"Dad!"he heard a girl say happily, and felt Sarah's arms around his waist.
"Sarah.."he said, and picked her up, hugging her tightly, nad felt James run into his side.
"Dad we had so much fun...you were right!"James said, and Harry smiled at him.
"Do you have any friends that you have to owl?"he said, and James nodded,"Loads!"he said happily, and Harry smiled.
"Lexie!"the said, and hugged Lexie, and Dudley looked at them,"I'm your unlce Dudley.."he said, and they smiled at him.
"It's nice to meet you.."they said together.
"Dad.."Sarah said,"My friend Alexia..shes a secound year..and she's in Gryffindor with me...her parents own a quidditch field!"she said excitedly, and smiled.
"Wow..what is your friends name?"he said, and she grinned.
"Alexia Weasley..she's a secound year..she's a chaser..."she said,"Dad I caught the snitch in four minutes! Dumbledore actually congradulated me!"she said happily, and Harry smiled.
"Potter.."it was Professor Mcgonagall, and Sarah and James turned around,"Hello Professor.."Sarah said,"Professor, this is my father.."
"Harry it's excellent to see that your condition has improved.."she said, and Harry smiled polietly at her.
"It's good to see you Minny.."he said, and hugged her.
She looked rather ruffled.
"Ms. Potter you left your pocketwatch on the train..and this piece of parchment...."she said, and Harry smiled.
"Thank you professor.."he said, and she smiled at him,"Have a happy Christmas.."he added, and she smiled.
"Ahh...Mr. Dursley.."she said, and Dudley smiled at her.
"Professor.."he said back, and she smiled.
"I'd best be off..but I hope I'll be seeing more of you Harry.."she said, and he nodded, watching her leave.
"Come on you two..and Lexie..we have to show you our new place.."he said, and they nodded at him happily, and followed them out of the platform.
Meanwhile Proffessor Mcgonagall stared after Harry, his cousin, and the kids following them, and sighed, turning towards the train and getting back on.
"Minny...did you talk to him?"Dumbledore said quietly, and she nodded.
"A little, but not enough..."she awnsered, sitting down and taking a sip of her tea,"The kids look just like him..it's no wonder half the school knew without hearing there last names..."she said, and he nodded.
"Well....do you think he's ready to return to everything?"Dumbledore said, and she shook her head.
"It's only when he is ready that we force him to do these things..."she said,"Only when he's ready.."she added quietly.
"This is Ottery St. Catchpole...and over this hill is where you can practice Quidditch..not with real balls of course.."he added, and Sarah, James, and Sean, Dudley's son, who was tall and athletic like his father.
"Dad, did you ever play here?"Sarah asked him, and he nodded.
"I used to practice here....alot..."he said, and the kids took off on their brooms, flying around, nad Harry mounted his, feeling the cool wind rush in his face. On his firebolt he felt like he was reconciling with an old friend.
When it got dark they got down, and were walking when they heard a clutter of noises from a large house that over the years Harry had known as his secound home.
"Whoa.."Sean said, looking at the house, and Harry looked at the house, sadness in his eyes.
"That's the burrow.."he said,"I spent most of my summers there..why don't you take them back to the flat Sean? I have some buisiness to take care of..."he said, and Sean nodded, and took the children back towards the house, Harry walking up the entry way, seeing the old dirty sign that said the burrow, and the rubber boot, and a lawn knome in the shape of a santa clause.
He knocked on the door, and opened it slowly, looking around him, hearing a noise from the kitchen, and seeing a Christmas tree, lit up with bewtiched stars and little fairies. Then he saw the girl, and knew who's daughter she was. She was making hot coca, and she had firery red hair, and bright green eyes.
"Hello?"he said, and she jumped.
"God you scared me!"she said, and he covered her mouth.
"The Weasley's still live here?"he asked her, and she nodded, frightened.
"Right then..didn't want to frighten you...you're Ginny's daughter??" he said, and she nodded.
"I'm Lily.."she said,"Lily Weasley.."she finished.
"And..what year are you in?"
"At school??"she asked, and countinued,"Well I'm thirteen..I'm a third year..."she said, and he added up the years and his jaw dropped.
"Oh, my god, this is unexpected..."he said.
"What's unexpected..Hey! You look like Harry Po-"she started in astonishment, and he interupted her.
"Don't say my name!"he whispered to her,"Your mother would have a kiniption if she found out I was here..."he said.
"My mother knew Harry Potter?"she said, and he shook his head.
"Stop talking about me as if I wasn't there...not only did your mother know him..she had a child with him..thirteen years ago..."he said, and she looked at him.
"So your my father then? Well it's a relief to know..being so good at quidditch and all...that's why I made the team as a first year.."she said proudly,"And..that's why mum never talks about you...it must be too..how can I say this..Painfull??"she said, and he nodded.
"Because I left to fight the forces of darkness..she must of found out afterwards..I never saw her..I thought I was dying and I..."he said incredibly upset now."That's why I left..because I thought I was dying..I just didn't want to hurt her..and I left her all alone with you..and noone to turn too..she must think I'm the biggest-"
"She doesn't...I think that she tried to move on...she hasn't even gone out with anyone ever..I always wondered why.."
"She never went out with anyone..."he said quietly.
"Because you were in love with her..weren't you..dad..is it alright if I call you dad.."she started, and he stared at her when they heard footsteps coming down the stairs.
"Lily, what are you doing downstairs??"It was Molly, and Harry's eyes widened.
"Coming Grandmum!"Lily called, and turned and opened her mouth as to speak
to Harry. he wasn't there.
"Harry?"she asked, looking around, and saw a card on the table, and opened
it.
Lily,
Happy Christmas...I know you just met me but hows about this...get yourself
a new broom at Quality Quidditch Supplies..I'll have a certificate waiting
for you..just tell them your name and pick out a broom..anyone you want.
I promise. Think of it as thirteen years worth of presents from your father
who didn't know he had you...I'll keep in touch with you..mabye I can visit
you more often
with love,
Harry