Chapter Six
Lunch was at the Lunar Cafe, a family friendly style restaurant that had a fun nighttime/moon theme to it. Apparently it had been Harry’s favorite restaurant as a kid.
“He was obsessed with everything moon related.” Henry told him, “Especially Full Moons.”
“He was like that as a baby too. He had like a sixth sense for it, we had to have his crib angled just right so he could see the moon at its highest peak from the window in the nursery. His night time feeds had to be by a window so he could look at it.” James sat down across from Henry, beside Harry at the booth they were led to.
“You know it’s said that babies know they’ll be a werewolf before they are one. I don’t know if it’s true or not, it seems a little farfetch'd in my opinion, but if I ever did believe that, it’d be because of Harry.”
“That’s because I begged my Papa into insanity to let me camp out on a full moon night until he finally said yes.” Harry said.
“Is that how you became a Lycan?” James asked
“Yes, can you believe that? The one time I finally give in just so I don’t have to deal with a crying pouting toddler all night is the night he gets attacked. I cursed myself for years after that.”
“It was a new wolf’s first moon and no one knew they were near the house we were staying at at the time. He attacked the tent I was staying in before anyone realized he was there. My Uncle Frankie had control over the Full Moon and attacked the New Wolf, it lasted maybe three seconds before I was scratched. Frankie killed him instantly so the wolf didn’t go into a bloodlust. By that time my Papa was running to me full moon be damned.” Harry told him
“Normally a scratch wouldn’t change him, but the wolf got his saliva and blood in Harry’s open wounds and it was deep and large scratches.” Henry said, “I immediately took Harry to the nearest flat surface I found which happened to be the dining table. I started connecting hoses to the wounds and started draining the venom. If you know anything about Lycanthropy venom you know it attacks the bloodstream which means I had to drain his blood from his body. As much as I could without killing him. I kept giving him blood replenishers until I couldn’t anymore then finally I had to stop. The next moon we put him in a cage and waited. When he didn’t shift, it was such a relief. No one, no matter how supportive you are, wants their child to go through that.”
“That’s how Lycans are created?” James asked
“Actually most Lycans are created by people trying to kill themselves by bleeding out. Enough of the venom stays in their system however to have a wolf form and traits just not the venom or a few other things that make werewolves different from Lycans.” Harry said.
“That’s insane.”
“It is…speaking of wolves.” Harry said, making Henry laugh.
“Here we go. Hope you’re ready James.”
“I have the right to refuse to answer any question I feel should be answered by them. Understood?”
“Yeah sure whatever. Why were they there if they weren’t supposed to be?” Harry asked
“According to Sirius they were there to make sure I wasn’t talking to a divorce lawyer without talking to them first. According to Remus they were there to make sure I wasn’t cheating on my wife. If that doesn’t tell you how great our marriage is right now I don’t know what will.”
“Are you? Cheating or getting a divorce?”
“Cheating? No. Never. Divorce? I don’t know. It’s been a thought recently, but I don’t want to put Charlie and Ariel through that.”
“They’re already going through it. You do know that they know you’re not happy right? They told me last weekend. Said I shouldn’t take Lily not being there too personally because you two can’t be in the same room as one another without arguing.”
"That's different than knowing and going through a divorce."
"Maybe. I didn't go through my Papa fighting with his husband."
"That's because we didn't fight. Not until the week before our divorce or something like that. Can't remember but I do remember we didn't fight. We argued, we disagreed, we would spend the day away from each other at times, but never fought. Especially around you."
"Are you always perfect?" James asked, slightly annoyed, making Harry laugh.
"No, but Matteo and I both grew up in horrible households and didn't want that for our child when we adopted. It was agreed before we started looking at the paperwork we wouldn't fight around the kid. Most couples can't avoid fighting around the kids however, we were lucky I guess."
"Or unlucky. Make up sex is the best sex " James said
"We had a lot-"
"Please for the love of Merlin no more." Harry begged, "I'm forbidding you two to be allowed to talk alone or be alone together. You're going to end up showing each other my baby pictures."
"I do have a picture of him on his first Christmas wearing absolutely nothing and eating wrapping paper." James said to Henry
"I have one of him at age four sitting outside in a huge mud puddle. Covered in mud from head to toe. The only thing you can see are two small green eyes squinting at you."
Harry dropped his forehead against the table then groaned very dramatically.
"Alright we won't talk about your baby pictures. This time." James relented
“Good. We can get back to my questions.” Harry said
“Right. I’m all yours. Ask away.” James said, turning his body towards Harry.
“Well… how did everyone else react to the news? Like Charlie and Ariel?”
“We haven’t told them yet. Or your mother. But look, it’s going to be weird no matter when we tell them and you’re still underage. Nothing needs to happen anytime soon.”
