Okay so far- Regulus hasn't yet removed his mark, Lily isn't pregnant yet, the girl Snape talked last chapter (Rose) is an OC and Snape is still a deatheater.

When Harry stumbled out of his room the next morning, he felt tired and disorientated. He stretched and yawned, flattening his wet hair. He'd already showered and dressed, and for once was wearing some wizarding robes. When Harry entered the kitchen, Regulus was already up and dressed. He wore wizard robes too, perfectly fitted and a deep black. He was staring at his dark mark and frowning, sat at the breakfast bar.

"We'll get rid of it soon." Harry said, "We should have gotten rid of it ages ago."

"The potion takes longer to stew than I'd anticipated." Regulus said absentmindedly.

"I'm going with the order to a death eater raid." Harry said, "At the Quidditch trials."

Regulus laughed bitterly. "I'll see there."

"It'll be the last one Reg." Harry said.

"I don't want to go." Regulus replied, and when he looks up Harry sees a sort of wild desperation flickering in his silver eyes, "It'll be suspicious if I don't."

"I know." Harry said, "It's fine. Try not to kill me yeah?" Harry gives a weak laugh. Regulus smiles faintly in return.

"Back at you." He replied.

When Harry leaves hours later to meet with Sirius and the others in Hogsmede, he has has an uneasy feeling swirling in the pit of his stomach.

"Harry!" James greets with a grin, "Good to see you! Don't be too scared about the raid, Sirius will look out for you, right Pads?"

"Sure will!" Sirius grins, ruffling Harry's hair, "James'll be too busy looking out for Lily, she can handle herself really though."

"Too right I can," Lily says, scraping her red hair into a pony tail, "You better remember that Black."

"Where's Peter?" Remus muses.

"Couldn't make it," Sirius said, and he seemed a little annoyed, "He always was a bit of a coward though."

"Sirius." Lily scolds with a glare, "Just don't."

Sirius grumbles, but doesn't reply.

"Okay." Remus says, "We have an extra person anyway." He smiles warmly at Harry, and it makes Harry less worried. Remus looks so different. He has a golden glow to his skin, and although he looks a little tired, he doesn't look sickly at all (then again, the full moon is weeks away), his tawny hair is thick and slightly tousled, his smile is young and bright and his amber eyes reflect like whiskey. Harry never stopped to think about how hard Remus' life had been. Bitten at an early age, always feeling an outcast until he met the Marauders, and then James and supposedly Peter dying and thinking Sirius, the one Harry thinks Remus might be closest to, was the one to betray them. On top of all the werewolf and money problems, Remus Lupin had a very stressful life. Harry promises himself it won't be the same this time.

If Harry's honest, he's not the least bit worried about any enemy's he'll be facing at the Quidditch trials. He's been fighting Voldermort since he was eleven years old, he had enough practice for a lifetime of dueling. Plus, the elder wand is tucked safely in his robes- Harry knows for a fact Dumbledore has it in this time, and he wonders if there being two elder wands around will make a difference to it's power. Harry still doesn't know if he made the right decision at the end of the war, not breaking the wand. He knew now however that having an all powerful wand might just come in handy.

When they arrive at the Quidditch pitch, the sky is black and the game is at a break. They station themselves around the arena. Harry sticks with Sirius, and Remus, James and Lily head over to Frank and Alice Longbottom.

"You think you'll be alright?" Sirius asks, well, seriously. "You're still young, I'm guessing you haven't been in many serious duels. Especially not one's that could cost you your life."

Harry laughs. "You'd be surprised."

"Would I now?" Sirius replied, and he stares curiously at Harry, "There's something about you Harry, something strange, I can't quite put my finger on it. But something tells me your life hasn't been easy."

Harry struggles for a reply, but Sirius' stormy grey eyes pierce into him, and there is no mirth there. Harry is, for the first time, reminded of the sombre, world weary Azkaban escapee he knew as a child. Sirius watches him intensely, and all Harry can do is stare at him with wide, panicked eyes. Slowly, Sirius brings his hand upwards, and combes Harry's fringe from his forehead with long, nimble fingers. Harry knows what he's looking at. Sirius tilts his head and frowns, studying the lightening bolt scar.

Harry backs away, pulling his hair over his scar, cursing himself for not concealing it with a charm. Sirius is silent.

"It's nothing." Harry says firmly, "Nothing."

"You can tell me." Sirius replies.

"There's nothing to tell. A backfired curse, a long long time ago. Just forget it."

Sirius looks as if he wants to say something, but he closes his mouth.

They stand in silence.

When the screams began, Sirius snapped his wand from his pocket in an instant. He vaguely registered Harry dueling a woman before he's faced with his own opponent. Sirius couldn't see his face behind his mask, but he moves with agility and seems to have a fair amount of talent. It takes Sirius longer than expected to subdue him, but he managed to disarm him in a tactical move. Before he manages to bind him, however, he disappeared.

"Shit." Sirius cursed, before quickly attacking another man pestering a nearby muggleborn. He was easy to disarm, and Sirius left him unconscience. He looked arounf for more opponents, but the order was doing a good job.

Sirius stopped for a moment and watched Harry duel. He was incredible, a blur of curses, a grim determination etched onto his youthful face. Sirius saw the masked woman scramble back, clearly notcing she was loosing. She looked around quickly, seeing her fellow deatheaters sorely outmatched. Harry hit her with a nasty stinging curse, and her mask fell away. For a moment Sirius was shocked at the sight of his cousin, Bellatrix Lestrange, her beautiful but sharp face pale, her grey eyes black and manic, her sleek mane of curly black hair in disray. She sneered at Harry and apparted away.

