Disclaimer: Nope, I still own zilch. –Sobs.-
Chapter Summary: After two days in the Hospital Wing, Harry and his Guardians return home.
A/N: As assured/promised, the wait has not been long in the least for this chapter. A very big thanks to all those who reviewed the last chapter! Your forgiveness and happiness at my return has really been a lovely spirit lifter!
The only depressing thing was that…so many of you read my story and/or the latest chapter, and have me on all your lists and what-not, and yet…so few of you reviewed. I know you all don't have to, there's no real obligation or anything, but…reviews really are an author's key motivator. I suppose beggars can't be chooser, however, because lots and lots of you do read my story (over 301,000 hits)…but…eh, never mind. I'm sure you all get my point. I'm not upset or anything, just kinda sad. I usually always respond and I love hearing whether you like or dislike the chapters and/or stories… -Sighs.-
Either way, though! The show must go on! Onto the next chapter of Prongslet, yesh? :-)
Chapter 34: Home At Last
-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-
Bluish-grey eyes stared at the floor of the Hospital Wing for a long while…knowing the whole time that Remus was still looking at him, fixing him with that ever steady amber gaze, waiting for Sirius to start to talk. But how was he supposed to start? And why did he have to be the one to explain himself, anyway? He was not the person who was wrong here! It was Alexis, so why did Remus always somehow manage to make him feel so guilty when there was nothing to be feeling guilty for!
Because there is a reason to be feeling bad…
Yes, despite not wanting to see it that way, Sirius knew that exploding like he had in front of his Godson had not been good in the least. He had most likely scared the boy, and all for something the kid knew nothing about…nothing at all. It was wrong to inflict such confusion in him like he had, not to mention exploding like he did in front of Remus…who had most likely not really been expecting such a reaction from the Black.
But, again…how was he supposed to start? …Well, he supposed there was always the obvious start…
"Er…sorry about…bursting like that, Moony...I guess I should have had a bit more…control," the Black sighed softly, finally looking back up at his friend, who was offering him a soft smile.
"It's alright, Siri…I guess I just hadn't honestly thought…or hadn't expected, really…Harry, either; not that he knew what to expect at all," the Lupin replied soberly. "I was pretty surprised to see her, too, you know…"
"Yeah…I know, mate. I owe Harry an apology, too," he paused for a moment before glancing down. "It's just…it hurts, you know? I know I never really talked with you about it before…" he trailed off apologetically.
"Mmm…you were pretty silent about the whole thing as far as I can remember in school…I always imagined you'd just talked about it with…you know…Prongs and…I don't know, kept up a face for the rest of the school…for the rest of us, like you usually did when something bothered you," Remus said softly.
"I…well, yes…that is kind of what I did, huh? I just…talked about it with James and…tried to make sure no one else thought it…hurt…at all…"
After all, he had been known by all in school, thirteen years old and up, as a player…as a no girl could resist him ladies man. He had cheated on plenty, left more, and had been just short of a one hundred percent womanizer come seventh year. So making sure no one besides himself, Alexis, and James knew how deeply the girl's betrayal had stung had been key…which at the time had included not talking about his true feelings on the subject with Remus…or anyone else, for that matter. But…it had definitely been more than a few years now, and as it were…he owed his friend at least some kind of explanation.
"Let's just say that, what she did would have equaled the equivalent of Lily leaving Prongs for Snivellus anytime after she became his girlfriend," Sirius sighed, glancing back up at the werewolf finally.
An understanding shone in the lycanthrope's amber eyes before he nodded slightly. "I never really…saw it like that…m'sorry, Pads."
A silence passed between the two friends before Remus finally said,
"You won't find me pushing you towards any forgiveness here, if you might have been worried about that, Siri. I think that should happen on your own terms…if ever," the Lupin said, watching the Black visibly relax somewhat. He knew Alexis was sincerely sorry for what she had done, but he also knew that that did not excuse her…and it excused her less if Sirius compared the act to Lily going with Snape instead of James.
"Thanks, Remus," and Sirius did sincerely appreciate it.
