Chapter Two
Harry blinked as he rubbed his eyes lazily. His room was lighter than usual; Aunt Petunia had probably forced the moth eaten curtains open so that he would make breakfast for them. Any moment now she would be yelling in his ear.
Only her fierce screams never came. Dubiously Harry opened his eyes and was amazed to see the bright cream living room he had fallen asleep in; now a deep crimson blanket was wrapped around him keeping him warm. A wide grin instantly fell across his face as he realized this wasn't a dream, what ever this was; it was real. And Harry planned to make the most of it while it lasted.
Another figure was sprawled across the other sofa; a matching red blanket was draped over him as well. A messy tuft of black hair told Harry that it was his father that camped downstairs with him.
"I haven't done this in years," James groaned rolling onto his stomach as he clicked his neck.
"Why did you stay down here?" Harry asked curiously.
James looked at his son with an embarrassed expression. "I may have enjoyed camping out watching movies with my son. Of course it was to keep you safe and didn't wake up alone."
Harry felt his heart swell. He tried not to let James see how much his care had affected him. "Don't I wake up in my room alone each morning?" He teased.
James smirked at him and chucked a pillow across the room hitting Harry's head. "Get up smart ass; we have a quidditch match to get to."
Harry laughed, then the two got up and when their separate ways to get ready for the busy day. He had only just pulled on some fresh clothes when Max leapt into his room almost bouncing off the ceiling.
"Come on Tutshill Tornados!" Max yelled.
Harry snorted rolling his eyes. "Hate to tell you Max, but The Holyhead Harpies are going to win."
Max glared mockingly at his best friend. "Come on, their chasers are amazing. They are so going to win!"
"You're right. They are about. As good as Slytherin." Harry replied sarcastically as he prayed that this boy was not a Slytherin. By the look of disgust on Maxes face Harry assumed this could only have been the biggest insult.
"Oh, it's on Potter." Max said shaking his head.
"Back at you, Black." Harry raised his eyebrows playing along. He loved how carefree he was with his family; he had only ever felt this with the Weasley's and a few close friends.
"I bet Danny agrees with me." Max argued. Harry mentally tried to remember who Danny was; Remus and Amber's son, he was sibling to a girl called Amelia and Danny was close with Violet.
"Even if he does, I bet more people are with The Holyheads." Harry replied grabbing a jacket from his wardrobe.
"Truce until we get there, now hurry up! We are going to be late; Uncle Prongs organized us to floo there. The girls are already downstairs." Max said impatiently.
"Alright, alright." Harry rushed picking up some shoes. The two raced down the stairs still laughing and pushing each other playfully. The Potter and Black families were waiting for them at the bottom of the stairs waiting for them impatiently. "Come on Max! You were longer than all the girls." Sirius whined.
"Even Violet was ready," Jaime grumbled a Holyhead flag in his hand.
"It was Harry's fault." Max shrugged pushing the blame onto his friend. "I mean what can you expect from a Holyheads supporter, they enjoy being slow, just like the team."
"No way. Max! Its official, I disown you." Sirius snarled. "I cannot believe my own son supports the Tutshill Tornados."
His wife Poppy winked as she walked past smirking, "At least it isn't Puddlemere United."
"Or the Chudley Cannons!" Addison joined in laughing. Her brother chuckled and shook his head. "Better not let Ron hear you say that."
Harry regarded this with interest. From what he could gather yesterday, the Weasley's were still close with Harry in this place, and he couldn't help but wonder about Hermione who was yet to be mentioned.
The game was nothing like the World Cup had been the year before. It was a much smaller stadium in the middle of the Yorkshire countryside, and Harry found himself getting lost in the match and atmosphere of the families. It was completely addicting. Deep down he knew that whatever this place was, it couldn't be a good thing. But Harry couldn't bring himself to truly care, he had never been so happy before and wanted to enjoy the experience as much as he could.
Every now and again he would catch himself staring at his parents, they were a sweet couple, still clearly madly in love with each other. James kept trying to stand in front of Lily blocking her view, but never quite managed to because the auburn haired woman would tickle his side and kiss his neck. They looked so blissfully carefree it pulled at the pit of Harry's stomach, would this have been what his own parents had been like?
