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Three cheers for Ms Rowling!!!

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Harry sat cross legged on the rug and stared into the fireplace. He could feel the gaze of the wide eyed chubby child, occupying an armchair behind him, drilling into his back, but refused to turn and look at him. He knew the child would start grinning again if Harry gave him attention. Harry didn't want anyone to be grinning at him.

"Can I have a go on your broomstick tomorrow?" the child finally asked, "It's a good one isn't it?"

"I think so, yeah." Harry answered, still fixated on the flames, "You might be a bit little to ride it though."

"Am not. I'm a big brother now! Not the youngest any more. Dad'll let me ride a broom any day. Like Bill. Bill let me ride his broom when Mum and Dad weren't looking. You can let me ride yours. It's safe."

Harry smiled, "You'll be the Gryffindor Quidditch Team captain in no time," he murmered.

Charlie grinned.

Bill came running into the room full pelt, skin and bones in baggy pyjamas, stopping right in front of Harry. He handed Harry the invisibility cloak.

"They're going to let you stay! I don't know if they believe you but they said they'd let you stay for a bit. Maybe a few days. Here mate, I nicked this from right under Mum's nose! That cloak is great!." He handed Harry a chocolate biscuit then jumped into the armchair with Charlie and passed a second to his brother as Harry let out a sigh of relief. Charlie grabbed the biscuit eagerly.

"Do you think I can ride the broom tomorrow? That was the deal right?"

"Yeah. Thanks," said Harry.

Charlie's mouth fell open in disappointment.

Harry folded the cloak and slipped it into his pocket wondering if letting Bill in on the it's secret had been a good idea. He'd desperately wanted to know what the Weasley's were discussing, but hadn't wanted to spy himself. Being caught spying after turning up in their fireplace without an invitation would have been disastrous. He was in enough trouble as it was.

Eight year old Bill had been fascinated with James's broom, apparently it really was the best that money could buy, so Harry had used it to his advantage, bribing the kid into doing his dirty work for him. Bill had been more than happy to oblige.

Molly and Arthur stepped into the room, Molly bustling up to Harry while Arthur hung back giving his son's a suspicious yet amused look as they munched on their biscuits.

"Harry, we've decided to let you stay the night. If it's true you have no other place to go we will of course let you stay, but Arthur will contact the ministry in the morning. We'll figure out where you belong in no time. No doubt your parents are worried sick! Are you sure you don't remember anything dear?"

"No. Nothing." Molly looked worried. Harry suspected she didn't believe his story of amnesia. "Do you have to contact the ministry right away Mrs. Weasley? I could just stay here a while. See if I remember anything," he added hopefully. The last thing he needed was for the Ministry to be involved.

"Don't worry lad," Arthur said comfortingly "I'm sure we'll find your family soon. It must be strange not to remember them but trust me, the ministry can help you. It's best you come into work with me tomorrow, see if any of the missing persons reports match your description. It'll be a relief for everyone I'm sure, to find someone rather than lose them to dark wizards for a change."

"Arthur!" Molly glared at her husband then glanced at her sons. Bill and Charlie were listening with rapt attention.

Arthur looked contrite. "Enough of that now. We should all be back in bed I think. It is a bit late. Go on you two."

The last was directed at Bill and Charlie who reluctantly trundled up the stairs to their shared room, Bill giving Harry a wink as he nodded towards James's broom propped up against the stones of the fireplace.

"You'll sleep in here tonight Harry," said Molly kindly. She pointed her wand at the couch and murmured "alluntulus". The couch stretched out into a nicely made bed.

Harry nodded and allowed himself to be tucked in, wondering how he should escape from the Weasleys before being taken to the ministry. He hated to think what sort of havoc he would cause on the timelines there. He would have to sneak out after everyone was asleep. He wished he'd come here with a better story. He realized now he'd been a fool to think they'd just let him stay. They didn't know him. They didn't have any reason to trust him. Of course they were going to turn him over to the ministry.

The lights went out. Harry stared at the ceiling.

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Sirius stepped from the fireplace into darkness. He stepped aside, to allow Remus to follow, blinking against the dimness. The werewolf stepped out beside him a second later.

Sirius heard Remus sniff twice, then sensed the other wizard raising his wand.

"Impedimenta." Remus whispered.

It was around this moment that Sirius's eyes adjusted to the darkness and he realized that Remus has frozen Harry not two steps from a doorway. The younger wizard had been trying to sneak away.

"No you don't," Sirius whispered.

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James and Lily walked purposefully down the main street of Hogsmeade.

"I can't believe you just stole a packet of fizzing whizbees."

"I left the money on the counter."

"But would you have left the money if I wasn't with you? You come back to the commonroom with sweets all the time, do you often sneak into the Honeydukes at night? How often do you use that passageway?"

"Not that often."

"It's dangerous you know. You lot sneaking out all the time. What if something happened?"

"What's going to happen? Really? It's a sweet shop!"

"Oh I don't know. It's not as if the magical world is at war. Not as if your family is one of the most prominently outspoken pureblood houses against the dark side. Not as if your best friend's relations wouldn't like to see you dead for converting their flesh and blood to the cause of 'mudbloods and muggle lovers'. You're right. I don't see what's dangerous about leaving the protection of Albus Dumbledore in the dead of night to steal sweets!"

James turned to face her in surprise. She kept her eyes front and continued walking, little puffs of breath forming in the air around her from the cold.

"Hey," he said, reaching out to grip her arm. "I'm fine. Nothing's going to happen to me." He looked into her eyes trying to get her to face him. He'd had no idea she'd been so anxious for him.

She stopped walking, "I just wish you would be more careful," she said softly.

He pulled her toward him, enveloping her with a warm hug. She sank into it gratefully, allowing her lips to brush against his neck.

"It's alright. I am careful. After all I need to live through Hogwarts. How else am I going to join the aurors?"

She made a muffled noise James couldn't interpret.

When they separated she was composed. "So, Fred's house you think."

"Yeah, I wouldn't know where else to look. I don't know who else he would know in this time. We could try checking random hotels and inns I s'pose."

"Did he have money?"

James thought, "I don't think so."

"It's unlikely he'd choose a hotel to stay in then."

"Fred's house it is."

He gripped her hand and they walked together toward the three broomsticks. As they walked he searched her face while she gazed ahead.

She had in the past accused him of bullying, stealing, cheating, and of generally being a pratt, with scorn when they'd been younger, and in good fun once they'd become a couple. Her distress over his more reckless habits tonight though had been something different again. For the first time in almost seven years, James sensed fear in Lily Evans. Fear for him. He shivered in the cold night air.

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Hi everyone. Back by popular demand!

Sorry I've taken soooooo long to get myself back into writing mode!!!

Thanks to all who reviewed. Especially those who have been with this story from the beginning about nine months ago. Your patience astounds me!

I'm not going to put individual replies to reviews in this chapter, mainly because I just want to get the chapter up before I fall asleep. I have read them all though and I'll say it again - I love you guys!!

I will make every effort to bring you the next chapter a little sooner.

Cheers,

Whiskey.