What Do You Mean by Not Strong Enough? (2)

7 Advanced chapters on Patreon: Fiction Haven

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"Expecto Patronum!"

Lily watched in amazement as an ethereal lion came out of her wand and pranced around the room. Harry cast the Patronus Charm, producing the same but bigger lion. The pair of lions merrily pranced around the room. Harry and Lily watched the scene together, sharing a soft smile.

"Does this mean you no longer love James?" Harry mused aloud.

"I am still thankful to him. Without him, I wouldn't have given birth to you," Lily responded earnestly.

"You naughty girl," Harry laughed.

"I wonder who corrupted me," Lily chuckled.

When the Patronus disappeared, Harry turned to Lily. "I don't want to sound unwelcoming, but why are looking for me?"

"Oh, I almost forgot about that," Lily exclaimed in realisation. "James wants to reward you with Order of Merlin, Third Class for your feat. He is inviting you to the Ministry."

"I bet there will be many people attending," Harry said dryly.

"Naturally," Lily affirmed, shooting him an empathetic look.

Harry sighed and then nodded. Aside from sneaking out of the room to get food, he had spent his entire week in it. It was time to make an appearance. Harry wore his shirt and came out of the room with Lily in his hand. After hearing Lily's affirmation, he no longer hesitated to show his affection in public, to a degree, at least. Kissing was a bit much, but hugging and holding hands wouldn't be an issue.

On their way to the fifth floor, Lily's quarter, they encountered many students. Everyone looked at Harry with awe, recalling his feat in the Second Task. The more familiar students greeted him and he returned their greetings amiably. Harry's appearance immediately became a sensation. The rumour mill made sure everyone knew about his appearance.

"He was at the school the entire time? I thought he was undergoing the Auror training," Ron wondered aloud with a scrunched-up face.

"I told you it was a bunch of nonsense," Charlus sighed. "Well, I am going to meet Harry. See you later, guys."

"Oh, see ya', mate."

"Bye, Charlus. See you later."

Leaving Hermione and Ron, Charlus went to the fifth floor. Harry was the definition of a badass. Charlus was not delusional enough to think his status would ever hold a candle to Harry's might. His brother might defeat Voldemort for all he knew. Therefore, he wanted to somehow live up to his status. Harry was the only person who could teach him to do it.

By the time Charlus was in front of Lily's quarter, Lily was busy swallowing Harry's member. The two ignored Charlus' knocking for a while before stopping. Lily smiled apologetically, but Harry waved it off. It was not right to ignore a family member for mere flesh pleasure.

"Enter."

Charlus came in as the ward gave him entry. "Mum, is Harry here?"

Lily looked past Charlus in amazement. "Yes, he is here."

"Oh, where—"

"Wassup, kiddo?"

"Merlin's stinky pants! You shocked me, dickhead!" Charlus exclaimed when Harry appeared behind him. His irritation quickly turned into a look of excitement, though. "Is that the advanced application of the Disillusionment Charm? I have only heard about it from the fifth-year Ravenclaws. They can't stop talking about how exceptional your feat is."

"Want me to teach you?" Harry quirked an eyebrow.

"Why do you need to ask?" Charlus grinned.

Harry allowed a little smile to show on his face. His brother had been a dickhead at first according to his memories. Charlus had been obnoxious when he first attended Hogwarts, thinking everyone was below him. The incidents with Voldemort throughout the years had mellowed him out. Charlus even treated Harry respectfully after Harry rescued him from the Basilisk.

Harry was not blind to jealousy. When he rose to fame and began occupying Lily's time, he could see the fire of jealousy burning brightly in Charlus' eyes. Harry had thought about showing the little bugger his place but ended up not doing it thanks to the anxiety he spotted in the little bugger's eyes. Charlus was afraid of being replaced.

Harry wanted to call Charlus silly, but considering his history with his parents' care, which was almost nonexistent, he couldn't fault the doughnut. Regardless, in the end, Charlus got over his jealousy. Harry decided to discount the poison incident as Charlus only wanted to prank him. He had heard the dimwit's reasoning and was too amused to fault him.