The entire experience was as if he had walked straight into The Mirror of Erised and he had no intention of ever leaving. It was better than any daydream he could have had. Max stood cheering as The Tornados took the lead, nudging Harry in the ribs, who only laughed. His face was actually beginning to physically ache from grinning so much.
"Ha! That was a better drive than even Krum from the games last year could have done!" Max yelled out.
From the expressions of his family Harry could tell that the families didn't speak about the Triwizard Tournament. Max glanced at Harry guiltily, "Sorry mate, really didn't mean to bring it up."
The image of Cedric shot across Harry's mind and he felt a wash of guilt for enjoying himself at all these few days. Not when Cedric would ever get to watch a game again. His expression must have given him away as his mothers warm hand rubbed his shoulder as she sent him a sympathetic smile. It was becoming pretty clear that the same things had happened to this place, as it had for Harry.
"Forget about it. Look at that pass." Harry replied pointing out to the pitch trying to take all the eyes off him.
Voldemort had not been discussed, but this wasn't much different to his own world, as neither had the Daily Prophet. Whatever was happening since coming out of the maze had been kept extremely quiet.
"Harry, please don't let yourself over-think." Violet was looking at him with a sorrowful expression, her striking eyes locked on his, knowing exactly how he was feeling. He got the impression they were close friends as well as siblings so he smiled back at her trying to reassure her, "I wont." He promised.
And he didn't. It was easier to place at the back of his room when he was surrounded by so many loving people which was a stack contrast compared to his empty room at the Dursley's. The Holyhead Harpies won by fifty points and Sirius was in a brilliant mood having collected his bets of James.
"What are we doing now?" Jamie asked in his steady voice glancing at the two pairs of parents.
Poppy just laughed raising her arms in the sunshine. "What do you kids fancy? These Hogwarts summers don't last forever."
…
Harry crouched behind a large rose plant breathing deeply; the bucket of ice-cold water weighted him down a lot. "Where are they?" Max whispered in hushed tones. His own bucket wobbled threateningly.
"I don't know. But it's quiet, too quiet." Harry answered trying to peer round the shrub.
"I know. I think we should make a run for it." Max said and Harry nodded his approval.
"3, 2, 1! GO!" Max leapt out and Harry followed them but they were met but three showers of ice cold water.
Kally stood with Fred and George grinning widely. "Should have looked behind you bro, should have looked." Kally giggled.
Max and Harry looked at each other from under dripping hair; they both swung their buckets at the same time. The three red haired looked at each other as if in slow motion then they started to run but they were not quick enough. The water flew from the two boys buckets and hit the three troublemakers.
"Damn it! That was-"
"Freezing" George finished.
Suddenly a circle of teenagers surrounded them each with a large bucket of water that magically filled up when it got empty.
"Oh damn." Harry heard Max say from next to him, and he couldn't help but agree.
They were all having a massive muggle style water fight in the Potter grounds. They were
only allowed the buckets that had been charmed to fill up when emptied.
"Don't worry Maxie! Dadda to the rescue!" Harry could hear a voice from somewhere in the sky, they all looked up to see Sirius and James on brooms circling the children from above.
"Bombs away!" James yelled and about fifty water balloons seemed to fall from the sky.
"Cover up repeat, cover." Max yelled dragging Harry out of the way from the falling water. They dived behind a large tree taking cover; they were the only ones who escaped the balloons.
"Lets go in the pool!" Kally yelled and the group of teenagers began to run towards the other side on the house followed by the two men on brooms. "Come on lets take a short cut!" Max hissed and dragged Harry behind another bush. To his surprise there was a small tunnel big enough to climb into.
"Man I love your house." Max whispered and Harry couldn't help but agree. "We need to make more passages at my house."
They reached the large pool before everyone else, Max jumped in with all his clothes in seeing as he was already soaked. Harry followed him quickly and he was glad the pool was warm because he was beginning to get cold from the freezing water.
Soon everyone was in the pool laughing and splashing each other, Lily and Poppy sat by the edge enjoying the sun; but the dads did sent jets of water over to them to keep them on edge.
"Prongs! We could jump from the brooms!"
