Adult-FanFiction.org : Harry Potter

White Flag	By : bittsweetmis Category: Harry Potter Crossovers > Slash - Male/Male Views: 23910 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 1
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, Twilight or any of their respective characters, they belong to JK Rowling, Stephanie Meyer and the appropriate publishing houses and film studios e.t.c. This is purely a work of fiction and no profit is made from

Chapter List
- 3
- 4
- 5
AN: Okay, this is a bit
later that usual, mainly because I've been doing my final project for my ICT
A-Level. Any one who's done the qualification will tell you how time consuming
and stressing it can be...and when you add in the fact that both of the
teachers keep telling us to do different things...
This chapter is mainly to
establish the 'gang' (I don't consider them close enough to eachother
to be a family and I'm not sure what I can really call them) setting themselves
up in America.
There is an OC introduced, but he probably won't crop up again until
fairly later on...he has his purpose, trust me on this.

Also, to everyone who asked, I give you The Cullens...although not in the way you were expecting...probably.

So Here We Go

So here we go with the letter,

Can you fix it for me?

The Angry Mob - �Kaiser Chiefs

_____

Harry was just leaving
his Transfiguration lesson with a morose expression. Professor McGonagall had
kept him behind to talk about his position on the Quidditch team which had been
put in jeopardy since his Nimbus 2000 had been obliterated by the Whomping
Willow. Hermione and Ron had, of course, gone ahead to the Great Hall, too
caught up in their argument about Crookshanks and Scabbers to remember to wait
for him. Harry was just rounding a corner that would lead him to Gryffindor Tower when he literally collided into
another person. The force of the impact made him fall flat on his bum with his
hands spread out to try and cushion his landing. The loud smack that echoed in
the corridor reminded Harry how painful falling onto stone could be. Harry
flexed his stinging palms with a hiss, hoping that his palms wouldn�t bruise as
he looked at the reddening flesh. Then, Harry remembered the fact that he had
walked into someone else and looked up to meet the worried grey eyes of Cedric
Diggory, Sixth Year Hufflepuff Seeker and owner of the newer title of �Pest
Extraordinaire�.

Harry mentally
groaned.

The older boy was
picking himself up off the floor whilst keeping his concerned gaze on Harry.
�I�m so sorry! Are you alright?� Cedric asked, sticking out a hand. Harry took
it without a second thought.

�Yeah.� He replied,
allowing the other boy to pull him to his feet. �It was my fault anyway.� Harry
admitted, dropping Cedric�s hand as he began dusting himself off.

Cedric stepped back a
bit with a look of disappointment clear on his face.

�That�s odd.� Harry
thought.

�I probably deserve
worse for what I did.� Cedric mumbled guiltily.

�Eh?� �Who did he
kill...? Oh no, He can�t still be on about that bloody-�

�The Quidditch match.�
Cedric said with a wince.

�He is�bloody hell.�
�Oh, that. What has Oliver gone and done now?� Harry asked, knowing the
Scottish teen�s obsession with the wizarding sport. It was worse than Dean
Thomas and football. His Quidditch captain was still making snide remarks to
Diggory and had only just been stopped from sending a few Weasley pranks by
Harry.

�Wood? He�s been
alright lately. Did you say something?� Cedric asked. �All he does is glare at
me now.� He chuckled.

�If looks could kill,
eh?� Harry laughed. �You should see him when we�re late to practice.�

�Yeah,� Cedric agreed.
�I�ve met some people who were really into Quidditch, but Wood takes it to a
whole new level! Anyway, I just wanted to apologise for what happened, so �
err�sorry.� He finished awkwardly.

Here, Harry actually
groaned.

�Are you okay? Are you
ill? Do I need to take you to see Madame Pomphrey?� Cedric asked hurriedly.

�Wow, he really is a
Hufflepuff.�� Stop apologising already!�
Harry exclaimed, startling the other teen who was about to press his hand to
Harry�s forehead. Harry swatted away the offending appendage. �I�m sick to
death of you popping up at the most random times and saying �I�m sorry� over and
over! Geez! Anybody would think you were a stalker.�

Cedric looked alarmed
by his accusation. �W-wait! I�m not a stalker!� He said quickly. �I�m sorry if
I made it seem that way.�

�Honestly, you�re like
a broken record!� Harry grouched.

Cedric didn�t really
know what to say to that. For a starter, he didn�t really know what a �record�
was, but from the Gryffindor�s tone, he assumed it was a bad thing. He guessed
that Harry was mad at him, which really was the reverse of what he wanted, so what
could he do to make Harry like him? Then it hit him.

�Fine,� He conceded.
�I�ll leave you alone. But on one condition.�

�What?� Harry
questioned suspiciously.

�You let me take you
into Hogsmeade for a day.� Cedric proposed. �Consider it my final apology.�

Harry shook his head
sadly. �I can�t Cedric; I didn�t get the permission slip signed.�

�So, why did I see you
there last time with your two friends? I wonder what the punishment for leaving
the grounds without permission is.� The Hufflepuff smirked.

