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Neville remained at Silbreith for one more week. Severus and Harry explained everything the boy hadn't seen in the pensive and Neville took everything in admirably. Severus was almost shocked at how calm the boy was, half expecting him to just bolt screaming bloody murder when the shock wore off. But when Neville explained one night, while Harry had gone to retrieve his new designs for the Seeker's edition of the Firebolt, how he viewed Harry as his brother in all that was important and practically begged him -him, a man he had been terrified of during his first two and a half years in Hogwarts- to train him so that he could help, the last trace of his doubts was gone. There was nothing sinister in Neville's mind -the boy had offered his thoughts to be examined and Severus took him on that offer, not ever wanting to take the smallest chance when Harry's safety was concerned if it could be avoided- just care, brotherly affection and an urge to do something, to be useful, to help, that Severus started training him along with Harry the very next day.
As for Harry himself, the boy couldn't have been happier. His patchwork family seemed to be coming together; Neville would stand by his side like any brother would and he would get the training needed to survive the war. It was a far cry from the scorn and contempt he had expected but he would never be caught complaining over his misjudgement. This was all he could have hoped for. Just before leaving to return at his grandmother's house on the 30th of July -Augusta had been adamant he spent his birthday at home- he had made both Harry and Severus promise they would have fun on the Potter's expense when the part of the truth they could afford them to know came out. He in turn had promised to practice on his Occlumency and spellwork as well as on the basic sword movements Harry had taught him. Yes, Harry thought; he hadn't even dared to dream things would go better than they had so far.
It was with such pleasant thoughts on his mind that Harry woke up in the morning of the thirty first of July and headed to the shower of his room in Potter manor; the gala Fudge had begged Severus to attend had been held last night and Harry figured returning to the manor a day earlier than planned wouldn't do him any harm with Severus away from Silbreith. Speaking of Severus, the man had for sure made a great effort to not let him into the big secret of the present he would be receiving today -whatever the big secret was- and the teen was exercising every ounce of his patience to not just have Minnie spy on him. He towel dried his hair and left the bathroom, making sure the last concealment charm remaining, the one over his emblem, was in place. House elves wouldn't tell unless specifically asked, but why take the chance? He smirked at his reflection on the mirror and grabbed a pair of jeans from his closet and a simple white shirt which he donned and left unbuttoned. He was alone in the manor after all.
He climbed down the stairs whistling, in search for breakfast and in the highest of spirits; Rosie, the cook house elf of the Potter manor, had made chocolate cake for the occasion and he was determined to get to it before Severus arrived. The potions master was supposed to be there half an hour ago, making Harry wonder what in Merlin's name happened at that gala. With a spring on his step, and still whistling a Weird Sisters' tune, he made it to the ground floor and was about to turn towards the kitchen when his attention was drawn to the living room instead.
"Surprise!" Chorused an assortment of voices. It was difficult to say who was more surprised; Harry to see his whole family gathered in the living room hours ahead of time, or his family to see Harry.
"Harry?" Adrian asked looking at his younger brother wide eyed. Their expressions varied from awed to stunned and, even though it happened earlier than planned, Harry decided to take it all with a stride. He smiled brightly and walked to hug his brother; he was now a good head taller and it showed more in such close proximity.
"Goblins' gold! People!" He exclaimed chuckling. "Happy birthday to us!" Harry wished his stunned brother turning to face the rest of his family. He noticed that Ron and Hermione were there too, the later looking flustered and avoiding eye contact at all costs. "You're home early!"
"Harry? Is that you, kiddo?" Sirius asked, looking at his godson sceptically.
"Do you have any other godsons called Harry I should be aware of?" The teen asked casually.
"You look… different." His mother stated confused.
"Mom, don't get this the wrong way, but I'm growing up." The boy stated, hugging Lily tightly. "It happens even to the best of us; just look at Padfoot."
"Hey!" Sirius protested.
"You've grown up." James stated rather blankly, shaking his head as if he could dispel the current image of his son and bring back how he remembered him to be.
"What can you do?" The teen asked rhetorically.
"Bloody hell, Harry!" Ron exclaimed. "Working out much?" He was looking rather cross that Hermione had paid attention and Harry looked down at his unbuttoned shirt as if he had just noticed.
"Yeah, that would be sword fighting and Quidditch." He stated apologetically, buttoning his shirt. "Sorry for that." He smirked cheekily. "I didn't expect you home so soon."
"We figured we could throw you a surprise birthday party." Remus stated. "We just didn't count on who would be more surprised." Harry laughed softly at that and patted the werewolf on the shoulder; Remus was definitely going to be more surprised than anyone else. Harry knew the Wolfsbane potion had yet to be made available in the market, the final testing having been completed just the day before -hence the gala- and as such, the majority of the wizarding world didn't dare believe it was for real until the Ministry made the official announcement. An announcement that should have been published on every single newspaper and magazine this very morning. Harry couldn't remember ever having waited for the morning mail so anxiously.
"We thought you'd be bored, stuck in Spinner's End with Snape all summer." Adrian stated and Harry threw him and amused stare.
HI GUYS IF YOU WANT READ 300 + CHAPTERS THEN VISIT
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