London was cold and grey and full of people the boy didn’t know. He watched as they all bustled past him, his short legs trembling with effort as he followed behind his aunt and cousin.
“Hurry up, Boy.” His aunt snapped. “If you get left behind don’t expect me to find you.” She gripped his cousins hand tightly as she wove faster and faster through the crowd. The boy panted as he dodged pedestrians and kept his green eyes locked on his aunts tall form.
He stumbled.
When he righted himself, she was gone. Lost in the crowd of people. His head swiveled as he searched for her and his cousin. He put one foot in front of the other, walking in the direction they had been headed.
Hours he walked. Hours he searched. But they were gone.
His feet ached. His stomach gnawed at itself. His breaths came shorter and shorter as his pulse pounded in his ears.
He wandered into an alley and huddled against a brick wall, hot tears burning a path down cold cheeks. He never thought he would miss his cupboard but right now he would give anything to be snug in the small space.
He crawled into a corner and closed his eyes, arms wrapped around himself. He must have dozed off while trying to think of his next move because the next thing he knew he was being shaken awake.
He blinked his eyes open to see a strange person? being? creature? in front of him. They had short hair and wore a dress with an apron tied over it. They-she?- cocked their-her? Head to the side.
“Are you lost little wizard?” She asked;the more he looked the more he realized she was definitely female.
He started to nod only for her words to catch up to him and he paused.
“What’s a wizard?” He whispered, hoping she wouldn’t get angry with him. Aunt Petunia always got angry if he asked questions.
Her brows furrowed and she gave a curious hum. Instead of answering she said, “I am Ravarya. What is your name?”
“My aunt calls me Boy.”
“That is something you are. Not your name.” She practically growled the words.
He ducked his head, eyes staring at his hands in his lap.
Ravarya sighed. “Well… come on. If we are going to find out your name we need to go see my cousin. He owes me a favor.”
She held out her hand and he stared at the sharp points at the end of her fingers. He slipped his small hand into her larger one and she pulled him to his feet. Ravarya led the boy to a crack in the wall and she dragged her nail down along it.
The wall moved.
The wall moved.
His jaw fell open and she let out a laugh that sounded like the crunch of gravel.
The boy adored the sound.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
His name was Harry Potter. Harry James Potter. He stared at the paper in his hands. He couldn’t read it but he traced the letters that spelled the names that Ravarya read to him.
Name: Harry James Potter
Parents: James Fleamont Potter
Lily Jane Potter née Evans
Vaults: Trust Vault-687
Potter Family Vault-1310
Ravarya and her cousin Therion explained that it was a Basic Inheritance Test. It only showed his name, his parents, and any vaults that he currently had access to, even if it was limited. She told Harry (his name was Harry he squealed internally) that when he was older they could have a more in depth test done if he wanted. Harry did not think Aunt Petunia would allow him to but he nodded all the same.
Therion had gently pricked Harry’s finger and squeezed out a few drops into a bowl before adding several more ingredients that Harry had never seen before.
Ravarya tried to explain the process and how Therion had developed the paper the test printed itself on but Harry could only focus on the words that scrolled across the paper.
It was like magic.
When he whispered that exact thing, Ravarya had laughed her gravel crunch laugh again and told him that it wasn’t like magic.
It was magic.
Goblin magic.
Ravarya and Therion were goblins and Harry was a wizard and it was wonderful.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
It took Ravarya exactly one moment to look at the small child huddled against a brick wall, trying to fight Winters chilly breath and claim him as her own. It took Harry much longer to believe this.
When they left Therions office Ravarya had the test, a card for his cousins Healing office, and a plan. She refused to let Harry return to his so called aunts home and Therion set up an appointment for her with his partner who was also a solicitor. He handled Family Law instead of inheritance issues like Therion.
She held Harry’s hand as she lead him through The Grotto to her home. She watched as his bright green awe filled eyes darted from home to business to the various goblins walking the cobblestone paths. She paused outside her home letting him look his fill. The outside looked as though it had been carved straight out of a cavern wall. Glowing moss grew along the exterior walls while the stained glass windows her best friend had crafted, caused a rainbow of colors to play across the ground.
“You live here?” Harry’s voice was filled with wonder and longing.
“I do. Would you like to live here as well?” She kept her tone soft but neutral. Maybe “boy” was an affectionate name? She doubted it but she never did presume to understand humans.
“Can I?”
Watery green eyes looked up at her with such hope and fear she felt her heart break. She carefully cradled the little wizards face, making sure her sharp nails made no nicks in his soft skin.
“I would tear apart anyone who tried to take you from me now that I know you want to stay.”
She had a flash of worry that her words of violence might scare the small child but then he grinned so wide she could not help but return it, sharp teeth flashing in the light of the street lamps.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The next few weeks passed in a whirlwind of appointments with healers, curse breakers, and solicitors. Harry had never met so many people, especially those interested in his wellbeing. Ravarya was still gnashing her teeth at what they found out at the healers.
