Chapter 26

After the group cleaned up the sitting area and put their things away they decided to get ready for the trip to Potter Manor. Tonks would be staying with her parents for the time they were there and would return when they did.

Harry of course could be found in his room preparing what he would bring. He had decided to keep his magical things at Grimmauld yet brought a book on History with him. He made sure to pack a few items of clothing that would be good to have. You never knew if the Potters had a dinner party planned or not. When he finished though he still had three hours to go and so with a grin on his face he changed into sweet pants and a t-shirt before going down to the dueling chamber.

A pone his arrival he set the chamber up to his liking. High level, Death Eaters and dark creatures. For a moment nothing happened but suddenly Death Eaters started to appear and shot spells his way. He would duck and roll away before attacking back. That went on for a good two hours until the simulation was cut short by Sirius.

"Why you stop it dad?" Harry asked confused.

"You've been at it for two hours Harry, not only that but you seem tired. Go up and take a shower and change so that you're ready to go to Potter Manor. Don't want to be late or your mother is going to kill me." He answered causing Harry to chuckle.

"Sure thing dad but you do know that you are already dead because you made me a 'death trap' as she calls it." Harry remarked causing Sirius to wince.

"Didn't you promise not to mention that to her. It's best if she doesn't know until later." He stated causing Harry to grin.

"Understood dad, well best get to that shower."

With that Harry left the dueling room leaving Sirius, Remus and Tonks, who stepped beside him, alone. For a moment they said nothing but then they turned to the door and walked into the recording room. The Dueling chamber was perhaps one of the most high tech things in Grimmauld. It would record any duels done in her walls and it would also compare them to previous duels done by the same person. It was called magic-tech and it was a Canadian product. Sirius was able to get it installed because he knew somebody in Canada who believed in his innocents. Swiftly they pressed a button and re-watched certain parts.

"Bloody Hell look at that. I don't think Harry's supposed to be able to do that. I know he's older then he seems but seriously not even Dumbledore could do that." Sirius remarked as he re-watched his son wandlessly send a patronus charm towards the simulated Dementors.

"I agree Sirius but you know Harry and his team. They won't share anything about their training or learning. This is all we get to see and I think Harry lets us see them. This isn't really Harry's limit, I'm sure that if we were to see Harry go to his limit that he would be even more impressive then this." Remus stated and both Tonks and Sirius had to agree.

"Harry would have made a bloody brilliant Auror you know. But I don't think he will go into that. Harry isn't to found of the Ministry of Magic because of the incident that happened in our old time." Tonks stated.

"Yes but did you see those moves. The kid is a pure dullest!" Sirius exclaimed.

"Yes but Harry should be done his shower by now so let's go up and finish getting ready. We're leaving in a few minutes anyway." Remus remarked causing Sirius to sigh and Tonks to giggle.

"Good luck at Potter Manor. Hope no major fights go down." Tonk's stated before she gave Remus a kiss and left the room leaving both Marauders alone.

"Don't know how I'm going to handle this Moony, I'm so used to calling Harry son that I think I'm going to slip." Sirius sighed.

"Just call him pup, Sirius. you've called him that before." Remus stated causing Sirius to chuckle.

"Yes but Harry is used to calling me dad, not Sirius." He sighed.

"Harry is a better actor then you might think Sirius, I mean he fooled us for so long and he is still fooling his parents. We will do this perfectly just you watch." Remus stated and Sirius gave a nod before fallowing his friend up the stairs and to the main level were Harry had just brought down his black bag with all his stuff for the trip to Potter Manor.

The kid was dressed in black distressed jeans and a green t-shirt, his hair was tied back and he wore a green scarf around his neck. Sirius shook his head at the sight. He sometimes couldn't help but think that Harry would have made a great Slytherin with his love for green.

"All ready Harry?" Remus asked and Harry turned to look at them.

"Almost just got to you know get my jacket on. We are apperating there aren't we?" Harry asked and Remus gave a nod.

"Yes we are." Sirius answered before getting his stuff.

Soon enough the trio were gathered in the entrance hall. Remus wore a brown cloak, Sirius wore a muggle jacket and Harry wore a muggle jacket as well but his had fur on the hood. With nods they gathered there things, Harry making sure his pup was safe in his jacket before they left to step into the morning yet deserted street of Grimmauld. For a moment they looked around then Harry turned to both marauders.

"See you there." he stated and with that he disappeared causing both Sirius and Remus to blink.

"Silent Apperating, interesting." Remus murmured before he and Sirius disappeared as well.

When they appeared it was to stand in-front of the gates to Potter Manor. For a moment Harry looked around then started to walk towards the gates. Once there he touched them with his hand. They glowed before opening up for him. Walking onto the grounds, the gates closed and sealed themselves giving the trio the go ahead to go towards the manor.

