Disclaimer: All characters, events and references drawn from HP belong to J.K. Rowling, etc., respectively, everything else is my own invention.
FULFILLMENT
PART THREE
As soon as he had arrived, Harry saw the beautiful sight of the summer morning sun shining through a stand of trees on the edge of the grassy expanse in which he now stood. The sound of the birds busy in their morning activities and the smell of the cool air around him made him feel very calm inside. This place was just as nice as any beach in the Mediterranean could be, he thought to himself.
As much as he liked London and its busyness, he couldn't help but feel an attachment to the flip side of this part of the British landscape - the English countryside - at least that which still seemed primeval in its appearance.
He turned around to see the manor house with its brown brick exterior, still looming ominously over the well kept grounds of the large estate, in this relatively sparse section of the country. He began to walk towards the house and moved in the direction of the chin high brick wall that extended from its back, enclosing a small portion of what he knew was acres and acres of property behind it.
As he came up to the wall, he peered over into its depth. Enclosed inside the wall was a very well tended English garden. Everything was laid out so neatly and with so many varieties of plants and vegetables that Harry could barely make out the small path that wound its way through the gardens expanse. But he finally noticed movement among some flowers and started to walk along the wall to get a better view. More movement caught his eye now as he glanced back towards the house to see a water pitcher floating gently along a portion of the path and every so often spill it contents down on certain plants that lined the row. Up ahead of him he saw a small spade digging a hole on its own and upon finishing one would move a ways and start another. Then Harry saw him.
Kneeling down and careful tending to several flowers along the small path, the man was apparently engrossed in his work with such a keen pleasure that readily came through his demeanor. Harry laughed a little to himself. A werewolf tending a flower garden?
Remus Lupin turned his head to see Harry looking down at him from the wall. He smiled at Harry and wiping dirt from his hands began to stand and turn in Harry's direction.
"Harry! What a surprise! How are you getting along?" Remus asked the dark haired teenager as he moved closer to the wall.
"Fine, Professor, thanks," Harry replied.
Lupin's face turned to one of puzzlement and he turned his head back and forth then gazed back at Harry.
"I didn't hear you arrive. Did you apparate here or come by train again?" Remus now queried.
"I apparated from Grimmauld just a few minutes ago," he returned.
Lupin moved closer now, still curious as to how Harry managed a completely silent apparition. Harry smiled at the look on the Professor's face and promptly reached into his pocket to retrieve Hermione's gift. He held it out and Lupin took it from his hand, turning it over and over to try and understand what he was looking at.
"It's a Pop-Off, Professor," Harry started, "another invention of Fred and George's. It cancels out that popping sound when you apparate."
An impressed look came over Remus' face accompanied with a grin.
"Amazing. Those two never cease to surprise me with their cleverness. I'll have to get one myself," Lupin stated, handing the silver ball back to Harry. "Good thing Voldemort and those Death Eaters didn't have this last year, eh?"
Lupin seemed to lose himself in a deep thought then suddenly came to.
"By the way, happy birthday, Harry!"
"Thanks," Harry started.
"I confess that I am surprised to see you here today, it being your birthday. I thought that you and Hermione might have gone off on another…holiday…again, to celebrate. Unless of course she's not far behind you," Remus said looking off in the distance behind Harry.
"Actually, I came here alone. I needed to ask you for some advice," Harry said almost embarrassed.
"Well of course! What can I do for you?" Lupin now asked him, crossing his arms and leaning on the wall between them.
"I'm stuck and I don't know what I am supposed to do," Harry now confessed.
Remus smiled a little and nodded slowly at him.
"Yes, I imagine you are, Harry. What does one do with his life after rescuing the world from total annihilation? I imagine too that nothing 'out there' is enough to really get excited about either, am I correct?"
Harry nodded with a grimace on his face.
"I actually thought that you might have sought some help on this sooner, especially after your graduation and all. But I suppose it was best that you get to know yourself a little better and I trust that you have spent plenty of time doing that. Anyway, come inside the house. We'll talk over a cup of tea or coffee, if you like."
Harry walked towards the small wooden gate that stood between the two sections of the brick wall. He opened it and walked into the garden moving toward the Professor who was already moving towards the back door to the manor house. As they reached the door, Lupin opened it and then turned to Harry.
"I'm glad you came to see me, Harry. I just might have a solution for your…problem."
Harry was shocked and his eyes grew large at Lupin's words. He already had something in mind? This quick? What could it possibly be? His curiosity fired up as he followed Remus into a hallway that lead into the main living area of the quaint old house.