Harry wasn’t sure what a Horcrux was but every goblin present at his healers appointment bared their teeth and clenched their claws. Healer Oraken had given him a ton of potions though that she said were to help “counteract the malnutrition and brittle bones.”
Whatever that meant. Goblin adults used a lot of big words Harry learned. Ravarya explained it was to help him grow big and strong so he took them without complaint, even though they tasted grosser than Aunt Petunias pork pies.
Ravarya and Healer Oraken had spent what felt like hours talking quietly while shooting Harry concerned looks before they huddled over a desk furiously writing some sort of letter. Afterwards, they went back to Therions office to meet with his partner Lorak about Harry staying forever with Ravarya.
That was the best and worst meeting in Harry’s mind. The best because Lorak promised them he would make sure Harry got to stay. But the worst because he had to talk about Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon. Lorak asked a lot of questions about what it was like to live with them and when Harry described his cupboard Lorak dug his claws into the desk so hard it broke.
A few days later when Harry was helping Ravarya in her bakery an owl flew in with a letter. Ravarya ripped the letter open and immediately closed up shop, practically dragging Harry out behind her. They hurried to one of the many alleys in The Grotto and she ran her sharp nail along one of the cracks. The wall opened and Harry got his first look inside Gringotts.
His new guardian had explained as well as she could how Goblin Society worked and promised he would understand better as time went on. He knew that Goblins did things of Value and that wizards assumed that meant money. Hence, the Bank. Goblins made the bank so they had leverage in the wizarding world. If they couldn’t be equal they would at least be respected.
And feared according to Ravarya but Harry wasn’t sure why anyone would fear Goblins. They were the kindest and nicest and most caring beings on the planet.
She led him through twisting and winding hallways before approaching an ornate door. Gold carvings depicted scenes from Goblin history all along the door. Harry thought it almost as pretty as the glowing moss on his new home.
Inside the room waited Healer Oraken and several other goblins Harry didn’t recognize. There were even a few humans that Harry figured were witches and wizards like him! At the head of the table were two Goblins sitting side by side. They both wore crowns of braided gold, silver, and copper. Ravarya knelt on one knee before them and Harry copied her. She shot him an amused smile before fixing her face in a blank mask.
“Ravarya, what have you done now?”
Her shoulders tensed but she squared them and looked her kings in their eyes.
“I have saved a child. And also discovered a truly disgusting travesty against Mother Magic with Healer Oraken’s expertise.”
Harry watched with wide eyes as one of the kings pinched the bridge of his very sharp nose. Harry kinda wished he had a nose like that.
“Of course you did.”
The other king barked out a laugh. Harry thought it sounded like a hammer hitting a nail. Not quite as nice as Ravarya’s gravel crunch laugh but still pleasant.
“Healer Oraken, I assume you have a plan?” The first king asked, his voice was tired.
Harry thought it must be hard work being a king with a voice that tired.
“I do, King Ragnok.” Healer Oraken’s voice echoed in the room.
“Oh do get up Ravarya. You’re too old for us to take over our knees anymore. And your poor little one looks like he is about to topple over.” The king with the laugh like a hammer gestured to the two of them still kneeling.
“Yes, King Gorgug.” Ravarya said in a tone that Harry thought was supposed to be timid.
She stood and helped Harry rise to his feet. They sat at the table with the rest of the group. Harry swung his feet as he tried to raise his head enough to be seen over the table.
“Be still, Harry.”
He froze. His eyes darted to her face to see if she was angry but she just looked fondly at him. He knew that look because it was how Aunt Petunia looked at Dudley and never him.
The many adults at the table talked about a lot of things that went over Harry’s head. Mentions of the Horcrux again were the main conversation but Harry heard snippets of questions and answers flying between Ravarya and King Gorgug.
“How old is he?”
“5.”
“Lorak is sure he can have the papers signed and filed with no… interference?”
“He has a cousin who has a contact at the ministry. He said it’s a sure thing. Cost me a dozen fruit tarts.”
“He must start school with the other children.”
“Once he’s finished his potions and I have had a chance to teach him to read, then yes.”
“Nasty business, this Horcrux.”
“Do you think it’s the only one?”
That last question was said during a lull in the others conversation and Harry watched as everyone turned to Ravarya with horrified looks.
The whispering grew as they all discussed the possibility. Harry tugged on Ravarya’s sleeve. She turned to him with a raised brow.
“What’s a Horcrux?” Harry asked innocently.
All conversations stopped. The silence was not as bad as everyone in the rooms eyes arrowing in on Harry. He ducked his head, cheeks flushed.
“Little one, do you remember the talk we had your first night in our home? About your parents and the war the wizards had?” Ravarya asked gently.
Harry nodded, not looking at anyone still.
“And do you remember the bad wizard?”
Another nod.
Ravarya paused until Harry met her eyes. He had never seen a look like that before. She was… sad?
