Chapter Text
The first thing Harry noticed about Gotham city was that even during the daytime the city had an almost dangerous feel to it. Even if there wasn’t any immediate danger lurking around the corner something about the place just set Harry on edge. Bruce didn’t seem to have any problem with the place, because the minute they got off of the plane Harry noted how his shoulders lost their tension and he seemed ten times calmer than before.
They hadn't talked about Harry’s nightmare the pervious night and Harry was glad that they didn’t. He wasn’t exactly keen on discussing it plus it wasn’t Bruce’s business. When they got off the plane there was a limo waiting for them on the mat. For a moment Harry had been taken aback by the show of wealth before remembering who he was traveling with. It was even more emphasized when Bruce tipped the driver a large stack of cash, or at least he assumed it was a lot, Harry wasn’t familiar with American currency let alone their muggle currency.
The ride to where Bruce lived was mostly quite with the occasional question being asked by Bruce in an attempt to get to know him. It wasn’t that Harry didn’t appreciate the effort being put in my his father, he use wasn’t used to people asking him what he liked to do or what he was interested in. The Dursley’s had never given a shit and everyone in the Wizarding World just assumed what he like because he was a celebrity. So the conversation tended to be a little awkward at certain points but Bruce didn’t let it stop him.
Besides Harry took it as a chance to equally get to know his father. “We’ve spent all this time talking about me, what about you? What does billionaire playboy Bruce Wayne do for fun?” Harry lent back on the bench be was sat on, still staring at the man in question across from him.
Bruce shrugged, “I dabble in a lot of things. I tend to lean towards rock climbing, true crime, and making sure your siblings don’t kill each other.”
“And you consider that fun?” Harry asked incredulously.
“No. But it takes up so much of my time that one might consider it a hobby.” Bruce smirked as he said this which caused Harry to laugh a little. They soon fell into an easy silence for a while before Bruce spoke suddenly as if reminded of something. “Before I forget I do ask that you don’t go to the city by yourself. You can go if you take one or preferably two of your siblings but Gotham isn’t the nicest place to hang around. We easily have one of the highest crime rates in the country and at one point we were considered a no-man’s land by the American Government. This also reminds me that I need to get you a gas mask and at least a small knife. I’ll teach you how to use it so don’t worry.”
Harry had heard about Gotham’s more extreme issues but this was getting a little ridiculous. “I'm sorry. Gas mask?”
Bruce nodded with a perfectly straight face and it took him a minute to notice the confusion on Harry’s face. When he did he hastily explained, “Sorry that probable sounds a little weird doesn’t it? The criminals in Gotham tend to be a little on the extream side so gas attacks are frequent here. Everyone in the city has one on had at all times. With the teenagers and young adults it’s even become sort of a trend to decorate your gas mask with your favorite color, characters, or hero’s.”
Harry just stared at Bruce with raised eyebrows and a shocked expression. Finally he got his composure back and shakily said, “Gotham doesn’t exactly sound like an ideal vacationing spot.”
Bruce shook his head with an airily laugh, “No, but it’s home.”
—
When they pulled up at the manor Bruce fought the smile from his face as he watched Hadrian look with wide eyes at the manor in front of him. Wayne Manor may have been standing for generations but it still held a beautiful aged aesthetic to it. It was home and Bruce wouldn’t trade it for the world.
Before they got out of the car Bruce made sure to leave another generous tip for the driver and waited for him to lift Hadrian’s suitcase out of the trunk. Usually it was Alfred or Dick who picked but Alfred had to pick the children up from their last day of school. When Hadrian got all of his things from the back the two of them made their way to the front of the house. Bruce then set on opening the front door to the house.
When living in a house full of vigilantes, anti-heros, and former assassins all of them tended to be a little paranoid when it came to security. It was necessary though, you never knew who could be sneaking into the house. Or out now that Bruce thought about it. Even if he knew that if one of his children wanted to sneak out there was nothing that anyone could do to stop them, including him.
After he went through the manual lock, voice activation, finger print, retina, and DNA scan Bruce finally open the door to his house. Hadrian breezed past him and into the house while whistling lowly, “Seems a bit much don’t ya think?”
“Not when the furniture in one room of the manor amounts to half a million dollars.” Bruce stated while joining Harry in the entrance hall. Bruce shrugged off his coat and placed in the the coat rack next to the door before turning to where Hadrian was standing. Bruce wish he could say he was surprised but wasn’t when he saw Alfred standing in the doorway looking at him with a raised eye.
“A new guest Master Bruce?”
“You could say that, Alfred.” Bruce fought the urge to rub the back of his neck as he was always tempted to do when Alfred gave him that look.
“Very well I shall make a note to make an extra place at the dinner table this evening. The children are all in the dining room as you requested. Although I do caution you that they are a bit antsy given the lack of information I provided them.”
“I figured they would be, but where’s the fun in telling them over the phone? All of them could stand to be surprised every once in a while.”
“I suppose you’re right, sir. If I may ask, does our new guest have a name?” Both of their attentions turned to Hadrian who was admiring an old piece of art on the wall that Bruce had never bothered to pay attention to.
“Oh. Yes, his name is Hadrian Potter. During my trip to London I discovered that he is my son.” Alfred’s eyes widened a bit at the mention of his name and before Bruce had the chance to question it, his usual blank expression had once again returned.
“Congratulations Master Bruce on becoming the proud father of 9 children,” Alfred remarked with his usual amount of sarcasm.
Hadrian, who must have heard his name, was drawn over to the conversation just in time to hear the comment from Alfred. His son smiled at Alfred and declared, “I like you, you’re funny.”
Alfred turned to him with a slight bow, “Alfred Pennyworth at your service, Master Hadrian.”
“Harry is fine.”
“Of course Master Hadrian. Now if you’ll follow me I will show you to your room.” With that Alfred made is way out of the room and Bruce watched as Hadrian hurriedly picked up his suitcase while attempting to catch up to Alfred.
