Understanding potter's struggles

06 | The Replay

The next couple of hours were spent catching up and enjoying each other's company, it wasn't until midnight before McGonagall suggested they all sleep up in the dormitory's.

*****

It was the early hours of the morning, when Harry woke from yet another nightmare about the battle of Hogwarts. He tried to remind himself that all was well, that they'd all come back. But it was having no effect.

Not wanting to have another nightmare, Harry got dressed as silently as he could and slipped out of the room him Ron, Fred, George and Neville had been sharing and went down to the quiet common room.

The morning sun was slipping through the window and the birds could be heard chirping in the grounds but other than that it was peaceful.

It wasn't until he took a seat by the fire, that he realised he wasn't alone. Sat together on the couch sleeping softly, were his parents. For a little while, he just sat watching them until James began to wake up.

The man who looked so very much like Harry stirred awake and began trying to find his glasses. By the time he'd put them on, he'd woken Lily who had been sleeping against him.

It didn't take long for the two of them to remember where they were and to spot Harry sitting on the arm chair beside them.

"Morning," said James groggily, as he removed his glasses to rub his eyes, "what time is it?"

"About 6," Harry replied.

"You wake up early," he chuckled.

"Nightmare," whispered Harry hoping they wouldn't hear him but they did.

"What were you having a nightmare about sweetheart?" said Lily softly.

"Just everything that's happened," Harry replied. The two Potters exchanged nervous glances.

"I wish we knew what has happened sweetheart, then maybe we could help you," replied Lily gently.

"It's a long story," Harry said, "not easy to explain either."

"Maybe we could ask to borrow Dumbledore's pensieve, then you can show us everything," she suggested.

Harry thought about it before he replied, "yeah, I'll ask him when I see him, would it be alright if a couple of others watched. We never properly explained what's been going on to them. I think they deserve to know."

"Of course, that's alright," she said with a smile. Lily really was everything he had always wanted, she would have definitely been a wonderful mother, his heart ached just thinking about all they'd missed.

He also couldn't help but think about what their reactions would be when they saw his memories. They'd probably be angry he also knew he was in store for a whole load of pity.

*****

A few hours later, they were all sitting at the Gryffindor table eating the breakfast the house elves had made in the kitchens.

"Does anyone know how the house elves are doing?" asked Ron as he continued to shovel his breakfast into his mouth; when he asked Hermione's face lit up.

"The kitchens aren't too badly damaged so they're doing alright," replied McGonagall as she sipped her tea.

At that moment Harry suddenly remembered something, "Dobby!" Quickly, he got out of his seat and was running out the hall towards the kitchens. Hermione then tired to pull Ron away from his breakfast as they went after him.

*****

Tickling the pear, Harry made his way into the kitchen.

"Dobby," Harry began to shout, within seconds the little house elf had made his way to where Harry stood.

"Harry Potter sir," Dobby said smiling as his orb like eyes watched Harry.

"Dobby you're alive!" he exclaimed extatically.

"Appears so sir," he said before looking round Harry to see Ron and Hermione, "you brought your wheezy!"

Ron laughed as him and Hermione joined Harry and Dobby.

"Good to see you Dobby," said Ron happily.

*****

The trio returned to the great hall a little while later their hearts feeling even lighter.

"Where have you three been?" asked Mrs Weasley when they came back to the Gryffindor table.

"Went to go see Dobby," Harry said happily.

"Dobby's back, that's great," exclaimed Luna, "I really like that elf."

"Harry dear," said Mrs Weasley, "we were wondering if we could watch the pensieve too."

"Of course, you can Mrs Weasley, you all can if you'd like. After all we do owe you all an explanation."

*****

An hour later, Harry, Hermione, all the Weasleys, his parents, Sirius, Remus, Tonks, McGonagall, Neville and Luna were all gathered around the pensieve.

But before they went in someone else arrived in the room looking nervous, it was Draco Malfoy.

"Harry," he said quietly, "could I talk to you for a moment?" Harry nodded so Draco led the way out of the room into the corridor.

"I -I'd like to thank you," he said, "I mean you saved my life I don't know why but you did. So, I just wanted to say thanks."

Harry smiled, "its alright Draco. We're just about to watch my memories if you'd like to join us."

He looked a bit unsure, "are you sure that's alright," he said nervously.

Harry nodded, Draco smiled at him and they went back into the room together. There were some confused expressions when the two walked back into the room.

Draco turned to face Neville and Hermione, "I'm sorry," he said, "I've been a bit of a..."

"Prat," finished Ron, Draco nodded.

"Can you forgive me?" he looked down at the floor as he spoke.

"Yeah," said Neville as he stuck a hand out to shake Draco's. Draco looked shocked but shook it. Hermione nodded.

"Any questions anyone has had over the years should be answered in here," Harry said before pouring the memories into the pensieve, "these are the memories from before Hogwarts." He turned to look at them all, "please don't freak out." They looked at him quizzically, before one by one making there way into the pensieve.