It had been a week since Y/N had gone to stay with his brother and Penny and he was enjoying it. It was nice to go to sleep not worrying about being attacked for a test. It was nice to know this is where he was staying, not having to worry about needing to evac every moment on one of Jacob's paranoid whims.

In short it was great to be able to let his guard down. Dean and Penny actually provided consistency and Y/N was relieved that he didn't feel like he had to walk around on egg shells around them.

It was a relaxing and pleasant change for Y/N. He was still keeping to his physical workout routine- up at 6am and straight into it rain, hail or shine. He knew Jacob would accept no loss of conditioning when he returned from this latest mission with Mad-Eye. It had struck Y/N as strange, he would usually be taken with the two on their missions, but again, Y/N knew not to question Jacob.

-~-

Penny and Dean appeared within two minutes of each other in the Floo network coming home from work.

"Mmm something smells good" Penny exclaimed as she kissed Dean and removed her cloak.

"Just putting the final touches on dinner" Y/N called from the kitchen.

Penny looked at her boyfriend smiling while he chuckled. She called out to Y/N "I keep telling you Cutie Pie you don't have to do that!"

Y/N replied from the kitchen:

"I had to do something, you guys have been really kind and generous putting up with me the past week so I have to contribute something"

Y/N placed the last of the dishes on the dining room table as Penny and Dean entered. They both looked at the spread wide eyed- Roast beef, gravy, roast and mash potatoes, carrots, beans, corn- Y/N had gone all out.

"Cutie Pie this is amazing... are these home made Yorkshire puddings?" Penny asked as she took her seat. Y/N nodded happily.

"Thank you Y/N but you're family it's been our pleasure having you with us" Penny smiled while looking at her plate. She continued:

"Every night you've cooked it's been amazing but this is something else Y/N. Where did you learn to cook like this?"

She regretted her question as soon as it left her lips.

"I cook for myself everyday" Y/N answered as he sat in his seat across from Penny and Dean and started loading some meat onto his plate.

"Jacob insists on it... no one will care for you, you have to care for yourself" he answered honestly.

Penny jumped as Dean slammed his hand on the table. He quickly muttered: "Sorry slipped".

The three ate in peace for a second and Penny couldn't believe how amazing the roast tasted before Dean spoke again.

"You know that's bullshit don't you Y/N, it's not right how he's treating you. You're just a kid!"

Y/N answered quickly.

"No ones just a kid, a boy, a girl, nothing. You're either alive or dead. Weak or strong. Jacob's making sure I'm strong".

Dean looked at his little brother concerned. It sounded like a perfect recital of Jacob.

Y/N looked down as he spoke, unsure if he even believed what he was regurgitating from Jacob. Dean's face dropped at his words so Penny quickly held both Y/N and Dean's hands.

"Well I know Jacob is wrong about one thing" Y/N looked up at her while she continued "You definitely have people who care about you. We do Y/N, we love you".

Her heart broke as she saw the confusion in his eyes at the word love. Y/N had been shown so little in his life he was uncomfortable talking about it. Penny knew Dean saw it as well as he spoke to her through her mind

This absolutely kills me.

Penny realised she couldn't answer Dean and alert Y/N they were talking about him so she quickly changed the subject.

"Remember what we are doing tomorrow Y/N" Penny squealed in delight as the boy chuckled at her. "We're taking you to Diagon Alley".

-~-

Later that night the two lovers were lying in bed and she decided to finally raise the subject.

"You ok Dean?" She asked tenderly.

"I'm really not sure" he replied sorrowfully. "That kid has been through so much, the punches just keep coming at him since he was one year old".

She placed her head on his chest to comfort him. "Maybe he could stay with us" she asked tenderly. "Did you have any luck at the Ministry?"

Dean sighed.

"I managed to get an appointment with the head of Magical Orphan division"

"And...." Penny asked hopefully

"Flat our refused to consider Y/N staying with us. Said it came from Dumbledore himself it's integral the youngest child of the Sacred and Ancient Noble House of L/N stays with the Lord of the House, and the Minister is backing Dumbledore's opinion".