"Harry!" Sirius yelled, noticing the masked figure appear behind him. Harry turned a second too late, the taller man roughly pulled Harry's back to his chest, holding his wand threateningly to Harry's throat. Sirius wand was pointing at him, but knew he couldn't throw a spell without hurting Harry. He swore, glaring at the deatheater. He was backing up, Harry still firmly in his arms. Sirius saw that Harry's had clouded over with an emotionless mask. He wondered what was going on. Before he could blink, Harry had toppled over, wrestling the deatheater to the ground. They tumbled over each other, grasping at each others cloaks and hair. Harry seemed to gain the upper hand, sitting firmly on the deatheaters legs and pulling his wand out of his hand, he held his own to the deatheater's neck. Harry pulled off his mask off. Sirius couldn't see the young man's face, but he could've swore he grinned. Sirius saw Harry's eyes widen, and then the man disappeared in a cloud of black smoke.

"Harry!" Sirius rushed over, "Are you okay? What happened?"

"I don't..." Harry cleared his throat and looked up at Sirius, "I don;t know, he disappeared. I saw his face, he had..green eyes and black hair. Anyone you know?"

Sirius laughed incredilosuly. "Yeah of course! It must be Adam from down the road, you know with that detailed description it couldn't be anyone else."

"Shut up twat."

Sirius grinned.

"Sirius!" James sprinted over, his tan face glistening with sweat, lips pulled up into a wild grin. "We caught three deatheaters! And for once we had no casualties. You know what, if I get laid tonight this might just be the day all year."

"Shut it Potter!" Lily laughed, but she slapped his arse as she walked passed. James looked like if he smiled any wider his face would split in half.

"I am so getting laid tonight." He said, and Sirius barked in laughter.

It was crude, and Harry really didn't want to think about his parents having sex, but he smiled nonetheless. Things were good, he was good. It was all going to be good.

"This is my brother, Sebastian." Rose Abby said. Severus tried to force his mouth into a smile, but didn't think he managed it too well.

"Hi." Said the teenager gloomily. He had pitch black choppy hair, bright blue eyes and pale skin. He seemed like a typical broody teenager. Severus pursed his lips at the boy's choice of clothes, faded skull t-shirt and tight, ripped black jeans with...were those chains? And heavy black biker boots.

"Don't mind him, he's 15 and thinks he knows everything about life."

"Do not. Shut up Rosie or I'll make you shut up."

Severus found it rather amusing to see the skinny teenager threaten his older sister. He looked a little like an angry kitten.

"Sure you will." Rose said. "Look at you, you look ridiculous. Have you been cutting your hair with safety scissors again? Merlin Sebastian if you want your hair to look like some goth rocker you can just will it too."

"Shut up. It's effort permanently keeping up a metamorphus. What's the point when I can just cut it myself?"

"Maybe so you don't look like some lunatic with a pair of-"

"Your brother is also a metamorphus?" Severus asked curiously.

"Yeah, I guess it's a family thing." Rose replied, her attention immediately snapping to Severus. Severus stared at her, in ponder. Two metamorphus'? How curious, and rare too. He must have been lost in a thought for a while, becuase when he focused back on Rose her cheeks were bright pink.

"Um anyone in there?" She said bashfully, giving an awkward laugh.

"Yes." Severus said.

Sebastian snorted, picking at his fingernails, looking quite bored. "So Severus, how do you even know my sister?"

Severus glared. What a brat.

"We both attended Hogwarts. I don't recall you."

"I went to μαγεία ακαδημία. It's in Greece."

Severus blinked at the strange sound that came from the boy's mouth.

"Where, sorry?"

"Mαγεία ακαδημία."

"Well that clears that up." He drawled.

"Mum sent him off to Greece when he was 11. Seb's always been a pain to look after, and our aunt's Greek. Μαγεία ακαδημία is in Athens. Seb doesn't even speak Greek though, no idea why mum sent him there."

"Μιλάω ελληνικά! A little anyway." Sebastian protested. (I speak Greek!)

"Whatever." Rose rolls her eyes. "He's coming back to England to take his NEWTs, apparently the ones they do in Greece might not qualify him for a job in Britain. Crazy huh? Hopefully Dumbledore will take him, although I've never heard of an exchange student...Good thing he's coming back though, wasn't your uniform a toga?"

"You're rambling again. But it was. It was brilliant! The guys didn't wear shirts underneath, it was so sexy. I could see their muscles and their bronze skin. So hot, I'm telling you."

"Wow, Sebastian. Just wow."

What was happening? Severus tried to keep up, but the two siblings seemed to change subject ever few seconds nonchalantly. How irritating. Severus was starting to regret ever saying yes to spending the day with Rose, exploiting and manipulating her for her talents was just too much hard work for Severus. As if the failed attack at the Quidditch trials the night before hadn't been annoying enough. He could still see Potter's triumphant grin. The despicable, arrogant, horrid, disgusting, complete and utter-

"Are you well, Severus? You look angry." Rose asked, looking concerned.

"Angry? He looks downright murderous. If you are gonna kill anyone, Rose is right here. Don't hurt me, I'm only 15! It'd be Rosie's fault anyway, for bringing a lunatic along. I'm telling you, that'd be so her."