James eyes widened as he thought of the possibilities, he grabbed his broom from the side of the pool. Lily looked up from her book at the sound of the children yelling. She gasped and yelled.
"JAMES HARROLD POTTER GET DOWN THIS SECOND!"
Poppy, looked around at Lily's yell, and held back a laugh. "JAMES PLEASE!" Lily begged.
Everyone in the pool moved to the sides and sat on the edges, James was rising up higher and higher; it looked like he was three floors high. James stood on his broom and Lily yelled again.
He grinned from up high and gave Lily a salute, "Love you Lils!" Lily clutched at Poppy's arms as James got in a dive position.
Then he jumped, Lily shrieked and Violet put his hands to her mouth. Harry felt his heart race, James jumped into the pool with a large splash. For a moment Harry assumed the worst but then James burst through the water laughing hysterically.
"Padfoot that was awesome! You have to try it!"
At the end of the evening Lily Potter was wiping down the sides of the kitchen counter as James said goodbye to the Blacks. Harry stood in the kitchen doorway watching her as she hummed softly to herself. As much as he had enjoyed spending time with the Blacks, he was thrilled to finally spend some time with just his mother. She really was as vibrant and quick witted as everyone had said she'd been, but she also had such a genuine caring personality that Harry had only ever seen from Mrs. Weasley.
"Mum?" The name rolled from his lips naturally.
Lily looked up and a warm smile filled her freckled face.
"Oh Harry I didn't see you there. Come sit down." She gestured to the kitchen island.
He perched on one of the stools as she summoned a plate of what looked like chocolate chip cookies. "I could have got those for you." He mumbled.
She only rolled her eyes in response, "I had them prepared. Its our tradition after all." Lily winked nibbling into one.
"Are you happy?"
The question must have taken her by surprised as she stopped chewing and stared at him with her eyebrows furrowed together. "I am as happy as I can be with how much I worry about my family. But I am happy Harry, you all make me happy." She stroked his hair and smiled sadly.
"You've had to cope with so much pain. I wish I could protect you from it more." Her wide emerald eyes looked so achingly sad.
The touch of her hand brought such comforting warmth. "You being here for me, it's worth everything." He replied watching his mother smile, she had no idea how true the statement was.
"How about we go into Diagon Alley tomorrow? Just you and me like old times. I've had a craving for Florean Fortescue." Lily suggested.
Harry nodded eagerly; he wanted to find out, as much as he could about the mother never had the opportunity to know. "I would love to."
"Max and Ron are welcome to join."
"I would rather it was just us, is that okay mum?" Harry felt nervous. But the smile only grew on Lily's face. "I'd prefer that too."
"Why don't you go get your siblings and we can watch some movies." Lily suggested, turning to wrap the cookies back up. Harry nodded hoping he could remember his way around the manor house to each of the rooms, the fact Lily incorporated so many muggle traditions pleased Harry. It must have been the common bond of both growing up without magic, even if Lily didn't know.
It took him several attempts to reach all three of his sibling's rooms, with so many similar corridors and staircases it was almost as difficult as Hogwarts. Luckily, the stairs didn't move here. But as his family sat curled up in sofas and chairs, joking around him, he felt so content that his eyes drifted closed before the film even started.
…
"Harry, Harry wake up. Come on kid, wake up. Just wake up Harry, please."
He could hear a desperate plea coming from beside him. The voice was gruff and untarnished. Harry frowned to himself, it couldn't be his father or Max, he had gotten used to their voices. But this voice sounded so familiar.
Slowly with painstaking effort Harry opened his heavy eyes. It had felt like he had fallen asleep mere minutes ago. The room was darker than the room he had fallen asleep in. There was a damp musk in the air reminding Harry vaguely of Mrs. Figgs house.
He was lying in a single lumpy bed with old gray sheets with a single pillow. Sirius was slumped into a moth eaten armchair next to him, snoring quietly. Harry felt his heart clench painfully, it was his Sirius; the one he saved from dementors years ago.
His skin was stretched painfully thin over his cheekbones making them stick out in a sickening way. The dark shadows under his eyes made him look years older compared to the one he had seen for the last few years. Despite seeing Sirius when he had first escaped, Harry only just now realized how broken the man looked.
