Disclaimer: Hmm, is it mine yet? No. Is it mine yet? No. Is it mine yet?! NO!
A/n: Aylin, a name towards the end is pronounced A-Lynn, Here are a few quotes I like and seem fitting.
"Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment." – Guatama Siddharta (aka Buddha)
"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover." –Mark Twain
and finally, "Somewhere over the rainbow, skies are blue, and the dreams that you dare to dream really do come true." –Judy Garland, in Wizard of Oz.
Dream a Dream
The four teens walked into the house and found Mr. and Mrs. Granger sitting in the living room together sipping glasses of wine and talking. Hermione asked Harry to shrink the stuffed animals to smaller sizes so they were more manageable and went in to the room and sat next to her father.
"Hello, mum, dad. How was your day?" she asked. They shrugged and her mother replied.
"Well, we no longer have a practice here in Australia. The Rosin's have officially taken over our lease. Tomorrow, if we get the money from the Realtor for the house, we are going to run over to the mall and pay off the Rosin's lease, and we'll be ready to leave," she sighed in exhaustion.
"What happens if you don't get the money?" Ron asked quietly.
"We'll just take the money from our very depleted savings account. We can afford it, we would rather use that money to help us out in London though. The Realtor said that he's pretty sure that they'll take the house though, so we're not too worried." Harry sat quietly thinking.
He knew that he offered to pay for a new house and their practice and cars, he hoped they would take him up on his offer because he had no idea of how to repay Hermione if they didn't. Just as he took a breath to bring up his offer the door bell rang. Mr. Granger stood up and walked over to the door. Mrs. Granger stood also and told the kids they could stay.
"Mr. Caas, so nice to see you again!" Mr. Granger said, introducing the teens to the realtor.
"Wendell, Wendell, how many times must I tell you, call me Bernie, or at least Bernard. We friends right? Where's your lovely wife? Ah there she is, Monika, how are you?" Bernard Caas was an interesting character was the first impression the teens got. He was loud, large, and in charge. Harry thought he looked a bit like his uncle but a little lighter, no mustache, and a deeper, friendlier voice. The second thing the teens noticed was that he had called Mr. and Mrs. Granger, Wendell and Monika. A glance towards the others told Harry that they had caught this also. The adults moved towards the living room after their greetings.
"Bernard, I would like to introduce our house guests. This is Hermione Granger, Harry Potter, and Ron and Ginny Weasley. Hermione here is our…was it great niece three times removed? Or was it third cousin twice removed? Oh well, she's a distant relative of ours." He gave pointed looks to all the kids and they discreetly nodded their understanding.
"Distant relative? That's interesting, where are you four from? Around here?" Bernard asked loudly.
"Well, no, we're from England. We're traveling, and my family told me I had some relatives down here and asked me to visit," Hermione said meekly. She hated pretending her parents weren't hers. Ron placed his arm around her shoulder and squeezed lightly.
"Yes, we also got some bad news as she arrived also. Apparently, Hermione's uncle Henry is very ill and we are needed back home in London to take care of him. Alzheimer's is a nasty disease, poor old man. No one else is able to take him in and no one wants to place him in an old folk's home, so we were asked. We've been getting homesick, so we agreed. Hence the reason you're here Bernard. We need a hasty buy-out of our house. As you can see we'll be leaving in a matter of days, the kids have been helping us pack while they stay here, and we'll all be leaving at the same time." Bernard was looking around the room and nodding. As soon as Mr. Granger finished talking he spoke.
"Why don't we take a walk around the house and talk about your humble abode. I can make the final decisions tonight if you'd like. I will warn you though, hasty buy-outs usually only get about sixty thousand at most." The three adults left the room for the second floor, after telling the kids to cook the frozen pizzas for dinner.
Harry grabbed Ginny's hand and pulled her to the kitchen while Ron did the same for Hermione. They cooked two pizzas at the same time while they chatted.
"That Mighty Mouse was the best, but I think the Flying Saucer was the second best," said Ginny. Harry smiled and shook his head. "What you don't think so? What was your favorite then?" she asked haughtily.
"My favorite was the Ferris wheel," he smiled softly as he spoke. "Then there was the Spider, then the Mighty Mouse, then the Flying Saucer." Ginny looked at him and smiled.
"Yeah, the Ferris wheel was a great one. But I still think the Flying Saucer was better than the Spider. What about you guys?" she asked as she turned to her brother and Hermione.
"Well, I agree with Harry the Ferris wheel was the best, as it's my favorite. But after that I kind of liked the Rotor, Mighty Mouse, and the Ranger. Those were some of my favorites." Hermione looked at Ron and he thought.
