Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter or any of the associated characters by J.K. Rowling.

"Hey Harry," greeted Neville as Harry descended the stairway from the astronomy tower.

"Hey Neville," yawned Harry tiredly.

"No worries mate, only two tests left, right?"

Harry nodded, "You're assuming my mind doesn't break down in that time."

"Only two more to go and you're all finished," said Neville as they walked towards Gryffindor Tower.

"Thank Merlin Defense is my last test. It's my favorite subject and one that I've had far too much practice at," said Harry with another big yawn.

"Dad will be glad to hear that," said Neville, "He's always on me and Sarah's case about Defense."

"What year is Sarah?"

"She's third year. She missed the cut off date for fourth year by three days," explained Neville.

"I can't imagine what it must be like to have a sister," said Harry softly. He was honestly feeling a bit jealous of Neville.

"You grew up with Dudley didn't you?" asked Neville, "He must have been alright."

"Have you ever met the Dursley's?" asked Harry.

"No, but Lily and Sirius have mentioned them a few times," said Neville.

"They aren't very good people," said Harry, "Let's just leave it at that."

Neville nodded.

"So Snape teaches transfiguration," said Harry.

"Yeah, but everyone knows it's the potions position that he really wants," said Neville.

Harry wanted to laugh out.

"Every year since I began here we've had a new positions professor," explained Neville, "The position is cursed."

"I bet Snape would be good at potions," said Harry sarcastically.

"Who knows," said Neville, "Snape started here just before my first year. He replaced Minerva McGonagall. When Dumbledore re-emerged from his hiding, McGonagall was one of the first to flock to his side. Some people say that they are married even."

"I don't think I could ever picture Dumbledore as married in this dimension or mine," said Harry, "Dumbledore is like a hundred and fifty and McGonagall is like sixty."

"Hey, I'm just telling you what the current rumors are," said Neville, "Oh, and speaking of rumors, did you know that your father sent you here so that you could eliminate Dumbledore for us after you took out the most powerful dark lord in America? There's even a prophecy about you ending all evil in the world too."

"Where do people get this kind of stuff?" asked Harry, "I haven't even been here a full day and already I'm famous again."

"They are saying that the scar on your forehead is the only mark that you survived the killing curse as if that were possible," laughed Neville but then he saw the color drain from Harry's face, "No way, you didn't."

"Um . . . well . . . you see . . ."

"I don't believe it," said Neville, "Well, I suppose the rumor mill was bound to get lucky sooner or later. Don't worry, not many believe that one."

"Keep it a secret that it's true, would you?"

"Sure," said Neville with a smile, "But you have to do something for me."

"Blackmail?" asked Harry, "You're actually blackmailing me?"

"I wouldn't say blackmailing, just doing me a favor," said Neville with a sly grin.

"What do you want?"

"Well, the girls are going to be swarming all over you now and I want you to help me out a bit you know?" said Neville with a cheeky grin.

"I'm not one to ask about girls," said Harry, "I've had one date and it completely tanked. You'd be better of asking Fred and George Weasley for advice."

"The twins are they jokers in your dimension as well?" asked Neville.

"Naturally," said Harry, "I even gave them money to open a joke shop."

"Wicked," said Neville, "I love their 'Canary Creams'."

"I personally appreciate the skiving snack boxes," said Harry.

"The what?" asked Neville.

"They didn't invent them here?" asked Harry, "Oh that just won't do at all. We will have to sit down with them tomorrow to help them get on the right track."

"Definitely," said Neville, "Maybe I can use some of my trust fund to help them out here."

"Trust fund?" asked Harry.

"Yeah, the Potter Trust is set up to give all the children born to the Potter/Gryffindor line a trust at birth to do with as they please. Once they are of age then they get access to the full funds of the Potter/Gryffindor estate," explained Neville, "I guess with you not having dad in the other dimension then you were never told."

"Meddlesome old bastard," muttered Harry angrily, "There are a lot of things I have not been told. But thank you for telling me. We will have to sit down with those boys tomorrow for lunch." Harry didn't even realize it but they had already reached the portrait of the Fat Lady.

