How Severus Spends His Summer Hols

Harry woke suddenly with a pressing urge to go to the loo. He opened his eyes and stared at the relaxed face of his 'mother-in-law'. Grant's soft exhales graced across his cheek and he studied him for a moment. Last night's episode came back to him and he groaned softly wondering how the small man had gotten them both into the bed. He swallowed and tried to carefully extract himself from Grant's arms, embarrassment filling him as he remembered how he had acted.

Reganne again stomped on his over full bladder and Harry grunted, sitting up and wondering how he was going to climb over Grant to get to the loo without waking the man.

Grant came awake as he felt Harry moving in the bed, opening his dark eyes; he looked at Harry for a moment and then rolled out of bed.

"Sorry," he mumbled softly as he took the few steps to fall into the other bed, dragging the blankets over himself so he didn't have to face Harry and the things he'd said to the younger man.

"My apologies. I didn't mean to wake you," he replied softly. Harry watched him a moment then waddled to the loo, closing the door softly so as not to disturb the other man further.

Washing his hands after using the toilet, Harry looked at himself in the mirror, circles rested under his red-rimmed eyes. He drank down his potions and wondered just exactly how much his mouth had spouted off to Grant. He swallowed and opened the door looking at the lump of his 'mother-in-law' on the other bed. "Thank you," he murmured softly then turned to leave the other man alone.

"I'm a light sleeper, so don't worry about waking me Harry," Grant said quietly. "Everything's okay with you?" He peered out from his blankets at the pregnant man and gave a cautious smile.

Harry nodded, smiling slightly. "I think so. But I need to eat something. I just took my potions. Would you like me to see if Molly has any coffee to brew?" He knew Damon lived on the stuff but realized he didn't know that much about Grant. "I'm certain Molly will have a full breakfast if you'd like to join me." he asked softly, not looking at Grant as his cheeks flushed lightly.

Grant sat up and pushed the blankets back, running a hand through his hair which had become unbraided sometime through the night. "It's alright if she doesn't Harry. I can take it or leave it in the mornings," he said and then sighed as he leaned over and rooted around in his bag for his hair brush.

"Don't wait because of me Harry. I'm fine with a piece of toast. I look like something the cats dragged in and don't want to scare your family," Grant said with a chuckle as he yanked the brush roughly through his hair.

Harry arched an eyebrow as he watched Grant pull the brush through his long hair, wincing slightly as he hit a snarl. "You obviously didn't get enough of Molly in her fine form last night. It's going to be a wonder if she doesn't stuff you while you are here and send you home weighing a stone more."

"It's alright Harry; you go on and have breakfast with your family. I'll be up shortly. I'm really not very hungry," Grant replied as he continued to brush his hair out, he knew he had some snacks in his bag along with a jar of instant tea, so he was set.

Harry sighed and bowed his head. "Fine but don't say I didn't warn you." He twisted his hands in his robe then sighed and turned to go once again.

Grant waited until Harry had left the room before he pulled a bag of peanuts out of his bag and then knelt down in front of the fireplace. Tossing in a large handful of floo powder he called out for his husband, hoping for better results than last night.

Damon sat on the sofa with Bezoar and Baby in his lap drinking a glass of milk and eating one of Grant's bags of peanut butter cups with one hand as he idly stroked a puppy's head with the other. He stared off into the fire as he unwrapped another candy and popped it into his mouth.

Severus's drunken snores echoed in the background and he shook his head as he looked up at the clock. He needed to go back to bed but he couldn't sleep without Grant there. The bed was entirely too cold without the little man.

"Damon... are you there?" Grant called out softly, only seeing a bit of the coffee table and the rocking chair that was set next to the fireplace at home.

Damon grunted and looked around, finally noticing Grant's face in the fire. He smiled gently and nodded. "I'm here Pet, just a moment."

Carefully shifting the dogs out of his lap he moved to the hearth, his knees snapping as he bent and placed his head in the fire. "I was just thinking about you." He eyed his little husband and sighed softly.

As soon as Grant heard his husband's voice, he set his snack to the side and adopted a pose of submission, his head bowed in deference. "Hello Master, I hope you are alright," he said softly, his long hair falling loosely around him.

Damon nodded as he watched his little husband. "I'll live, Pet. How are you and Harry tonight?"

"Harry's woken up and has gone to have breakfast with his family, Sir," Grant replied, keeping his eyes focussed on the flames in front of him. "He seemed to be feeling alright this morning."

Damon nodded and watched his little husband. "Grant... Why aren't you eating as well?"

Grant swallowed. "I wanted him to have time with his family. I had some things in my bag, Sir."

"I understand that Grant but the snacks you packed aren't a good substitute for breakfast. You know this, Pet. Why are you making me have to tell you these things?" Damon eyed his husband. "Do you want to come home baby?" he asked softly.

"I... I thought I'd go up later and have a piece of toast or something, I'm sorry," Grant said softly and shook his head. "No Sir, I'd like to stay here and look after him. I said I would do so and I should."

Damon nodded. "All right then, Pet. I love you and remember to take care of both of you while you are there." He sighed and reached out a hand through the fire stroking Grant's hair. "I miss you."

Grant leaned into the man's touch, sighing softly. "I miss you too. Am I still restricted to this house?" he asked.

Damon thought for a moment then shook his head. "No, I guess not. I'd like you to enjoy your vacation and do a little shopping if you wish. Just remember to keep tabs on the time and Harry, Pet."

"I will, I promise. Why aren't you sleeping?" Grant asked as he finally raised his head and looked at the other man.

Damon smiled tiredly. "Baby needed to go out and Sev's snoring could wake the dead. I'll probably hit the sheets here after a bit. Don't you be worrying about me, I'll live."

Grant nodded and was quiet for a moment. "I left my nightshirt in the bathroom," he said, letting his husband know that there was still something there that would have his scent strongly on it. "I don't want you losing sleep."

Damon chuckled, shaking his head slightly at his husband. "Thank you, Pet. I'll be fine."

"I'll let you go rest now Damon," Grant said softly, reaching his hand into the flames for a moment. "I'll talk to you later on?"

Damon reached out and squeezed Grant's hand. "I'll be here. Max and his parents plus Davy and Gregory are all coming over for a pot-luck tonight." He sighed and pressed a kiss to Grant's hand before letting it go. "Take care of you and Harry, baby."

"I will. How's the new baby doing?"

Damon smiled. "He's a big one, Pet. Seems to be doing just fine." He chuckled slightly. "Little Sarah is helping the best she can but Max said she was having some bad dreams with Allie not being there."

He frowned. "That damn girl left Max divorce papers on the table when she came and got her stuff. Max called Jo and she's getting a team for him together to counter. Hell, I think she is thinking about taking the case herself even though she doesn't practice family law all that much."