"I'm so sorry babe" Penny replied sadly. It hurt her to see Dean this upset and hurt more knowing other people were interfering with their family and prolonging the poor boys suffering. "I'm sure he has his reasons" she sighed.

"Yeah good old Albus always does doesn't he" Dean replied angrily. "As long as his master plans are followed through who cares who gets caught in the crossfire".

"Hey come here" she kissed him gently. "How bout we take your mind off it" she smirked and started kissing his chest before the couple jumped at the sound of screams coming down the hallway. They looked at each other saddened before Penny whispered "I'll go".

Penny got up and put on her dressing gown as she left her bedroom and headed towards Y/N's room. As she got closer she could hear Y/N's pained screams in his sleep.

"No... no please Mommy. Don't please no... no... ahhh!"

Penny ran forward with tears in her eyes, unable to stand the thought of the boy's suffering as she burst into his room.

Y/N was thrashing around his bed, topless, drenched in sweat as he whimpered. Penny quickly rushed over and woke him.

"Y/N Y/N wake up. It's just a nightmare. Wake up"

Y/N shot forward gasping for breath and wide eyed before looking at Penny and pulling back in fear, still disoriented and unable to grasp he was awake.

"Cutie Pie, Cutie Pie, it's me. It's Penny" Penny spoke calmly and reassuringly, as Y/N realised he was awake and safe.

Penny felt her heart breaking and held her arms out saying sadly:

"Come here darling"

In a rare moment of vulnerability Y/N dove into her embrace, Penny squeezing her little boy tight as she whispered reassurances. After a few moments of silence Y/N whispered:

"Did I forget the silencing charm?"

Penny nodded as she fought back tears before she was stunned when Y/N whimpered:

"Sorry".

Penny squeezed tighter as she whispered back:

"You don't need to be sorry Cutie Pie. These nightmares, they're every night, aren't they?"

Y/N nodded into the hug before speaking:

"Every night I'm there, back in the house. She chases me, trying to hurt me. No matter what I can't hide. Whenever she gets me there's a shadow man there who watches"

"Shadow man?" Penny asked as she wiped her eyes with one hand while still holding the embrace. "Do you know who he is?"

"No" Y/N shook his head. "Just he looks like Dad but his eyes are black"

Y/N shivered in fear as Penny squeezed him again and asked softly:

"Do you want me to stay with you?"

Y/N didn't answer from the hug, but she felt him nod.

Penny quickly notified Dean what was happened and returned to Y/N's bed, wrapping her arms around him.

"I'm here now Cutie Pie. I'm here"

Y/N fell asleep not long after and slept peacefully throughout the rest of the night.

-~-

The next morning Y/N was up early following Jacobs stringent work out plan. Penny woke in Y/N's bed at 6:30 and was shocked he wasn't there. She got up and placed her dressing gown on, heading to the kitchen. She smiled as a steaming hot cup of coffee was sat on the kitchen table over a note that said 'Penny'.

-~-

"Push ups, sit ups, pull ups and a run" Y/N breathed heavily as he re-entered the apartment.

"Morning Pen" he said as he walked to the kitchen for water.

Penny thought it was odd, Y/N was acting like the events of the night before hadn't happened. She would talk to him about it at some point, but she figured this was a coping mechanism for him, pretending it didn't happen. She indulged him for the time being. She smiled at the boy:

"Merlin's beard" Penny exclaimed and laughed. "You look like you've been busy". She smirked looking at the boy. He was covered in sweat to the point that his clothes were sticking to him.

"Jacobs routine. Push ups pull ups sit ups and a 2 mile run each morning" Y/N stated nonchalantly before drinking a large cup of water and trying to catch his breath. He continued:

"Start counting each up once it starts to hurt then count to 100".

Penny was secretly shocked how hard Jacob pushed the boy but didn't want to alarm him by mentioning it, instead she smiled:

"Well it's showing" she said as she giggled.

"Look at those muscles- the Hogwarts girls wont be able to keep away from you"

Y/N's eyes lit up. One thing Y/N showed through his flirting with Tulip, Alanza or any of their other female friends- Y/N loved girls. He was a little ladies man.