"Now who's rambling, traitor?"

"Maybe it runs in the family."

"Can you imagine our mother rambling. Please."

Severus was starting to get a headache. How annoying. He'd rather be with Voldermort than here. He really hoped his plan would work after all this.

"Perhaps it's merely an irritating flaw you passed on to each other." Severus drawled. They both fell silent. Severus thought they might finally shut up.

"Hey! I don't do flaws sunny, I'm perfect!" Sebastian yelled indignantly.

"Please, if you're perfect-"

Maybe not then. Severus stood, silent and terrifying and completely ready to tear his hair out.

"Right, I say me, Frank, Lily, Marlene, Edgar, Louis and Harry on one team and Sirius, Remus, Peter, Fabian, Gideon, Alice and Felix on the other. Sound good?"

"No!" Fabian yelled, "The only relatively good player on our team is Felix!"

"WHAT!" Sirius yelled, "I'm amazing! Fabulous-talented, extraordinary."

Gideon snorted.

"Sure, you're a natural at flying, but there's a reason you were never on the team. Lazy. No problem hitting buldgers, but you value your pretty face to much to get close."

Sirius was too busy spluttering in disbelief to reply.

"Remus is alright." James said.

"Remus is shit!"

"Hey, I'm not that bad."

"No, you're not. Sorry. But if these are the teams, we'll be thrashed."

"I don't want to be on a different team to Alice." Frank whined, "Can't we just swap a player and have her on our team?"

"Fine, Marlene?" James asked.

"Nuh uh, I will not go on the same team as Black. I want to thrash him."

"God Marly it was months ago. Get over it!" Sirius said. Marlene glared.

"You were a shit boyfriend Sirius!"

"Okay, okay! How about you Harry, you said you were alright?" James sounded slightly desperate.

"Yeah, I guess." Harry shrugged.

"Brilliant! Well that's sorted, break away. Team talks before the match!"

James qucikly grabbed his teammates and left in a huddle.

It'd been a week since the Quidditch trials fiasco, and somehow James had managed to rally up enough friends for a good, full Quidditch match. And it was no lighthearted game, other friends (even Dumbledore, he'd heard) had set up bets, not on teams (as those were pretty unevenly matched, and decided last minute as so both teams would not have time to get to know their teammates skills and prepare) but on players, who's score the most goals, who'd catch the snitch, who was the mostly likely to fall of their broom... Everyone had brought their own brooms, most of which were fancy or at least relatively good, and James had brought a top-quality set of Quidditch balls. Harry borrowed Regulus' broom, who'd made it clear he wanted it back in one piece.

"Okay, better get started. What position do you play?" Gideon asked Harry.

"Seeker."

Gideon narrowed his eyes, and nodded. "Yep, I see it. You have the right frame for it. You any good?"

"Well, yes. I suppose. I was captain of my team, in school. Well I was home schooled." Harry quickly corrected, "But I played Quidditch in a local school..."

"Was?" Fabian laughed, "Sure you're not still at school?"

"Shut it, Fab." Gideon said, but Harry saw him smile. He tried not to let it bother him, and accepted he'd been seen as a kid by these people.

"Felix, still play as chaser?" He asked. Felix was a lean, dark skinned and handsome man with a fluffy, impressive afro tied into a bun and sharp cheek bones.

"You bet!" He said, grinning. His teeth were strikingly white against his black, coffee coloured skin.

"I'll be chaser too!" Sirius said. Everyone seemed to share silent disagreement. Sirius, who didn't to notice this, was beaming at the team. "I'll dazzle the keeper, and the Quaffle will go right in." He did look rather dashing today, his long hair was also in a bun, but looser than Felix's, dark, wavy strands falling out from the tie. His tanned skin shone in the sun, and his dark, sultry eyes were framed by thick eyebrows and fluttery eyelashes.

"No, I don't think so Sirius. Your aim is shite. You go beater with me, you have muscle power." Sirius frowned, but perked up at the word 'muscle'. He started rambling about how perhaps that'd be best, seeing as his lean and muscular physique shouldn't be wasted. Harry was sure he saw Remus roll his eyes multiple times.

"Fabian, you go chaser too. And Peter, I suppose. That alright with you?" Gideon asked, and Peter nodded quickly. "What about you Remus, mind being keeper?"

"I'm sure I won't be very good. But that's fine." Remus replied.

"Come off it Remus, you always play keeper. You've never failed too bad. You'll be fine." Fabian said, and slapped Remus on the back.

"It's becuase Moony is adorable and fragile and no one wants to hit the Quaffle too hard, lest they damage him." Sirius said in a matter of fact- I'm right don't argue vocie.

"I'm taller than you." Remus said.

"And skinnier." Sirius replied cheekily, poking Remus in the ribs, who squirmed.

"Okay," Fabian said, "Flirt with Remus later, I think James is ready."

Everyone disbanded.

"Can I flirt with you now?" Sirius asked, lips curling rakishly. Harry saw Fabian laugh, and slap Sirius' arse. He whispered something in his ear, and Sirius grinned.

"Maybe you've lost your chance, Fab." Sirius said, following the rest of the team. "I'll go flirt with Marly instead. She loves me. Did. Same thing."

