They're Back
Draco was still rubbing his eyes and yawning nonstop when a howler was dropped in front of him. Draco cringed. The whole school was used to his father's howlers, but that didn't make it any better. He opened the envelope and dropped it, closing his eyes in despair.
"Come home," said a cold female's voice. "NOW."
Draco's eyes snapped open at his mother's voice. The envelope burst into flames and Draco stared at it, shocked.
"Looks like I'm skipping class today," he said to Blaise with a forced smile.
Blaise shook his head.
"I'm coming with you, I don't care what you say." his firm voice left Draco with no choice but to nod quietly.
They stood and Draco looked over at the Gryffindor table. Harry was staring at him with wide eyes. Draco bit his lip and looked away. He needs to leave now. He started walking towards the door, knowing Blaise is right behind him.
"Wait," called Harry.
Draco turned around and smiled. Harry, Hermione, and Theo were following them as well.
"you’re not going without me," scolded Harry once they were in Professor McGonagall’s office.
Draco bit his lip.
"Father will probably crucio me," he said quietly. "I don’t need you getting hurt too."
Harry took Draco’s hand in his.
"I didn't know he tortured you! Why didn't you tell me? Now I’m coming for sure. you’re not going by yourself to be tortured. He’ll have to fight me to get to you." his lip twitched in a half smile. "And there’s no way he’ll get away with hurting Harry Potter or his boyfriend."
Draco’s lip quivered.
"Thank you," he whispered.
Harry hugged him tightly.
"You’re welcome, love."
they stepped into the fireplace together, and stumbled out in Draco’s bedroom.
Narcissa was expecting him to come there, and was sitting by the desk.
"Hello, Draco," she said coolly, ignoring Harry.
Draco swallowed.
"Hello, Mother," he answered confidently, hiding his shaking hands behind his back.
"Your father is dead." Narcissa wasted no time with small talk.
Draco let out a hysterical laugh.
"Are you finding it funny?" Narcissa raised an eyebrow.
Draco paled.
"Of course not," he stammered, "I was just surprised. I’m sorry."
Narcissa opened her mouth to speak, but was interrupted by the roar of the floo. Blaise was the first to appear, and in the next few seconds Theo and Hermione came out as well.
Narcissa stood.
"What is the meaning of this?" She didn't lose her temper. Of course. As a Black and a Malfoy she would never.
Harry cleared his throat.
"We thought there was an emergency. We're here to help," he said politely.
Narcissa rolled her eyes inwardly.
"I called my son to inform him of his father's death," she drawled. "You may leave now."
Draco took a deep breath.
"What happened to him, mother?" He asked quietly.
Narcissa sighed.
"Do you remember the envelope the dark lord gave your father?" The question was clearly rhetorical. "He opened it today."
Draco's eyes widened comically.
"You told me you burned it," he choked out.
Narcissa smiled cruelly.
"Do you really think that was the only time we lied to you?"
Draco closed his eyes for a second.
"Harry." his voice shook slightly. "We have to get back to Hogwarts. Blaise, Theo, stay here with my mother."
Harry followed Draco to the fireplace, but didn't go in.
"Draco, what's going on?" He was so confused.
Draco swallowed.
"There's a... spell. You say it, and it conjures an envelope. After you die, if a person opens the envelope they immediately die, but you come back to life." He sighed. "Voldemort gave my father the envelope, but father promised me he had destroyed it. I guess he was waiting for... I don't know what. But there's an upside to this." he quickly added, seeing the disappointment and terror on Harry's face, "It's a spell for wars specifically, and except for the sacrifice of the person opening the envelope, everyone, literally everyone, from the other side of the war that died, comes back as well."
Harry blinked.
"So Voldemort is back." he looked worried. "Where would he be?"
Draco paled even more.
"Wherever he died," he answered. "In this case - Hogwarts."
Harry grabbed Draco’s hand and stepped into the still green fire, not even waiting for Hermione.
They ran from McGonagall’s office to the great hall, hoping no one was there, but knowing that breakfast wasn't over yet. As they came closer to the great hall they started hearing screams, and their hearts sank.
