Lily could tell that Harry hadn't slept much the night before.

He hadn't said anything and had not been difficult to get out of bed when the Healers came in in the morning, but she could see in his face that he was tired. He blinked blearily as he got out of bed and obediently ate the breakfast that the Healers had brought for them. He ate slowly, eyes closing and head bouncing every now and again as he fell asleep, before jerking back away.

She wished he would complain, like other children would.

"We're going to do a quick evaluation of you two," Healer Bell said as she brought Harry the foul-tasting nutrition potion, "If everything looks good, you can leave today!"

Harry silently and obediently drank the nutrition potion as she spoke. His face twisted in disgust momentarily, but he quickly forced a blank stare to come across his face.

James perked up from his bed, "We can go?"

"If you pass the evaluation," Healer Bell stressed, arching an eyebrow at him, "We need to make sure that there weren't any complications from the potions, and make sure that your muscles are good enough for you to walk without help."

She drew her wand. Lily's eyes flickered over to Harry, noticing him eyeing it warily as Healer Bell waved her wand over James, performing the same diagnostic spell that she had performed on Harry the day prior.

Healer Bell's eyes flickered over the parchment and then she nodded in approval, "Okay, everything looks good. Now, stand up and walk to the door."

James stood up and walked to the door smoothly. The strength to his muscles had come back and he didn't even stumble when he walked. Once he reached the door, he turned and beamed proudly.

"Very good," Healer Bell said with a nod, "Once Lily has her evaluation, I'll check you out."

She turned to Lily and cast the diagnostic spell on her. Lily shivered lightly at the feeling, suddenly nervous that something would be wrong.

Healer Bell's eyes flickered over the parchment, and for a moment Lily thought that she was going to tell her that she was ill and wouldn't be able to leave, but then she simply nodded, "Okay, Lily. Stand up and walk to the door."

Her shoulders fell in relief and she smiled widely. She swung her legs off the bed and took a deep breath as she slowly stood up.

The day before, her legs had been shaky when she stood, but now they stood strong. They weren't strong enough for her to go run a marathon, but as she took her steps towards the door, she did not falter or stumble. Her motions were smooth and steady, and by the time that she reached the door, she knew that she had passed.

"Perfect!" Healer Bell said cheerfully, "I'll go get the paperwork."

As she left the room, Lily found herself pulled into James' arms as he placed a soft kiss on her lips, "We get to go home, Lils!"

She smiled back, but her smile quickly fell. She pulled away, "Wait. Where are we going to go?"

"H-" he cut himself off, coming to the same conclusion that she had, "Oh."

Her eyes flickered over to Harry, noticing a curious look on his face, so she took a seat next to him. They still had a lot to explain to him, "When we were attacked," she told him gently, "our home was destroyed. I highly doubt that they fixed it."

James nodded. His eyebrows were furrowed in thought. Then, after a moment, he spoke up, "We can stay at Potter Manor. Just until we get back on our feet."

"Your parents' home?" Lily asked in surprise, "I didn't think you ever would have wanted to go there. Are you sure?"

He shrugged. Pain flickered in his eyes, but he refused to show it in his face, "It's the best place to go. The wards are excellent and there is plenty of space. Mum and dad left it to me in their will, anyway."

She knew he was right, but she also knew that James hadn't been there since his parents had died.

"It will only be until we are back on our feet," she repeated his words, nodding lightly.

Harry still seemed confused, but he didn't ask a question. Lily knew that it would take time to break him out of that.

The door opened, and Healer Bell reappeared, but she wasn't alone. A tall, blonde haired woman stood in the doorway, impeccable robes shining with importance. James stood up, frowning at the unfamiliar figure and unconsciously stepping in front of his wife and son.

"Hello?"

Healer Bell spoke up before the other woman could, "Ms. Ainsworth is here to talk to you about Sirius Black's case before you leave."

Lily's back straightened up at that and James relaxed.

Ainsworth nodded, "I am representing Mr. Black in his trial next week. I need to confirm some details that Mr. Black shared with me."

"Of course," James responded eagerly, "How is he?"

Lily's eyes flickered over to Harry. He looked overwhelmingly confused. They had not told him about Sirius yet. She wasn't sure how to do so. The situation was not something that she wanted her son to know about, but she also knew that she couldn't lie to him.