Grant frowned. "Did the papers mention anything about custody of the children?" he asked, wondering if he shouldn't come home early to be with Sarah.

"I have no idea. Max locked himself in the bedroom with them and had his parents take the kids out for a while. Gregory and Davy ended up with them for the night so Max could have some time to himself." Damon shook his head. "I have no idea what all is going on but I'll talk with him today. Patricia and Maxwell are going home sometime this week so we'll have to wait and see how things are going to go."

"Do you think I should come home now? Do the kids need me?" Grant asked anxiously. He didn't like the idea of any one of his little flock being in distress and he couldn't be there to help.

"No, take care of Harry, Pet. Sev and I will see to Max. Gregory has taken on some of Max's patients and I'm interviewing a doctor later this week to round everything out. He's another GP so I hope you don't mind." Damon smiled at his husband.

"Is the practice suffering any?" Grant asked, now finding something new to fret over. "I knew I shouldn't have left. What about Jason? I know he was on the roster to see me later this week. Damon, you have to make sure he gets in."

"Calm down, Grant. No, the practice isn't suffering and I've already spoken with Jason. He's going to see Max on Friday. I'm hoping he let us know what the baby is then. He's getting huge, Grant. Looks like he swallowed a watermelon." Damon yawned and shook his head. "Don't worry about it; I've got it all under control."

Grant picked up on the fact Jason was now huge. "Is he abnormally huge Damon? That could mean he's retaining too much water, it could be early stages of pre eclampsia. Can't Max get him in sooner?"

Damon gave Grant a look. "I am not a doctor Grant, I have no idea. He just looks really big compared to Harry. He looks fine to me and seems happy enough piddling around Sev's shop. I'll talk to Max and Jason both to see if we can't work something out but you know how Jason is."

Grant sighed and shook his head. "You tell Severus to take it easy on Jason, that boy shouldn't be lifting anything now. Make certain he understands that," he said, his frustration evident in his voice.

Damon chuckled. "Yes, little hen. I'll talk to him in the morning. Don't go giving yourself an aneurysm over this."

Grant stopped and smiled sheepishly at Damon. "Sorry, I keep forgetting that life does continue on without me there."

Damon smiled. "And we are all a little lonelier without you, Pet. It will be all right. You can spoil the baby and Jason when you return."

"Alright, you go to bed and get some sleep baby," Grant said, leaning forward into the flames to offer the man a kiss before he broke the connection. "I love you."

Damon leaned further into the flames, ghosting his lips across Grant's. "Go eat some breakfast." He smiled at his husband as he pulled back. "I love you too, my Injun."

After the connection ended, Grant got back to his feet, picking up his little bag of nuts and sat back down on his bed; he'd make it when he finished eating. He thought about all the things he'd like to do while in England and wondered if Harry might want to do any of them as well. He looked up at the ceiling as he heard people walking above him and sighed to himself.

Harry added some rashers, fruit and a piece of toast on a plate after sending Molly and the others off to the wake. The Ministry was holding a service for Percy and Harry had opted out of going to this one. He didn't want to be exposed to all of the politicians and would attend the next one that was just family.

He padded his way down to the bedroom, carefully balancing the plate and a cup of tea for Grant. Grant still wasn't back up to how he had looked before this past October and if he had to eat to gain weight then so did Grant. He knocked softly on the door and called out to the other man. "Grant? I've brought you something to eat."

Grant rose, quickly opening the door for the younger man. "Thank you Harry, but you didn't have to," he said softly as he followed Harry into the bedroom. "I would have come up in a bit."

Harry shrugged and held out the plate to Grant. "I know you said toast but, you need more than that. You are still too slender." He sat down on the bed and watched the other man. "Molly and the rest of her brood just left for the Ministry."

Taking the plate, Grant sat back down on his bed and began to eat, not realizing how hungry he'd been until he bit into one of the rashers. "Oh this is good. Thank you again Harry. Weren't you feeling up to going with them?" he asked as he stuffed the rest of the meat into his mouth.

Harry nodded as Grant began to eat. "There's more if that's not enough. I think she cooked an entire pig for the rashers." he folded his hands over his belly, scratching an itch then rubbing the swell lightly. "It's at the Ministry and I didn't want to intrude on them. The press would have made a spectacle of me being there as well as my being pregnant. Molly doesn't need that."

Grant nodded; he could understand that. He'd always hated people staring at him while he'd been pregnant as well. "Did you want to lay back down or something?" he asked as he ate a bit of the fruit.

Harry shrugged. "I'm awake now." He eyed Grant for a moment then looked down at his fingers. "Is Damon still very angry?"

Grant shook his head. "No, he was more worried than angry I think. The fact he'd been drinking didn't help, but it wasn't too bad," Grant said. "Don't worry; he was never angry with you."

Harry sighed. "He should be. I've messed up with him twice now. You should tell him it was my fault. You shouldn't have to catch his anger because of me."

"If I tell him it was your fault, which it wasn't, it will only look like I am trying to cover my own ass and make it even worse," Grant explained, hoping Harry would understand. "I am accountable for what happens in his eyes."

Harry looked up at him, not quite certain how to explain to the other man without starting an argument again. "You don't have to protect me from him, Grant. I was being a prat on purpose and I made a promise to him to watch over you." He sighed and looked away. "Despite what happened last night, I can answer for my actions."

"He made you promise to look after me?" Grant asked incredulously as he looked at Harry. "What on earth for? When did he do that?"

Harry leaned back against the pillows and took a deep breath. "He didn't make me promise; he asked me to. Warrior to warrior. He was really worried about you." He looked over at Grant. "Just before they called about your daughter." he whispered softly. "I didn't really understand until after when Lee came and they had the ritual."

Grant set the plate to the side and sighed softly. "Sorry about that Harry. I think he was worried he was going to lose me," he said, his voice slightly rough with emotion. "He shouldn't have saddled you with me, it wasn't fair to you."

Harry shook his head. "He sees Grant, what I am and knows. Inside." He tapped his chest. "Some people are born being soldiers and others are made. But you always recognise which ones have been there. He did it to protect us both. From the memories and to remind us of the past."

He snorted and chuckled softly. "He's more aware of what's going on than you realize. I think he plays dumb sometimes though. Typical male."

Grant laughed at that, it was a belief he'd held for years. "Don't be surprised when Severus acts like he's lost all sense when it comes to something simple, he's been around Damon," he chuckled and shook his head. "If you want to talk to Damon, I can't stop you, but just remember that you don't have to."

Harry nodded then shrugged. "He'll figure it out I'm certain. Both of them will. If not then I am going to tell them when we get home. It's not right that you should take the blame."

