Adult-FanFiction.org : Harry Potter

A Reality to Live	By : ShadowCat13 Category: Harry Potter > Slash - Male/Male Views: 13121 -:- Recommendations : 1 -:- Currently Reading : 8
Disclaimer: As much as I wish I could say otherwise I do not own Harry Potter. Sadly I don't make anything from writing this either.

Chapter List
- 6
- 7
"Normal speech"

'Thoughts'

{Speaking Parseltongue}

*****

Chapter 6

Early Monday morning Harry writhed under his soft blankets, muttering incoherent words. With a sudden cry, Harry sprang up right and looked around his dark, but empty room. 'It was just a dream,' Harry thought with relief when he realized he was safe in his room at the manor.

This was the first nightmare Harry could remember having since ending up in is reality. As unlikely as it was to be true, he'd almost started to think he'd be free of his nearly nightly terrors. He didn't know that during his time as the hospital he'd been dosed with a strong sleep aid that had now fully worn off. Thankfully it was just a normal nightmare, not a scar induced vision, and the images of the graveyard were already fading form his mind. He didn't want to remember what he'd experienced at the hands of the Death Eaters, even in his nightmares, so Harry was glad it didn't stay fresh in his mind.

"Merrow?"

Harry jumped at the sound, but laughed a moment later when he turned and saw Lerus had just jumped up on to his bed and was looking at him with his bright reflective eyes. Harry reached over and stroked the young cat's ears as he looked towards the covered window. It was still early, but light was just starting to shine though the crack in the drapes over the large window. He thought about laying back down and trying to get a little more sleep, but he decided he was to awake now. He'd need to get up in an hour or so anyway. So, after Lerus got tired be being petted and wondered back over to his tower, Harry got up and went into the bathroom to get ready for the day.

*****

Later that morning Harry found himself being lead to the Library after breakfast, to start taking the tests William had told Harry he'd been taking today. There was a thin old witch with wiry gray-hair and a younger, and a bit chubby, brown-haired wizard there to over see him as he took them. Madam Primry and Mr. Bagnold. Harry had never done to badly on tests, so he didn't think this would be too hard. Well not till he got working on them… Sitting in a much more comfortable chair then would be found at Hogwarts, Harry stared at the questions he'd have to answer.

Harry had started with the Charms test, and the first page of questions had been simple enough. He'd been asked things like to name the best spell to conceal a person from view, and what should be used if someone wanted to breathe where the air was bad. But when he flipped it over to start on the other side Harry bit his bottom lip. The questions had changed from simply listing charms that could be used, to asking how a spell worked. For question number twenty one, Harry needed to explain how the Wingardium Leviosa spell worked to make something float. Harry had no idea who the spell did that… he just knew it did. He had the sinking feeling Hermione would have know though.

All the other written tests went the same way. They started off by asking Harry to list one or more spell that could be used for something, occasionally asking him to explain how he'd use it for that purpose, before getting into a breakdown of how spells worked. Or in the case of potions, ask him to explain all kind of properties of ingredients, how they worked together, or explain how a certain potion worked. Needless to say, Harry wasn't able to answer those questions very well, if at all. He'd always done badly in potions though, so he wasn't too surprised. Still, by the time he was finished with the written half of the testing, around one in the afternoon, Harry was more than a little frustrated by how difficult these questions were. It seemed more like what a sixth or seventh year would have been expected to know.

The door to the Library opening was a happy distraction and Harry looked up from the last test to see William entering the room. Trailing along behind him was Mizzy, levitating a large tray of sandwiches and juices. She set the food on the table then left.

"Why are they so hard?" Harry asked William, holding up his last test and waving it a little, "Please tell me that the average fourteen-year-old here doesn't really know all this," He really hoped that the tests had been hard just so they could better judge his knowledge level and not because everyone here were of Hermione's caliber.

William chuckled as he glanced over at Harry, "No, the average fourteen-year-old can't pass those tests. One who had gone to Hogwarts should be able to get a lot of the questions right though."

Harry paused in reaching for one of the ham sandwiches to stare at the older man. "…are only exceptional geniuses accepted in this reality?" He asked, not sure he wanted the answer. Harry was already feeling dumb after taking those tests and this wasn't helping.

A little amused with the boys frustration William smiled a little and asked, "I take it you're not doing well?"

Harry just grumbled something indecipherable as he grabbed a sandwhich, and let the two examiners answer that.

