Chapter Eighteen
When Sirius and Remus first mentioned the idea of taking Harry to their old place in the woods James’ first instinct was to tell them absolutely fucking not. However he held that back and instead had stared at his two best friends and simply raised his eyebrows.
“What?”
“Well Harry said he has too much work to come here, but what I really think he meant was that he has too much work to be here…around so many people. So I was the one to actually come up with the idea. Sirius and I are behind as well and the house helps us focus a little more, it’s quiet and away from distractions, maybe it’ll do Harry some good too.” Remus said
“Right…um…right. So you want what? My permission?” James asked confused as he turned away from them and instead stood up to grab his empty dinner plate having chosen to eat in the room tonight rather than the Great Hall.
“Of course. Harry is still only sixteen and you are his father and you are our best friend. We’re not going to take him to a remote house without asking first.” Sirius said, “Moony and I are going to go there anyway, but we thought we could bring Harry with us too.”
James set his plate in the sink then grabbed the countertop edge, “For the weekend?”
“Yes. We’ll leave Sunday evening after dinner just like we do any other time we go there.” Remus told him standing up as well, “If you’re not comfortable with it James we'll understand. It was just a thought that we thought to run by you first.”
“Fine.” James said before he could say something else. “But only if instead of you all eating dinner there, we could meet somewhere else and eat dinner together. I want to see him too, you know.”
“Really?” Sirius asked clearly surprised
“Henry says I need to work on trusting Harry more and if he hears that I agreed to this then maybe he’ll open up more…You know before we yell at each other again.”
“You told him about Friday?”
“Not in so many words. I just told him Harry and I had another fight. Harry told me some things that he hasn’t exactly told Henry yet about Matteo so…I didn’t want to tell him anything more than that.”
“The only condition you have is we all eat dinner together?”
“Do I need more than that?” James asked, raising a brow at Remus who shook his head, “Didn’t think so. Now stop asking me about it or I might change my mind.”
“Okay well then Sirius and I are going to owl Henry and ask him-”
“Oh um…no need. I am going to see him tomorrow.” James said quickly
“You are? What about?” Sirius asked
“He is going to go to the Ministry with me. Legal stuff, nothing to worry about.” James told them
The next day James met Henry in the Atrium of the Ministry just after ten o'clock.
“Are you sure about this?” Henry asked as they made their way through the busy atrium towards one of the lifts.
“Yeah of course. I even ran it by Lily and she was surprisingly okay with it.” James said, “Got written consent.” He pulled out the parchment scroll from his inside pocket and showed it to Henry.
“Wow really?”
“Yeah I was surprised too, but it makes today a lot easier having it.”
They squeezed themselves into the lift and held onto one of the handles above them. After a long and dizzying trip they finally made it to the James’ lawyer’s office finding both of their lawyers already there.
“Sorry we are late, the lifts were crowded and it seemed like everyone had to go to literally every other level than this one.” Henry said
“It’s no trouble.” James’ lawyer said standing up, “I’m Mr. Giovana.”
“Henry Black.” Henry greeted the man shaking his hand and James greeted Henry’s lawyer, Mr. Mowsley. Once all the introductions were made they sat down together around the coffee table.
“So I understand we’re here to make Mr. Black’s adoption of Harry legal…again?” Giovana asked
“Sort of.” James said pulling out the scroll, “Lily pulled me aside Monday and spoke to me about some private things she doesn’t want anyone else to know about yet, but it ultimately ended up with her signing away her parental rights of Harry. She’ll still be his mother of course, but Henry would legally be his other parent.” James said handing other the scroll to his lawyer
“Really?” Giovana was as shocked as James and Henry were as he unfurled the scroll and held it far enough out that Mowsley could read it as well.