Grant looked at Harry closely for a moment. "Are you worried that I'll be punished when we get back or are you just looking for a fight with one of them?"

Harry looked at his hands. "You don't deserve the punishment."

"He isn't going to punish me Harry, don't worry about that. Last night was just..." Grant waved his hand in the air and shrugged, "last night was the alcohol talking, not Damon."

Harry sighed. "If you are certain." He knew better though. Both Severus and Damon had been angry, he knew that tone in the men's voices. He'd lived with anger long enough to know.

Grant nodded, he was reasonably certain Damon wouldn't do anything to him when he got home and he knew Severus knew better. "I am, don't worry Harry. Damon's bark is worse than his bite."

Harry pulled a face but nodded. Taking a deep breath, he looked up at Grant again. "Are you still hungry? There's more upstairs." He played with the fabric of his robe uncertain about what would happen next. He'd never really spent any time with the other man and didn't know what exactly to do. The Weasleys wouldn't be back until late afternoon and he felt restless now.

Grant nodded. "Give me just a moment to get my hair in order and I'll go up so you can have some privacy Harry," he said as he quickly began to braid his hair tightly.

Harry nodded. "You are fine, Grant. You don't have to run off. I'll try to stay in my right mind today." he whispered softly as he scratched at his belly again.

Continuing with what he was doing, Grant watched Harry. "About last night... are you alright?" he asked carefully.

Harry nodded. "I guess. I don't remember a lot of what happened but it will come back. Doctor Marsha wants me to write down what happened when I have one of my... episodes."

"It was only a few minutes Harry, not long at all," Grant said encouragingly. Severus had told him that in the past Harry had had episodes that lasted days.

Harry nodded and sat up quickly. "I don't want to talk about it any longer." He levered himself off the bed and looked around the room. "I need to do something. Go somewhere. Will you go with me?"

Grant nodded, leaning down to find a hair tie. "Sure, where should we go? I have no freaking idea of where I'm even at," he said with a laugh, "but I've got money and a burning desire to spend it."

Harry nodded. "We could go to London, to Diagon Alley or back to Hogsmeade if you want. I just need to go... somewhere."

"That's fine Harry. I don't have any robes, will that be a problem?" Grant asked as he dug through his bag for something nice to wear.

Harry eyed Grant then shrugged. "You'll be stared at but there's Madame Malkins in Diagon Alley. We can get you some robes if you want. There Fortescue's, they have amazing flavours of ice cream and Ollivanders; that's where I got my wand."

Grant smiled; he liked the idea of getting a set of robes to have around just in case he felt like wearing them. Damon had never really held with the tradition of wizards wearing robes and would only do so if someone whined at him long enough. "I wouldn't mind getting a set of robes that someone besides me made," he said with a laugh as he pulled out a pair of trousers and glared at them. "Damned wrinkles. Do you think Mrs. Weasley would have an iron?"

Harry shook his head and stepped back from Grant, gesturing at the slacks. "You'll have to use your wand. There's very little in the way of Muggle things around the house now that Arthur is gone."

Grant grit his teeth and muttered under his breath, this was something he didn't want Harry to know. "I'll just wear something else," he said as he set the trousers on the bed.

"Everything is going to be wrinkled from being in the luggage for so long. Molly charmed my clothes when we got here." Harry watched Grant for a moment. "Do you not know the spell? Molly's got a book of household charms upstairs. Would you like me to get it?"

Grant shook his head. "I know the spell Harry, thank you, it just doesn't always work for me," he said almost under his breath as he finally found a pair of jeans he'd packed. They would do.

Harry stared at him. "You mean my magic is going to stay wonky even after the baby?"

"No, of course not, Harry. It's just me," Grant said quickly as he pulled the jeans on, hoping the other man would think of something else to talk about. "You'll be just fine."

Harry blinked. "Did Damon do something to you?" he asked softly.

Grant stopped and looked at Harry quizzically. "What?"

"Did Damon put a geas on you?" Harry swallowed. "Morgan did that to me once when he tried to get me pregnant. He thought my magic was interfering but it still didn't work and he hung me from a hook trying to shock me into it." He stopped suddenly and paled. "I just remembered that."

"He did what to you?" Grant asked softly, a look of horror on his face. Had he heard Harry correctly?

Harry sank to the bed. "He shocked me... with electricity because I wouldn't get pregnant when he tried."

"That sick fuck," Grant murmured as he crossed the room and sat down next to Harry. "I'm so sorry he was ever in your life Harry." He put an arm around the younger man's shoulders and pressed a kiss to the side of his head. He wasn't sure if Harry would want to talk about it or not and not even sure if he wanted to hear it, but he'd be there for the boy.

Harry just sat there shaking in Grant's arms his hands wrapped around his belly. "It's my baby though. Mine and Severus's." He murmured over and over again, running his hand up and down the swollen stomach, trying to feel for her.

"That's right Harry. You and Severus are going to have a beautiful little girl," Grant said, rubbing his hand over Harry's back. "No one is ever going to hurt you again."

Harry nodded slowly, smiling slightly as he felt the baby roll in his stomach. "Reganne Siobhan Snape. Our baby." He let out a breath and leaned against Grant for a moment. "Sorry."

"You have nothing to be sorry about Harry. You've gone through some very traumatic things in your life and they take a toll on a person. You never have to apologize to me," Grant said softly as he gave the other man a hug.

Harry wrapped his arms around Grant's neck. "Thank you," he whispered softly then groaned as Reganne pressed against the two of them. "Ugh, all right you little sprog." he pulled away from Grant and flushed slightly. "I think Reganne needs some Wizarding ice cream."

Grant laughed as he stood back up and went to find the least wrinkled shirt he could. "I don't think I've ever had Wizarding ice cream," he said as he picked up a shirt and frowned at it.

"Oh, we have to go to Fortescue's first then. They have strawberry and peanut butter flavours, brilliant sundaes and chocolate and raspberry ice cream with nuts. It has to have the nuts. I think my favourite is that one." Harry walked into the loo and looked at himself in the mirror checking his bird's nest of dark hair. He gave up and came back out, shaking his head.

Grant half listened as he slowly buttoned the shirt up and cursed himself for forgetting to bring a travel iron. Running his hands irritably over his sleeves, he looked up as Harry walked back in. "Okay, sure Harry, that sounds good," he agreed, reaching for a sweater to pull over the shirt. He really hated looking unkempt in public. "Do you think we might go into Muggle London for a little while?"

Harry nodded as he pulled out his cloak from the closet. "We have to go through there to get to Diagon Alley. Will you be able to cast the Concealment Charm on me before we get in the taxi? We'll have to walk a bit because I can't take the Knight Bus."

