Wow, I got like nothing to say here…. Oh well enjoy the chapter, I'm going unbeta'd (is that a word?) in this chapter to see how bad I did. Please be honest I want to improve.

Chapter four: Family Starts

Harry's head bobbed up and down as he tried to stay awake in the teacher's class. His mom let him stay up to finish watching a movie with her the other night and a five year old was not meant to go to bed at ten. He cracked his neck hoping the pop could wake him up a bit. It didn't but it got the attention of the rest of the class, earning himself some 'ewww's and 'awesome's from his peers.

Harry just shrugged off the comments and tried to pay attention to the teacher's lesson; wishing nap time would come already. They had a sub today, one that was particularly annoying because he kept on giving Harry annoyed sideways glances. He'd bet a few pounds that it was because of his sunglasses more than anything else.

The little boy's mind started to wander away from the talk of the dead kings, he didn't really care for history considering part of him saw the real version and not this sugar coated crap the shove down their throats. He started to think about some of the recent memories he got from Geneva that were leaking through. It wasn't clear events just practice and feelings. How she focused inside herself and found something, something that was a part of her but was separate for all that time. She dragged whatever it was to the surface and let it blend with who she was.

He's been trying to do the same thing lately, he wasn't sure what it was right now but it felt like he should do it. When he first tried doing this hair started to grow up along his arms and part of his back. He was sure if he pushed and dragged a little bit more he'd find what he was looking for, it was a little like while he was searching whatever he was looking for was calling out to him at the same time.

As his thoughts drifted off his forehead had finally met the top of the desk, making a loud thud that once again gained the class's attention. The sub let out an annoyed sigh but let the boy sleep. He was told not to push the boy with sunglasses too far by the staff of the school, something about a rough past, and he didn't want to get the brunt of principles wrath for yelling at him for sleeping in class.

Back at the Hospital Angela was having a meal that could have counted as any of the three meals depending on what shift they were on with some her workmates. She was stressing a little since it has been nearly a week since she sent the letter to her parents and she still hasn't gotten a reply. Even if the owl was flying slow and was taking the long route it should have gotten there a few days ago. Doing her best to banish the stress from her mind she turned to her friend who addressed her.

"What?"

"I asked how Harry was."

Angela visibly brightened at the mention of her new son "He's doing good. He seems less confused than he used to be and he's gained a stone, just a little more and he'll meet the average for his age and height."

Jim the orderly smiled at this "That's good. Still wish I could have gotten a swing at the people who did that to him"

"Don't you still need to pay for the wall you punched in?"

"Still not sure if that was worth it or not. Anyway, you should have Harry sign up for a sport or something. The exercise should help his body recover better, as long as he doesn't push himself too much."

Angela shifted in her chair. She knew he made a valid point but she didn't want to risk Harry hurting himself. He still looked so fragile and he may have gained weight but his ribs were still scarily visible. But sports would help with that, or strain his body to the break if he pushes to hard and knowing Harry he probably would.

"How about you sign him up for a martial art?" one of the nurses sitting next to her suggested "Don't most of them take it slow in the beginning? So he could adapt to it, besides most kids love the stuff because of that Bruce lee and Jackie Chan junk."

Angela's eyes narrowed and her voice became dangerous "Let me see if I understand you right. You want me to send my abused and neglected son to a place where he'd get hit on… purpose?"

Seeing that look on Angela's face the woman instantly tried to correct herself "its self defense so he might not need to fight at all. And like I said they build the kids up."

Angela reigned herself in. She made a very valid point and Harry would need to know how to defend himself in the future just because he was Harry Potter. Using a muggle means of fighting would throw people off and many don't know what to do when their opponent gets close enough to slug them. "Okay, I'll admit it's a good idea" Angela turned to Jim "Don't you do something like that Jim. Muay something?"

Jim coughed out some of the food he was eating and pounded his chest to regain his breath before waving his hands out in front of him "Whoa, you defiantly don't want Harry studying what I am."

"And why not?"

