Taking care of myself

Chapter 5: introducing myself

Sirius had the sense to ask what the story James had told Harry was before they set off. James nodded.

"Just that I was a relative of his fathers and that I've been away fighting bad men. He doesn't have any clue about who or what he is and he has never heard of Voldemort. He's caught me in a few nightmares so I don't know what he heard then. By the way guys, if you startle me on purpose, come up behind me and grab me, wake me up suddenly from sleep, or anything like that, the consequences are on your own heads. I don't mine pranks, just be careful which ones you try on me. Try not to slip and call me Harry and do be careful with Harry. He did just come from an abusive home. Siri, you're a great guy but the one time I tried your cooking I had a nasty case of food poisoning. Thus, you are banned from the kitchen." James smirked while Remus laughed at his friend. "Remy, if you wake me up with that cold water trick, I will disembowel you." It was Sirius' turn to laugh.

"Are we clear on the rules?"

Both men nodded. "Good. Hold on to the portkey then. Oh, and please keep your hands and legs inside the vehicle at all times." He grinned. "Always wanted to say that. Take us home!"

With the traditional hook behind their navels and a whirl of color they were off. Both men noticed that James looked a little green during the trip and was gripping his wand in an iron hold. They landed in a pile on a sandy beach. James was the first to re-gain his feet.

"Welcome to the Lion's Retreat." James looked at the sky and saw that the sun was just about to rise. "I knew you lot would keep me up all night." He took out his wand and waved it at the house. An extra room seemed to grow out of the wood and was soon bulging out of the side of the house. To make things look even, he gave himself a balcony.

Remus looked impressed. "That's serious magic, James."

"Of course it is, I didn't kill Voldemort with a levitating charm after all."

Sirius grinned. "Touché."

James just rolled his eyes. "Try not to make me re-name this place the nut house. Cmon, let me give you the tour."

Both men were understandably impressed with the Island and the charms protecting it. They loved the house and got to work decorating their rooms as soon as they were shown them. James helped by charming their ceilings and assisting both men wherever he could in an effort to stay awake. He was exhausted. Luckily, all the banging around and loud talking woke little Harry up and James smiled in relief when his alert charm went off.

"He's up. I'll go get him and introduce myself to you." He grinned. "When he is told everything I plan to have fun confusing other people."

As he left the room, he heard Remus quip, "Yep, he's a Marauder!"

James walked down the hall to Harry's room and gently knocked on the door before entering. Harry smiled sleepily at him and gave him a hug.

"Mornin Uncle James. Are my other Uncles here yet?"

"You bet, kiddo. They can't wait to meet you. Go ahead and brush your teeth and wash your face before I take you to meet them. You can stay in your jammies though if you like."

"They won't mind?"

James smiled and the picture the child made in his lion pajamas with the fuzzy lion on the front. "Somehow I doubt it."

Harry gave a sleepy nod and obeyed his uncle. When the child was finished, James easily picked him up and held the shy child in his arms as he left the room and headed for where the Marauders were. Harry was such a shy child. He had already buried his face in James' neck and they hadn't even entered the room yet. He gently kicked the door all the way open and was aware how the child tensed when he walked in the room. There was a large smile on both older men's faces as they watched James come in carrying a messy haired, pajama clad little boy that was clinging to the younger man. James smiled and bounced Harry in his arms a little.