�You-you�re going to
blackmail me just so that you can take me to Hogsmeade as an apology?� Harry
asked incredulously. �What�s the logic in that?�

�That�s the plan!�
Cedric beamed. �So, is that a yes?�

�Fine.� Harry scowled.
�I guess it�ll be nice to spend time with people other than Ron and �Mione.�

�Brilliant!� The other
teen chirped. �I�ll owl you with the details!�

Harry�s lips reluctantly
twisted into a small smile.

)(0)(

Harry woke up disoriented with no idea where he was. He
instantly felt a pang when he realised that he had indeed been dreaming. �Why am I thinking of these things now?�

Harry sat up and rubbed his eyes, squinting at the beige walls
trying to figure out what had happened. The last thing he remembered was
leaving Aunt Petunia�s flat via the floo.

Aunt Petunia and Remus had held a small joint party for him
and Neville with all of the Weasleys and some members of The Order. The day
before, Harry had broken it to Ron and Hermione that he and Neville would be
leaving at the end of the party with their new guardians, Hermione had been
expecting, but Ron was speechless to say the least. He had recovered though,
and had made sure that Harry knew he would sorely be missed. When told about
the fake prophecy, Ron had promised that he would tell no-one, not even his
mother who had no idea about her surrogate son�s latest venture. Petunia had
been happy to sign the forms giving Remus and Bill guardianship over Harry
although she made it clear that there would be hell to pay if something
happened to either of the teenagers and she wasn�t made aware. A very much
deteriorated Augusta Longbottom had also readily signed the same papers for
Neville from her hospital bed, glad that her grandson was living his life; she weakly
claimed that it was for the best. Everyone in the room at that time understood
what she was insinuating. Harry, Bill and Remus left the room to give Neville
and his grandma some time alone. About an hour afterwards, Neville was being
escorted out of the room by a Mediwizard. He was crying and Augusta Longbottom
was dead, having lived to make sure her grandson was in good hands.

Both Harry and Neville received many presents for their
birthdays, mostly sweets and books on useful spells. However, the most valuable
came from Hermione and the Longbottom family lawyer who had gone out of his way
to settle Mrs Longbottom�s affairs in a matter of days when it normally would
have taken a month or more. Hermione had given both the boys copies of all of
her notes which covered the Hogwarts syllabus from the first year through to
seventh as well as notes which covered the general muggle syllabus up to
A-levels. Hermione had been disappointed when she realised that some of it
wouldn�t be useful in America,
but Harry and Neville had assured her that she�d done way more than enough.

Harry took in his surroundings. He had been lying on a couch
with a coat spread over him that was probably likely Remus�. The sofa itself
looked quite posh and was lined with leather. Harry guessed that he was in an
office, probably belonging to someone quite important judging from the
expensive looking furnishings and the numerous shelves lined with countless
books. Harry rose to his feet, still clutching Remus� coat to his chest, and
made his way over to the books opposite. The office definitely belonged to a
person who knew about both magic and muggle devices, the teen noted from the
computer on the desk and the book on potion ingredients he was currently
examining the spine of.� He was about to
pluck out a title on muggle legends when the door opened to reveal Remus, Bill,
Neville and a fairly tall man that Harry didn�t recognise. Remus was carrying a
plastic bag with all their shrunken belongings whilst Bill had Hedwig and
Neville the shrunken plants.

Remus� eyes lit up when he realised that Harry was awake and
Neville slumped in relief. �Oh Harry! Thank Merlin you�re awake!� Remus
exclaimed as he rushed to Harry�s side. �We were so worried!�

Harry imagined that he looked like a deer caught in the
headlights. �Err�what happened exactly? Where are we?� He asked, confused when
he realised that Remus was wearing his coat. �Then who the hell does this belong to?�

Bill grinned. �Ron said that you were bad at using the floo,
but I had no idea that you would be so bad with the international network.� He
laughed. �We�re in Seattle.
The capital of Wizarding America

�Huh?�

�You fainted as soon as you arrived.� Remus explained. He
then pressed the back of his hand against the teen�s forehead. �You don�t feel
woozy do you? Maybe you should sit down. You feel a bit warm, is the window
open?�

�Eh? Remus! I�m fine!� Harry protested.

�Maybe you�re overreacting, Prof-Remus.� Neville suggested.

Remus opened his mouth to reply, however, he was cut off by
the stranger in the room.

�I�m afraid that I must agree with Mr Longbottom on this
matter.� He said with a smooth voice (here, the aforementioned teen blushed).
�International floo does sometimes have similar effects on travellers, Mr
Lupin. Mr Potter, I must say it is a pleasure to finally meet you.� He smiled,
holding out a hand. The man was probably in his thirties. He had an American
accent though it wasn�t all that strong, and he was quite handsome. His hair
was pale blond, though more yellow compared to Malfoy�s silver locks and his
eyes were a coloured hazel. The man was unlike any other wizard (assuming from
the books and his choice of words about Harry) he�d met, mainly because of the incredibly
smart white on black pinstripe suit and leather gloves he was wearing.

