What else do you want from me?

Chapter 2

Two days later, Harry came back from the hospital and walked into his house to find his room door open. He walked silently towards his room and leaned against the doorframe, waiting to be noticed. His parents stood inside talking quietly.

"Quite a bookish person, eh, Lily?" James said staring at the books which lined the four walls of Harry's room from top to bottom. His bed was in one side of the room and there was a table with a computer on it at the other side.

"Albus said that he is a doctor," Lily said.

"You mean a Healer?"

"Something like that. It's rather complicated, though. Are you sure he'd want us to linger in his house, James?"

"Honestly, I don't care how he feels. I just want him to acknowledge us, and show us some proper respect, that's all. And then after that maybe we can think about being a family."

Harry had heard enough.

"What the hell are you doing in my room?" he snarled. His parents turned around, with looks of shock on their faces. They followed their son out into the sitting room. He didn't tell them to sit, but they simply sat down.

"How did you get into my house?" Harry asked, maintaining his composure.

"A simple Alohomora did the trick, my dear son," James said coolly.

"So just because you've got magical powers you would walk into other people's house like that? Can't you respect other people's privacy? Honestly, what would the muggles think of you all?" Harry said, disgusted.

"You could do with some manners, young man," Lily said sharply.

"Mrs Potter, would you consider yourself to have manners if you walk into someone's house uninvited?" Harry said calmly, purposely avoiding calling his mother 'mum'.

"Why did you leave the wizarding world?" James asked, getting straight to the point.

"Didn't Dumbledore tell you? I don't think so. Look, I have killed Voldemort. I have fulfilled the prophecy. I have avenged the two of you, Sirius, and many others. To cut the long story short, I have served my purpose in the wizarding world, so what else do you want from me?" Harry said.

"To accept and acknowledge the two of us as your parents." Lily said.

"Why should I? Give me one good reason."

"Because you are our son."

"You left me to fend for myself. Can you still consider me as your son?" Harry spat. "Ever since I entered the Muggle world, I was happy. I met new people and I made new friends. Then all of a sudden, pop! You two appear and Dumbledore says, "Harry, your parents weren't dead after all! You can be a happy family now!" And you all expect me to tumble into your arms and profess my love for you. Honestly, do you think I can take all that crap?"

"No one is asking you to tumble into our arms, Harry, though you can, if you want to. All we ask is for you to come with us and see if it will work out." James said icily.

"It'll never work out, Father," Harry mocked, "So just get the hell out of here and leave me alone!"

His parents' eyes blazed with hurt and anger.

"For God's sake, leave and don't come back!"

"We'll leave for now, but we'll be back. Consider your words and actions tonight. If you do not come with us willingly, then we will be forced to take action." James hissed.

Harry rolled his eyes. These people really have nothing better to do.

The two walked out and Harry shut the door behind them.

*

A door opened and an old woman poked her head out. "Good evening. Visiting Harry?" she croaked.

Lily and James glanced at each other and agreed to an unspoken question.

"Yes. You are?" Lily asked.

"Mrs Agnes Thomas. Pleasure to meet you." she held out a shriveled hand and the two shook out. Would you like to come in?"

After the customary hand-shakes and exchange of pleasantries, James asked, "What do you think of Harry, Mrs Thomas?"

"Harry? Why, he is a good lad. Always ready to help someone in need. He's ever so well-mannered, bless that boy! And he's a marvellous doctor too…been in the papers a couple of times. Extremely dedicated to his patients, and to the hospital. Every so often, I'd see him dash out of his house and rush to the hospital because of some emergency case that needs tending too. A wonderful young man. Are you related to him?" she squinted at them curiously.

"Yes, er, no, er, we're his friends." Lily stuttered.

"Well, then you are very lucky to be his friends, as I am to be his neighbour." Mrs Thomas said.

James cleared his throat and said, "Well, it's late and I guess we'd better get going. Goodbye Mrs Thomas, and goodnight." The couple stood up. Mrs Thomas walked them to the door. "Goodnight, dears,"

"That was very enlightening," Lily murmured.

"Certainly, darling. I'll find a way to get him out." James said. And the two left.

