Disclaimer: All recognizable characters and settings belong to J.K. Rowling.
James and Lily surprised Harry the next weekend by taking him to visit Lily's parents. She had sent several letters explaining about Harry and her parents were anxious to meet him. Lily had asked about Petunia and had been assured she was spending the weekend with Vernon's family. They took the train and then would rent a car to get to the Evan's house. Lily had her drivers license, although James was silently hesitant to be in a car.
"It's perfectly safe," Lily told James as she merged into traffic.
"It's too confining," James complained. He'd rather fly any day. He glanced over his shoulder at Harry, who was sitting in the backseat. "What do you think, Harry? Is it better to travel by flying or driving?"
"Flying!" Harry said enthusiastically.
James gave Lily a smug look.
Lily rolled her eyes. "Boys." she said in mock irritation.
"I can't believe this is the first time I'm meeting your parents," James said as Lily turned onto her street.
"They can't wait to meet you. I've written about you enough," Lily smiled.
"Yeah? You've told them how wonderful and smart I am?" James asked.
"I told them you were an arrogant toerag who finally grew up and became tolerable," Lily teased as she parked in her parents driveway.
James made a face as he got out of the car and opened the back door. "Thanks, Lily. That makes me feel a lot better." He helped Harry out of the car.
"I told them that you were you handsome, smart, loyal and funny and that I was crazy in love with you," Lily said as she came around the car and took Harry's hand.
"Now that's more like it," James said in satisfaction. "Ready Pronglet?"
"I guess," Harry said nervously. He'd loved meeting his dad's parents but he was worried that his mum's parents would view him like his aunt had. He held his mother's hand tightly as they walked to the front door of the modest two story house.
"Mum? Dad? We're here!" Lily called as she let them into the house. She led them to the living room.
"Lily!" An older woman rushed into room engulfed her daughter in a hug. She had the same emerald eyes as Lily and Harry and blonde hair that was tied back into a bun.
An older man walked in, with red hair and pale, blue eyes. "Lily flower!" He held out his arms.
"Daddy!" Lily eagerly hugged her father. "I've missed you both! Have you missed me?"
"You know we have," Mr. Evans told her fondly. His eyes went to James. "Hello, young man."
"Hello, Sir," James stepped forward and held out his hand. "I'm James Potter."
Mr. Evans shook his hand. "Hugh Evans. It's nice to finally meet you. We've heard a lot about you."
"My goodness, Lily. He is a handsome one," Mrs. Evans said approvingly.
"Mum!" Lily blushed.
Mrs. Evans laughed and then noticed Harry, who was standing far behind his parents. "Oh, Hugh. Look at our grandson." she said in awe.
Mr. Evans grinned. "He looks just like you, James!"
James smiled proudly.
"He has our eyes, Lily," Mrs. Evans said, approaching Harry. "Hello, sweetheart. I'm your Gramma."
"You can call me Grandad," Mr. Evans added.
"Hi," Harry said shyly.
"We've been so excited to meet you," Mrs. Evans said, kneeling down to Harry's level. "I've been baking up a storm. I didn't know what you would like so I made several different kinds of cookies and cakes."
Harry's eyes lit up. "I love cookies and cake!"
"Lily wrote that you liked to draw," Mr. Evans said, coming closer.
Harry saw that his eyes were the same color as his aunt Petunia's except his were kind and he didn't look at Harry as if he were a speck of dirt, like she had.
"So we picked you up some art supplies," Mr. Evans continued.
"Thank you," Harry said. Having grandparents was pretty cool!
"Just remember to draw on paper," Lily said wryly.
Mrs. Evans chuckled. "You used to try and color on the walls, Lily. You insisted you were decorating the house."
"I did?" Lily asked in surprise.
Mr. Evans laughed. "I remember that. She covered the wall in the dining room with drawings of flowers."
"Like mother, like son," James laughed.
"I didn't draw flowers, I drew animals," Harry protested.
"You like animals?" Mrs. Evans asked. "We love the owl Lily sends her letters with."
