Chapter 1: Happy Birthday Harry

Disclaimer: I do not own any characters they strictly belong to both J.K. Rowling and J.R.R. Tolkien

On the morning of July 31 Harry had been up since four training and practising his magic. Harry was eleven today and he was growing into a very handsome boy with beautiful green eyes and he was so glad he did not need glasses. Harry walked himself back to his chambers to ready himself for the banquet that would take place today in his honour. His mother was having people brought into the realm friends he had not seen in quite some time; Ron, his brothers and family. Lily had been good friends with Molly and Arthur and kept in touch with them over the years even though she had not told them about James or that night as it was still too painful to talk about.

"Harry where are you boy, come here and see Grandpa." Aragorn got accustomed to having his daughter back with him and was very disturbed to hear that Peter had betrayed his best friends. Aragorn made sure that the snivelling little rat could not open the portal at any time. Aragorn and Legolas had just come back from doing their rounds of the countryside as there were still many things needed to be done and enemies to be kept at bay. The fellowship even they were coming as Harry had taken a swift liking to Merry and Pippin, who then in turn had become fast friends with Fred and George. As things were getting prepared Aragorn took Harry into the garden and sat watching as his grandson stealthily found Remus and Sirius behind the water fall and scared the crap out of them. It was agreed that they would all go back to live at Potter Manor when Harry got his school letter, even though Lily wanted nothing to do with the place as it was too painful to be anywhere where she could be reminded of James, she missed him terribly.

Meanwhile with the men out of the way the women were getting the palace prepared for a grand celebration. "Lady Lily would you like for us to show your guests to their quarters?" Lily was suddenly pulled out of her thoughts as she spun around to face her lady in waiting. "No have them meet me in the grand hall as soon as the Weasleys have arrived and the fellowship. "Yes my Lady." As her lady in waiting left the room her mother walked in to notice red stained eyes full of tears. "oh honey whats the matter? James is still with you wherever you go come on today is a happy day." "I know mother but I don't think I could stand living at the manor without James it is just not itme for that yet so we shall be coming back here. Remus and Sirius have agreed to teach defense and they said they shall keep an eye on Harry for me. I just can not go back not yet." "Dear you know that you don't have to, plus that way you can be here with me and keep me company." Lily smiled and they were just heading out to get the men when the lady in waiting returned. "I take it Eowyn that our guests have arrived?" "Yes my lady." So they exited that hall and went to greet their guests. Lily had on her ceremonial gown and tiara and Arwen had on her crown. Upon entering the hall full old friends Lily rushed to Molly and threw her arms around her. "Oh Lils its alright nothing to worry about everything will be fine." "Molly I can't do it, I can't live in peace when I know I should not be here. James means everything to me, him and Harry were all that I wanted and now I just can't bear it if I lose Harry too." Upon hearing this Arwen rushed to her daughter's side. "Now Lily we discussed this it will be o.k. Harry will have everyone protecting him. Now let's bring the party outside to the boys."

As Lily and her guests were approaching the guys the portal opened and out step Albus Dumbledore. Lily stopped dead in her track and just stared because then behind her came Minerva McGonagall who was actually Dumbledore's wife but they kept that a secret along with the fact that they are Harry's grandparents as they are James' parents. Harry had noticed that Ron and his family were there and rushed out to meet them. "Harry mate good to see you, how has your day been so far?" "Good Ron do you know who those to people are standing in front of mum?" "Yes everyone knows them that is Albus Dumbledore and Minerva McGonagall both of whom are leaders at the Wizarding school Hogwarts." So that's why mum is stunned he thought to himself, best be the proper young man I'm have to be and go and introduce myself. Harry walked over to his mother and stood by her side. "Look at you Harry, you've grown into a fine young boy. Come here and we shall have a good look at you." "Harry do you know what Hogwarts is?" "Of course Hogwarts is the Wizarding school both my mum and my father went to when they were my age. I've been told the truth and know about everything I have to do in the Wizarding world even though I may not want to. Tell me who you really are as I have seen you before and not just because you are school teachers." "Smart boy you have here Lils. O.K. Well Harry we are your grandparents although not many people are aware of this so let's just keep it between us, oh and before I forget here is your letter to attend Hogwarts." Harry excused himself and went to play with Ron and his brothers. Lily and her parents and everyone else talked in the garden about how this was going to work. Remus and Sirius were still mad at Dumbledore for allowing their best friend to choose Peter as Secret Keeper and then find that he was dead but all that was left was his finger. "Lady Arwen." "Oh will you excuse me for a moment I have things to tend to in the grand Hall." With that she left but not before whispering to her daughter, "You don't have to go back until your ready to."

Lily then excused herself from the party to find her son and have a nice long chat with him about what was going on and hoped he would understand why it would be him, Remus and Sirius going back. "Eowyn have my son brought to our quarters for dressing and I shall do it myself tonight as I have very important things to discuss with my son." Eowyn returned five minutes later with Harry in toe. "Thank you Eowyn now you may leave and enjoy the festivities with the Lord Faramir as you have seemed to be inseparable lately." "Thank you my Lady." And leaving swiftly after being dismissed she went to find her beloved. "Harry there are things I need to talk to you about in regards to us leaving for Hogwarts. I can't go back there not yet, your father meant everything to me and I am not ready to return to the manor house yet. Please tell me you understand." "Oh mum it's o.k. Remus and Sirius will look after me and then we can come back here every holiday and every vacation. We never had to live at the manor it was just a suggestion plus I am rather fond of this place. I love you mum." Harry then wrapped his mother in a grand hug then started to dress for the banquet. Harry had received his Hogwarts letter earlier when his father's parents arrived and was extremely happy to be going. He was told by his grandfather that he would still be required to get a wand but did not necessarily need to use it. It was decided that night that they were leaving for Hogwarts the next morning and then staying with the Weasleys for the remaining of the summer holidays. The banquet had gone quite smoothly and Harry and Ginny were beginning to get along quite nicely and were very good friends by the end of the night. When Harry crawled into bed that night he was asleep in five minutes thinking of the wonderful year ahead of him even though he was going to miss this place and his mother the most.