Chapter 6
Harry followed Malfoy into Grimmauld Place’s formal sitting room. He hadn’t spent much time in it since they’d moved in, finding the dark green curtains blocking the windows and the smell of rising damp a bit too gloomy for him.
Malfoy sniffed, looking appalled. “Honestly, Potter. How do you live like this?” Retrieving his wand from the sleeve of his robe, he flourished it rather dramatically. Suddenly, the curtains parted, dust flew up from the rug and the room started to smell faintly of jasmine. At Harry’s look of amazement, Malfoy sighed. “I’ll teach you the household charms later.”
Harry smiled. It was definitely strange spending this much time with his former school nemesis, but he was regrettably starting to enjoy the blond’s dry wit, sarcasm and sass. Hermione was too easily offended to properly banter with, and although Ron and he exchanged brotherly ribbing occasionally, it was nothing compared to Malfoy’s insults. Surprisingly, Harry found the change refreshing.
Malfoy cleared his throat, bringing Harry out of his thoughts. “Right. When I’m done speaking, you’ll need to respond very carefully with ‘Lord Malfoy, I accept your offer of service to repay your three life debts. You may teach me the ways of the Old. So, mote it be.’ You have to be really specific. Otherwise, we could accidentally end up married or something horrible like that.”
Harry gulped. “Okay.”
Malfoy positioned Harry so that he was seated in one of the armchairs. “Back straight. You’re a Lord, Potter, act like one,” he admonished.
Harry sat straight in his chair, feeling a bit ridiculous. Malfoy nodded his approval and took a step backward. Looking a bit embarrassed, he shrugged and knelt on one knee before Harry. Harry was so startled that he barely heard Malfoy speak.
“Lord Potter, I, Lord Malfoy, ask that you forgive me of my life debts to you. I willingly give myself for your service,” he said calmly. “On behalf of the House of Malfoy, I also extend my allegiance to the houses of Black, Gaunt, Peverell and Potter. So, mote it be.” Even when swearing his allegiance, Malfoy was able to retain his dignity.
Harry didn’t have the same luck. “Er… Lord Malfoy, I accept your offer of service to repay your three life debts. You may teach me the ways of the Old. So, mote it be,” Harry said in a rush, barely pausing at the end of his sentences.
Malfoy rolled his eyes but stood up. “Well, it was hardly graceful, but it worked. Thanks, Potter,” he said, shaking Harry’s hand firmly.
Harry nodded in acknowledgement, but really thought the whole thing was ridiculous. Letting go of Malfoy’s hand, he wiped his palm on his jeans awkwardly.
Malfoy stepped back. “Alright, Potter, I’d best be off. Mother will be wondering where I am, anyway. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
Harry blinked. “Oh, alright then.” Remembering his conversation with Kingsley, he smacked his forehead. “Actually, I have to recast the protective wards around the house tonight. Can I floo to Malfoy Manor to bring you back?”
Malfoy frowned. “I no longer live at the Manor. It was rather empty after all of our things were taken away. Besides, there were too many bad memories. Mother and I are living in a safe house.”
“Oh,” Harry said. “Erm, well, I could meet you in muggle London? I know you probably don’t like going there, or whatever, but I really can’t go out in wizarding London anymore.”
“Yes, I think I might be familiar with the dangers of the public when yours is a household name,” Draco said wryly. Harry realised he probably didn’t want to go out in wizarding London either, after what had happened on Friday. “I shall meet you outside Angel station.”
Harry blinked, finding Malfoy using muggle words to be exceedingly strange, but agreed readily. “See you tomorrow, Malfoy.”
A few hours later, Harry was attempting to bathe his godson. Teddy cried every time he got his hair wet, but Harry had discovered a spell in one of Mrs. Weasley’s old books that died babies instantly. Bracing himself for the tears, he scooped up a bit of water to dribble onto the shock of bright blue hair but faltered when he heard Kreacher’s voice.
