Summery: James and Lily are alive and have been told Harry was dead. What happens when they learn they've been lied to and Harry is alive?
Life Changed Year 3
Chapter Six
Home
Harry nervously tapped his fingers against his arm. It had been a day since he'd been told his parents were alive. He was embarrassed for crying like that, but he'd been told he had nothing to be embarrassed by. After he'd finished crying his parents told him about his siblings Matt, Terri, Jamie and Corbin. That had been a surprise to learn. He'd never been told he had a twin or older brother. When he'd asked why he hadn't been told, Dumbledore told him they didn't want to cause him any pain by telling him. That they had searched for years to find out where the ministry had placed them, but had never located where they were. Harry in some ways understood that. He knew he would have obsessed about finding them had he learned about them. But he was still hurt and angry that he hadn't been told.
Today his parents were taking him home. That felt weird to say, even in his thoughts. He'd never considered the Dursleys house a home, or his home at least. It was always 'The Dursleys.' Would his parents house be 'home?'
That was another thing that felt weird to say, 'parents' in the present tense instead of past tense. 'Mom,' and 'Dad.' Maybe with time he would get more comfortable with it. His parents had both told him it was okay to call them Lily and James until he was more comfortable with calling them Mom and Dad.
Would Matt, Terri, Jamie and Corbin accept him as family? That was another worry he had. Would they think he was weird or freakish?
A tap on his shoulder startled him from his thoughts. Looking up he saw his Dad standing next to his seat. "You ready to go home?" James asked. Harry nodded nervously before standing and following him to the fire place. Lily had already gone to their house 'to get things ready,' whatever that meant. 'Is there a lot to get ready, bringing a new person home?' Harry thought distractedly.
"You do know how to floo?" His Dad asked as they stopped in front of the Headmasters fireplace.
Harry nodded. "Yeah. I messed up on my first try though."
James smiled an amused twinkle in his eyes. "So did I," He said with a reassuring squeeze to Harry's shoulder. "Now, you say "Prong's residence and you'll get there."
"Prong's?" Harry asked confused.
"An old school nick name." James said with another wink.
Grabbing a pinch of floo powder Harry yelled 'Prong's residence' before stepping in. He got glimpses of other fire grates as he passed through the floo connection before feeling a jerk and falling to his knees on some carpet. Quickly he got out of the way so he wouldn't get crushed when his Dad came through.
Standing up he glanced around the room. It was well decorated and had pictures everywhere. Looking at the closest one he saw an older boy (Matt, he assumed) in a dark navy blue sweater standing in front of a water fountain. The flames in the fire place roared and James stepped through.
Locating his son standing near the fire place he gently placed a hand on his shoulder and led him from the room. "Did you have any trouble flooing?"
Harry shook his head, "No." He answered as he looked around as they walked. He was trying to take everything in as quickly as he could.
"Over there is the dining room, the kitchen," James pointed out the rooms. "There is the living room, and there is a bath room down that hallway." Walking up the stair case and into another hallway James continued. "This is Matt's room," He pointed to the room directly in front of the stairs. "This is Corbin's room. And over there is our room," He pointed to the end of the hallway. "That one's Terri's." He pointed to the one next to the last one. "And this one is yours and Jamie." He opened the door.
Inside were two beds on opposite sides of the room, as well as night stands. There was one closet that appeared to have been split to accommodate two people. Lily was also inside the room apparently still arranging things. She smiled as they entered. "Hey, Harry." She said pleasantly. "I hope you don't mind sharing."
Harry shook his head. It would certainly be awkward, but in time he guessed it would get easier. That's how it had been when he began Hogwarts, having three room mates then. "No, it's no problem."
"Well, this is your bed," Lily continued awkwardly. "The left side of the dresser and closet are yours too." She explained.
"Thanks," Harry said as he looked around the room. It was definitely nice. There were a few posters of music bands and movie stars; Harry didn't recognize them though. The sound of someone clearing they're throat gained Harry's attention and he looked back at his mother who stood hovering inside the doorway.
"Your sister and brothers will be home in a few hours. They're at a friend's house." She paused again. "We figured it would be easier to settle in a few hours without a house full." Harry nodded distractedly. "Do you want any help?" Lily asked looking reluctant to leave the room. James also hovered in the background, but he also seemed a little reluctant.
"Sure," Harry answered glancing at his school trunk and an old book bag that he had been given by the Dursleys. It was a used one from Dudley.
Lily glanced at James before stepping further into the room; James left the room. Harry knelt down and opened his trunk and began pulling things out and placing them in piles. He guessed it would be easiest to put things away this way. Shirts in this pile, pants in this pile, books in another and so on. Lily reached out and picked up the pile of pants before going over to a draw and placing them inside. She scowled slightly at the state of the clothes Harry had pulled out but didn't comment.
Soon enough they were finished putting his things away. Harry was tired. He guessed it was because he was still sick. His mother seemed to notice this too, because she gently placed a hand over his forehead. He'd seen Molly Weasley do this to her children before to detect fever. After a moment the hand was removed. "No fever," his mother mumbled. "Poppy said you'd get tired easily. Do you want to lay down for a nap for a while?"
