Harry shook his head; he had never spoken to the portrait in this life. "No, sir. I have been to his office a few times over this year, though. He is rather persistent in trying to get me up there."
Phineas hummed as observed the boy. "Strange, you seem very familiar."
Sirius sighed and ran a hand through his hair. Fortunately, it had regained a lot of its former glory with the help of his healers and the goblins who he had visited once again.
"If you would pass along anything, we would be grateful. However, as it's Harry's birthday, I think we should get going. We have the day planned before dinner tonight with the Malfoy's," he told the painting.
"Oh, finally living up to the family's standards, are we?" asked the painting snidely. Sirius had never gotten on well with the painting growing up and after he had entered Hogwarts it had been even worse. However, he knew that Phineas' loyalty was to the Blacks and he would help.
Sirius glared. "I'm finally free of Dumbledore's manipulations and giving people a second and last chance," he said.
Phineas hummed and looked pleased. "Good. You have to potential to bring our family back to it's former glory."
Sirius nodded and walked away from the painting, grabbing Harry's hand and pulling him along when the boy seemed to stop and stare at the painting. Harry wondered if Phineas was sensing things about him from his other life encounters. ~
The rest of the day passed quickly. The two men had planned it so that Harry could experience as many things as possible. They had apparated him to muggle London and taken him to a matinee performance of a west end show. They had had lunch in Italy - really, Sirius had paid for an international floo to take them all to Rome to have lunch in a private wizarding area of the Colosseum, and then they had explored the city for a few hours, seeing the main sights easily with the help of magic. Harry had also bought a load of souvenirs for his friends, even getting Draco something.
By the time they had returned home, Harry was beyond exhilarated; it had been one of the best days of his life. "We have an hour before we're due at the Malfoy's," Remus said after casting a tempus charm.
"I'm going to take a quick bath," Harry said. Even with cooling charms, which he had been casting wandlessly to not gain attention, he still felt the need to shower before dinner.
"Good idea," Sirius said, dramatically sniffing Harry, making the boy hit him in the stomach.
~
Dressing slightly more formally than he would for dinner at home, Harry selected to wear black trousers and a silver shirt with an open emerald green robe, a few shades darker than his eyes. He also had on his new charm bracelet and his hair tied back with a silver ribbon he had bought in Rome.
Looking in the mirror, Harry noted the differences between this twelve-year-old boy and his last. Although still not tall, he was probably an inch taller than last time. His hair was now smoother and fell to his shoulders in more controlled waves. He no longer wore glasses and, although his face was softer, it wasn't as pronounced as it was when he had first had the glamour removed - perhaps as he was younger and still had baby fat. He was slightly androgynous as an adult he supposed, but at this age it wasn't as noticeable. His eyes still dominated his face, the green actually glowing slightly when Harry allowed his magic to flair.
Walking downstairs, he saw that Remus and Sirius had done the same as him and were dressed much more formally than normal.
Flooing into the Malfoy's entrance room, Harry noted the luxury and grace of the place. It was graceful and luxurious but lacked a certain home-like feeling.
"Welcome to our home," Lucius greeted after Harry had straightened himself out. He still stumbled slightly when exiting the floo and he doubted he would ever master the art.
"Thank you responded
for as
having us," Sirius the highest-ranking member of their party.
Narcissa entered then with Draco. "I thought I felt the wards let you in. Welcome," she greeted warmly, stepping up to Sirius and kissing his cheek.
"Happy birthday, Harry," Draco said, smiling hesitantly, making Harry realise that his pompousness and arrogance had yet to fully manifest.
"Thank you for having us and thank you for the birthday gifts," Harry said, sending Draco a smile before Narcissa leant down and kissed his cheek also.
Lucius shook hands with Sirius and even Remus, and offered his hand to Harry once he was free of Narcissa, who had started to flutter about him.
Harry took the hand and shook it, before he felt Lucius' magic suddenly prod at his. Raising an eyebrow in question, Harry felt it as Lucius' magic seemed to dance around his.
Seeing he had been noted, Lucius straightened. "I apologise, it seems my magic reacts strongly to yours," he said, making Harry wonder.
Sirius, who heard the exchange, turned and looked at Harry with concern. Seeing this, Harry waved him off before turning back to Lucius. "It's fine, Lucius. I keep my magic masked slightly, perhaps that is the reason," Harry said, knowing that Lucius was really trying to gauge his magical core with his prodding.
Lucius nodded, showing he understood Harry had caught him, but he wasn't bothered. "I see. Yes, that must have been it."
Draco took a hesitant step forward then and offered his own hand. Harry shook it without concern. They all moved into the family sitting room then and had drinks whilst waiting for dinner.
"So, did you get anything good for your birthday?" the blond asked, sitting with Harry near the large windows overlooking immaculate gardens. Harry had even caught sight of a white peacock roaming the grounds. Harry nodded and explained his presents, once again thanking Draco for his gift.
"Your friends seem nice, like they really care," Draco said, looking at Harry's bracelet with a slight frown, making Harry think about Draco's own friends. He had his two goons, Crabbe and Goyle, but Harry wasn't sure if they were friends. In his later years he had hung around Zabini, Nott, and Parkinson a lot, but Harry couldn't be sure who his actual friends were.
Realising this, Harry felt bad for the boy and nodded. "Yes, they're actually pretty great. I never had real friends before I met them," he admitted. "They won't mind me coming along tomorrow?" Draco asked.
"No. As long as you don't call them names or spout off rubbish about them like Ronald does, then I can't see them having any problems. I told them yesterday when I saw them that you would be joining us," Harry said.
Draco snorted. "Like I could ever act like the weasel," he said arrogantly.
Harry smiled. It seemed that without Harry there to be his rival, Draco had promoted Ron into that place. Soon enough an elf appeared - Harry was actually pleased to see it wasn't Dobby and announced dinner was ready.
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