Hey guys. sorry it took so long. I hope this makes up for it a bit. This chapter is actually going to be split up into two chapters because it was getting really long. I am hoping to have part 2 of this chapter up fairly soon. Thank you to those who have stuck with me through all this time!

-Kris

Christmas day. So many things had changed since the year before. The war was over. Voldemort was gone. Ron and Hermione were engaged, as were Harry and Ginny, who were also guardians over an 8 month old. Bill and Fleur were married, and expecting their first child. But most obvious of all, Fred was gone. The house wasn't quite the same without him. And though the family was thrilled with most of the changes since the previous year, the pain and the loss was evident throughout the house.

Harry and Ginny had been the only ones to stay at the Burrow that day. Ron and Hermione had gone to Hermione's family's house, George went to Angelina's, Bill and Fleur had left the night before to France, and Mr. and Mrs. Weasley had gone with Charlie back to Romania to visit for the day. The house felt empty and quiet without the usual noise pulsing through the house, but the teenagers were making the best of it.

When they woke up, they made a small breakfast for themselves and Teddy. When they had finished eating, they had all bundled up and went out and played in the snow. Teddy had taken an instant liking for the frozen flakes, and was terribly disappointed when his god-mother picked him up and took him inside. After giving the child a bath, the young people had retired to the living room. Harry and Ginny sat on the couch while Teddy played in the middle of the floor. Harry had quickly put up a shield about 5 feet around the fireplace so that Teddy wouldn't crawl too close. Since Teddy had begun to crawl, about 2 days ago, Harry and Ginny were realizing how much trouble the baby would begin to cause when they returned to Hogwarts.

It was mid-morning and Harry and Ginny were sitting quietly enjoying the time together."Hey Gin," Harry whispered.

"Hmm?"

"There is something that I want to do today. You don't have to come with me, and I would fully understand if you didn't want to…"

Ginny turned so that she was facing Harry. "What is it Harry?"

Harry paused for a second. "I want to go see the Dursleys."

Ginny's eyes widened in surprise. That had been the last thing she had expected him to say. "Wha…What? Why?"

He looked at her and sighed. "Because no matter what, I am alive because they took me in. And without them, I wouldn't be here. I know they treated me like dirt and I know that they probably don't give a crap if they ever see me again…but I need to see them."

Ginny was speechless. Sometimes Harry surprised her. She sat there looking at him for a minute before she shook her head and turned back around and cuddled back into his chest. "Fine. But I am going with you."

Harry just smirked. "Ok, Gin."

HPGWGPGW

It had been a while since Harry had seen Number Four, Privet Drive, and it had not changed a bit. All the houses in the neighborhood still looked alike, the fancy cars still pristinely clean and sitting in the driveway, and even the Christmas decorations looked the same.

Harry sighed and shook his head. Harry looked at Ginny who looked back. The two held a silent conversation at which Ginny just nodded. Sighing once more, Harry reached up and knocked on the door. He fidgeted and moved Teddy in his arms. Finally, the door opened, and Harry came face to face with Dudley, except this Dudley did not look like himself at all. Had Harry not recognized him by the shocked look on his face, he would have never known this man. Dudley and grown a bit more, and now stood at a good 6'2''. But that was not all that had changed about his size…Dudley had lost, what had to be, a hundred to a hundred fifty pounds.

For about thirty seconds the estranged family stared at each other in silence, until Teddy suddenly began jumping up and down laughing. Slowly, a smile began to spread across Dudley's face.

"Harry. You are the last person I expected to see here." Dudley said as he moved aside so that Harry and Ginny could walk in the house.

Harry and Ginny walked into the lobby of the house and then followed Dudley into the den. There they were met with a sight that shocked them.

The Dursleys had always decorated for Christmas; presents stacked up everywhere, cakes, pies, cookies, and the biggest tree that was always decorated with white lights and candy canes. But this year, underneath the glittering tree, laid a very small amount of presents, which was a huge change from the years before.

Petunia Dursley was sitting on the couch reading a book when the group walked into the room.

"Hey Mom," Dudley said. "Look who was at the door."

Petunia looked up and smiled. "Harry! Its so good to see you! I didn't expect you!" she cried as she got up and embraced Harry, trapping Teddy tightly in between. After a moment, Teddy let out a loud cry of aggravation which caused Aunt Petunia to jump back and look at the child blankly.

Ginny took a step forward as Harry tightened his hold on Teddy. They had no idea what she would do. But they were all shocked when she began to smile brightly again.

"Well hello there. Aren't you a sweetheart? What's your name?" she asked as she reached out and took Teddy from Harry, holding him carefully in her arms.

"His name is Teddy," Ginny spoke up. "Teddy Remus Lupin. He is eight months old."

Aunt Petunia grinned at Ginny. "He is precious. Is Lupin your last name, dear?"

"N-no," Harry stuttered. "Her last name is Weasley. Well, at least for now it is. She is my fiancée. Teddy is our god-son. We have custody of him because his parents were killed in the Final Battle of the War."

