Rediscovering Harry

Chapter 12 - Mr. & Mrs. Potter

Minerva cleared her throat so that everyone would quiet down. She stood before the family and friends that had gathered in her office to once again meet Lily and James Potter and for some to meet for the very first time.

" I am glad that all of you could make it here today. We have been blessed to witness and take part in such a miracle as this. It's been a long time that our beloved friends and family could be here with us. With out further ado lets welcome home James and Lily Potter. " She stepped aside and the crowed broke out into cheers , cries and laughter.

James and Lily smiled lovingly at their family and friends. Harry stepped forward to introduce everyone with Draco at his side.

" Mum, Dad first I would like you to meet Hermione Granger, Ron Weasley, Neville Longbottom and Blaise Zabini. These four are our bestfriends. He continued around the room until everyone had been introduced.

Everyone began to move around and take their time talking with James and Lily. Many tears were shed, hugs givin out and finally laughter erupted the room. It was a joyous reunion with the Potters and the day was very exhausting. Molly was beside herself. She had missed the two dearly and at one point her emotions got the best of her. Harry beamed as he sat with Draco and his friends watching his parents enjoy the company of their family and friends they had missed as well.

Harry called upon Dobby. He wanted to introduce him to his parents and had already discussed his plans with Minerva if Dobby would accept.

" Master Harry Potter Dobby is so happy to see you what can I do for you? "

His ears flapping eagerly.

" Well Dobby I wanted you to meet my parents. "

" Master Harry? Dobby doesn't understand Master Harry Potter's parents are dead. " He batted his eyes.

" Yes Dobby they were, but they are back. "

Harry introduced his parents to Dobby , he was beside himself. His ears were flappying uncontrolably. He was shifting from one foot to the other. Lily and James smiled and giggled at the house elf. It was obvious that he was very fond of Harry.

" Dobby I bought you a gift. " He handed the clothes to Dobby. " They are a Christmas gift. I was also wondering if you would like to stay with us for the Holidays. Miley will be coming with Narcissa when she visits so you two won't be lonely. Would you like that Dobby? "

" Oh Master Harry, Dobby doesn't know. He has so much to do here and."

" I've already talked to Minerva. She said it was fine but you are a free elf and it is up to you. You can always come back here when you wish to. Your apart of my family to Dobby. "

Dobby just looked up at Harry. He didn't know how to react. He cried. Dobby actually cried and wrapped himself around Harry. " It would be an honor Master Harry Potter. " Dobby batted his long lashes at Harry.

" Here put your new clothes on, see how they look "

Dobby snapped his fingers and looked down at himself. He smoothed out his new clothes. Harry giggled at Dobby.

" You look great Dobby. "

" Thank you sir. Is there anything I's can get for you sir? "

" How about just some drinks for everyone that would be enough. "

Dobby snapped his fingers and drinks went around the room for everyone to take. He walked freely around the room letting everyone know what Harry had done. They smiled and patted him on the head. Hermione was stunned. She could never get Dobby to wear new clothes she had bought. He would wear the hats, gloves and scarves she knitted but never wore the clothes.

" How did you do it Harry? I could never get him to wear new clothes. "

" I don't know, he has always been fond of me. He's coming to stay with us during the holidays too. I told him he was apart of the family and he cried. Maybe he's going soft? I really have no idea Mione. " Harry told her. He was actually suprised himself that Dobby had agree'd without punishing himself. Which he does less of now since Harry had talked to him about it for hours one night in the kitchens.

" Dobby" Harry called again.

" Yes Master Harry ? " Dobby stated.

Harry squated down level with Dobby " We are just about to head down for dinner in the Great Hall. Will you join us ? "

Dobby's head jerked up to look Harry right in the eyes. " Join you? Master Harry no one has ever asked Dobby to join them for dinner. No, no I can't" He shook his head.

" Dobby you are apart of my family. You know I am not like everyone else and My family and I would like for you to join us for dinner. Please? "

" Oh my Master Harry. I's don't know. " He shook his head and batted his ears , wringing his fingers.

" Come on Dobby, We would love for you to join us. " Draco said to the elf.