Harry hesitated. Did he want to take a nap? It certainly sounded like a good idea, but he also wanted to be awake for when Matt, Terri, Jamie and Corbin came home. He was excited to meet them. He was also very nervous and a little scared about meeting them, and didn't think being asleep when they wanted to meet him – in Jamie's room – would make a very good impression. Or at least it wasn't how he wanted to meet them. His mum's voice broke him out of his thoughts.
"I'll wake you before they get home," she didn't need to elaborate who 'they' were because he knew she meant his siblings.
Finally he nodded. He was tired and knew he wouldn't be able to stay awake for much longer anyway. Lily gently led him to his bed and he laid down. She laid a dark blue blanket over him. "Thanks." He murmured. It didn't take him long to fall asleep. Lily stayed with him until she was sure he was soundly asleep.
Going downstairs she found James sitting in the living room reading a book, Robert Ludlum, one of his favorite authors. He looked up as she entered.
"Everything put away?" He inquired.
She nodded as she sat down on the couch. "Yes, and he's asleep. He was dead tired."
"I'll bet. With as sick as he's been and everything that's going on I'm not surprised."
Lily sighed but didn't comment, but she agreed.
Almost three hours later someone was gently shaking Harry awake. Opening his eyes Harry blearily looked around. He was startled to see the new blurry surroundings but suddenly remembered the events of the past few days. He was at his parent's house. He couldn't yet call this house his home.
Something was placed in his hand which he recognized as his glasses. Putting them on he looked around him again. His father was sitting next to him on the bed. "Hey sleepy head." Teased James.
Harry smiled a little. "Hi."
"Your Mum said to get you up. Matt, Terri, Jamie and Corbin will be home in a little over half an hour." Harry nodded and sat up. He felt much better now that he had gotten some sleep, but he still had that clogged-up feeling he got when he was sick.
"Thanks." He murmured as he slid off the bed and let his feet hit the floor. He followed his father down the stairs.
Entering the living room James walked over to the entertainment center. Harry curiously watched what he was doing. James turned around holding a controller that Harry recognized as a Playstation 2 controller. "Have you ever played one of these before?" his father asked holding out the controller.
Harry shook his head. "No, Dudley had one though." He had always wanted to try it but knew he would be in a lot of trouble if he got caught.
"Well, we have these games," James gestured to the bottom shelf of the entertainment system. "We can play it while we wait for your Mum to get back with the others. Do you want to?"
"Sure," Harry nodded, a smile forming on his face. James let Harry pick the game. They had Tarzan, Tomb Raider, Dog's Life, Spyro, Dark Angel and a few more. Harry picked Dog's Life.
The door opening surprised Harry. He had thought they would be back within half an hour. Looking at the clock on the entertainment center he blinked in surprise. A half hour had passed! It only seemed like a few minutes. James also seemed to be thinking the same thing.
Lily cam through the door and behind her a little blonde boy entered. Harry guessed he was Corbin. He seemed nervous but excited. An older boy, Matt, he guessed also came in. Matt had messy black hair and bright blue eyes. A girl with long black wavy hair entered next. Terri, he thought. She looked a lot like him. One more person entered the house before the door closed; a boy a little younger then him entered. He had the Potter messy black hair and bright green eyes. He was also wearing glasses, but they were not as large as Harry's. They all seemed to be nervous and excited. He felt the same, though there was still a twinge of fear.
Lily smiled as she saw her husband and son sitting in the living room. It was obvious they had been playing video games. They both looked surprised. 'They must have been absorbed in the game,' she thought before beginning the introductions.
"Harry, this is Matt," She placed a hand on Matt's shoulder. He smiled and mumbled a 'Hi' but otherwise said nothing.
"This is James. But we call him Jamie so no one gets mixed up." She explained Jamie also smiled but said nothing.
"This is Terri." Lily said gesturing to the green eyed, long wavy haired girl. She politely said hello.
"And this is Corbin." Corbin smiled and stepped forward. His nervousness seemed to have been forgotten.
"Hi," He said coming up to Harry and holding out his hand. Harry couldn't help but smile.
"Hi," He took the smaller hand into his and gave it a light shake.
"I like art," Corbin informed Harry. "Today we made clay figures."
Harry couldn't really think of much to say to that so he settled for, "Cool."
"Tomorrow I get to paint it." Corbin also informed Harry.
That seemed to be all that was needed to get everyone into action. Jamie came closer. "What 'cha playing?" He asked looking at the TV screen where the game remained paused.
"Umm… Dog's Life." Harry answered.
"Oh… that's a cool game. I've gotten five levels through." Terri said as she too came closer. "Want to take turns?"
"Sure," Harry smiled. Things seemed to be going well. They seemed to be friendly enough. Matt also came closer and sat down in the lazy chair near by.
Lily and James stood in the doorway watching they're children sitting around the living room. "They seem to be getting on well." Lily said smiling as she glanced at her husband.
"Things are going very well." James also smiled.
End of Chapter Six
A/N: Hello everyone! Sorry it's been so long! I've been busy, and I also couldn't figure out how to end the chapter. I hope you enjoyed it! Please review!
Also, I'm glad I'm not the only one who loves holidays so much, lol.
Next Chapter: School supply shopping. (This was supposed to be in this chapter too, but I figured you would want an update sooner rather then later. I'll try and get it written and posted soon. Thank you for your patience.)