At first it sounded as if it were some sort of concert. A very loud rock concert to be exact. The entire house seemed to be thudding along to the beat. Remus scrunched his mouth to the side as he cautiously walked in through the kitchen door of Potter Asylum , as Jimmy had endearingly deemed it not too long after they'd moved in. Close at his side was a fully recovered, and rather anxious, Sirius Black.
"Is it always this loud round here, Moony?" The coal-haired man inquired as he looked round the very well-kept kitchen. It was so homey and cozy and so..so..Potter.
"Not usually, but then again, its their birthday. They might be blowing off some steam," Remus replied as he crossed the linoleum floor and stopped dead short in the doorway leading to the living room. A huge grin broke out over his face and he enthusiastically waved his old friend over." Padfoot, come here, quick."
The Animagus rose a curious brow and joined the sandy-blonde man in the archway. The sight that met him caused a similar grin to grace his chiseled features. The two men exchanged a look and resigned themselves to watching quietly from their spot as the Potter brothers amused themselves behind a guitar and drum set.
Sirius found himself tapping a toe to the song as the boys echoed eachother wonderfully. Remus laughed at his best friend's joyful expression, trying to picture the last time he saw Sirius smile. It was a sobering thought that crossed his mind, and he quickly shoved it away. Remus broke into applause as the Potters finished up the song, causing them to jump and blush furiously.
"That was brilliant. I didn't know you could play the drums, Jimmy," The werewolf commented as he stepped into the room.
"Ah,well, its just a hob-" The boy broke off, noticing another tall figure lurking still in the doorway." Who's that?"
"Oh, HIM?" Remus said through a smile, then gave a nonchalant shrug." Some dog that followed me home."
The brothers frowned their confusion before the man in question crossed into the light, revealing himself with a broad grin.
"SIRIUS!" Harry exclaimed before tearing across the room at an alarming speed and practically tackled the Animagi.
"OOMF!" Sirius gasped, quickly recovering his wits and hugging his Godson with fervor. He held the boy to him, burying his face in the long, ebony hair he'd missed so much.
"Oh, god, I've missed you, Sirius." Harry groaned into the man's cloak, hugging him tighter.
Sirius smiled sadly, gently stroking his Godson's hair and soothing away the sobs that had overtaken Harry by now."Shh, now, c'mon. You didn't really think you could keep me away, did you? I'm harder to get rid of than a boggart."
Harry chuckled through his tears and let himself be gently pulled away at arms-length to be examined.
"Bloody 'ell, well look at you. Merlin's beard, you've grown."
Harry shrugged a bit through a bashful smile, reaching up to nudge his silver, thin-wire glasses back into place, " I 'pose."
The man grinned and cuffed him gently on the chin," You suppose. Right."
Harry hugged him once again, taking his time to breathe the coal-haired man in properly. Musky cologne, bath soap and something earthy that was always just..Sirius.
"I thought it'd be a nice birthday present for you," Lupin commented as he watched the two contentedly.
"Thank you," Harry murmured against the dark fabric of Sirius' robes.
Jimmy rose his eyebrows in mock innocent curiosity," You gave him a person?"
The tawny-haired man looked over and gave him a sarcastic smile," Yes, I gave him a person."
Jimmy seemed to mull this over in his mind, chewing on his lip thoughtfully before looking back at his guardian, " Well, mine better be hot, blond and hung, thats all I gotta say."
After a moment of pure shock, Sirius and Harry burst into laughter as Remus simply rolled his eyes and grabbed his Godson by the head to give him an exasperated hug.
0=0=========
An hour later found the four in mid-clean up mode, Sirius in a rather good huff over a curious black stain that refused to come out of the kitchen wall.
"Oh, just leave it, Padfoot. That thing's never coming out."
"Oh, it will alright, and it will LIKE it," The man growled as he racked his brain for more spells.
"Trust me, that thing's as stubborn as ogres are ugly," Jimmy said as he pushed the last case of butterbeer into the fridge to chill.
"We think it was placed there by some ancient dark witch that was bent on world domination but settled for irremovable stains instead," Harry put in as he re-emerged from the pantry after having put away various crisps, cookies and cakes. Naturally, he held a bag of crisps and was proceeding in eating them.
Sirius snorted and Remus cast a doubtful look.
"OR, one of you cast a spell you weren't supposed to and scorched the wall without telling anyone," A silky voice commented from the doorway.
Sirius couldn't help but jump. It was a mark of how long he'd been out of it that he was now startled by ghosts, and teenage ones at that.
"Oh, I'm sorry! I didn't know there was company," Cienna apologized then shot Jimmy and Harry dirty looks, obviously for not having told her there would be someone other than Lupin coming early.
"We're ever so sorry, your highness. We WILL remember to inform you the next time any of us does anything. I plan on using the bathroom in about ten minutes, shall I tell you before I go?" Jimmy said through a syrupy voice and instantly received the punishment: A quick slap in the face by the spirit. Of course, it wasn't meant to hurt. The rush of icy cold dampness passing through the skin was more than enough of a reprimand.
