Cause they say that misery likes company

Harry couldn't bear to let his friend go. It seemed that Hedwig also was thinking the same because she'd settled comfortably in her human's arms. 

"Is she your owl?" James questioned, with a soft look on his face, as he gazed at Harry and Hedwig. 

Sirius had a propped up Evangeline, carried on his hip, and Charlus and Hadrian were cooing over how majestic Hedwig was, causing the proud bird to preen in pride, with her feathers puffed out. 

Harry didn't even need to think hard about the question. He could tell instantly that this version of Hedwig was his, and he'd never realize just how desperate he was for someone from his own world until his owl had smacked head-first into him. She was probably upset that Harry hadn't moved into the shop to buy her, but in Harry's defense, looking at owls that weren't Hedwig was always painful to him. 

Even looking after Errol had felt like a betrayal. 

"She's mine," Harry replies with a slight grin. 

And James' terse shoulders relax, "I'm glad," 

"She's so pretty," Hadrian coos over Hedwig, instantly gaining her approval. 

"Stop it, you'll make her get a big head," Harry snorts, and Charlus hums, almost intently curious. 

"Haz, can she understand us?" He asks, and Harry shrugs before nodding once. 

"It's Hedwig, she's always been able to understand everyone. She's really smart," Harry answers slowly as an explanation. 

He knew why Charlus was asking after all. Familiars bonded to powerful wixen often took on similar personality characteristics to their respective humans. He didn't want to bring any more attention to himself, hence why he was making it all out to be about Hedwig. 

He didn't mind if his family found out how powerful he actually was; Harry just didn't know where their allegiances would lie, especially considering that they were allied with the light side on the Wizgemont. 

The Potters weren't, however, mindless drones, and Harry would even go as far as to say they were neutral if he was considering the way they've been voting as of late. 

But perhaps that was because James was training Charlus to one day take his spot, and the Unspeakables were known not to discriminate against magic. 

It just wasn't done. 

The familiar bond that had snapped into place that second Harry had Hedwig in his hands sat under his heart. It was constant thrumming warmth that filled an emptiness Harry hadn't known he had. 

"Hmmm, yeah, alright. She's a beauty though," Charlus says with a smile. His eyes told Harry that the conversation wasn't over, but Harry had held him off for now. 

Lily chuckles, running a careful hand through Hedwig's feathers. Hedwig had eyed her superiorly for a second before submitting to the feather pats. 

After all, this was her human's nest mother. And Lily Potter had sacrificed herself for her fledgling. Harry was theirs,  and if there was anyone worthy in this world, it was Lily Potter. 

"Alright, I think we're close enough," James demands, and everyone begins to cluster closer to James as he pulls out a long necklace. 

The magic surrounding the object was whirling in blue and grey spirals, which usually meant time or teleportation magic. But considering the actual scenario, Harry was inclined to say it was a port-key, that would lead them all to the destination in question; the restaurant. 

"Alright, gather around please, everyone grab on to someone else," Lily instructs and Harry finds himself being grabbed gently by Hadrian who sends him a beaming smile. 

Good god, this kid was happy. 

But Harry was weak and manages to give him a tiny smile in return.

“Haz, is Hedwig coming with us?” James asks, a bit worried for the pretty, little, snow owl. 

Harry swallows heavily, staring at Hedwig. He didn't really want to let her go but owls usually travelled by air. He didn't think it was healthy for owls to travel via any type of Wizarding travel; flow, apparation or port-key. 

"Will you be okay to fly to-" Harry pauses before looking up, gaze asking where he would be staying. 

"Potter manor," James replies instantly, knowing what his new son was asking. 

Harry nods and turns to Hedwig, gaze asking and Hedwig seems to look annoyed. She gives him a peck on his head, as if saying, 'You think I can't fly there? Me?!'

Harry snorts and then plants a kiss on Hedwig's beak before allowing her up and out of his arms. She flutters overhead for a second and then flies away. 

"She really is such a smart owl," Sirius chortles and finds it cute how Haz beams as if Sirius had complemented him, himself. Hell, Sirius didn't think the kid would smile that much if he'd complemented him. 

"Okay kids, let's get going. Haz, Hedwig will be let into the wards of the Potter manor, I'll make sure of it so don't worry," James tells Harry who nods, "Sirius keep hold of Lily and Eva please, Charlus, keep your younger brothers safe," James directs and Charlus comes up behind Harry and Hadrian, holding them both in his arms. 

Harry wrinkled his nose at how much shorter he was compared to Charlus. He was a couple inches off of Hadrian's height, but it was concerning, considering Hadrian was fourteen and Harry's physical body is sixteen. 

They all reach in unison to grab a piece of the necklace. There was a countdown, and then there was the overwhelming feeling of being sucked into a wormhole.

Harry hated wizarding travel, but he was used to it. 

He had to be. 

They arrive and Harry stumbles forward almost face-planting but Hadrian manages to catch him, an amused look on his face. 

"You okay?" He asks Harry, who nods with an exasperated sigh.

"You should see me trying to floo, it's much worse," He admits and Charlus snorts. 

