Chapter Thirty-Two
Young
"Presents!"
"Christmas!"
"YAY!"
Fred, George and Mark all screamed, running form the boy's dorm to the hall way, their feet heard stomping down the stairs.
Ron rolled over noisy and buried his head in the side of the bed.
"Happy Christmas Harry," His moaned stifled by the bedding.
"Happy Christmas," Harry groaned, waving a hand at Ron.
"Wake up Harry!" Mark squealed, Harry's bed shaking.
"Geeoff!" Harry moaned, trying to kick Mark, off, but the boy jumped to safety.
"Come on Harry, presents!" Mark said merrily. "I got you one and mum and dad sent me some. oh come on!" He was now tugging on Harry's arm.
"Alright. alright." Harry rolled out of bed, hitting the floor with a thud.
Harry pulled on a sweater over his pj's, messed with his hair and drug Ron off his bed to the floor with a thump.
Slowly, the warm smell of bacon and the perfume of cinnamon bread got Ron and Harry awake, dashing down the stairs with Mark.
"Mornin' Harry!" Charlie said happily. "Sit down."
Confused by this, Harry sat down with Ron and Hermione.
Harry didn't really care for his presents or the breakfast feast or anything right now, this Christmas had been his best ever, and he just woke up. He had his two best friends back. he wasn't hiding anything from them anymore. he had gotten back a "father" figure he thought he lost back and part of the family he never had. For some reason, just sitting there next to his friends waiting to be serviced an alien feeling bubbled inside him. it wasn't nerves or hunger. it wasn't joy or excitement.it was completeness.
He grinned to himself.
"Smells great mum!" Bill said.
"Wonderful!" Charlie added.
"Well, I think everyone is here." Mrs. Weasley said, looking at the faces sitting at the table. "Wait, where is Seri?"
"I thought she was down here helping you!" Hermione said.
"I thought she was still asleep." Mrs. Weasley said.
"What if she ran away?!?" Mark said, falling into his hand with a childish cry.
Harry looked around at the faces at the table. "She wouldn't have run away. she just got her dad back." Harry said softly. And without another word he got up and left the kitchen.
He trudged up the stairs and down the hall, stopping outside the last door.
Harry inhaled a deep breath and pressed his ear to the door.
There was a faint hiss of words and a joyful laughter
He cracked the door open.
Seri was sitting in the chair, talking to Sirius.
Seri's eyes were glazed over as though with tears, but they were alive. laughing, smiling and singing almost.
Sirius looked like a picture of long ago. He had his short hair again that fell into his eyes and his face was errorless. before anything went wrong. this was the real Sirius.
"Have you ever met Angelica?" Sirius said.
"No." Seri said softly, almost as though struck, "What is she like, tell me?"
Sirius grinned and leaned back on his head board, hands behind his head. "Well she's pretty. really pretty. And.." Sirius said softly, looking to the ceiling, "She has the most beautiful eyes and she's funny. A real clown I tell ya." Sirius laughed and Harry swore he saw a tear glitter on Seri's cheek. "My Angel is my best friend. she' gorgeous and perfect. and." Sirius grinned.
Seri whipped her eyes quickly so Sirius couldn't see, "She sound beautiful Sirius." She said.
"You have no idea."
The floor board creaked.
"JAMES!" Sirius cried, his eyes jumping to the door and him jumping out of bed.
"Hi Padfoot," Harry said uneasily.
"I was just telling Angelica here about your cousin" Sirius clamped a hand on Harry's shoulder laughing wildly. Seri's cheeks turned red. it was noticeable she hated the lie. "By the way, where is that cousin of yours?"
Harry, totally bewildered and taken aback by the question, shrugged looking to Seri for help.
"Sirius, how about you join us for breakfast." Seri said.
"Sounds wonderful!" Sirius said dashingly. He pulled on some robes over his pj's and marched to the door till his eye caught something and he stopped.
He blinked.