"He is not," The Madam Primry said as she picked up one of the tests and looked at the paper, "We haven't graded them yet, but from a casual glance at his answers, I can say he has very little understanding in how the spells he knows works. He does seem to know a good amount of spells though."

William 'humm'd' as he glanced over at Harry. He had hoped for better, but he couldn't say he was surprised. Picking up his transfiguration test William skimmed though it. From what he saw, he had to agree with the examiner. It seemed Harry hardly understood the principles behind how he turned a pin cushion into a hedgehog. Placing it back down William looked back at Harry. "Don't worry too much about how you have done. There is still plenty of time to help you learn what you will need to know. I do have a question though," He said, and waiting for Harry to look at him before going on, "What kind of school had your previous one been? Hogwarts is an elite private school."

Harry knew what William as asking, and why he was being vague. He couldn't just ask what kind of school Hogwarts had been in his reality with the examiners there. He didn't respond right away though, he was a little too surprised by what he'd been told about this reality's Hogwarts. He hadn't been serious when he'd asked if only certain kinds of students would enroll. Did this mean Hogwarts was a school for only pure-bloods or something? But no, that couldn't be right. Harry wasn't a pure-blood and William wanted him to go… So maybe it was a school only for the rich then? Either way Harry didn't like this change.

"I'd gone to a public school," Harry told William when he finally started talking. "I had pure-blood and muggle-born classmates." Harry very much wanted to ask if Hogwarts had always been a privet school here, but decided to later when they could talk more freely.

"This might take some getting used to then." William said. For a moment it seemed he was going to say more, but then looked to the tray of food. "I brought enough food for us all. Please join us in eating lunch before we head out side to continue with the testing." He requested of the other two with them. The two examiners thanked him and joined them in eating the food.

*****

Groaning, Harry pushed himself up off the ground. The practical half of the testing wasn't really going a whole lot better than the written had. Well at least not this part… Harry believed he had done ok when he was just casting spells for his Charms and Transfiguration exam. Though the rock he had been asked to turn into a rat had looked a bit rough still. Now though he was taking his Defense against the dark arts exam. It was basically half duel against the wizard instructor, Mr. Bagnold, and half having to defend himself against things the wizard had brought to the manor. Which had greatly surprised Harry as his arm was still in a cast.

Harry had just tried to protect himself from a rusty colored spell he didn't recognize. He'd cast a shielding charm, but that had caused a weak explosion that had knocked him to the ground. He made a mental note to find out what that spell had been, he didn't remember hearing about a spell that exploded on contact with a shield like that. Getting to back to his feet, Harry turned his tired green eyes to the wizard. It didn't seem as if he was done yet though...

Mr. Bagnold sent him a sympathetic look as he levitated a small chest out for Harry to deal with. "After this we will be done."

Nodding Harry eyed the chest wearily for a moment as it shook, before Harry realized he probably did know what this was. A Boggart. Wand at the ready, just in case he was wrong, Harry inched closer. The shaking grew worse as he neared, till it popped open and a Dementor rose out of the chest. On reflex Harry cast the Patronus charm, rather than imagining it as something less frightening to him. Only it wasn't a Stag that charged the fake-dementor, but rather a long, thick serpent with feathered wings a little past its head come out of the tip of his wand.

Harry stared at the misty winged snake in shock. Why had his Patronus changed shape? He did know its form could change, he'd read about it in the book Lupin had him study in third year. But… Shaking his head, Harry decided to think about why this might have happened later. Instead he walked closer to where the glowing misty serpent had the Boggart trapped. Its body was in a lose coil around the black cloaked creature it had become. It hardly looked frightening like this, sitting in a shivering huddle on the ground, so Harry didn't even need to imagine its robes pink or something to get rid of it. He simply pointed his wand and said, "Riddikulus."

After it was gone Harry looked at his new Patronus before it faded away. The misty serpent turned its large rectangular shaped head towards Harry, and looked at him with misty sliver eyes. Almost like a real snake it's tongue flicked and then the next moment it was gone.

"That… That was just amazing," The examiner said as he walked over to the, now empty, chest. "I've never seen a fully corporeal Patronus quite like that one. Even grown wizards can have problems with that charm."

Still looking at where the Patronus had been Harry just nodded. "My third year Defense teacher taught me," He said quietly. His thoughts turned to Remus. He knew he'd be a teen like his father. Was he a still a werewolf here? Did he even still go to Hogwarts? Harry didn't know too much about the man's family in his own reality, but didn't think they'd been really well off. He didn't know if that was just because of the stigma of have a werewolf in the family or not though.