They entered the great hall and stared. The air was full of smoke that slowly started becoming ghosts, and then people.
Hermione came running from behind them.
"What are you waiting for?" She panted. "Draco, you go explain to the teachers what the fuck is going on. Harry, you look for Voldemort. I'll get the students out of here."
They obeyed immediately, going separate ways. Half of the students were out of the hall already when Harry spotted the tall, snake-like man. Harry saw him holding his wand up and froze. Then, he yelled the first spell that came to his mind.
"Avada Kedavra."
****
Harry lowered his wand, panting. His whole body trembled from the curse he had just uttered.
Draco approached him.
"Are you ok, Harry?" he asked fearfully.
Harry hugged him.
"I'm fine," he panted. "a bit shocked, but I'll be fine. We'll be fine." he kissed Draco's cheek.
Draco pulled away from him, smiling slightly.
"Where are you going now?" He asked.
Harry raised an eyebrow.
"Where should I go?" He didn't understand. "This is it. Voldemort is finally dead. I mean, as long as he didn't give other people more envelopes."
Draco looked at him, confused.
"You really don't get what's going on here?" he asked. "They're all coming back. You can go to your parents. Or to Sirius."
Harry's eyes filled with tears.
"I didn't think about that," he whispered, his voice tight. He looked around.
"Can you help me find Lupin? I want to go with him," he said quietly.
Draco kissed his lips softly.
"Of course," he answered immediately.
They started walking around, looking at all the people who were there, but didn't see Lupin anywhere. They stopped when they saw Fred and George hugging. Tears came to their eyes.
"He died because of me," Draco whispered.
Harry wrapped one arm around his shoulders, looking tearfully at the crying twins.
"It's not your fault," he whispered back. "And anyway he's here now."
Draco wiped his cheeks and tugged on Harry's hand. "It's not nice to stare," he decided.
Harry bit his lip and followed him. Anxiety began to spread in Harry's chest as they passed more and more parts of the school but couldn't find Remus.
When they got back to the Great Hall Harry sighed.
"He probably went with Tonks," he said resignedly, "I'm going to the Ministry of Magic now. To find Sirius." his voice choked.
Draco hugged him for a long moment.
"I love you," he whispered before letting go of his boyfriend.
Harry started walking, and as soon as he left the Hogwarts grounds he disapparated.
He appeared at the entrance of the Ministry of Magic a second later and took a deep breath. When he was sure that no emotion was seen on his face, he entered. Wizards were rushing around the place, going in and out of the floo network. Harry looked around in confusion and sighed in relief when he saw Kingsley. He quickly approached him.
"What's going on here?" he asked.
Kingsley smiled at him as he signed a few documents held out for him.
"It's good you're here, Potter," he said. "I was going to send someone to get you. I heard Voldemort is back?"
Harry nodded.
"I suppose you also heard that I killed him," he replied, trying to hide his emotions.
When Kingsley nodded he continued, "So there is no danger now. You just have to register all the people who returned. And take care of the muggles... If you want testimonies of what happened there I'm sure Professor McGonagall would be happy to help. I'm not here for that." he took another breath. "I'm here to look for Sirius Black in the Department of Mysteries."
Realization dawned in Kingsley's eyes.
"Of course," he said quickly. "take all the time you need with him."
Harry shook his hand and turned around.
He felt a vibration in his pocket and sighed, taking out his phone.
"Yes babe?" He answered with a slight smile.
"I'm going to my mother now. Just letting you know that McGonagall said everyone should be back by Tuesday morning." Draco sounded stressed.
Harry swallowed.
"Thank you, love. Let me know if anything happens with your mother," he said and ended the call.
He turned off the phone completely and started running down the hall. He reached the black door and stopped, catching his breath. He reached for the handle as someone opened the door from the other side and he found himself standing in front of Sirius.
Harry's eyes widened. He stared at his godfather in complete shock, only now beginning to realize how real it was.
Sirius smiled at him, concern in his eyes.
"Harry, what's going on? You look different," he said.
