Chapter Text
Harry sighed as he waited in the room of the muggle veterinarian. He crossed his arms and just stared up at the ceiling. He turned quickly as a muggle woman walked in with a malnourished, white cat, “Okay, Mr. Potter. We've taken care of all the major tasks. No broken bones, we gave him a flea and tick bath, trimmed his nails, and gave him several vaccines.” The cat hissed at her, but didn't swipe at her, “Yes, yes. You are not fond of the pokey, stabby.” Harry took the cat gently. “He seems to be a well-behaved cat. Only hissed when something hurt. Never swiped. But that could be an indication of abuse as well. Possibly why he ran away.” The cat growled and jumped out of Harry's arms and walked sassily into the carrier Harry brought him in. “Yes, he was definitely a house cat at one point. All that needs to be done is get him to a healthy weight once again.”
Harry stood up, “Thank you, Dr. Holiday. I know it was short notice.”
The woman smiled, “Not to worry, Mr. Potter. I would start with wet food and gradually introduce dry food. We would like to see him again in about two weeks to see how he's doing. Perhaps he'll have a name to put in the system.”
Harry hummed, smiling, “Thank you again. Pay up front?”
“Yes. Have a good day, Mr. Potter. Mr. Grumpy,” she waved at the cat, who just growled at her. She smiled and went to the back.
Harry ran a hand through his hair before zipping up the cat carrier, “Alright. Let's get going.” Before Harry opened the door, a lynx Patronus flew in front of him, “Seriously? I'm not even an Auror anymore.” He sighed, “Well, guess you're forcibly getting introduced to magic, little guy.”
Harry walked out and paid the rather expensive vet bill with his Gringotts debt card. A new integration from the muggle world. The goblins are rather…enthusiastic about the idea of credit cards. Luckily, they also automatically convert wizard money to muggle money when needed. He thanked the women at the desk and walked out of the building. Once outside, he walked into an alley and apparated.
Harry looked down as the cat hissed at nothing, “I know, I know. I'm sorry.” Harry walked up to the front desk. He gave the man his wand, “Do not play with that.” The man quickly sent the wand to the storage room. Harry sighed and lifted the carrier, “And one cat. Not half Kneazle. Just a cat.”
“Yes, sir. Where to?”
“Minister’s Office. I know the way,” Harry walked off with the carrier in hand.
Harry moved through crowds before stopping at a door. He knocked and waited two seconds for permission to enter, “Harry!” Harry froze at Kingsley's tone, “Is that a Kneazle?”
“Cat,” Harry closed the door. “Just found him on my porch this morning. He looked horrible. Was at the muggle vet when I got your Patronus.”
“Ah. That's why it took so long.” Harry raised an eyebrow, setting the carrier on the desk. “You can let her out,” The cat hissed, “Or not?”
Harry rolled his eyes and opened the carrier, “Not a she.” Harry crossed his arms as the cat hesitantly walked onto the desk. “What happened?”
“What makes you think—”
“Kingsley.” The Minister sighed and seemed to brace himself.
“We…lost Malfoy.” The cat froze and seemed to curl in on itself.
Harry was silent, but you could feel his anger, “Kingsley, you'd better be telling me that Lucius Malfoy escaped Azkaban.”
“No.” Kingsley winced when items in his office began to float, “...I knew I should've brought Hermione in.”
“Kingsley! I gave you one job after I left the Aurors last month. One. Not even as Minister. As my bloody friend!”
“I know, and I'm sorry. He had such a predictable routine—”
“And what did I tell you about what happened at Hogwarts during the repeat year?” Harry slammed his hands on the desk. “I told you that people weren't over the war. If Malfoy weren't forced to retake his NEWTs while on house arrest, he would be cursed, attacked, or worse! It's the damn reason I quit the Aurors! It doesn't matter if someone wasn't involved in the war, or was a bloody First Year during The Battle of Hogwarts! If they have the last name of a known Death Eater, or a Slytherin, they would be arrested!”
“I know.”
“Then how, Kingsley? He was a goddamn Healer! Home or St. Mungo’s? Or did he just vanish in Diagon Ally?”
