
Beach Day and Gotham
Toni sat on the Wayne private jet, glancing around at her children as they went about their usual activities. Dick was engrossed in a report for the Teen Titans, but Toni could see the telltale signs of his nervousness—his leg bouncing slightly and his fingers tapping the edge of the paper. Jason was reading "Pride and Prejudice," but he hadn't turned the page in several minutes, his eyes fixed on a particular passage. Peter was curled up against Toni, the gentle hum of the jet lulling him to sleep. Tim was nestled in Bruce's lap, watching something on his Starkpad with wide-eyed fascination. Harley was on the floor, playing with an Iron Lantern toy, making it fly through the air with enthusiastic sound effects.
Peter stirred slightly and whispered, "Are we going to meet Harry soon, Mama?"
Toni smiled softly, brushing a strand of hair from Peter's forehead. "Yes, sweetheart. We'll be there soon. Harry's really excited to meet all of you."
Peter's eyes fluttered open, a sleepy smile spreading across his face. "I can't wait to meet him," he murmured before drifting back to sleep.
Harry sat in the foyer, his heart pounding with anticipation. He fidgeted with the hem of his shirt, glancing at the clock every few seconds. The thought of meeting his brothers filled him with a mix of excitement and nervousness. He had heard so much about them from his parents, and now the moment was finally here.
Suddenly, the door burst open, and a little boy with bright green eyes ran into the room. He looked up at Harry with an excited expression. "Are you Harry?" the little boy asked, his voice filled with wonder.
Harry smiled, feeling a warmth spread through him. "Yes, I am. And you must be Peter, right?"
Peter's eyes lit up, and he nodded enthusiastically. "Yeah! Mama and Daddy told us all about you! I can't wait to play with you!"
Before Harry could respond, the rest of the family entered the room. Dick, Jason, Tim, and Harley followed closely behind, each of them looking at Harry with a mix of curiosity and excitement. Toni and Bruce stood at the doorway, watching the reunion with smiles on their faces.
Dick stepped forward, extending a hand to Harry. "Hey, Harry. I'm Dick. It's great to finally meet you."
Harry shook Dick's hand, feeling a sense of relief wash over him. "It's great to meet you too, Dick."
Jason gave Harry a nod, holding up his book. "I'm Jason.."
Tim, still holding his Starkpad and in Bruce’s arms, waved shyly. "Hi, Harry. I'm Tim."
Harley, clutching his Iron Lantern toy, looked up at Harry with wide eyes. "Hi, Harry! I'm Harley!"
Harry felt a lump in his throat as he looked at his brothers. "It's really nice to meet all of you," he said, his voice filled with emotion.
Harry looked around at his family. "So, what are we doing today?" he asked, curious about their plans.
Toni smiled and exchanged a glance with Bruce. "We thought we could go to the beach for the day. How does that sound?" she asked.
Harry nodded, a small smile forming on his lips. "That sounds nice. I've never been to the beach before."
Peter and Harley's eyes widened in shock, Peter’s jaw dropping. "You've never been to the beach?!" Peter exclaimed, his voice filled with disbelief.
Harley nodded vigorously. "It's so much fun! You're going to love it!"
As they walked out of the house and headed towards the car, Toni glanced at Harry. "Did we get you any swimwear when we went shopping a few days ago?" she asked.
Harry shook his head. "No, we didn't."
Toni took out her phone and looked at Harry. "What's your favorite color?" she asked.
Harry hesitated for a moment before answering. "I like blue and green."
Bruce looked at Harry for a second before nodding. "I think green would look best on you."
Toni nodded in agreement as she placed the order on her phone. "Alright, green it is. The swimwear will be at the beach when we get there," she said with a smile.
Harry smiled at Toni. "Thanks, Mum," he said, feeling a bit more comfortable using the term.
Toni grinned and nudged Jason's shoulder playfully. "See, Jason? Harry knows how to say thank you."
Jason rolled his eyes, a smirk forming on his lips. "Yeah, yeah," he muttered before suddenly taking off. "Race you to the car, Dick!"
Dick laughed and sprinted after him. "You're on!"
Harry watched them with amusement, he turned to Toni and Bruce, who were both smiling at the playful antics of their sons.
"Come on, Harry," Bruce said, placing a hand on his shoulder. "Let's catch up with them."
As they arrived at the beach, the sound of waves crashing and the smell of salty air filled the air. Toni went off to retrieve the swimwear she had ordered, returning with the pair of green swim shorts for Harry.
"Here you go, Harry," Toni said with a smile, handing him the shorts. "You and your brothers go get changed."