"Besides the fact that the owner of my place is a slave driver every time I go? I don't study a sport, I study a "martial" art, as in a war art. Not meant for kids."

"But I see kids practicing Karate and stuff like that in those… gyms in London and in town." The male nurse sitting with them pointed out

"That's different. This is some brutal stuff, sure they teach the sport version there but they also teach the original version they used to kill during wars, back when everyone used spears and swords. And that's not something you want in the hands of a kid."

"Couldn't they just teach him the sports version? And I'd feel a lot better if he went somewhere where I knew someone." Angela paused for a moment just realizing something "That is if I get him to agree."

"Sure but after what Harry's been through I don't think he's going to take anything lying down and I'm a little worried he'd used what he learns on somebody." Jim liked martial arts and he loved sharing his love of it with other people but he often worried more about kids than their parents do. She never noticed it before but that's really annoying when you're a parent.

"Let me worry about that. And I doubt he'd do that, he's more likely to mess with their heads than bash them in." Most people at the table nodded their heads. Harry loved to mess with people, if he did on purpose or not was still a question.

Angela took one last gulp of her coffee before she exited her car and waited for her son to walk out the doors of the school. She's been up since three o'clock that morning running her hours and could use a good nap. But she needed to pick Harry up, a task she actually willing to lose sleep over. She was still a little disappointed with herself that she had to have a friend drop Harry off instead of her, not that it mattered now it was just the principle of the thing.

Letting out a yawn she caught sight of her son coming out of the school casually talking to a small group of kids about something. She smiled at seeing him enjoying himself but made a slight mental note to take him to a barber, his hair was getting a bit long for a boy.

When Harry spotted his mother he said goodbye to his classmates and ran over to her. "Hey mum!" It was so cute to see how hard he tried not to show how excited he was to see her.

"Hey Harry," she said bending down to meet his eye level "How was school?"

"It was okay. I just think I shouldn't stay up that late again. I almost fell asleep in class a bunch of times."

Angela laughed at him. It was his own damn fault, she wanted to stop the movie and tuck him into his new bed but he had to pull out his damn puppy eyes. He perfected it and could get near anything from Angela when he pulled it out, she thanked just about everything he didn't use it often.

"Well we'll have to make sure that never happens again. Which means you go to bed at your bedtime from now on, got it." Harry let out a groan and slid down his sunglasses to give her the puppy dog eyes. Angela cursed to herself thinking only little girls could pull off that face "Maybe an hour later if you good" Harry adjusted his glasses and gave a victorious grin. While they walked back to the car Harry heard her mutter something about cheeky brats.

As they started to drive off the school lot Angela asked what else happened at school besides falling asleep. "Nothing much, most of the classes were boring as usual and some kids tried getting me to take off my glasses again."

Angela's face made a small frown "Harry, you do know you can't wear them all the time, right?"

"I know but… I don't like people staring at me like that. It's annoying. And uncomfortable" He muttered the last part but Angela heard it and nodded in understanding. A lot of her patients have shame over their scars, especially when they are in plain sight or on their face. Many of them get over it but it takes a while. Best not push the issue, for now.

It took less than ten minutes to get to the apartment building to his school, something Angela was happy about since it was also close to her job. As the two of them walked to their apartment Angela picked up the mail from their box at the front. "Bills, junk, ad," she said as she flipped through the mail as she walked forward, Harry walking in front of her so she doesn't fall on her face like before. At the sixth piece of mail she got a surprise, it was her parent's letter, sent through the muggle post! Her mother most have finally listened to her when she told her to stop sending owls, sure they were quicker but when one flies through an open window into a hospital there's trouble.

She was also a bit surprised that it was actually her father writing this, he was more of a guy that feels he must talk to everyone face to face not a note type of guy. But the reason why her mother wasn't writing the letter made her laugh openly. The woman planned on spoiling Harry rotten as soon as he stepped foot in their home. She was probably going to try and have them stay at their home from now on and move out of the apartment just so she could do it every day. Angela did doubt that Harry would enjoy a room filled with toys; he was too busy playing with the ones he did have to even give anything else a second glance.