"Here's hoping" Y/N smirked, causing Penny to laugh before she spoke again.

"Speaking of... a little surprise for you"

Y/N turned quickly, intrigued by what Penny meant as she smirked at him.

"We're meeting your two favourite ladies at Diagon Alley today".

"Seriously?" Y/N asked excitedly.

Penny laughed seeing Y/N this excited before replying "Yes you gooba".

"Awesome" Y/N answered with the biggest smile Penny had seen since he opened his birthday present. He rushed to give her a hug before she squealed at him:

"No don't you're all sweaty" Penny screamed in a laughing fit.

"Oh yeah sorry sis" Y/N laughed. "I'm gonna go shower"

With that he was off like a flash.

Penny grinned as she drank her morning coffee Y/N had kindly made for her as she spoke to herself: "I love that kid so much".

-~-

Dean, Penny and Y/N travelled by floo and appeared in the entry way to Diagon Alley. Y/N was trying his hardest to remain stoic but his wall was slowly crumbling down as his excitement built. Dean smiled seeing his little brother so happy:

"It's ok to be excited little man" Dean said as he rubbed his younger brothers head. "It's ok to be a kid".

This made Y/N instantly stiffen up again as he returned to his stoically trained usual expression.

"A man must be measured and reserved at all times" Y/N replied walking forward. It was like a switch was flicked and he returned to Jacob's perfectly trained little soldier again.

Dean rubbed his eyes as Penny gently rubbed his back.

Ten minutes alone with Jacob babe, that's all I ask

Dean spoke to Penny with legilimency as she sighed.

"I know love" she replied "let's just keep trying for Y/N's sake".

"Yeah.... I know" Dean grumbled as they walked towards Y/N. He put on a happy face again:

"Alright bro, first stop is Gringotts. You can see where I work" Dean smiled.

"I've been to Gringotts a lot" Y/N replied before stopping suddenly in his tracks.

"What's wrong mate" Dean asked looking back with concern.

"About Gringotts..." Y/N asked nervously.
"I'm sorry to ask and need to rely on you but, could you and Penny maybe lend me some money to get my school stuff. I haven't got any. I'll work it off somehow housework or...."

Y/N was cut off as Penny pulled him into an impossibly tight hug.

"Firstly Cutie Pie, if you need something off us you ask. We don't lend you anything. We give it to you. We're family".

Penny noticed a tear slide down the corner of Y/N's eye but knew drawing attention to it would be a big step backwards. She instead squeezed tighter as she continued:

"Secondly, we are taking you to your vault to get your money out silly."

Y/N paused for a second.

"I have a Vault?" He asked in a confused way that made Penny laugh and kiss his head.

"Of course you do mate, we all got one when Dad..."

Dean cut himself off too late and saw Y/N's face drop. The subject of their father's murder always upset Y/N. Their mother had screamed at him over and over as she hurt him that it was his fault their father was dead. Dean sighed:

"Let's just go get it mate".

They walked down the twisted alleyway, many people stopping to greet them or just to stare. The sons of House L/N were well known throughout the wizarding world.

They arrived at Gringotts and walked in the doors before Penny and Dean stopped and looked on in amazement. A goblin approached Y/N and shook the boy's hand.

"Y/N, it is good to see you again" the goblin sneered.

"You too Griphook. It pleases me to see you again" Y/N replied.

Griphook sneered a nod towards his co worker Dean before leaving. Both members of the couple looked at the boy stunned.

"Since when do you garner so much respect from Goblins?" Dean asked with a chuckle.

Y/N looked at his elder brother emotionless:

"Jacob and I returned the stolen goblin gold a couple of months back"

The pair of adults' jaws dropped in unison.

"That was you two?" Dean asked in stunned disbelief. It had made the international news a few months prior. A significant amount of gold had been stolen from a carriage transporting it across Britain before being found by wizards or witches unknown.

"Yes" Y/N replied as if it was the most logical thing in the world.

Penny stared stunned as Dean shook his head.

