Disclaimer: I do not own anything recognizable to the Harry potter stories. Some may come from the books, and same from the movies. None of that is owned by me. Nor did I create any of it. The only originality that is mine is the character Alexia Collingwood, her own background and her family.
Author's Note: I sincerely apologize for the very long wait between chapters and any reviews that did not get answered. I have health issues that can become quite debilitating at times, though luckily it happens infrequently. It hit and only lasted a few weeks, but by the time I finally felt well enough to write again, I had lost my train of thought. I've begun writing again and here is the next chapter. I apologize once more and will endeavor to continue as quickly and well as possible. I ask though that you also keep in mind that I originally planned to have this as a one shot, the reason is due to my difficulty writing filler chapters and therefore I warn you that there will be times that I don't post for a while as I try to find a way to do the new chapter without rushing/ruining the story. Thanks for your support and patience and especially thanks to Slytherin66 for your patience and advice. I never did get around to finishing reading your last PM as at first my meds put me to sleep before I could and then hadn't gotten back to it before wishing to post this for everybody, I plan to once I post this though.
The night before, Harry had enjoyed a group hug and simple family dinner for the first time in, what felt like, forever. He had known he had missed them, but didn't realize just how badly until he walked through the door. Constantine had warned him that he should head to bed early, as the next morning was Yule and, as part of the family, he was expected to celebrate with them and the rest of the wizarding members of the village. Before bed, he was permitted to make a half dozen tree ornaments, from simple muggle arts and craft supplies, as well as string together candied fruit on a few strings rather than the popcorn he recalled the Dursley's doing. He was a bit confused about the lack of decorations around the house, or why he had been told to place his gifts at the side of his door in stacks labeled who they were for, but he still did so before bed. He was also slightly disappointed as he went to sleep, to find the same old white ceiling from last summer.
When he woke, he rose quickly, startled out of sleepiness and trying to figure out where he was as he slid his glasses on his face. He felt like he was still home, and Alexia was even in his opened doorway, her parents behind her as he looked around in amazement. His ceiling reflected the dawn, he could tell it wasn't reflecting the outside weather as he saw snow falling out the window but not on the ceiling, but it was still neat. The walls were painted to depict the tree tops and sky of a forest, animated birds and bugs flying around the walls and if he listened very carefully, he could hear the slightest sound of birds chirping. The floor has a plush green and brown carpet, looking a lot as if he was walking on top of the tree tops. His furniture was the same, but his window curtains were now a billowy white that resembled clouds, even in thickness. His bed curtains, they were sky blue with clouds and, his head shot to the side as he stared in wonder at a golden snidget hovered before flying around within the curtain once more.
The nervous clearing of a throat caught his attention and he turned to the others, still standing in his doorway and with hopeful, nervous smiles. He grinned a grin that threatened to split his face, rushed off his bed wrapped his arms around all three, all that could be heard was a mumbled repetition of 'Thank you'. They laughed and hugged him back.
"Blessed Yule Harry/Dear/brat" Was heard from the three and happily returned by Harry.
They pulled out of the hug and Harry looked around the hallway in surprise, for the hall was decorated colorfully.
"I don't understand, none of this was here last night."
Constantine and Alexia chuckled, while Alya tisked, shaking her head.
"We had a simple glamour up to hide your room from you, and the house elves that tend your Uncle's greenhouses alongside him always do the decorations and wrapping of gifts once we're asleep the night before Yule." She explained softly as they made their way downstairs.
Harry smiled at the tree in the sitting room, candied fruit strings and the homemade ornaments decorating the tree brightly. A small pile of presents at the bottom of the tree, much less than he knew should be there. He turned to Alexia questioningly as they headed for the dining room.
"The elves will take all but a few gifts as well as any specifically labeled for family eyes only to the community center. We'll be going there this afternoon to celebrate with the rest of the families within the village who celebrate Yule. Wizard and muggle alike." She explained as they sat at the table.
Harry smiled a small smile and began to dish up some of the eggs, bacon, sausage, fried tomatoes and cinnamon rolls and began to eat happily. He'd never been allowed such a meal at the Dursley's, despite having to help make it, he was happy.
"What all goes on at the community center today?"
"Well, the kids all stay on ground floor where there'll be snacks and candy and yule decorations that they had all made. There will be two big trees against the wall with gifts galore for everybody. The men will also be there to keep an eye on them. While that is happening, the woman and older girls will be in the basement, where the kitchens are, working together to make enough food for every family to take home for their yule suppers. There will be a time, just before everybody heads to their own homes, while the last of the foods are cooking on their own, that everyone gathers on the ground floor to watch the Young Oak King defeat the Old Holly King before they work together to pass out presents for everybody. There'll be presents from your family and from your neighbors and everybody will have a great time. Every house has a special wagon that is used to pull the gifts and food home from the celebrations and, unbeknownst to the muggles, house elves pop in from the different families to clean up the mess after everyone has gone home to supper." Alexia explained between bites of food, excitement clear in her face and voice as she practically vibrated in her chair.
