Harry Potter chapter 8

Utter Silence.

Total and complete gob-smacked silence for people that generally were quite volulable.

That's what greeted Harry upon his arrival at Grimmauld Place.

Sirius and Remus were still gently bouncing around, but it was a quiet bouncing as their jaws dropped upon seeing some-one they had last seen as a baby boy.

Dumbledore sat quietly enjoying the moment.

The Weasleys were dumb-founded.

Hermione was jumping inside, thoughts clattered through her mind like train carriages, one after the other.

Two girls of the redheaded variety were excited by the idea of a new older brother. Especially one as cool-looking as this.

And two certain parents were extremely happy. He was here. He was HOME!.

Harry took in the silence that enveloped the room. "Not been this quiet since my name was announced for the Tri-wizard cup!" he thought.

Harry decided to take matters into his own hands, Quirking an eyebrow he drawled "So Padfoot, Moony, still hanging around I see, though you certainly seem more colourful these days!"

Two Marauders eyes narrowed......Challenge accepted!

But before Sirius or Remus could open their mouths, Hermione bounded out of her chair, questions spilling from her tongue like a waterfall! "Are you really from another reality? What's it like?, we're friends? How did that happen? What's the differences between our worlds?, has there been any research?, this device is it nearby? Has it been examined?, what energy does it use? Is it a charm or a spell?, are there any books on it?..."

Harry held up his hand to stop the flow, smiling at Hermione and her excitement. It might not be HIS Hermione, but he could see the same girl in her. Her hair was different and she dressed more conservatively here, but her excitement could still light a room.

Harry stepped forward and hugged Hermione, who froze at this easy familiarity, unsure what to do or how to respond.

Harry realized his mistake as he felt the stiffness of her body at his actions. He gave her another quick squeeze and stepped back. "Hermione, we will talk more in depth later and I'll answer as many questions as I can, but to give you a few answers to start with... 'Yes!' 'different' 'Yes' 'long story, involves a troll and a bathroom' 'loads, but the most obvious is my parents are alive' 'No idea' 'no idea' 'No' 'Not a clue, ask the professor' 'see last answer' 'ditto'."

Harry smiled at Hermione, who blushed at the rapid answers and a boy that obviously liked her.

"Harry come on over and sit here" Said his mother.

Hedwig flew off from Harry's arm and alighted to the top of the pantry. Harry moved over to the table, although as he got near Sirius and Remus he could not resist giving them a push and seeing them bounce of the far wall.

That broke the ice, and everyone laughed as Harry sat down.

Hermione sat back in her seat too. A little bit of wonder in her eyes...

James spoke "I think you know everyone here, but I'd like to introduce you to your sisters....Rose...and Violet!" He indicated them as he said their names.

They both looked at they're new brother speculatively, trying to gauge this unexpected, new addition into their lives

Harry stared right back, he had always wanted a family. A proper family, not his Uncle and aunt, but those he could share a life with.

Here was two fine redheaded, intelligent young girls that obviously took their looks from the maternal side of the family. Their eyes sparkled with mischief and fun, and they were obviously close to each other.

A pair of sisters that liked one another. Told each other secrets and held them tight. Covered each others backs and on the look out for adventure. Sisters like Harry had always dreamed of in his small cupboard.

Harry liked the look of them straight off and the girls liked Harry. A handsome older brother, that travelled dimensions.....OH YEAH.... He was gonna be FUN!

Harry stretched his hand across and for the very first time made physical contact with siblings.

Ron spoke next "So we are......friends......in another Universe....?"

Harry looked at this Ron and decided the direct route was probably best, He looked a little like the bad Ron of the Tri-wizard Tournament, Harry wondered how much of his Ron was there "Yep" he answered simply

The Twins chorused "COOL!!!" Harry grinned at their antics – They were the same no matter the universe.

Ron just looked dumb-founded – like he had been beaten at chess by a first-year......

"Well' It's a pleasure to meet you." said Mr Weasley.