At Harry's words, Grant swallowed, turning to sit down on the edge of the bed. "I don't know. I've never had much luck with glamour charms. Damon always does them," he said in growing shock. "I don't know if it's safe for me to even try."

Harry looked at Grant. "Are you certain Damon hasn't put a geas on you, Grant? I... I don't mean to be rude but you should be able to do the charm. You aren't as strong like Damon radiates but I can feel the power in you."

Grant shook his head. "No, he's never done anything to me Harry, I'm just not a strong wizard," he said softly, picking up his wand and rolling it between his fingers. "Most of the time, I don't know if a spell will work or not, that's why I do everything the way I do."

Harry took a deep breath curious but not wanting to upset the other man. "Is there something wrong with your wand? Did you have to replace it and weren't measured correctly? I had a friend that couldn't do magic very well because he was using his father's wand."

Grant shook his head. "No, this is the only wand I've ever had. Damon took me to get it when I was seventeen. I never had the training that you or the others have had and things just don't work for me," he said with a small sigh. "I'm sorry Harry, but I'm a little afraid to try putting a charm on you. Do you think Severus or Damon could do it by floo?"

Harry pursed his lips. "You can't do magic over the Floo network. The Ministry regulates it pretty heavily here." He looked at Grant then held out his hand. "May I see your wand?"

Grant shrugged and handed the short, polished length of ash over to Harry. "I didn't know they regulated that, sorry."

Harry rolled the wand in his hand, taking a deep breath as he shook his head. "Grant... are you certain Damon didn't do something to you? This wand is barely adequate." He looked at Grant and drew his wand from his pocket, holding both of them out to the other man. "Here, do you feel the difference?"

Grant frowned as he watched Harry, reaching out and taking a wand in either hand. "Damn, yours is just like Damon's!" he exclaimed, quickly handing Harry's wand back to him.

He looked down at his own wand and shrugged. "Well, I'm a weak wizard so that would make sense, wouldn't it?" Grant took a breath and let it out. He tried hard to keep his inadequacy hidden from others and now Harry knew.

Harry shook his head as he tucked his wand away. He ran his fingers over it glad to know it was there even if he couldn't use it. "No, if you can feel the difference in the wands then someone has played a horrible prank on you. The wand is not right for you, Grant. That's why your spells aren't working."

Grant looked at Harry and then down at the short length of ash in his hand. "I've never felt anything from it, like it's dead," he murmured, bringing the wood up to examine closer. "Damon took me to the only place he knew of to get me a wand. Maybe they just don't work with my magic."

Harry looked at Grant suspiciously then held out his wand to him again. "Have you ever gotten any results out of it or someone elses? Would you like to try mine?"

"I use Damon's once in awhile, but like yours, his always seems to 'bite'. There's just this really odd tingle when I pick up someone else's wand," Grant explained, making no move to take Harry's wand. "Mine just feels like a stick."

Harry nodded and waved his wand at Grant. "There should be a tingle. The wand is trying you out, like testing you. It's the magic's way of trying to bond with you. We should get you a new wand if you can't feel anything. That one's core might have gone bad."

"I'd have to talk to Damon about it before I did anything like that Harry, he may want to do that himself," Grant said with a shrug and looked at his wand again. "It would be nice to actually have things do what they're supposed to." He laughed and smiled at Harry.

Harry raised an eyebrow. "Then let's get it today. We can call him later. You need it Grant."

"You mean get it and then tell him?" Grant asked, a look of scepticism on his face as he looked at his son-in-law. "You're kidding, right?"

"Yes. I mean no. We'll get it and then tell him later." Harry looked at his mother-in-law. "We have to. You are going to need it here. There's nothing Muggle in this house. We do everything with magic here."

Grant was silent, trying to decide what he should do. Something this important needed to be discussed with Damon and left to the older man's decision, Grant knew that. Those were the rules he'd lived by for most of his life. Damon was his higher power and he listened to him. To do something like this... would be like treason.

But, Harry was right; he needed to take care of the matter as soon as he could. After all, hadn't he been entrusted to take care of Harry? Dark eyes regarded Harry solemnly.

"You know I have to ask Harry," he said with a small smile. "Damon has to know before I do anything."

I'll tell Damon. It's going to be all right Grant. I promise. You can even tell him it's my fault but we need to do this and it's really early in the morning in West Virginia." Harry nodded at him. "Come on Grant, it's shopping."

Laughing at Harry's last remark, Grant shook his head and then sighed. "How are we going to manage going though? Is there a direct way to floo to the Wizarding area?" he asked as he eyed his very pregnant son-in-law. It would be a pain to try to hide the boy's belly.

Harry took a deep breath. "There is a way but I am not certain it's a good idea. Hermione's auto is here. She told me I could use it but it's a manual and I haven't learned that yet."

"Drive?" Grant whispered, his eyes going round. "You mean me drive... here?"

Harry shrugged. "You can drive, can't you? It's up to you but then we could park in a car park and then walk to Diagon Alley. If I wear a big overcoat then maybe I won't be stared at too greatly."

Grant snorted and made a face. "Of course I can drive Harry," he said with a laugh, "I just hadn't thought I'd be doing it here. It's been awhile since I've driven a stick, but I can do it."

Grant eyed Harry critically for a moment. "Do you have any trousers you can wear comfortably that aren't dirty?" He wasn't certain about the younger man wearing robes around Muggles with what he knew about the Wizarding world in Britain. "Or do you think I can drop you off at the entrance and then go park?"

Excited now, Harry nodded and turned to the armoire, looking for Severus's long over coat. "I can wait for you in front of the Leaky. There's a car park not far from there." Harry's face flushed a bit. "I'm not certain I will want to wear trousers again. They feel strange now and rub on my stomach."

Grant laughed, he understood completely. "I know, when I came back from Japan, it was odd for me at first," he commiserated as he started to look through Harry's clothes for something the younger man could wear. Pausing a moment, he turned and looked at his own bag.

"I have a pair of gym pants Harry. They are huge on me. Think they might work?" Grant asked as he dug them out and held them up.

Harry turned and looked at Grant, flushing once again. "No, Grant I mean they feel weird with that new bit there. I don't even wear pants."

It took Grant a moment and then he blushed just as red as Harry. "Yeah, it can make tight jeans interesting," he mumbled, trying not to laugh. "You get used to it though."

Harry nodded as he found the big black coat and shrugged it on. "I hope so, I can't imagine what it's going to be like trying to fly."

Grant giggled. "I wouldn't know, I've never been on a broom in my life, but the Harley is an interesting experience at times. Do you want to try the gym pants?"

Harry stared at Grant. "You've never been on a broom?"