"Rictusempra," said Neville.

"I'm in no mood to laugh," said the fat lady as she swung away.

Upon entering Harry was ambushed by a dozen Gryffindors asking all about him.

"So this is the Great Harry Potter," said George Weasley as he approached, "Gred Weasley, pleased to meet you."

"Nice to meet you Forge, where's Gred at?" asked Harry with a grin.

"How the hell did you know?" asked George.

"Neville mentioned you guys were pranksters so I figured it was a fair guess," said Harry.

"Neville, do you mind if I adopt your cousin?" asked George.

"I don't think my parents would approve," said Neville, "But, we did have an idea we wanted to talk over with you."

"Oh, do tell," said Fred as he approached.

Harry wanted to sit and talk with them now but he was simply exhausted, "Tomorrow, I'm wiped after those ruddy tests."

"Right then Harry," said Sarah who had joined them unnoticed, "Neville, show Harry up to the room."

Neville nodded and Harry followed.

"See you guys tomorrow," Harry yawned out as he walked away.

"See you mate," said Fred and George together.

BREAK

"Mr. Potter, your first exam today will be Herbology," said the examiner as she handed him the written test.

Harry did the best that he was able to, to complete the exam but after the testing yesterday his mind was just exhausted. Two hours later, both portions were complete and Harry was ready to go to sleep again.

"Well done Mr. Potter, only one more to go," said the new examiner, who Harry didn't even see enter the room.

"Luckily this is my best subject," said Harry with a grin.

"Really?" asked the examiner with a appraising eye, "I'll tell you what, I usually am the N.E.W.T. examiner for Defense Against the Dark Arts. How about I give you that test for your O.W.L.? It has everything you're expected to know from O.W.L. and N.E.W.T. together in one test. Do you think you're up for the challenge?"

"Would I get an N.E.W.T. score?" asked Harry.

"Occasionally, we will give an O.W.L. student the opportunity to take the N.E.W.T. exam in order to challenge for the O.W.L. score record. Professor Riddle has informed me of you interest in Defense and has mentioned that you excel in the subject so I thought I would offer it to you," explained the examiner.

"Is it a longer test?" asked Harry.

"Much longer," said the examiner, "It will take from now to lunch to complete the written portion and then the practical would have to be taken after dinner."

Harry was torn. He wanted the testing over with but if he had the opportunity to set the record . . . Hermione would be jealous but proud. Dumbledore in this dimension might become interested in him, whether that was good or bad he wasn't sure yet. Then he thought about his mum and dad and how proud they would be of him once they saw the scores. "I'll do it."

The examiner smiled broadly, "enjoy," he then handed Harry a stack of parchment.

Harry read the first question or rather series of ten questions that he had to answer in essay format. He knew the answers last year during his researching for the Tri-Wizard Tournament, so that was not a problem. The problem was that there were thirty series of ten question essays that he had to answer. Suddenly he wasn't feeling very sure of himself but he proceeded anyway.

Three hours. That was how long it took him to answer all of the questions. Harry now understood why Fred and George didn't want to take their N.E.W.T.'s in the other dimension, especially if they were going to open a joke shop.

Harry sat down heavily at the table next to Neville.

"You looked wiped mate," said Neville, "But at least you're all finished."

"No, Defense Practical after lunch," said Harry as he lazily grabbed a sandwich.

"What?" asked Neville, "You should be done though?"

"O.W.L. record challenge," said Harry through a stifled yawn.

"What in the world would make you want to do something like that?" asked Fred as he moved to join them.

"I wanted to make my parents proud. Defense is my best subject and I'm really good at it," explained Harry, "Why wouldn't I do it?"

"Over-achiever," said George in mock disgust.

"I don't excel at much," said Harry, "I fly well and I'm good at defense. The rest is just normal."

"Fair enough, I suppose you could say that Gred and I excel at mischief-making," said Fred.

"See Forge," said Harry looking at George, "Even Gred admits to being good at something."

