Being the master of death wasn’t something Harry had planned. Just like all the other times his Potter Luck had struck, he was left reaping the benefits of more power with no desire for it. Sure, over the years as an auror he had taken more risks than others because he knew he’d be fine, but it wasn’t like that was anything new to be honest.
It wasn’t until Hermione and Ron pointed it out that Harry wasn’t aging that the true meaning of his role came to mean something. Harry had taken a quick potion of potion and had a lovely yelling match with Death after that. Death refused to let their master leave them. They were bound eternally until the end of time.
“We are one master. To be my master is to be death. You cannot die as long as I exist.”
And hadn’t that been a kick in the ass after the first prophecy that ruled his first 17 years of existence. So, like any good witch, Hermione hit the books and came up with plans.
Ron had helped break the news to the Weasley’s, Kingsley (still reluctantly serving as minister), and Teddy and Andromeda.
Harry hadn’t wanted to tell Teddy – he was only 10 but he and Andromeda had already discussed Harry taking custody of Teddy when he started Hogwarts. Andromeda wasn’t getting any younger and Teddy was taking more after Remus’s genes than Tonks. Although it was funny to see a furry little half-wolf running around on the full moon with neon green fur.
And so, life went on for a little while. Harry started to withdraw from the public eye – not that he was reveling in it much to start with but the Boy who Conquered can’t be seen to be becoming too powerful. While most of the dark wizards had been ousted after the Battle of Hogwarts and end of the war there were still pure blood purists who caused trouble every time Harry championed for creature rights and equality. They were always looking for ways to label him the new Dark Lord and get rid of him. Harry would laugh if it wasn’t so true how fast the public opinions could be switched. He still saw the headlines from his fifth year in his mind when he thought on it too long.
It was a rainy day at Grimmauld Place Number 12 when the answer to his “problem” presented itself. He, Ron, and Hermione were in the library going through the tombs and texts ridding the place of the dark artifacts and curses when they found an unaltered family tree of the Blacks.
“Look Harry!” Ron had exclaimed.
Ron was pointing to a branch stemming from the main house and splintering across the page. Unlike the rest of the line that were all in black signaling they were deceased this line was in gold. The Trio quickly flipped the map open until it was spread out across the entire area on the floor. Starting at Jacob Black Senior, a distant great something to Sirius and a Squib according to the map legend, the line descended all the way down through numerous children (all deceased) and grandchildren (also deceased) until they got to great-great-grandchildren where the names Billy and his children Rachel, Rebecca, and Jacob had gold lines.
“I have family?” Harry said in a whisper.
It wasn’t until after his death and will reading did Harry find out he was not just Sirius godson but also a distant blood relation through a marriage between a Black and Potter. Sirius had also blood adopted Harry when he was named God Father.
“Hey what’s this mean?” Ron asked.
Harry looked where he was pointing and there was a character starting with Ephram Black that continued sporadically through the line. The latest one being next to Jacob.
“Let me see.” Hermione demanded.
She quickly re-adjusted the map so the page long legend was in front of her. Harry thought the character looked like a bit like face from those emojis Ginny was always talking about on the phone.
“^-^”
“Aha! The symbol indicates a creature inheritance – according to this note here the person with this character beside their name can transform into a wolf like a natural Animagus.” Hermione explained quickly.
“Wicked.” Ron said.
Harry couldn’t agree more. His own Animagus form had taken him nearly a year to perfect and he was a bit sad his form wasn’t a stag like his dad or a dog like Sirius but rather a black fox. But he guesses that’s his Slytherin side coming out with his cunning and slyness. When Harry had first transformed he swore he heard that damn sorting hat laughing in his head.
“Oh Harry this is perfect!” Hermione said joyfully.
“Hmm”
“You and Teddy can go live in America! You can be with your family and think about Teddy! Being around other wolf shifters? And American wizards are so much more open about creatures than the Europeans!”
Ron nodded in agreement. Harry contemplated it and honestly wasn’t as opposed to the idea. It would solve his issues of the not aging bit. He could pretend to be 17 and then blame Magik for the delayed aging.
“But Teddy needs to go to Hogwarts. That’s where his parents went. That’s where his place is waiting.” Harry said.
He wanted teddy to walk the halls his mom and dad had. He wanted to tell him all about the Mauraders and the map that he may or may not have swiped back from McGonagall when he finished his 7th year after the war. Wanted to tell him about his dad and all Harry learned from him about himself and the dark arts.
“Harry…Teddy can still go to Hogwarts if you live abroad…but think! A real family! Teddy is even related to them as well.” Hermione said gently.
Ron and Hermione knew about his desire for a family. They had long nights in that tent chasing horcruxes to share their deepest fears and dreams.
“Where do they even live?” Harry asked.
Harry looked at the map again and it listed Forks, Washington as current location. Where the hell was that?