased while they would put in some aggressive work as it was their last opportunity to do so this summer.
Charlus and Harry had come up with something of a game in their afternoon training sessions. Harry had come a long way in just a month of nearly non-stop training, but the war veteran was still in another league, but they found a way to make it competitive. It started with a five-minute timer. Harry’s job was to merely survive the barrage of spell fire, and remain standing at the end of the time allotted. If he could do that he would win, and it was usually best 2 out of 3. As his skill increased, so was the time he had to stand.
Today the challenge was fifteen minutes. Harry had won the first, but fell in the final moments of the second. Thankfully, as the third rolled in even Charlus looked more than winded. The man had really pulled out all the stops to take him down in the final seconds of the last duel, and now they had to break the tie.
They were well into the ten-minute mark when Harry felt the exhaustion seeping into his bones. He took a big spin around a yellow curse he didn’t recognize, and hastily erected a shield that stopped two blasters from throwing him across the yard. He was drenched in sweat from his exertion, and was doing everything he could to hang on for dear life. He began transfiguring the field around him that had been obstructed during their duels to try and buy him some cover and time, but Charlus wasn’t giving him a moment to put a real strategy together.
When he went on the offensive Harry did everything he could to put the man on his back foot, but nothing phased or surprised the man. When he thought he had gotten lucky, Charlus surprised him with a massive wall of fire that he had to apparate out of the way, and in turn, caught a blast to the chest when he arrived at his destination. He was disarmed and bound before he could even prepare to retaliate, and he groaned realizing he had been bested again.
The man gave him a big smile. however. as he came to his side, got rid of the binds, and offered him a hand to his feet, “That was well done, Harry. I thought you might win that one.”
The man threw an arm around his shoulder and Harry grinned at the show of affection as they began walking back to the house happy to be done for the day, “I knew I was in trouble when you beat me in the second round. Had I held on a little longer the whole thing could’ve been avoided. How did you know where I was going to apparate?”
“Harry, we have been at this for a month now, and I think I have just about figured out every single one of your tells. The battle apparition is one I figured out the very first time we dueled though. You glance in the direction you are heading. That means all I had to do was pin the area with a widespread blasting charm, and you wouldn’t even have time to get a shield up.” Charlus said with a chuckle.
Harry swore aloud, making the man openly laugh at him, “Don’t worry, son. When you come by for the holidays, and of course into next summer, I am going to get rid of every single one of those tells. Our duels are going to last for an hour at a time. When you get to that point you will be damn near invincible. Hell, I like your chances against most of the Black family right now, and you and my big brother fighting would be quite the show. Talented witches and wizards no doubt, but you are going for a different category of fighter.”
Nodding, Harry understood what he was saying. A War Mage. It’s the category his uncle spoke of. A title his wife, himself, and Arcturus certainly held from their time in the great war. He had been given a chance to duel with Arcturus, and the experience likely would leave him with nightmares.
The man was nowhere near as fast as he or Charlus was, but his spell repertoire was something of a nightmare. Casting battlefield hallucinogens was an experience Harry would likely never forget, and in the end, he dropped his wand in horror at the images he had seen. Arcturus promised the young man he would be granted access to the Black family grimoire when the time was right, and Harry could admit he was almost hesitant to do so after he saw what the family's magic could do. Especially in the capable hands of someone like Arcturus.
Charlus had admitted that in the war the two had shared family spells back and forth, but he too never took an interest in the spells that made his enemy lose their minds. He was more focussed on destructive field curses, and taking a man’s head clean off his shoulders than descending their mind into madness.
When the two Potter men walked back into the house they heard two female voices going back and forth, and laughter ensued, piquing both men’s interest. The older of the two however shrugged, “You hit the showers, and I will see if your mother’s guest is planning on staying for dinner.”
Accepting the man's words he slapped his offered hand as he walked by, and began walking towards his room. Since the young man’s arrival at Potter Manor, he was trying to get used to Charlus and Dorea being referred to as his mother and father, while he also tried to get into the habit of referring to them as such. No one in the family wanted Harry to forsake his legacy, but at the same time appearances had to be kept, and calling them Aunt Dorea, and Uncle Charlus all the time would’ve grown tiresome.
They were a family, and in Harry’s mind, it was like he was just adopted by people who shared his blood. It was anything but simple, but he felt warm inside whenever he was referred to as their son, or even just a few minutes before when Charlus had called Dorea his mother. It gave Harry a taste of normality that he had desperately craved for the entirety of his life.