Confusion washed over his face.
His eyes narrowed.
He was staring at the tiny picture of him balancing Harry and Seri on his knee.
All three of them were laughing.
Seri snatched the picture and tossed it under the bed.
Sirius looked at her, cocking his head a bit as though realizing something.
His eyes fell to Harry.
And as though he was rebooted, Sirius shook his head and grinned wildly.
"Howdy Prongs!" He said. "What am I doing in my parent's home.. We are supposed to be in an Order meeting right now." Sirius dashed to the door, Seri catching him in time. "Angel?" He said, eye brow raised.
"No, I'm Angelica Malfoy. remember." She said, shaking slightly.
Sirius jerked his arm away, "You dirty Malfoy! You stinkin' Death Eater!"
Sirius held Seri to the wall by her throat.
"Sirius!" Harry cried, hanging onto Sirius's arm which suspended Seri in air. "She. not. bad."
Slowly Sirius let her go, her feet hitting the floor. "Sorry about that," Sirius went pink and scratched the back of his head.
Seri looked more horrified than when her father was holding her against the wall.
She was touching her throat, staring at him. awe. disbelief and sorrow fighting for her face.
"REMUS!" She screamed, not moving from the wall. "Would you come here a moment!"
"Moony!" Sirius said in Harry's ear, "Excellent."
"What is it Seri. I mean Angelica?" Remus said when he was visible in the frame of the room.
"Moony!" Sirius cried. "You look awful from last night."
Remus looked at him, a little confused. "What's going on?"
"We have an Order meeting right now." Sirius said as though just remembering. "Now where the hell did Pety go?"
Remus's eyes bugged out and then he sighed.
"Padfoot ole pal, the Order meeting was cancelled. the Prewetts were attacked last night.they're okay. but Dumbledore had gone to get them a safe house. he said to enjoy Christmas."
Seri looked from Remus, to Sirius then sadly to Harry.
"Right, Christmas!" Sirius said happily. "Now you three be gone so I might changed." He said, a twinkle in his eye.
The door shut with a snap. "Remus, what's going on?"
Remus sighed and looked at Seri.
"When he woke up last night, I assume that he was dwelling in the memory right after he started dating your mum." Remus explained, leading the way to the kitchen. "That was about four months before we joined the Order."
"What does that mean?" Harry asked.
"Well, one, something he saw or something you two said made his memory jolt four months."
"The picture. but that doesn't make any since, it was of me and Harry as babies." Seri said.
Remus was silent for a moment, thinking about this, "Perhaps he knew he should know that memory and those children in the picture, so his mind started searching for it or something like that."
"So, since he was trying to remember us, he started living in another memory."
"I think so." Remus said. "It also means that what ever we do or say to him now, doesn't effect his memories. he thought it was a full moon last night, and he again though Seri was her mum. at least I'm guessing."
"Yeah, he thought I was mum," Seri said softly.
"Yes well." Remus trailed off."But here is the best news, if we keep sparking his memory of details and such pretty soon he might get up to speed."
Seri grinned slightly. "Meaning that'll he'll be normal?"
"Yes my dear, yes."
Harry grinned at this and Seri fell into his arms with a joyful cry.
"What's wrong babe?" Sirius said, striding down the hall. He was wearing Black family robes.
Seri whipped her eyes and grinned at him. "Nothing, but would you excuse me."
Seri jerked Harry's arm and they sped faster down the stairs.
"Charlie!" She screamed, veering Harry toward the living room.
Fast foot step thundered closer to them.
She "threw" Harry into the extra den were her mother's picture hung and shut it softly after Charlie came bolting in.
"Scissors!" She said, waving her wand. And silver scissors appeared in front of her.
"Seri, what's going on?" Charlie asked, touching her upper arm.
"I want you. or one of you to cut my hair." Seri said.
"WHAT! But your hair's so pretty!" Charlie yelled.
