The next day, Harry had been released from the hospital wing just in time to catch the Hogwarts Express back to Kings Cross, but for the first time ever, he wasn't sad about leaving Hogwarts. In fact, for the first time ever, Harry was actually enthusiastic about going home for the summer, since even though he didn't know where home was yet, because now he finally had his family back.

"So Harry, do you even know where you and your parents are going to be living yet? I mean, you said that your mum said that your old house in Godric's Hollow was destroyed." Hermione said.

Harry shrugged and said "Not sure yet. All I know is that mum, dad and Sirius went to our new house, wherever it is, this morning to get it ready for when I got home. And to be honest, anything is better than going back to Number 4 Privet Drive."

Ron chuckled and said "I suppose you have a point. Just remember to send us your new address so we can use the floo network to hang out."

"You know I will." Harry agreed.


After saying goodbye to his friends and promising to write them as often as he could, Harry walked back over to where his mum was waiting for him with his trunk and Hedwig.

"So how are we getting home, and perhaps more important, where is home?" Harry asked.

Lily smiled as she held out an old potion vial.

"Portkey it is then." Harry said, recognizing the item for what it really was.

Lily nodded and said "As for where home is, well, let just say words can't do it justice. You'll just have to wait and see for yourself."

Harry wasn't sure what that meant, but if it meant leaving the Dursleys forever, he was all for it.

And with that, he placed his hand on the portkey while also keeping one hand on his trunk and Hedwig, right as the portkey activated and Harry and his mum were whisked away.


When they landed, Harry still a little less than gracefully, Harry was surprised to see a huge castle, probably a little smaller than Hogwarts, behind closed iron gates that were at least a mile high.

"What is this place?" Harry asked.

"This is home Harry. The Potter Family manor. One of the oldest magical structures in all of Britain and the Potter family's ancestral home. This is the house your father grew up in and the house that you're set to inherit once you turn 17." Lily said.

"Why didn't we live here to begin with?" Harry asked.

"Your father and I originally wanted to raise you here, but that was before we had to go into hiding. After all, Wormtail spent summers here like Sirius and Remus did, so it was too much of a risk to take, even with all of the protective charms on this castle." Lily said.

"Protective charms?" Harry asked.

"Your father can probably explain it better than I can and we should probably get inside now anyway so you can see your new home." Lily said.

Harry nodded in agreement, eager to explore his new home.


"Mistress Lily, you is returned and you is bring a child." a squeaky voice said once Lily and Harry had entered the house.

Harry looked down to see a house elf standing in front of them, a look of pure joy on his face.

Lily smiled and said "Yes Scrubby. This is James and my son, your newest master, Harry."

"We have a house elf?" Harry asked.

"Several house elves actually. After all, who do you think kept this place clean for all those years. And besides, do you really think that one person, magical or not, could keep this entire castle clean?" his mother asked.

"Good point." Harry agreed as they reached the seating room, where Harry's dad was waiting for them.

"Harry." James said.

"Dad, what did mum mean when she told me this house has protective enchantments and charms?" Harry asked.

James grinned and said "Harry, this castle has almost exactly as many protective enchantments as Hogwarts. It's unplottable, jut 12 Grimmauld Place. No one who is not of the Potter Bloodline either directly or by marriage can enter without being given permission first. And a charm exists so that the house can only enter the ownership of the oldest child of it's current master."

"This place also has enough enchantments on it that the Ministry can't tell if underage magic is performed here, so you're welcome for that." Lily added.

"My summer just got a whole lot more interesting." Harry said with a grin.

James chuckled and said "Let's go eat dinner."


After a long, several course dinner, courtesy of Scrubby and the other Potter family house elves, (and Harry was starting to wonder if maybe Dobby would like to join their ranks, since he had a bit of a fondness for that elf and he knew Dobby practically worshipped him), Harry decided to put off a complete tour of the manor until tomorrow, in favor of getting some much needed sleep in his new bedroom, which to him felt more like an apartment than it did an actual room, since in addition to the traditional things a bedroom might have like a bed and a night stand, but he also had his own bathroom, along with a fully stocked kitchenette of awesome snacks, a fireplace that was undoubtedly connected to the floo network and several other very impressive features.

Meanwhile, his parents were sitting on one of the couches in the living room and James noticed that his wife was especially quiet tonight.

"Lily, are you okay? You were awfully quiet at dinner." James said.

"Yes James, I'm fine." Lily said.

"Lily I know you better than that. What's wrong? You should overwhelmed with joy. I mean we're alive again and we have Harry back." James said.

"I know, and I am, it's just, James, we lost 14 years of our son's life and now he doesn't even seem to need us anymore." Lily said, tears welling up in her eyes.

"Well since his legal guardians were your sister and that walrus she calls her husband, can you blame our son for being self sufficient?" James asked, causing a chuckle from his wife.

"But James, still, we lost so much time with Harry. We weren't there to see him get his hogwarts letter or take him to Diagon Alley for the first time or get to see him off on the Hogwarts Express on his first year. We basically missed out on raising our son." Lily said.

"Lily, I know it's hard, but at least we're alive now to see Harry's 17th birthday and his Hogwarts graduation, his wedding and we can spend time with our grandchildren." James said.

"But don't you want another kid?" Lily asked.

"Of course I do. Eventually, but for now, why don't we just enjoy each other's company." James said.

"Okay." Lily said.

"Speaking of which, we should probably head up to bed." James said.

"I'll be up in a minute." Lily said as her husband left the room.

"How is he going to react when I tell him I'm pregnant?" Lily asked herself nervously before following her husband up to bed.