The carriages began arriving back in Hogwarts as the afternoon sun started to get low in sky and the air began to cool. When the four Gryffindors disembarked they were surprised to see the Headmaster standing not ten feet from them, smiling.

Y/N got out first, holding the door and politely assisting Hermione and Lavender out before he quickly stroked and thanked the Thestral that had brought them back to school.

"Good afternoon my young Gryffindors" the Headmaster said with a smile. "I trust you all enjoyed yourselves?"

Hermione, Lavender and Ron all excitedly answered in the affirmative, Y/N merely smirking at Dumbledore's small talk.

"I wonder perhaps if I could borrow you for a small while, Y/N?" the Headmaster asked, a small chuckle eliciting from his lips at the half raised eyebrow his question had garnered Y/N from Hermione. He quickly continued:

"I can assure you, Ms. Granger, Y/N hasn't done anything... this time."

He chuckled again at his own joke.

Y/N nodded, leaning down to kiss Hermione on the lips and whisper:

"I'll be up soon love."

—~—

Hermione, Ron and Lavender arrived at the Gryffindor Common Room, slightly puffed out, and found Harry sat on a couch waiting for their return. He smiled at them, and then smiled even larger as Ron placed a large bag of sweets on his lap.

"There you go. mate. Lav and I got you as much as we could, they had lots of free samples so we got as many as we could for you."

Ron smiled at Harry as Harry smiled first to his friend then at the lollies.

"Thanks guys. What was Hogsmeade like?"

"It was brilliant, Zonkos was great and Honeydukes was amazing and..."

Ron was cut off with a sharp jab in the ribs from Lavender.

"It was a bit boring after a while, wasn't it Ronald."

She looked at him with fierce wide eyes, hoping he got the message. Surprisingly for Ron, he did.

"Yeah it was a bit, you know boring after a while. You didn't miss much."

—~—

Y/N was walking next to the Headmaster, his hands in his pockets as Albus had his behind his back, enjoying the afternoon's fading warmth on his skin.

Albus smiled, he wasn't a short man by any stretch at 6'1", but his young student was clearly several inches taller than him now. As he looked up towards Y/N's eyes he chuckled:

"I often wonder, Y/N, if Professor Sprout has been lacing your boots with Dragon dung fertiliser. Every time I see you you seem to be taller."

Y/N chuckled and replied:

"Funny you mention that, last time I saw Jacob after a growth spurt he said he was surprised they stacked shit this high. Are you sure you wish to exchange friendly platitudes though? Or do you wish to hear my report?"

Albus chuckled. As much as Y/N resembled his father, both physically and in his personality, he was vastly different in this respect. The L/N boys were an interesting mix in that regard.

Dean, like Thomas when he was alive, would happily exchange small talk for hours, enjoying the socialisation.

Y/N meanwhile was very much like Jacob- who, what, when, why, how- he didn't suffer fools and had little patience for small talk or forced unnecessary conversation. Y/N was the epitome of focus, of drive and determination. He was intense, steadfast and resolved. A boy, becoming a man, of sheer will.

He was not however a good politician, at least in the sense of a Lucius Malfoy or a Cornelius Fudge. It was fortunate he was the youngest heir in the L/N family and not the eldest.

"Very well. Your report, Y/N?" Albus smiled.

"Hermione and I had a lovely date and I spoilt her rotten."

Y/N smiled at his own words.

"While there and walking around Hogsmeade, I did as you asked, using legilimency on everyone I passed. The vast majority of residents are extremely worried about Sirius Black, and Jackson for that matter, but there were no sightings, nor anyone who had been housing or supporting him. Hogsmeade seems a dead end, sir."

—~—

Y/N arrived back to the common room to find his friends on their usual couches, as he entered Hermione squealed and rushed over, jumping up and wrapping her arms round his neck as she kissed him.

"He wasn't gone that long 'Mione" Lavender laughed from the couch as the couple eventually separated.

"Everything ok?" Hermione asked worriedly as she led Y/N by the hand towards the couches.

Y/N smiled as Hermione heard in her mind:

Nothing to worry about. I'll explain when we're alone.

The pair sat with their friends, Hermione jumping on Y/N's lap and pulling his arms over her shoulders, squeezing them tightly.

—~—

The friends had been sat talking for nearly an hour, almost about to leave for the Halloween feast, when Y/N caught Harry's eye and motioned to the side with his head. Harry nodded and stood as Y/N excused himself and pried a reluctant Hermione off his lap.

The two friends walked to the corner of the room Y/N pulled the Quidditch gloves from his pouch and handed them to Harry.

"Here Harry, a gift from Hermione and I. Hope you put them to good use on the pitch, mate."

Harry smiled at the gloves before his eyes went wide at the pricetag.

"Y/N... 30 galleons. I can't accept this it's-"

"A gift, for my dearest friend and brother, Harry. They cost so much because they are enchanted, as you grow they'll grow with you, you'll never need another pair. It's my way of apologising. I felt dreadful leaving you behind, if it wasn't for Hermione being so excited for our date then I would have-"

Y/N was cut off as Harry pulled him into a tight hug.

"Thank you brother. I've never had one in my life til I met you. I'm grateful for being your friend, Y/N."

Y/N held Harry tighter as he replied quietly:

"Family doesn't end with blood, Harry. Sometimes you make your own. I know I've been busy with classes and hunting and Hermione, but don't ever think you're anything but my dearest friend, Harry."

They embraced a moment more before releasing and going back to the group, Harry wiping tears from his eyes as he sat.

"Everything ok?" Hermione asked, sweetly taking Y/N's hand as he sat next to her.

"All good baby, just having a chat with Harry. C'mon guys, the feast starts soon."

They all stood and walked out the Common Room, heading down towards the Great Hall.