Under the Cursed Moon

Harry knew that leaving England would be difficult, but it was a necessary step if he wanted Teddy to live in a place where he could grow up without prejudice or fear. After much thought and research, he narrowed down his search to America, a country known for its diversity, freedom, and unique magical communities that had more progressive attitudes toward werewolves and other magical beings. The Black family’s legacy was vast, and the properties they owned spanned across continents, but Harry decided to focus on the twelve estates scattered throughout America’s vast landscapes.

Harry took a deep breath as he apparated to his first destination, a sprawling ranch in Montana. As he appeared on the edge of the property, he was struck by the sheer beauty of the place. The ranch stretched out for miles, nestled between rolling hills and bordered by a clear, shimmering river. The air was crisp, the wind carrying the scent of pine and fresh earth, and Harry could immediately imagine Teddy running freely through the fields, unburdened by the restrictions of the wizarding world back in England.

The ranch itself was massive, with an old wooden house that had clearly been well-built but left untouched for many years. Harry began his usual process, casting detection spells and testing the wards that surrounded the property. He found them to be weak, barely holding together, so he set to work, reinforcing them with powerful charms and enchantments. It took him the entire day to secure the property, but by nightfall, the ranch was protected with layers of wards that would keep out any unwanted visitors, magical or otherwise. With a satisfied nod, Harry moved inside, spending hours cleaning, repairing the worn-out furniture, and casting spells to remove the dust and grime that had accumulated over the years.

Harry moved on to the second property, an elegant manor house situated in the rolling hills of Virginia. This estate was smaller than the ranch but had a stately charm about it, with towering oak trees lining the driveway and a wraparound porch that offered stunning views of the surrounding forest. The house itself had been built in the late 1700s and had clearly been a summer retreat for one of the wealthier branches of the Black family. Though it was more modernized than some of the other properties he had visited, it still needed work. The wards had faded with time, so Harry spent hours strengthening them, ensuring that no one could enter without his explicit permission.

The next property took Harry to the vibrant city of New Orleans, where the Blacks owned a townhouse in the heart of the French Quarter. As he approached, he could hear the faint strains of jazz music drifting through the humid evening air, and he couldn’t help but smile at the lively atmosphere that surrounded him. The townhouse was smaller than the other properties, but it was exquisitely furnished, with intricate ironwork balconies and tall windows that opened onto a bustling street below. This property had been well-maintained, likely due to the influence of local magic. Still, Harry added his own layers of protection, making sure the wards were at their strongest.

In contrast to the city’s vibrancy, Harry’s next destination was a small, isolated cabin deep in the woods of Vermont. The cabin was surrounded by towering pine trees, with a small stream running beside it. It was peaceful, almost hauntingly so, and Harry found himself drawn to the solitude of the place. He could imagine himself and Teddy sitting by the fire, the crackling logs filling the silence as they read or talked about their day. The cabin needed a lot of work—the roof leaked, and the wards were all but nonexistent—but Harry didn’t mind. He spent hours reinforcing the structure, mending the roof, and casting protective spells around the perimeter, ensuring that the cabin would remain hidden from prying eyes.

The journey continued as Harry traveled across the country, from the sun-drenched beaches of California, where the Blacks owned a stunning beachfront villa, to the snowy peaks of Colorado, where a ski lodge had been left untouched for decades. The villa in California stood on a cliff overlooking the Pacific Ocean, with large glass windows that allowed light to flood into every room. Harry could see himself and Hermione sitting on the patio, watching Teddy play in the waves below. He spent several days reinforcing the villa’s wards and ensuring that no Muggles would accidentally stumble upon the property.

The ski lodge in Colorado was a different challenge altogether. It was enormous, more of a mansion than a lodge, and had clearly been designed for a family of wizards who enjoyed skiing and winter sports. However, time had taken its toll, and the lodge was in a state of disrepair. Harry had to repair broken windows, reinforce the walls, and re-cast the spells that protected it from the harsh winter weather. By the time he finished, the lodge looked as though it had been newly built, its walls gleaming in the sunlight.