"Shhhh.." Seri hushed, "Charlie, dad is going to be 'waking' up in different memories every now and then and I don't want him every time calling me Angel. I'm not MOM!" She screamed, nearly in tears, pointing at the portrait above her.
"Seri, but your hair is so pretty." Charlie repeated, running his hands through it.
"Charlie Weasley, cut it off or I'll do it!" Seri said, snatching the scissors out of mid air.
"Fine," Charlie said, taking the scissors from her. "Comb!" He hissed and a red comb appeared in thin air. He grabbed it and started combing through it, snipping the scissors and rich black hair falling to his feet.
"Why did you want me here?" Harry asked.
But he knew why, Seri had thick tears welding in her eyes and her two small hands were holding one of Harry's tightly.
"It's going to be okay Seri," Harry said softly. "Sirius well be normally again and everything will be okay."
When Charlie opened the door Seri stepped in close behind him. Plates were dropped and shattered and gasps were hissed when everyone in the kitchen saw Seri's new hair cut. It was short, just above her shoulders, and some what layer thanks to a handy spell Bill taught Charlie.
Sirius was sitting at the very end, next to Remus. He was leaning over a plate piled with food, shoveling in mouthfuls at a time. Seri grinned and sat down next to him. He grinned, eggs falling from his mouth.
Slowly the attitude in the room began to calm down and breakfast was severed. Harry was still standing at the end of the table.
He smiled to himself hearing Sirius's carefree laughter and he couldn't help but know it was that laugh that Seri's mum must had fallen in love with and it was that self esteem that made him James Potter's best friend.
Harry sat down on the other side of Seri. She put her tan arm around his shoulders and hugged him to her for a bit.
He pulled away gently from her and shoved a bit of egg and bacon in his mouth before he looked over at the couple next to him.
Sirius, as has been noted, looked younger. His eyes were vivacious and his face was stress free. This was the Sirius before James and Lily Potter died. before his fiancé and her daughter (remember Sirius "didn't know" Seri was his). This was the Padfoot before the twelve years of Azkaban, before the fright and fight with Harry. This must be who Sirius Black really was. He was younger.
Seri's hair made her look. like it's who she was. She was finally Sirius Angel Black, no longer living in the shadow of her dead mother or her lost father. Seri was no longer an orphan and a daughter of the Malfoys. she was Seri. Harry choked down another mouthful. Seri was younger, more carefree and less of the world was weighing in on her shoulders.
Then Harry thought of himself. how much had he matured since he last looked in the mirror. He was Harry Potter; he wasn't living in the shadow of his parents any longer either. He, for the first time in his life, had a family he cared for and cared back and he was on the same level with his friends once again. Perhaps he himself was giving off the same hope and promise that the two people next to him were.
All in all, this is how things should be and should have been. Angelica Potter should be sitting on the other side of Seri and Lily and James should be on either side of Harry. Remus would be across the table with sitting with the rest of the Potter family. Perhaps it could have been like this. if only it wasn't Harry
The rest of that day was the best Christmas could ever remember! The food seemed to taste sweeter, the gifts were better and for once since 15 years ago, Harry was sharing the day with his very own family.
They stayed up late. Him, Sirius and Seri sat in the living room with a big mug of hot chocolate and just talked. Harry got used to being called "James" or "Prongs" and he love the look in Seri's eyes. she was finally getting to know her father. And then Harry envied her. 15 years of waiting and she got he father back. Harry would have to wait forever.
This haunting and selfish thought drove Harry to bed, leaving Sirius and Seri alone in the dark. He wished them well.
That night Harry dreamt, but the dream was so real.
"Harry," Someone called from below. It was a sweet voice that sang well after it ended. "Harry James Potter, get up!" The voice squealed excitedly. "It's Christmas!"
Harry rolled out of bed and found himself not on the oak floor of the boy's dorm but on a ruby red rug. He rubbed his eyes and looked around. His bed was nearly queen size with Gryffindor and Quidditch on the pillows and covers. The walls where covered in posters and picture and awards. At the end of the bed was a broom stick rack with nearly five broom sticks on it.