"Can..um I mean, may I help in the kitchen as well?" Harry asked nervously, gulping at the surprised looks from everyone. "I'm used to having to help Aunt Petunia make the Christmas meals and it'll be weird not to this time. Plus, I've never been to a community party and don't know very many kids here yet. I was usually with Alexia this summer." He explained quietly, beginning to push the little bit of egg that remained on his plate around.
"Of course you may dear, though I warn you, we may have to reveal to the other ladies so they understand. Some of them are quite good on picking up certain signs and they'll come to incorrect conclusions otherwise." Alya warned, smiling at Harry as he turned and smiled brightly at her, nodding his assent before returning to his food.
Everyone finished eating after that and got dressed in what the muggles would consider Sunday Bests before bundling up and heading the four blocks over to the community center, Constantine pulling the wagon behind him while Harry had fun riding inside it.
Upon getting to the community center, they left the wagon out front and headed in, putting their coats in the coat room before Harry and the girls headed down stairs to a kitchen already bustling with action and Constantine headed for the gymnasium that the children were congregated in. Harry blushed and shied away, hiding behind a laughing Alexia for a few minutes as all the women cooed, afterwards Alya gave a simple overview about him being an orphan and neglected by relatives before her daughter decided to bring him home and announce him as her new brother. Some shook their heads, others would cup his face for a moment or ruffle his hair, others tsked but said nothing, before they went back to work and Alya, Alexia and Harry joined them seamlessly as if they did this every day. More women or girls arrived in the next hour, and even two older twin boys, and they all worked easily for the next four hours, laughing and joking and having a great time.
Around 3 o'clock, all the food was in the ovens, slow cookers, refrigerators or food warmers and there was nothing left for them to do but head upstairs and watch the play. The children watched in enjoyment, Harry included and clapped enthusiastically when the Old Holly King was defeated. Then everyone took seats around the room and would raise their hands when one or the other king would call their name to hand out a gaily wrapped present.
Harry was surprised when he got presents. From Alexia, he received a photo album of their time together over the summer, three new winter outfits she had made herself, and a dreamcatcher. From Constantine, he received The Brothers Grimm Fairy Tale's collection and a football. From Alya, he received a child's chemistry set, a professional sketchbook and a professional artistry colored pencil, paints and charcoal set. He was truly surprised to find that among those gifts, he also received a basketball, hat and gloves, lots of candy, a set of rollerblades, and a few travel sized board games from the different families in the community. Nothing magical, but he supposed that was because there were muggles around, and so those would be given in people's homes. He made sure to thank everyone and then helped pack the wagons with food and gifts for the different households before he went home with the Collingwoods.
As they entered, dusk was falling and Constantine brought in a box that was sitting on the porch and walked to the sitting room, the family following silently as they watched him place the remains of last years Yule Log as well as this years new log into the fireplace and lit the log. they stood in silence for a minute, watching the old Yule Log catch fire and set the new log aflame, before moving back outside to bring in the food and gifts from the wagon.
It was a great evening, and they enjoyed the food, laughing and trading stories with Constantine over what happened with the different groups and the local gossip of the village. When they finished, they put the food away, the gifts were brought to their rooms and the dining table washed before candles of differing colors and sizes were put upon the table, the Sun Candle standing prominently in the center on a riser to ensure it was the tallest of all and the lights were turned off.
Harry stood back, in the space where the dining room transitions into the sitting room, watching with Alya and Alexia as Constantine approached the table, wand in hand.
"The wheel of the year has turned once more, and the nights have grown longer and colder. Tonight, the darkness begins to retreat, and light begins its return once again. As the wheel continues to spin, the sun returns to us once more." He intoned quietly, before lighting the Sun Candle with his wand.
"Even in the darkest hours, even in the longest nights, the spark of life lingered on. Laying dormant, waiting, ready to return when the time was right. The darkness will leave us now, as the sun begins its journey home." He continued.
Beginning with the candle closest to the Sun Candle, and moving outward, he began lighting all the other candles.
"As the wheel turns, light returns. The light of the sun has returned to us,
bringing life and warmth with it. The shadows will vanish, and life will continue. We are blessed by the light of the sun" Harry intoned with the rest of the family, remembering the words from his books.
He took a moment of silence with the rest of them, recalling to think as the book said, about what the return of the sun would mean to him and his family. How it would be warmer, and Constantine's crops would grow better in the greenhouses. Summer would soon be coming and he could enjoy even more time with his family. After a few moments, they went around the house, turning on all the lights and Harry quickly joined in with Alexia as she cried out in happiness.
"Welcome back, Sun!" With every light they turned on.
After all the lights were back on, they returned to the sitting room, where Alya passed out cups of eggnog. A plate of sun-shaped cookies were placed on the tea table while everyone sat in silence, enjoying the holiday and the flickering of candlelight from the dining room.
At the end of the night, as Harry was beginning to yawn once more, Constantine stood and began to slowly extinguish the candles while his family watched, starting with the last to be lit and ending with extinguishing the Sun Candle. He then smiled, kissed Alya, then Alexia, then Harry upon the forehead, wishing them goodnight and headed for bed, the others following suit.