"Well, I kind of enjoyed the Ranger as well, but I think the Spider and the Flying Saucer were brilliant. And the food, the food was magnificent!" Ron grinned as his stomach growled for them all to hear. They talked about Luna Park for a while longer until their pizzas were done cooking and they sat in the living room watching a movie while the adults toured the house then disappeared into the den for a while. The movie they were watching was called The Wedding Singer with Adam Sandler.
After the movie was finished the group gathered their dirty dishes and helped clean up the living room and kitchen. Since both rooms were so sparse and empty it didn't take very long. Soon they were sitting in the living room debating over another movie when the den door opened and the three adults left the room, chuckling to themselves.
"Well, you two, I'm glad we met. I hope everything goes well for you in London," Bernard said loudly. He turned to the kids and waved. "It was nice meeting all of you also! Good day!" He walked out the front door waving and whistling.
"How did it go, mum?" Hermione asked. Her parents came in and sat down on the sofa next to Ron and Hermione.
"It went well. He called his partner and they agreed that the house was in well enough condition that they saw no problems on buying it from us tonight. He signed the check to us and we're good to go. Tomorrow, your mum and I are going to run to the mall and pay off the lease on the other office," replied Mr. Granger. He sighed. "Then we'll come home and finish everything that needs to be finished. I know we have another day left but I figure it will take a day to clean this place top to bottom before the Portkey leaves. How does that sound?" The teens looked at each other and all could register the same look: more cleaning. They all sighed at the same time and began giggling. Mr. and Mrs. Granger shared a confused glance and Hermione came to their rescue.
"We spent the last few days before we traveled here cleaning several different houses. Harry's house, the Dursley's and a bit of the Burrow as well. Then came here and began packing this house. We don't mind the cleaning it just seems like it's all we've been doing."
"You can say that again," replied Ron with a chuckle. Harry snorted and Ginny slapped his arm.
"We don't mind a little bit more cleaning. We had our fun today," Ginny told Hermione's parents.
"What did you kids get up too today? You weren't home when we got here," Mrs. Granger said tiredly.
"We went around Sydney after we finished the packing. We went to a museum, and found out that they were joined with the magical museum and art gallery of Sydney. Then, we went to a zoo. I really wanted to hug a Koala bear. Then we went to Luna Park for the late afternoon and evening. See what Ron won me!" Hermione said as she whipped out her panther and un-shrunk it.
"Yeah, and Harry won me a giant fox. We had such a great time on all the rides. Hermione and Ron went on the Mighty Mouse so many times they finally got kicked off!" Ginny was laughing at the memory. Mr. and Mrs. Granger looked at their daughter in surprise.
"We've never been able to get her on the big roller-coasters. The only ride she ever goes on is the Ferris wheel and that's only if I give her my word that I wont rock the basket. How'd you get her on them?" Mr. Granger asked with a stunned look on his face.
"I asked her too. She was a little reluctant but after that first ride…" Ron began looking at his girlfriend. He was obviously surprised at what Mr. Granger was saying. Hermione had no problem after that first ride. In fact she was the one who got them kicked off the Mighty Mouse in the first place because she wanted to ride it so many times.
"I had no problems. I realized that as long as Ron was with me, I had nothing to fear. Besides, that ride on the dragon a few weeks ago kind of stomped on my fear of heights a little. I still am not getting on any brooms, but roller coasters I'm strapped into shouldn't be a problem anymore." She smiled at Ron who smiled back.
"Dragon?" Mrs. Granger asked weakly. She had seen her daughters books on magical creatures and the dragons in them looked ferocious and dangerous. Hermione and Ron looked at each other then at Harry before they all burst out laughing. Ginny patted Mrs. Granger on the arm.
"It's okay. I was shocked as well. Why don't I tell you what happened, with Harry's help, while Ron and Hermione go make you two a pizza, alright?" They all jumped to attention and spent the next hour regaling the adults of their adventures of the last year. Harry had covered most of the boring important things when the memory charms had been reversed but now the kids thought they'd share the exiting stuff.
A while later, pizza leftovers were taken care of and story time was over. The kids were tired after their long day of exploring and packing and they were getting ready for bed. Harry was lengthening the sofa he was using so that he could fit onto it better when Mr. and Mrs. Granger walked into the room.
"Harry may we speak to you, please? In the den?" Harry looked for Ron and saw that he was using the bath room so he shrugged and followed them down the hall. They arrived in the room and say down on the comfy sofas together and passed around cups of tea.
