5 A Nightly Visit

Black Manor.

It had been a month since Charlus and Dorea last saw their son and his family. Since then, news of the Dark Lord's defeat at the hands of Arthur Potter, became widespread.

The public had been shocked to find out that an infant had been able to resist the killing curse, but with its validity reinforced by none other than Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore, who were they to disagree with him?

Wizarding Britain had even dubbed Arthur Potter with a new moniker.

'The-Boy-Who-Lived'.

James and Lily had voiced their displeasure of the title when asked by the Daily Prophet, deeming it unnecessary and inappropriate. But ultimately, their opinion was drowned out as books, articles, and other paraphernalia developed under Arthur's identity and began filling the shelves of Diagon Alley.

And with all the hullabaloo, not once had Charlus and Dorea heard from them. Even after all the letters that they had sent, asking about Arthur and Hadrian.

It would be a month later when the Potter grandparents would see their grandchildren, and not in the situation that they were hoping for.

It had been a tiring night and Charlus was busy tending to one of the many documents in his study. He poured over piles of paper under the dim lamp beside his desk, his eyelids half drooping from exhaustion.

With a defeated sigh, he placed his quill back into his ink-pot and pulled back his chair.

"It'll still be here tomorrow." He murmured wearily, giving justification to his laziness.

As he left the study room, and into the large hallway of the newly renovated Black Family Manor, he was greeted with the arrival of the family house-elf, Korby.

"Master Charlus," the neatly dressed elf bowed as he addressed him. "Young Master James and his Mistress Lily are waiting in the living-room."

Charlus' face fixed stonily as he brushed his hair back with his hand. "Is that so? And, is Dorea with them?"

Korby nodded as he replied, "Yes, sir."

"I'll make my way over, then." Charlus bowed slightly, smiling as he dismissed Korby. "Get some rest, Korby. Dorea and I will be retiring for the night."

The old house-elf tittered lightly, as though Charlus had said a silly remark, before popping away.

Charlus chuckled as he shook his head. It had become a customary exchange, to utter those words once in a while, only to be met with amusement from Korby. He had been the family house-elf for three generations already – if he hadn't learned to relax by now, it was unlikely that he would ever in his lifetime.

Rain tittered against the windows that Charlus passed as he walked down the hallway. Not so far away, he could hear quiet but distinct chattering.

His son's hushed, forceful whispers became louder as he approached the living room.

Upon entering, he saw Dorea sitting on the far end of the sofa – with James and Lily on the other side. They all turned to him expectantly. A frown pulled at the corner of his face as he saw Lily's tears, and Dorea's frozen expression.

In practised fashion, he sat beside Dorea with his hand resting on her thigh.

"…James?", he started slowly – trying to find the words. "We're delighted that you're visiting us after a month of silence."

His son looked to the side, before back at him, "I'm-"

"But surely you could have picked another time?" Charlus continued. "It's nearly midnight, if you haven't noticed."

"We've noticed, Dad." James said as he placed his arm around Lily, only to be shrugged away as she focused on her child. Charlus couldn't tell who it was, he hadn't his glasses – and the child was wrapped in a shawl of some kind, so it made identifying who it was, a troublesome task.

A sudden lull hit the conversation. Confusedly, Charlus looked to his wife for guidance.

Dorea responded with the blunt exclamation of, "Tell him! Tell your father what you just asked of me – of us."

James shook his head, an unwillingness to repeat what he said present in his demeanour. He had shame written all over his face, and it became clear to Charlus about the nature of his visit.

He noted that only one child laid rested on Lily's lap, and after the proceedings of their last meeting – he knew that it could only be Hadrian.

He would have realised earlier if not for his groggy mind, worn from working tirelessly all night.

"Why now?", Charlus pressed angrily. "Why wait a month before doing this?"

"We've arranged a trip for a specialist in India," He replied faintly. "Dumbledore said it was important that we begin discovering magical anomalies to do with Arthur as soon as possible."

"Dumbledore said," The older Potter male repeated jeeringly.

His lips flattened and his chin raised as he looked down at his son. He thought about the many ways he could tear the boy down, he knew all the right words that would hurt him – he had raised him, after all. But it would serve no purpose. They had clearly made their decision, so Charlus fought the urge to retort bitingly.

"And why has this trip led to…this?", he asked tightly.

James looked down shamefacedly. "The Twins have become more recognisable…Arthur more so. Hardly anyone knows of Hadrian, but some of the nurses reported to the tabloids - so you can never be too sure... And the Dark Lord's followers are still out there, we're worried they might come after either of them. Then there's the fact that Harry still hasn't shown any signs of magic, but Arthur…"

"Stop that!", Lily gritted out quietly. Her voice scratched as she spoke past the tears. "Do not make this about his magic – it has nothing to do with that!"

James pressed his lips together, but had no words to add. No reply, or admittance. It was clear he was looking for a reason, despite there not being much of one.

He knew, just as any other witch or wizard that grew up in their world – that accidental magic could occur from as young as infancy to the age of ten. It often surfaced during high emotional outbursts, and even from the limited time they had spent with the twins – it was clear that Hadrian was the calmer of the two.

His only basis for Hadrian's lack of magic was Dumbledore's words.

James had nothing to offer except from a somber look aimed at his parents.

"Give me the boy." Charlus demanded.

When no one made an effort to move – he picked himself out of his chair and moved towards Lily. She shunned away from his looming figure, closer into Hadrian as Charlus' hands reached for the shawl.

"Lily…" James pleaded.

"Just, one more second." She muffled tearfully. "One moment with my son."

Charlus offered her support as he said, "You can see him whenever you want. Every day – if you so desire. You know our home is always welcome to you, as it has been since before you and James started seeing each other."

Reluctantly, she allowed Charlus to take hold of Hadrian. The boy's hair had grown slightly longer, becoming fuller than the last time Charlus had seen it. He brushed his hair aside and smiled, already smitten with him.

"Korby!" He called, the house-elf instantly appeared in his pyjamas – prompting a triumphant smirk from Charlus. "Have a crib readied for young Hadrian, he and his parents will be staying the night."

"Arthur…", Lily reminded him. "He's with Sirius at the moment, we can't leave them alone for the night."

"You'd be right not to." He replied gently. "Go. Hadrian will be here when you return."

Lily and James sprung up and hurriedly began moving towards the fireplace. They grabbed the green powder and entered it at the same time before loudly saying, "Potter Manor!"

They returned shortly after, with Arthur wrapped in his mother's arms. And since night had firmly settled, and the children were rather sleepy – they were ushered into one of the guest rooms.

That night, there was a sense of stillness in the Ancestral Black Manor. As if every problem and issue the family had, had been discarded for that night alone. That for once they could pretend that there were no complications. That James and Lily hadn't decided to abandon their child.

Because for all their insistence on 'everyday visits', Charlus and Dorea knew it would not be possible.

The frequent visits would slowly dissolve, week by week, until finally they became 'too busy'. Especially if trips like the one they had planned for the next day became a regular occurrence.

So as they laid in bed, with an agreement that needed no words, nor confirmation - Hadrian's grandparents began thinking…