He reached his little hand up to her face and laid it on her cheek. Her eyes closed and she took a breath.
“The bad wizard did a lot of bad things, Harry. But maybe the worst thing he did was destroy his own soul. We do not know what happened the night he took your parents from you. But we believe that somehow he broke off a piece of his soul and it…” She took a ragged breath and met those sweet green eyes looking up at her in concern. “A Horcrux is a piece of broken soul. Typically put in a container of some sort. But you Harry, you have one. It’s in your scar.”
Harry slapped a hand to his scar.
“I have… a broken soul?”
“No, nyling! Your soul is whole and beautiful. The bad wizard put a piece of his soul in you. We have to get it out. That’s what we are all here for. Healer Oraken is working with these curse breakers to help you.” Ravarya rushed to reassure him.
“Harry, little one. We all are going to get that thing out of you. I promise.” Healer Oraken swore, banging her fist on the wood table so hard it groaned.
“Oraken! That is ebony! If you break it, I swear I will have you working as a teller for a month.” King Ragnok hissed at the healer who blanched and muttered an apology.
While King Gorgug tried to calm down his infuriated husband, Ravarya rolled her eyes and turned to Harry. “Ignore him, little one. I know it sounds scary but I will be with you the whole time. And it will be gone today-right Healer Oraken?”
Healer Oraken nodded and gestured for the room to follow her. As they walked she explained that normally she would want all procedures to be done at her office, the curse breakers had ritual rooms that would be better for this sort of situation. Harry could hear the curse breakers and Kings whispering behind him.
“We should try to keep it. What if there are more?”
“-use it to find-“
“Maybe transfer it to-“
“Here we are. Harry dear heart, you and Ravarya stay out of the way until we tell you ok?” Healer Oraken gazed softly down at him as the rest of the team bustled into the room, some of them setting up candles while others began drawing on the ground.
Ravarya hugged Harry to her tightly and began to sing quietly. He knew what was happening was scary but he had never felt so safe. He allowed himself to rest against her and drift off.
“-ry? Harry, I need you to wake up and take this.” Ravarya held out a potion. “It will keep you asleep during the ritual.”
Harry took the potion and downed it as quickly as he could. He had learned already the faster he could get potions down the better. Almost immediately his eyes closed and the vial dropped from his loose grip.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
When he woke the first person he saw was Ravarya.
“How are you feeling?“ She asked while handing him a cup of water.
He took a small sip and laid back on the bed he just realized he was laying on. He scrunched up his nose and shrugged.
“Is it gone?”
“It is, nyling.” She brushed his hair back and gently stroked his now healing scar.
“What does that mean?” He twisted his fingers in the sheets.
“Nyling?”
He nodded.
She place a hand on his cheek and gave a fearsome sharp toothed grin.
“It means gift. Because that is what you are, a gift. My gift.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Winter’s Chilly Breath shifted to Spring’s Warm Embrace and Summer’s Heated Gaze had turned upon them, turning Harry’s pale skin almost a golden tan color. Harry turned six in a celebration surrounded by his newfound goblin family. Ravarya had finally agreed to let him go to school with all the other goblin children now that Autumn’s Brisk Stroll had made its appearance.
He had worked hard learning his reading and writing. He could carry on a basic conversation in Ghukliak, though the more guttural consonant sounds could be rough on his throat and Ravarya made him pace himself.
School was everything Harry had hoped for. He learned maths and read more stories about both Goblins and Humans alike. He studied magical and mundane animals. He learned about the various Magical Races and their societies.
Goblins from The Grotto came once a week and gave lectures on how they brought Value to the Goblin community and shared their trades and wares with the students. They taught them that every Goblin contributed something of Value. Even if they didn’t make any galleons off of it. The Kings even came once and explained how Gringotts allowed Goblins to work there to make a salary while pursuing their dreams. Artists, musicians, scholars, singers, dancers, and more made up the teller and manager positions.
Harry thought it was incredible how each goblin helped make the community better in some way. Ravarya was a baker and Oraken was a healer but they both brought Value to their people.
While each goblin had their own special dream they were all also warriors. That had stayed true from the formation of the goblin clans and would remain true until their destruction. The teachers taught them how to use a variety of weapons. How to fight their opponents with anything available. But also how to not fight, when to walk away and when to use their words to avoid any conflict.
Warriors they may be but bloodthirsty monster they were not.
The children began with soft weapons. Training how to move their bodies and how to dodge while holding something. It was mainly exercise to get their bodies in shape and to prepare them for future training with real weapons. They practiced multiple times a week around their other lessons.
Harry worried at first the other children would dislike him because he was not a goblin. When he shared that fear with Ravarya, she sat him down and had a long talk with him.
One thing she said stuck with him for the rest of his life.
