Somewhere Safe Chapter 5

Harry felt consciousness returning. It was slow going. Part of him wasn't sure what he was going to find when he opened his eyes.

"What happened?" A warm female voice asked from nearby.

"He was overwhelmed." Dumbledore replied.

"Displaced." Another man spoke nearby. "He's really not from this world."

"We could pass him off as my kid." Sirius, he knew that voice. "It wouldn't be all that shocking for me to suddenly have a son."

"He is our son." The woman spoke, her voice was caring, but firm.

Harry's eyes burst open. Lily and James Potter stood nearby talking in low tones with Dumbledore and Sirius. He studied them. They looked almost exactly like they did in the pictures. Sure, they were a little older, but magic had a way of slowing down the aging process. Seeing his very much alive parents was making him doubt his sanity. For some reason, Sirius being happy and healthy was even more disconcerting.

"He appears to be awake." Dumbledore motioned to him.

"Hello." Lily was the first to reach him.

Her smile sent a dull ache through his chest.

"My name is Lily." She spoke softly, trying not to spook him. "Your name is Harry?"

He nodded. "Harry Potter."

"My grandfather was named Harrison." Lily said looking over to James. "That was the name we were thinking of it we had a boy."

"I don't think anyone has ever called me Harrison." Harry tried to force a smile. "Charles and Gerry? Where did those names come from?"

"Charles is named after James' grandfather." Lily answered. "And Gerry is named for my father."

"Rose and Iris follow the flower trend." Harry added.

"We have so many questions." Lily whispered.

"I do too." Harry nodded.

"Perhaps we could take this somewhere more private?" Dumbledore offered.

Harry took in his surroundings for the first time. They were gathered off to the side of lobby to Gringotts. He noticed that the two boys weren't running around anymore. That sent an unexpected jolt of panic through him.

"Where are the boys?" Harry jumped to his feet.

He didn't see the mixture of pride and worry that flashed across James' face.

"Mips took them back to the house." Lily soothed.

"Mips." He said the name to himself. "House elf?"

Lily nodded. Harry visibly relaxed.

"My office is open." Dumbledore said. "Somewhere familiar to young Harry."

"That works." James stepped up. "Thank you, Albus."

Dumbledore briskly approached the Floo. "Lemon Drop."

He disappeared into a rush of flames. The others followed behind shortly with Harry bringing up the rear. He tumbled out, landing on his side on a thankfully soft carpet.

"That seals it." Sirius chuckled. "He's definitely your son, Prongs."

"Shut it." James glared at his friend.

Harry stood, dusting himself off. Everyone else looked pretty clean, except for James. There was a streak of dust along his right leg. He caught Harry looking. James rolled his eyes and dusted off his legs.

Now that he wasn't about to faint, Harry had some time to look over the group. James and Sirius were wearing high-quality robes that fit them expertly. Lily, on the other hand, was dressed in muggle attire of a skirt and blouse.

"Now." Dumbledore conjured up group of comfy chairs in a circle. "Let's have a chat."

Harry took a seat. Lily sat to his left. That dull ache flared up for another moment.

"What year are you in?" Lily asked.

"Fourth." Harry tried to look at her, but it was hard to maintain. "It was Halloween."

"Gryffindor, right?" Sirius asked.

Harry nodded. "I met Rose last night."

"Oh?" James sat forward. "How?"

"She was in the hospital wing with some friends." Harry replied.

James and Sirius shared a sly look.

"You mentioned the Tri Wizard Tournament." Dumbledore cut in. "Why?"

"The names of the champions were announced on Halloween." Harry found it easier to look at Dumbledore.

"Interesting." Dumbledore mumbled.

"Can you tell us about where you come from?" Lily spoke up before Dumbledore could say more.

"What do you want to know?" Harry asked.

"Everything." Lily placed her hand on his.

Harry flinched. He hated that look of hurt in her eyes.

"It's a long story." Harry sighed.

"We've got time." James said warmly. "Knowing the boys, they've convinced Mips to let them to fly their brooms in the house."

Harry took a deep breath. It was all going to come out eventually. He figured it was better to just get it over with. He leaned back, looking at the ceiling. There was no way he was going to be able to get through everything if he had to see their faces.

He told them everything, starting with Voldermort, the death of Lily and James Potter, Sirius' false imprisonment, Dumbledore placing him with the Dursleys, and the years before he got the Hogwarts letter.

Harry continued on into his first year, the sorting, meeting Hermione and Ron, the troll, breaking the record for the youngest seeker, and the end of the year adventure. He skipped over summer, but made sure to tell them about the flying car and the rescue. The Heir of Slytherin, the basilisk attacks, and finding the Chamber didn't take up near as much time as he thought it would. He mentioned the diary, Ginny, and Tom Riddle as well. Third was still fresh in his mind. It was another part of the story that went a lot faster once he skipped over the boring bits. He finished up telling them about his name coming out of the Goblet which led to him finding the Mirror again.

He looked back at the group to find his vision was blurry. Unshed tears streaked down his cheeks. He wiped them away, trying to figure out when they had started. Once his vision was clear he gathered all the courage he could, then looked at Lily and James.

Their expressions had elements of pain, shock, and anger. There was something else there too, but he didn't know what it was. Lily stood, she too a step closer to him. She froze when Harry tensed. That dull ache flared up when he saw the worry flash in her eyes. He forced himself to relax. If this was a trap, they had plenty of other opportunities to kill him.

Lily took another slow step closer. When she saw he wasn't about to bolt she held out her arms. Something in him broke. All the pain, rage, and loneliness burst from the little places in his soul that he had stuffed them. His vision blurred out as his eyes filled with tears.

Harry launched himself from the chair. He wrapped his arms around Lily and began to sob. She held him. James joined a moment later.

"Don't leave me again. Please." His voice came out ragged and raw.

"We're here, Harry." James whispered. "We're here, son."

"Let me stay." Harry begged. He wasn't sure who he was begging. "I don't want to go back there."

"You're with us now, Harry." Lily kissed him on the cheek.

"Your uncles are here too." Sirius spoke from somewhere nearby. "Moony, me, Wormtail, and Flapper are all here for you."

That cut through the fog. Harry slipped out of the combined hug of his parents.

"Who?" Harry asked. He held up a hand. "Remus Lupin is Moony. Peter Pettigrew is Wormtail, he was the one who betrayed you in my world. But who is Flapper?"

"Severus Snape." Lily answered. "Flapper. He's a bat animagus."

Harry stared at her, waiting for the punchline. He shook his head.

"There were five Marauders here?" Harry asked.

"Six." Lily smiled proudly.

"You're a Marauder too?" He asked.

"Moony, Padfoot, Flapper, Wormtail, Prongs, and Ginger." James answered.

"Ginger?" Harry arced an eyebrow.

"Fox animagus." Lily rolled her eyes. "They thought it was clever. How was it in your world?"

"Moony, Padfoot, Prongs, and Wormtail." Harry had to force out the last name. "Snape hated me, and my dad. You. James Potter."

"It will take some time to adjust." Dumbledore said kindly. "The first day of term is on Monday. I suggest you spend the rest of today and Sunday getting to know each other. Harry can start with the rest of the students on Monday."

"Are you sure?" Harry turned to look at the professor.

"Please avoid the seventh floor until we can investigate." Dumbledore added. "Also, avoid the Mirror of Erised. Come find me, or Professor McGonagall immediately if you do see it."

"Yes, sir." Harry nodded.

"Would you like to see Potter Manor?" James asked softly.

"I'd love to." Harry wiped the tears from his eyes and smiled brightly.