Sirius and his friends seemed to have a different relationship to Harry and his. Harry wouldn't dream of slapping a friends arse. Harry almost laughed at the mental image of Ron's face if he did, but he quickly tried to forget it, because when he pictured his friends he felt like a heavy brick had been dumped in his stomach, and all his blood was rising up his throat. For a horrifying moment, he thought he might cry. But then, he felt a tugging at his robes and he stumbled forward.

"Keep up. You look an awful lot like Potter, don't you?" Felix said, and ruffled Harry's hair. He was taller than Harry, of course.

"A little, I suppose." He agreed.

Harry watched Fabian and Gideon from where he was. They reminded him, a little, of Fred and George. They were both tall, long legged and long necked. They had tanned faces and rosy, freckled cheeks with floppy, auburn hair and blue eyes. Harry stopped dead when he caught a flash of gold as Fabian waved to James.

"You alright?" Felix asked, dark eyes creasing.

"F-fine." Harry choked out, long fingers finding his wrist where Fabian's watch rested. The golden face felt cool, where he knew for a fact there was stars instead of clock hands, and a nasty dent along the back. Molly had given it him. It was tradition in the wizarding world for Wizards to receive watches when they came of age. Harry pushed the loose strap of the watch up his thin wrist, and tried to forget about it.

"I'm fine." He told Felix, who was looking at him with an overly worried expression.

"If you say so."

"I do."

"Okay." Felix stared at him for a moment, before grabbing Harry's hand and pulling him towards the rest. He didn't let go of Harry's hand when they reached the group, and Harry thought he saw James' eyes narrow at the sight.

Felix, unbeknownst to Harry, smirked at James.

Felix let go of Harry's hand, and trailed away. Harry gripped Regulus' broom, and stood by Sirius.

It turned out Marlene was James' seeker. She was very beautiful, with fair skin and straight, honey-blonde hair, a confident smile and warm brown eyes. She was tall, and thin, but not without a womanly silhouette. She smirked at Sirius when she saw him, and mouthed 'Time to play, big boy'. Sirius frowned at that, and tossed her a rude gesture. It didn't seem like they'd had a very good break-up.

James, Frank and Alice were chasers. Frank was tall and handsome, with a gentle smile, a solid build and warm brown eyes. Alice had short brown hair, a round face and was very short. She reminded Harry painfully of Neville.

Louis Azard and Edgar Bones were the beaters. Louis was Asian (Japanese maybe?) and had light, straight hair and was around Harry's height. Edgar was a bit older than the rest, and had a mane of blonde hair and dark eyes. They appeared to make quite a good team.

Harry's mother was keeper. She looked nervous, and kept whispering to James, who would kiss her chastely and tell her not to worry. It was a nice sight.

It felt incredible to fly again. Harry felt perfectly balanced- right in his element. He didn't even pay attention to the Quaffles and Buldgers for the first 10 minutes, he simply flew. He caught James staring at him once, James waved and yelled something like 'nice flying' before hitting the Quaffle perfectly into one of the hoops, Remus failing epically at defending it.

His father was an amazing flyer. Harry grinned massively watching him. He flew with confidence, seamlessly. That's where I got it from, Harry thinks. Sirius is quite the sight too- his hair flying with him, and he is quick as a bullet and agile too. Harry secretly thinks Sirius might be good at everything. He isn't a spectaculaire beater, though. He hits the buldgers away with a rather bad aim, sometimes endangering some of their own team. Gideon rolls his eyes at that, and beat the pesty balls away with an impressive force.

Harry catches glimpses at Marlene now and then. She isn't the best flyer- she grips her broom too hard with her thin thighs, but her hawk-like eyes scoured the pitch for the snitch attentively, and she didn't trail Harry, which he appreciated. It was always irritating when Seekers did that.

Harry saw the Snitch 15 minutes in. He probably could have dived for it. He didn't though. Everyone seemed to be having fun, and it was rather early to end the match. Harry didn't see the snitch for a while after that. James and Frank had scored an impressive 18 goals in 2 hours, even though Remus had saved quite a few too. Alice had scored too, but Harry thinks Remus might have let it in out of pity. Felix and Fabian had scored 9 goals, which was pretty good seeing as Fabian usually played beater and Lily was a good, if shaky, keeper. Peter had scored none.

Once, almost 3 hours in, Remus had made an astounding save. He dived, flipped in the air, and batted the Quaffle away with the tail of his broom. James, who'd been the one scoring, had gaped. Remus had looked quite disbelieving, too. Everyone cheered. Sirius came flying over, grinning. He been about to pat Remus on the back when a stray buldger hit him square in the back. Everyone watched with wide eyes as Sirius screamed and fell from his broom. Alice, who was closest, tried to catch him, but wasn't a very good flyer and ended up falling off too. Frank managed to grab his wand from his robes, and slow their fall.

Harry was the first to touch the ground, stumbling off his broom.

"Are you alright?" He asked quickly. Frank came up behind him and pulled Alice up from the ground. Sirius was gripping her robes, but let go.

"I'm okay Frank." Alice said, her voice unsteady. "I'm not hurt."

Remus was brushing off Sirius, muttering what an idiot he was and how he almost gave him a heart attack.

"I think my arms broken." Sirius groaned. James was roaring laughing.

"Fucking prat Padfoot!" He said, "Trust you to fall off your broom."