"I assure you the pleasure is all mine. Whilst I might be a Stranfger you are all friends in my own universe. And I cannot imagine any better people to help me get my feet here."

"We will do all we can to help" said Mrs Weasley in her no-nonsense voice, that brooked no argument.

Harry grinned, contented at that. But then sobered and straightened up.

"Actually, I think I better explain myself more clearly. Better to get straight to the point."

"Dad, can you let down Siri & Remus?" "Sure" said James and muttered 'finite incantum' and the two tumbled to the ground. Returned to normal. They picked themselves up and sat down at the table. They gave a quick glare at James and smiled at Harry.

It looked creepy.

With everyone settled Harry spoke again.

"In my world, I killed Voldemort." The Weasleys and Hermoine gasped as Harry spoke the Name of a Dark Lord that was still feared.

"I didn't do it alone, I had two good friends to help me. Ron and Hermoine here" Both straightened in their chairs at that.

"But it was not a victory that came easily or cheaply and far too many people died at the Battle of Hogwarts. I lost good friends that day and prior to that. Half of you round this table as a matter of fact."

Nobody said a word, absorbing this information quietly, though glances were taken around the table. Wondering.

"Voldemort still exists in this world. In fact there are two Voldemort's"

Harry raised a hand to forestall the shocked questions arising on peoples lips.

"I know, you can't believe that. I only learned it myself this afternoon."

"But how can there be two? Did yours come through with you?" asked Mr Weasley.

Harry replied "No. I killed mine. But here......But here Ginny was used to give life to a part of Voldemorts Soul. A part that he had bound in a Diary. Ginny died so he could LIVE." Harry's voice became more and more angry as he spoke, till he shouted that last word.

Harry closed his eyes and tried to calm himself down.

After a few moments he spoke "Sorry, but in my world.....In my world I saved Ginny. In my world ginny is to be my wife...." Tears ran silently down his face

The Weasleys were in total shock.

Mrs Weasley was the first to speak, "My little baby's alive in your Universe????" she asked in a quiet voice, tears starting on her face......Her voice, all the louder in the silence around the table.

"Yes. Shes a fabulous, strong-willed woman. And I love her. Completely."

Harry spoke gently, as he looked on, at Mrs Weasley being comforted by her Husband. "I'm not saying this to hurt you. I don't want to drag up bad memories for you. It's important that you understand whats happened......So you can prepare for the Future."

"What do u mean?" asked Remus.

"As I said this afternoon, to the Professor and my Mum & dad here. The fact that voldemort has been so quiet is dangerous. Very Very dangerous. The fact that there are 2 of them now, just means he is planning something big. Huge. Massive."

"It seems to be my destiny to face him. But I can't do it alone. I'm going to need help."

"Specifically.......all of yours"

There was complete silence around the room.

Then Ron broke it. Cold hard steel in his voice, "What do you need mate? I'm in. I want vengeance for Ginny." Harry looked into Ron's eyes and saw his friend. Now he knew it would come out alright in the end. Ron had his back.

The twins growled their approval and patted Ron on the back. Nods were issued throughout the Table.

Harry smiled......"Voldemorts never going to know what hit him....."

Dumbledore spoke "Well first of all everyone, we all need to take an Wizards Oath about what we have learned here tonight. Then we have the party we were supposed to have. Its been a really strange day for all of us I suspect, I think we need to unwind and get to know one another."

"And anyway, I don't want that butterbeer to go to waste." Harry grinned. Matching grins came from the others.

"Tomorrow, we can begin planning properly. But tonight, Lets meet each other. Again." said Harry.

"I think this will be a really strange night." Said Remus.

"Yeah, but it's gonna be a lot of fun too!!!"

James was sitting at the kitchen table, where a few hours before there had been a small party to celebrate the return of his Son.

It was nearly 4am and James could not sleep.

His grown son was asleep under this very same roof this very same night.

James could not stop thinking about that......

…......Neither could Lily.

She walked in the kitchen and saw James sitting in the dark, lit only by the moonlight and her lumos-lit wand.