Freshening up didn’t take Harry long, and his curiosity as to who his mother might have invited over quickly brought him downstairs to investigate. When he entered the foyer a familiar set of warm brown eyes fell on him, and his mother’s eyes followed them to where she smiled, “Ah, just the young man Andi and I were discussing. Please join us, dear.”
The young man offered a tentative smile to the two women, and went to sit in a free seat by the wireless. Dorea offered him a smile, “I was quite pleasantly surprised when Andromeda followed up with me to have tea. We had exchanged a few letters since that unpleasantness at our family meeting, and she has finally graced the halls of Potter Manor.”
Harry gave the girl a grin, “Welcome to our hallowed halls, Miss Black.”
Andromeda offered him a grin of her own that reminded him much of another young woman with colorful hair, “Watch it there, Potter. I am pretty sure I remember telling you to call me Andi. As for your ‘hallowed Halls’” The girl said with air quotes, “It's not as posh as I expected. Listening to my own mother and father talk about the Potter family I half expected the house to be made of gold.”
Dorea and Harry both snorted at this, but tried to cover it quickly in their laughter, “I never had much interaction with your side of the family even when I was younger so I am not sure where they would’ve had the impression that this family was even that wealthy.”
The brunette girl shrugged, “After Fleamont invented that hair product that I think half the wizarding world uses, I believe my parents just assumed everything the Potter’s touched turns to gold.”
“Hardly.” Harry chuckled, “Finances were never an interest of mine, but I have never seen anyone in my family flaunt wealth like I have seen a few of the Blacks do.”
“I thought you had not had much interaction with anyone outside of the Americans and your parents?” Andromeda asked curiously.
Not even missing a beat he shrugged, “I may not have engaged in much with either of our families, but I was always watching.”
Seeming to understand his words she grinned, “Word on the streets is you are something of a magical talent. Planning on shaking up Hogwarts in our final year?”
“Absolutely. I have waited six long years to join the fray, and now that I will I intend to leave a mark. In as many ways as possible, I want it to be memorable. I hope if I am placed in Gryffindor you won’t run from me at every turn at school? It would be nice to have some friends who are neither the Head Boy nor the most notorious pranksters the school will ever see.” Harry said with a smile.
“I can respect a man who needs a little middle ground.” She said with a laugh, “Truth be told, most of the Slytherins don’t like me. I am too liberal in my friendships in the other houses. They are all dead terrified to cross me though. Bellatrix left quite the reputation at our school. Narcissa is two years below us, but she has been the quiet one of the group. I think she enjoys the entitlements of being a pureblood princess. Regardless of that, I think Hogwarts will be happy to see the back of the Black sisters.”
Harry nodded in understanding, “Your reputation is infamous even to me. My mother has told me some interesting stories.”
Dorea hadn’t said much in the byplay between the two, but took her chance to speak, “I wish I had a few more outspoken siblings in my time. We were respected only in Slytherin house in my day. Arcturus kept most of them in line, but a few Gryffindors tried to have a go at me once or twice.”
“I cursed them seven ways from Sunday too when I found out about it.” Charlus said entering the room with a tray of cookies, “Mipsy made cookies. I offered to bring them in.”
Dorea offered her husband a smile, while Andromeda and Harry both thanked the man before reaching for one. Charlus, took his entrance into the room as a chance to join the conversation, “So, Andromeda, final year at Hogwarts, what are you thinking of doing after?”
The girl shrugged, “A legal solicitor, or a healer. I honestly haven’t decided yet. Mostly just don’t want to work for the Ministry. Would rather avoid the politics of it all.”
Harry nodded his head, “I can understand that.”
“What about you, Harry? What will you do?” She asked curiously.
Charlus and Dorea both seemed interested in his answer to the question. It was true that they had not really discussed what would happen after his final year at Hogwarts other than the further evolution of his training. Harry, however, had thought of an answer, “I will continue to push my magical abilities to their limits, and maybe go into spell creation. Other than that I might consider playing Quidditch professionally. It really depends on the state of things a year from now.”
Andromeda lost the smile at his words, “You think this Voldemort guy is going to be a real problem?”
“I am almost certain of it. The rumors of his power can’t be unfounded. Especially if your older sister is aligning with him.” Harry said sadly.
Dorea chimed in at this, “Bellatrix was a powerhouse as a child, but I saw the look on her face when the man was in the room. She is smitten with his power, and that must mean it is something fascinating to behold. She has seen my brother fight, and his magic never impressed her as this Voldemort does. That alone tells us he must be a magical phenomenon.”
Charlus said nothing about the conversation that was happening before him, and merely watched with curious eyes as Andromeda took their words in. After a while, she sighed, “I guess I better start looking into my family magic. At the very least for self-defense.”