Harry shook his head slightly, smiling slightly. Lily managed to fix up Sirius' arm in a heartbeat, but Sirius gave some lousy excuse of it still being stiff and said he'd sit out for the rest of the game. Despite not being hurt, Alice said she would too. She was still shaking a little. She sat by Sirius, who gave her a quick glance and thanked her, then they started chatting happily about some sort of muggle book and Frank deemed she'd be okay.

When they got back up in the air, Harry decided it was time to look for the snitch before Marlene caught it. When they started the game, it'd been around 11- bright and sunny. It was darker now, the sun hiding behind swells of grey clouds. It was colder too, the chill in the air catching Harry's neck and fingertips. With less sun, it'd be harder to catch the snitch. When it was sunny, the light would glint off the gold of the metal sphere, the reflective silver of it's wings. Harry pushed his glasses up his nose, and started scanning the pitch.

James was a good chaser. He knew that. James was a natural in the air, with a wicked aim and some impressive stunts. He was proud of Lily, who'd always been a little shaky in the air, who was doing good at being keeper. Remus was better, but Remus had Sirius teaching him to fly since first year, and as much of a fail at Quidditch Sirius was- he was an amazing flyer.

Harry was magnificent. He sat so lightly of the broom, the smallest movements tilting it. He reminded James (a little arrogantly) of himself. But he was lighter, smaller, skinnier and swifter.

"Get the snitch quick, yeah?" He'd said to Marlene, because he was sure if Harry saw it first, there'd be no stopping him.

The scores were 210-140 James found, once he had the Quaffle, it was quite easy to bat it into one of the hoops.

He'd bet on Harry being good, but not this good. James was leisurely hitting a buldger away that'd gotten too close (despite him not being a beater) when Harry zoomed past him. Just a blur really. Marlene was on his tail, but slower and shakier. James flat out stopped to watch. The snitch must have been low on the ground, because Harry was zipping down towards the grass at a near 90 degree angle. Marlene seemed to value her life over a Quidditch game, and swerved upwards when she saw how close to the ground they were getting. James wanted to shout at Harry to leave it, that'd he get himself killed, but the words caught in his mouth when he saw Harry inches from the ground, fingers enclosing around the snitch. He managed to (in a manœuvre James wouldn't have managed, and most professional Quidditch players wouldn't have either) sweep his broom upwards at the last moment and soar casually through the air, flashing a grin.

"Got it." He said, holding up the struggling snitch, "Guess we win?"

James stared for a good few moments before coming back to his wits, and landing with the rest of the team.

"Fucking amazing." Fabian was saying. The twins were grinning at him, patting his back.

"You could play professionally." Frank said. Harry blushed at that, which James thought was sort of cute.

Sirius seemed to have perked up, gushing compliments to Harry, bragging that he had introduced the group to a future celebrity. Harry was chuckling good-naturedly. He was looking at Sirius quite lovingly, and fondly. James had noticed Harry doing it before, staring at Sirius as if he knew him, deeply and caring. James wondered if Harry might play for other Quidditch team, if you catch his drift.

He tried to forget it.

After they got over Harry's impressive win, James asked if anyone would like to come back to his for drinks. Edgar gave some excuse and left, Louis said he had a family dinner and Felix offered no explanation except no. James didn't like him anyway. The rest of them decided to head back to the Potter house.

Before he left, Felix caught his arm. "That kid, Harry." He whispered in James' ear, "Is he alright?"

"Why wouldn't he be?" James scowled.

"It's just...Look out him? He seems really...sad, even when he smiles."

James stared at Harry, gazing at Sirius in longing, sadness and woe. He shrugged Felix off.

"Sure. Whatever." He said, "Look after yourself, yeah? Dangerous times and such."

They departed.

James sat with Lily on the couch, laughing at some ridiculous story Fabian was telling.

"I'm gonna get another." Lily said, shaking her empty wine glass from him and slipping out from underneath his arms. He nodded. Sirius came over, slinking an arm around James.

"Prongs, mate." He greeted, "Got you another one." He handed James a firewhisky.

"Cheers, Pads."

"Harry and the Longbottoms seem to be getting on." Sirius speculated. James turned to see Harry smiling amiably at something Alice was gushing about excitedly, Frank staring at her with a dopey smile.

Remus slumped down on the other side of James, taking a large sip from Sirius' glass, who laughed.

"Alright Moony?"

"Just escaped your ex. Think she wants to use me for revenge."

"Sounds like her. Amazing woman, right?"

"Do you notice how Harry looks at you, Sirius?" James asked.

"What?"

"James, maybe you shouldn't." Remus said quietly.

"Shouldn't what? What are you two on about?"

"Why shouldn't I?" James demanded.

"It's just..."

"Just nothing. Surely you've noticed Pads. He looks at you like he knows you, and loves you and it hurts just seeing you. Like he grieves you, but you're right in front of him and he doesn't know whether he should hug you or cry."

There was silence for a moment, before Sirius started laughing.

"I'd think I would've noticed if someone looked at me like that."

"I see it too, Padfoot." Remus said, "He does look at you a little...but I've seen him look at you like that James. A little. It's hard to explain, maybe he's just an emotional person?"

"Maybe I remind him of someone? I could see how James would remind him of someone, they look so similar. Maybe James looks like a family member?"

"Maybe, actually." Remus said thoughtfully. "It would sort of make sense."

Before they could discuss it further, Lily came in with Moly and Arthur Weasley.

"I invited the Weasleys over, thought they could do with a night off. They just flooed in." She said brightly.