“Well actually Remus is going to start coming into his more alpha tendencies that don’t happen until they smell their Omega mate for the first time.” Henry said
“What do you mean?”
“Well for starters he’s going to go into a rut sometime after this moon, during that rut he’ll need Harry or at the very least his scent around him so he doesn’t go looking for him when he doesn’t have a clear head.”
“Remus wouldn’t hurt Harry and I’m not just saying that because they’re mates.”
“It wouldn’t matter if Remus is the kindest person you know, when he goes into his first rut and if Harry isn’t near him so he knows he is safe he will find his way to him.”
“And though he wouldn’t take me against my will, he will be persistent and needy and well…most likely very naked. It would make it easier to scent me when he found me.” Harry told him
“He wouldn’t…hurt you?”
“If I weren’t a virgin he’d probably try harder, but since I am one it’s a specific scent that sort of deters the alpha from taking the omega during a rut or a heat. Outside of those times it’s a sweet, almost addictive scent, but during a rut and a heat the smell of a virgin is sort of…sour or off putting. It’s hard to explain because every mate describes it as something different. Like their most hated food. So if I were an alpha or were to be mated with a virgin their virginity would smell like seafood or brussel sprouts.”
“Not the brussel sprouts again.” Henry groaned, “I thought we were over this.”
“We are never over the brussel sprout incident Papa.” Harry said
“Do I want to know?” James asked
“I played a small harmless prank on him with chocolate truffles and chocolate dipped brussel sprouts one time and he has never forgiven me for it.” James couldn’t stop the laugh that escaped especially when Harry pouted, folding his arms across his chest like a child.
“Oh sure, laugh it up. I’ll remember this.” Harry said, rolling his eyes with a soft smile as he looked down at his menu though he was probably going to order the same thing he ordered every time he came here.
***
“Okay that was a great steak.” James said, leaning back against the booth with a groan, “I think I need to go home and unbutton my pants for a little while.”
“Gross.” Harry said through a soft giggle that went straight to James’ heart as it reminded him a little of his baby giggles.
“I am in the same situation as James over there. I couldn’t let James show me up with his 16 ribeye. I had to match him. I regret that now.” James laughed resting his head against the top of the booth seat, his body shaking far longer than it should considering it really wasn’t that funny.
“I have to eat big the night of the moon so I’m not starving by sunrise. Speaking of which I need to get to the Manor so I can be there. So I will see you Harry, Friday night?”
“I’ll be there. I already spoke with my professors and most of them have agreed to give me the classwork. I have a test in Alchemy just before lunch, but after that I can leave.”
“Oh good, well then you can come eat lunch at Hogwarts if you want to.”
“I’ll see what time I’m able to leave, but it should work out.”
“Alright well then Harry is your responsibility after 8 o'clock on Thursday night. I’m leaving the country for a few days for my job, I’ll make sure the school knows to firecall you instead of me.” Henry said
“I’ve already added him as an emergency contact. Pretty easy when his floo address is Hogwarts.” Harry told his Papa.
“What kind of trouble are you known for?” James asked
“Hurting someone’s feelings.” Harry said bluntly with a small shrug, “It’s not my fault.”
“Harry doesn’t have a brain to mouth filter. I’ll get more into that later, but just as a warning in general if he says something that’s out of context or very…blunt. He can’t help it.”
“I thought we were going to let them discover that on their own.” Harry said
“I don't want him to give you back so I had to give him a heads up.” Harry rolled his eyes as he stood from the booth, “Love you.”
“Uh huh. Love you too Papa.” Harry leaned over and kissed his Papa’s cheek while also taking his bag of books he had bought at the store earlier, “I’ll see you later.”
“If you need me-”
“I’ll be fine. I always am, aren't I?” Harry grinned cheekily then turned to James and leaned over giving him a hug that James returned immediately, “I’ll see you Friday at lunchtime.”
“See you Friday.” James said grinning as he watched Harry leave the restaurant, “Don’t you even think about it Henry. You paid for lunch much to my displeasure. It's my turn to pay. Especially since I unintentionally challenged you to a steak eating contest.”
“Fair but only because it was your son who ordered two large milkshakes.” James laughed, “I don’t know where that boy puts it all.”
“He eats like his grandfather. My father could eat so much and never show it.” James said, shaking his head as he grabbed the quill and wrote down his vault number on the bill.
“Well…it was nice to see you again James. Thank you for the steak and I know you joining us made Harry happy even if he likes to complain.”
“He’s a teenager. No teenager wants to admit they like to spend time with their dads.” James said as he climbed out of the booth with Henry, walking out of the restaurant together.
“Well I will see you sometime in April probably.”
“Yeah and if there’s nothing that comes up naturally we can always plan a day to exchange baby pictures, you may have more of them, but I have the baby baby ones.”
“Deal. I’ll owl you.” James nodded watching Henry head off back to the main parts of Diagon Alley. Then James turned and walked to the nearest apparition point and apparated to the foyer of Potter Manor.
Sirius and Remus were typically found in the library, main living room, sunroom, or the outside sitting area. James figured the best bet would be the sunroom or outside sitting area so he headed to those destinations first stopping to peek into the main living room first since it was on the way. James found them in the sunroom, Remus laying on the off white sofa, his arm covering his eyes giving off the impression he was sleeping or trying to sleep.
“Hey.” James greeted softly, Sirius tuned from his Daily Prophet puzzle grinning when he spotted him.
“Hey you. I was wondering where you were.” Sirius said
“Sorry I ran into Henry and Harry at the bookstore and they invited me to join them for lunch. I of course accepted.”
“Probably getting a big meal before the moon. I remember Remus used to eat three plates at lunch to substitute not eating at dinner on full moon nights.”
“Actually about that…Harry isn’t a werewolf.” James said, setting his bag of books down on the glass table.
“James, believe me I wish I was wrong too, but I’m not. Harry is our omega mate.” Remus said from where he was still laying on the sofa.
“Your mate, yes, but not a werewolf.” Remus removed his arm and looked at him.
“Fine, tell me your theory since you obviously have one.” Remus said with a sigh as he sat up rubbing his forehead with his hand.
“It’s not a theory Henry and Harry told me Harry is an Omega Lycan. Which reminds me they both know you’re his mate. Before you give me the Remus disapproval look it meant to only be revealed to Henry, but Harry was eavesdropping.”
“Harry is a Lycan?” Remus asked, ignoring the comment about his disapproval look which he did not have.
“Yes he was scratched when he was a kid and Henry, a Magizoologist and a Healer for Werewolves, was able to drain the venom out as much as could until he had to stop before he killed Harry since the venom is in the bloodstream. Well when he didn’t change the next moon they were able to check being a werewolf off. Harry presented as an Omega Lycan at thirteen.”
“Harry is a Lycan. Like a real Lycan? Like a werewolf shifter at will Lycan?” Sirius as,ked
“Is there any other kind of Lycan? Yes, Sirius. Harry, your mate, my son, is a Lycan.”
“Okay..so what does that mean?” Sirius asked, looking between Remus and James.
“It means that we have books to read once Remus is up for it.” James said, pulling out the many books he bought about Werewolves and Lycans today.
“Holy shit mate, did you clear out a Vault at the bookstore today?” Sirius asked, eyes wide as the pile continued to grow until twenty books later every book was out. Five on Werewolves, Ten on Lycans, and Five on Alpha, Beta, and Omega mating bonds between Werewolves, Lycans, and Humans.
“No but not for lack of trying, Henry is also going to send over a few books he thinks will be helpful that the shop didn’t have in stock.”
“Alright I think I know everything there is to know about Werewolves so give me something else.” Remus said
“You’re sure you’re up for it? This can wait until you feel better.” James told him
“James, really it’s just a headache, nothing I’m not used to. Give me a book.”
“Alright well then here pick out of these three. Henry said these will be the most important for you and Sirius to read as it pertains to your mating bond and Omega Lycans.” James said, grabbing the three books and setting them on the small coffee table where Remus was sitting. Everything To Know About The Second Breed of Werewolves: The Lycans, How Omega Lycans and Omega Werewolves Differ and How They Are Similar, and The Humans Guide To Werewolf Mates Whether It’s An Omega Werewolf Or An Alpha Lycan Or If You’re Really Lucky One Of Each.
“Really?” Remus asked, looking at James after reading the last title.
‘What? It looked helpful.” James said, Remus shook his head then grabbed the last book.
“Here Sirius, this one is yours.”
“Henry said it could be useful to you too.” James told his werewolf friend.
“I’ll read after he does.”
“I don’t particularly think myself to be really lucky, but who knows maybe this book will change my mind.” Sirius said sitting back against the chair, “So what are you reading Jamie?”
“Werewolves, Lycans, and What’s The Difference. Henry said it’s a good beginner book for learning about Lycans. He also said some authors have sort of combined werewolves and lycans to be the same thing so it can be a little confusing if you don’t know the basics. I think I got a pretty good grasp on them from Harry’s essay, but just in case I wanted to read this one too. We have..four hours before sun down let’s make them count.”
“When we get back to Hogwarts I want to read that essay you’ve been hogging.” Remus said
“Sure and we have to tell Lily that Harry is a Lycan at the very least, maybe not the mates thing just yet. I don’t want to load her with too much too soon. She’s still trying to wrap her head around Harry being alive after all.”
“You know we’ll be there with you if you need us to. Not to worry. Hopefully we’ll know more than just ministry approved information by the time we have to tell her so we can answer any questions she has.” Sirius told him, James nodded then opened the book to the first page and began reading.