“Can Kreacher assist Master?” the elderly elf asked. He had become much more amenable in the past year, but he’d never offered outright to help Harry with something before.
Harry blinked. “Erm… Are you any good at washing babies?”
Kreacher nodded enthusiastically. “Oh yes, Master Harry. Kreacher is taking care of Master Regulus and Master Sirius when they is babies,” he croaked.
Harry hesitated. “No offence, Kreacher, but why do you want to help me?” he asked, hoping he didn’t sound impolite.
“Young Master Malfoy is talking to me. Is telling me that Master is trying to bring back the Old Ways. Is telling me that Master is Lord Black and that I should be treating Master with more respect, he is,” Kreacher explained. “Master Malfoy is also saying that Mudblood Mistress is not trying to take me away from Master. Just is wanting to make sure I is doing what I is wanting. I is not understanding this, but I is appreciative.”
Harry was shocked. That was the most words Kreacher had ever uttered to him ever, and he only mentioned a slur once. “Well,” he said, clearing his throat, “thank you, Kreacher. I would appreciate the help. Please do not say ‘mudblood’ again, though.”
Kreacher started to twist his ears. Harry groaned, remembering Dobby in second year. “No! Kreacher you are never to hurt yourself,” Harry commanded firmly.
Kreacher blinked. “Yes Master.”
Together, they managed to wash Teddy. Kreacher was surprisingly gentle with him, and even soothed him by bouncing him when the baby started to cry. He certainly had a lot of experience. Harry smirked at the thought of Sirius as a baby, imagining a young Gryffindor in a house of Slytherins. He wondered what it would be like for him if he’d followed the Sorting Hat’s advice and became a Slytherin. Would he have felt the same as Sirius? Or would he have been better suited to the Slytherin lifestyle? He couldn’t help but wonder if he and Malfoy would have been friends, or if their school rivalry would have persisted even if they were in the same house.
“Thanks, Kreacher,” Harry said, gathering the bundle of towels that was his godson once they were finished. “Could you get me a bottle, please?”
Kreacher nodded enthusiastically and popped away to fix it up. Harry walked slowly to the nursery, vaguely humming the tune of a lullaby that he had been forced to sing in his primary school choir.
By the time Kreacher arrived with the bottle, Teddy was half asleep again. Quickly feeding him and burping him, Harry managed to place him in his crib without disturbing him too much. He gazed at the sleeping infant for a while, not wishing to leave the confines of the room just yet. Everything outside the little nursery was still reeling from the war and learning the politics of blood purity and the Old Ways was leaving Harry’s head spinning.
Eventually, Kreacher reappeared, telling Harry quietly that it was time for dinner. It seemed to be a quiet agreement between Hermione and the elf. Kreacher would remind Harry to eat at least three times a day. Harry didn’t really get hungry – he supposed it was a leftover survival instinct from his childhood. If he didn’t notice the hunger, he wouldn’t notice that he wasn’t being allowed to eat as much as Dudley.
Casting a quick monitoring charm over the crib, Harry made his way down to the kitchen.
“Harry!” Hermione greeted him. She was still attempting to teach Ron piano, but privately Harry thought that Ron was being bad at purpose so she would spend more time with her nose out of a book. “How did everything go with Malfoy?”
Harry nodded, taking his usual place at the head of the table. Ron took his place to his right, Hermione to his left. “Yeah it was weird but fine. By the way, I have to recast the Fidelius. Will one of you be my secret keeper?”
Hermione frowned. “I thought you hated the Fidelius charm?”
Harry sighed. “I do, but I don’t know of any other protective charms. Kingsley was worried. I have to agree with him. It feels weird to say, but I trust Malfoy. I just don’t know how many more people Snape told about this place. I don’t mind one death eater popping up on my doorstep, but I’d rather not have any more surprises. Especially with Teddy living here.” He started cutting up his potatoes but made no move to eat them. “I’ve told Kingsley that I won’t do it long-term. He said he’d research some other options, but…” he trailed off, looking hopefully at Hermione.
