Harry woke up very early on Christmas morning and grinned, he was back home at Black castle and today was the day he would go to Potter manor, finish setting up the wards and finally see it finished. He got up and tied back his wavy hair that was more tame this long and threw on some jeans, jumper, boots and robes before he headed out to wake up Ron. In a very solemn ceremony Severus had given him his own potions book from his advanced potions making classes along with notes he and Lily had worked out together in school. Harry remembered when he had asked Severus why, if he loved his mother so much why had he not asked her to marry him. The answer Severus gave him got Harry to really love the wonderful caring man that Severus was.
"Your father came and asked me the same question." Severus said, "he wanted to know what I was thinking."
"Well what were you thinking sir?" Harry asked.
"Your mother had fallen in love with your father, I mean yes she still cared for me but she did not love me, not that way. Your father made her happy, truly happy in ways I never could because he loved her just as much. When he finally realized this he was decent to me because she asked him to be, however I was too far gone at that time, I had joined Voldemort a few weeks before they wed."
"Sir you hated my father, you told me so, why if he made my mum happy?"
"When I went to them after I heard the prophecy and warned them what Voldemort planned James promised to care for your mother, I was a fool, I hated him for my mistakes, if not for me they would still be alive."
Discover moreAuthor resourcesComicsBooksMoviesMobile app fanfiction"Not true sir, someone would have given him the prophecy sir, you saved them long enough for my mother to do whatever she did with her witch's magic to save me. I think I understand now sir."
"I was bitter when you came to school and treated you unfairly, when you started to show respect you helped me start to heal."
"I realized you were not evil sir, that you care sir." Harry said with a smile, "do not worry I will not let that out sir, would not due to ruin your reputation."
Now Harry was sneaking into Ron's room where the teen was sprawled over his bed fast asleep. Crookshanks came into the room and gave Harry a disapproving look while Harry cast the Liberacorpus on Ron and smirked as Ron came awake at once swearing violently as he hung by his ankle in the air. He let his wand shoot into his hand from his arm holder and cast the counter charm. All the older teens had taken to using arm holsters for their wands and Ron was no exception. He shot Harry murderous glares as he dressed while Harry was laughing at how he woke up his good friend.
Discover moreMobile app developmentFan fiction forumFiction genre guidesCookiesFan fiction writing"Good morning! Happy Christmas!" Harry said grinning.
"I am going to ward the door against you mate." Ron said, "you are a bloody menace with that spell!"
"Blame Snape then!" Harry said laughing, "he gave me the book! Time for presents!"
"Someone say presents?" Fred called out from the room he shared with his twin.
"Race you there!" George said.
"Not fair you can Apparate!" Harry called back.
"Fine muggle way then!" Fred said.
"We will still beat you!" George added.
The boys ran down to the first floor but they were beat by the girls who were already there and seated waiting for the boys by the tree. They smiled smugly at the boys who took a seat by the pile of presents and waited until the adults came into the room more sedate, a nearly one year old Tarus in Rita's arms looking around in wide-eyed wonder. Sirius took him and held him and watched as the teens started in on their presents. Of course Tarus was not forgotten and Sirius helped him open his gifts which were sizable even though Rita was worried he would be spoiled, she did allow half the gifts Sirius wanted to get the boy. Tarus giggled when Severus came in as he liked the stern potions master. Severus smiled and when Sirius was busy looking at his own gifts Severus swooped up the boy who giggled in joy. Severus loved babies, it was one of his deeply kept secrets and he really liked little Tarus.
"He likes you godfather!" Draco said from where he sat, (as he could not go home to Malfoy manor he was here) enjoying himself even if as he put it he had to be around a bunch of wild lions.
"Well you did too at this age." Severus said getting Draco to blush.
"Godfather!"
"Oh yes I remember when Draco was a little baby, such a good baby he was too." Narcissa said from where she sat by Molly. "Always wanted more children but never could."
"You could adopt us, I mean if mum would not mind." Fred said smiling up at her.
"Yes, we would be very good, we could be yours Monday through Thursday!" George added with an identical grin.
"You boys are very sweet." Narcissa said.
"They are a ruddy nuisance." Severus said his small smile showing he was teasing.
The teens and adults opened their gifts, the teens getting quite a bit of sweets, books and fun stuff and the famous Weasley sweater. Narcissa was touched to get a well knitted scarf and warm socks in soft warm wool and Draco grinned at the green and silver scarf he was given by Molly. These meant so much to the rich purebloods, they were some of the best gifts they got. Severus smiled as he got his very own Weasley sweater and he put on the black Sweater with a silver and green S on the front and Sirius got two, both in red, one for human form and one for when he ran in the snow as Padfoot. Sirius glared at Severus when he got a muzzle from him but then again he had got Severus a model of a snake, dressed in Gryffindor colors.