It was decided that the family would go to the bank together after lunch the next day. While Harry and Constantine talked to the Goblins about his daggers, Alya and Alexia would go to the mail vault with some magical trunks the family usually used to transport their potions and herbology stocks. They would be emptying it of all the letters to go through during the holidays, leaving the toys and other gifts that had already been opened, gone through security checks and catalogued.
They quickly went through the floo to The Leaky Cauldron, Constantine and Alya nodding to Tom in greeting as they passed while Alexia and Harry both smiled and waved. The alley was busy with families doing their Christmas shopping now that the kids were home from school and it took them a fair bit of maneuvering to get through the crowds to Gringotts. Upon entering, they realized Gringotts was just as busy and Harry was suddenly grateful they had decided to book an appointment with a manager before he even arrived, he knew they would have been there for hours, just waiting, otherwise. The girls went to the line forming to go down to vaults, while the boys walked to the area with a sign declaring it being 'Managers'. There were a few long lines here as well, but the specific line for those with appointments only had three ahead of them, so they quickly got to the front and were lead back quickly, with only a sneer directed their way.
The office they were led to was a small room, sparsely decorated with a low desk, two plain straight backed chairs for guests and filing cabinets behind the desk. The walls and floor were bare, continuing the marble from the entrance room of the Bank. An elderly goblin was sitting at the desk, sneering at them as Constantine led Harry to one of the chairs before taking his own.
"I am Constantine Collingwood, head of the Collingwood Family. This is Harry potter, heir to the Potter Family. We have a few things of business to discuss. We need to collect a cheque book for Mr. Potter so that he can make the large purchase for brooms he mentioned in The Daily Prophet shortly after school had started. As stated in the letter, requesting this meeting, we also require the inventory list of all that was left to Harry in peoples' wills and estates and another list of who has placed or transferred things into his vaults rather than mail it. Lastly, Harry has come into possession of a pair of daggers and we would like information on them. As goblins are well known for their terrific forging skills, we thought it best to come to you. Should they turn out to be goblin made, we would like to negotiate the purchase of them for Harry's lifetime." Constantine spoke, his voice calm, quiet and respectfully demanding.
The goblin sneered at them both for a minute more before nodding. He pushed the file beneath his elongated fingers across the desk towards them. Constantine collected it, took a quick peek at it's contents before handing it to Harry. Harry was quite curious to look inside as well, but held off after a few seconds of fidgeting. He recalled his lessons with Higgs and Pucey, as well as the warning he had received before leaving this morning. Goblins felt time was money and therefore charged you to meet with them and looked down on any they saw as time wasters.
The goblin, by this time, had already risen from his chair and walked to one of the filing cabinets, pulled out a long leather cheque book with the Gringotts' G emblazoned in gold upon the front of the black leather. He placed it on the desk.
"Each cheque has the Gringotts emblem on the bottom left hand corner, you will need to place a drop of blood on it and write the vault number you wish it to be withdrawn from." Was spoken in a clipped, dry voice and Harry quickly grabbed the cheque book, nodding his understanding and held it with the file.
Harry then pulled a long, black cloth bag from his magically enlarged cloak pocket and placed it gently upon the desk. He opened it with his free hand, tugging out the hilt of one of his two daggers before sitting back in his seat.
The goblin pulled both daggers out of the bag, his eyes widening being the only sign of surprise he showed as he thoroughly examined both as best he could without removing them from their sheaths as the snakes slithered around the hilts irritably. Harry was the only one to hear the threats hissed at the goblin, but it took only one look at his face for the goblin to realize how unwise it would be not to be extremely cautious.
"These are indeed goblin forged. Made for Salazar Slytherin and his blood line. We have always viewed that once the purchaser of our weapons dies, ownership reverts back to the goblin who made it. Slytherin and these daggers are well known throughout the bank because he knew of this and acted accordingly. He set up a contract that allowed his descendants to have the daggers for the same price he originally paid. A few generations later, a bank vault was opened by one of his descendents that was set up to be an investment vault run by the same family that created these daggers with the agreement that they have access to the set buying price and a certain percentage of the money within the vault. As long as there is money in the vault to pay the set price renegotiated to be paid every decade, the daggers would not be reclaimed." The goblin began to explain, sliding the daggers back into the cloth bag and pushing it towards Harry.
"When that agreement was made, the enchantments were upgraded. The snakes were already sentient and set to bite, and poison, any who attempted to wield them that was not the current owner. Now they do similarly, but only someone of the goblin makers' bloodline, or Salazar's may handle them."
Constantine sat straighter, a frown marring his face at this news, while a gasp of surprise could be heard from Harry, who had already placed the dagger back in his cloak pocket.
"Wizards are fools to think Slytherin a dark wizard because of his views on muggle-borns. You wizards seem to forget that back in those days, wizards were not the only ones without an institute of education. Muggles were the same, but they were a lot less educated and they did not have the advantages of magic to aid them in keeping clean and sanitary. Because of those reasons and the threat of the muggles attacking the castle, Slytherin didn't want to ban all muggle-borns, only those whose families refused to give them up to wizarding families. There were quite a few who refused as well and they posed a threat to, not only the wizards in general, but their own children." Was the sneered response from the goblin, it's disdain towards their reaction obvious in it's tone.
