Chapter 7

Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter or anything.

As they all began to eat the students began to slowly talk again, getting louder and louder until there was a normal buzz of noise around the hall. They all kept sneaking looks at the reunited family, some of the girls cooing and the boys just smiled at their happiness.

"So Harry, tell all... do you have a girlfriend?" James asked cheekily. Harry blushed so badly that it would have made a Weasley proud. James chuckled but sat awaiting the answer patiently.

"No." Harry said shyly.

"Seen a girl that you like yet?" James asked.

"What about Cho Harry? Do you still like her?" Ron asked.

"Oooh. Cho, have you asked her out?" Sirius asked eagerly as he ate like a starved dog.

"No. Well I asked her to the Yule ball last year but she was already taken." Harry's face fell for a moment but then he shook his head and returned to his content state, eating mashed potato and sausages. "But I don't really like her any more. I mean she is pretty, but I just don't feel anything for her." Harry said simply.

James nodded in understanding. "You'll find the right girl for you one day, Harry." He said.

Harry nodded.

"So I hear that you play seeker on the team." James commented. Pride was shining through in his voice.

"Yes, I'm the youngest seeker in a century. I'm actually quite proud of that because it's something I did. No help from anyone. No teaching. It's just something I can do and I love it. Quidditch is amazing! When I first found out I was being made seeker I was quite nervous because people said that it was a brutal game. But Hermione showed me the trophy with your name on it and that boosted my confidence I suppose." Harry explained, smiling.

"He is amazing James. He would definitely give you a run for your money. He is a natural." Sirius said.

"Well, like father, like son I suppose." James smiled.

"Harry is also very talented at defence against the dark arts." Remus commented.

"I would have thought so. I and Lily always had a natural talent in it." James said sadly, thinking of his wife. James sniffed and pushed his tears and emotions down and looked at Harry who was eating his potato. James watched his son intently, just as he used to when Harry was a baby.

"Dad, what shall I call you in class?" Harry asked.

"Dad." James said. "I would find it really weird if you called me anything else. And Remus and Sirius probably wouldn't be overjoyed if you called them 'Professor' either. Oh and I noticed how you say just Remus and Sirius. They are like your Uncle's you know. They will always be there for you." James finished.

"Yeah, you can call me 'Uncle Paddy' like you used to. I thought it had a certain ring to it." Sirius said.

"And I don't mind being called 'Uncle Moony'. It's whether you want to or not." Remus said

"I would like that. Thank you. I've never really had a proper Uncle. Uncle Vernon wasn't an Uncle to me." Harry said seriously.

James ruffled Harry's hair. "I would like to know about your childhood and your years at school. I don't want to hear it from anyone else. But Remus said that you've never had it easy. So I know that it might be a bit difficult for you. I'm here when you are ready. Remember this; you can trust me, I will never leave you." James said passionately. Harry smiled at his dad and nodded.

"Not yet, give me a little time. When I've settled into the school routine and I have lots of time. I will tell you, dad, I promise." Harry replied.

"Also, when the feast is over I can show you my quarters. You can come around whenever you want, if you need me or just want to." James said.

Harry smiled, he just couldn't stop smiling. He had his dad back. His dad. Someone was going to take care of him, his dad had promised. Of course Harry feared that one day his dad would be taken away, just like last time. But, he wouldn't dwell on that. Dwelling on what could be won't prevent it. There was no need to waste any time being scared. Harry of course would always be scared of losing his dad, but he would just have to stay in the here and now.

"Thanks, dad." He said. James smiled.

"You know you used to just say 'Ta'." James remembered.

Harry chuckled. "Dad, can you tell me about mum?" Harry asked quietly.

"Didn't Petunia tell you about her?" James asked while his brow furrowed. Harry shook his head.

"Well... Erm- I will try. I, I am still a bit sensitive on that subject. But I promise you. You will know her just as well as I do. I will tell you all I know about her... she would like that. But give me time. I promise you, you won't go without stories of her. She will always be remembered and that is how we will keep her alive. We will keep her in our hearts. She will always be with us." James said, a tear rolling down his cheek. James wiped it away and took a few calming breaths.

Harry couldn't help what happened next. He gave his dad a big hug. James smiled and wrapped his arms around his son. Harry was definitely small still; he probably would be as tall as Lily when he finishes growing. James smiled at having found another likeness between the mother and son. One thing James knew right from the start, when he came storming over to Sirius, worried for his Uncle's safety; Harry definitely had Lily's heart.

Harry drew away and returned to his meal. Remus and Sirius were in the middle of an in-depth conversation about the old days and Ron and Hermione were having a small argument (well, small for them) about being prepared for the rest of the school year in advance.

When the meal ended and the rest of the students were sent to bed Harry turned to Ron and Hermione.

"I'll join you later. Dad is going to take me to where he'll be staying. I'll see you two later."

Harry and the 3 marauders walked to a portrait not too many staircases away from Gryffindor Tower. There was a portrait of a stag, a dog and a wolf.

"Tribulatio fabri" Remus said.

"It means trouble makers in Latin." Sirius said as they walked in.

There was a sitting room decorate in Gryffindor colours. There was comfy looking couches surrounding an already lit fire. On the wall hung photographs of the 3 marauders; always happy together. There was also some of Harry as a baby with the 3 marauders and Lily. Harry grinned at one with James throwing a giggling Harry into the air and catching him again. Lily always looked beautiful in the pictures. Harry missed her and was sad about the fact that she wouldn't be able to be here with him like James is. Harry put a hand on his own heart and remembered what James had said earlier. She will always be in our hearts.

The room had 4 doors. 3 of them had nametags. 'Padfoot', 'Mooney' and 'Prongs'; Harry presumed that the other one was a bathroom.

"Like it?" James asked.

"I think it's brilliant."Harry said.

"That's not the best part, come over here!" James said and went to the blank space of wall between his bedroom and the bathroom. James took Harry's hand and placed it on the wall. "Cognatione mea semper." James said. The wall morphed into a door with the name tag 'Harry'.

Harry gaped. "For me?"

"You always have a home with us Harry. You didn't really think that there wouldn't be a room for you at the marauder's den?" James asked.

Harry opened the door.

The room was blue. It had a snitch flying along the wall. There was a large 4 poster bed in the middle and that had blue covers. There was a small bedside table with a lamp and a book on it. There was a desk and chair in the corner. All of the furniture was pine coloured. The lighter colours made the room look bigger. There was a fireplace and an armchair. There was also a bookcase and wardrobe that stood empty, waiting for Harry to fill it. It was perfect.

"When you were a baby you like blue the best. And this book-"James picked up the book that lay on the bedside table"- this was your favourite. I and Lily always read you the tale of the three brothers; you liked a good bed time story. It's the same copy that I and Lily read to you. We lent it to Sirius. He had babysat for you and forgot to return it so it's still in good condition. Look at the inscription." James said and pressed the book into Harry's slightly trembling hands.

Harry opened the first page gently.

Dear my beautiful baby boy,

With all of my love,

Mummy xxx

Harry let a lone tear fall down his cheek. James embraced him and held him close until Harry drew back to look his father in the eye.

"Thank you. But I do have one question. What does the password mean?"

"Forever my kin."

Author's note: Thank-you for reviewing again. For the reviewer who commented on my grammar in the first chapter, thanks for making me aware, I have changed it. I hope you enjoyed this chapter and please review. Remember, no flames please! But I will take praise and constructive criticism. I hope you like the longer chapter and I tried to go into more details on the character's emotions. I will attempt to update between now and tomorrow! Thank-you! Please review!