Harry nodded, taking the shorts and heading towards the changing area with his brothers. He quickly changed into the swim shorts.. As he reached for his shirt, he paused, his fingers brushing against the fabric. He was acutely aware of the scars on his back and arms, remnants of his time with the Dursleys.
Taking a deep breath, Harry stared at his reflection for a few moments, contemplating whether to take off his shirt. The thought of his family seeing the scars made him feel vulnerable and exposed. After a few seconds, he decided to keep the shirt on.
He stepped out of the changing area, joining his brothers who were already excitedly talking about their plans for the day.
As Harry and the two younger boys walked up to the beach, he noticed that it was completely empty except for his family. He looked around, puzzled, before turning to Toni. "Did you guys buy the entire beach for the day or something?" he asked, a hint of amusement in his voice.
Toni bit her cheek in embarrassment, glancing at Bruce before answering. "Well, we wanted to make sure we had some privacy and that you could enjoy your first beach experience without any interruptions," she explained, her cheeks turning slightly pink.
Bruce nodded, "We thought it would be more comfortable for everyone this way."
Harry smiled, feeling touched by the gesture. "Thanks. This is really nice."
Toni's embarrassment melted away, replaced by a warm smile. "You're welcome, Harry. Now, let's go have some fun!"
Harry followed closely behind Peter as the little boy excitedly pointed towards a group of baby turtles making their way to the water. Peter's eyes were wide with wonder as he watched the tiny creatures crawl across the sand.
"Look, Harry! Baby turtles!" Peter exclaimed, his voice filled with awe.
Harry smiled, staying close to Peter to make sure he was safe. "Yeah, they're amazing, aren't they?" he said, crouching down to get a closer look at the turtles.
Peter nodded, his attention fully focused on the turtles. "They're so tiny! Do you think they'll make it to the water?"
Harry nodded reassuringly. "I'm sure they will. They're pretty strong for being so small."
The two of them watched in silence as the baby turtles continued their journey Peter's excitement was contagious, and Harry found himself smiling as he observed the little creatures.
As the first turtle finally reached the water and was carried away by the waves, Peter clapped his hands in delight. "They did it, Harry! They made it!"
Harry grinned, feeling a warmth in his chest. "Yeah, they did. It's pretty incredible, isn't it?"
Peter nodded, his eyes still fixed on the turtles. "I want to help them," he said, looking up at Harry with determination.
Harry chuckled softly. "Alright, let's make sure they all get to the water safely."
Together, they carefully guided the remaining baby turtles towards the water, making sure they avoided any obstacles along the way. As the last turtle disappeared into the waves, Peter turned to Harry with a big smile.
"Thanks for helping me, Harry," Peter said.
Harry ruffled Peter's hair affectionately. "Anytime, Peter.”
.Jason grabbed Harry's hand as the two joined the rest of the family, his eyes sparkling with excitement. "Come on, Harry! Let's go swimming with Dick and me!" he exclaimed, tugging Harry towards the water.
Harry let the younger boy drag him along, a smile forming on his face. As they approached the shoreline, he couldn't help but notice how different the beach looked compared to the lake at Hogwarts. The water here was a vibrant shade of blue, clear and inviting. It was a stark contrast to the murky depths of the Black Lake, where he had faced all sorts of magical creatures.
He chuckled to himself, thinking, "I doubt a giant kraken lives in this part of the water."
Dick was already in the water, waving them over. "Come on, you two! The water's perfect!"
Jason let go of Harry's hand and ran ahead, splashing into the waves with a joyful laugh. Harry followed more slowly, feeling the cool water lap at his feet. He took a deep breath and waded in, the refreshing sensation washing over him.
As he joined his brothers in the water, Harry felt a sense of freedom and happiness. The worries and fears that had plagued him seemed to melt away, replaced by the simple joy of being with his new found family. They splashed and played, their laughter echoing across the beach.
For the first time in a long while, Harry felt truly at peace.
Harry and his brothers played in the water for hours, splashing and laughing as they enjoyed the water The time seemed to fly by, and before they knew it, they were all feeling pleasantly tired from their fun in the water.
As they took a break, Harley and Tim approached Harry with excited expressions. "Harry, can you help us build a sandcastle?" Harley asked, his eyes wide with anticipation.
Tim nodded eagerly. "Yeah, we want to make the biggest and bestest sandcastle ever!"
Harry smiled "Of course, I'd love to help," he said, following them to a spot on the beach where the sand was perfect for building.
They all got to work, using their hands and a few small buckets and shovels to shape the sand into towers, walls, and moats. Harry showed Harley and Tim how to pack the sand tightly to make the structures more stable, and they listened intently, eager to learn.
As the group took a break for lunch, they gathered around a picnic table laden with sandwiches, fruit, and snacks. Toni looked at Harry with a concerned expression. "Harry, do you have any allergies we should know about?" she asked, cursing herself for not asking sooner. "I can't believe I didn't think to ask a few days ago."