"You learned to cast that in your third year?" The wizard gave Harry an impressed look. It faded after a few moments though and Harry couldn't help but think he was wondering why he wasn't good with other things when he was capable of a Patronus so young. "Well, we are done now so you can go back inside while I talk to your guardian."

More than happy to be finished Harry nodded, and then did just that. He ached all over and his thoughts were on using the large bathing pool in his bathroom to soak a while. It was just too bad he couldn't soak his sore arm too. Luckily he did have some painkillers he could take.

*****

Even though it would a day or two before they'd get back the results of the tests, William had Harry start studying the very next day. It wouldn't be till next week though, that he'd have all his tutors coming to teach him what he needed to know for all the subjects. In the mean time, William had Harry reading a bunch of books he thought would help. To Harrys surprise, introductory books for both Ancient Runes and Arithmancy were included in what he was to be studying. When Harry asked why he needed to study those subjects too, he'd been told that it was required study here.

Harry grumbled a little to himself about that, this reality was seeming more and more like a place where Hermione would have been in heaven… but his complains didn't last too long. He did find Arithmancy a bit boring, but too his surprise Runes was actually a bit interesting. He could kind of see now why Hermione had excitedly tried to tell them about this or that rune in the past.

Harry didn't only read and study though. He spent some time learning how to ride with Eleanor and was giving a few hours of free time each day to do as he wanted. He still was rather busy. Harry didn't really mind that though, as the more he had to do during the day that wore him out the better he seemed to sleep. So far he'd only woken up once more that week due to bad dreams.

Harry didn't have too much to do come the weekend though. He wasn't sure if it was because William or maybe his wife didn't want to wear him out, or if maybe they hoped he'd spend the time with James when he came back. It was also James 17th birthday the following day. There was even going to be a party for him Sunday afternoon. Eleanor had told him about what was planed, so Harry knew there be a few of James friends over for it.

If Eleanor and William had keep his weekend free so Harry could do stuff with his foster brother though, it wasn't happening. Harry had come down to greet him with Eleanor when he arrived Saturday afternoon, but James had only nodded briefly when Harry welcomed him home before heading up to his room.

Looking after her son Eleanor sighed and squeezed his arm. "Sometimes I wonder where the kind little boy I remember him as went."

Harry turned sad green eyes to her. It bothered him more that she was being saddened by James behavior, then said behavior bothered him. He was rather used to it after all… He wanted to tell her that, but didn't think it was the right thing to say.

After a few moments Eleanor told him she was going to go work on stuff for the party. Nodding Harry watched her leave and then tired to decided what he wanted to do since it seem spending time with James was out. He thought about going to the library and reading for a while even though he didn't need to, but was a little tired of studying. He thought even Hermione might be, if she was in his place. Well… okay maybe not, but he still decided not to go to the library.

Instead Harry went up to his room. Before going in he looked down at the door that led to James room. Had the James of his reality, his father, been like him? If so then he was starting to wonder if Snape's claims weren't at least a bit truthful. Shaking his head, Harry opened his door and went in. He glanced around for Lerus, but didn't see the kitten anywhere. He wasn't sure how he did it, but he seemed to be able to get in and out of his room when he pleased. At the moment he kind of wished he couldn't though, so he'd have some company.

Sighing, Harry looked around his sitting room. His eyes lingered on the books he had brought from the Library and were on his desk, but he really was tired of studying. So Harry went into the main room of his chambers and pulled out his Wizards and Monsters character book and sat in a comfortable chair by his fireplace. Opening it he picked up from where he'd left off a few days ago. He'd been too busy read anymore. He'd had some free time to himself, but he'd felt a need to prove he wasn't as stupid as the testing had made him feel so had being studying even then.

Now though, he really didn't want to stuff more knowledge into his brain. Well at least not of the same kind. Reading these rule books were a bit like studying, but it was a lot less dull then some of the theory books he was reading were. What to do now settled Harry took his books over to a chair by his fireplace and settled in to read.

*****

Harry twisted and turned under his cream and blue bedding, caught in yet another nightmare. The second since Monday. His movement become more and more frantic as he groaned and muttered please and don't over and over, till finally he suddenly awoke with a terror filled scream.

Heart pounding and still trembling, Harry sprang up and looked wildly around his room for the skull masked Death Eater from his nightmare. Without his glasses though, everything in the room was a dim blur. Harry head a soft crack to his left, and in his half-asleep, panicky state, he thought it was someone apperating in to join in hurting him. Reacting to his need to defend himself, his magic summoned his phoenix wand to him in the blink of an eye. Gripping it tight enough to make his knuckles white, Harry called out, in a fearful voice, "Stay away from me!"