"How the hell do you do that? Our own mother can't even tell us apart," said George.

"I just can," said Harry, "I bet your sister can tell you apart."

"Yeah, but she's the only one of our siblings that can," said Fred.

"Ron and Percy are clueless," said George.

"Just don't mention Percy around anyone of our family," said Fred.

"We found out he joined the Burners last year after he graduated," said George in real disgust.

"I'm sorry to hear that," said Harry sadly.

"So have you met Ron and Ginny yet?" asked Fred.

"Not yet," said Harry.

"Watch yourself around them. They are very ambitious and enterprising. They are both driven to make a lot of money. Ron and Ginny actually are the school bookies and very good at it too," said Neville, "Vincent Crabbe and Gregory Goyle from Hufflepuff work as muscle for them when students don't pay up."

"Hey now, that's our family you're talking about," said Fred.

"Bookies' is such a vulgar term anyway," said George.

"We prefer to think of them a high risk investment brokers," said Fred with a dignified air about him.

Harry couldn't help but laugh, "I can't wait to meet them." Harry would never have pictured either Ron or Ginny as Slytherin but then Ron was ambitious to a 'T' and Ginny did feel a need to prove herself being the youngest and the only girl, so he could how they could have been sorted there.

"Anyway," interrupted Neville, "Harry and I wished to speak with the pair of you about a little business venture."

"Oh, what's this?" asked Fred.

"Are you, the son of the Great Prank Master James Potter, in need of our prank playing services?" asked George.

"Not exactly," said Neville.

"We were interested in finding out if the pair of you wanted to open a joke shop with our help," finished Harry.

"We're interested," said Fred and George together instantly.

"The Potter family would be your financial backers in the endeavor," said Neville putting an arm around Harry's shoulder.

"In return, you only need to make and sell your prank products," said Harry.

"We'll even sell them for you here at school during term," said Neville.

"Of course we would get first dibs on any new products," said Harry with a grin, "For testing purposes of course."

"Fred and I have wanted to open joke shop for a while now. We've managed to save about three hundred galleons but we're still really short," said Fred.

"All figured, we'd need about another eight hundred galleons," said George seriously.

Neville paused for a minute thinking it over, "Consider it done."

"Excellent," said George excitedly.

"Just don't tell my parents that we're backing you," said Neville.

"Don't tell ours either," said Fred.

"Well, let's shake on and make it official," said Harry pulling his wand.

"What's with the wand?" asked Neville.

"This will make it magically binding," said Harry with a smile.

Neville, Fred, and George all pulled their wands. A few minutes later the deal was sealed and the agreement set.

"Well, now that that is settled, I have a test to finish," said Harry through another big yawn.

Harry had to hurry because he got caught up talking business with the twins. Harry entered the classroom just in time.

"Just in time Mr. Potter," said the same examiner.

"I got a bit caught up with some new friends at lunch," explained Harry guiltily.

"Like I said, just in time, so don't worry about it," said the examiner.

"So, what's first?" asked Harry.

"Bogart," said the examiner motioning to a rumbling trunk.

"Oh, this is great," said Harry, "Is the Patronus charm on this exam?"

"Yes it is, but we will not be bringing a Dementor here for you to use it on," said examiner, "Why do you ask?"

"Open the trunk and you'll find out," said Harry.

The examiner raised and eyebrow curiously before he kicked the trunk open and stepped back.

Like clockwork a dementor came out of the trunk and went straight for Harry.

"Expecto Patronum," said Harry causing a white stag to erupt from his wand and forcing the Bogart to halt its progress. Then he said, "Reddikulus." The Bogart started to unravel leaving only a pile of thread. The Bogart then moaned before disappearing completely.

"Very well done Mr. Potter," said the examiner, "Very few can actually manage the Patronus charm, let alone when faced with a dementor."

"In my third year there was an incident with a dementor and as a result I made my teacher teach me the Patronus Charm," explained Harry, "We trained using a Bogart."

"Excellent, and to be able to form a corporeal Patronus in your third year as well is amazing. Most impressive," said the examiner, "Well, moving on."

