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In This Life

Chapter 41

Meeting The Potters

Lily took a deep breath, pushing her son behind her worried about the implications of the Slytherin scarf in the car. Her wand was in her hand and she rang the doorbell of Black Manor and banged the very silver snake knocker. She noticed James and Dumbledore were fingering their wands too; Dumbledore also had some sort of pendant in his hand. Dumbledore was hoping Harry Potter would be the one to answer so he could Portkey back. It was illegal the Portkey but it would get them back to the UK. Once he was back in the UK he had no intentions of going back to the USA so none of it should bite him in the arse. Not once he had trained Harry Potter up and had him face Voldemort, it was his duty and his destiny nothing could stop it Albus would make sure of it. He was brought out of his musing by James exclaiming.

"SIRIUS!" exclaimed James he had half expected it having it confirmed actually hurt.

"Hello James, what are you doing here?" asked Sirius acting confused and bewildered.

"How could you not tell us about our son?" demanded Lily furiously, her red hair almost standing on end her magic reacting to her fury.

"Get real Lily, you don't give to hippogriff feathers about him" scoffed Sirius in bitter amusement.

"How can you say that?" gasped Lily pain splashing across her features.

"Damn you Sirius how could you do this to us? We are your best friends!" snarled James angrily. He hated how hurt he felt that Sirius, his best friend since childhood at that, had kept his son from him. Kept him from his duty to the wizarding world and to them, they had given birth to him and he would do what he was prophesized to do.

"He's not going anywhere near any of them" hissed Edward furiously, his mate securely behind his back. Keeping an iron grip on him stopping him from getting around. Because Harry was trying to get around him, feeling very indignant that Edward was holding him behind his back like a baby.

"What do you hear?" asked Severus coming closer to the vampire, just in case the family and Dumbledore came in while telling him. So without more ado he stood as close to Edward as he could a look of confusion on his face.

"They don't care about him! They just want to get him back to do his duty" hissed Edward furiously, his amber eyes going black in badly suppressed anger.

"Edward! I'm not a baby stop it! You're hurting me!" hissed Harry furiously.

Edward abruptly stopped and let go off Harry seemingly stunned by the fury coming from Harry. Rubbing his wrist, Harry stood beside them instead of behind them like a baby. Glaring at Edward for bruising him, but his eyes softened just seeing how affected Edward was by his biological family's hate. He loved Edward, and how possessive he was but sometimes he could be just too humiliating especially now he had brilliant control over his magic. Severus had told him he could possibly give Dumbledore a run for his money and that must be saying something, after the duel he had seen in the pensive.

"What else?" asked Severus, he didn't like the fact Harry was hearing what his parents truly thought of him. He knew there was nothing he could do to stop the teenager hearing. Apart from a silencing spell but he didn't want to resort to that, better he know than be tricked.

Edward looked like he didn't want to say anymore, his lips had all but disappeared into his mouth. He was breathing furiously through his nose without even thinking as he didn't need to breathe. He looked ready to tear someone a new arse - preferably the Potter's.

"Just tell him, I don't care I know they don't care Edward why do you think they came now? Heck, they abandoned me when they thought I was no use to them" said Harry rolling his eyes at his boyfriend's reluctance.

Severus nodded at Harry in approval pride shining in his onyx eyes. He was glad Harry was taking a sensible approach to this, and wasn't going to be taken in by a few kind words from those who abandoned him. He felt for the child, sure, despite his childhood he hadn't been abandoned in an orphanage. However, it had made Harry who he was today, and he had made up for his lack of love from those who were supposed to care. Harry had confided in him, Severus Snape instead of Sirius about his family. He must have sensed Severus wouldn't overwhelm him. It hadn't all been bad, the Orphanage and Isaac had been but his childhood wasn't all doom and gloom. Once upon a time he had, had parents who loved him. Severus felt saddened about the tragedy that had happened, what had happened to the Cunningham's. The likely hood of them being in that lift when it broke was just bad luck, they hadn't deserved it and it was a shame. Harry had taken their deaths hard, like any child would. The Cunningham's had been the first people to love him, show him unconditional love and Severus respected the dead parents for that. What hurt Severus the worst was Harry hadn't been allowed to grieve properly before being shipped off to Isaac Anderson. Or was it Cunningham's? That Isaac and Hilda were? And Harry's first parents being Anderson's? He couldn't remember damn brat had too many names thought Severus fondly.