In Arizona, Harry found a desert retreat nestled at the base of a mountain range. The house was made of sandstone, blending in perfectly with the arid landscape around it. It was smaller than the other properties, with a simple, rustic charm. As he walked through the house, Harry marveled at how the Blacks had managed to adapt their living spaces to suit such different environments. Here, the wards were completely gone, so Harry took his time rebuilding them, ensuring that the house would remain safe and hidden in the desert.

Another property stood in the dense forests of Oregon. It was a log cabin, perched beside a large, clear lake. The air was fresh, the water pristine, and the forest was teeming with life. Harry could see Teddy fishing by the water’s edge, his face lit up with excitement as he caught his first fish. This cabin, too, needed repairs, and Harry took his time reinforcing the wards, ensuring that the house was protected from both magical and non-magical threats.

In Chicago, Harry was surprised to find an elegant penthouse suite that occupied the top floor of a skyscraper. The view was breathtaking, the city’s lights stretching out in every direction. This property needed little in the way of repairs, but Harry still spent time reinforcing the wards, adding spells that would keep any Muggle from noticing anything unusual. He couldn’t see Teddy growing up in such an urban environment, but it was good to know they had options.

Next was a farmhouse in rural Kansas. Surrounded by miles of golden wheat fields, the house was old but well-built, and Harry felt a sense of peace wash over him as he walked through the property. The fields stretched out to the horizon, and Harry imagined Teddy running through the wheat, his laughter echoing across the open space. The wards were still in place here, but they needed reinforcement, so Harry added his own layers of protection, making sure the house would be safe for years to come.

One of the most intriguing properties he encountered was deep within a dense forest in Forks, Washington. Unlike any of the other estates, this one was completely surrounded by towering, ancient trees, their thick branches forming a canopy that blocked out most of the sunlight. The forest seemed to stretch on endlessly, and Harry discovered that the Blacks had owned not just the land where the house stood, but a vast portion of the surrounding forest as well.

However, unlike the other properties, this estate didn’t exude the same magical aura. As Harry stepped through the thick foliage and approached the heart of the forest, he found a large manor that appeared distinctly ordinary. Unlike many other Black properties, which were protected by ancient wards and enchantments, this manor was devoid of any magical protection. It stood as a testament to another era, but there were no magical trinkets or traces of spells anywhere around it.

After thoroughly exploring the house, Harry found clues about its history. This manor had belonged to a Squib member of the Black family who had moved to America many generations ago, wanting to escape the oppressive atmosphere of the pure-blood ideology. It was clear that this family member had lived a Muggle life, embracing their non-magical existence fully, and over time, the house had lost any magical influences it might have once had. The only remarkable thing about the manor was its sheer size and its beautifully preserved architecture. Tall, with Victorian-style columns, large bay windows, and a wrap-around porch, the house had been expertly built and maintained, though it was now in need of some care and attention.

Harry could see that this place was different, but it also had potential. Unlike the other properties, there were no remnants of the past, no traces of dark magic, and no hidden secrets lurking in the shadows. It felt refreshingly ordinary, even welcoming in its simplicity. And Harry liked that. He could imagine Teddy playing in the forest without having to worry about any curses or hexes hidden within the walls.

Despite its lack of magical defenses, Harry decided that this house could be a perfect refuge for their new life in America. It would be an opportunity to build something entirely from scratch, something that was truly their own, unburdened by the expectations and histories of the magical world.

Harry knew that moving to America required more than just finding the right place; he needed to ensure that they could blend in without drawing unwanted attention. The Forks property, while beautifully secluded in the middle of a dense forest, was registered as a Muggle-owned, non-magical property. Using magic recklessly would attract the attention of the American Aurors, who were known for their strict enforcement of magical secrecy, especially in areas designated as non-magical. He couldn’t afford that kind of scrutiny, especially given his plan to build a life for Teddy where magic didn’t dominate every aspect.

Meanwhile, Hermione had taken on the task of creating their new identities. Using her extensive knowledge of magical law and her experience with enchantments, she crafted fake documents that would pass even the most thorough examination. It wasn’t easy, as American magical authorities were notoriously difficult to deceive, but Hermione was nothing if not meticulous.

