In Letters.....

It was Harry’s 16 birthday and he was on edge. He had told Draco about the seer type visions he had been having and one in particular that wasn’t a vision at all. He had spoken directly to The Powers That Be and they had decided to give him a gift that he couldn’t refuse, even though he had. The Powers were sending his parents and godfather back today, the only problem with that was they didn’t know where or when. And at half 8 in the morning, no one was meant to be this stressed out.

It had been almost two months since their bonding and they had settled into the house almost too easily. Nothing had changed it was just final now. They were finding out things about each other that either amused them or infuriated them, but they worked through it and fell deeper in love each day. It had been far too easy though, settling into being a family, considering that neither of them had ever really had one.

Then there was little Rosilynn who just kept growing. Her eyes so far had stayed gray and as her hair started growing out, the more it curled. She was now starting to sleep through the night, only waking up once every so often. The first night had been a little un nerving and they had both gone to check on her at half 6 only to find her safe and sleeping. When they had gotten back to their room they had laughed at each others panic. Since, they were so over it.

The Core had written up a set of rules that were posted on the Malfoy-Potter front door for all to see. Harry thought it was hysterical until he read a few. Never enter unless invited and always knock. No calls before 9am, of any kind. The house must be cleared no later then 5:30 pm, unless invited to stay longer. Remove shoes upon entering. They were fairly simple house rules and they were followed to a tee. Even the little one’s followed them. It was a silly blessing, but a blessing none the less.

Now Harry sat picking at his breakfast as Draco fed Rosilynn. He wanted to crawl back in bed and stay there until the war was over. Maybe Dumbledore could off the bastard if he tried hard enough. But no that wouldn’t work either. He was the only one with the power to do this. Now scowling, Harry stabbed his eggs.

Then the door bell rang.

“ There are rules posted on the door. I shouldn’t answer. “ Harry said

“ Answer the door Love. “

Still scowling, Harry pushed back from the table and started muttering as he went to answer the door. He just starred at it when he got there. He didn’t want to open this door. He did not want to see the people behind it and he did not want to deal with this ever again. But they knocked again and Harry had no choice but to open the door. There they were.

“ I talked to Rufus and Severus just yesterday and I wasn’t told you had moved. Your aunt pointed us in the right direction. “ Albus said

Harry looked up and Petunia waved from her stoop before going into the house.

“ She said something about no calls before 9 am and wasn’t sure if you’d answer the door. “

“ For this she should’ve called. For this she should’ve broken the rules. Shoes off, we’re in the kitchen. “

“ We ? “ Albus asked

But Harry didn’t reply and waited for his unwanted guests to remove their shoes. There they were the three people that had been stolen from him. They were standing in his foyer taking off their shoes, looking at him funny. This wasn’t happening.

Harry then led them into the kitchen and had them sit down.

“ Tell me I’ve finally lost it and that I’m seeing things. Tell me that it’s all a dream and I’ll wake up. Tell – “

“ If your nuts I am. “ Draco said softly

Harry muttered something to himself and starred down at the tabletop. Why did his life have to be this way ?

“ Some gift eh ? “ He muttered darkly

“ Well if you say so. “

“ Happy Birthday from the Powers, allow us to fuck with your head. “

“ Only if you let it fuck with your head. Sort it out and keep going, that’s just what we do. So, Headmaster, what is it that we know ? “

Draco, still holding Rosilynn on his lap, turned to face the old wizard and pinned him with and intense gaze. The headmaster actually started to squirm as he starred back at Draco. It looked as if he was very uneasy about something and wasn’t ready to share.

“ This is why I am not talking to you. This is why you haven’t been told anything and this is why you are not allowed in my castle until the end of August. Because simple questions become complicated with you and you twist the answer. Just tell me Albus, what is it that we do know ? “

Harry had growled his statement and had everyone but Draco starring at him in a state of disbelief.

“ Their the real thing, questioned them myself. I just don’t know why they are here. They don’t know either. “

Harry nodded and looked over are Draco. The boys wore matching smirks and had equally calculating looks in their eyes. Oh, Albus had been kept so far out of the loop that he was actually starting to wonder what a pair of teens were capable of.