Harry nodded in understanding, recalling learning briefly about the dark ages in primary school as well as his family's reaction to his magic. He could easily see the need of such protections back then. Constantine nodded his head as well and they sat in silence for half a minute before the goblin continued.
"Other enchantments and rune-work on those blades ensures they are ever-sharp, perfect balance for the wielder, they absorb any poison they come across, but repel all else to keep clean, and the snakes can use them at their disposal, as well as an antidote, enchanted never to rust or tarnish, bloodline recognition of course, and magic amplification to act as a secondary wand when necessary." The Goblin finished, "If that is all?"
Constantine and Harry both stood and walked back to the main hall, where they sat in chairs along the wall to wait for Alya and Alexia to come back.
Roughly ten minutes later, the group of four was heading out of Gringotts and towards Quality Quidditch supplies. The store was even more packed than Gringotts and they took nearly five minutes just to make it to the counter. Harry partially lowered his hood to show who he was and called over the din of the customers that he wished to see the manager. They were quickly ushered passed the counter, into a back room and up a set of stairs to the second floor, where they found the store room and an office. An older gentleman soon joined them, smiling joyfully as his ran his fingers through mussed blond locks and didn't even bother trying to straighten his wrinkled grey work robe.
"My apologies for the wait, I am Edward Crittenden, owner of Quality Quidditch. Am I correct in assuming you are here about the purchase of brooms for Hogwarts?" He asked, continuing on before they could even answer as he leaned against his desk, nodding. "Yes, yes. Ever since your article, we have gotten a great number of donations for the Harry Potter Broom Drive and have even worked out a contract with the Cleansweep and Nimbus broom companies. They will sell brooms at a reduced price for the Hogwarts brooms. Cleansweep will supply brooms specifically geared towards learning how to fly while Nimbus will donate a set of brooms for each of the house teams as well as three spares for each team. With their reduced fees and everyone's donations, we can afford the brooms and then some. So I wanted to suggest that, with what is left of the donations and a donation from you for 47 galleons, 12 sicles and 22 knuts, a new investment vault can be opened that is geared towards the purchase of new Quidditch protective gear for all Quidditch players upon their admittance to the team while still affording the cost of all current members of the team to come in or owl in their own orders." He explained, his eyes twinkling and his body practically vibrating in his excitement.
Harry listened carefully, knowing without being told that this would be his meeting, the others were merely there because they were with him at the time. He nodded slowly after Mr. Crittenden finished his explanation and straightened his shoulders, determinedly looking him in the eye.
"That sounds like a fantastic idea, I would of course need to see the contract for the investment vault and the donation contract between you and I to ensure everything goes where it is supposed to go. I mean no offense, but one must always check the contracts before handing over money."
Mr. Crittenden nodded his head quickly, going around the desk and pulling out two sheets of parchment. He quickly handed them over to Harry who read them both three times each before nodding and signing the contract agreeing to his donation. He then pulled his new cheque book from his cloak pocket, filled out the required places and used a pen knife, that Constantine silently offered, to prick his thumb for the necessary blood drop. He handed the cheque over to Mr. Crittenden,as well as the contracts, before standing. Shaking hands and exchanging brief farewells and happy holidays, the family quickly left the store and the alley, to hurry back home.
Upon returning home, Constantine kissed Harry on the top of the head, mentioned how proud he was of him, before rushing up to his room to dress for work and then through the floo. Alexia ruffled his hair affectionately before heading up to her room to dress in more casual clothing. Alya headed for the kitchen to begin making supper and Harry himself headed for his own room.
Upon entering his room, Harry sighed at the sight of eight trunks piled up along the far wall, having been put there by Constantine's house elves that work the greenhouses with him. He quickly changed into plain pair of blue jeans, blue and green t-shirt and placed the daggers along his left forearm and right ankle. The cheque book and files from the goblins he placed on his desk before he pulled one of the trunks and began to look through the contents.
By the time Harry heard the call for food, he had barely made a dent into the trunks. He walked slowly down the stairs frowning and sat in his usual seat to begin eating. Everyone else ate as well, though they were all sporting amused looks as they occasionally looked to Harry's disgruntled face.
"Problem with the mail, dear?" Alya finally asked, laughter clear in her voice.
"I'm keeping the books in the four trunks you've assigned for them and am considering changing up a couple of my family properties and have an idea for the toys, books and clothes people have sent me, as well as books, toys and clothes within all of my properties. I'll need to hire curse breaking teams to go through all of my properties, from my family or inherited from others, and clear them all out of furniture, books, clothes, etcetera etcetera and have them all put in one giant vault along with the items upstairs that aren't simple letters. I'm glad that all I got from the dangerous or suspicious packages was an inventory of them. I am also glad I have a complete inventory of who sent what, even if we don't know when, for everything else so that I can just send a base letter thanking them for it and requesting if they mind if I sell it, as I no longer have need of it. That was the easy stuff. The thing that is bugging me is that one stack of letters turned out to be from a total of twenty seven different schools, offering me a place. I will have to send a base letter, thanking them for their offer, apologizing for never receiving it, and am wondering if I should find a sly way of telling them that even if I wished to attend, I couldn't as Headmaster Dumbledore is my magical guardian. I'm worried that might cause problems for me though."