As they left Bruce heard a cash sound from the direction on the dining room and he sighed. Now to deal with his other children.
-
The second he opened the door Bruce immediately wanted to close it again and hide himself away in his room. Taking in the scene in front of him Bruce attempted to make sense of what was happening.
Duke was attempting to hide behind Jason, which wasn’t as successful as he though it was given they were around the same size and built. Jason was in turn rolling his eyes but not protesting to being turned into a human shield. Dick on the other hand was attempting to stop Damian from stabbing Duke with what appeared to be a butter knife. Apparently the best way to do this was restraining Damian by wrapping his hands around the younger waist. Which, due to their height difference, resulted in Damian’s feet dangling a good foot off the ground as he attempted to get his older brother off of him.
It took a good 3 minutes for someone to notice him standing in the doorway and when he did Dick just exclaimed, “Bruce!” This led to all of the children in the room turning their attention to him and after a beat of silence all of the yelling began.
“Father! Tell Grayson to cease holding me in such a undignified position.” Damian grunted as he tried to swing his legs backward to kick Dick.
“Maybe if you weren’t attempting to stab me with a butter knife, he wouldn’t be doing that!” Duke shouted still hiding behind Jason.
Jason snorted and taunted, “Yeah short stack, there was no reason to get upset when Duke was just telling the truth.”
“That wasn’t even what I meant when I said that Jason! Stop egging him on!”
Bruce spared a quick glance to everyone else in the room and was pleased to note the calmer air. Tim was sitting in a chair sipping on a mug of coffee while typing something onto his tablet. Stephanie was standing behind him occasionally attempting to mess with whatever was on the screen. Cass and Barbara sat in the corner of the room with Cass perching on the arm of Barbara’s wheelchair. They were quickly signing to each other and Bruce didn’t even bother to understand what they were discussing.
Despite the chaos that was his manor, it felt good to be home.
Yet another crash sounded in the dining room as Damian made a nearly successful attempt to lunge at Duke. He should probably get involved now. “Stop.” Bruce loudly commanded almost bordering on using the bat-growl. Everyone immediately stopped what they were doing and Bruce decided that it was time to get a better understanding of what was going on. “Damian drop the knife.”
“But-“
“But nothing. Drop it. Now” His son angerly slammed the knife on the table and Bruce addressed Dick next. “Dick can you explain to me why Damian was attempting to stab Duke with a knife?” His eldest was the most likely not to twist the series of events that lead up to this and Bruce wasn’t keen on spending the next two hours interrogating everyone to get the full story.
Dick who was still getting up from where Damian has knocked him onto the floor shook his head and rubbed at the back of his neck. “I think it started when Duke asked Dami if he needed any help with his summer homework. They have the same teacher and Dami was complaining about the large workload. Of course Dami took this as an insult and decided stabbing was the best course of action.”
Bruce sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. Of course that was the reason for this. “Damian you understand hthat by offering help Duke was only trying to do just that, help. He didn’t mean it as an insult to you intelligence.” Damian just tsked and Bruce just decided to move on. “Just to make sure, no one is bleeding or injured?” Everyone shook their head no and Bruce clapped his hand. “Fantastic! Because I have a surprise for everyone! As he said this everyone began to drift back to their seats around the table and look at him in various stages of suspicion.
Finally Jason just asked, “It isn’t extra patrol is it?
“Come one Bruce! We’ve been covering for you all week!” Tim protested.
“You all can relax. It isn’t extra patrol, I promise.” Everyone released a breath and Bruce found it hard to believe that he ever assigned patrol that much. Plus if it was a union ent he would be more likely to take them off patrol instead of give them more of it.
“So what is it B?” Barbara asked.
“Less of an it and more of a who.” He hinted.
“Awww Bruce have you finally decided to settle down with someone?” Dick teased. Bruce glared at him in a way that told him to stop but years of being of the receiving end only made Dick smile and keep teasing. “I know a certain cat has been catching your eye but I assumed it was one of those ‘arrangements’.”
“There is not ‘arrangement’ between me an Cat.” Bruce grumbled while sinking slightly in his chair. Why did he choose to have kids again?
“Awwwww Bruce, why didn’t you tell us that it didn’t work out? Can we steal her cats? Alfred needs some friends anyway,” Tim picked up after his brother while leaning forward to rest his head on his hands. Bruce was debating the merits of throwing the newspaper next to him at the child but decided against it as Jason fell out of his chair in laughter. This just encouraged Tim to keep going, “It’s alright though, word in the tower is that Clark is still single.”
Damian now joined bruce in glaring at Tim while Dick joined Jason on the floor. Duke had his hand over his mouth to hide his amusement and even Cass’ lips were upturned slightly.
Alfred put a stop to everything by walking through the door and after giving it a quick sweep while shaking his head as the sight of Jason and Dick on the floor addressed Bruce. “Master Bruce, Hadrian is ready. Shall I fetch him for you?”
Finally dropping the glare he had been giving Tim, Bruce turned to Alfred and gave him a smile while nodding. Alfred exited the room again and Bruce turned to address everyone at the table. “Behave.” A pause. “Please.” Jason and Dick pulled themselves back into their chairs while Steph smiled at him. “No promises B-man!”
---
Harry followed Alfred up the stairs and down two hallways before the man stopped in front of an unmarked door. During their trip Harry had noticed that all of the doors in the hall were decorated in one way or another. Some were painted with different colors and designs, while others just had string and beading on them, one even had a caution sign on it.
“This will be your room for the remainder of your stay, Master Hadrian. Every room has its own personal bathroom and walk in closet, you are free to decorate the room any way you wish, and to the left of your room is Master Timothy’s room while on your right is Master Damian’s room. I understand that you need to unpack but when you’re done they will be waiting for you in the dining room.” With a small nod Alfred seemed disappear off to who knows where.