“ You Albus are in for a rude awakening. Where did I put my phone ? “

Harry started the pat down and stopped when Draco snorted. Looking up, Harry shook his head and gave up.

“ Where did I leave it ? “

“ On the nightstand. You don’t forget the big things, just the little ones. “

Harry pulled a face and quickly went to collect his phone. Draco was still laughing slightly and he looked down at the child in his arms.

“ Rosilynn, what are we going to do with him ? “

The baby just laughed and continued to hold onto his fingers. They loved her so very much and he doubted that anyone other then a parent would ever understand. She was at the very center of their world and if she was happy, they were happy. It was just the way that it was. Kissing the baby’s head lightly, Draco looked up still smiling.

“ It would appear, Mr.Malfoy , that an explanation is in order. “ Albus said gently

“ Nope, you first. Honestly this is not mine to tell. This is Harrison’s story, you’ll have to ask him. “

“ And you just sit and look pretty ? “ Sirius asked

“ No, there are quite a few things that I am capable of. Looking pretty is not one of them. I don’t take care of Rosilynn by myself either so hang that one up. You’ll just have to watch this, I’ve been told it’s rather funny. Ros, look who’s here. “

Severus walked through the kitchen door and stopped short, making Isis bump into his back. The girl stuck her head around him and grinned.

“ Get over it and sit down you moron. Ros, come see me. “

The baby reached and was scooped up into Isis arms. The woman smiled and sat on Severus’ knee. James and Sirius gaped as the man took the baby from her and kissed her chubby cheek.

“ It’s nearly naptime Rosi, go on. “

To everyone’s amazement the baby set her head on his shoulder and fisted her hand in his tee shirt. He loved this little girl and would give her the world if he could. She was his first grandchild and that alone had him turning to mush.

“ Who in the hell are you and what have you done with Snape ? “ James asked

“ Same person, different situation. Angel, go get dressed. You my dear god son are going to have a house full. “ Severus passed an glanced at the door “ So far everything is going off without a hitch. “

Draco nodded and grinned. It was going to be one hell of a party and the fact that it was all being done without Harry knowing about it was amazing. Standing up with a sigh, Draco went to get dressed. Severus would deal with the questions, he wouldn’t answer them either.

Harry was laying in bed when he got there and the fact didn’t surprise him at all. This was far too much for the both of them and sleeping was the easiest way to shut it all out. But Harry couldn’t shut it out. He couldn’t ignore it and hope it would all just go away. No, this needed to be delt with.

Climbing up onto the bed next to Harry, Draco snuggled into his side and waited for the boy to talk. He always talked all Draco had to do was wait for it. That was just the way that it worked and the fact that it worked would blow peoples minds.
“ What in the hell do I do now ? “

“ I don’t know. Talk to them. Get to know them. You have been granted a second chance at knowing them. A chance that anyone would kill or die for. That was not the right wording, but a number of people would. Just, go slow and don’t hide who you are. You will have fun with Dumbledore right ? “

Harry looked down at him and smirked.

“ That what I thought. Come on, up. I expect the Core soon, it is your birthday. “

Harry laughed and followed his husband into the bathroom. One step at a time. Slow. Who knew perhaps they were a gift after all.

*****
Severus lay Rosilynn in her basinet and turned back to the people gathered around the table. This was a total nightmare, these people were dead, long dead and here they sat at his son’s kitchen table sipping coffee and chatting with Albus. This was not happening.

“ Isis, this is not happening. “ He said softly

The entire table turned to stare at him. No, he wasn’t going to handle this well either. He had a son in Harry and here were his parents to take him away. Then there was Draco who would go along with him and the baby as well. James at one time took away his sister, he wasn’t going to lose his family to the man too.

