Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter.


In the following weeks Harry settled down into a routine of classes and homework. It was hard on him and he was getting tired. This year's lack of summer holidays was showing on him now that it's been nearly two terms without rest. Everyday he returned to the 7th floor and tried to get back but failed every time. The defense club was meeting once a week with little changes according to the lunar charts. Harry's always been able to find a plausible excuse to those days so that nobody suspected anything. Sometimes he thought that Lupin knew that he knew his secret, but with time relaxed about that as Harry showed no intention to tell anybody else, making life easier for Remus instead. Unexpectedly for him he spent much time in the library this term and Lily often joined him. Harry felt that getting attached to anybody here will only hurt him when he leaves so he just kept to himself mostly, spending his free time only with marauders, Lily or Hagrid, whom he introduced to the teenagers. It was a natural thing for them now to go to the Game Keeper for tea on Saturdays.

Potions were surprisingly calm and Harry even made some progress. He found it easier to do what he had to without constant pressure of Snape's hatred directed at him. The young Snape was the best in class, as Harry expected. Never once has his potion turned less than perfect and despite his own intentions Harry came to admire the potion maker in him. He still was a very unpleasant person though and indeed as Lupin said didn't miss a chance to hex James or now Harry as well every time they met without Lily in the vicinity. James never reacted though to Harry's great surprise and immense relief.

And now Hagrid was busy pulling Christmas Trees into the Great hall and Harry, sitting on steps of the marble stairs leading from the entrance hall felt more alone than ever. No Ron or Hermione… or Mrs. Weasley this time. Last year was the first one that he left Hogwarts for these holidays. It wasn't a happy time, but he spent it with Sirius, who was so happy he wasn't going to celebrate alone with only Kreacher wandering the house. But Kreacher left, betrayed Sirius. And Sirius died. And Harry was responsible. If he learned Occlumency, if only he tried hard enough, his godfather would still be alive and Harry would probably still be in his time, instead of 20 years earlier with his family, who doesn't know him. He thought of Neville taking the wrapper from his mum. This wasn't the same, but just as bad.

"Harry," came James's voice form behind him and a moment later the boy himself dropped next to Harry.

"I was thinking, do you want to come home with me for Christmas? I asked mum and dad and they'd love to meet you."

"You sure?" Harry asked and James nodded smiling.

"You are family, even if it's not now."

Harry didn't want to leave Hogwarts afraid to miss his opportunity to return to the future, but lately he started feeling claustrophobic in the castle.

"I'd love to," he said finally.

"Great!" James exclaimed and stood up. "Hogwarts Express leaves tomorrow at nine. I think you don't have a trunk, but you can use mine," he bounced a little. "I'm really excited you come. I think Mum and Dad would love meeting their grandson and I'd love to get to know you better."

'Okay,' was all Harry could say in return. The idea of meeting his Grands has never even crossed his mind, though now, that he'd thought of it, meeting them in this time would be better that meeting his actual parents. James was just a boy at the moment, so much more carefree than Harry already was it was hard to treat his as his father.

James left and Harry stayed sitting on the stairs watching Hagrid pull another tree into the hall. The Game Keeper smiled at him and Harry waved back. As he disappeared inside the Great Hall Harry stood up and went to his dormitory to pack the few belongings he had.

It was the first time he took Hogwarts Express without Ron and he couldn't help glancing around searching for him. Remus and Sirius stayed at Hogwarts this time so there was only Harry, James and Peter in the compartment. Over this few months Harry's grown used to being around Wormtail and even though he couldn't forget that this boy will eventually be the reason his parents were dead, he could see why James like him so much. He was short and clumsy, but seemed to be nice. Harry didn't like the look of adoration that occupied Peter's face every time James or Sirius did something funny or performed some advanced magic. Maybe it was just because Harry knew how much this will cost him eventually.

Just after the lunch cart left, Lily joined them and James face light up. Harry suppressed a smile at this show of affection. They still didn't go out, and Lily had turned James down three times during this term, but she was becoming more and more relaxed around him.

When the train started to slow down at Kinds Cross Lily pulled out her trunk and pulled two packages from it.

"Early Christmas presents," she announces giving one to Harry and another to James.

"I'm sorry I didn't make you anything," Harry said. He really wanted to but he had no money, no owl and no outside friends who could help.

"It's okay, Harry. I understand," she replied kindly. "I know that you wanted to, and it's not your fault. Just promise me to have a great Christmas."

"James," she continued, "If he's hurt you'll answer."

All the boys laughed at this. It was amazing how easily she took to Harry and all this being a mother thing. Harry thought that it's probably something girls are born with.

"You'll get your on Christmas day," James told her grinning mysteriously and Lily blushed. "Have a good time there."

It was strange getting out of the express without his trunk and his owl and Harry kept glancing around, clutching his bag with all the stuff he came here with, for them only to find James pulling his own trunk. Despite Harry's expectations they didn't go in the direction of the portal, but moved to the back of the train instead, saying good bye to Peter first. At Harry's questioning gaze James frowned and explained that there are fireplaces so they could go home. He was clearly confused how his son didn't know that but remained silent as they made their way along with many other students.

Harry saw them first. Well, he saw his granddad. He was hard to miss; He was an older version of James, and Harry himself, but without glasses. A little red haired woman stood by his side and waved them to come. James bounced with excitement. He seemed eager to introduce Harry to them.

"Mum, Dad. This is Harry. Harry, this is…" he trailed off confused. "How does he call you?" he turned to his parents who chuckled.

"Grandmother and Grandfather I suppose," Mrs. Potter said smiling at Harry who smiled back hesitantly. This was weird.