"No, not once. Damon doesn't like to fly and never taught me," he shrugged. "I wanted to try when I was younger, but there wasn't anyone to teach me. John called it foolishness."

Harry grinned. "I'll teach you. It's fun." His mouth curled into a grin. "Gives Sev a coronary every time I fly."

"Damon told Severus that if he taught me, he'd kill him," Grant laughed. "I might be able to use this to my advantage, you know. I've wanted a horse for awhile now, he might give into that instead of a broom."

Harry laughed. "That's because while Sev can fly he doesn't like to. His Comet is ancient but I have a new Firebolt."

The small man stopped laughing and looked at his son-in-law for a moment. "Do you think it's going to be alright?" he asked, worried about getting a wand without talking to Damon first.

Harry sobered and nodded at Grant. "I promise. I'll talk to him after we return."

Grabbing his own jacket, Grant nodded and smiled at Harry. "Do you have your money?" he asked as he pulled his wallet out of his bag and opened it, making certain everything was in order. "Do you need anything before we go?"

Harry patted his pocket and nodded. "I'm ready. Hermione's keys are in the kitchen." He paused for a moment. "Wait, let me use the loo first then we can go."

"I'll go upstairs then," Grant said as he stuffed his wallet in his pocket and headed out of the bedroom contemplating driving in the UK. Damon was going to kill him for sure.

Harry closed the loo door behind him and waddled up the stairs to the kitchen. "All right, I'm ready now. London is north of here. Just follow the road signs."

"Are you certain we won't get lost? Do you know where we are going once we get to London?" Grant asked as he followed Harry out the door and looked at the small auto parked next to the Burrow. "Oh my, that's little."

Harry looked at the small Cooper and shrugged. "I can read a map and yes I know where we are going when we get to London." He opened the door for Grant then held out the keys for him.

Grant stared at the interior and shook his head. "It's all backwards," he groaned before he sat down behind the wheel and waited for Harry. "We're going to die."

Harry closed the door and shook his head. "Do you not want to go now?"

"We'll try it," Grant muttered as he studied the pattern on the gear shift and noted happily that at least the foot pedals were the same as he was used to. "I can do this, it's only driving."

Harry nodded. "You can do it. Just remember to drive on the left side."

"The left side," Grant murmured, nodding his head as he started up the small car and put it into gear. "Did you buckle up, Harry?"

Harry nodded and he adjusted the belt around the bulk of his belly. "I'm ready if you are."

Easing the car off, Grant laughed as the chickens ran from the front of the vehicle. "Which way Harry?" he asked a grin on his face a mile wide. It felt like he was off on an adventure of sorts and he was feeling comfortable with the younger man and hoping Harry was feeling the same.

Harry pointed to the right. "Stay in the left lane." He warned the other man again and grabbed the handle on the door and grinned. This was going to be interesting.

"Merlin," Grant muttered as he glanced nervously at the traffic around them. "These people are insane Harry, absolutely insane. Why didn't we take the floo again?" The little man pressed on the accelerator, keeping up with the other autos on the motorway, the traffic having gotten much heavier as they got closer to the western edge of London.

Harry chuckled. "And they don't drive worse in the colonies?" He cringed just for a moment as another car came really close to theirs then sped on past. "We are almost there. You want to look for a run down looking pub. The car park is just past it on the left."

"I am not looking for a damned thing Harry; I'm trying to keep us from getting splattered!" Grant exclaimed as he hit the horn and gave the other driver a one fingered salute. "You look."

Harry closed his eyes and grinned. "Use two here, Grant. It's more effective." He chuckled and opened his eyes; the sight of the familiar city coming into view. "Get in the right lane, Grant." He pointed and looked out the window making certain the way was clear.

Several minutes later found them on a quiet street in London, Grant driving slowly and staring at the buildings. "I can't wait to start shopping," he said with a grin as he pulled to the curb at Harry's direction. "Alright, I'm going to go park where you showed me and I'll be right back, do you want to wait inside for me?"

"Nodded Harry undid his seat belt and opened the door. "I'll wait just inside for you. You can see the Leaky right?" He pointed to the sign above the door.

Grant looked up and nodded. "Yeah, I can see it. Guess that means I'm a wizard, huh?" he asked with a laugh.

Harry stared at him for a moment then nodded slightly. "Um, yeah. Did you really think you weren't?"

Grant winked at Harry. "I'm just teasing Harry. I've always been different. You go in and go pee, I'll be right back," he said as he gave the younger man a little push. "Go on, I want to get some clothes and see if Damon feels the credit card's pain at home."

Harry chuckled. "No credit cards in Diagon Alley; they're too Muggle. We can stop in at Gringott's and pull out an advance from one though." He gathered his coat about him and heaved himself from the car. I'll be sitting just inside the door. Hopefully no one will recognize me too much."

Grant nodded; he'd forgotten that the plastic would be useless there. "Yeah, I'll need to go to Gringott's; Damon gave me a letter of authorization for our vault. I'll be right back."

Grant quickly found a spot and parked the little car, carefully locking it and setting the alarm on it. Looking at it with a smile, he wondered if he could talk his husband into one of the little imports, as Damon would say, it was just his big.

Grant pulled the door open to the Leaky Cauldron, letting his eyes adjust for a moment before he looked around for Harry. He was very aware of the stares he was getting from the patrons and he assumed it was from his attire; first stop was to get some robes.

Harry stood and waved to Grant. He'd had to sit at the back of the bar. No one had bothered him and it had dawned on him that Grant might not be able to open the barrier to the Alley. He beckoned the man forward and pulled him closer. "We might have a problem."

"What?" Grant asked as he took a seat at the small table and leaned towards Harry. He hadn't realized he was hungry, but when the smells of whatever was cooking hit him, he felt his belly growl. "Do you mind if we eat something?"

"The steak and kidney pie is excellent. There's Black Pudding too today." Harry took a deep breath. "We'll need magic to get into Diagon Alley. You have to tap the bricks with your wand to gain entrance."

"Oh, well I could try couldn't I?" Grant asked with a sigh, once more feeling like a cripple in the Wizarding world. "If it doesn't work, then what do we do?"

Harry looked at him. "You can try my wand too. Otherwise I think we'll have
to wait on someone else to open the barrier."

Grant nodded. "Well, should we go ahead and try?" he asked, looking around.

"Go ahead and eat first. Several people here work in Diagon Alley and they'll be heading back after lunch. We can go in with one of them later." Harry gestured to the man working the bar, waving him over to take their order. "That sound all right with you? I could eat again as well."

Grant ordered a bowl of stew, smiling as a huge bowl was brought out with a plate of fresh bread and cheese. "I don't know if I can eat all of this, but it smells amazing," he said as he dipped his spoon into the bowl. "What time does Gringott's open?"