"Let's just go see Bill"

-~-

The trio walked through the bank's administrative area before arriving at two doors. One said L/N, the other Weasley. Dean smiled and knocked.

Bill opened the office door and his face instantly lit up-

"Y/N how are you mate" Bill asked as he wrapped up Y/N in a bear hug. Y/N meanwhile stood there with a puzzled look on his face. Penny couldn't help but laugh.

"Uh... good to see you too Bill" Y/N answered awkwardly. Bill chuckled as he released the one sided hug:

"So you're getting you're stuff for Hogwarts right"

Y/N nodded and Bill continued:

"And you're with Dean and Penny, are you living with them now?"

Penny felt her heart drop as both Dean and Y/N looked to the floor sadly. Y/N answered:

"No Bill.... they are just good enough to put up with me while Jacob is busy with something"

Penny instantly wrapped Y/N in a tight hug and this time he reciprocated as she spoke:

"We are not putting up with you Y/N. Don't ever say or think that. It has been amazing having you with us, we both love you!"

Penny spoke in a sterner voice than she'd ever used with Y/N before.

Y/N hugged tighter and replied quietly "Sorry Penny".

He thinks he doesn't deserve to be loved

Dean spoke into Penny's mind which made her hug Y/N tighter as she fought back tears.

"Oh so she gets a hug" Bill smirked with a chuckle.

-~-

After accessing his vault and being shocked at the immense stacks of gold he had, Y/N took as much as he could carry and followed his brother and sister in law down Diagon Alley. There were more greetings and stunned looks as the trio made their way down the busy street before they heard a familiar voice call out:

"You are even cuter than last time I saw you".

Y/N turned and smirked. He recognised the voice. It belonged to a stunningly beautiful redhead. Y/N fired back without missing a beat:

"Hey baby. How's the worlds sexiest flower been?"

Tulip chuckled at the boys response.

"Better now I've seen you" Tulip smiled as she walked forward and hugged the boy, adding:

"Great to see you Y/N".

"You too Tulip".

"What about me?" Another voice asked from behind the red headed witch.

Y/N released the hug only to be engulfed in another one even tighter. He struggled to speak through the vice like grip.

"Great to see you too Nymphy.. just... can't ... breathe".

Tonks released the hug as her hair turned red in embarrassment.

"Yeah right sorry about that" she chuckled. "Just good to see you little bro"

"Good to see you too" Y/N smiled happily.

Dean and Penny came and greeted their old friends and the group decided to get a coffee at Florean Fortescue's Ice-Cream Parlour.

As they were walking Y/N turned to say something to Tonks before he cannoned into someone, sending them flying. He turned quickly to apologise and help them up.

Y/N offered his hand as the person got up and he started to offer an apology:

"I'm so sorry about that I...."

Y/N stopped in his tracks speechless as he came face to face with the prettiest girl he had ever seen in his life.

She was shorter than he was, had bushy brown hair and the most exquisite brown eyes he had ever seen. He couldn't help but stare into those eyes as he felt himself get lost.

Little did he realise the young girl was feeling the same thing looking into his bright green eyes.

The six adults around them looked at each other puzzled. The girl's parents had never seen their precocious daughter in stunned silence like this before.

Likewise Dean, Penny, Tonks and Tulip had never seen the usually outwardly confident and stoic boy this shell shocked.

Tonks leant in to Penny's ear and whispered to her "What the hells going on"

Penny smiled and whispered back "I think I've got an idea".

After what seemed like an eternity Y/N seemed to snap out of his stupor.

"I'm so sorry young lady I should have watched where I was going"

As he stammered a noticeable blush appeared on his cheeks.

Huh, that's new Dean spoke to Penny's mind. She could only nod and smile.

"Oh no it was entirely my fault" the young girl answered. "I- I'm Her- Hermione Granger" she said as she held a hand out to shake.

Y/N quickly took it and shook it gently.
He smiled as he thought to himself how soft her hand was.

Hermione smiled to herself, feeling the obvious strength in his hand that was being held back. She quickly formed a blush herself.

"You wanna introduce yourself back champ" Dean smirked as he watched the pair's awkward introduction.

To be honest he found it hilarious watching his little brother so dishevelled. Y/N had been routinely flirting with grown women since he was eight years old. Other than when in Jacob's presence he was never speechless around the fairer sex.

Y/N appeared to shake his head as he spoke quickly:

"Right sorry mind ran away with me. I'm Y/N L/N"

"Re- really nice to meet you" Hermione answered before motioning to her parents.

"This is my mum Monica and my Dad Wendell"

Y/N composed himself and looked both her parents in the eye while shaking their hands, adding "Pleasure to meet you both".

Monica giggled at her daughter's interaction with the boy. Her daughter had never had friends before and was always serious, almost professional, in her approach to life. To see her blushing and stuttering was something she never thought she would see. She smiled at the young boy. "Pleasure to meet you too"

Wendell smiled at the boy in front of him:

"Hell of a handshake there son, good to meet you".

Y/N smiled, before Dean cleared his throat, Y/N then turning and embarrassingly introducing the rest of his group.

"This is my brother Dean, his girlfriend Penny, and our friends Tulip and Tonks".

Mischievous Tulip got a smirk and a glint in her eye and couldn't resist stirring things a little. She quickly asked:

"I thought I was your girlfriend Y/N"

Without missing a beat Y/N turned back to Tulip smirking and answered "you wish" with a little wink. Everyone chuckled except Hermione who blushed even more.

"And he's back" Dean said to Penny, causing her and the other adults to laugh again.

"Are you a Hogwarts student Y/N?" Monica asked.

"Yes ma'am, or at least I will be. I'm going to start first year next September" Y/N answered.

"Same as me" Hermione giggled.

"Cool" Y/N replied with a smile.

"Oh, you're quite large for an eleven year old aren't you" Monica replied without thinking.

"Um... thank you?" Y/N answered puzzled with a furrowed brow.

"Mum!" Hermione gasped in shock, her previously fading blush resuming.

"Oh sorry dear I meant very muscular" Monica attempted to correct herself.

"MUM!!!" Hermione gasped with even more force.

"Alright we better make a move anyway a lot to buy" Dean chucked.

"Yeah we better move too, say goodbye to your friend Hermione"

Wendell smiled as he said that. He hated how isolated Hermione was at her school. He happily noticed Y/N beam with pride at being called her friend.

"G- Goodbye Y/N" Hermione offered her hand for a handshake.

Y/N gripped her hand firmly but gently. "Goodb- bye Hermione, hope to see you on the train"

"Me too" she smiled as she left with her parents.

Y/N watched her leave smiling, before turning to the four adults who were all smirking at him.

"What?" He asked with a raised eyebrow.

-~-

The gentle, or in the case of Tonks and Tulip not so gentle, ribbing of Y/N continued for the rest of the afternoon.

After a coffee Y/N and the others made their way along the Alley, checking off the required items from his list. Madam Malkin's had taken a while, Y/N opting for magical robes that would stretch as he grew. They were more expensive but removed the need for constant returns. As they exited the clothing store Dean looked through the list:

"So just a wand and a pet right Y/N?" Dean asked.

"Yeah I suppose I should a wand" Y/N answered.

"What do you mean suppose" Dean asked confused.

Y/N pulled a wand out of his pocket much to his brothers shock.

"I mean I've being using this one Jacob gave me for the last three years but it might look suspicious if I don't buy one".

Dean was shocked beyond rational thought at this point.

"Why would Jacob give you a wand? It's illegal."

"Oh yeah I know but this one has no trace on it so I've been able to use it to learn and practice spells".

Dean sighed as he felt another Jacob-induced tension headache coming on.

"Ok just don't say anymore, I'll take the girls for another coffee. Come meet us when you've got a wand and a pet".

"Ok" Y/N nodded as he turned and entered Ollivanders.

The shop was old and dusty. Mountains of wandboxes filled every available space. As Y/N looked around

"Hello Mr. L/N, I've been expecting you".

Y/N didn't jump at the sudden voice but looked forward intrigued as an older man with wild grey white hair emerged from the shadows.

