Chapter 53 – Photographs and Memories *

(From Ch. 52:

Petunia smiled at the five people and reached into the pocket of her dress for something. She pulled out a small 3-inch by 5-inch portrait in an elaborate gilded frame. She looked at it fondly for a second and then handed it Harry.

Harry and the others smiled as they seen the grouping before. Like the statue that existed in the park in Godric's Hollow it was the picture of the Potter family with Lily holding a very young Harry with James in the background standing behind them both.

Harry had looked back to see the expressions on Daphne and Astoria's faces when a voice he had only heard a few times before spoke up.

"Merlin's ghost Harry! You've certainly grown up well. Who are those gorgeous girls around you though?"

"MUM?")

"Hey look again! I'm in here too!"

Harry's mouth was still open in shock as he looked back to the magical portrait. Daphne had jumped up from her chair to support Petunia who had almost fainted after hearing the voice of her supposedly dead sister.

"Actually, there's the three of us three of us son" Lily said as she waved little Harry's hand. "Can you say hello to those people?" she said.

"Herroe" said the littlest Potter. "Hoo?" he turned and asked his mommy as he pointed outwards.

"I don't know Harrikins. Let's ask them to introduce themselves" Lily said with a look up at the people.

'Even your Mum called you Harrikins Harry' a crowing Ginny mentally exclaimed.

'I guess it could have been much worse. At least Sirius never told me about that nickname.'

"My name is Ginny. Can you say Ginny little Harry?"

"Geenie?"

"Close enough Harry; you are so cute."

Harrikins gurgled and laughed at the compliment. His father chuckled and reached down to tickle his neck. Little Harry squirmed and squealed for a second or two.

"Does Ginny have a last name?" came the question from Lily.

Harry woke up from his astonishment in time to answer that question. "Ginny's last name was Weasley before she got married."

Lily smiled for a second. "Married? You're really quite young looking to be married Ginny. But we know some Weasleys; are you related to Arthur and Molly by chance?"

"My parents in fact."

"Oh, they didn't have any girls the last we knew" Lily said and then she drew in a deep breath. "What year is it now Harry?"

Little Harry looked up at his mother puzzled at the question. He had heard his name spoken but his mommy was looking at the one boy out of all people gathered around the portrait. He was a little confused.

The teenager Harry bit his lip and hesitated a bit before he answered the question. "It turned 1995 five days ago Mum. When was this portrait made?"

"The day before you turned 1 year old. August 29nd 1981 was the day we were notified that the portraits had been completed. I picked them up in Diagon Alley and ran some errands that day."

"Including mailing a certain letter to your sister and brother-in-law about the contents of a safety deposit box?"

"Yes and you are?"

"Hermione and you wouldn't have known my parents as they were muggles."

"I'm glad my son seems to have made friends with everyone of the magical spectrum" the father said.

"Thank you, Mr. Potter. Harry has made friends with witches and wizards in all four houses at Hogwarts."

"That's good to know but you can forget saying Mr. or Mrs. Potter. We're obviously no longer alive to worry about formalities. Or are we?"

Harry shook his head 'No' but his parents didn't look too surprised at that declaration.

"I'm Astoria Greengrass and the other blond in the room is my sister Daphne." Harry aimed a grateful smile at his sister-in-law for picking up on the fact that no one had mentioned the actual last names of the 3 other girls that were clustered around.

"Lily?" came the shaky question from the couch. Harry turned the portrait around so that his family ('There was a weird thought there.') could see one of the two relatives Harry had that were still alive.

"Harry that's your Aunt Petunia there."

Petunia looked shocked but did wave back at the little arm that was being helped to wave up and down at her.

"Untpetua?"

"We'll work on that little one. Pet, I hope you got to see or visit our Harry a lot as he was growing up. And why didn't he get this portrait when he was seven or eight like I requested in that letter?" Lily said.

"Well… you see …umm… Harry, help me!"

Harry nodded and then turned the little portrait back to face him. "We all have a long tale to tell you and it's probably going to take a couple hours. Would you like it now or wait until tomorrow or the next day?"

"Where's Sirius?" came the sudden question from James. "He isn't out chasing some skirt again is he?"

"Whaz skur?"

"James!" Lily scolded. She didn't look around as she slapped the person behind her. "Watch your language! You know the little one is picking up words right and left and I don't want him spouting out certain words out of the blue."

Harry tried unsuccessfully to hide his smile. "I'll toss a sickle in the swear jar for you Dad. Wow, I can't believe I just said that."

James grinned. "Of course, there would be a swear jar if Padfoot's still around. It's a little unbelievable from this side of the barrier too. To see you so grown up after all these years. Of course, it's only been a few monthsweeks for us since we had this portrait painted. We didn't think it would be so long until you found and activated our memories."

"Harry…" Lily chuckled as both the infant she was holding and the one in the real world both turned their attention her way. "This could real confusing for the little one. What I was going to say is that there's another picture and frame we can get to. The trouble is that it's in a farmhouse out near…"

"Holyhead. We've been there, saw it and brought it back with us. I had it put up over my desk. See?" Harry turned the little picture around so his parents could see the big portrait they had rescued from the Evans Retreat. He had placed it right behind him in the study so that all he had to do was swivel around and take a look at the people he had so desperately missed every day of his young life.