Harry went through several more of the most basic and important spells required in defense against the dark arts.

"Now, Mr. Potter, this is the last question for this section but it is only for extra credit and only if you sign a waiver," explained the examiner.

"What is it?"

"The imperious curse," said the examiner, "If you are willing I will put you under a mild level of the curse to see if you can break it. I will then put it on stronger and stronger until you can no longer break the spell or I cannot make the spell any stronger."

"Sure," said Harry lightly, "I doubt you could put a strong enough imperious curse on me but feel free to try."

"Sign here then," he said hand Harry a sheet of paper. Harry signed without a second thought.

"Very well then, on the count of three," said the examiner.

"Don't count, just do it," said Harry, "A dark wizard isn't going to be nice enough to count when they are putting you under the curse."

"Very well," said the examiner slightly exasperated with Harry. "Imperio."

The curse hit Harry and he didn't even feel its effects. There was no calm feeling or change in his attitude of any kind.

"It didn't work," said Harry right away.

The examiner seemed stunned but he did it again and again with no effect.

"Would you mind just skipping to the most powerful Imperious you can muster?" asked Harry getting board.

"Imperio!" shouted the examiner forcefully. Harry could feel the power in the spell as soon as it was released.

The spell hit him and he felt the calm warm feeling he was familiar with.

"Hop on one foot," said the examiner seeing the effects in Harry's eyes.

Harry heard the command the voice in his head shouted 'No' loudly shaking him out of it right away. "Sorry, no thanks."

The examiner was now shocked. He'd never had a student at any level break the curse anywhere near the power he used to control Harry. "Have you experienced this before?"

"A few times, the first time I almost broke it and since then I've always been able to break the spell though sometimes it takes a few seconds longer," said Harry calmly.

"I can't deny that I am impressed to no end Mr. Potter," said the examiner, "In my thirty plus years as an examiner I have never had a student get past me."

"There was bound to be a first for it," said Harry calmly.

"I suppose so," said the examiner, "Now, on to the last section of the exam. Dueling."

"Excellent," said Harry with a smile.

"You say that now," said the examiner with a devious grin.

Harry took his place on the dueling platform that suddenly appeared. He bowed properly to the examiner who returned the bow.

"The first duel is to be a stationary duel which means no moving around," explained the examiner, "This way we can test your ability to shield yourself and counter. Use as many different spells as you can think of."

Harry nodded in anticipation.

"Expelliarmus," shouted the examiner.

"Victus Refracto," said Harry shooting a white light at the spell causing it to explode in a shower of bright red sparks distorting the examiners vision. "Petrificus Totalus," said Harry sending the yellow curse through the sparks at the examiner.

"Protego," said the examiner creating a basic shield, "Stupefy."

"Surrundido," said Harry causing a blue shield to surround him in a dome. The spell hit and traveled along the surface of the shield before continuing on its path to the back wall. "Stupefy."

"Protego," said the examiner staying with basic spells. "Petrificus Totalus."

"Protego," said Harry creating a basic shield with his empty hand. He then aimed his wand and whispered, "Lumos Maxima, Expelliarmus, Impedimenta, Silencio, Oculus Reverso." He then aimed his wand at the ground in front of the examiner, "Reducto."

The examiner moved his hands to cover his eyes from the blinding light, but because Harry whispered his spells he could barely react to create a proper shield to protect himself. "Litego Protectoro," shouted the examiner causing a shield of while light to form in the air in front of him. The shield moved as if it was attracted to the spells stopping all of them quickly and absorbing the spells.

The explosion hex that hit the ground in front of him though could not be blocked by the shield causing the examiner to be blown backwards off his feat before landing in a heap of robes.

The examiner slowly extracted himself from his prone position on the floor, "I think that's enough dueling for today." He then shook his head trying to stop the ringing in his ears.

"But what about free dueling?" asked Harry.

"You bested me in stationary dueling, I have no doubt you would best me in free dueling as well," said the examiner, "Besides, I think I need to pay a visit to Madam Pomfrey to get myself checked for a concussion from that explosion hex."

