Chapter Text
Myrtle & Mistletoe
Chapter 4
The Potter Family
Harry’s first November weekend in 1942 had been simultaneously the longest and shortest weekend he'd ever lived through.
After the Potters had come to pick him and their son Charlus up in the afternoon, they had him share his entire life story.
They'd understandably been horrified to learn that he'd been the last Potter to live fifty years in the future, showing outrage as well as sorrow at the struggles he went through.
Both the wards and the elves had immediately recognised him as a Potter, which had left no doubt regarding his identity.
They'd talked until well after dinner, leaving Harry feeling raw afterwards. He knew that they deserved to know the truth as they would be taking responsibility for him, but these might have been the most exhausting hours of his life.
Angelica and William Potter had been more than welcoming and they seemed to be as practical as they were caring.
When Harry mentioned the problems of Legilimency and the dangers of his existence in the wrong time, they came up with solutions for both.
Thus, William had gone to Gringotts the very next day while Angelica took Harry and Charlus shopping. They'd come up with a background story for him and would solidify it via blood adoption in the evening.
First, he didn’t know how to feel about the offer. On the one hand he was incredibly touched about how willingly they accepted him into the family. On the other hand, he felt a twinge of guilt regarding the adoption. Lily and James Potter had died to protect him.
In the end, though, the decision was made for his protection and they were family after all. He would need a believable identity and the Potters could help him with that. He'd received a basic summary of their family history during breakfast.
Harry, now officially Henry Potter after his uncle to match the time period, had been tutored privately due to his poor health until recently. With Slughorn's party having taken place on the 20th December in 1996 and Harry arriving on the 6th November in 1942, they had calculated his new birthday being the 17th June of 1926.
He'd go to Hogwarts for a ‘trial run to see how he held up’ and officially join after Christmas if all went well. He'd have to retake his OWLs at the end of the winter holidays, though. Which was a bummer. The whole family had already offered to help him revise for the upcoming exams.
When they got home from Diagon Alley, Harry had a new set of everything. Angelica in particular had enjoyed dressing him in casual and formal robes alike.
William had given both Charlus and him a heavy silver chain each. They weren't thick or obnoxious, but they brimmed with magic. Inspecting them closer, Harry found that the entirety of its length had been engraved with microscopically small runes.
Not for the first time in the last twenty-four hours Harry regretted that he hadn't taken Ancient Runes instead of Divination. When he said as much, his family convinced him to work through Charlus’ old Runes texts until Christmas and try for the OWLs.
“It is important that you always wear these necklaces, especially around Hogwarts,” William had impressed on them. “They are family heirlooms and will protect you from any attacks on the mind.”
Harry had been indefinitely grateful, because his Occlumency hadn't been improving and he needed to be able to protect his future knowledge. William still insisted on teaching them Occlumency over the summer, assuring him that Snape’s teaching methods hadn't been the proper etiquette.
Harry was just glad that they'd all been so welcoming and understanding. It warmed him deeply. After losing Sirius he had given up on the hope of ever having a real family.
Their biggest surprise caught him completely off guard the evening they'd planned the adoption ritual. While William's strength lay in the fields of Transfiguration, Charms and Runes, Angelica Potter had studied Ancient Magics, Magical History and Magical Theory extensively.
“We're sorry to spring this on you, Harry dear, but I had to read up on a few things first to not get your hopes up,” Angelica said apologetically. They'd found a way to get rid of his scar. Or the dark magic in his scar.
“Since the Riddle boy's soul should still be in one piece at this point in time, we should be able to purify the ‘extra piece’ you're carrying. This way your own soul and magic will only integrate the good parts.”
“It absorbs only what makes it stronger? Like Goblin Silver?” Harry asked bewildered yet hopeful that he wouldn't have to deal with a headache anytime he was in close vicinity to Riddle.
“Exactly”, Angelica laughed.
Two Rituals and a good night's sleep later had Harry feeling better than he'd ever had before.