The door opened and light fled into the room.
"Harry!" Seri came charging into the room and grabbed him around the neck. She had her long hair back, curled tightly at her hips with soft green robes on. Her face was light and cheerful.
Harry smiled and stood up with the help of Seri. "How is my favorite cousin?" She asked cheerfully.
"Err." Harry messed with his hair and that's when his mouth dropped open.
The picture frames were waving at him. He saw himself standing next to a fiery red head and a tall black hair man. He was 3.5.7.9. where did these pictures come from? The Dursley never wasted film on him. His eyes adjusted and then he recognized the people next to him. they were his parents.
There was the one of him and Seri on Sirius's lap. one of James Potter holding a five year old Harry on a broom. Lily trying to cut a seven year old Harry's hair.
He choked.
Harry ran to the mirror and lifted his bangs. there was no scar.
The murder never happened.
His parents never died.
Seri had her parents.
He had his father back.
He had his mother back.
He had his life back.
Harry pushed passed Seri roughly and jumped down the stairs. He ran into the living room and caught himself in the door way. Sitting there on the couch was Lily and James, James's arm around Lily's shoulder. Angelica was sitting on the chair in front of Sirius. They were all smiling at him.
"Merry Christmas bed head!" Angelica called cheerfully, striding across the room giving him a hug.
"I'd say bed head, look at his hair!" Lily said giggly.
"God Lils!" Sirius splat. "He has Prong's hair, what do you except?"
"Shut up Padfoot!" James said, throwing a pillow at Sirius.
"Are you okay Harry?" Seri asked, coming up behind Harry. "You looked ill upstairs."
Harry gave a wide grinned and shook his head no.
"Nothing's wrong with Harry Potter, hun." Sirius said. "He's takes after his dad."
"Daddy!" Seri said, sitting down in Sirius's lap. "Leave Uncle Jamie and Harry alone."
"Yes sweetums." Sirius said softly, kissing her forehead.
"So, where is the food?" James said.
"James.." Lily said, hitting James playfully in the chest. "We have to wait for Remus, Peter, the Weasleys and the Longbottoms."
Harry collapsed into the nearest chair. "Peter?"
"Naturally Harry," James said, a little oddly.
There was a knock on the door. "I'll get it!" Seri said, jumping to her feet.
When she returned and family of red heads followed, one hand in hand with Seri.
"Hey Ron!" Harry said, smiling more than ever.
"Hi-ay Harry." Ron said, sitting down in the couch.
Ginny, Bill, Fred, George, Mrs. Weasley, Mr. Weasley and Percy walked in.
"Where's Charlie?" Harry asked.
Ron rolled his eyes and pushed his head over to the left.
Harry's eyes followed.
"Watch your self Weasley!" Sirius croaked.
"Daddy!" Seri said softly, hitting Sirius on the back of the head. She was sitting on Charlie's lap, giggling.
Then Remus came, he looked younger and more full of life.
The Longbottoms came. Alice and Frank were full of laughter and Neville was thinner, more out spoken and he jumped right into an argument between Remus and Sirius. which Harry learned where very well known and very left alone.
Then Peter came. He held his head a little higher. His clothes were neat and his mother was close behind him, smiling at Sirius.
"Let's eat!" Lily said. James and Sirius looked at each other and bolted to the kitchen. It was much like the one at the Black's house. It had just enough room for everyone.
Harry sat beside James and Ron, Seri besides Charlie and Sirius.. It was just as it should have been. This was life. this is what it should be. have been.
That night, everyone had left, Lily had gone to bed and it was only Harry and James in the living room with a big mug of hot chocolate talking.
Harry woke up slowly in cold sweat. He had tears on his face and he felt. complete. That's how everything should be. everything could be. if only it wasn't Harry. if only it hadn't happened like it did. if only everything was different and exactly the same.