The family and friends were just finishing up with their gifts, the paper taken away by the elves and the presents sent to the rooms of the family when Dumbledore stepped through the floo with someone no-one was expecting to be here. Lucius Malfoy stepped from the fireplace and looked around and saw his family. He was not sure if they would accept him, he had only seen them briefly this summer as his dangerous work kept them apart. Narcissa got up slowly and walked to him seeing only him, forgetting all her haughty manners she threw herself into his arms and hugged him fiercely. Then she looked up and kissed him and would not let go. The teens were impressed, this proved to them then and there that Lucius could not be so very bad if his wife was kissing him like that and they were taking careful mental notes for the future.
"Ahem." Severus said and the couple broke apart.
"Sorry, I just miss my family." Lucius said, "Draco come here."
"Father." Draco said walking up to his father.
The Malfoys hugged, not caring who saw the love and care, it was not weakness but strength they showed here showing all the love they had. They broke off the hug after a time and went to breakfast with the others and Lucius found he was very much wanted here. It humbled him that people who should hate and want him dead did not. They understood his precarious position and wanted to help, in fact as Voldemort did not celebrate Christmas Lucius was able to spend the whole glorious day with his wife and son.
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Later that day Harry stood outside his new manor home and grinned at the sight of it, this was his home, all his and here he would bring his bride and raise a family. He looked up at the warm gray stone walls, large windows and stone gargoyles that perched on the edge of the gutters. The house was three levels tall with the two story library wing on the left of the house. Harry entered the double entry doors and looked around in awe at all that had been done. He may have seen the plans and given his input on where the salvaged paints, statues and the like went but this was the first time he had come here and he was awed by what he saw.
The entry hall was three stories high with a large chandler with "electric" lights and hand blown crystal. Sconces lined the railings of the upper levels that were held up by carved wooden beams. The main floor was warm stone flagstone and the grand staircase that went up to the second floor was stone with the two small staircases on either side made of rich carved costly wood. On this level next to the large library wing stood the parlor and across a short hall the study. Across from the parlor was the large impressive dining room with richly papered walls. The kitchens were right behind the dining room and there was a small powder room on this level.
On the next level were two bedrooms that shared a bathroom, a breakfast room and large family room. The top level had the master suite complete with large bathroom and three more bedrooms that shared a bathroom. From the entry one could look up the stairs and see a gorgeous two story high stained glass window that was of a forest scene complete with magical and non-magical animals alike. Harry of course saved the library for last as he knew Hermione would be in love with it once she stepped inside. Though Black castle had a three story high library it did not cover as much space or have as many books as the Potter library.
"Now for the last place for all of you to see, my grandfather managed to save the library so I just had the house built to match this wing." Harry said walking down the short hall between the parlor and study. "I know you will like this Hermione."
"Harry I am sure it is very nice," Hermione said following him in. "Oh my." She looked around at a loss for words.
"I think you did it, she is speechless mate." Ron said looking around, "Blimy Harry this is amazing mate!"
It was, it was a vast space with books lining the walls on all four sides and on both levels. Windows high up on the second level lit up the room and there was a fireplace that had a merry fire going with comfortable chairs before it. There were even bookcases between some of the richly carved pillars that held up the balconies where the second level books were housed. A steel spiral staircase up to the second level completing the library. Hermione gave a squeak as she looked around in awe and Harry grinned as she was clearly in love with this library.
"James always said he would bring me here once it was safe." Sirius said, "I can see why he was so proud of it, most families only have one room and that one level for their books. I have a goodly number of books but this, this is amazing."
"There are muggle books here too!" Remus said as he found the muggle section, "all brilliant mostly history!"
"We lost them." Ron and Dora said at the same time to each other and both burst out laughing.
"The dungeons still in place?" Rita asked coming up getting a puzzled look from everyone but Harry who blushed.
"You mean the wine cellars, yes they are and if you want I can get you a bottle. There is a training room down there too." Harry said grinning sheepishly, "guess the Potter wine collection is still well known."
"That and a certain attraction to red heads." Sirius said grinning as Severus rolled his eyes.
"Well in that case he can marry me and Susan too." Ginny said watching Harry go very red, "as long as I am always your number one."
"Ginny you are my one and only!" Harry managed to squeak out.
She gave him a kiss and he realized he had been had but he did not mind. He led his friends and family to the dining room where the elves had made a great feast for them. They had roast goose, potatoes, vegetables, bread and for dessert plum pudding. After this they headed back to Black castle to finish their celebrations of this wonderful Christmas day. They knew war was waging outside but for now, just once there was peace on earth as they gathered as family and friends to celebrate.
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So a bit of Christmas cheer. Lucius has been working hard against Voldemort and has not seen his family for a long time. I of course knew he needed a reward. If you want to see a rough (and I do mean rough as it is not fully accurate even) CAD of what Harry's house looks like you can go here: raiderhater1013 .deviantart art/Potter - Manor - Ground-Floor- 134524652 (take out the spaces of course).