Walking up the pathway they chatted about different things until they arrived at the door. The moment they were about to knock the door was through open to reveal an ecstatic Mia and Demeter.

"Harry!" Mia screamed before jumping into his arms and hugging him causing Harry to chuckle.

"It's good to see you again as well Mia. I missed you." He murmured causing the girl to smile.

"Missed you to big brother, Demeter is so boring." Mia whined causing Demeter to scowl and Harry to smirk.

"Well we just might have to work on fixing that won't we." He stated and Mia nodded her head vigorously.

Suddenly a little bark was hard and Mia blinked before letting go of Harry. Harry laughed softly before pulling his jacket a bit. With that the Storm Grim was able to pop it's head out of his jacket and look around.

"You got a dog!" She exclaimed causing Harry to smirk.

"Not exactly a dog Mia, this is my Storm Grim, Zeus." Harry introduced causing the girl to blink.

"Well Draco did say you had an affinity to Grims." Demeter murmured while looking a little hesitantly at the Grim before approached and petting it's head. "Still he's cute."

"Oh our apologies come on in." Mia exclaimed and with that the three were lead inside were the doors were closed. Seconds after that the elder Potters arrived. The moment they saw the three they brightened.

"Harry!" Lily exclaimed but she seemed hesitant to hug him. Harry knew why, it wasn't because of his knew bet but because she didn't know if he would let her hug him. For a moment he debated with himself before approaching her and wrapping his arms around her.

"Merry Christmas mum." he whispered causing the woman to smile as she hugged him back.

"Merry Christmas Harry." She whispered back.

After letting go Harry turned to his father and stood there for a moment before shooting him a smirk.

"How it going paps!"

"Doing good, Merry Christmas son." James answered before giving him a one armed hug.

"How is it going James?" Remus greeted his old friend who shot him a smile.

"Better, you old friend?" he asked.

"It's going great." Remus answered.

"Lily, Merry Christmas." Sirius greeted the red head causing the woman to smile.

"Merry Christmas to you as well Sirius, may I ask why you have a cowboy hat?" She asked causing Harry and Sirius to smirk together.

"It's my Christmas present from Harry!" He exclaimed proudly causing Mia to burst out laughing. "What don't you guys like it?"

"I like it Sirius its just I never though Harry would go clothe shopping for another guy." She laughed causing Harry and Sirius to scowled.

"It's a hat, not clothes!" Harry exclaimed.

"Yes, whatever you say big brother." Mia laughed causing Harry to sigh and look down at Zeus.

"They are so mean sometimes." he murmured yet the pup only barked and liked his noise causing him to laugh.

"What's that you go Harry?" Lily asked.

"Remus gave me Zeus for Christmas." Harry answered as he took the Storm Grim out of his coat and held him in his arms.

"It's cute, what bread is it?" Lily exclaimed causing Sirius, Remus and Harry to grin.

"It's a Storm Grim." he answered causing Lily to pale quite a bit.

"A..."

"A Storm Grim, my new familiar." Harry repeated and Demeter notice how Harry was tensing and swiftly jumped into action.

"Hey mum, dad why don't I lead Harry to his room, you brother/brother time, Mia can come while you lead Uncle Sirius and Uncle Remus to their rooms." He suggested and before she could say anything he took Harry's hand and with Mia they raced from the room leaving the adults alone.

Thankfully Harry didn't protest but still both younger Potters could feel that Harry wasn't at all happy. At last they arrived at Harry's room and once they entered it Harry looked around. It had been a long time since he had seen this room and truthfully he had thought it would be longer. The place hadn't really changed but Harry could see that his bed had been slept in. Frowning he walked over and sat down. Just then he noticed other things in the room such as the bookshelf. People had gone through the books he had left behind. His closet was slightly open, and his desk had been looked through as well.

"Who was in here?" he asked confused.

"Well mum sort of went through panic mod, apparently and she slept in your room for a night. It seemed like you leaving had done something or she just didn't think you would come today. Anyway, dad also did a search to see if he could find your location somewhere here." Demeter answered causing Harry to sigh.

"I can tell you that mum and dad were quite shocked by the extend of your library. Mum said something about you having quite a few advanced books for muggles and even advanced magical books. She didn't understand that but I suppose she just thought you were trying to figure out the world you would 'never' belong to." Mia stated while sarcastically saying the never.

"I see, well I sort of left those behind because they aren't that advanced." Harry sighed while taking his winter coat off and laying it on his bed. Meanwhile Zeus was sniffing around the room and Harry watched him go.

"Harry I know what you're thinking but you have to see it through their eyes. Mum and dad are not used to Grims, they are – well they think that Grims are the omens of death. You and I both know it isn't true." Demeter said causing Harry to chuckle darkly.

"That's what you think, you know what they used to call me Demeter?" Harry asked causing Demeter and Mia to blink in confusion.

"No."

"They used to call me the bringer of death. People were afraid of me not just the Death Eaters, of course nobody but my team knew that I, Harry Potter, was the Leader of the Grim Reapers, but still the thought that although I had saved lives I was still feared by the light ate me up inside. I have always had a strong connection with Grim's Demeter, like Draco told you. It's hard for me not to love Grims." Harry whispered his eyes dimming.

For a while there was silence but then Mia clapped her hands.

"Enough of this sad stuff! Let's do something fun!" She exclaimed causing Harry to chuckle.

"Here open these." Harry said as he pulled two gifts from his bag and handed them to his brother and sister.

Both grinned but told Harry to wait and raced from the room. When they returned they were both holding wrapped boxes that they soon handed to Harry who accepted them. Together the three siblings started to open their gifts. Demeter was delighted when he found a rare books on Magical Creatures around the world. Mia found herself in great happiness when she spotted a book on dueling and when she opened it was shocked to see little comments in it.

"Harry why are their comments all over it?" She asked curiously yet Harry gave her a smirk.

"That book used to be mine. I thought that you wouldn't mind this hand me down considering it has all sorts of tricks and things to help you go through the book." He stated causing Mia to squeal with delight.

"You are the best Harry!"

"I'm glad you like it." He murmured before looking down at his. He blinked for a moment before recognizing what it was Demeter had given him. It was a small statue of a grim.

"I was able to get it made from black onyx. It's this guy who can transform any sort of materiel into amazing things. I thought you would like it." He said while rubbing the back of his head.

"It's brilliant Demeter, really brilliant." Harry exclaimed while picking the grim statue up and looking it over.

"Well that's sort of it's small size. The guy was able to place a shrinking charm on it to be released when you say the password." Demeter explained causing Harry to grin.

"That's brilliant Demeter, really."

After placing the statue gently down Harry looked at the gift Mia gave him. It was a book, not just any book though it was a photo album. The cover was made of black leather and it had the words my family written on it. When he opened it he found pictures of his child years here at Potter manor even pictures of Remus and Sirius. Harry couldn't believe it and when he turned to Mia she was blushing.

"You told us about a photo album you used to have well this is... this is a photo album I thought you would like to have as well. It's not your old one but it is one of your family." She whispered causing Harry to laugh and hug her.

"Brilliant present Mia, brilliant." he said before a crash was heard and they all looked to see Zeus on his bum with a book beside him. That caused them to laugh all together.

Back down with the adults they had moved to the sitting area and both James and lily were pale and looking at Sirius and Remus in shock.

"You actually got my son a grim?" Lily asked weakly.

"Lily it's a Storm Grim, do you know what a Storm Grim is?" Remus asked causing both Lily and James to shake their heads.

"Storm Grim's are a type of Grim but unlike the most known Grim it is not as Dark. A Storm Grim is able to sent shocks to people but he does not guard the cemeteries. A Storm Grim is also very loyal to his owner, and will grow to care and protect said owner." Remus explained.

"Grims are similar in the fact that they are very loyal, still it is only the fear that people have towards them that makes them so feared. I mean look at Padfoot, I like like a Grim." Sirius exclaimed causing both Potters to sigh.

"Yeah but it's just Grim's are hot tempered aren't they?" Lily whispered.

"Um, they are but Harry has always had an affinity with Grims." Sirius answered her causing Lily to frown along with James.

Thankfully when Harry, Mia and Demeter returned downstairs Harry was laughing and talking with both his brother in sister as if the small almost blow up had never happened. When they sat down Harry was just finishing telling them about something that happened at Nature Academy.

"So you mean the Headmistress actually let that happen!" Mia exclaimed.

"Well she sorta didn't have a choice, both Familiars were at each others necks haft the hallway was already destroyed and well you didn't want to get in the way of that lizards fireball." Harry answered causing Demeter to laugh.

"I'm sure you have experience in that situation." He laughed yet Harry only grinned.

"Nope but Ron does."

That of course caused the three to laugh yet the adults were still out of the loop. When they finally calmed down though Lily and James both turned to their son.

"Harry we want to say sorry for over reacting at your new familiar." Of course Harry only shot his mother a grin.

"It's okay mum, you're not used to Grims and stuff. Trust me people can be freaked out. I just over reacted as well. I become quite defensive of my favorite animal." He stated causing the red headed woman to laugh. "By the way were is Rose?"

"Rose had to stay at Hogwarts because she had to catch up with her work. Her Professors say that she is very much behind everybody else." Lily answered causing Harry to frown.

"Why is she so behind?" He asked.

"She's still hero worshiping me and takes more time in her fan club then anything." Demeter sighed yet it caused Harry to sigh as well.

"Brilliant, just brilliant." He muttered while shaking his head.

"Well I'm sure we can work together to help her out of this stage. Things will have to improve with her." Remus sighed.

"Remus how is she doing in Defense?" Lily asked.

"Truthfully Lily she isn't doing well at all." Remus answered with a sigh.

Thankfully the group moved from that subject to a much happier one. Harry told his parents about his time at Nature Academy and other things. Harry had even given his parents their gift and they had given him his. Harry had been shocked when he found himself looking at a set of professional Quidditch Balls. For a moment he couldn't believe it but Sirius was grinning brightly.

"Do you like it?" James asked.

"Brilliant, really brilliant." Harry whispered causing everybody to laugh. It was a well known fact that harry loved Quidditch and this was just a great gift for Harry who had been planning on buying his own Quidditch balls. "If it wouldn't be winter I'd be using them right now."

"Yet it's winter and you're not getting sick." Sirius stated causing Harry to pout and Demeter to smirk.

"You and you're Quidditch." Demeter sighed.

"Hey there is nothing wrong with Quidditch!" Mia exclaimed at the same time as Harry.

"You know for being twins you two are so different." Sirius muttered causing Harry to smirk.

"I know, I'm much more handsome." Harry stated causing Mia to grin and Demeter to pout.

Meanwhile both James and Lily were watching their son. It had been a while since they had seen him so relaxed not to mention joke about stuff like that. Harry had changed yet they didn't know how he had changed so much. The boy clearly felt comfortable in his siblings company. Looking at each other they smiled before they went into the resent conversation about the Professional Quidditch Team and who would make the world cup next year.

"I vote for Puddlemere United." Sirius stated causing Harry to smile at his godfather.

"I do as well, they have a good team and reserve team." Remus stated and James thought about it.

"You know three of their players are really young, they look as if they could be thirteen or something." James stated causing Harry to blink.

"How do you know that?" Harry asked.

"I went to their last match, it was great." He answered causing Harry to smile along with Sirius and Remus who knew that that would be something Harry would be happy about. "That seeker is pretty good."

"So you're all voting for Puddlemere?" Lily asked.

"Yap, it's either them, Bulgaria or the Irish." Harry stated thoughtfully.

Still before they could continue on with their discussion of Quidditch a house elf popped in to announce that dinner was ready. This caused them to move their conversation to the Dinning Hall were a beautiful Christmas dinner was waiting for them.

Sitting at the table Harry found himself sitting beside Demeter and his father. His mother was on the other end of the table and Remus, Mia and Sirius were on the other side of the table. That ment that Harry was looking strait at Mia.

"So Harry have you made any other friends since you went to Nature Academy?" James asked causing Harry to gulp slightly.

"Yes actually we made friends with a nice girl, her name is Annabeth and she has a unique personality." Harry stated causing Demeter to chock on his water.

"Have you heard of her Demeter?" Lily asked confused.

"Yes, yes um I've heard of her, Harry wrote to me about her." Demeter answered.

"Hey Demeter how can you and Draco be separated I thought you had to be together at all times?" Harry asked his little brother who blushed.

"The Headmaster has allowed us to separate for the Christmas Vacations because Draco had to go home for this one." Demeter answered and Harry gave a nod, he understood completely. "Same with Mia, he agreed that since I wanted to go home that we could as well, plus Astoria also had to go home, her mother was hosting this hug party that she couldn't miss because of the people attending."

"Interesting but Dumbledore is a great person, he would have understood." James stated and Harry privately agreed.

"How is the whole teaching thing Remus, I mean Demeter here says you're a great Professor." Lily stated causing Remus to brighten.

"Teaching is a brilliant think Lily, I'm thankful to Albus for letting me." Remus stated and both Lily and James gave Remus sad yet understanding looks.

"You are a great Professor, Uncle Remus. I hear all the other students commenting on your classes." Mia stated causing the man to smile at the young girl.

"I'm glad to hear you like my teaching method Mia, Demeter. I've been told that I have a unique way of teaching." he stated and the others agreed.

For the rest of the night things went very smooth. After super they group moved to the sitting area were a fire was set up and they were enjoying their time. Zeus had come down to be with Harry and currently the pup was asleep on his owners lap. When the late hours came down Harry, Mia and Demeter left to go to bed while the adults stayed to talk about different things.

"Have a good night pup." Sirius said and Harry smiled before going up to his room.

Arriving in his room Harry went to his bag and got changed into a pair of gray pajama pants that were slightly big. After that he jumped into the bed and rested his head against his old pillow. It felt weird sleeping there but the moment Zeus cuddled to his side he smiled and went to sleep. Today had been a good day and had ended well.