"Nizzy only came to see if Harry bes okay," Squeaked a frightened voice not far from the bed.

Looking in the direction the voice had come from Harry squinted to make out the shape of his house elf. "Nizzy?" He asked, relief thick in his voice. More awake now Harry realized he was safe in his room, and he'd likely just woken from another nightmare about the graveyard. "I'm sorry for scaring you," He said as he lowered his wand. "I'm.. fine, I just had a nightmare is all."

Relaxing now that Harry had lowered his wand, Nizzy come closer to the bed. "Can Nizzy gets Harry something to help? Maybe coco?"

Harry started to head no, but then changed his mind. "A cup of hot chocolate would be wonderful."

Happy to be able to do something for his young charge, Nizzy popped out to make him a large cup right away. Harry continued to look at where the elf had been for a few more moments before he sighed and ran a hand thought his messy black hair. His nightmares seemed to be getting worse with each one he had. The first two he'd woken up shaken and afraid, but they hadn't been quiet like this one. This time he didn't have only feelings of fear upon awaking, but images as well. His dream hadn't faded as soon as Harry woke up… he could remember being surrounded by gravestones that caged him in while a dark robed figure with bone white mask stood over him. Harry was just glad it had been only a nightmare he would wake from when the figure had raised his wand and cast a curse at him…

Harry didn't have long to think about the nightmare though before Nizzy returned with a tray, upon which was his hot chocolate and some pastries the elf decided to bring Harry. "Would Harry wants anything else?" The little elf asked as he levitated the tray before him on the bed.

"No, this is good. Thank you Nizzy." Harry said as he leaned over to his bedside table. He tapped a lamp found there with his wand and whispered 'Lumos'. It lit up immediately, lighting the area with a white light. Setting his wand down, Harry picked up his glasses and slipped them on so he could see better.

"Nizzy will go's then till Harry needs Nizzy." The little elf said as he bowed, before vanishing again.

At the moment Harry wouldn't at all have minded if the elf had stayed, so he'd not be alone, but he didn't want to keep the creature from his sleep. Gazing at the tray before him, Harry's thoughts went to William and Eleanor for a moment. Dudley used to go to his parents when he was little, but they weren't really his parents and nor was Harry a young child. Anyway he wouldn't know what to say to them even if he was welcome to wake them in the middle of the night… He'd never had family to go to with his troubles and fears before.

A soft, furry, body rubbing against his side, and a 'merrow' drew Harry's attention, and he looked down at Lerus. The kitten meowed again at him before turning his golden eyes to the tray. Before Harry could stop him, Lerus had hold of a mini pie and leapt off the bed with it.

"Hey!" Harry called after him. Throwing off his blanket Harry hopped off the bed and darted after the kitten. Lerus dodged him easily, and running past Harry, went under his large bed with his stolen prize.

Bending down Harry peered under the bed. He contemplated what to do, before he sat back and laughed, wondering why he had been so determined to the pastry back. It wasn't of a kind that could make the kitten sick, and it wasn't like he'd eat it himself if he did manage to retrieve it. Shaking his head and feeling a little bit better Harry climbed back onto his bed and picked up one of the remaining treats to eat.

*****

Harry managed to fall back a sleep for a while after he'd finished his late night snack. When he woke up again it was thankfully to a normal dream. Getting up Harry stretched and rubbed at his eyes a little before getting out of bed and going to his walk in closet to pick out something for the day. As it was James birthday planed on putting on one of his nicer robes. When he got to the closet he found Nizzy already waiting for him with a few outfits picked out.

Wondering if the elf had decided to start helping him get dressed or something, Harry sighed inwardly. "Thank you for wanting to help, but I can pick out my clothes Nizzy," He said and hoped the elf wouldn't take it the wrong way.

"Nizzy knows Harry can pick his own cloths," The little elf agreed, "But Lady Eleanor asked Nizzy to help you get ready for the party."

Looking at the outfits pulled out Harry nodded slowly. He'd only started taking his Etiquette classes, so it was very likely there were rules on what to wear and when he didn't yet know. "Will I need to change often?" He asked looking back at the little elf.

"Harry needs only to change once. Harry can wears what he wants till then," The elf said. "Nizzy laid out some robes for you to pick from."

