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No Obvious Truths	By : Danyealle Category: Harry Potter > Slash - Male/Male Views: 64502 -:- Recommendations : 8 -:- Currently Reading : 32
Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter and make no money off this work of fiction.

Chapter List
- 23
- 24
Chapter 24

Beta'd by the amazing Tenchi. Thanks, woman! You're the BEST!

Reading over the letter from Mr. Lupin, Harry glanced at what he had written so far, then at the pictures that were on the table and asked Tom, distractedly, “Which one is Mr. Lupin again? My dad I recognize, but I'm not sure about the others in the pictures.”

Sliding closer to the young man, Tom picked up one of the pictures and pointed the man out. “That's him.” Quietly, he named the other two in the picture as well.
Nodding, pleased to have a visual, even if it was an old one, of who he was writing to, Harry asked, “You lot said he's a werewolf, right? He's not dangerous is he?”
“He is and we assure you he's not,” Tom told him firmly, patting him on the shoulder. “The only time he's dangerous is on the full moon. You won't be around him then. I'm also sure that he makes certain he's not around anyone else so they can't be hurt. It's very doubtful he would risk putting anyone in danger. Most are like that. They were just unfortunate enough to have been bitten, usually through no fault of their own either. It's my understanding that Remus was bitten as a very small child. He couldn't help that any more than you could help getting cancer.”
Understanding now, Harry looked back at the letter he had written then held it out to Tom, “I can't think of anything else to say. I know it's short, so I don't want to offend him. Is it alright?”
Taking the parchment, Tom read through it, chuckling as he did. It was something typical from a standard eleven year old. Harry talked about Draco, the mural on his wall, his stuffed dragon and other things in his world. There were questions about his parents, of course, tentative ones, such as what they were like, but not too much. Setting it down, Tom said, “It looks fine to me. You're just getting to know each other, so you won't have as much to say to him as you do to Draco, Ron and Blaise. It's a good starting point, Harry. I think he'll take it as that.”
Taking it back, nodding, Harry quickly scrawled his name on it then set it aside to be sent out. “Good. I don't want him thinking I'm stuck up or something. I just can't think of anything else to say.”
“As you write more, you'll find more,” Tom schooled, pushing the pictures aside. “Have you written to the three troublemakers at Hogwarts today?”
Grinning at that name, Harry nodded, “I did. I already sent those out. They seem to be doing okay.”
“Severus is making sure he keeps an eye on them, so it's nothing to worry about,” Tom told him.
Picking up his Pepsi, Harry took a sip and sighed contentedly. His stomach wasn't as touchy as it had been, so he was having one as a treat since he ate a good lunch. “What are we going to do this afternoon?”
“Lucius and I were thinking of taking a break from your schoolwork. You've done very well with it in the last couple days and picked up a great deal. So, we thought that we would go outside to the gardens for a while to sit. It's fall now, so we won't have too many warm days left to enjoy. We might as well do that while we can. Plus, getting you outside here and there helps anyway. We'll find something to do.”
Grinning at that, Harry gave an enthusiastic nod. “Works for me! Shenanigans likes to play in the gardens anyway. Nagini likes to bask in the sun. It's good for both of them as well.”
“It is,” Tom agreed. “We'll find something to keep us entertained as I don't think you're up for a ride on the dragon or a horse. There's always something we can do. Any idea what you might like?”
Thinking that over, Harry said, distractedly, “Can we just play a game or something like that? I'm not feeling up to much else.”
“That's perfectly fine,” Tom told him soothingly. “We know plenty of games we can still teach you that I'm sure you'd enjoy. We'll find one of those.”
“Okay, that's good,” Harry said with a nod, leaning back. Looking at the letter that was ready to be sent, he asked, quietly, “While we do that, can you lot explain some of what went on to me with my dad and his friends? You've explained some, but said there is more. I'd like to know so I can understand.”
Giving an internal sigh at that, Tom said, gently, “We will, at least we can start to. It's a very complicated situation, Harry, one that's going to take time to get across to you.”
“I just want to understand is all, so I know what's going on,” Harry told him, looking in the man's direction.
“How about this—we'll start today with some of the easier parts and work our way upwards over the next couple of weeks. That way we don't overwhelm you. There is much to cover about this as it relates to the other parts we've talked about. That something you can deal with?”
“Yeah, that's good,” Harry nodded. “I think I'd understand it better that way rather than all at once.”
“I think so too. We can go that way. I think, part of it, we're going to need Severus for as he knows some bits we don't on some of it. It's nothing to worry about though, we can manage that,” Tom smiled at him.
Grinning, Harry said, “That's fine too. I like spending time with Severus. He's great!”
Chuckling, grinning a little himself at the irony of that because of the past with James, Tom said, “And I believe he feels the same about you, Harry.”
Quietly, looking at Tom, he said, “I've not said it, I don't think, but I like it here. It's like having a real family for the first time. I don't think, other than Mrs. Figg and my parents, anyone has tried to help me like all of you have. Well, there was the hospital, but that was part of their job.”
Sliding closer to the young man, Tom slipped his arm around Harry and pulled him closer. Resting his head against the young man's, he said, quietly, “We like having you here too, Harry. And we are your family, just in an odd way, is all. And I can guarantee you, come hell or high water, Narcissa plans to ensure that you become her son. She will stop at nothing to do that. If people are smart, they won't say one word to her about it either. Lucius also plans to make sure of that. It may take time, but it'll happen, you have my word.”
Smiling, leaning against Tom, Harry nodded and said, quietly, “I'd like that, a lot.”
“So would we,” Tom told him honestly.