Turning back to his bedroom door Hadrian slowly opened it and almost gasped. The room was huge and just as Alfred had said he spotted a door that look like it lead to a bathroom. Everything else in the room was luxury to the extreme. From the king sized bed in the corner of the room to the literal chandelier in the middle of the ceiling.
Harry was reminding of the events of the last 24 hours and it seemed almost surreal, he went from basically having no family to having a feasibly as big as the Weasleys. Not only that but his real dad was some kind of billionaire who casually decorated guest room with chandeliers. He didn’t ignore the fact that it was weird he’d run into his biological father in the streets of London but just like everything else in his life he just blamed it on Potter luck. Wait. Technically he wasn’t a Potter anymore. What did this mean for his accounts at Gringotts? Would they still be in his name or would they go to the ministry. Harry made a mental note to send a letter to Gringotts and check up on all of his finances.
Then there came the questions of why Bruce Wayne was his father. Everything that he had ever heard about Lily didn’t point to her cheating on James. So why was she in that picture with Bruce? Harry knew that he should just ask his father , but what was the garantee that he even remembered her?
Loudly sighing Harry pinched the bridge of his nose. Why did his life have to be so complicated. After digging in his bag long enough Harry was able to find the false bottom of the trunk and pull out some of the clothe he bought last year. He never got to wear them because they were muggle so wearing them out school was a no and if he wore them around the Dursley’s they’d wonder where he got the money from.
Speaking of Muggles Harry was debating another difficult part of his life. His new family. From what he could see so far they appeared to be Muggles, which meant that Harry couldn’t tell them about him being a wizard. Not unless he wanted to deal with the American Ministry. He was pretty sure they wouldn’t appreciate him being in the country without proper paperwork but what they didn’t know wouldn’t hurt them.
Besides, how hard could it be to keep the secret that he was a wizard from the Waynes. All he had to do was watch where and when he used his magic. Deciding to actually get dressed instead of staring into space, Harry surveyed his outfit once again. Deciding that it was fine Harry wasted no time stripping out of the borrowed clothes Bruce had given him and changing into a pair of black slacks and a black turtleneck with white writing on it. Tucking his shirt in, Harry put on a thin black belt and a silver wallet chain, to put everything together he added a black blazer on top.
Excitedly, he put on his silver necklaces and rings that he never got to wear. For earrings Harry decided to wear small, thick silver hoops with a chain connecting to a fake helix cuff. Before he left his room Harrry din’t forget to grab his wand and place it ont he conceled holder he had on his wrist. On the other wrist was a small holster for a dagger and Harry choose his favoite emeral embedded dagger.
When he was done, Harry somehow managed to retrace his steps to the dining room. When Bruce said that he lived in a manor he haddn’t been kidding, this place was freaking huge. When he got to the closed set of oak doors Alfred was there to great him and asked him to wait while he told Bruce he was ready.
Despite facing the entirety of Hogwarts hating him plus watching the Dark Lord get revived Harry was still nervous about meeting his new family. There were so many things that he still didn’t know about them and that made his anxious. Alfred thankfully saved him from his spiraling thoughts by opening the door to the dining room and motioning for Harry to enter.
With one final deep breath, Harry steeled himself and walked into the room.
—
As Stephanie stopped talking the large oak doors creaked open to reveal Hadrian. Even against his wishes Bruce couldn’t help but see the tells that Hadrian had. He saw Hadrian’s chest fall as he released a slow breath, his hand twitched slightly and Bruce noted how he wanted to cross them over his chest, his posture was stiff and Bruce watched as his eyes darted around the room. Cataloging every person in the room and if Bruce haddn’t seen the same look on his own face when he met new people he wouldn’t have noticed Hadrian analyzing everyone else in the room
Bruce wasn’t concerned because he knew they were all doing the same to Hadrian. A flash of movement caught his eye and before Bruce could even call his name, Damian was on his feet crossing the room. Bruce was about to stand up too in case Damian decided to attack Hadrian but to his surprise Damian ran over to him and wrapped his arms around Hadrian. Everyone stared in shock as Hadrian’s posture relaxed and he hugged Damian back with the same amount of force.
When Damian finally pulled away from Hadrian he looked up at him and in the softest voice Bruce had ever heard from him asked, “You’re back?”
Hadrian nodded softly and smiled, “Of course I’m back.”
“Why?”
“I think that Bruce was actually about to explain that part.” Hadrian looked at him for conformation.
Before he could even answer, Tim finally had enough apparently as he yelled, “Okay I cannot be the only one wondering why the hell the demon spawn is hugging that scrawny looking kid.” Damian and Hadrian’s head snapped to Tim and Damian glared daggers at him.
“And you can keep wondering, Drake! If Hadrian wants to answer whatever questions are bound to come out of your stupendous mouth, then he is free do do so. Until then mind your own damn business.”
Hadrian looked between Tim and Damian for a moment before his smile dropped. With his heavy mix of Britain and Scottish accent he strictly ordered, “That was unnecessarily rude, Damian. There was a nicer way to speak to him. Use it.” The infliction on the last 2 words left no room for argument and even Bruce was staring at Hadrian like he’d grown a 2nd head.
“-tt- Drake, this is Hadrian. Hadrian this is Drake.” Damian answered reluctantly.
“Um...well, my names actually Tim, Tim Drake-Wayne. It’s nice to meet you Hadrian. Just curious, how do you know Damian? He doesn’t exactly have a lot of friends.” Jason muttered something that sounded a lot like ‘understatement’ under his breath and Bruce decided to ignore Dick kicking him underneath the table.
Hadrian nervously waved at Tim and there was enough of a pause that Bruce knew whatever Hadrian said was mostly likely going to be a lie. Perhaps it would be a good idea to look into Hadrian’s past a little more thoroughly. Finally Hadrian decided on, “It’s a long story.” Electing not to say anything else on the matter.
