Re-Awakenings – The story continues
Lily awoke to the unpleasant sensation of a jerking bed. Groaning she opened her eyes to view her brother enthusiastically bouncing beside her. "Go away" she grumbled sleepily once again closing her eyes. She never had been much of a morning person.
"You're such a lazy bones," he stated annoyingly as he continued to bounce.
Instead of dignifying this with a response she casually grabbed the spare pillow beside her and …THWACK…her brother landed on the floor. Chuckling she opened an emerald eye to view her accomplishment.
His hand came up first followed by hazel eyes filled with vengeance. "Oh, you are so dead now!" Came the amused threat.
Her eyes widened and she was suddenly awake knowing what was coming, "James Albus Potter, don't even …ahh!" It was too late the tickling had commenced.
The squeals of laughter were interrupted buy a warm, motherly voice from downstairs. "If you two don't get yourselves down here soon you'll miss breakfast!"
The siblings froze momentarily looking at each other before leaping up, grabbing their dressing gowns and heading down the stairs.
Molly Weasley was puttering about in the kitchen, keeping an eye on several pans when the boisterous noise was heard from above. "Oh, those two." She said quietly to herself with a small smile before moving to the door. "If you two don't get yourselves down here soon you'll miss breakfast!" She counted to five and chuckled as the sound of pounding feet was heard coming down the stairs. A moment later two of her grandchildren entered the kitchen. She looked at them as they filled their plates with food from the dishes that were making their way to the table.
Having had identical twins herself she had always been amazed how this set of twins looked nothing alike. Lily had the dark-hair and green-eyes of her father but the exact same features as her mother at that age. She was quite quiet and had the tendency to observe thoughtfully rather than participate in most endeavours. Even at this young age Molly could tell that she was going to take after her parents and be quite a talented witch. Unlike her parents however she was similar to her Aunt in the fact that she was generally conscious of the rules and could often be found with a book in her hand. That was of course unless James got in her ear.
James had the features of his father but the red hair and hazel eyes of a Weasley. He seemed to have picked up the mischievous side of both parents and his bat-bogey hex could give his mothers a run for the money. He too was able to pick things up quickly and would do well at school. He did have a tendency to charge head on into things without thinking them through properly. Luckily Lily tended to balance this out and managed to knock a certain amount of sense into him. However, they both tended to have an affinity for fair play and if they decided that someone needed to be brought into line. Well Molly wondered if Fred and George ever would have imagined some of the stuff that these two pulled off with surprisingly minimal or inexperienced magic. Oh how Arthur would have loved to have seen his grandchildren grow up like this.
James looked up as he was shoveling food into his mouth. "Gran, yobth goth thabt losbth look again."
His sister slapped him on his arm.
He looked at her affronted "What?"
Instead of replying Lily just rolled her eyes, boys!
Molly grinned. "So kids do you have all your stuff packed, your Aunt and Uncle are expecting you in London in about an hour."
"Yeah, were almost done. Just got to throw a few more things in the trunk. The rest of the stuff we'll apparently pick up from Diagon Alley," replied Lily finishing the last bit of her bacon sandwich.
"I can't believe we finally get to go see it." James stated excitedly.
"We'll since you're starting school this year we could hardly keep you hidden from the world any longer." Stated Molly.
"I don't know why we had to be hidden away in the first place." Lily said quietly.
Molly sat beside them. "I know you don't love, but you will soon enough. Now go on, chop-chop, let's get you ready shall we."
"Don't you hate it when they do that?" James asked quietly as they left the kitchen.
"Do what?"
"Tell us something without telling us anything at all."
An hour later the both of them were packed and standing ready at the fire place. Molly helped James in with his trunk and handed him some floo powder. "Aunt Hermione's!" He yelled as he threw the powder down and disappeared in amongst the smoke. Molly next helped Lily in with her case.
"Sure you won't come with us?" Lily asked. After spending the summer at the Burrow she was going to miss her grandmother.
Molly smiled and hugged her grand-daughter. "Someone's got to stay and make sure this place doesn't fall down."
Lily nodded sadly. She took the floo powder. "Uncle Ron's." With a flash she felt the odd lurching sensation of flying through the floo network. The trip ended with a jerk as she stepped out of the fire place at the other end, tripping over her trunk in the process.
"Come on clumsy." She accepted the offered hand and stood, looking up to see her youngest uncle staring down at her. Smiling Ron said "Welcome to Grimmauld Place"
"Seriously Ron, you act like they've never been here before," Stated James and Lily's Aunt Hermione as she entered the living room carrying her two year old Sophie. Sophie's brown eyes studied the new comers carefully before her cheeks tinged slightly pink and she hid herself in her mother's neck till all you could see was a tuft of bushy auburn hair.
Charlie their 5 year old son, who had been named after a deceased uncle, had come running in behind Hermione chanting 'They're here, they're here' before launching himself at James. "You're here!" he said cheekily, "Wanna see what Mum and Dad got me?" He asked practically dragging James along by the arm, "you come to Lil!"
Ron bent down and swooped Charlie up, causing him squeal in delight and release James's arm. "Slow down, Tiger," Ron said playfully tickling his son. "They've only just arrived. Why don't you at least let them put their things away before you harass them about your new toys."