She rolled her eyes. “I’ll look into it. I won’t be your secret keeper, though,” she said firmly. Hermione would always stay true to her morals.
Ron sighed. “I’ll do it. But I don’t want it to be forever,” he grumbled.
“Thanks, Ron,” Harry smiled grimly. “I’ll cast it after dinner. Hermione, will you take Teddy to the Burrow for a bit? He just had a bath so hopefully he’ll be down for a few hours.”
Hermione nodded. “I can ask George what he thinks of your idea, Ron.”
“What idea?” Harry asked curiously, finally taking a bite of his food when Hermione kept kicking him under the table.
Ron blushed. “Well, I saw in the Prophet that Zonkos is closing. I sent an inquiry on the off chance he’d be willing to sell. Turns out he is. I thought maybe George and I could expand Wheezes.” He glanced at Hermione. “Also, I wouldn’t mind living in Hogsmeade if Hermione was back at school.”
Hermione nodded. “The idea of not sharing a bed was making me a bit queasy,” she admitted. At Harry’s look she blushed. “Not like that! I just mean, I don’t get the nightmares that bad when Ron’s next to me.”
Harry raised an eyebrow when Ron agreed. “Maybe I need to find someone to share a bed with,” he said slyly. “Although, they’d probably rather not wake up every four hours to feed Teddy.”
Ron rolled his eyes. “You could have anybody in the wizarding world in a heartbeat if you wanted. They’d put up with anything you threw at them.”
Harry scowled. “Yeah, but they also might try to dose me with a love potion, so maybe not.”
Hermione sighed in sympathy. “Don’t worry, Harry. Teddy will be sleeping through the night soon, and everyone will calm down eventually. You’ll be able to have a love life again soon.”
Harry decided to change the subject. “Kingsley spoke to me today. Robards is offering us all a spot in the training squad.”
Hermione scrunched her nose up. “No, thanks. I’ve had enough running into danger to last a lifetime.”
Ron hesitated, but eventually said, “I don’t want to do it either. I’m really excited about working with George.” He looked at Hermione, “You don’t mind, do you? I mean, being an Auror is a proper job. Not like working in a shop.”
“Ron, I want you to be happy. You do whatever you want to do. I think you’ll be a fantastic businessman,” she said firmly.
“Besides Ron, Hermione will be making enough money for the both of you as Minister or something,” Harry teased.
Ron smiled proudly. “Of course, she will. And I’ll be the best First Man.”
Hermione rolled her eyes. “That’s America, Ron. We just call the Minister’s spouse ‘Mr. or Mrs.’”
Ron pouted. “But when you’re Minister for Magic you can change that. Make me Your Excellency or something.”
“Let’s just cross that bridge when we get to it,” Hermione laughed. “What about you, Harry? Are you going to take up Robards’ offer?”
Harry sighed, knowing she wouldn’t like his answer. “Until the last death eaters have been caught, yes. I’ll decide what to do after that.”
Hermione frowned. “You’ll just be in the training team, right?”
Harry made a noise that could be considered affirmative, stuffing his face with some chicken, hoping she wouldn’t press him for more information. Thankfully, she didn’t, although she looked at him suspiciously.
Hermione made Harry and Ron go through the removal and creation of a Fidelius five times before she was confident enough to leave them to do it. “Remember, you must say ‘manetes fidelis’ seven times before Harry finishes the spell,” she said to Ron as she kissed him goodbye.
“Honestly, you’d think I’d never cast an incredibly complicated, ancient, powerful protective charm before,” he teased.
Hermione rolled her eyes. “Good luck,” she said, before stepping into the green flames of Harry’s fireplace.