“ You are over reacting. Will you wait and see what happens before you jump into the worst ? Ace loves you, Angel loves you and Rosi loves you. Someday soon you will realize that and except it. So, just sit down and wait for them to come back down. Really Severus, you’d think you know all this by now. “ Isis said gently

The man sat back down and starred into his cup. No, this was going to be far too hard. He was going to have to pull away, step into the shadows and play from the sidelines again. He was going to lose and the thought was making him sick. He had given so much of himself for the war already; he had given nearly 20 years of his life for the light already. Now he had to give up his family too ? The one thing he had to fight for ? The one boy who changed everything was going to be taken from him and it was too much to bare.

“ You never wanted to see it, or just chose not to. But I do have a heart and right now I feel as if someone is dancing on it. This is what I fight for, this is my family. Please don’t take it away from me. Don’t, I don’t think I could survive that. “

“ Why would we take that away Severus ? “ James asked

Severus looked up and directly into James’ eyes.

“ That is my son in everyway that you could imagine but blood. I love him, am proud of him and am terrified for him. Now you’re back and just like when you married Lilly and took away my best friend, I lose. I didn’t keep my promises. They’re impossible to keep. But I gained a reason, a reason that has gotten me through more meetings than anyone would know. “

When he felt a pair of arms wrap around his shoulders he felt like and idiot. Harry had heard his speech and was now reassuring him that he wasn’t going to be pushed aside. This boy was amazing, no matter which way it was looked at, he was amazing.

Tugging the boy around, Severus pulled him onto his lap and held him tight. He really was far too old for this but Severus didn’t care and Harry didn’t either. It was comfort, plain and simple, something that they both needed right now.

“ Papa is an idiot. “ Harry sing songed

Severus shook his head and smiled into Harry’s shoulder. The boy had changed his title so that he knew he was still his second father. The man who loved him for who he was and not what he was. The man who stepped up to the plate and took on the DAD role as if it was no big deal. The man who still saw him as an 11 year old at times and tended to fuss more then necessary.

“ You have to deal with this. “ Severus sing songed

Harry just grunted and held on a bit tighter.

“ Really. It’s not going to go away. Exactly what did the Powers say. “

Harry let out a rather pitiful whine and sat up, sitting on the chair between Severus’ knees. He looked pained as if it was actually hurting him and in actuality it really was. As he looked around the table, it got harder to hold his emotions in check. He was so very torn between elation, anger and fear that he couldn’t tell up from down, left from right, or any direction in between. It wasn’t fair.

“ They said that due to my accomplishments and my deeds I was to be granted a gift. A gift that would help me realize who I am and help me on the path of what I am meant to do. I knew you were coming. In fact I’ve known for a bout a week and I am still trying to deal with this. I’m not sure exactly what your here for. “

“ Neither do we. So, perhaps we can do it this way. “ James started “ Just get to know us. Let us get to know you. Maybe having us here will help you somehow that we don’t know yet. It will take time, true. But we have time. I don’t want to take anything away from you, wouldn’t dream of it. I just want to know you. “

“ That actually sounds pretty good. Oh, look Angel it’s the peanut gallery. “

Draco turned to the window and winced.

“ It’s still far too early for this. “

Harry just laughed as Draco went to answer the door. The Core had arrived and his base just got a whole lot more steady. As they all piled into the sitting room it wasn’t nearly as loud as normal, not one of them was shouting and that was not normal. But they all sat down and waited to be informed of what was going on.

“ They’re back. “ Harry sing songed

“ Have you yelled at him yet or shall I ? “ Ron snapped

“ No not yet. You can have your turn, then Draco, then Jake, then Dudley. I’ve never seen any of you so pissed off. But we shouldn’t’ve been there either. At that point in the year I couldn’t tell the forced visions from the real ones and I sent up the alarm. Then we went. We broke into the Department Of Mysteries and faced off with 10 DE’s to our 6 under trained students. We did alright. Ow, papa you pinched me. Why did you pinch me ? “

“ Alright ? “ Severus said sarcastically

“ Yeah, they did alright. Sirius was the ass hole who decided to play games with Bellatrix and get himself killed. All I learned that night is that I don’t have it in me to cast the Crutiauts Curse. You are a fucking idiot, what in the name of everything holy where you thinking ? Were you thinking at all ? “

The man just starred at him. This wasn’t the Harry he was use to dealing with, no. This wasn’t the meek and shy boy that he had left behind. This was a whole nother person entirely and he had no idea how to deal with him. So he settled on starring and looking confused.