-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-
Sleep is a beautiful thing. One gets to recuperate, rest, relax, and dream. Recuperation from the days events, rest to allow the body to ready itself for whatever tomorrow might bring, relaxation to ease the muscles and tension of the body, and dreams to add some enjoyment…or in some cases fear…to a rather peaceful night for the mind. Harry James Potter got all of these things as he slept, but thankfully his dream was no where near a fearful one.
-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-
-Harry's Dream.-
The clearing in the forest that the young Potter usually found himself in was a little different this time. The main difference was that the sun was not shinning high in the sky, like usual. In fact, it was barely shinning in the sky at all. It was, instead, very cloudy and soft rain fell on the ground all around the 6-year-old. The bright side, the Potter supposed, was that it was at least not a thunderstorm or something. And besides! Standing around in the rain, what with no lightening and all, was pretty fun!
"Hiya, Harry, ol' boy," came the familiar amicable voice of Xantos. The much shorter male swiftly turned around to great the man, a grin on his face, his usually messy head of hair much tamer as it was continuously matted to his head with the ever soft falling water.
"Xantos!"
"Sorry it's not as…sunny as it usually is. Kind of had someone," he emphasized this word as if knowing said person could hear him, "trying to take a look at my thoughts while I was re-creating this place and…it kinda ended up not turning out as I'd planned."
"What do you mean someone?"
"Heh…hey, kid!" he called out towards the woods behind Harry. "Come on out, my nosy little intervener."
And as if having been caught with his hands in the cookie jar a jaded Draco Malfoy came out from behind one of the numerous trees and approached the two.
"Draco!" Harry grinned, surprised, but not unhappy…the other boy was alive and well! Thank Merlin!
"…Potter," the silvery-grey eyed boy sighed, as if being out here had been the last thing he had wanted, blonde hair appearing a lot darker thanks to the water.
"What…I mean, how…I mean…why—" the young Potter began, not knowing where to begin.
"He's a spell hijacker is what he is!" Xantos said with a mock frown, "taking advantage of us people while we're concentrating on manipulating a spell. Not wicked awesome in the least, my friend, not wicked in the least."
"Well if you made it easy to read your mind, I wouldn't have to try so hard!" Draco remarked, sticking his tongue out at the man.
"Oh, so it's hard for you, too?" Harry asked, knowing first hand how difficult is was to sense any kind of emotions from his cousin.
"You know him??"
"Of course I do! He's my—"
"Very good friend," Xantos interjected with a chuckle, earning himself an interesting look from Harry, but which the boy let drop. "And I have to shield myself all the time because my boss has mighty far reaches. Letting it down, even for just you two, would potentially reveal a little more than we'd like to him…"
Draco of course understood this completely and immediately, closing his mouth, killing his forming protest, however Harry on the other hand did not.
"You really don't have a very nice boss…" the emerald eyed boy stated matter-of-factly.
Xantos offered the kid a light smile. "And that's saying little." The man known as Serpent to the better majority of Death Eaters and Voldemort, himself, stuffed his hands into the pockets of his Muggle jeans, glancing between the two boys before him.
"You know…if someone would have told me years ago that I'd be seeing not just one, but two Elementals in my life-time together in front of me…I'd have laughed my head off. The possibility would have seemed slim to none. And yet here you are," he sighed, shaking his head at himself, bringing a hand up out of his pocket to run through his soaking wet hair thoughtfully.
"We're not that different from everyone else," Draco scoffed, rolling his eyes as he crossed his arms across his chest. "So we can do some stuff without wands…so what? Everyone's got something. You can make spells, some can be animals, some can change their looks, some are monsters like vampires and werewolves and—"
"Werewolves aren't monsters," both Potters cut the Malfoy off at the same time in a huff, as if having had to say this numerous times over the years that it had become a reflex. Draco raised an eyebrow at the two of them.
"Anyway," Xantos cleared his throat, hazel eyes flickering to Harry before settling on Draco. "I suppose when you put it like that, you might not seem all that different than the rest, but you're not thinking about how…" he paused for a moment before sighing resignedly. "Remind me to explain this to you more thoroughly when you're a good bit older, mmkay?"
