Chapter 17

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Now onto the chap!

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A lot could happen in a single birthday party, and this day might just show Harry exactly how much that 'lot' was.

The evening started normal enough, with Bella and him dressing up in their newly purchased clothes. For him, it meant a casual full sleeved blazer of the darkest green shade. A colour that has begun appealing to him more and more lately.

For Bella it meant a beautiful black gown with a thin long slit cut open on one side of her dress that revealed just the barest hints of her knees and smooth thighs to viewers eyes. The gown hung off of her shoulders, barely managing to cover the pair of massive breasts that showed just enough to make the watcher's imagination run wild. If there was an eye-candy that could manage to come off as elegant and powerful at the same time, it'd be Bella.

It had surprised him at first, to see her dressed in such an outfit. And when he asked her about it, he felt her answer of 'Just dressed appropriately for the occasion' to be quite dishonest. Though that could also be due to how unwilling she was to meet his eyes.

Whatever the case, they were set and ready for the occasion by the time it hit 6:30. A good thing was that their cottage had just finished fitting the flue network in, so they were able to flue over directly inside the Potter manor.

In the time that it took them for shopping, the manor had gone through a visible transformation, looking almost unrecognizable from its morning version. Harry's eyes flickered around the main hall incredulously, taking in the twinkling dome of starlight that made up the hall, with the starlight entering directly from the now-open ceiling.

'They'd copied Hogwarts.' He realized quickly.

Droves of candlesticks hung in mid-air, blending with the twinkling starlight to give the hall an awe inspiring, almost romantic look. Up ahead at the front was a long chain of buffet with a mountain load of food already stationed and ready, all of different varieties ranging from muggle to magical.

Though he didn't get to enjoy the scene more as this time they were greeted by Lily as soon as they arrived. The woman herself had obviously put some considerable effort in her appearance, and Harry was once again glad for his high proficiency with occlumency that controlled any sort of... inappropriate rising of his wand. And not the wooden one.

"Oh Merlin, you both look wonderful!" Lily herself seemed to have no hesitation in blatantly looking both of them up and down. "Way to make me feel self-conscious about myself."

Bella snorted beside him.

"Stop fishing for compliments from him, you." She smirked knowingly. "We all know exactly how you look."

Lily's smile turned brittle, a look of annoyance washing over her face. "Do you have to, Bella? Even today? I know you're jealous, but can you really not let me have my moment?"

"No, can't do, missy. I still remember your awful teasing earlier."

Harry sighed at the familiar scene. This was another reason why his shopping trip had been so tiring. The two women might act like the bests of friends in public, but only someone who'd actually seen them in their natural habitat would know how stupidly competitive they both were.

May it be their dueling prowess, magical knowledge, family handling, reputation, or even something as shallow as looks. They just had to compete in a complicated war of words where each of them showered each other in complications, with tiny little barbs hid in between. And no matter how friendly it may be, Harry was quickly growing tired of being in the middle.

"Now look Bella, you're annoying him. Come on Harry, I'll show you around the Manor." Lily 'graciously' offered.

She must think him blind to not notice her tongue wiggling at Bella.

"Excuze-moi!?" Bella exclaimed incredulously. "I, was the one–!?"

"Let's go!" Lily dragged him along with her, not letting the angry woman complete.

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Harry sighed again. 'I should be back in the cottage, preparing for the world cup. What has life come to?'

Unfortunately for Harry, the party had just started. Quite literally.

Lily did, in fact, show him around the Manor, describing the massive structure piece by piece, and introducing him to some of the live portraits that were curious about his presence.

He also got some behind the scene action when they stumbled upon the form of James and Remus waving their wands at the backyard, giving it last touches of decorations.

The evening had grown quite dark by then, but you wouldn't notice that due to the bright chains of lightings that hovered around the entire place. They were suspended in mid-air like the candles, completely extinguishing the darkness. And while the normal yellowish-white light dominated the scene, there were also some other chains of lightings twinkling in different shades of red and gold.

