Privilege and Deprivation

Chapter 5

Two weeks later, Lily returned to Potter Manor to be greeted by Harry. The Potter kids had been informed about Remus's condition.

"Where's dad? What happened at the trial? Uncle Remus won didn't he?"

Lily gave her son a sympathetic look. "Unfortunately, Max is being sent to live with his grandparents", she said softly.

"That's not fair," said Harry indignantly. "They can't do that to Uncle Remus and Max. Uncle Remus is one of the kindest ..." his face was flushed and there was a crease on his left eyebrow.

"I know sweetheart", Lily put both her arms around Harry comfortingly who returned the hug. "But your father and Uncle Sirius are down there protesting the results", she pulled away so that she was facing him.

"And they'll change the results?" he asked hopefully.

"We don't know yet, but let's hope for the best," said Lily.

"Mum", her other two kids were down the stairs.

Lily sighed. She now had two more kids to explain to.

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After lunch, Lily finally found some time to catch up on her guilty pleasure, reading erotica romances. This time was she was reading Maid of Passion, a story about a young maid who enters a passionate affair with her married sixty year old boss. Lily found herself simultaneously disgusted and turned on by their relationship. She quickly put her book away in the drawer of her side table when she heard James come in. She simply couldn't risk him finding her with one.

Her husband slumped on the bed with a deep sigh. Lily carefully took one of his hands in his.

"James," she said cautiously. He looked up at her before quickly looking away again.

"That bloody judge didn't budge", his face was flushed and there was crease in his left eyebrow just like Harry's two hours ago.

"I'm sorry sweetheart," she said sympathetically, squeezing his palm. "Are they letting Remus see Max at all?"

"They're letting him have supervised visits. Can you believe that? SUPERVISED VISITS", James clenched his fist and shook his head.

"Did you at least manage to appeal for another hearing?" Lily asked.

"They're giving us another hearing in December," he said as if it was a matter of no importance.

"Then there's hope," she said confidently.

"I doubt it," he said defeatedly.

"There's hope if we consider that there's no black and white law against werewolves and child custody, though they probably overlooked that because they didn't expect werewolves to get married and have children," said Lily.

"But there is a law against having custody if you're considered a danger to the child. That's what Nicky's parents are hanging on to," James rubbed his temples. "We know Remus isn't a danger to Max, but the law is probably not going to look at it that way," he said pessimistically.

"Then we'll just have to proof how being a werewolf doesn't make Remus a danger to Max. I'm sure we'll win," said Lily optimistically.

"How can you say for sure?"

"I feel it in my gut and if history has proven anything, my gut has always been right," she said.

"Yeah?" he said with a small uncomfortable laugh.

"Yeah," Lily lay on James's chest as he put his arms around her and stared at the ceiling.

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A day before he was to start Hogwarts, Harry entered the Potions lab in the basement to find his mother as he needed to talk to her about something. He found her clearing up and was relieved she had finished her brewing and he was not interrupting her work.

"Mum, can I speak to you about something?"

"Sure, Harry. Is everything alright?" she asked concerned.

"Everything's fine," Harry said quickly. "I was just wondering ... would dad be disappointed if I got into Slytherin", Harry was unwilling to meet her eyes.

Lily pressed her lips together and stroked her chin. Harry could tell she was pondering her answer carefully.

"Sweetheart, you know your father loves you no matter what," she said reassuringly.

"I know. I was just wondering if dad would look at me any differently," said Harry apprehensively.

"Harry, I'm sure he wouldn't," Lily put her hand on his shoulder. "Don't worry about that alright?"

"Yeah, alright," he said, though he didn't sound entirely convinced.

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James smiled at his retirement portrait in the hall. It was a good run, but he was glad to have more time with his family. The one disappointment was that it came at a time when Harry was going off to school. Perhaps he should have retired a year earlier.

"James", he was pulled out of his thoughts by his wife as he turned around to face her.

"Yes sweetheart"

"Harry came to me today. He was worried about getting into Slytherin," said Lily.

"But he doesn't have to. I'm sure Harry would be in Gryffindor," said James confidently.

"Well, he's worried that if in the off chance that he gets into Slytherin that you would be disappointed in him and look at him differently," said Lily apprehensively.

James felt a pang of guilt that he had unknowingly given his son the impression that he would ever be less loved or accepted by his father.

"That's completely mental. I wouldn't look at him any differently. He'll always be my boy that I'd do anything for".

"I know. But it would make him feel better if you reassured him," said Lily.

James took both Lily's hands in his. "I'll talk to him", he reassured her.

"Thank you," she said gratefully.

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Later that day, James and Harry were packing Harry's trunk.

"Why do I need these many socks and sweaters?" asked Harry.

"Your mother insists you need extra just in case".

"I'd probably be too lazy to dig out new socks that I'd use the same one for the whole week anyways", said Harry as both father and son grinned shaking their heads. "Without all these sweaters, we might not even need a lightening charm".

James sniggered at his son's humor. "I'm going to miss you and your humor," he said earnestly as he ruffled his oldest son's hair and embraced him.

"I'm going to miss you too, dad," said Harry before James pulled apart and looked at him intently.

"Your mother tells me you're worried about your sorting, but don't be. Nothing would change how I look at you regardless of which house you're sorted into" he said reassuringly.

"Even Slytherin?"

"Even Slytherin. And I'm not just saying this to make you feel better. I truly mean it that you'll always be my Harry. Nothing would ever change that. I'll be proud of what you make of yourself, not which house you're in," James said sincerely.

"Thanks dad", said Harry, burying his head in his father's chest.

As he hugged his son back, James could tell Harry needed the extra comfort over both going off to school and his aversion over his sorting.

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