"Not fair!" both boys chorused indignantly, Harry crossing his arms as well. The two could have passed as twins with their identical positions and looks on their faces were it not for their different color hair, eyes, and skin tone...not that either of the two boys noticed. Xantos supposed, however, that at their magical core…'twins' was exactly how to label them.
"It's a good thing I'm an unfair person, then, hmm?" the 26-year-old smirked.
"I might not be able to use my powers much in here, but I'll remember this when I wake up," Draco commented grumpily, somewhat ominously.
"What…do you guys live near each other?" Harry inquired, curiosity taking over his other feelings as he lowered his arms to his sides once more.
"Near each other? Mum's letting him sleep in the room down the hall," Draco informed the other, rolling his eyes. "Just so he'll be able to teach me better."
"Oh, wicked, kinda like Padfoot and Uncle Moony do for me?" Harry asked, directing his question at Xantos.
The man's lips thinned somewhat, and were Harry able to read him – which he sadly was incapable of doing at this point – he would have gotten the biggest vibe that Xantos preferred no mention of 'Padfoot', but he finally forced a smile, "Pretty much."
Harry opened his mouth to go on about this new revelation before his cousin cut him off with,
"But that's not really what I brought you here to talk about tonight, Harry."
"Oh…" the younger Potter sighed, looking slightly crestfallen.
"Maybe on a different occasion, but today I'd love to talk about a few nights ago."
"How do you—"
"Draco told me."
"Oh…"
Draco glanced between the two, wondering to himself why Xantos did not tell Harry, like he had told him, about having been there…about having been a Death Eater and what not. Hmm…maybe Harry already knew, and Draco just had not been here for that.
As it were, after a little bit of prodding, the emerald eyed Potter explained to Xantos what exactly had happened to him and Uncle Moony. Starting with the bookstore and the girl he had met there, to Dumbles asking him the same questions Xantos was asking him now.
"Should've figured that prying senile would have pestered for information…" the hazel eyed Death Eater muttered darkly.
"…What?" Harry asked confusedly.
"Nothing, forget it little Jamie," Xantos smiled softly before hunkering down a bit to ruffle the boy's hair affectionately, earning him a grin.
Harry had never been called that before, but it reminded him of his daddy, so it was nice.
"So everyone over there knows about Draco, here, then," he sighed, shifting his gaze to the blonde who gaped.
"W-wait does that mean…" the silvery-grey eyed boy began to splutter before Xantos shook his head.
"No, you're in the clear, kid. No one over there would tell anyone you know, trust me…well, besides your Godfather, but—"
"Oh no! But Sev'll tell my father!"
"Calm down, no he won't…Snape has a good deal more tact than that, trust me."
"Hmm…"Draco looked skeptical, but he accepted this.
It was Harry's turn to glace between the two…what did Draco not want told? …Weird…
"At any rate, I think it's time Draco and I took our leave," Xantos said, trailing his gaze back to Harry.
"Aww, already?"
"I'm afraid so, we've been here a while."
"Alright…fine… I'll see you soon?" Harry inquired, lowering his gaze, scuffing his shoe on the moist grass.
"Every now and then yeah…maybe with Draco again next time."
"Cool!"
"I dunno, I don't think—" Draco began, not liking that idea. The less he saw Potter, the less likely it was for his parents to ever found out what he had done the other night.
"And of course he won't be the one choosing," Xantos smirked, taking the glowering blonde's hand, and Harry had to bring a hand up to stifle a giggle.
"See you later, little Jamie."
"Bye!"
And just like that the dark golden-brown haired Potter and the young Malfoy left the clearing and disappeared into the surrounding woods, Draco looking back briefly…as if slightly uncertain, before looking ahead once more as the two left.
