Chapter 20

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AN1: Thank you for the support. PLEASE REVIEW. Sorry about this being later than usual, I wasn't home. I may do another double update if people are interested because of how far ahead I am.


June 20th 1992

Half an hour after they left the Dursley's house Albus, Remus, Hermione and Harry walk into Remus and Hermione's house which is now Harry's home too.

"We'll just leave your trunk here for now." Remus says as he puts Harry's trunk by the stairs, "And…" Remus say before pulling out his wand and pointing it at Hedwig's cage, unlocking it, "There, that's better." He comments.

"That it is. Thank you." Harry says as Hedwig flies out of the cage.

"Ah, just as I suspected." Albus says from the living room.

"Albus?" Remus asks as he, Harry and Hermione walk into the living room.

"Not only have the wands and protections heled, they have strengthened." Albus reveals.

"What does that mean?" Harry asks confused, feeling that he is missing something.

"It means that I owe you an apology, Harry." Albus admits, "I thought that the protections your Mother gave you meant that the safest place for you would be with your Aunt, but I was wrong. The safest place for you is, and always would have been, here, with Remus and Hermione." Albus explains.

"I never had to be there?" Harry asks, pain in his voice and Albus nods, "I wish you realised that sooner." He says, bitterness in his voice.

"I know." Albus says with a kind smile, "Now, The Ministry of Magic will not be informed about your change of residence as it is best and safer for all three of you." Albus explains to Harry.

"Does that mean no one can know?" Harry asks, as honestly he would like to scream from the rooftops that he doesn't have to live at the Dursley's anymore.

"You can tell people you trust, but for the most part, people won't know." Albus explains to Harry.

"Okay." Harry answers.

"Now, I best be going, good day to you all." Albus says before stepping into the fire and flooing away, to the complete confusion of Harry as he has never seen that before.

"Harry, take a seat there's a few things we need to talk about." Remus says once Albus leaves and Harry walks over and sits on the couch, and Hermione does the same thing, "First, I understand if it takes a while, but I want you to see this as your home, it is your home." Remus tells Harry, "And If there is anything you want, or need, to talk about I want you to know that you can always talk to me, always come to me." Remus explains and Harry just nods, not sure if he is going to be able to do that, "This is the lounge room, through there is the kitchen and dining area." Remus says pointing to his left, "Across from here is my study which also has all of my magical text books which you should feel free to read if you'd like." Remus explains, "The door next to the kitchen, under the stairs, leads to a bathroom and then upstairs, which I will show you soon, is my bedroom, your bedroom, and Hermione's bedroom as well as another bathroom." Remus reveals, "Hedwig will be free to come and go, there is an area in the backyard that mine and Hermione's owl Omega, spends a lot of time that I think she'll like, and of course she can stay in your room. There's an owl perch in there, I just ask that you clean up any mess she makes." Remus tells him.

"I can do that." Harry assures Remus.

"Good." Remus says with a smile, "During the week I work at a bookshop that is owed by some friends of mine and Hermione comes with me, so, so will you." Remus tells Harry, knowing that next summer he might let Harry and Hermione stay at home alone, but this year he'd prefer they come with him.

"Okay." Harry says, Hermione's love of books starting to make more sense.

"It's more fun than it seems. The book shops great, and there are fun places nearby we can go." Hermione tells Harry.

"We could?" Harry asks surprised as he expected to have to stay inside.

"Yes, I just ask that if you two leave the bookshop you tell me where you are going and check in regularly." Remus explains.

"Okay, that sounds good." Harry says with a nod, thinking that that sounds pretty fair.

"And you both can always do your homework at the shop." Remus adds, "Now, there are a few house rules that I expect Hermione to follow so I expect you too as well." Remus says as he wants to lay everything out for Harry so he understands.

"Okay." Harry says with a nod, thinking that there could be nothing worse than what the Dursley's did.

"Your room is your private space and I will not enter without your permission, but I expect you to keep it clean and tidy." Remus says and Harry nods, "Hermione and I always clean up after meals together and you'll help with that too." Remus explains and Harry nods, "I will always do my best to be honest with you Harry, and I would like you to do the same in return."

"I'll try." Harry answers.

"You are not to use the floo network without telling me first." Remus says.

"Floo?" Harry asks confused.

"Traveling and communication method via fireplaces." Hermione explains, "We'll show you how to use it." Hermione explains and Harry nods as he does Remus walks over and sits down on the table right in front of Harry.

