disclaimèr: I do not own Harry Potter
Warning: very small and brief mention of mpreg
Oh my goodness! I am so deeply sorry about the lack of updates for any of my stories, but I have had some personal demons that I need to work on fixing before I could keep writing. But I promise to keep writing and hopefully get back to my schedule of adding a new chapter once a month. I also apologize if this chapter is a bit shorter than usual, that's what happens when you get back to writing after such a long leave of absence, but I hope you enjoy it nonetheless.
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After facing the awkwardness of his transformation back to legs, Harry quickly dresses in the clothes Dobby brought him. He smoothed his hands down his front, trying to calm his racing heart that had been going steadfast since the moment he noticed he was once again naked in front of his mates. Harry took a deep breath before turning around to face the looks of understanding from Remus and Severus. He smiled in comfort in knowing his mates understood his shyness, before he clasped Remus's hand and headed out the door. As much as he would have loved to remain in the spring, there was much to explore in Potter manor.
"Where should we go first? I want to learn about everything as soon as I can!" Harry exclaimed, as he practically dragged Remus down the corridor. Same as before, his head was constantly swiveling back and forth looking at all of the tapestries and artefacts that lined the walls.
"Well, we should probably find Sirius first since he knows more about the manor than I do. Then we should look into dinner," Remus replied as his tired muscles tried to keep up with his exuberant mate.
"Hello my dears, done already?" Dorea asked from her portrait as her grandson and his mates walked back into the foyer. She was happy to just watch the three interact, Remus and Severus already so in time with each other and beginning to pick up subtle hints from Harry. It warmed her heart to see Harry excitedly look around the manor, to know that he would continue to live here and not just temporary. Even though she was a Potter by marriage, she was proud of her family and could not imagine living anywhere else. But she would not hold blame over her son and daughter-in-law for was ting to live on their own and hold it as a cause for their death. No, she would not try to control Harry's decision to stay at the manor, but she would be elated if he did stay. Dorea returned Harry's smile as he approached her and Charlus.
"It was so amazing! All of the colors and so much space to swim and play in! I wish I could have stayed, but I want to see the rest of the manor," Harry spoke with a passionate speed. "I'm sure you know everything there is to know, but are there other portraits I could talk to? I haven't seen any, just lots of tapestries."
"Indeed, Grandson," Charlus answered with a grin at Harry's enthusiasm. "The Potter family and manor are unlike any other of the pureblood families. We have a hall of portraits rather than having them around the manor. Up in the west wing is a set of double doors with the Potter crest on it. All you have to do, is either walk in and have all the portraits animated or place your hand upon the crest and speak the name of the person you wish to talk to. However, Sirius is still up there so only the portrait he animated will remain that way. Remus, just ask for an elf to escort you if you don't remember the way."
"Thank you," remus said with a small bow of his head, before leading his mates off towards the west wing. With his senses still heightened from the full moon, he could hear Dorea and Charlus murmuring.
"Do you think they'll be alright, dear?" asked Lady Potter.
"Of course, darling, we Potter's will always rise above our challenges."
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"I wonder how many portraits are in the Hall of Paintings?" Harry asked, as they made their way up the grand staircase. Their feet were silent on the steps thanks to the thick carpet runners that had been dyed a deep maroon color. As they ascended the stairs, Harry ran his hand along the hand-carved railings that had been polished to a brilliant shine. Even though no one had lived in the manor since his grandparents time, it was evident the Potter house elves still took great pride in their duties of ensuring the manor remain in condition, for ever the return of the Potter heir.
"I have no idea Harry. I've never actually been inside the hall, I only know where and what it is. But I would imagine it holds all of the Potters, at least the ones that had paintings commissioned," stated Remus as he took the lead. The closer they got, the more clear his memories became. Memories of holidays spent with his three best friends. Running around and causing havoc within the manor, giving the elves extra work which they secretly enjoyed. Staying up late out in the gardens and sneaking snacks out of the kitchen. Even snippets of memories from the full moon came through of Moony chasing and romping around with Padfoot, Prongs, and Wormtail. Those times were all that helped Remus get through his years at Hogwarts when his teenage horomones mixed with the negative feelings that came with being a werewolf. But before his thoughts and memories could slip down a darker path, Remus shook his head to clear them away, and focused back to where he was walking, only to find they had reached their destination. He looked to his mates and smiled sadly towards them. Severus held a look of understanding, patience, from knowing how his mind worked and how difficult it might be for Remus to be back at the Potter home. Whereas Harry seemed very much concerned about the werewolf. It warmed his heart, knowing he now had severus and Harry in his life.
"Are you alright Remus?" Harry asked. "You were awfully quiet the whole way."
"Yes, I'm fine Harry. Just a trip down memory lane. I haven't been here since a year after graduation, but the walk helped bring up memories my old mind had forgotten."
"You're not old Remus," Harry said, defending Remus against himself. A small blush made an appearance on his face, once more highlighting the scales that lay just below the surface of his skin.