“Goblins as a whole are neither good or bad. Just as humans are not wholly good or bad. Each individual has to make that choice, my son. You probably will come in contact with goblins who do not see you as one of us. Unfortunately, you will not be able to change their mind. But do you want to know something?” She smiled and tickled his tummy. “What they think of you does not matter. You are the son of Ravarya, daughter of Havial, son of Gorgug and the magic of kings flows through our line.”
Harry decided then and there to never worry what anyone goblin or human or otherwise thought of him again. Ravarya-his mother-claimed him as hers and that was all that mattered.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
When Harry was nine his mother decided it was time to get him a Wizard Tutor. He disagreed. Apparently, he did not need a wizard tutor as he was a goblin and would not be going to Hogwarts.
“Goblin you may be Harry-“
“Harzad.”
Ravarya sighed and cast her eyes to the ceiling.
“Harry. Nyling. My son. That sounds like hazard and though you may be a hazard some of the time I do not think you want me to call you that.”
Harry stared mulishly at her, arms crossed.
She stayed calm. She took a deep breath and reminded herself that her son was only a boy. She had a brief image of herself warm and on a beach somewhere, no grumpy boy child arguing about his very much human name and insisting on a goblin name that wasn’t even goblin, oh my Gorlmith’s Rusted Chainmail Harry-
She took another deep breath.
“We have talked about this. I do not mind if you change your name. I did not name you Harry. I have no strong opinions. But if you want a different name, a goblin name, then maybe-just maybe,” Her hands came up, wildly gesturing, “ask me instead of your blockhead best friend.”
Harry scoffed.
“Riz is not a blockhead, Mama. That’s not nice! We came up with a list and I am trying them out.”
“What is so wrong with Harry?” She implored, accepting they were going completely away from her original topic of a tutor.
He grimaced and muttered, “Abrek says it’s lame.”
She pinched the bridge of her nose. Adopt a child they said. It will be fulfilling they said. No one told her she’d be dealing with school yard dramatics and wanting to punch nine year olds in their noses for calling her son lame.
“I will be having a talk Abrek’s mothers. But Harry is a good name. A strong name. A name that means-“
“Home ruler. I know, Mama. I know.”
“It is also the name you did not know you had for five years and cried tears of joy when I told you it for the first time.” She gathered him up in a hug. “If you really want a goblin name we will find one together. But your name does not make you less my son or you less of a member of our clan.”
He shook his head and mumbled into her shoulder.
“I did not hear that, Nyling.”
“No. I don’t wanna change it.”
“Good. Now that that is settled. It is time for you to learn about wizards. When you go to Hogwarts-“
“I AM NOT GOING TO HOGWARTS!” Harry shouted and ran from the room, slamming the door behind him.
“Do not kill him. Do not bake him into a pie. Or a tart. Or a cake. HARRY JAMES POTTER DO NOT SLAM MY DOOR-Oh my Flemortha’s Cursed Girdle, I am going to make him work with his great-grandfathers this summer. And I am talking to no one. Perfect.”
Ravarya’s Royal Grandfathers cackled when they heard of the argument. They felt it was payback for all the times Ravarya made them want to pull out their hair with her shenanigans. I mean honestly, who tries to ride a hippocampus in the middle of Winter without gillyweed as a backup? Ravarya. That is who.
Eventually, mother and son came to an understanding. Harry would in fact be going to Hogwarts. He would be getting a wizard tutor so that he would not embarrass the entire clan by not knowing how to actually be a wizard. And he was going to do it with a smile on his face or so help him, Ravarya would-
She took several deep breaths during their come to Merlin talk as she put it.
She put out the call to her friends and family hoping one of them knew a witch or wizard that would 1. Not see Harry as an exhibit to be stared at. 2. Was good with children in general. 3. Had extensive knowledge of wizarding customs and culture. 4. Was not a prejudice piece of dragon’s dung.
At last she was given a name. Andromeda Tonks. The disowned Daughter of the Blacks. She would do nicely, Ravarya thought.
And she did. Andromeda Tonks was exactly what Harry needed. She spent the next few years teaching him how to format his essays in the way Hogwarts would prefer, how wizards vs witches greeted one another, about Lords and Heirs and their customs. About courting, fashion, etiquette, everything she had been taught and rebelled against. She taught him that in order to break the rules you had to know them first.
She taught him the basic theory of all of his wizarding subjects and the proper preparation of potion ingredients because apparently it was different from the goblin way.
“But why does it matter if I dice or chop? Teacher Burnock says that it’s the weight and volume of the ingredient that matters.” Harry’s frustration was obvious in his face and voice.
“We use different ingredients, Harry. And different styles of cutting help the item be dissolved differently into the potion.” Andromeda explain again, ever patient. “And remember at Hogwarts, you say Professor.”
“Yes ma’am,” Harry said, still fumbling with his roots.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
With Harry’s eleventh birthday came his letter from Hogwarts, a more in depth Inheritance Test, and his first pet.
