Part 12
Debate, Discuss
Harry felt a bit like a coward for hiding in Hadrian's room for so long, but at the same time he'd much rather spend time playing a very unsuccessful game of Snakes and Ladders with Hadrian to distract himself than ever look Lily Potter in the face again. He didn't know how to face her, especially considering he couldn't even blame her for what she said. All of it was true, after all.
But after half an hour even Hadrian grew restless, and eventually he caved.
“I'm gonna go look for Dad upstairs.” Hadrian said finally. “See if he's talked to Mum at all.”
“Sure.” Harry said tiredly. He was exhausted, and still there was more to do. The conversation wasn't over - just paused.
“You could go down and see if Tom's here yet.” Hadrian said, “Or wait for him in the sitting room.”
“Sure.” Harry pushed to his feet, offering Hadrian a tiny smile as they left his room. Hadrian went up the hall towards the stairway to the third floor, while Harry headed down to the first.
He didn't really know what to do as he walked, dragging his finger along the beautifully carved walls, taking in the sight of what could have but never would be his home. In his first life Potter Manor either burned or never existed, and in his second his ‘parents’ didn't want him. He shouldn't've been so surprised - he wasn't a Potter anymore. His hope of being accepted as one anyway had been little more than a dream.
He was just passing the first entry room when the Floo lit up. Two people stepped out, brushing ash off their clothes swiftly.
It was Sirius and Remus. They spotted Harry and paused, seemingly assessing him, then they both relaxed with breaths of relief as they joined him where he paused in the sitting room.
“Harry.” Remus greeted warmly, “I'm glad to see you.”
“We got an owl saying you'd left and were MIA, so we were worried.” Sirius said, reaching out to ruffle his hair. “Glad you're doing okay, kid.”
“I didn't know you'd be worried.” Harry blinked in surprise, but he leaned into the affection Sirius offered.
“Of course we were worried.” Remus said, “Lily sounded quite distressed in her letter.”
“Right.” Harry bit his lip against the ache in his chest. “So you stopped by to check on me?”
“Yep. Make sure they found you and everything.” Sirius nodded, “But, really, if you used the Floo by yourself it's not like you really could've gone many places.”
“That's true.” Harry huffed. “I can make it to the Leaky Cauldron and Tom's Manor, but not really anywhere else.”
“What did I tell you!” Sirius turned to Remus with a grin. “I knew he was with Tom! Totally called it.”
“And I agreed with you.” Remus raised an eyebrow. “Anyway, Harry, are you alright?” He looked at him in concern, amber eyes warm and soft. “You're not the kind of kid to just run off without warning, even if it's to a trusted adult. Did something happen?”
“Um…” Harry rubbed his arm nervously, looking down. “I… guess you could say that.”
“What happened?” Remus stepped forward and knelt, drawing Harry's attention with a concerned frown.
“They're… uh…” Harry sighed. He was so exhausted. “Lily and James decided they're going to find me a new place to live.”
“But why?” Sirius asked, “You live here, don't you?”
“Well, they said I can't live here. Because I'm not their real son, like Hadrian is.” The words were more painful to say aloud that he thought they'd be. “They said I'd be better off somewhere else.”
“That doesn't make any sense.” Sirius muttered, “Why–”
“Oh, hello.” They all turned in surprise to find James in the doorway. “I was looking for Hadrian. I didn't know you were here.”
“We only just arrived.” Remus stood, facing James with a frown. “What's this about Harry being moved?”
“It's complicated.” James said. To Harry, it sounded like James was getting tired of it all. “Lily decided–”
“Lily can speak for herself.” Lily stepped into the room with her arms crossed, standing next to James.
“I never said or implied otherwise.” James sighed.
“So what's the deal?” Sirius asked, “Harry says you're kicking him out?”
“It's nothing like that–” James scrambled to say.
“It's exactly like that.” And in swept Hadrian, eyeing his parents sharply. He went to Harry's side immediately. “Though, Dad's decided to call it ‘relocation'.”
“Yeah, sure, we're relocating him.” Lily said, scowling. “The point is, Harry will be living somehow else after this. He can stay for the rest of Break if he needs to, but he needs a good place to stay more permanently.”
“But why?” Sirius stressed, “It doesn't make sense to separate them.” He gestured to Hadrian and Harry.
“We're not separating them.” Lily huffed, “Not really. It's just, Harry can't live here with us.”
“What she means to say is that Harry is welcome at the Manor as a guest however often he likes.” James said. Lily did very much not mean that, if the indignant glare towards her husband was any indication, but she didn't say anything to contradict him. “He just needs a different home. We cannot be the home he needs.”
“I'm still not hearing a why.” Sirius said clearly, meeting Lily's scowl with his own glare. “You can't be kicking him to the curb for no reason, so what's the reason?”