“ No answer, thought so. Let me make one thing clear shall I ? This is war, there are no games in war and DE’s are not to be played with. To that man, “ Harry said pointing to Dumbledore “ We are all nothing more than pons in a game of chess. In a game of chess where he doesn’t even know the rules. This is my war and I make the rules. Things have already started changing and for the better. I have secretes that no one but the people in this room know. When I said you were beneath me Albus, I meant it. I am Sion, I can’t be stopped. “

The old goat starred open mouthed as Isis came and sat next to him with a lap top, Hermione doing the same with the rents. Harry smirked as they watched in total and utter disbelief as Sion was born.

“ You severed the link ? “ The goat squeaked

“ Oh yes, had to be done. “

Albus just continued to sit there and stare at the screen. Isis was explaining what Harry had done with his grief and what they were doing with it. Harry just leaned back against Severus and smirked as the shock only deepened. Yes, he had done some very stupid things. He had rigged Voldemort’s base and was using the man’s meetings against him. He had pulled all of his spies and saved more lives on top of the one’s he already had. He had a bigger network then Albus could ever hope for and he didn’t send people off to die.

“ I am the greater good Albus. I am not you. I see things for what the really are and do what I must. I have stolen the Order from you. I have expanded on it and have flushed out Big Nasty’s spies. I have done in the space of a year what you have never been able to accomplish. Doubt me now, I dare you to. “

Albus just starred open mouthed at Harry as the girls moved away. Harry had actually done what he said he was going to. He had taken total control of the war that had a good chance of killing him. He had done more in keeping people safe then he, Albus, had ever been able to. He had made another mistake, another miss step and he feared the man sitting across from him would never forgive him.

Sighing, Albus pulled a folded stack of parchment out of his robes and smoothed them out before him. There was a slight smile on his face that was just a little out of place, but this was a happy moment.

“ You are rather good at sneaking around, especially within the castle it self. I received a package just yesterday that nearly gave me a heart attack. It’s your exam grades. Not just your OWLs, but your NEWTs. I went on further to discover mastery results in Potions, DADA, Transfiguration and Charms. They are dated and you took your OWLs in October, your NEWTs in December and your masteries in January. That wasn’t even the part that shocked me. It was your scores that shocked me. Perfect across the board. You hold the record for the highest OWL and NEWT scores ever recorded. You hold Mastery in Potions, Charms, DADA, and Transfiguration. I don’t know if I should be proud or disappointed. No, let me finish. I didn’t mean it that way. Proud that you took it upon yourself to succeed and you did. Disappointed that you didn’t come to me because you knew I was not being honest with you. Disappointed in myself Harry, not you. Never in you. And I find myself needing to ask you a favor. “

“ That would depended on what that favor is Albus. “

The man smiled and looked back down at the table top. The things that he had seen and done in this life time and he couldn’t even ask a question.

“ I reviewed the DA’s OWL and NEWT results and came to a conclusion. I found that aside from the year Remus taught, exam scores have never been so high. I was wondering if you would teach this year. “

“ Ace, ‘mere. “ Ron laughed

Harry got up that quickly crossed the room to sit on Ron’s lap, Draco wasn’t far behind. They all knew that Harry was going to do it, there was no question at all. He had ranted and raved about DADA for years, he wasn’t going to pass up his chance to teach.

“ Alright ! You lot win ! I’ll teach ! NO !”

Harry was then tackled to the ground by the three Weasley brothers and the dog pile began. There was yelling laughing and a great deal of cursing until somehow Harry got out from under it all and quickly crossed the room. He was missing his shirt though.

“ OUT ! “
But the twins went about ticking Ron. They were strange ones.