"Mr. Black is recovering as well. While I will not lie to you and tell you that he is fine, he is recovering much faster than anyone expected after spending seven years in Azkaban," Ainsworth explained, "He was confused and rather out of the loop when he first came to. He did not believe me at first that you were alive but has since accepted it."

James sat down, "No one told him?"

"It appears that way," Ainsworth said with a short nod, "However, we need to discuss some details that he informed me of. If you can confirm them, then I believe that we will have a solid enough case to get him out immediately."

James didn't respond, too horrified by the revelation that his best mate had thought he was dead for seven years. Lily spoke up for him, "What did he say?"

Ainsworth nodded sharply. She glanced behind her to make sure that Healer Bell had left, and that the door was closed and then waved her wand, casting a silencing charm around them.

"According to Mr. Black, Peter Pettigrew was an Animagus," she explained, "He also informed me that he is one as well, and so are, but that is a detail that we do not need to bring up in the trial."

Lily had tensed when she had mentioned that James was an Animagus, knowing that it was an offense worth jail time if he was caught. However, she relaxed at her words.

James nodded hesitantly, "Yeah, that's correct."

Ainsworth hummed in thought at that, "Was he also correct in saying that Pettigrew's Animagus form was a rat?"

He nodded again, bitterly, "Yeah, he was. We should have realized that sooner."

She smiled this time, "Mr. Black informed me of an interesting narrative that, with your confirmation, will definitely free him. It seems that Mr. Black is completely innocent."

"What?" James said, eyes brightening, "He's innocent of everything? Even the muggles?"

She nodded, "According to him, Mr. Black approached Pettigrew in the streets in an attempt to kill him for betraying you, but Pettigrew outsmarted him. He shouted that Sirius was the one to betray you, blew up the street, and disappeared down the sewer as a rat."

Conflicting emotions rang within her. On one hand, this meant that Sirius was completely innocent and if they could prove it, the Ministry had no choice but to free him instantly.

On the other, it also meant that Pettigrew was alive and out there still.

"He outsmarted him," James whispered in disbelief, "Peter?"

"He outsmarted us, too," Lily told him sadly, "We never expected him to be a traitor."

Ainsworth was silent for a moment. Her eyes flickered over to where Harry was glancing back and forth to both of his parents, eyebrows furrowed in confusion. Then, after a moment, she said, "It does no use to regret the past. You must look forward to the future. There is too much to do to be caught up in the past. Now, would you be willing to act as witnesses in the trial."

"Of course," James said. Lily smiled at him as he continued, "I'll do anything to get Sirius out."

Harry was… confused.

James and Lily had tried to explain to him what was going on, but he knew he was missing a large portion of the story, mainly referring to whoever this Sirius person was and why he was in prison.

They had told him that he was allowed to ask questions, but he didn't want to give them any reason to send him back to the Dursley's. He liked them. They were nice, but he also knew that Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon told him that they were drunkards, and very mean. He didn't know what to believe yet.

All he knew was that the woman had left shortly after arriving, promising to keep them updated, and then Healer Bell had given his parents papers to sign.

Then, they left.

Harry had tried to hold the bag of clothes, but his father had quickly scooped it up as they walked.

"Okay. Normally, we would apparate there," James told Harry as they walked, "But we don't have our wands yet. We'll have to floo."

He didn't know what either of those were, but he nodded anyway.

He followed them through the halls, trailing just behind them. He ducked his head as several patients stared at him. He still didn't understand why everyone was staring at him.

"Right over here, Harry," Lily placed a hand on his back, eyes flickering over to a nearby elderly man who was peering at them from his hospital room. She pushed Harry protectively in front of her.

They stepped into an empty room with a large fireplace on one wall. A basin of green powder sat on a table next to it. James nodded at a Healer, who stepped in front of the door and closed it, making sure no one followed them, before he gestured to the fireplace.

"Okay, Lily, you go first. Then you, Harry. I'll take up the rear."

Harry watched as his mother grabbed a handful of the powder and stepped into the fireplace, which Harry found odd. He gazed at her inquisitively, head tilted slightly. She spoke up, explaining the process to Harry, "I'm going to shout the address and it is going to take me there. It will look a little scary, but it doesn't even hurt. Okay?"

He nodded, and she shouted, "Potter Manor!"

She threw the powder down as she spoke, and Harry jumped back as the green flames roared up, enveloping her.

And then she was gone.