James applauded the announcement. "Good thinking Harry. I told you he would be a bright lad Lils."

"I'm sure he gets it from my side of the family dear" Lily replied with a little grin and a wink out at the people in the real world. Harry was absolutely over the moon watching the interaction between his parents. "If you could place this portrait down we'll move over to the bigger frame. That way we could have more room to look around and have a decent conversation instead of everyone crowding around."

Harry stood up and walked past his desk to place the little photo next to the almost life-sized painting that rested on the mantel. It was not a big deal for Lily to rise up with little Harry and walk out of the little picture and disappear and then appear from the side of the bigger portrait and settle into the exact place she held with Harry there. Lily shrugged her shoulders once or twice to get comfortable and then stood up to see if she and her son had made the transition perfectly. She nodded and then looked out to the right of the picture. "Are you coming or do you want to be 3 inches high forever?"

James rolled his eyes and held up his hands as if to say 'See what I have to put up with?'

"Coming dear!" James walked out of the small frame and into the larger frame. He walked right in to the pose the other Dad held in the bigger picture and began moving almost immediately.

"Harry, is it the weekend or have you been skiving out of your classes? James, I knew we should have left somebody else to watch over Sirius and Harry. Look at what's he's done to our little…"

"Mum, please calm down; you're probably scaring … Harrikins with that volume. I'm not skipping out on classes. Headmaster Dumbledore and Professor McGonagall gave us permission to be away from Hogwarts for the day. We are all going to be going back thereo school in the morning."

James frowned. "What was so important that you and one, two, three, four young ladies were let out? Which one of these lovely ladies is your current girlfriendyet?. Is Sirius around? I've certainly told him enough times he shouldn't go on nighttime patrols alone."

Lily scowled and turned around to view her husband. "What do you mean current James? Are you accusing our son of trying to …"?

Petunia stood up before any more conversations vaguely accusing her nephew of wrongdoing started up or her sister(?) got into another squabble with her husband. "Stop! Both of you. Harry and the others were excused from classes today because they had to attend a funeral. Vernon's funeral!"

Lily's face fell. "Oh, I'm so sorry Petunia." Both the Potters in the portrait seemed a little stunned at the sad news. Somehow the littlest Potter picked up on the feelings around himinvolved and started crying. Lily looked over her shoulder to her husband. "Your turn I believe?"

"Okay, I'll take him." James picked his son carefully and walked out of the side of the picture but stopped just before he left the picture entirely. "Don't talk about me too much while I'm gone."

Lily shook her head and waved her husband away. "Sorry about that, I guess our Harry may need to food and sleep like a regular child. There's room here at the farmhouse at least. Only mature magical portraits can do without."

"Does that mean he will grow up in your picture as time goes by?" Astoria asked.

"We're not sure and neither was the painter. He hadn't painted any babies before he started on usus." Lily turned to look straight at her sister. "I'm sorry I'm in here Petunia. It looks like you could use a good hug now."

Harry came up and drew his aunt closer by wrapping one arm around her shoulder and pulling her a little sideways. "She's had plenty of support since Vernon had his heart attack. Dudley's upstairs watching television with his magical girlfriend and heris aunt who is a neighbor of Aunt Petunia's."

Lily had a thoughtful look on her face as she tried to digest all thathe information. "Harry, would you mind terribly if Petunia and I had a private conversation for a while? There's so much I want to ask and talk to you about but I hope Petunia would probably want to be with her sister for a little bit."

"Thank you Lily" came the grateful reply from Petunia.

"I have no problem with that Mum. We'll probably just go to the kitchen and sit around and talk a bit ourselves."

"Ginny?"

"Mrs. Potter?"

"JustIts Lily remember? You appear very young but I was just going to ask you if your husband was going to be asking where you are?"

"He's very understanding about the time I spend away from him Lily."

"He sounds like a good man."

"The very best!"

"Harry, would you take the little picture with you? I'll send your father along whether he comes back with you or not. Oh that was confusing; I'm sorry."

"Don't worry about it. If you want, you could call me Jamie when the baby is around."

"Jamie?"

"He responds to that at school when there's been another Harry in our classes" Daphne said slyly.

Lily frowned. "Are you sure it's not because uses that name for pranking?"

"MUM!"

Lilly smiled and chuckled just a little. "I'll talk to you in a little bit if it's not past your bedtime when we finish in here. Off you go 'Jamie'."

'Bedtime?' Hermione's mental voice was shocked.

'OH NO! What could I possibly say about that? To her?'

'That neither of your parent's portraits are EVER going to allowed into that room after dark' Hermione answered accompanied by lot of mental dread.

'Before dark either' Ginny broadcast with some embarrassment.

Harry disregarded the mental comments and nodded up to his Mum. He picked up the smaller frame from the mantelpiece, exited the study and headed for the kitchen with the four girls. Astoria stopped halfway there and said she was just going to head home to her own bed and see them in the morning. "You'll just have to tell me tomorrow how you're breaking the news to your Mum that 'little Harrikins' is married to three separate girls at the tender age of 15."

