"You guys told him all about my third year and didn't tell him about the boggart turning into Snape?"

"Other things seemed more important. Merlin, I wish I could have seen that," Sirius said leaning back in his chair.

Remus chortled and finished his drink. "It was this odd mix of terrifying and amusing. Severus never did forgive me for that."

Harry smiled sadly. "He was a good man." He got up and cleared the table by hand, not really paying attention to the three men talking at the table.

"...Department of Mysteries."

Harry dropped the dish he was holding and it clattered into the sink. James frowned and looked away from Sirius and Remus to his son. Harry was standing still, his back still to them. "What happened there?"

"I was an idiot. Almost got Sirius and Remus killed."

James looked at his friends but they didn't say anything. "What happened?" He asked again.

"Let's go somewhere else. I don't want to talk about this here." Harry walked out and Sirius ran after him.

James frowned and went to follow. Remus grabbed his arm. "Give them a minute. Harry says third year was the worst but he's tried to block out everything about his fifth out. He has more nightmares about that year than the rest combined."

"Should we talk about it with him there if it's that bad?"

Remus snorted. "Harry always knows when it's brought up. He'd be out of the house and show up if he thought we were talking about it." He sombered and led him up the stairs. "The Incident...to Harry it's like how Sirius feels about that Halloween. He blames himself and...it's complicated. It could have been avoided," Remus admitted.

Sirius looked up when they walked in and Harry was sitting on the couch, staring at the back of his right hand.

"We can skip this if you want. Or Moony can tell me about it. I don't want you to do this if it hurts that much."

Harry shook his head. "I'll be all right."

James looked at Sirius who smiled softly and nodded to the chair by the fire. He took the seat while Remus walked over and sat on Harry's other side.

Harry looked back at his hand and ran a finger over it. "After Voldemort returned the former minister refused to believe it. He and some others...they turned people against me and Dumbledore. Had articles published that called me and Dumbledore insane. People ate it up. The ministry felt threatened. Some of them...one of them actually, tried to get me out of the way. Sent dementors to attack me."

"But you can ward off dementors."

"I can. And I did." He cleared his throat. "I was brought here to await my trial for underage magic and doing magic in front of a muggle. I was a wreck and I was just...so angry."

Sirius snorted. "He was an ass."

Remus smirked and leaned back, but kept his eyes on Harry. "Everyone was a little up in arms. Harry's trial, Sirius hasn't been cleared yet and he was trapped here. We hadn't made all these changes yet so it still looked like it did when he was in school." James wrinkled his nose. He'd never spent a lot of time in the Black Family home, but he definitely remembered the house-elf heads hanging on the wall. "Dumbledore didn't want anyone to reach out to Harry for his own safety. Eventually a few members of the order and I went to retrieve him."

Harry smiled softly. "Who knew you could fly so well."

"Remus was on a broom?"

Harry nodded. "Looked like he was going to be sick most of the ride."

"I'm right here," Remus said dryly.

Harry laughed softly and looked back at James. "Anyway, Sirius and Remus were the only ones that were okay with filling me in. Dumbledore and the others wanted to keep it hidden. Looking back I get it, but I'm glad these two thought enough of me to tell me.

"I'd been having dreams, and they were so real. I thought they were just night terrors but they were...visions I guess is the best way to describe them; they'd started in fourth year actually. I was getting flashes of what Voldemort was doing and planning." Harry shuddered. "That's why Dumbledore wanted me kept in the dark. I couldn't accidentally reveal anything if I knew nothing. Dumbledore was mostly staying away from me."

He cleared his throat. "Anyway, I got through the trial with the Headmaster's help and spent the rest of the summer with Sirius, Remus, and the Order here. Sometimes I wish I could have just stayed here instead of going back.

"We had another new Defense professor. Definitely our worst ever. She was from the Ministry and we ah...clashed instantly. She ended up being the one behind the dementor attack on me. But she and I went at it constantly. I had detention with her all the time. She ah...she used a blood quill to make students write lines with." He looked at his hand again and James reached out and grabbed his hand.

"I must not tell lies." He looked at Harry. "She did this to you?"

Harry nodded, Remus and Sirius resting their hands on his shoulders. "Wanted the message to sink in." He shivered as he remembered her leaning over him; her sickly sweet voice telling him that he deserved to be punished.

James looked at the three of them. "Please tell me she's dead."

"Azkaban," Remus said and James could see the gold flash in his eyes.

Harry gave Remus a small smile and moved into Sirius's hand that had moved to the back of his neck to help ground him. "She started out with small stuff to control students and teachers. We weren't going to be learning how to use any defensive spells, we needed permission to form clubs or even have a house team. I actually got banned from quidditch that year along with Fred and George.

"She was performing reviews for all the teachers, sacked Trelawny even. When she went to observe McGonagall and Snape, probably one of the best days of the year." Harry smiled. "Hermione had the idea to start a secret club where I would teach interested students how to defend themselves."