*

Harry frowned and stared at the report. A new, deadly and mysterious virus had just broken out and it was infecting hundreds of people every day. It was nicknamed Virus Thirty-One because on the very first day it was discovered, it took away thirty-one lives.

Dr Williams had arranged an emergency meeting to discuss about the disease and the precautions to take. After the meeting, he tapped Harry on the shoulder and said, "Keep yourself healthy, Harry, we're going to be extremely busy for the next few weeks, or perhaps the next few months." Harry nodded. His mentor patted him on the back and strode off.

The young doctor sighed. With the new virus breaking out, the hospital was filled with patients every day. Even more people were put on quarantine. All health-care workers were told to put on masks, gowns and gloves when working with patients. At the end of the day, they were ordered to shower in the hospital before going home, to avoid the risk of spreading the virus. Things were so hectic that Harry forgot about his parents, until one day, when something jogged his memory.

After a chaotic day at the hospital, Harry returned home, half-dead and thoroughly burnt out. A horrendous sight greeted his eyes. Almost every single Order member was crammed in his house, some even overflowing into his kitchen. Even Albus Dumbledore was there. And of course, his parents were there too. Then Tonks, in all her pink-haired glory, waved and said brightly, "Hi Harry!" Her greeting was echoed by more than ten others.

"How are you doing, mate?" Ron shouted.

"Hello Harry!" said Hermione.

"Harry, dear, you look exhausted!" Charlie said, mimicking Mrs Weasley's voice. Everyone laughed, except Harry.

Even his parents gave him a cheesy smile and waved.

"Oh lordy," Harry murmured. He walked into his bedroom and opened the door, to be greeted by the sight of Fred and George's four offspring bouncing enthusiastically on his bed. Arthur Weasley was busy admiring his computer. "Oh, hello Harry! Nice thing you've got here! What is it called, a Ponkuter?"

"God, help!" Harry mumbled and walked out of his room into the toilet. Ginny was standing by the washbasin, powdering her nose. There was powder all of the floor. Harry slouched into the kitchen, only to find Mrs Weasley fiddling with the knobs on his stove.

Harry walked to the living room, his shoulders sagging. He stood in the middle, dropped his briefcase on the floor and fell to the ground. He covered his face with both his hands and sighed. Harry sat up, closed his eyes and not bothering to hide his weariness, he said, "Is there anything you all want? If not, please, I beg you, leave. I am extremely tired and I have not slept or eaten or rested for the past forty-eight hours. For god's sake, spare me!"

"We just wanted to visit you, Harry, I mean we've not had a gathering like this for such a long time!" Hermione said cheerfully. "And besides –" Dumbledore said. But no one would know what Dumbledore had wanted to say, because at that very moment, Harry toppled backwards and fell into deep, much-deserved, much-needed sleep.

"Poor child," Mrs Weasley said, clucking sympathetically.

"So what do we do now?" Lupin asked.

"I suggest we wait here till morning then maybe we'll be able to talk to him." Lily said.

So all of them found a space on the floor, on the table or on the sofa and fell asleep. At about 3 am, their sleep was interrupted by the sound of Harry's mobile phone ringing loudly.

"Hello?" He said sleepily.

"…"

"Boss, I only came back 3 hours ago. Give me a break!"

"…"

"Twenty-eight confirmed cases? I'll be right there!!"

Lily stared at her son in the dark. He shot up, rushed to the toilet and 2 minutes later, he rushed out of the toilet, grabbed his briefcase and ran out of the house.

"That was fast," someone murmured.

Every so often, I'd see him dash out of his house and rush to the hospital because of some emergency case that needs tending too.

James remembered Mrs Thomas' words.

"Now what are we going to do?" Mundungus Fletcher grumbled.

"Wait here till he comes back?" another person suggested.

"I've got a job, mister, I don't have time to hang around here all day and all night!"

*

"Shh, don't make so much noise!"

"Don't forget, say it loudly!"

"We want him to be so touched that he'll come back with us, remember?"

"You're sitting on my leg, woman!"

"That's my business!"

"Shut up, Ginny!"

"He's coming!"

The doorknob turned and Harry walked in, with a bag slung in each hand. "HAPPY BIRTHDAY HARRY!!!" All of them shouted. But Harry didn't even notice them. He was busy talking into two mobile phones at the same time.