With that being said, Harry didn't mind treating the bugger decently. Charlus was a good kid despite being a dunderhead. Maybe, it was because he was a dunderhead that he was a good kid. Harry was sure they would get along…until Charlus knew what he was doing with his mother, at least. Harry honestly didn't know how Charlus would take the news.

"How will you feel if you have to call me Father?"

"Where does that come from? Does that have anything to do with how I master the charm?"

"What if it does?"

"Then, teach me, Father."

"All right, listen, son. This is how you do it."

Lily was equally amused and floored by the siblings' conversation. She was glad that her boys were getting along, but the cheeky bugger had begun manipulating Charlus to accept him as his father. Lily honestly didn't know what would happen to her family once the truth got out. Heck, she didn't even know whether she was witnessing a sibling bonding or a father-and-son bonding. All that thanks to her depravity.

Well, that is for the future me to worry.

They spent the day talking over tea. It was a moment Lily could only dream about a long time ago.

…

Journalists and members of the Wizengamot were filling the Ministry hall. Today was the day Harry Potter was awarded his Order of Merlin. His identity alone as the Minister's son was enough to garner attention, but his feat amplified it by several degrees. Everyone wanted to see the young man dubbed the Second Coming of Merlin after not making an appearance for an entire week.

Among the audience were Charlus, Lily, Bellatrix, Fleur and her family. The journalists would have swarmed them if not for Bella and Lily's withering glare. Lily was usually a kind woman, but her family had been harassed by journalists since they entered the Ministry building. She had had enough of their antics.

"Welcome, everyone. What a beautiful and lucky day it is today for us to gather here in health and fortune…"

James delivered his speech as soon as he rose to the stage, earning everyone's rapt attention. He was a no-nonsense man, so he kept it short. His speech was always to the point, which was why many liked to listen to his speech. Harry rose to the stage when he was summoned. Flashes of camera assaulted the impressively dressed handsome young man.

"Harry James Potter…my son, I, James Potter, as the Minister of Magic hereby award you with Order of Merlin, Third Class for your heroic deed at Black Lake and the capture of Bartemius Crouch Jr!"

Harry received the encased white-ribboned medal from James stoically. They faced the camera and posed briefly, allowing the journalists to take as many pictures as they could. James looked at Harry hesitantly at first before patting Harry's shoulder. Harry bowed his head slightly, but his face didn't change much.

"Would you like to have some words, Harry?"

"Sure." Harry took the platform with a shrug. "I am in severe need of sparring partners. My fight with the Kraken has revealed to me my flaws. I am not strong enough thus I need sparring partners. I would encourage Death Eaters to come for me as you are a fun lot to play with. I haven't forgiven you for taking a cheap shot at my Lily."

While Lily blushed at the bold declaration, everyone else was wondering if Harry was crazy. With Voldemort's return being confirmed, the Death Eaters would become bolder. Provoking them in this situation would be a suicide. Then again, it might not become a problem given Harry's prowess.

"Oh, and let's not forget to have fun. I know you lot have been angsty since the word of Voldemort's return got out." Everyone but a few gasped at the mentioned name, but Harry ignored it. "Don't worry. Everyone is working their hardest to thwart the twat's attempt at our lives. The Triwizard will be completed soon. Let it be our declaration to the twat and his army that we have rows of generations of capable youth!"

"Harry Potter, everyone!"

Everyone clapped as Harry walked down the stage. Their spirit was set alight thanks to his bold declaration. They realized the truth behind Harry's words. They shouldn't show how afraid they were of Voldemort and his Death Eaters. They shouldn't forget to have fun and show the Dark Lord they remained strong.

With Harry's courageous statement in mind, the Daily Prophet published an article that set the people on fire.

What Do You Mean by Not Strong Enough?

It contained experts' assessment of Harry's abilities and his desire to toy with Death Eaters, using his need to improve as an excuse. Predictably, Voldemort and his worshippers were not amused.