"Mols!" Gideon said, jumping up. "How's my favourite twins?"

"A handful already, I'm afraid." Molly Weasley said, kissing both her brother's cheeks.

It was very late by the time everyone started to leave, and past midnight when it was only Sirius, Remus the Potters and Harry left. James had noticed Harry staring all night at the Weasleys. Was that just a thing he had? He'd become increasingly quieter.

It had happened very suddenly. One moment, Remus had been saying how they should probably get going, and then started to ramble about things that needed fixing in the house. When Remus got tipsy, he always started to complain about domestic things, and seemed to get irritated the more he talked about trivial matters. He was expressing in an increasingly angry voice about the crack by the front door that kept getting worse and worse and how no one bothered to fix it when Harry let out a loud, and tremulous sob. Remus didn't notice at first, continuing to rant. "And don't get me started on the doorbell. It's been broken for 2 months and not been fixed. Magic doesn't work of course, because that would just be too easy!"

"Uhm Moony." Sirius said. James looked over. It was possibly one of the most distressing things James had ever seen. Harry was on the edge of the sofa, curled in on himself and just crying. Roaring crying; almost silently. He didn't look up at the sudden quiet that had swept through the room. His small hiccups and sobs could be heard, but apart from that James saw little but Harry's messy hair, his head tucked between his knees.

'What do we do?' Sirius mouthed, looking both awkward and troubled. James shrugged helplessly. Remus was looking at Harry in something akin to utter drunken shock. James thought he heard him say to Sirius 'was it the doorbell? I always get sad thinking about it'. Apparently Remus had had quite a lot to drink. Eventually Lily had sat next to him, and placed a hand on his shoulder. Harry flinched, jumping up. His wide eyes were red and glassy. It was awful to look at, his small face scrunched up and his body wracking with violent sobs.

"Harry, sweetie." Lily said, grimaceing slightly at the harrowing sight, "It's going to be okay."

"It'll never be okay." Harry said, clutching at Lily's robes. Lily looked as if she might cry too, trying to offer Harry some comfort by stroking his hair lightly, but he didn't seem to notice. She tried to offer him a hug too, but he simply curled in on himself.

Remus seemed to have sobered up, and was looking at Harry sadly. James and Sirius were still quite helpless.

"Never okay. Changed too much. Can't go back, I won't see them again. Or if I do, it'll never be the same. It won't have happened, not really- everything wouldn't have even existed. They'll be no endless searching for who Nicholas Flammel is or time turners or chambers. I won't be there when they fight constantly because of Crockshanks or food or Quidditch even though they love each other, really. They might never even know each other, if not for me. They'll be no cramping up in his bedroom, or talking about muggles with his dad. It'll be a dream, far away and gone. I'll be all alone, with people I love but people who don't love me or know me and how am I supposed to make them love me when they don't know me?"

And then he burst into tears again.

Harry kept muttering nonsense into his hands. James sat up and sat next to his wife.

"You're okay Harry." James said.

But Harry breaths were coming out wheezy and he seemed to be struggling to breathe.

"James, do something!" Lily said frantically, trying to rub Harry's back.

"I don't know what to do! Remus?!"

"Just breathe Harry, I think you're having a panic attack." Remus said in his calm, rational voice, even though his eyes were still wide and blown. It didn't calm Harry down, however, who was shaking vigorously. James saw a hard, determined look on Sirius' face as he stood up. He sat down next to Harry, and simply pulled Harry into a hug. Harry didn't flinch away from Sirius, almost like Sirius was a familier and nonthreatening source of comfort.

"Just breathe with my chest, Harry." Sirius was saying levelly, "One, good, two, that's right."

The other three watched the pair for a few minutes before Harry's breathing slowed, and he stopped crying.

"I'm sorry." He said, "Merlin, I'm so sorry. Something's wrong with me. I need to...I need...nothing. It doesn't matter."

"Don't apologize Harry. Merlin don't be sorry. I think...do you want to tell us Harry? What's wrong."

"It's...when my mother died. She wasn't the only one. A lot of people I loved died. I feel so alone."

"We're here, if it's any consolation." James said.

"It is. I'm fine...or I will be. I need to go home, I'll invite an old friend around. That knows the situation. It'll be good. Don't worry about me, I'm sorry. I think I just had some sort of breakdown."

They saw Harry to the floo quietly, and he stepped into the flames with a shaky, reassuring smile.

When he left, there was silence.

"What just happened." Remus said.

"Teenage angst?" Sirius replied weakly.

"I don't think Harry just broke down because of Acne or girl troubles Sirius. Something's really wrong. Grief can do that I guess, sneak up on you." Lily said.

"That was awful to watch." James muttered, "Fucking horrendous."

"It's hard when you can do nothing. No spells or potions to make the pain go away because there's nothing to heal but emotions. He'll be okay, I think. He doesn't know us very well, he's probably embarrassed and there's probably better people to comfort him. You did well though Sirius, when he had a panic attack."

"Regulus used to have them...I think the stress of the expectations on him got to him a lot. 'Specially when he was little." Sirius shrugged.

"I hope he'll be alright." Lily said. They nodded grimly.

"Right, we best go." Remus said, "Come on Sirius."

Harry was mortified. He'd just broken down, in front of them. Like a child- or somebody mentally unstable. Am I mentally unstable?

No, of course not. I'm fine.