“...I don't know. I just know he never showed up to work one day.”
Harry narrowed his eyes, “How long…has he been missing?”
“I don't think you want to know.”
“Oh, I don't. So, before I retired. Why didn't you tell me?”
“... really should've brought in Hermione.”
“Kingsley!” Harry snapped. “I didn't keep Malfoy out of Azkaban and twist the medical board’s wrist into giving him a fair shot for you to throw it all away and not take my warning seriously!”
Kingsley sighed, “I know, and I'm sorry. But I did take your warning seriously, Harry. It's why I didn't fight you when you quit. I believe this is a growing group and they've gotten into high positions.”
Harry narrowed his eyes, “Then why let me quit?”
“Because they would never show themselves if you were around constantly. And I needed to place someone that I knew they wouldn't trust if you were still in their ear.”
“Ron.” Kingsley nodded. “But Ron doesn't—”
“He's gotten better, but you and I both know he still has some issues. Which will appeal to these people. War hero and still has some hardened suspicions.”
Harry crossed his arms, “You could've told me. Is he in?”
“Communication needs to be few and far between. My last report from him was when I discovered Malfoy was captured by this group. He escaped their hold, but we still don't have any idea where he was or where he went.”
“He wouldn't go home, work, or anywhere near Narcissa.” Harry looked at the ceiling. “Look into his friends. He would want to go somewhere safe.”
“Already done. This was mostly a we need to keep you in the loop now because Malfoy may come to you for help. You've been rather vocal about your reason for leaving.”
Harry nodded, picking up the cat, “Come on, kitty. Time to go home.” Harry placed him in the carrier, “I'd better be kept in this loop.”
“Of course. I am sorry this happened.”
Harry shook his head, “Just find him. He's worked his ass off to prove he's not what people see him as. And I will hang The Ministry out to dry its dirty laundry, if you don't fix all this.”
“Understood. Enjoy your new cat. And remember to name him.”
“I'll get there. Bye, Kingsley.”
Harry walked into Grimmauld, “Dudley! I'm home!”
“Second sitting room!”
“Which second?” Harry set the carrier down. “Your second, my second, or Kreacher’s?” He unzipped the carrier and picked the cat up.
“The one where my laptop connects to the damn wifi!”
“Oh. That's the computer room, Dud,” Harry walked into the room. Dudley sat on a brown couch with a laptop in his lap and a notebook and an open textbook on the coffee table in front of him.
Dudley glanced at his cousin, “Put a desk and a computer chair in here, then I'll call it that.” Harry snorted as he sat beside Dudley and set the cat in between them, “How is he?”
“Mostly fine. Obviously, he needs to eat. I'll run by the store down the block in a minute to get some food for him. Cell signal back?”
“Yeah,” Dudley frowned at his computer screen before chuckling as the cat looked at the screen, curiously. “Find this interesting, do ya?” Dudley gently scratched behind the cat’s ears. Almost hesitantly, the cat began to purr and pushed up into the touch.
Harry smiled softly. Dudley noticed, “What's wrong? Something with the vet?”
Harry sighed, “No. Malfoy’s missing.”
Dudley stopped petting the cat, causing him to blink in confusion. “Missing as in prison break or missing as in kidnapping?”
“Kidnapping. People who aren't happy that all Slytherins and Death Eaters aren't dead.”
Dudley raised an eyebrow, “Weren't you supposed to be Slytherin?” The cat meowed, and Dudley absentmindedly started petting him again. The cat moved away.
“Yes and no. The Sorting Hat said I would do well in Slytherin, but I chose to go to Gryffindor. The Slytherin part could just be the piece of Tom that was in my head.”
Dudley rolled his eyes, “Oh, please. You're naturally cunning as fuck. Mum and Dad just punished you for being such, and no one in Hogwarts you hung around constantly looked favorably on it.” Harry just shrugged and stood up, “You know you can't run from conversations you don't want to have.”
“You're an accountant, not a therapist, Dud.”
“Not an accountant yet. I may go change majors, though. You need a bloody therapist, and your stupid magic world doesn't think mental health affects someone.”