The sky cleared up almost immediately, the sun coming out to shine brightly once again…that is, until the area began to dissolve into white…
-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-
Harry heard many different voices in the room, not just his Uncle Moony and Padfoot's. Awe…but he really did not want to wake up yet! He had really liked his dream! Well, that kind of went without saying; he usually always enjoyed his dreams with his cousin Xantos. Though he also knew on some level…they were not really dreams at all; just some different form of reality which Xantos somehow had the knowledge to create using his Spell Smith abilities.
"You just have no idea how worried I was," came the voice of one easily recognizable Molly Weasley.
"…I'm sure we could imagi—" began Remus' voice.
"No…really, you couldn't. Let me tell you…" mumbled the voice of Arthur Weasley.
Harry blearily, slowly opened his eyes… only to be greeted for the millionth time with fuzzy, out of focus surroundings.
"Here you go, Harry," said a soft and gently young voice he did not really hear all that often…but which he most certainly did recognize. His glasses were soon pushed onto his face with the utmost care and timidity.
The world came into clear, crisp focus once more, and Harry turned his head to the side to see the brightly red haired Ginny Weasley standing at his side next to the bed, smiling shyly.
"Hi, Ginny," the young Potter greeted with a smile that could have lifted anyone's dreary mood.
This only earned him the sight of a very pink cheeked girl, an "I'm really glad you're okay," a swift, chaste kiss to his cheek, and a girl dashing away to hide behind her mother's dress.
The whole thing had passed in the span of six seconds, give or take, and it left a somewhat shocked and dumbfounded Harry James Potter in its wake. The emerald eyed boy blinked repeatedly a few times, before bringing a hand up to rest against his kissed cheek as if doubting he had even felt it…though he did feel some heat in his face.
"Ewwwwwwww, Ginny!! How could you give cooties to my BEST FRIEND?!" demanded the all-too-familiar voice of Ron Weasley, dashing to Harry's dazed side, waving his hand in front of the Potter's face. "Are you okay, mate? Are you alright? Fred and George told me cooties could kill a boy!"
Harry blinked a few more times before turning his attention to the blue eyed red head. "I…er…yeah, I'm fine," he said, not sure how to respond exactly, but…well…he definitely did not feel any worse for wear.
"Oh…thank Merlin," the 6-year-old Weasley sighed in relief.
And soon enough the adults in the room began to chuckle; these being Molly Weasley, Arthur Weasley, Sirius Black, and Remus Lupin. Apart from those four, Bill, Charlie, Fred and George Weasley could also be seen snickering to themselves. The only Weasley children who seemed to find no humor in the past three minutes was 'far-too-mature-for-this' Percy Weasley, 'my-best-friend-could-have-died-of-cooties' Ron Weasley, and 'I-wish-the-floor-would-eat-me-up' Ginny Weasley.
Harry, of course, did not see anything funny, either.
"Aww…how adorable," Mrs. Weasley said, clasping her hands together. "Our Ginny has a little crush on Harry!"
"Haha, that-a-boy, Prongslet! With a little work you'll be another me when you get to school!" Sirius grinned broadly, if not proudly. This of course earned him a horrified gasp from Molly.
"He'll be a WHAT?!" she demanded furiously, knowing all-too-well of what Sirius had been in school.
"Sorry about that Molly, Sirius has moments of complete and utter mental-ness. I would never, ever, let him create anyone to continue his self-proclaimed legacy," Remus interjected swiftly, shooting Sirius a 'how could you even say that, and in front of her, no less??' look. His words calmed the woman, but she still gave the Black a dark look that Sirius merely grinned cheekily at.
-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-
Xantos blinked his eyes open from the chair he was sitting in inside Draco's room. Oppressing a yawn that rose to his lips, his hazel eyes trailed to the peacefully sleeping blonde in the green silk bed. He was really innocent looking when he slept…no where near the sneering, retorting boy he dealt with when the kid was awake. Merlin! Such a bloody attitude! But he was definitely something…mentally stepping into his spell like that…
He wondered if Harry was capable of the same…had the Potter been as close by… Most likely, he figured, the two boys were pretty even when it came to abilities, as far as he could tell. Hmm… Usually cold hazel eyes softened somewhat as they watched the lightly snoring youngster; that is, before he realized what he was doing and he swiftly shook his head.