Harry shook his head. "None that I know of," he replied.
Toni looked at him. "When was the last time you had a check-up?" she asked gently.
Harry's silence was answer enough, and Toni's heart ached at the realization. "We'll schedule one for you with a trusted family friend in Gotham tomorrow," she said firmly.
As they continued their lunch, Jason elbowed Harry gently and leaned in with a grin. "Don't worry, Harry. Dick's allergic to mangoes," he said, his tone light and teasing.
Dick huffed, crossing his arms. "It's not fair. Mangoes are my favorite food, and I can't even eat them."
Jason leaned over and whispered conspiratorially to Harry, "We have to make sure Dickie doesn't get a hold of any mangoes. He wouldn't hesitate to eat them even though he knows he's allergic."
Harry chuckled. "Got it. I'll keep an eye out for any rogue mangoes."
Dick rolled his eyes but couldn't help but smile. "You guys are the worst," he said.
Over the course of the next few hours, Harry and his brothers played on the beach, their laughter filling the air. They built sandcastles, splashed in the waves, and even went on a seashell hunt.
As the sun began to dip lower in the sky, casting a warm golden glow over the beach, Toni and Bruce called the boys over. "Time to pack up, everyone," Toni said, her voice carrying a hint of reluctance. "We need to head back."
Harry and his brothers gathered their things, their energy still high from the day's activities. As they walked back to the car, Harry couldn't help but feel a flutter of nervousness in his stomach. He knew that he would be spending the next few days in Gotham with his family before heading back to school, and the thought of it filled him with a mix of excitement and anxiety.
As they piled into the car and began the drive to the airport, Harry stared out the window, his mind racing with thoughts of what the next few days would bring. He was eager to see Gotham and spend more time with his family, but he couldn't shake the feeling of uncertainty that lingered in the back of his mind.
Toni, sensing his unease, reached over and gave his hand a reassuring squeeze. "It's going to be alright, Harry," she said softly. "We're all here for you."
Harry nodded, taking comfort in her words. He glanced around at his brothers, who were chatting animatedly about their favorite parts of the day.
A little while later, as the plane took off, Harry stared out the window, watching the ground fall away beneath them. The sensation of the plane ascending into the sky was both exhilarating and surreal. He muttered to himself, "This is way different than a broom," as he gazed at the clouds and the vast expanse of the sky.
Across the plane, Toni was watching a U.N. meeting on one of the TVs. The group was in session, discussing the newly outed Magical Community and the revelation that they had hidden over 50% of the world's landmass. The debate was heated, with one of the representatives arguing passionately that the Magical Countries should join NATO.
Toni's brow furrowed as she listened to the arguments, her mind racing with the implications of such a move. She glanced over at Bruce, who was reading a report on his tablet, and then back at the TV.
Harry, still staring out the window, couldn't help but feel a sense of wonder at the world beyond the glass. The sky seemed endless, and the clouds looked like fluffy islands floating in a sea of blue.
The plane touched down in Gotham late at night, the city lights casting a dim glow over the landscape. As the family disembarked, Jason, still half-asleep, leaned over to Harry and mumbled, "It's even darker during the day somehow. It's like the sun never comes out in Gotham."
As they made their way to the car, Dick quietly approached Bruce and asked, "Are we going out tonight, Dad?"
Bruce shook his head, his expression firm. "I am, but you will stay at the manor with your brothers and mother," he said, shooting Dick a look as the boy opened his mouth to protest.
Dick sighed but nodded. "Alright, Dad," he said, though it was clear he was disappointed.
Toni placed a reassuring hand on Dick's shoulder. "You'll have plenty of opportunities to go out with your father, Dick. Tonight, let's focus on getting everyone settled in."
As the car approached Wayne Manor, Harry's eyes widened in awe. The grand estate loomed before him, its impressive architecture and sprawling grounds illuminated by the soft glow of the moonlight. The manor was a magnificent blend of old-world charm and modern elegance, with ivy-covered walls and towering turrets that seemed to touch the sky.
"Wow," Harry muttered, unable to tear his gaze away from the sight. "This place is incredible."
Toni smiled, glancing at Harry. "Welcome to Wayne Manor, Harry."
As they pulled up to the front entrance, the car came to a stop, and the family began to unload their belongings. Harry stepped out of the car, still taking in the grandeur of the manor. The front doors opened, and an elderly man with a kind face and a distinguished demeanor stepped out to greet them.
"Welcome home, Master Wayne, Mistress Toni," the man said with a warm smile. "And you must be Master Harry. I'm Alfred."
