Chapter Text
August 3rd, 1980
James Potter and Lily Potter had been going through more than just a rough patch of their fledgling marriage. Without the knowledge of their friends and family, they had been separated for several months, now going on a year. James wouldn’t had been surprised that when they next met, that Lily would want to speak about divorce.
It was a miracle that she had taken him back instead.
The reason for their almost breakup had been so petty on his part, that he couldn’t figure out what had to had been going through his mind originally. There were so many solutions they could have explored, but he had simply… gone off. Granted it had been a shocker, but it was no excuse for how he had acted. Lily would have been right to leave him and to find someone better, someone who wouldn’t have cared.
Lily couldn’t bear children.
Of course he knew that it was no one’s fault, especially Lily’s. It happened sometimes, nature was like that. But he had said things he shouldn’t had in the heat of the moment. Lily had been right to feel betrayed and angry. That git Snape wouldn’t had cared that she couldn’t have kids, he would have asked what she needed from him.
And why did he know what Snivellus would have said?
When James had come to his senses during those lonely months, certain that Lily would never have him again, he had found someone for relief; a shoulder to cry on, someone who would laugh at his situation and who wouldn’t try to make him feel better, someone to punish himself with.
Loptr had been visiting from Scandinavia. He had stood out in the tavern, drinking an expensive wine he had somehow charmed out of the barkeeper while everyone else drank butterbeer. And if the curl of his legs under the counter was any indication, he was taller than he was. Not a lot of wizards were over six foot. His long silk hair had been blacker than midnight, his skin pale like snow, and his almond-shaped eyes were a green brighter than Lily’s. Loptr had also lacked all sympathy for James’s situation and he had boldly laughed about it over drinks with him. His silver tongue had soothed and lashed, and it would have chased off lesser men.
They had a fling for a while, and then they went their separate ways. James had always assumed the exotic man had gotten bored with him.
Then Lily had taken him back. He had vowed to become the best husband he could be. It even worked for a while, and it was a distant memory that he had almost lost her. They had been considering adoption after the war, perhaps becoming foster parents to war orphans, when an unexpected visitor appeared on their doorstep.
Loptr had been cradling a tiny bundle in his arms. Lily had immediately invited him in for tea and fudge from Honeydukes.
“James dear, a friend of yours has come to see you. Don’t keep him waiting, I’m sure he means this to be a short visit. He has a darling newborn with him.” James couldn’t think who his wife could mean. He didn’t have any friends with newborns, not any that Lily wouldn’t also know about considering how isolated they had been for the last year. It had been months since they met anyone in person, even from the Order.
James left his study to see who it was. To say he was stunned would have been an understatement. “Loojer.” He always butchered the man’s name. James had no idea how the man had even found them. While their version of “gone into hiding” at the moment just meant they weren’t listed in the Wizarding pages, only a few others whom they trusted had been told their current temporary address.
“Jay, or should I call you James?” The man was as exotic and tantalizing as ever. Even a simple question could be seen as flirting.
“James, please.” James motioned to the couch for Loptr then sat across from the man on a loveseat. He glanced to the silent burden in the Scandinavian’s arms, curious.
“He’s yours.”
“Ex-excuse me?” Hazel eyes were confused as he stared at Loptr and the sleeping baby.
“Call your wife, she should hear this.”
Lily happened to be coming in with the tea and fudge at that time. “I hope this is to your liking,” she said pleasantly. “I’m assuming you’re here on business, so I’ll leave you boys to it.”
“Have a seat, this involves you. It’s Order business.”
“Oh, I had no idea.” She sat next to James, missing the moment her husband’s eyes narrowed in alarm. He knew Loptr was not part of the Order. How did he find out about it?
“During your separation, your husband and I had an affair. I trust he told you as much.” Loptr saw realization in the woman’s eyes then nodded before continuing. “The two of us were not honest with one another. I’m from an intersex race, and had I realized a union between us could be fruitful I would have taken precautions.” Loptr had to visibly keep himself from laughing at their expressions, if the shaking in his shoulders were any indication. The raven-haired man often snickered to himself like that when he and James had been together.
James swallowed, making his Adam’s apple bob. “This…this is my child?”
“Yes, he is yours, and you must take him before he is murdered or used as a means to an end. I ask this of you who serves the Order.”
~*Chapter 1: The Birthday Present*~
July 31st, 2000
It was one Harry Potter’s 20th birthday.
