The Contract

Chapter 38

Harry's daily schedule was...massively overwhelming, and any other eleven-year-old would have raised complaint after complaint about it. Harry didn't seem to mind, if anything he thrived under the strict - or what others would see as strict - settings. In the morning he'd get up, have breakfast, tend to the animals as his care of magical creatures class, and then begin a chapter of the magical creatures, then write down what he'd learned. Then he would do his exercises, as expected by his healer.

This was just the beginning of his day, he'd have a break, something to eat, then he'd have art, music and elocution lessons. Another break, then he'd attend classes with his tutors, ranging from Ancient Runes to Transfiguration to law classes and learning how to understand the portfolio and the running of his estate. As much as Corvus would like to spend his entire day with Harry - and he actually meant that he was such a easy going young man regardless of what you put in front of him - he had other duties he had to attend to, and not just the wizengamot either.

His busy day where his education came into it, ceased at exactly six thirty, in time for dinner and then the rest of the evening was his own, only if he didn't get 'homework' so to speak from his tutors. If that was the case, he'd complete his homework after dinner before getting to settle down for the evening.

His only 'free' day was Sunday, except when he visited Sirius of course, where he could do as he pleased, the majority of that was reading whatever he liked. Except in the afternoon, where he went riding with Corvus, just small rides using the calmer mares due to Harry's delicate body at the moment. When he was less likely to break bones from a fall or put his progress back, they'd take longer rides around Lestrange manor and its surrounding beauty.

"Are you looking forward to your holiday in France?" Corvus asked, his gaze straight ahead, as his horse trotted along. Harry was right next to him, keeping up quite well, and managing to sit appropriately. The moment he'd returned home after visiting Sirius, Corvus had suggested a ride after taking his potions of course, it would help clear his mind and give him an opportunity to talk if he desired to.

"Definitely," Harry said, his tone eager and filled with glee, "I've never been anywhere except for Hogwarts before." the Dursley's and Lestrange Manor don't count do they? Unless, you included the outing at the Zoo...which had ended disastrously, as with anything that involved the Dursleys and his accidental magic.

"That will change," Corvus stated, how could one be worldly if they had not experienced the world and all its cultures? It was quite disgusting how many times the Dursley's had been on holiday and left Harry with that squib woman. Using his money no doubt to live their extravagant lifestyle.

Harry remained silent at that, his grasp on his reigns tight, enjoying the scenery, the calmness and serenity.

"How did your meeting go?" Corvus questioned, giving a quick glance at the peaceful faced youngster at his side. He almost regretted the question when his face screwed up a little. Evidently, it hadn't gone all that well, he'd receive a full detailed report from Antonio regardless of what Harry revealed, and Harry knew this.

"I feel...a little bad," Harry confessed, his tone wry, and it was most definitely against his better judgement. "When I told him about Dumbledore being Chief Warlock for a while...he crumbled, he was devastated and he left very quickly...he was crying." He'd made his own godfather cry, breakdown really.

"Many people revere the ground Dumbledore walks on, Black just happens to be one of them." Corvus said easily, "It was always going to be heart-breaking for him when he realized he was expendable in the old man's plans. He makes them all feel important, the most important thing to him, but as always fails to deliver when it matters."

"For someone who has been betrayed so much...he seems...deluded, he refuses to believe someone could walk away, like Lupin." Harry explained, "It's almost as though he's incapable of thinking a bad thoughts about anyone."