At the very end of the letter there was a P.S. from her mother saying how proud that she was doing this for a child and then she near demanded that they come over as soon as possible. Angela thought about it and it was a good idea. They could go this weekend since she convinced her boss to give them to her to be with her son, they usually wouldn't do that for someone who worked there as short of a time as Angela but most people knew that she adopted the little boy who came in critical care and understood he needed as much care as possible, they just stacked her hours during the week.

She stopped moving when Harry pushed against her preventing her from hitting their door. She gives a brief confused look before unlocking the door. Angela plops down on the coach tossing the mail on the coffee table in front of her with Harry plopping down next to her where he let out a contagious yawn. "Don't do that, I'm about to fall over and you're going to yawn at me?" Harry gave her a cheeky lop sided grin and opened his mouth to do another one just to mess with her only to have his mouth covered by his mother's hand "None of that now." She could feel Harry smirk from underhand and she rolled her eyes at him.

"So how do you feel about a weekend trip?" Angela asked after taking her hand off his mouth not wanting to risk being licked.

"To where?"

"To Norfolk. My parents want to meet their grandson."

Harry gave her a strange look. Like he was thinking it over barely showing signs of confusion, 'he's getting much better' Angela thought as he just sat there and watched.

"Why?"

"Because you're family."

"But I'm adopted"

"Like that matters. You're my son and guess what, you're going."

"I didn't say I would!"

"I took the your "why?" and assumed it was a "why not?"."

Harry gave a grumble than a yawn causing Angela to stand up and tug his hand "C'mon, it looks like both of us need a nap." Harry gave a tired nod and followed his mom to her bedroom and crawled under the covers. He didn't think he was too old to be sleeping in the same bed as his mom so he wasn't ashamed, besides it felt good to snuggle up to her. This body hasn't had much positive human contact so it craved it every once in a while, something Angela understood and didn't mind since he looked so cute when he was asleep.

As the days of the week trickled passed Harry got more and more nervous. He was more fidgety than usual and seemed to stare off for a bit as he played. As always he tried to hide his emotions, tried acting calm but Angela even only knowing him for the maybe three months knew how to read him like a guide for the dummies. She understood why he was nervous she just didn't get why he still acted so guarded. Sure she got him to let it down a little around her but it was still there holding strong. But she guessed only time would help with that.

"Harry, are you ready?" she called fastening a small muggle back pack slightly expanded to hold enough stuff for her and Harry for the weekend.

"Yeah" he said almost nonchalantly holding his two toys in hand, sunglasses secured to his face and a smile directed towards his mom.

"Good. Now this is going to feel horrible but please deal with it." Harry was about to ask what she was talking about when she placed her hand on his shoulder but couldn't get the words out as his world started to spin and stretch. He let out a pained yelp as it felt like his whole body was being forced through a very thin very thick pipe or tube.

The sensation of reentering normal space wasn't pleasant either. His body quickly expanding from such a thin state, body parts snapping back into place and his stomach lurching like a car gave a sudden stop at high speeds. He could barely keep his footing as the touched down and nearly fell to his knees in his first few steps.

"You okay sweetie?" Angela asked trying to help her son regain his balance by placing her hands on his shoulders.

Harry gave a short nod before shaking his head to get his senses back. He remembered that, it was called apparatition. It was just a theory back in Geneva's day, a way of near instant transportation from point A to point B, but Tom used it regularly, you get used to it but it's always an unpleasant experience no matter how used to it you are. "More of a warning next time please."

She gave him a smile "You did much better than most people do their first time. I lost my lunch during my first apparatition."

"Then why do this to me?"

"It's quick. Next time we'll do portkey or something else, okay?" Harry nodded his head, he really didn't mind, just wanted a warning.