He turned his head to his father in alarm, but he just smiled, "She's fine. She's at the Manor now. Your turn."

His hands shook as he grabbed a handful of the powder and climbed into the fireplace, eyes twitching nervously around the room, unsure.

"Okay," James said with a grin, "Now, just throw it down and shout 'Potter Manor.' You'll arrive in the living room of our home. Your mother will be there to catch you."

He nodded lightly. A part of him wanted to refuse, to run off and hide in the hospital, instead of enveloping himself in fire, but he also didn't want to make his father mad.

He'd done worse.

He took a slow, deep breath and then threw the powder down, "Potter Manor!"

The flames rose up and enveloped him, tickling his skin. He clamped his mouth shut as soot threatened to choke him. His body jerked as he was forced away from St. Mungo's.

He tripped out of a new fireplace.

Warm arms caught him before he stumbled onto the floor. He coughed out soot and clutched onto robes to try to keep his balance.

"Breathe, Harry," a warm voice said, laughing lightly, "First time flooing is never fun."

He opened his eyes after a moment and found himself in his mother's arms for the first time. He pulled away quickly. Aunt Petunia would kill him.

Lily seemed almost disappointed by this, but she forced a smile on her face, "Welcome home, Harry."

His eyes trailed across the living room. It was big, much bigger than the Dursley's living room. The floor was wooden and dirty, and the walls were painted a light tan color, leading up towards a tall ceiling. A large, brown couch was in front of the fireplace, and it was covered in a thin layer of dust, as was the coffee table in front of it. There were no lights on, but a big window nearby kept the room well-lit. It was dirty, though. He would probably have to clean it. There wasn't a television or any kind of electric device, but there was a big bookshelf that covered the entire span of one off the walls, filled to the brim with books.

"We'll have to do some cleaning. This place has been empty for years," Lily said, pulling Harry away from the fireplace right as James tumbled through.

The man blinked at the place. He closed his eyes, a broken expression crossing his face, and took a deep breath. When he opened his eyes again, he forced a smile on his face, "How about we give you the tour, Harry?"

"That sounds nice," Lily agreed with a smile. Harry watched in fascination as she grabbed James' hand and squeezed it lightly, comforting him silently.

Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon never did that.

James gestured Harry to follow him with his free hand, "Okay, so this is the living room, and the kitchen is right over here," he said, gesturing to a nearby door and lead him to it.

The kitchen was much bigger than he expected, with tons of marble counter space. Clean, it would be absolutely beautiful, but it was filthy.

His parents continued, moving away from the kitchen, "There's a bathroom right here," James gestured to a nearby door, "And there's a cupboard. Behind this door leads to the cellar. Oh, and right here," he stopped at a spot at the large bookcase on the wall.

His fingers trailed along the books until he found an old, fraying red one. He smiled to himself and pulled on it, but instead of coming off the shelf, a large rectangular portion of the shelf suddenly glowed. Harry stepped back, but Lily put a hand on his shoulder, smiling reassuringly at him as a large door appeared. James opened it slowly, then spoke in a clear, crisp voice, "De Lumina."

At his words, several candles positioned in various places, some of them floating, suddenly lit and illuminated the room. Harry blinked in surprise.

The room was a large library. The ceiling was at least two stories high and curved up at the top. Three out of four of the walls were filled with shelves. There was a tall ladder against the wall where someone could climb to get a book and there were three armchairs and a small couch on the ground where people could read. A desk was pushed up against the wall, and Harry noticed a piece of parchment and a tin of ink sitting on it, a quill laying forgotten beside them.

James seemed to notice as well, but he quickly looked away.

"This was my dad's favorite place in the house," he said with a light smile, backing away and closing the door, "There's hundreds of books in there. He had a huge collection."

"How about we show Harry the bedrooms?" Lily suggested after a moment of silence.

James nodded in agreement and smiled. As they moved away from the bookshelf, Harry glanced behind them. The door glowed again, and then disappeared.

Like magic.

"My great-great-grandfather built this place," James explained as he guided them up a set of stairs, "He built quite a bit of secret passageways through it. He liked to say that it was for safety reasons, so that his family could hide if they were ever attacked, but I'm pretty sure it was just because it was cool."

The top of the steps opened up into a loft area, where some armchairs had been set up around a coffee table. There was a door off the loft that his father said was another bathroom, and then they went down a hallway lined with portraits of people that he didn't know.