But while the lightings may have defeated the dark, they did nothing against the cool wind of a chilling evening biting at his skin. The clouds gathered overhead were curdling into giant balls of rain, with flashes of lightening twinkling in the horizon and deep rumbling of thunder growling down at them.

"It's gonna rain." He muttered, not even surprised at England's horrible weather.

"Don't worry, we've warded the entire place for that." Lily assured him. "Not even the slightest drop shall enter inside."

The backyard itself was absolutely enormous, able to hold atleast a few hundred people. And just like the rest of the Manor, it was prepared accordingly with chairs and cushions for sitting, and an even larger buffet was lined up at where James stood, though with a very limited range of food.

"This is where most of the guests will arrive." Lily informed him, giving an absent wave to James. "There will be a dance at the start, and later in the night as well. We've hired Celestina Warbeck to hopefully manage and calm down the crowd."

"I see."

James also gave a wave at him, though his momentary distraction seemed to cost him as an entire section of lightings started swaying in the wind, looking ready to fall down. Remus quickly controlled the situation and both became busy with the decorations again.

Remus... now that was a puzzle and a half in itself. From Sly!Harry's memories, Harry knew that this world's Remus was actually a permanent addition to Hogwarts staff, taking the position of charms teacher. Not only had he never been ousted as a werewolf, he'd also somehow managed to stop any suspicions from brewing inside the Hogwarts' walls.

While confusing, Harry was glad the man wasn't looking 2 months away from being broke and homeless, and had actually managed to find a group of friends to confide in. He was one of the few to have a relatively peaceful and painless death in the war, but that didn't mean Harry would forget his sacrifice.

Lily tsked beside him, looking at the current time. "Your brother should've been ready by now, it's almost time. I swear to Merlin my children care about quidditch more than their own family."

Harry cleared his throat.

"Except you, Harry. You're the sweetest. You never complain about your annoying mother who just likes to nag all day."

She snuck in a kiss to his cheek, wrapping an arm around his waist and forcing him to shift his own hand over her shoulders as she cuddled closer.

"Right." Harry sighed, asking magic for patience and control.

Though for some reason, he couldn't quite decide what he needed the patience and control for exactly: To not snap at Lily for her over clinginess? Or to resist the temptation of giving in to the said clinginess, and coping a feel of those divine curves as payment.

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The rest of the tour had to be shelved for later cause time of occasion soon arrived.

Lily went off to collect the kids, who were playing quidditch with the Weasleys, while Harry joined the two men in the courtyard.

"Harry." James greeted him, wiping one of his hands. "Before I forget again, a very happy birthday to you."

He extended the said hand towards him, and Harry obliged him on a handshake.

"From me as well." Remus said, giving him a grimaced little smile. "And you may call me Remus outside Hogwarts."

Honestly? Harry was quite undecided on how to treat the man like. His younger self considered Remus with great contempt, not just due to his apparent connection to the Potters but also as a reason for Harry being a bad dueler. The boy just didn't have much faith in Remus' teaching skills.

The same, of course, cannot be said for the present him.

"Thanks." Harry nodded finally, before turning his attention around. "Need any help here?"

"Oh no, we're completely done now." James gave a slow but proud look to the twinkling courtyard. "Just in time as well, our guests will soon starting coming in."

Harry frowned. "How will they be coming?"

"Oh, there's an apparition point towards that end." He pointed at the opposite side of the courtyard. "Like the ones at Dartmoor stadium. It redirects anyone Apparating or Portkeying here towards a specific point. A very handy ward, this one. A shame so few manage to learn it. Though I, of course, was forced to learn it, what with being the head of hitwizards and all."

He turned to Harry then, trying badly to hide the expectant look in his eyes.

'Is he actually trying to impress me or something?"

Harry being him, gave an overly unimpressed look. "Very impressive."

James' face flopped down while Remus let out a quiet chuckle beside them. "He's been living with Bellatrix, Prongs. I doubt something like this will mean much to him."

"Ah, of course." James sighed. "Just know that your father is awesome Harry, and should you need anything you can always come to me."