Looking around him he took in the landscape they landed in. It like they were in a large garden kept in the best of conditions. The bushes were trimmed to near perfection, various flowers were arranged in appealing ways and the grass was cut short and orderly. In the middle of this garden was a moderate sized white manor or mansion depending how one would describe either. Despite it being the size of a small hotel it still looked like only top class people would live there.

"So, mom?"

"Yeah?"

"You grew up here?"

"Yep, pretty cool huh?" She said smiling at her adopted child.

"Yeah, but…" he trailed as he looked away from the building to her, bicolor eyes looking at her curiously "why do we live in an apartment if we can live in a place like this?"

"Uh, well, the thing is I don't like depending on my mom and dad too much…" she said not really finishing the sentence hoping the kid would get it.

"Why?" apparently not

"Because I don't think it's good to relying off your parents for too long"

"Why?" he asked trying not to show how much he was enjoying this.

"Because I would get dependant on them and wouldn't be able to do anything on my own."

"Why?"

"Because people need to learn to be self reliant." Angela started to rub her temples, this was getting very annoying. And if she had to guess he was doing it on purpose just to mess with her, again. "Anymore 'why?'s or can we go in?"

"I think I'm alright, for now." Angela rolled her eyes before offering her hand to the five year old and the two walked to the front door. She didn't even bother knocking as she swung the door open and called out into the large foyer.

"Mum, Dad! We're here!" Harry was having his doubts that his mom came from money if she was acting like this.

After a few seconds Angela called again, sounding playful as she did this.

"I hear you dear there is no need to keep that up. Your setting a bad example." A woman said as she descended down the stairs in front of them.

"Not really. Harry's already a lovable annoying bugger so it won't affect him."

The woman just shook her head as she reached her daughter and gave her a hug. "It's good to see you again Angie." She said in loving motherly tone that combined with her daughter's nickname made said woman blush.

"It's good to see you too mom." She said returning the hug before stepping back a bit "And let me introduce you to your new grandson, Harry." As she finished he sentence she practically dragged Harry from his hiding spot behind her leg to be in front of her.

Angela's mother smiled down at him before bending down at the knees to get a better look at him and at the same time giving him a better look at her. He could see the bits of her that she gave to his mother but they weren't clones of each other, she did get the blue eyes from her though but this woman's hair was pure blonde not the brown his mother had. She was also a bit taller and while his mother seemed playful at all times this woman seemed a bit more serious about life. "Hello, Harry. My name is Alice."

"Hello, Ali…"

"But you are going to call me grandma or any variation of that."

Harry looked at her for a moment and then to his mom. The only reason why he was taking calling her mom in such stride was because she was the first person he saw since he was born from the three souls, she gave him his first present which was also the first the original Harry would have had as well, she just genuinely was his mom to him. But to be calling someone else a close member of his family especially, he wasn't sure he could but he'd try. "I'll try." He said looking back at the woman who seemed a little set back by his statement and gave a quick glance at her daughter.

Angela gave Harry's shoulder a light squeeze understanding how he was feeling. He's been through a lot and would need time to get settled into the idea of being part of a family, especially considering how his last 'family' was. She prays they rot in jail and the fat bastard is roomed with a man named Bubba.

After seeing her daughter's expression Alice smiled down at the boy "Well we'll have to work hard on it, won't we?"

Harry nodded and followed the two woman as they walked in what he guessed was this home's den. It was of comfortable size and seemed welcoming in the decorum. The mother and daughter started talking a bit but after they got to the part about Alice's husband going to take a bit longer Harry lost attention and started to play with Optimums and Snake eyes.

The Two women momentarily paused their conversation as they watched Harry force his toy transform with his magic, surprising Alice but made Angela get a fond smile on her face as she watched him play. "So where's dad again?" Angela asked taking her mother's attention away from the toddler.

"Oh, he's finishing up some business deal or another. I don't understand a word of it, something about that burger restaurant from the Colonies he invested in back in the seventies."

"McDonalds, mom. It's actually pretty good. I mostly go for the fries though."