Harry took in a deep breath to respond to the little blond but suddenly let it out and dropped his head. "Okay but I don't think that topic is going to end well for mee pretty. Oh, I meant to tell you; tThere's a spare copy of the Tournament rules hanging in the Champion's room in the library Tori. If you floo back to school in time you can make a copy before breakfast."

"Okay" Astoria took a step away but then turned back to give Harry a hug. "I hope she isn't too mad at you. I could talk to her if you want."

Harry dropped a kiss to the top of Astoria's head. "That offer earns you a month off from teasing Tori."

Astoria broke free and pouted. "That's no fun." She turned to Daphne. "You coming home tonight sis?"

"I will unless we have to explain everything to the Potters."

"James and Lily" Harry said.

"Not unless she actually offers the 3 wives that familiarity" Hermione said a little nervouslysadly.

Astoria nodded in understanding and went around and exchanged hugs with Ginny and Hermione before leaving for the floo room. Just before she disappeared around a corner Astoria called back. "You are in such trouble Harrikins!"

"Forget about that month off then Metrice!" Harry said with a laugh.

"Arrggh! Boys!" went the fading voice and the Potters all laughed. Harry turned and finished walking with the 3 girls to a kitchen. Once there they grabbed some water bottles and started talking about what was going to happen now that Harry had his 'family' back.

There were no good answers other than Harry expected his parents to want to see to a lot of people. Primarily Sirius, Remus and Dumbledore. Harry finally said he was okay bringing the little portrait to school but would not be nearby when those talks happened.

It was a couple minutes later that Daphne asked if Harry wanted to let the house elves know that a magical picture had been found of his parents. Harry slapped his head. "Uhh, it's just been too long a day" he said gloomily.

Calling for Knop, Llasol and Tride Harry told them the good news and that he didn't know when his parents would like to talk to anybody. He asked them to spread the news around but not to wake up any of the house elves if they had already retired for the day.

They were still debating what they should tell James and Lily first when James appeared back in the little picture that was on the breakfast nook table. He was carrying a sleeping Harry who clutched a stuffed toy dragon. "Hi again, Lils and Petunia were still talking and she sent me here. I have to say that I'm impressed that my son has surrounded himself with such three examples of beautiful witches. You haven't caused any trouble with their boyfriends by hanging out with these friends of yours?"

"Actually, I really don't have a boyfriend at this moment" Daphne said as calmly as she could.

"And Ginny and I knew Harry before we even started Hogwarts so we've been friends for a long time" Hermione said.

"That's really good. Have you some male friends Harry or are you just concentrating on witches to get you through Hogwarts?"

"Dad! The guys… went right back to school after the service. I have good friends in Neville Longbottom, Ginny's brother Ron…"

"Harry has lots of male friends in all four of the Houses at school – even Slytherin" Ginny explained.

"Sorry everyone; old prejudices. My friends and I had a totally different experience than what you seem to be going through. I'm glad about that."

'I'm changing the topic Harry. Hope you don't mind.'

'Go right on ahead Hermione. I'm a little overwhelmed actually talking to my parents.'

"Are you curious Mr. Potter… err, James about what happened to you and Lily back then? Why you…"

"…died? I supposed now's as good a time as any. And I get the feeling Harry would like to like to avoid that discussion with his mother as long as possible."

"Good call Dad. I haven't ever dealt too well with upset or crying females."

'But your so much better now than you were.'

"You took Mum and I to the cottage in Godric's Hallow in the fall of 1981 and had the Fidelius charm put on it to keep Voldemort or the Death Eaters from finding us. On October 31st, Halloween, the secret keeper led Voldemort to our front door and killed you and Mum because he heard about the prophecy."

"Who did we use as the secret keeper Harry?"

Harry was surprised at the suspicion in his Dad's voice and he looked up to see the clenched jaw and narrowed eyes as he almost demanded the answer.

"Everyone thought it was Sirius but it wasn't him. He talked you into making the secret keeper somebody that most people wouldn't suspect."

"And that was…?"

"Don't get mad now Dad. The betrayer has been caught and is awaiting the Veil for his crimes."

"Just give me the name Harry so I can explain it to your mother."

"I hate giving you bad news but the person you trusted but did betray us was…"

A sudden cold wind swept through the kitchen and Harry felt the hairs on the back of his neck stand up as goosebumps went up and down his spine. "What was that?" Harry asked looking around.

James looked around the kitchen and at the four suddenly nervous teenagers. He pulled a wand and cast a spell on the sleeping infant. "Well if we were still alive, I would say it would it would be your moth…."

"HARRY JAMES POTTER!"

Harry wasn't sure it the sound came from the hallway, the little picture or both but he cringed at the anger that was carried in the voice.

James looked sideways and then suddenly jumped up from the bench he had been sitting on. He got behind it and tried using it as both a shield and a hiding place as a livid Lily Potter stormed into the picture. She turned and glared out at her son. "EXPLAIN YOURSELF YOUNG MAN!"

Harry tried smiling. "Hi again Mum."