Stepping outside Grimmauld Place, they checked for any nearby muggles or wizarding witnesses. Seeing it was clear, Ron kept his gaze on the street, wand at the ready, while Harry turned to face the house.
Reaching out for the magic like he had at Hogwarts earlier today, he drew a circle in the air with his wand. “Fidem revelare,” Harry cast to reveal the existing wards. The magic surrounding the Black family home lived up to its name, appearing like a large shadow in Harry’s mind. Notably, there were a lot of bright parts to, which Harry assumed were the holes in the protective shield. Pricking his thumb with a needle, Harry allowed seven drops of blood to land on the doorstep. “Aufer fidem,” he cast, watching the shadow flicker before dissipating.
Turning to Ron, he smiled grimly. “I’ve removed it. Let’s do this quickly.”
With Ron’s nod, they both used their wands to slice their hands open. Grasping each other’s palm tightly, Harry drew another circle with his wand and cast, “Custodi ut Fidem.” Slowly a long thread of magic drew out of the wand, wrapping around their hands.
Ron closed his eyes and muttered, “Manetes fidelis, manetes fidelis, manetes fidelis, manetes fidelis, manetes fidelis, manetes fidelis, manetes fidelis,” keeping count on his other hand.
Harry drew another circle. “Custodi ut Fidem. Sic fiat semper.”
They released each other’s hands from their grasp. Harry poured some dittany on both of them. “I’d really rather not do that again,” Ron said grimly.
Harry shuddered, thinking of his parents. “Yeah, me too.”
They made their way back inside the house to find Kreacher at the front door, looking relieved. “Master is keeping Black house safe,” he croaked. “Kreacher is feeling the wards.”
Harry sighed with relief. “It worked then?”
Kreacher nodded. “House being safe now, Master.”
Harry nodded. He wondered how unsafe the house had been before, and, not for the first time, wondered if he’d been right to bring Teddy here.
Together, Ron and Harry floo’d to the Burrow.
“Did it work?” Hermione jumped on them as soon as they arrived.
Ron smirked. “’Course it did. I reckon I’m a pretty good ward-caster.”
Harry rolled his eyes. “I cast it, you git.” He pulled out a piece of parchment from his robe. “Here, Hermione.”
Hermione read the note, and, knowing the address, passed it back to Harry. “You’d better show it to Teddy, too. I know he can’t read, but the magic will work the same if he holds the piece of paper and we bring him with us when we go back.”
Harry did so, placing Teddy’s tiny fingers around the piece of paper. He hadn’t even thought about the fact babies couldn’t read. “I’m just going to get your family to read it, Ron. Do you two mind watching him?” Harry asked, glancing at his best friend who was already cooing at Teddy.
He made his way from the living room to the kitchen. “Hello, Molly, Arthur,” he said as he walked in. Mrs. Weasley was reading a magazine and Mr. Weasley was taking apart what appeared to be an old rubix cube, while the dishes were washing up in the sink on their own accord. “Harry,” Mr. Weasley said pleasantly. “I trust it went well?”
Harry nodded, passing him the piece of paper. After reading it, Mr. Weasley passed it to his wife. “Hermione sent a letter to Bill about possible other wards for the long term,” the older wizard said.
“That’s a brilliant idea! I bet he’ll come up with something,” Harry said hopefully. Mrs. Weasley passed the address back to him. “Are any of the others here?” he asked.
Mrs. Weasley nodded. “Ginny’s upstairs in her room, and, from the noises, I think George is inventing in the attic,” she smiled at Harry with watering eyes. George was clearly having a good day if his spirits were still as high as they were that morning.
Making his way upstairs, he knocked on Ginny’s door. After no response, he pushed it open slowly, calling her name.
He smiled. Ginny had some headphones plugged in to a wizard’s radio and was bouncing a quaffle against the ceiling. “Merlin, Harry, you almost gave me a heart attack,” she cried when she noticed him.