Alice shook her head for a moment "I swear every investment that man makes comes out on top, it's like he's a seer when it comes to money."

"That joke wasn't funny when I was little and it isn't funny now, mom." Angela said with a slight smirk

"Well I like it," she said before casually moving a candy dish on the coffee table in front of them causing several small shapes and letters on the bowl to glow "Now that he can't hear us, tell me how this happened."

Alice hoped she didn't sound too cruel or blunt in her questioning but she was genuinely curious. She wanted to know what possessed her little girl to adopt a child, it wasn't like her. Her daughter was independent and caring yes but she never showed any interest in children. She wasn't even sure if she was going to get grandchildren from her at all, which in all honesty depressed her, but then she gets a letter a few days ago saying that she adopted a child. Needless to say it was a shock and a surprise she was going to take advantage of. She got the play room all set up already, she just needed to get them both over there more.

"It kind of just happened. A little kid comes in hurt and obviously not well treated, I just sort of got attached. And that was before I found out his full name."

Alice raised a brow, why would his name matter?

"And what is so important about his name?"

"Mom, I kind of…." Angela started wishing she had some tea to be drinking to calm her nerve and enjoy the reaction her mother was about to have "adopted Harry Potter."

Alice blinked and stared at her daughter, mauled over the meaning of the words that were spoken to her. She looked over to the playing toddler on the ground that looked like he was forcing himself from making sound effects from his little play fight. She tried to look for the tell tale sign of his lightning bolt scar but his hair was too long to see through. "Are you sure?"

"As sure as his birth record and the scar on his head."

Alice was gobsmacked. Her new grandson was THE Harry Potter, the savior of Wizarding Britain, the defeater of the greatest Dark Lord in centuries. "Really?"

"Yes." Angela said resisting the urge to roll her eyes.

Alice went silent for a moment "C-can I see the scar?"

Angela flinched "Mom, before you do, you should hear the story about how I met Harry."After getting a nod she went on "I met him when he came in from a traumatic episode caused by someone wanting to "make his scar cooler". It wasn't a pretty sight when we got him. He's still a little uncomfortable with the new addition to his scar. Just be careful of how you react with seeing it, I've been having trouble having him take those glasses off since I've gave them to him."

Alice nodded and remembered a saying about how children could be the cruelest people sometimes and thought it fit this situation perfectly. "I would still like to see it, to at least get it out of my system."

She could see her daughter thinking it over before moving the candy dish back to its non-active position and calling Harry over "Harry, stop playing for a moment and come over here."

Harry grumbled a bit from his spot on the floor but stood up and walked over to his mother "Yeah?"

Angela picked Harry up and placed him on her lap, he was still fairly light so it was simple "Can you do me a favor and take your sunglasses off for Grandma?"

"Why?" Harry asked clearly not wanting to do it.

"Because you two are family now and it would be nice of you to let her see"

Harry made a scrunched face before nodding and reaching up for his glasses. He pulled his glasses off and raised his face slowly before looking his supposed grandmother in the eye.

Alice actually gasped in shock. Blood red and emerald eyes stared right at her; they were strong and barely held a child's gleam to them. Her eyes then went to the scar that was now visible without the bulky glasses in the way. The famous lightning bolt was there but she could see where the new scar was added, it horrified her that one child could do this to another. It was horrible; a straight line went through his red eye and stopped at the little bump of his cheek bone.

Harry shifted from his spot on his mother's lap "Can I put them back on now?"

"You can leave them off now if you want." Angela said hoping he would leave them off. She was glad he could walk in public without getting curious glances but he seemed to be using them as too much of a crutch.

"I know but I like having them on" After Harry said that he placed them back on his face and went back to playing with his toys as if nothing happened but he now kept a closer ear on the adults.

"See, dang near impossible to get him to take them off now. Anyway, when is dad getting back?"

"Hmm, he left early today so maybe another hour or so." Alice let out a small smile "He was happy to have an heir though, saying something about the last one running off."