Harry grinned as his bowl was set down in front of him. "You'd be surprised, Grant. I think using magic all the time burns off calories or something. The larger portions are standard in Wizarding establishments here." He pulled off a chunk of bread and dipped it in the broth of the stew, thinking about what he remembered of the businesses. "Early, I think. It's after twelve now but the Goblins are on a different schedule than we are so they are open through the lunch hours."

Grant nodded as he tucked into his meal, what Harry said about expending magical energy made sense to him. Damon had always had a hearty appetite. Savouring the subtle flavours of the stew, he leaned back for a moment and smiled.

"I'm glad I didn't go home," Grant said as he watched his son-in-law eat. "I really would like for you and I to get along."

Harry looked up at Grant and smiled sheepishly, his face flushing. "I'm glad you didn't either," he whispered softly then looked back at his stew. "I'm sorry I was a prat, Grant."

"I'm sorry too," Grant said as he reached across the table and patted Harry's hand gently.

"Do you really think I'll be able to find a wand?" Grant asked after a moment had passed.

Harry wiped his mouth and drank deeply of his pumpkin juice. "Yes, Ollivander is the best wandmaker. He'll make certain you don't get a substandard wand. He thorough and makes you try several before the finding the right one." Harry cleared his throat and lowered his voice making it gravely. "The wand chooses the wizard, Mister Potter."

Harry laughed then sobered some. "He even remembered my parent's wands."

Grant chuckled, but he still couldn't help but feel some misgivings about finding the right wand. "I hope so. It would be nice not to have to ask someone else to do some things. Things that should work, but just end up going really bad."

Harry nodded. "You know if you weren't fitted correctly the first time then it's most likely been the cause the entire time." He looked down at his plate. "I didn't mean to accuse Damon of something earlier. I really don't think he would do that to you. I know he cares for you and I shouldn't lump him into the same catergory because he is a harsh man."

Grant shook his head. "Damon isn't harsh Harry. I know he comes off as an ass half the time, but you can thank his military career for that. He's just a little rough around the edges," he said with a fond smile as he thought of his husband.

Harry watched Grant and rolled his eyes. "You are totally besotted with him so you are biased. But I understand, Severus has been called the same. No one quite understands what it is like to love someone whose very nature is offputting except to the ones that love them."

Grant laughed and nodded. "I know, makes one wonder what is wrong with us sometimes." He pushed his empty bowl away from him and sipped at his tea. "I do miss his grouchy butt though."

Harry nodded and sighed as he pushed his dishes to the side as well. "Well I think she's satisfied for now... at least until we get to Fortescue's anyway." He grinned at Grant. "Ready to try now?"

Grant pushed his chair away and stood. "Sure, let's see if I can manage this," he said waiting for Harry.

Harry wedged himself out of the chair and waddled towards the back of the Leaky Cauldron, leading Grant outside to the alley. He moved so Grant could close the door then looked up to the brick wall.

"Right, now three up and two across to get in." Harry pointed to the bricks then nodded at Grant.

"Just tap them with my wand?" Grant asked, drawing the short length of ash from his jacket and staring at the bricks.

Harry nodded. "Hagrid did it with a snapped wand the first time so you should be able to as well. If not then you can try my wand next." He stepped back from the wall to give Grant room and shielded his stomach.

Nodding determinedly, Grant raised his wand tapping the bricks as Harry had instructed. He jumped back with a laugh as the bricks began to move and rearrange themselves.

"It's supposed to do that, right?" he laughed as he looked over at Harry.

Harry nodded as the archway formed and witches and wizards of all kinds became visible on the street. The towering buildings caught Harry's sight and he sighed. He was home. "Yes, Grant. You did good." He looked around then back at his friend. "Welcome to Diagon Alley." He gestured for Grant o go first.

Grant tried hard not to stop and stare at everything as he entered Diagon Alley, but it was so hard. Everything was so different from Echo. He couldn't wait to start shopping.

He turned back to Harry and smiled. "How far to Gringotts?" he asked, wanting to take care of the banking first.

Harry pointed to the large white building near where Knockturn Alley bisected Diagon Alley. "There. It's almost in the centre of 'town' so to speak. Ollivander's is just past that. Madame Malkin's is next door to it as well so we can go to which ever you like first after getting some Galleons."

"Alright, did you need to go as well?" Grant asked, setting off for the building Harry had pointed out. "I'm not sure how deep the vault is, but it shouldn't take me long."

Harry stuck close to Grant and nodded as they threaded their way through the throngs of people. He wrinkled his nose as the passed the apothecary and sighed longingly as the brooms in Quality Quidditch Supplies glistened in the cold sunshine. He fingered the key Severus had given him and nodded. "I have a few Galleons left but I'd like to look at some more maternity robes."

"Severus did tell you that you could take money out, didn't he?" Grant asked softly, reaching back to clasp Harry's hand, not wanting to get separated.

Harry twined their fingers, secretly glad to have Grant there. He'd forgotten about the press of all the bodies. "Yes, he gave me my key. But I'm not certain I should ride the cart to the vault."

Grant could understand that. "Why don't you just borrow some from our vault and when we get home, have Sev put it back? That way you won't have to get in the cart," he said, drawing Harry closer to him, trying to shield him from passers-by.

"If I gave you my key you could get it for me." Harry said as they stepped up to Gringott's. "The goblins will take you right to the vault to make a withdrawal."

"Alright, how much did you want?" Grant asked as they entered under the arched doorway of Gringott's. He didn't mind doing that for the younger man.

"Fifty galleons? That sound all right to you? I know you'll at least need fifteen for your wand." Harry led them up to the desk and looked up at the goblin. "We need to make a withdrawal." He held his key up to the goblin. "My friend is going to get it for me. His name should be on the list for the Snape Potter vaults; Doctor Grant Wolffe."

He stepped back from the podium as the goblin adjusted his glasses and eyed the men before him.

"I need to make a withdrawal as well," Grant said as he handed over the key to the Wolffe vaults. He was a little nervous, he didn't have much experience dealing with the goblins, Damon had always taken care of it.

The Head Goblin eyed the two keys and nodded. "Very well. Hornsbeak! Take this gentleman to Vaults 324 and 765." He pointed to Grant with one long spindly finger. "Mister Snape Potter there is a lounge in which you may wait." After giving the order, he went back to writing on his parchment, dismissing the two men.

Harry turned to Grant and placed a hand on his belly. "I hope you like rides. The goblin will open the vaults for you and all you have to do is scoop out what you need." He held out his money bag to Grant.

Silently, Grant took the money pouch from Harry and then followed the goblin.