"Yes, sir, I'll get it ready, sir,"

"I'm sorry, ma'am, I can't hear you, please speak up!"

"Oh and sir, please make sure that we have enough masks for the whole hospital staff,"

"Yes, ma'am,"

"Thank you sir,"

At that moment, every single person in his apartment started bellowing and screeching and growling the birthday song. Lily hurried behind her son and swept him in a tight, well-rehearsed embrace while James ruffled his hair in an exaggerated show of affection. Harry pushed his mother away furiously and swatted his father's hand away from his head. If there was anything he disliked, it was people playing with his hair.

"Don't you dare touch me!" he shouted. Then he kicked the door open and stalked out. There was a silence. "That was extremely polite of him," Mrs Weasley said testily. Without a moment's hesitation, Lily and James hurried after their son and the rest of them followed.

They were led to a nearby park. Harry was seating on one of the benches with his head on his hands. He heard two bumps. His parents had plopped down on both sides of him. That was the last straw.

"Yesterday, I was tired and hungry after two whole days of work. I went home, hoping to find some rest, only to find you assholes crowding up my apartment. I wanted to sleep, but I couldn't because those four brats were using my bed as a trampoline. I couldn't work – Mr Weasley was fiddling with the computer. I couldn't eat – Mrs Weasley was playing with the stove. Today? Same thing again. I went home, hoping to find some rest, only to find that you all were still there. I couldn't even talk to my boss and my patient because you all were screeching goodness-knows-what. Then I came down here for some peace and quiet and you all follow me. Ever since you two idiots popped out of nowhere, my life has been living hell. For goddamn sake, get the hell out of my life. Just, just stop bugging me, okay?" His tirade was followed by a shocked silence.

Then James spoke up. "Look, sonny, the world doesn't revolve around you. These people sacrificed their weekend to celebrate your birthday with you, so can't you just show them a little bit of appreciation, you ungrateful soul?" he spat.

"In case you haven't noticed, mister whatever-you-want-to-call-yourself, my birthday is in two months time. And I wasn't the one who came up with the brilliant idea of asking them to sacrifice their weekend!"

Lily stood up, took his hand in a vice-like grip and said, "Listen to me, Harold James Potter, you are coming with us back to the wizarding world, whether you like it or not. And when we get back I am going to force some manners into that thick skull of yours!"

Harry could see Dumbledore's eyes twinkling brightly from the corner of his eye. That old bag was clearly enjoying himself.

Harry wrenched hand out of his mother's fingers and spat, "Unlike you, mummy dearest, I have a job. I am committed to the hospital, and to my patients. At least I play a part in society. At least I don't run away every time danger strikes." His words had hurt his parents deeply, and he knew it. Somehow, he felt a sense of satisfaction seeing them cringe. How dare they just barge into my life like that?

Then James gave Ron a slight, almost imperceptible nod. The red-head took a rubber ball and threw it at Harry. Out of pure instinct, he caught it. Harry felt a jerk behind his navel and to his shock and horror, he realized that the innocent-looking ball was actually a portkey.

What the hell do they want? How can Ron do this to me?

Author's Notes

To CatzClaws, Indiangurl, Draken Smythe, insanechildfanfic, GEmory, Savi2070, spacecatdet, Death's Shadow, Holly, Slimpun, Erika, VB, Keronshara, Serath, pablo5280, john and RAVAD'S Bassist:

Thank you so much! I was down with food poisoning and I was sitting in front of the computer wallowing in self-pity when I checked my mailbox and saw so many Review Alerts. You all really cheered me up. Honestly, I've never received so many reviews for one chapter before. I will update as soon as possible. Meanwhile, REVIEW!!!

Erika: You forgot to leave me your address, so I couldn't send you an email. But I'll do so in the future if you give me your address. Thanks for your review!

Death's Shadow: Well, that's one thing I didn't think about, lol, but let's just say that Harry's a modest person who doesn't want to live off his inheritance. J

RAVAD'S Bassist: That's a great idea. I'll think about it and develop it further. Thanks!

VB: I've never been to Snitchfiction.org before, but I tried it on my computer and it didn't work too. Maybe they removed the site or something…