"HI NOTHING! You are going to sit there and explain to your father and me HOW and WHY you have THREE wives!"

James sounded just as outraged and mad at this piece of information but Ginny saw him smile and give his son a discrete thumbs-up where Lily couldn't see it.

"We were going to try breaking that small little detail to you both tomorrow actually" Harry said very sheepishly.

"Small little detail! Small little detail he says. You are not moving from that seat young man until we get some answers!"

Ginny stood up. "Before the explanation gets started I'm going to get some tea for at least me. Who else wants some?"

The other two girls and Harry nodded and Ginny leaned over and gave Harry a kiss on the cheek. Before she had taken a couple of steps Luff appeared and began making a pot for everyone. "I guess I'll start off."

'Feel free to jump in anytime at all Mrs. Potters.'

Harry took a settling breath before he turned back to face his parents. "You might as well sit down and get comfortable. This is going to take a long, long time. Like I had just started to tell Dad, Halloween 1981 Voldemort was taken to your place at Godric's Hollow by Peter Pettigrew and killed the both of you before turning the killing curse on me."

"What!"

"He didn't!"

"Why are you still alive Harry?"

"Because of the sacrifice the both of you made to protect me. Somehow it made the curse rebound back on…"

Xxxx xxx

Harry and the other three girls trudged into the Great Hall just after breakfast started. He sat down between Ginny and Hermione while Daphne went to join Astoria at the Slytherin table. He thought about what had happened in the last twelve hours:

They had stayed up until midnight explaining just the very basics of Harry's life up to the point where the picture containing them had activated. Specifically, the marriages and how they had happened. Harry had glossed over or entirely skipped the adventures he had gone through every year apart from the incident with the basilisk at the end of their second year. The silence that greeted that disclosure had absolutely stunned both James and Lily. In that silence, Harry had reminded his father of the old marriage contract that existed between the House of Greengrass and the House of Potter. He then saw Lily's anger become focused on James rather than Sirius, Dumbledore or himself. Before the pair got too far arguing about who was responsible that Lily should have been made aware of the contract, Harry turned the portrait face down on the table silencing the couple. He turned the portrait up once he heard the voices stop.

"I'm sorry, but I did warn you that it was a very long story. And we have classes tomorrow morning. I will take you to Hogwarts tomorrow and you can talk to Dumbledore. But we four need to get some sleep."

"And, by the way" Hermione added as she stood up, "Padfoot and Mooney will be there too. They're actually instructors now."

Both James' and Lily's mouth dropped open in surprise and all four of the Potters wished them a good evening. The foursome exited the kitchen together and the two parents began talking to each other in rapid whispers. Daphne then returned to the kitchen for a few last things to say to her newly found in-laws. "Don't worry about what happens in Harry's bed tonight. All we are capable of doing now is sleeping. Lily, I hope the four of us Potter women can sit down and talk quietly someday soon about certain private things?"

"I would really love the chance to know all of you better. Thank you, Daphne. Or do you prefer Mrs. Potter now?"

"I love being one of the Mrs. Potters but please call me Daphne as you're part of my family also. We also have some other titles but that's also a totally different discussion for another day."

"And Mr. Potter… James", Daphne said, "please don't bother asking Harry about any bedroom activities. He's too much of a gentleman to actually say anything about the bed we all occupy in various combinations."

"Well there's some sense" Lily said as her cheeks flushed red. "I guess my husband and I will talk about what we know so far and see you in the morning Daphne."

"Thank you, Lily. I also need to tell you both that Harry is very, very happy that he'll get to see and talk to you from now on."

"Thank you, Daphne."

James nodded in agreement. "Yes thanks. We're going to talk about all we've learned until you call us in the morning. Sweet dreams then."

Harry rewarded Daphne with a kiss when he was told about the parting words she gave his parents. He smiled at her as he looked across the Great Hall before reaching for another cup of coffee. Llasol had greeted the foursome as they had exited the master suite with 4 Pepper-up potions and that had done a world of good in counteracting the late night retirement.

Harry was almost finished with breakfast when he felt a tap on his shoulder and turned around to see Sirius standing there. "Dumbledore would like to see and talk to you today at lunch about what happened at the cemetery."

"We'll be there. You might want to invite Remus, Minerva, and 'Professor' Runnels there to dive into the pensieve to view our memories. I have a bit of other news you might like too."

"Like what?"

"And ruin the surprise?" Harry asked.

"I could threaten you with demerits for withholding information" Sirius said with a small grin.

"And I'll trade that in for helping a worthy student revising."

"Like who?"

"Like me" Ginny said piping up. "I always could use Harry's 'help' in going over my physiology studies."

Sirius winced and put his hands over his ears. "I'm so going to forget you ever said that Lady Ginny. You lot get out of here before you're late for transfiguration."

Sirius turned back toward the teacher's table as the Gryffindor's and the Potters started chuckling and gathering up their things. Harry waited near the Great Doors until Daphne and Astoria came up to them.

"What did you do to Professor Black?" Astoria asked Harry.

"Just reminded him that some people can't be intimidated much. Oh, and Tori, if you want to see what happened in the cemetery, you're invited to come to the headmaster's office before lunch."