Early that morning, he had received a message from Gringotts Wizarding Bank that he had a time delayed package awaiting him. So after breakfast he went straight to Diagon Alley, curious to what it could be and from who, and on a time crunch because his friends had plans for him starting at the eleventh hour. Fortunately, they were meeting at the Leaky Cauldron. If the business didn’t take too long, he wouldn’t be late.
Gringotts hadn’t changed since he had last been there. He didn’t think it had changed since he had graduated from Hogwarts. He walked past the silver doors with their engraved warning for would-be thieves. He was quickly met by one of the many goblins who worked there, then he was taken the usual route via cart to the underground vaults. He held on for the rollercoaster ride, and as usual he thought it ended much too soon.
As the goblin waited for Harry to unlock the vault with his key, he explained what Harry was to expect. “Your parents paid to keep an important treasure locked away in a separate vault until your twentieth birthday. We placed it in here at midnight.”
“What is it exactly?” Harry couldn’t think of what else his deceased parents could have wanted to give him. The vault was already filled with more money and treasures than he could ever hope to use.
“A book.”
“A book?” Harry didn’t receive a response. The goblin had already hopped back onto the cart and moved on. They didn’t bother keeping Aurors company, read as under watch, when they had other business to attend.
Harry shrugged and went inside. On the bright side, he could grab a few coins to make sure he had enough for his birthday celebrations, although he was sure the others wouldn’t allow him to pay for anything. In the least he wanted to be able to leave any necessary tips.
He saw the book sitting atop a pedestal that hadn’t been in the room before. The pedestal was a typical stone one that looked like his parents had bought it right there in Diagon Alley, but the book was something else.
It was a large tome the color of jade with gold-edged pages and gold engravings. He didn’t recognize the symbols, they appeared to be runes, but the motif in the center looked like a helmet with a pair of curved horns. He had never seen such a book, and with the number of hours Hermione had made him and Ron spend in the library back during their Hogwarts days and now at the Ministry of Magic, he had seen a lot. A lot, a lot.
It was surprisingly heavy for its size, but no matter what Harry did the book would not open. It was obviously enchanted, a quick spell confirmed that much. How was he supposed to open it? “I can stand here like an idiot until I figure it out, or I take it with me for Hermione to look at.” He knew which choice he preferred. After grabbing a small bag of coins, he left with his unusual gift.
He stopped off at Quality Quidditch Supplies to check out the new racing broomsticks. The Aerospace 360 from Cleansweep Broom Company was out, and it looked marvelous. It had the potential to usurp the Nimbus and Firebolt lines with its new breaking and acceleration system, putting the old company back in the spotlight. However, the Firebolt Excel and the Nimbus Revolution were supposed to be debuting soon.
Perhaps he would treat himself to a new racing broom. Ginny would yell at him if she knew. She had only wanted him to get the new family brooms like something from the Bluebottle series.
Harry’s mood dropped a bit at his thoughts about his wife. They were separated at the moment, and she had moved back in with her parents. Looking back they both realized they had rushed into marriage, and the problems that kept springing up from not truly knowing each other had started taking their toll. He loved Ginny, and he had no problems with her physically, but for the last while they just hadn’t… meshed. Sometimes he had felt like he was living with a stranger.
He walked to the Leaky Cauldron with the book in his arms, ignoring the curious stares with practiced ease. Some he knew to be looking because they recognized him for who he was, and others were wondering about the fancy text that seemed to shimmer under the sunlight. He rather they stared at the book than him, but he hid it under his robes to limit the attention. He had had enough of staring since he was eleven.
‘The Boy Who Lived.’
He still hated that title. It wasn’t an accomplishment to live when its foundation was on top of someone else’s sacrifice. There had been so many sacrifices made in his name. Too many.
‘It’s your birthday. Congratulations on staying alive.’
His parents probably would have liked to have been able to give him this book themselves. They would have been able to tell him how to open it, too. Maybe if his parents were around he wouldn’t be having problems with Ginny. Everyone always said what a perfect marriage James and Lily Potter had.
But they were dead, and it didn’t matter what they would have wanted. They couldn’t do anything anymore.
He needed to think of something less upsetting.
“Harry!” He snapped his head up at his name. It was Hermione, waving to him from down the street. Luna was with her, looking as calm and dreamy as ever even as she wore a bright spangled dress in Gryffindor colors. He expected she would wear her Lionhead hat later.
