HP : TRIUMPH

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(P).(A).(T).(R).(E).(O).(N)

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Valentine joined Harry on the couch as the crew started to work. He was glad that the ward stone was buried very deeply as it gave these people more room to work with

"I apologize." Valentine said softly, voice low enough to not even be heard by Dante. "I didn't even check on you though I was the first in the door."

"It's okay." Harry said gently. "I was fairly coated in blood and you once said my blood is addicting."

Valentine nodded slowly.

"Why is it addictive again?" Harry asked aloud, looking for something to speak of to keep his attention focused.

"The power." Valentine said. "Blood holds power. Even with that collar cutting you magic off you blood was still powerful because of the magic it had carried before. It also carries powers from traits you have. Necromancer's blood have unique flavours because of their powers just as those very adapt at Transfiguration have a unique flavour. The rarer the gift usually means the unique flavour tastes even better. So your power combined with your necromancy abilities and your emotions is almost maddening."

Harry nodded idly and leaned into the red haired man and closed his eyes, sighing softly. He needed anything to distract him from the hollowness. It had lessened but it still hurt. Like something had been ripped away and left as an open wound to bleed.

.-.

"H-hello." Dudley stuttered, nervousness taking over under the eyes of all the people.

"Well, come in Dudley." Harry smiled. "Just kick your shoes onto the shelf and hang your coat on the hook.

Dudley did so quickly while Harold grabbed the boy's large suitcase for him. Harry headed for the stairs, his movement a bit slow from his weariness.

"Dante, is everything ready?"

"Yes, I just finished enlarging some of the rooms." Came Dante's voice.

"Enlarging?" Harold frowned.

"Dante knows spells that enlarge spaces."

"Spaces as large as rooms for a whole floor?" He asked in surprise.

Harry shrugged.

"The logic escapes me so I just accept it."

Seeing Dudley shifting nervously still Harry smiled.

"Dudley this is Harold a pureblood wizard. The man on the couch is Valentine a vampire. The man downstairs is Dante, a demon. And the woman at the counter is Loraine. She's a non-magical person."

While Dudley had squeaked at Valentine and Dante's introduction he almost looked relieved at Loraine's.

Now, the first floor here contains a bathroom, a spare room which Valentine is occupying, the kitchen, and this living room. The second floor contains two spare rooms which Harold and Loraine are in, the room Dante made, and a second living room with a TV. The third floor is my floor and is more my bedroom and bathroom and an open attic space. Feel free to explore the floors, but don't enter the rooms without permission from the residents. The backyard has my gardens and greenhouse. The greenhouse is magical but you can enter if you wish."

"What about downstairs?" Dudley asked nervously.

"I haven't actually seen it yet." Harry smiled. "It was only finished an hour before you came. Dante took over and directed the construction crews on colors and such."

He led Dudley down the winding metal stair case and they found themselves in a fair sized room that would be a good rec. room. It was a soft red color with dark brown trim. A hallway branched off the room with three doors on either side.

"Each one is a bedroom with a connecting bathroom." Dante chirped appearing beside Harry.

While Dudley yelped in surprise Harry only nodded.

"So I now have six new spare rooms?"

"Yes. I would suggest asking the others if they would like to move as I have enlarged the rooms."

Harry nodded and yelled up the stairs. It was quickly decided that they all did wish to move to the basement, except Valentine who quite liked his room. The construction workers had somehow seemed to have 'jacked' the house up a bit too as there were small windows at the top of the room looking out at ground level, both to let light in and act as fire escapes.

When that was taken care of Harry helped Dudley pull his suitcase to his room. They both glanced around the bare room that had been painted a light green. The bathroom matched made of whites and greens. It reminded Harry of peppermints.

"We need to go buy you some stuff." Harry said after a moment. "We can do that now."

"I'm coming." Valentine said from the open door of his own room. "I wish to buy a few things and I want to watch over you."

"We won't be going any place magical." Harry said quickly. "You don't have to watch me."

"You're magic is sealed off and you are tired. Not only magical people can harm you." The red head said curtly.

Harry could almost hear him say, I don't want you to hurt yourself. Harry felt numb enough at times, that he sort of just fazed out, stopping everything even breathing. He'd smashed into the kitchen counter hard when he'd tripped and had barely felt anything earlier. The hollowness was too distracting and overwhelming even with the small amount of magic now in his veins.

"I'll join you I suppose." Loraine said. "I can drive this way too as you still have passenger restrictions."

.-.

"Which one do you like best?" Harry asked from where he was sitting in one of the chairs.

Dudley eyed the furniture warily.

"Can you afford all this? I mean I like it but I don't need you spending all this money on me."

Harry smiled at his maturing cousin. A year ago he would have demanded the most expensive. It seems he truly had changed.

"No worries. I have a lot of money." Harry smiled.

"Um, okay." Dudley said hesitantly still looking uncomfortable.

"Dudley. You don't have to act super polite. I don't expect us to suddenly be best friends." Harry said softly. "I am grateful for the help you tried to give and you are family. And I am considered your guardian at this point which means it's my job to take care of you."

"Thanks Harry." Dudley finally struggled for the words. "That Goblin explained that the choice had been to give me to Aunt Marge, place me in the care of the government, or let me live with you through some means. He said you immediately said you would take me."

"Would you rather go with your aunt?" Harry asked.

"Not at al." Dudley shook his head quickly. "She was always…she's a pretty horrible person which I didn't notice as a kid as she loved me, but I wouldn't want to grow up with her. And I expect…I expect you'll let me have a lot of freedom."

He peered tentatively up at Harry who offered him a smile.

"Of course Dudley. You're old enough to make your own decisions. I'm just legally responsible for you."

"How is that possible anyways?" Dudley frowned. "You're the same age as me."

"In the magical world I am considered an adult, legally. It carries over to the Muggle side. And well, Griphook is a master of legal loopholes and such, so he found some-way to get you legally under my custody."

Dudley finally nodded, still not looking entirely comfortable.

"And sorry about the whole wack of people who live with me. You'll get used to them but they can be overwhelming."

"It looks like you run a boarding house." Dudley snorted. "For the weird."

"They're just people who crossed my path and needed a place to stay for one reason or other." Harry smiled. "Don't be afraid to ask any or them for help or even just questions."

"Harry, I found a couch that would be perfect for the new living room downstairs." Valentine called, interrupting them.

"Take your time. And don't worry about the price. My mother made a small fortune in investments to add to my father's fortune, and I'm sure they would never mind spending money on you." Harry smiled at Dudley as he stood. "We don't have to get everything today either, so have fun."

Loving the story so far? There's a whole world of magic and mystery waiting for you with over 85+ chapters still to come! By supporting my Patreon.

You not only get early access to new chapters but also exclusive content, behind-the-scenes insights, and special perks just for fans like you.

Join us on this enchanted journey and help shape the future of the tale. Your support makes all the difference—discover more and become part of the adventure today!

http//patreon.com/BLAKE025

(P).(A).(T).(R).(E).(O).(N)

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