"That is something I've got to see ,"  Charlus admits, moving to get Harry back into his arms. The elder brother smushes his younger siblings close to his chest. 

Harry was finding it a tad weird how accepting they all were being of his presence, but Harry guessed they didn't really have to be as untrustful as he was. 

They weren't forced to second-guess everyone, constantly looking behind their shoulders for the next betrayal. 

They didn't know how it felt having adrenaline pumping in their veins twenty-four-seven. 

They didn't know how it felt to have their hearts in throats- always choking on it. 

Yeah no. They wouldn't understand. 

They'd see Harry's wariness as weird, which would get him ostracized from the family before he even became a member. 

So he'd pretend to be as comfortable as they were. 

Because Harry would rather rip his own heart from his chest then ever be the cause of his parents' sadness. 

Lily and James Potter. 

The heroes of the light. 

The first two people who had ever loved him and died for it. 

Their love for him was so strong, they even petitioned for him in front of Lady Death. 

He still till this day, wore his mum's blood protection around his shoulders. It was his favourite thing to wear. 

The magic was a bright red that matched his mum's hair. It hummed so soothingly, Harry considered it his own personal lullaby. It was also warm. Like his mum was always giving him an eternal hug. 

He was told she'd died with her arms around him. 

Harry had always wished that he could remember it- just so that the memory of her hug would have stayed with him. 

But he didn't. 

He only had the hugs Lily Potter had offered him today and they were wonderful. 

But she wasn't his mum. She didn't have the memories. It didn't make her love any less warm. It didn't really justify Harry's heartbreak over the whole thing. But Harry couldn't help but want the mother who did everything she could for him. The mother who had -even in death-worked to provide Harry with happiness. 

He wanted that mum. 

"Haz, darling! You'll love this restaurant. All my kids adore it! Hopefully you will too, we can always find another restaurant to frequent though," Lily's voice breaks him from his quiet ministrations. 

He had this mother though. 

And Harry would be damned if he lost her too. 

He smiles gently up at his mum, "I'm sure I'll like anything, you do," He admits and Lily frowns, hand reaching out hesitantly. 

"You can like your own things, love," His mum says softly and intertwines their fingers with such a loving look and such soft fingers, the lump in his throat expands in size. 

"I know that," Harry admits, "I just don't want to cause any trouble. I'm not high-maintenance. I will eat anything generally," 

Lily goes silent for a second, her smile growing strained and her green eyes flickering. 

"I see," Lily murmurs, watching the tiny child. "Well you'll have to make sure to tell me what food you like best here, alright? I need to know your preferences Haz," 

Harry swallows harshly and nods with just as strained of a smile as hers was.

"Sounds good," He manages to say and Lily leads him up the steps of- 

Harry does a double-take at the name of the restaurant. The place was called  Bombay, and Harry was kind of concerned at how expensive the place looked. 

"Uh- I don't think I'm dressed fancy enough for this place," He tries to pull back and Lily shakes her head, confused. 

"Don't be ridiculous Haz, you look fine," 

"Yeah, don't worry kid. The place is mine," Sirius admits with a rueful smile and Harry just stares at him silently. 

"You own a business?" He exclaims, shrill. 

His disbelieving tone makes everyone bark out laughing. 

"Excuse me! I am a responsible business owner!" 

"You read over that secrecy contract in Gringotts so fast. I think you got whiplash," Harry hisses disapprovingly. "That doesn't set a good precedent," 

There is a moment of surprised silence before James was howling even more with laughter, "I love this kid," He chortles, "Shut up Pads. He's right." James continues at Sirius' betrayed look. 

"I mean Haz is right, Uncle Sirius. Dad tells us always to read contracts twice and not to sign anything without a second opinion or a lawyer," Hadrian repeats the seemingly memorized James quote. 

"Yeah Siri, it's dangerous!" Evangeline adds with her own scold, from her place propped on Sirius' hip. And Sirius instantly looked like an upset puppy at his niece's words. Lily was turning red from how hard she was trying to hold in her laughter. 

"I- Wha- What is going on here!? What is this betrayal!" Sirius was flabbergasted, but Harry could see hints of amusement in the way his fingers twitched and this eyebrows kept moving up and down on his face. 

"I can assure you, my managing partner is paid really well!" Sirius argues. 

"So Remus does all the work then," Harry deadpans, not impressed at all and Sirius gapes at him silently, ignoring the way the Potters fell over themselves laughing. 

"What!? No!" Sirius demands and then stops for a second, "Well kind of, but I'm the face of the establishment," 

"He means he's the walking commercial," Hadrian hisses to Harry who nods solemnly. 

"Poor, poor Remus," Harry tsks and then breaks out into an amused smile because Sirius was actually beginning to freak out. 

Sirius' eyes narrow, a maniacal grin spreading on his face, "Oh you little shi-" 

"Language," James declares, still grinning as he swoops Evangeline out of her uncle's arms. 

"Daddy, Pads was going to say shite. He says it all the time you know," Evangeline grins, such a cute little grin and Harry registers what she'd said a second later, only to smack a hand over his face to cover his loud laugh. 