Harry attacked him with a bone- crushing hug, and Sirius hugged back, confused. After a few minutes of standing there and Harry not letting go of him, Sirius started to get stressed by the fact that they were in the middle of the Ministry of Magic like that, and disapparated back to his house. Harry's breath hitched in panic, but he still didn't let go of Sirius nor did he say a word. His eyes were still wide open, and his whole body was shaking, as if he had seen a banshee. Another quarter of an hour passed and Sirius was getting really worried. He pulled away from Harry a little and looked into his eyes.
"Harry, talk to me." he almost begged. "what happened?"
Harry's eyes, which were still torn in shock, suddenly filled with tears. Sirius hugged him again immediately, desperately trying to comfort his distressed godson. Harry started crying, his knees buckling under him. Sirius sat down on the floor, holding him gently. Harry tightened his hold on Sirius until Sirius couldn't breathe and pulled away from him again.
"Harry," he begged. "talk to me."
Harry bit his lip, forcefully stopping his sobs. When he was calmer he looked at Sirius with red eyes.
"I need you to believe me," he whispered hoarsely. "even though it will sound delusional."
Sirius nodded immediately.
"I always believe you," he said with a smile.
Harry bit his lip again.
"When you came with the Order to help me you... died," he said and waited for Sirius' reaction.
Sirius' eyebrow rose.
"I have three questions," he said after thinking for a moment. "How long ago was that? How am I back now? And... How did you deal with my death?" Pain filled his eyes.
Harry started crying again.
"I missed you," he choked. "You suddenly weren't here. I love you, Sirius, and I needed you."
Sirius' heart broke when he heard Harry's words.
"I'm sorry, Prongslet," he whispered. "I really am. I love you so much."
Harry cried on his shoulder.
"You're really here," he whispered. "Sirius, you're here, you're here, you're here, you're here, you're here."
Sirius swallowed hard, unable to believe how vulnerable Harry was now, because of him.
Harry wiped his face.
"It was two and a half years ago that you died," he continued. "Six months ago I killed Voldemort, and now the victim of the return spell is dead. So Voldemort came back, and so did all of you." a genuine smile spread over his exhausted face. "I killed Voldemort for the second time before I came to find you."
Sirius' mouth fell open.
"I don't believe it," he whispered in shock. "So everyone came back. Your..." He was silent for a moment, "Your parents too?"
Harry shook his head.
"I don't know," he admitted. "I came straight to you. I just missed you too much."
Sirius kissed his forehead.
"Do you want to go to your parents?" he asked softly.
Harry sniffled.
"Send them a patronus that explains what's happening," he asked. "And tell them to stay in their house," he added.
Sirius conjured a Patronus.
"Prongs, I don't know what you remember, but Voldemort killed you. years ago. So please stay in your home. I'm coming with Harry - he survived - and I'll explain everything to you. Voldemort is dead, by the way. Can't wait to see you," he said quietly and let Patronus walk away.
"So you're eighteen?" he realized suddenly in surprise.
Harry buried his face in Sirius' chest, nodding. Sirius stroked his hair.
"I love you," he said again.
Harry raised his head.
"Sirius," he said hesitantly. "I'm scared to meet them. I don't know them, and they probably just want to meet their baby."
"Do you want me to tell them to ignore you until you're comfortable enough?" suggested Sirius hesitantly.
Harry nodded slowly, feeling like a baby, and started to cry for the third time as Sirius nodded at him, understanding.
"Whatever you need," Sirius promised.
He sent James and Lily another Patronus, quickly explaining that Harry was scared to meet them so they would ignore him until he was comfortable with them.
♤♤♤
The patroni came, and James and Lily exchanged glances.
"So that's what's going on." breathed James. "and that's why Harry's not here."
Lily wiped her eyes.
"I guess so. But if he knows how to express himself like that, he really grew up," muttered Lily. "How old do you think he is?"
James smiled childishly, thinking of a crazy answer.
"I say seven."
They burst into uncontrollable laughter.
"He's probably about four years old," Lily chuckled. "I can't believe I missed three years with him."
♤♤♤
Sirius got up from the floor, helped Harry to his feet, and led him to the couch.