“Bruce please tell us exsactly Hadrian is before I jump to any insane conclusions,” Dick begged while staring wide eyed at Hadrian. Bruce could see his eldest comparing the two of them and knew that Dick had figured it out.
Briefly clearing his throat, Bruce introduced him, “As Damian has said, this is Hadrian. He is my first biological child.” The room went absolutely silent for a full ten seconds.
Then hell broke loose.
“WHAT THE ACTUAL FUCK!” Jason exclaimed getting out of his chair rapidly which cause his chair to tip over behind him.
Stephanie’s head dropped down loudly onto the table as she groaned, “Does this mean you’re going to start lessening our allowances?!” Bruce didn’t even know she got an allowance.
“For someone who lectures us monthly on the importance of protective sex you sure do seem to have a lot of it.” Tim so adequately stated while giving a pointed look at Damian.
Barbara was sitting with her phone camera out recording everything as she laughed, “My dad is gonna love this!”
“Bruce,” Duke clasped his hands in front of him and leveled him with a stare. “You officially have an issue with collecting children now. Should we call CPS? This is beginning to feel like case waiting to happen.”
Damian was just staring in between Bruce and Hadrian unblinking. A one point he even opened his mouth as if to say something but quickly closed it again.
“Why Bruce? Just why?” Dick asked and dramatically looked out the window for effect. Bruce just rolled his eyes.
“So new brother?” Cass asked with a wide smile.
Bruce sat though all of the yelling and screaming, well used to it by now, with a straight face. This was far better than the reactions he had been expecting especially since no one had pulled out any knives or guns. A brief looked at Hadrian let him know that his son was beginning to get overwhelmed by all of the shouting so Bruce decided to step in and explain. “If all of you could stop making comments about my lack of ability to stop having children,” He gave Tim a pointed look and in response, he just rolled his eyes. “Then I could explain. I ran into Hadrian in London and it ended in me running a DNA test on him. That was how I found out he was my son.”
Bruce made sure to watch Damian carfully as he said this, still worried that he would react poorly to the news. They all knew just how much being the only ‘bloodson’ meant to Damian and Bruce didn’t want to know what he would do if he felt that Hadrian was a threat to his lineage. From the looks of it Damian didn’t even seem to care. He just shrugged his shoulders and guided Hadrian to sit in the empty seat next to him at the table. Bruce was curious of their history but decided to wait until investigating, perhaps Damian would explain their connection.
Dick had no such patience and immediately bean questioning Hadrian, “So Hadrian, I’m curious, How do you and Dami know each other?”
No one missed the look Damian and Hadrian shared before Hadrian looked at Dick and shrugged, “Another long story.” Dick didn’t look like he wanted to let this go but reluctantly nodded.
Jason, who was one sitting across from Hadrian, leaned forward in his chair and placed his elbows on the table, interlacing his fingers while resting his chin on them. Staring at Hadrian he scoffed. “So it look’s like the old-man has another blood son.”
Hadrian made Bruce proud by leveling Jason with a dead, emotionless look, “Yes, I take it you’re Jason Todd.”
Jason didn’t take offense and barked out a laugh, “The one and only. I’m curious on how you and Bruce ran into each other. Though I wouldn’t put it passed the old man to run into his long lost fucking child in the streets of London.”
“It’s a long story.” Was all Harry said. Bruce gave Jason a look that told him not to pry. If Hadrian didn’t want to tell when what happened with his aunt that’s day, then Bruce want going to make him.
Before anyone could ask anymore prying questions, Bruce cut in. “Okay, Hadrian mostly knows everyone but feel free to intoduce yourself. Name, age, and hobbies I suppose.”
“What is this the first day of school?” Duke joked.
“Thank you Duke, for volunteering to go first.” Bruce smiled at him. Everyone at the table was one more smart remark from extra patrol for a month. Minus Cass of course. As always his daughter had been nearly silent the entire time.
“I did not-whatever. Sup my name is Duke Thomas, I’m 16 and I like science and working out. Before you I was the new kid in the Wayne family.” Duke smiled at Hadrian.
Bruce looked pointely at Jason to which he rolled his eyes. “Fine. Name’s Jason Todd and I’m the second oldest out of all of us. I’m 16 and I like guns.”
“Jason.” Bruce sighed. He really should speak to all of them about socially acceptable topics with strangers.
Before Jason could start an argument with Bruce, Dick introduced himself. “Hey! I’m Richard Grayson-Wayne but everyone calls me Dick. I’m 17 and I like gymnastics and parkour. I am also the oldest and first of the Wayne Family.”
Oh look it was his turn. “Bruce Wayne. I started this whole thing and I enjoy reading.” And swift justice was left unsaid.
“Damian Wayne Al Gaul I’m 11 and I suppose that animals are a tolerable hobby.”
“Tim Drake-Wayne I’m 15 and I like coding and learning. Not to sound like a nerd.” Jason of course had a reason for that which resulted in glare from Tim promising retribution. This in turn led to Bruce shooting Tim a warning glare against sharing Jason’s entire search history with the press.
“Cassandra Cain. 15. Dancing.” Cass spoke with staggered pauses between each word. Bruce smiled at his daughter. She was getting so good at speaking and he was so proud of her.
Steph gave Harry a wide smile, “I’m Stephanie Brown, but everyone calls me Steph. While I’m not technically Bruce’s kid he treats me like one and I sort of see him as a dad. I’m 15 and I like Pranks and escape rooms.”
Barbara finally looked up from her tablet and smiled softly, “ I’m Barbara Gordon. My dad is still alive so Bruce is more of a deranged Uncle than father to me. I’m 17 and I like computers and anything coding related.”
When Hadrian realized that everyone had gone he ran a hand through his hair. “Um, Hi? I’m Hadrian Potter but everyone calls me Harry. I’m almost 16 and I’m from the UK. It’s um really nice to meet all of you all.”
“so where have you been all this time, Harry?” Tim attempted to ask casually but Bruce knew full well what he was trying to do. Tim certainly wasted no time starting Hadrian's interrogation. Perhaps it was time for Bruce to do a refresher is proper table conversations.
Harry just ran a hand through his hair again and sheepishly answered. “Well I was living with my aunt and Uncle and no one knew that my mother had even met Bruce let alone had a child with him. My mum and her husband died when I was a baby.”
Damian loudly cleared his throat and Hadrian rolled his eyes, “Died, murder, same thing at the end of the day.” The way he so casually restated it made Bruce’s heart clench at yet another one of his children not being able to grow up with both parents.
“Is anyone else noticing a pattern between all of the children that Bruce adopts?” Duke mentioned.
Dick nodded his head in agreement, “He’s right Bruce, another orphan?”
Bruce let out another long sigh, “Not all of you are orphans.” Despite what Clark and Diana said on the daily Bruce did not willingly go looking for children to adopt.
Jason scoffed, “Emotionally or literally, same difference.”
Nods of agreement were shared from around the table and Bruce would be lying if he said it didn’t annoy him when they all teamed up against him. Still, looking over the table where his kids sat Bruce couldn’t help but be proud of every single one of them.
Slowly everyone fell into their own conversations and Bruce was content to listen and occasionally join in. Cass had actually gotten closer to Hadrian and the two of them were rapidly signing to each other. Arabic and ASL? While it wasn’t uncommon in the house given that everyone was fluent in at least 10 languages, Bruce knew that his family wasn’t a good view point for ‘normal’.
Eventually Hadrian got dragged into a debate with Barbara and Tim over some kind of computer code. Bruce normally couldn’t even keep up with those who when they started talking tech but Hadrian didn’t seem to have an issue doing so. He easily joined their conversation offering his opinions and thoughts on certain subjects. At the start Bruce noticed Tim’s eyes widen by a fraction before he eagerly jumped into the conversation with Hadrian.
Jason and Steph were whispering to each other and Bruce had no doubt that they were scheming for a new prank. He would double check the filters in the batmobile for glitter again.
Duke was currently getting Dick’s help for some summer homework that he had and Bruce once again founding himself smiling. It wasn’t often that the entire family hung out like this. Unless it was mandatory family dinner on Thursday then it always took someone nearly dying for everyone to be in the same room.
It didn’t escape Bruce’s notice that Damian had remained silent the entire time. Usually he couldn’t go 5 minutes without insulting someone and Bruce wondered if it had to do with Hadrian being here. When Tim, Barbara, and Harry’s conversation slowed Damian took the opportunity to interject, “Hadrian. I insist that I give you a tour of the manor. I want you to meet Titus and Ace.”
“Your dogs?” Damian nodded. “I don’t see why not. If it’s okay with Bruce?” Hadrian looked at him for confirmation and Bruce nodded.
That was all the two needed for Damian to get up from his chair and proceed to drag Hadrian out of the room. As the door shut Bruce turned to face the rest of his children. “So what are your first impressions?” Because despite what some may think bruce valued the opinions of all of his children.
“Besides the fact that the spawn of Satan seemed to like him? Which in itself is a red flag,” Jason remarked while leaning back in his chair. “The only people that Damian knows tend to be the murder-y type. Where’d you say you found this kid?”
“We ran into each other in London. I…admit that some of his behavior is a bit abnormal.”
“For normal children, Bruce. I know that none of us can exactly speak on what a ‘normal’ childhood is but I don’t think Harry can either. I can’t be the only one who noticed how similar he and Dami acted?” Nods and shrugs went around the table before Dick asked, “What’s his tragic back story, then? Other than his mother being dead?”
Bruce didn’t want to distrust Hadrian to this extent but he wasn’t going to bring someone into their family, even if he’s his son, without doing a little background digging. “From what I have gathered he lives with his Aunt and Uncle who are far from the nicest people. We met because is Aunt had abandoned him in London after he ran into me. He goes to a boarding school in Scotland. When I met him for the second time he was meeting with some strange guy in an alley. Hadrian didn’t seem alarmed though so I didn’t question it.” Looking back on it Bruce probably should have, but he always had a soft spot when it came to his children.
“Well, I managed to run a background check on this kid.” Babes spoke from where she’d been hunched over her computer. That explained why she’d been so quiet. “From what I gathered he was a little older than one year old when his parents died. After that his Aunt and Uncle gained primary custody of him. This is where it gets a little weird. Apparently the Aunt and Uncle never registered the kid as one of their children, the only reason I was able to find that he was living with them was through school records. Mind you the Aunt and Uncle have a child, Dudley-“
“Who names a kid Dudley?” Steph cringed.
“Idiots,” Cass stated. Bruce couldn’t even disagree with her.
“-As I was saying,” Barbara continued, “Dudley, their biological child, is the only child registered on any legal documents. I mean we’re talking Insurance, job profiles, these people did not want anyone to know Harry existed. The only place I can find documentation of him is in his school records. He doesn’t have any medical records, dental records, not even an optometrist for the glasses he wears. This is just as much the fault of his teachers as it is his relatives. I mean come on this kid basically doesn’t exist!”
“Wait. Babs, wouldn’t his parents have documented his birth?” Tim asked as he pulled out his own laptop and begun typing aggressively.
“One would think so, yes, but I’m looking and I can’t find anything. The only thing I can find is what appears to be his mothers birth certificate. From the looks of it she doesn’t have any marriage certificates and not even a death certificate.”
“Could he have been lying about her death, then?” Jason prompted, looking a lot more interested than he had been.
It was Tim who answered, “No I don’t think so. I wouldn’t be able to tell though. Lily seemed to disappear off the map when she turned 11. That was when her parents unenrolled her from school and stopped her regular check-ups at the doctor's.”
Bruce froze and shakily asked, “Tim wh-what did you say Hadrian’s mothers name was again?” He knew that everyone heard the crack in his voice.
“Uhh..yeah sure, Lily Evans. Shouldn’t you know that?”
Bruce’s vision blacked out for a minute. Memories of a beautiful woman with dark skin and bright red hair filled his head. Her light laugher and green eyes captivated him as they danced across the room together. Empty promises of marriage and love as they sat on the balcony of Bruce’s apartment. Then the back of her head as she boarded her plane to go home, back to London, promising him that she would return after she finished her schooling. And Bruce had waited, waited for her to return to him. But she never did. Eventually she became a distant memory as he went on to become something so entirely different than the man she met at the gala that night. Something darker, more dangerous, The Batman.
“Bruce? Bruce. Hey, are you okay?” At some point Dick must have moved around the table because he was now standing behind him with his hands resting lightly on Bruce’s shoulders.
Clearing his throat Bruce turned his head to face Dick, “I’m fine. Old memories that’s all.”
“Don’t tell me this is another Talia situation. Why you keep hooking up with women who can kill you Bruce, I’ll never know.” Jason (Add tag)
He shook his head, “No it’s not that. Lily…she was perfect. She was sweet and kind but had a temper if you ever upset her. She kind of reminds me of Louis,” For once in their life all of his children were silent. Bruce knows it must unsettle them to see the smile he had on his face, he couldn’t help it. Despite him not seeing Lily again she still managed to bring a smile to his face. Bruce shook his head in an attempt to clear his thoughts, “Tim, you said that Lily was unenrolled from school when she turned 11? When I met Lily she told me that she went to a boarding school in Scotland, I guess we can assume that it is that same one that Hadrian is currently attending.”
“Umm, not to pry, but what was Lily to you Bruce?” Duke asked softly
Looking away to stare out the nearby window Bruce softly confessed, “She was supposed to be my wife.”
No one said anything as Bruce continued to stare out of the window. Lost in memories that he’d long forgotten.
“Are you trying to tell me that you, Mr. Tall, dark, and brooding were almost married!” Jason said eventually.
“We were young.” And in love was left unsaid but the intention was there.
“You don’t have to tell us if you don’t to, Bruce,” Barbara assured.
“One day I will. I want to talk to Hadrian first though. He deserves to know.” All of his kids nodded and Barbara continued telling them what she’s found on Hadrian.
“I know that Tim already said that Lily seemed to disappear after she turned 11 and looking into Harry’s school records the same thing happened to him. The Dursley’s didn’t enroll in into anymore schools after elementary school. Dudley went to a private school but I can’t find anything on Harry’s schooling.”
“What about her husband?” Duke asked.
Tim scoffed, “According to every database I could find, he doesn’t exist. I tried searching for Harry’s last name but surprise, Potter is a lot more common than one would think. I tried narrowing it down but it doesn’t help that Lily didn’t have a marriage certificate.”
“Murder.” Cass prompted.
“That’s right! Harry mentioned that Lily and her husband were murdered. Can you find anything on that.” Steph explained.
“I can try,” Babs answered, already typing away. “Okay. I found it. ‘On October 31 a house explosion was reported in a small town called Godric’s Hollow. A family of 3 was rumored to live there and neither the husband or wife survived. The baby, that locals claimed lived there, was never found in the wreckage. It was assumed that the child died.”
The silence was heavy as everyone finished listening to Barbara. Bruce was running over the words in his head and matching it up with what Hadrian had already told them. “Barbara. That article cannot be correct. Hadrian informed us that they were murdered. He said nothing of a house explosion.” Bruce pointed out the discrepancy. “Plus how did the Dursleys get Hadrian if he was presumed dead?”
“Damian backed in up too. And he might be a lot of things but he certainly isn’t a lier.”
“Can we talk about that too? How do they even know each other?!” Jason demanded.
“Maybe we should just be glad that he didn’t try and kill Harry,” Duke reminded while rubbing the back of his neck.
“I get that, but I also agree with Jason, they seem a little too friendly to me,” Dick said while crossing his arms.
Barbara smiled at him and teased, “You’re just jealous that Damian liked Harry better than you.”
“That is not true!” Dick said indicative, “Dami does not like Harry better than me.”
Steph coughed, “Sure…anyway what were you talking to Harry about earlier, Tim?”
“Something way more complicated than someone who doesn’t even have a record of going to Middle school should be able understand. When I tell you this kid is smart, I mean almost genius-level smart. He was able to keep up with me and Babs while offering his own thoughts and opinions!” Tim explained with a surprised expression on his face, “I know his entire background is suspicious and we should probably be looking out for this kid but his theory on-“
“Imma stop you there boy genius, not all of us want to hear your nerdy little rant for the next half hour.” Jason interrupted him.
Tim deflated a little but redirected his rant, “As I was saying wherever Harry is going to school, are levels ahead of Gotham prep.”
He’d been mostly quite throughout the entire talk so that he could listen to all of his children’s opinions as observations. It seemed that on the surface everyone like Hadrian, none of them had any issue with him. The uncertainty and suspicion came from the unknown quantity to him. None of them knew anything about Hadrian and until they did they would keep the kids and an arms distance. Bruce couldn’t make Hadrian tell them about his past but he also couldn’t stop the rest of them from researching and investigating Hadrian. It would be hypocritical of him since he too would be digging up as much as he could about Hadrian, he loved his son but he would always be on guard against anyone who came around his family. Just as he had loved Damian the minute he met him, but never forgot that he’s been trained to kill since the second he was out of the womb.
“I want you all to know that while there is a lot about Hadrian we don’t know about and parts of his past that are still unclear, he is family now. I want you all to get to know him, hang out with him, maybe teach him a few things. He’s never had a real family before and I want him to feel included in this one. That being said if anything strikes you as truly concerning tell me immediately. Barbara go ahead and open a file on Hadrian and add everything that we know so far. Dick see if you can get anything out of Damian about their past and Tim try to find out where he goes to school.”
Everyone nodded and Bruce offered them a small smile.
-
When Damian dragged Harry out of the dining room the two of them walked through the halls of the manor. Eventually they found an empty hallway and Damian shortly said, “This one is void of any cameras.”
“Great. Now are you going to explain why you just dragged me down 4 hallways?” Harry asked and crossed his arms.
“As if you haven't figured it out,” Damian tsked. “Why are you here?”
“Bruce already explained that Damian. I’m his son and apparently your brother. I am just as shocked as you are.”
“So Grandfather didn’t send you?”
Harry sighed, of course that was the conclusion he would make. “No. Ra’s didn’t send me. And I’m curious as to how you came to that conclusion. When have I ever done a job for him?”
“That one time-“
“We don’t talk about that ‘one time’.” Harry cut him off sternly, he calmed himself and truthfully said, “I promise that this is the truth Damian.”
The tension left Damian’s body as he spoke, “That was what I was afraid of. It’s not that I am upset about us being brothers, never mind that we were raised as such, but now your biologically my brother and older than me.”
Damian was never one to outright say how he was feeling but Harry has known him since was born and was able to catch on pretty quickly. He knelt down in front of his little brother and placed his hand on his shoulders, “Dami, Damian look at me.” Damian looked at him. “I have known you since you were in diapers, you think I don’t know how important being heir is to you? I would never, and I mean never take that away from you. I will personally explain that to Bruce the next time I talk to him, okay? Besides you know I already have my own heir ships lined up. Sirius just made me heir to the Black estate this year.”
Damian nodded and Harry ignored that his eyes were slightly glossy, “I would expect nothing less from you Hadrian. And Black did the correct thing, you are more than worthy of being heir to the house of Black.”
Harry laughed at Damian's indignant attitude, “Thanks Damian. Now lets talk about how Bruce is your real father? Because Talia had me thinking that you just spawned into existence one day.”
“That is popostrius Hadrian. She nearly withheld the information until she felt I was ready. When she told me she then dropped me off to get to know him. I am- I have found that being here as brought me much more joy than being with Grandfather. I will also admit that I have missed seeing you.”
“Awww you missed me Dami!” Hadrian stood up and wrapped Damian in a hug.
Damian swatted at him and twisted in his arms, “Hadrian cease this behavior at once!”
Eventually Hadrian relented and let Damian go, “But in all honesty I am glad you’re happy here, Damian. I know that training under Ra’s is not the most fun.”
Both of their moods darkened and Damian spat, “You are the only one who can even imagine what it is like. Do not sell yourself short, you too trained under Grandfather. If one was to listen to Mother, you were his best student.”
Hadrian rolled his eyes, “I doubt that. His lessons may have been hell but he did save me from dying of starvation.”
“I still insist that you allow me to kill the ones you call ‘relatives’.”
“You cannot kill them Damian.” Harry sighed.
“-Tt-“
Stepping away from his brother Hadrian looked back at him, “Come on you still need to show me around this place.”
—
By the time the two of them had finished touring the rather extensive manor, and Harry had grown up with the Al Gual’s, Damian told him that it was almost time for dinner. The two of them headed back to the dining room and when they entered the only one there was Jason.
“What circle of Hell did you two demons get lost in?” Jason asked from where he was leading back in his chair, his feet resting on the table as he read his book.
“The 4th ring this time, Dami’s always been a spoiled brat so it took a bit to get back,” Harry replied without missing a beat. Jason chuckled and playfully glared at him. “I haven’t seen you in a few years.”
“What can I say? Gotham was just calling for me to come home.” Jason removed his feet from the table and leaned forward to look at Harry, “What about you? What crazy little adventures have you been getting up to at the boarding school of yours?”
“Oh you know the usual homework, exploding snap, giant snakes, reviving a Dark Lord,” Harry stated nonchalantly with a shrug of his shoulders.
Jason’s face paled rapidly as his started at Harry in shock, “Wha-“ He was cut off by the door to the dining room opening and Dick practically skipping and whistling a tune. The oldest stoped when he saw how pale Jason was and the grim look on Harry’s face.
“Is everything all right?” Dick cautiously asked.
Jason cleared his throat and shook his head trying to regain some of his composure. “Um…yeah, me and Harry just need to talk later that’s all.” Harry just smiled at Jason as he pointedly looked at him.
Dick didn’t look convinced but nodded anyway and sat in his usual seat. After dropping that bomb on Jason the rest of the family slowly trickled in from wherever they’d spent the afternoon and not much later dinner was starting and small conversations flowed throughout the table.
Damian informed him that it wasn’t the norm for everyone to show up to dinner but must have cleared their usually busy schedules because Harry was here. Harry smiled and joked that he appreciated the fan fair. At some point Harry was engaged in a fast-paced conversation with Cass in ASL about the history of ballet for some reason, when Damian tapped him on the shoulder.
Harry excused himself from Cass for a moment to raise an eyebrow to his brother in question. “What?”
In a slightly lower voice Damian questioned, “Do they know you’re here?”
Harry sighed and rolled is eyes. “Trust me she knew the second I stepped onto the plane. She’ll be here in a few days.” Jason groaned and banged his head onto the table. Bruce told him off and Jason just flipped him off.
“Umm…not to pry but who will be here in a few days?” Steph asked.
“We should tell them,” Jason said.
“Or we could leave it a surprise?” Harry offered.
“I admit I could see the humor in this,” Damian admitted.
With a shrug from Jason they all smirked and kept their mouths shut. “I have a feeling the three of you are going to be insufferable,” Dick announced. Jason just ruffled the top of his head. “You wouldn’t have us any other way, Dickiebird.”
Babs looked up from her phone for a moment to ask, “Wait. Jason, you didn’t mention that you knew Hadrian.”
