House of Sutcliffe

Chapter 5- Harry’s Bad Day

Harry Potter’s life has been flipped on its head ever since his Aunt Maya came and took him away from the Dursleys six months ago. He’s grown four inches thanks to the delicious food from Winnie and the nutrient potions that he had to take for a couple of weeks. Winnie never denies him a snack when he asks for one either. He’s grown out of his old clothes and has gotten new ones to fit. He made sure to go with his Aunt Maya to donate his old stuff, since he didn’t need it anymore.

His room is filled with toys and decorations that please him and his aunt never comments on the fact that he only likes sleeping with his door open and the soft light of a charmed jar. He’s able to be outside as much or as little as he wants, climbing trees, tending his flowers, and looking for the best tree to make a treehouse in.

He has a little brother now and Mattie is a handful at ten months old. His brown curls have grown some more and his chocolate eyes are almost always cheery. Since he can crawl, Mattie has taken to following Harry around everywhere trying to get in the way as much as possible. He swears to everyone that Mattie is getting close to trying to say his name.

He has actual friends now ever since he was introduced to the Weasleys at dinner one night a month or so ago. It was rather awkward at first since all the kids looked at him like he was a shiny new celebrity toy, but Mr. and Mrs. Weasley along with Maya set them straight that he was just Harry and perfect that way. Of the kids, Bill Weasley was now in Egypt working as a Curse Breaker, something Harry found very cool.

Charlie Weasley was in his last year of Hogwarts, a wizarding school that Harry would be going to in a few years, and is the Captain of his Quidditch team. Percy along with the fun twins Fred and George are all at school now as well with Percy a third year and the twins in their first. That left Ron the youngest brother and the same age as him nine, and eight-year -old Ginny, the only girl left at home.

He got along well with Ron and after Ginny stopped blushing and comparing him to the fake Harry in her books who can slay dragons, they had fun too. In fact, Ginny was quite indignant when she realized that people were tricking kids with the fake stories and that Harry hated the attention.

That was the main reason why his Aunt Maya was so cautious about taking him out in the Wizarding World. He was so recognizable, and she didn’t want him to have to deal with all the craziness that surrounded being one Harry James Potter. At first, he was disappointed, but Aunt Maya stated that that wasn’t going to deter them. She had him pick out the hat that he loved the most (his Tutshill Tornados sky blue one) and took them anyway.

It was safe to say that there were two things that Harry Potter thought were the best in the world and one of them was the brilliance of Diagon Alley and the other Quidditch. On that first trip to the alley to set up Harry’s bank accounts his inherited one from his parents, and one from Maya and the Sutcliffe family. He was more than a little scared of the goblins that work there, but he followed his aunt’s example and was extremely polite while dealing with the small accountants. Though he wasn’t sure how Maya knew, she informed him that she believed that both account managers liked the young Potter.

To make up for the bank and the gut turning cart ride to the vaults, she took him to Quality Quidditch Supplies, where Harry promptly started almost drooling over the merchandise. He had heard countless stories of his dad’s Quidditch days from Aunt Maya. He was apparently a very good chaser. Harry knew that Quidditch must be in the Potter blood since Aunt Maya played as well as a beater on the Hufflepuff team. He frequently found himself reduced to giggles over stories of their competitiveness. It tickled him pink every time Maya would retell the story of knocking James off his broom with a bludger.

At the shop she got the whole family Tutshill Tornados jerseys, even Winnie. Harry had become as much of a fan of the quidditch team as his Aunt Maya after she took him to two of their games. Apparently, Maya’s father Henry was a fan as well as her brother Matthew, along with Maya. Knowing that his family had a connection to the team made it all the more special. Harry was also learning how to ride a broom from Maya in a clearing surrounded by thick woods a little way from their home. It was one of the most thrilling things in his life so far despite the safety charms on it that did not allow for very fast flying.

Of course, not everything was fun and games. Aunt Maya made him keep up with his school work. It wasn’t everything that they were going over in his primary school though. She sat down and did maths, reading, and writing with him. He grudgingly admitted that his reading and pronunciation had gotten better, and his handwriting was slowly starting to look nice like Maya’s.

