When the Roses Bloom Again by TheBlack'sResurgence

Chapter 68

Home at War

It had been a sleepless night for Harry who had been unable to settle with the unknown beast somewhat lying-in wait above him. Whatever the creature was had calmed with him away from his bedroom that it had evidently turned into its lair.

He had whiled away the hours waiting for a reply from Newt Scamander by reading through the missives he'd received in his absence, some bearing welcome news, and others ensuring the rest of his leave would not be as peaceful or relaxing as he'd hoped.

As expected, his investments were doing exceptionally well, and without him here spending the gold he was making, his fortune had accumulated much more than he'd thought.

His latest bank statement showed just how wealthy he was now, and though Harry had never been a materialistic person, there were many pureblood families who would undoubtedly be envious of his fortune were they to know the sum of it.

Still, he was always looking for new investments to make when the opportunity arose, and with what little knowledge he possessed of products that would prove to be profitable, the wealth he'd worked for would only continue to grow.

It was welcome news indeed, which was more than could be said for those bearing the Ministry seal.

The first had arrived around the time he had been made Commander of the British forces on the continent and was little more than a congratulatory note from the Minister of Magic.

The second had been to inform him that he had been awarded an Order of Merlin First Class for his defeat of the dragon, something he would be presented with during the meeting of the Wizengamot he had been summoned to attend as per the request he'd received only the previous evening.

Minister Fawley had gotten wind of his leave of absence from the trenches and wished for him to give an update of the war to the governing body, and to meet with the man after to discuss matters in more detail.

Harry could think of nothing less he'd rather do, but the position he held came with these inconveniences.

At least he had dinner with Nicholas and Perenelle to look forward to after.

He jumped as a crash of thunder rattled the windows of his home.

It had been raining steadily since he'd arrived back in Britain, not an unusual occurrence, but the storm had come on unexpectedly.

He winced as he heard another sound, one that did not usually accompany a storm.

He frowned as he flicked his wand in his hand and entered the kitchen, his eyes widening as he took in the sight of the enormous bird in his back garden, one that he recognised from his tour of Scamander's impressive suitcase.

"And people think I have a way with dealing with creatures," he muttered as he carefully opened the back door.

Harry wasn't sure how dangerous thunderbirds were and he didn't wish to find out.

However, clasped in the creature's mouth was a roll of parchment it held out to him, and Harry carefully removed it, cursing under his breath as the bird shrieked and vanished in a burst of lightning.

"Probably quite dangerous," he snorted.

Scamander, Harry learned, was either quite insane or a genius when it came to taming magical creatures. He wasn't sure which yet, but if he could help him with the problem he'd arrived home to, he didn't care.