"You're wanted here, Harry. This is just as much your home as it is mine and Hermione, you should have considered this your home a long time ago and I hope in time that you do." Remus explains, giving Harry a smile, one that he manages to return, "Now, would you like to see your room?" he asks curious.

"Yes." Harry says and the three of them stand up and walk over to the stairs, as they do Harry goes to grab his trunk.

"Don't worry, I have it." Remus informs him and as Harry and Hermione head upstairs first and Remus, with Harry's trunk, follows behind.

"Papa's rooms there." Hermione says pointing to the door across from the stairs, "My room is there." Hermione says, pointing to the door that, from where they are standing, is on the right side of Remus's room, "The door on the left right next to Papa's is the good bathroom, and next to it, across from mine, is yours." Hermione explains, "Want to see?" she asks and Harry nods so they head over to the door, Hermione gets there first so she pushes the door open, "Go on." Hermione says when she hasn't stepped into the room and Harry does.

Stepping into the room Harry is amazed, there is a large window, a large bed that looks like it will be just as comfortable as the ones at Hogwarts, a wardrobe, chest of draws, bookshelves and desk, all of which amazes him but what amazes him the most is what's on the wall next to the door, the wall that there is a perfect view from the bed, on that wall there is a collage a pictures, pictures that have been made bigger, of his parents, and him when he was a baby.

"I….." Harry says, turning to Hermione and Remus, finding himself lost for words.

"I knew that you loved the album Hagrid gave you so I thought you'd like that." Hermione explains.

"Hermione told me that you don't know much about Lily and James, so if there is anything you want to know just ask me. I loved your parents, they were my family and I'll happily tell you everything about them." Remus tells Harry.

Hearing that Harry is just amazed and before he can stop himself he runs over and just hugs Hermione and Remus.

"Thank you, thank you both so much." Harry says as he hugs them.

"You don't have to thank us, Harry." Remus assures him as they break apart, "So, things are pretty basic here so how about you get settled in and later today we go and get you everything else you need." Remus tells Harry, planning on using the money he's been saving to attempt to one day afford wolfsbane potion to get Harry, and Hermione, everything they need.

"You don't have to do that." Harry quickly says.

"I want to." Remus says, "How does leaving in an hour sound?"

"That sounds great, um…." Harry says, starting to trail off as he realises that he has no idea what to call Hermione's Papa.

"Remus, you can call me Remus."

"Okay, then yeah, an hour sounds great Remus." Harry says, smiling at him.

"Good. I'll be downstairs." Remus says, turning around and starting to head downstairs, but he stops and turns back, "Keep your Wand on you at all times, Harry."

"But I thought we're not allowed to use magic outside of school." Harry comments.

"You are in emergencies and it's better to have your wand and not need it than to need it and not have it." Remus says before heading downstairs.

"Did you both do all this for me?" Harry asks, looking around.

"Yes." Hermione confirms, "Like Papa said this was always meant to be your home too, and even if it takes you a while we both hope you see it as your home." Hermione explains.

"Thank you." Harry says, smiling at Hermione and she returns the smile.


Many hours later, having spent several hours shopping with Hermione and Remus, which he couldn't believe, Harry is lying in a room that for the first time ever he can call his. While they were shopping Remus and Hermione both encouraged him to get everything he needed, but he found it rather odd, especially when Remus paid for everything he needed, including new glasses frames which Remus has transfigured the right prescription into, without complaint.

As he stares at the pictures on his wall Harry realises that this is where he should have always been, this is where he should have gotten to grow up, and there's a part of him, a not so small part that isn't sure he's going to be able to forgive Dumbledore for taking that away from him.


June 21st 1992

When Harry wakes up in the morning it takes him a minute to realise where he is and once he realises where he is Harry smiles to himself before getting up and getting changed into some of the new clothes Remus brought him, clothes that actually fit him.

Once he is changed Harry heads downstairs and as he walks into the living room and as he does Harry stops in his tracks as Remus's head is in the fireplace.

"Morning, Harry." Hermione says, walking into the room from the kitchen, "Are you okay?" she asks concerned.

"Why is Remus in the fireplace?" Harry asks confused.

"He's making a floo call." Hermione explains, "It's a little like a telephone call." Hermione explains.

"Right." Harry says with a nod, wondering if he will ever understand everything.

"Come on, breakfast is on the table." Hermione explains and the two of them head into the kitchen.