"Aww, but daaaaaaad"
"No buts. Scoot." Ron stated putting Charlie down who immediately put on a remarkable pout. "Why don't you go see if Dobby needs help with the …" At the sound of Dobby there was a large crack and a house elf with a pencil nose, huge eyes and pointy ears suddenly appeared carrying a tray of glasses and cups filled with assorted liquids. The maroon knitted hat he was wearing was pulled so low that it was surprising he could see anything from underneath it and it clashed magnificently with his shirt, pants and odd socks. "…Drinks." Ron finished lamely.
"Dobby, has requested drinks, Master," Dobby shot a quick look a Hermione who frowned slightly, "uh Mister Weasley."
"Dobby don't mind Mrs. Weasley, she's still under the impression that house elf's are brain washed." Ron stated as he removed one of the glasses. He shot a sly grin at his wife, who rolled her eyes and tutted. Charlie also took a drink.
"But Mrs. Weasley is a very kind and generous Mistress. When Dobby could not remain at Hogwarts after the incident, Mrs. Weasley was very kind to employ Dobby. Though Dobby does not quite understand why she keeps giving Dobby more than he asked."
"I'm only giving you what is fair, Dobby." Hermione stated putting down Sophie who took the covered drink and left the room with her brother who was muttering something like 'okay I'll show you'. "I still wish you would have more days off though." Hermione took the cup of tea from the tray.
"Dobby wouldn't dream of it. It is Dobby's great honour to serve those who fought in the battle to end all battles, especially those who were such good friends of Harry Potter." Dobby finally took his eyes of Hermione to look at the owners of the two hands that had taken the last drinks. He dropped the tray with a rather large clatter.
James and Lily who hadn't seen the house elf in about three years jumped back slightly in surprise. "Are you alright Dobby?" Lily asked slightly concerned.
Dobby's eyes seemed to fill with tears. "Dobby is sorry. Dobby knews you were coming but he did not realise how much yous now look like your parents. Now Dobby has made a mess." Dobby picked up the tray and started hitting himself on the head with it. "Bad Dobby, Bad Dobby!"
"Dobby, please," Hermione exclaimed in shock stepping forward and putting a hand on Dobby's arm.
"Thank you, miss." Stated Dobby rubbing his head. He looked back at the twins and his eyes seemed to fill with tears again and pop he was gone from the living room.
James and Lily looked at each other then at their aunt and uncle. "We're not going to have that sort of reaction where ever we go are we."
Ron and Hermione looked at each other. "Well it's kinda hard to say, kids." Ron started.
"You see a lot of people liked your parents, as you know your father was rather famous in his time." Continued Hermione.
"Right, because of the whole Boy Who Lived thing," stated James
"Exactly, even before the final battle they were both known for their magical prowess."
"I think there are still a few people around who fear your mother's wrath, not that she get's that angry anymore." Replied Ron with a reminiscent smile.
"So there are going to be those who look at you with slight wonder at what you might accomplish. But then because of what happened to your father…"
"Him being killed in the final battle with Voldemort," added Lily and could have sworn there was the slightest look between her aunt and uncle before Hermione continued.
"Right, well a lot of people are going to look at you and see him."
"Is that why we've been kept hidden all these years?" Asked James.
"Yes and No," Replied his uncle. "You see although the majority of the wizarding world was overjoyed at the fall of Voldemort there were many out there who were in support of what he wanted to achieve and were not to happy with his downfall. Not necessarily Death Eaters, but Witches and Wizards like the previous owners of this house. I tell you it wasn't until Dobby arrived that we were finally able to remove the last belongings of the foul-mouthed Bi…"
"Ron!"
"…Mrs. Black. Anyway, no one knew that Ginny was pregnant during the final battle and after what happened and then finding out about Gins we all thought it would be best and safest for you if you were kept hidden."
"Hang on," said James looking from one to the other. "You mean there are actually witches and wizards out there that may want to harm us, even though we haven't done anything?"
"We just don't know, hence the precautions." Hermione replied gently.
"Well that's just not fair." James sulked folding his arms.
"No unfortunately it's not." Agreed his Uncle.
There was a couple of moments silence before Hermione stood up. "Oh this is ridiculous. You're meant to be having fun, not worrying about what might never happen. We thought it was best to forewarn you but don't worry about it. Now finish those drinks and while your uncle and I take your trunks upstairs you two can go to the study so Charlie can show you his new toy."
The kids nodded and put down their now empty glasses. They left the room and started down the hallway. They had only gone a few paces when Lily stopped. "Hang on I just want to grab something from my trunk before it's taken upstairs."
"Okay then I'll see you in the study." James replied.
Lily headed back to the lounge room her mind still going over what her aunt and uncle had told her.
"…think we told them too much." Lily stopped as the soft voice of her aunt filtered into the hallway.
"I think we told them enough to stop asking questions for now." Replied Ron. "I still think we should have told them everything." Lily paused at this and leant back against the wall. There was more!
"They're frightened enough as it is now. I don't think they can handle any more"
"They deserve to know the truth Hermione. They need to understand why their mother goes on these long overseas trips out of the school year. This last one's been three months. She should have been back by now. The Ministry's concerned and mum's almost frantic."
"I know Ron, but what good would it do to tell them now. We don't know what's going to happen. We don't even know if he really is out there. It could just be rumours."
"You don't believe that any more that I do. I still think they deserve to know the whole truth. Harry was kept in the dark most of his life and look what happened to him."
"Ron!"
"Well it's true."
"We promised Ron, we promised Ginny. If anyone has a right to tell them it's their mother."
"I know, but I still don't think it's right." Lily couldn't stand to listen anymore. She stepped away from the wall and quickly hurried to the study. What on earth was their family keeping from them and who exactly may be out there?