"Oh? I do believe I am twenty years your senior, Harry," Remus teased, enjoying the flush upon his youngest mate's cheeks.
"No, not old. More like seasoned." Harry stumbled over his words, his blush deepening at the disbelieving look from Remus and the choked laughter from Severus.
"Yes, well, as much as I'd wish to discuss how 'seasoned' Remus is, perhaps we should enter?" Severus asked, still trying to squash the laughter that wanted to spill.
"Smashing idea!" Remus virtually shouted to hide his own embarrassment. 'Seasoned? Ridiculous!' he thought, 'I'll show them'. With a promise made to himself, remus turned back to the door and walked into the hall. At the end of the space, remus could see where Sirius was crouched down on the floor with his head bowed, famous black wavy hair hiding his face. Remus didn't need to see the painting to know who his friends was speaking to. "James," he whispered, pain thickening his voice.
"Lily." Remus heard behind himself. Clearly severus knew what was about to happen as well. He could only hope they would all survive this encounter, especialy Sirius and Harry.
"Sirius?" Remus turned and watched as Harry walked down the corridor towards his godfather. He was about to call put for Harry, when Severus tucked himself against Remus's side. He gave a questioning look towards his mate who almost never sought comfort like this in front of others.
"This will be difficult for all of us, let's stay by each other to help get through this," severus said softly. Remus only waited for a moment before wrapping his arm around Severus's shoulder and began walking together to catch up to Sirius and Harry.
As Harry walked closer to Sirius, the tension in the room and his shoulders pulled tight. He knew who was at the end of the hall, but he was keeping that thought out of his mind, until he reached Sirius. The closer he got be could murmuring coming from the portrait and harsh breaths coming from Sirius. It broke his heart to see Sirius this way, and if it were any other painting, Harry was sure he would give the occupants a few choice words. But as it stood, he could not be angry. Without looking at the painting, Harry walked up to Sirius and placed a hand on the man's shoulder. He almost expected his godfather to jump at the sudden touch, Harry knew he would have; but rather Sirius simply took hold of his hand, stood up, and gathered Harry into a fierce embrace. When finished, Sirius pulled away from Harry, wiping his eyes and clearing his throat. He smiled down at Harry before turning back to the painting.
"James, Lily, meet your son, Harry James Potter," Sirius simply said, as a way to introduce them to their son. "And Harry, meet your parents, James and Lily." Only now did Harry finally gaze upon the painting. He had seen photographs, both muggle and wizarding, of his parents, but this was different, this was more real, more intense. His parents' painting was done with beautiful care on the artist's part, but what made this more special to Harry was that he could finally interact and talk to his parents. And all he could do was stare. No words left him as he kept opening and closing his mouth. The faces that stares back at him were filled with disbelief, excitement, and love. For once, Harry could see and feel a parent's love towards their child. Sure, he got love from Sirius, but he was more like the crazy uncle. But seeing his parents meet him for the first time fixed something within him. Harry briefly wondered if this was the look on their faces when he was born.
"Ah hell son, you tool after me!" James teased, but his voice heavy with emotion.
"James! He is your son, of course he's going to look like you," Lily admonished, slapping her husband's arm.
"Some thing never change do they?" Remus joked as he and Severus finally reached his friends and Harry, trying to lighten the mood along with James and Lily.
"Remus! Tell me, what have you and Severus been up to? Any children yet?" Lily asked.
"No Lily, no children," Severus spoke up. "But who knows, maybe one day," he said vaguely as he pressed closer to Remus and quickly looked at Harry.
"Ahem, yes, maybe," Remus said, nervously. Between all the fighting, they never considered any pups, and with his condition, he just never entertained the thought. And he knew they were in no way able to have that conversation with Harry.
"Well, Sirius has told us everything," James tried to steer the conversation from that particular subject. Yes, he supported his friends and son, but that didn't mean he wanted to think or discuss the possibility of his seventeen year old son having children! "Except what house you're in? Please tell me you're in Gryffindor?"
"James! It doesn't matter what house he is in, you've had relatives in all of the houses!" Lipy chastised him.
"I know that Lily, but he's our son with Sirius as his godfather. He has to be a Gryffindor! I even left him my cloak," James whined.
As the Twp began bickering back and forth about the importance of him being a Gryffindor, harry just stood there watching, smiling. He couldn't believe he was able to witness one of his parents' infamous rows that he had been told all about. He turned to the others, "Are they always like this?"
"No!" James and Lily shouted together, before they started yelling at each other again.
"Mum, Dad!" Harry shouted at them. "Look, I am a Gruffindor,* Harry said facing Lily, but turned to James after the man made a sound of triumph. " but I was almost sorted into Slytherin."
"But you're a Gryffindor, that's all thay matters!" Harry, Remus, Severus, and Sirius laughed through tears as Lily started arguing with James again.
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thank you for reading, please feel free to leave a review. Love always, Echo Harmony
