27

Epilogue

Harry looked up from his breakfast when the morning post arrived. His dining companions looked up as well, Draco's gleeful anticipation an almost direct counterpoint to Connor's depressed resignation.

The blond had insisted on staying the night at Potter Manor so that he could be there when Harry got his Hogwarts letter, and had gleefully joined Connor in jumping on Harry's bed to a loud chorus of Happy Birthday as a wakeup call that had Harry moaning and swearing vengeance for being dragged awake at five am.

Quickly sorting through the correspondence and putting the business reports aside for his Smith golem to deal with later, he eyed the letter addressed to him in looping green calligraphy. Turning it over, he broke the seal and flipped the parchment open with a negligent snap of his wrist.

"Dear Mr Potter," he mocked in a pompous tone. "We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Hogwarts School of Bitchcraft and Wankery." Harry read aloud. Skimming the rest of the contents quickly, he pursed his lips, mentally toying with the patterns and trying to decide how he wanted to go about things, given Dumbledore's unhealthy focus on his life.

His thoughts were interrupted as a truly vicious looking Great Horned Owl dropped unexpectedly onto the table in front of him.

Sergei checked for unfriendly spells, removing the letter once it was cleared and handing it to Harry.

The boy opened it, finding himself curious about what could be so important as to warrant such a terrifying feathered guardian. His eyebrows crept upwards as he read, gleeful incredulity making its way across his face.

Clearing his throat, despite already having everyone's full attention, he leaned back slightly in his high backed dining chair.

"Well now, that's interesting. Have any of you heard of a Nicholas Flamel?"