Diagon Alley was filled with witches and wizards who all stared in shock at the tall boy walking alongside his mother. She bared her teeth at any who tried to approach him though so the trip was fairly easy. The pair were able to shop without interruption. They spent the most time in the pet shop where Harry finally settled on a fluffy Kneazle kitten that he promptly named Willow.
The night before he left for Hogwarts, his stomach churned with anxiety. He got out of bed and padded down the hall to his mother’s room. He eased open her door and quietly tried to crawl into her bed.
“Nyling?” She murmured sleepily. “Are you ok?”
“What if they hate me? They all think I’m some great hero, Mama, but…”
Ravarya held her tongue while Harry tried to find the words.
“No one knows what happened that night. We don’t know that I did anything. And everyone believes I defeated him somehow. Why? All we know is I ended up with a piece of his soul and I didn’t even take care of that. You and everyone else handled that and found the other pieces and now you’re trying to help Sirius and I-“
“Harry, Harry, shhhhh. It’s ok. Breathe.” She ran her hand up and down his back. “I am your mother. That’s my job. Your job is to be a child. If people assume something about you, that is on them. You just be yourself and they will figure it out. It will all be ok.”
She continued to murmur reassurances until she felt him drift off to sleep.
The next day found them in front of The Hogwarts Express. Harry eyed the train with trepidation and clutched Willow’s carrier tightly.
“Be good, Nyling. If you have any problems-“
“Go to Professor Flitwick, I know Mama.” Harry grumbled.
“Filius is nice, Harry.”
Harry rolled his eyes. “He thinks your teeth are sharp and your nails are shiny.”
“My teeth are sharp and my nails are shiny,” She said, amused at her son.
“Mama!” Harry gasped.
She cradled his face. “You are going to be fine. Who are you?”
“Harry James Potter. Son of James and Lily Potter, defeaters of Voldemort. Son of Ravarya, most feared of The Grotto, most talented baker of all the realms, daughter of Havial, son of Gorgug. The magic of kings runs in my line.” Harry recited.
“Exactly.” Her grin was all teeth and love.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
“Better be SLYTHERIN!”
Harry took the talkative hat off his head and laid it on the stool. He walked with his head high towards the table of green ties, the silence of the Great Hall stalking him with every step. As he was about to reach the table, a boy his age with dark brown hair and eyes began to clap. The rest of the table quickly joined in.
He sat across from the boy who clapped and held out his hand.
“Thank you for that. It was awkward honestly to walk in the quiet. I am Harry Potter.” He waited for the boy to take his hand.
“Theodore Nott. Pleasure to meet you.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Harry loved all of his classes but his favorite was Herbology. Watching something grow, tending it, creating something beautiful… he felt for the first time he understood what Value he could bring to his clan.
During the summer break between his first and second year he talked of nothing but plants, the friends he made, and especially Theo.
“Theo said there is a whole language you speak with flowers.”
“Theo, Pansy, and I tried to get into the third floor corridor-yes the forbidden one. There was a Cerberus. We might have let it loose.”
“Did you know- Mama listen to me! Did you know that Devils Snare hates sunlight? Neville says that you can introduce it slowly to different lights so it won’t be so scared but Theo thinks that’s silly.”
”Pansy offered to cut my hair but Theo threatened to rip up her Witch Weekly if she tried. I really don’t know why. Pansy is so good with fashion and makeup and hair. But she just cackled at him and let it go.”
“The Grotto could use a florist, don’t you think Mama? Neville and I talked about it. He is really good at Herbology and he thinks he could set up greenhouses and I could arrange flowers. Look at this, is it pretty? I tried to make some bouquets at school but Theo wouldn’t tell me what he thought. He just turned red and walked away when I gave them to him. Maybe he’s allergic?”
Harry grinned as his mother let out her gorgeous laugh. He never tired of hearing the crunch of gravel fall from her throat even when he didn’t understand what she was laughing about.
“I think Theo is a very good friend, Nyling. And yes it’s very pretty. Maybe you could look into edible flowers for decorations for my cakes, hmmm?”
Harry’s eyes widened. That opened a whole new avenue of possibilities. He raced to write Neville a letter about it. His mother had bought a beautiful Snowy Owl he named Hedwig so that he could exchange letters with his family during the school year and his friends during the summer.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Second year went much like the first. Except his DADA teacher was an idiot. He wrote to his mother and great-grandfathers complaining heavily about it. They wrote back assuring him they were on it.
Second year also brought about the formation of a dueling club. Initially, Lockhart was in charge of it but Filius quickly took it over when it became apparent how incompetent the other man was.
Harry had never felt his blood song like it did when he was dodging and throwing spells back and forth with Theo. He felt butterflies take wing at the sight of the other boy flushed and panting as they dueled.
Later he laid with his head in Pansy’s lap talking about the moment. She carded her hands through his messy black hair, listening as he rambled on.
“What does it mean, Pans?”
She hummed softly. “I think it means we are growing up.”
“That is incredibly unhelpful, Pansy Marie-“
“Not my middle name and you know that-“
“Theo is my best friend-“
“Rude! I’m right here, Harry. Honestly.”
