Always

Chapter Thirteen

Harry shut the door on Hagrid's hut with a final goodbye to Fang. The poor animal was somewhat distraught without Hagrid there, but Harry didn't mind visiting the old dog. He was glad to see that Fang was still up and moving around and thumping his tail against the floorboards in greeting. Stepping down onto the path, Harry mentally reviewed the day's lesson plan. Nothing different from the day before, really, but teaching children was new for him. Teaching his daughter in such a formal setting was even more so.

"Dad."

Harry looked up and saw Azeas sitting on a boulder just off the trail. "It's early. What are you doing here?" Harry asked with a smile while moving closer.

"I was waiting for you. I knew you would take care of the groundskeeper's hut before breakfast." Azeas' face was nearly always serious and Harry tried to get a smile out of him as usual by ruffling his hair. And, as usual, Azeas just watched him with solemn eyes.

"Are you feeling lonely?" Harry asked as he sat down next to his son. "I don't imagine it's pleasant to not only be separated from your family but to also be away from Bran."

"I'm fine. Bran and I are fraternal twins, not identical, and do not feel we share the same thoughts or feelings."

Harry bit back a smile. "I see. But you have been together since birth."

"Since conception, actually. But I'm not lonely. Sev gave me quite a few books yesterday and my housemates want to borrow them, so I have become quite popular," Azeas explained. He looked up at Harry with a certain look that Harry knew the boy was troubled. "But I don't think Bran is doing so well."

Harry frowned. "No? Has he said something?"

"No. But one of the boys in my room has a sister in Gryffindor and he was telling me that there was a fight last night. And that Bran was involved."

"What?" Harry said with alarm. "Bran was in a fight? I didn't hear anything!"

"They kept it quiet and Professor McGonagall was kept in the dark. But my friend said that Bran took on a sixth year."

A ball of dread began to form in Harry's stomach. "A sixth year?"

Azeas nodded. "Yes. Bran wouldn't talk to me this morning when I went to find him. But he was angry. And when Bran is angry he does stupid things. I thought I had better warn you."

"Yes, thank you, Az." Harry gave him a quick hug and dropped a kiss on his hair. Azeas was the only one of the children who would let Harry do that anymore. Nothing much fazed Azeas.

Azeas stood up. "Are you enjoying your temporary position? Do you get to put a lot of people in detention?"

Harry snorted. "That's not the point of teaching, you know?"

"I know," Azeas answered with a small upturning of his lips. "I just wanted you to smile. You seemed upset."

Grabbing Azeas, Harry tugged him into a hug. "Thank you," he whispered. He pulled back and looked up into his son's face. "I want you to stick to the other Ravenclaws, all right? If any sixth years come around you, just leave and find a teacher. I don't want you in a fight, too."

"Fighting is a ridiculous waste of energy, Dad," Azeas retorted dismissively and stepped back. "I've told Bran that, but he doesn't listen."

"I'll talk to him. Just make sure that you stay away from any confrontations. Are you still planning on spending the hour after dinner every night with Sev?"

"Yes. He is going to give me extra assignments so that I can become better in my subjects."

Harry smiled. "Good. I'm very proud of you, Azeas."