"Sorry about that," said Harry.

"That shield I used is great for blocking spells. It will stop just about any spell you can imagine, but it doesn't do anything to stop physical damage," explained the examiner.

"Are you certain you couldn't make it through the free dueling? I have some many other spells to show you, bludgeoning spells, confusion spells, cutting curses and so many more."

"And do you really think I would survive in a duel with spells like that coming from you?" asked the examiner, "And why did you learn cutting curses? Most are considered dark arts."

"It can be useful," said Harry, "If you are ever tied up you can cut yourself free or cut your friends free. The reminds me, I forgot about all the restraining spells I know too that I can't use."

"Why do you know all of this?" asked the examiner.

"I don't like dark wizards and most of them don't like me. As a result, they have come after me on more than one occasion. It is much better that I know how to defend myself then get killed," explained Harry.

"You and your uncle and your crazy obsessions with Defense," said the examiner, "You must take after your Uncle James. I remember when he took the record breaker test. Of course he didn't do nearly as well as you have but still."

"So, I'll take that as a 'no' to doing the free dueling," said Harry with sigh of disappointment.

"I need to go to the hospital wing," said the examiner, "That is a definite no."

"Fine," said Harry, "I guess I'll walk you down."

"Thank you," said the examiner shaking his head again to try and clear the dizziness.

BREAK

After Harry left the examiner in the Hospital Wing he returned to Gryffindor Tower to get a bit of a nap.

Harry was shaken awake sometime later by Neville.

"Wake up Harry," said Neville as he shook Harry awake, "The feast in five minutes."

Harry groggily sat up and stretched his arms over his head. "Alright, let's go."

A few minutes later the pair were seated with the other Gryffindors happily awaiting the end of term speech.

"Well Students, another year has passed us by," began the Headmaster, "I will keep this brief as I know we are all hungry. I would like to first remind students to be careful this summer. Dumbledore and his Burners are still at large and pose a great danger to all of us. Now, for the awarding of the house cup."

Riddle paused to check the sheet of paper in front of him, "The points stand thus, with 674 points is Hufflepuff. With 703 points is Slytherin. And this year's lead is actually a tie between Ravenclaw and Gryffindor with 720 points each. So, I congratulate both of these houses on their fine accomplishments for the year, however, we cannot end the year on a tie according to the school bylaws. We will have a final competition between Ravenclaw and Gryffindor. We will first have a coin toss to decide which house will choose the competition."

"Will Angelina Johnson and Roger Davies please come to the front for the coin toss?" requested Riddle with a smile.

Angelina and Roger both approached the front with confident smirks on their faces.

"Roger, call it in the air," said Riddle as he flipped the coin.

"Heads," said Roger without breaking eye contact.

"It is tails," said Riddle, "Gryffindor may choose the competition."

Angelina smirked, "Seekers face off for the snitch."

Riddle looked outside to see there was still a fair bit of sunlight left. "Very well, if all the students will please fill the stadiums for the competition."

Neville looked worried to Harry. As Angelina walked past Neville stopped her, "Angie, what are you thinking? Draco got put in the hospital wing just before dinner."

"What?" she asked slightly panicked, "Why didn't anyone tell me?"

"Why didn't you know?" asked Neville, "You're supposed to be captain of the team."

"We don't have a seeker then," said Angelina worriedly.

"I can play seeker," offered Harry with a bright smile.

"You any good?" she asked.

"The only time I missed the snitch is when a hundred dementors came onto the field," boasted Harry. He was feeling very relaxed in this new dimension. He didn't mind earning popularity and fame all on his own. He hated it in the other dimension because it was simply given to him and not earned. This was his time to earn his place.

"Is he officially a Gryffindor?" asked Angelina noticing that he didn't have the house crest or anything.

"I don't know," said Harry suddenly slightly worried, "I'll go ask Professor Riddle now." Harry hurried to the headmaster at the staff table.

"Can I help you with something Harry?"