Young
"Presents!"
"Christmas!"
"YAY!"
Fred, George and Mark all screamed, running form the boy's dorm to the hall way, their feet heard stomping down the stairs.
Ron rolled over noisy and buried his head in the side of the bed.
"Happy Christmas Harry," His moaned stifled by the bedding.
"Happy Christmas," Harry groaned, waving a hand at Ron.
"Wake up Harry!" Mark squealed, Harry's bed shaking.
"Geeoff!" Harry moaned, trying to kick Mark, off, but the boy jumped to safety.
"Come on Harry, presents!" Mark said merrily. "I got you one and mum and dad sent me some. oh come on!" He was now tugging on Harry's arm.
"Alright. alright." Harry rolled out of bed, hitting the floor with a thud.
Harry pulled on a sweater over his pj's, messed with his hair and drug Ron off his bed to the floor with a thump.
Slowly, the warm smell of bacon and the perfume of cinnamon bread got Ron and Harry awake, dashing down the stairs with Mark.
"Mornin' Harry!" Charlie said happily. "Sit down."
Confused by this, Harry sat down with Ron and Hermione.
Harry didn't really care for his presents or the breakfast feast or anything right now, this Christmas had been his best ever, and he just woke up. He had his two best friends back. he wasn't hiding anything from them anymore. he had gotten back a "father" figure he thought he lost back and part of the family he never had. For some reason, just sitting there next to his friends waiting to be serviced an alien feeling bubbled inside him. it wasn't nerves or hunger. it wasn't joy or excitement.it was completeness.
He grinned to himself.
"Smells great mum!" Bill said.
"Wonderful!" Charlie added.
"Well, I think everyone is here." Mrs. Weasley said, looking at the faces sitting at the table. "Wait, where is Seri?"
"I thought she was down here helping you!" Hermione said.
"I thought she was still asleep." Mrs. Weasley said.
"What if she ran away?!?" Mark said, falling into his hand with a childish cry.
Harry looked around at the faces at the table. "She wouldn't have run away. she just got her dad back." Harry said softly. And without another word he got up and left the kitchen.
He trudged up the stairs and down the hall, stopping outside the last door.
Harry inhaled a deep breath and pressed his ear to the door.
There was a faint hiss of words and a joyful laughter
He cracked the door open.
Seri was sitting in the chair, talking to Sirius.
Seri's eyes were glazed over as though with tears, but they were alive. laughing, smiling and singing almost.
Sirius looked like a picture of long ago. He had his short hair again that fell into his eyes and his face was errorless. before anything went wrong. this was the real Sirius.
"Have you ever met Angelica?" Sirius said.
"No." Seri said softly, almost as though struck, "What is she like, tell me?"
Sirius grinned and leaned back on his head board, hands behind his head. "Well she's pretty. really pretty. And.." Sirius said softly, looking to the ceiling, "She has the most beautiful eyes and she's funny. A real clown I tell ya." Sirius laughed and Harry swore he saw a tear glitter on Seri's cheek. "My Angel is my best friend. she' gorgeous and perfect. and." Sirius grinned.
Seri whipped her eyes quickly so Sirius couldn't see, "She sound beautiful Sirius." She said.
"You have no idea."
The floor board creaked.
"JAMES!" Sirius cried, his eyes jumping to the door and him jumping out of bed.
"Hi Padfoot," Harry said uneasily.
"I was just telling Angelica here about your cousin" Sirius clamped a hand on Harry's shoulder laughing wildly. Seri's cheeks turned red. it was noticeable she hated the lie. "By the way, where is that cousin of yours?"
Harry, totally bewildered and taken aback by the question, shrugged looking to Seri for help.
"Sirius, how about you join us for breakfast." Seri said.
"Sounds wonderful!" Sirius said dashingly. He pulled on some robes over his pj's and marched to the door till his eye caught something and he stopped.
He blinked.
Confusion washed over his face.
