The sun was streaming in from the high windows of the hospital wing when Harry woke the next morning. He sighed and tried to roll over, but realized that something was holding him. He lifted his head and saw Angela holding her arms around him – as if to keep him warm. He realized he must have fallen asleep during her story last night and not wanting to wake him, Angela had stayed there the whole night. He got up, careful not to wake her. He went into the shower to get ready for what was going to be a long day.
Harry found himself taking a sort of 'inventory' while getting dressed and ready. At the beginning of the summer – just one month ago – he felt as if he had nothing. His blood relatives despised even the mere mention of his name; his godfather had been killed. He had convinced himself that all of his friends and professors hated him. One severe life-threatening beating had snapped him back to reality and out of his own Hell. He now had his best friends back, a girlfriend whom he wanted to share his life with and a godmother who seemed to understand him pretty well. He was back to trusting his other friends and his professors again.
Harry had had a hard life – alone and unloved. But now everywhere he turned there were loved ones. He wasn't alone - he knew that now. People were risking their lives to be with him and there was nothing that he could do about it. These people were just as stubborn and determined as he was and if their decision was to love him and stick by his side, then he had to let them do that; besides they had all adopted him into their families and treated him like their own, who was he to argue. His family would never leave him.
For some reason he had instantly bonded with his godmother. His godmother – that sounded weird. But this was no ordinary person – Angela was Dumbledore's granddaughter, Sirius's fiancé, and the future mother to his sisters. And a very powerful witch. Harry knew that Angela loved him for him, not out of duty or obligation. He trusted her like he trusted Ron, Hermione and Ginny. Maybe it was because she had been inside his head and never once pried or pushed or peaked. She had seen some horrible things and had had terrible experiences; just like he had. When he looked at her Harry saw a young woman who had been through all the hardships God had given her and still had an amazing faith and the ability to see the joy and laughter in life. Harry knew that that was what Sirius had loved about her and that is why Harry felt so comfortable around her. Besides anyone who could turn Lucius Malfoy into a faerie wearing red and gold fur for an entire day and LIVE to tell about had to be okay.
Harry also had another reason for wanting to stay alive. The babies. He didn't know how good of an older brother he would be, but he would try his best. He had the Weasley's (all 6) as examples (…of what NOT to do according to Ginny.) He had just learned of the babies' existence not 24 hours ago, but he already knew he loved them. Because of them and because of the people he now considered his family, Harry felt alive again. Oh, he still missed Sirius terribly and still wanted to know his mother's touch and father's strength, but he knew now that he could go on. Besides, Ron was right – he was the only one who could kill Voldemort. There was no one else. He would kill Voldemort because he was evil; Harry would do this so that children would have their parents, wives and husbands wouldn't be torn apart and friends could stay friends forever. Voldemort would die because it was Harry's job to protect Ginny, his friends and family. When he did this, others, at least, could have what he never could – a normal life.
Harry left the shower a determined and strong young man, who went to fight the evil of the world with the love he received and the love he gave. He walked into the sleeping ward and noticed Angela wasn't there. There was a note on the bed:
Good Morning dear, I hope you slept alright? I went to change. I will bring breakfast back – I dear say that you and your friends will want to spend the morning together. Be back soon, Paws.
Harry just shook his head as he heard his friends coming down the hallway – Ron and Hermione were arguing about something. It's nice to know that some things never change.
That morning – since he was still restricted to bed – his friends, Remus and Angela ate breakfast with him. Harry told Ron and Hermione and Ginny that he was leaving that day after lunch. For the rest of the day the 'fearsome foursome' (as Minerva had nicknamed them) hung out in the hospital. Since Harry was leaving and wouldn't be in the hospital ward anymore, they thought they had better return it to its natural state. After that they talked about small things like Quidditch, the next school term and what America was like.
Lunch was interesting. The Weasleys and all of the professors came to eat lunch with Harry. Everyone was happy and jovial. The twins were telling jokes, Charlie was telling them about a dangerous rescue mission he had been on when some hikers got into trouble with dragons and Bill was telling them some interesting facts about the case he was working on. No one really mentioned the fact that Harry was leaving. The twins had tried to pull a prank on Angela – not knowing that they were pranking one of their heroes. Their joke was discovered and while Mrs. Weasley was chiding them for misbehaving, Harry leaned over to Ron.
"Did we ever tell the twins who the Marauders were?"
"No. I don't believe we did," Ron whispered back, catching on instantly. Harry motioned for him to tell Hermione and Harry told Ginny.
"Hey secrets don't," George started.
"Make friends," Fred finished.
"Oh we were just mentioning how the Marauders would be disappointed in your lack of prank execution," said Harry very nonchalantly. He also sneaked a look at Angela and Remus. Remus just gave Harry a knowing although wicked smile and Angela gave him a very devious look.
"Yes well. We have failed, we are so ashamed," one said.
"But, we have done very well on most other occasions. We have carried on their honorable tradition."
"Oh I'm sure that they are very pleased and amused by some of the pranks that you have pulled," conceded Harry.
"I remember the pranks they played. I always found them highly amusing," Angela said in an of-handed way. "Moony would pass the orange juice, please?"
"Here you go Paws," Remus said grinning crazily. "I remember them fondly. Those were the good old days."
"Moony… Paws…."
"You… Wait a second… WHAT?"
"You two are the Marauders?" the twins bellowed. They looked at their old DADA professor and then at the four people laughing at them. Ron and Harry were both on the floor in amusement and laughter, Hermione was just smiling at them and Ginny was laughing so hard she was having trouble breathing.
"Yes, yes I am. I am Mister Moony – the last of the faithful Marauders," Remus said humbly.
"And I am the last of the Sirens – the Marauders' better half shall we say," Angela said with the laughter in her voice apparent.
"Guess what?" Harry said, slightly recovering from his laughing, "Sirius was Padfoot and my dad was Prongs."
"Your DAD was Mister Prongs?" this news had shocked the twins.
"Harry – I have to congratulate you. I think this is the first time the twins have had absolutely nothing to say," Mr. Weasley mused.
"Well I have something else that will shock them," said Ginny with a dangerous look in her eye. She looked at Harry, "Since Harry is leaving in a few minutes, I need to give him a going away present." And with that Ginny leaned up and kissed Harry. At first Harry was just as surprised as the Weasleys, but in a few seconds he responded to the kiss. After a few seconds they broke apart and saw that not only were the twins staring at them but so was every other person in the room – minus Ron, Hermione, Angela and Remus.
"And I think that that is our cue to leave," Angela said offering Harry her hand. The two adults left with the foursome as the Weasley family and the professors were still trying to figure out exactly what had happened.
^*^*^*^*^*^
"What on Earth possessed you to do that?" Ron asked, barely containing his laughter.
"It seemed like a good idea at the time," Ginny shrugged.
"You have no complaints form me," said Harry looking down at Ginny who was holding his hand.
"Aiaia, Remus, what is it with Potters and redheads?" Angela asked laughingly. The six just looked at each other and laughed. It felt good to laugh with no repercussions or incentive to do so. The six of them just sat down in the hallway, sharing in a wonderful memory.