Yes, his life was positively great now, but today was not one of his better days. For some reason he woke up not feeling the best. He was still tired, sore, and his head felt like cotton was stuffed in it. It also didn’t help that he had no appetite for any of the heavenly smelling food that Winnie kept trying to shove at him.

It didn’t help that there was a sad quality to the air in the house today. He peeked in the living room and saw his aunt icing the heavily scarred and almost twisted look of her knee. He could tell by the look on her face that it was a bad pain day. She refused to take any pain relief potions though for some reason. She’s always pushing them at him for every bruise, scrape, and cut that he gets.

Harry bites his lip as he takes in the shadows under Aunt Maya’s eyes and the haunted look in the blue orbs. Today is one of her dark days. Harry hates these days. He never knows what to do. It’s not that his aunt is mean or neglectful, she just is so anguished most of the day, and nothing Harry does can cheer her up. Though, she admitted on one of her better days that she did enjoy when he read to her.
Mr. Weasley sat down with Harry one day when he asked the man about the dark days that his aunt has. Mr. Weasley got this own dark look in his eyes as well, but it didn’t stay so long. He explained to Harry that Maya was hurting, that part of her is still stuck back in that battle in the first war, injured without knowing how to get better. Harry asked him how he could help her get better. Mr. Weasley told him that he didn’t know, but that Harry was already making all the difference in the world to his aunt.

He so badly wished that he could fix whatever was hurting Maya, like she fixed things for Harry by taking him home, cuddling him when he cried, and letting him sleep with her after particularly bad nightmares. It all just made him hate “him” all that more, his family shouldn’t have to suffer like this, they should still be here.

So, Harry and Mattie stuck to the living room with Aunt Maya. While she sat in the chair and attempted to drag herself into conversation with Harry. He lay on the floor with his feet in the air drawing pictures that he knew would later be hung on the walls. He always made sure to sign his name since it made her smile. The hardest thing to do was keep his crayons away from Mattie as he played with his stuffed quaffle, well that and attempt to feel better.

It wasn’t until the knock on the door that Harry’s stomach twisted into a knot. Winnie looked most anxious when she went to see who was at the door. His Aunt attempted to shift herself into a more comfortable position. When Winnie returns, she looked even worse. “He is not going away Mistress Maya. Should I take Master Harry and Master Mattie upstairs?” The elf asks worriedly.

“What? No! I want to stay. You need me.” Harry cries looking desperately between his fatigued Aunt and the house elf.

“Is it who I think it is?” Maya asks to another set of more urgent and louder knocks. Winnie nods her head so fast that Harry thinks that it might just pop off. Maya lets out a sigh and fixes her gaze onto Harry. “This is more than likely not going to be a pleasant conversation, Harry. Please, take Mattie and go to your room. I’ll be up when this is done.”

Harry opens his mouth to disagree but the worried look in his aunt’s eyes stop him. Resigned, Harry gets up and approaches her and wraps his aunt in a hug. His breath tickles her brown hair. “Thank you, Harry.” She breathes. He turns around resolutely and kneels down to gather his brother in his arms.

“You’re getting heavy Mattie.” He groans hefting him to his hip and heads upstairs. He goes into his room in case anyone is watching and puts his brother down on the play mat that somehow keeps appearing in his room. Luckily the infant is getting sleepy. After a few moments he crawls along the floor into the hallway and makes it to the top of the stairway, pleased that there is a turn in the stairs that keeps him out of view.

“I don’t think you’ve grasped the consequences of what you have done Maya. Do you know how much danger you have now brought on him?” The man’s voice is loud and Harry grits his teeth.

“I know perfectly well what I have done Dumbledore. I have kept Harry safe. He was not safe at the Dursleys, he was hurt! They did things to him that make my blood boil and make me want to go and make every last one of them rue the day that you left that innocent baby on their doorstep!” Maya growls back.