His eyes narrowed.
He was staring at the tiny picture of him balancing Harry and Seri on his knee.
All three of them were laughing.
Seri snatched the picture and tossed it under the bed.
Sirius looked at her, cocking his head a bit as though realizing something.
His eyes fell to Harry.
And as though he was rebooted, Sirius shook his head and grinned wildly.
"Howdy Prongs!" He said. "What am I doing in my parent's home.. We are supposed to be in an Order meeting right now." Sirius dashed to the door, Seri catching him in time. "Angel?" He said, eye brow raised.
"No, I'm Angelica Malfoy. remember." She said, shaking slightly.
Sirius jerked his arm away, "You dirty Malfoy! You stinkin' Death Eater!"
Sirius held Seri to the wall by her throat.
"Sirius!" Harry cried, hanging onto Sirius's arm which suspended Seri in air. "She. not. bad."
Slowly Sirius let her go, her feet hitting the floor. "Sorry about that," Sirius went pink and scratched the back of his head.
Seri looked more horrified than when her father was holding her against the wall.
She was touching her throat, staring at him. awe. disbelief and sorrow fighting for her face.
"REMUS!" She screamed, not moving from the wall. "Would you come here a moment!"
"Moony!" Sirius said in Harry's ear, "Excellent."
"What is it Seri. I mean Angelica?" Remus said when he was visible in the frame of the room.
"Moony!" Sirius cried. "You look awful from last night."
Remus looked at him, a little confused. "What's going on?"
"We have an Order meeting right now." Sirius said as though just remembering. "Now where the hell did Pety go?"
Remus's eyes bugged out and then he sighed.
"Padfoot ole pal, the Order meeting was cancelled. the Prewetts were attacked last night.they're okay. but Dumbledore had gone to get them a safe house. he said to enjoy Christmas."
Seri looked from Remus, to Sirius then sadly to Harry.
"Right, Christmas!" Sirius said happily. "Now you three be gone so I might changed." He said, a twinkle in his eye.
The door shut with a snap. "Remus, what's going on?"
Remus sighed and looked at Seri.
"When he woke up last night, I assume that he was dwelling in the memory right after he started dating your mum." Remus explained, leading the way to the kitchen. "That was about four months before we joined the Order."
"What does that mean?" Harry asked.
"Well, one, something he saw or something you two said made his memory jolt four months."
"The picture. but that doesn't make any since, it was of me and Harry as babies." Seri said.
Remus was silent for a moment, thinking about this, "Perhaps he knew he should know that memory and those children in the picture, so his mind started searching for it or something like that."
"So, since he was trying to remember us, he started living in another memory."
"I think so." Remus said. "It also means that what ever we do or say to him now, doesn't effect his memories. he thought it was a full moon last night, and he again though Seri was her mum. at least I'm guessing."
"Yeah, he thought I was mum," Seri said softly.
"Yes well." Remus trailed off."But here is the best news, if we keep sparking his memory of details and such pretty soon he might get up to speed."
Seri grinned slightly. "Meaning that'll he'll be normal?"
"Yes my dear, yes."
Harry grinned at this and Seri fell into his arms with a joyful cry.
"What's wrong babe?" Sirius said, striding down the hall. He was wearing Black family robes.
Seri whipped her eyes and grinned at him. "Nothing, but would you excuse me."
Seri jerked Harry's arm and they sped faster down the stairs.
"Charlie!" She screamed, veering Harry toward the living room.
Fast foot step thundered closer to them.
She "threw" Harry into the extra den were her mother's picture hung and shut it softly after Charlie came bolting in.
"Scissors!" She said, waving her wand. And silver scissors appeared in front of her.
"Seri, what's going on?" Charlie asked, touching her upper arm.
"I want you. or one of you to cut my hair." Seri said.
"WHAT! But your hair's so pretty!" Charlie yelled.