They walked into the room which was filled to the brim with old furniture, paintings, tables and chairs that all belonged to a bygone era - everything well preserved and tidy. Harry always felt like he was visiting a museum when he came to the manor house. A noise in one corner caught his attention and he turned to see a huge smile on the face of a violet haired witch standing with one hand clasping a vase and the other a white rag.
"Harry! How good to see you again. How are you doing?" Tonks asked, putting the vase and cloth down and walking over to Harry, giving him a tight hug.
"I'm well, Tonks…thank you," he replied, trying to breath while caught in her death grip of an embrace. She let go and leaned back.
"Happy birthday!" she mentioned with a bright expression.
"Thanks," he replied.
"How is Hermione, by the way? She should be staring school soon, correct?" Tonks now asked him.
"She's doing great. Her first session begins in another month, but you know her - anxious to get started. She's already read through every book in each of her classes," Harry told her with a smile.
Both Remus and Tonks gave out a small laugh.
"I was just cleaning up a bit, but I'll leave you two alone to talk," Tonks stated and then turned towards the Professor. "Remus, I'm going into town to pick up a few things. I should be back in about an hour. Make yourself at home, Harry."
She smiled at him once more and walked out of the room. He looked at Professor Lupin, whose eyebrows shifted up a little at the same time a smirk appeared on his face. Harry heard the familiar pop of an apparition a moment later.
"How about we go into my study, Harry. Would you like some tea, coffee…maybe a little brandy? Just joking of course! Seriously though, anything to drink?"
"No thanks, Professor," Harry replied, thinking about the tea incident with Hermione back at Grimmauld.
"Well, you know the way. Go on in. I'll be with you shortly." Lupin said, walking off into the kitchen area.
Harry made his way into the Professors study - every wall lined with shelves full of books. So many in fact, there were small mountains of the old looking volumes on the floor lining the shelves all the way around the room. Once again, every item, the desk, the chairs, the small, ornate clock on the mantle piece over the fireplace seemed to be at least a hundred, maybe more, years old. This always looked to Harry like the quintessential Professors study. He had been gazing at some of the arcane titles on Lupin's desk when Remus entered with a steaming cup of coffee. He walked behind the large oak desk riddled with papers, books and a small caldron full of various colored quills.
"Please, take a chair," he motioned to the teenager, sitting in his own chair and resting the coffee cup on the desk. Harry sat in one of the chairs facing the Professor.
"Harry, have you ever wondered how your family made its fortune? The money that your father inherited and then passed on to you?" Remus began while taking a sip from his cup.
"I've never really looked into it, actually. I have been curious about it for some time though," Harry answered.
"The Potters were 'Veilers', Harry, several generations of them. And very good ones too. Are you familiar with the term?"
"They're something like treasure hunters, right?"
"Similar, but instead of hunting for treasure, they hunt magic. They scour the world to find clues and information that might lead to the discovery of previously unknown spells, incantations, other dimensions and the like. Hence the nickname. They pierce the 'veil', if you will, between magic which is known and that which is unknown.
You don't think that what is taught at Hogwarts or what the Ministry officially recognizes as magical arts is the sum total of all magic in the universe, do you? No, Harry, even after hundreds, perhaps thousands of years, we have merely scratched the surface of the nature and extent of what we call magic in all its different manifestations. There is and will be, for some time to come, so much more 'out there' than what we presently possess. And that is why the Veiler plays such an important role in our world."
Professor Lupin now stood up with his coffee and walked to the lone window that gave a spectacular view of the front lawn of the old estate.
"It is, however, a profession that is rarely spoken of, even among Ministry officials. In fact, the vast majority of those who enter its ranks invariably have to go into hiding, change their identities or otherwise lead a life quite altered from the one in which they were used to. The reason for this, Harry, is that what the Veiler manages to uncover is of such value to the dark arts and produces such a tremendous financial profit that they place themselves and those they love in mortal danger from any who would seek these new powers for their own greed and lusts. You witnessed first hand the result of this danger the night Voldemort trapped the three of you in that previously unknown incantation he used to conceal his trap."
Harry remembered Voldemort's description of how he found the Invitalis Incantation and then murdered those who had given it to him. The Professor now turned to look at Harry again.
"The knowledge and propagation of magical forces in our world have been both discovered and lost with countless generations of wizards and witches throughout the centuries. As civilizations have risen and fallen so have many of the mysteries that previous 'explorers' of our kind have relentlessly pursued. It is the purpose of the Veiler to 'recover' and discover these forces and powers. Men have fought wars, murdered, plundered and committed countless other atrocities in their pursuit of previously unknown magic that might give them an advantage over others. In other words, Harry, the thirst for power has been one of the prime motivators for the profession of Veiling. That is why the few 'good' Veilers are kept safely hidden from the eyes of an unappreciative world that takes for granted so much of their sacrifice. Your family was among them.