"I'm sorry for startling you," Cienna went on, ignoring the glare Jimmy was shooting her way as he feverishly tried to rub away the stinging coolness off his cheek. " I'm Cienna Parker."
Sirius rose his raven brows. It wasn't rare that a ghost would be polite, but so young? " Er, Sirius Black. Nice to meet you."
"Sirius Black? THE Sirius Black? As in Harry's GODFATHER Sirius Black?" She squeaked.
"Er...Yes?"
"AH!" The girl squealed." I've heard SO much about you! How are you? Feeling alright? Have they made you tea? Would you like a sit? How dare they make you work after all you've been through."
The boys blinked as she cast them scowls.
"Um, no, I-I'm fine...But, if you'll pardon my asking, who exactly are you and why are you haunting my Godson's house?"
Cienna blushed beautiful silver and tossed her hair absently behind her shoulder," Oh, well, you see..."
"She was Harry's girlfriend who got killed by Hermione Granger when she was being possessed and she decided to stay behind to help Harry fight ol' Moldywart." Jimmy filled in when it was apparent no one else would.
" What! " Sirius asked incredulously. He'd heard the summary from Remus a few days after waking, but it was still severe to hear it all being said so casually. Or else that was just Jimmy's manner. Remus warned of that too, so did Harry when he visited that one time. Jimmy was just all over the place, no one knew anymore what exactly he was going to do or say. Sirius couldn't help but be reminded of how drastically different he ended up being from Harry.
Jimmy shook his head with a mock sigh," Yeah, you're telling me. So, she helped out, in an obnoxiously vague way if I might add. And now she's staying with us cause she can't go back, tormenting our every waking hour."
Harry couldn't help but narrow his eyes and reprimand his brother," We don't really mind, she's more helpful than a nuisance."
Cienna grinned and stuck her tongue out at Jimmy, who returned the gesture by blowing raspberries in her direction.
Sirius chuckled lightly, admiring the easy manner they all treated eachother with. It made the obvious more painfully so: He'd stepped right back into the middle of their lives.
"Hullo hullo! We're here!" A familiar male voice called from the living room.
" And early I'd say!" Jimmy called back and walked out to greet the new comers. Remus and Cienna tailed behind him, leaving the brunettes by themselves.
Sirius turned to the boy, a soft smile on his lean face,"Harry, I'm glad you've moved on."
"What do you mean?"
"I mean, look at the life you have now. Its wonderful, everything I've ever dreamed for you to have. Family, a place of your own, a promising career. I can tell you're happier now than the last time I saw you."
"Well, the last time you saw me I was drenched in gunk after fighting off various Death-eaters and watching you fall through that veil," He replied.
A silence overtook them then. Harry had brought it up. The topic that needed discussion, but Sirius was just too scared to mention.
"I died that day...when you fell..." Harry mumbled quietly.
Sirius looked over at him, seeing the usually bright eyes a disturbingly shadowed jade as they focused on a spot on the tiles.
"It was hard getting through it, and Jimmy helped me forget for awhile...But...I know I wasn't going to make it." The Gryffindor muttered through a cracked voice. He reached up and hastily pushed away tears before clearing his throat." But none of it matters now cause you're here and you're alive and I'm grateful."
Sirius frowned at his godson's broken soul. Why hadn't he seen it before? It was so blatantly obvious, it hurt. This boy, a mere nineteen today, had been through almost as much as HE had in his thirty something years of existing. Losing parents he didn't remember and a girlfriend. A dwindling friendship that was supposed to last forever. Gaining a ostentatious twin brother. Fighting and defeating the worst evil the world had ever known before he had even finished adolescence. And Sirius was sure he hadn't helped the boy's dilemma with his two year disappearance and additional year-long recovery. All in all, he hadn't been a very good Godfather.
"Stop it."
The man blinked back to reality and found the same dark sage eyes locked on his," Pardon?"
"Stop brooding. Whats happened, happened. We can't change it, " Harry said through a grim expression." I love you Sirius, and I'm more than happy that you're back so, lets just stop musing over the crap that has been our lives and get on with living. "
Sirius smiled and nodded, wrapping up his boy in a mighty hug his newly filled out body could finally manage. Harry sighed in the man's neck, letting the moment ease his pain, though it did not erase it. Truth was, nothing would take away the gnawing ache in his heart, the place where parents should've been.
The two men embraced for as long as they could before it was necessary to go out and welcome the rather rambunctious Weasleys. In the back of Harry's mind was the ever broadening thought of "Tonight we open the bureau. Tonight I discover my parents."
He didn't know just how right he was.
0=0==========
Jimmy groaned and made a frantic dash for the stereo, only to get tackled by Harry.