"My best friend wouldn't have abandoned his son without a care in the world" said Sirius simply.

"We did what was best Sirius, he would have been jealous of Eric you know this!" said James shaking his head exasperated.

"I'm sure that will go down well with Harry" said Sirius nodding sarcastically.

"Harry will understand…now let us see him" said Lily her hands on her hips looking very intimidating but not to Sirius. He had seen that look on her since she was a child and wasn't at all afraid of her. Sirius by all definitions was very powerful he just didn't show it at all. He had after all apparated to America, and created an abet Illegal Portkey to Hogwarts and back again.

Sirius smirked in grim amusement; did they seriously think they had a hope in hell of convincing Harry to come with them? This was going to be amusing to see to say the least. He just wished he could see their faces when they saw all the vampires surrounding Harry. Better yet when they found out Harry was the mate of one, they wouldn't ever find out how special these vampires were of course.

"Please Sirius they just want to reconcile with their son" said Dumbledore kindly, he had slipped the Portkey back into his pocket, it was obvious he couldn't use it yet. He would have to wait until the time was right, but it had to be within twenty four hours. They were very unpredictable after the twenty four hour timeline, which many had found out to their horror.

"Come in" said Sirius barely hiding his anticipation he hadn't felt like this since he had completed the Marauders' map back in his school days. He hadn't been bored often so it was a big thing; he no longer felt anything for James or Lily. Sirius let the four Wizards into his home, before taking over them and leading them into the living room - he didn't want to miss their looks for anything in the world.

Lily walked in superiorly; she was finally going to meet her son after all those years. A small part of her wanted to see what he was like, actually get to know him. She suppressed that part ruthlessly she was here to get a job done nothing more. The chances of him surviving was slim to none, she had given him up she hadn't wanted him. She regretted it though, and she had to get Harry's love so the Potter name could flourish once more since Eric wasn't the true boy who lived. She stood stunned once she caught sight of all the beautiful and very vampire people that stood around the room, despite the sight of them it was the black clad man that stunned her the most - Severus her childhood friend. His dislike for all things Potter was well known what was he doing here with her son no less? She swore to herself he was probably bad mouthing her son and husband.

James walked beside his wife, wondering silently what his son was going to look like. Would he look like him? His only regret had been that Eric hadn't had his hair colour and the awful bird's nest Potter's were known for. Apart from the hair the boys had been identical until Voldemort marked Eric. He snarled silently when he saw Severus Snape of all people in Sirius home, more stunned and furious than anything else. He paled when he saw all the vampires; they had no chance of talking Harry into coming home if he had been with the vampires all his life.

Eric walked beside his parents; he wondered what his twin looked like and how he was. He was insanely jealous that his brother had turned out to be the true boy who lived. He would just have to make sure he got as much fame for it, maybe even turn his hair brown too. It made him insufferably smug that his parents would always love him best - they probably didn't care about his brother just that he was the boy who lived and had to defeat Voldemort. He stood stunned at the sight of the vampires, completely astonished to see his Potions Professor sitting there calm as you pleased next to a boy who did resemble him a little. He was a little taller and broader than him though and looked more like a hero than him. Jealously squirmed like a living thing in his stomach, why did his brother have to look better than him? It wasn't fair.

Albus smugly walked into the house, walking along with the others. He knew Sirius would be easy into talk into going back with Harry. He didn't have to worry about Death Eaters here, although the scarf had peaked his curiosity. Perhaps Sirius had put it there out of loyalty to Regulus or something, who knew but all would be well again. He would train Harry, let Sirius think it's for the best and even let him help. He knew Sirius had custody of Harry he wasn't stupid, so he had to ensure that Sirius was kept on his side. Sirius knew how important the Prophecy was and he wouldn't abandon his world not even for Harry. He twinkle left his eye when he saw vampires and Severus Snape sitting around the living room. He had been under the impression Severus was dead! How dare he be here all along, he had to stop himself growling low in his throat. Snape was his spy! He should have only stopped when he prompted it or when he died being caught.

"Severus? What are you doing here?" gaped Albus unable to help himself.

"Same could be said for you Albus" said Severus smoothly, smoothing out a none existent wrinkle in his black dress trousers. He had a white t-shirt on and a black jumper on top. Everyone new there thought he looked extremely weird without his tight robes on.

