Harry had needed a break from it all. He stared at his reflection in the bathroom mirror, for the first time truly picking out the similarities between him and his parents. Lost in his thoughts of stolen memories he didn't hear the gentle knock at the door. ""Anyone in there?" It was Lily "Don't worry I'll go upstairs". Harry sniffed and wiped his eyes "No no it's fine I'm just leaving." He opened the door to his Mum and stood for just a moment imagining what this might feel like if everything was different. He stepped aside, allowing her room to get through the doorway. Just as she was about to move she noticed the red of his eyes. "Harry…" She said softly. With a slight hesitation she pulled him in for a hug. His mum was shorter than Petunia. Harry thought of all those times he'd watched Petunia embrace Dudley during one of his tantrums. Harry couldn't hold it in anymore. He let out a sob holding his mum tight, scared that she'd disappear at any moment.
Lily patted his hair, the way she so often did with James. Laughing she looked straight into Harry's eyes. "You've got the Potter gene then" Harry smiled attempting to tidy his messy hair 'No no. Stop messing. It looks good. Looks like your Dad's…' She trailed of as she spoke her own eyes brimming with tears. "Harry… Harry I'm so sorry." Ignoring his protests she continued "I wish that things could've been different. But you've done so well. Ginny's lovely and Hermione and Ron… The adventures you've been on! All the things" She broke into tears and this time it was Harry who comforted her.
"Lil's?" James' voice sounded from the corridor "Evan's where are-" He stopped talking when he saw what was in front of him. His wife and his son embracing one another both with tears streaming down their cheeks. It could've been him standing there. The mess of hair, the height, everything… He walked up to the pair and put his arms around them both. No words were needed. The family- torn apart so young- were reunited and that needed no explanation or joke. It was natural and easy and deeply deeply saddening.
Lily laughed slightly "You know I really did need that wee." Harry laughed and moved out the way of the bathroom. Turning to his Dad he was taken aback by the sheer look of grief on his face. James smiled slightly through his tears, he had a feeling he had forgotten something terrible. Like he'd had a nightmare but couldn't remember the details. He reached for Harry's shoulder "I'm so glad we met today." He ruffled Harry's hair with his other hand "One of Dumbledore's better plans I think" Harry grinned and they made their way back towards the babble of conversation ebbing from the living room.