“You’re not my best friend. You’re like… my sister or something.”
Pansy’s fingers stilled for a moment before beginning their journey through his hair.
“Harry, you know my family…”
“That’s not you though.” Harry sat up and met her sad eyes. “We are more than our family.”
“Says you. Goblin boy.”
Harry shoved her and then flopped back down in her lap.
“He’s my best friend,” He whispered.
“You know it’s ok to have a crush, right?” She asked gently.
He closed his eyes.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The summer between second and third year brought about a healed godfather and his werewolf.
Sirius Black stared at the face of the child of his best friends.
Harry Potter stared back.
Remus Lupin pinched the bridge of his nose and asked quietly for a cup of tea.
Ravarya stood silent.
Finally, Sirius stepped forward and attempted to hug his godson for the first time. Harry took a step back. Sirius made a small noise of pain at the gesture.
“Why?” Harry asked, his voice hoarse.
Sirius shook his head, knowing what Harry meant but not how to answer him.
Remus opened his mouth but shut it with a snap when Harry glared at him.
“I have no excuse, Harry. I was angry and thoughtless and I wanted to get what I thought was justice. I never meant to abandon you. I’m grateful to Ravarya-“
“My mother,” Harry hissed.
Sirius paused and then nodded. “I’m grateful to your mother and your clan for helping me. For getting me free and my name cleared as well as helping me heal both in body and mind. I want to be a part of you life. I’m not here to take you from your mum, Harry.”
Harry searched the older man’s face and nodded when he found what he was looking for.
“And you? What is your excuse?” Harry asked Remus.
“I’m not sure what you want me to say, Harry. I was twenty and lost all my friends in one night. I asked Dumbledore about you and he promised me you were taken care of. I went into the muggle world and avoided the wizard one as much as I could. I… you were supposed to be taken care of. But I know now that you weren’t and had I checked even once I would have learned that. I was hurting and grieving and I ran.” Remus gave a guilty shrug. He was well aware of his failings. “I understand if you want nothing to do with me. But please don’t take it out on Sirius.”
Harry did not expect Remus to be as brutally honest as he was. He could feel a tiny spark of respect for the man being able to admit so bluntly his faults. He glanced at his mother, who gave him a small smile and a nod.
“Alright.”
The two older men shot looks at each other and then back at Harry.
“Alright?” They said together.
“Yeah. I’ll give you a chance.” Harry finally opened his arms and allowed the men to give him a hug.
The rest of the summer was spent getting to know Sirius and Remus. The two men told Harry stories about his parents, helped him with his homework, and taught him how to flirt.
Or at least an attempt was made by Sirius and quickly shot down by Remus.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Hogsmede was not as amazing as The Grotto but still very cool in Harry’s opinion. He, Theo, and Pansy walked through the village together before Pansy joined up with a few of the other Slytherin girls. She waved at them and gave Harry a quick wink which he glared at.
Harry and Theo explored Hogsmede, talking about everything and nothing. As they made their way back to the castle, Harry subtly picked a few flowers and hid them in his pocket.
The next morning, he woke early and laid the small bundle of heather next to Theo’s pillow before hurrying to get ready for the day. He and Pansy were chatting quietly while they ate in the Great Hall when Theo arrived. Harry darted a look at him and gave a pleased hum when he noticed the flowers sticking out of Theo’s bag.
The dueling club began again. Theo and Harry partnered up, much to Filius' dismay.
"It might be prudent to split you boys apart. You both tend to be rather vicious despite being best friends. It might temper you a bit to have to duel someone else."
"I will tell my mother you hate her fig tarts."
"Carry on."
Harry knew Remus was a coward, but he did not realize he was also a cruel and idiotic man.
"You want me to face my worst fear? You want all of us to face our worst fears? In front of each other?" Harry asked incredulously. His classmates muttered their agreement that the idea was absurd. Draco particularly went a concerning shade of white considering he was already so pale. He shot Pansy a look and she nodded, heading to rest her hand on Draco's arm in support.
The wardrobe housing the Boggart shook.
Remus looked around his classroom of thirteen- and fourteen-year-olds. Every single one of them looked ill. He shook his head.
"I apologize. Let's forget this lesson and go outside. I will teach you how to dodge."
Later, the class of third years walked back into the castle covered in a variety of colors, chatting loudly about the paintball spell and Professor Lupin's lesson on how to avoid multiple opponents.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ravarya planned a special trip for Harry's summer vacation before his fourth year. They were taking two weeks to visit beautiful gardens all over the world. Harry could barely sleep he was so excited. He only wished his friends could join him.
He brought home a number of seeds to try and grow in his own garden as well as clippings that he preserved. His mother somehow came home with a whole new book of recipes from everywhere they had traveled.
His fourth year at Hogwarts was exceptionally boring.
If you call the Triwizard Tournament boring. Which he did.