"Really?"

"Really. Professor Dumbledore wants to know what happened so I thought Hermione or I would provide memory for his pensieve and everyone could see it at the same time."

"Wow! Of course, I'll be there, I want to see that big beast that you conjured up."

Daphne slapped a hand over her sister's mouth. "Shhhh! What have I said about saying things out loud."

"Sorry, sorry!"

"It's okay Tori, I put a silencing spell around us because you kind of get excited sometimes."

"Oh, I'd better get to Charms then. You didn't slip your parents picture to Sirius?"

"Well I didn't want him telling everybody about it" Harry said with a smile. "Mum and Dad actually wanted to see someone else first."

"Okay. I gotta go." Astoria hugged Daphne quickly and then hurried to her first class of the morning.

"That means we better move along quickly too."

"Yes Hermione" came the response from the other three Potters and they joined up with some of the other hurrying students leaving the Great Hall.

Professor McGonagall was just finishing a cup of tea and rereading the front pages of The Daily Prophet and The Quibbler before her first class of the morning. The former page was devoted to the surprise attack on an unnamed magical family and the auror response that was backed up by several healers and mediwitches from St. Mungos. Minerva was glad that for once the name of Harry Potter and his wives wasn't being singled out for special attention. She wasn't sure if Madame Bones had threatened the new publishers with charges if she saw their names anywhere in the paper or it was the fact that the Potters were majority stockholders in the business now. Either one was a reason for rejoicing that Harry was not going to be the center of attention of the school for the next few days.

On the other hand, The Quibbler's headline was a totally different take on the events of the prior day. 'Appearance of Last and Largest of Oriental Goodlemerhoxx prompts Auror Response.' Minerva had no clue what a Goodlemerhoxx was but there was a vague sketch of a large upright reptilian thing with a long tail.

As the last warning bell of the first class rang, Minerva folded up the papers into a drawer in her desk and vanished her empty tea cup. She turned to see that the examples for today's 4th year lesson were displayed prominently on the blackboard and walls She had copied and enlarged a few pages from one of Mrs. Robinson's study guides and some back issues of Witch Weekly that always seemed to be found in the Gryffindor common room.

As students began filing into the room Minerva stood up and walked to the doorway to say 'Good Morning' to the students. It was the Gryffindors, Slytherins and the few wizards from Durmstrang that were here first off and Minerva was glad that most of the Slytherin and foreign students had responded back to her greetings. It was a vast change from certain behaviors from 3 years ago and the Transfiguration professor laid it squarely on the efforts of the last four students who rushed through the doorway. Harry Potter and his three wives.

The professor returned to the front of the classroom and turned around to address her class. "We've come to the point of the curriculum that will probably excite our witches a lot more than the wizards here. Transforming items into clothes."

Hearing the shouts of happiness and groans from different sections of the classroom Professor McGonagall held up her hand. "Yes, yes: I am aware of all the thoughts that are going through your minds right now but we will be starting with something simple that both genders can make use of instead of specializing into different types of formal wear which we'll tackle in a few weeks."

"Mr. Black?"

"Yes Professor?"

"What is your guess on our lesson for today?"

"Looking around I see hats so I guess we're going for head furnishings then."

"Correct. I've enlarged papers covering last year's Summer Ministry Ball and found examples of mundane headgear from an annual event held in the states called the Kentucky Derby. There are examples up here of male and female headgear although you may end up transfiguring something of your own design if you choose."

"Mr. Molotov, Miss Patil would you come up to my desk and pass out the items I have placed on the two trays there?" The blond Gryffindor witch and the young wizard from Durmstrang hurried forward to take up the indicated items from McGonagall's desk.

"One per student please and I will tell the few that skipped breakfast this morning that those mushrooms are of the non-edible variety. Not poisonous of course but not tasty in any way. We have one intermediate step to take before we begin the transformation and I have been assured by Professor Flitwick that all of the Hogwarts students at least have been successful in learning the enlarging charm. Can anyone tell me the reason for this intermediate step? Miss Davis?"

"Gamp's Third Law of the Conservation of Magic. Objects can only be created or transformed from items of like or similar mass."

"Very good Miss Davis. Take three points for Slytherin. Everyone turn to Chapter 12 in your textbook and the wand motions and command listed on page 252. Everyone enlarge your mushroom and then we will get to the actual transfiguration. You may also take some of this time to step up and take a look at the various types of hats that are pictured."

Professor McGonagall looked around the classroom as she heard the 'Engorgio' spell (and it's Durmstrang equivalent – 'Laiendus' ) by most of her students. As some of the students left their desks to look at the examples, Minerva made her way to where the Potters were whispering together.

"Good morning Lord and Ladies Potter."

"Good morning Professor."

Harry made a wave with his wand and Minerva felt a small privacy shield forming around her and the four students.

"Are all of you okay after the attack yesterday? I've talked to Sirius and read the papers. Harry?"

"It was kind of touch and go for a few minutes Minerva" said Ginny.

"Until the … what was it called? Oh yes, the Goodlemerhoxx made its appearance."

Professor McGonagall had the pleasant sensation of watching one of her favorite students blush and drop his head to the desk to cover up his head with hands.