" Master Draco? You's want Dobby to joins you? "

" Yes Dobby I do. So does Harry and everyone else. Please?

Dobby was absolutely beside himself. He finally gave in.

" Masters Harry and Draco, I's will join you. "

Harry hugged Dobby, the elf was beside himself and didn't know what to think. He placed his hand on Harry's forehead.

" Dobby, what are you doing ? " Harry asked.

" So sorry Master Harry, Dobby was just checking to see if you were ill with fever or something. "

Draco and Harry both laughed at Dobby. Poor thing they thought. Lucius had been awful to Dobby and he was always Draco's favorite house elf. He was absolutely furious with Harry when he free'd him, but in the end he knew why.

" I'm ok Dobby, come on lets go to dinner. " He linked his hand with Dobby's and led him to the Great Hall with Draco's fingers linked on the other side.

" Severus. "

Snaped turned around slowly, Narcissa's hands holding onto his arms turned with him to see who was speaking.

" James " He said back.

" Severus, I know we have had a horrible past. I want you to know how ashamed and sorry I am for that. I know there is nothing I can say to make up for what I put you through. I hope we can start anew. " James looked confident but wasn't even close to it.

" No James your right. There is nothing you can say or do to change what you put me through. I supose for the sake of Draco, Harry and our own sanity we could try. " Severus bit his tongue. Where did that come from he thought.

Both men shook hands and James went to find Lily.

" I'm proud of you Sev. You've suprised me. I never would have thought you to say or do that . " Narcissa said squeezing his arm affectionatly.

" Cissy I suprised myself. I think I maybe coming down with something. "

Narcissa smacked him on the arm. " No Sev, your fine. Sometimes you learn from your mistakes. Sometimes it's too late. Givin a second chance I'm sure James won't repeat those. Life is to short and he knows that all to well. Wisdom comes with age. James watched you protect his son no matter how you felt about his father and him before. You knew what was right and what had to be done. What James did to you as a child was not Harry's fault and the strength it took for you to push past that. Well Sev that takes alot. It's time to let the past stay in the past and move forward which I know you both can do. " She smiled lovingly and they both headed to dinner.

The next day Harry and Draco took his parents shopping. Christmas was just a little over a week away. They first went to buy new wands. Next they went to get new clothes and robes. They kept a close eye on them. It wouldn't be long before word got out to the remaining death eaters that Mr & Mrs Potter were infact alive and back in the Wizarding world. After they picked up a few gifts they went to see Rosemerta who nearly fainted when they walked into her pub. They headed upstairs to fill her in on what had happend.

They spent the next few days brushing up on their dueling. Whirling hex's at death eaters and feeling that rush they had long since forgotten. They were just as good if not better then before. It's something you just don't forget. They had talked about going back to assist The Order. Harry was in flat disagreement with that. He did not want them in harms way, but of course they were not backing down. They would be attending the next Order meeting despite Harry's pleas not to.

As James , Lily and Harry arrived home from their last day of practice they were met with 3 steaming mugs of hot chocolate. Draco dragged them into the living room where the new Christmas tree was. Boxes of ornimates and other decorations were litered around the room. Today they would finally get the chance to decorate the house for the first time together. After a few hours they each went to seperate rooms to wrap their gifts to place them under the tree. It was rather festive looking all over the house. Draco went outside and magically put lights up just how Lily had remembered them being from her childhood. Something both her and Hermione always loved.

Hermione made her way to the airport to pick up her guest. She was going to get rest at Hermione's place while Hermione was at Harry's. She made her way through the airport and waited on the bench. Eyes glanced every direction looking for Riha. The flight must be a little late. She thought to herself. She waited there another 20 minutes before spotting her grabbing bags from the pickup area.

" Riha. " She called out walking towards her.

" Hello Hermione. I'm sorry the flight was on a slight delay. I am totally jet lagged. I don't see how people travel like this all the time. I should of port keyed or something. " She laughed.

" Yeah well Harry probably wasn't even thinking about that. He had just gotten a portkey for him and Draco . They would probably ask why he needed one from the states to Scotland. Harry probably didn't want to risk Draco finding out either. Since they both work at the Ministry."