Nearly thirty minutes later, an ashen faced Grant rejoined Harry in the lobby, handing over the other man's money pouch.

"I never ever want to do that again," Grant murmured shakily as he tucked his own stash of galleons away.

Harry tucked the bag away and stared at him. "You didn't have fun? I like to watch the doors pass by and look down too."

Grant stared at Harry and then shuddered. "No, wasn't fun. I'm going to have nightmares now," said and then laughed. "Ready?"

Harry looked at the floor. "I'm sorry Grant. I'd have gone if I had known it was going to make you ill."

"It's alright Harry, I didn't know it was going to get to me," Grant said gently, putting a hand on the younger man's shoulder. "We just know that for next time I'll get what you need out of our vault and Severus can settle it."

Harry bit his lip but nodded. He looked up as a shadow fell across them. "Oh! I'm sorry did we bump you?"

"No, no. It's my fault entirely, Mister Potter... or should I say Mister Snape?" Orion Snape looked down at the young man and smirked.

Grant looked up and felt his blood run cold. The man towering over them was the spitting image of Severus. "Excuse us please, we've errands to run," he said as he took Harry's arm and began to pull the younger man away from the stranger. Except it wasn't a stranger, not really, Grant was positive that this was his boy's father.

Harry stared at Grant then back up at the man that could be his husband in several years. "Grant..."

Orion Snape cut the two men off by stepping in front of them. "Ah yes, Doctor Wolffe. I should have known Severus would make certain his husband was properly escorted. I would just like a moment of your time to speak with my son-in-law."

Grant stopped and then looked up at Orion Snape. "Then speak your piece here Mister Snape and then we'll be on our way," he said. There was absolutely no way he would let Harry out of his sight around this man.

Harry didn't know what to say. He knew Severus didn't get on with his father but the man had been nothing but polite if a little insistent. He blinked at Grant then looked up at the man. "Grant, I need to sit down someplace please." he whispered softly.

Orion Snape eyed the little man speaking for his son-in-law then offered his arm to Harry. "Come, Mister Snape. One in your condition should take it easy. I merely wanted to make the acquaintance of my son-in-law and... granddaughter if I have heard correctly?"

Grant all but pulled Harry off of his feet to keep him further from the elder Snape. "Come on Harry, let's go find a spot for you to sit," he murmured, steering the younger man to a public bench, seating him at one end and then sitting right next to him.

"You have five minutes Mister Snape," Grant growled softly.

Orion smiled at the little watchdog his son had sent. "I can see you are extremely busy but this will not take long." He reached into his robes and pulled a long velvet box from his pocket. "This is not quite the place but I was just retrieving this from my vault to have it sent to America. All Snape consorts have worn this after the conception of the first heir."

He opened the little black box and presented it to the two men. The shining silver bracelet lay on a bed of velvet the metal curving like small snakes in an ess pattern around a flat piece with the word 'Snape' engraved in elegant script. Emeralds decorated the piece as well, sparkling in the low light of the bank.

Grant ground his teeth and watched Harry, wanting to snatch the box up and throw it back in the man's face.

Harry reached out hesitantly and felt the weight of the box and bracelet as Orion Snape placed it on his palm. "Thank you Mister Snape," he said softly, not sure what he should do. He didn't want to put it on just yet, he wanted to talk to Severus.

The slender man nodded. "You are most welcome, Mister Snape. Do give Severus my regards. I must take my leave of you now but do enjoy your time in London. You as well Doctor Wolffe. I do hope we will see each other again soon." Orion Snape smiled again, the look a cruel mockery of the one Severus sported.

Grant nodded, doing his best to keep his mouth shut and not accuse the man with abusing his child.

"Harry, are you ready to go?" he asked softly, not paying Orion Snape any attention.

Harry eyed the elder Snape and nodded. "Thank you again Mister Snape. I'll tell him when we return." He carefully stood and held his hand out to Grant. "I'm ready Grant."

Grant took Harry's outstretched hand, pulling the boy close to him as he set off out of Gringott's. His first instinct was to run, but he knew Harry couldn't, so he forced himself to a fast walk.

"I'm sorry that I'm pushing you like this Harry, but we need distance from him," Grant said, his voice pitched low. He could feel Orion Snape's gaze burning the back of his neck.

Harry turned around and looked back at the dark-haired wizard, watching as he vanished from the crowd. He looked down at the box in his hand and held it close to his chest, in one way feeling pride that he had something of his husband's family and yet uneasy at the same time. He was almost afraid to tell Severus and by the way Grant was acting there was something really to be fearful of. "Grant, slow down please, he's gone.

Grant slowed to a stop and turned to face Harry. "Let me have the bracelet. I don't want you to be carrying it," he said holding his hand out. He had no idea if there was Dark Magic woven into or not, but he just didn't feel safe letting Harry carry it.

Harry looked down at the box then back at Grant. He held it out to him. "It's all right Grant, there's nothing wrong with it."

Grant only smiled as he took the jeweller's box from Harry. "I just want to be sure before you wear it Harry. Sometimes the things from some of the old vaults have obscure charms or spells woven into them," he said. It sounded like a good explanation to him as he carefully tucked the box into his jacket.

"Where to now, Harry?"

Harry arched a brow at Grant but nodded. "Ollivander's is just there if you want to get your wand or we have to go back a few shoppes to get to Madame Malkins." he smiled gently. "Wherever we go it needs to be at a slower pace though, please."

Grant slowed down and smiled at Harry. "I'm sorry; sometimes you have to tell me to slow down. I'm used to keeping up with a Marine," he laughed. "Should I get the robes before the wand?"

Harry laughed. "Severus has long legs too but I just can't keep up with him like this." he sighed as he rubbed his belly, putting the visit with the elder Snape out of his mind. "Let's go to Ollivander's first, that way you can shrink the packages we are getting later. I want to watch Ollivander fit you. It was fun both times I got my wands."

Grant bit his lip and took a deep breath. He still wasn't entirely comfortable with getting a new wand without Damon's approval, but Harry was right. He needed one if he was going to be looking after his son-in-law.

As they drew closer to Ollivander's, Grant stopped and looked at Harry, fear in his eyes. "What if there isn't a wand for me?" he asked softly.

Harry squeezed Grant's hand. "He'll find you a wand, Grant. If he found one for a half-giant, he can find one for you." He opened the door and gestured for Grant to enter.

Grant entered the small dusty shop and stopped to stare. All around him were shelves all piled to the rafters with small boxes. "Oh my," he breathed as he stepped slowly to the counter.

Harry sat down on a chair to watch as Ollivander came back from the stacks. He eyed the two men before he recognized Harry. "Oh Mister Potter; holly and dragon heartstring, if I remember correctly, yes? What can I do for you gentlemen today?"