Nodding, Harry looked back at what Nizzy had pulled out for him to choose from. They were all summer dress robes, meaning though they were elegant in cut and design, they were made for the warmer weather. The material they were made of was soft and light. He had three to pick from. The first he picked up to look at was a darker, more traditional looking robe. The outer robe was black, while the under robe was green. Both had decorative silk stitching. The second robe was less traditional looking. It was a flowing dark purple and blue robe, with some silver star decorations. Seeing it harry blinked. It looked like something Dumbledore might wear. The last robe was more like the first, but a little less fancy. At least in cut and stitching. The material of the main robe was brown with some beige strips on the sleeves and lower hem. It's under robe was a creamy color. Harry wondered why most robes where at least a little eye catching.

Shaking his head Harry counted the purple and blue robe out, he didn't have the same taste in clothing as Dumbledore. Of the other two robes though, he wasn't sure which he should pick. Did he want to wear his best as this would be his first time meeting a lot of people or go with something he might be a little more comfortable in? After a few moments of thought he decided to go with the brown robes. He was already a little nervous about the party so decided to go with something he wouldn't fidget in.

Harry let Nizzy put the other two robes away as he picked out a casual every day outfit to wear till the party. A green and black robe. Harry decided to leave the heavier outer robe in the closet though and just wore the black pants and green under robe. The green robe wasn't too long so it felt kind of like one of his cousin's large shirts he used to wear. Only one that actually fit him. After a fast shower, Harry dressed and headed to down to breakfast.

When he got their James and William were already seated and talking. James went quiet though when he realized it was Harry that had come in and not his mother. Taking his seat, Harry tired not to feel he didn't belong, but it was a little hard when it was obvious the boy next to him didn't want him there. Before the silence got to oppressing Eleanor entered the room. She had a smile on her face and the mood seemed to lighten with her presence.

"Happy birthday," She told James as she sat in her usual spot. "I've had the house elves make all your favorites."

"Thanks, mum," James said as the food appeared before them. Knowing just what he wanted, the now seventeen-year-old started to fill his plate.

Harry looked at all the foods that had appeared before he started to do the same. There was the normal stuff that he'd started to get use to. Ham, eggs, beans, and toast, but this morning there were other things as well there was bacon, sausage, hash browns, dried tomatoes, fresh fruit, pan cakes, and English muffins. Once he had what he wanted, much less then when the amount James had piled on his plate, Harry took his potions and then started to eat in silence.

The room didn't stay quiet long though as Eleanor said, "Sirius is coming over a bit sooner than planned. He was too impatient to wait till noon to come over so I told him it was fine if he came after breakfast."

James eyes lit up at hearing that, and he started to eat a little faster. "He never can seem to wait for anything," James laughed. When he was done eating he excused himself from the table and hurried to down to the Floo room to wait for his friend.

Harry watched him go, than looked back at his food. He was hit by a sudden longing to see his own friends, Hermione and Ron. He thought he was happy here, he had to pack his brain with knowledge, but at least Eleanor and William cared about him. Still he missed them… He so wanted to tell them all about living with the Potters…

"Harry? Are you alright?"

Harry blinked and looked over at Eleanor. She was looking at him with concern. So was William he saw. "Yes, I'm fine," He said as he started to eat again.

"You know you can talk to us right? If you ever need to," William said. Unknown to Harry, the older man knew about his nightmare. Nizzy had told him and his wife about it not too long ago. So he wandered if the boy's thoughts were on that.

"I know," Harry nodded. "I just… I was thinking my friends. I probably won't ever see them again will I?" Normally Harry likely wouldn't have admitted so much, but having someone that really did care made him want to share a little.

Understanding flashed across William's eyes, before he gave Harry a sad smile. "I can't say if you ever will. Would they want to be sad about it though?"

"Probably not," Harry agreed. "They would just want me to be happy." Harry still missed them, but knowing that helped a little. Giving the two a sad smile of his own, he started eating again.

William though still wanted to see if he could get Harry to talk to them a little more. He was concerned by what Nizzy had told him about the nightmare. "I heard you didn't sleep that well last night." He said looking at the boy.

A bit surprised by the sudden change in subject Harry looked up at the older man. "I did have a nightmare." He admitted after a moment.

"Would you tell us about it?" Eleanor asked.

"Uh…" He wasn't used to sharing the horrors his mind showed him at night with others so he was momentarily at a loss. The Potters just patiently waited to see if he'd tell them though. It was partly that and the fact he could tell they really did want to know that got him speaking. "It was about the… the graveyard. There was a masked Death Eater and…" he trailed off, but he seemed to have shared enough for the older couple.

