Nose to the Wind // tomarry

Chapter 5: Using Gentle Words to Shelter Me

On the weekend before Chris' second birthday, the Potters received an unexpected visitor.

Everyone was indoors, because – surprise, surprise, it was March – it was gross out. Harry had a picture book in his lap, Will leaning against his side and mostly managing to read it out loud, with Harry letting him know when he got something wrong, then helping him figure out what the word was, all without actually speaking. (Sirius seemed to think it was the greatest thing ever, and liked to sit across from them and watch, though he wasn't there that afternoon.) James was 'helping' Chris play with magical blocks that changed colours, while Lily hummed along to the wireless in the kitchen while making something sweet. (Harry wasn't completely clear on what, but it smelled delicious. James had already tried to get a taste, only to be chased back to the living room by sentient knives, so Harry wasn't even going to try, even though he knew his mum wouldn't turn knives on him.)

Everyone in the living room looked up at the knock. Harry looked at Will, who answered by furrowing his brows and pressing a finger to his lips. "Secret?"

Harry bit his lip against a giggle and shook his head.

James got up and answered the door as Lily came to the doorway between the living and dining rooms. "Peter?!" James exclaimed.

"Heya, Prongs," Peter's voice said from outside, muted by the falling rain. "Can I come–"

"No," Lily snapped, stalking forward, spatula in one hand held like a wand. (Harry half suspected his mum could use it as one, too, if she was determined enough.) "Harry, take your brothers upstairs."

"What?" Will complained, drowning out Peter's hopeful plea.

Harry shook his head and pointed towards the stairs as he went to collect Chris. Chris was as happy as Will to be forced to leave, but Harry could pick him up, and Will followed when Harry frowned at him until he moved.

Upstairs, away from their parents, Harry quietly explained, "Peter was Dad's friend, but he started telling their secrets, so Dad and Mum haven't spoken to him in..." He shook his head. "Before Chris was born."

"Why's he here now?" Will demanded, while Chris made an adorable pouty face that Harry was pretty sure was his version of a scowl.

"I don't know," Harry admitted before he sighed. "I can make a guess, but it's complicated and political and involves a lot of stuff that you don't fully understand yet."

Will made a face. "Nuh-uh. Don't care that much."

"Yes, I rather thought that would be your response."

Will stuck his tongue out at Harry, then walked off to look at the shelf of picture books against one wall, while Chris toddled off to find a stuffed animal to chew on.

Harry snuck out into the upstairs hall and poked his head into the stairwell, listening to see if he could figure out what was going on, but someone had thought to put up silencing charms, and he scowled. He could get past them easily, but he was uneasy about leaving his brothers alone just because he wanted to know what was up with the rat. He did take a deep breath, though, and ascertained that Peter had managed to talk his way into the house. Likely, Lily was more willing to play nice when Harry and his brothers were out of sight, and therefore out of spell range, and he suspected his parents were as interested as Harry in why Peter would come back now.

So, sighing, Harry resigned himself to a watered-down version later and went back to their room to keep an eye on his brothers.

-0-

Reading between the lines of what Lily and James explained over dinner, Harry surmised that Peter, now that Voldemort was willing to side with squibs and muggleborns, had hoped to find a warmer reception from his former friends. Which, well, was most certainly not what he found, but he did manage to worm his way into a second chance, as Lily offered, "You'll meet him when he comes for a visit next month. If he freaks you out, Will, you have Mum's permission to summon something into the back of his head."