Harry shook Alfred's hand "It's nice to meet you, Alfred."
"Likewise, Master Harry. Please, come inside. I'll show you to your room," Alfred said, leading the way into the manor.
As they entered the grand foyer, Harry couldn't help but marvel at the interior.
Alfred led Harry up a grand staircase and down a long hallway, finally stopping in front of a large wooden door. "This will be your room, Master Harry. I hope you find it comfortable."
Harry stepped inside, his eyes widening once again as he took in the spacious room. The bed was large, with soft linens and plush pillows. There was a desk by the window, a bookshelf filled with books, and a cozy sitting area with a fireplace.
"Thank you, Alfred," Harry said.
"You're very welcome, Master Harry. If you need anything, please don't hesitate to ask," Alfred replied before leaving the room.
Harry hesitantly walked down the hallway, drawn by the soft glow of light coming from an open door. As he approached, he peeked inside and saw Toni sitting in an armchair, reading a bedtime story to Peter, who's eyes were slowly closing as he listened.
Tim and Harley were already passed out in their beds, tucked under blankets.
Harry stood in the doorway for a moment, feeling a sense of warmth and belonging wash over him.
Toni looked up and noticed Harry standing in the doorway. She gave him a gentle smile and motioned for him to come in. "Hey, Harry. Come join us," she whispered softly.
Harry stepped into the room, feeling a bit shy but also grateful for the invitation. He quietly made his way over to the armchair and sat down on the floor beside it, listening to Toni's soothing voice as she continued reading to Peter.
As Peter finally drifted off to sleep, Toni closed the book and gently placed it on the bedside table. She looked down at Harry, her eyes filled with warmth and love. "How are you feeling, Harry?" she asked softly.
Harry smiled, feeling a sense of contentment. "I'm good, Mum. Thank you."
Toni reached out and brushed his bangs aside. "I'm glad to hear that. Get some rest, okay? Tomorrow's a new day, and we'll have plenty of time to explore and have fun together."
As Harry made his way back to his room, he paused by a painting hanging on the wall. The painting depicted a couple and a young boy who looked strikingly similar to him. The man had a strong, kind face, and the woman had warm, gentle eyes. The boy stood between them, smiling brightly.
Harry stared at the painting, feeling a sense of familiarity and curiosity. Just then, he felt a pair of arms wrap around him from behind. He turned to see Toni.
"That's your grandparents, Thomas and Martha," Toni told him. "And the little boy is your father, Bruce, when he was about your age."
Harry looked back at the painting, "They look so happy," he murmured.
Toni nodded, resting her chin on Harry's shoulder. "They were. They loved each other very much, and they loved Bruce with all their hearts. They would have loved you too, Harry."
Harry felt a lump form in his throat as he continued to gaze at the painting. "I wish I could have met them," he said softly.
Toni hugged him a little tighter. "I know, sweetheart. But they're a part of you, just like they're a part of Bruce.”
Toni gently guided Harry to his room, giving him a warm hug before saying goodnight. "Sleep well, Harry. We'll have a great day tomorrow," she said with a smile.
"Goodnight, Mum,".
Toni then made her way to Jason's room, where the boy was already waiting for her with a copy of "Pride and Prejudice" in his hands. He looked up as she entered.
"Ready for our reading session?" Toni asked.
Jason nodded, handing her the book as she lay down beside him. "Yeah, I've been looking forward to it," he said, his eyes already starting to droop with sleepiness.
Toni opened the book to the marked page and began to read aloud. Jason closed his eyes, listening to the familiar words and feeling a sense of peace wash over him. The story of Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy unfolded, and Toni's gentle narration lulled him into a state of relaxation.
As she continued to read, Toni glanced at Jason and saw that he was already drifting off to sleep. She smiled, feeling a deep sense of love and contentment. This was one of her favorite moments of the day.
When Jason was finally asleep, Toni carefully closed the book and placed it on the bedside table. She leaned over and kissed his forehead, whispering, "Goodnight, Jason. Sweet dreams."
Toni quietly made her way down the hallway, stopping by Harry's room first. She gently opened the door and peeked inside, smiling as she saw him peacefully asleep in his bed.
Next, she checked on Dick, who was also fast asleep.
Taking a deep breath, Toni closed Dick's door softly and made her way to the Batcave. She had a role to play tonight, acting as the person in the chair for Bruce while he patrolled Gotham with Hal. As she descended the hidden staircase and entered the Batcave, the familiar hum of the computers and the glow of the monitors greeted her.
Toni settled into the chair, her fingers flying over the keyboard as she brought up the various surveillance feeds and communication channels. She adjusted her headset and took a moment to center herself.
"Alright, Bruce, I'm in position," Toni said, "Let's get this show on the road.”