James smiled and leaned forward, his elbows resting on his knees. "You did that?"

Harry nodded and smiled. "Yeah, most of them were able to cast a full patronus before we got discovered. Plus I had a good teacher myself." He knocked his knee against Remus's. Remus blushed lightly and nudged back. Harry kept himself from leaning into his side and instead leaned back.

Sirius took over the talking, leaning forward and copying James's position as he told him about the dreams that Harry had, the connection between Voldemort and Harry and how they believed that he would take advantage of it, the lessons with Snape that came about after the attack on Mr. Weasley.

Remus took the opportunity to turn slightly, blocking Harry's side so he could take the younger man's hand.

"He did take advantage of it." Harry's voice was quiet as he interrupted Sirius. He took a deep breath and let go of Remus's hand to stand up. He walked over to the fireplace and kept his back to them.

Harry gripped the mantle, leaning into it slightly and watched the flames. "I had a vision and it felt just like it had with Mr. Weasley. Voldemort had Sirius in the Department of Mysteries. I broke into Umbridge's office to use her floo; I called here to see if it was true or I was just seeing things. Kreacher answered, told me that Sirius had gone, no one was in the house but him.

"He was lying, but I was so scared I was going to lose him. He and Remus are my family. Umbridge caught me and tried to question me, tried to get Snape to help her. I tried to talk to him in code, bad code, but code. At that point I didn't trust him, I should have. My friends and I went to the ministry and we were ambushed by death eaters.

"The only reason we made it out of there alive was because Snape did come here to check on Sirius. He, Remus, and a few others came to our rescue. We were dueling together, Sirius and I. We'd defeated the two we were facing, but neither of us saw Bellatrix."

The air in the room became heavy, almost choking them. It became cold and Remus stood to go to Harry but Sirius stopped him with a touch to his arm. James rubbed his hands together and watched the three of them.

Harry turned and faced his father. "She hit him with a curse and he was falling towards this...curtain. Remus was able to knock him out of the way but neither of them were moving." He started pacing. "They weren't moving and I couldn't get to them because Tonks was holding me back. I saw Bellatrix running and I could hear her taunting me. I went after her.

"All I saw was them dying and hear her laughing about killing them. I saw them laying there and...I tried to use an unforgivable on her. Voldemort showed up and we fought briefly. Dumbledore fought him...needless to say Fudge believed us after that."

"We're here, Harry."

"You almost weren't!"

"Harry…" Remus said softly.

"I nearly got you and Sirius killed. I almost got ten people killed because I fell for a trick," Harry looked at the three of them. "And I spent nearly a week sitting with you guys while you were unconscious. You don't know what it was like."

James frowned. "How could you fall for that?"

"Prongs!" Sirius hissed and Harry's skin went white.

"What? He's right, it was his fault. It could have been avoided. Instead you and Moony were nearly killed because he couldn't do what he needed to do." James looked at Harry. "You knew that He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named was going to try something and you ran off thinking you could solve everything."

"I couldn't...I couldn't risk losing them too."

"But you nearly did because you couldn't be patient."

Harry walked out and Remus went after him; Sirius instantly rounded on James. "What the hell was that about? He's been through enough without you acting like an ass."

James frowned and stood up. "I could have come back to a world without you, you think that's what I would want to come back to?"

"He is your son. He was a kid and he was scared. He's the only reason that Remus and I are alive now, the only reason our world still exists." Sirius sighed and shook his head. "He died for us, James. He literally died.

"You were my world James, but you were gone and you wanted me to look after Harry. I did the best I could considering everything and he is like a son to me. You do not get to come here and treat him like that when you can't even imagine what he's gone through."

"I'm not gone now."

Sirius frowned. "I'm not going to stop looking after Harry because you're back. I'm not going to start ignoring him and treat him differently because you're back. He's still my godson, my family, just like you."

James paced. "How can you forgive him for nearly killing you?"

"I would have done the same for you, Remus, or Harry. You would have done the same for us."

"Everything is so different," James said quietly, mirroring the position Harry had been in earlier. "I don't know...how to take all this or be around you or Harry. I don't know my own son. I just...I want things to be good again."

Sirius swallowed and walked over, putting his hands on James's shoulders. "We'll get there, but shoving him away and hurting him and us isn't going to make things better. Let Remus and I calm him down and you can talk to him tomorrow. Maybe go flying or something." Sirius squeezed his shoulders. "I'm going to go check on them. I'll probably stay with them tonight." He squeezed again and left James in the drawing room by himself.

He walked up the stairs and knocked before entering Harry and Remus's room. He shut the door behind him. Sirius looked over and saw Harry curled into Remus. Remus was stroking his back, whispering softly against his hair. Sirius walked over and stroked Harry's back, meeting Remus's eyes.

"Sirius?"

Sirius and Remus both frowned at the broken tone in his voice. He let his nails scrape over Harry's back in a soothing manner. "I'm right here, pup," Sirius whispered softly.