"If you keep having dreams like that come get me or Eleanor." William told Harry. To which the boy just stared at him. William sighed at realizing Harry likely never had anyone to wake before if he had nightmares and may not feel comfortable doing so. "You can send Nizzy if that makes you more comfortable."

Harry nodded slowly, though he wasn't sure he'd do as asked. He really didn't want to disturb their sleep just because he was plagued by bad dreams… they didn't need to go without sleep as well.

William sighed again and mentally cursed the boys muggle family. He was sure the blame for the boys reluctance to let others help and care for him was because of their treatment of him. There was nothing he could do about that though. He could just hope time really could heal all wounds.

*****

James didn't have to wait too long, maybe ten minutes, before the flames flared and his best friend stepped out of the fireplace, a broom over his shoulder. Sirius gave him a smile as soon as he saw his friend, but even though his good mood James could tell something was bothering the young aristocrat. He'd just known him to long not to see the subtle signs.

He didn't say anything yet though, instead he led the way up to his rooms. Much like Harry's, the suite was made up of a sitting room, bedroom, and a bathing room with a walk-in in closet. Only his room's coloration was the Gryffindor reds and golds. Once they were inside Sirius leaned his broom, a Nimbus 1001, against the wall and wrapped an arm around James shoulders. "So, how's it feel to finally be seventeen? Feel like you can do anything with all that magic?" He asked with a laugh.

Remembering the buzzed feeling he'd felt at thanks to the magic that had swollen his core as it grew to its full matured stage James smiled but shook his head. "Alas, unlike you, I didn't get so high on magic that I thought I was king of everything while running around naked in the woods." James had tried to do some ridiculous things, like turn one of his moms Pegasus from white to sparkling gold last night… not that he was going to mention that to his friend. He was lucky his dad had been there to keep him from being trampled by the annoyed animal.

"How… who told you about that!?" Sirius sputtered. He'd never told his friend that little detail about his own magical maturity. He'd only told James that he'd gotten a little high from all the magic he'd soaked up.

James though just shook his head and moved away from his friend before Sirius decided to try pinning him down till he got the answer. "Let's just say you'd been seen."

"By who?" Sirius demanded, though more in a whiny way. He wasn't really mad, but did want to know who could have seen that would tell James… Only his father and grandfather had been out in the woods with him that night…

"If I tell you, will you tell me what was bothering you when you arrived?" James asked as he ran from his friend.

"Hey! That's… that's blackmail," Sirius complained. "Sense when did you start acting like a Slytherin?"

"It's not. I'd like to think of it as just encouragement to talk," James laughed, though sent Sirius a glare for the Slytherin comment.

Huffing Sirius when over to an arm chair by James fireplace. On the way he picked up an old snitch from a shelf to play with. "Fine, I didn't want to say anything as it's your birthday, and it's nothing really. But if you really want to know, I'll tell you. You first though." Sirius said.

Sitting in the other chair James nodded, "I was your cousin Bellatrix I heard it from. During your birthday party I'd gone into the manor to freshen up a little and overheard her laughing about it too her cat."

Sirius had no trouble believing James had come across his slightly batty cousin doing that. He supposed he should just be happy she'd not thought if fit to share the tale with everyone. He did wonder how she knew though? Thinking about it he realized she had arrived at the manor the day before the party and it was possible she could have seen him if she'd looked outside at the right time…

"So, your turn," James prodded.

"It really isn't anything to worry about," Sirius shrugged, looking at the snitch he was playing with rather than James. "I'd just had fight with 'mother' again," The way he said the word come out more like an insult.

"What was it about this time?" James asked, knowing full well just what kind of things Mrs. Black might spew at her son. He'd heard a few of the tamer things she'd said first hand, and gotten Sirius to tell him some of the worse things.

"Mostly the usual. How I am the disgrace of the family, being a Gryffindor and all…, and how I am unfit to be heir. How she wished Regulus was the first born, or better yet, how she would have been happy if I'd never been born," He told James bitterly as he grabbed the snitch a little more roughly then needed. "If I could, I'd happily pass my inheritance to too Regulus."

James placed a hand on Sirius' shoulder. As bad as all that was, it was nothing new coming from Mrs. Black. The dark witch spewed hurting words like poison most of the time. So he wondered why it was bothering Sirius so much this time. Not that he wanted his friend to become dumb to such treatment.

After a moment he went on. "Do you remember how I told you I'd gone home that time for an inheritance issue?" Sirius asked. He told James a little about how his family thought he'd pulled a prank to mess up what he written documents said. He'd not told James anything more though as it was a family issue, and despite his dislike of his family, he did know his duty.