"Since when where you all buddy-buddy with Snape Siri?" gawped James looking for all the world a stranded fish. He had lost his best friend, to Snape of all people this must be some strange absurd dream for sure. He dug his fingernails into his palms and gave an audible gasp when it hurt. This was real it was happening; Snape and Sirius had teamed up against him, and betrayed him.

"When it came to protecting my godson" said Sirius his face showed nothing but seriousness. He suspected if he looked amused James would think it was some elaborate joke.

The Cullen's seemed content to stay out of it, but they were keeping a close eye on the newcomers. After hearing what Edward had to say, they didn't bother containing their hate. Carlisle had a surprisingly disappointed look on his face that made them flinch apart from Albus who just frowned at the man. Carlisle was much like Dumbledore, his emotions could affect you especially disappointment.

"Harry!" whispered Lily a heartbroken look on her face, which didn't match her thoughts and it made Edward growl in warning, he wasn't letting her come anywhere near him. Instead he curled his long arms around Harry and kept his mate at his side well away from the four intruders.

"Well I shall make the introductions shall I?" asked Severus looking and sounding amused. "The white bearded Wizard is Albus Dumbledore, Headmaster of Hogwarts. The red headed woman is Lily Evans Potter wife of the man next to her James Potter" he distaste wasn't hidden so everyone heard it.

Dumbledore frowned at Severus wondering if they would have a lot to change about Harry. Perhaps they would have to remove Severus' influence altogether and ensure Harry knew he had been lied to regarding his parents.

"The boy with them is Eric Potter previously thought 'Boy Who Lived'" murmured Severus sarcastically.

Harry was looking at them intently, wondering if he looked anything like Eric or if he had any of his parents in him. It was a purely clinical way and he didn't care about them, he wondered what had gotten Edward all worked up. He was grateful that Jasper was able to influence Edward and make him less hostile.

"Albus, Lily, Potter, Potter meet Harry Black-Snape the true boy who lived" smirked Severus in amusement.

Yes he had gotten custody of Harry; the Snape's had once upon a time been in America and his great, great grandparents were American citizens which made him an American citizen. The Black's weren't unfortunately, so Severus had made preparations to make sure that Dumbledore couldn't pull anything and have Harry pulled back to the UK. It wasn't the only reason, he had come to love Harry like a father and Sirius seemed content being the Uncle figure and Godfather.

Draco too had become a Snape; he now had the same name as Harry, Draco Black-Snape. He was already a Black as his mother had been one, Draco was all too happy to abandon the Malfoy name. He was within his rights to the Black name, but Sirius granting him it helped. He wasn't there right now and wasn't going to be, they didn't want to show all their cards yet. It was safer for Draco anyway; until the adoption was official over in the UK they didn't want to take the chance of Dumbledore doing it out of revenge or Blackmail.

"WHAT?" screeched James in fury.

"I didn't know you had anything wrong with your hearing, why don't you all take a seat" gestured Severus smoothly, four seats had been separated from the rest for their guests.

"Here is some food for us all" beamed Esme coming in, glaring coldly at the four newcomers. It was probably the nastiest they had ever seen Esme become before, unless they were fighting vampires that was. Esme was very nice to everyone especially the humans despite what they did or thought. When it came to Harry though Esme was a wild cat and very unpredictable. She loved Harry as a son with fiercely protective streak for him especially after leaving.

"Thanks Esme" grinned Harry sweetly helping himself as if he didn't care that his biological parents were in front of him.

"You are welcome dear" beamed Esme before sitting next to Carlisle watching the four newcomers coolly.

"Why did you adopt him? When?" asked Dumbledore kindly, beaming at everyone as if nothing made him happier to be here among them. It was like how he beamed at all his new students each year. All that was missing was the outstretched hands and the fake wandless magic by lightening the candles to impress children. He may have been able to do wandless magic once upon a time but no longer, he was too old for that.

"Why do you want to know?" asked Edward glaring at them defensively.

"Who do I have the delight to speak with?" asked Dumbledore kindly, not liking how he was being spoken to. He knew it was beneficial to get them onside, perhaps they would do good to have in the war. He could tell by their eyes they lived off animal blood like some vampires in the UK.

"Edward Cullen" said Edward smoothly, still not letting his glare up.

"Well Edward, we have been looking for Harry for many years now" beamed Dumbledore kindly.

"You mean a year since you found out my brother wasn't the boy who lived" snorted Harry.