"You're probably exhausted from fighting Voldemort again." he caressed Harry's cheek gently.
Harry froze for a moment, then a sob slipped from his mouth.
"I used Avada Kedavra," he cried.
Sirius hugged him tightly.
"You needed to do it. You're not like the Death Eaters." he was adamant. "You understand that. Right?"
Harry's shoulders shook.
"I don't feel like a death eater." he could barely breathe. "It's just that I killed. By myself. I can't believe I did it. The first time I killed him it was with Explliarmus."
Sirius didn't know what to say.
Harry looked up at him.
"Please tell me I'm not a murderer," he asked in a weak voice.
Tears filled Sirius' eyes.
"Of course you're not a murderer, Bambi," he cried. "You saved all the wizards by killing the monster. He's not even human."
Harry relaxed his shoulders and leaned against Sirius weakly, releasing the stress slowly. When he finally calmed down he stood up, getting ready to leave, and Sirius followed him. Harry took out his wand to disapparate, but it fell out of his trembling hand. He bent down to pick up the wand, uncharacteristic tears of frustration in his eyes. Sirius pulled him into his arms again, stroking his head.
"We don't have to go now," he said soothingly. "I can send a letter that explains everything. I'm sure they don't mind waiting a few days if it will help you."
Harry closed his eyes.
"I want to meet them," he whispered. "But can you take me with you? I don't want to disapparate by myself. I..." his voice shook, "I'm scared you'll leave me alone again."
Sirius kissed his head.
"Of course I can Prongslet. I'm sorry I wasn't here for you this whole time," he said sadly.
Harry clung to Sirius tighter for a moment and then let go.
"It wasn't your fault you died." he smiled sadly.
Sirius held out his hand to Harry and he grabbed it tightly. Four seconds later they were in Godric's hollow. Sirius put his arm around Harry's shoulder and they walked towards the house. Harry pulled his scarf over his face and conjured sunglasses, stressed. Sirius opened the door and entered. James and Lily jumped off the couch. Harry froze at the entrance, but he pushed Sirius lightly, signaling him to go on. Sirius saw James and his lips began to tremble. He felt Harry freeze, and snapped back to reality, but Harry pushed him toward his friend and he realized that Harry didn't want anyone's attention right now.
James smiled shakily.
"Sirius," he whispered.
Sirius' hand went up to his mouth, trying to stifle a sob.
Lily cleared her throat.
"You said you were bringing Harry." she reminded him. "Why isn't he here?"
Sirius took a deep breath and turned to her.
"He doesn't want us to talk to him yet," he answered.
Lily nodded.
"I understand that, and that's okay," her voice trembled a little. "but I don't see a child. Where is he?"
Sirius swallowed. He could barely control the urge to pounce on his best friend and cry on his shoulder.
"How old do you think he is?" He tried to find out carefully, scared of their reaction if he surprised them.
"Four years old." Lily was the one who answered again.
James was staring at Sirius with tears in his eyes, dying to hug him already.
Sirius let out a strangled sound, something between a sob and a laugh.
"Why specifically four?" He asked.
James took a step towards him, can't stand the small talk, but Sirius forced himself to raise his hand and stop him.
"Thank you for trusting me that I know what I'm doing." he winked at his friend. "but Lily deserves answers. Why specifically four?" He asked again.
"That's the age that it makes sense for him to know how to express himself and say that he's scared to meet us. Why are you asking that? How old is he? three? six?" Lily urged him.
Sirius blinked, fighting back his tears.
"Guys, Harry is big. He...he killed Voldemort twice already," he said, his voice thick with tears. "He's 18 years old. And he's here by the door."
Lily and James shifted their shocked gaze to Harry, who took off his scarf and sunglasses hesitantly, tears blurring his vision.
"Hi," he muttered.
His parents used all their self-control to smile at him silently and not start a conversation with him or even hug him.
Sirius gave Harry an encouraging smile and turned back to James.
"James," he whispered, tears starting to fall from his eyes.
James closed the distance between them in three quick steps and pounced on Sirius in a bear hug, bursting into hysterical sobs.