But they were moving. And talking.

He found himself staring at one picture of a middle-aged woman, dressed in fancy robes and black hair falling down her shoulders in soft ringlets. Her grey eyes peered down at him as he stared up at her in fascination, "And who are you?"

He blinked, surprised that she was talking to him, "Uh, Harry Potter."

"Potter, you say," the woman said, "Hmph. I thought the Potters had abandoned this place."

"Aunt Dorea!"

Harry glanced back as James approached the portrait, a nervous smile on his face.

The woman's face softened, "James, dear. You're all grown up now, aren't you?"

"Time does that," he said with a smile, "Meet my son, Aunt Dorea. Harry, this was my Great Aunt. She was married to my Great Uncle Charlus. You would have liked them."

"It's been a while since you've been here," Dorea said with a frown, "This place has just been collecting dust."

James took a deep breath. Harry glanced up at him, watching as Lily placed a hand on his shoulder and squeezed it gently, "I know," James said after a moment of pause, "I just couldn't come back after my parents died. It was too hard. We need somewhere to stay now, though."

The portrait nodded sharply and smiled at him, "Well, it is good to see you," she said, before looking back down at Harry, "I hope you're not as big of a troublemaker as your father was."

"Aunt Dorea!" James exclaimed, laughing, "Now, we don't need to be filling my son's head up with false stories of my childhood."

"False?" Lily snickered.

"Okay, okay," James held up his hands in surrender, "Stretched truth."

Harry found himself holding back laughter. A smile painted across his face despite his best wishes. Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon would be furious to see him like this, but he couldn't stop himself.

James and Lily didn't seem to mind.

"Oh really?" Lily smirked.

Dorea laughed, "I'm pretty sure you broke a record for detentions at Hogwarts."

"In our fifth year," James piped up proudly before quickly saying, "Okay, okay. I get it. Harry's a good kid, though. I don't think he'll have many problems."

He was a good kid.

He beamed to himself, quickly looking down at the floor to hide his smile from his parents.

"Okay, well we need to continue on with the tour," Lily said with a smile, placing a hand on Harry's back, "We'll fill you in on what has been going on later, Dorea."

"Please do."

Lily led him away from the portrait and down the hall to a nearby door. She opened it up, "Okay, now this is the master bedroom, where James and I will sleep," she said, "If you need anything, just come get us. Uh, but knock first."

James snickered behind them, but Harry just nodded. He wasn't even allowed to go near his Aunt and Uncle's room when he was at the Dursley's. He knew he wouldn't ever bother them, but it was nice to have the offer on the table.

"Okay, across the hall here is your room."

His father crossed the hall and opened a door to a big room with red and gold painted walls. Harry, surprised by his words, peered inside. There was a bed pushed into a corner of the room with a black comforter covered in golden flying balls that his father had called Snitches. A large, wooden wardrobe was on the opposite side of the room and an armchair was in another corner. There was a door on one end that James informed him led to another bathroom and a small cupboard nearby. The floors were wooden, and the ceiling was bewitched to show a clear, night sky. Posters of men and women riding broomsticks and wearing fancy robes covered the walls.

"This used to be my bedroom," James said with a fond smile, "Tomorrow, we'll go buy some stuff so that you can decorate it exactly how you want."

Harry blinked. His eyes flickered up to his dad again and he couldn't help the question that left his lips, "This is my room?"

He could have cursed himself for speaking out of turn, but James just smiled, "Of course it is. I know it's a little messy right now, but once it's clean and once you've decorated it how you want to, it'll be all yours."

He hesitated for a moment, but then he took a risk. Warily, he turned and wrapped his arms around his dad. His body was tense with worry but when James did not push him away, but instead wrapped his own arms around him, he relaxed.

"Thank you," he whispered into the fabric of his father's robes.

"You're welcome, Harry," James responded, smiling widely.

Lily got down on her knees beside them to join the hug. She pressed a gentle kiss to Harry's temple and then whispered softly into his ear.

"You're home now, Harry."

She was right. He was home.

AN: Hope you guys enjoyed this chapter! Leave me a review and let me know what you think!

EDIT: I fixed a small continuity error that someone pointed out to me.

Next chapter (Sunday, January 27th): Harry spends the day in his home, but finds that it's not easy adjusting to a new set of rules. James offers Remus something that he can't refuse. The Daily Prophet picks up on the upcoming trial.