"Shhhh.." Seri hushed, "Charlie, dad is going to be 'waking' up in different memories every now and then and I don't want him every time calling me Angel. I'm not MOM!" She screamed, nearly in tears, pointing at the portrait above her.
"Seri, but your hair is so pretty." Charlie repeated, running his hands through it.
"Charlie Weasley, cut it off or I'll do it!" Seri said, snatching the scissors out of mid air.
"Fine," Charlie said, taking the scissors from her. "Comb!" He hissed and a red comb appeared in thin air. He grabbed it and started combing through it, snipping the scissors and rich black hair falling to his feet.
"Why did you want me here?" Harry asked.
But he knew why, Seri had thick tears welding in her eyes and her two small hands were holding one of Harry's tightly.
"It's going to be okay Seri," Harry said softly. "Sirius well be normally again and everything will be okay."
When Charlie opened the door Seri stepped in close behind him. Plates were dropped and shattered and gasps were hissed when everyone in the kitchen saw Seri's new hair cut. It was short, just above her shoulders, and some what layer thanks to a handy spell Bill taught Charlie.
Sirius was sitting at the very end, next to Remus. He was leaning over a plate piled with food, shoveling in mouthfuls at a time. Seri grinned and sat down next to him. He grinned, eggs falling from his mouth.
Slowly the attitude in the room began to calm down and breakfast was severed. Harry was still standing at the end of the table.
He smiled to himself hearing Sirius's carefree laughter and he couldn't help but know it was that laugh that Seri's mum must had fallen in love with and it was that self esteem that made him James Potter's best friend.
Harry sat down on the other side of Seri. She put her tan arm around his shoulders and hugged him to her for a bit.
He pulled away gently from her and shoved a bit of egg and bacon in his mouth before he looked over at the couple next to him.
Sirius, as has been noted, looked younger. His eyes were vivacious and his face was stress free. This was the Sirius before James and Lily Potter died. before his fiancé and her daughter (remember Sirius "didn't know" Seri was his). This was the Padfoot before the twelve years of Azkaban, before the fright and fight with Harry. This must be who Sirius Black really was. He was younger.
Seri's hair made her look. like it's who she was. She was finally Sirius Angel Black, no longer living in the shadow of her dead mother or her lost father. Seri was no longer an orphan and a daughter of the Malfoys. she was Seri. Harry choked down another mouthful. Seri was younger, more carefree and less of the world was weighing in on her shoulders.
Then Harry thought of himself. how much had he matured since he last looked in the mirror. He was Harry Potter; he wasn't living in the shadow of his parents any longer either. He, for the first time in his life, had a family he cared for and cared back and he was on the same level with his friends once again. Perhaps he himself was giving off the same hope and promise that the two people next to him were.
All in all, this is how things should be and should have been. Angelica Potter should be sitting on the other side of Seri and Lily and James should be on either side of Harry. Remus would be across the table with sitting with the rest of the Potter family. Perhaps it could have been like this. if only it wasn't Harry
The rest of that day was the best Christmas could ever remember! The food seemed to taste sweeter, the gifts were better and for once since 15 years ago, Harry was sharing the day with his very own family.
They stayed up late. Him, Sirius and Seri sat in the living room with a big mug of hot chocolate and just talked. Harry got used to being called "James" or "Prongs" and he love the look in Seri's eyes. she was finally getting to know her father. And then Harry envied her. 15 years of waiting and she got he father back. Harry would have to wait forever.
This haunting and selfish thought drove Harry to bed, leaving Sirius and Seri alone in the dark. He wished them well.
That night Harry dreamt, but the dream was so real.
"Harry," Someone called from below. It was a sweet voice that sang well after it ended. "Harry James Potter, get up!" The voice squealed excitedly. "It's Christmas!"
Harry rolled out of bed and found himself not on the oak floor of the boy's dorm but on a ruby red rug. He rubbed his eyes and looked around. His bed was nearly queen size with Gryffindor and Quidditch on the pillows and covers. The walls where covered in posters and picture and awards. At the end of the bed was a broom stick rack with nearly five broom sticks on it.