"Um, Gryffindor's seeker is in the hospital wing and I volunteered to take his place but I don't know if I'm officially in Gryffindor yet," explained Harry in one quick breath.

"Accio Gideon," said the Headmaster with a fond smile. A few moments later the sorting hat soared into the room and neatly into the headmaster's grasp.

Harry grabbed the hat and shoved it quickly on his head.

"Another Potter," whispered the Hat, "I see then. Most interesting life you've led Mr. Potter. I think you would be most suited to, GRYFFINDOR!"

"You have your answer," said Riddle with a smile as Harry tossed the hat back to the headmaster.

"Sorry about that but I've got to hurry," said Harry running down the table to the waiting Angelina and Neville, "Now its official."

"You can borrow my broom," said Neville, "It the best on the team. A Nimbus 2001."

Harry nodded and followed Neville out of the castle to the pitch.

Neville passed over the broom, "Now take good care of my baby."

Harry laughed but he couldn't help but admire the broom. Neville had the broom custom painted in Red and Gold. Every twig of the end was trimmed perfectly and flowed with an absolute precision that was comparable to his own Firebolt.

Harry swung a leg over the broom and took the air. Everything that had happened in the last few days was completely forgotten. It was simply him and the freedom that flying always gave him. In that short warm up Harry redefined what the broom was really capable of.

Feeling comfortable with the room, Harry returned to reality to meet Neville and Angelina at the end of the pitch.

"I didn't think my broom could do that much," said Neville.

"You should see me on a Firebolt," said Harry.

"You've actually flown one?" questioned Angelina.

"A few times," said Harry with a grin.

"Mr. Potter, Miss Chang," called Madam Hooch from the center of the field.

Harry flew over to her at a comfortable pace.

"This is a simple race, first to catch the snitch wins the House Cup," she instructed the pair. She kicked open the case allowing the snitch to fly off. "Begin on my whistle. You have until sundown and then a different contest will be chosen."

Harry and Cho nodded waiting on the whistle.

Harry could hear Lee Jordan announcing in the background but that only lasted so long before he completely tuned out everything. "TWEEET"

Harry was in the air searching. Cho was shadowing him. Harry smirked when he saw this and went into a steep vertical climb which Chang foolishly followed. Harry circled a few times making sure she was behind him before he went into a steep dive.

Chang tucked in behind him taking advantage of his draft. This also had the effect of blocking her view.

Harry looked back at her and winked, "This is going to hurt." Suddenly he pulled up fiercely forcing her out of his wind draft and causing her to plow into the pitch.

Harry was now free to look for a few minutes while someone worked on waking her up. In that time Harry spotted the snitch by the far goal posts. Harry flattened his body against his broom locking in on only the snitch. A few seconds later he happily wrapped his fingers around the snitch.

The noise of the stadium suddenly returned to his ears, "HARRY POTTER GETS THE SNITCH! GRYFFINDOR WINS THE HOUSE CUP!"

Harry was smiling from ear to ear. "So much for my life time ban, take that Umbridge and shove it up your . . ." Harry mumbled under his breath as he came into land.

Harry landed next to the swarming Gryffindor students who were cheering him on. He was actually carried off the field. It was a very memorable moment for him. That was what should have happened this year if it weren't for that stupid ban.

Suddenly Harry felt his chest constrict. His friends. If everyone believed that those that go through the portal died then his friends must believe him to be dead as well. All those people that he left behind. All those people that were counting on him. Suddenly he couldn't breathe or get enough oxygen and blackness engulfed his vision.

BREAK

Harry woke sometime later to seeing the familiar white ceiling of the hospital wings. Harry saw that on the chair next to him sat Lily, he would be mother.

"Mum," said Harry shaking her slightly. She looked really uncomfortable.

"Hmm, go away Sirius," she mumbled.

Harry sighed and shook her again a bit more roughly, "Mum."

Lily suddenly sat up straight, "Huh, what? Oh, Harry, thank goodness you're alright. Madam Pomfrey didn't know what was wrong. Your heart was racing and your blood pressure was out of control and nothing we didn't seemed to be able to calm it. You just suddenly calmed when I took your hand."

