James paced the room back and forth. Harry is alive? That can't be possible. He didn't know what to think. It had taken several moments for what Remus had said to sink in. When it did, all he could feel was anger. How dare his friend insinuate something like that! Now that he had calmed down slightly he couldn't help but notice the similarities between his own reaction and Remus' before he had taken the veritaserum.

Adding to his annoyance was the fact that his old friend refused to answer any more questions until Lily had arrived. After telling him the details of where they were staying, Remus exited the room to talk to someone for a few minutes, leaving him to his pensive silence. He felt guilty that he hadn't explained anything to Ashley yet but he wasn't sure what he could say anyway. 'Hey sweetie, your long lost brother, who we never told you was murdered, is actually alive?' He would need to work on that speech some more before giving it. He wondered where Harry, yes he finally said it, Harry… was now? He hadn't seen that Ginny girl anymore either? He wondered who she was. Was she Harry's friend? Girlfriend? Merlin! The last time he had seen Harry was a baby and now he may already have a girlfriend! He vaguely remembered hearing news of the Weasley family having a girl a couple months before the attack and she had the right hair colour for it, but he still wasn't sure if that was her.

All of a sudden, James heard a door opening and a loud crash from outside the room. Seconds later, continuous screeching shouts were echoing through the house. He glanced at Remus questioningly who only sighed in exasperation rolling his eyes. The sound cut off just as quickly as it started, as a figure entered the doorway. Albus Dumbledore didn't look any different than he had 15 years ago as he swept into the room conjuring a chair beside Remus. He had been so focused on the old wizard that he didn't notice his wife entering behind until she had wrapped her arms around him. He squeezed her tightly in return relishing in the feeling of comfort it provided. Dumbledore watched them eyes twinkling. As she pulled away he couldn't help but notice Lily's pale face, bloodshot eyes and strangely enough the newspaper she had clutched in her hand like a lifeline. He wasn't sure if it was because she already knew what was going on or because she had been worried about Ashley and himself. He had no idea how long he had been here.

"He… he's alive," she suddenly whispered wide eyed, answering his earlier unspoken question. James nodded.

Dumbledore finally cleared his throat. "James… Lily. I guess a welcome back to the world of the living is in order." When when they didn't respond he continued on, "But I assume you have many questions you want answered. I will do my best to answer your immediate concerns but I think it would be best to hear a lot of the story from Harry himself."

"How did he survive? When we woke up we saw the room and the crib… what was left of it but he was gone." James heard Lily starting to cry softly beside him again and he knew that she was thinking the same thing he was. "I… I know we should have checked in first, but I was certain that he couldn't have survived. I thought he had murdered my baby boy. We should have checked." He fought to keep his voice from trembling at this admission.

"Murdered? You never told me her was murdered?" Ashley finally interrupted shrilly. James glanced back at Lily trying to figure out what to say. They had never told her anything about Voldemort.

Before they could say anything, Dumbledore fixed his twinkling eyes on her. "Ah, you must be the young Miss Ashley Potter. I saw your name appear in the Hogwarts enrollment book this morning and I then heard the news from Mr. Lupin shortly after. I'm assuming based off your question, your parents have not told you anything about Lord Voldemort." He continued on after she gave a nod, "Let's just say he is a very dark wizard. I'll allow your parents to go into more detail later, as I am sure they will soon." He said the last part with a pointed look at the two adults. "And to answer your question James, after today, I would have to say I am not really sure how he survived. What we do know is that when Voldemort tried kill Harry, the curse rebounded hitting him, only leaving Harry with a scar on his forehead. I had always assumed that it was Lily's sacrifice that invoked an ancient blood magic protecting him but you two obviously didn't die so I don't know anymore. It's possible that it did occur as, Lily, I am sure when you sacrificed yourself, you expecting to die? That may have been enough. It's all guess work at this point."

"So he's gone now? The prophecy was true then? He's dead?" James asked.