"I don't see how it could, all you would be doing is telling the truth. Just make sure you aren't sounding as if you are attending against your wishes, just that you fear you'd have had no choice in the matter. Perhaps even let mention you would have considered before arriving at Hogwarts as you would not have known about the guardianship." Constantine commented, the mirth no longer on his face or in his voice at the reminder of Dumbledore's magical guardianship.
"Ok, I can do that fairly easy. Other than that stack, I have loads thanking me for what I did and asking for autographs. I'm thinking of sending a base letter reiterating my statement in The Daily Prophet about both being uncomfortable about giving out autographs at this time and how I'm grateful for their thanks, but reiterate my confusion on what it is I supposedly did. That letter will take longer to figure out how to write, as I have to be careful with how I put it. The last two stacks of papers are to do with business and betrothal contracts. The Betrothal contracts will all be replied to based on a base letter apologizing for not having received the contract just yet, that even had I wished to marry their lovely daughter/niece/granddaughter or what-have-you, I would be unable to try writing a contract until I am Head of House, as stated in the Potter Family By-laws. The businesses, I will have to do a base letter asking if the offer is still open, explaining I have not even done more than a cursory look, as I wish to do research before committing and as a student, my time is limited so think it's best to be sure the offer is still viable before committing more time into such research. Many of them I've found were for writing books or making merchandise that is out though, and those I plan to send a different base letter pointing out that I never gave my consent and asking about my portion that was offered plus an additional fee for going ahead without my consent. That letter, though, will be sent to Tonks & Tonks Law Firm for perusal and approval or suggestions before hand."
By the time Harry finished explaining that, everyone had finished with their meal and Harry waited until Alexia left and came back with treacle tart for dessert before continuing.
"I've also got that list of inheritances that I have to go through, and items or money people had requested be dropped into my vault for me when they realized I wasn't answering mail. I obviously can't thank the people who left me something in their will, but those who still live, I can send a base letter thanking them for their contribution to my vaults. All of my vaults will be gone through, just like my properties and anything not gold related will be put in the vaults I am going to rent as well. While that is going on, I would like to hire you, Alexia, to work with Curse Breaker Weasley (if possible) and see about turning one of my properties into a public library and research any and all wards and protections necessary to prevent theft, ensure easy recollection of books, and prevent spells and potions from being cast on the books. That way nobody can just copy a book, curse or poison people using the book as a medium or borrow the book and not give it back. I have way too many books that were merely gifted to me, and that doesn't include what books would be in any and every property I now own. A second property would be turned into a Fun House, where parents can come with their kids and either play with them, or drop them off for a price, and that way the abundance of toys I was gifted with could be put to use. I plan to ask Professor Flitwick if he could give me a list of muggle-born students he recalls being good with children so I can send a base letter out to them, asking if they are having difficulty finding work due to prejudice and lack of muggle secondary education. I figure I could hire at least some of them to work the Fun House and babysit the kids left there by parents. The third and last property would be turned into a museum where Alexia and Weasley would have to work together again to ensure lack of theft and what not as the clothes would be used to show the different periods of wizarding history, a section for all the brooms and potions equipment I have little doubt will be found and scattered everywhere to show their progress through history and a jewelry section. I've read, in my inventory that I even have a great deal of old wands and was wondering if I'd put those up, along with pictures and a bio of each wand's owner so that they may be gone, but not forgotten. Most would be of the Potter family but still."
Harry shrugged at the last part, looking down at his empty dessert plate self consciously.
"Of course you'll have my help with those properties Harry, I'll send Curse Breaker Weasley a letter tonight to ask if he'd mind being hired or if it would cause problems with his Gringotts Employment Contract." Alexia answered, near immediately afterwards, smiling proudly at Harry.
"Those are sound plans, I will trust you to do the base letters alone, but should you wish me to overlook them before you send them off, I will do so." Constantine offered solemnly, Harry seeing a proud glint in his eyes as well.
"It has been some time since I have contacted my niece, Andromeda Tonks. I was planning on contacting her shortly about Alexia interning with her and her husband anyways, so I see no problem with doing so sooner to hire them for their aid with those businesses." Was all that Alya said, before standing and walking to the writing desk in the sitting room and beginning to pen a letter.
Harry smiled and was about to thank them when he found himself letting out a huge yawn instead, causing Constantine and Alexia to chuckle in amusement. Harry smiled self deprecatingly before kissing each on the cheek and wishing them good night, figuring he would tackle the letters in the morning.
The next day, as the rest of the family went about their morning, Harry sat at his desk, contemplating and writing his base letters. Alya came in during lunch, tsking and shaking her head as she placed a plate of corned beef sandwiches and a glass of milk at his desk and walked away. She knew it was best to let him get on with his work, but she would not allow him to skip a meal.
It wasn't until about three in the afternoon that Harry finally ventured out of his room, the empty dishes and a stack of parchment in hand as he headed downstairs. He placed the letters on the tea table in the sitting room, as Constantine was currently reading a book there, before heading for the kitchen to wash his dishes.