Shut up, his little sister was a menace. 

That kid knew exactly what she was doing and Harry almost gaped when he saw his mum looking proud. 

"SIRIUS BLACK!" James shouts and Sirius winces, "Eva is my baby!!!" James demands, "One does not swear in front of a BABY!" 

"Oh, how I love family drama," Charlus beams wickedly. 

"This family is actually mental," Harry grumbles, watching the proceedings with wide, fascinated eyes. 

"It's your family too now," Hadrian elbows him gently, a knowing look in his eyes. 

Harry stares at him silently. The kid must've realized that the two of them were the same person essentially between worlds. They were however, personality-wise and even physically, much too different for it to cause an issue. Harry realizes that this must be this Harry's way of telling him, he accepted him as part of the family. 

Harry tilts his head a bit, "Are you sure?" He asks silently, not one for mincing words. He learned to balance his need to keep secrets with the priority of sharing information with others. Sharing information saved lives. And if it wasn't about Harry's life, his emotions, or his abused background, he had no problem asking the tough questions. 

Embarrassment was an emotion that had been beaten out of him too. 

Hadrian smiles, and Harry was staring at a smile that was a bit similar to James' and, a bit similar to Lily's and a bit unique on its own too. It was a calming smile. One Harry knew he didn't have. 

His smiles were all just really sad.

"Yeah I'm sure, Haz. We're a big family you know. There's enough love for everyone. And you look like you need a lot of it," 

Harry blinks, not realizing how observant his other self was in this world. 

Well, this Harry had been most likely raised as a Black and a Potter. 

Harry stares at him for a minute, trying to detect any lies. 

He couldn't see any, to be fair, and he cracks a small smile right back at him. "I'm still calling you Hadrian in my head though. Harry is too weird." 

He sticks his tongue in distaste, "Ew no, just call me Rian." He snorts, "Hadrian makes me feel like I'm channeling my inner Lucius Malfoy," 

Harry chokes out a laugh at that, "Deal kiddo," 

"What!? No! I'm still taller than you!" 

"Well, I'm older," 

Rian wrinkles his nose in distaste, "God damn it," He grumbles but his eyes were twinkling in amusement. 

Harry realizes that Lily was gazing at them with an ecstatic expression, her eyes blazing bright, cheeks flushed with happiness and hands clutched over her chest like she couldn't handle the scene in front of her. 

Harry acts like he couldn't see her because Harry was emotionally constipated and had no control over his own emotions, let alone the emotions of others. 

He usually repressed, repressed, repressed. And when all else failed- he'd have a mental breakdown. 

That was all he could do after all. 

They walk towards the entrance of the restaurant and Harry is instantly bombarded with an array of different smells, and colours. 

The restaurant feels like a dreamland. It was surrounded with happy chatter, extravagant fragrances, and the easy and natural colour schemes of the establishment. 

It was a calming atmosphere, if Harry was being honest. Waiters descend on their group instantly, as a practiced movement, and then they were were escorted outside, towards a magically shaded section. 

There were so many people, but the chatter was at a respectable hum. It was a more prominent restaurant from what Harry could tell, and it seemed like they offered take-out options as well. 

Harry eases back, more comfortable to watch the Potters and Sirius move around their given table. Harry had counted the number of seats at the table the second he knew it would be theirs. 

And there wasn't a seat at the table for him. 

So he opts to hover in the background, not really knowing where to sit. 

He watched them all silently. They did  make the picture perfect family. Honestly,  what was Harry doing impeding on their lives? 

He could have just lived alone, got a job somewhere and then went to Gringotts to declare his Lordship at seventeen. He didn't have to ruin an already perfect family and cause-

"Haz," James had walked over, a hesitant smile on his face and worry in his eyes. He had grabbed Harry's hand while he had been stuck in his head, and pulled him into his embrace. "You can sit with me," James says with a wide grin, plopping a surprising kiss on top of Harry's head. 

Harry's eyes were as wide as saucers and Sirius was snickering at him from behind his hand, as his godfather pulled up a seat between James and Sirius himself. 

"Jamsie, little Haz is in shock now," Sirius grins, but he honestly found the whole thing cute. It didn't help that the kid broke his heart into two every time he got so surprised at little acts of attention. Haripreet honestly looked like he was seconds from running because he believed himself to be a burden on them all, and Sirius wasn't going to let the kid self-destruct like that. 

"Hmmm," James hums under his breath, pulling the chair James had delicately seated Haz on, closer to James' so he could keep a constant arm around the kid. "He'll be okay," James' smile was illuminating and kind. And Harry found himself in further awe of his father, who slowly and delicately taps his wand on Harry's head, casting a heating charm on his body. Harry watches the whole thing happen in stunned silence, green eye open in shock. The kid was almost always cold, and James was concerned.

James was hoping Lily would show him the memory of this moment in their pensieve, because this child was so adorable, it actually hurt. It seemed his wife was just as enthralled as he was, given her sparkling eyes. 

James could tell that his born son and his son from another universe looked similar, but they looked more like brothers than actual copies of themselves. 

