Mkay, so, this sequel will have a slightly different format than the prequel did. Since I'll almost certainly be introducing new characters, and since I like changing points of view, every chapter will probably be from a different point of view instead of having everyone's views rotating through each chapter.

Also, since has devised a lovely method for responding to each review individually, I'll forego the lengthy list of responses here, although I will credit each reviewer. To that end, BIIIIG thanks to: HPFan, Baranwyn, TheUnknownMarauder, Avery-Rose-Rain-Slytherin, Heather, gatermage, BlackNeonTears, sexyteluguchica, Katherine Jackson, Lii, Shinigami, uknowho, Becky Silver Black, and Sunny Moonlight! Cookies for you all!

Anything you recognize herein is the property of J.K.Rowling. Obviously.

The transient light of false dawn gave the room an eerie cast as Harry woke up. The silvery reflections on the ceiling seemed to be telling him not to go back to sleep, but he couldn't figure out why. Turning the puzzle over his mind, the boy listened to the crepuscular sounds of the house.

Soft snores came from down the hall, just a shade louder than simple breathing. Harry had never known which of his fathers snored, or if they both did. Across the hall from their room could be heard humming as his mother got ready for the day. On the other side of Harry's room were quiet rustlings as his brothers and sisters slowly started the long journey toward wakefulness. It was nice to wake up early and hear the morning activities of his family.

And they were his family. Harry hated it when people tried to correct him and call them his 'foster family,' or his 'adopted family.' They kept saying that Sirius, Remus, and Rory weren't Harry's 'real' parents. Sure, they weren't his birth parents, but they loved him, cared for him, and did everything that parents should. What other qualifications did they need? They were certainly better than the Dursleys, who'd never even given him a birthday present.

Birthday! That was it! Today was Harry's eleventh birthday! Grinning, he bolted out of bed and started getting dressed. Both sets of twins were going to stay at Miss Bishop's, and their parents were taking Harry to Diagon Alley as a birthday treat! Then the whole family would have a big dinner and open the presents that were already sitting on the living room table. He could hardly wait!

Harry was the first one to breakfast, and eagerly helped Mum and Da make breakfast, while Papa got the twins up. He tried to pace himself and not eat too quickly, but excitement made it difficult. Just as he ate the last crumb on his plate, the family owl, Serendipity, swooped in through the open window and landed next to Harry's plate. The owl was the same one that had carried Harry's letter to Remus so many years ago, which had given her a special place in all their hearts.

An anticipatory silence fell over the adults, and they exchanged glances as Sereh dropped a letter in front of their eldest. Picking it up, he glanced around the table to see three identical grins from his parents and four puzzled but curious looks from his siblings. Then his eyes fell on the envelope, and a shout rang out that startled birds an animals all over the moor.

"I'm going to Hogwarts!"

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An hour later, Harry and his parents stood in front of Gringott's, talking to Hagrid, who they'd run into in the bank. The wild-looking man had ridden with Harry and his mum to the Grey family vault, and then to vault for Hagrid to pick up a small, grubby package that piqued Harry's curiosity. Before he could ask too many questions, however, they arrived outside to find Remus and Sirius arguing.

"We will absolutely not go to Zonko's first, Sirius." Remus had the air of someone who'd been arguing for quite some time, which surprised Harry. His fathers almost never argued for more than a few moments—on the rare occasions when they argued at all.

Seeing them come out of the bank, Sirius appealed to Rory for help. "Tell this stick-in-the-mud that we should go to Zonko's first! It's the most important part of Harry's school supplies!"

The pretty witch laughed, drawing admiring attention from several passers-by. "Why don't we let Harry decide what our plans are? It is his birthday, after all. And he's the one we're shopping for."

"I think… that we should save Zonko's for last." Harry nearly laughed as Sirius's face fell, and Remus grinned triumphantly. "Because then we can spend as much as we want, and as long as we want."

Remus, grinning from ear to ear, held out his hand to his partner, who fumbled in a pocket and passed over a Galleon. But not just any Galleon. This particular coin was quite old, but just as shiny as the day it was minted. The face on the coin had been enchanted to look like James Potter as a joke, and had become something of a talisman to Harry's second set of parents. Harry hadn't figured out exactly where the tradition came from, but his parents were constantly making silly bets with each other in order to gain custody of the Galleon. For some reason seeing it always made him smile, though.

It was finally decided that Harry would get fitted for his robes first, while Hagrid was recovering from the cart ride in Gringotts, so he followed his mother into Madame Malkin's with a resigned air. The plump cheerful seamstress led him to the back of a shop and stood him on a footstool next to a pale boy about his own age.

"Hello," said the boy, "Hogwarts, too?"

At Harry's affirmative, the boy drawled onward. "My father's next door buying me books and mother's up the street looking at wands. Then I'm going to drag them off to look at racing brooms. I don't see why first years can't have their own. I think I'll bully father into getting me one and I'll smuggle it in somehow."

Harry was beginning to wonder if the boy ever stopped talking when he asked a question.

"Have you got your own broom?"

"Yes. Nimbus 2000." It was hard not to gloat at the envious expression on the pale boy's face. The Nimbus 2000 was the latest thing in brooms, and Harry had chanced to overhear his fathers talking about getting it. It hadn't been unwrapped yet, but he knew exactly which package it was, and he was buzzing with anticipation.

"I suppose you're a pureblood then? They really shouldn't let the other sort in." The stranger's face grew eager. "Who're your parents? I'm Draco Malfoy, by the way."

Harry regarded the outstretched hand with well-hidden distaste. He had known that a lot of wizarding families were obsessed with keeping their bloodlines pure, but had never actually met anyone who thought that way before. His parents certainly didn't. Fortunately he was spared the problem of whether or not to shake Malfoy's hand by Madame Malkin. "That's you done, my dear."

Grateful, Harry hopped off the stool and bounded over to his mother, who smiled and mussed his hair. "Ready to go get your wand, kiddo?"

Harry practically dragged her to Ollivander's.

Well, I meant to have this up this morning, but I sprained my back, so you should be glad to get it at all today. And I'm going to shut up before I start whining. On a more important note, I was digging through some old files the other day and ran across an unfinished fic called Bedlam's Song. I dusted it off and polled a test audience, and it will now update on Mondays. Check it out!