“Morning!” Harry plastered on a grin and waved back. All of his friends who could come had gathered today for him. He could at least be happy while they were all together.
The three of them made their way to the Leaky Cauldron, catching up with small talk, until Hermione caught Harry by the arm and stopped their progress. “Harry, are you okay?”
“Of course I am, Hermione. Why wouldn’t I be?”
“You look like you’re crying inside,” Luna said bluntly. A small smile quirked Harry’s lips. That was Luna for you, never one to beat around the bush.
“Is… Is Ginny there?” Harry finally asked.
“Yes,” Hermione responded with a nod. “She came with George. She looks to be in a good mood, if that helps.”
Harry was conflicted for a moment. He wanted Ginny to be happy, but part of him hoped that she would be as… whatever he was about this whole mess that was their relationship.
“Yeah, thanks.” He shifted the text around to keep it from digging into his ribs. “There’s something I want us to look at later.”
“Is it what you’re hiding in your cloak?” Luna asked with a faraway smile.
“Uh, yeah,” Harry admitted. “It’s a present…from my parents.”
“A time-delayed gift?” Hermione looked excited at the prospect. “Have you opened it yet?”
“It’s a book.”
Hermione’s enthusiastic squeal could probably be heard in Knockturn Alley.
The Leaky Cauldron was filled to bursting with Harry’s friends and loved ones. The butterbeer flowed and there were snacks and treats galore. A table near the bar was piled up with colorful gift boxes and bags. Another table had a ginormous cake that seemed to only be held together by magic, much like the Weasley house. It was tilting in all kinds of ways to keep the decorations on the awkwardly arranged layers. It was a lot like waiting for a Jenga tower to collapse.
For the first hour Harry and Ginny didn’t say anything to each other beyond ‘hello’ but after a while Harry built up his nerve to break away from Ron, George, and Neville Longbottom to speak with her. “Hello, Ginny.”
“Hi, Harry.” She was as beautiful as ever, and not for the first time, Harry wished he could figure out what was wrong with their relationship. “It’s a good party.”
“Thanks. Ho-how have you been?” He mentally cursed at his nervous stutter. Wasn’t he too old to keep doing that?
“I’ve been well enough.”
“Me, too,” Harry admitted. It wasn’t like he couldn’t take care of himself after all. He had been doing that his entire life, but maybe that was the problem. Ginny wanted to take care of him, to mother him as the parents he had lost all too soon, but he didn’t want that.
Granted, he wasn’t totally sure what it was he wanted.
Thunderous pops and whistles abruptly went off, startling them from their sort-of-conversation. Then the both of them were grabbed by their friends to rejoin the festivities, and to be immediately covered in ribbons and puffballs. Harry and Ginny glanced to each other then laughed. It was the closest the boy-who-lived had felt to his wife since the separation.
Harry and Ginny found themselves mysteriously alone chasing down stray chocolate frogs by the bar counter as the party started winding down a couple hours later. The moment had probably been orchestrated by George and Ron who had exchanged entirely too many grins and winks between them just moments ago.
“Stay still, it’s in your hair,” Ginny warned while trying to sneak up on the magic chocolate. Harry did his best not to laugh, she looked so serious that it was funny. The corners of her mouth were twitching upwards. “Stop distracting me.”
“I’m not,” Harry denied, just before he crossed his eyes and sucked in his cheeks. Ginny giggled and missed the frog.
“Harry!” She smacked his shoulder playfully.
“Oh! Got him!” A quick flick of his wrist and he caught the frog as it hopped off of Ginny’s shoulder.
“Great catch.” She batted her long lashes and Harry responded with a lopsided grin.
“Thanks.”
The frogs were rounded up and the rest of the party mess cleaned in short order. Harry was by the door, receiving final well wishes and goodbyes until it was just his closest friends left. George slapped the brunet on the back, and Harry suspected he stuck something there. “Great party, Harry, thanks to me of course.”
“Of course, George.” They both laughed and Harry slipped a Bean Bomb in the redhead’s waistband when he turned away. It would go off next time he sat.
Catcalls from behind caught Harry’s attention. “Nice figure, Harry!” Dean Thomas laughed on his way out. Harry was able to see his reflection on a butterbeer mug that was still out. A parchment was running down his back depicting the body of a bikini-clad female wiggling her bum.
“That wanker!” Harry knew George had pulled something. He better enjoy that Bean Bomb!
Hermione helped him get it off, while Ron snickered into a closed fist before bursting out into full laughter. He’ll give the redhead points for trying to hold it in.