"He's still not over that? God, I told him I liked earning my own damn money not living off his dollar" Harry started to drift off from what the adults were saying again and had a transformed Optimums prime slam into the ninja.

He went on playing for a few more minutes when the adults grabbed his attention. His "Grandmother" Alice bent down and gave smile that seemed at bit… odd "Hey Harry, want to see something cool?"

"Sure" Harry said in a not too trusting voice and followed the now near ecstatic Alice with his mother at his side. "Um, is she okay? She seems a bit off."

"Well, mum has always been a bit odd but she learned how to be serious at times for dad. She's usually odd though."Harry thought some of the mother's odd rubbed off onto her daughter but kept that to himself, Geneva's memories told him that she didn't like being compared to her mother and guessed that his mom wouldn't like it either.

After going up a flight of stairs and passing a few doors Alice cheerfully announced that they were here. Opening the door they were standing in front of showed a room filled with toys of various types and sizes, most notably was a huge white rabbit in the corner. But all Harry could really think of was what was he suppose to do with so many toys.

Angela leaned over to his mother and whispered "A giant bunny, mom? Really?"

"What? I like rabbits."

"He's a boy" she hissed out only to receive a shrug.

"Um," Harry said grabbing the pair's attention "What am I suppose to do with all this?"

Angela stifled a laugh while Alice looked confused "Play with them of course."

"How am I supposed to play with all this?" Angela stifled another laugh and tried to feel sorry for her deflated looking mother. "Did I say something wrong?"

"No, no sweetie you didn't. Grandma here had too high of expectations." Harry gave a shrug and started to dig through the toys for something he could play with.

As he did so Alice closed her eyes and sighed "I'm not going to be able to spoil him am I?"

"Probably not."

"Takes away part of the pleasure of being a Grandmother. Oh well, I'll keep on trying."

After nearly two hours of watching Harry play, Alice being slightly disappointed that he was only playing with maybe three of the toys in the room, Angela's father finally arrived. He didn't exactly announce his presence so much as a small bat eared creature came into the room wearing a linen pillow case as a dress and announced it.

"C'mon Harry lets go meet grandpa." Angela called as she made her way to the door with her mother. Harry himself slowly stood up and patted down his pants.

"Do I have to call him that?"

"No, but try to eventually, ok?" Harry gave his mother a nod and earned a smile from both women.

After a quick search of the first floor Angela got tired of looking for him and just yelled his name. They followed the voice that answered into the kitchen where they found him leaning over the counter drinking some tea. The man looked over to them with a slight tired expression and gave them a warm smile while raising his cup in greeting.

Angela did a light jog over to him and gave him a hug "Hey Daddy."

"'ello Pumpkin. How've you been?"

"Busy but I've been good." While Angela was hugging and catching up with her father Harry took the image of the man in. He was thin, almost unhealthily so. His completion and posture would make one think he was a vampire. His hair was chestnut brown like his mother's but had started to gray at the sides giving him a distinguished look. His eyes were a stern brown that seem to lighten up when he saw Harry.

"Is this him?" he asked kneeling onto his old knee to get a look at Harry.

"Yep, this is Harry." She said as she stood behind her little boy and let her dad do his little game he always did. He could usually size a person up just by staring at him and he did the same to children to see what type of person they have the potential to be. Basically Harry was being put through at test at the moment and she was sure he would pass, mostly because her parents wanted grandbabies.

Andrew Cutting stared at his adopted grandson with interest. He already knew who the little boy really was, he had a habit of making background checks on people he was dealing with and it wasn't that hard to sneak a peek at what his daughter was doing. He could see bits of his grandfather, his biological grandfather, in him and if he was anything like that man he'd be happy. Though just by his posture he seemed a little withdrawn and if not that confident, which was odd. If they could crack him of his insecurity then they had plenty of potential to deal with the help shape a great man.

"It's good to meet you young man. My name is Andrew but do your best to call me Grandpa."

That's it, this chapter is done. And I got nothing witty or important story info…. Really look forward for the next chapter I plan to make it good.