The world of Harry Potter belongs to J.K. Rowling.
Dedicated to my sister... The one who believed in story and gave it a chance...
Ron sat in James's room. Two of Potter boys sat on the bed and listened their Uncle. Both of them looked sceptically at Ron as he told them about the day. They didn't know what to believe. Their Uncle was telling them that their Mother was alive after all and that they had a sister?
Albus was hoping that it was true. Since he was a year old when everything happened, he doesn't remember either of his parents except stories that Aunt and Uncle told them. And now does that mean that he can have his family back again? And this time he'll have someone younger to play, someone who'll understand him better than his older brother? But also he was scared that this was just a trick, a dream that they're going to wake up soon only to find themselves parentless one more time. He bit his lip as he continued to listen his Uncle.
James was completely another story. Even though his face was neutral on the outside, he had conflict in the inside. He felt, hopeful? But at the same time betrayed, conflicted… he still remembered that night, even though in fragments. He remembered his Mothers lifeless body, father in the court, first few hard weeks with his Aunt and Uncle, Albus screaming for his Mother… a broken man in the cell that he saw not so while ago… it all seemed glued into is mind, unable to erase itself. And now, his Uncle was telling them that their Mother was alive all the time. One part of him was ashamed to think what h was thinking, that this better not be true. If that was the case, why was she away? She could've come home, be here with them, they could be happy family! On the other hand she decided to be away from them and it hurt! It hurt to think that he was betrayed by his own Mother.
"I know its lot to take in, guys. But I promise that I'm telling the truth!" Ron said looking for boys' reaction.
"Are you sure that this is true? Mommy's back?" Al asked in quiet voice.
"It is Al… she's back…" said Ron.
Albus leaped into Ron's lap. His Uncle hugged him and let Albus to take it all in. Ron looked carefully toward James. Boy haven't shown any emotions since Ron told them that Ginny was actually alive. As Ron opened his mouth to speak, James stood up from bed and went toward shelf. He took a book and lied on the bed.
"Jamie-"Ron started but boy interrupted him.
"Can I be alone, Uncle? Please?" James asked in a small voice.
Albus just looked at his brother. Ron silently showed Al to follow him out of the room. As doors closed, James put his book down. He inhaled shakily as he looked at ceiling. It was just too much, too much of everything. Soft meow came from the floor. He looked down, only to see Lou looking up at him. James scooped him and placed knaezle in his lap. Lou settled down and began purring as James gently stroked his fur. Silence was still settled on the room. James didn't know what to think. It was all so sudden… too quick…
Knock shook James out of his thoughtfulness. He looked up to see Teddy standing at the doorway.
"May I come in?" he asked.
James nodded. Teddy entered and closed doors behind him. He sat down on James's bed petting Lou for a bit.
"I know James."
"What do you know?"
"I know it's too much to take in. it's still hard to believe for myself." Teddy said.
James didn't answer. He was looking down in his lap. He just couldn't find any words to say. Teddy shifted enough to let James come in the hug.
"It's just…" James tried to explain himself.
Teddy just held him letting James to tell everything that sat on his mind.
"It's just all messed up! I don't know what to think! Why is she alive! Doesn't she love us anymore?! Why didn't she come back?! She's our mommy, why did she leave us?!" James continued to mumble, tears slowly falling down his face.
Teddy just sat and listened. He could understand James's hurt, but also… Uncle Ron tried to explain everything to him and Aunt Hermione. It all seemed mixed up in his head still. Ever since that moment Ron walked thru that door, Teddy could not take his fateful words out of his head.
Ginny's alive.
At first he didn't think anything due the shock. The same could be said for Hugo and Aunt Hermione. He suddenly remembered their meeting in the park. He was afraid to think that it could be true. But as time passed truth slowly nestled in his mind. Aunt Hermione quickly collected boys from Aunt Angelina and Uncle George. Rose stayed for a sleepover, Uncle Ron thought that it would be the best if they were alone for today. As they came, Uncle Ron and boys went upstairs in James's room. Both Teddy and Aunt Hermione sat at the kitchen for half an hour while Uncle Ron was giving the news to boys. Albus came down alongside Uncle Ron, but James was nowhere in soon as Albus saw Aunt Hermione, he ran toward her embrace. Teddy knew that something's amiss. Immediately he went toward James's room and found James in current state.
"Jamie…" Teddy started as he looked at young boy in his lap "Have Uncle Ron explained why Ginny was absent?"
James just shrugged. Teddy sighed as he began talking.
"She didn't remember. She thought that she was all alone on the world… if she knew who she really is, I'm sure that she'd come back immediately. Both she and your sister"
James stiffened at the mention of little girl.
