A/N: Ok, so I have the polls up in the forum if you want to check them out. And also, I guess some are probably wondering where the Philosopher's stone idea came from. Well, I've explained that in my profile. So if you are curious, check it out!
Sorry it took so long, I had writers block with this story and I had trouble writing the Quidditch match. I'm still not happy with it. I didn't want to copy from the book though so I just did a different match all together. It was the hardest to write.
---
"Let's stop by the kitchen's first."
"No! We can go there later."
"Shh we're in the Entrance Hall, don't you remember what happened last time?"
"It will only take a minute."
"We're going to the Hufflepuff Common Room!"
"Shh! I heard something."
Harry, Ron and Neville were hiding under the Invisibility Cloak on their way to the Hufflepuff Common Room. It was a week later than they had wanted to go but Draco Malfoy had overheard them talking about sneaking out. Knowing he would tell Snape, they stayed in not wanting to get caught. They had to try and find out the password to the Hufflepuff Common Room once again.
All the way from the Gryffindor Common Room, Ron had been mentioning his desire to stop by the kitchens. He had thought Sirius and his father ate a lot but Ron could beat them all in an eating contest. The boys froze as they watched Filch walking up from the dungeons with Mrs. Norris, speaking to her in a low voice.
"Don't worry, we'll get Peeves for what he did to you. I can guarantee those Weasley twins helped out some how."
They watched as he walked past them without even glancing in their direction. Mrs. Norris looked at them and Harry hoped she wouldn't let Filch know they were there. Filch and his cat were able to communicate somehow, Harry never understood how they did though. It wasn't possible to speak to animals was it? He'd heard of people talking to snakes of course but that was really rare and had to be inherited.
"Let's go." Ron muttered, "She might still tell him we're here."
They hurried to the door that led down to the kitchens and the Hufflepuff Common Room. Ron started murmuring again about how hungry he was and it would only take a moment for them to stop by the kitchens. Harry and Neville both told him to be quiet. Ron muttered something under his breath that they couldn't hear.
At the bottom of the step's Ron made to go toward the kitchens but Harry and Neville tugged him along. They walked over to the large picture of people sitting at a table with food. It was one of the rare pictures in Hogwarts that didn't move around. It was after midnight so they were sure the Common Room would be empty, but they kept the Cloak on anyway.
"Amicitia." Harry said.
"What does that mean anyway?" Ron whispered as the picture opened up.
"Friendship . . . that's what Hermione said anyway." Neville whispered back. "She said it's Latin."
It was awkward climbing into the tunnel and Neville tripped as they went inside. Ron and Harry both grabbed his arms before he could fall down the tunnel which went downwards. They paused a moment to make sure they were all covered before hurrying down into the Common Room. They paused as they looked around, hoping no one was around.
It reminded Harry of someone's basement only a lot larger and much cosier. It was a large rectangular room. Like the Gryffindor Common Room there was a lot of squashy mismatched chairs all around the room. On the walls were yellow and black hangings representing the Hufflepuff house, with a badger on some of them. There were round tables around the room and a large fire place that was still blazing. A statue of a pretty woman stood beside the fireplace holding a goblet. Up close they could see the goblet had the Hufflepuff crest on it. They slowly walked around and Neville pointed excitedly to the left.
"Check out the doors to their dormitories!" He whispered.
"Brilliant." Ron muttered.
They were large round doors like barrel tops close to the floor opposite of them. Daringly, they made their way around the Common Room, looking around to make sure it was empty. No one seemed to be awake, and it was a week night. Slowly, they made their way over to the one that said it was the boy's dorms. There was a ring for a handle hanging in the middle on the door, Neville reached out and pulled it open. They all flinched, waiting for an alarm to off to indicate intruders. Harry knew if they'd tried the girls there would be an alarm. His father had warned him not to try and sneak up to the girls dorms.
However, no alarm went off and they peered in the door. It was like an underground tunnel leading to the dorms. They shut the door a few moments later and made their way back across the Common Room feeling amazed. The Hufflepuff Common Room was nice looking. Harry just hoped no silent alarm had gone off. He had wanted to go through the underground tunnel to see the dorms below but he knew that was pushing their luck.
"You don't think there was a silent alarm, do you?" Neville whispered as they left the Common Room.
"Hope not." Harry said. "Strange isn't it? Underground tunnels?"
"Hey, can we go to the kitchens?" Ron asked as they left the Common Room.
--
"Lily, I was wondering if you could do a favor for me."