"We did indeed make a grave mistake" nodded Dumbledore sadly, looking as if the world was on top of him.

"We did it for the best!" explained James sadly "We were young and stupid, we thought perhaps you would be better off without us. Without being jealous of your brother, and we believed you didn't have magic. Without magic you wouldn't have fitted in, eventually you would have wanted to leave"

"Very convincing" mused Harry watching his 'father' curiously wondering if a year ago he would have bought it, he knew deep down he would have. A year ago he was so desperate for any kind of attention even if it was from parents that had abandoned him.

"You forget I was there when both of them performed magic James" smirked Sirius grinning widely showing of his white teeth. This was better than he could have ever dreamed it being. He knew the vampires were making the four of them wary by their glares and not moving around; looking very much like living statues.

"He never did magic after Voldemort attacked, we thought something had happened" said James trying to grasp at straws this he wasn't prepared for damn it why was Sirius betraying them.

"I can testify to that, James came to me very concerned for his son" said Dumbledore his eyes not twinkling as he gazed at Sirius in disappointment. He couldn't believe how Sirius was ruining everything they had planned he might have to resort to different methods.

"It doesn't matter either way, you abandoned me I don't care for your excuses" shrugged Harry, he wasn't bitter not anymore, not since he had been adopted by the greatest parents one could have. Even if they were both men, Severus and Sirius were great. He loved living with them, and he couldn't imagine living without them anymore.

"But we want to get to know you son" whispered Lily tears entering his green eyes, that had never failed her yet. Looking ready to cry had even at one point worked on Severus Snape so how couldn't it work on her son? The answer was simple - it had to work.

"I'm sorry but I am not interested in getting to know you" admitted Harry sadly, smiling softly he was happy at last.

"That's a bit harsh is it not? Do you not want to know where you came from?" asked Dumbledore looking worried and feeling it too. This wasn't going how he had imagined at all. Perhaps he could get Harry alone to speak to him for a few minutes and Portkey him.

"Not any harsher than being abandoned at the age of two years of age" said Harry simply.

"May I speak to you alone Harry?" asked Dumbledore kindly.

"No you can't" snarled Edward, furiously.

"I don't mean him any harm! I am a headmaster I would never hurt him" said Dumbledore looking stung.

"You can speak here or not at all" said Harry emotionlessly, patting absently at Edward's arm to calm him down reassure him it would be ok and he was still there.

"Very well, do you know about the war back home?" asked Dumbledore looking old and withered again.

"Yes" said Harry simply.

"Then you know innocent people all over the United Kingdom are dying?" asked Dumbledore hiding a smirk that would get Harry's attention innocent people always got people's attention.

"I know it's a shame just like the last war" said Harry; if Dumbledore wanted him to feel guilty it was working just a tad. He felt sorry for them but if they didn't want to get up off their arse and do something about it then it was their own fault.

"It did happen yes, before you and your brother here, Eric were born there was a prophecy" explained Dumbledore sadly.

"Yeah I know about it" interrupted Harry nodding his green eyes alight with curiosity.

"You know the contents?" asked Dumbledore wide eyed.

"Of course" murmured Harry cocking his head to the side, wondering just how convincing Dumbledore would be. Edward still wouldn't let him to, he kept stiffening and relaxing as Jasper lost control of Edward's emotions. Every new thing he heard from Dumbledore or one of the others made him furious all over again stopping Jasper's work in the progress.

"He knows about everything" smirked Severus his onyx eyes glowing with triumph. He had finally gotten one over both his 'Master's' as it were as well as the Potter's. It was something he had wished for, for a very long time and he hadn't ever been so satisfied before in his life.

"Well that saves a bit of time!" smiled Dumbledore as if he had been about to reveal it all. However, inside was a different matter he was furious! He couldn't believe Snape and Black had told Harry the contents of the prophecy. He was going to be harder to convince to go back home.

"I'm sure it does" said Sirius dryly.

"You see Harry, without you there is no hope of winning this war, I am hoping…we are hoping you would come back to England with us, to Hogwarts a magical school where you can learn magic and live in dorms and meet children, Magical children just like yourself. We will train you in all areas of magic! It's a truly wonderful thing" said Dumbledore kindly.

"I have all the friends I need here; I don't need to go to Hogwarts I already know magic. The magical world abandoned me when I was two why should I leave everything I know to do a favour to you?" asked Harry honestly.