Dorea offered instantly, ‘You are welcome here to train with us anytime. We would be happy to show you the ropes, and I am certain my son would be happy to give you some pointers while at school. I assure you, he would not disappoint you in his magical abilities, and you could likely learn a lot from him.”
Confirming the offer with his own words Harry said, “I would love to. Anytime you are up to it.”
Andromeda offered him a shy smile at his offer, and a grateful nod followed, “Thank you, Dorea, and you as well, Harry. I should be getting back home though. I don’t want my parents to worry.”
Charlus spoke at this, “Well, like Dorea said you are welcome here anytime. Don’t be a stranger. I know my wife won’t admit it, but she enjoys it when her family at least attempts to communicate with us.”
This made the young woman chuckle, “I will, and thanks again for having me.” Her eyes turned to Harry, “I will see you on the train tomorrow. I think you are going to be quite the tilt in the balance of power in school, and I admit, I live to see people put in their place.’
“Hopefully we can avoid fireworks for at least a few weeks into the term. Would hate the teachers to think I am sort of anarchist like my fa-cousin.” Harry corrected swearing inwardly at his slip.
If Andromeda thought anything of it she didn’t show it as she cast final goodbyes, and strode over to the floo network where she was whisked away. Charlus offered the first thought after her disappearance, “That was nice of her to come through and stop by.”
Dorea offered a shake of her head, “She is worried about her parents. I think I misread her intentions originally. Before I thought she just wanted a chance to meet Harry. A new pureblood going to school at Hogwarts this year is sure to make waves, especially once they see what he is capable of.”
Charlus nodded at her words, and Harry watched her carefully as she continued her line of thought, “But I really think she is trying to create options for herself. Andromeda is a smart girl, and I think she is seeing battle lines being drawn in the sand. Before you two came in she said things had been tense between her sisters, and her parents. It seems both of them want to throw in with this rising Dark Lord and his followers, but Andromeda has no interest. She admitted to me that she has been dating a Muggleborn boy, and a lot of her friends are people that I know her parents would certainly not approve of.”
“I meant it when I said we would welcome her anytime. My family is already hosting one Black stowaway, and I wouldn’t balk at having another if it was necessary.” Charlus said adamantly.
Dorea offered her husband a loving and thankful smile, but then shook her head a frown marring her features, “I don’t understand why Arcturus is allowing them so much freedom. Our father was a pig of a man, but he kept the family in line, within reason of course. From what Andromeda says it seems almost as if a divide is coming.”
Harry shook his head, “It’s how Voldemort won in my timeline. Divide and conquer. It will be his greatest strength. The second was being able to disguise his followers in robes, and masks. Then everyone thought everyone else was a Death Eater.”
Charlus groaned, “At least when we were fighting Grindelwald the distinction between friend and foe was pretty simple.”
“If they are throwing curses at you, they’re bad.” Dorea said, making the man chuckle at what must have been an inside joke. Harry didn’t mind the moments between his mother and father. In fact, he rather enjoyed them. It showed Harry exactly what he wanted one day, and that was a family. Because even without children it was clear there was no way these two people could be further in love.
Dorea let out a sigh before offering her son a light smile, “Now, Harry I expect you to look after Andromeda. I know in reality she isn’t quite family to you, but I would like you to protect her as though she was.” At Harry’s nod, she patted him on the cheek and then rose, “There's my good boy. Now let us have a final family dinner before our son goes off to school.”
The woman led the two into the informal dining room where the elves began serving up food. The conversation got away from the upcoming war, family drama, and problems they would face in the future. Instead, it was more of their time at Hogwarts, the memories and friends they made, and even stories of their parents and the stories they had heard from them. It was the type of thing Harry expected to happen often in more normal magical households, and if he was being honest with himself he greatly enjoyed the bit of normality before going back to school.
----
When Andi returned home she was desperately hoping to avoid her mother, father, and sisters. She had quite the pleasant day at Potter Manor with her Great Aunt, and she was not wanting to ruin it with her parents prodding questions.
The only reason Cygnus and her mother Druella had allowed her to go to Potter Manor was to dig up information on the new Potter, and what her aunt and uncle might have been up to. Andromeda was disgusted by the fact that Bellatrix had tried to start a fight inside of Grimmauld Place after insulted Voldemort. Another pureblood supremacist with enough power to make Bellatrix foam at the mouth was something the world did not need.