"Leave it!" Harry yelled, struggling to keep Jimmy off balance. Practically fighting yourself was a terribly difficult thing to do, mind you.
"Must. Kill. Crappy. Music. " Jimmy grunted, straining to free his arms.
Oblivious to the boys, everyone else at the party was besides themselves with laughter. Even Severus Snape in his purposely secluded spot at the far table found himself amused. Since it was the Potters' birthday, there had been a mixed arrangement of music, ranging from hip-hop to retro punk. Currently playing was Harry's absolute favorite song, " London Calling " by The Clash. And Jimmy was doing all he could to shut off the horrible sound.
"Oh, come ON, its not that bad," Harry attempted, finally settling for sitting on the backs of Jimmy's thighs.
"My EARS are bleeding!" Jimmy exclaimed.
"Oh really now," Harry scowled.
" TOO MUCH BRITISH! HELP ME!"
The older brother chuckled despite himself and patted his twin's calf," I hate to break it to you, Jim, but you're IN Britain."
"AHHHHH!"
"Are we done here?" Remus asked as he finally managed to make his way over. Sirius was somewhere behind him, laughing himself silly.
"I don't know, are we done Jimmy?" Harry inquired over his shoulder at the pinned boy under him.
"Hold on," He replied." AHHHHHHH!" Taking a breath, Jimmy hoisted himself onto his elbows." Ok done."
"Blimey, Harry. You should've been a rugby player," Dean Thomas commented as he joined the small group that had formed round the brothers.
"Or a football player," Jimmy remarked calmly, picking grass idly.
"Football? But, that would've been a foul, what Harry did to you," Dean said with a confused frown.
"AMERICAN football," Jimmy clarified." Now, I'm losing feeling in both my legs. Do you mind moving your bulbous ass off me bro?"
Harry scowled as he was unceremoniously toppled to the grass," My arse is NOT bulbous."
Jimmy snorted, dusting the grass from his dark blue jeans and black dress shirt," You keep telling yourself that, Bubble-Butt."
Harry would've pounced the boy had it not been for a certain bushy-haired addition to the gathering audience. The brunette pulled himself together, taking a shaky breath, " 'ello, Hermione. H-how are you?"
The girl gave a meek smile, shrugging," Alright. You?"
He shrugged, " Alright."
"Um, w-would you mind if we..?" She trailed off, motioning to herself, Harry and a thicket of trees behind the house.
"Oh, sure. Um, excuse us, " Harry stepped out of the circle of friends and walked alongside Hermione towards said thicket.
"Don't forget to wrap it!" Jimmy shouted after them. The dirty look his brother shot at him was lost on the boy, however, since he was too busy frowning at the pair. He had a vague feeling what the talk was going to be about. Hermione had been hinting at it for months now, but he had fervently ignored her inquiries. Jimmy had no intention whatsoever to get caught in the middle of one of the most complicated love tragedies he had ever come upon. You just don't fuck with an eight year friendship gone severely sour. You just don't.
"So, uh, how are things at the academy?" Hermione asked, tucking a stray curl of hair behind her ear.
" Good, good. The summer courses aren't so bad. Two classes a week, it's brilliant."
"Well, thats good."
"H-how are things at the Daily Prophet?"
"Oh, you heard?"
"Jimmy told me."
Hermione had to smile. " Of course. He's worse than Seamus sometimes."
"Yeah, " Harry smiled. " But he means well. He never tells anyone anything unless he means to. I think he's more like Malfoy than Seamus."
"Look, Harry. We both know I didn't bring you out here to talk about your brother."
" Oh? I was under the impression that you just wanted to say a private hello. Perhaps wish me a happy birthday. Merlin knows its the least you could do."
"The LEAST I could-... Harry Potter! This is NOT my fault!"
" Could of fooled me."
"Why you spiteful little wanker!"
" Don't you even start, Granger. I wasn't the one avoiding me for the past year and a half." The girl balked."You didn't think I'd notice? I'm not blind, you know. I saw how you slipped out of the room anytime I came into the Ministry. I saw how you avoided me at all costs whenever I went into Diagon Alley...And I know exactly how much time you spent with my brother."
"He wasn't supposed to tell, " Hermione muttered.
"Well, he DID. He's my BROTHER, Hermione. Incase you haven't caught on, blood comes before anything else."
"But WE used to be like that. Closer than blood, even."
"Well...That was a long time ago. Things change...People change..."
Hermione looked up to see Harry walking away from her, arms crossed and body tense with pent in rage. " Harry, wait."
"What? What could you possibly have to say to me after all this time?" He snapped.
There was a long pause, just the sounds of the party dull in the distance. The fairy lights glinted off her hair, still a bit bushy but nowhere near as bad as it used to be. She pulled in a breath, waited a beat, then exhaled in a rush.
"H-hermione..?"
" I'm sorry Harry, " She mumbled, backing up until the warmth of her presence was nothing but a memory. " Have a good birthday, and tell Jimmy the same for me."