"Harry, we've been talking about your offer to buy us a new house. We understand that you feel the need to thank our daughter by doing something nice for us, but we are having a hard time feeling comfortable taking your generosity like this." Harry made to open his mouth to speak but he was interrupted. "Please, let us finish. We know that you said you wanted us to stay at your home until we can find a new place to live, and we think that is enough to offer. It may take a few weeks for us to find a place, but we want you to know that we will be working hard to locate a new house or maybe a flat, since Hermione wont be staying with us much longer. And we can provide food for ourselves also. We don't want you to spend your money on us. Alright?" Mr. Granger finished his speech and sat back holding his cup of chamomile. Harry looked between the two adults in front of him and thought.
"If you don't mind my asking, how much money do you have saved?" he asked quietly and as inoffensively as he could. Mr. and Mrs. Granger looked at each other and nodded.
"With the check we got today, seventy-eight thousand pounds."
"Well, from what I understand you would be able to make a down payment on a house or a flat with that. But what about a vehicle or an office? You probably wouldn't be able to afford those necessities after buying a home. I understand that you don't feel comfortable taking my money, but what I think you don't really understand is that I can easily afford it. My parents and godfather left me with enough money that I, and my children, wouldn't have to work for a living. I don't know the exact figure, but I know that I'm well off. Well off enough that I don't think a Muggle house and car would hardly make a dent." Harry watched their eyes go rounder as he spoke.
"We still think we'd feel like we were taking advantage of you, Harry," Mrs. Granger said. Harry thought for a long while contemplating a way to get them to accept he ideas. Finally, and idea hit him like a ton of bricks.
"A business deal," he said quickly. He thought he heard a very quiet whispered profanity and a slap but blew it off to finish his idea. "How about we make a deal. You buy your own home, but I help buy the vehicle and the location for your new business. I'll also help buy equipment and supplies, and in exchange you make me a partner in your business. How about that? That way you can pay me back when you make a profit. When you feel that I've been paid back enough, I'll sign over my share of the profits to you guys." Harry finished feeling very proud of himself. Mr. and Mrs. Granger looked at each other and sighed. Mr. Granger looked at Harry.
"Well, Harry it looks like your not going to be swayed as easily as we thought. We'll think about your offer a bit longer and discuss it with you after you return from getting your relatives, alright?" Harry grinned and nodded. As he stood up to leave he stopped.
"I think I should let you know, I've done this with Ron and Ginny's twin brothers Fred and George. They wanted to open a Joke shop to sell their inventions and joke products. I gave them the money for a start up, and they've paid me back in full and made me a partner. So, the money I'd be using to help you with, wouldn't just be my inheritance, some of it would be my own money to spend the way I want to. Good night." Harry left the room and headed towards the living room. Just as he arrived he saw Ron, Ginny and Hermione hastily drop onto the sofas out of breath. He shook his head and grinned. Ron began laughing as well as Ginny when they saw his grin.
"How much?" Harry asked.
"Two galleons to me. I had faith in you mate," Ron replied. Harry was confused.
"I meant how much did you hear? Wait, you bet on whether I'd…what? Convince them?" Harry asked getting even more confused.
"Well, no, I just said that I bet you come up with a plan they can't refuse. Hermione and Ginny thought I was nutters, and said that no way her parents would come out of that room planning on taking your money. I said, when Harry's determined, he'll find a way to make sure they can't refuse, and you did! Great plan by the way," Ron finished with a grin. Harry shook his head and chuckled.
They sat up talking for several minutes longer before the girls said their good nights and wandered upstairs. Harry lay down on his sofa and covered up with a lovely crotched blanket and tried to fall asleep.
The nights were the hardest for him. At night were the times he heard their voices and dreamed of going back into the forest to find the Stone. If only he could see them one more time. Harry lay there thinking of different conversations he'd have with his loved ones who were passed on.
He'd talk with his mum about Ginny and his future. How he was re-thinking his dream of becoming an Auror and how he just wanted to finish school and get married and have a family with Ginny. He was tired, not literally tired but weary of fighting. He no longer wanted to be the one everyone looked too to finish their battles. He was exhausted of being the hero, the Chosen One, The-Boy-Who-Lived. He just wanted to exist as himself, Harry.
He imagined her saying encouraging things to help him make his decisions and plan for his life. She'd tell him it was okay to doubt his plans, and to just come up with new ones. She'd tell him that it didn't matter anymore what the world thought of him, he was free. Free to do what ever he wanted, whether that would be to live a long and healthy life with Ginny, have ten children and a big, black dog named Snuffles, or be an Auror and catch bad guys all his life. Either way she would be proud of him, no matter what.
The conversations he would have with his dad would be about Quidditch, girls, and Animagi. Harry had never told anyone this but he had always wanted to learn how to become an Animagus, like his dad and Sirius. His dad would tell him how amazing it was running free without a care in the world along-side his best friends under the full moon. They would talk about pranks and which teachers secretly took bets on who would be the next prank victims. They would plan pranks on Snape and Wormtail that would get more and more elaborate as their talks went on.