Petunia looked up at Harry with a look that he couldn't quite figure out. But before she could speak, a large, booming voice came into the room.

"Harry? I thought that was your voice I heard. Merry Christmas, my boy." Harry was surprised again by a clap on the back by his uncle.

Confused, Harry used his Legilimens to carefully search through his aunt and uncles minds and was amazed by what he found. Regret.

He was brought back into reality by the sound of a child's cry. Harry looked up and found Teddy safely in Ginny's arms playing with a strand of her red hair. He continued to look around the room until his eyes landed on a young woman with brunette curls carrying a beautiful toddler.

"Harry," Dudley spoke up, "I would like you to meet a few people. This is my wife, Rachel," he said putting his arms around the brunette. "And this is my daughter, Raeanne."

Harry's face snapped toward Dudley. "Wife? Daughter? What is going on here?!"

Dudley laughed. "I guess things have changed a lot, huh?"

"Yes! Since when are Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon happy to see me? Since when are you thin? Since when do you have a wife and daughter? And where are all the presents?!"

"Harry, I think that we need to explain some things to you. Sit down, son." Vernon directed as Harry sat down on the couch and took Teddy from Ginny when she sat next to him.

"Just after you left," his aunt began, "your uncle and I got into a terrible car accident. For a few weeks, the doctors weren't sure that we were going to make it. But then suddenly, one day we both began to get better. The Doctors say it was a miracle. But anyway, after that, we all began to re-examine our lives. And we realized that we were so, very wrong in our actions towards you."

Uncle Vernon interrupted. "We began to see that if we had died, we would have wanted someone to be there for Dudley. We would have wanted someone to take him in and treat him as part of their family. That is when we realized that our behavior towards you was inexcusable. We vowed that if we ever saw you again, we would do absolutely anything to get you to understand how sorry we are and that we will do anything to prove that to you. We also hope, but understand fully if you refuse, we hope that from here on we can be the family to you that you deserved all those years ago, and the family that you deserve now."

Harry starred at them blankly for a moment, then turned to Dudley and said, "Ok. Its your turn. Explain."

Dudley laughed. "Well shortly after you left, I began dating Rachel. We had been friends for a while, but she wouldn't date me. But when you left, I started trying to straighten up my life. Rachel was there for me through all of that. And she was there for me when my parents got into the accident. During all that, I met Raeanne. Rae is Rachel's daughter from a previous relationship, and I hadn't met her because Rachel was afraid that we would all look down on her if we knew about Rae. But by then, I was in love with her. So on our six month anniversary, I proposed, and then we were married on the one year anniversary of our first date. As soon as we returned from our honeymoon, I legally adopted Rae." Dudley paused and grinned. "I couldn't be happier."

Dudley chuckled. "Oh yeah. And I lost all the weight because I want to be around for my family for as long as I can. So I worked really hard and I am now healthy, and I can do all sorts of stuff now. I doubt even you could out-run me now," he said to Harry, laughing.

Harry smiled back at his cousin.

The room was silent as Harry looked from person to person. Harry, again, lightly probed his family's minds and found that everything that they had said had been the absolute truth. They really were sorry for what they had done to him. And although they had treated him horribly throughout his entire childhood, Harry found himself forgiving them instantly. He realized that he couldn't hold a grudge against them…no matter how much he wanted to, and no matter how much they deserved it. They were his family. His only living relatives. And Harry was not going to miss out on a chance to be close to them.

Harry held his serious face and looked toward his aunt and uncle. "There is one more thing that you need to explain to me before I consider what you have said." He paused. "Where ARE all the presents?!"

The Dursleys laughed. "We agreed to get just one present for each person, and put the rest of what we would have spent in Raeanne's college fund." Dudley explained. "Of course Rae gets a few extra presents, but noting like the old days."

Harry nodded. "Would you mind if Ginny and I stepped into the kitchen to talk. I want to discuss all these changes with her before we decide anything."

Petunia nodded fervently. "Go on in, dear. There is some fresh coffee in the pot if you want some. Help yourself. And take your time."

Harry got up and started towards the kitchen when Teddy let out loud cry from his arms. "Har!" Teddy squealed.

Harry looked at his god-son. "Do you want to stay in here and play with Rae?" he asked.

Teddy responded by squealing again and patting his hands excitedly on Harry's chest.

Harry looked at Rachel and Dudley. "Do you mind?"

"Not at all, Harry." Rachel's sweet voice responded.

Harry set the child down and watched as he crawled over to the little girl who was standing by her parents. He turned and walked to the kitchen, with Ginny walking closely behind. Harry opened the kitchen door and allowed Ginny to enter before him. After checking Teddy once more, he walked in and shut the door.

Ginny was leaning against the table with her arms crossed over her chest. "Harry, what in the world is going on? This is so not what I expected."