"So, who's Remus talking to?" Harry asks as he and Hermione sit down at the table.

"Either Albus, Minnie, or Mrs Longbottom, I'm not sure which." Hermione explains to Harry.

"Okay." Harry says with a nod and as he does an owl flies into the open window

"That's errol." Hermione says as the owl crashes into the table.

"Ron's owl." Harry realises, "Is he okay?" he asks as Hermione is checking for a pulse.

"I think so." Hermione answers as Harry picks up the letter.

"Has he written you?" Harry asks curious.

"No, but I don't expect to." Hermione admits as Harry opens the letter.

"He wants me to come visit at some point." Harry reveals, once he reads the letter.

"You should, if you want to." Hermione tells him.

"I don't know." Harry says, being hesitant because of the things Ron said to Hermione when they last saw each other.

"Harry, just because Ron doesn't want anything to do with me doesn't mean you should stop being his friend." Hermione tells him.

"He shouldn't treat you badly because of what you Dad did." Harry tells Hermione, honestly he doesn't understand Ron's reaction because if anyone should hate Hermione for what her father did it should be him and he doesn't, he wouldn't.

"It's okay, Harry, I understand why he would." Hermione says, it being clear that she means that which honestly makes Harry even angrier.

"It's not." Harry snaps, "He should treat you better, you don't deserve to pay for what your Dad did and Ron should know that."

"He's not the only one who would feel that way if they knew who I was." Hermione admits, "So, if you want to keep being friends with Ron then I want that to." She explains.

"I'll think about it." Harry answers and the two of them drift into silence, Harry having no idea what to feel as even though Ron was his first friend he isn't sure if he can stay friends with him if he refuses to see that Hermione isn't her father and that she shouldn't have to pay for his sins

For a few minutes Harry and Hermione just sit and eat in silence until Remus walks in.

"Mrs Longbottom has invited us over for Sunday roast tonight." Remus reveals as he walks in.

"Will Minnie be there?" Hermione asks curious.

"I'm not sure, but I believe so." Remus answers.

"Isn't it wired seeing Professor McGonagall out of school?" Harry asks Hermione.

"Honestly it's stranger seeing her at school. I've known Professor McGonagall basically my whole life so seeing how her as Professor McGonagall rather than Minnie is odd." Hermione explains.

"Huh." Harry answers, having never thought of it like that.

"Who's owl is this?" Remus asks, referring to the barley conscious owl on the table.

"Ron's." Harry and Hermione answer.

"He's worried because he hasn't heard from me all week." Harry explains, "I think I'll send a quick reply back with Hedwig so he doesn't worry."

"That's probably a smart choice." Remus admits as he sits down and joins breakfast too.

"Papa after breakfast is it okay if Harry and I go for a walk so I can show him around the area?" Hermione asks her father.

"Yeah, that's fine. Just keep your wands on you and key your eyes out, if anything feels strange of off them come home." Remus says, looking between the two.

"Yes, Papa."

"Yes, Remus."

"Good. How are you both doing with your summer homework?" Remus asks, as he takes some food.

"I'm almost finished." Hermione answers.

"Really?" Harry asks surprised.

"Yes, what about you?" Hermione asks.

"I haven't really had a chance to do anything." Harry says and an awkward feeling take over the room as everyone remembers exactly why that is.

"Well, you still have plenty of time to do it." Remus says, trying to lighten the mode, "And if you need some help just ask, I was a pretty good student in my day, though not so much at potions." He admits, trying to make a joke.

"Yeah, I'm not too great at that either." Harry admits, "Or maybe it's just Snape that makes me bad."

"I think it's Snape." Hermione comments, "You were doing really well when we're just working together without Snape hovering." She says.

"Yeah, maybe." Harry says, sounding uncertain.

"I still can't believe he vanished our perfect potion because we were having too much fun." Hermione says with a frown.

"He did?" Remus asks, looking far from impressed.

"His exact reason was that we weren't paying attention, but according to the instructions our potion was perfect." Harry explains, "He gave us detention that lesson." He comments, causing Remus to frown.

"I've told this to Hermione, but I want you both to keep me informed of how Professor Snape treats you during his lessons and go to Professor McGonagall if his behaviour gets too out of hand." Remus says, looking at Harry.

"Okay." Harry says, then realises something he wants to know, "What were my parent's best subjects at school?" he asks curious and Remus can't help but smile at the question.