"You look remarkably like your father young Y/N. Lord L/N was a good man and a better friend. I miss him. I wonder if you will be like him"

Ollivander pulled a wand from the back and presented it to Y/N:

"12 inches, ebony, with a unicorn core. Try it" He said as he held it out towards Y/N.

Y/N took it and gave it a gentle flick- A draw flew out from behind Ollivander and sped out an open window into the Alley.

"Nope..." Garrick said as he quickly took the wand back.

"how about this one? 11 and a half inches, dragon heartstring made from cedar wood"

This time a hole was blasted through a shelf behind Ollivander, sending him flying for cover. This went on for nearly an hour before Ollivander looked at Y/N, narrowing his eyes.

"I wonder... try this one"

He handed Y/N a wand and suddenly his whole body was surrounded in a feeling of warmth and light. Ollivander gasped as Y/N's eyes appeared to become luminous momentarily.

"Remarkable" Ollivander began.... "the wand chooses the wizard Mr. L/N.... And this one wand has not chosen anyone for centuries. It was given to one of my ancestors and has been here ever since, refusing to pick any witch or wizard until it's destined owner appeared. 12 inches, Yew wood and a thestral hair core. We can expect great things from you Mr. L/N. Possibly terrible, but great."

Y/N left with his wand after paying, tremendously confused. He could feel his wand pulling him, talking to him without words, longing to be put to use.

Y/N grasped it in his hand and levitated a flower pot across the street nonverbally, feeling a sense of relief having cast a spell with his wand. He placed it back under his sleeve as he headed towards Magical Menagerie for his final purchase.

He entered the store to see a number of Magical Creatures- nifflers, crups, kneazles, streelers and porlocks; not to mention owls, cats and toads.

It was strange. The shop appeared empty but it seemed crowded. Y/N could barely hear himself think for all the voices he heard.

He'd decided to get an owl, it was the most practical pet, but as he looked over the owls he was distracted by the loud voices all around him. He covered his ears as he tried to block the voices out with no luck before he felt a small creature pawing at his leg.

Meow

Y/N looked down to see a Kneazle kitten looking up at him.

"Well hello you" he smiled, still trying to block the deafening noise out. He turned back to the owls but felt more pawing.

"You really want to come with me Huh?" Y/N smiled at the kitten. It meowed again before nuzzling into his arms.

"Ok. Ok. Let's go see if you're for sale"

Y/N walked to the counter, squinting over the noise as he got to the counter.

"Is it always this noisy in here?" Y/N asked the owner behind the counter.

The man looked around his near empty store puzzled.

"Uh, Yeah. Beating the hordes off with a stick most days... wait is that Smoky?" He asked in surprise at the fluffball in Y/N's arms.

"Uh I don't know. Is it? She was following me around the store pawing me until I picked her up" Y/N replied.

"Merlin's beard. That is Smoky. She hasn't been here long, but she usually won't let anyone near her. Nothing like she is now. It's almost like you were meant to be" the shopkeeper said with a stunned expression.

Y/N looked down at the kitten, who almost seemed to be pulling his hand down to scratch her belly and sighed.

"I'll take her then"

"Excellent" the shop keeper smiled. "Can I interest you in a premium cat care pack?"

-~-

Y/N walked out of the store and over to meet the adults with Smoky in one arm, the 'premium cat care pack' in a bag on the other. He approached his friends and family and Penny's eyes lit up at the adorable kitten in his arms.

"Well hello" she smiled sweetly. "Who's this little-"

She cut herself off as she pulled back, Smoky hissing at her and swiping her paw.

"Hey Smoky no! Be nice to Penny" Y/N said firmly.

The kitten looked up at him and meowed, almost as if to argue.

"No. Be nice to Penny or you go back to the store!"

The kitten meowed again and Penny reached out cautiously. This time Smoky allowed Penny to stroke her head.

"Awesome. You got a devil cat" Tonks chuckled as Tulip rolled her eyes.

The group sat again to finish their coffees, before the trio said their goodbyes to Tulip and Tonks and headed home. Y/N had a lot to contemplate after a very eventful day.