Their eyes were actually not the same shade of green. Lily and Hadrian had the exact same shade, but Haripreet's, who once maybe had the same colour as Hadrian and Lily, now had eyes in a shade James' had ever seen before. It was a bit darker green, a more electric emerald that seems to actually contain sparks of magic in them if he looked for too long. 

And he'd read somewhere that prolonged eye-contact assisted in building trust, so Haz could look into his eyes as long as he need to feel safe. James wouldn't look away first, just as he'd made it now a rule  to never pull away from the child when engaging in physical affection. Haz could pull away when he was ready.

It didn't seem like the kid had ever been touched in a way that was loving and it  broke something deep inside James, to see a kid react to hug like Haz did. Haz melted into hugs and little head pats, from what he knew of his son-of-a-couple-hours. Haz acted like every act of love was the last one he'd ever get in a while, and he seemed so surprised that James was willing to even touch him. 

It honestly made him want to cry a little.

Harry was still gazing at his dad in surprise, mouth a bit open in a gaped expression. His dad was still smiling down at him, a hand around his shoulders. They were pressed very close in a sort of side-hug, but Harry didn't mind. He didn't mind at all. 

He wanted this moment to last forever. 

"Okay kiddo?" James asks, using the same hand to run gentle fingers through Harry's hair. 

Thank Lady Magic, Hunaria was sleeping more proximally in his hair, and his dad's hand was a bit more distal. Otherwise his dad would have been bitten by a poisonous, fire-breathing, miniature dragon.

Harry blinked rapidly, and it seemed like his siblings were laughing in amusement at him but he didn't really care. He knew his reactions might appear weird if not completely out of the ordinary for some people. 

"Mmhmm," Harry nods automatically and James grins at him, causing an unconscious grin to spread on Harry's own face. 

"Stop. You both are adorable, I can't get baby fever, Remus will kill me," Sirius bemoans, causing Charlus to bark out a laugh so similar to Sirius' own, that it makes Harry's heart stutter. 

"Dad misses spoiling us," Rian points out, causing all attention to go to the smirking fourteen-year-old. Harry's concentration is broken off from James, to his pouting displeasure and then James looks at his youngest son with a raised eyebrow. 

"Yes, you always say how you're a teenager and dad embarrasses you in front of your friends," James puts of mocking hand on his heart, "I'm heartbroken son, really I am," 

Rian rolls his eyes, and seeing the hesitant expression on Haz's face goes to explain, "Just you wait Haz, when you go to Hogwarts and meet your own friends, having dad as a professor who always calls on you to answer his questions will get real annoying real quick," Rian defends his honor and Harry sticks his tongue out in distress. 

"I don't like attention," He admits and Rian nods frantically. 

"Me neither! And Dad loves it!" Rian pouts and ends up looking eerily like James. 

"You kids got Lily's genes in the personality department," James sighs, "All so smart and studious and rule-abiding," He smirks at his wife who rolls his eyes. 

"James, love, there is nothing rule abiding about me. Which one of us became a  professor again?" She teases making her husband wrinkle his nose up in distaste. 

"It's because I love Hogwarts too much to leave," He tries to argue and Harry simply allows the flow of different conversations to carry him though this moment, burrowing a bit deeper into his dad's embrace. James doesn't seem to mind and even tightens his grip protectively around him. The notion makes Harry's throat clog up even more. 

He'd never felt so safe as he did in his dad's arms. Well, Sirius and Remus always did make him feel loved, but never truly  safe. It was his job to make sure everyone was safe, his job to kill off any threats to the Wizarding world. 

That wasn't the case here. 

'Your humans are nice. I approve of them hatching,'  Hunaria says from her place snug in the curls of Harry's head.  'Do I get a mouse after? I'm hungry too,'

Harry purses his lips. He would never force Huanria to go hungry. He wouldn't allow it. He refused. 

He knew what it felt like to starve. And he wouldn't wish it on his worse enemy. Even now, Harry could never really finish a meal in a single sitting. Harry couldn't really answer her, but he allowed for a tendril of his magic to swoop upwards to soothe her aggravation. He wouldn't expose his parseltongue. God only knows how they'd react and Harry wasn't taking any chances. 

He cringes a bit and then taps James gently on his leg, trying to get his attention. 

James, to Harry's delight, instantly turns to look at him, curiously, cutting off his casual conversation with Lily, who also looks at Harry, ready to help in any way shape or form. 

His mouth grows dry for a second, eyes flickering between the two of them for a second before his dad takes control. 

"What's up Haz?" James asks gently and Harry swallows harshly. He had fought hundreds of battles, he could  talk to his family.  He was Harry James Potter, general of the Platinum Platoon, the most elite forces among the elite battling against the complete annihilation of wizard kind. 

"My- uh- my friend is hungry," He admits assist as he could, cringing away a bit in case they got mad. 

James and Lily simply blink at him. Charlus and Sirius had cut off their conversation with Rian and Eva and all four of them were also curiously looking at Harry, who was growing red with all the attention. 