And with that, she was gone, leaving Harry to stand alone and bewildered in the middle of a dark clearing, leaves and the faint sounds of laughter echoing like ghosts in his ears. In a voice cracked with emotion and littered with pain, Harry whispered," Goodbye, Hermione."
-==o==o
" Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday dear Harry and Jimmy (bloody Golden Boys!) ! Happy Birthday to you!"
Harry was a good sport and simply threw a plastic fork in Draco's direction while the others had a hearty laugh. In perfect unison, the brothers blew out their nineteen candles atop their impressive triple layer chocolate cake.
Slices were passed out, ice cream was consumed and lively chatter ensued. But before Harry could properly tuck into his third piece, Ron and Fred manhandled him and Jimmy towards the gift table.
" Holy hell! What do you people get paid?" Jimmy exclaimed as he finally set eyes on the magnificent mound of presents piled onto a long wooden table.
Harry had to agree though. He didn't realize THAT many people had attended the party in the first place. But low and behold, there were atleast fifty gifts waiting to be opened.
" Alright mates. Better pull up a chair, you're gonna be here for awhile, " George said as he directed the Potter boys onto freshly conjured gold plush armchairs.
It took the better part of an hour to open all of the presents. What with the cards, trick ribbons ( George and Fred's doing) and people's comments, gift-opening was both entertaining and tedious. By the last box, both brothers had had enough of gifts.
"Well, thats it," Harry sighed.
"Not exactly, bro," Jimmy said with a grin. From behind his back, he pulled out a cage covered with a bright blue cloth.
"Whats this?" Harry inquired as he tentatively took the offering.
"Its your gift, 'tard."
" Ohhh, Jimmy."
"Shut up and just open it."
Harry bit back a smile and slowly tugged the blue fabric from its grasp round the cage. What met Harry's eyes was the most strangest yet beautiful creature he had ever encountered. For lying in the center of a black velvet cushion was a tightly coiled snake of the most vivid red. When it unfurled and rose, a collective gasp escaped the spectators.
" Jimmy, is that what I think it is?"
" Jimmy, where did you find one?"
"How did you AFFORD one?"
" Is der eny more, Jimmeh?"
The boy smirked, tossing a glance at the gigantic man standing behind him, " Sorry, Hagrid. The guy only had one on him."
" Jimmy, do you realize what you just gave your brother?" Mr. Weasley asked as he cautiously inched forward.
"Of course."
Harry cocked his head a bit, finding it both unnerving and intriguing that he was being scrutinized by three pairs of yellow serpent eyes.
"Careful, Harry. Thats a class four Dangerous Beast according to the Ministry, " Lupin warned, finally able to get close enough to properly reprimand the insane Potter youth.
" Actually, its class five." Jimmy shrugged, leaning forward with an eager grin on his face. " So, you like it Harry?"
The boy in question tore his gaze away from the entrancing reptile now in his possession," Yes. Yes, of course. Its BRILLIANT!"
Jimmy grinned wider, " I knew you would. I figured you would enjoy someone else to talk to."
Harry gave a chuckle and leaned in close to the slender snake, hissing almost inaudibly under his breath.
" Ooh, don't do that Harry. It looks like it's going to attack, " Lupin cringed, feeling his skin crawl. Harry just smiled and simply referred to the snakes with quietly hissed words.
" Oh they're not going to bite. They're just scared, is all. All the people are making them nervous," Harry replied, leaning in closer.
Lupin and Ron simultaneously shuttered as one of the little heads licked Harry's nose. unbeknownst to anyone not within one or two feet of the wizard, Harry was busy cooing soothing words of reassurance to his new friend, via Parseltongue. He had all but worked out that the snake's names were Ibis (right head), Olysses (left head) and Peris (middle head). That Olysses and Peris didn't care for Ibis too much, and Ibis thought the other two were freeloaders and all of them pretty much agreed that Peris day dreamed WAY too much. For the most part, they liked Harry and were utterly grateful to finally converse with an 'intelligent' human. They also made it quite clear that they didn't very much care for their had him all but enraptured, almost causing him to forget his own gift he had to give.
" Oh! I have something for you too!"
Jimmy rose a brow," You do?"
"Naturally, " Harry said with a smile. Gently setting the snake's cage in his former spot on the armchair, Harry made his way through the crowd and into the house. A quiet rumble of murmurs filled in the time as Jimmy shot a questioning look at Ron, Remus, Cienna and Draco. They only smiled knowingly, Draco nudging him back to attention as the brunette re-emerged from the cottage.
Jimmy had the distinct impression something was following him, but with everyone standing so close, he couldn't really tell.
Finally, his brother stopped infront of him, a huge grin on his face.
"Now, I know this isn't exactly an object, but seeing as you got me a Runespoor, I'm sure another addition to our little family would be quite proper."
Jimmy smirked, sitting back, " Quite."
