Flashback
The family had just sat down to breakfast a few days before the start of term was due to begin when they were interrupted by the arrival of an owl that immediately flew to Harry and offered the boy it's leg.
Harry took the letter, read it and sighed.
"What is it?" Dorea asked.
"Dumbledore wants me to go with the first years across the lake when we get to Hogwarts" he explained.
"What bloody difference will that make?" Charlus questioned irritably. "He'd get to the castle just fine in the carriages" he pointed out.
"Maybe he just wants Harry to experience everything properly" Dorea cut in.
Charlus shook his head and turned to face Harry. "If Dumbledore takes more of an interest in you beyond being your headmaster I want you to write to us immediately" he instructed firmly.
Harry just nodded his agreement.
He of course wanted Dumbledore as an ally but did not want the man attempting to control him in any way.
"Good" Charlus stated. "Because if he doesn't keep his crooked nose out of our family business so help me I will curse his wrinkled old arse" he vowed angrily.
"Charlus!" Dorea scolded.
"He's an interfering old git" Charlus retorted heatedly.
"Take a walk and calm down Charlus" Dorea instructed sternly.
Charlus sighed and nodded before exiting the kitchen, still grumbling about Dumbledore. "Dad's not a fan of Dumbledore, he thinks he's a wankstain" James explained.
"James" Dorea growled warningly.
"Dad's words, not mine" James shrugged.
Dorea just shook her head.
End Flashback
The group found themselves on platform 9 ¾ fifteen minutes before the train would depart, James hidden under his invisibility cloak so that the trio could prank Remus and Peter, someone Harry that was not looking forward to meeting.
"Have you got everything" Dorea asked sadly.
"Yes mum" Harry replied with a smirk.
Dorea smiled and shook her head. Harry calling her that never failed to make her smile happily. "I do wish you would come out of there James" Dorea sighed, looking to where she believed her son was.
"No" James answered petulantly.
Dorea shook her head again.
"What about you, have you got everything Sirius?" she questioned the boy with a raised eyebrow.
"Maybe" Sirius shrugged.
"I'll send anything I find" She responded. "Do try and behave, all of you" she said warningly. "We will" Harry and Sirius answered in unison with matching mischievous grins.
"Can I have a quick word Harry?" Charlus cut in.
Harry nodded and stepped to the side with the man. "Remember what I said about not holding things against people" he reminded the boy. "I know it's hard but please try, Peter is one of their best friends, maybe you can help him" Charlus implored. "It will makes things very difficult between you all if you're hostile towards him" he explained.
Harry nodded reluctantly.
"Ok" he conceded. "But if he steps out of line then he's fair game" Harry warned.
"Agreed" Charlus responded. "Just try and give the boy a chance, you have the opportunity to maybe help him, he's not as strong as the rest of you maybe having you around will be enough " he shrugged.
"Maybe" Harry agreed, though he definitely had his doubts.
"Good boy" Charlus praised and pulled the boy into a hug. "The house is going to be empty without you boy's there" he mused sadly. "We will be home for Christmas" Harry reminded him.
Charlus smiled.
"It will be your first family Christmas, expect Dorea to go overboard" he warned.
Harry shook his head amusedly.
"Thank you for everything" he said sincerely. "You're family Harry" Charlus returned casually. "And no matter how we look at it you are our son, that's how it feels to both myself and Dorea" he explained. "She insists she is too young to be a grandmother" he added with a whisper.
Harry laughed.
"It's a good thing that I don't see it that way then" he chuckled.
The duo returned to the other group and Dorea shot Charlus a questioning look. "Father son talk" Charlus shrugged.
Dorea nodded and smiled.
"You'd best get on the train then" she instructed sadly.
Harry pulled her into a hug.
"We'll write" he promised. "And you will see us at Christmas" he reminded her.
"I know" she sighed. "I'll miss you all" she added sincerely.
"What, even cleaning up after that slob?" Harry asked, pointing at Sirius.
"Oi" Sirius protested.
"Even that" Dorea agreed with a chuckle. "Come on Sirius, lets get you on the train before you somehow make a mess on the platform" Harry declared, taking the boy by the arm who huffed grumpily. "Bye boys" Dorea called after them.
Harry and Sirius waved as they entered the train to find an empty compartment.
They were around half way down the length of the train when a compartment door slid open and the occupant leaving walked straight into Harry and fell straight on to their backside.
Harry's breath hitched in his chest as he immediately recognised the long red hair of his mother.
He quickly shook himself from his shock and offered the girl his hand.
"Sorry about that" he said sincerely. "I didn't see you there" he added.
"It's ok" Lily replied taking the hand and pulling herself to her feet.
She caught sight of Harry and immediately pulled her hand away disgustedly and scowled at him. "Like you didn't do it on purpose Potter" she growled irritably as she pushed her way past them.
"Excuse me, I don't think we've met" Harry returned confusedly.
Lily huffed.
"You're such an arse you know, just leave me alone" she demanded angrily.
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