Everyone’s attention was brought to Jason, who just shrugged. “Must have slipped my mind.”
Harry had a feeling that that was not going to be the end of the conversation but tapping on the window got everyone’s attention and Harry too was looking out the window. Only to smile when he recognized the pattern of white feathers flapping outside. “Hedwig!”
“What the hell is a Hedwig?” Duke asked. Harry jumped up from his eat and ran to the closed window to open it.
Behind him he could hear Jason answer, “Harry’s fucking pet owl.” Disgust lacing his voice even though Harry was well aware of how much Jason enjoyed playing with his owl.
“D-did you say owl?” Duke croaked nervously.
Harry finally managed to get the window open and let Hedwig fly in and land of his outstretched arm, “Hey girl, i knew you’d find me. Long trip from London?” She clicked her beak happily, “Let’s get you some food, yeah?” Harry turned back to his family to see most of them wide-eyed with fear and someone of them halfway out of their seats to get away from what Harry assumed was Hedwig. “If everything alright?”
“Nope, nope absolutely not. I’m not doing this.” Dick quickly got out of his chair and practically ran out of the room. Now Harry was really confused.
“What’s up with him?” Harry tried to ask again.
Finally Barbara answered, “Um…not that your owl isn’t… gorgeous. It’s just that a few years ago Gotham had a group of people called the Court of Owls, they sort of trained owls to attack people. When I saw attack I mean violently kill them my pecking them to death and plucking out their eyes. A lot of people died that night. The entire family, and city, sort of has a phobia of owls. I’d recommend not letting her roam too much less someone gets scared and hurts her.” The entire time she was explaining her eyes had never left Hedwig and Harry could see the fear he had.
“If Gotham even real?” Harry decided on saying. “Don’t worry she’ll stay in my room unless I take her out to the garden.” Hedwig let out a hoot and the entire room flinched, minus Damian and Jason, who loved Hedwig.
“Please do that.” Bruce gruffly said and Harry realized that he hadn't moved a muscle since Hedwig had entered the room. His fear seemed a little different from everyone else’s and Harry wonder just what had happened to Bruce that night.
Looking back to his familiar Harry noticed a letter tied to her foot and returned back to the table to untie it. When he finished Damian reached out a hand to Hedwig and waited for her to give him permission to pet her. Harry ignored how everyone seemed to scoot back in their chairs to get away from the bird and he sighed.
Looking at the front of the letter Harry recognized Hermione’s familiar script and smiled. Cracking open the wax seal, he pulled out the letter and began to read.
Dear Harry,
How dare you go this long without sending me an owl? Especially after what happened at the end of this year! I am worried sick about you can I know how your disgrace of an aunt and Uncle can be.
On another note, I hope this finds you well and you are alright. I can’t say much encase out letters are intercepted but a certain Headmaster sent me a letter recently. He is trying to convince me to go to a save house for the summer along with the Weasley’s and Padfoot. I declined of course and before he can think to visit in person I’ll be going to Parkinson’s manor. They invited me for the summer and after his letter i decided it would be a good idea. I told him that I was staying with a friend in Spain for the summer.
Please for the love of Merlin send me a letter so I know you’re alright.
See you at the start of school,
Hermione Granger
Harry smiled at the letter before handing it off to a indignant looking Damian who had been making grabby motions for the last minute. “Harry?” Steph asked, “Why is there a letter attached to your owl like the 1600’s?”
Harry smiled sheepishly and rubbed the back of his neck, “The school I go to is very remote and we don’t use any technology. Because of this we use owls to send letters and parcels to each other. Think of it as a really fancy mailing system.”
“Wait! Does this mean you don't have a phone!?” Tim asked outraged.
Harry chuckled at the horrified expression on Tim’s fac, “No, I don’t have a phone. Now that I think of it I don’t believe I’ve ever used a phone. Smart phone or landline.” He watched as Damian passed the letter to Jason who read through it with the same fond expression on his face.
“How have you even survived!?” Tim asked outlandishly.
“Unlike you Drake, Hadrian is not solely dependent on technology. One might even consider that a good thing.” Damian spat.
Bruce interrupted before a full-blown argument could start and offered, “Hadrian I’d feel a lot better if we got you a phone while you’re here. We have a family group chat that we use to send messages and in case I have to stay late at the office. Unfortunately I have a meeting tomorrow but we can go the day after if you want.”
Harry smiled, “I would love that! I need some more clothes anyway.” Jason had extended the letter back to Harry and he was reminded that he needed to ask Bruce fore something, “Hey Bruce? Do you have some paper and a pen? I need to write my friend back and let her know I’m out of the country.”
“That’s a good idea Har. Other wise she’ll beat your ass before you can even apologize and explain yourself.” Jason teased.
Harry raised an eyebrow at him, “Are you sure you want to go there, Jason? Because we could definitely get into how she actually beat your ass that one time.”
Jason spluttered and coughed loudly, “Or we could not.”
Damian gave them all a rare smile as he remembered the first time they met Hermione, “I remember that day. Todd definitely should have kept his mouth shut.”
“I never knew such a pretty girl could hit so hard.” Jason staged whispered as he held his head, the exact same place Hermione had whacked him after he made a comment about her teeth.
Tim snickered, “Someone actually put Jay in his place? I would love to meet this girl,”
“That’s not a bad idea Har,” Jason agreed, “You should get her to come over to the manor this summer.”
Harry immediately shook his head, “You read the letter yourself, she’s staying with Pansy. Nothing I say would get her to leave that place.”
“Just mention the extensiveness of the Wayne Library.” Damian deadpanned.
Harry laughed until he got stitches in his side. Bruce had watched with a fond expression on his face and waited until this children actually gave him an opening to speak, “To answer your earlier question Hadrian, yes, I do have pen and paper. Before you go to bed ask Jason he should have some in his room.”