“It's on Hermione's list. And there are mind healers. I have just had enough of someone prying through my head. Permission or not.” Dudley raised an eyebrow, “...I also know they'll just push around any issues I might have because I've 'saved the world' or just go to The Prophet with whatever they find. Unlike therapists, they aren't bound by moral or legal client confidentiality.”
“...wonder if I can find a licensed muggle therapist with magical knowledge.” The cat watched Dudley open something on his laptop.
“Dudley.”
“I'm not going to say shit about magic, but only those with muggle knowledge know how the Internet works. All I need to do is mention your last name, and those with magical knowledge will know, but if they're a muggle licensed therapist, then they still have to abide by muggle laws if they want to keep their license.”
Harry sighed, “Fine. I make no promises.”
“At least a few sessions. You need to at least work through what Mum and Dad did to you.”
Harry shook his head, “I'll be back. Hermione may or may not floo in. Kingsley will probably tell her he told me.”
“Listen for the magic fireplace and don't freak out. Got it!” The cat pressed several keys on the keyboard, “I did not need a keyboard smash.” Dudley pushed the paw off his keyboard, “Thank you, though.”
“So, what are we naming the cat?” Dudley asked, reaching up to pet the white cat behind him on the couch.
Harry was reading a letter in his hands, “I don't know. I literally got Hedwig's name from my first year history of magic textbook.”
“Well, he needs a name. We can't just keep calling him cat.”
Harry sighed and tossed the letter between them, “Well, you can either write this reply to some random person asking if I'm still dating Ginny, or give the cat a name. You have five seconds, or I'm naming the cat.”
“Oh, come on! That's not fair!”
“Time’s up. His name is Nimbus.”
“Fuck you.”
Harry shrugged and reached behind him, taking the newly named Nimbus off the top of the couch and setting him in his lap, “Just bring me one of your more confusing math essays. I'll make a copy and send that. I really don't care. Ginny probably already sent them a Howler.”
“That works. I'll give it to you in the morning before I head to class.”
Harry gave a thumbs up as he ran his fingers down Nimbus’ back. The cat purred, closing his eyes. His head snapped up as the Floo went off. Harry scratched behind the cat's ear as Hermione stepped out, “It's alright. Hey, Mione.”
“Harry. Dudley,” Dudley waved. “And this must be the cat Kingsley mentioned. Oh, poor thing.” Hermione scratched under Nimbus' chin a few times before looking at Harry. “You doing okay?”
Harry sighed, “I wish I had been kept in the loop in the beginning. Is Narcissa alright?”
“Yes. Andromeda is in constant contact with her. She's almost got her convinced to move in with her and Teddy. These people wouldn't dare cause unintentional harm to your godson.” Harry just hummed, absentmindedly running his fingers down Nimbus' back. Hermione glanced at Dudley, who held up both his hands as if to say I'm not broaching that subject. Hermione rolled her eyes, “Malfoy will turn up, Harry.”
“We're done with this topic,” Harry glared at Hermione, who just gave him a look. Dudley subtly checked a page on his laptop. “How's Ron doing?”
Hermione sighed, “Fine. Mostly. Some nights he comes home pissed as hell, and some nights he's just…quiet.”
“Quiet Ron usually means planning Ron.” Hermione nodded in agreement, and Harry sighed, leaning his head against the back of the couch.
Dudley grabbed his phone, “I'll order takeout. Chinese or pizza?”
“Pizza with a greasy stuffed crust. Fuck today with a bloody spoon.”
“And I'm out. No alcohol, Harry.” Hermione waved at the two cousins.
“I’m not stupid. I already know I'm going to need a Dreamless Sleep.” Hermione nodded and left while Dudley placed their order.
Harry yawned as he placed a bowl of wet cat food on the floor. Dudley stumbled in, “Remind me to stop taking early morning classes next semester.” Dudley held out a typed, three-page essay to Harry as The Boy Who Lived held out a breakfast sandwich. “Okay. I'll be home at about three.”
“Don't fall asleep. Good luck!” Dudley flipped him off before leaving the house.
Nimbus sniffed the bowl of food and, hesitantly, ate it, “Good boy.” Harry smiled and slowly sipped his coffee.
