Chapter Text
Harry spent this train ride home, as he had the last one, desperately evading Hermione and, this time, Elise's attempts to pester him about his phenomenal test scores. The exams had actually been less painful this year than the year before. Partly, Harry supposed, because the material was slightly more challenging and partly because he hadn't actually taken exams his original second year.
"What are you guys planning for this summer?" Neville eventually asked. "I heard from one of your brothers, Harry, that you were planning on going to Egypt at some point?"
"That's because Kelly has an obsession with wanting to see the world," Harry told him. "She wants to see everything it has to offer before she dies. Fortunately, I get to tag along. I'm also expecting the Weasleys to go at the same time, and I really want to see Fred and George try and shut Percy in a pyramid."
"Harry, dear!" Merry Prewett gushed after she had greeted her own children. "How nice to see you again!"
"Hi, Aunt Merry," Harry greeted warmly. "Are you taking us home today?"
"You bet!" She smiled brightly at him. Her eyes, burning yellow like Elise's, seemed to be alive with fire. "Bryan and Kelly are busy with a surprise for you when you get home."
"A surprise?"
"Mhm! Bryan wouldn't tell me what it was, though. He seems to think I have a loose tongue."
"You did tell Lorcan about his surprise birthday party when he was six, dear," a redheaded man said as he approached them, the three other Prewett boys behind him, carrying their trunks. In the man's hands was Elise's trunk. He looked a lot like Molly, come to think of it. He had the fiery red hair and hazel eyes, and the glimmer of love and kindness that Harry had come to know from Mrs. Weasley.
He looked toward the kids and smiled. "Ah, you must be Elise's friends," he said. "It's wonderful to meet you all. I'm Ivory Prewett, Elise's father, and this is Merry, my wife."
"Neville Longbottom, sir," Neville said as he shook Ivory's hand.
"So you're Frank and Alice's son! I had the pleasure of working with your parents as Aurors. And you, little miss?"
"Hermione Granger," Hermione squeaked.
"Ah, the witch who's been pushing Elise to do the best she can in school! You've no idea the amount you've inspired her, Miss Granger."
"Dad," Elise groaned, her face red with embarrassment.
"What? I'm glad you have such good friends pushing you to drive to do your best!" He smiled at Harry and Kaydence. "Harry, Kaydence. A pleasure, as always."
"Hi, Uncle Ivory," Kaydence said brightly. "Are you taking me home, too?"
"Unfortunately not, Kaydence. Your mother should be here somewhere..."
"Kaydence!" Came Alexandra's voice. They all turned to see her hurrying over to them, Kaydence's older sister, Deianeira, trying to keep up with her while dragging her trunk behind her. "There you are! I've been looking everywhere for you!" She stopped next to Merry. "Oh, Merry, Ivory! Fancy seeing you lot here!"
"Could say the same to you, Alex," Merry teased. "Doesn't Aoife normally come to pick the kids up?"
"She and Éireann are at a doctor's appointment," Alexandra replied. "She says I'm not allowed to know yet. Whatever that could mean."
"I have no idea," Merry replied, a knowing look on her face. "Do you mind staying a few minutes longer until Neville and Hermione's parents come to get them? We've got to take Harry and find his brothers and sister."
"Oh, certainly." She grinned at the pair, her orange eyes, exact replicas of Kaydence's (or was it the other way around?), gleaming. "So you're the ones Kay's grown so fond of these past two years. Tell me, how's Kay been? Has she been acting out of line, getting into trouble? She doesn't tell me anything, so I'm hoping you could shed some light on her antics."
As Neville and Hermione, to Kaydence's horror, began to tell Alexandra about what Kaydence got up to at Hogwarts, Harry accompanied Elise and her family to find Az and the others. Az was, understandably, hanging with Édith, telling her about his fight with the basilisk for what had to be the fifteenth time. Strangely, she was entranced by his every word. Oli was speaking with his friends, Lucian Bole and Beatrice Haywood. Sera was with Fred, George, and Lee Jordan, plotting something, which Merry was quick to put a stop to. Mor was with her friend Daphne Greengrass and her parents. Greetings were terse between Ivory and the Greengrasses, but then they were off, leaving Harry wondering what that was about.
From there, Merry did the family fire Apparition to get them all home, appearing in front of her house, a large manor not unlike Bryan's. Lorcan was already there, sitting on the front porch with the youngest Prewett girls, Hope and Ariella, playing in the front yard. Seeing them, Lorcan took Az, Oli, Sera, and Mor back to their house, leaving Harry to stay for a little while more while things were prepared.
Elise took this opportunity to show Harry her room, which Harry had definitely seen before, though she didn't remember that. Elise admitted that she never went to anyone about being possessed by the diary because she could never remember what she did. She didn't even really know if it was her or not, but when Harry kept mentioning a diary possessing someone, she started to suspect herself, which was the reason for her nervousness throughout the first part of the year.
Harry assured her that it wasn't her fault and that even a grown man couldn't resist it. He also added that if she felt any side effects, she should tell someone immediately. Afterwards, they played a game of wizards' chess and finished it (Elise destroying Harry like it was nothing) just as Lorcan showed up back at the Prewett's home to collect Harry.