“I was surprised too.” Henry said
“I also want it on his records that Henry is to be contacted first in case of any medical emergencies.” Henry looked at him
“I’m gone most of the time.” Henry told him
“Yeah, but if you’re not gone you have the most extensive knowledge of his medical history and if you are gone, but you answer you can tell them the most important stuff then they’ll contact me afterwards. It's the worst case scenario planning here.” Henry nodded slowly clearly thinking about it, but agreeing nonetheless
“We can put a note on his medical file once everything is filed and legalized.” Mowsley said
“Now I noticed Harry already filed a name change request to the Department of Magical Education. I was going to owl you, but I figured we could just discuss during the meeting. Did you want me to accept it and send it back so they could file it?”
“Name change request?” James asked
“Oh…um.” Henry hesitated and looked to James then to the lawyer then back to James, “it was supposed to be a surprise. Harry asked if I would mind if he filed for a name change and I of course said no. His last name is Black as you know, and with Sirius’ last name being Black he kept it, but he requested to change his name from Harry J Black to Harry James Potter-Black. He wanted it done before June so it would be on his NEWT Certificates as well as his graduation and he was going to request new OWL Scores under his new name.” Henry explained
“Really?” James asked with a grin.
“He didn’t want to tell you, he wanted you to hear it at graduation.”
“I apologize I didn’t know.” Giovana said
No it’s okay. Harry honestly just didn’t want to tell him himself because he knew it would be a touchy moment. He said something like he had enough of those to last him a lifetime in the past few months.” James laughed even as he wiped his eyes from the few tears that had built up
“Yeah I agree with that sentiment- wait J? Was his middle name really just a letter?”
“Well that’s all I knew. So as he grew up his middle name ranged from John to Jacob to Jackal to Jeremiah. Whatever J name came to mind first, it was fun and a game almost, but I knew it bothered him a little deep down. It’s common knowledge that middle names are generally a family name like a father or grandfather’s name so not knowing his….it bothered him.”
James smiled sadly as he nodded a little. They turned their attention back to their lawyers and got back on track with making Henry Harry’s legal guardian along with James.
***
After the Ministry trip they went out for lunch together and that’s when James brought up the trip to Henry.
“So Remus and Sirius asked me something yesterday. They wanted to owl you and ask you afterwards, but I told them I’d see you today and ask for them.” James finished talking feeling a little more confused than he had started, “Did that make sense? I don’t think that came out right.”
“It made enough sense. So what did they ask you?” Henry asked
“If they could take Harry to their old place this weekend.” Henry’s eyebrows rose as he bit into their shared appetizer of Keftedes in an upscale Greek restaurant.
“Are they still alive? Did you take me here to ask me to help hide their bodies?” Henry asked
“They’re alive and unharmed.” James said with a roll of eyes, he grinned when Henry kicked his foot then didn’t move it from where it rested against his feet.
“So…what? You want me to back you up on your no? Because I’m okay with that actually. If you think it’s too soon I can understand that and I’ll agree. If you want to ask me if saying no is irrational or anything I don’t think so. I think it’s okay to say no to this.”
“Actually I’ve already said yes.” Henry stopped with his fork halfway to his mouth then he stared at James.
“You what?” Henry asked setting his fork down
“You told me to trust Harry and to give him space with his mates.”
“Yeah by leaving them alone in the family suite or not making a face when Remus and Sirius headed to the school for Harry, not to agree to let them be completely alone with him for an entire weekend.” James eyes widen
“I was listening to you.”
“A little too well apparently.” Henry said sitting back against the bench, “Remus and Sirius asked if they could take Harry to their old place for the weekend? Alone? And you said yes? Just like that?”
“Well…no. I didn’t just say yes…I said fine as long as we can all eat dinner together so I can see Harry too.”
“That’s it?”
“You know what Henry next time be more specific. I don’t do well with open ended instructions like ‘give Harry more trust and space with his mates’ because this happens apparently.” Henry laughed taking a sip of his beer
“Make the dinner at my place and I’m okay with it. I was joking with you….kind of. Though next time you agree to let our son go off with his mates for an entire weekend without any other supervision, talk to me first.”
“I thought this is what you wanted me to do.” James said, exasperated as he shook his head, “Next time I’ll be sure to tell them I can’t make any decisions until I’ve spoken to you first.”
“Good. Now are you going to eat some of this or am I going to eat it all?”
James moved to grab his fork from the still bundled up silverware only to have Henry’s fork with a cut up piece of food on it appear just centimeters from his face. James looked at the fork then at Henry who simply raised a brow. James felt his face heat up as he leaned forward, his hand moved to hold Henry’s just to feel like he had some sort of control in this scenario before he bit into the juicy meat and pulled it off of the fork. It was delicious of course, the meat wasn’t dry, the sauce was flavorful, but that wasn’t what made James go in for seconds with his own fork this time.
“So Remus and Sirius will be gone this weekend, Harry won’t be around, it’s safe to assume your kids will be busy with school work and test prep?”
“Yeah they already told me they have no intentions of leaving their books this weekend. Especially Charlie.”
“So how about you come over this weekend? Come Friday and stay under Sunday? I can invite Frankie Saturday and you two can get to know each other.”
“Yeah sure. I have classes until the afternoon, then I want to check on the kids, but I’ll be there.”
“Good and leave the floo address with them for safe measure. Invite them for dinner on Sunday. They have to see Harry’s home at some point anyway and I feel like I haven’t gotten to meet my son’s twin brother or little sister as much as I should have by now.”
“Sounds good. Charlie will be excited, whatever those two talked about on top of the goal posts it seemed to have helped a little though now Ariel is the one who seems to not want to talk to anyone.”
“Or maybe you’re just not the one they want to talk to.” Henry suggested
“Ooh…ow..right in the heart.” James said rubbing his chest as he leaned back against the seat, Henry rolled his eyes.
“You’re dramatic. If I were a teenager I wouldn’t want to talk to you either.”
“Twist the knife while you’re at it..” Henry decided the best way to shut James up was by stabbing a piece of meatball and holding it out to James who obediently took it. Before anymore could be said the appetizer dish was moved to the far side of the table and their main dishes appeared in front of them.
After a very delicious dinner and a small disagreement about who was going to pay, Henry won, they left the restaurant together then went their separate ways with James promising to owl him before Friday.
Back at Hogwarts James found Remus just as the class was ending.
“How was Henry?” Remus asked
“Fine and he said he’s okay with this weekend as long as dinner is at his place instead of out at a restaurant.”
“That works for me.” Remus said, putting his papers in his bag, “Are you sure you’re okay with it?”
“If I wasn’t I wouldn’t have agreed.” Remus turned to him and tilted his head as he regarded him, “What?”
“You’re sure you’re okay? Not just with this weekend, but in general? You look tired.”
“It’s been a lot these past few months is all. I’m ready for summer. A break from everything and this is the first time in sixteen years the boys will celebrate their birthday together and I still haven’t figured out what to buy Harry for his birthday.”
“Yeah neither have we.” Remus said, “You’d think I’d be used to buying presents for someone who can just get it for themselves if they truly wanted it, but apparently I am not.” Remus fell into step beside James as they left the room
“I should have asked Henry for ideas while we were out, but I forgot.”
“Well if you get around to asking him give us some of the ideas too. Sirius for the first time has no idea what to buy someone, he can’t just throw his money around, because-”
“Harry can throw his right back at him.” James finished nodding, “Finally Sirius meets his match.”
“It’s not as great as you think it is, Sirius is stressed. He has destroyed three shopping catalogs already.”
“I hate to suggest it, but if Harry applies for an apprenticeship under Snape we may have to ask him what a Potions apprentice may want and or need.”
“That’s an idea at least.” Remus said, opening the door to the suite, finding Sirius laying on the couch staring up at the ceiling, “You okay?”
“What do you buy someone who has everything?” Sirius asked
“You know I’m pretty sure we’ve asked that same question before.” James said to Remus, earning a glare from Sirius
“That’s different. I told you guys multiple times I don’t need or want anything. Harry however deserves a gift.”
“And if he says he doesn’t want or need anything?” Remus asked
“Well too fucking bad he’s getting something. Even if it’s a damn sweater.” Sirius said before he turned to James, “You got any suggestions? Any insider knowledge?”
“Nope. I forgot to ask Henry, but I’ll see him this weekend at his place and- wait a minute I think I know what I’m going to do.”
“What? How? Tell us everything.” Sirius demanded
“Nope I need to go make sure we still have it somewhere. Don’t wait up if I’m late.” James rushed his words out as he hurried out of the room and headed back out of the school.
******
Friday after classes and after Sirius and Remus were long gone James floo’d to Henry’s house finding the man laying on his new velvet couch as he looked over paperwork of some kind.
“So quick question.” James said, setting his own stuff off to the side as he pulled out the pictures the Goblins took of Harry present ideas, “Which one of these would Harry want more? All of them belonged to my mother, this one is the one I was thinking of mostly because she got it custom made as a wedding present, but then I thought maybe that might be more of a statement piece rather than one he could use. Not that I care, he can use them all he wants. But anyway so I was thinking about this one as a second option, this was her favorite one and she used it the most but then there’s also-”
“James...James…James slow down.” Henry said, grabbing his shoulders looking wide eyed, “What are you talking about?”
“Harry’s birthday present of course. Look, I know his birthday was in March and it’s special to you guys and I don’t mind celebrating his birthday twice in a year, but July is special to us. We were all lost as to what to get Harry as a present or presents, but then I remembered my mother used to have tea sets of her own. She wasn’t a collector like Harry, but she did buy antiques or collectibles or just ones she thought were pretty. Most of them were for display only, I wasn’t even allowed to look at them growing up, but there were a few she used with guests or special occasions.”
“Harry isn’t a big gift person, I should warn you, but he would love anything from the family he’s been wanting to know for as long as he understood he was adopted. And despite it being a bit more of a display piece, which he generally doesn’t like, he would love the family crest one the most. He may even be turned into a displayer rather than a user. Though I make no promises.”
“I don’t care if he uses them and neither would my mother. She made me promise I’d pass them down, she technically gave them to Lily, but Lily hasn’t touched them. She’s the one who suggested I move them to the vault actually. Well not as much as a suggestion as more of a demand. Charlie ran into the display case and despite nothing and no one getting hurt or damaged she wanted it gone.”
“Whichever you want to give him, he’d be ecstatic, not because he obviously loves tea sets, but because he’ll know it came with a lot of thought. It’s easy to go to a shop and buy the most expensive tea set and give it to him, but it’s an entirely different thing to put real thought into it. I can point you in the direction of a shop that will make a custom showcase box for you.”
“Are you getting him anything?”
“Well I usually send him away with Neville to a random country, but I’ve been told you’ve taken over that.” Henry said teasingly as he stood up, “Harry and I don’t normally celebrate July, but yeah I’ll get him something small.
“Sirius and Remus need ideas by the way. They’re pulling their hair out.”
“As long as it’s thoughtful, Harry will love it. It can be something small like a sweater from his favorite store that they just happened to pass by and think of him or it can be something big like something from the family. Also remember, to Harry this is Charlie’s birthday. Sure he’s going to play along and thank people for the birthday wishes, but deep down this isn’t his birthday so don’t make it a big deal for him. Make it a big deal for them, as twins and for Charlie.”
“I know. You’re sure he’ll like the tea set?”
“He will love it. He may even cry if you present it just right.”
“Is that a goal I should try to achieve?” James asked, sitting on the couch as Henry carried over two lap desks, handing one to James.
“In front of an entire crowd of people he won’t know? Absolutely not. In front of you? Yes. Maybe give him the gift in private.”
“Understood.” James said, setting the pictures aside. He adjusted so he was comfortably facing Henry, their backs against the arms of the couch. He pulled out his own papers and got to grading while Henry did whatever it was he was doing across from him.