When Harry came back into the sitting room a few minutes later, he found Constantine looking over the letters he had written and so sat on the sofa to await his opinion. While waiting, Alexia handed him her own letter for approval to send to Curse Breaker Weasley, sitting beside him on the sofa as he read. The three discussed the different letters, reading and adjusting things here and there for the next hour before sending the letters to Curse Breaker Weasley and Tonks & Tonks Law Offices. Afterwards he headed upstairs with the completed base letters to begin copying them and filling in the blanks to send off.
Dear_,
Thank you for the (item) you gifted me. I apologize for taking so long to get back to you on it. I fear I had no knowledge of the wizarding world, let alone the mail wards that had all mail sent to a mail vault rather than to me. Upon discovering it, I only had a month to get acquainted with the laws, customs and traditions of our world, as well as prepare myself for school. So I had to put it off until now to go through everything. Once again, I thank you for your gift. I appreciate the thought and regret it took so long to come into my possession. I hope you had a happy holiday season and a blessed new year.
Harry Potter
Heir to the House of Potter
Dear _,
Thank you for your offer of admittance to (name of school). I apologize for taking so long to get back to you on it. I fear I had no knowledge of the wizarding world, let alone the mail wards that had all mail sent to a mail vault rather than to me. Upon discovering it, I only had a month to get acquainted with the laws, customs and traditions of our world, as well as prepare myself for school. So I had to put it off until now to go through everything.
While I appreciate the offer, I am afraid I only knew of Hogwarts as an option for schooling and am therefore enrolled there. As I have come to learn shortly after attending Hogwarts that the headmaster is my magical guardian, I am sure Hogwarts would have been my school either way.
Your school sounds lovely and I regret I could not even contemplate the idea of attending it, but I am grateful for the opportunity you offer me either way.
Harry Potter
Heir to the House of Potter
Dear _,
Thank you for your letter of (Thanks, request for autograph or both), I apologize for taking so long to get back to you on it. I fear I had no knowledge of the wizarding world, let alone the mail wards that had all mail sent to a mail vault rather than to me. Upon discovering it, I only had a month to get acquainted with the laws, customs and traditions of our world, as well as prepare myself for school. So I had to put it off until now to go through everything.
As I stated in my letter in The Daily Prophet, I do not recall the killing curse being cast upon me, and upon researching the killing curse, wonder why it is believed I survived. From what I've read, I was the only survivor of those present, so nobody saw what spell was cast, and the killing curse leaves no mark. So why do I have a scar? I will give credence that in a recurring nightmare I have a recollection of a bright green light I have no knowledge of where or what it is and the Killing curse has green spell-light. Yet I have read of others that do as well. I am not saying the experts are wrong, just that I am confused. So while I am happy that he is gone, and I accept any thanks people freely given, I must ask that you accept I feel uncomfortable receiving said thanks. As for autographs, I must also repeat what I said in The Daily Prophet in that I apologize, but at this moment I feel uncomfortable and weird giving autographs for doing something I have no recollection of. Though, if one gets technical, I do believe my signature at the end can count. (Inserted here is a childish smiley face)
Thank you for your appreciation of the sacrifices and ordeal my family went through that resulted in the ending of the war, and I hope you enjoy the peace as much as I and many others have.
Harry Potter
Heir to the House of Potter
Dear _,
Thank you for the opportunity and offer of marriage you have proposed to (name of proposed bride). I apologize for taking so long to get back to you on it. I fear I had no knowledge of the wizarding world, let alone the mail wards that had all mail sent to a mail vault rather than to me. Upon discovering it, I only had a month to get acquainted with the laws, customs and traditions of our world, as well as prepare myself for school. So I had to put it off until now to go through everything.
Whether the offer is still viable or, due to my silence you have chosen another, I fear I must decline. According to the House of Potter By-laws, only a head of house may sign such contracts for any member of the family. As I am only the heir, at this time, I am unable to sign or have another sign for me.
Thank you, once again for the offer and opportunity you presented with this contract. I hope, despite my silence prior, and declination now, that we may have no enmity between House Potter and (name of house making offer).
Harry Potter
Heir to the House of Potter
Dear_,
Thank you for the business venture you sent to me. I apologize for taking so long to get back to you on it. I fear I had no knowledge of the wizarding world, let alone the mail wards that had all mail sent to a mail vault rather than to me. Upon discovering it, I only had a month to get acquainted with the laws, customs and traditions of our world, as well as prepare myself for school. So I had to put it off until now to go through everything.
Due to being uncertain how long ago this offer was made, I must ask if it is still viable. If so, then I will be more than happy to look through your offer (whether you keep to the old or make changes and send a new one). Until then, I will abstain from giving more than a cursory look through, as I wish to do research before agreeing or disagreeing. As I am a student, I fear it would take too much time away from my studies to conduct such research before I am certain it would be needed for business ventures taken this coming year.
Should you wish to make a different offer than before, or keep the original offer, I am more than willing to do so. Should you not, I understand and again offer my apologies for not getting back to you sooner.