"Because it's the right thing to do? It's written in the stars my boy, it's your destiny to rise up and become a hero. You will be known to everyone all over the wizarding community, and will be able to make great changes" replied Dumbledore in his most persuasive voice.

Rosalie snorted "fame? Be a hero? Who would want such a thing?" she was unable to help herself.

"Many people have done great things with fame! Became great men or woman who doesn't dream their name will live on after they perish?" asked Dumbledore kindly, wanting to curse the woman for her bloody words.

"It might seem like a good thing but no child should be allowed to think they are better than others. It isn't good for the mind, especially when the world goes against them" said Carlisle smoothly.

"Against them my good man? No such thing will happen!" beamed Dumbledore reassuringly.

"It happened to him" said Harry pointing to Eric.

Eric flushed in embarrassment and anger; he wasn't something to point at like that. He wanted nothing more than to curse the boy, who happened to share his blood nothing more. He had to stop himself from removing his wand and showing the boy just what he could do.

"They didn't turn against him, they just don't…hum…they only reported that Eric wasn't the boy who lived but you are" said Dumbledore kindly, sighing sadly honestly it couldn't have gone worse.

"May we stay here? I just want to get a chance to know you…there's nowhere else to stay. I wont give in you are my son and if it takes years I will try and gain your forgiveness!" said Lily, bringing out the baby pictures she had brought with her. She slid them across to him; they were all surprised when he gestured for Severus to check it without even saying anything. So Severus and Harry were close, and had known each other for a while by the looks of things. What if he had known before Harry was found out to be the boy who lived? It would be hard to convince him that Severus only cared about him just so he killed his Dark Lord to get him freed from his 'master' as it were.

"You can't stay here, I'm afraid I don't have the room" said Sirius bluntly.

"But why? Uncle Siri!" gasped Eric hurt spreading across his features; he was loosing his Uncle to his brother wasn't he? At least he had his Uncle Remus he had always liked him better anyway or so he tried to convince himself.

"I'm sorry Eric but I have a full house, I'll take you to a hotel if you like" said Sirius getting his car keys.

"Fine" sighed Lily knowing they weren't going to get anywhere tonight. They were just going to have to buy a house as near to Black Manor as possible. Then get to know Harry even if it meant messing with his head to make him think only they loved him.

She jumped in fright when Edward growled at her very harshly.

"Let's go!" said Sirius forcing them to get up.

"I hope to see you all again!" beamed Dumbledore nodding at them happily "Severus I would like to speak to you when you have a minute about your duties whenever it suits you"

"Very well Headmaster" said Severus smoothly remaining seated.

Dumbledore frowned, Severus was supposed to get up and go with him there and then. He always had when he asked or well …demanded something from him all those years. Stopping the anger showing he nodded his head and walked away the others followed.

"Goodbye" said Harry waving at them sarcastically.

Sirius opened the back door for them making them get into the back of the car all four of them. It was big enough thankfully or they would have been squashed in magic did come in handy at times. Sirius then got into the front and began driving them towards the nearest motel for them to stay in.

"Do you have enough American Dollars?" asked Sirius curtly.

"Yes" said Lily looking sad.

"Good" was all the grown man said.

"Why did you do this Sirius? You know he has a prophecy to fulfil?" asked Dumbledore sadly.

"You only want him now that you know he's the boy who lived; I won't let you use my godson for your own greedy ends. You to get more fame and you to win your stupid war!" sneered Sirius, Severus was rubbing off on him was all, Sirius, Dumbledore, James and Lily thought together. Dread on the three others but amusement for Sirius to think it.

Well what did you think? haha! good or what? now how sneaky will dumbledore be? how long will they continue to hound Harry about it? will Eric join their muggle school while they try and get harry alone to portkey him? last chance will dumbledore win and get him back to Hogwarts? or will Dumbledore give in and go back home and with the only choice send voldemort to harry? remus able to warn them in the nick of time? battle to the death? will Eric get in the way? and die in America? leaving the Potter's childless? will Harry have tried to save him? or will the Order on a while come to America and stop the Death Eaters? or will they get to do nothing as vampires take care of the Death eaters after all they are fast and could have them subdued in seconds! will they get awards in america? and britian? before going back to black manor much to dumbledores disgruntledness? will james and lily ever leave harry alone? whether they loose eric or not? R&R please