"Right."

Suddenly looking awkward, the man clapped his hand. "Alright! The guests will start arriving in 5 minutes! There'll be a dance to occupy them until everyone arrives. Then, we'll start with the celebrations! Hope both of you are ready, gentlemen. Cause we've a long night ahead of us."

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Rufus Scrimgeour was a man on a mission. It has been quite a long time since he last received an on-field task from the Minister, but now that he had one, he fully intended to complete it.

Just, in his own way – with slight...deviations. Deviations that Minister Bones will surely not like, should she know of them.

The mission was simple, to convince Harry Potter to join the Ministry. The deviation came in the specifications of the mission.

The Wizengamot had forced the Minister to take actions, and now Bones needed Potter to be closely tied with them until he was of the age, at which point the boy will be granted a high ranking position in either DMLE or Hit-wizard Department.

Rufus did not intend for that to happen. Someone like Harry Potter cannot be allowed to roam free, with constant risk of him turning to the dark side. He wanted the boy directly under him, training to be an Auror, and if everything worked out, the head of Aurors.

Rufus Scrimgeour will eventually assume the Position of Minister, he had no doubt of that. The goal will simply be much easier should Harry Potter be under him. With the boy's fame and competence, Rufus will herald a new age for the ministry. An age where dark wizards will no longer exist, and people will live in safety and security, guided by their adored ministry.

But first, he will actually need to convince the boy, and all this without letting Black get a whiff of what was happening. Bones had been extremely clear in this: Bellatrix Black should not be informed of this development right away.

Rufus was honestly quite happy to go behind Black's back and steal away her protégé. Bones might be afraid of the woman's warnings but Rufus wasn't.

And of course, he wasn't doing this just as some petty revenge for the insult the woman gave him so long ago, when she rejected his marriage offer just like she rejected all the Lords. Of course not, he barely even remembered that incident.

Everything he was doing was for the betterment of magical Britain. And himself too, but that was simply a by-product.

And with that thought firmly in his mind, Scrimgeour started making his way through the light crowd swaying gently to the music. He made sure to put extra effort as he stalked through the Courtyard, his steps nimble and precise even with the slight limp he'd developed in the recent years.

Rufus had perfected the art of appearance, and knew how vital presentation was in maintaining one's image and reputation. And that reputation has served him well over the coming years. Often times, his enemies will simply admit defeat at hearing his name.

Even in a social setting like this, his reputation preceded him.

The crowd parted for him like peasants before a king, some even wilting under his powerful gaze, not willing to meet the intense yellow eyes that glared a hole through their souls.

His eyes were constantly scanning the crowd, looking for his query. He picked off Cornelius Fudge, the bumbling fool who'd fought Amelia for the seat of Minister so long ago. The man wasn't what he used to be at the height of his political power, now simply being a junior Minister in the department of magical catastrophe.

'Fell back to his roots, the little coward.'

He also picked up other familiar ministry employees like Angelica Cole, a bright student who now stuck as a security troll instructor; Miraphora Mina, a senior worker in Runes and symbols department; Eric Munch, a watchwizard for the ministry...

But no Harry Potter. Even Horace Slughorn, the man with perhaps the most connections in the ministry, was gulping down another shot of firewhiskey.

But Harry Potter was nowhere in sight. As were absent the rest of the Potter family...and Weasley family and Tonks family...

'Are they having a private celebration?' Rufus seethed. 'Without atleast informing me!?'

Thankfully that didn't seem to be the case. The massive sets of maroon doors that divided the manor from the party grounds opened grandly, presenting the entire family together, walking calmly as if they owned the place.

Which they did, but Rufus was still irritated all the same.

James Potter, his rival in position and the head of Hitwizards, led the group upon a slightly raised dais.

"Welcome!" The bespectacled man cheerfully greeted, arms spread wide. "I'm glad you all were able to make it to my son's birthday party!"

'Who the hell was he kidding?' Rufus scoffed. 'He knew perfectly well how famous his sons were.'

"But you all probably don't want to hear me speak any longer–"

'Truer words have never been spoken.'