Lily, Alice, Isabella and Molly were sitting together on the back deck watching the children and their husbands (although they could be counted as children too) playing Quidditch. It was always interesting to watch. Lily couldn't believe how good Jayden was on a broomstick already, the way he dived to catch the snitch made her heart stop every time. He seemed to be a natural at it though, just as she knew his brother was. She was looking forward to going to Hogwarts to watch his first Quidditch Match.
Molly Weasley had interrupted the silence that had come among the four women.
"You know I'll do anything for you Molly." Lily said.
"Arthur and I want to go to Romania to visit Charlie, we were just going to let the boys stay at Hogwarts for Christmas but Ginny would really like to stay with Carol rather than go to my Auntie Muriel's. Would it be all right if they stayed over Christmas with you?"
"Of course." Lily said without hesitation. "We have the room here and I know the boys would behave here."
Molly laughed. "Lily, you're going to have eight children in the house, that is including Fred and George, are you sure-"
"Of course I'm sure." Lily interrupted. "We've had all the kids here before plenty of times when you and Arthur went out. As I recall, we took care of all seven of your children two summers ago for a week plus my own. We can handle it."
"And we'll help out." Alice said. "I'll try as much as I can. You know we'll all be over here a lot over the holidays anyway."
Molly looked relieved, "Thanks Lily, and you know I would do the same thing for you anytime. Your children are always welcome at my place."
Lily nodded and stared out into the grounds where the children and fathers had all stopped playing Quidditch now. James was now chasing after Jayden laughing while Jayden ran away holding up his wand. Lily really wished he wouldn't let them play with his wand. But then Jayden suddenly turned around laughing and waved the wand. It turned into a cat which Jayden threw at his father and started laughing harder.
"Well where is my wand then?" James asked catching the cat and throwing it back to Jayden who caught it with no problem.
"In your pocket." Jayden yelled laughing. "You didn't even notice I put it back."
James had brought home a few fake wands a week ago for the children although Lily could tell the difference between them. Jayden was always leaving one around hoping they would pick one up and mistake it for their own wand. Neither one ever did, except this time was an exception. Lily hadn't really seen a fake wand that looked convincing enough to fool her. James had bought them to keep Jayden amused and for Lucy to practice wand movements.
"Ha ha ha and you told me I could never fool you with the fake wands." Jayden shouted now still laughing. "I fooled you dad."
"Oh yeah?" James asked with a smirk.
He whipped out his wand and pointed it at Jayden. Jayden suddenly flipped upside down as if a rope had wrapped around his ankle and pulled him up. The rest of the children started laughing as Jayden who was still laughing tried to pull himself up. Then they were all yelling for James to put them up in the air upside down. Lily started laughing as six more children were suddenly up in the air upside down, although she worried about Lucy. Lucy seemed fine though, she was laughing harder than any of them.
"What do you think Sirius? Should we leave them this way for the night?" James asked Sirius.
"I think so, what do you think Remus? Do you think we should leave them this way?" Sirius asked Remus.
"I think so too, Arthur?" Remus continued.
"Well, maybe we should put a silencing charm on them as well, just in case." Arthur agreed laughing. "What do you say Frank?"
"I know a good one to keep them quiet until morning." Frank agreed.
"No!" They all shouted.
"Daddy, I have to sleep in my own bed." Lucy said. "Not in the air!"
"All right." James said as he cast a cushioning charm and took it off them all.
"They really are like children aren't they?" Isabella asked meaning the men.
"Are you sure you can handle them all Lily?" Molly asked laughing as well.
---
Harry was nervous. It was his first day of playing real Quidditch. Sure he had been practicing hard nonstop with the Gryffindor team and had also had spectators but this was a real game. This wasn't a fun game he would have at home where it didn't matter if he didn't catch the Snitch. He had to catch the snitch or else their team would lose and maybe Wood and Professor McGonagall would decide it was a mistake letting him on the team.
"It's all right Harry." Tiffany told him at breakfast. "Just pretend you're playing a game at home with your father."
"Your parents are going to be here aren't they?" Hermione asked.
Harry nodded. "They are going to be in the visitor's stands." He said staring down at the bacon not wanting to eat it, he felt like he could throw up.
"You're looking a bit green mate." Ron said, "You know you'll be fine."
"You should eat something anyway." Neville said. "You'll pass out on your broomstick if you don't."
"Hey Potter! Enjoying your last meal? Your parents are coming aren't they? Scared to let them know you're a disappointment?" Malfoy yelled as he walked past the Gryffindor table.
"Ignore him, just ignore him Harry." Hermione said. "You'll show him, I know you will."
Harry tried eating some of his bacon and was relieved when the Gryffindor team got up to get ready to leave. He said a quick good-bye to his friends and hurried away with them. He didn't want Malfoy's words to bother him but what if he did lose his first match? What would his parents say? They were bringing his siblings along with them, what would Jayden say if Harry lost the match? Carol wouldn't care she wasn't a big Quidditch fan even if she liked to play. Lucy looked up to Harry a lot, what would she think if he lost his first Quidditch match?
"Relax, Potter." Wood said putting a hand on his shoulder. "You'll be fine. I was nervous my first time too but it turned out all right."
Harry didn't say much, he didn't like the team knowing he was nervous but none of them, even the twin's didn't seem too surprised by it. He was sure Fred and George would make fun of him for it but they weren't even paying attention to him. They were muttering together about something else that wasn't even related to Quidditch.
In the changing room, after they changed into their Quidditch robes Oliver gave a speech about it being the one. Harry glared at the floor, he really wasn't helping. There was just too much pressure on this game for his liking. Fred and George were of course making a joke out of Oliver's speech. Harry smiled though, it made him feel at ease when they joked like that.
"Well, let's go." Oliver finally said.
Harry clutched his Nimbus two thousand as he followed his team members out. He could hear the crowd yelling out excitedly. They met the Slytherin team in the middle of the field where Madame Hooch stood. The Slytherin team captain Marcus Flint glared at Wood as they shook hands, he was a very large fifth year boy who Harry was glad wasn't a beater.
"I want a nice clean game out of all of you." Madame Hooch said but she seemed to be staring at the Slytherin's as she said this. Just how brutal were they? Harry wondered.
She blew her whistle and they all rose in the air together. As soon as Harry was flying, all nervousness was gone. He had forgotten how much flying helped him with nerves. He flew off away from the team and began looking for the snitch.
"Harry! Harry!" Harry looked around to see Jayden jumping up and down in the visitors stand. "We're here Harry! Can you see us?"
Harry gave a quick wave at his family as his mother grabbed Jayden and looked as though she was telling him be quiet. Jayden looked reluctant but sat back down on the bench and watched the game instead. Harry began looking for the snitch again hoping he would catch it so Jayden wouldn't be disappointed in him.
"And Angelina Johnson in possession of the Quaffle!" Lee Jordan the commentator and the Weasley twin's best friend was saying. "She passes it to Alicia Spinnet who dodges Marcus Flint. Go Alicia! Show those dirty rotten-"
"JORDAN!"
"Sorry Professor, Alicia throws the Quaffle and Bletchy is diving he is going to miss- no he blocked it. Slytherin now in possession. Fred no George . . . well one of the Weasley's hits a bludger and it hits Marcus Flint- good one and now Katie Bell is in possession, she throws the Quaffle to Angelina who tries to score annnd she did it! Bletchy missed! Gryffindor leading ten to zero."
Harry kept looking for the snitch keeping an eye on the other seeker Terrence Higgs who hadn't spotted the snitch yet either. Harry felt shocked when he glanced toward his friends and saw that they had made a banner for him. It said Potter for President and had a Gryffindor lion underneath the words. He had a feeling it was Dean who had done it. He was good at drawing. He felt even less nervous now to see his friends and family all supporting him.
The Slytherin team scored a goal which caused Lee Jordan to swear and Professor McGongall yelled at him. The team was tied now and he could feel eyes on him as he continued looking for it. And then he saw it. He glanced at Terrence who hadn't yet and decided to fake him out so he could get the snitch before Terrence did. He dived to the left while Lee yelled:
"I think Potter has spotted the Snitch!" He yelled.
He saw Terrence dive after him and at the last minute Harry pulled out of his dive and turned right to where the Snitch was near the goal posts. He reached his hand out as a hand and felt a bludger whiz by his hand, although the crowd was shouting loudly he could make out his fathers and Jayden's voices out all of them, even above Lee's excited voice. He grabbed the snitch and pulled up holding it out just as Terrence came flying toward him and him hard.
Harry had to hold onto the broom with one hand as he spun out of control but still held onto the snitch.
"You sore loser scum!" Lee shouted.
Harry managed to get control of the broom and flew straight upwards holding up the snitch for his family to see grinning proudly. He saw Lucy and Jayden jumping up and down while Carol was beaming and waving at him. His father was shouting excitedly that it was his son who had caught the snitch. He was joined with the rest of the team as they did a victory lap while Lee shouted out the score.
Afterwards they went back to the changing room to change. Oliver kept congratulating Harry for faking out Terrence excitedly.
"I know the cup is going to be in our name this year." He said as he left with Angelina, Katie and Alicia.
"That was brilliant." Fred told Harry as he and George left the changing room with him.
"Harry!"
His family was waiting outside the changing room for him with his friends. Lucy ran from their mother's side and ran straight over to him where he picked her up. She looked really thin and he felt worried but she wasn't as pale as she had been in the summer which meant she had to be eating. He hugged her as his father came over to pat his shoulder.
"Congratulation's son. You did really well. I am proud of you." James said.
"Fred, George!" Jayden shouted excited holding out a wand. "Do you want to see the new wand dad bought me? He decided I could have one now. You should try it out, I've done a lot of magic with it."
He handed the wand to George, Harry had a feeling it was a fake wand knowing his parents wouldn't buy his siblings wands until they were eleven. George looked at it and a look of recognition seem to come over his face, but obviously wanting to amuse Jayden he waved it. It suddenly turned into a cat.
"Oh wow, and I thought it was real." George said smiling and waving the cat around to turn in back to a wand then he turned to Fred and muttered so Jayden couldn't hear but Harry heard.
"You see what I mean by these? You can always tell they are fake but if we could make ones that looked real-"
"-they'd definitely be popular, I know. Most of them don't look too convincing."
"You like it?" Jayden asked. "I fooled dad with it, mum always knows though."
"Oh, well you got me really well, Jay." George said handing it back. "You really are a good prankster. We'll have to show you some tricks though. Anyway, Harry, good game. We're going to get ready for a party in the Common Room."
"Oh and we'll see you at Christmas Mr. and Mrs. Potter." Fred added.
The twins waved and walked away leaving Jayden doing a victory dance glad that he had 'fooled' the twins who were supposed to be as great as pranksters as his father and friends were.
"Mum, this is Hermione and Tiffany friends of mine." Harry said introducing Hermione and Tiffany who were talking to Carol who was asking them about classes at Hogwarts.
"It's really great to meet you two," Lily said. "You don't help my son with his pranks do you?" She asked but sounded amused.
"Oh no of course not." Hermione said looking scandalized.
"No Hermione makes us do homework." Neville said. "You don't want to see her if we miss an assignment."
"Reminds me of someone else." His father said.
"Well, we'll meet you back in the Common Room, Harry." Hermione said, "It was nice meeting you Mr. and Mrs. Potter. Harry has talked a lot about you and his sisters and brother."
Harry watched as his friends turned to leave. It was nice having his family there to see him after his Quidditch match. Jayden was looking around the Hogwarts grounds now with awe. He knew Jayden would enjoy the sight of Hogwarts from across the lake then.
"I can't wait until I come here. Can't I come next year mum?" Jayden asked. "I think I'd be good at magic."
"I think you will too, when you are twelve." She answered.
"I don't think it's fair I have to wait until I'm twelve." Jayden said glaring at his shoes. "I want to come when I am eleven like every body else.
"Thanks for being here." Harry said. "I'm glad you came."
"We didn't want to miss your first game." His mother answered. "And you nearly gave me heart failure diving like that."
"I thought it was neat!" Lucy said whom Harry was still holding. She was really light for a five-year-old.
"Well, we should let you get to your party." His father said clapping him on the back. "We'll see you and the Weasley's at Christmas then."
Harry nodded, he set Lucy down and let his mother hug him three times before he set of calling good-bye to his siblings and father. It was going to be an interesting Christmas having the Weasley's over. They were all looking forward to having Christmas at his place. They had all just found out a few days ago.
Ron had opened a letter delivered by his family owl Errol who had crashed into the table hard. Tiffany who didn't know about the Weasley family owl panicked as she examined him. She loved animals a lot but that probably came from growing up on a farm. Ron read the letter and turned to Harry excitedly.
"Mum says we are going to your place for Christmas. My parents are going to Romania to see Charlie and we were just going to stay here but I guess we're going to your place now." He said. "I'm supposed to tell my brothers."
"That's going to be interesting." Neville said. "Your parents don't know what they are getting themselves into, Harry."
Harry grinned, that was for sure. Fred and George with Jayden? It was going to be a disaster.
---
The next few weeks went by quickly and soon the Christmas holidays were there. Lily and James stood together with Alice waiting for Harry, Neville and the Weasley's. They had left the other children home with Remus who had gone over with Rufus. The other children had wanted to come but Lily had decided against it, there just wouldn't be enough room.
Hogwarts students were starting to appear, two or three at a time. Lily could tell they were from Hogwart's because some were wearing their house colours. She recognized little Draco Malfoy who came out with two larger boys, Vincent Crabbe and Gregory Goyle. The two boys resembled their fathers a lot. The young Malfoy boy had the same arrogant walk his father did and was growing to look more and more like Lucius every time she saw him.
She saw Harry, Neville and Ron appear next. They looked around before Neville pointed in their direction and the three boys hurried over quickly grinning. Neville hugged his mother, when he pulled away he was staring at her with an odd look and glanced at her stomach. He looked into her face and Lily could see the realization come over Neville. She hoped the boy wouldn't be upset over it, after all he had been the only child for eleven years. But his face broke out into a grin.
"Mum, are you pregnant?" He asked, "Is this the surprise you keep telling me about?"
"Blimey." She heard Ron mutter as he stared at Alice in shock.
"I am." Alice answered. "Come on, we'll talk about it more at home. We'll see you probably tomorrow James, Lily."
She took Neville by the hand and they walked away. Neville didn't seem to resist like many eleven-year-old boys would when their mother's tried to hold their hands. Neville was always appreciative of his mother though, he rarely got embarrassed by her if she hugged him or held his hand in public.
The twins and Percy had arrived now. Percy made a show of shaking hands with James first then Lily thanking them both for taking them all in. Lily grinned at Percy trying not to laugh. The boy often talked as if he were forty and not only fifteen. She could tell James was as well, the twins however found this funny and started making jokes at Percy's expense.
"All right, let's go." Lily said as Percy shot a glare at his twin brothers.
They made their way to the car passing the Malfoy's whom Lily hoped wouldn't make a comment. Lucius Malfoy liked to make remarks about how poor the Weasley's were and she couldn't stand it. The Weasley family was probably a better family than anyone she knew. Lucius just shot a smirk in their direction and left. She could see the Malfoy boy staring at them as they went by and knew he would want to say something about it.
---
"Looks like you're sharing with me." Harry said as he opened the door to his bedroom with Ron following behind him.
There was now an extra bed added in his room. His mother was showing the twins where they were going to sleep after she had shown Percy. Ginny was going to be sharing a room with Carol apparently. Ron nodded and dragged his trunk into Harry's room.
"So you reckon they'll let us stay for the whole party this year?" Ron asked Harry looking around the room.
Ron had seen Harry's room plenty of times and Harry had a feeling Ron was a little jealous. Ron's room back at his home, the Burrow was tiny. Harry however sometimes felt jealous of Ron. The Burrow was the greatest looking house he had ever seen. He had a feeling it was all held together by magic. He liked going there where it was always hectic. There were always Garden Gnomes running around at the Weasley place. His mother didn't like them so she had bought repellant to keep them out of their own garden.
"They might." Harry said sitting on his bed. "We are in school now. Your parents let the twins last year didn't they?"
"Can you believe Neville's mother is pregnant? Neville is eleven now, isn't it too late? It's a big gap isn't it?" Ron said.
"I dunno. But Neville has always wanted a brother or sister hasn't he? Eleven isn't too bad." Harry answered. "I wonder when she is having it?"
"She did look big." Ron answered with a shrug. "And he looked happy didn't he?"
The door opened then and Lucy entered excitedly. She ran over to Harry who picked her up and set her beside him on the bed. He felt a little sorry for Neville, after all he would be at Hogwarts most of the time so his new brother or sister really wouldn't know him that well. He sometimes worried Lucy would forget about him.
"Watch what I can do boys." Lucy said and she held her hand out.
One of Harry's toy snitches flew off of his shelves and flew straight into her hand. Harry stared in amazement, his mother had told him she could do underage magic but she had control over it. He was never able to control his own magic before Hogwarts. She held her hand up now and the Snitch levitated in the air and hovered over their heads.
"Bloody hell." Ron said.
"Ron!" Harry said feeling like his mother, but he knew they weren't supposed to swear in front of the little kids.
"Do you see this? It took me weeks to do that with a wand and she is doing it wandless." Ron said.
"I have to take potions so I don't over do it." Lucy said.
"That's what mum told me." Harry said, "I wonder why. Do you know why?"
"Just 'cause I over do it with magic but mummy and daddy want me to practice a lot." Lucy answered.
And she let the Snitch fly back over to where it had been before. Harry stared open mouthed at it. His little sister was going to be a very powerful witch. She already was. She laughed, gave Harry a hug then ran to Ron to hung him before leaving the room. They both stared after her before looking at each other.
"Bloody hell." Ron said again. "She is five years old."
"I know." Harry said. "I'm going to ask my parents if they know why she gets sick from it. Maybe she is too powerful for her age. Dumbledore knew anyway."
---
Lily woke up Christmas morning to a horrible scream. James jumped out of bed quickly and threw on a dressing gown. He seemed to have quick reflexes. He had grabbed his wand off the bedside table and slipped his glasses on.
"You stay here." He told her.