"He's back," Lily rasped, her voice slightly hoarse from crying. "The paper said he's back"

"Well, he was never truly gone. After that night, he lost his body and his powers but was still alive. Just over a year ago, he regained his body and has been recruiting more Death Eaters ever since. The war is beginning all over again. Harry can eventually tell you more details about what is going on." James nodded in acquiescence to Dumbledore's words yet he noticed Lily started to turn red with anger.

"And how might our son be able to tell us more about Voldemort's return then the leader of the Order of the Phoenix? And what is this I hear about him being involved in some kind of battle at the Ministry!?" James noted that Dumbledore paled slightly at Lily's words. "What exactly have you been letting him get up to? Where is he anyway?"

"I think I saw that he returned to his room after his brief encounter with Prongs. He should be fine. Ginny followed him up and is probably calming him down," Remus spoke up from the corner.

Lily rounded on James, "You saw him?"

"Only for a second when he stood in the doorway dear," James said trying to calm her down.

She eyed him warily for a moment, "Well when can we see him?"

"Why don't go out and wait in the kitchen… if anyone can get Harry to come down, it will be Miss Weasley." Dumbledore motioned for them to exit the room. James steered his wife and daughter out of the room with him. He couldn't help but feel nervous. What was his son going to be like? Would he like them? Would he hate them for abandoning him for all those years. Only time will tell.

**.**

"Thanks for coming after me," Harry breathed in the sweet flowery aroma that surrounded his girlfriend's hair. It always served to help calm him down.

"Always," Ginny breathed into his ear. He pulled her even tighter against his chest and stayed that way in companionable silence for several moments.

When the shrieks of Mrs Black's portrait began and died away, he finally pulled away and started to speak. "I can't believe they're alive. My whole life I have always wished that they were there. Wished that they would suddenly appear and take me away from my life at the Dursleys. Yet now that I almost of age, they're back." He got up and started pacing. "I heard what he said down there. They never even checked if I am alive! I suffered at the hands of my aunt and uncle just because my parents couldn't have bothered to make sure I was alive before they ran off somewhere!" His voice began getting louder and louder.

"I am not going to pretend to know what they were thinking but I do know that they were under the impression that their son was just murdered. It doesn't make it right but I can understand why they weren't thinking straight."

Harry let out a sigh, "I know." He plopped back down on the bed, laying his head on her lap. "I'm just worried. What if they don't like me? What if we don't have anything in common?"

"Harry, they'll love you. They're your parents! And I'm pretty sure people have been telling you for years that you're just like them! You just need to get to know them." She said while stroking his hair.

"I know I probably sound stupid complaining. People would kill for a second chance like this. I'm just worried. I have a sister! I've grown up without them. They don't need me anymore they've got her. What if she thinks I'm intruding on their family."

She smacked him lightly, "It's your family too! Didn't you tell me that you always wished for a sibling."

"Yea but what's…"

"Have you ever thought that she might have grown up feeling the same way? Maybe even more than you? She's grown up with the knowledge of a lost older brother. You never knew she existed."

Harry laid there mulling over everything she said. He knew she was right but it didn't really dissipate any of his nervousness. He sat up and pulled her into another tight embrace. "What would I ever do without you?"

"Probably walk around all moody and depressed like last year," she laughed at his mock-hurt expression and gave him a quick kiss. "You really pulled off that sexy, dark and mysterious, brooding look well though," she said with a wink causing him to blush scarlet. Harry still couldn't believe how he had been so lucky to deserve her. Ginny understood him on a level that even Ron and Hermione didn't. Both of his friends had always been there for him, through thick and thin, but none of them could pull him out of his dark moods like Ginny. Like he said earlier, he didn't know what he would do without her.

"It's probably time for me to head down and face the music." She gave him a quizzical look at the muggle expression but she was used to it by now. Taking her hand he whispered, "Stay close."

**.**

As they reached the basement and began to enter the Kitchen, Harry heard his father finishing his explanation on his sister's homeschooling.