"So let's begin with the celebrations with a very happy birthday to my dear sons, Jacob and Harry!"

A boom of fireworks exploded above them and Rufus squinted up as the sky changed colours. The darkened clouds that preluded a night of rain were suddenly hidden behind a curtain of blood red and royal gold, as if the sky itself was bleeding with irritatingly bring colours.

Cheering and chanting started all around him, much more stronger than he'd ever anticipated, and he had control his instincts of clutching his ears as a cacophony of blaring fireworks mixed in with crowds noises to create what many would think to be the sounds of celebration, but made Rufus just want to bury his head in the ground instead.

The noise was so loud that he could see quite a few of his co-workers, including Bones herself, cast a bubblehead charm around them. But Rufus endured, his body straight and his face fixed in the same severe expression as ever, because he could see the boy, Harry Potter, scan through the crowd's faces with a smirk of hidden contempt.

Rufus had done his homework well, and knew exactly how much the boy prided himself as a true Slytherin.

He needed to distinguish himself in front of the boy, this much was clear to him. He knew how Slytherin minds worked afterall, knew how much they prided themselves on being different and better than the rest of the crowd. If he'd followed Bones with a bubblehead, while better than the rest of the crowd, he'd still just be one of the many competent ministry workers. Nothing truly special or worthy of notice.

He himself had been the Prince of Slytherin in his own time, and while he found their superiority contemptuous nowadays, he will have to adhere to their rules and best them at their own game, if he wanted the boy to follow after him willingly.

So Rufus folded his hands as if bored by the hell around him, and subtly palmed his wand hidden inside the sleeves of his coat. Then, he cast the most powerful Quietus charm possible around him. It was difficult of course, as he wasn't able to direct his wand, especially for something as advanced as creating a sphere of sound suppression around him.

But the effect it produced was well worth the effort as all the sound in his immediate surroundings was suppressed to a mere whisper.

And he achieved exactly what he wanted as the boy's eyes whipped to him instantly. Rufus would've smirked, but what he didn't expect was for the boy to suddenly loose all his emotions, staring at Rufus with a cold dead look in his eyes only Occlumency could give.

'The boy's a Level 2 Occlumens, isn't he?" Rufus thought, slightly disturbed. 'How in Morgan's personal hell is he this perfect?'

Did the boy perhaps broke through to Level 3 this early? If so, then Rufus' thirst for the boy would only grow more desperate. A talent like this cannot be afforded to squander away in normality. And Rufus was very much ready to make great use of it.

For just a second, Rufus saw the boy's eye quickly flicker towards Fudge then back. Rufus himself only noticed it due to how closely he'd been observing the crowd, though the comparison confused him all the more. What could someone like Fudge ever have something in common with him?

He didn't get to ponder further however, as James Potter boomed out from the stage, his voice enhanced by Sonorus. "Yes Yes, thank you very much! Me and my family really appreciates your love! And for this special occasion, we've for you none other thaaan... Celestina Warbeck! Please give her a round of applause everyone! And if you want to help yourself with some food, you need only speak aloud whatever dish you'd like that's available on the buffet, and it'll come right in front of you. Have fun and enjoy, the night's still young with many more surprises to come! Oh yeah, and those who'd like to wish the birthday boys, do so civilly please... I'd hate to throw you off the grounds."

With that, the man gave one last nod and climbed down the Dias to mingle with the crowd.

Rufus sighed. While Potter Sn. didn't have a grace and aura like himself, he still had an annoying ability to come off as genuine and honest that made him a crowd favorite, almost to the point of making Rufus slightly envious.

Still, he paid the man no mind any longer, quickly stalking towards his target while mentally preparing himself for the pathetic attempt at a battle of words that the boy will surely unleash at him, no doubt thinking himself superior. Just like every typical child who had no idea what it actually meant to be a true Slytherin.

He will also need to get a proper reading of the boy, and his Lvl 4 Legilimency was sure to be of great advantage today.

Hopefully the boy wouldn't bore him too much.