Harry grinned, plopping down next to her, and chucking her the quaffle. “Sorry,” he said, completely unapologetically. “How’s training going?”
Ginny shrugged. “Alright. It’s a shame I don’t have you all here to fly with. I need all the practice I can get – Puddlemere is recruiting when we get back to school and Minnie thinks I’m really in with a shot.”
“Ron and I will come around next week,” he promised. “Of course you have a shot, you’re the best damn chaser at Hogwarts.”
Ginny grinned. “I know,” she said, poking her tongue out at him. “Did you manage the ward alright?”
Harry nodded, handing her the sheet of paper. “Come around whenever you like. Fair warning: Malfoy might be there.”
Ginny sniffed in disdain. “Why on earth would he be there?”
“He’s repaying his life debts by teaching me the Old Ways,” Harry sighed. “I don’t even know how it happened, but it turns out Malfoy and Hermione make quite the pair when it comes to big plans.”
“I’m not surprised,” Ginny commented. “He was always second to Hermione in class,” she added thoughtfully. “How’s Ron handling it?”
Harry shrugged. “Okay; I think his starting to warm up to him. I am too. He’s actually not that bad a bloke when he’s not …”
“Doing Nazi shit,” Ginny added helpfully.
Harry chuckled. “He’s alright.”
Ginny grinned cheekily at him. “Plus, he’s really fit.”
Harry paused. Ginny was the only person who he had ever told that he had had feelings for both boys and girls. In return, Harry was the first person that knew Ginny felt the same way. He blushed a little but said quietly. “Yeah, reckon he is.”
Ginny giggled and soon they were talking just as they had years before. Harry loved her, he really did, but they both knew they weren’t right for each other. They talked about everything; from quidditch to school to the war to boys and girls they found attractive. At some point, Ginny pulled out a flask of firewhiskey and they started singing along to Celestina Warbeck at the top of their lungs. Ginny was just opening a bottle of black nail polish to do Harry’s nails when George walked in.
“Oh, little sister, what has the saviour got you up to now,” he said in a fake admonishing way. With a warning glance at Ginny to hold the bottle of polish out of the way, he leaped onto the middle of the bed. “So, Mr. Potter, I have made something for you,” he said, helping himself to some of Ginny’s firewhiskey.
“Oh?” Harry asked, watching as Ginny painted his little finger. “Is it a baby product?”
“Indeed, it is,” George grinned, dropping a small object into Harry’s palm.
Harry stared at it blankly. “It’s a dummy.”
George gasped. “You mock me, oh King of Wizarding Britain!” he cried. “Have you ever known me to make a product that was that simple? Watch this,” he said proudly, shoving it into Harry’s mouth.
Harry nearly choked in surprise. It tasted faintly familiar.
“It’s laced with chamomile and a tiny amount of calming draught. Also, if you tap it lightly with your wand,” George explained, demonstrating with a flourish, “it shines a different colour depending on what the baby needs. For example, you need your nappy changed.”
Harry rolled his eyes and smacked him on the head, taking the dummy out. “That is really cool, George. That’d be so useful. Do you take requests?”
“Anything for you, oh saviour,” George bowed sarcastically.
Harry rolled his eyes. “Teddy’s got cholic and when he starts crying, nothing will make him stop.”
George grinned and leapt up from the bed after taking another swig of firewhiskey. “I shall begin at once!”
“Wait, read this first,” Harry called, throwing the piece of paper at him. George bent over to pick it up and then through it back at Harry.
“Burn it!” George called cheerfully as he walked out of the room.
Ginny blew a raspberry. “That boy is a tornado,” she sighed, looking at Harry’s nails which were now a bit splodgy.
Harry shrugged, looking at them. “I like them. Anyway, I’d best be off. I’m worried that if I leave Ron alone with Teddy too long, he’ll run away and secretly adopt him.”
With a kiss on the cheek, Harry left Ginny’s room feeling lighter than he had in a long time.