She turned on the kitchen light and walked over and sat down next to her ex-husband. Both were simply dressed in their nightclothes and dressing gowns.

James spoke first "Couldn't sleep either?" he asked softly

He got a simple "hmmmm" in response.

They sat in silence for a few moments then Lily spoke "I had to get up and check....." her voice trailed off and James took her hand and squeezed it a little.

"Yeah" was all he said.

More silence.....after a while Lily got up and began to make some tea.

She didn't need to ask how James liked it.

Whilst waiting on the kettle to boil she turned and looked at James "Some day, huh" James just snorted at that, a wry smile playing on his lips, his head nodding sagely.

"He looks better than I imagined.....more handsome.....but definitely less cocky, far more mature in his outlook..." Lily said wistfully.

"He's all I imagined …...and more.....definately....more" James stared at the direction Harry was sleeping in as he said that.

Lily poured and brought over the tea and sat back down. She took James hand back into her's.

They sat there quietly drinking their tea.

James spoke next "He's still my baby boy though. I know he's an adult now Lils. I've seen what hes done, I've seen it all but he's still my baby...."

His voice stopped choked off with emotion.

Lily nodded in total agreement.

"It's going to be hard isin't it; I see Harry.....and I see the Harry ours would have been. So strong, So caring, So good......I can't believe some of things Harry's done.....I just wish we had been there for him."

"Yeah" replied James

They were silent for a moment then James spoke again "Cept I can believe, He made the Quidditch team in FIRST year" His eyes looking sideways at Lily mischeivously...

He got the reaction he was looking for when she laughed. He joined in wholeheartedly.

"Boys and their quidditch!"

They both chuckled.

Slowly they subsided though and their thoughts turned melancholy again.

James spoke after a while "I'm sorry Lils"

"For what?" She asked simply.

"I blamed myself for Harry, I turned into myself and away from you. I didn't want to see your eyes....His eyes...I wanted to run away, just run and never stop.....run so far that you would never have to see me and my failure....My failure to protect you and Harry.....I'm sorry for all the hurt and pain...for abandoning you, when you needed me the most.....I'm sorry for all of that and more.....I shouldn't have let you go..."

Lily just held James hand tighter.

"I'm sorry too" They looked at each other straight in the eyes. "It's not all your fault, I felt hurt and angry and I cut myself off too. Those first years after Harry died....we just stopped.....stopped bonding, stopped loving cos loving was too hard.....we went through the motions of a marriage. We died for Harry in that other universe.......Here we died inside because Harry died......"

"Things got tough and we forgot about us. We got wrapped up in grieving for Harry and I don't think we ever stopped......" said James.

"I do love you Lils, I've never stopped loving you. I just....." he broke off looking at Lily helplessly.

She smiled " I know. I've always loved you. Even when you were being a berk in school. I loved you."

James laughed....and pain in his eyes from the last 17 years melted away some. Oh it was still there, but this day was healing in more ways than one....

They just sat there for a while, looking at each other and holding hands. Small smiles playing on their lips. Neither wanting the moment to end.

Then Lily spoke again "look at the time it's nearly 5am, we don't go and get some sleep we will be zombies all day tomorrow. The kids will run riot"

James stood up and pulled Lily up by the hand he was holding. She rose and their faces came together...Nearly....

James looked closely into Lilys eyes the leaned down ever so slightly and brushed her lips with his own...

The kiss lasted a few seconds and then Lily broke away and headed for the door.

When she reached there, she looked back over her shoulder at a quizzical looking James. "Surely James, you of all people should know, I'm not that easy to get........." the flower girl said cocquetishly.

"Woo me!" and with that she disappeared through the door.

"Woo You????" repeated James dumb-foundedly.

Lily popped her head back round and said "Yes....Woo me!" winked and was gone...

James just stood there in amazement for a moment, then a huge grin broke out on his face..

"Ohhhhh Girlfriend......" James felt his heart break free of the chains he had placed upon it all these years. "You have no idea what's about to happen......."