After a sarcastic sneer, Harry tucked his hand behind his back, " Happy Birthday, Jimmy."
It took a few seconds for it to properly register, and even then Jimmy was baffled. For what was now standing behind his brother's leg was the oddest creature he'd seen yet. It looked like an imp. Maybe it was. Or perhaps a kappa. No...No, there wasn't a hollow on its head. " What..is it?"
"IT, is a he."
"Oh, sorry. HE. What is HE exactly?"
" He is our new house elf. Jimmy, I'd like you to meet Dobby."
Large, doe green eyes stared up at him in utter awe. The little thing was positively trembling with excitement.
" M-master Jimmy P-potter, sir. Dobby is SO pleased to meet him finally. Dobby has thought of nothing else for the past month."
Jimmy blinked. The house elf, er, Dobby, was enthusiastically shaking his hand, tears brimming the creature's eyes." Uh, HARRY. Did you say..HOUSE ELF?"
Harry looked quite pleased with himself, " Yes, I did."
"OUR new house elf?"
"Yep."
"But...why-"
"You can't keep up with the pace you're going. You need help, and Dobby here is the perfect solution."
Jimmy knew he probably resembled a huge trout, but it wasn't important. No, what was important was that his twin had just got a house elf to take over his distractions-er, responsibilities in the cottage. He just didn't know what to make of it." Well...Harry...Wow."
"And thats as good as you're gonna get! " Draco chuckled, and as if on cue, everyone began to laugh.
Jimmy got to his feet and slapped as a sincere smile as anyone could muster, then hugged his brother rather roughly. Leaning in close to the boy's ear, Jimmy whispered, " You're gonna hear about this tenfold."
There were times to cower in fear before Jimmy's wrath, then there times to laugh in his face. This was definitely the latter of the two. Harry grinned, " Whatever you say, Jim."
" Oh, my masters! Dobby is so happy he is serving the Potters, sirs. Dobby is so happy!"
Jimmy and Harry looked down as the miniscule creature hugged their knees furiously and they laughed.
Soon enough, the guests were gone and the twins and Sirius were busy cleaning up the backyard, but really chattering away about whats been going on while Sirius was gone, while Ron, Draco and Remus tidied up the rest of the kitchen and bathrooms.
" So, how did you like your first ever birthday party?" Sirius asked
Harry looked up from levitating several grotesque plates soaked with ice cream into a tub, and grinned at his godfather, " It was brilliant."
"Birthday parties are over rated I think," Jimmy commented as he puppeted a miniature dragon created from wrapping paper.
Harry rolled his eyes, " Oh please. You've had about as many as I have."
Jimmy scowled at him," Thats not the point. I just think they're over rated."
"Oh? And whys that?" Sirius asked, resting a hand on his hip.
"All we got were clothes and Quidditch things. Now, don't get me wrong, it saves me time and money, but really. We just got supplies. Where's the creativity? Where's the effort?"
"Honestly, Jim. Its not ALL about the presents."
The youth stared at his twin as if he had grass growing out of his nose.
Harry threw his hands up in exasperation, " Thats it, I'm done. I give up. I disown you as my kin."
Jimmy watched as the brunette stalked towards the backdoor, " Ha! You wish! You're stuck with me for life, Harrykins!"
" May I interrupt this little love fest?"
Harry paused by the door, being blocked by a very amused looking Draco," Already done?"
Draco seemed puzzled at first before blinking in realization, " Oh. With the.." He waved his hand lazily in the direction of behind him. " Oh yes. Weasel is quite good with menial labor."
"I heard that Ferret!"
Draco ignored the comment and stood aside, looking at Jimmy pointedly," You have company."
The wizard gave a heavy sigh and resumed stuffing paper and ribbons into a trashbag, " If it's Fudge, tell him I moved and left no forwarding address."
" Its not Fudge."
The Gryffindor looked up at his blond friend, furrowing his brow. curiosity got the better of him and Jimmy found himself walking towards the door. A nervous laugh met his ears as he reached the Slytherin, making his eyes widen. " No..." He breathed.
Forgetting manners or anything to do with proper conduct, Jimmy plowed past his brother and Draco, sprinting into the living room. His boots scuffed the gleaming wood floor as he came to an abrupt halt in the archway. Everything was as it should be. The furniture was in its rightful place, the curtains drawn back, the chandelier twinkling joyfully. Ron was standing by the mantelpiece, looking the better of put out . Remus was standing in the middle of the carpet, arms crossed, his back to the new comer. Again, Jimmy had the distinct impression someone was being hidden behind a mass of British flesh. Damn those brits, couldn't they stand properly in a room?
"Remy?" He scolded himself for the squeak that tweaked his tone. Stupid hormones.
"Ah, Jimmy, I believe you have visitors."
The man stepped aside, and Jimmy's breath caught in his throat. He knew his cheeks went through a rapid procession of paling then flushing. It must be a dream. Just a dream.