Harry nodded to Grant. "My friend needs a new wand. I think his might be unsuited for him."

Ollivander turned and eyed the man at the counter, grinning widely. "Ah Merlin, a Red Indian, strong native magic. Come here, dear boy, and let me measure you." He pulled a measuring tape from his pocket and held out a gnarled hand to Grant. "Let me see your old wand, young man."

Nervously, Grant drew the short ash wand from its pocket in his jacket, laying it over the other man's palm. "I've had it since I was seventeen," he murmured, his eyes wide as he stared at the man who was even shorter than he was.

Ollivander frowned and tossed the wand to the bin behind the counter. "Rubbish, damned American's don't understand the difference in quality cores and any old creature they find." He looked up at Grant, studying him then held up the measuring tape and set it to measuring his arm. He turned and walked away from Grant summoning boxes from the shelves. "Healer, yes?" Ollivander asked, "and soul bound as well. What is your mate's wand composed of?"

"I've retired," Grant said softly as he tried to remember the facts on Damon's wand. "It's rowan with a hair from the tail of a Pegasus."

Ollivander laughed. "Pegasus hair? Stubborn is he? Well, we'll have to find you something complementary to that. Try this. Oak and unicorn tail."

Grant bit his lip and tried not to flex his fingers. "Yes, you could say he's stubborn." he said and tried hard not to grin.

Ollivander held the wand out to Grant then immediately jerked it away, "Nope I'm afraid not. Let me try again."

Ollivander nodded and hummed. "Intelligent too. Mustn't forget that." He tsked and looked at Grant again, narrowing his eyes. "Let's go back to the ash. That seems a fitting wood for you. Ash and Harpy feather."

Harry crowed with laughter as he looked at Grant and Ollivander.

Grant turned to give Harry a glare as Ollivander laid the wand in his hand. Suddenly Ollivander turned an interesting shade of blue and Grant dropped the wand with a gasp.

"I'm so sorry," he stammered, bringing his hand to his face in mortification.

Harry's eyes widened and he placed a hand over his mouth.

"Perhaps not." Ollivander cleared his throat and waved his own wand over him removing the colour from his skin. "Yes... difficult to place. Let me try something else." He dug through the boxes and pulled a new wand. "Black Thorn and thestral tail hair."

Grant bit his lip and gingerly picked up the new wand, promptly dropping it with a yelp. "No! It doesn't like me!" he snapped as he rubbed his fingers against his chest.

Ollivander's eyes widened and he grinned. "Ah yes, reaction to thestral hair, very good as they are winged horses as well. Maybe with a new wood then." He searched the boxes and drew out another wand. "Willow and Thestral tail."

Gritting his teeth and expecting the worst, Grant carefully picked up the wand and then gasped. It was like warm water running over his fingers and hand, not unpleasant at all. Curious, Grant turned to the umbrella stand in the corner and flicked the new wand at it.

"Oh Merlin, it really worked," the little man breathed as the brass stand morphed into a tapestry covered footstool. "Look Harry, it really worked!"

Grant's laugh turned to a groan as the footstool suddenly shook and then turned to dust. "Well, I thought it was going to work," he sighed sadly and set the wand back on the counter.

"Thank you for your time Mister Ollivander, but I don't think there's a wand for me," Grant said with a sad smile.

Ollivander reached out and grabbed Grant's arm, narrowing his eyes at him. He studied Grant again, looking deeply into Grant's eyes. "Red Indian, hmm. Just a minute, young man. Never in my life have I been unable to fit a wizard with a wand. The disintegration of the furniture shows we need a more delicate touch with your core." He held up a hand and ventured back in the stacks.

Returning with a dust covered box, Ollivander held the box out to Grant. "I had wondered if I would ever meet one of you. The two spirited are hard to fit and Mister Potter was just as difficult. I am sad to say his destiny decided his wand for him but nevertheless one was found for him both times."

He looked between the two men and opened the box. "Willow and a woodland sprite's hair."

With a soft sigh, Grant reached out and let one finger stroke the pale wood before he picked it up. As before, he felt a warm sensation curling around his fingers and hand. A look of grim resolution was on his face as he flicked the wand at the pile of dust that had been the footstool. In an instant the brass stand was back and gleaming in the corner.

Grant swallowed nervously waiting for it to suddenly melt or blow up. When neither happened, he carefully flicked the wand at a sheet of parchment and then laughed as it became a dove that flew around the room.

Harry smiled and clapped when Grant's spells seemed to last. "I told you, Grant."

Ollivander nodded. "So I see we have a match." he flicked his wand and all the other wands jumped then returned to their places. He banished the dove and walked behind his counter. "Fifteen Gallons, Mister ... ?"

"Wolffe, Grant Wolffe," Grant said as he counted out the heavy gold coins and handed them over. "Would it be alright if I kept my other wand as well?"

He wanted to be able to show Damon that he had indeed needed a new wand.

Ollivander shrugged as he deposited the galleons in a box. "I suppose, Mister Wolffe, the wand is useless in your hands though. I would advise you to keep it in a box so as to not distract the new wand from bonding with your magic." He bent and retrieved the wand he had tossed in the bin. He placed it in an empty box and handed it to the other man. "Congratulations Mister Wolffe, your wand should last you for many years. Please feel free to contact me if you ever have need again."

Harry stood and looked at Grant. "How does it feel?" he asked softly.

Grant turned and smiled to Harry. "It feels like part of me."

Harry nodded, he understood completely.

"Thank you," Grant said softly as he took his old wand, stuffing it in a pocket of his jacket with one hand as he caressed his new wand with his other. "What was wrong with the other wand if I may ask?" He'd have to be able to tell Damon something.


"Bloody American charlatans." Ollivander sniffed. "Substandard workmanship and improper fitting, my good man. You should have no problems now. Good luck Mister Wolffe and Mister Potter."

Grant left Ollivander's with Harry in tow, he was still reeling from the revelation that his old wand had been little more than a peeled stick.

"I'm so glad you talked me into getting a new wand Harry. Thank you," Grant said as he put an arm around the other man, hugging him impulsively.

Harry flushed and nodded as he wrapped an arm around Grant. He had a feeling like he'd almost repaid the older man's kindness for welcoming him into their family. "You're welcome, Grant. You are dangerous now, eh? Damon and Sev better watch out." he laughed and turned the man towards Fortescue's. "We need a snack now after that."

Grant laughed and shook his head. "Oh I doubt that Harry, I'm far from dangerous," he said as he followed along. "What would you like? I'll get it."

Harry grinned, "This calls for the chocolate raspberry flavour with nuts and whipped cream."