"I love owls," Harry smiled, thinking of Hedwig.
"Lily, you can set up James in Petunia's room. She won't be home this weekend," Mrs. Evans said.
"Good," Lily muttered.
"Lily," Mrs. Evans sighed.
"We have an extra cot for Harry," Mr. Evans said.
"I can transfigure something into a bed for him," James said easily.
"Transfiguration is his best subject," Lily told her parents proudly.
"It sounds like a fascinating subject," Mrs. Evans said. "Imagine if you needed an extra chair and could poof one into existence by changing a pillow or something."
"Poof?" James muttered under his breath, causing his son to giggle. He gave Harry a wink.
Lily coughed to cover up her laugh. "Right. I'm going to take James and Harry upstairs. I'll be back to down to help you with dinner."
"You don't have to, Lily. You can just relax," Mrs. Evans said.
"You know I've always liked cooking with you," Lily said with a smile.
HP
"This is my room," Lily said, leading them into her bedroom. The walls were painted a light violet and the bedspread was purple and cream colored. The rug was cream colored and there was a desk and dresser.
Harry wandered in and climbed onto the soft bed, holding his plush owl tight in his arms as he looked around.
"Shoes, love," Lily said.
Harry obediently kicked off his shoes, letting them drop off the side of the bed.
"Nice," James said, glancing around. "Where is your sister's room?"
"Next to this one. We share a bathroom," Lily pointed to a door. "Both our rooms connect to it." she led him through the bathroom and into Petunia's room. The walls were grey and the bedspread teal. "Mum made room in the dresser for your clothes."
James nodded and pulled Lily to him. "So do you think they liked me?"
"Yes," Lily said, a soft smile on her face. "I could tell they did."
"Good," James kissed her. "I love you, Lily."
"I love you too," Lily said with a happy sigh. "Things are going so well, don't you think? With your parents and mine, them meeting Harry..."
James eyes went wide. "Harry." he said as he made his way back to Lily's room. He grinned at the sight of his son curled up asleep on Lily's bed, still hugging his owl. "I guess traveling took it's toll." he said softly.
Lily stepped around him and covered Harry with a blanket. She bent down and kissed his cheek. "I'm glad he's taking a nap," she said. "He's been through so much in such a short time."
James set wards around Harry so that he would know when their son woke up.
HP
"Mum! Dad!"
Lily had been about to drink her tea and froze. "What is she doing here?"
"I don't know," Mrs. Evans said as her eldest daughter entered the room. "Petunia, what are you doing home? Is everything okay?"
"Oh, I'm wonderful. Vernon's parents are going to take us out to a very fancy restaurant," Petunia bragged. "I didn't have my favorite dress with me so I came to get it." Her eyes landed on Lily and a scowl formed on her face. "What are you doing here? Did you get kicked out of that freak school?"
"Petunia, don't start," Mr. Evans sighed.
"We're visiting," Lily said, standing up.
"We?" Petunia caught sight of James. "Oh," she sneered. "Another freak, I assume."
"Excuse me?" James stared at her. Just to annoy her, he slid his wand out of his sleeve.
Petunia's eyes widened.
"Petunia, this is my boyfriend James Potter," Lily said. "James, my sister Petunia."
"Wish I could say it's a pleasure," James drawled. "But my parents taught me not to lie."
Petunia scowled at him. "Why are they here?" she asked her parents.
"Lily wanted to us to meet him," Mrs. Evans said.
"You didn't tell me she was coming home this weekend," Petunia said with a sniff.
"You already had plans," Mrs. Evans shrugged. "I didn't think you would change them to see your sister."
"Of course I wouldn't," Petunia said with a sniff.
James stiffened as he felt the wards he put around Harry flare. "I'll be upstairs," He said.
"Where is he staying?" Petunia asked suspiciously. "He better not be staying in my room!"
"He is and unless you plan to pay rent, it's our room," Mr. Evans countered.