"Well, its good to see you too."
The teasing American accent was enough to break Jimmy's doubt and he threw himself forward, maniacally greeting the two new additions with frantic hugs and handshakes.
"Breathing, Moony. Breathing."
Jimmy pulled back, grinning like a fiend, " What the hell are you doing here?"
" It's your birthday, right?"
"Yeah. Sure, yeah it is."
"Well? Happy Birthday, Moony."
Jimmy didn't think he could beam any harder, his face was already hurting as it was, " Jesus, I... You're HERE!"
"Ah, he's still as observant as ever. Glad to see merry ol' England hasn't changed you."
"Jim?"
Jimmy turned to see Harry and Draco standing side by side in the archway, looking wary but curious.
" Oh, man, Harry. Harry, Draco, meet my best friend from Dunlap, Stewart Turner and his better half, Bianca Ford." Jimmy turned his flourescent grin onto the aforementioned couple, " Guys, meet Draco Malfoy and Harry Potter, my brother."
" No shit," Stewart muttered, still at a loss after seeing two copies of his best friend.
" Well, thats it, its the sign of the Apocalypse. Two Jimmys are more than this world can handle," Bianca commented.
" ANYWAYS. Geez, how did you guys find me?"
" It wasn't that hard. The last year at Dunlap consisted mainly of us badgering ol' Surly into telling us where you got to."
"And she gave in?" Jimmy couldn't help but look incredulous.
"Course not. Yanno how that bat is. Me, Smite and Uric had to sneak into Records. But we couldn't leave to find you until after we saved up enough money."
Jimmy blinked," It took you two years to save up?"
"Its not as cheap as you think to travel cross-continent, yanno."
"So its just the two of you?"
"Yeah. Bianca here was already coming to check out the Auror Academy they got out here and I came as representative of Los Comadres." Stewart replied with a smile.
Jimmy could only laugh and get wrestled into another hug.
Harry and Draco looked on with equal expressions of apprehension as the trio commandeered the sofa and began one very fast conversation in such American slang it was useless to keep up with. So, Harry cupped Draco's elbow and waved Ron and Lupin over.
The four trekked wordlessly into the kitchen to meet with a bewildered Sirius.
"Whats going on? Who are those two?"
" His old friends from Dunlap Academy, it seems," Draco replied with quite an edge.
Sirius frowned, " And whats wrong with that?"
The blond looked a bit put out," Nothing."
Harry pushed past the men and headed back outside, " Lets finish cleaning up."
"Don't you want to visit with them?" Ron inquired.
"Come on, Dobby, " Harry muttered to the confused elf, walking through the door and leaving his jealousy in the living room with his brother and his long-lost friends.
0=0==========
11:50 PM found Harry Potter sitting on the edge of his four-poster bed, staring blankly out the window. The echoes of laughter ghosted through the old cottage which was now engulfed in silence. The soft ticking of the antique grandfather clock downstairs was the only noise filtering through the thick quiet. Harry gave a sad sigh. He could hear in the distance Hedwig catching a field mouse. Reaching down , he idly scratched Max behind his ear,watching the dog arch into the motion and mumble his approval. Another sad sigh.
He knew he shouldn't be so upset but, well, he was.
First of all, Harry just didn't feel comfortable round Jimmy's friends. They seemed so...mature. All decked out in dark denim and leather jackets. Harry had felt supremely childish in his loafers, slacks and polo shirt. He had felt the same way when Jimmy first arrived, and it was only until after Harry had managed to tone down the boy's style did he begin to feel a bit more at ease. But tonight... It had just reminded Harry all over again that his brother grew up apart from him. They were both from terribly different worlds. Not even Sirius staying the night with him managed to take away all the bad feelings.
It wasn't fair of him to feel like this. Its not like it had been Jimmy's fault he was raised in the States. Miami of all places. It wasn't his fault he was vastly more mature and in control all the time. It wasn't his fault he gave Draco Malfoy a run for his money when it came to aristocratic grace and manner. The wizard was so versatile, he even adapted perfectly in a whole new country. Harry knew very well he wouldn't have been able to pull that off, not without a drastic personality change. But here Jimmy was, nineteen years old and almost exactly the same as he had been that day they met on the curb. Granted, he was a lot more responsible, all sorts of stressed out and much more introspective than usual. Harry was still working on figuring that bit out.
Secondly, Jimmy knew what tonight was, and yet he still went and stayed up all night chatting with Stewart and Bianca.
Third...Jimmy was HIS brother. HIS family, not theirs. Jimmy was supposed to be only his...
" No. No, just stop, " Harry's selfless Gryffindor self popped up on his shoulder, looking as chivalrous as ever in a crisp, clean Quidditch uniform. "If he wants to relive his glory days, just let him. The guy deserves atleast that."
"Yeah but he totally ignored you, and everyone else for that matter, after they arrived. Whats with that?" A second self commented, for some reason donning a rather scandalous leather devil costume.