James nodded slowly that he did remember and Sirius went on. "Somehow she's got it into her head that for a little while Regulus had been the Black Heir instead of me. She's pissed that Grandfather disinherit the rightful heir and give the title back to me. No one seems able to convince her that's not the case. No ever Father. When he came to try and get her to calm down, she turned her ire on him and started yelling at him for not trying to stop Grandfather from disinheriting Regulus. She never yelled at him before, not like that anyway," He ended quietly.

Not for the first time, nor likely the last, James wished Sirius' family wasn't so messed up. "Maybe it's just that time of the month?" He said, knowing Sirius would better appreciate a response like that then if he was to say something like 'he was sorry he had to deal with her ranting'. They were close and could count on the other to listen, but they weren't touchy feely.

Laughing a little Sirius let the snitch in his hand go and said, "It's always her time of mouth. I wonder if she mouthed off to mother nature or something."

The two laughed for a bit before James asked, "Want to go out to the pitch?" as he caught the snitching hovering between them.

"Sure," Sirius agreed. James placed the golden winged ball back on the shelf after deactivating it and then the two went over to cupboard that stored James' Brooms, a Nimbus 1000 and a Nimbus 1001, and Quidditch supplies.

"Should we ask your foster brother if he'd like to join us?" Sirius asked as James pulled out his Nimbus 1001 and the box with his good set of Quidditch balls.

"Why?" James asked a little more sharply than he meant to. He'd rather just the two of them go out to the pitch.

"Well I've been interested in meeting him," Sirius said, eyeing James a little. He thought it a little odd he reacted like that to the question. Though James hard mostly grumbled about Harry, when he mentioned his new foster brother at all. "I thought a game would be a good way to get to know each other."

"I don't even know if he likes flying," James told him, "and anyway Harry is so scrawny that I doubt he would be able to keep with us."

"But it would be funner with three. We should at least ask." Sirius whined. "If he'd join us, then we can make him goalie and practice some moves." He did want to do that, but he had taken this tone more as it would likely get James to agree to do as he wanted. He really didn't get why James didn't seem to want to have Harry join them.

James surprised him by giving him a weak glare and shoving the box at Sirius as he snapped, "Fine! We'll go see if he wants to play," He grabbed the Nimbus 1000 and then stoked out of the room. Sirius just watched him go for a moment before he grabbed his own broom and hurried after. As he did though he couldn't help but wonder at James attitude. You'd almost think he'd wanted to have Snivellus join them…

By the time they got to Harry's door James seemed to have calmed himself. He wasn't glaring anymore and didn't bang on the door, but simply knocked. A few moments later the door opened and Sirius got this first look at James' foster brother, Harry. He started a little in shock, the younger dark-haired boy looked like a nearly identical copy of James. Just with bright green eyes and a much smaller frame.

Harry in turn was eyeing the two older boys. After James had been avoiding him, he hadn't expected to see them when he opened his door. He also couldn't help start a little at the younger version of Sirius. He hardly looked like the worn down man he know. After a moment he asked, "Did you need something?"

"Yeah, want to come play Quidditch with us?" Sirius asked, pulling himself out of his surprise of Harry.

Surprised again Harry looked between the two again, now just noticing that both had Brooms, in fact James was holding two. He looked excited for a moment before it faded. "I'd like to," He said opening the door farther to show him his arm. "But-,"

"Great!" Grinning Sirius cut Harry off and pulled him out of the room and started to lead him down the hallway. As they walked Harry tugged his good arm free, not really comfortable with the close contact. Sirius let him, not really picking up on the moment of tenseness from harry, thinking it was just surprise. "So what do you play as? Every played the Goalie?"

"Er, I've played as goalie a few times," He thought of the games he'd played at the Weasley's. They'd taken turns at who did what. Ron of course made the best goalie, when he wasn't doubting himself. "I'm not the best at it though," He admitted. "Seeker's what I'm good at. When I can play anyway," Harry said waving his broken arm before Sirius' face.

Stopping Sirius looked at the cast covered arm in surprise, and then over at James. "Why didn't you mention he had a broken arm?"

James just shrugged, not feeling like admitting in front of Harry he'd not really noticed the cast enough for it to sink in as he'd been avoiding Harry for the most part.

Sirius gave James an annoyed look and then looked back at the younger black-haired boy. Well they couldn't have him be their goalie with a broken arm, but maybe they could let him fly around a little anyway? Sirius had noticed he'd been excited at the offer to play at first. "Think you can still fly with that?" He gestured to the cast on Harry's arm.