“Because he's not my son.” Lily snapped, “He's not my son and I can't pretend he is.”
“Fine, he's not your son, but he's Hadrian's brother.” Sirius said, “Ever think about that?”
“Sirius, they're not really brothers.” James said gently.
“What, like we aren't really brothers?” Sirius shot back. James inhaled sharply, pain flashing across his face.
“Sirius.” Remus stepped forward and put a delicate hand on his arm. “That was uncalled for.”
“Fine, maybe.” Sirius shrugged off Remus’ hand, but sighed. “I'm just– It doesn't make sense. We've all seen them together, Harry belongs with Hadrian.”
“Thank you!” Hadrian exclaimed, throwing up his hands. “Finally! Someone gets it.”
“You can still be together without living together.” James told them, “It's not our intention to separate you.”
“Feels like it.” Hadrian scowled.
The Floo flared green again from the next room over, catching all their attention, and hey looked over to see Tom step out. He spotted them quickly, and strode over.
“Hello Sirius, Remus.” Tom nodded to them, “Are you also here to discuss the situation with Harry as well?”
“What's there to discuss?” Lily cut in, scowling. “I thought I was pretty clear. Harry's welcome to stay here for a while, and visit, but I can't take care of him. He can't live here. With us.”
“Yeah, so you've said.” Remus raised an eyebrow. “I'm with Sirius, however. You haven't voiced any real reason behind any of it.”
“Plus you haven't explained why you're okay with separating the kids.” Sirius crossed his arms.
“It's more complicated than just the children.” James said, “It's more about what Lily needs. If I'm understanding correctly, Lily finds it difficult to tell the two apart, which causes issues she cannot manage as things are now.”
“What?” Sirius blinked.
“How can't you tell them apart?” Remus asked Lily, frowning. “It's pretty obvious if you just take a second.”
“Exactly.” Tom said, gesturing to the two with a flourish. “I'm happy to know there are at least some adults aside from myself that can see Harry for the person he is.”
“That's uncalled for.” James glared.
“So it's true?” Sirius asked, looking between Lily and James. “You guys can't tell them apart? Seriously?”
“Because they look exactly the same!” Lily burst out, “The same eyes, the same face, for God's sake they even speak similarly! And those matching outfits they insist on wearing only makes matters worse!”
“Lily.” James put a hand on her shoulder. “Calm down.”
“Don't tell me to calm down James Fleamont Potter.” Lily seethed, “I'm being treated like a heartless monster in this, how else am I meant to react?”
“I apologise, Lily. I'm not here to trade insults.” Tom said, “Nor am I here to make you feel worse. I believe I already said my piece before, in the dining room.” Lily winced.
“Yikes.” Sirius looked between them, “It seems we missed a hella'va showdown.”
“You have no idea.” James pinched his brow, taking a deep breath. “Okay, Tom. You were saying?”
“Yes, thank you. I'd like to address where Harry will be living. Temporarily or otherwise.” Tom said firmly, “He cannot simply be put anywhere, his history and magical turmoil needs to be properly managed and his progress aided.”
“We were going to ask Albus–”
“Don't ask Dumbledore.” Sirius said firmly, interrupting James. “He'll just ask random people to take him in and not give it a second thought. With our luck, Harry'll end up with someone who doesn't give half a shit about him and Dumbledore will completely ignore the situation. Like he always does.”
“Albus Dumbledore is a great man.” Lily spoke up, eyes flashing.
“Never said he wasn't.” Sirius said, “But don't forget I've just got more experience with his tactics than anyone else in this room.”
“Sirius, I thought you'd moved past what happened with Regulus.” James said, frowning. “You never mentioned blaming Albus.”
“Oh, yeah.” Sirius snorted. “Let me just walk around with ‘Albus Dumbledore almost killed my little brother through uncaring negligence’ tattooed across my fucking forehead. Like that'll help any.”
“Sirius…” James blew out a breath.
“This isn't the time or place for this conversation.” Remus said, wrapping an arm around Sirius’ waist. “We were discussing Harry. So, if Dumbledore is not the man to ask, who is?” Sirius leaned back into Remus with a huff.
“We could ask Alice and Frank.” Lily suggested quietly, “They've raised Neville well. Maybe they could take him.”
“We could also speak to the Malfoys.” James added, “Their son Draco is in Slytherin, like Harry. They might be able to help care for Harry in some way.” Harry was promptly assaulted by the thought of having Draco Malfoy as his brother and almost felt like laughing.
“Harry needs to be able to visit.” Hadrian said, catching the adults’ attention. “Wherever he goes needs to have a solid Floo that can be easily accessible to both of us.”
“Couldn't you just owl each other?” Lily asked a bit weakly, “A Floo isn't necessary, is it?”