"Mummy? Daddy?" Harry appeared on the staircase before James could make it upstairs.
Petunia's eyes widened when she saw the child walking downstairs. "Who is that? He looks like..." she trailed off as she stared at Harry. "He looks like you," she said to James. "Is he your brother or something..." She trailed off and her eyes went back to Harry, who was staring at her. "But he has your eyes!" She accused Lily, realization filling her eyes. "You're an unwed mother!" she gasped.
Lily rolled her eyes.
"You must have him when you were what, twelve or thirteen?" Petunia looked scandalized. "You tramp!" She yelled at Lily. She began coughing as soap bubbles suddenly came out of her mouth.
James had his wand pointed at her. "Do not talk like that to Lily." He said angrily.
"You do not understand, Petunia," Mrs. Evans said once the soap charm had ended. "If you would listen -"
"How can you possible be okay with this!" Petunia shrieked. "They're seventeen and have a child!"
"He's from the future, Petunia," Mr. Evans said calmly. "Magic sent him here."
Petunia stiffened. "Don't say that word!"
"You call your sister a tramp but don't like the word magic?" Mrs. Evans shook her head. "I really do not understand you, Petunia."
"Because I'm not your precious Lily," Petunia said resentfully. She glared at Harry, who had crept down to stand with his parents. "So he is a freak too?"
"Do not call my son a freak!" Lily snapped.
"He comes from the future, he is a freak," Petunia sneered.
"See? This is what she was like," Harry spoke up, glaring at his aunt.
"I actually spent time with him?" Petunia frowned.
"Unfortunately," Harry muttered.
"You weren't nice to him," Lily said. "Shocking, isn't it?" She asked sarcastically.
Petunia shrugged. "He's probably a brat anyway."
"Petunia!" Mr. Evans snapped. "He is your nephew! Show some decency."
"Decency? These freaks," she gestured to Lily and James. "Do unnatural things and have a unnatural son that comes from the future. They aren't decent! They're embarrassing! I'm just glad Vernon doesn't care that I'm related to an abnormal person. He loves me anyway and he and I are going to have a nice, normal freak free life!"
"If she does not shut up," James said quietly. "I won't be responsible for my actions."
Harry glared at Petunia. She was still a horrible person! And she was being mean to his parents! Oh, he couldn't stand her...
"What's happening?" Petunia glanced down at her hands, which were rapidly swelling up. Her face started to expand, her eyes bulged, the buttons on her jacket burst open as she began inflating like a balloon. "Make it stop!"
Uh oh, Harry realized he must have done this with accidental magic. Just like with aunt marge.
"Make what stop?" Lily asked innocently.
James snickered. "It's an improvement," he muttered.
"Mum! Dad!" Petunia wailed.
Lily sighed and waved her wand a few times, muttering a spell. Petunia slowly returned to normal. "How dare you do that to me!" Petunia yelled.
"I didn't," Lily said, glancing at James curiously.
James shook his head and glanced at Harry. He hid a grin.
"Oh," Lily gave a laugh.
"Your brat did it? Punish him!" Petunia demanded.
"You don't punish a child for accidental magic," Lily said in an irritated voice. "And don't call my son a brat. Besides, you deserved it."
"Yeah, horse face," Harry piped up.
"Harry!" Lily hissed.
Petunia's face turned red.
"How many chins does Vernon have? When I knew him he had several," Harry said. It was mean but so was she!
Petunia stamped her foot. "Oh, he's a horrid child!"
"Petunia, get your dress and go," Mr. Evans said finally.
"Vernon is picking me up later," Petunia said sullenly. "I was going to get ready here."
"Then go upstairs," Mrs. Evans huffed. "I'm about to put on dinner. Your father and I want to enjoy our visit with our grandson."
Petunia glared at Harry and then stomped upstairs.
Lily ran a hand through her hair. "I'm sorry, mum and dad."
"I wish you two could get along," Mrs. Evans said sadly. "Like you used to when you were little."
