The characters and places in this story belong to J.K. Rowling. I only own a 2 year old and a 2 month old.

Perhaps I can trade?

Chapter 21 - I'll Be Home For Christmas

"Dad?" Harry whispered in disbelief. Harry broke contact with his mum and looked over at the voice that had come from her side. In front of him stood a portrait of his parents. It was clearly a Wizarding portrait, since both his mum and dad were nodding and smiling at him.

"Oh Harry, Happy Christmas." His mum said with a bright smile on her face.

"Harry I thought you could hang this up at Grimmauld Place and talk to them whenever you want." Remus said even as the rest of the Weasley's and Granger's moved in for a closer look.

Harry closed his eyes briefly at the burn of tears. He smiled at everyone and introductions were made. Once that was out of the way Harry looked at Remus in confusion, not sure if he was to sit and chat or follow everyone to dinner. Remus looked at his watch and suggested he stay put for a bit while everyone helped set the table.

Molly bustled the family away before calling to Harry, "I'll call you when we're ready for you, good seeing you again Lily, James. Your son is a good man."

Lily wiped a tear from her eye. "It's hard to believe my son is a man already. You look so much like your father dear."

Harry nodded, used to hearing that. "Mum how is it possible that you and dad are aware of everything that's going on? Do you have all your memories?"

James hugged his wife to his side before sighing a bit. "No son, not all our memories. Remus is good but he wouldn't have them to access. Usually enchanted paintings are made while the subject is living. They can then take the memories directly from the subject. We only have whatever Remus could remember about us or read from old letters and such."

Lily saw the disappointment in her son's eyes and continued. "But we will remember everything we see or hear from now on, and will be here for you at least in this form."

Harry smiled a bit at this and nodded his head. "Well I guess I should ask where you want to be hung? Mum I'm not sure putting you up in the boys' dorm would be appropriate."

Lily blushed at the idea. "No Harry, I believe I've seen enough male adolescence in my time without embarrassing you and your dorm mates. Remus said that you have a house that is just begging for a few good paintings."

Remus popped his head in the room. "Lily with James in the picture, good wouldn't be the word I'd use to describe you two. I would pick gaudy myself."

Lily laughed as her husband threatened to come out of the frame and show some werewolf the meaning of good art.

Remus shook his head with a smirk before turning to Harry. "Supper Harry, we'll find them a nice place to hang once we get home and you can chat more. I think Dumbledore could even hook them up into a photo so they can travel back and forth like Sirius' uncle."

Harry said his good-byes reluctantly, before heading into the big dining room. After taking his seat across from Ginny and next to Ron, a Weasley sized feast began in earnest.

Late into the evening the families began to separate. The Grangers left for home with hugs and invitations to return whenever they wished. Hermione had quietly kissed Ron goodbye on the porch before Fred and George began to catcall and shout. It took Bill turning them into bookends to end the noise and blushing going on.

Molly put them on either side of her cookbooks and helped Harry and Remus pack up their presents to go home.

"Mrs. Weasley, are you going to leave them like that?" Harry asked curiously.

Mrs. Weasley smiled and nodded. "Of course. It's hard to get a matching set like that." Seeing the look of horror on Harry's face she laughed. "I'll have Bill turn them back after you and Remus have gone home dear."

Harry smiled and gave Mrs. Weasley a hug before slapping Ron heartily on the back. "See you on the train back."

Ron gave Harry a playful push toward Ginny. "You two may want to say goodbye outside." Ron gestured toward his mum's cookbooks. "You don't want either of them coming around before you're done."

Harry and Ginny walked outside hand in hand while Mrs. Weasley shooed all her curious children into the sitting room. Harry noticed for a change that only Ginny was turning pink. "Thanks again for the bracelet. I think its great Gin."

Ginny nodded and pulled Harry into a hug. "I almost got silver but was afraid that Remus could be hurt by it. I love my necklace Harry; I want you to know that."

Harry hugged Ginny back before tilting her chin upwards and placing a soft kiss on her lips. Ginny's soft brown eyes slowly fluttered closed and Harry felt her returning his kiss. Both stood pressed together before a tap from the glass parted them suddenly.