“You? Keep him safe? Why do you think you can do such after you abandoned him in the first place? Harry had nowhere to go, no person other than Petunia suited to take care of him.” The man fires back.

“That’s a lie and you know it! There were other options for him. Better options. He could have been loved far sooner than now. I may have left, but I didn’t ever think in my wildest dreams that he would be with them. I may have been in an awful place back then, but I’m better now. I’m here.” His aunt retorts.

“How much good can a crippled witch and a house elf do in protecting the Boy-Who-Lived from some of the darkest things that are out there?” The man asks his voice a little softer now, so Harry has to strain his ears in order to hear.

“I may have a bum leg, but I still know how to fight. I will die myself to protect that boy, and Winnie knows what to do if that eventuality ever happens. I’m surprised that you haven’t mentioned any of the security precautions that I’ve put up after you’ve shown up unannounced and uninvited twice.” Maya states.

“It doesn’t matter how many spells and charms that you put up Maya. Harry was the safest at the Dursleys with his family, his blood.” The man starts.

“I am his family and his blood too, don’t forget that old man. I know how much you like to pretend that sordid part of old Fleabag’s past never happened.” She snarls, and Harry has to hide a snicker behind his hand. While he knows that respecting your elders is a good thing, he has learned from his aunt that you should respect people who actually deserve your respect.

“Not the right blood. And that’s why I’m taking him back, he doesn’t belong here and that’s final.” Dread blooms in Harry’s pained stomach. No, this can’t be happening. He’s never going back there! Aunt Maya promised. Before Harry knows it, he’s at the bottom of the stairs staring into the living room looking at the old man in purple pajamas and his aunt leaning heavily on her cane.

“No! I’m not going back. I live here now.” Harry shouts gaining the attention of the witch and wizard in the room. He notices how his aunt’s eyes widen, and a genial smile blooms on Father Christmas’ face.

“Ah Harry my boy, it’s so good to see you. I’m sorry young man that this isn’t a situation that’s up for discussion.” The man says still smiling. Harry glares at him through tears in his eyes. His stomach feels like it’s going to burst and his head throbs.

“Harry, come here please.” Aunt Maya’s voice is soft and he finds himself running over and into her embrace. “Dumbledore, I think that you’ll find that Harry is not going anywhere without my say so.”

The man— Dumbledore narrows his eyes at his aunt. “As Harry’s magical guardian I think that you’ll find that I do in fact have the power to assure where young Harry resides.” Harry shivers, and buries his face into his aunt’s chest. All of his worst nightmares are coming true.

“Then you must not have been at the Ministry recently, since I think you’ll find that Harry is legally my ward. And, since he’s my nephew, my blood, that you will never have access to anything that has to do with Harry Potter since you placed him at the Dursleys. Now, as much as I respect you and your efforts for the Light, I ask you to leave my property and send an owl requesting a visit the next time. You will not find it possible to enter uninvited again.” Maya states, a deadly tone in her voice.

Dumbledore, pajamas and all, gives her a disappointed look. “Oh Maya, I had hoped that you’d make the right choice.” With that he’s gone out the door.

Harry couldn’t help it, he burst into sobs. Then scrambling away from his aunt, he emptied his already empty stomach on the floor. “Harry!” His aunt cries. He’s not sure how long he’s in misery for, but he slowly starts to realize that fingers are being carded through his unruly hair.

“Why didn’t you tell me you weren’t feeling well?” Maya asks him softly. He peels his head off her shoulder to look into her worried blue eyes.

“I-I didn’t want to bother you… i-it was one of your bad days.” Harry croaks out. Pain flashes through her eyes and it makes Harry want to start crying again.

“Harry… I need you to look at me.” Maya waits until his teary green eyes meet hers. “I always want you to tell me how you’re feeling no matter what kind of day I may be having. You are one of the most important people in my life and I love you so much. So, next time badger me with your problem until I get my head straight.”

Harry can’t believe his ears. “Y-you love me?” He stutters.

“Of course, silly boy, even when you smell horrendously of vomit.” She smiles and Harry can’t help but return it.

