Disclaimer – I don't own Harry Potter. It belongs to J.K Rowling.
The reunited 'family' talked long into the night. Slowly, Lily and James learned every last detail of their son's life at Hogwarts. When the story was all finished, the four of them stood and stretched.
"I think we locked all the Gryffindors out of their dorm." Lily mentioned, glancing at the clock in the Common Room. The rest of them glanced at the clock and saw it was almost two in the morning. James quickly conjured up blankets and they all settled down in front of the fire.
"What was our house like?" Harry asked. He was stretched out on the floor, his head turned so he could see the fire. Lily smiled sleepily from her spot on one of the couches.
"You would have loved it, Harry. It had two stories, and most of the rooms had the prettiest wood floor you've ever seen. The other rooms had carpeting, like yours. We spent a long time making your nursery, didn't we James?"
"We did, Lil." James said fondly.
"It had all these stuffed animals and blue walls. We had a bunch of Quidditch posters on the wall thanks to Sirius." Sirius grinned at mention of his name. Sirius had bunched his blanket up on a cushy armchair and was currently standing near the fireplace. "Your crib had been James's when he was little. His parents were so thrilled. (A/N - I can't remember whether or not James's parents had been alive when Harry was born...does anyone know?) Not more than us...but still happy. My parents were ecstatic. Petunia and Vernon...they were the same as always. They never came to our house, and frankly I didn't want them there anyway." For the first time since he was old enough to remember, Harry Potter fell asleep listening to his mother's own voice. Shortly after that, Lily fell asleep. Sirius was standing near the fireplace, and James was stretched out on another sofa.
"You think this is right?" Sirius asked presently. James straightened up.
"What do you mean?"
"It's just...Moony." Sirius admitted. James's face fell. He got up and clapped his friend on the back.
"It isn't fair. If we had known what sacrifice the potion had called for, we never would have done it." James said, staring into the fire.
"Are you sure?" Sirius asked, grinning.
"What?"
"C'mon mate, the idea of laying your life on the line would've intrigued us more. We would have done it fourth year instead of seventh." Sirius said goadingly. James laughed.
"I guess so."
"So, oh, fearless leader," Sirius began with a smirk, settling into his chair. "What are we going to do?" James groaned and sat down on his own couch.
"I really don't know. Half of me is saying to enjoy this. Lupin knew he'd be sacrificing things. But the other half....the other half," James sighed and glanced at his sleeping wife. "How can I take Lupin away from living? How can I take us all away from Harry again?" James asked, his voice gaining a steel edge.
"It isn't fair either way." Sirius admitted from his seat.
"No, it isn't. But I'm determined to stay for at least two weeks. Let Harry get a chance to know us. And maybe if we can say goodbye, it'll help him come to terms with everything." James said softly. Sirius stood and stretched.
"I don't envy your job as decision maker. But I agree. We can't just leave Harry without explaining everything and letting him get to know his parents." With that, Sirius transformed into a dog, hopped up on his bunched up blanket, curled into a ball, and fell asleep. James flopped back on his blanket, staring up at the ceiling he hadn't seen in so long. Feeling restless, James got up and trekked up the stairs to the Boy's Dormitory. It was almost exactly as he remembered it. He managed to find Harry's bed and sat down on it. He got a sudden idea and pulled the mattress up. Peering beneath it, he saw a big, thick book. He pulled it out and was stunned. It was a photo album. Slowly, he went through the photos. They contained him and Lily, the three of them, wedding pictures, Harry as a baby. There were no recent pictures. Feeling a bit more tired, he replaced the book and went back downstairs. He settled back on the couch in a resigned way, and finally fell asleep.
In the morning, bright sunlight filtered in through the window and threw slanted ways across the faces of the sleeping group. Lily woke up first and went around waking everyone else. She ushered them out of the dormitory after they all showered and conjured up some new clothes. Outside was a sea of Gryffindors waiting to be let in. Sirius instantly became a dog before they could see him. Harry and his parents walked through the crowd proudly, the dog barking happily. Hermione and Ron split off from the big group and Hermione nearly tackled Harry as she ran to hug him.
"We were so worried! Ron and I thought maybe Lupin lost his mind or something! I'm so glad you're okay!" she said, relieved at finding him safe and sound.
"Calm down, 'Mione. Dumbledore said he was fine!" Ron groaned. Harry grinned appreciatively at Ron, but patted Hermione's back comfortingly.
"Well, it's okay, I'm fine." Lily and James exchanged smiles.
"You must be Hermione." Lily said warmly to Hermione, once she had released Harry. Hermione blushed.
"Yes, that's me." Hermione admitted, glowing red. James shook with Ron.
"Ron Weasley! How are your parents?" James asked.
"They're doing well, thanks." Ron said happily, glad to meet another wizard who thought well of his parents. Sirius barked and nudged Ron's leg. Ron looked down and grinned madly.
"Hey there, uh, Snuffles!" Ron exclaimed, bending down to pet the soft black head. James laughed and glanced down at his friend.
"Snuffles, ay?" Once Lily and Ron had been properly introduced, the groups split ways so Ron and Hermione could gather their things. The family sat down to a quick breakfast in the Great Hall, keeping it short so they could avoid being gawked at. Then they went outside and sat at the edge of the Forbidden Forest, in a spot that couldn't be seen from the castle.
"Snuffles?" James laughed teasingly. Sirius clenched his fists threateningly.
"I couldn't very well go around saying 'Hi, I'm Sirius Black, the supposed serial killer!" Sirius argued.
"But still, out of all the names you could've picked! Furball, Killer, Rampage, you could have even used Padfoot!" Sirius's expression grew grave.
"I couldn't have used Padfoot. I was staying in Hogsmeade during the Tournament, and Harry and his friends were visiting me. If they went to the castle and continued the conversation, Snivellus could have overheard and recognized it from our school days."
"How is old Snivellus these days?" James drawled casually, shooting a quick, fearful glance at Lily. Lily just smiled and turned her gaze back on her son.
"Uh, I think you're about to find out!" Harry cautioned, nodding with his head to a nearby path. Snape was coming down it, in a very fast pace, and looking livid.
TA DA! Here it is, the long awaited next chapter. I'M SO SORRY! I never meant for it to take so long! I jsut kept forgetting to update! My sincerest apologies. If you have any comments or thoughts, please feel free to do so! And thank you to all of you who have commented! I liked hearing feedback and getting everyone's opinion.