Harry tentatively took the other man�s hand in his and shook
it. �It�s nice to meet you to Mr�erm?�

�Sinclair. My name is Allan Sinclair.� He said with a tone
that Harry couldn�t quite figure out. It wasn�t smug, but it was something
similar.

�Don�t worry, Harry.� Remus soothed. �He can be trusted; he
made many arrangements for us once we showed him our circumstances.�

Harry was confused until Neville tapped his head and mouthed
�pensieve� at him.

�Mr Sinclair is President of Magical America.� Bill supplied
helpfully. �Even though he�s really young for a politician, he�s already done a
fair bit for the American magical community. The government here really leaves Britain�s
Ministry in the dust.� Harry now knew what that tone was; it was the tone of someone
who knew success.

�He was coming from a meeting in France when you fainted at his
feet.� Remus laughed.

Harry blushed heavily. �I�m so sorry, Mr Sinclair!� he
winced. �How embarrassing!�

�Not a problem, and please, call me Allan. I imagine that we
shall see quite a lot of each other.�

�We will?� Remus asked.

�It seems so. Mr Potter plays an important role in British
magical society so I have a feeling that they will not leave you alone.�

�And Prof- Dumbledore won�t be too pleased either, I bet.�
Neville pointed out. The mood in the room instantly darkened.

�Do you think he�ll find us here?� Harry asked.

�Not if we have anything to say about it.� Allan muttered
darkly. �The British Ministry has stepped out of line far too many times, they
are far too incompetent. Some of our best men died in the war that they managed
so well.� The last bit was said with remorse.

A silence descended in the room and Harry scuffed his
trainers against each other nervously.

�Ah! We did all the paperwork while you were unconscious,
Harry.� Bill mentioned suddenly, trying to get rid of the air of discomfort
surrounding them. �Even got rid of The Trace that was on you and Neville�as
well as another�erm spell.�

�What other spell?� Harry asked anxiously. He had a good
idea who would�ve put a spell on him too.

�It was a tracking spell similar to The Trace. It�s simply a
more permanent and complex version that does not wear off naturally when you
mature. The main problem is that instead of being directed at the Ministry, it
was directed towards Hogwarts.�

�Dumbledore.� Remus growled. �Bingo� Harry thought somewhat bitterly.

�Indeed. That spell�s a complete infringement on human
rights, it should be made illegal. They used to use it on ex-convicts until
some activists started protesting. You are the curse-breaker here Mr Weasley,
do you think that Dumbledore knows Harry�s location?�

Bill scratched at his chin in thought. �Hmm, well. I
wouldn�t have picked up on it if the Aurors hadn�t gotten rid of The Trace, so
we could have easily carried on with it all with the tracker on � which would
have seriously screwed up all of our plans if Dumbledore is using Harry for his
plans like we all think he is.� Here, Remus wrapped his arms protectively
around Harry who just accepted it and leaned against the werewolf�s chest. �The
spell notifies the caster of what spell the host � in our case, Harry � has
cast, the host�s location and magical and physical condition when the spell was
cast. It also notifies the caster of any accidental magic.

�D-do you think that it would have detected the Aurors
removing The Trace?� Neville asked.

Bill smiled, �Nah. There�s a reason why we chose to come
here using the floo rather than a portkey or a muggle plane. The Floo Network
and apparition cause a slight magical field disturbance when people use them,
portkeys do it too. The �host� spells which are long-lasting get nullified for
seven and a half hours-ish. I think the null time for apparition is about two
hours and it�s only five or ten minutes for portkeys. It�s the reason why it�s
so hard to track criminals these days.�

�They always check for tracking spells when they arrive
wherever it is that they go, so it�s pretty much useless.� Allan said.

�Especially now that people have cottoned on.� Bill agreed.

�So that means that Harry�s safe now?� Remus questioned, his
grip on Harry tightening.

�Yeah. To Dumbledore, it�ll look like we�ve all just dropped
off the face of the planet. He�ll only get Harry and Neville�s withdrawal
papers. The Ministry clerk gave all of our transfer papers to the Unspeakables
when they saw Harry sign his papers in person, so nobody will probably ever see
them.

�Still, you�d all best lay low when you go to wizarding
areas, especially White Avenue.
Even if you aren�t that famous here compared to in England, Harry, the reporters here
will be on the lookout for you for quite sometime once they get wind that
you�ve left Hogwarts. Glamours might do the trick.� Allan advised

�I think Occlumency is our first priority.� Remus mumbled
into Harry�s hair.

�Occlumency? Oh no...� Harry moaned, thinking of his lessons
with Snape at school.

�Hmm, I think I may have some titles of interest that you
may wish to take.�

�Eh? But you�ve already done so much for us!� Remus
protested.

Allan laughed. �It is my own decision. I wish to help you
all as much as I can, also I must have at least three copies of each book I
have in mind.�

�W-why? What do you have to gain from all of this, sir?�
Neville questioned softly.