"Yeah, just flying shouldn't be a problem," Harry said. He knew he'd have no problem with just one arm. And if he needed to he could still use the other a bit, he just shouldn't unless he really needed to.

"Then let's go," Sirius said, smiling again. James though wasn't as happy. He'd have rather ditched the boy as he couldn't help them, but decided not to say anything. He noticed him mum down a hall looking at them. She was smiling. He guessed she was thinking they were finally getting along.

It didn't take the three long to get out where the pitch was set up. Harry had seen it before, but without a broom of his own he'd had little reason to come out here. When they got to the center of the pitch James handed him the extra broom he'd been carrying. Harry ran his eyes over the broom a moment to take in its state. He didn't think James would have a poor broom, but he'd never handled this one before so wanted to look for anything he should make note of. He was happy to see it was a Nimbus. He wondered if it would handle like the 2000 had.

He didn't see anything wrong with the broom, it seemed to be well cared for, so Harry mounted up and then kicked off. It was much slower then what he was used to, but that was to be expected. Once he was high enough he looked over at James and Sirius. "So what now?" He asked, unsure what they'd been planning.

"Well, Sirius wanted to practice some Quidditch moves. You can just fly around or whatever while we do that. Just keep out of the way," James said, speaking for the first time.

Harry didn't mind that, he was just happy to have been given the chance to fly a while. So he flew off to the other side of the pitch. He'd have liked to see just how fast this could go and test its maneuverability, but he wasn't stupid enough to think he could fly like that with only one arm. So he just raced around and did a few simple tricks he knew he could handle with one arm.

As he flew James and Sirius watched him. Both rather impressed by what the younger boy could do which only one arm, even if it was a bit grudgingly on James part.

"And you thought he'd be no good on a broom," Sirius laughed as did a simple spin. "I bet he'll be as good as you when his arm is healed."

"How was I to know he's ok at flying?" James asked a bit defensively. He didn't much like being compared to the younger boy that looked far too much like him. "And you can't deny he is a scrawny kid. I'm surprised he's fit enough to fly with only one arm like this…"

"He is thin," Sirius agreed. "Do you know anything about where he came from?"

"Not really. I just know Mum and Dad found him hurt and decided to take him in," James said, his eyes still on Harry. He had his suspicions on why Harry looked so much like him, and why his dad had taken him in such a fast and hushed up way. Not that it did a lot to stop the rumors about the boy being a bastard child of his father. Rumors that as much as James wanted to call lies, found he couldn't help but wonder about himself now he'd seen Harry.

Shaking his head angrily he looked back at Sirius and asked. "So do you want to watch Harry fly around or practice those moves you had soo wanted to do before?"

"Let's practice," Sirius laughed, taking his eyes off Harry. "Want to start with the duo X weave first." The dark haired teen nodded and the two were off, James taking the lead. They flew about a yard apart and started to crisscross back and forth. As James as a little ahead of Sirius they safely pasted each over's path. Each time they came close they'd switch off the red ball. They had no goalie or other players to try and confuse so it was no problem tossing it thought one of the hoops. It was good for them to work on the timing of the weaving though, they'd crash into each other if it was off.

Things continued like that for the next hour or so, the two practicing this or that move, while Harry just flew around. After a bit he'd stopped flying and took to hovering above them as he trying to keep an eye on where the ball was. The longer they practiced a particular move the easier it got to keep track of the red ball, after all it was his job to spot a tiny shimmer of gold. A large red ball was a lot easier to follow.

When the three finally landed James and Sirius were a little worn out and in need of a bath. So the three headed back to the Manor. As they went they laughed and talked about the different moves. Harry knew most of them, but ones like the Duo X weave he'd not seen before. When asked about it Sirius proudly informed him it was something he and James and come up with.

When they arrived at their rooms Harry gave the broom back to James and then stood a moment by his door to watch Sirius and James head down the hall. He'd just had a great time, and really hoped this was a sign that things with James would improve.

*****

AN- Well I really hope this will be worth the wait to get... Really sorry about that. I write things one chapter in advance, so I can add to or edit the last chapter if needed, And well this one and the next were a huge pain to get done. The next the most. I have no clue why a party would be so hard to write. Though feeling unmotivated to just sit down and just write was a real problem too.

I'm truly grateful to those that have reviewed this. Reading them really helped me feel I need to keep at this.

Cross your fingers everyone and hope the next chapter doesn't take me two or more months to get out.
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A Reality to Live