"Honestly, who planned this? Are we just supposed to stare at the water the whole time?" Harry complained, knocking his forehead into Theo's shoulder over and over.
"Darling, do pull yourself together. The fit Durmstrang gents are looking at you," Pansy drawled while filing her nails.
"They aren't that fit, Pansy. You need your eyes checked." Theo snapped.
"And you need to pull that stick out of your arse," Pansy snipped back.
"Shut up both of you. I'm trying to nap." Harry shifted to bury his face in Theo's shoulder and he felt the other boy tense slightly before relaxing. Theo slowly adjusted until his arm was wrapped around Harry's shoulders, allowing Harry to lean more fully on him. Harry sighed and hid a smug grin in Theo's robes.
"I'm just saying, Dimitri asked multiple times to take you to the ball and is still sniffing around even though you told him no every time. You could give him a chance, Harry."
"Pansy. Enough." Theo's voice was strangely pleading but Harry was too comfortable to try and make out the expression on his face.
During dueling club, Harry had the bright idea to accio Theo's robes to him to distract him. It resulted in Theo sliding across the floor until he slammed into Harry and toppled them both to the floor. Harry froze and gazed up at Theo with wide green eyes. Theo's own startled dark eyes stared back. Theo's head began to lower and Harry's breath hitched. He licked his lips and Theo's eyes darted down to watch.
"Boys! Are you ok?" Filius called out to them.
Harry closed his eyes as Theo rushed to stand.
"Filius, I am telling my mother you think her claws are fake."
The professor sputtered as Harry stormed out of the room.
"A maze? We just have to stare at hedges?" Harry threw his hands up.
"Oh, but you like plants, I thought." Theo poked his side teasingly.
"I want to be a florist, not a landscaper." Harry sniffed.
Theo chuckled softly.
Harry watched as Cedric Diggory was celebrated as the Champion. The older boy looked exhausted standing before the judges holding the trophy. He brushed his pinky against Theo's where their hands rested on the bench between them. Theo kept looking straight but his pinky hooked Harry's.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Harry's great-grandfather's decided it was time for him to learn about running their clan.
"But I want to be a florist."
King Ragnok and King Gorgug exchanged glances.
"We know."
"And I am not actually a goblin."
"WHO TOLD YOU THAT?" King Ragnok shouted.
Harry pinched the bridge of his nose.
"Why me? Why not Zoran?" Harry would deny with his last breath that he whined the question.
"Zoran is also learning. But she wants to write, not lead," King Gorgug explained.
"I don't want to lead either. I am going to be a florist, Grandfather. And... again, I am not actually a goblin."
"Stop saying that!"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
OWLS were torture Harry decided. The entire year was spent studying and studying and more studying. He and Theo had come to a silent agreement to put whatever they were starting on hold until after the exams. They had taken one look at their homework assignments their first week and decided they would be lucky to sleep, let alone navigate their changing friendship. They still managed to spend time together and with their other friends in the form of many late-night study groups.
Madame Pince was kind enough to assign them a house elf to bring them coffee.
Hermione cried as she gratefully took a cup all the while apologizing for accepting slave labor.
"Please, can I pay you?" She begged the terrified elf.
"Hermione," Pansy hissed, "You are scaring her." She smiled gently at the poor elf. "Don't you worry, dear heart. I will talk with her. She is new, you see."
Hermione gave an affronted grunt and glared at Pansy. Millie hid a smile in Anthony's shoulder while Neville and Susan giggled softly. Ron rolled his eyes at Draco who sighed as though the world was on his shoulders. Lavender, Parvati, and Padma just handed out study guides they had made for everyone.
Remus, who had remained the DADA teacher due to Ravarya hiring curse breakers under Dumbledore's nose, played games in his class to help his students study instead of assigning more homework. He quickly became every fifth- and seventh-year student's favorite professor.
Snape, who Harry quite frequently forgot existed because of the man's avoidance of him, gave frequent pop quizzes, cementing his role as least favorite professor. That fact seemed to please him when Seamus shouted it at him. It was either that or the one hundred points the man took from Gryffindor.
The rest of the professors fell somewhere in between. Except Filius who was too terrified of what Harry would tell his mother next if he assigned him too much homework. Harry could hear his mother's delighted gravely laughter from his seat in the classroom at the professor's expression.
Finally, he and his friends sat their exams. Harry refused to answer any questions on so-called Goblin Rebellions, citing propaganda and a moral objection. The entire fifth-year class followed his example and when he told his mother that over the summer when she asked about his failing History grade, tears ran down her face and she baked them all individual cakes. The letters they received were full of thanks and praise.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Harry packed his trunk with care. This was the year. Sixth Year. His year. He was going to ask Theo to go on a date. And then to be his boyfriend. And then to eventually be his husband and work in his florist shop and adopt a dozen goblin babes.
He took a breath. They were sixteen. Theo probably did not want to plan how many children they were going to adopt. Harry was flexible though. They could adopt goblin and human children.