Despite himself, Harry couldn't help but feel disappointed. The other life felt like a world away now. A distant dream.
"Sirius?" He whispered sitting up on his bed.
The thin man jumped up immediately at the sound of Harry's voice. His flat dull eyes widened as he clutched at Harry's hand. "You're awake." He murmured running his hands through his hair, a habit that Harry now knew he picked up from James.
"Did you kidnap me? If you did I really don't mind." Harry said almost hopefully. Sirius let out his barking laugh as he cracked a grin. "No kid that wasn't me, although you are at my house."
Harry looked around trying hard not to judge his godfather, "So where exactly are we? And who did kidnap me?"
Sirius ran his hand through his hair again, it was distracting and just made Harry's stomachache from missing his dream.
"It's my parents house, it got handed down to me. Dumbledore was behind it all really; no doubt he wants to explain everything." Sirius replied with a slight bitter ring to his tone. When Harry shot him a puzzled look Sirius brushed it away with frown.
"What happened to you? Did someone attack you? Dementor's again? Slip you a potion? Or was it your foul aunt and uncle?" Harry stifled a laugh at his last comment.
"What do you mean, I thought you knew who brought me here, I have only just woken up." Sirius's face darkened, sadness seemed to seep from him.
"Harry, you have been unconscious for three days." Harry's mouth dropped open as realization hit him. They must have thought he was attacked or seriously ill.
Before either could say anything a shriek came from the doorway. A bushy haired girl and a red-haired boy stood in the doorway grinning widely at Harry. "Thank Merlin you're awake!" Hermione yelled rushing in and hugging him tightly.
Ron was hot on her heels. "Let him breath Mione, morning Harry. Did you not sleep all summer or something?" He joked but the smile didn't reach his eyes.
"Something likes that." Harry mumbled rubbing his forehead as his scar began to twinge painfully.
Hermione and Ron glance at each other with expressions that Harry was too tired to read. "Is your scar hurting again Harry? Is it something to do with you being unconscious?" Hermione fretted. Harry tried not to grimace; her voice was giving him a headache.
"I'm fine." He said his voice coming out gruffer than he had meant it to.
Hermione leaned back her lips tightening as she pursed them. Ron out a hand on her shoulder gently. "Come on Mione, he has just woken up. Maybe we should give him a bit of space." Ron said tentatively.
"I think that would be wise Mr. Weasley, perhaps you and Miss Granger could help Sirius prepare Mr. Potter a spot of lunch." Dumbledore's strong voice carried through the room.
Hermione and Ron got up instantly. It was the way they were so easy to obey Dumbledore that annoyed Harry, was this was what happened when they were told not the write? Sirius however looked less than impressed.
"Dumbledore, Harry just woke up! I think I should stay with him until he is better." Sirius protested.
Dumbledore nodded diplomatically. "Of course Mr. Black but I must speak with Harry alone for a moment." The two stared at each other until a scowling Sirius nodded then followed Ron and Hermione out into the corridor.
The older man sat down on the end of Harry's bed. "I hope you are feeling better Harry," He said gently.
"Can you tell me what happened?" Harry asked quickly, sitting up against the headboard of the bed.
"Alas no, only you can figure that out. However I have to ask, did anything strange happen whist you were asleep. Or maybe perhaps a vision of some sorts?" Dumbledore asked his piercing blue eyes staring straight at Harry.
An image of his parents flashed into his head, quickly followed by his siblings. Was that the result of some potion? The thought of his experience being fake and a cruel prank seemed to tarnish his memories of them. No doubt Dumbledore would come up with a logical explanation that would draw away the miracle that happened.
"No Sir, nothing at all. It was like a dreamless sleep." Harry lied looking back at him.
A brief smile passed across Dumbledore's face, "If you're sure, please tell me if you remember anything."
Harry nodded trying not to show much emotion on his face. The feeling of Dumbledore looking straight through him took over Harry but this time he was not about to spill his secret. "I will go and get Mr. Weasley and Miss Granger, I am sure they are excited to fill you in on what you have missed." Dumbledore smiled politely bowing his head before leaving Harry's room.
He sighed lying back on his pillows, he was so confused. The thought of what had happened the last few days made his head spin; all he wanted to do was sleep.