His dad would explain why he acted so arrogant in school. Why he treated Severus Snape the way he did, and if her regretted it or not. He always would, sort of. The git did deserve it sometimes. This would be where Sirius would come bounding into the discussion and do his own Snape-bashing. Then he would talk about the past and how the Marauder's ruled the school. Then he would put Harry up to a new task of pranks that would help the Marauder's live on. Harry would agree and laugh along with them.
Sharing things with them was easy, he could be himself with them. Like he could with Ron, Hermione, and Ginny. He wasn't the Boy-Who-Lived with them, he was just Harry. A messy haired, young man, with spectacles and green eyes, and a wicked interesting scar that no one would care about because it was barely visible and they all knew the story, and they didn't care. It was just a scar.
Next, he'd talk with Remus and Tonks. He would talk to them about Teddy. Their hopes and dreams for their child. What they wanted him to tell their son when he was old enough to know the truth. They would tell him that they wanted him to finish school first, then be a father figure to his godson. Teddy had Andromeda at the moment.
They would tell him that he was under no obligation to go live with Andromeda for the summer to help her out. He was finally free to be a teenager and this was his last summer to be a kid. He didn't have to be a parent as well. They would thank him for being there and apologize for acting reckless and rushing off leaving their baby an orphan. Remus would apologize for his behavior in Grimmauld Place and Harry would forgive him.
Harry would finally be able to tell all of them he loved them.
After all the discussions, Dumbledore would show up. He'd congratulate Harry on a job well done, and say how proud he was of Harry. Harry would admit that he loved the headmaster like a grandfather and Albus's eyes would twinkle and he'd say he always loved Harry like a grandson. They'd hug, and be pelted with water balloons as Fred ran into the room laughing.
Harry would smile and laugh along with the twin as they ran around in a mock duel, then they'd prank each other until they couldn't breath for laughing too hard. Then after all the fun was over, Fred would get serious and thank Harry for being there for George. He'd admit that he was scared of being alone until George was old and wrinkled, but he'd admit that on the other side, time had no meaning. He'd ask Harry to make sure George didn't do anything stupid. To use his partnership to his advantage and hire people to work at the store that would be there for George if he needed it. Harry would agree and soon he would drift off to sleep.
Harry always had these thought while he waited for sleep to come. He always ended up silently crying to sleep and dreaming of Marvolo Gaunt's ring.
The night after his debate with the Grangers' was no different. He made up silent discussions as he fell asleep, but as he dreamed, he dreamed of something different.
He was walking in a forest, but it wasn't the one he usually dreamed of after his day dreams of the ring talks with his loved ones. This forest was bright and cheery. It was a very old forest, but very light and alive. He could see birds in the trees singing their tunes, and deer walking past just off the path.
The path he was on curved around a few very large trees, but otherwise stayed fairly straight. It was a gravel trail, obviously not traveled much recently. He walked for a while, but never felt rushed or like he needed to be somewhere, so he walked at a leisurely pace. After a while he began to wonder where the path was taking him. As soon as the thought crossed his mind the path in front of him morphed gracefully into a large clearing. In the center of the clearing was the Burrow.
He walked forward intrigued. He could see several children carrying brooms running around the back of the house towards the orchard near the small Quidditch pitch was.
Suddenly, someone came running out of the house holding a small child, and yelling towards the direction the group of children ran. One of them came scurrying around the corner holding a broom much too large for his small stature. He walked towards the woman with his head down. He stumbled right when he got near her and she grabbed his arm as he tripped, stopping his fall. She righted him and stood him up straight.
From Harry's vantage point, it looked as though the boy was being scolded. He nodded his head solemnly and handed over the broom to, whom Harry guessed was, the child's mother. She nodded and told him to run along and stay on the ground till his father got home. She turned and went inside carrying the babbling toddler in her arms.
Harry tried to move forward but found his feet firmly planted on the ground so he couldn't move. He still felt the contentment and serene feeling of the place and felt no need to move closer yet.
He looked around the yard and was surprised to see the large tables used for special occasions set up in the garden. They had yet to be placed in formation and have tablecloths placed on them so Harry figured they weren't ready yet. He could see the small chicken coup off in the distance and the broom shed along the drive. Mr. Weasley's shed was still looking as ramshackle as ever. The Wellington boots were still near the door by the kitchen and he could even spy a few garden gnomes sneaking back from the fields. Even farther in the distance he could see the pond in it's sparkling glory and the tree house in the large tree next to the pond.
Harry lifted his foot and realized he could walk again and began the descent towards the house. As he neared the Burrow he heard a loud pop. He scanned the area and saw a young man with a pony tail holding the hand of a little girl. She had long blonde hair and pale blue eyes. She was jabbering away in French and he nodded and let go of her hand. She ran off towards the direction of the other children.