Harry Potter
Heir to the House of Potter
Dear _,
The goblins of Gringotts have informed me that you had deposited (item/amount of gold) into my vault and I wished to thank you for your gift. I apologize for taking so long to express my thanks, I fear I only just learned of this happening this summer and I only had a month to get acquainted with the laws, customs and traditions of our world, as well as prepare myself for school. So I had to put it off until now to go through everything. Thank you once more, happy holidays and a blessed new year.
Harry Potter
Heir to the House of Potter
Dear Professor Flitwick,
How are your holidays progressing? I apologize for intruding during them, but felt it best to do so when you are not as swamped with school work. I have a request for aid that is not school related and hope you can help me.
I wish to open up one of my properties soon. It will have toys, brooms and a small reading area for children to play. Additionally, should parents wish to, the children would be able to stay without their parents. In order to do so, I need employees to run the property, keep it relatively tidy and to watch over the children while within the property.
I have not been in the Wizarding World long, but have already seen and heard enough to know that most muggle-borns have difficulty finding work in the Wizarding world. I can also extrapolate that their lack of muggle secondary schooling will make finding a job in the muggle world difficult as well.
With this knowledge, I was wondering if you would be able to give me a list of muggle-born students you believe would be able/willing to work at such a place so that I may contact them with an offer.
Harry Potter
Heir to the House of Potter
Curse Breaker Weasley,
My name is Alexia Collingwood. During this past summer, you aided Heir Potter with a few ward diagnostics and the removal of a soul leech. We are still very much grateful for your aid. Heir Potter remembers that aid and now wishes to know if he can hire you for other work. His many properties and Vaults need to be gone through to check for magics and an inventory created. In addition, he wishes wards and protective magics to be cast upon his properties and to aid him in opening new business ventures. In this need, he has requested you and I to work together to do so. He does not wish to cause strife between your employer and yourself for working on the side, rather than through Gringotts though, so please respond back letting us know of your availability and interest. If you, yourself, find you are unable to help, would you mind sending a list of recommendations?
Alexia Collingwood
Heir to the House Collingwood
To whom it may concern,
My name is Harry Potter. As of this past summer, I have learned that I am also Heir to the House of Potter and known as The-Boy-Who-Lived. Other things I learned of was a mail ward that diverted my mail and of the Wizarding World in general.
As I have not had any of this knowledge prior, I was hoping to hire you to find out how people/businesses/publishers were able to capitalize on my birth name or the name I have been given (Boy-Who-Lived) without my permission. Normally, the head of my house would be able to grant such things, but as I am last of my house, no such permission was given. I would like to know what can be done about this, as many of the books give people the wrong impression of me, if not outright lie by omitting the fact the books they sell are fictional. Attached to this letter, are all the business contracts I found in my mail vault that have since had the business go through with such without the contracts being signed. I will of course pay your standard fee for such works. I have already signed over a contract, giving Alya Collingwood nee Black permission to do all but the finalization of any work/decisions made to deal with this issue.
Harry Potter
Heir to the House of Potter
Harry worked on the letters until supper, only to return once he finished eating and completing his chores. The same happened after waking the next morning, not even noticing it was Christmas eve that day. The next morning, Christmas day, he was awoken at five in the morning by an excited Alexia bouncing on the foot of his bed.
"Wake up, wake up, wake up. It's Christmas Harry." She cried out happily.
Harry sat up groggily, looking at her blurry figure in confusion.
"But we already celebrated Yule."
"Yes, we did, but we celebrated that with the community for the most part. Since there were muggles who joined in as well, there are some gifts we could not hand out. So our family puts off the rest of the present until Christmas morning and celebrates Christmas as well. It also helps to keep down the confusion as we have friends and acquaintances who celebrate Christmas rather than Yule and so they send over gifts on Christmas. No point in not celebrating. Mum and I made some snack food and sweets yesterday for all of us to munch on throughout the day, rather than having breakfast and lunch, and we have the stereotypical Christmas Dinner in the evening." Alexia explained patiently, excitement and her smile both able to be heard in her tone.
Harry nodded his understanding and put his glasses on, waving her out of his room so he could get dressed.
"Nu-uh. It's tradition to come down in your pajamas. You don't get dressed until all the present are opened and breakfast sweets and snacks have been gobbled up." Alexia exclaimed, grabbing his arm and pulling him out of the bed and down the stairs, laughing the whole way.
They stopped in the sitting room, where Alya and Constantine were already sitting in the chairs, waiting. Alexia pushed Harry down on the sofa and went to the tree, where she then proceeded to hand out the different presents. While she did that, Alya walked out and back in depositing a large glass of chocolate milk and a plate of sticky buns in front of everyone (Alexia's going on the tea table). Harry and Alexia, by far had the most presents, though Alya and Constantine had a decent amount as well.
Harry looked in surprise at the pile of presents in front of him and then turned to the others as Alexia sat down, a frown of confusion and uncertainty crossing his features. Alya smiled at him, a sad understanding in her eyes.
"These are presents from us and your friends at school, all fan mail would have gone to your mail vault to be looked at another day." She explained quietly before turning to her own pile.
The other two smiled at Harry before going to their own piles, pretending as if nothing were wrong so Harry would have time to compose himself. He took a deep breath, looked at the pile once more and smiled before slowly opening the first present. It turned out to be his own Wizard's Chess set from Constantine. After that, he found candy from many of his housemates and the friends he's made in his year. He was surprised to find a fifty pence piece from the Dursley's.