"I'll speak to Minerva and have her administer placement tests later this month. If everything has been covered as you say it has, then Ashley should have no problem skipping a year and starting directly into fifth year." Dumbledore paused for a moment, "Ah, Harry. Good of you to join us. I knew Miss Weasley would get you down here eventually." Harry paused in the doorway and Ginny began to blush as five pairs of eyes all turned towards them at once.

He broke out into a cold sweat as his eyes roamed over the people in front of him but froze when they came into contact with ones that looked almost identical to his own. His mother. He had seen her countless times in the photo album given to him by Hagrid but this was different. Here she was alive, in front of him. He had equal urges to both run away while sorted out his thoughts and the other to throw himself into her arms. He remained standing where he was. No one said a word. Eventually he felt a gentle tugging as Ginny led him forward.

Harry stood in front of them now. Both sides still eerily quiet, taking the other in. Harry finally opened his mouth to speak when he was interrupted by a loud whooshing sound. The seven people in the kitchen all turned sharply to look at the fireplace as Ron Weasley stumbled out of the emerald flames. As he began to stride across the room, the fireplace roared again, his other best friend stepping out of the fire.

"Where have you been mate? You were supposed to be back at the burrow hours ago and then we got a message saying you were here. You better not have come here to snog my sister all afternoon." Harry didn't even know how to respond. Ron obviously didn't notice all the eyes in the room focused on him. He looked over to Hermione for help only to see her rooted to the spot, mouth open, staring furiously between Harry and his parents. Unsurprisingly, she was catching on faster than anyone else had.

The flames now grew green for a third time leaving behind one Molly Weasley. "I told you two to wait until I was ready, instead of just barging in." She huffed. "There you two are-" She continued looking at Harry and Ginny before going bug eyed when she noticed the other people in the room. "James? Lily?" She said in a half whisper.

Dumbledore silently conjured a chair behind her just in time before before she sat down looking pale and weary. "How is this possible. What is going on?"

Dumbledore went over a brief explanation, with Remus' help, of the day. By the end of the story, Mrs Weasley wore a tired smile while Hermione looked intrigued and Ron wore an expression similar to his mom's initial one.

"I think it would be best if let Harry talk and get to know his family a little bit now." Dumbledore finally said.

"Of course. Of course. It's getting late kids. We should return to the burrow now anyway. I'm very glad your back now dears." Said Mrs Weasley as she walked back towards the fireplace and shooting Harry and his parents a smile.

Ginny turned to follow but Harry's hand shot out grabbing her arm, "Please stay." She looked over at her mom questioningly.

"I don't know… it's getting late and you've been out all day," fretted the Weasley Matriarch but Harry sent her a pleading look causing her to pause. "Oh alright, you can stay here tonight, in your normal room, if that ok with Remus." When he nodded his consent she continued to the whole room, "But I expect you all over for dinner tomorrow at the Burrow. We'll have your Birthday party then instead."

"Thank you Molly," said Lilly softly. It was the first time Harry had heard his mother's voice outside of his encounters with dementors and it was better than he ever imagined.

"Its no problem dear," she replied before vanishing from the fireplace a moment later.

"See you tomorrow mate," his two friends gave him a small smile and wave before disappearing as well.

"I believe I'll take my leave now too. You all have lot's to discuss. Lily, James, always a pleasure. Harry, I have left my pensieve in the drawing room. I thought you would make use of it tonight. I trust remember how to use it?" When Harry nodded he continued,
"Good. I'll pick it up again tomorrow when you are finished with it. Farewell." Then he too disappeared in a swirl of flame. Fawkes trilled softly before he disappeared with their headmaster, leaving him feeling slightly more confident than before.

"Shall we," Harry asked motioning towards the door.

A/N: Another chapter done. I am really enjoying this one. I love reading stories where Harry gets to meet his parents but I always find it hard to find ones done the way I like. Especially with a Harry/Ginny pairing so I am having lots of fun writing it just the way I want. I hope you guys are enjoying. One of my reviewers pointed out a mistake I made with Ashley's age which I fixed in this chapter and will go back and fix in the other two. Please keep on leaving me reviews to let me know how I am doing!