"Could you show us your friend, love. I promise we won't hurt her." Lily ends up saying, offering an olive branch to her son who looking seconds from a panic attack. 

Lily pushed down her amused smile at the way Haz blinked at her, surprised.  Damn,  she and James made cute kids. It seemed that way even across universes. 

Harry nods a little and then sends calming magic at Hunaria, trying to communicate with her. He hoped she understood Harry was trying to tell her  not to bite anyone. 

Harry lifts up his hand in front of his face and the dragonette hops into his palm, a purr escaping from her throat. "You're not a cat, stop that," Harry grins despite himself and ends up getting whacked in the palm by her tail. He places her gently on the white tablecloth in front of his, watching as the expressions erupted around him. 

"Uh- Her name is Hunaria and she likes beef," Harry manages to say. 

"Haz, darling child of my brother, is that a miniature Hungarian Horntail," Sirius deadpans, his eyes delighted as he took in every aspect of the dragon perched in the spot beside him. 

"Dragon!" Evangeline cheers, reaching out to touch Hunaria only to be stopped by Lily immediately. 

"Eva, no. Dragons are magnificent creatures. You don't touch them without their permission," Lily lectures and Harry wonders it was just his dad who was the professor. 

"She's really friendly. She loves being petted under her chin," Harry tells both his sister and his mum. His sister beams and offers her hands to the dragon. Hunaria perks up and hops over to his sister, plopping ungracefully in Eva's hands. 

"I'm stunned," Lily demands, "How is this possible?" She looked like she wanted to analyze every inch of Huanria but was restraining for Harry's sake. 

"I'm thinking something to do with Haz's wish magic," Charlus hums, looking between Harry and Hunaria. He was much too close to the truth for Harry's comfort though. 

"They're pretty common in my universe. They're really popular.” Harry lies because if there was anything Harry was good at- it was lying. 

Especially if the lie would save a life, or make people feel better- then he would lie until he had no breath left. 

"Oh?" Charlus murmurs, "That's actually so cool," He was talking to himself now, hazel eyes in awe at the dragon. 

"She likes beef?" Rian begins and then summons a menu from the stack beside Charlus and him, "Would she like just normal cut-up steak or is seasoning bad for her?" Rian asks, showing the menu item to Harry who nods with a sheepish grin. 

"Could we ask for a steak with no seasoning for her, it makes her sick," He admits and Rian nods eagerly, his own green eyes beaming in excited delight when Hunaria flies over to land on his shoulder, gazing at the menu in contemplation. 

"I shall have the steak, Harry. I deserve no less,"  She humphs and Harry has to bite his tongue to stop a laugh from escaping. 

"I think she approves of it," Harry chuckles, making Rian actually jump in his seat in excitement. 

"Yeah don't worry kid, I'll make sure the kitchens get her something that won't make her sick," Sirius gives his nephews and niece a loving smile. He loved seeing them happy. His eyes flicker towards Haz, a bit worried and he sees the same worry reflected at him from James' eyes. Both eye each other for a second, silently communicating their concern over the newest member of their family. Sirius gives him an understanding nod, that causes relief to flood in James' gaze. 

Because before James settled down as the professor for grey magicks at Hogwarts, he'd been one of the best Aurors in the department. He would have been Head Auror by now, if he didn't decide to step down because spending time with his kids started to mean much more to him than his job.

And James could recognize the signs of a traumatized kid, just as much as Sirius could- if not better. Sirius watches James hug Haz to him tighter. The kid looked around Hadrian's own age, and it was extremely heart-wrenching. If it weren't for the soul-weary eyes Haz wore like a badge of honour, one would never guess his age. Well, the kid was a part of their family now and the Potter and Blacks took care of their own. Haripreet would be okay, eventually, because they would make sure of it.

"She's so cool, Haz," Rian admits out loud, voice quiet and reverent. 

"Yeah, mummy and daddy won't let me have a pet yet because I'm not wes-pon-zi-ble," Eva says, sounding out the last word. 

"It's res-pon-si-ble Eva, love," James corrects softly, "And you can have a pet after you prove you can keep a plant alive for more than three months okay?" James bargains instantly, like it was a common occurrence, and Eva nods, her own golden eyes serious. 

"Kay daddy, I'll try," 

"He's wrapped around her tiny finger," Lily tsks at them all, acting disappointed. 

Her husband fake gasps in offense, "Anyone would be happy to be wrapped around Eva's finger thankyouverymuch. My baby is adorable," James' grin grows even brighter at the sound of Hadrian, Charlus and Haripreet laughing, although Haripreet was more chuckling quietly than anything- but it was a start!

His family was together and they were all bonding and his heart was three times too big. 

Now all was missing the rest of Sirius' little family and it would be all complete. 

Menus were passed around and Harry opens his, only to be bombarded with a variety of wizarding images and dish names that he's never heard of before. 

He swallows heavily and then his eyes begin to search for the least expensive thing he could find. Harry had no idea what Biryani or Korma was, and asking for help would make them ask more questions about how he was raised. It was evident from the way they all acted, that this was a part of weekly habit. This was their  culture. It was something Harry should have known. But didn't. 