"He just got excited is all. He hadn't spoken to anyone from his old life since he moved away." Harry answered to his dark counterpart.
"Excited my arse! He knew very well what tonight meant, especially to you. Did he even apologize?" Devil-Harry growled.
"Well...No...But I'm sure he meant to," Harry replied.
"Well, there you go. He's a fucking wanker, thats what he is! He had no fucking reason to blow off something as important as this just because his bloody friends decided to come over."
"He got side-tracked is all, and stop cursing, you sound ridiculous," Gryffindor-Harry chastened.
" Suck me, Pouf Boy."
"Why I never! Don't you listen to a word he says, Harry. Jimmy meant to come and open your Mum's bureau tonight, he simply lost track of time. Leave it till tomorrow, whats one more day when you've been waiting for this long?"
" My point, precisely! You've waited all your life for this! And he went and screwed that up!"
Harry scrunched his mouth to the side, looking at his Righteous self, "You know...he has a point..."
"Don't you start with me, too! Honestly! I'm surrounded by morons!"
" Who you calling a moron, fruitcake?"
"You make one more stab at my sexuality, and you can kiss those silly horns and stupid tail goodbye."
"Whatever you say, Queenie."
"Why I oughta-"
"Would you two please stop it! Really! " Harry paused as Max looked up at him with curious amber eyes." Ok, I'm talking to little Harrys on my shoulders...I must be nuts."
"I was simply giving you advice," Gryffindor- Harry explained.
"And I was trying to give you advice for when his advice goes to hell," Devil-Harry added on.
"Enough! I'll deal with this my way. LEAVE!"
With a scowl from the Seeker and a rude gesture from the Devil, the two figures vanished with a loud POP.
Max cocked his head slightly, perking his ear up.
"I don't want to hear it, " Harry snapped at the dog's expression and got up from the bed, crossing the room while hastily pulling on a gray bathrobe. As an afterthought, he tucked the anonymous letter he'd received the day before into his pocket, promising himself he'd finally get around to reading it. As carefully as he could, he slipped down the hallway, peeking in the guest room to see two lumps fast asleep and snoring quite loudly. Harry bit back a snicker and went on his way. He soundlessly bounded down the stairs and headed towards the basement. A quick flick of the lightswitch and he was making his way down the small staircase, skipping the third from the bottom stair to avoid the god awful groan it always made.
The basement was basically a storage/rec room for the brothers. One concrete half housed the washer, dryer, two cabinets full of winter clothes and a bookcase stocked with knicker-brack. The other side was carpeted with thick burgundy rugs, a matching wine armchair and a black beanbag sat on the carpet on either side of a tiny coffee table. Perched on the table was a video game counsel, two controllers lying haphazardly from the twins' last use of them. Against the wall directly infront of the chairs was a generously sized television. Harry walked over to his armchair, picking up the handmade Gryffindor blanket (compliments of Weasley Inc.) and threw it round his shoulders before curling up on the deep cushion. Besides the tv stood his mum's bureau, looking as beautifully elegant as when he first set eyes on it.
His wand hand was itching to open those drawers and hungrily devour everything in them. But he had to wait. This was a special event, and even though Jimmy showed little to no interest, Harry was obligated to wait. Sometimes he really hated having a conscious...And one that wore Quidditch robes, too. Harry sighed heavily, shoving his long ebony locks from his face.
Why not? I mean, really. Jimmy knew what he was missing, and it obviously doesn't mean anything to him. So, really...Why not?
Harry made his decision in an instant. He pulled his wand from his bathrobe pocket and stood. A few strides and he was infront of the dresser. Wand poised at the first lock, Harry hesitated. Was he doing the right thing? Going through his mother's things without his brother?
Shaking the uncertainty from his mind, Harry mumbled, " Alohomora."
The drawer thrusted forward, making Harry leap back an inch or two. Quickly pocketing his wand, Harry knelt down and stared at the contents. Of course, the first thing he noticed was the immaculate stacks of neatly folded robes. One by one, Harry pulled each article of clothing out, examining them. Mainly dark purple and midnight blue robes, though there was one red robe seeming very out of place amoung all the dark colors. The next drawer consisted of more robes and some cloaks, though of the pastel variety. His mother sure loved wearing different colored robes.
"It really MUST be a girl thing."
The last lock proved a bit more complicated than the first two. It took several powerful unlocking spells, compliments of his Auror training thus far, and working through one extremely tricky Anti-Snooping charm to finally open it. Harry wound up with some very nasty boils on his arms and 'James Potter, this will teach you to go through my things!' in bright green scrawled across his face . The words were more than difficult to get rid of, and even then he was left with his skin raw and red. It didn't take Harry long to figure out why it was all such a headache.