“I love you too Aunt Maya.” He says, and watches as she has to fight back a sob. Harry’s not sure why that would make her cry, but she seems happy nonetheless.
“Okay, let’s get you up and a Pepperup potion in you. I have a feeling you’ll be feeling much better afterwards.” Harry is the one that ends up helping his aunt to her feet, and watches as with a wave of her wand his sick has vanished and the room smells good again. He admits that he definitely feels better after the potion even with the steam pouring out of his ears and with his face as red as a tomato.

Later that night as he gets comfortable under his covers as his aunt tucks him in, he can’t help but worry about the fight earlier.

“Can he take me away? Will he make me go back?” Harry can’t even speak the name of the Dursleys anymore. Aunt Maya sighs and gives him a serious look.

“I’m not going to lie Harry. He is definitely going to try, but he will fail.” She says with such certainty.

“You don’t know that for sure though.” He says in a small voice. Maya looks at him for a few minutes while biting her lip. Harry’s unsure what’s going through her head at the moment.

“Pop up. Follow me.” Mays says, and Harry quickly jumps out of bed behind her. Their feet patter against the wooden floors as they make their way downstairs. They end up back in the library with the family tree that Harry loves to stare at. They come to a stop in front of it. Harry marvels at how the portraits are self-updating by looking at Mattie’s older picture in his spot.

“Do you remember that night way back when you asked if you could be on this wall?” Her voice is almost drowned out by the sound of his gasp in his own ears. Harry numbly nods his head. “Back then I said that we would wait and see how you still felt later on. Well, how do you feel Harry?”

“I want to be a part of your family.” Harry says quickly before she can take it back. A soft smile is on her lips.

“You’ve always been my family, Harry; this just makes it official on the Sutcliffe tree.” Maya tells him. Harry grins and looks at the tree again.

“Does that mean that I can be a Sutcliffe then?” He asks, and watches as Maya freezes.

“Harry… you’re always going to be your parent’s child. The son of James and Lily Potter. You shouldn’t forget that.” Maya states looking into his eyes seriously. Harry rolls his eyes at her.

“I know Aunt Maya. I’m proud to be a Potter, but I’d also be proud to be a Sutcliffe too.” He states firmly. He watches as his aunt opens and closes her mouth a few times speechless.

“Y-you sound like you’ve thought about this a lot.” She whispers. Harry smiles at her.
“I have! I’ve been playing around with my writing, practicing and all and I like the sound of Harry James Potter-Sutcliffe. I-I mean if that’s all right with you…” He trails off not sure what to make at the look on her face.

“Are you sure about this Harry? This isn’t something that you can change simply if you don’t like it later on.” Maya says trying to deter him from changing something so vital of himself.

“I am a Potter. My mum and dad sacrificed themselves for me. But I am also a Sutcliffe because my aunt is willing to fight for me, and the first person that I can remember who loves me. I don’t think there’s anything that says that I can’t be both.” Harry states looking between his aunt and the Sutcliffe Family Tree. “Besides, it won’t be the first time it’s accepted a Potter, right?”

Maya has tears running down her face. “I can’t argue with that can I?” She half laughs, half sobs. The pair straighten up and face the magical record of their family. “My mum and dad would have loved you. Matthew would have called you too smart to be related to me.”

Harry watches as Maya steps forward and touches her hand to a space to the left of Mattie’s below her name. “I Maya Olivia Sutcliffe do add my nephew and legacy to the great house of Sutcliffe, let it be known that by his chosen name, Harry James Potter-Sutcliffe is under the protection, love, and might of the Sutcliffe family. Brother to Mateo Alejandro Sutcliffe, and if he’ll have me s-son of Maya Olivia Sutcliffe.” She looks hesitantly at Harry, and is met by his radiant smile. She returns it shakily. “May he have pride in his noble lineage.”

With the binding statement the area under neath his aunt’s hand turns into a portrait of Harry with his first name and new last name after it. That night, Harry fell asleep with a smile on his face and a hole filled in his heart that he didn’t quite know was there in the first place.