Author's Note: Okay, let's see what there is to say today. Thanks to all those who reviewed, I'd do personal thank you's to everyone but I've got to hurry. This chapter is quite long. Anyways, sorry about taking so long to get it out, I was trying to post it before Christmas, but it didn't work that way.
Disclaimer: I agree with you all, If I owned everything in the story, why is there the word disclaimer at the top of the page?
Three Men and a BabyChapter 3
"So, where'd you end up?" Remus asked James as they walked slowly behind Sirius and Harry.
"In his closet, with about three pairs of shoes, more socks then I care to count, a couple of coats and lots of food." James said scowling "He's too powerful for his own good."
Remus nodded in agreement as they watched Harry jump into a puddle of slush. Harry was wearing blue overalls, that were soaked to the knee and a now very spotty white shirt. His coat, which no one had managed to zip up, had gone from a light shade of blue to a dirty brown. His white shoes and socks were a mistake as they were now a very murky brown. Remus truly doubted that any of his clothing would ever be their original colors again without some extensive cleaning charm.
"So, what are you planning on doing for Christmas?" Remus asked, more to make conversation, then anything else. The silence that had drifted between them was slightly unnerving.
He received a shrug and a reply of "Probably sticking around."
The silence drifted back and both unconsciously watched Sirius who was running done the streets with Harry at his heels and cries of "Paddy!"
**********
Sopping wet overalls were only a minor problem for Harry as he ran after Sirius his shrieks penetrated the cold air as the snow that had turned to slush were being repeatedly jumped into.
The major problem was a small patch of ice had been overlooked. Running straight over it he didn't notice and of course fell, rolling of the curb and into a gutter of water.
The blast of cold water shocked Harry for a moment. He tried rolling out of it and into the nearly empty street but only succeeded in completely covering the front of him in mud. Lying on his back he noticed the sound of footprints coming towards him.
Paddy grinned down at him, scooping him up from the very large pile of slush, and setting him down on his feet.
"Now Harry, what'd I tell you about tripping and falling." Sirius said, still grinning as Harry tried shaking the water and locks of hair off his forehead. He managed to shake most of the cold water off his forehead as his teeth started chattering and his whole body started to shiver from cold. "Okay, fine admit it. You'd rater have someone more important like your dad, huh?"
Harry who hadn't understood a word of it except 'Dad' nodded in agreement and said "Akay," He staggered off in a zigzag fashion towards the two figures coming slowly toward them.
James and Remus were talking in hushed voices over nothing in particular as they walked slowly on. Not even noticing that Harry had fallen, as they were a great deal behind the two "children" and Harry hadn't let out any ear-piercing shriek. Harry reached up and grabbed James sleeve. The two of them had unconsciously stopped, not truly noticing the small boy who was now tugging on his father's sleeve and saying in a voice only slightly louder then a whisper "Daddy!"
Finally glancing down, his eyes took on the sight of Harry standing there. His black locks of hair dripped down his neck and cheeks making both of them burn red with cold. His teeth were chattering wildly, and his green eyes stood out brightly among the rest of his features.
"It cold." Harry blundered, hardly able as his chin kept moving on him. "An'...an'..Wet!"
James sighed, not wanting to go back home, completely forgetting the fact Harry was indeed soaking wet, he scooped the young boy into his arms. Harry clutched his fathers' s neck, cuddling as close to him as possible. He quickly rested his head on James's shoulder.
With the same shock of cold Harry had felt earlier, James realized that Harry was indeed wet, and his shirt was the same murky brown as Harry's entire outfit. Remus and Sirius both burst into fits of laughter and Harry grinned at them from his resting place on his shoulders.
"Nice...Look!" Sirius sputtered.
James glared "Ha, ha, very funny. Come on Harry lets go home for a second."
Shrieking slightly Harry started to squirm, "No! No home." He repeated the phrase as he reached for Sirius and Remus going to the first person that held out his arms for him, practically jumping into the first pair of arms that were held out for him.
The two burst into further laughter as James once again glared at them. "Fine I'll be back."
"Oh come on James." Remus said "We'll just use some simple cleaning charms when we get to the Leaky Cauldron."
Sirius nodded his agreement "And in the meantime..." He pulled out his want, pointing toward the general direction of home and said "Accio blanket."
The other two shouted "NO!" as Harry mumbled "Come." into Remus's shoulder.
"Sirius! You know better than that how could you forget!" James said glaring at Sirius.
It was Remus's turn to glare, only this time at James "Don't scold Padfoot. Plus, if we make a fuss out of it Harry will know its something he's not supposed to do, and will do it just because."