"So mum found someone else to be?" he asked quietly.
"I don't think so. Uncle Ron said that Ginny told him that she was pregnant during the attack. To be honest with you, I'm glad she was because… well you don't remember it, but your parents always longed for a little girl. Especially Ginny since she was all alone in a house full of wonderful strong men" James snickered n that as he listened "She's back, Jamie. It's all going to be all right now. You're going to be a family…"
James just smiled at the thought, family… he sat up and hugged Teddy. He smiled as Teddy's usual Turquoise hair changed in black one. He felt Teddy's hand making slow circles on his back.
"Teddy?" James whispered
"Yeah?"
"You're the best godbrother that exists!"
Teddy laughed as he asked.
"Now am I? Don't let Rose hear you, I do not think that you'll survive long enough to apologise."
James just laughed as he snuggled in Teddy's embrace. Neither of the boys saw that someone was looking them at the doors. Ron smile gently as he closed the door them leaving them alone.
Kate nervously walked outside of a small room where Matron worked. Only thing that held her on her legs was that Harry was still alive, but barely. Dementors took big swing this time. She never saw anyone react like this to them. She was afraid. No, she was terrified. What could be the worst case scenario? Harry not remembering anyone? Being completely unresponsive in comatose state, but still alive… she heard doors of a corridor being opened.
She looked up and saw William coming toward her alongside with Harold. Will quickly hugged her as she melted in his embrace.
"Will, what if Harry's lost, what if he-?" she began to mumble not able to stop herself.
"Hey, hey love. It's going to be ok. If anyone could survive that, it's Harry. Ok? We just need to wait and hope for the best." William said as she scooped her face in his hands.
Kate nodded as she kissed him slowly. Harold cleared his throat making couple split up.
"Should I call Ron?" he asked.
"Yes!" "No!" said both Kate and William at the same time.
"What do you mean by no? William, if anyone has right to know-"Kate began.
"We will call him when Harry is stabilised. Until then, there's no point in giving him more worries. Also he has to take care of a clue." William said leaving no room for objections.
"Do you know what Ron was referring to when he mentioned that clue? Did he say-?" Asked Harold.
"He did not." Answered William "He just said for permission of getting Harry out of Azkaban, nothing else. He asked me not to try to find out what is it, he said it will be clear tomorrow, or better say today."
Kate looked at William's watch that showed midnight. They sighed as they waited. Not a minute has passed as doors opened.
Albus was lying between his Aunt and Uncle fast asleep. James was asleep with Teddy in his room. It was thirty minutes past midnight. Hermione and Ron were still awake. Neither of them talked, they just watched young boy sleep between them. Hermione looked up at Ron and whispered.
"I may sound selfish, but… I'm going to miss them…"
"I understand" Ron said "But we can still steal them for sleepovers"
Hermione chuckled as she kissed Albus's head. Little boy stirred, but didn't wake up. She looked up at Ron to see him smiling. He came closer and gave her small kiss. Just in that moment, tapping noise was heard from the window. They looked at each other as Ron stood up. Owl was sitting waiting to be let in the house. Ron opened the window and took letter that owl was carrying. Ron quickly took it. Owl was not waiting for Ron to do his reply, she flew away leaving Ron with a letter. Hermione was worriedly watching him, not daring to move and wake Albus up.
Ron opened the letter as he recognised William's handwriting.
Harry's out. He's currently under Matron's care, nothing to worry about. We are awaiting the cue tomorrow, William
Ron sighed as he put letter on the table.
"Harry's out."
Hermione sighed in relief. She smiled as Ron came back in the bed. They both looked down at Albus. Things were going to be different now, things were going to be good.
Three aurors were standing by the bed. All of them were thankful that things played out the way they did. They couldn't bare what were possible consequences if they didn't take Harry out when they did. Matron told them that it was possible that Harry would not survive another week if he was left inside the walls of Azkaban.
Kate was looking at once handsome face of her fellow college. It was so painful just to think thru what he was going for seven years. She looked at William and then Harold. Both of them had not shown any expressions but she could imagine what things were passing thru their minds right now.
As soon as Matron said that Harry's going to be all right, William went to send Ron a letter. Tomorrow, hopefully, Harry's going to be free man, father hat should stay with his children from the beginning. She didn't want to think how hard it'll be at first. It is a question how much boys remember of Harry. And to live without Ginny, rough time is in front of him, but he'll manage. She knew he will. She came closer and squeezed Harry's hand. It was like she didn't took anything. Harold sighed as he came closer.
"What now?" he asked.
"We wait for tomorrow." William said.
