The Contract

Chapter 12

"Put the book down and eat your breakfast, Millicent is coming today," Corvus informed the boy as he took his seat, placing the napkin on his lap as he situated himself properly. He did not keep people waiting, well, sometimes when he was pissed off and they were beneath him. He had never kept Millicent waiting, she was important to Harry's health, and it was her time was valuable and important. Hence he'd never think to keep her waiting, let alone do it, unless the situation called for.

Harry immediately did as asked, not out of fear but respect. This was Corvus' home, and despite the fact he could have made millions of rules...he hadn't. Harry had quite frankly loved living here, it was...peaceful and he was so, so happy. Plus, food, a real bed, all the books he wanted to read, potions who the hell would argue that this place could be bad? He was very nervous though, and it showed.

"You can read your book afterwards," Corvus pointed out, slightly surprised by Harry's nerves. He was chewing his lip, just the once mind as if he had remembered himself. "What is wrong?" he knew the boy would answer, he always was truthful with him and that had helped cement their bond.

"I'm worried about the results," Harry informed him, as they ate their breakfast with a little more speed than usual due to Millicent's impending visit.

"In case you don't get to go to Hogwarts or because you may?" Corvus questioned astutely. He knew how comfortable Harry had become here, and he might not wish to leave just yet. He'd just settled in, gotten comfortable, another sudden upheaval might not be something he wishes whether consciously or not.

"Both?" Harry said, thankfully the anti-nausea potion stopped his stomach squirming as he thought on it further.

"Yes, it's an exhilarating feeling getting to go to Hogwarts but daunting at the same time as it is different from all you know. Nearly everyone goes through these feelings, Harry, don't worry about it quite so much. No matter what she says, it wont change the outcome." Corvus said, "Even my sons couldn't eat their breakfast before the train ride to Hogwarts. They missed home too." And to his immense satisfaction, Harry did think of Lestrange Manor as his home.

Harry relaxed when he realized his feelings were normal, but he thought Corvus would always do that. Make him realize his feelings were normal, that there was nothing strange about how he felt. At the end of the day, he was allowed to feel how he felt and screw anyone else who stated otherwise. Not exactly how Corvus had expressed it of course, but it was the gist of it. "Are we going to see Rabastan today?"

"Of course," Corvus answered, "Are you feeling up to it?"

"Yeah, I made some home made cookies with a nutrition potion in them, hopefully it will help," Harry said, as he ate his breakfast. He wouldn't be able to make anything home made after this, if he went to Hogwarts, he couldn't just use the kitchen after all. Tomorrow, Sunday, he might be on his way to school. Depending on what Millicent said, and Harry honestly didn't know what he wanted the outcome to be.

"That is what you were doing in the kitchen?" Corvus' eyebrows rose in surprise. He'd assumed the boy was just wanting to eat more, he'd guided to the boy into the kitchen then left. Admonishing him that it was perfectly alright to call upon the house- elves for anything he needed that they were happy. Assuming his reticence was coming from the fact he felt it was too close to home. Apparently he had been wrong. "How often have you used the kitchen?" the urge to declare it a witches job was strong, he could hear Dorea tearing him a new one. Making him internally cringe, yes, he'd become a bit more of a traditionalist since his marriage and old age. Dorea would just have to forgive his thoughts. If Harry wanted to make cookies for Rabastan who was he to stop him? His son was becoming fast fond of Harry, and Merlin help him, Rabastan didn't know what to do with it. Part of Rabastan probably wanted to hate him for what happened to the Dark Lord, but not enough that overwhelms him even in Azkaban. Getting to know Harry on his own, as his own man, Rabastan liked him. It wasn't hard to like Harry, he was thoughtful and kind, and Rabastan hadn't had much of that in his life except for family. Him and Rod specifically and a few friends.