"Did I say something wrong?"

"No professor. You'll see the creature properly at lunch if you are going to the headmaster's office to see our memory of the battle."

"I'm looking forward to it Lady Daphne. Please tell Harry that I didn't mean to cause him any discomfort."

"He knows; it's just a little hard to explain his reason for conjuring up that particular creature."

"Sometimes in the heat of battle… MR. CRABBE! Are you trying to make something for Professor Hagrid to wear? Let's cancel that enlarging spell and try again. With something a little smaller than a gargoyle please. Excuse me, ladies and gentleman."

Professor McGonagall hurried over to the other side of the room and Harry finally raised his head up from the desk. "Nice to know there's usually someone around to make a bigger embarrassment of themselves that me."

"You've never embarrassed me."

"I don't think you have done anything to be ashamed off Jamie."

'You've been magnificent in the bedroom dear Gryffindor husband.'

Harry sighed and rubbed the bridge of his nose. He was distracted enough by the comments from his wives to get over his feelings about the battle of the cemetery. He wasn't looking forward to what he was going to hear from Sirius, Remus and Dumbledore after they saw what he had conjured up.

Hermione quietly slipped her hand into his and whispered as Minerva headed for the front of the classroom again. "I'm not going to go into the pensieve to view the memory at lunch either and I'll put a silencing spell on Sirius and Uncle Remus for you when their done."

Harry mouthed 'Thanks' as he turned his attention toward the front of the room.

"Everyone ready?" Professor McGonagall. "The wand movement is a backwards zed with a sweep up at the end. Don't poke your neighbors eye out this time Mr. Zambini. Everyone repeat the command after me 'Capellius'…."

'Capellius' came the chorus back from the students.

"Very good. You may begin."

Harry made his wand movements and produced a very nice shiny top hat. He looked around and heard the exclamations of delight and disgust as the results of his classmate's spells appeared.

The bell finally rang signifying the end of class and Professor McGonagall dismissed the students. As a treat for the successes that had occurred, she let the students wear their new hats out into the corridors. Most would fade away in less than an hour, except for the quartet who were letting the rest of the students leave before them.

Minerva went to their area of the classroom and looked at the results of the Potters efforts. Lady Ginny was wearing a midnight blue ball cap that had the logo of the Holyfield Harpies on the front and she had twisted up her hair to wear a ponytail through the back opening. Hermione had created a black graduation cap with the Gryffindor house colors as strings of the tassel. Lady Daphne had a wide brimmed silk hat with various colorful flowers woven into the fabric that complimented her coloring. It, like her, was very attractive.

It was the last piece of headgear that had the professor shaking her head. Harry Potter's head was now encased in a modified space helmet with a raised visor and prominent ridges over the ears and the center of his head that contained the blast screen.

"Dare I ask you to turn around so I can see the nameplate at the base of your helmet Mr. Potter? Skywalker – I thought so. Harry, are you trying to thumb your nose at the pureblood students who don't have a clue as to the source of that strange-looking thing?"

A wide smile graced the face of the fourth year as he replied. "I just thought I would bring a smile to those that might know it. Even if they don't know Star Wars ( copyright Lucas films, etc., etc.) they ought to see the movie. Maybe I can talk Mrs. Robinson into showing the movie sometime during the semester. The reaction of it starting at Episode IV should confuse anyone who hasn't seen it before."

"Probably. The headmaster and I will be looking forward to seeing it again. On your way then and don't wear your new 'hats' all day. The other student's efforts will fade off long before lunch."

"We'll make sure that he's not becoming too noticeable Minerva."

"And I promise not to drop a Darth Vader costume on Professor Runnels the next time I see him" Harry said as he rose.

Minerva smiled. "With his current attitude he might actually enjoy making an entrance to his Potions class that way."

Harry nodded and bent over in a bow and swept his arm toward the classroom door to invite his wives to leave before him. Minerva just shook her head as she heard the soft strains of the Overture from the blockbuster movie follow the wizard as he left.

Professor McGonagall went back to her desk to prepare for the class of first year Ravenclaws and Hufflepuffs she had immediately after lunch. She saw something on top of her desk however that she hadn't seen anyone place there. It was a small package with a note folded on top of it. She glanced back at the door and wondered if the recently departed family were responsible for the gift. She waved her wand and the door to her classroom closed silently. She carefully opened the note wondering what it contained. Her suspicions that the Potters were the culprits were confirmed when she read the note:

Minerva,

We had a 'family' meeting at the manor this morning about the contents of the package that we placed on your desk. It was decided that you would be the first recipient of a wondrous discovery that was made yesterday. Mostly because you have been here for Harry since his rescue from the Dursleys and have been very supportive and knowledgeable of all the Potter mishaps and history since we all started Hogwarts.

You know you have a free period after our class so you might want to retreat to your office and get a 'wee dram' of fortification as you open the package. We know that it might be a shock but we hope it will be a pleasurable one.

We'll see you in the Headmaster's office at lunchtime to see who you will pass this along to.