�Nothing I guess.� Allan admitted. He moved to the shelves
and began ghosting his fingers along some of the spines. �Wizarding Britain is a
mess. That�s an understatement. Your country is constantly under turmoil. How
many people have died because they were lions led by mules? I wonder� I just, I
just want to be able to help in any way I can so that no more lives need to
sacrificed to make your leaders look good. His voice was sad and bitter, and
Harry instantly sympathised with the man. He had lost someone or some people
close to him. That much was evident. As he spoke, Allan chose several titles
from his shelves and cradled them loosely in his free arm. �One must also
wonder what else is a farce in the world we live in. If someone like
Dumbledore, who is revered so much by the public, is an actual tyrant in the
situation at hand, then there is so much more to be uncovered.� Allan said
cryptically. He handed the books to Harry who took them absentmindedly.

�Voldemort.� Bill spat. �I�d bet my last sickle that
Dumbledore�s got something to do with that monster.�

�I think Dumbledore�s the monster now.� Remus sighed sadly.

�Great.� Harry groaned. �More people after my life.�

Remus straightened from his slightly slumped position
against Harry and cleared his throat. �I�m sorry to cut you short, Mr Sinclair,
but I�m afraid that we must be leaving. I want to get settled into our new home
as soon as possible.�

�Of course. I�ll have my men take you to the entrance to White Avenue so you
can collect the car that has been provided for your personal use.� Allan turned
and led them out of the plush office with a wave of his hand.

�Car?!?� Remus squawked with wide eyes. �Y-you can�t
possibly-!�

�Oh, but I can.� Allan smirked. �You have opened my eyes,
all of you. Thanks to your trust in me, I have been given a new purpose. Call
the car� a welcoming present if you must�The costs won�t even be picked up.�

�Some fruit basket.� Bill snorted, causing Harry and Neville
to laugh.

They came to a stop by a set of oak double doors. There was
a pair of guards either side who wore suits and sunglasses. Harry likened them
to the people in Dudley�s spy films. �I�m
sorry to say that this is where we part ways. The information that you have
given me has been enlightening to say the least. My government will do whatever
is possible to ease the suffering of those affected by this war that Albus
Dumbledore has decided to set in motion.�

�Thank you for everything you�ve done for us.� Remus said
graciously.

�It has been a pleasure. You must all promise to stay in
contact.� Allan smiled. �I would like to know if anything happens.�

�Of course we will.� Harry and the others said their good
byes and Bill and Remus led the teens to the door. Before they could get there,
they were stopped by Allan�s laughter.

�God! How stupid of me to forget!� He chuckled. �Harry, my
coat, please?�

Harry looked down at the overcoat he still held in his hands
and flushed in mortification.

)(0)(

Harry hadn�t thought that the weather couldn�t get any worse
than in England,
but he was proved wrong by Bill and Remus. He and Neville watched the scenery
go by through the windows as the adults chatted in the front. The car that
Allan had gifted them with was quite nice. It was a deep blue Toyota that was meant to be quite low on fuel
costs which would probably help them a lot. Harry couldn�t help but laugh at
Remus� frustrated expression when they�d first seen the rather flashy car. It
annoyed the elder man because it would bring more attention to them than they
needed, and, it didn�t help that the population of Forks was tiny. When they
got in, Neville had been very nervous, it was his first time using muggle
transport (not counting the Hogwarts Express) but Remus and Bill had quickly
gotten the teen to relax.

Hedwig hooted softly in her sleep, drawing Harry�s attention
to her. He smiled gently, �She must be
knackered after all the excitement.� Harry thought before he looked at
Neville. �Are you going to get another pet Neville?� He asked cautiously. All
of the Gryffindors had been a bit careful around the brunette when Trevor the
toad was eaten by a first year�s cat.

Neville�s forehead creased slightly as he considered his
options. �I was thinking of getting a long distance owl so we can mail
overseas, but I guess we could use the floo for that. I�d like to get a rabbit
or something that�s easy to look after. Plus the fact that they�re cute is an
added bonus.�

�We could get both.� Bill suggested from the front. �If we
do use owl mail quite a lot, Hedwig coming and going from the house so often
will probably look quite odd. Something like a barn owl maybe?�

�Uh, I think we�re all forgetting something here. Owls eat
rabbits.� Remus reminded them all. Neville�s expression fell slightly at this
piece of knowledge.

�Actually, owl�s bought in wizarding shops are trained not
to eat anything bigger than a mouse. Otherwise, a lot of owners would get
complaints about neighbours� pets going missing.� Bill mentioned, he had leaned
forward in his seat to try and tune the radio in the car. �Any station in
particular?� The sound of static and the occasional bit of pop music filled the
air.

�Maybe an owl�s not right anyway. It might not get on with
Hedwig.� Neville admitted.

�Something instrumental. Maybe one with jazz?� Remus said.
�As long as we get a decent hutch and cage, a rabbit will be fine. Since we
only have to get one car now, we have a fair bit of money spare.�

�You�re both taking driving lessons, Remus already got his
licence here and I passed my test last week. Aha! This to your liking?� Bill
asked the werewolf triumphantly when saxophones and drums could be heard.