"I don't think so." Lily said in a shaky voice. "It sounds like the children are in trouble."
She hurried out of the room with James slipping on her own dressing gown and followed him out. Down the hall the screaming continued but then suddenly she heard:
"You get out NOW!"
And realized it was Percy's room. She watched as Fred and George sprinted out laughing pulling Ginny and Jayden with them. She felt relieved and wondered what they could have done to poor Percy. The four were laughing until they saw Lily and James holding their wands put in dressing gowns. Fred and George looked away embarrassed.
"What did you do?" Lily demanded. "Really, it's Christmas."
The door to Percy's door slammed but Lily pushed her way past the children and knocked on Percy's door. She heard the others run away laughing as James joined her side.
"Percy it's me, what did they do?" Lily called through the door.
They heard him unlock the door and he stepped out. Lily had to hold in her laughter. Percy's usually flaming red hair was now red, white and green. It was flashing the three colours in waves. She had to hold back a laugh, after all it was a fifteen-year-old boy's dignity she had to save. She knew James wanted to laugh so he muttered something about talking to the children and hurried off.
"Oh don't worry dear. I can fix it." Lily said. "I'm sorry Percy."
She took her wand and pointed it at him to change it back to the right colour. Percy gave her a small smile.
"Sorry if I scared you Mrs. Potter but I looked in the mirror and it startled me." Percy said. "They were hiding in the bathtub behind the shower curtain laughing."
"Well I'll talk to them." Lily said. "You just open your presents then come down to breakfast."
When he shut his door, she had to put a hand over her mouth to hide her laughter. The poor boy, they were always all picking on him. Although she was surprised to see Ginny was part of the group of pranksters. She went back into her bedroom to find James sitting on the bed laughing hysterically. Tears were streaming down his cheeks.
"Really James." She said.
"You thought it was funny too." He said. "How did they manage to do that? It's sixth year level there."
"Well we can't laugh in front of Percy." She said, "He is already embarrassed."
"Why didn't we ever think of doing that in school?" James asked. "Those twins certainly know what they are doing."
"Well come on, let's go down to breakfast."
After they got dressed, they hurried to breakfast to find that all the children were down there now. Percy was sitting at the table eating cereal that Lula gave him looking indignant. The rest of the children were giggling behind their hands except Carol. She was sitting beside Percy, she glanced at Ginny disapprovingly who didn't seem to notice.
"I'm sorry Percy." She said. "It really isn't funny and they shouldn't have done that."
"How did you manage to do that?" James asked the twins.
"It wasn't us." Fred answered and he pointed down the table to Lucy who was waiting patiently for Lily to give her her potion so she could eat.
"Lucy?" Lily and James asked together.
"They told me they needed my help." Lucy answered. "And told me what I should do. They wanted me to have his hair sing too but I didn't know how."
"Well Lucy, you can't use your magic to pull pranks like that." Lily said.
"Why? Daddy does." Lucy asked with a shrug.
James glanced at Lily hopelessly not sure what to say to that. She did have a point. Lily went to the cupboard to get Lucy's potion while James made up an excuse on why she shouldn't do it if it was going to upset someone as much as it upset Percy.
"They should only be fun." He said.
"But it was fun." Lucy argued.
"But Percy didn't find it funny and you knew he wouldn't." James tried to explain.
"All right, I'm sorry Percy." Lucy said.
"Sorry," Fred said. "We told her to do it."
They ate in silence now probably knowing they shouldn't talk about it anymore. After they ate breakfast, they all went off to do their own thing except Harry. He muttered something to Ron before he walked over to Lily and James with a determined look on his face.
"So, can you tell me what is wrong with Lucy?" He asked. "Why does she get sick if she does too much magic?"
Lily looked at James wondering if they should explain it to Harry. He was only eleven and might not understand, but then again he was growing up. They had to be honest with him. He had been angry before when they hadn't been. They hadn't wanted to tell the others yet but Harry was the oldest. The other three probably wouldn't understand yet. She just didn't want her son angry with them for risking Lucy's health.
"We should tell him." James muttered. "He is a lot smarter than we give him credit for. It's going to be Lucy who is going to be hard to tell when we know she'll understand."
"All right." Lily said. "Harry sit down and please don't interrupt Ok?"
Harry looked shocked as if he thought they wouldn't tell him. He pulled out a chair at the table and sat while Lily and James sat across from him. James began and explained everything from the beginning, even from when he was baby and when they were in hiding (leaving out the prophecy of course) and explained up to when they almost lost Potter Manor and why Dumbledore had given them the Philosopher's Stone. Harry looked like he wanted to interrupt at times but didn't. None of them were aware that a little girl was listening in the door way.