And Harry did not want them to ask questions. He didn't think he could bear it. Before the waiters arrived to receive meal requests, Hunaria ran back over to Harry and hopped back into his hair. Harry didn't really want any strangers seeing her. He  knew what some people were like when they got in their heads about wanting something. 

Harry knew he'd defend them all well enough, no one actually had the amount of battle experience that he had. It just wasn't possible. 

James was ordering something called a Laal Maas and Harry decided just to order it as well, ignoring the looks he was receiving. Harry was good at eating things he didn't like, if worst came to pass. 

"Damn Haz, didn't know you had a thing for spices," Charlus murmurs and Harry actually smiles at how funny it was, because he wasn't, and of course he would pick the dish he wouldn't be able to eat. Harry blinks slowly and nods. 

"I'm okay with some spice," He ends up shrugging, trying not to actually think about how he was probably going to end up just vanishing the meal bit by bit, if it turned out too spicy and he couldn't actually eat it. 

"Huh, guess you got dad's genes there. None of us can really handle spice without dying," Rian snorts, "That's all mum," 

"Well at least I have a spice buddy now!" And James looked so happy; Harry didn't even mind he'd probably be throwing up if the spice happened to be too bad. As long as his dad kept smiling at him like that- he'd do anything. 

After everyone ordered, there was a lull in the conversation until Charlus asked if he could share with Sirius, who gave him a dirty look. 

"You always do this Charlie," 

"Don't call me Charlie, that's not my name," 

"Well I wouldn't if my godson would stop stealing my food," 

Ah, so Charlus was Sirius' godson. The fact didn't sit well in his stomach, although he was kind of glad it wasn't Rian, as bad as that sounded. He didn't think he could bear to see Sirius fatherly with someone who looked so much like he did. 

"Haz, if you didn't live with mum and dad, than who did you live with? They'll be worried about you won't they?" Rian asks, munching on some of the appetizers that the waiters had brought out. It was the garlic naan and roti bread that Hadrian was munching on and he absentmindedly offers some to Harry as well. Harry takes it slowly, a bit wary, using his magic to make sure there was nothing untoward in the food. 

It was clean thank Magic, because Harry was sure if he freaked out over someone's meal here, he couldn't get away with lying about his mage sight. 

"Uh- no one really survived the war, Rian," Harry says in low voice, that causes a stricken look to appear on his voice. 

"Oh shite-"

"Language," James scolds, but their dad's heart wasn't really into it, because his gaze was trained worriedly on Haripreet. 

"I'm so sorry Haz," Rian continues, quickly as if his dad hadn't spoken. 

"It's okay. It happened a while ago." Harry says with an amused smile, trying not to let it show just how much the pain of it all controlled a good portion of Harry's brain. As if dealing with the pain wasn't energy expending enough, it stole his very happiness and stability. It was the sort of pain that burned slowly, as if there was some invisible flame held permanently against Harry's skin. 

Harry's skin was beginning to itch from all the horrified attention that was on him. Harry wanted to crawl right out his very skin. However before, Harry could think to say something break the silence, someone spoke from the far side of their table to their left.

"Hello everyone," The voice says, a happy tilt in his tone, and it damn near stopped Harry's heart.  

He turns slowly, moving at the same speed as James, mimicking his actions and there was four people standing to the side of the table. 

Remus Lupin. 

Bellatrix Lestrange. 

Rabastan Lestrange 

And Regulus Black. 

Harry's whole body instantly goes into overload, his shoulders loosens and becomes slack, a disarming small smile graces his face and his eyes relax. He keeps his gaze surprised but fastened on Remus, because otherwise he would probably go insane with nerves. 

As surprising as the group itself was,  Harry's eyes flicker left and right and he instantly registers two more death eaters- well, they weren't death eaters anymore but they obviously still followed their precious Tom. Harry wonders if they'd ever had an orgy with Voldemort and he internally blanches at the thought, suppressing a horrid, disgusted shudder at the thought. It was possible, he supposed. His train of thought makes him want to laugh, but he didn't really want to be made out as a maniac to his soulmate. That was more Voldemort's forte. 

His eyes catalog the presence of an inconspicuous and disguised Antonin Dolohov and Amycus Carrow. Even without Harry's mage sight instantly exposing the two of them via their Polyjuice potions, he would have recognized something strange about the two, given the way they were acting. 

The two were standing in spots that offered them perfect views of the four people in front of them. Harry docked through everyone's body language, watching how they all hovered protectively around Regulus Black himself. It was discrete, but Harry could recognize the signs, having been in both their places many times before. 

Huh. 

Was this an imitation of an Auror battalion. They were usually formed of five people, and given how there was five people protecting this man, Harry had his suspicions. 

Was Regulus Black a Level One Unspeakable?  

The thought made Harry's head hurt. 

It made Harry want to hit something because that position was a hell of a lot of power to have. It was especially an advantageous position to hold as one of the Leaders of the Dark. But Harry didn't  know Regulus Black even if the man was his soulmate. He couldn't really bear to look at the man yet and his gaze was still on Remus, despite his proactive environment scan. 