"Siri, you're alive. and whole. And Voldemort is dead. And Harry is here. And you watched him for me. Sirius. I can't believe it, God. Siri."
Sirius hugged him back, unable to get a word out between his sobs. They sank to the floor together, hugging, crying, and mumbling nonsense. Harry walked over to his mother hesitantly. She smiled at him tenderly and looked back at her husband and his friend with tears.
"Why is James crying?" Harry asked in an almost inaudible voice, not sure what to call his father. "He doesn't even remember that seventeen years had passed."
Lily fought the sadness that threatened to overtake her.
"For the past two weeks we haven't seen Sirius, and James missed him so much," her voice trailed off.
Harry nodded and leaned against the wall. Sirius finally found his lost voice.
"Prongs," he cried. "I'm so sorry. It was my fault. I...I'm so sorry."
James tightened the hug and Harry chuckled silently. He didn't think it was possible.
"Shhh," James demanded. "I don't know what was your fault but give us a moment without worries."
Sirius inhaled his friend's scent, trying unsuccessfully to relax.
"They look like a couple," Harry whispered to his mother.
she smiled. "When I started dating James a lot of people were shocked. They thought they were a couple..."
The two friends pulled away a little, examining each other, still holding each other's shoulders. Sirius started crying again first.
"I missed you so much," he said, wiping James' cheek with his thumb. They hugged again and kissed, and Harry's mouth fell open. Lily laughed.
"It's in a friendly way. You know, nothing romantic." she assured him. "all four of them kiss as if it's the most usual thing on earth."
Harry shook his head, bewildered. After fifteen minutes, James and Sirius broke apart with one last kiss. They got up from the floor and sat on the couch. Lily enlarged the couch with a quick spell and sat next to James, motioning for Harry to sit next to Sirius. Sirius started laughing.
"It's so like you to come back from the dead and first of all fix your couch."
They all laughed until Sirius started crying again. Harry hugged Sirius' arm and rested his head on his shoulder, trying to be there for him. Sirius' crying got louder and Harry raised his head slightly, apprehensive. To his surprise he saw his father, on the other side of Sirius, doing the exact same thing. James frowned when Harry looked at him for a second and started to cry, burying his face back into Sirius' shoulder. Sirius hugged Harry for a long moment.
"It's all right Prongslet," he said soothingly, swallowing his tears. "I know it's weird for you to finally understand why everyone said you look like him."
Harry wiped his eyes and looked up at his parents in embarrassment.
"Normally I don't cry this much." he felt the need to explain.
James laughed.
"To be honest, as the child Sirius raised I would expect you to cry a lot."
Harry and Sirius exchanged glances and James frowned again.
"What is it? Padfoot, did you die too? So how does Harry know you? Siri what's going on?" He was freaking out.
Sirius bit his lip.
"I died, yes, but that was only two and a half years ago."
James ran a hand over his eyes.
"I'm sorry, Harry." he couldn't control himself from talking to Harry. "Who did you live with after that?"
Sirius looked at Harry helplessly. There's no way he's telling James what happened.
Harry squeezed his hand encouragingly.
"I never lived with Sirius," he said quietly. "I lived with Petunia and Vernon."
James and Lily did not react at first. They stared at Sirius in complete shock. After a few seconds of silence Lily shook her head.
"Sirius," she said in a threatening voice.
Sirius winced and gave Harry a desperate look, begging him to continue.
Harry held his hand tighter.
"I'm going to tell you what happened the night you were killed," he promised. "but please promise me first that you won't blame Sirius until I'm done. Okay?"
The two nodded in confusion. James placed a supportive hand on Sirius' shoulder.
"Padfoot," he whispered, kissing his cheek. "I'm shocked and appalled that Harry lived by those fuckers." his voice confirmed that. "but I'm sure you wouldn't abandon my child without a really good reason."
Sirius rested his head on his best friend's shoulder for a moment in gratitude.
Harry cleared his throat.