"Please believe us Harry." Lily said when she saw Harry frown. "If we'd known what it would do we wouldn't have used it. I'd never ever heard of a child suffering from their parent's guilt."
"So this Manor was bought with stolen money?" Harry asked.
"Yes." James said. "But we've paid it back with our own money. We were even willing to pay Flamel back who apparently isn't angry with us for using it. I don't know why, I think I would have been."
"But she is Ok now that you've confessed right?" Harry asked still with a frown.
"Yes. Harry. We're sorry about all this. We wanted to make a future for you and instead we did some damage along the way." Lily said.
"I know." Harry finally said after some moments of silence. "Do the Malfoy's know? Is that what Draco Malfoy meant when he said I shouldn't be proud to be a Potter?"
"I don't see how they could or why Lucius would tell Draco that." James said. "Although I think, he must know that we had trouble getting a hold of the Manor. But I hope this doesn't make you feel different about who you are. It was Lily and I who did wrong and it's not your fault or Lucy's. It's our fault Lucy is sick."
"You didn't know." Harry said. "I know you wouldn't have used the Stone if you didn't have to. And I bet the Malfoy's would use it all the time if Dumbledore had asked them to keep it safe. Maybe they have used a Stone, how many exist?"
"I think only Flamel's exist." Lily answered feeling relieved that Harry wasn't angry.
She was proud of him, he understood and he didn't hate them for it. Harry nodded and then thanked him for telling him and then as if to prove he wasn't angry he got up to hug them both. He turned to leave but then froze as he stared at the door way. Lily around to see what he was looking at to see Lucy staring at them from the door way. She couldn't read her little daughters expression to know if she understood or not. Harry turned back to them.
"She might understand you know." He said and walked over to her.
"How much did you hear Luce?" He asked.
"All of it." She said. "Mummy, do you feel bad all the time?"
Lily got up and went to Lucy. She picked her up as Harry left the room and carried her back to the table. James had a scared expression on his face, she hadn't seen it on his face since they found out more than eleven years ago that Harry was in danger. She knew what he was scared of Lucy thought. They hadn't wanted her to know until she was old enough to understand it all. Five was much too young to understand.
"Yes I do." Lily said. "But I wish you didn't have to feel sick because of it."
"Then don't feel bad mummy. I'm Ok. I have potion's remember?"
"Lucy, do you understand what we were telling Harry?" James asked.
"Mummy feels bad because of a stone?" Lucy asked. "And it makes me sick right? So don't feel bad mummy. Don't feel bad about the stone."
"When you are older, we'll explain it to you better Ok?" Lily asked Lucy.
"Ok. I think I'll go play now." Lucy said.
Lily put Lucy down who ran off. James seemed to understand she needed a hug because he pulled her in his arms as soon she had gone. She really hadn't planned for their Christmas to start this way.
"You Ok?" James asked.
"I'm fine. I didn't want her to know yet." Lily said.
"The thing is, maybe it's better this way. She'll grow up knowing about her illness better until we can fully explain it to her. You know what though? I want it gone. I'm going to talk to Dumbledore and tell him to find someone else to take care of it." James said. "Now, let's get ready for the party. I think we have eight willing hands to help us out and I can get the others here as well."
---
Harry noticed Percy seemed to be really close to a girl, he wasn't sure what her name was but knew she was another prefect. He, Ron and Neville watched the two of them dance together closely. Harry had never imagined Percy having a girlfriend. Percy was always too bossy and no fun. It was hard to believe someone else liked that. Then again, it seemed his younger sister was turning out like that. Carol didn't like to pull pranks and she didn't think it was funny that Lucy had turned his hair to flash Christmas colours. Harry was sorry he had missed it.
"Why didn't you wake us too?" Ron had asked the twins. "I would have liked to have seen it."
Harry was still thinking over the conversation he had with his parents. He wasn't sure what to think about it all. He wasn't sure what to think about the place he had called home for the past five years. He knew they wouldn't have used it if they knew it would make Lucy sick. That wasn't what bothered him, it was the fact that they could have found another way to keep the Manor, they didn't have to use the Stone for it. He didn't know much about Philosopher's Stones. He'd heard of them over time and knew that somehow they made you live forever and that it could turn things into gold.
He could also tell his parents were feeling terrible for doing it and decided there was no point in rubbing it in more. He had snuck back to listen to them and heard his father say that he wanted the Stone gone. He didn't want to think about it at the moment though, he just wanted to enjoy the party. It was the first time he was going to be allowed to stay up for the whole thing. He didn't have to go to the other room with the other kids.