Remus being a part of this protection detail was both surprising and not at the same time. He was a werewolf after all, and werewolves were considered to be dark creatures.  

Hmm, perhaps his godfather and dad weren't as light as he once thought- considering one of their best friends was dark. 

"Remus!" Sirius hops up and embraces his other godfather in what Harry would say was definitely a lover's embrace. 

He feels like he'd been slapped across the face at the shock of it all. 

Never once had his godfathers ever insinuated that they'd been in a relationship with one another. It felt like there was a lump in his throat that only grew when the two of them kissed in greeting. 

It kind of felt like Harry was raw and hurting like he'd been taken in and used by a cheese grater, and there was  nothing left for him to feel. 

Had they been lying to him this whole time? 

They'd been holding hands when they died. 

Harry was sure he was dissociating. His whole being was floating and even though this had happened before, a multitude of times, when he saw friends and family cut down in front of him and, Harry had no time to grieve. He usually ended up moving on autopilot, like he was multitasking in multiple things with his main focus being nothing but clouds and a fuzzy mind. 

"Haz, this is Remus Lupin, Sirius's husband and soulmate," James introduces Harry and Harry is knocked back into reality, blinking away the shock. 

Harry stands instantly, a polite smile on his face. His right arm crosses over his chest and he gives a forty-five-degree angle bow, a classic wizarding greeting. "Well met Heir-Consort Black," Harry smiles and at the surprise in both Sirius' and Remus' gazes, Harry knew his well-thought out guess was right. 

There was no heir ring on either of the Black siblings' ring fingers. And Harry knew - at least he thinks he knew his godfather, he was questioning everything right now-  Sirius didn't like all that heir/Lord  bullshite , as he used to call it. But Harry did spot the indent marks on his godfather's right ring finger. House rings on the right hand usually indicated an heir, and rings on the left were for Lords. 

"Well met," Remus responds with a small smile, wariness in his eyes. 

"Haripreet is our new son," Lily beams, and Bellatrix saunters over to Harry, looking intrigued. 

"How did this actually happen? I was with you last week Lily," Bellatrix laughs out, offering Harry her hand. She was either greeting him as a Lady Scion of the House of Black, or as a Lady of the House of Lestrange. 

Harry was going to go with her more prominent status. He takes her hand gently, opposite hand placed promptly behind his back as he places an air kiss on the back of her hand, trying not to flinch. 

She didn't look insane, at least there was that but Harry wouldn't really take any chances. His magic bubbled under his skin but his smile was smooth and serene. "Lady Lestrange, well met." Harry offers and almost vomits a little when the woman coos at him. 

"Rian, darling do you see his manners," Bellatrix gives a faux glare at Hadrian and Harry almost evaporates on the spot from shock, especially at Hadrian's next words. 

"Aunty Bella, stop it. Haripreet is just polite. You're all still strangers to him," Rian offers, giving Haz a big, comforting smile, head propped on the palm of his hand. 

"Hmm, yes well met little one," She says, eyeing him in interest and Harry simply answers their unspoken question. 

"Haripreet Lilian Evanson," He gives his name and watches a bit as his mum preens. That was not discrete. He had to teach his mum how to hide her emotions. She was a disaster otherwise. 

Thank magic, none of the Slytherins were watching her. Harry couldn't say if the hidden guard were watching them all, but they mostly felt lax, like they knew  Regulus was safe among the Potters. 

And he was Sirius' brother, so maybe  perhaps, there was honestly no place safer for him than maybe by Tom's side. Harry didn't want to think about how protected  he'd be by Harry's own side. 

He wasn't going there. 

Because it wasn't going to happen. 

It wasn't helping that the man's magic seemed really curious about him. Harry's eyes flicker upwards for a second and has to force himself to look away from the waves of intense red magic that seemed very much in tune with Harry. There were tendrils of his magic attempting to greet his own but Harry's own magic was being tightly contained. If he let it all out in a single swoop, the whole restaurant might explode, if Harry was being honest. The whole thing made Harry feel nauseous, because the man was going to be curious now, considering how powerful he was, if Regulus was in fact a Level One Unspeakable, and Harry didn't think he was ready to deal with curiosity coming from one of his soulmates, especially the one he'd never met before. So Harry didn't have any preconceived notions about this man. He couldn't expect anything from him. And that made him dangerous. 

Obviously, Regulus didn't die trying to destroy one of Voldemort's horcruxes because this world never had a Voldemort. And Sirius could never talk about his brother without crying, so Harry didn't know anything about Regulus Black. 

Maybe it was a good thing. 

But all it did was make Harry wary.

"Well met Haripreet, I am Rabastan Lestrange," The man says, a constant bulky, huge, muscular form beside Regulus. That man was not moving unless Regulus did. 