"And what after tomorrow?" Kate said quietly.
"We hope for the best…"
William took Harry's glasses that were placed on the small table next to bed. He could see they were cracked on the left side He chuckled as he repaired them with simple charm and sat them down.
"I wonder how many times I'll repair his glasses." He said.
Harold just shook his head.
"He may be great auror, saviour of the Wizarding world, but with those glasses he's lost case. I remember when I was at the finishing of my training with him. One of many things that I learned from him is to never take off your glasses. Especially around kids!"
"What do you-?" asked Kate while looking at Harold.
"Remember when he had to watch small Teddy? Little guy may be four at the time." said Harold.
"I think I'm lost…" said Kate looking at them.
"You were at the mission" William said remembering the day.
"Harry took Teddy on job. He was working on some small case and was just going thru papers. I remember he was tired that day. He placed his glasses on the table. Little Teddy thought it would be fun if he took his godfather's glasses and run away. He chased Teddy all over the auror office without no one to help him. Not like they wanted to though. I remember him screaming and me and"
"Threaten you that I will not let you pass." said small hoarse voice from the bed.
Next morning came quickly. James was preparing to come down for a breakfast as he heard knocking at the door. He turned just in time to see Albus coming in. Albus gave him little smile as he held doorknob.
"May I?" he asked quietly.
James nodded. Albus closed the doors after him. He just stood there and watched James.
"You need anything?" James asked.
The other boy shook his head and then looked at his feet. Ames sighed and came closer to his brother. They both hugged as James kissed Albus.
"I thought you are too big to give kisses! That's what you say to Auntie all the time!" said Albus chuckling at James.
"Let this be our little secret? Ok?" James asked Albus.
He nodded against his brother's chest. James looked down at him and asked.
"Is breakfast ready?"
Albus nodded but James could see that something's bothering him. He knew exactly what was on Albus's mind.
"Uncle Ron's…?"
Albus nodded. So that was it, the moment of truth. Their Uncle went to bring Mommy home. James nervously put his socks on and went downstairs alongside Albus. Teddy and Auntie Hermione were already eating. James could see smile that was on Teddy's face, smile that clearly showed how excited Teddy is. James smiled as his and Teddy's looks met. Both boys sat at the table.
"James?" he heard Aunt's voice.
James looked up at her as she went forward and hugged him. Hermione looked at him and placed gentle hand on his cheek.
"Are you alright?" James only nodded on it.
She kissed his temple as she stood up. She knew that it won't be long since they came back. He only needed to obliviate all doctors and nurses. But still it was Ron. Hermione sighed.
It was almost 40 minutes since Ron left. He should be back by now. Hugo could see that his mother was worried. It took him entire night to let it all settle down. He was happy for his cousins. They could have a family again. Hugo smiled as he took another bite of his eggs. But there was his family and his Dad still hasn't come back. He could see Kneazle walk around table. His mother was looking at Lou with non-approving look on her face. He could also see Albus secretly giving Lou a bit of a bacon when Hugo's mother had her back turned. More minutes have passed and they still waited. Finally they heard voice entering the house.
"Bloody social worker, of course that I have forgotten her! Luckily we don't have one of those here!" Ron said.
"Ron, we got it solved, that's what matters." Said the other voice, female one.
James and Albus both turned their heads toward the entrance. Suddenly, into the kitchen three most awaited persons entered alongside a small girl. After Ron, a woman entered in the room. She had so familiar flame like red hair, so familiar warm brown eyes. Both Albus and James just looked at her. First to stand up was Teddy. He ran toward her as she caught him in a strong hug, but her eyes never left two small boys. Teddy moved from her. He was looking between her and the boys. No one moved.
"MOMMY!" Albus screamed suddenly running toward Ginny.
Ginny welcomed him in a embrace. She was holding him so close it seemed she'll never let him go. Ginny kissed top of his head letting small body melt into her.
"I love you my baby, I love you so much!" she whispered al happy tears fell down her cheeks.
Albus just squeezed his hands even more, like he feared his mother may gone missing again. Ginny looked up at James. Eleven year old boy just stood there just looking at her. Finally he spoke in small voice.
"Mommy?"
She nodded as James leaped toward her and joined his brother in arms were both of them belonged.
AN: And here I am, watching the Goblet of Fire and writing new chapter... I'm sorry to tell you that we only have two more chapters left... It will be hard to say goodbye from this story, but as one chapter ends, new one opens. Now we won't get too emotional, as I said we still have two more to go, and I probably will be writing some of the missing moments of the story! But for now, have a good time while reading and I'll be retiring for a night (it left only thirty minutes till midnight here). See you soon, your E.P.o.A.