"Why are you staying with the Potter's Weasley?" A voice asked behind them.
Harry, Ron and Neville turned to see Draco smirking at them with Crabbe and Goyle at his side. Pansy Parkinson was behind them. Harry didn't understand why his parents let it be open invitation. Any riffraff could get in then.
"Parents couldn't afford to give you a real Christmas? I suppose this is the best Christmas you've ever had." Draco said.
"Sod off Malfoy." Ron snapped. "My parents went to Romania to visit my brother, not that it's any of your business!"
"How does it feel to be staying in a place like this? Must be nice to get your own bed." Draco continued.
"Shut up." Harry snapped. "Why do your parents even come to our parties?"
"It's open invitation Potter." Draco drawled. "Anyone can come, we belong here more than the Weasley's do."
Draco smirked and started sipping the butterbeer that was in his hand but it suddenly exploded in hands and then it happened to Crabbe, Goyle and Pansy who were also all clutching their own butterbeers. The four sputtered angrily now soaked in butterbeer. Smirking Harry turned to see how had done it. He saw little Lucy standing with them holding her hands out looking angrier than he had ever seen her.
"You leave my brother alone!" She shouted. "You go away and don't say things about the Weasley's!"
"You little brat!" Pansy shrieked and went to go for her, Harry, Ron and Neville moved to block her but it was Draco who grabbed Pansy's arm to stop her.
"Let's go." He said pulling her away.
"Good one Luce." Harry said grinning at his sister who smiled back.
Lucy turned and hurried away as Ron, Neville and Harry moved as well. They could see Fred and George crouched in a corner. They had a firecracker that they were aiming toward Lucius Malfoy. They looked as if they were about to set it off but Remus suddenly walked over to them and took it away.
"We don't need any trouble from him at the moment boys." Remus said.
Fred and George looked disappointed but they spotted something else that made their faces break into identical grins. They had spotted Percy and his girlfriend. They both stood up and looked at each grinning before hurrying away. Harry knew they were up to something and wondered what. He, Ron and Neville went in the direction he was going pushing their way through people and spotted them talking to Jayden. Jayden was nodding with an evil grin on his face.
"This can't be good." Neville shouted over the music.
"It's going to be strange for you isn't it Neville?" Harry yelled back. "Having a new baby and all."
"Babies." Neville answered back. "Mum is having twins."
Ron dropped the bottle of butterbeer he had been holding, it smashed on the floor so they moved away.
"What?" He asked.
"She just found out. She had to go for another appointment and the Healers noticed it was twins."
And Neville looked happy about it, he was surprised Neville wasn't jealous at all. They stood together and watched as Jayden made his way through the crowd. He hurried over to Percy and his girlfriend holding out one of his fake wands.
"Hey! Hey, want to see my trick?" He asked Percy's girlfriend.
"Not now, Jayden." Percy said.
"Watch this." He waved the wand and it turned into a large rubber duck. "Did you like my trick?"
"Yes, it was very nice." The girl said. "Thanks for showing me, Jayden is it?"
"It's Harry Potter's little brother." Percy explained. "Thanks for showing us now go on."
"Now you try Percy." Jayden shouted shoving the rubber duck into Percy hand's.
"Now really, Jayden. This is really rude-" BOOM!
The rubber duck had exploded in Percy's hands. He was now covered in a greenish goo, so was his girlfriend and anyone else who had been near, including Jayden. Jayden started laughing so hard he fell on the floor. Harry, Ron and Neville were laughing as well. People had stopped dancing and talking to see what all the commotion was.
"Jayden!" Percy yelled. "That wasn't nice! Where are Fred and George?"
Harry saw his mother walking through the crowd looking confused. He saw his father following her talking with Snape? Ron noticed to and nudged Harry in the ribs, they weren't fighting either. They looked as if they were getting along. Harry, Ron and Neville exchanged confused looks. He really didn't understand his parents at times. What had happened to hating Snape? He had never seen him come to a Potter party before.
"What happened here?" Lily asked waving her wand making the green goo disappear.
"I think my brothers told Jayden to give me an exploding rubber duck." Percy explained. "I don't know where they went."
Lily picked up Jayden who was still laughing hard on the floor, Harry could see that his father was trying to hide a grin too.
"All right, all the children who aren't school aged can go in the other room now!" His father called. "Unless your parents say otherwise."
Everyone started talking again, grinning at each other Harry, Ron and Neville grabbed more butterbeers from a House elf and hurried to follow his father and Snape who were both drunk and talking friendly still. Harry guessed it was the alcohol that was affecting his fathers mind, there was just no way his father could be friendly with Snape.