Harry’s new identity, Harrion Black, was crafted with a detailed backstory. He was a distant cousin of the House of Black, having inherited his wealth and the Forks property after the death of a reclusive relative. Hermione became Hermione Black, his wife, a talented scholar who had always been fascinated by the history and culture of the Pacific Northwest. Teddy, now Theodore Black, was their bright and energetic four-year-old son.

Hermione made sure the documents included everything they would need: birth certificates, passports, driver’s licenses, even Teddy’s school registration forms for when he would eventually start attending. She was determined to make their transition as smooth as possible, knowing that any inconsistencies could jeopardize the life they were trying to build.

Harry took extra care with the property itself. He didn’t place any magical wards that would prevent Muggles from entering, but he did create subtle protective enchantments that would be difficult to detect. These charms would ensure that anyone with ill intentions would feel an inexplicable urge to stay away, while allowing those with kind hearts to enter freely. This balance would help him maintain their cover without compromising their safety.

Harry decided early on that he wanted to connect with the community around the Forks property, and that meant involving the local people in the renovation process. He learned about a nearby Native American tribe that owned a construction company with a reputation for exceptional craftsmanship and knowledge of the land. Harry felt that hiring them would not only ensure the manor's renovations were done with the utmost care but also help him establish a good relationship with the locals, something that was crucial for maintaining his cover as Harrion Black.

He approached the company’s office, located not far from the reservation, and introduced himself. The company was run by a man named John Lahote, who seemed a bit surprised that someone as young as Harry owned such a large and old property. However, after a few conversations, John and the rest of his team became genuinely interested in the project. Harry explained that he had inherited the estate from a distant relative and wanted to restore it to its former glory, but also wished to ensure that it felt like a true home for his family.

Harry was upfront about what he wanted: the manor needed to be renovated with a mix of old-world charm and modern comfort, respecting its original design while ensuring it would be a welcoming place. He also requested that the surrounding land be cleared of overgrowth to reveal the beauty of the forest, without losing its wild and natural character. Harry insisted that he wanted the property to feel like it was part of the landscape, not something that dominated it.

Over time, Harry grew close to the workers from the tribe. He frequently visited the site to check on their progress, often bringing along refreshments or lunch to share with the crew, and these gestures of kindness did not go unnoticed. He was genuinely interested in their work, their culture, and the history of the land they lived on, and they appreciated his respect and willingness to listen.

During these visits, Harry learned more about the area’s history and its significance to the tribe. The tribe members told him stories about the forest and how their ancestors had lived off the land for generations. They even taught Harry about some of the traditional building techniques they were using to renovate the manor, which added to the authenticity and charm of the renovation.

In return, Harry shared parts of his own story, carefully constructed to align with his identity as Harrion Black. He spoke about wanting to start a new life in America, about his dreams for his son and how he wished to create a home that would stand the test of time. His sincerity and passion won over the tribe members, and soon they began treating him like one of their own.

John and his team worked tirelessly over the next several months. They repaired the manor’s foundation, replaced old wooden beams, and restored the large windows that offered breathtaking views of the surrounding forest. They also helped Harry with landscaping, creating pathways that wound through the woods, leading to small clearings where Teddy could play or where the family could enjoy the peace and quiet of the forest.

As the renovations neared completion, the house began to take on a life of its own. The once-dilapidated structure now stood proud and welcoming, a testament to the craftsmanship and dedication of those who worked on it. Harry made sure to involve himself in every major decision, from the color of the walls to the placement of the furniture, but he always made sure to defer to John’s expertise when it came to ensuring the manor blended seamlessly with the natural beauty of the surrounding forest.

Harry was incredibly grateful for the help and expertise of the tribe and made sure they were well compensated for their work. But more than that, he forged friendships that would last a lifetime. As a token of his gratitude, he hosted a small gathering at the manor once the renovations were completed. He invited everyone who had worked on the project and their families, wanting them to see the final result of their hard work.