"So," he began. "It was Halloween, and Voldemort came and... you know... killed you, but because you died for me I had some sort of protection and he couldn't hurt me. The curse he tried to put on me bounced back at him, blowing up the whole house and leaving a scar on me," he moved the hair from his forehead, revealing his lightning scar, "About then Sirius realized that Peter was the spy and he flew here to warn you, but when he came... he... he found Your...bodies."
Sirius burst into tears again.
"I came and you...you were on the floor...and I called you...and you, you were dead," he cried like a little kid. James hugged him, crying with him.
Lily cried too. Even though they were alive, it was sad to hear how you died. When Sirius' crying quieted down he snuggled close to James.
"Can I continue, Pads?" Harry asked. Sirius nodded and Harry continued:
"He found me, alive and crying in the room and took me."
Sirius' voice interrupted him again.
"I was scared to go into the room," he said crying, talking into James' shirt. "I found both of your bodies already, and I knew that if I saw our baby dead I wouldn't be able to stand it.
But then I heard him crying, and I ran into the room and took him, and I cried...I cried an ocean over him. Then I took him out. And I covered his eyes when I passed by you, I didn't want him to see you like that." his body shook from uncontrollable sobs.
Lily cried on James' other shoulder, who was crying loudly himself.
Harry was sitting on the edge of the couch, hugging his knees, and crying silently.
"When I went out I sat down on the sidewalk. Harry cried so hard, and it broke me even more. I wanted him to go to sleep. So I sat on the sidewalk, crying like crazy, and sang him lullabies until he fell asleep. When he was asleep I hugged him and cried more, until Hagrid came. I don't know how Dumbledore knew, but he did, and he sent Hagrid to get Harry. I tried to argue with him, to tell him that I was Harry's godfather, and that he was all I had. But he just said that Dumbledore wanted to check if he was hurt by the dark magic and then he would give him back to me.
So of course I agreed, and then I also realized that if I let Dumbledore look after Harry I could go after Peter and kill him. So I gave him Harry and my motorcycle, so that Harry would have a comfortable ride, and started looking for Peter. In the morning the whole magical community celebrated except for me. I lost everything. Everything. And they were celebrating. Then I found Peter in the middle of a muggle street in London,' he took a deep breath.
"You followed Peter by yourself?" attacked James, shocked.
Sirius nodded, blushing and closing his eyes.
Harry took that as a sign to continue the story.
"So he found Peter, and accused him of betraying you. But Peter, that bastard, shouted that he couldn't believe that Sirius could do such a terrible thing, and blew up the whole street, killing twelve Muggles." Lily and James gasped in horror. "and then he turned into a rat and disappeared, leaving behind one finger to prove that he was dead. As soon as Peter was gone Sirius lost hope. He felt responsible for everything." his hand rubbed Sirius' shoulder. "So he decided the best thing he could do was let Dumbledore take care of me. He didn't know that Dumbledore would put me with Petunia, so he let the aurors arrest him. No one knew about the switch except for Dumbledore, but he, even though he knew, was so angry at Sirius for being the one who recommended the switch of the Secret Keeper, that he recommended that he be transferred to Azkaban without a trial, and Sirius, who was devastated, didn't fight." Harry paused to breathe, hugging his knees again.
James grabbed Sirius' head with both his hands.
"You went to Azkaban by choice?" He choked. "Why? Siri, it wasn't your fault. I am the one who chose to trust Peter. I can't believe you did that." a tear rolled down his cheek. "Even if it was your fault you didn't deserve to go to Azkaban. I love you pads, you know it. Right?" He almost begged.
Sirius looked at him in pain.
"The dementors didn't affect me," he muttered. "So there is no difference anyway."
James opened his eyes.
"What do you mean they didn't affect you?"
Sirius swallowed.
"I didn't have any positivity in me that they could drain me of. So they didn't take anything from me."
James kissed Sirius' forehead.
"I'm so sorry," he whispered. "that you went through that. I love you so much."
Harry looked at his father the whole time. He was shocked at how much he really looked like him. James smiled hesitantly at him.
"Are you okay?" He asked softly, surely remembering his baby.
Harry winced slightly. "Yes," he muttered. "It's just weird for me that you're alive. And I'm telling you everything."