Glinting and gleaming from the opened drawer were dozens of tiny silver and gold instruments, antique jewelry in wooden boxes and a metal covered book. Harry carefully picked through each and every one of the items, inspecting each with unbelievable patience. He'd seen most of these in Dumbledore's office, tinking away on some table or another. Course, now with all the studying he'd been doing in class, he could easily name almost all of them. But still. There were some objects that simply perplexed him. Picking up a particularly curious looking gold ladybug, Harry heard the distinct sound of the third stair creaking. Holding his breath, the boy braced himself for the inevitable.
At first, Jimmy's half-mast lids looked at him puzzled, evidence of barely waking. His gaze shifted to the opened bureau, to Harry and back again. Finally, he put two and two together and it seemed to click. Jimmy scowled, " Whats all this about?"
"I, uh..."
Jimmy walked over to where his brother was standing," You opened the dresser without me."
Harry's dormant anger seemed to ignite and his indignation bubbled over. Really, you'd be angry too if you had to put up with nonsense like this on your birthday, " And? What else was I supposed to do! Wait until their majesties left?"
Jimmy sputtered with rage, " WHAT the fuck is your problem!"
The Auror's resolve faltered, if only very briefly. He was brave to a fault, and it was times like these it got him into more trouble than he could weasel himself out of. " My problem is that we had a deal! We were supposed to open this TONIGHT, you PROMISED me!"
"Well, STUPID me! I thought you'd give me some slack since my friends, both of whom I haven't seen in TWO fucking YEARS, decided to visit me since I've moved to this infernal hellhole!"
He had a valid point. But it didn't mean that Jimmy could totally blow off Harry, like today was just any other day. This only made him more angry," But you PROMISED, Jimmy. You know how important this was to me."
"Yes, I DID. Of COURSE I did. How could I miss it when you've been reminding me every five fucking seconds since Dumbledore dumped it off here!"
"Thats it, isn't it! You just don't CARE! You never did! " Harry's temper was seeping into 'dangerous' now, fueled by indignation and pure, undiluted hurt. " You don't give a shit what our parents were like!"
"You're right! I DON'T! I never did! What do I care what a bunch of dead people were like? I never met them and I never WILL! What good's it gonna do to dwell on what will never be?"
Harry advanced, hand unconsciously curling round his wand in his pocket," How...You...Why I..."
Jimmy darted his hand forward, snatching the ladybug from Harry's grasp, " Is this what you want to remember? Trinkets from a mother we'll never meet?"
Harry grabbed it back, " Its all we have left, Jimmy!"
Jimmy viciously plucked the bug back," Its the past, Harry!"
"Well, its OUR past!"
"No its not!"
"Yes it is!"
"They're DEAD!"
"If we just let them die!"
"THEY'RE NOT COMING BACK!"
"I DON'T CARE!"
"Whoa whoa whoa! BOYS!"
Both Potters reeled back as two men hauled them from one another's personal space. Panting and flushed with rage, the brothers stared anyplace but at the other.
"WHAT is going on?" Remus demanded, sharing a bewildered look at Sirius.
"Nothing," Jimmy snapped and pushed free, storming off to the kitchen, his little sanctuary.
"Yeah." Harry mumbled."Nothing."
Sirius sighed softly and squeezed at his biceps while Remus went to chase down Jimmy."Come on guy, lets walk and talk."
The older man fetched them shoes and jackets before hooking up Max to a leash. Once they were outside, the biting cold was enough to take the edge off his anger and truly see exactly what he'd just done. Withering, Harry rubbed at his cheek, his eyes stinging.
"I'm an awful person."
"You were just emotional, Harry."
"I'm the worst brother in the history of horrible brothers...How could I SAY those things?"
Sirius shook his head and stayed silent, probably trying to work out how he was going to tell Harry he really WAS an awful person."Well..why DID you say those things?"
Not expecting that, Harry turned to his Godfather and considered the man's handsome profile in the lamp light. It was a valid enough question, one he really should've asked himself to begin with. But his temper was getting the better of him these days, and maybe some part of him knew why..."He does everything around here. Did you know?" Sirius shook his head."Well he does. He cooks, he cleans, he does the laundry. He even makes my bed when I forget. He does everything possible to keep this house running smoothly...He's only 19, Siri. What the hell is he doing acting like a housewife? "
Raking a hand through his hair, Harry huffed in frustration."He hates his job, is always complaining about it, but stays there anyway. We've spent the savings our parents left us and the money Malfoy gave. Its not as if buying a house and going to university is cheap...He's Fudge's assistant because it pays well...He's sacrificing HIS dreams, for mine. I..."
Shaking his head, he couldn't even form words in the face of his exasperation. "I just want my brother to act like, well, a BROTHER. I don't need a father. I already had one, and Jimmy isn't him."
"You're right," Sirius mumbled quietly, his face all hard edges full of sobering sadness. "So then maybe you should start with you treating him like your brother. You two have been through alot, and have come out different people. Its time you sat down together and met the people you've become."