Harry slouched in his seat when he realised that there was
even more he had to do before school started. He soon straightened in his seat
when houses began to appear among the lush trees.

)(0)(

Bill smiled mischievously when Remus� hand once again
reached out to slap his leg from where it rested on the dashboard. Feeling
somewhat sorry for the other man, he lowered his leg. �We need to go shopping
tomorrow.� He reminded the werewolf softly.

�We do?� Remus asked distractedly. Bill imagined that the
man was worried to no end about Harry on top of all the recent stress. It was
either that or he was getting used to driving on the wrong side of the road.

�Mmhm. Neville doesn�t have that many muggle clothes and
Harry looks like he�s wearing rags. Also, I�m not exactly dressed for the
weather here and your clothes look like they�ve seen better days.� Bill met
Remus glare with an imploring look. �We can transfigure some of what we have,
but that won�t be enough.�

Remus sighed, admitting defeat. �Alright. I bought all the
furniture and appliances last month. We can turn the guest rooms into Harry and
Neville�s I guess. We�ll need to pick up some books as well. For school and
some for the NEWTs.�

Bill looked at Harry and Neville through the flip-down
mirror and sighed. �We�ll floo to White
Avenue under glamours or polyjuice
and pick up what we need. If you give me a list of things to get, you can stay
at home and relax and we can alter the clothes that don�t fit.� He flipped the
mirror back up.

�When did you get so practical?� Remus� tone was teasing.

�Hey, I�ve been living on my own for ages! I�m a big boy
now. I have some of Fred and Charlie�s hair we could use. Snape gave us a few
flasks of polyjuice too� Bill winked.

Then, Remus turned into a long stretch of road with only a
few fairly large houses. �Here we go.� He announced to the teens.

�They�re so big!� Neville gasped.

�Houses here are a helluva lot cheaper than in Britain, so
Remus and I had more than enough to buy this together. And then you have the
galleon to dollar exchange rate to think about.�

�The money I have saved from my job at Hogwarts would cover
the whole price of our house and more. And if you take into consideration the
fact that wizarding money wasn�t affected at all by the economic crisis��

�And Remus is a saintly version of the Scrooge bloke from
that Christmas story.�

�Quiet you! Being thrifty never hurt anyone!� Bill grinned
as Remus flushed and defended himself.

�Just your wardrobe.� He teased. Harry giggled into his
hand.

�You�re just like your brothers.� Remus huffed. Bill smirked
at the pout on the man�s face. �This is it.� The werewolf said as he pulled
into the driveway of the final house. It was smaller than the other houses on
the road, but there was a large piece of woodland looming behind it. It was
fairly isolated and, as such, it would be perfect for the monthly emergence of
Moony.

�Looks nice.� Harry smiled as they clambered out of the car.

�Yep, Five bedrooms and a study. There�s also a living room,
two bathrooms, a dining room with a massive kitchen as well as a rec. room and
a mini library.� Bill listed. �There�s also a nice basement for err�practical
lessons.�

�A library on top of a study?� Neville asked a bit
sceptically.

�I have acquired a rather large collection of books.� Remus
ducked his head slightly whilst hefting a box out of the boot of the car.

Bill hoisted another into his own arms and gestured at Harry
to close the boot. �And then you add
in what Remus nicked from Black Library.�

�Honestly, William!
I did not �nick� those books. And besides, who knows what would happen if those
books got into the wrong hands.� Remus scowled as he juggled the shrunken Black
library and their personal belongings with the set of keys had received from
the estate agent a month ago. He jiggled the key in the lock and managed to
wrestle the door open without dropping his cargo. �We�ve decorated most of the
house but William will help you boys
sort out your rooms.�

�Shoes off or on?� Harry asked politely.

�Off.� Came the joint answer. Harry and Neville both toed
off their trainers in the doorway and followed Bill and Remus into the house.

Bill decided to take the teens on a tour of the house whilst
Remus went off to add his new tomes to the already large book collection.

�He�s like Hermione,� Harry observed. �Less intense though.�
Neville agreed with a hum.

Bill led the younger wizards around the bottom floor of the
house; pointing out different items and photos of all of their friends and
relatives (�They�re meant to go still when a muggle enters the house.�). Harry
couldn�t help but get a bit choked up when he spotted a picture of his parents
with Sirius and Remus lying on the mantelpiece in the living room next to a
photograph of the Weasley family with Hermione and Harry.

�Um�Are me and Harry going to be sharing a room?� Neville
asked Bill quietly, hoping to get across his hidden message. �We should distract Harry before he gets
upset again.�

Bill got the Gryffindor�s hint and looked at Harry�s sad
expression. �Poor kid.� He mentally
sighed. �C�mon then!� He clapped his hand on Harry�s shoulder and dragged him
out of the room. �Let�s get your rooms sorted, eh? I have a feeling that Remus
will be awhile. Probably trying to figure out which way to catalogue his
babies.�

�I heard that, William!
I was a Marauder you know!�

Neville and Harry both giggled when Bill�s expression became
one of fear. �I said it only in jest, dearest.� He called out as he led Harry
and Neville into the large hallway and up the stairs.

