A/N: Sorry for the gap between uploads! This one is a lot slower coming then Bending The Rules but we'll get there! Anyway, enjoy :) B x

These Christmas holidays were quickly becoming Harry's favourite so far. He was spending time with his godfather again, the cloud of weariness and sadness that cloaked Remus was lifting, he could see the marauder shining through at last and his parents were there. Harry had given up hoping they would ever return years ago, one lonely night in his cupboard, but upon discovering the magical world that hope had been reignited. The image he had seen in the Mirror of Erised had always stuck with him. Lily was eager to spend as much time with him as possible, so was James but his father took a more reserved approach. His mother always greeted him with a hug, pressed kisses to his head and cheeks, ran her hands through his hair and questioned him endlessly. James preferred to broach mutual topics of interest, tell him stories, play chess and teach him spells or potions depending on his fascination of the day. His father's physical affection was held back, Harry could tell he wanted to hug him longer, carelessly ruffle his hair or touch him without thought but he could also tell that James' sensed he wasn't very comfortable with the affection yet and so refrained.

The house was full. Along with his parents a number of order members had returned. Marlene was a bright and bold witch with a choppy dyed blonde bob and a booming cackle. The Prewett twins seemed like older Weasleys but more snobbish, there was a certain coldness between Sirius, James and Fabian that Harry had yet to discover the reason of. Emmeline was brown haired with striking blue eyes and thin lips that were always painted with varying shades of scarlet. Edgar Bones had a wide grin and a vast knowledge of magical sporting history and legal loopholes, he recounted all of his misdeeds with a twinkle in his eye and a chuckle. Benjy Fenwick and Dorcas Meadowes were hardly ever seen without the other, Benjy was tall and dark with dreaded hair, shaved on the sides, and a habit of twirling his wand absent-mindedly; Dorcas was soft-spoken with doe-like eyes but a fierce nature. Grimmauld Place was bursting with life in a way Harry had never seen it and he was thoroughly enjoying interacting with the strange bunch.

"Morning all!" Benjy called as he threw open the kitchen door, an assortment of answers greeted him and he snatched up a piece of toast as he slid onto the bench by Edgar "So we're staying down here during the meeting? Or are they being brought in and they'll see us immediately?"

"Probably bring you in. It's easier to explain then show them the results. I might send Moody in to satisfy his paranoia though." Nods and approval met Sirius' words before Marlene snorted, shouting a denial to something Lily had said and the redhead began giggling.

The room had been reduced to yelling. Snape had made some scathing remarks until James had snapped and insulted him in return. The potions teacher had responded with a satisfied gleam to his black eyes and a sneering tone. "He's a death eater! He's the enemy! Have you lost it Dumbledore?! This man is danger. Have you forgotten what they did? Have you forgotten the pleasure they all took in the pain they caused? They tortured and murdered, they destroyed so many people, tore apart so many families. Look around the room, how many of your friends are responsible for our deaths Snivellus?! And you, you, think he is capable of teaching children? Of caring for them? His past says otherwise. His current behaviour towards the child he orphaned says otherwise. What kind of shoddy…?"

"What?" Lily's quiet question had sliced through the anger and the room fell silent. The majority were frowning in confusion but a guilty look took over James' face. Harry looked between his parents then to the Weasley children. They all shrugged.

"What?" His mother repeated, a dangerous edge to her voice as she glared at her husband then her former friend. Snape's pallid face had lost all of its' remaining colour and James mumbled

"He. Snape was one who overheard." Rage flushed through her son as Lily's face crumpled in hurt before it reddened in anger

"You?"

"Lily, I.." Snape tried to protest quickly, his usual condescending tone had vanished as the fury radiating from the woman made everyone else shrink away

"You told him? You killed us?"

"I never thought he would choose you…"

"You kill us. Kill me. Orphan my child and then bully him." Her voice had begun shaky and quiet but steadily grew firm and sneering, wordless denial had Snape's mouth opening and closing before the room jumped as Lily suddenly yelled. "YOU ARE AS MUCH TO BLAME AS PETER! YOU MIGHT NOT HAVE HELD THE WAND BUT YOU. YOU DIRECTED IT!"

"Lily." James tried, placing a hand on her arm but she threw it off and glared at him

"Get out. Get out Severus. Don't ever speak to my son again." Snape's black eyes lowered from her before he turned and left without any of his usual dramatic flair, his students exchanged looks and Harry muttered

"Mum?" she whirled around and he jumped before she seized him in a tight hug, pressing kisses into his hair. She was trembling, breathing shaky and he tentatively hugged her back. The room was silent and Marlene heaved a sigh, announcing in a obvious voice

"That didn't go very well did it?" Tension cracked and relieved chuckles left everyone, his mother snorted and released him.