"I think muggles call it a panic attack," said Harry, "Coming off that field I was thinking about how that should have been me in the other dimension. That my best friends should have been there to hug me and congratulate me but they weren't here. I remembered that they were all in the other dimension and now they must think I'm dead because of the veil. My friends, I led them into that building foolishly. They were counting on me to get them through it safely and now they must think . . . How could I have been so foolish?" By now Harry was in tears in Lily's arms.

Lily was rubbing Harry's back whispering reassuring words to him. "It's alright baby, you just cry and let it all out."

Harry had never felt a mothers love before. Is this what it was supposed to feel like? Is this what he missed out on growing up the way that he did? Suddenly he realized that he wasn't just crying for his friends but also for everything that he'd suffered through in his short life. Harry eventually cried himself back to sleep in Lily's arms. She laid down with him and held him while he slept.

Harry woke to sunlight streaming through the hospital windows.

"You're lucky I'm not the jealous type," said the voice of Sirius.

"What?" asked Harry clearly confused.

"You're sleeping with my wife there boy," said Sirius.

Suddenly Harry was flooded with the memory of the night before. "Technically she is my mum."

"I suppose I can let it go on those grounds then, but let's not make a habit of this eh?"

"I'll try but I make no promises. I do possess the irresistible Potter charm you know," said Harry cheekily.

"We'll make a prankster and ladies man of you yet," said Sirius ruffling his hair.

"Where's Padfoot?"

"He's been staying at Remus' while they get all the paperwork in order for you and him. Being that Remus works in DoM, he's able to put everything in place so that no one is the wiser. It even gives you a classified file with the Ministry you lucky bugger," explained Sirius intelligently.

"You're definitely not the Sirius I know," said Harry, "He would never have been able to keep a straight face through all of that."

"Don't you forget it," said Sirius with a grin, "Now, if you don't mind I would like my wife back."

"Fine," said Harry with a sigh, "Take away the only thing I never got as a child. It's alright, I'll recover somehow." Harry sniffled a few times to add on to the guilt he knew that Sirius was feeling by now.

"Uh . . . yeah . . . well," stumbled out of his mouth.

Harry finally laughed, "You're too serious sometimes, lighten up a little."

Sirius gave Harry a dirty look, "Why you little scamp you."

Harry looked back to Lily to see she was not only awake but trying to hold in her laughter.

"Mum, you're asking for it," said Harry sternly.

Finally Lily broke out laughing.

"Alright, that's it," said Harry beginning to tickle his mother. Harry learned something very important that day. Don't tickle someone if you're sharing a hospital cot with them. The result is wholly unpleasant.

"I'm going to have a bruise on my bum thanks to you," said Lily chiding the boy.

"It will match nicely with the one on the on my head then," said Harry rubbing his head.

Sirius' laughter in the background was not helping.

"I think we should teach my husband a lesson," said Lily slyly.

Sirius laughter ceased instantly. Rapid footsteps going away from them told them Sirius decided to cut his losses and get while the getting was good.

"That ought to keep him in his place for a while," said Harry with a grin to match his mothers.

Lily suddenly turned serious, "You've got my smile."

"Really?" asked Harry.

"Yeah," said Lily pulling Harry into a motherly hug, "I'm sorry I wasn't there for you to grow up with."

Harry returned the hug with equal vigor.

"What is the meaning of this? This is a hospital ward, not playground. Honestly, tipping over cots and then making out on the floor," yelled the Hospital Matron angrily.

Harry and Lily suddenly broke apart but then started laughing heartily when Poppy mentioned them making out.

"Poppy, honestly," said Lily, "Do you really think I would make out with a student, even if he does look yummy?"

"Oh, Lily, I didn't realize it was you," said Poppy.

"Harry just needed a little mothering. He misses his family is all," said Lily.

"Well, get him back on the cot so I can check him over," said Poppy.

Lily helped Harry back on to the cot and then left him to get checked out from head to toe.

A bit later Harry was kicked out of the ward to catch the train home.