Silver Howling Moon

Chapter 11: Of Training Days and Pack Funerals

Warning!: This chapter contains a section of reading where intimacy is only semi-consensual by one half of the pairing; if you'd rather not read this, I advise skipping over it.

The rest of September faded into October easily as Harry continued to train with the Founders inside of the Room of Requirement; only venturing outside the rooms to train if needed or to stretch his legs more than the room allowed them to. Which was not as often as one thought; given the RoR's abilities.

Samhain; or Halloween as the unlearned would have called it, it passed uneventfully that year. Though Harry had his first Samhain ritual and spoke to the spirits of his parents for the first time in memory. Lily and James were stunned to have learned all of what had been uncovered about Lily and Harry's blood heritage.

James had laughed it off; saying that he should have realized that his beloved Lily was more than what seemed to be a muggle-born witch, her power alone indicated it. But both of them were still surprised; Lily a bit less so, due to her suspicions before her death.

Tom's features as he gazed upon her ghostly form; they were emotionally closed off, yet mixed in how to react to her and to James. He wanted to connect...because this is one of the only ways he could now, but felt he didn't deserve to.

Lily made James be silent as she approached him; red eyes warily watching her, not knowing of her intentions as a spirit.

Harry and Fenrir had backed off; to give them space and room.

"I do not like all of how...how you've made your changes." She told him truthfully, "I believe there should be a way to get them without such bloodshed and such violence that only continues a cycle of anger and of hatred to the Dark-oriented."

She swallowed though her eyes were fierce now in their emotions to him, "But I also now realize...that some of those changes and actions; were done when you were not of a sound mind. Unable to make rational and coherent judgments. So long as you no longer desire to harm my son; will protect him where needed with his mate in Fenrir..." She told him slowly, "I will give you my blessing and allow you to be a part of my son's life with the knowledge that I have accepted you, myself, and my true birthrights."

Tom merely inclined as emotions briefly passed his features; Harry knowing this was very difficult for his grandfather, and likely would have been more painful and difficult if Harry had succeeded in convincing him to summon his grandmother for the ritual too.

Harry clearly saw now; that Tom wasn't ready for that step. He was still struggling to come to terms with his actions and their consequences.

James sighed and walked to his wife's form; wrapped her into his embrace, "And I will acknowledge that I have been too blind for too long. That I trusted Albus and in his ideals too easily; I let myself only see that which I wanted to. Ignored the rest; despite the dangers. I can't change my blood heritage. I cannot outrun the fact that my lineage has a deep chasm for dark magic built into our veins."

James then smiled sadly as he eyed Harry a moment, "My son alone is living proof of why the Potter line cannot outrun this. He has more magic inside him than most ever will; magic that aligns darkly...more than I ever wanted to see. The legacy of the Peverell; it is through him that it will be fulfilled or to burn the world."

James eyed Tom now with fierceness and scrutiny, "Do not attempt to use my son as a means to an end. Cherish this chance, Dark Lord; for there is not another to be granted like it. Lord Death is always lingering and watching over him; he will know if you betray our son."

Tom nodded to that notion; well aware of the fact now, seeing as the Founders had already begun to train Harry with the old Peverell magic; the parts that Godric and Salazar individually could use and to teach; while Rowena and Helga guided him from the records, tales, myths, and more of the magic they knew.