�It�ll take more than you acting like a poncy aristocrat for
me to let this go.� They could here Remus grumble. The colour scheme upstairs
was very similar to the one downstairs. Light blue painted and wallpapered
walls with cream skirting boards and dado rails. The floor was made of lightly
varnished wood which also formed the stairs and banister. Cream rugs and floor
runners reduced the chance of somebody slipping over.

�I�ll get him some chocolate later.� Bill smiled at the boys
before he started opening and closing doors. �Uh, these two rooms are yours,
the one to the left of them is the study and the one on the right is a spare
room. Over there is the bathroom and here are mine and Remus� rooms. We share
an en-suite so there shouldn�t be too much hassle in the mornings for you
guys.�

�Can�t be any worse than in Hogwarts.� Neville chuckled.
�Seamus used to take forever.�

The younger wizards� rooms faced the back of the house
whilst Bill and Remus� rooms faced the front with the study.

�You two will have to fight over who gets the one with two
windows.�

�Harry can have it, some of my plants don�t like too much
light.�

�If it�s okay?� Harry ducked his head shyly.

Bill just sighed and took his wand out, �That kid is way too quiet! I hope he�ll be happy here.� �Right
then Harry! What colours do you want? I bet you�re sick of red and gold eh?�

�I like blue and dark purple�I know it�s girly, but the
purple really reminds me of Mione.�

�No problem Kiddo.�

)(0)(

Harry was exhausted after a good four hours of shopping.
First of all, he Bill and Neville had hit the shops in White Avenue with the younger boys under
the guise of Charlie (Neville) and Fred�or George (Harry). In the Seattle branch of Gringotts
(which was the first stop), money that had been transferred over was taken from
respective vaults and half had been converted into dollars after the goblins
checked the boys� magical signatures. Then they had gone to get a load of
textbooks from Mervyn�s Manuscripts which had so many books that Hermione could
have easily spent her whole life on one of the couches buried in book after
book. On top of the books that they had bought for sixth and seventh year NEWTs, Remus had also told them to get several books on
glamours and an encyclopaedia on the properties of potions. Harry guessed that
both would be useful; they only had so many polyjuice
potions stocked and Remus had admitted that potions was not his strong
point�although he had said that there was high chance that they�d have a
regular teacher by the time school started. Harry sincerely hoped that it
wasn�t Snape. As bad as it sounded, he had to admit that he had a fear of
Neville accidently blowing the house up.

Harry had also picked up a book on becoming a Mediwizard and
another on animagi. Obviously he desired to become an animagus like his dad and
Sirius, but when Remus had asked him what he wanted to do for a career, Harry
was stumped. When Professor McGonagall had asked him several months ago, Harry
had told her that he was aiming to become an Auror, but now that he thought
about it, he hated fighting even though he wanted to help other people. Harry
supposed that he could become a Defence teacher, but he�d hopefully have a
family by the time he was fully qualified and couldn�t imagine spending the
majority of the year away from a potential family. Then, Harry thought of all
the time he spent at Hogwarts and came up with the perfect answer to Remus�
question.

�I want to be a Mediwizard.� He had said earlier that
morning.

Remus had smiled, almost in relief. �I thought you were
about to say Auror then�you do realise that it won�t get you out of taking
Potions?�

�I know. I�ll put up with it if it means that I can save
people�s lives.� Harry had replied earnestly.

After visiting the books store, Bill had gone to the tailors
to grab some work robes, albeit unwillingly. Ron�s brother preferred his
leather and dragon hide clothes above anything that anywhere had to offer, but
had realised that they would be fairly unsuitable with the climate and look
unprofessional should he ever (Merlin forbid) need to go to meetings with the
goblins or high-end clients. It wasn�t like he had the excuse of the scorching
Egyptian sun that he had gotten used to in the past.

Bill had then led his charges to the gate to the muggle
realm and transfigured their robes into their normal attire at home (ignoring
the appreciative stares and wolf-whistles he himself received from several
witches and wizards as he changed into leather trousers and a vest with nothing
but a thin, white t-shirt to cover his chest), before leading the two teens
just recovering from polyjuice into muggle Seattle.

If Harry thought that they spent a long time in Mervyn�s
Manuscripts, then the amount of time they spent in the clothing stores proved
him wrong. Bill was quick to usher the two teens to a shopping assistant whilst
he went to buy for himself and Remus. After the shopping assistant spent the
better part of half an hour holding different coloured trousers and tops to his
eyes, Harry distracted her by saying that Neville looked like he was having
trouble with a pair of jeans and silently left, ignoring the glare that his
friend sent his way. Harry spent an hour at least by himself picking out
t-shirts, jumpers, jeans, underwear, socks and a new pair of trainers (the ones
he was wearing looked like they were on their way out). He had then heaved his
massive pile to the checkout till where the cashier looked at his load with
horror. �We just moved here and my suitcases were lost in baggage.� He offered
the man by means of explanation. �Security thinks that a man going to Honolulu might have
them.� When the bill was rung up at over two hundred and fifty dollars, Harry
handed over the debit card linked to his Gringotts account. With the amount of
money he had there, he could easily spend the money he earned in interest and
barely make a dent. Harry heaved his five bags off the counter to stand next to
Neville who had finished paying and was waiting for Bill.