The door opened and light fled into the room.
"Harry!" Seri came charging into the room and grabbed him around the neck. She had her long hair back, curled tightly at her hips with soft green robes on. Her face was light and cheerful.
Harry smiled and stood up with the help of Seri. "How is my favorite cousin?" She asked cheerfully.
"Err." Harry messed with his hair and that's when his mouth dropped open.
The picture frames were waving at him. He saw himself standing next to a fiery red head and a tall black hair man. He was 3.5.7.9. where did these pictures come from? The Dursley never wasted film on him. His eyes adjusted and then he recognized the people next to him. they were his parents.
There was the one of him and Seri on Sirius's lap. one of James Potter holding a five year old Harry on a broom. Lily trying to cut a seven year old Harry's hair.
He choked.
Harry ran to the mirror and lifted his bangs. there was no scar.
The murder never happened.
His parents never died.
Seri had her parents.
He had his father back.
He had his mother back.
He had his life back.
Harry pushed passed Seri roughly and jumped down the stairs. He ran into the living room and caught himself in the door way. Sitting there on the couch was Lily and James, James's arm around Lily's shoulder. Angelica was sitting on the chair in front of Sirius. They were all smiling at him.
"Merry Christmas bed head!" Angelica called cheerfully, striding across the room giving him a hug.
"I'd say bed head, look at his hair!" Lily said giggly.
"God Lils!" Sirius splat. "He has Prong's hair, what do you except?"
"Shut up Padfoot!" James said, throwing a pillow at Sirius.
"Are you okay Harry?" Seri asked, coming up behind Harry. "You looked ill upstairs."
Harry gave a wide grinned and shook his head no.
"Nothing's wrong with Harry Potter, hun." Sirius said. "He's takes after his dad."
"Daddy!" Seri said, sitting down in Sirius's lap. "Leave Uncle Jamie and Harry alone."
"Yes sweetums." Sirius said softly, kissing her forehead.
"So, where is the food?" James said.
"James.." Lily said, hitting James playfully in the chest. "We have to wait for Remus, Peter, the Weasleys and the Longbottoms."
Harry collapsed into the nearest chair. "Peter?"
"Naturally Harry," James said, a little oddly.
There was a knock on the door. "I'll get it!" Seri said, jumping to her feet.
When she returned and family of red heads followed, one hand in hand with Seri.
"Hey Ron!" Harry said, smiling more than ever.
"Hi-ay Harry." Ron said, sitting down in the couch.
Ginny, Bill, Fred, George, Mrs. Weasley, Mr. Weasley and Percy walked in.
"Where's Charlie?" Harry asked.
Ron rolled his eyes and pushed his head over to the left.
Harry's eyes followed.
"Watch your self Weasley!" Sirius croaked.
"Daddy!" Seri said softly, hitting Sirius on the back of the head. She was sitting on Charlie's lap, giggling.
Then Remus came, he looked younger and more full of life.
The Longbottoms came. Alice and Frank were full of laughter and Neville was thinner, more out spoken and he jumped right into an argument between Remus and Sirius. which Harry learned where very well known and very left alone.
Then Peter came. He held his head a little higher. His clothes were neat and his mother was close behind him, smiling at Sirius.
"Let's eat!" Lily said. James and Sirius looked at each other and bolted to the kitchen. It was much like the one at the Black's house. It had just enough room for everyone.
Harry sat beside James and Ron, Seri besides Charlie and Sirius.. It was just as it should have been. This was life. this is what it should be. have been.
That night, everyone had left, Lily had gone to bed and it was only Harry and James in the living room with a big mug of hot chocolate talking.
Harry woke up slowly in cold sweat. He had tears on his face and he felt. complete. That's how everything should be. everything could be. if only it wasn't Harry. if only it hadn't happened like it did. if only everything was different and exactly the same.