“ Guys stop before you make him piss himself ! Thanks Kenna. “

Mackenna handed over the shirt and went straight to Lilly. Now the girl wasn’t very shy, but this wasn’t something any of them would expect from her. The girl starred into Lilly’s eyes then looked over at Harry in an unasked question. She wanted to know if he’d share his mum with her and she knew he would. Mayan Holmes had died a day after Mackenna was born and the girl was always lacking. She missed her mum and no one could ever replace her. But this was her brother’s mum and sharing was ok.

Turning back to Lilly, Mackenna smiled.

“ I’m Kenna, Harry’s like my brother. I don’t know why, but I miss my mum a lot today. May I sit on your lap and maybe share ? “

“ I wouldn’t mind that at all. “

Lilly lifted the girl onto her lap and wrapped her arms around her. Harry noticed that Mackenna did not look ok. He gave her a look asking if she was ok and she just shook her head. Harry understood and looked down at the floor. He just wanted his mother too and he had yet to say so. He had spent so many years of his life hoping and wishing for his mother and he had yet to let her know that he needed her. So he looked up and emerald caught emerald and the world melted away.

“ You are the one I longed for. I love you Mum. “

Lilly franticly motioned him over and nearly pushed James out of his chair.

“ I get the point. Move get out of the way James. “ The man laughed

Harry sat down beside her and was pulled into her arms. He was sure to wrap his arm around Kenna as he wrapped his arm around his mother. He felt safe here, he felt loved here and he knew everything was going to be alright. Pulling back he noticed that his Kenna was crying slightly and looked at her questioningly.

“ It just really sucks sometimes that’s all. I’ve been around a lot of mum’s in the last two months and it just sucks that I don’t have one. All the kids on the street ask about her and I don’t know much. It’s just sucks and hurts and sucks some more. “

“ Well I can’t take her place but I don’t mind stepping in when you need me. That’s what you meant by sharing right ? “ Lilly said gently.

“ Yeah. Ace is cool, I can do the mum stuff with him too. It’s funny and it only get’s funnier cause he’s pretty good at it. “

Lilly laughed as her son turned beat red and glared at the girl. It was rather funny to watch as Mackenna wrapped her arms around Harry’s neck and hugged him tight. They had a bond that no one was sure about, that no one could explain. They were like really close siblings that relied on each other more then was healthy. But with each other they had thrived and no one wanted to step in and stop it. Lilly just sat in the middle of it and watched.

“ I love you Kenna. But please baby, no mum stuff. “

“ Yeah, but it was funny. Braid my hair and put my house colors in it ? “

“ Ask your dad first. “

Mackenna whined and held on a bit tighter. It wasn’t until he had been brought into the Holmes’ that he realized how great hugs were and with 4 girls, hugs were handed out often. He liked it when he was just held; it was something that his life had been missing for so long that he now craved it.

Pulling back from Mackenna, he looked at her, crossing his eyes.

“ Ask your DAD first. “

“ Ask dad what ? “ Jake asked

“ She wants her house colors in her hair. Like Angel’s, only green and sliver. I told her to ask you first. “

Harry pulled Mackenna onto his lap and they both starred at Jake waiting for an answer. This is how it went until Mackenna was begging.

“ Alright but you have to go to your grandmother’s in a few days and they have to be taken out. “

“ Yuck, all I hear when I’m there is how much of an ass hole you are. Don’t make me go there. I don’t even like Nana Clark. “

“ Watch your mouth. And I know. It’s only for two days. “

Mackenna frowned as Harry braided her hair. He didn’t like the woman either.

“ Think about it this way. Two days with her and you don’t have to see her until Christmas. “ Harry said softly

“ Yeah, but we stick to the set up. I’ll call you in the closet just after dinner. I hate that woman, she blames me and my father for my mother’s passing. I get very sick of being called the girl or the baby. I don’t want to go. I don’t want to go, Daddy, don’t make me go. “

“ I don’t have a choice Kenna. You have to go. “

Mackenna sighed and pouted at her sisters. They knew how she was treated at their grandmothers. They didn’t like it either and it was just a little toned down when they went with her. So, exchanging a look, Lana and Libby nodded.

“ We’ll go too. It’s only two days. I don’t like the way that he treats you either. So, we’ll all go and give Daddy a few days off. “ Lana said

Harry tied off the braid and Mackenna flopped back into his arms. It’s just sucked.