The young man Harry recognized was Bill. Just as he realized this he heard another pop and Fleur arrived holding a bundle and the hand of another child, this one younger than the first little blonde girl. He was also blonde but it was a very strawberry blonde. He also spoke a bit of French interspersed with some English. Bill took the child and swung him up onto his shoulders to the child's glee. The two headed towards the house with their arms full.
Harry tried to follow, but once again found he was stuck to the ground. He began to get frustrated. Harry had begun to wonder who the young woman who had scolded the child from earlier was and was anxious to get inside. He stood in one place waiting for his feet to unstuck until he heard yet another dual pop.
This time he looked up to see Ron and Hermione slightly older and each was holding the hands of two children. All four kids had bright red hair and freckles, but Harry could see definite signs of Hermione in them as well. For one, two of the kids had very bushy puffs of hair. One of the others, was a female and she had the slightly larger front teeth Harry remembered Hermione having early on.
Ron was smiling at Hermione and the kids, three boys and one girl, were tugging on their parents arms towards the house. Harry was in awe. He began to wonder if he was seeing the future. Hermione turned and Harry saw she was heavy with child and glowing in her happiness. They let their children run ahead of them, and they lingered.
"My goodness you'd think they never saw their relatives. It's not like they don't see their cousins several times a week and their grandparents every weekend," Hermione said with a laugh. Ron grinned at her.
"Yes, well this one is a special occasion. It's their uncle's birthday. Of course they're going to be exited. They know what's going to happen at sunset. I hope George is ready for them. Come on, I'm hungry," Ron said. At the same time, Harry and Hermione both said, "You're always hungry."
"I know, so lets go!" Ron laughed as he pulled Hermione into his arms as he walked down to the Burrow. She laughed loudly and playfully demanded him to let her down. He said no and she stuck her tongue out at him. Harry went to follow and found himself stuck to the ground still. He growled out his frustration and felt a light breeze swirl past him. As this happened he knew he'd be let loose when the time was right. So he waited.
He could hear the laughter coming from the house and knew that whoever he was waiting for was late and the last to arrive. Soon three pops sounded and he looked up to see Mr. Weasley, Percy, and another Harry standing together.
"Well looks like we arrived just in time Harry. Come on, mum is probably waiting to pinch your cheeks and feed you till you pop with your birthday cake." Both Harry's bristled at Percy's comment but at the same time was proud of the fact that Mrs. Weasley cared for him so much. Mr. Weasley chuckled at his son's jest and pulled them both along.
At the same time Harry knew that he could walk again, so he followed. They walked into the kitchen and could hear the laughter coming from the living room. Harry saw a magnificent birthday cake on the kitchen table with his name in green frosting on top. He thought back to what Ron had said, and realized he was an uncle. The children he saw were his nephews and nieces. Joy shot through him and he smiled.
As he rounded the corner behind his dream self and the other Weasley's he heard his name. Both Harry's turned towards the side of the room and smiled at what they saw. Ginny was holding a toddler and was obviously with child though not as far along as Hermione. The child, a girl with dark black hair with natural red highlights, was covered in flour and frosting and giggling like crazy. She saw Harry and began to squirm.
"Daddy! I want Daddy!" Ginny huffed and put the toddler on the ground so she could toddle her way over to the Dream Harry who picked her up and threw her in the air, only to catch her a moment later. The little girl was so exited she screamed and yelled for him to do it again. So he complied.
"Who got into the frosting today?" Dream Harry asked.
"Me!" shouted the little girl. Harry watched on in wonder. This little girl was his child, his little girl.
"You? Well, Lily dear, I guess I'm just going to have to kiss that frosting right off of your sweet sugary check." Dream Harry teased Lily who squirmed and giggled until Dream Harry got close enough to kiss her then she turned her head so he kissed her on the lips. She smacked her lips on his and he opened his eyes in mock surprise.
"You weren't supposed to turn, I wanted a taste of Lily Frosting!" Dream Harry began tickling her. She shrieked and giggled as all the other occupants smiled and watched.
Ron and Hermione were talking by the fireplace and Harry over heard snatches of their conversation.
"Ron, the kids want an adults versus children game later after lunch. I told them they'd have to ask Harry and the other kids. I'm sure that's where they all are right now, practicing. Why don't you and Harry take Nicholas, Helena, and Lily out to the orchard and see how they are doing, okay?" Ron nodded and grabbed his daughter, Helena, from behind Hermione's chair. Dream Harry carried Lily, and Bill's child Nicholas outside.
Harry had the feeling he was supposed to follow them so he did reluctantly. He wanted to see more of Ginny and the family but he followed his instinct and went outside with Ron and his other self.