“He's already my son,” Narcissa said firmly, though keeping her voice down so she didn't wake the sleeping Harry. They were on the balcony of his room talking after spending time outside and the young man was taking his normal nap after such activities. “I just don't have the paperwork to prove it.”
“We know,” Lucius told her, reaching out to pat her hand. “That part is going to take time is all, lots of it. Probably years. My suggestion on that is to wait to file until we're divorced then you and Severus wed. It will not only make it more stable with him, as he won't be confused by the bond that's there with me, but give everyone time to see that we're not manipulating him.”
“There is that,” she sighed, shaking her head and looking down. What they led so many people to believe after the last war was something that was going to bite them biggest when it came time to do this. Looking into Harry's room and watching him sleep, she smiled a little, “And to make sure he knows he's our son. What with that hideous family of his—no, we want him to know and understand completely.”
“I agree,” Tom said with a nod. “I think, maybe, he understands more about all of this than we give him credit for. Harry knows the difference between someone really caring for him and the other end of the spectrum because of his so-called family. Already he understands that we're not using him, at least as much as someone his age can. Just give him some time and he'll understand fully.”
“Can we—I don't know—let Amelia know we plan to adopt him at some point in the future?” Narcissa asked, looking between the two.
“I believe we can, yes,” Lucius nodded. “Maybe in the way of dropping the word that's what our intention is. Also, explaining we want to give everyone time to understand we have nothing nefarious behind this. I believe the standard is a couple of years anyway, at least for foster children. It may help stave off issues from other areas if we make it clear that's what we want. The only rough part will come with the divorce. Even that, though, I think we can manage, especially with Severus around all the time and me making it very clear that it's something I've always approved of when the time comes.”
Thinking it all over, Tom gave a slow nod, “This is the way to go, I believe, with all of it. There will be other issues coming up with it, of course, probably ones we won't foresee, but it's a base of a plan.”
Looking at the small boy sleeping, Narcissa smiled and nodded, “I can work with that.”
“I think, in his own way, he already understands your place in his life, Narcissa,” Tom soothed. “You treat him no different than you do Draco. That's more than enough to drive that point home. You act the same way with him as you do with Draco, all of it. So, he understands.”
“I hope so,” she sighed, looking at the two men.

Reading through Harry's letter again, feeding the owl that delivered it a couple treats, Remus was smiling. It wasn't so much about what was said in the letter outright, more the tone of it. It was in the messy handwriting of an eleven year old boy that was still unaccustomed to using a quill and talked about those things that interested children at that age, but what he also read, though it wasn't written out and explained, was that Harry was happy. He was taken care of, given things he adored and had a friend like he, himself, had in school. That spoke more than any words that Harry could pen on parchment, that's for sure.
Watching the owl take flight, Remus sat Harry's letter down and picked up the one from Lucius. Though stiff in tone, the way such things tended to be, it told him enough that he was pleased. The man agreed to the correspondence and filled him in on what was wrong with Lily and James' son then what they were doing about it. This included the recent change in potions and the reason for that. It also spelled out that Harry was taking lessons and would have professors from the school in once a week to assist him in troublesome areas. Minerva was already mentioned as having shown up with Filius on the list as the next one to come work with Harry. That pleased him. It meant that they were taking care of what was needed. At the end, almost as an afterthought, Lucius mentioned that when Harry felt more comfortable and was feeling better they would allow a visit. For now, he just wanted the correspondence to continue so Harry could get used to him. The man also assured him they were trying to explain to Harry just what happened during that awful time in a way that simply laid out the facts, with no bias to them. He then mentioned that they would cover the tougher topics when it became apparent that they had to be done. Though wary of that, what with all they knew about Lucius in the last war, Remus felt better. Severus, as he knew, was in their camp, having been a spy. The man, from what he knew, was involved in Harry's care. At least Harry would get most of the truth that way, even with the contentious relationship that had been there between James and Severus.
Putting that letter down, he picked up Harry's and a quill then began to write to him. Grinning at the description of the mural on his wall, he asked about that then about the stuffed dragon Harry seemed to adore. He was sure that was the same one Arabella had talked to him about. It was something, he assured the young man, he wanted to see at some point in the future. He then asked questions about what Harry and Draco had done over the summer, smiling as he did. Already he could imagine that the two would get into all kinds of mischief when Harry felt better. After that, he inquired about the cat Arabella had given him.
Stopping, he looked at what was written then at Harry's letter, leaning back. There were so many things he wanted to ask about, but didn't want to tread into an area that would upset Lucius. However, he thought he might have a way with some of them. Straightening up, he asked the young man about his foster parents and how he liked them, saying that he heard they treated him very well. He hoped that wouldn't upset Lucius. It would also open up an avenue to talk to Harry about other areas to get to know him. Once he was done with that, he pressed on, talking about James and Lily, describing their personalities, including how Lily used to give James all kinds of grief if he didn't toe the line with treating someone right, smiling as he did.
After finishing the letter and setting it aside, he leaned back and shut his eyes. Just that small bit of a walk down memory lane was enough to evoke some sad imagery. What the last war had cost still hurt, badly. James, Lily and Peter gone. Sirius—well, that was more painful than he cared to contemplate. Shaking his head as he thought of the man, he sighed. Somewhere in him still, he was sure that Sirius was innocent. The Sirius he knew would never have done such a thing or betrayed any of them. He knew people changed and could be enticed into things that were wrong, he just never thought one of them would be Sirius. His old friend had been so loyal, to all of them, that he never thought he would do such a thing. Sighing, he shook his head. The proof was there, what there was of it. He knew that Sirius had been made the secret keeper. In fact, several had been told that. It was just—wrong to think he had cost James and Lily their lives was all.
Rubbing his eyes, he stood and went to find something to eat. It didn't do to dwell so much on things that you couldn't change.