Hermione Potter

A puzzled look crossed the Transfiguration face but she knew Hermione did not make a practice of pranking the professors so she decided to follow the advice and seek some privacy for opening the package which seemed very important to the Potter family.

Xxxx xxx

The door way into Dumbledore's office was already opened as the four Potter's got to the head of the spiral stairway. Harry saw that most of the teaching staff was there but he was totally unprepared for the hug he received from McGonagall as he crossed the threshold.

"I'm so glad for you Harry. After I got over the shock of interacting with Lily and James again we had a nice long talk and they told me where their picture had been stored all these years. I'm afraid I wasted a bit of time complaining about your late uncle and your aunt. Lily was kind enough to interrupt me and told me that she had already talked to your Aunt about your upbringing and they had reached an understanding about all that. Your parents are very proud and also mildly upset about your, shall we say… extracurricular activities, since you started Hogwarts."

Harry bit his lip and looked around before whispering to the older witch "Am I in deep trouble?"

"I think they are reserving their displeasure for Albus and Sirius instead of you."

"That's good" Ginny said as she came into the conversation. "Have you told anyone else yet?"

"No Lily and James wanted to see how you handled yourself in a fight so I will carry them into the pensieve with me."

While Harry and Ginny had been talking to Professor McGonagall, Daphne and Hermione had passed by them to go greet Sirius, Gracie, Astoria and some of the other professors. Harry and Ginny joined their Transfiguration professor in going deeper into the office.

Dumbledore already had his pensieve set up on his desk and he greeted Harry with a wide smile. "Good morning Harry. You four all seem none the worse for wear for your troubles yesterday."

"It was only yesterday? Somehow it seems a very long time ago now."

Sirius, who was just coming up to Harry's side, laughed. "Battle shock will do that to you Pup. Sometimes time seems to compress or expand due to the rush and recovery from the adrenalin surge."

'Or the events that happen in between' Hermione commented mentally.

Professor Yoshi came up to Harry and made a little bow before him. "You seem to make a habit of running into trouble Lord Potter."

"Trouble seems to keep finding me Professor. I trust you had a welcome break returning to Japan over the holidays."

"I had a very nice time visiting with family and friends but most of the students from the Mt. Fuji school seem to want to know about you and and your ladies. The Headmaster, Sensei Numora, extends a formal invitation to come to our school and visit and interact with our students."

Harry was shocked at the invitation but a mental nudge from Daphne broke him out of his paralysis. Bowing back to his 'official' adviser Harry stammered out his thanks. "This is a very nice honor and you may tell the headmaster that my wives and I will definitely make plans to visit your school."

"After this school year is over" Professor Yoshi intoned with a small smile.

"Of course," Ginny said, "we can't forgo our own studies and there is the small matter of the Tournament Harry has to finish."

"Our summer break in Japan is only 5 weeks long so any time in the last half of July or August will find us in class again."

"We look forward to going Professor. We'll make formal arrangements later in the year if that's all right with you."

"Certainly, but now I am going into the pensieve with your other instructors. I wish to see how you handle yourself in a real combat situation."

"Please judge this on its own situation Professor Yoshio and not something that was planned out on our part" Harry beseeched his advisor.

"We shall see, won't we?" As the Japanese assistant headmaster went over to talk to Vika, Harry ran a hand though his unruly locks. "Can't I just go back to the Hearth and avoid this?"

Three mental 'No's came back to him and Harry looked for the nearest chair to sit down in. Hermione followed him over and sat next to him and held his hand waiting for the viewing to begin.

Dumbledore cleared his throat to get everyone's attention. "If you would provide the memory young man we shall get to the viewing and still have some time for all of us to enjoy the lunch in the Great Hall."

Hermione spoke up from her place at Harry's side. "If you don't mind Headmaster, Harry and I do not want to watch the battle again. Daphne has generously decided to donate her memory of the whole thing as she and I had the best view from our higher positions."

"As you wish."

Dumbledore made a gesture with his wand and a round table appeared in the middle of his office and the pensieve floated over to the middle of it. Daphne concentrated for a bit and put her wand to her temple and pulled out her memory of the battle at the cemetery. She lowered it into the pensieve and then took hold of her sister's hand. "You will stay with me for this. You can ask questions but you cannot interact with anything going on or anyone there."

Harry saw that Sirius had turned Gracie to listen to what the blond was saying as he had one arm around her shoulders. Dumbledore was the first to place his finger into the pensieve and the rest of the people in the office followed his example. A few seconds later Hermione and Harry were the only people left in the Headmaster's office.

Fawkes hopped off of his perch with a small trill and glided over to land on Harry's shoulder. Harry smiled as he ran his hands over the back of the phoenix. "Thanks for the song Fawkes; I'm probably going to need some cheering up when everyone gets back from the viewing."

"They wouldn't dare" said Hermione as she laid her head on her husband's shoulder. "You protected us, captured a good number of them and scared away the rest of those that wanted to capture or harm us. You didn't do anything wrong."

"Okay but how am I possibly going to face Professor Yoshi when he reappears?"

"I'm positive he won't be too upset with you and he might actually be happy you found a way to end the battle quickly."

"I guess we'll see then."

"Yes, we will see Harry."