“Oh, Ginny, just a moment!” Harry jogged over to where she was checking her travel robes.
“It’s was a lovely party, Harry,” she responded with a bright smile. “I had a really good time. Congratulations on your twentieth.” Harry almost forgot what he was going to say.
“I-I’m glad. Uh, we’re going to my flat for a while—that is Hermione, Ron, and I. Um, maybe Luna. Would you like to come too? We’re opening a book from my parents, hopefully opening. It’s spelled.” He was starting to ramble and made himself stop by clearing his throat.
“I’d loved to, but I have to work in the morning. I should really be getting back.” Ginny brushed their hands together. “But I’d like to see it after it’s been sorted.”
“R-right that… I’ll send Hedwig later.”
Harry sighed after she left with another ‘Happy Birthday.’
“It was a good try,” Luna commented in her serene tone. Her lion hat purred in sympathy. Ron patted his shoulder.
“Don’t worry, Harry, she’s still sensitive about you-know-who’s journal. I think you did good today.”
“Well, he did well,” Hermione corrected. “I’ve settled everything with the owner. We can leave now. Are you coming, Luna?”
“Yes, I’m curious about this book. Perhaps your parents got a Springer Titan to lock it.”
“What’s a Springer Titan?” Ron asked. Luna only gave him a grin, and her hat rumbled with amusement.
Harry’s apartment was an ordinary 600 square foot residence. Small even by British standards, but he didn’t need much space, and it was on the top of a twenty story building so had grand views.
Harry unhooked his table from the wall and enlarged it to full-size in the center of his living space, then he did the same for four chairs. Once those were settled in place he pulled the tome from his cloak, the item regaining its original size as well.
“Blimey, is that it?” Ron stared with round eyes at the fancy jade and gold. “Is that a coat of arms? I don’t recognize the family, is it an ancient Potter one?”
“I’m not going to know, Ron.” Harry magicked up some tea to serve. Hermione sat in front of the text and began to examine it, Ron sat next to her. Luna took a chair at the end of the table, then she put her hat away inside her robes.
“What do you make of it?” Harry served the tea then took a chair across from Hermione.
“I see why nothing worked, the enchantment is something I’ve only read about,” the bushy-hair witch informed. “This is a blood seal.”
“That sounds ominous,” her husband commented.
“It’s not so bad as that. Basically, only your blood can open it. Your parents must have made this not long after you were born.” She pointed to a notch at the top right corner for the cover. “See this? This nick is for you to prick your thumb, then the blood runs down the groove to release the seal.”
“How clever,” Luna said. “They must have had a Springer Titan design it so no one unknowledgeable would notice.” Hermione resisted rolling her eyes and continued.
“Blood seals are notoriously difficult to create, and to have done it to you as a baby is astounding. I knew everyone said your parents were brilliant, Harry, but this is genius-level advanced magic.”
“There must be something amazing inside,” Ron uttered in awe.
“Whatever the case, I’ll give it a go,” the young Potter decided. He took the book back, pulled in a breath, then pressed his finger to the innocuous notch. “Ouch! It bit me!” He tried to pull his thumb away, but found he couldn’t.
The bright red trailed down the depression that ran along the side. The groove split and deepened, forming a series of runes all around the golden helm. The blood trail ended once it pooled into a pair of eyes.
The tome was engulfed in brilliant green and gold light that made everyone cover their faces.
When it died down, Harry was finally able to pull away. The cover flipped open and gold lettering in a calligraphic style appeared on the front page:
HAPPY BIRTHDAY
HARRY JAMES POTTER
Everyone gathered around Harry to see what was happening. The next page flipped on its own to reveal a picture of James and Lily. They were next to each other and holding hands.
“It’s my parents!” His green eyes teared up at the sight. While Harry had mixed feeling about his father due to having experienced Professor Snape’s memories, part of him was still glad to see him looking well and alive alongside his mother.
“They look so happy,” remarked Hermione.
“Happy Birthday, Harry,” Lily congratulated.
“Happy Birthday, son,” James followed. “By now you’ve grown into a fine adult from our little 4-monther. You’re probably wondering why we made this unusual book.”
“There are things we’ve kept from you, dear,” Lily stated with what appeared to be some reluctance. “We don’t know the circumstances of the time when you’re receiving this, but we’re going to assume we’re not in the room to answer your questions. Please hold on until the end.”