"Well met," Harry greets him as well, a bit more kindly. He had flipped sides at the last minute due to his brother falling at the hands of Voldemort. Rabastan had joined them in a time when they'd needed more numbers. Rabastan and Narcissa had honestly been a force to be reckoned with. For Narcissa Black (She'd always been more dangerous and respected as a Black than she'd ever been as a Malfoy), no one else mattered to her more than her son. And Harry was certain, in any universe,  Narcissa Black would do anything, sacrifice anyone for Draco Malfoy. 

The two of them, Narcissa and Rabastan, even ended up having something between them. Harry wasn't certain if it was romantic or just platonic, but he'd never seen someone break down as hard as Rabastan did when Narcissa sacrificed herself to save Draco and the captured wixen children Draco had been trying to save. She gave them enough time and magic to apparate through the wards that had been placed around them. 

So yeah, Harry had a bit of a soft spot for Rabastan Lestrange. Especially because he'd been the one to talk him off of ledge after Narcissa died and then watched him and Draco absolutely shatter.

Harry then turns to Regulus, a bit of wariness appearing in his gaze and the man must've noticed because he smiles disarmingly. 

"I am Regulus Black. Well met young Mr. Evanson," 

Regulus was actually incredibly handsome, in a soft way. It was kind of handsome that got into Harry's bones and burrowed deep. His hair was a luscious black, with kind yet intelligent blue-grey eyes. He had the typical Black good looks and Harry would even go as far as to say the man was beautiful. Beauty, to Harry, was a moment in time that would capture his heart and even if his heart stuttered at the very presence of this man, Harry wasn't blindly enthralled. Sure, his chest ached with a need to be around his soulmate and his left arm pulsed with pins and needles going up his soulmate mark. It was okay though. Harry was fine. Perfectly fine.

"Well met Consort Slytherin," Harry gives him a bow in greeting and Regulus mimics the greeting, without reaching out to shake his hand, as he didn't know Harry's status, but assumed Harry to be lesser to him. 

Harry was lesser to no one, let alone Tom fucking Riddle or Regulus Black. Well, they both went by Slytherin now. Harry wondered if they'd go by Peverell if they discovered him and his ancestry. Would he just be a way to bolster their popularity?

Harry doesn't offer his arm either, simply giving him a smile before stepping back behind his dad, who had stood up. As he was officially under Lord Potter's protection, he was considered a Scion of the House of Potter until his majority. And his dad was in charge of making sure Harry didn't mess up any of the greetings he knew by heart. 

It didn't help his case at all, considering that in this body he was magically considered to be a part of the Borghese family, who upon further investigation,  had many heirs to Harry's relief. So he wouldn't be expected to learn the entirety of their heritage, which dated back a couple centuries. 

No, he was happy keeping that responsibility to their official heir of house. He would just become family if he brought it to their attention. They were one of the five royal pillars of magic in the world. The royal families were extremely important to the continuation of magic. The five pillars were the Borgheses in Europe, which the UK automatically fell under their jurisdiction, the Annagovians who ruled both North and South America, the  Dragonsbane family who ruled the entirety of Asia alongside the Tarek family, whose rule dominated the Middle East, and finally in Africa the Abioyes . 

So yes, Harry was not ready to be placed into the middle of all that,  thankyouverymuch. If it came out, he'd have a target on his back, even bigger than the one he already did given his Lordship. 

"Now that all greetings are out of the way," James' hand was placed on Haz's shoulder a bit tightly. "What are you all doing here?" Harry suppressed his smile. His mistake could be viewed as a child's naivety but  anyone who knew him would think otherwise. 

He was a bit shaken and a lot pissed off. 

And his actions would've given him a one-way-ticket to smacksville curtesy of Hermione and Draco.  

To Regulus' credit, he didn't seem insulted, only a bit amused. "We all were feeling a bit hungry, so we decided to come here. This is a happy coincidence," 

"Your magic is too sharp; what's going on,'  Hunaria demands from her spot on top of Harry's head, and Harry curses internally in his head, praying the dragon, stays hidden. 

His magic moves to attempt to soothe her, essentially warning her of the potential danger. Harry hates how that one warning causes her to shrink in upon herself, with memories of their world and her own Charlie, who had essentially raised Hunaria. Who Hunaria considered her nest mother. 

"Oh it is, you should join us!" Lily beams at them and there's a moment of silence, when Harry is screaming in his head, kind of despising how much his own mom can't recognize how uncomfortable he was. 

But they were nothing but strangers after all. 

He might know everything about them- but they knew nothing of him. 

And Harry was beginning to think he didn't really know his loved ones like he should have. 

Hell, he hadn't realized that Remus and Sirius were basically soulmates until now.  No one knew Harry's own soulmate had been Voldemort. They suspected of course; it was common knowledge that Harry was Fate's favourite chew toy. 

Harry moves further behind James, trying to get back to his seat, because maybe if he was sitting down, Harry wouldn't feel like killing himself anymore. 

As if he had spoken out loud, Remus and Sirius both agree and it causes the waiters to bring over another table, joining the two. 

Harry finally sits, with a soft sigh of relief, because high legs felt like they would fall from under him if he stood for one second longer. 

Lady Magic help him, he wasn't going to survive this dinner. 

Hopefully, he didn't end up with a migraine.