Bloody hell! What am I 'thinking'?? The last thing I need is to get attached to this brat. He's a bloody Malfoy for crying out loud! No better than that idiot Black. Growing to actually be friends with people from Dark Wizard families…well, one, anyway…was Jamie's thing, definitely not mine. I just need him to trust me, more now than ever with Dumbledore knowing about him, and that's it. Period. End of story, cue ending theme song.
The 26-year-old nodded to himself, pursing his lips. He was not much of a kid person, anyway, and less of a kid person if the particular kid happened to be the offspring of that bloody git Lucius Malfoy. Xantos growled lightly before pushing himself roughly to his feet.
And they would start their day right about n— The older wizard opened his mouth to rudely wake the kid up, but soon just closed.
Damn it…
And with a glare to the sleeping boy, the Potter turned and left the room with a scowl.
-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-
Harry's morning was spent spending time with his and Remus' visitors, the Weasley Family. It was nice seeing them all again, especially after what had happened a few days ago…the chance that he might have never seen them again had been more than a little high, but it appeared that fortune had been on his side.
Madam Pomfrey was pretty uncertain about the amount of people in her Hospital Wing, what with how she preferred to keep the number of visitors down to little to none if she could help it, but…well, her two patients were doing much better, and they could be going home today, so… She supposed she would let it slide…this time, anyway. And hopefully, for their personal sakes, there would not be a next time…but considering of often she had always seen the adults in here when they had been younger… Hmph.
It was needless to say that Harry, once he had gotten over his immense embarrassment at having been kissed in front of so many, was truly happy to be surrounded by his favorite people. It seemed like forever since he had seen them, and played with Ron and his many brothers. Not to mention he got his Golden Snitch back from Padfoot and was able to show it off proudly to all the red haired boys.
Afternoon came so quickly that the young Potter was genuinely surprised at it's arrival.
"It's about time we headed on home, kiddo," Sirius said, scooping the 6-year-old up and placing the now giggling child onto his shoulder easily.
"So soon?" Harry asked, looking down at his Godfather, unable to prevent the smile that was still on his face at having been placed up this high.
"'Fraid so," the Black sighed before whispering, "Moony's getting a little PMS-y…his time of the month's around the corner, and I don't want him to make a fool of himself with some mood swing in front of your friends... Can't take him anywhere, I'm tellin' ya…"
Harry stifled a giggle and nodded, Sirius having explained to him last year all about how they were to refer to his Uncle Moony's werewolf transformations.
"I heard you, Padfoot..." the lycanthrope said dangerously. "What'd I tell you about teaching him to call it that?"
"Opps, time to run, Prongslet!" And no sooner had he said it – thank Merlin Madam Pomfrey had just stepped out - than did he begin to dash around the Hospital Wing with the laughing child on his shoulder, Remus chasing after the two, shouting,
"Come back here, Sirius!"
Five minutes had not passed, however, when the Black felt himself get hit with the jelly-legs jinx.
"Whoa!" he said, steadying himself as best he could so as to not tumble down with Harry, swiftly setting the young boy down before dropping to his knees dramatically. "Run, Harry!" he mock wheezed, pushing the child away from him. "Save yourself!" And with that the Black pretended to fall and pass out on the floor overly dramatically.
"Padfoot!" Harry exclaimed as Remus finally caught up with the acting adult and the horror-struck Potter.
"Sirius, get your butt up, you'll give Harry a heart attack. He's not ready for 'all' of your antics," Remus ordered with a chuckle, nudging the side of the spread eagled body with his foot before reaching down and picking Harry, resting the boy on his hip. "He's fine, cub…your Godfather's just a Drama Queen."
Harry continued to ogle down at his prone Godfather none-the-less.
"King, Remy! Drama King, get it right for once," Sirius groaned, pushing himself up onto his knees, drawing his wand and casting the counter jinx on himself before standing. "See, I'm okay, Prongslet…it was just for show." Their Charge visibly relaxed, releasing his held breath before grinning.