"She hates me for being a witch," Lily said. "There's nothing I can do about that. She is the one who needs to change, who needs to accept that." She looked at Harry. "Although calling her a horse face wasn't nice." She admonished.
"Neither was calling me a brat," Harry protested.
"I know," Lily sighed. "I'm sorry she was so awful to you, Harry."
"So am I," Mr. Evans spoke up. "Hopefully she will grow up and change her behavior."
She doesn't, Harry thought but kept his mouth quiet. Although maybe she would get a second chance too. Didn't seem like it, though.
They sat down to a delicious pot roast dinner when suddenly the doorbell rang.
Mr. Evans sighed and pushed back his chair. "That must be Vernon."
Harry could see the door from where he was sitting and gulped a little when he saw Vernon Dursley walk in, multiple chins and all. All he could remember was all the times Vernon had screamed at him and thrown him into the cupboard.
"Oh, you're eating," Vernon said, nodding at Mrs. Evans. He froze when he noticed the others at the table. "You must be Petunia's sister."
"Yes, I'm Lily," Lily said. "It's, uh, nice to meet you Vernon. Congratulations on your engagement."
Vernon just nodded and looked at her warily. His suspicious gaze went to James and then Harry. He eyed them strangely and stepped back.
"This is Lily's boyfriend James," Mrs. Evans said. "From Hogwarts."
Vernon flinched at the name.
James glowered at him, remembering what his son had told him about this man.
"And this is Harry," Mrs. Evans continued.
Vernon didn't say anything, just stood there awkwardly.
Petunia finally appeared, in a fancy dress and her hair piled up on her head. "Vernon!" She said with relief. "You have no idea how glad I am that you are here."
"I can guess why," Vernon said, taking her hand and glancing at the table.
"Let's go," Petunia snuck her nose up in the air. "Perhaps I will send you pictures from our wedding, if I am feeling generous." She told her sister.
"No need," Lily responded with a fake smile.
As Petunia and Vernon turned to leave, James flicked his wand and grinned as her hair turned green and silver. Lily put her napkin to her mouth to stifle her laughter and Harry broke into giggles. Once the engaged couple closed the door behind them, they could hear Vernon ask, "Pet, what did you do to your hair?"
"Really James," Lily snickered.
"Oops," James winked at Harry.
That night after getting ready for bed, instead of waiting for his dad to transfigure a bed for him, Harry just fell asleep on his mum's bed again. As he was drifting off, he felt her arms wrap around him and he sighed in contentment.
Suddenly he was in the Dursleys house, looking around in confusion. Why was he here? Where were his parents?
"Get in the cupboard, freak!" A much larger Vernon Dursley shouted as he approached him.
"Where is my mum and dad?"
"They didn't want you either," Petunia said snidely as Vernon grabbed Harry by the scruff of his neck and threw him into the dark cupboard, locking the door. Harry screamed.
"Harry? Baby, wake up," Lily pleaded as her son yelled in his sleep. She cast her doe Patronus to get James. A moment later he ran into the room.
"Harry?" James scooped up his son in his arms. "Pronglet, wake up. It's just a dream. Wake up, Son." he coaxed.
Harry opened his eyes, tears streaming down his cheeks. "Daddy?"
James and Lily exchanged a look of relief. "Yeah buddy. You okay?" James asked in concern.
"I was back at the Dursley," Harry whispered. "You guys didn't want me anymore and I was locked in the cupboard..."
"Oh, Harry," Lily said sadly. "That will never happen. We will always want you." She could cheerfully strangle her sister. If she wasn't such a horrible person, now and in Harry's time he wouldn't be having nightmares. She smiled softly as she watched James comfort their son. Harry was definitely a daddy's boy, that was for sure. "Why don't the three of us sleep together?" Lily suggested, getting into the bed, with Harry in the middle of her and James.
"We love you, Harry," James said, running his fingers through his son's hair. "So much."
Harry closed his eyes, feeling calmer and safe. He fell asleep and this time there were no bad dreams.
TBC: