Shattered Images

Chapter 7

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter in any capacity – I am simply borrowing the characters for a bit

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

The room which the four wizards landed in was small but cozy; Lily's touches could be seen everywhere. However, not one of the current occupants was paying attention to their surroundings. All three of the conscious men was seeming entranced by the masked boy lying on the floor.

Sirius felt as if his heart was simultaneously in his throat and stomach. His little godson, the boy he had not gone a day without thinking of, was lying in the floor in front of him. The dog animagus leaned forward to run his hand through Harry's dark hair, relishing the warmth that only came from someone wonderfully alive. Tears made their way down Sirius's cheeks, uninterrupted by any hands brushing at them. In fact, all three marauders had tears coursing down their faces.

Remus felt the emotions bubbling up in his chest at the reintroduction to the boy he had adopted as his cub, despite not having any blood relation. Suddenly it was all too much for the werewolf, "I-I have to go get Lily."

Remus all but ran from the room; he was usually an extremely level-headed person, and this much shock and emotion and joy and pain was very foreign to him.

Arriving in the kitchen, Remus walked up to the redheaded woman slumped at the table, apparently oblivious to her surroundings. Laying a gentle hand on her shoulder, Remus spoke.

"Lily? We're back."

Said woman's heads snapped up, and immediately she seemed all too aware of the situation.

"Where? Upstairs?" She was already dashing to the stairs, not waiting for a reply. Remus hesitantly followed, giving in to the need to be near his long lost 'nephew' once more.

The door creaked open under Lily's palm. She stepped into the room, emotions so high she felt emotionless. There. On the floor. Her baby.

Lily fell to her knees next to the boy she had spent more time mourning than raising. Her head fell to his chest, content to listen to the heartbeat that was supposed to be long silent. Everything else disappeared, and Lily cried.

Watching his wife there on the floor with his son, James felt that nothing in the world mattered. Voldemort, Hogwarts, the Ministry, it all disappeared. As Sirius had done, James carded his hand through the dark hair, so like his own.

Lily sat up a few minutes later, "We need to wake him up. He could be injured, or imperioed, and why in Merlin's name is he still wearing a mask?"

"Couldn't get it off," Sirius spoke up, "He's charmed it to himself."

Sirius continued, "Remus has gone to get Dumbledore from Hogwarts, they'll be back soon, then we can safely wake him up. Moody's downstairs."

Lily nodded and backed up from her son. James and Sirius walked forward together and settled Harry onto the bed. The three of them then waited for the floo to flare green.

It turned out they needn't wait long - hardly a minute had passed when Dumbledore and Remus came through the fireplace, calling Moody up in the process.

Lily quickly ran some diagnostic charms on the boy and finding nothing too serious (a few potions and Harry would be perfect), the six adults stepped back from the bed.

"Rennervate."

No one was expecting Harry to be almost immediately aware – a product of his training. He rolled instantly to his feet and took a defensive position. He didn't make any further moves, though.