“ Don’t wanna. “

“ Have to. “

“ Ca – Ca. “

Harry laughed and set Mackenna down. She bee line for her sisters and continued to sulk. It always went this way, and Harry still found it funny. He felt his father lean on the back of his chair and laugh slightly.

“ You two are really close. That was enlightening. I would like to tell you what I see, may I ? “

Harry nodded and closed his eyes as James wrapped his arms around his shoulders. At this point no matter what the man said it wouldn’t matter. This was DAD, his dad, the dad that died protecting him. He just wanted to be held.

Before James could say anything, Harry had stood and pushed the chair out of the way pulling James to him. The first thing that registered was that he was a good 3 inches taller. The man was thin and fit, strong judging by how tight he was held. This was Dad. That’s all that really got in.

“ Your kind and humble. Strong and brave. Compassionate and smart. Look at the people that you have gathered around you. Look at the family that you have built. Your a great person and I have nothing left to teach you. “

“ I have plenty to teach you. Dad, just don’t let go yet. “

And they stood there, oblivious to the rest of the world.

“ I know that your mad at me, but can I get a hug ? “

Harry looked up at Sirius and stuck his tongue out. The man’s eyes went wide, then Harry’s did.

“ Well, Draco, how’s that working out for you ? “ Sirius laughed

“ What do you think ? “Draco said grinning

“ Works just fine then. Oh my god. “

Harry remained beet red and Sirius pulled him into his arms. By this time both were laughing nearly hysterically and nearly falling over. For those who had seen Harry and Sirius together before this wasn’t anything new. The pair would prank and laugh until they made themselves sick. This was no different.

Now laying in a heep on the kitchen floor, Sirius went quiet and Harry was still giggling slightly.

“ Still giggle like a girl. “

“ Still lude. “

And they lay on the floor bickering until Sirius flipped Harry onto his back and started to tickle him relentlessly. They were fine. Everything was going to be ok. Severus had taken the opportunity to seek in several people that were apart of Harry’s birthday surprise. Now he stood smirking at the pair on the floor. All he had to do was wait.

“ Bastard ! Stop it ! “ Harry gasped out

Sirius relented and looked down at his god son. Everything about him was different, but different in a good way. He seemed to have grown up a lot in the time that he had been away and he was proud of the man Harry was becoming. Over that, he was thankful that he got to watch it.

“ I’m sorry that I left you, I broke my promise. “

“ You did. Don’t die on me again Siri, I can’t do that again. “

The man nodded and stood, pulling Harry to his feet. That’s when Harry noticed the extra people in his sitting room. People that he listened to and thought that he would never meet.

“ Papa, I’ve reached my shock quota for the week. Just tell me exactly what you lot did and how. Amy Lee is in my sitting room, and Jonathan Davis and Aaron Lewis. What ? This is not funny. How did I not know about this ? “

“ Tattle Tale Charms, one of your own used against you. See, it’s your sweet 16 and well, papa asked us for a few of your favorite bands. Evanescence he already knew about and had already put a call into his niece, Amy Lee. “ Draco said

“ It took a lot of talking and begging but we got it all worked out. The EA and DA will be joining us at Club Zero tonight at 9 for your birthday party. Only we are short a band. “ Severus smirked

“ Which one ? “

“ Free Falling Redemption. “

“ No. “

Harry then crossed the room and plopped down next to Draco. The blond was still smirking and Harry didn’t like it.

“ No. “

Draco cocked his head to the side as Ron wrapped an arm around his shoulders. Oh they were really ganging up on him this time. The Core gathered around him and pulled out the puppy dog looks.

“ No. “

“ Please Harrison, it’s been so long since you played Zero. “ Isis said

He felt himself cracking and sneered up at Severus. The man knew he had won and pulled out his cell phone.

“ I’ll just call and tell Mickey. Thanks Ace. “

“ I don’t like very many of you right now. “

The Core laughed and introduced themselves to the band people. Yeah, this was going to be the best.










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