Both glanced at Harry who had one eye open watching them and the other was closed in mock imitation of someone sleeping.
At that moment the blanket came soaring towards them and Sirius grabbed it out of the air and wrapped Harry in it.
"You do realize how many muggles could have seen that?" Remus asked.
Sirius grinned "Absolutely none. You should know that I modified all my summoning charms so that muggles wouldn't be able to see them."
They walked a half a block before James realized something "Sirius, if he gets sick it's your fault. You can sit up with him at night."
"My fault?" Why would it be my fault?" Sirius said trying to look shocked and innocent at the same time making him look extremely bemused.
A giggle sounded from the bundle of blankets Remus was still carrying, as Harry clearly knew the tone of voice Sirius was using.
The three friends continued arguing until they reached their destination, without a care in the world.
**********
The four stood outside Quality Quidditch supplies, the smaller figure peered eagerly at the broomstick posted in the window. He looked up eagerly and said "In?" His father shook his head and he lowered his head in disappointment and continued staring at the broomstick.
"Sorry Harry, if we go in Padfoot will go crazy and we'll never leave." James said glancing at Harry who stood rigidly glaring at the broomstick in excitement.
"Me? Not come out? I believe you've got your stories mixed up. If I remember correctly last time we came into this particular quidditch shop. Remus had to put you into a full body bind and both of us had to pull you out. Even in the body bind you were struggling to get out of it."
"How about that time in Hogsmeade?" James questioned.
"That was you." They informed him.
No one noticed the boy standing on his tiptoes concentrating on the broomstick and saying, "Come!" The broomstick popped out of view and appeared in the boy's hands. He looked up at the adults and said, "Go?"
Remus nodded his head only briefly looking down. Not even noticing the broomstick.
A tap on the shoulder broke James's argument with Sirius, "Sir, your child seems to have gotten a hold of one of the display broomstick."
James glanced over at Harry's retreating back; he was quite clearly holding the broomstick. "Harry"
Harry turned around sharply, noticing the adults and giving them a sweet innocent smile. His scar was hidden from the black hair.
"Harry James Potter! You give back the broomstick and stop doing that!" James said sternly and Harry got a downcast look upon his face.
The manager's mouth dropped open in shock, "Potter? Did you just say Potter?"
"Yeah I did," James replied and watched Harry shake his head sadly and walk slowly towards the man, and hand him the broomstick.
A slight gust of wind blew Harry's hair out of his eyes, making the scar clearly visible.
"Harry what do you say?" James said looking at the man apologetically.
"Sowwy," Harry turned his head around to say that one word than continued down the street, Sirius at his heels.
"That was really Harry Potter?" The man asked in bewilderment "THE Harry Potter?"
"Uh yeah, hey I'm extremely sorry about that." James said apologetically.
The manager nodded "It's fine really."
Okay that, I've got to go." James glanced at the man one last time, who was still looking at Harry in bewilderment, then walked down the street after them.
**********
At nine o'clock the lighted stores of Diagon Alley were slowly going quite dim. Snow was gently falling and the sky looked slightly red from the light reflecting off the clouds.
Shoppers were going home some went by appearating and others walked through the Leaky Cauldron. One particular shopper was laiden with packages. A bright red patch of hair stuck out from behind the packages.
The packages crashed to the ground, as he walked straight into three other people. One was carrying a small boy with quite the hair, poking at exceptionally weird angles.
"Arthur!" James said brightly. The man had gotten down on his knees and began to gather together all the presents.
"Oh why hello James." Arthur said distractedly.
Remus, being the kind and considerate one of the group, bent down to help him. James quickly followed him and in no time the three of them had all the presents gathered.
"Christmas shopping?" Sirius asked he shifted Harry to a more comfortable position.
"Why yes, Molly's at home with the kids." Arthur said as he stood up. James and Remus both stood up, each carrying a load of packages.
"What's in all these?" Remus asked wondering why they were so light.
Arthur rolled his eyes slightly "Yarn, Molly's knitting again. I had to get enough yarn for her to make almost everyone a new sweater."
The three chuckled, and James declared, "We'll help you take these home. Are you appearating?"
Nodding his head Arthur answered, "I had to pick up one more thing but it looks like the shops closed."
James nodded and they three appearated with a pop.
Arriving at the house, the first thing they noticed was two young boys of about four. They had bright red hair and were about identical down to the last freckle. Their mother, who had another boy, slightly older than Harry in her arms, was scolding them.
"Fred, George, what did I tell you about teasing Ron?" Molly Weasley asked the two boys. The boy in her arms, who was undoubtedly Ron, nodded his head in agreement, looking quite smug.