James reached out tentatively and Harry scooted closer to them, his hands shaking nervously.
"We don't have to be a family right away," said James, holding out his hand. "We can start as friends. Hi, I'm James. Nice to meet you."
Harry grinned, relaxing his shoulders.
"Harry," he answered, shaking James' hand.
James tightened the squeeze and let go.
"I'm dying to know when you met Sirius, if he was in Azkaban, and how you got to Petunia if you were by Dumbledore, but that's not a conversation for people getting to know each other. We could talk about Hogwarts. How similar and different our experiences are from there."
Harry accepted the suggestion enthusiastically. Sirius was snuggled between them, enjoying watching his Prongs and Prongslet, and Lily was also enjoying seeing her husband manage to slowly lower Harry's defenses.
"Should we start from the base?" James asked.
Harry chuckled.
"Okay. I'm in Gryffindor. Were you?"
James laughed. "I'm glad to hear. Is McGonagall still head of house?"
Harry shook his head in half agreement and half denial.
"She's the headmistress now," he said, "Dumbledore died a year and a half ago, and Voldemort took over the school, but about six months ago we won and since then she's the headmistress, but she's also the head of the house."
He tried to explain without making it too complicated.
James bit his lip sadly at Dumbledore's death, before remembering what he did to Sirius and not caring anymore.
"Did at least Quidditch stay the same?" he asked hopefully.
Harry smiled and nodded.
James was thrilled, "What is that smile? Do you play?"
Harry nodded again.
"I'm Seeker," he added.
James smiled proudly, but held back his next words about talent in the family. They are not family. not yet.
Harry hesitated for a moment and then decided to brag, "Since what year were you on the team?" He asked.
James smiled, "second year. you too?'
Harry bit back a smile.
"In the first flying class Madam Hooch went away for a few minutes," he shared. "and the bully of the year stole his victim's Remembrall and took off with it. I flew after him, so he dropped it and I caught the ball a second before it hit the ground. McGonagall saw that and decided she needed me on the team." Harry's smile widened. "I've been Seeker since my first year."
James stared at him speechlessly. Lily tapped him on the shoulder.
"Chill out, man," she laughed. "So he's better than you. nothing happened."
James shook his head.
"I'm not jealous," he murmured. "I'm so proud. I knew the talent ran in the blood," he stopped in panic, hoping he hadn't just destroyed the delicate friendship he had started to form with his son.
Harry bit his lip. Not sure how to respond.
"That's fine," he finally decided to move on, but diverted the attention from him. "did you realize Sirius fell asleep?" He asked.
James looked down at the head on his shoulder and smiled.
"He's still cute when he sleeps," he noted.
Lily stood up.
"James, I think we should go to your parents' house," she said. "We all need to sleep and the house is big enough. Harry, do you want to come with us or go to your house?"
Harry ran his tongue over his lip.
"To come with you," he admitted quietly.
James grabbed Sirius and Harry's hands tightly and disapparated.
Sirius woke up with a jolt and punched James when he realized what he had done. The next second he realized he was with Prongs, and started to cry, unable to be angry with him after losing him for fifteen years. James supported him when his knees buckled, and half carried him now. Harry looked around in awe. They stood in a beautiful house, perfectly maintained.
"Who has lived here all these years?" He wondered.
James turned to him.
"no one. We have a house elf to maintain the place. Spark," he called.
A bang was heard and a small creature stood in front of them with shining eyes.
"Master James," Spark chirped happily. "I thought you were dead."
James smiled at her.
"I really died. But I'm back now. How are you, Spark? Meet my friend, Harry," he gestured at him.
Spark studied Harry for a long moment before returning to James with a scolding look.
"You forget that I can feel when there is a master next to me. I know he is related to you. What is he to you?" she wondered.
James scratched his cheek, not sure what to answer her.
"I'm his son," Harry interjected. "Nice to meet you, Spark."
She looked at him with big eyes.
"You're Harry?" She burst into tears. "It's been so long since you were here. I was here all the time so I didn't know so many years had passed. Master Harry, you are so mature and handsome. and Mistress Lily and Master Sirius. I missed serving you."