One of the last presents he opened was from Alya. It was a long, log shaped parcel and everyone turned to watch him open it to reveal a rolled up tapestry of dark blue coloring. He unrolled the top to see, in silver stitching the Potter Family Coat of Arms, the motto in English above, and in latin below.
For our magic, for our children, for our future, we will protect those in need from those who seek to do harm; Magia enim nostra , pro liberis, pro nobis futura, quae necessitatem ab his qui per sequuntur securos laedat. (A/N I used a translator, if incorrect, please help)
Harry stared down at the tapestry, tears blurring his vision, for he knew what this was.
"Alexia acquired the potions recipe from the Goblins over the summer and I've been working on it since. That is your family's tapestry, surprisingly, it goes back to the first magical Potter and shows any who carry the Potter blood and their spouse if married by magical bonding. I stitched in the english translation of the Potter Family Motto myself for you." Alya explained softly, watching as Alexia scooted over on the couch to hug Harry as he continued to look at his family Coat of Arms.
It was quiet for a few minutes, before Harry finally pulled himself together, wiped at his eyes and smiled at them all, getting up to hug Alya in thanks. He then returned to the sofa to open the next package.
It was very light, he unwrapped it and something fluid and silvery grey went slithering to the floor, where it lay in gleaming folds. Harry picked the shining, silvery cloth off the floor. It was strange to the touch, like water woven into material. Alexia leaned down to pick up a note that had fallen to the floor, while both Alya and Constantine looked at Harry and the cloth, frowns adorning both faces.
"Your father left this in my possession before he died. It is time it was returned to you. Use it well." Alexia read from the parchment note, frowning.
"There is no signature to say who it is from." She explained, as she looked at the wonder in Harry's eyes.
"Harry," Constantine began slowly, causing Harry to look up at him, "I do not know who that is from. I am happy to hear it was your father's cloak and that they returned it to you. They should not have held off and returned it as a Christmas gift, but they returned it and that is what matters. We should bring it to Gringotts later, to ensure there is no foreign magics on it before you bring it back to Hogwarts with you. Additionally, I want your word that you will not wander the halls under that after nightfall, without someone else knowing you are doing so. If you fall, or get injured, and the cloak is covering you, there is no telling how long it will take for help to arrive." He explained quietly, his eyes solemn and his face serious.
Harry thought about what he said, nodding slowly in agreement, before turning back to it with a look of reverence on his face. After another minute, he slowly folded it and lowered it next to his new family tapestry and turned to the next present.
The last present was in the shape of a thin book and from Alexia, he smiled up at her as he could feel her trembling in anticipation, before he slowly opened it to reveal a leather bound journal with a simple silver mirror taking up majority of the space in the front cover. He looked up to see that Alya and Constantine both had a similar journal in their hands and all three turned to Alexia for an explanation.
"The mirrors are communication mirrors. Tap them once with your wand and state the name of the person you wish to contact and their corresponding mirror will beep or vibrate and light up slightly, depending on whether you set it to by decompressing the rune for noise on or off at the bottom. They would tap their own wand and then both parties can see each other and speak with each other. Should the other person fail to tap their corresponding mirror within a minute, your mirror would have the words 'Call failed' scrawl across it, and the words 'Missed call call back Erase' scrawled on theirs. They would tap either call back or erase to do those options. Additionally, you can write inside the journal to message back and forth with someone. While the mirrors can be connected to any communication mirror I connect to the base, the journals can only be connected to the journals personally connected via spell. On the inside cover, the journals already connected will have a corresponding number next to them and the top of each page has the numbers one through ten. You tap the number you wish with your wand to activate the connection with the journals and then begin to write, when finished, you tap the number a second time to finish the connection and send the message. The other journal will then have the page your message appears glow a light blue to show it received a message and the number corresponding with your journal according to their list highlighted. The journals will save all messages unless you run your wand down the length of the page along the binding and the page will be removed. I have my own journal. Our journals are all connected together. Additionally, I sent a journal to Longbottom, the Weasley twins, Higgs and Pucey that are connected to Harry's journal. I'm considering selling these through Flourish and Blotts come the beginning of the summer." She explained, her back straight and obvious pride shining in her eyes and voice.
Harry smiled and examined the journal as her parents hugged her, congratulating her on such remarkable spell and rune work.
After all was calm once more, Alexia thanked him for the beautiful Sword of Justice, Alya thanked him for the cauldron and Constantine thanked him for the miniature Whomping Willow after he explained he had gathered woods and stones from the forbidden forest and Black Lake, with aid from Hagrid, and transfigured them for everybody. Sure, he had money now, but he wanted it to be something special. The Weasley twins had helped by pointing out that if they truly cared, then it would be the thought and effort he put into the gifts more than the price tag, that mattered. He was happy to see this proven true as they exclaimed over these gifts more than any other he'd seen them open.
After a while, they all wandered upstairs to get dressed in comfortable day-wear and put their gifts away before spending the rest of the day just talking, laughing and playing games.