It was bad enough being the same age as his father let alone being thought of as older.
It was then that Hedwig flew in through the window and landed on Harry's shoulder, nibbling his ear affectionately.
"She's beautiful" James observed as he stepped forward and stroked the bird who stared at him calculatingly.
"She's the only living thing I could bring back with me" Harry responded sadly.
James stopped stroking the owl and looked at the other boy.
"It must be really hard for you" he observed. "I didn't think about your friends or anyone else you knew and you came here all alone" he continued with a shake of his head. "Why did you come back?" he asked.
"I had no choice" Harry answered. "I imagine you'll know why I came back one day, but not yet" he said firmly. "Are you ready?" he questioned.
James nodded and Harry sent Hedwig on her way, knowing that she would be able to find him.
"Could you teach me how to do a patronus?" James asked as the pair left the pub and apparated back to Hogsmeade.
(BREAK)
Dumbledore, Charlus and Dorea were eagerly awaiting the return of the boy's in the office, with the woman out of the trio pacing backwards and forwards nervously. "Merlin, Dor will you please just sit down, they'll be fine" Charlus sighed exasperatedly.
Dorea paused and gave her husband a worried look.
"They've been gone for ages" She replied.
"It's been fifteen minutes" Charlus pointed out. "They could have barley gotten out of the grounds in that time" he added knowingly.
Dorea suddenly brought her hand too her mouth, her eyes going wide.
"We didn't even check to see how they would get there" she said in realisation.
"I imagine Harry will apparate them" Charlus shrugged.
"He hasn't got a license" Dorea huffed. "You need to put a stop to that or the Auror's will take him in". "I didn't get a license until after the war and I never got caught" her husband returned unworriedly.
"Charlus" Dorea growled.
"Alright, I'll have a word" he grumbled, dragging his hand through his hair. "You have to remember he's not your son" he reminded her firmly.
"For all intents and purposes, he is" Dorea responded.
Charlus sighed.
"You have to tread carefully with him Dor, he never had a Mother growing up, damn it he slept in a cupboard for 10 years of his life" he explained angrily.
"He what?" Dorea asked dangerously.
"I shouldn't have said anything" Charlus replied with a shake of his head. "Just be careful, please" he pleaded. "He's not like James, he might be only sixteen but he's far from being a child, just don't try and mother him too much, I don't think he wants that and it's bloody confusing enough as it is" he finished.
"Then the boy needs to learn how to be a child" Dorea retorted.
"I agree" Charlus returned. "Hopefully spending time with James and Sirius will mellow him, Merlin knows he needs it and not be so damned focused on killing that bastard" he concluded sadly.
"Why does he think it has to be him?" Dorea asked sadly.
"Not here" Charlus warned. "But he has more than enough reasons to want to, I understand that but just not yet" he finished lamely.
The couple were interrupted by the sound of laughter coming from the stairway and Harry and James entered the room mid-conversation. "He didn't really do that?" Harry asked while holding his sides.
"He did" James answered seriously. "McGonagall loved that tin and bang, a few fireworks later and I'm in detention for a month and Sirius gets away with it" he explained with a shake of his head.
Harry just laughed and stopped when he realised that they were back in Dumbledore's office, tapping James on the shoulder to get his attention.
Dorea was looking at the pair of them disapprovingly while both Charlus and Dumbledore were attempting to hide their smirks.
"And just how did the pair of you get to London and back?" she asked with a raised eyebrow.
"We apparated" Harry shrugged.
Dorea frowned and James face palmed. "Rule number one, never admit anything to mum, deny everything because you will get the same punishment either way" he whispered, with a shake of his head.
"Thank you James" Dorea growled. "There will be no more apparating until you get a license, not unless it's an emergency" she added firmly.
Harry shrugged.
"I prefer flying anyway" he responded.
"What broom did you get?" James asked. "Did you bring one with you?"
"They wouldn't let me bring mine, it would have been a dead giveaway but I got a Comet 200" Harry answered.
James nodded his approval.
"Are you two ready to go?" Charlus asked the pair. "Yeah, just follow Harry's lead when we get back" James instructed. "Oh and I'm the oldest" he explained.
Both Charlus and Dorea shook their heads.
"The address is Potter Manor, you've got our blood so the wards will let you pass" Dorea informed Harry.
Harry nodded his understanding and both Charlus and Dorea bade Dumbledore goodbye before exiting through the floo.
"Thank you Professor, for everything" Harry said sincerely to the old man.
Dumbledore gave him a warm smile.
"It all worked out for the best" he responded happily. "Oh, and although you were in Gryffindor before you will have to be sorted, to keep up the pretense of course" he informed Harry.
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