"Nice to meet you Harry," said Mr. Potter shaking Harry's hand. "You really look like James. Come on now."

The house wasn't a big one, but there was enough room for everyone and all in all it was warm and cozy, nothing like Sirius's or the Burrow. It was clearly an old wizarding family house with many portraits, habitants of which looked at Harry with great curiosity. His room wasn't large, but was much better than the one he slept in at the Dursley's. When he met James and the others in the dining room a few minutes later they were sat on the coach and armchairs chatting easily.

"Oh, Harry. James was just telling us about the defense club you organized. It's such a wonderful idea! What are you teaching them?" asked Mrs. Potter.

Harry blushed at this. He was used to his unofficial status in Hogwarts, but it was strange telling this to the actual parents of his student. "Not much," he said. "I've just finished 5th year myself, so I'm not much better than they are and surely not as good as James is in many other subjects."

"Oh, come on!" James intervened. "Yes, I agree we started with some basic stuff like Expeliarmus. But he is good. He might not know many different spells, but he really gets the idea and manages to explain it to us."

Harry stared at him. He's never thought of that like this but yeah, defense wasn't about the spells. Dark arts were changing constantly, it was what defied them.

"Thanks James," he said eventually. "I never thought about it like that, but you are right."

Mr. and Mrs. Potter laughed at that.

"How does it feel you teaching him?" his grand mum asked pointing at James.

"Weird," Harry replied smiling.

"Harry promised to teach us Patronus after the holidays," James said excitedly. All the marauders were fascinated by this spell, yet they haven't seen Harry's and he wasn't sure how they would react.

"You can produce a Patronus?" Mr. Potter asked surprised.

"He says so, we've never seen one though," James said smirking. He was obviously trying to make Harry show his skill but Harry wasn't going for the bait.

"I'm still underage. I can't do magic outside school," Harry said looking pointedly at James.

"Good boy," said his mother and Harry blushed. Somehow he felt he needed to defy himself after that.

"I've already got in enough trouble with the Ministry because of that. First Dobby performed the levitation charm and I was accused. Then dementors…" he trailed off feeling he's said too much.

"Oh, but you can here. Noboby'll know it was you and not me, or mum or d…" James trailed off looking horror struck.

"You live with the muggles," he stated staring at Harry who nodded sadly at him.

"How did you know?" Harry asked curious and wanting to change the direction of the discussion.

"They can only locate the spell for about 50 feet radius. In wizards families parents have to ensure their kids don't do magic," Mr. Potter said sadly. "What happened, Harry?"

"I can't tell you," Harry said grimly. "Dumbledore said I shouldn't. It's no good knowing your future." Especially such a future, he thought to himself.

"Well then," said James' mum after a few minutes with a forced smile. "This only means that we should enjoy all the time together we have. Now, Harry, James. Move to the kitchen. It's time for dinner."

It was the best dinner Harry'd ever had! And not just because of the food. As soon as they all managed to move on from the sad topic it was the best chat he's ever had. They talked about the family and shared funny stories. And even though Harry found he couldn't tell them much without revealing just how alone he really was, he talked freely about Ron and Hermione. About their troubles with the Slytherins at Hogwarts. About Hedwig and Crookshanks. He didn't mention Scabbers though. He said that Voldemort was gone for a long time, but reappeared recently again. He didn't give them the reason though. He told them about the chamber of secrets and asked not to tell this story to anyone. He told about the triwizard Tournament, editing the whole Voldemort bit not to hurt them too much. He told them all the things he always wished to share with his parents.

"Wow, what a life you have," James breathed in the end. It was late past midnight, but none of them seemed eager to go to bed yet. Mrs. Potter moved to sit beside Harry and hugged him.

"How many times dis he try to kill you?" she asked quietly and Harry swallowed.

"Five," he whispered into the silence of the living room and his granddad gasped.

"You're a hell of a wizard," James said proudly. "You won't tell about the other three times though?"

Harry shook his head relaxing into his grandma's embrace.

They were quiet for a long time after this everyone deep in their own thoughts.

"How can I ever live up to you?" James asked sadly. There was no lightness in his gaze now, only grim understanding.

"You'll never have to. You are my dad and that's good enough for me," Harry replied after a pause. The James who sat beside him in the train wasn't, but this one… Harry saw that this one stepped onto the road of becoming a man everyone from Harry's time who knew his parents loved and respected.

It must have been strange for Mr. and Mrs. Potter watch the transformation James went through during this break and Harry wasn't sure if they were happy or no. The process of growing up was inevitable, yet it meant that a kid becomes an adult and need to be let free. It doesn't happen in a moment, or a day or a week, but once the process is started there really isn't anything that could stop it.

When the time came for the boys to go back to Hogwarts Mr. and Mrs. Potter pulled Harry aside.

"It seems we'll never see you again, so we just wanted to tell you how proud we are. I know you haven't told us much and we've only known you for two weeks, but that was enough to recognize you as a great person that you are. I wish we had more time, and we want you to remember us. To have something to remind you of your family," his granddad pressed a thick book in Harry's hands. He opened it to find photos, each with a little caption.

"Thank you," he said shakily. He could take it with him!!! He looked at his grandparents with tears in his eyes. "You have no idea how much this means to me!"

His granddad chuckled. "Oh, we do, don't worry about that son."

His grandma pulled him into a hug. "Write to us while you're here, okay?"

"Can I?" Harry asked not believing. Of all the things Sirius had given him, it was this little thing that made him miss his godfather so terribly.

"Of course you can! You should have written months ago!" his grandma said still holding him.