"Now who's being touchy?" Remus smirked.
"Touché."
-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-
The three-person family, for that was what they were, different last names or not, said their good-byes to the Weasley family, promised a play date sometime soon, and made their way out to the wards surrounding Hogwarts Castle. Harry held Sirius' hand tightly in his right, and Remus' tightly in his left, as the group side-long apparated back to what Sirius had officially dubbed the Marauders Abode.
Harry had definitely gotten used to the feeling of apparating, by now, but he still found himself disliking it each and every time he went through it. If only wizards had invented some…less rough way to get places instantly. Things would definitely be much easier!
Either way they were home at last, which was the main thing…home at last, and home together. Whoever said 'Home is where the Heart is' had it more than a little right. Remus, Sirius, and Harry could all attest to this fact.
The three plopped lazily down on the couch the moment they got inside, relishing in the feel of it, before all of them glanced between each other with smiles on their faces. Home Sweet Home.
"Anybody hungry?" inquired Remus, pushing himself up to stand after a few long beats, stretching a bit.
"Moony, my friend, you read my mind…it's actually kind of creepy," Sirius smirked before shifting his gaze to his Godson. "How about you, Prongslet?"
"Mmhmm! Can we have macaroni and cheese, Uncle Moony? Pretty please?" the emerald green eyed 6-year old asked, offering the man a pleading look…to which any protest Remus might have had was easily disband…who could deny that look? Damn Sirius for teaching him so well…
"Coming right up," he chuckled, proceeding off into their kitchen, leaving the two to themselves on the couch.
"Nice job, kiddo," Sirius grinned, offering his Charge a high-five that the young boy quickly returned.
Harry scooted over, closer to his Godfather, and rested against his side, welcoming the arm that soon wrapped around him. The two sat like that for a good few minutes. And probably would have stayed like that, silently enjoying each other's much missed company, if Sirius had not been in need of talking to the young boy.
"…Harry?"
"Yeah, Padfoot?"
"I…erm…I'm sorry about yesterday with…you know…" he trailed off, clearly hesitant.
"Miss Alexis?" Harry offered with a sad smile, looking up at the canine Animagus, who suppressed a cringe and nodded stiffly.
"You don't like her…huh?"
"…Not exactly."
"How come? She was super nice to me…" the messy haired boy informed the other honestly.
"Well…it's kind of complicated. We just…we had an argument a long time ago and…stopped being friends when we were in school and…I guess I just really didn't think I'd be seeing her again."
"Oh…"
"But still, I shouldn't have shouted like I did, and for that I'm sorry, Prongslet," Sirius sighed, placing a kiss atop Harry's mess of hair gently.
"It's okay, Padfoot…I forgive you. She was really sorry, though…but I guess it's kinda hard. I know it'd be hard if Dudley told me sorry…but he'd never do that…" the boy said contemplatively.
"Dinners ready!" Remus called from the kitchen.
Harry was up in an instant, grabbing his pensive Godfather's hand with a bright smile. "Come on, Padfoot! Macaroni and Cheese!!"
-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-
A/N: And that'll be it for Chapter 34. :-) I believe I shall post only one more chapter of Harry as a six year old, and then do another time skip to age him a few years or so. I'm still debating it, but I'd love to hear what you all think on the matter as well. –Nods.- To clear up any confusion, this story will end on Harry's eleventh birthday, at which point I am planning on writing the sequel, which will include his Hogwarts years. After that I might do a third story about life after Hogwarts and Voldemort, but I have yet to completely decide on that one, as well. xDD Guess it all depends…
ANYWAY, enough about that, right? :-P Were not even there yet. xDD
Onto this chapter's 'Curiosity Filler'!
"Who all liked the fact, in the books, that Lily Evans and Severus Snape had been long-time childhood friends, and why did – or not - you like it? "
Thanks for sticking with me, guys, and I hope you all liked this chapter. :-)
'The Beginnings' has been updated simultaneously with this one... Awesome, no? –Grins.-
Until next time!
-Chloe
-Japanime1