Harry’s mouth was dry and he was barely keeping the tears in check. He knew from the vagueness of that statement that they weren’t sure they were going to survive the war. Both Ron and Hermione squeezed his shoulders, and Luna placed her hand atop his.
James and Lily gazed to each other a moment before looking back at him. “Harry,” Lily started, her voice trembling, “I’m not your birth mother.” Everyone gasped, even Luna was flabbergasted by that. “You were an unexpected gift to us after we…after we found out we couldn’t have children.”
“Your mother and I had a bit of a rough patch when we found out, and we separated for a several months. During that time I had met someone, and well, let’s just say all parties involved were surprised by the results.”
“Don’t be craven and tell him properly,” Lily demanded. James looked ashamed. “Due to circumstances, you weren’t safe in your birth parent’s home, and you were brought to us.” She squeezed James’s hands, the man swallowed.
“Your birth parent is from a race called Jotnar, it seems they’re arctic giants.”
“What?!” Harry never had a reason to assume he was anything more than human before now. This was as much of a surprise as finding out that Lily wasn’t his biological mother.
“Jotnar are beautiful with snow white hair and ice blue skin,” Luna commented. “How lucky for you.” Harry didn’t bother questioning why she knew that, she was Luna Lovegood—the woman who knew more magical creatures, that may or may not be real, and outlandish things than Hermione could keep up with.
“You’ll learn more on the next page,” James said before the book did just that.
The parchment contained the picture of a tall, elegant person with long black hair and pale skin like a porcelain doll. Shocking, bright green, almond-shaped eyes filled with sharp intellect stared out at them. Expensive green and gold robes were draped over the lean, almost willowy form. Harry immediately wondered if they were in Slytherin.
“Golly, is that your mom?” Ron questioned, as if bedazzled. “She’s gorgeous.” Hermione elbowed him.
“Vali, I am Loptr,” greeted a distinctly male voice, “your birthing parent.” Everyone but Luna’s jaw dropped at the unexpected reveal.
“He’s one of the shapeshifters then,” Luna informed. “Some jotun can do that.”
“As you were doubtlessly informed, you are of Jotnar stock. When you were born I sealed that side of you away for your protection, but around now that seal will be fading. I’ll find you when that happens. Keep alive, would you.”
The page flipped over as soon as the man Loptr was done talking. Instead of another picture, a gold pendant on a brown leather cord was revealed. Engraved on the shiny surface was the same insignia that was on the book cover. Then more calligraphy appeared below the necklace.
TO VALI
WEAR IT
“What do you think it does? Is Vah-lee supposed to be your name? You don’t really think that bloke is your mother, do you?” Ron’s quick fired questions had Harry’s head spinning.
The boy-who-lived hadn’t lived a normal life by any means, but he had finally gotten used to being an adult in the post-war wizarding world. This message was telling him he wasn’t who he thought he was, that his identity was some stranger hidden away.
He slammed the book shut.
“Harry?” Hermione squeezed his shoulder in concern. “We don’t think any different of you,” she assured.
“What if I change?” He stared hard at the tome and it’s depiction of a gold helm. “What if, when the spell wears off, I change into someone else—something else?”
“You’ll still be our best mate, Harry,” Ron’s responded. The women both echoed their agreement.
“We went through the horrors of Voldemort together,” Hermione added. “We’re not leaving now.”
“You’re going to be a beautiful jotun,” Luna commented with a thoughtful smile. Harry wasn’t completely sure how to feel about that, but he knew she was trying to comfort him like Ron and Hermione.
“Um, thank you?”
He stared down at the text again. Lily wasn’t his biological mother, but she had loved him as her own anyway. She had loved him unconditionally, and her love was what had protected him from Voldemort when he was young.
“Lily was my mother, not this Loopjah guy,” Harry declared.
“Loptr,” Hermione corrected. “Harry, I understand your feelings, but I don’t think you can dismiss what the book revealed. And there’s that amulet you were told to wear.”
“I still don’t think that bloke can be trusted,” the redhead complained. “Who knows what that thing does.”
“I doubt his mother would be trying to hurt him after all this time, Ron.”
“Lily’s my mother,” Harry interjected.
“Your birthing parent then,” she changed. “My point is that it’s probably for your protection. He did tell you to stay alive.”
The brunet opened the book to the back. The amulet looked the same.
After a moment he picked it up to get a good look at it. The gold was lighter in weight than it appeared. He would forget it was on if he did wear it.