It was generally believed that the Potters had gained their fortune over the centuries through various investments, businesses and other activities that the rich usually engage in. But that was merely a ruse to keep prying eyes from knowing the truth. Veiling has been the 'family business' of the Potters for many generations. The knowledge they accumulated and passed on both to authorities and those with vested interests in their activities have been absolutely invaluable to our world, Harry. A number of the spells, charms and other magic arts that you learned in Hogwarts were a direct result of some of your ancestors efforts, you might be surprised to learn.
Professor Dumbledore himself once considered becoming a Veiler. He had many dealings with the Potter family during his earlier years, hoping to learn trade secrets from them, but despite their trust in him even then, they refused to open up their skills and sources to anyone but family. Instead, for a short time before becoming a Professor, he acted as an agent for the Potters. A liaison between them and the Ministry to make sure that the family was protected in its true occupation, that what they uncovered found its way into the right hands and that they were paid accordingly. In fact, Dumbledore was instrumental in the formation of the Department of Mysteries for the very purpose of maintaining the findings of any Veilers who sought to work for the good of our world.
Anyway, it was your Grandparents greatest hope, Harry, to see your father take over the family business when he was of age. However, like many rebellious youth, James made it clear, early on, that he wanted nothing to do with it. In fact, he initially refused even to attend Hogwarts. Your grandfather Silas, eventually persuaded him to at least attend the school and of course it was there, thankfully, that he met your mother. You know that he and Lily were married shortly after they finished together and then not too long after, they joined the Order. Dumbledore then persuaded your father to follow in his family's tradition and so he and Lily became Veilers. The reason given was that the Order could then take advantage of any knowledge they might find - something that might give all of them the edge over Voldemort, who was also searching the world for anything that might aid him in his quest for power.
Using the resources and skills of the Potter family, your father and mother started their quests shortly thereafter. And it was on one of those quests that Lily discovered she was pregnant with you. As you know, they then went into hiding, taking the cottage at Godric's Hollow and trying to blend in as muggles - something that many Veilers over the centuries have done to conceal their identity. At that time, only four other people knew what your parent's were doing, Harry. Professor Dumbledore, your godfather Sirius, myself and…"
"Peter Pettigrew," Harry finished his statement, a frown appearing on his face now.
"Yes, Peter Pettigrew. And as we now know, he informed Voldemort of what the Potters were up to. That is why Voldemort sought after your parents, hoping to secure their loyalty. He not only wanted them for their considerable magical skills and talents, but he also wanted the knowledge they had gained from their quests in hopes to add more advantage to his own side. They refused and so he determined to take from them their most precious possession, you. The rest is history, of course, but now you know the whole truth about your family and your lineage."
Harry sat quietly, trying to take everything in.
"I could have told you about this earlier, Harry, but I wasn't sure it was the right time. Many of us have watched you grow into the man you are today and though we have tried to steer you in the right direction, ultimately you have to make the choice over what you want to do with your life. You have seen more horrors in your short life than many see in a lifetime but despite that, you have matured wonderfully and I daresay are far better for it. I am sure your parents are very proud of you…and so am I. But again, it is not for me to decide for you. I can only provide the truth. Veiling is in your blood, Harry, whether you know it or not. And perhaps this might explain the restlessness you have been experiencing lately."
Lupin looked at him silently for a few moments.
"So, what do you think?" he now asked Harry pensively.
Harry sat motionless for another moment then looked up at the Professor, a brightness appearing in his face for the first time in a while.
"I think…this is exactly what I have been looking for, Professor," Harry spoke, a slight smile coming forth.
Lupin smiled back and nodded his head at the teenager.
"I've been wanting to travel, to see the world and this would give me a reason for doing so. I could be doing something useful at the same time." Harry said almost excitedly.
"But I forewarn you, Harry. If you wish to follow in your parent's footsteps, your family's footsteps, I reiterate again the danger you place yourself and any close to you in. You will confront evil wherever you may go. You must prepare yourself for that. It is simply a fact of life for the Veiler. But you have great skills and talents and have proven yourself time and again in that kind of situation - I think you will do very well at it.
You already have the resources to start and I suggest, despite how you might feel about it, that you develop a good relationship with the Ministry. It may be your prime source for work and though I myself dislike its bureaucratic bumblings, at least there are some in the Ministry who have their hearts in the right place. The Ministry, after all, pays quite handsomely for confirmed knowledge of the previously unknown. And I suggest that you find a cover for yourself. Having grown up with the Dursleys you already know muggle ways and I recommend that you 'become' one if possible, to conceal your activities."
Now Lupin turned and gave Harry a very pointed look, almost trying to indicate something secretly.
"I will suggest something else too, Harry. You can do this work by yourself but I would recommend you find yourself a good…research assistant. Someone you can rely on and trust implicitly. After all, two good heads are far better than one and you'll find you'll use all the help you can get. Of course, you can count on my support and secrecy in this matter, Harry, as well as Tonks."
The Professor stood still for a moment, his hands resting on the desk and staring off into space.
"Well, since you are inclined to the idea, there is one more thing to do. I have something for you."
Lupin moved to one of the shelves full of books. He began searching for a particular volume.
"Now, which one was it again? Ah, here it is."
He pulled out a large book and opened it in the middle - it apparently contained a hollow space inside. Remus then reached in and pulled something out, and turning towards Harry, handed it to him. Harry reached up to take a key from Lupin's hand. He looked at it carefully and suddenly his eyes widened at the striking similarity to another key he had seen like this. It had on one end several jewels of various colors, but instead of gold, the metal had a bluish tint.
"I see by the look on your face that you know what that key goes to, Harry," Remus said with a curiosity in his expression.
Harry nodded, still looking at the key.
"And…" Lupin continued, hoping to hear an answer he himself apparently didn't know. Harry frowned and looked at him.
"I'm sorry, but I've been sworn to secrecy about it, sort of," Harry answered a little embarrassed.
"Ah. Well then, it's best you keep your 'oath'. But I will tell you what you will find, wherever it goes. It is a journal that your mother kept during their brief time as Veilers. When Voldemort's threat became apparent, your parents took the journal, which contained all the information they had gathered, to the most trustworthy person they knew - Dumbledore. They feared putting the journal in mine, Sirius' or Peter's hands, lest we come into danger ourselves. And so Dumbledore placed it, I assume, in a very safe and secure location, away from Voldemort's spies.
It was sometime before his death that Sirius came to me and gave me that key. Your parents had secretly entrusted it to him not long before they were betrayed in the hopes that if something happened to them you would receive it some day when you were old enough. As so now, it has made its way in to the rightful hands."
Harry stood up, his mind buzzing at so much. He felt a lightness in his heart for the first time in many months and wanted to almost jump with the excitement of it. He grasped the key tightly and looked up at Remus again.
"Thanks, Professor. You don't know how much this has helped," Harry said feeling his words to be such an understatement.
"You're very welcome Harry. Feel free to come to me anytime you need anything else. I'll be glad to render assistance to you on your endeavors. I'm sure it will help us all in the end." Lupin said standing up and shaking Harry's hand. He walked around the desk and the two of them began walking back in the main corridor of the house towards the front door.
"Well, I don't want to keep you any longer. You have a lot to think about now, and I am sure there is someone you are very eager to tell this to. But remember what I said about secrecy, Harry. Your life and the life of those you love may depend on it."
The Professor opened the large oak door that revealed the gravel drive in front of the house, the cool, late morning air coming in briefly. They both looked out at the sun-filled lawn sprinkled with trees and the sounds of the natural world. Harry felt tremendously at ease now and he indeed wanted more than anything to tell the girl he loved about this.
"And who knows? Maybe, somewhere in your travels you might find an explanation for that orb of light you and Hermione experienced in your confrontation with Voldemort. Perhaps some other soul out there has been through something like it. Anyway, take care, Harry. And stop by with Hermione again if you wish. Tonks and I really enjoyed the two of you coming to see us last year, so don't be strangers."
"Thanks, again, Remus. We won't be," Harry said with a big smile.
With that Remus once more shook Harry's hand and stepped inside the old house, closing the door behind him. Harry turned to gaze at the beautiful day before him, letting out a breath of relief. He was so happy again. He didn't know how things would turn out, but the idea of taking up his family's mantle, having something so exciting and intriguing to be engaged in made Harry feel like he was on top of the world again. He finally found his purpose. And now there was so much to do.
Stepping down onto the gravel drive, he placed the bluish key in the opposite pocket from the Pop-Off, took out his wand and started to speak, when a thought crossed his mind. Wait. Not yet. He had wanted to surprise Hermione and show up early - he couldn't wait to talk to her and see her own relief over the solution to this whole ordeal. But there was something he had to do first, and it could not wait. As he thought about it, he realized that if he did it, he would be late for the Granger's dinner - he knew Hermione would be upset. But this simply could not wait, not now. He had been planning it for a while and it amazingly fit so well into what the Professor had told him that it seemed almost prophetic.
"Sorry, Hermione," he said with a little wince in his expression, "I might be a bit late…"
He then spoke the words and apparated from the large estate to a place he had visited alone many times over the previous months…