"So, what's the big surprise?" Harry asked as Lorcan walked him home. "Aunt Merry didn't know anything about it, and Uncle Ivory wouldn't say anything."
“You’ll just have to wait and see,” Lorcan said vaguely, though his golden orange eyes were sparkling with excitement.
When they arrived home, the door was unlocked. Lorcan opened it, and as Harry walked in, there was a chorus of “Surprise!”
There was a flash and a bang, and Harry, blinded, was hugged by two or three people. He stumbled around as he was hugged, rubbing his eyes, and when he could see, his jaw dropped. Standing in the center of the foyer were Sirius and Bryan, a Firebolt floating between them.
“This is for all the hard work you’ve been doing these past two years, Harry,” Bryan said as Harry approached, his red eyes glittering with pride. “You’ve amazed everyone with how well you’ve been performing in school. You’ve outperformed even Lorcan and Az! Not only that, but you went out and faced a basilisk without thinking of your own safety, only wanting to save those who were taken into the Chamber of Secrets. And Sirius and I—well, we thought that deserved something special. So, here you are, Harry.” He gestured to the Firebolt. “A brand new broom. Top of the line, fresh and new, just for you. I doubt anyone else has yet to buy one of these. They are quite expensive.”
Harry stared at the Firebolt in amazement, his mouth dry. He hadn’t expected to get one anytime soon—not until later in his third year, anyway. “I… I…”
“You deserve it, Harry,” Sirius said, beaming with pride. “And with this, you can keep winning the Quidditch Cup every year.”
Harry swallowed. “Th-Thank you! I… I hardly know what to say!”
“You don’t have to say anything, son,” Bryan told him. “Just know that we’re all proud of you.”
“Yes, we are!” Kelly appeared next to him and wrapped him in a hug. “Oh, we love you so much, Harry!” She kissed his temple. “Now, come with me, dear. I've made yooehr favhrite fhr dinner to celebrate!”
*~*
A few hours later, when the celebration was done, Harry found himself in the backyard with Bryan and Sirius, staring out over the forest as the sun set. The two adults were drinking firewhiskey and even let Harry have some for the special occasion. He hadn’t yet ridden the Firebolt, but he promised Sera and Az a race through the forest tomorrow to show them how fast it is.
They sat silently, Harry between them, content to be with each other. But then Bryan said, “So, Harry. Sirius and I have been talking.”
Harry glanced up at him. He didn’t take his gaze off the setting sun.
“He explained to me what you’ve secretly been up to,” he continued. “Finding Horcruxes, trying to destroy Voldemort once and for all. Very noble, Harry. Very noble, indeed. I’m proud of you for being so proactive and for trying to minimize the damage. But why not tell me what you’re doing?”
Harry took a sip of firewhiskey; it burned his throat on the way down. “I was… I was afraid that you would try and stop me. That you would try and keep me away from danger, despite the fact that danger is my path.”
Bryan nodded understandingly. “And your time travel?”
Harry’s heart skipped a beat. “That… That’s harder to explain. It’s… It’s so fanciful that I didn’t think you would ever believe me. I’ve wanted to tell you but never thought it would be possible.” A random chill ran through Harry’s legs. “What did Sirius tell you?”
“Everything,” Bryan said. “All of your exploits, both before and after he went through the… the Veil.” He took a deep breath. “Harry, I want you to tell me the truth. Why did you go through the Veil? Did you expect to go back in time?”
“I… I didn’t.” Harry stared at his cup; his firewhiskey was almost gone. “I had watched Sirius fall through it years before. No one ever speculated that he would be alive. So, after going back to warn Sirius about Wormtail, I went to the Veil, expecting to… to die.”
Bryan remained silent.
Sirius said, “I’m so sorry that you felt that way, Harry. But you don’t feel that way anymore, do you?”
Harry shook his head. “Not at all. I’m grateful for this second chance—more than I could ever say. I get to live a life full of wonder and love, I get to experience a real childhood with amazing friends and family and… parents.” He resisted looking at Bryan. “Even with the threat of Voldemort looming over me, I’m happier than I’ve ever been.”
Bryan sniffed and cleared his throat. “I’m happy that you’re happy, Harry. That’s all I’ve ever wanted for you. When Sirius brought you to me and told me what had happened to your parents, I was afraid of what may happen as you grew up. If you would resent Kelly and I because we aren’t your real parents, that you never got to know your real parents. But… having you as a son has been a great source of happiness in my life. You know I don’t play favorites, Harry, so you know that I love you as if you were my son.”
“I am your son,” Harry said quietly.
Bryan blinked his eyes before pulling Harry into a bear hug. “I love you, son,” he murmured in Harry’s ear.
Harry returned to hug with equal love. “I love you too… Dad.”
Bryan hugged him tighter, then released him, though kept a hand on Harry’s shoulder. “Why don’t you head up to bed, bud? I need to speak to Sirius in private.”
“Okay. Goodnight. Night, Sirius.”
“Goodnight, Harry,” Sirius said with a smile. “Sweet dreams, kid.”