Harry walked over to her and stood in front of her. "Me either. But I read their minds. They were telling the truth. They really regret what they did. And Gin…I forgive them."

"Harry, are you serious?" Ginny said as her eyes got wide. "After everything they have done to you?" She began to tear up. "They don't deserve your forgiveness. What if they hurt you again? What if this is a trick?"

Harry stepped forward and took Ginny into his arms. "Gin, I have to at least try. Since I can remember all I have wanted was to have a real relationship with them. Maybe they could tell me stories about my mom. But I know that they mean it. And it could be good for Teddy. But Gin, I need your support. I can't do this without you," he whispered into her hair.

She lifted her head from Harry's chest and looked him in the eyes. "Are you sure this is for real? Are you sure you have to do this?"

He sighed. "Yeah. I'm sure."

Ginny sighed and put her forehead against Harry's chest. After a minute, she lifted her head and looked at him again. "Ok. I'm behind you. But Harry, Please be careful. I don't want them to hurt you again."

Harry smiled and leaned down and kissed her softly. He then rested his forehead against hers. "Thank you," he whispered.

Ginny nodded and kissed him again. "I love you Harry. So much. Even if you are far too forgiving."

Harry laughed. "I love you too Gin."

After several minutes, the couple left the kitchen and headed back, hand-in-hand, to the den. Harry smiled as he entered the room at the sight before him.

Vernon Dursley was laying on his back on the floor laughing heartily as Teddy and Raeanne used him as a human jungle gym. Rachel had a camera out and was taking pictures with a smile on her face.

The family laughed when Teddy reached out and took a large tug on Vernon's mustache, and the older man let out a small cry of pain. Harry chuckled, and walked over to the child and picked him up off of his uncles chest.

"Now Teddy, don't hurt Uncle Vernon," he said laughing softly. He then placed a kiss on the child's forehead and handed him to Ginny, giving her a meaningful look. He then turned to his aunt and uncle. "Can I talk to you two in private, please?" The pair nodded and got up, following him into the kitchen. Harry and Vernon sat at the table while Petunia got a few sodas out of the refrigerator and brought them over to the table and put them down in front of each man.

Harry thanked his aunt and took a sip from the bottle. He then cleared his throat and began.

"Ginny and I have talked, and we have decided to give this a try. We want Teddy to have as much family as possible, and you are family. We want you to realize that even though I have forgiven you for all those years, I have not forgotten. I hope that one day it can all be just a bad memory, but for now, we are cautious. Not for me, but for Teddy." Harry finished and took a sip from his soda and waited for his aunt and uncle to respond.

After a few silent moments, Harry was surprised when his aunt reached out and took his hand in hers.

"Thank you, Harry. We will not let you down."

Harry smiled at his aunt and squeezed her hand. Suddenly, a thought dawned on him. "What about magic? Ginny and I are both of age and can do magic anytime, and Teddy is a wizard too."

Vernon gave Harry another regretful look. "We are in full support of you and your magic. We know about the war and we also know that you were the one who ended it. We know you have power. And we are sorry for treating your magic like a curse rather than a gift."

Harry grinned. "Thank you, Uncle Vernon. I have a feeling that this is going to be a really good thing." Smiling, Harry got up and walked around the table to hug his aunt and uncle.

"Does Rachel know?" Harry asked after he pulled away from his aunt.

"No," Vernon answered. "We figured that if you never came back, or didn't forgive us, that there would be no reason for us to expose your secret. But then if you did, it should be your choice on what you want to tell her."

Harry nodded. "Ok. I think I'll get Ginny to tell her.

With that, the newly rejoined family left the kitchen and headed back to the den.

Harry walked over to Ginny and leaned down and whispered something in her ear. She nodded, kissed Harry on the cheek, and handed Teddy to him.

Walking over to her new friend, Ginny smiled. "Rachel, will you come out to the garden with me for a minute? I need to tell you something."

Rachel nodded and followed the red-head out.

Dudley watched as his wife walked out of the house. He turned and looked at Harry. "Is she going to tell her about the magic?"

Harry nodded and sat down on the couch. "How do you think she will take it?"

Dudley thought a moment. "I think she will take it very well. She is very understanding and curious too. She will probably make Ginny show her all sorts of stuff." Dudley chuckled.

Harry grinned. When he had decided to come to visit his childhood home that day, he had never expected things to turn out the way they had. But he had a feeling that it was the beginning of something great.

In the garden:

Ginny walked out the door with Rachel at her heels. When Ginny reached a bench and turned to look at Rachel and was surprised to find her jumping up and down slightly with her hands covering her mouth. "Rachel, what are you doing?"

Rachel smiled broadly. "He is Harry Potter. You are Ginny Weasley. I can not believe I am actually getting to meet you. I wanted to years ago when…"

Ginny interrupted her. "Rachel, what are you talking about?"

Rachel smiled. "Ginny, I am a witch."

I think that is my first Cliff hanger...yeah...nice. anyway...please review.