"Well, both your parents were top students, but your Mum was practically good at Charms and Potions while your Dad was really good when it comes to Transfiguration and Defence Against The Dark Arts." Remus answers.

"Cool." Harry answers and the three drift into silence as they continue to ask, Harry feeling happy to know something about his parents that he didn't know the day before.


About forty-five minutes later Hermione and Harry are together walking around a nearby park.

"How'd Remus react to everything we did last year?" Harry asks curious, asking something he's been curious about.

"He's proud about what we did, just wished that we went to help sooner, and asked that if something like that happened again we do." Hermione explains and Harry nods, "He also gave me some advice about using your cloak." Hermione reveals, amusement in her voice.

"You told him about the cloak?" Harry asks, sounding surprised and honestly not sure how he feels about that.

"I just told him that you had it, and that was kind of an accident." Hermione admits, "Papa knew the cloak existed as he saw your Dad use it a lot, he used it himself a lot." She explains to Harry, hoping that he isn't mad.

"Oh, right." Harry says, realising that that makes sense though it may take him a while to get used to the fact that Remus has this entire past with his parents, so he decides to change the subject, "So, Emma and Dan, you use their last name." Harry comments as he met the pair last night.

"Yeah, they're old friends of my Papa's and my grandparents. Papa's known them since he was… probably younger than us." Hermione reveals.

"So, they're muggles who know about Magic?" Harry asks, after looking around to make sure that no one is close enough to here.

"Not exactly." Hermione answers, "Emma's mother is a muggle born witch, Emma is a squib." Hermione explains to Harry.

"Squib?" Harry asks confused.

"A non-magical child born to a magical parent, like Filch, it's the opposite of a muggle born." Hermione explains.

"Right." Harry says, nodding in understanding, "Why does Remus work in a bookshop rather than a job in the magical world?" he asks curious and for about thirty seconds Hermione is quiet as she thinks of the best way to answer that question.

"Papa would have a hard time finding a job in the magical world." Hermione tells Harry, choosing her words carefully.

"Is that because of the relationship he had with your Dad?" Harry asks, sounding awkward.

"If my Dad was anyone other than my Dad, it wouldn't even be an issue, same sex couples aren't unusual and are perfectly accepted in the magic world." Hermione explains, "And while that is a factor it's not the biggest one."

"What is?" Harry asks, before he can stop himself.

"It's complicated." Hermione answers as she is pretty sure that it's not her place to tell Harry about Remus being a werewolf, "You should ask Papa."

"Okay." Harry answers, not sure if he will as he doesn't think he has any right to yet, and the two of them drift into silence, "So, what will having dinner at Neville's be like?" Harry asks after a few minutes of him and Hermione walking in silence.

"It will be great, Nev's grandmother is pretty stern, and can be scary, but she is nice too. Honestly she's a lot like Minnie." Hermione admits, "And maybe not today, but some other time you can bring your broom and fly while Nev and I work in the greenhouse, if you'd like." Hermione explains.

"I could?" Harry asks, sounding surprised, though glad because he'd love to fly.

"Yeah, the Longbottom mansion is pretty remote and it's got some protections on the grounds meaning you could fly without a problem." Hermione explains.

"Huh." Harry says, looking forward to that, and together he and Hermione continue to walk in silence.


A few hours later Harry and Hermione are back home and along with Remus they are about to leave to go to Neville's house for dinner.

"So Harry, you've never used floo powder before, have you?" Remus asks.

"No."

"Okay, well in that case I think the first couple of time you use it you should floo with Hermione. That way you can get used to the feeling a bit more and understand the mistakes you shouldn't make." Remus tells Harry.

"Okay." Harry says with a nod.

"You should also take off your glasses, according to James using floo while wearing glasses is horrible." Remus reveals, and Harry nods, "Good, why don't you two go first."

"Sure." Harry says with a nod, still looking a little worried.

"We have to hug while we go, so that we don't get separated." Hermione explains to Harry.

"Okay." Harry says and the two of them head to the fireplace, a few seconds later Harry is experiencing using the floo network for the first time.

Not long after Harry basically topples out of the fireplace and into Neville's house.

"You okay?" Hermione asks as she crouches down next to Harry.

"Yeah, I think so." Harry says, standing up, "That was really strange." He admits.

"Yeah, that's a good way to describe it." Hermione admits, "Wait until you have to make a floo call, that's ever stranger."