Ron and Dream Harry were having a discussion about meaningless stuff like the girls pregnancies and this weeks Weasley picnic while they walked. They had allowed the toddlers to toddle their way ahead of them as they talked.
They passed a bush and heard a giggle. They grinned at each other and turned simultaneously, reaching into the bush they both pulled out a small child each. The two kids were screaming in delight and laughing loudly while Harry noticed another child emerge from the bush. Ron and Dream Harry laughed along with them.
"What might I ask were you three hiding in the bushes?" Dream Harry asked the kids. One of them had messy black hair and chocolate brown eyes with glasses. He looked about the age of five or six. The other two were short with red-hair. One was a girl, about the age of five also, and the boy seemed like her twin. She had a short pixie hair cut and he had scruffy style that included twigs and leaves attached and both kids had deep blue eyes. They both had so many freckles it would have been impossible to count them. She was the one who spoke first.
"Sorry Uncle Harry, we were hiding from Teddy and Monique. They wanted to pick on us since we're too young to play Quidditch with them. So we hid. When we saw you and Uncle Ron coming we decided to trick you. But you caught us." Dream Harry smiled. One child walked up and placed his hand into Dream Harry's and looked up at him to speak.
"Yeah daddy, Teddy was being a meanie, poopy head. And so was Moni," the little black-haired boy said with a pout. Harry, adjacent to the other adults, laughed. So this little runt was his also? How many kids did he have?
"Brian, you know it's not nice to call people meanie, poopy heads right?" Dream Harry asked his son. Brian nodded. "Okay, promise me you won't do that anymore, alright?" Brian promised.
"Now, Aylin, Zander, Brian," Dream Harry pulled the little boy and girl closer, along with Brian. "Since Teddy and Moni were picking on you, you know what that means right?" The three children perked up with questioning eyes. "It's time to pick on them!" The three kids shouted their happiness and ran off towards the field.
Ron was laughing holding on to Nicholas, who had toddled back to them with Lily and Helena. Dream Harry stood up and swung Lily onto his shoulders and held Helena's hand.
Harry stood by watching. He had never really imagined having kids before and here he was with two, possibly more, and one on the way. He didn't understand if he was dreaming or seeing the future, but whatever this was, he enjoyed it very much.
The overwhelming feeling he had while watching these events play out was a sense of happiness, safety, and peace. There were no bad feelings here. This is what he wanted. Now if only all the people he loved who were dead were here, it would be his paradise.
"Well that was interesting. Meanie, poopy head, huh? Wonder where he learned that one," Ron chuckled.
"I believe he heard it from James, who learned it from Fred. I'm going to have to have a word with those two," replied Dream Harry.
Harry stopped his train of when he heard his father's and Fred's names. The two men had walked on leaving the invisible Harry behind. He ran to catch up, wishing to learn more about the occupants of the two names he had heard.
When he had caught up with the two men, he walked near by and listened carefully but no more mention of James and Fred was made. They walked on and finally ended up in the orchard. Harry saw at least a half dozen brooms in the air with kids on them, and another half dozen on the ground watching. Most had bright red or blonde hair but three had dark, distinct black hair. Two, black haired boys were in the air and a girl, also with black hair and who looked slightly younger, was on the ground talking with another girl the same age.
"Dad! Hey, come here, I want to talk to you! You too Uncle Ron!" shouted one of the boys with black hair. The two landed and started walking towards the adults. As Dream Harry and Ron passed the two girls and handed off the care of the toddlers to them. Harry just caught their names as Aubrey and Prudence, though Prudence insisted they call her Rudy.
The adults met with the two boys in the middle of the field along with another three boys and a girl. The oldest boy had vivid lime green hair, that changed to turquoise in a second. Harry realized this was Teddy, so the girl next to him must have been Moni, or Monique. This was confirmed when they said hello to Dream Harry and Ron.
"Teddy, Monique, we were told that you two were bothering Brian, Aylin, and Zander earlier. Is this right? You know not to tease them for not being old enough for brooms yet. It will only fire them up and make them do something dangerous," Dream Harry said sternly. The two teens looked at their feet and apologized.
"I'm sorry Uncle Harry. All I told them was that we'd get in trouble if they were to use a broom. They couldn't play unless an adult were out here. They started to get kind of annoying so I yelled at them to go inside…" Teddy's explanation trailed off and neither Harry's could hear the ending.
"I'm sorry what was that? Speak up," Ron said with a smile. He apparently heard what was said and found it funny. Teddy sighed.
"I yelled at them to go inside with the other babies," Teddy finished with another sigh. Dream Harry fought a smile, while the real Harry was grinning like a moron. He was truly enjoying seeing himself as a parent.