When Bill did come back, he discretely put all of the bags
into his single bottomless bag and took them to the bookstore where they picked
up the books that Remus had indicated in his list; they�d get their text books
at school, but still needed several novels for English Literature. They then
bought some stationary before the back-to-school rush before finally leaving
the shopping district behind. However, they hadn�t returned home, instead Harry
watched Bill through the mirror as the man muttered directions to himself and
peered out of the window for landmarks. After sharing several worried looks
with Neville, they eventually pulled into a parking lot and the two teens were
surprised to find themselves at a large pet store.

�There�s a supply shop back in Forks, but nowhere to
actually buy an animal, and we haven�t hooked the net up yet so this was the
best place we could find from the phone book.� Bill explained before leading
the younger wizards into the shop.

�U-um, this isn�t necessary at all, y�know?�
Neville tugged at his shirt nervously as they stepped through the double-doors.

�Remus figures that you guys are responsible enough for pets
already, and I trust his judgement.� Bill grinned easily as he ruffled the
teen�s hair.

�I�m gonna go look at the tropical fish.� Harry decided,
already politely waving the overly-cheery clerk away.

�Cool, tell us if you see anything you like.� Bill steered
Neville away to look at a litter of puppies whilst Harry moved to the back of
the store where the reptiles and fish were kept out of the way. Harry wasn�t a
really big fan of snakes; they held too many negative connotations and it�d be
weird talking to one everyday. The latter was the main reason why Harry would
never consider the limbless reptiles as pet material, alongside the whole
basilisk thing of course. However, none of this stopped him from sitting on an
empty crate and spending half an hour chatting to the store�s snakes about the
magic world and other things.

~�So, this serpensortia spell,
it can summon any snake, you say?�~ A
male python named Mary-Lou asked with interest.

~�I�m not really sure, I�ve never used it really.�~ Harry
admitted.

Mary-Lou was about to ask something else when they were
interrupted by a startled cry from an animal handler. �Oh, Sir! Catch those
rabbits!�

Harry was about to ask what he was talking about when he
felt two tiny paws against his jeans. Harry looked down to find two baby
rabbits, one black and the other a caramel colour, trying to climb into his
lap. He ignored Mary�s extremely
interested hiss and cradled the rabbits in his arms. They were adorable � Harry wouldn�t have been
surprised if Malfoy melted at the sight of them. Behind the clerk stood Bill
and Neville who was now carrying a plastic carrier with another two rabbits;
one grey and the other white with black patches.

�We�ll take them as well.� Bill sighed as soon as he saw the
caramel rabbit reach up to lick Harry�s nose. �Stupid, cute animals.�

�Are you sure, Bill?� Harry asked,
startled.

�Of course I am!� Bill helped the black haired teen
manoeuvre his new pets into another carry case which a clerk produced. �Hell, I
was meant to pay for your clothes!�

�But it cost so much!�

�Me and Remus took all of these
costs into consideration�well maybe not four rabbits, but still, you should
have waited for me before you paid at the shopping centre.�

�I have enough money.�

�Look, if you want to be so independent, get a job or
something in a bit. We expect you guys to rely on us.� Bill groaned. �He really doesn�t like counting on other people
� I wonder whose fault that is?� Bill turned to the cashier who was waiting
patiently. �Can you double up everything we�ve bought so far?�

The store manager who was stood to the side looked
incredible happy as soon as she heard those words.

)(0)(

Remus sighed as he turned off the engine in the staff
parking lot. He looked at the main road somewhat wistfully�Bill and Neville
would still be asleep, Harry however, would be awake and probably making
breakfast for the others. It was so hard to snap people out of their routines,
even after a week. Since they�d arrived, Harry and Neville had been diligently
trying to catch up with muggle education. At them moment they were both
focussing on Maths, English, Science, French and Spanish, but when Remus went
to enrol them, he would have to have a word with the headmaster about a reduced
timetable. The boys had loads to catch up on and a month alone was nowhere near
enough. Remus� mind began to wonder further, distracting him from the
inevitable. Bill was so lucky; he had another two weeks until he was meant to
start at Gringotts.

Remus shook his head to clear it. �Come on Lupin!� He
muttered to himself. �You�re a grown adult, you can do this!� And with that
mantra running through his head, Remus got out and locked the car, shoving his
keys inside his pocket. He made his way to the double doors and went to the
reception desk.

�Umm, hullo.� He greeted the middle-aged receptionist
nervously. �I don�t suppose you could help me. I�m Remus Mondstrahl, I�m meant
to be starting here today as a nurse.� He said, using the name that they�d
decided to take on just in case someone tried to find them through muggle means.