Attempting to slip up towards her room Andromeda was caught red handed by her mother who offered her a fake smile, “Hello Andromeda dear. Come into your fathers study so we can discuss your visit. I should warn you, your uncle Orion is here.”
“Not Walburga?” Andi said, already frowning at being caught, and by the fact that her uncle was here.
“Just Orion. They are both curious about what is going on at Potter Manor.” Durella answered with a soft voice.
Following the dark haired woman into the back of the parlor where the entrance to her father’s study was she took a deep breath. Uncle Orion had always been kind to her, and he was the current heir to the family, but he could be quite brash with his language.
Attempting to get a reign on her temper before it could even begin to flare up, Andromeda took deep breaths, and attempted to raise her Occlumency to an acceptable level her grandfather had taught her before stepping into the room.
Her father and Orion were chuckling quietly with a glass of what looked like firewhiskey in their hands as Druella and Andromeda entered the room. Neither man raised to greet her, but her father offered her a small drunken smile, “Andromeda, what did you learn with the Potter’s?”
The man hadn’t even greeted her, the young woman noted dourly. Orion didn’t seem anxious to correct the man either, so deciding forward was her best option to get out of this quickly she shrugged, “It was fine. Auntie Dorea was kind to me, and we had lunch talking about Hogwarts, and the family.”
“Did you get to interact with the boy?” Orion asked curiously.
“Harry, and I,” Andromeda corrected with a tint of irritation laced in her voice, “Did get a chance to speak. He was kind to me as well.”
“No doubt his parents raising him in isolation made him soft.” Cygnus said, making both men boom with laughter.
In displeasure Andromeda answered, “I sincerely doubt that. When I arrived uncle Charlus and Harry were dueling on the grounds. I only was given a glance, but it did not look like they were throwing around stunning spells.”
This made both men frown. Cygnus ran a hand back and forth the lower cross of his beard covered jaw, “They were training then?”
“It appeared that way.” Andromeda said indifferently.
“She wouldn’t have much impressive magic to compare it to.” Orion offered weakly, “Even if they were dueling with school yard magic.
Charlus Potter was a veteran in the largest magical conflict in history, Andromeda thought dryly. Why would he train his son, over the summer, to do schoolyard magic. Her opinion however was not voiced, and Cygnus demanded, “What else did you learn?”
“There wasn’t much to learn. I wasn’t going into their home to invade them with personal questions.” Andromeda said with more attitude than she had intended.
Orion glared at the teenager now, “You spent an entire afternoon over there. Tell us more. We can sit here all day if we must.”
Making fist with her hands so tight that her nails dug into her palms Andromeda glared at her uncle and father, “Aunt Dorea said Harry was a magical anomaly. Even Charlus mentioned that he was looking forward to getting letters from the school if Harry was forced to defend himself. They seemed very confident in his abilities. For as much as this family cares about blood I would think it would be wise to be very cautious of someone who is the son of two ancient bloodlines.”
Both men winced at her words, clearly sensing her displeasure, and acknowledging her point. They had hoped the boy was a little more than a squib, but with the report they received from Andromeda, combined with his abilities as a parselmouth, perhaps the boy was more of a threat then they first cared to admit.
Sensing no further need for her, the Black daughter asked, “If that is all father, may I be excused?”
The man waved his hand, and Andromeda quickly departed the room without bidding either of them a goodnight. When it was just the two sons of Arcturus Black, Orion growled, “Why keep the boy a secret if he is so powerful?”
Cygnus shook his head, “I don’t know. I am afraid my daughter is right though. Any child of Charlus and Dorea Potter could be quite powerful. I suppose we should be grateful the other brat did not live. An entire family of that kind of power could have been a nuisance to Lord Voldemort. Unless you think the Potters will align with him?”
Orion scoffed, “The family of fools will resist. I believe Charlus made that quite clear at the family meeting.”
“Father won’t be happy if Charlus or his sister is removed from the equation. If violence is brought to them he could demand a blood feud against the Dark Lord.” Cygnus said with concern.
“We will not allow it to come to that. If we must, we will hire someone on the continent to deal with them. Anything to draw fathers suspicion away.” Orion said dismissively.
“Whatever it takes then.” Cygnus said, raising his glass.
“Whatever it takes.” Orion agreed.
Comments
Beau Brown
I do! Updates are every Tuesday for Dreams of Home. I update side projects on Friday!
Gummyking2
Do you have an update schedule?
Beau Brown
It's gonna go to dark places, and the shit I got planned is going to leave its mark! Can't wait to share more 😁
MaxOnCFW
this is by far one of my favorite stories ever and i have read alot and i mean alot of stories keep up the great work!