Shutting the door to Filius' office, Severus walked over and sat in front of the man's desk. Crossing his legs, he said, softly, “I have something to discuss with you about a member of your house, but would prefer that it didn't come out I'm the one that did so.”
“Of course, Severus, it'll be kept between us,” Filius told him with a firm nod. “Is it an academic problem or one of behavior?”
“Behavior,” Severus sighed, shaking his head, then began to cover the issues with Parkinson. Running him through all the issues up to that point, he said, “I just issued her, Crabbe and Goyle, all three, detention with Filch for another incident with Longbottom and Granger before coming to see you. I came upon it in the halls. She seems to be targeting not only those two, but some of my house, trying to either torment them or entice them into something. So far, it's not a huge issue we can't deal with by assigning detentions, but this steadily grows worse as the weeks pass. I don't want it growing into something more. I've already talked to my three first years that seem to be on the end of the worst and assigned Mr. Flint to keep a closer watch on them. However, it's to the point that I think, maybe, you may want to sit her down and discuss the problem with her.”
Looking grave, hands folded on his desk, Filius said, “Yes, I think it's time to do that. Yours is not the only complaint I've heard, Severus. Minerva has mentioned it to me as well when it comes to two of her lions. No, we can't allow this to continue. I know our policy tends to be to let the students sort it out for themselves, with the Prefects stepping in when they have to, but this is going too far. There has been retaliation against her as well, though one I do approve of, but won't condone aloud. I will sit her down and talk to her. I believe I'll get with Pomona and her do the same with the other two. I think, for all of our sakes, we need to keep the three of them separated the best we can. Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw share several classes and it's my understanding the three of them always stick together there. Perhaps making it known we don't allow that is in order here.”
Thinking that over, Severus nodded slowly, “Good idea. I'll implement that in my classes as well. The less contact there, the better.”
“I will get with her tonight sometime and see what I can drive home,” Filius said. “I would suggest you talk to your snakes to encourage them to avoid her at all costs and ignore her the best they can.”
“I've already done so,” Severus told him firmly. “Mr. Zabini and Mr. Malfoy are aware where the ire is coming from and are versed enough to not allow themselves to be baited in the area. Mr. Weasley is slightly more hot headed and impulsive in the area, but as he stays close to the other two, that is staving off the worst of it. I'll sit them down tonight and reaffirm to them not to allow themselves to be baited by her and go to Mr. Flint or myself if it keeps happening.”
“Good plan,” Filius said, pleased. “We'll nip this in the bud, Severus. If you keep observing issues, please tell me. I don't plan to allow my house to be drawn into such petty viciousness.”
Pleased with that, Severus nodded, “Good. Hopefully, this will stop it. I don't count on that, as it doesn't lean that way, but making the students aware we know what's going on is always for the best.”
“Yes, unfortunately, it doesn't always work,” Filius said with a sad shake of his head. “I'll keep a closer watch out and see if I can't persuade the Grey Lady to keep a closer eye on my student. Perhaps Pomona can do the same with the Fat Friar.”
“I'll enlist the Baron to keep watch on mine. Good idea, Filius. Perhaps passing that on to Minerva is good as well.”
“I will,” the diminutive professor said with a vigorous nod.
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No Obvious Truths