"Teddy, they're only five and six years old. They aren't babies, and if I remember correctly, you hated being called little when you were that age. You were a big boy, and let everyone know it too. It hurts to be called a baby when all you want to be is a grown up. You need to apologize to them when you see them, or I'll let Andromeda know that you were causing problems today, alright?" Dream Harry was strict, Harry thought to himself with a nod. Teddy had gasped and his head shot up, looking at Dream Harry's smirking face.
Just as Teddy realized he'd been had, a bucket of ice cold water balloons spilled from a bucket in the sky above Teddy and Monique's heads. All the others jumped away from the barrage of colorful balls of water and began laughing. Harry looked back and saw George standing behind a tree with Aylin, Zander, and Brian. They were all laughing hysterically trying to stay hidden.
Teddy and Monique were screaming and dancing around trying to avoid the balloons which kept on coming.
"You might want to use your lung capacity to apologize now while you can," Dream Harry yelled over them. The two took advantage of his advice and screamed they were sorry as loud as they could. As soon as the words were out of their mouths the balloons stopped. Everyone was laughing at them and they stood there looking around until they saw the three little kids they had teased standing off in the distance with their devious uncle.
They knew that they had been pranked and pranked well. Together they walked over to the four-some, who were still laughing hard, and apologized the right way. Soon after they headed inside to clean up and dry off. George waved at Dream Harry and Ron and followed the wet teens inside, jokingly chastising them for teasing his kids of all people.
Dream Harry had a conversation with his kids, James (Jimi) and Sirius (Siri), about the Quidditch match kids versus adults they wanted to have. Harry learned over the next half an hour that his alter ago in the dream world had five kids, Jimi and Siri, who were twins, Aubrey, Brian, and Lily. He took care of Teddy also on alternating weekends and saw him several times a week, plus Ginny was pregnant with another child, due in a few months time.
He also learned that Ron and Hermione had, as he had seen earlier, four kids, Roderick, Thomas, Helena, and Arthur, who was also called Junior by the elder Arthur, plus one due to be born in only a few more weeks.
Of the other children in the orchard there were Bill and Fleur's kids, Monique and Nicholas (they kept baby Alexander inside). Percy and Penelope's kid's Prudence and Phillip. George and Katie's oldest child Fred. Harry learned that Charlie's wife had passed away only a year ago after giving birth to their youngest child, Sage. He was at home in Romania with his three kid's Braelynn, Brynlee, (who were twin girls) and Sage this week and couldn't make it for the picnic. Of all their children, Molly and Arthur now had twenty-one grandchildren (and they counted Teddy in this) and two on the way.
Harry was astounded as he watched the families laugh, talk, and generally have a fun and carefree time. He learned through the conversations he listened to over the next hour, while everyone ate lunch, that he was an Auror as well as Ron. Ginny was a healer, and Hermione worked at Hogwarts as the newest Ancient Runes Professor.
George still had his shop which had expanded to Hogsmeade, Paris, and America. Percy was Minister of Magic, like he had always aspired to be. Charlie still worked at the same Dragon Reserve, but now he was the head Dragon Tamer, and he ran the whole reserve. Bill had returned to curse breaking but now worked in France in the old hidden castles that were found.
Mr. Weasley had retired from the Ministry and spent his days tinkering with various muggle relics he could get his hands on. Mrs. Weasley spent her time with all her grandkids and knitting all thirty-five jumpers she still gave at Christmas every year. She and Arthur also took several vacations a year due to his retirement fund from the Ministry after serving as Minister for five years after Kingsley was killed in a final Death Eater strike several months after the war ended. Harry was saddened to hear about Kingsley's death, but knew that he had died valiantly.
He watched the children goofing around at their table throwing food and giggling like mad when others were caught and scolded but not them. Harry tried very hard not to take sides but when James plopped a large scoop of baked beans on little Lily's head, only to have his little sister turn around and delicately place a whole treacle tart under James butt before he sat back down from being scolded, Harry found it hard not to like his pseudo-daughter very much. Especially since after he had been yelled at by Dream Ginny for five full minutes, and Lily wasn't even reprimanded.
"But Mum, she put the tart under my bum before I sat down. She was getting back at me for the baked beans. Why do I get in trouble, and not her? She ruined a whole Treacle Tart and I just wasted a scoop of beans," James whined. Harry was laughing very hard, as was Dream Harry.
"She is too young to know how to be so…so…" Ginny was fuming mad.
"I believe the term your looking for sister dearest, is smart-ass," George laughed. Ginny turned to him.
"I know what I was going to say George. And I'll thank you not to encourage them, like this," she yelled.