Harry sent off the copy of Dudley’s essay with the owl that came with the letter before heading upstairs. Harry pulled out a box from under his bed. He turned as Nimbus walked in. He smiled and ran his hand from his head to the tip of his tail, “Curiosity killed the cat.” Nimbus meowed before jumping onto the bed as loud ringing filled the room. Harry laughed before grabbing his phone and flipping it open, “Hello?”
“Mr. Potter? My name is Dr. Victoria Persons. I got your number from your cousin.”
Harry blinked, “You…know me?”
Dr. Persons chuckled, “I do, Mr. Potter. My son is a current Seventh Year at Hogwarts. He speaks of you often. And from what he's told me…I do have concerns.”
Harry sighed and leaned against his bed, sitting on the floor, “Some people do, but most just see a war hero.”
Dr. Persons hummed, “I would be open to sessions without any need to muggle-fy anything. If you're willing.”
Harry sighed, “Well, I promised Dudley I'd at least try if he actually found someone. I'm open whenever you're available, Dr. Persons.”
“Would this afternoon be too soon? I would like to talk through a few things before…a few things settle.”
“Yeah. I can do this afternoon. What time?”
“Would one o’clock be alright?”
“Yeah,” Harry looked at Nimbus, looking down at him from the bed. “Do you mind if I bring a cat? I just rescued him from the streets yesterday, and I don't want him getting into something magical and hurting himself more than he already is.”
“That's more than alright. Animals can help be a calming ground when talking about uncomfortable subjects.”
“Alright. Where will I be going?” Dr. Persons gave an address, and the two said their goodbyes and hung up.
Harry sighed and rested his head against the bed. Nimbus jumped onto the box Harry pulled out and meowed, sitting rather primly. Harry smiled, “Curious little thing, aren't you?” Nimbus jumped off the box as Harry reached for it, “It's really nothing you'd be interested in. Just…something that resurfaced after hearing about Malfoy.” Nimbus tilted his head, and Harry chuckled. He opened the box, and the cat looked inside.
Inside the box were several feet of parchment neatly folded on top of each other. Harry picked up a couple, “People think I defended Malfoy because he refused to identify me at Malfoy Manor.” Nimbus looked at Harry, “And maybe that was part of it, but these….” Harry sifted through the folded parchment in the box. “These are letters from students at Hogwarts. Non-Slytherin students. They all begged me to save him. Because he saved them. These…these help me see who Malfoy was outside the facade he put up around everyone. Around me. These are why I defended him.”
Nimbus sat beside the box, just staring at Harry as the man stared at a letter in his hand. He shook his head quickly and quickly put the letters back in the box, “Enough of that. I'm probably going to get into enough trauma shit this afternoon.” He pushed the box back under the bed. He sighed, running a hand through his hair, “I can't remember what I actually came in here for. Whatever,” he grabbed his phone and left the room. Nimbus ran after him.
Dudley walked into the house, looking exhausted, “I'm home…. Harry?” Dudley set his bag by the door. He ignored the two pops that followed one after the other. He doesn't even question where Kreacher takes his stuff anymore. At least he touches his stuff now. That was a long month and a half of first moving in with Harry.
Dudley looked in several sitting rooms, “Harry?” Dudley looked down as he heard a meow. “Nimbus. Where's Harry?” The cat turned and walked into a room. Dudley followed, “Harry?” The man was face down on a couch pillow, “Oh boy. First session?” Harry grunted into the pillow, and Dudley sat down after pushing Harry's legs off the couch. “How bad?”
“She wants to see me every other day. Including weekend sessions.”
“Oof. Well, you've been through a lot.” Harry deadpanned at him, “Obvious, I know. But the obvious is usually the most difficult to get through.”
“Speaking from experience?”
“Hey, I've admitted my stupidity and other shit.” Harry sat up, "I have my own therapist.”
“I'm guessing from how tired you are, Aunt Petunia showed up on campus?”
“In my bloody class!” Dudley groaned, sliding down the back of the couch slightly. How she even got in, let alone figured out my schedule, is a whole other thing. They aren't paying for shit!”