The brunette�s eyes widened in recognition. �The new nurse!�
She exclaimed. �We were all wondering where you came from! You don�t really
look all that German. Hi, I�m Martha!�

�Yes, my grandfather was half German, then he moved to England.�
Remus laughed nervously.

�I see. You and your friend were very generous in taking
those kids in, what were their names?� Here, Remus guessed that some people
must have seen them grocery shopping and took it in stride.

�Harry and Neville. Bill and I adopted them recently.
Harry�s been an orphan since he was a baby; his parents were my best friends in
school. Neville�s grandmother who was looking after him just died recently.�
The receptionist�s eyes welled in sadness. �O-Oh God!� Remus stammered. �Please
don�t cry! I think I have a tissue in here somewhere.�

�It�s just so sad!� The woman sighed before taking in a deep
breath and trying to calm down. She dabbed her eyes with the tissue Remus
offered her. �Umm, here are some forms for you to fill in, most of your other
paperwork was processed after your interview. The doctor that you�ll be
assisting today will be down shortly. He�ll take you to the locker-room where
you can get into your scrubs.� Martha handed him a clipboard and a pen. �And
you�re taking tomorrow and Wednesday off, yes?�

�Yes, it is a bit awkward with it being my first week isn�t
it?� Remus took the objects with a smile and began filling in his details, his
stomach churning at the thought of the full moon due on Wednesday. He was about
to hand the forms and pen back when he sensed someone approaching.

�Good morning, Martha. How are you today?� Remus heard the
person with the most gorgeous voice he had ever heard say.

�Oh! Dr Cullen! Good morning, I�m fine. How are you?�

�I�m alright though Alice
hasn�t been feeling too well.� Was Alice Pretty-Voice�s wife? Remus wondered.
�I hear that you have Nurse Mondstrahl waiting for me. You wouldn�t happen to
know where she is?�

�What a sexist pig!�
Remus scowled indignantly at the doctor who assumed he was a patient and
cleared his throat, he hated it when people assumed he was a woman just because
he was a nurse; apparently midwives had the same problem.

Martha giggled behind her hand. �He�s right behind you!� she
twittered.

The golden haired man turned to face Remus who would have
been blown away by Dr Cullen�s beauty if he wasn�t so annoyed at the man.

�It�s a pleasure to meet you Dr Cullen.� Remus bit out at
the man with a glare. He then handed the forms back to Martha with a sparkly,
�Here you go!�

�I apologise for my earlier assumption Mr Mondstrahl. Allow
me to introduce myself. I am Carlisle Cullen, It�s nice to meet you.� Remus
grudgingly shook the other man�s hand.

�Remus Monstrahl.� He was startled at how unbelievably cold
it was before he remembered that it was some unwritten rule somewhere that all
doctors had cold hands. He pushed it to the back of his mind.

�If you�ll follow me Remus, I�ll get you sorted with some
scrubs and a locker.� Carlisle smiled at
Martha before he began walking away. Remus waved at the very amused woman and
then followed the other man.

�They�d look so good
together if Dr Cullen wasn�t married.� Martha mentally sighed before she
picked up the phone and dialled Admin. �Brenda? You�ll never guess what
happened!�

)(0)(

Alice
groaned in frustration as once again her visions turned blank. �This is
annoying me now!� She huffed. She�d randomly gotten that vision of the boy with
green eyes saying something to make Vision-Edward laugh loudly a few weeks ago
and since then had been trying to find out more. However it�s was like
something was purposefully trying to block her from finding out any more about
Mystery-Boy. Mystery-Boy had to be
something amazing if he could make the ever-surly Edward laugh like that � it
only made her want to find out more about him.

�Call it divine justice for all those times you cheated!�
Emmett suggested from in front of the TV.

�You�re not helping!� Emmett just laughed at the seer�s whine.
Rosalie looked up briefly before looking back down at her car magazine, idly
flicking a page.

Edward just glared at Alice
for keeping the vision to herself. Whenever he tried to find out what it was,
all he got was whale music or sewing patterns.

Alice
moaned and flopped back against the sofa in a very human gesture, annoyed when
nothing came to her mind.

Jasper silently patted his wife�s head consolingly.

)(0)(
AN2: I had a lot of mixed feelings about
this chapter, but in the end, I did my best to get it out. I keep on getting
more and more shocked by the responses to WF, this month, the amount of reviews
I got doubled and I breached the 100 review mark (counting the comments
on my LJ and posts)
As usual, thanks to everybody who added
WF/me to various lists and things. There were a few
reviews in particular that prompted me to get writing this time instead of
wallowing in the piles of work. As for the rest of May and June, I will try to
post something, but I will be incredibly busy with school and exams. I'm doing
my damndest to get into Birmingham Uni.
Another routine bit - You can check up on
the fic through my live journal where my username is Bittersweet_mis. I usually post once a fortnight or more
with news on my fic or stuff in general, you might
even get the odd snippet.
Finally, if anyone wants to listen to the
songs which I get the titles from, just let me know in a review/email/pm so I
can sort out an internet playlist thingymabob. Also
tell me if you want to be added to a mailing list for updates.
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