James looked at her with pity.
"Spark," he said pleasantly. "I'm sure you're surprised. Why don't you take time to recover and come back only to prepare breakfast."
She nodded and disappeared with another bang.
Harry raised his eyebrows.
"You're so nice to her," he remarked with surprise. "and she treats you like a rebellious little brother. Not like the other elves I know."
Sirius had already recovered from his crying and was shifting uncomfortably.
"That's because you only know Malfoy's elf and Kreacher. A lot of people treat their elves nicely," he explained.
Harry nodded slowly.
"And the fact that she is like a caring big sister is because without racial class differences she is simply a very devoted servant who takes care of us just like a mother," James completed the explanation.
Harry looked around again, thinking about everything.
His mother cares about him enough to completely ignore him except for when he speaks directly to her.
His father, as he had always thought, still remained a bit of a mischievous, but mature teenager. He gives his son the space he wants, but finds a friendly way to approach him at his own pace.
And Sirius. who was willing to live in a cave and eat only rats just to be there for him. He's back and he's alive and he's okay.
Harry sat down on the expensive leather couch and burst into tears.
Lily hesitated for a moment, and went to the kitchen to get him a cup of water.
Sirius sat down next to Harry and placed a warm hand on his shoulder.
"Want to tell me what suddenly happened?" He asked quietly.
Harry melted into the touch, burying his face in Sirius' chest.
James sat down on Harry's other side, and he took his hand. As soon as he calmed down a bit he wiped his cheeks and straightened up.
"I just can't believe I have people who love me," he whispered, holding James' hand tighter. "As happy as you two are to see each other, all I needed was to make a tiny sound for you to shift the focus to what I wanted. I... I've never had so many adults take care of me just because they love me."
James stroked the back of his hand with his thumb.
"So many? We are three," he said in a wet voice.
Harry nodded sadly.
"Hagrid loves me, But...he's Hagrid. He cares more about Dumbledore's orders than my well being. Dumbledore cared about me, but it was because of his plan, which had to work. The rest of the adults I know, teachers, Mrs. Weasley, and the order, care about me either because I'm the boy who lived - that's the nickname I was given after you died, or because I'm a poor child who has no parents. When Professor Lupin arrived," he fell silent as James gasped in shock before explaining quickly, "He was the defense against the dark arts teacher. And he was the first person to invest time and thought in me because I'm human, and I deserve it. Later I also found out he actually knows me and loves me unconditionally."
Lily came back with a cup of water and Harry took it with a thankful glance.
"Sirius was the second one. But they both disappeared from my life for two years. Then they came back for the war, and I barely had time with them. Then Sirius died," Harry started to cry, "and Lupin tried to be there for me as much as he could, but we were in war, and in the Battle of Hogwarts - the last battle where I killed Voldemort, he died too," his shoulders shook, "I looked for him in Hogwarts today, before I went to find Sirius, because I knew he would want to come with me to Sirius, but I couldn't find him."
James cried uncontrollably, holding back from hugging Harry.
Sirius was too shocked to cry.
"Remus died?" he asked with a strangled voice.
Harry nodded sadly.
"A lot of people died in that battle," he said. "Remus, and Tonks, and Fred Weasley, and about fifty other people. But most of the Death Eaters died too, and the war was over."
Sirius swallowed.
"Why didn't you find Remus?" he asked miserably.
Harry looked down.
"I'm sorry Sirius, but he probably found Tonks and they left Hogwarts together."
James raised his eyebrows.
"Why? Tonks is Andromeda's husband, isn't he?" he wondered.
Harry let out a forced laugh.
"Their daughter. She doesn't like her first name, Nymphadora. And she," he hesitated before dropping the bombshell, "she and Remus got married. A year before they were killed."
He looked at Sirius anxiously, afraid of his reaction.
But Sirius smiled tearfully.
"We talked about it. A child deserves married parents. Was the boy or girl born already when they died?"
Harry opened his eyes.
"What... how do you know? Who did you talk to? What the hell are you saying?"