“Yeah, I am,” Harry laughed when Dudley punched him in the arm. “Stop! I offered after they threatened to pull their funding because you didn't want to do a major they agreed with.”
“I like numbers. They don't lie. Unlike them,” Dudley sighed, crossing his arms. “Luckily, my professor had enough of Mum after she circled around my words three times. After that, I made sure all my professors and the entrance building were more than aware of the situation. Though I don't think it'll help until next semester since Mum somehow got my schedule.” Dudley massaged his eyes. “Want me to ask Kreacher to make Grandma's ham for dinner?”
“Fuck yes,” Harry threw his head back against the couch. “Today can go die in a hole.”
“Seconded,” Dudley grunted as he stood up. “I'll find Kreacher. I need to know where he put my bag anyway. Need my laptop out of it.”
Harry scratched behind Nimbus' ear and just basked in the quiet purrs echoing around the room.
Harry walked through the Floo with Nimbus in his arms, “Molly!” he called.
“Kitchen!” Harry walked towards the voice.
As Harry rounded a corner, he was hugged around the legs, “Victoire!” Harry shifted Nimbus, and the cat balanced himself behind Harry's neck on his shoulders. Harry picked the toddler up. “How are you doing?” Harry just got a bunch of babbled words as an answer, “That's good. Where's Grandma? Can you take me to Grandma Molly?” Victoire squealed and made Harry put her down. Harry smiled as he followed after the toddling blonde Weasley.
Molly looked behind her from the stove, “There you are, Dear! Oh! Victoire. Did you greet Uncle Harry?” Victoire babbled happily, “Good girl! Such a bright, good girl. Might be our family's first Ravenclaw!” Victoire squealed, reaching up for her grandmother to pick her up, “Not right now, Sweetie. Grandma's cooking. Too dangerous for you to be up here.” Victoire huffed, and Molly and Harry chuckled. “How are you, Harry dear? Was Dudley busy?”
“No, he took the muggle way. You know he's not a fan of the Floo.”
“He's usually fine if you bring him.” Nimbus jumped off Harry's shoulders and onto a clear counter, sniffing the food. Molly gently shooed the cat away from the stove.
“I had my session with Dr. Persons this morning. So, he just left when I did for my session to get here on time.”
The front door opened, “I'm here!” Victoire squealed and ran towards the front door. “Toddler attack!” Molly and Harry smiled as Dudley scooped Victoire up, tossing her in the air.
Nimbus sat by the stove watching Molly cook with a mix of muggle and magical methods. It was almost an art form. Molly looked at Harry, “How are your sessions going? I know you mentioned last week that you weren't sure, but promised to give it a few sessions.”
Harry nodded and absentmindedly petted Nimbus, “It's…not bad. Some sessions are better than others. I understand more why you were so against us getting involved when we did.” Molly smiled sadly, “And…thank you. For actually caring.”
“Of course, dear. What are you talking about with the sessions? If you don't mind talking about them.”
Harry shrugged, “We're mostly focusing on my life with my aunt and uncle. Sometimes we get into how that affected me in Hogwarts and how it may have…influenced a few choices.”
Molly smiled softly, “I'm sure you'll get more into that in later sessions.”
“Yeah, I know.”
Molly hummed, “And how is Dr. Persons? As a mind healer?”
“Pretty good, I think. She's cautious, but firm in her prodding. Why?”
“I'm getting worried about George. You know he's…still adjusting to Fred's death. It's been four years. I just…think he would benefit from something, but he refuses mind healing.”
“I'll talk to her on Tuesday. See if she's willing. I wouldn't think she wouldn't, but it's always good to ask. If you can convince George.”
“Deal. Thank you, Harry.” Arthur came downstairs and quickly made a beeline for Dudley, questions already falling from his mouth, “Now, you may want to go save your cousin. And take Nimbus. Don't want him accidentally hurting himself.”
“Alright. Thanks, Molly,” Harry took Nimbus before making his way over to his cousin. “Arthur, if you keep asking him questions, he's just going to start throwing Arithmancy at you!”
Nimbus jumped out of Harry's arms and curled up onto the couch, just watching.