Harry fell into silence but reached into his book bag to pull out a book on Advanced Warding. He opened the book but Hermione quickly saw that he was thinking more than actually reading the textbook. Hermione decided to see if she could distract him from thinking about the upcoming confrontations he was imagining.

"It was nice of you to offer Petunia, Dudley and the others a few more days of staying with us."

"They've gone through a lot and I thought another day or two of settling business or sightseeing would make them feel better."

"Sightseeing?"

"I was thinking of heading for Grunnings this afternoon right after classes and seeing if Jonathon Kent could be begged, borrowed or hired to give our four guests an escort and a day on the town of London."

"That's great idea Harry. I'm not sure I would have thought of that."

"You would have. I believe the merging in the bond magic all gave us some of the best traits of the others. I have ideas sometimes that I swear you, Ginny or Daphne had originated and tucked into my mind."

"That is a possibility I suppose. I guess the occasionally prank I like to pull comes from Ginny's part in my head."

"And Daphne's wanting to be a 'little daring' around me comes from having three Gryffindor's presence inside her."

Hermione giggled, something that had rarely happened in their first year at Hogwarts. "Yes, oh wise and generous husband."

"Phhhhttt!"

Hermione settled back in her chair and leaned into Harry's shoulder as she began reading herself. Harry fidgeted every so often but Hermione guessed it was just the waiting that was getting to him. Time seemed to stretch out for the pair and Hermine wondered what was going through the minds of those people, friends who had entered Daphne's memory. It didn't seem to her that the battle itself had lasted this long.

Finally, after a seemingly interminable wait, the professors and the others started reemerging from Dumbledore's pensieve. Most seemed happy to see Harry but he saw more than a few glances that seemed worried or unbelieving. He finally stood up and began waiting for the inevitable digs.

Vika was the first to come over and she seemed very relieved and happy. She stopped just before touching the messy haired wizard and gave a small curtsey to Hermione. "Permission for a small PDA Hermione?"

Hermione laughed and held up her thumb and forefinger just a little ways apart. "Permission granted. For only a small one though – you know how easily he blushes."

"Hey, I'm right here you know!"

Both Hermione and Vika giggled as the others watched from around the pensieve. Harry had a slightly alarmed look on his face as Vika reached out for him. She took his head in both hands and planted a long kiss to his forehead. "That's for being a wonderful, powerful, creative wizard and I'm glad you…

"Ahem, ahem!"

"…you and your three lovely wives are all okay. We need to sit down and talk a little bit about 'creatively' adjusting some of the wards around the school someday."

Harry was blushing at the attention he was getting from Vika and the others (who were snickering in the background) but he put a smile on his face. "Some Saturday soon, I promise."

Vika went and hugged Hermione quickly and then just disappeared from the office. Harry breathed a sigh of relief until he saw who was next in line to talk to him. Professor Yoshiaki Maruyama - who had a very troubled frown on his face.

"Godzilla, as you westerners say?"

"Yes professor. I'm sorry for disrespecting you and your culture so blatantly."

Harry had his eyes lowered as he waited for the chewing out he expected. Instead he heard some chuckling. Harry looked up to see Professor Yoshi smiling. "High marks for your excellent and accurate conjuring except the color was just a little off. I am glad you chose not to use one of more nuclear versions of our country's unofficial mascot."

"I… I.. okay I think."

"We will sit down in the next couple of days to review your actions and strategy. You, your wives, Albus, me, Sirius and Alistor."

"Professor Moody?" Harry asked as his grin disappeared.

"You object to having your Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor being involved?"

"No, no… not really."

"Good, then I am off to lunch. Nothing like watching a battle to work up one's appetite."

"Good afternoon Professor."

"We shall talk later. You did very well." Professor Yoshi went back to the group of professors and he, Narcissa and Professor Runnels exited the headmaster's office

Ginny, Daphne and Astoria were next in line and all three were smiling and gave Harry a hug. Astoria hung on to hers and looked up at him. "Don't do that AGAIN!"

"I didn't start the fight Tori."

"But you sure did end it. That was huuuuuge! If I didn't know you were in control of that I would have just fainted once I saw it."

Harry smiled down as he gently pulled on Astoria's pigtails. "You better get to lunch Tori. I'm sure Adam is wondering where you have been."

He received a small slap to the arm but Harry refused to let the little blond go. "I think it's time we talked about what we need to do about letting you tell Becky and Jessica about us."

"Really? Really?"

"Get going squirt or I'll change my mind."

Astoria stomped on his foot but then rushed out of the office.; Daphne and Ginny were laughing and had to hold onto each other to hold themselves up. "We're going as well Harry. Don't stay too long or we won't save your seat." All three girls gave him a quick kiss to a cheek and left talking and laughing at something. Harry didn't really want to know what it was but he watched them leave. A small throat-clearing cough sounded behind Harry and he turned to see a furious looking Sirius and Remus although Dumbledore's eyes were twinkling as he smiled.

Harry did the sensible thing at that point and picked up his bookbag, put his fingers into his ears and walked out of Dumbledore's office whistling.

* A.N. title from this chapter comes from a 1974 classic song by Jim Croce)