"Ginny come in it's cold out there. Harry, Remus and that pup are waiting for you." Mr. Weasley said laughing at the dismayed look on the two youth's faces.

"See you on the train Harry." With a quick peck on his lips Ginny quickly dashed through the door her father held open.

Harry blushed looking at Mr. Weasley. Arthur having once been in the same spot as Harry, gave him a pat on the back. "It's alright son. I've been there before." Mr. Weasley laughed a bit before continuing. "Seems your dad did too. Must be something about a red head."

Headquarters got a new mascot at the front door. James enjoyed pestering everyone coming in asking for passwords and left more than one member baffled about suggestions that the house was booby trapped against anyone who did not have the correct password. Only Lily threatening to make him share frames with Mrs. Black kept James from getting any worse.

All the members loved Lily. A few who knew the couple during the first war were happy to share more of their memories to help broaden their scopes. This helped Harry who enjoyed spending time telling his parents everything that went on with his life and would even share some of his plans for the future when he was sure they were alone.

Dumbledore even agreed to come the day before school started and to enchant his photo so he could let them move from this portrait to school if he needed them or to pass messages. James teased Lily about the boy's dorm but Lily would just ruffle his hair and comment that her son would protect her from big scary boys.

Sometimes Harry thought that his parents picked on each other like Hermione and Ron. He was glad to know that soon he would be able to take them with him. He was also glad that they would be here so that Remus could also speak to his old friends.

The children at headquarters loved Lily and James. Lily enjoyed helping the kids with any problems they had and the boys enjoyed helping James come up with crazier passwords. James would often reward them with secret passages or anything he thought they would enjoy. James even helped them find the stash of cookies Mrs. Weasley sent the day before.

During all of the excitement, Harry remembered to follow Remus to the room he used for transformations the first dusk of the full moon. "Remus I need to ask you for something." Harry said quietly.

"Harry I'd like to help you with anything you need but I only have a few minutes. Can this wait till tomorrow?" Remus said glancing at his watch with a frown.

"Honestly, no. I need a vial of your blood from today." Harry saw the odd look pass over Remus and plunged forward quickly. "I'm not trying to be weird or curse you or anything. Snape wants some to see if he can make your potion work better for you. Please?"

Remus stared at Harry not quite believing him but rolled up his arm and asked for the vial. With an incantation he picked up from a healer, the vial was filled and sealed quickly. Harry thanked him before running up to Hedwig and sending the vial back to Hogwarts.

Remus watched Harry open his truck the next morning. "Looking forward to going back to school?"

"Not really. Just looking forward to being done with this year. You ready to get rid of me yet?" Harry asked saucily.

Remus threw a shirt at Harry to add to his bag. "Of course. Since you came back Mrs.Weasley's cookies barely stretch through the day."

Harry tried to look hurt. "I'm a growing boy, ask everyone. How could you deny me wholesome snacks? That hurts Remus."

Remus threw the remaining clothes at Harry. "A dozen at a time brat is not a snack, and unless you're planning to grow as wide as your cousin I wouldn't suggest using growing as an excuse."

Harry sighed a mock sigh. "You're a cruel man Remus. Just for that my first owl home goes to Mrs. Weasley to tell her of sudden decree that Grimmauld place is going on a diet."

Remus looked horror stricken for a moment. "You wouldn't."

Harry looked him dead in the eye with a smirk. "Try me."

Remus raised his arms in surrender. "You win, just leave our food alone or Headquarters would be filled with rioting members starving for table scraps. Then what would poor Padfoot eat?"

Harry looked down to the puppy in question who seemed to always be within three feet of Remus at all times. "Fair enough. But only for his sake. I'd hate to be accused of starving the dog."

Padfoot barked in reply and dragged one of Harry's old shoes from under the bed with a hopeful expression. Harry nodded his head with a wry smile. "You can have it, mutt."

Remus shrunk Harry's trunk and the three of them walked downstairs to the living room. All the Order members living there were around and everyone wished him a safe trip. A Portkey to Platform 9 ¾ later and Harry soon found himself on his way back to Hogwarts with all his friends laughing about their great holiday.

Harry agreed with Neville later that this was the best Christmas ever.