Fred and George tried to look ashamed but glared at Ron who quickly gave the hurt and sad puppy dog eyes when his mother turned on him.
"What did they do this time?" Arthur asked announcing their arrival.
"Oh, Arthur dear! Did you get everything?" She asked, then noticed the people at the door."
Arthur nodded moving to take the boxes up the stairs.
Molly set Ron on the ground, where he was immediately bombarded with two very mad siblings, then moved towards the other adults in the room "Hello James, Remus, Sirius." She said nodding to each in turn. The three nodded back.
"Oh and this must be Harry." She said noticing the bundle Sirius was carrying.
Sirius grinned proudly "Yup, this is Harry."
Rubbing her fingers gently across his red cheeks, Molly asked, "Do stay for a minute and have a cup of tea?"
The other two glanced at him as James looked at his watch, and then nodded yes, deciding it wasn't too late.
Molly grinned slightly and turned back to her own sons. "Go to bed." She said this quite firmly and the three pajama clad figures headed towards the stairs mumbling goodnights. Arthur passed them on the way down the stairs.
Sirius laid Harry down on the couch. He was curled slightly. His still muddy pants smearing slight on the couch. The black hair was tossed completely hiding the scar on his forehead, his eyes were gently shut. He turned slightly towards the dark blue couch he was laid on.
The adults moved toward the kitchen leaving him in peace.
**********
"So, how old is Harry now?" Molly asked looking at the figures across the table from her.
The three grinned back at her and Remus was the one who answered, "Seventeen months."
"So he's just a few months younger than Ron then. We ought to get them together sometime to play." Arthur said, taking a sip from his mug of tea.
"Oh, I have a question for you Molly." James said, wondering why that thought had even passed through his mind "How young do kids usually start showing signs of magic?"
"Usually around five. Bill and Charlie both started showing it at five, but Percy started just barely and he's six."
"So, have you ever heard of a young wizard starting about to show signs at about, oh I don't know, let's say sixteen months?" Remus asked worriedly.
Molly stared at them for a moment. "No I haven't, why is Harry already starting?"
Grinning Sirius answered, trying to lighten the mood a little. "Yes he is. He has already perfected the art of appearating as a matter of fact."
Arthur and Molly shared a worried glance, before Arthur said "I have never heard of anyone starting to show magic that young. Maybe you should talk to an expert about that."
Noticing the glance the three shared Molly correctly guessed what it meant and asked "There's more to it, isn't there?"
"He can practically do any spell he's seen done, and he can modify it. He saw Sirius light a fire once with his wand and since then at least three book shelves have caught on fire." James said, then took a breath and continued on. "Tonight, he modified an appearation spell so he could appearate almost anything anywhere. He appearated me into his closet, where I found about everything that has gone missing in the last little while. Then Sirius used a summoning charm today, and while we were at Diagon Alley he managed to make a broomstick come through the display window. Only problem is that he changes the words for it. Instead of saying 'Accio' for the summoning charm he says 'come' and instead of 'Incendio' it's 'hot'."
Molly looked thoughtful throughout this whole thing before saying "With everything that happened in October, it might have changed his powers a little." She watched as James shifted uncomfortably in his chair. "But don't worry, I'll look through some of the books I have and see if I can find anything on it."
A silence spread throughout the room, as some wondered about what was going on.
"Why don't you guys come over for Christmas Dinner?" Molly suggested trying to banish the silence "That is, if you have nothing else planned."
Remus was the one to answer "Sure, why not. I don't believe any of us have anything planned."
The conversation bounced through a few subjects before a cry penetrated the peace in the room.
With a sigh they all got to their feet. The adults in charge of the child shared a look and Remus turned to go get Harry, but Molly had beaten him to it. She had already bustled out of the room.
She picked him up and cuddled him closely whispering stuff in his ear, Green eyes filled to the brim with tears blinked tiredly at Molly quickly taking in his surroundings. Glancing at the brightness of the red hair he muttered a word, and then went back to sleep.
Making sure he was a sleep Molly guessed correctly "Nightmares?"
The three nodded, and Remus explained "He's been having them almost nightly."
"It's fine," Molly answered sighing slightly "It's just a phase. Ron grew out of them a little while ago."
Nodding slightly answered with "they're usually not this early" After glancing at his watch he said "Wow, it's already twelve. We better get going." He stepped forward taking Harry before Sirius.
After saying goodbyes and watching them disappearated she sighed "Their in for a rough time."
"How so dear?" Arthur asked.
"The word he mumbled before going back to sleep was 'Mommy.' I'm surprised he can even remember her. He's so young."
Arthur nodded at her words and added "Only a few months younger than Ron."