“I still say check the spells on it first,” Ron insisted.
“I would guess,” Luna suddenly said, “that at least one will be a cooling charm. Jotnar are from the coldest of realms.”
“That makes sense,” Hermione agreed, although her expression clearly said she wanted to know where the blonde had gotten her information. “Loptr wouldn’t know what traits you’ve inherited or to what degree you’ll express them.”
Harry held the necklace up by the leather strap and pointed his wand at it to check for spells. Hermione had a point, it was unlikely that this person was planning to hurt him, but he still wanted to know what he was signing up for so to speak.
A quick enchantment later and Harry thought his mind would blow. There was a cooling charm like Luna had surmised, but there was also a protection spell on a level he had never seen before. It was more complex than the ones on the ancient pyramids that Bill Weasley liked to get into.
Was this casted by Loptr? Did artic giants have magic like this?
He was honestly in awe. “This is brilliant.” He explained to the others what he saw, and all of their eyes had widen. There was no stopping Hermione from scanning the amulet as well. Her excited squeal could probably be heard through the walls. Ron had to see too, after that.
Luna was looking contemplative, and the young Potter almost missed her quiet mutters. “A jotun wizard? How rare. Is he that one?”
That one? Who did Luna mean, and how did she know so much about this specific subject? Her specialty was magical creatures and beings since she was a wizarding naturalist, but still. “Luna, what are you not telling us?” he finally asked, drawing Ron and Hermione’s attention.
“It’s not a matter of not telling,” she responded, “but a matter of not knowing. I was reminded of something from a discussion from one liken to myself.”
Harry didn’t want to begin deciphering what she meant by that. He heard a controlled, patient sigh from Hermione. “And that was?” Harry pushed.
“There’s been a trickster in the realms, a shapeshifter with powerful magic. I heard rumor it was a wizard, but I don’t agree, not with them allegedly coming from Asgard."
“As-what?”
“Asgard, home of the Aesir,” she elaborated.
As usual, Luna left his and Ron’s heads swimming and Hermione appeared to be nearing the end of her patience. Her cheeks were red from holding back, knowing as they did that Luna meant well, and to her what she was saying made sense. She sometimes forgot that she needed to explain things to the rest of the class.
“How do you know so much, Luna?” Hermione questioned. She had decided to change the line of inquiry in hopes of it being more informative.
“Family reasons.”
They could only assume she meant her father, who was the head editor of the wizarding tabloid The Quibbler. The magazine had a better reputation since the war, but it was still mostly known for its odd articles about conspiracy theories and possibly imaginary creatures rather than pertinent news. The addition of articles on rare and fantastic creatures and where to find them, as provided by Luna, probably helped.
It didn’t seem like the blonde planned to elaborate. Hermione set her jaw, which was a clear sign that a rush to the ‘Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures: Being Division’ was in the immediate future. If they couldn’t provide her with the information she was seeking, then it would be off to their underused ‘Department for Little Known Magical Facts and Factoids.’ Harry refused to think of what his friend would do if that also failed to turn up what she wanted.
He stared at the amulet again, once more taking in the image of the helmet with its delicate horns. He wondered if that was because Jotnar had horns. Would he grow horns? His “birth parent” was a shapeshifter apparently, as far as Luna had wagered. Wasn’t that just a Metamorphmagus, like Nymphadora Tonks had been and her son/his godson Teddy Lupin? Was he one, but the ability had been hidden from him?
“Luna, what did you say arctic giants looked like?” His voice was low, he wasn’t sure if he wanted the answer.
“Hair like snow and skin blue like glacial ice, eyes are red like rubies, most are big, and other features can vary.”
“Like horns?” he pressed.
“Sometimes, there are all kinds of Jotnar. Horns, tusks, claws, sometimes nothing much in particular.”
“Horns might look good on you,” Ron pipped in. “But George may have some jokes for that.” Harry hadn’t meant to, but he had found that funnier than it probably was and guffawed hard enough that his glasses nearly flew off. He could hear the older redhead right now, could see his ridiculous grin as he chanted ‘horny Harry.’ He sobered a bit when he then imagined what Fred would have done in turn. It still hurt that the Weasely twin had died in the war.
“Yeah, he would.”
He used both hands to spread open the leather cord. “I owe it to so many to keep living. They died for me. They died for the hope I represented.” Luna nodded, and Ron and Hermione somberly held hands. “I owe it to everyone to stay alive.”
He slipped the necklace on.