"Not possible." Harry says, putting his glasses on as Remus steps out of the fireplace.

"Are you alright, Harry?" Remus asks.

"Yes." Harry answers and the three of them turn to see Neville and Augusta.

"First time using the floo network, Harry?" Augusta asks.

"Yes." Harry answers.

"Gran do Hermione and I have enough time to show Harry around before dinner?" Neville asks curious.

"Yes." Augusta answers,

"Come on Harry, you're going to love this." Hermione says as she and Neville lead him out of the room and as they do Augusta walks over to Remus.

"He's finally where he belongs." Augusta says with a smile.

"Yeah, he is." Remus confirms.


Half an hour later Hermione, Harry and Neville are out in the grounds as Neville and Hermione have shown Harry all around upstairs and is now showing him around outside.

"You have a pool?" Harry asks, sounding surprised.

"Yep, and you and Hermione will come and use it when it hot." Neville reveals.

"We will?" Harry asks, looking at Hermione.

"Yes, or we'll have water balloon fights with Papa, he learnt how to make the best water balloons from your Dad." Hermione reveals, smiling at Harry.

"Cool." Harry says with a smile.

"Hermione, Neville, Harry." A voice says and the three of them turn to see Minerva standing by the door that leads inside.

"Dinner's ready."

"Coming Minnie."

"Coming Minerva."

"Coming Professor McGonagall."

The three say and they head towards Minerva and head inside.

"Harry." Minerva says, stopping him from following, "While outside of school feel free to call me Minerva." He tells her.

"Okay." Harry says, not sure if he's going to be able to do that, and the two of them head into the dining room.

Five minutes later, as he sits with Hermione, Neville, Remus, Augusta and Minerva Harry realises, for the first time that this must be how it feels to be a part of a family and as he does Harry can't help but smile, though at the same time he worries that it's going to be taken away from him.


A few hours later Harry, Hermione and Remus are on their way back home. As they once more flooed together Hermione calmly steps out while Harry falls to the ground.

"Oh I really don't like this." Harry admits as he stands up, "Do you ever get used to it?" he asks curious.

"Eventually." Hermione answers, "It never stops feeling strange though." She admits.

"Great, just great." Harry says as he puts his glasses back on as Remus steps out of the fireplace.

"Papa, can we have a movie night tonight?" Hermione asks curious.

"Do you think you could eat popcorn and chocolate after everything else?" Remus asks curious as he is pretty sure that Hermione, and Harry, had seconds servings of both dinner and desert.

"Of course." Hermione answers, "I always have room for chocolate." Hermione tells her father, "Just like you."

"Okay, we can do a movie night." Remus says with a smile.

"Great. Harry help me with popcorn while Papa picks the movie." Hermione says, taking Harry's hand and heading to the kitchen.

"Hermione, I've never made popcorn before." Harry tells Hermione as they head into the kitchen as while he cooked a lot at the Dursley's they never let him make popcorn.

"Don't worry, you can't make mistakes with popcorn." Hermione explains and she heads over to the cupboard.

"You and your Papa do movie nights?" Harry asks, sounding surprised.

"Yeah, Papa's Mum was a muggle. They used to watch a lot of movies together." Hermione explains, "So, Papa and I do." She explains.

"Cool." Harry says with a smile, "So, what can I do?"

"Well, it's simple really. We've just got to put the un-popped popcorn into the machine and hope we don't make too much." Hermione explains.

"Is that likely?" Harry asks curious.

"Oh yes." Hermione confirms, "I've made too much popcorn every time I've tried." Hermione admits.

"Really?" Harry asks amused and Hermine nods, "Let's make popcorn." He says and that's just what they do.


Fifteen minutes later Hermione, Harry and Remus are all in the living room. While Remus is sitting on the couch Hermione and Harry are sitting on the floor. As he watches Harry and Hermione sharing popcorn with one another, or more specifically almost throwing it at each other, both looking happy, Remus finds himself smiling as this is how things should have always been, they should have always been together, and it's because of Dumbledore that they weren't. Even with everything that Dumbledore has done for him Remus can't he but feel anger at the headmaster because of that, he can't help but feel a little bit of resentment.

"Remus, would you like more popcorn?" Harry asks, snapping Remus out of his thoughts.

"Sure, thanks Harry." Remus answers and Harry hands him one of the bowls before turning back to the TV, Hermione, Remus and Harry all enjoying one another's company, being the family that they should have been a long time ago.


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