“It is.” Hadrian told her firmly, staring her down, green on green. “He's not going anywhere out of my reach. Whether you like it or not.”
“I see…” Lily bit her lip.
“How about Tom?” Sirius said suddenly, making everyone pause. “I mean, it's obvious you're pretty close, right?” He looked at them.
“Harry?” Tom prompted, tilting his head. Harry didn't reply right away, thinking.
He and Tom were pretty close, that's true, enough so that when Harry heard Lily and James arguing the first and only place he thought to go was straight to Tom. Harry loved Riddle Manor, and Nagini, so he wouldn't mind living there with Tom. It would definitely be weird, considering Harry's past life, but it actually made sense.
“Sure.” Harry said, nodding slowly. “That works.”
“I hate to be the one to bring it up, but,” Remus said, “Tom is the Minister for Magic.”
“Ah, right.” James frowned. “I suppose that does cause a problem.”
“Why?” Harry asked.
“Because he'll be at work a lot.” James said, offering Harry a wane smile. “Tom doesn't visit very often because of how busy he is, taking care of the Ministry. It's a very real concern that he might not have enough time to be at home with you much.”
“What about Nagini?” Harry said, turning to Tom. “Does she go to work with you?”
“No, she doesn't.” Tom smiled a little. “My coworkers didn't seem to appreciate large snakes trailing behind their Minister, eyeing everyone and everything nearby.”
“Oh, then it's fine.” Harry nodded. “If Nagini's home, that solves it.”
“Harry, a snake can't act as a substitute guardian, however capable Nagini may be.” James sighed, “You need someone to care for you. You're not a child, but you also can't live on your own.”
“But if Nagini's there, I won't be on my own.” Harry emphasised, “Believe me, she's more than happy to look after me. Half the time we spend together she's bossing me around and fussing anyway.” Tom laughed quietly.
“She's a snake.” Lily said tightly. “She can't be bossy, or fuss.”
“You have to talk to her to know it.” Harry huffed, “Sure she's a snake, but she's just as bossy and talkative as anyone.” And silence fell immediately. Harry didn't know why, but everyone seemed to freeze. Even Hadrian. “... What?”
“Harry's a Parselmouth.” Tom said, waving a hand, clearing their confusion. “I know, I was surprised too.”
“A Parselmouth?” Hadrian gasped, “Wow! That's so rare. Tom's been the only one found in over a century! Can you say something in Parseltongue?”
“I've never tried without a snake present.” Harry admitted, unsure how to react to Hadrian's enthusiasm and the other people's stillness.
“It's not difficult. Here, I'll show you.” Tom caught his attention, “Forget snakes, just reply to me as I speak to you.”
“And that works?” Harry asked dubiously.
“Evidently so.” Tom smiled, “Seeing as it just did.” Harry blinked in surprise.
“Awesome!!” Hadrian exclaimed, “I wonder how you got the ability, is it random? I thought it was only present in certain bloodlines! Or maybe it's an evolutionary trait that appears every so often, or maybe it needs to be triggered by something, or–”
“Woah there kiddo.” Sirius laughed, “Reel it in.” He turned to Harry. “That's a wicked ability to have, Harry. No wonder Tom likes you so much.”
“I suppose that does solve that issue.” Remus hummed, “If Nagini can be a communicative authority, Harry should be just fine.”
“This is ridiculous.” Lily muttered. “Just because he's a Parselmouth doesn't mean a snake is a proper guardian.”
“Would you like him, then?” Tom prompted sharply. “Because otherwise, I think you don't have much of a say as to who is or is not a fitting guardian.” Lily clenched her teeth and said nothing.
“He got you there, Lils.” Sirius said with a wince.
“Okay, so has this been settled?” James asked the room, “Tom is taking Harry. For now, at least.”
“Works for me.” Sirius shrugged. “As long as Harry's cool with it, and Hadrian doesn't hate the idea.”
“I hate the idea of my brother living anywhere but with me,” Hadrian scowled, “but I know Tom will take care of him.” He smiled at Harry, then Tom. “This might work.”
“Harry?” Tom prompted again, “How do you feel about it?”
“It's fine.” In reality, Harry was too overwhelmed to really know how he felt. So he just gave it his best guess. “I like Riddle Manor, and Nagini, and you, so it's alright.”
“Good.” Tom said, exhaling roughly. Then he smiled. “Very well. I suppose it's settled.”
What followed was an awkward silence. Now that they'd come to a decision, it seemed nobody knew how to move forward. Even Tom looked unsure how to proceed.
“Well, Harry and I are heading to my room!” Hadrian declared, breaking the rising tension. “He's staying ‘till dinner.” Without another word Hadrian grabbed Harry's hand and towed him from the room. Harry grasped his hand back like a lifeline.
“Thanks.” Harry murmured, “For sticking with me.”
Hadrian smiled. “Always.”