It'd been building up in his stomach: pain and loss. He'd been staring at Arthur and Molly, who spoke to him so politely and distantly. Like he was just another stranger. Like he wasn't Harry, one of their surrogate sons. They were his family, but Molly didn't gush over his weight or his hair. They didn't even know him. Fred and George were infants. Nothing was the same. Even if things got better, it he saved them all, he wouldn't see them again. They'd be there, but they would be his. His Ron, his Hermione. His friends. How could anything ever be the same? It wouldn't. Harry would love those who'd never love him.

When Harry stepped into the flat, Regulus was curled up on the sofa under a red blanket, reading a heavy backed book.

"Hey Regulus." Harry said, slumping next to him.

"Have you been crying?" Regulus asked, frowning.

"A bit, yeah."

"What's wrong?"

"Everything. My friends aren't born yet; people I love don't even know me." As Harry spoke, he started to cry again. He wiped his face furiously. He defeated the Dark Lord. Multiple times. He was Harry Potter. Why couldn't stop crying? It seemed to more he spoke to Regulus, the more he sobbed.

"I think it'll work out Harry." Regulus said softly, threading his fingers through Harry's hair and ruffling the locks a little. Harry said nothing. The pair sat in silence. If felt like remorse, grief and acceptance.

Harry really couldn't believe that for once in his life, things were going well. He'd met his parents, his Godfather, Remus, and they liked him. Like actually seemed to find his company enjoyable. Sure, they all treated him a bit like a kid (which he sort of was to a degree) but Harry really felt like he finally had a family. Since his...episode, Harry had been seen them 8 times in the past 2 weeks. He'd been to two more order meetings, which were dull and uneventful. Dumbledore had pulled him aside both times, smiling and twinkling his eyes as Harry (rather guiltily) lied through his teeth about his schooling and family. When he'd first met up with the Marauders and Lily again, it'd been awkward. They'd looked at him like he was a delicate vase. Eventually, they seemed to get over it and they were causal, but going on good, friends again. He was establishing a strong relationship with them, and although it was hard at to see them alive and well at first, he now recognized it for the blessing it was. Even if James did keep handing him professional Quidditch team sign up forms.

So, two weeks on and finally the potion was ready. It was time to remove Regulus' dark mark (good riddance) and start the search for the Horcruxs. Yeah, Harry had seemed to forget about the evil Dark Lord rising while enjoying his families company. Harry was currently in the process of removing Regulus' mark, who wasn't being very cooperative.

"Ow, ow that hurts!" Regulus yelled, snatching his arm from Harry's grip.

"Regulus!" Harry exclaimed, "I have to do it, or we won't be able to get rid of it!"

Regulus very reluctantly gave Harry his arm back.

"Thank you." Harry stressed, "Now we have to be careful in case Voldermort thinks you're trying to summon him." Regulus nodded silently.

Harry took the end of the knife and sliced it into the burned and vulnerable skin around the dark mark, trying not to feel guilty as he feels Regulus' arm tremble and hears him whimper now and then. When Harry is finished, he feels awful. The mark is slashed, but he can't see it clearly as Regulus' is bleeding profusely, his arm a sticky mess.

"I'm sorry." Harry said, and is quite horrified to see Regulus crying. Regulus wipes his eyes with his left arm.

"It's fine." He replied hoarsely, but Harry knows it isn't. Touching the dark mark can cause unbearable pain.

"You have to drink the potion now." Harry said, and passes Regulus the concoction he had made with his brothers blood. Regulus had said as the blood would contain some of Sirius' magical essence, and as they were brothers they were similar enough to not be completely told apart, the mark wouldn't know what what magical core to grip onto- after this there would be a trauma as the mark's magic tried to cling to the tiny amount of essence from Sirius, and the other elements of the potion would repel it, causing a rapture. It would be enough to tear the magic from Regulus' core, destroying it's influence on Regulus. Then all that would be left was the physical, damaged tattoo. The rapture would be sudden, and Voldermort would think it was caused by Regulus' death.

"I know." Regulus said, taking the potion and drinking it. It was awful to watch- Regulus thrashed and tried to keep in awful screams, settling on choking out weak sobs. It's 20 minutes before Regulus settles down, Harry watching very anxiously. When he does, Harry rushed to his side and tries to wipe the sweat from Regulus' fringe. Regulus' pants, and holds out his arm. The final phase. Feeling very sick, Harry casts incendio and watches as the flesh on Regulus' forearm bubbles and burns. Afterwards, a raw skinless patch of blood remains where the dark mark was. Harry had to burn the skin away to get rid of the tattoo, and what is left is a horrendous, blistered and melted, red and black mess where skin once was. Harry will not be able to heal it straight away, it would be too dangerous in case any magic of the dark mark was left inside Regulus and it clung onto the healing spell.

"It will get infected." Regulus said quietly, "We'll need to heal it as soon as possible. Third degree burns can cause death." Harry nodded mutely, and helped drag Regulus' limp and worn out body to his room. "Sirius would have felt something." Regulus said as Harry placed Regulus down on his bed, "There's no way he wouldn't have. When Voldermort summons the deatheaters for a meeting the day after tomorrow, Voldermort will think I'm dead. We need to leave here before then- I have a safe house. I've been saving up my allowance since I was 13, I don't need to worry about money. We'll also need to go to Grimmauld Place and change the portrait so it says I'm dead- we can contact Kreacher."