But first. A date. He had it all planned out. He was going to give Theo a carefully curated bouquet of flowers that all had a variety of meanings like "be mine" and "please dear god date me" as his mother said when she saw it.
Which... rude. Not inaccurate really. But still rude.
Harry kissed his mother on the cheek and rushed to find Theo on the train. He opened their usual compartment door and saw red. Sitting beside Theo-crowding into his space, one hand brushing down Theo's cheek, the other resting on his thigh-was Blaise Zabini of all people. Harry slammed the compartment door.
"Can I help you Zabini?" Harry growled.
Theo rolled his eyes.
Blaise smirked and winked at Harry. "Put the claws away, Potter. Just saying hi."
"You've said it. Now say goodbye." Harry slammed the compartment door open again, only feeling slightly ridiculous.
"Goodbye, Theodore." Blaise crooned as he walked out of the compartment, shutting the door gently behind him.
Harry stared at Theo. Theo stared back.
"Do you like him?" Harry asked.
Theo shrugged. "He's nice. Fit." He leaned back, his long legs stretched out before him.
Harry bared his teeth in a snarl reminiscent of his grandfather when Zoran scratched the dining room table.
He ripped open his trunk and thrust the bouquet at Theo.
Theo stared down at the pretty petals, taking stock of which flowers Harry had so carefully and lovingly arranged.
"Bit bold, isn't it?"
"Theo-"
But Harry never got to finish his sentence as Theo was suddenly standing in front of him so close, they could breathe the air from the other's lungs. Theo rested his forehead against Harrys. His nose brushed Harry's cheek and Harry forgot how to say words.
If he licked his lips the tip of his tongue would touch Theo's lips. So he did. Theo groaned and crashed his mouth into Harrys. They kissed like they dueled, all passion and fire with a touch of viciousness. Harry's blood sang.
He never wanted to stop kissing Theo. Unfortunately, Pansy had other ideas.
"Oi! Open the door! Why do you have it blocked?!" She pounded on it from the other side.
Harry pushed Theo back slightly and cracked open the door.
"Pansy, sweetness. Please go sit with Hermione or Susan."
"What? Why?"
"Because I am going to give Harry his first hickey and I do not think you want to see that." Theo's voice drawled from inside the compartment.
Her laughter rang through the train as Harry shut the door once again. Turning to face Theo, he wiggled his eyebrows. Theo grinned and snatched Harry forward by his shirt.
At dinner Harry proudly displayed his neck for all to see the mark Theo left on him.
Harry could not even threaten with his mother to get him out of detention the night Filius found them in a broom closet after hours. Though he did try. Theo told him his threats were losing their effect since Filius had begun courting Ravarya properly. Harry was not offended by that. He wasn't.
Harry strolled down the hallway toward the Slytherin dorms when he spotted Theo sprawled on the ground, leaning against the stone wall. He stomped over and pulled Theo to his feet. Harry’s eyes roved over him, taking in each and every bruise and cut. He crowded into Theo’s space and gripped his jaw.
His voice was low and rough. “Who did this to you?”
Theo's eyes widened and he shook his head.
“Who?”
“English, Harry. Speak English.” Hoarse words whispered out of split lips.
Harry closed his eyes. He hadn’t realized he had slipped into his family’s tongue. He took a shuddering breath.
“Who hurt you? Tell me who put marks on you that wasn’t me,” Harry demanded, voice hard. His fingers trembled with repressed rage.
“Would you avenge my honor, Harry?”
“I would maim them all for touching what is mine.”
Theo knocked his temple into Harry's, resting his head there. It was not often that Harry's goblin upbringing reared its head, making the boy more warrior than wizard, but when it did it sent a thrill down Theo's spine.
He gave a list of names and pitied those on it.
When the five students in the Hospital Wing were asked how they ended up there, they all shuddered and refused to answer.
Theo Nott was never touched again by anyone not named Harry Potter.
And so sixth year passed into their final summer as students.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ravarya adored Theo. He was a genius with pie crusts. She took him under her wing and taught him everything she knew about baking. Harry was only mildly jealous. Theo's father tentatively approved of Harry and mainly avoided any awkward conversations about past loyalties.
Harry and Theo took seventh year by storm. They organized many study sessions with their friends. Formed business plan after business plan. Talked about their future. They agreed on at least four children. They were open to any race of being really. They just wanted to give as many children as possible the type of love Ravarya had given Harry when she adopted him.
Somehow, their NEWTS were less stressful than their OWLS and they were exceedingly proud of their results when they received them.
Harry and Theo settled in The Grotto after graduation. Harry's great-grandfathers had gifted them a beautiful home right around the corner from Ravarya as well as Remus and Sirius who had fell in love with the village and stayed.
The night after the grand opening for Harry's flower shoppe, Theo surprised him with a ring and a question.
Harry said yes and tackled him.
They lived happily ever after.