True Family

Chapter 2: Adjusting Can Be Hard

The morning sunlight streamed through the window, waking Harry before he was ready. He groaned, turning onto his side to bury his face in the pillow. Everything still felt surreal. A new country, new people, a new *family*—it was too much to process all at once.

A soft knock on the door made him sigh. "Come in," he mumbled.

The door creaked open, and Sookie peeked in, a bright smile on her face. "Morning, sleepyhead. Gran says breakfast is ready."

Harry sat up slowly, rubbing his eyes. "What time is it?"

"Almost nine. I let you sleep in since you looked like you needed it," she said, stepping into the room. "How're you feeling?"

Harry hesitated. Physically, he felt better—still a little sore, but nothing compared to the exhaustion from before. Emotionally? That was a whole different story.

"I'm fine," he said automatically.

Sookie gave him a knowing look. "You don’t have to pretend, you know. Gran says healing isn’t just about the body."

Harry blinked at her bluntness. He wasn't used to people—aside from Hermione and maybe Luna—calling him out like that.

"Come on," she said, grinning. "Gran made biscuits and bacon. And I *may* have convinced her to make pancakes too."

Harry sighed, but there was no real annoyance in it. "Alright, alright. I’m coming."

Sookie beamed and skipped out of the room.

Shaking his head, Harry ran a hand through his hair before standing up. He caught sight of himself in the mirror and paused. He looked… different. Less hollow. Less like a soldier fresh off the battlefield.

Maybe this place *was* good for him.

***

The smell of breakfast filled the kitchen, making Harry’s stomach grumble. Adele—Gran, as Sookie called her—was at the stove, flipping pancakes, while a tall blonde man sat at the table, sipping coffee. He looked up when Harry entered.

"Well, look who's up," the man said, setting his cup down. "You must be Harry."

Harry nodded, a little wary.

"Sookie's told me about you. I'm Jason—her brother."

Harry shook the offered hand. Jason’s grip was firm but not overpowering.

"Have a seat, dear," Adele said warmly. "You need to eat."

Harry didn’t argue. He hadn’t realized how hungry he was until he saw the food. He grabbed a biscuit and took a bite, nearly groaning at how good it was.

Jason chuckled. "Gran’s cooking is magic all on its own, huh?"

Harry smirked. "Better than anything I ever got growing up."

Adele’s smile faltered for a split second, but she recovered quickly. "Well, you won’t be going hungry in this house."

Harry swallowed, a strange warmth settling in his chest. He wasn’t used to this—people caring about whether he ate or slept. It was… nice.

"So," Jason said, leaning back in his chair. "You're a wizard, huh?"

Harry stiffened slightly. He wasn’t sure how much Sookie had told him.

"Yeah," he said cautiously.

Jason nodded, considering him. "You ever turn anyone into a frog?"

Sookie groaned. "Jason—"

"What? It's a legit question!" Jason said, grinning.

Harry smirked. "Not yet. But there’s a first time for everything."

Jason laughed, clearly impressed.

Adele set a plate of pancakes in front of Harry. "You don't have to talk about magic if you're not comfortable, dear," she said kindly.

Harry appreciated that, but part of him didn’t mind. At least they weren’t treating him like a freak or a weapon.

"I don’t mind," he said. "It’s… complicated."

Jason snorted. "Magic *sounds* complicated."

Sookie elbowed him. "You're complicated."

"Hey!"

Adele chuckled, shaking her head. "You two, behave."

Harry found himself smiling—a real, genuine smile.

Maybe adjusting wouldn’t be so bad after all.