"Okay." Harry says, "Sounds like a plan." Regulus fell asleep as soon as Harry pulled the duvet over him, his bloodied arm bleeding through it's bandage onto the sheets.

Next day, Harry wondered into Regulus' room to see him sweating, tangled in the covers. "Regulus?" Harry asked, worried, "Reg you alright?" He shakes him awake. Regulus wakes up groggily. Harry immediately notices he has a fever. "Regulus, you really don't look well."

Regulus sits up, seeming to regret it straight away by the wince of pain. He brings his arm up to his face and pull the bandage from his arm the tiniest bit. "Infected." He said.

"What?!" Harry exclaimed, "We need to heal that burn right now." Harry said, making a grab for Regulus' arm, but he quickly pulled away.

"No, we can't. It'd all be for nothing, it's just one more day- I won't die in one day. I have a weak immune system, always have- this is normal." Regulus said. Harry frowned deeply, but helped Regulus out of bed. Harry made Regulus some toast with his fancy French bread. He was worried to see Regulus swaying in his seat at the dining table, his eyes glazed.

"Regulus?" Harry asked tentatively.

"Non merci cousin, je vais manger à la maison avec ma mère." Regulus said in a flawless French accent, as if he was born and raised there.

"What?" Harry asked, suddenly extremely worried.

"Léon, honnêtement, je suis très bien. Tu inquiéter." Harry, now very much in a panic, and understanding nothing the taller boy was saying, yells quickly:

"Regulus! Snap out of it! If you don't stop this, I'm healing you." When Regulus doesn't reply, just lolls his head to the side, Harry rushes to dig his wand out of his pocket. He casts the spell quickly, but nothing happens. Harry, completely horrified, tries again. He tries episkey, and tergeo and when they don't work even Snape's Vulnera Sanetur.

The burn looks as gruesome as ever, unchanged, and Regulus still dazedly lolls his head about. Harry ran to one of Regulus' cabinets and pulled out a tray of potions, his hands shaking in fear, and grabs some burn healing paste. When he rubs it on Regulus' arm, nothing happens but the blood smearing.

Harry comes to the alarming conclusion that the mark's left over dark magic had cursed the wound, making it almost impossible to heal with magic.

Fearing a very complicated potion would be needed to heal the burn, Harry tried again to talk to Regulus.

"Regulus, please answer me."

"Sirius?" Regulus said in a sort of broken, sad voice, his head resting on the table, "You're leaving..." Harry stared, bewildered and terrified.

Luckily, after the war, Harry wasn't too shoddy in a crisis.

"We're going to the hospital." He muttered to himself, heaving Regulus' arm over his shoulder. They couldn't take the floo- Regulus was supposed to be dead. Harry wasn't sure he could handle the trip, either. Definitely not apparating. Harry didn't trust Regulus, in his weakened and dazed state, to not be thinking of somewhere else and thus casing them both bodily harm. He had no easily accessible port key, and flying was out of the question.

Harry stumbled out of the flat, trying to ignore the worrying gurgling noises Regulus was making. He dragged Regulus across Diagon Alley, awkwardly avoiding peoples eyes- who seemed to think Regulus was some drunk lunatic. Harry had rather thoughtfully spelled Regulus' hair bright, Malfoy blonde before leaving, and he prayed it would stop him from being recognised. Just when Harry thought they might make it to St Mungos, he caught a glimpse of red hair. Harry tried to duck behind a shop, but it was in vain, for Lily had noticed him.

"Harry!" She yelled, rushing over with James and Sirius.

Her eyes widened at the sight of Regulus.

"Is everything okay?" She asked meekly.

Okay so I have been gone forever. I'm really sorry? I had a PJO fanfiction obsession for a while and now I've become obsessed with Football...weirdly.(Btw I mean soccer football, not that weird American football that's a bit like rugby haha. I'm now even a shipper of neymessi and gotzeus...I really don't know what I'm doing with my life. It's not just the hot players though...I also seem to be enjoying the sport.

I've also taken to learning German and French seriously...Sort of struggling in that aspect. I'm very keen though. Maybe I'll take up a pen pal lol.

Well anyway, I thought I'd update considering it is the release of the cursed child today...so yeah.

I doubt this chapter is too good tbh *blushes and apologises* ...but I hope you enjoy it nonetheless...

Let me know what you think of the chapter please! I'm thirsty for long constructive reviews okay XD I feel like there is something missing from my writing I don't know maybe just general talent lol. Was Harry's break down okay?

Sorry for the shitty characterisation especially Snape what can I say I try. And the annoying OCs I've added in because I'm trying to be plotty and cool when I'm not.

So drama next chapter (not that it will be along for a while), can I get a yay I mean who doesn't love drama? Nothing like a bit of angst in the morning.

So the reactions might be a bit shit and over emphasised in this but unless you're like 30 and some pro wiriter (I'm telling you there are a lot of them writing HP fanfiction it's like looking into my future life XD) then I'm sure you won't really mind (I hope...)

Omg I can just see the grammar and spelling mistakes in this I'm really sorry because I hate it in stories I feel it really distacts from the story so I'm really sorry I'm bascally just shit but if anyone wants to beta...;)

See you all I hope you're having good days and summers unless you're like Australian in which case I hope winter is good...

Really grateful for all you're feedback and just for you reading my shit like so glad I'm not the only one wasting away my days reading fanfiction...

:)))