"Yes, Ginny has a point George. You are an adult, you should be acting like one," Molly said sternly. Harry noticed all the older children and most of the adults chuckle and hide their smiles. Even with a few kids of his own, George was still be reprimanded by his mummy.
"Yes, mum," George responded solemnly, trying to hide his own snicker. Harry noticed as everyone settled down, his imitation self was handed a few Galleons under the table by Ron. He leaned close to hear what was being said.
"I told you Ron, I know my daughter well enough to know that she'd retaliate." Harry began laughing again. Across the table Bill handed Percy several Galleons also.
"I told you she tell him to act like an adult before five o'clock. He's George, he's never going to grow up," Percy said.
Later, after the food was cleaned up and the tables cleared away. The whole clan retired to the orchard to watch the Quidditch match. Dream Harry was teamed with Ron, Ginny, Bill, Percy, George, and Katie. As it went, Harry was seeker; Ginny, Percy, and Katie were Chasers; George and Bill were Beaters; and Ron played Keeper.
On the younger team, Teddy played Seeker, like his godfather; Moni, Fred, and Roderick played Chasers; James and Siri played Beaters, and they played as well as another twin Beater team Hogwarts once knew; and as Keeper was Prudence. There had been a small argument over who would play keeper since both Aubrey and Rudy both wanted to play, so a coin toss was the deciding factor.
Both teams were in the air and Mr. Weasley threw the Quaffle into the air and let loose the Bludgers and Snitch. The game was on.
Harry sat in the grass near Hermione, Fleur, and the elder Weasley's while he watched the game. For a half an hour he sat and half listened to the conversations and watched the game, enthralled at the competitiveness between the elder and younger people. The game was fierce and long.
"Harry Potter."
Harry looked around. Dream Harry was farther away on the pitch and the voice that said his name was not yelling. Instead it sounded as if it came from directly behind him. He looked around and saw no one, and shook his head and turned back to the game just in time to see his twin sons pull off an amazing Dopplebeater Defense.
"Harry Potter. You are needed."
Harry jumped up and spun around with his wand out. No one was there.
"Who's there? How do you know I'm here?" he asked the disembodied voice. He waited, and waited.
"Come forward, Harry James. You are needed elsewhere."
"Where? Why don't you show yourself?" Harry yelled. He was spinning around waiting for someone to appear.
"Please, calm yourself, Harry James. All will be answered in time. Come forward," the voice said. Harry felt the need to move towards the Burrow. So he walked with a glance back at the game. He saw Lily cuddle next to Ginny and rest her little head in her mummy's lap. Harry stopped walking and wished he could live this life. He wanted that little girl to run and jump into his arms after a long days work. He wanted to hear about his sons first year at Hogwarts.
Suddenly, the world turned white and he was standing in nothingness. He whirled around and around trying to find something in the blank space. But he could see nothing but white.
"Where are you?!" he screamed. "Give it back! Please?!" He fell to his knees sobbing. He dropped his wand and placed his head in his hands as he was wracked with sobs.
"Why does the world want to see me break? Why does this keep happening to me? I just want…" Harry broke off sobbing desperately. For several long minutes he cried without stopping or slowing.
After a few more minutes he felt a hand on his shoulder. He spun around and grabbed his wand off the ground as he did. He shoved his wand tip into the face of an older man with salt and pepper hair, kind gray eyes, and several age spots on his chin.
"Who are you, and where am I? Why are you doing this to me?" Harry shouted through his tears. He looked over and saw two other men, one who looked slightly younger and one who looked much older than the other two.
"Harry James, please lower your wand. It will not work here. We will answer your questions, in time. Please, follow me." The man stood and gave a hand to Harry to help him up. Harry reluctantly took the offered hand and stood. The other two men turned and walked away. Towards what, Harry couldn't tell, since everything was white to him he could not see a destination or even a path they were following. The man who helped him up followed the others and Harry sighed. He wiped the tears from his face and followed the men into the void.
A/N: Please read this! I must say I am thoroughly irritated that I only got one stinking review for the last chapter. Not that the review was a bad one, just that I only got One! Okay people, here's the deal, Reviews = motivation…I need motivation to write. If I don't get motivation, I can't write!! If I can't write I can't post, if I can't post, readers, like you, aren't happy. To satisfy your own happiness, please, please review! With this chapter, I'll have posted roughly 140 thousand words and all I get is a measly 47 reviews? I've seen stories that are written horribly and not edited and such and they have hundreds of reviews…why is that? Please, I am asking you, no, I'm begging you, to please review.
Rebecca: I want to thank you personally for being my sole review last chapter. Just for you, I am thinking of doing a side-shot to this story all about the Marauders. It may take me awhile, but I will try hard to get it done. Thank you very much for the review and I'm glad you are enjoying the story.