"I'm sorry."

"You have nothing to be sorry for. You didn't do anything wrong. James is being an idiot." Sirius combed his fingers through the black hair and sat against the headboard. "He shouldn't have said what he said. He would have done the same thing in your shoes. I would have and Remus would have."

Remus kissed Harry's head. "He's right, love."

Harry sniffed and laid between them, his eyes going back and forth between them. "But he was right."

"Remus and I were the brains of the group, Harry. Not your dad. He was very rarely right."

Harry chuckled against Remus's check and looked up at Sirius. "Will you stay in here tonight?"

Sirius nodded and toed his boots off and slid down against the headboard, shutting his eyes. "Anything you need, pup," he promised.

Sirius kept running his fingers through his hair, Remus kissed the back of his neck, and Harry relaxed in between them. "Get some rest, Harry."

Remus stayed quiet until they felt Harry's breathing deepen with sleep. He looked up at Sirius. "That talk I was supposed to be giving him tomorrow just got a hell of a lot longer."

Sirius chuckled and smiled as he dozed off with them.

The next morning all four men were quiet. Harry had decided to stay in his room, leaving the three Marauders to fend for themselves. Remus conjured some food and sat across from James. He poked at his food, not eating much before finally getting up. "James, I want to talk to you in the drawing room when you're done."

Sirius and James watched Remus leave and Sirius chuckled softly, finishing his food. "You're in trouble."

James looked at him. "You look like crap."

"Thanks, Prongs. I'm going to check on Harry and finish my lesson plans." Sirius walked out and up to Harry's room. He knocked before looking in. "Want to hide and watch your boyfriend yell at your dad?"

Harry laughed and looked up from his book. "You just want to because he's not yelling at you for once."

"Not all of us can distract him like you can." It was Sirius's turn to laugh as Harry blushed.

He cleared his throat and looked back down. "I don't really want to be around him right now."

"Do you want to keep me company in the library? I have to finish my stuff up and get them to McGonagall."

Harry nodded and grabbed his book. "Yeah, I don't really want to be alone. I still have a while before I go to meet Bill and George." He followed Sirius out and up the stairs.

Sirius smiled and sat at the desk, watching as Harry got comfortable. He got to work, glancing at the door periodically in case he needed to run interference downstairs.

Remus looked over when James walked in and motioned for him to sit on the couch. "You've been gone a long time, a lot of things have changed."

"Moony -"

"I'm talking, James," Remus said simply.

James frowned and looked at him, but stayed quiet.

Remus leaned against the wall and looked at James. "Harry was used by people that he thought cared about him, abused by his family, and abandoned by some he considered family. He always looked up to you, wanted to make you proud. And he has, Prongs. Harry is smart and brave and strong. But he needs people in his life that he trusts and can depend on. You hurt him last night. One of his worst fears is disappointing you. You made that come true last night. You will not do or essay anything like that ever again or you will be out of his life, do you understand?"

James watched him and nodded. "I'll work on it. I'm trying to get used to all this...to take it in. It's not easy, you know."

Remus stared at him. "Harry and Sirius are my pack...my family. I will not let you hurt them."

"I used to be part of that."

"Stop hurting them and you could be again. Now, onto Sirius."

James groaned and let his head fall back. "What about him?" Remus growled and James looked over quickly. The last time he'd heard that noise was when Sirius told Snape about the wolf.

"You destroyed Sirius when you left him. He played it off as good as he could, but I picked up the pieces and then he suffered in Azkaban, those memories haunting him. He loved you and he gave you absolutely everything. Even after you hurt him he gave everything. Tried to avenge you, lived on the run to look after your son.

"If you're not willing to give him everything , like he's given you, then do not try anything else with him. Do you understand?"

"Remus?"

"Do you understand?" He growled.

James nodded. "I love him, I never stopped loving him. I didn't have a choice."

Remus sat next to him. "I never said that you didn't love him, but you did have a choice. Your choice gave us Harry. Sirius loves Harry like a son, but you did wrong by Sirius. You had a choice and you handled it poorly. He would have let you go, you know that."

"I know he would have. I...I wanted him to hate me. I wanted him to think I didn't care so that he wouldn't have any hope."

"And now?"

James wrung his hands together. "I want him back. I don't care that all this time has passed for you guys. He's still it. I...I did what my father asked of me. I'm free now."

Remus clapped him on the shoulder and pulled him in for a hug. "Don't hurt them again, James." He spoke quietly. They both looked up as Harry came down the stairs, dressed to go out.

"Sorry, just need to use the floo. Meeting some friends for lunch."

James nodded. "Harry, about last night -"

Harry looked at Remus before looking at James. "I know. It's okay." He smiled softly and looked back at Remus. "You want to come?

"I should probably-"

"Go with him, it'll give me a chance to talk to Sirius," James said smiling.

Remus nodded and smiled at Harry. "Let's go, then."