" True, Lets get out of this loud airport. I can't wait to get there and get some rest. I'll be thankful for this jet lag later though I'm so excited to see Dray and Harry agin. If it weren't for Brad I would probably move here to be closer. "

" Oh yeah the whole Army thing. Well, after he is done with that you both could always move to London. It would be closer. "

" I'll have to talk to him about that. Thanks for suggesting it Hermione. "

The drive back seemed longer then it really was. Once they arrived and returned the car Hermione had borrowed from her Aunt they apparaited into Hermione's living room and she showed her the room she would be staying in for the night.

" Thank you Hermione. This means alot to me. " She curled up on the bed, pulled the covers up and passed out cold.

Molly came by later that evening with Hermione to bake goodies for the Christmas Eve celebration that was to be at Draco & Harry's this year. Christmas Day , dinner would be at The Weasley's Manor. The Burrow was simply to small and worn but they still liked to spend days there as well.

" I made 50 Rum Balls for tomorrow night. Do you think that will be plenty?" Hermione asked to Lily.

" I would say so. There is going to be so much food, I dare say we may be going over board. " Lily replied back to her.

" Oh Lily, you have no idea what a Weasley's appitite is all about. Ron could eat all 50 by himself. Not to mention Neville and all the other Weasley's that will be here. " She laughed.

" Well then I guess we will just have to make more things then . " She started up another batch of goodies.

Draco prepared homemade white american cheese dip with and without jalepeno peppers. Homemade extra chunky salsa dip hot and mild. Harry had bought quite a bit of crisps for dipping .

Molly put together 3 large vegetable trays with various dipping sauces, 3 trays of mini sandwhiches that excluded her corned beef Ron insisted that being left out no one needed to be sick at the holidays. Fred and George agree'd . Chicken , Ham and Roast Beef was plenty of a selection. If they didn't like it they could bloody well starve.

It was now nearing 11pm and everyone was worn out. They had just cleaned up the kitchen and had everything put away until later the next evening.

" Ok Mione , lets make sure we have everything we need. Lets hear it. " Harry said with his sleepy tone.

Hermione huffed in a large breath. " Ok we have Rum Balls, Firewhiskey balls , Chocolate chip, Oatmeal Rasin, Turtle and Peanut Butter cookies. Turtle Brownies, Homemade Fudge, Crumpets, Strawberry marmalade, The Christmas Cake and Christmas pudding for Christmas Day. 3 Trays of vegetables with dipping sauces , 3 trays of Sandwhiches , 4 bowls of cheese sauce and 4 bowls of Salsa. Butterbeer, pumpkin juice , elderflower wine and eggnog. I think that is it. " She sat down and took another deep breath.

" Well I think that should be enough, if not they know where the kitchen is." Harry said to the room.

" I believe so dears. They can save room for Christmas Dinner, I think its time I headed back home. It's been such a pleasure spending time here with you all cooking. " Molly bid her goodnight and left for her Manor.

" I should be going to. Ron should be home soon from Fred and George's. I'll see you all tomorrow evening. " She kissed everyone on the cheek and left for home.

" Well tonight has been interesting to say the least. " Draco said to everyone left.

" It certainly does take alot out of you. I don't see how Molly does this so much as if it were nothing. " Harry replied back.

" Well dear she has had plenty of years doing it with such a large family. This was probably a skip in the park for her. " Lily laughed and so did James.

" Thats so true Lils. I think we should get some rest now. Tomorrow is going to be tiresome as well. " They headed up to their own room for some much needed rest.

" Well, that leaves us. Are you ready to call it a night? " Harry asked Draco.

Draco didn't even reply. He grabbed Harry by the hand and led him to their room. He ran a bath for them both and slid in with Harry, feeling the hot water relax both of their acheing muscles. Both men were exhausted and the warm bath only added to it. They helped each other out and barely even managed to slide on sleepy pants, crawled into bed and both fell asleep just as their heads hit the pillows.

A/N

Sorry about the delay - I work in the Health care buisness and we have had a flu out break. Unfortunately I'm not feeling well. They have givin us all the medicine for it but I don't think I took it in time. I feel Horrid. Hopefully this chapter didn't suffer to much from me falling asleep twice while writing it. I do apologize. -