Harry Potter: The Revenant

The convoy arrived at the SHIELD safehouse, nestled so discreetly in the woods it could have doubled as a set for one of those spy movies where nobody knows where anyone is. Harry stepped out first, looking like he'd just hopped off an action movie poster. He was tall, muscular, and apparently still adjusting to the fact that he could now see the tops of everyone's heads instead of looking up at them like they were trees and he was a squirrel.

"Okay, this place is a bit nicer than my last room at Hydra's torture hotel," he said, squinting at the safehouse. "But I think I'd rather be back in my little cupboard under the stairs."

Natasha emerged from the vehicle next, her mind a whirlwind of emotions. Just days ago, Harry had been a little boy—innocent, curious, and desperately in need of protection. Now, he was towering over her, and while he still had that boyish charm, there was no denying the transformation. Hydra had turned him into an 18-year-old muscle factory, complete with claws that would make Wolverine green with envy. The crazy part? Natasha found herself more than a little conflicted, and not just because of the claws.

As they walked toward the safehouse, Peggy Carter and Nick Fury stood waiting, looking like they were about to hand out report cards for all the good work.

"Welcome to the safehouse," Peggy said with a smile that could disarm a nuclear bomb. "I know Harry has been through quite the ordeal. So we should rest and recuperate."

Fury nodded, his eyes taking in the changes. "You've come a long way, kid. How does it feel being grown up?"

Harry sank into a couch that seemed to protest under his newfound weight. He looked at his hands, which had gone from tiny kid fingers to massive paws capable of swatting a bludger into next week. "It's weird," he admitted. "One minute I'm a kid who's supposed to be eating cereal and watching cartoons, and the next, I'm… well, this. I feel like I skipped puberty and went straight to 'action hero.'"

Bucky, the mysterious, silent guardian who had trained Harry, nodded his approval. It was a rare gesture from the man who barely spoke a word in the Hydra base. "You did well, Harry," he said. His voice was deep, calm, and encouraging. "You've got a lot of strength in you."

Harry was stilltaken aback. This was only the second time he'd heard Bucky speak—he'd always been a silent, stoic figure in his training sessions. It felt like hearing a statue suddenly deliver a motivational speech.

"Thanks, Bucky," Harry replied, a grin spreading across his face. "I mean, it's not every day you find out you can cast spells with your retractable claws. That's got to be a new one, even for the wizarding world."

Natasha leaned against the wall, watching Harry with a mix of pride and something else—a fluttery, complicated feeling that made her heart race like she'd had too much coffee. "You've got more up your sleeve than you think, Harry," she said, her eyes sparkling. "I mean, those claws of yours are just the beginning."

Grindelwald, the enigmatic mentor figure who'd introduced Harry to his magical potential, gave a nod of approval. "Hydra might have changed your body, Harry, but they could never touch your spirit. Your destiny is still yours to shape."

Peggy cleared her throat, bringing everyone's attention back to the matter at hand. "We need to figure out our next move. Hydra isn't going to let this defeat slide easily."

As the group huddled together to discuss strategy, Natasha couldn't help but steal glances at Harry. He was no longer the frightened little boy she'd once protected; he was growing into someone who could protect others. And while the transformation was jarring, it also filled her with a sense of admiration—and something more.

Harry caught her gaze and gave a reassuring smile, a hint of the playful, mischievous kid she'd come to care about shining through his rugged exterior. In that moment, Natasha realized that no matter how much Harry had changed, he was still the same person inside—the same kid she'd promised to look after, just with a few extra perks.

"Thanks, everyone," Harry said, his voice filled with determination and gratitude. "This isn't just my fight—it's ours. And together, I think we can take on whatever Hydra throws at us."

Natasha smiled, her conflicted feelings easing as she saw Harry's confidence grow. No matter what challenges lay ahead, she knew they would face them together as a team.

With their plan set, the group prepared to take on Hydra and any other obstacles in their path. Because as long as they stuck together, there was nothing they couldn't handle.

---

Outside the safehouse, James Potter, Sirius Black, and Lily Potter appeared with a sudden pop, having just apparated in like they were late for the world's weirdest family reunion. Their eyes were wide with a mix of hope and anxiety. Sirius's pocket watch, blood-linked to Harry since he was a baby (thanks to some impressive spellwork on Sirius's part), had led them here. But instead of finding their five-year-old son, they stumbled into a scene that looked more like an action movie set.

"This is definitely the place, right?" Sirius asked, peering at the watch like it might suddenly offer directions to a different location.

James scanned the area, his expression somewhere between shock and awe. "Yeah, this is it. Harry should be here."

Lily's voice wavered with a mix of fear and excitement. "Harry, sweetheart, where are you?"

The door to the safehouse creaked open, and out stepped Natasha and Bucky, followed closely by Harry. The sight was like something straight out of a superhero comic: instead of the chubby-cheeked toddler they remembered, there was an eighteen-year-old muscle-bound giant who looked like he could bench-press a tank.

James's jaw practically hit the ground. "What in Merlin's name happened to Harry?"

Sirius's eyes were as wide as saucers. "He was supposed to be a toddler! Not a human skyscraper!"

Lily's gaze locked onto the young man in front of her, her heart pounding like a drum solo. Despite the hulking physique, she couldn't miss those emerald green eyes—her eyes. With a mix of disbelief and hope, she took a hesitant step forward. "Harry?"

Harry, still adjusting to his new towering form, looked at the three strangers, his expression one of utter confusion. "Who are you?"

Lily's breath caught in her throat as she saw the recognition flicker in Harry's eyes. "Harry, it's us. Your parents—James, Lily."

Harry's eyes widened, like he'd just been hit by a freight train of memories. "Mom?" The word sounded strange, yet familiar. He looked at Sirius and felt a jolt of recognition. "Pafoo?"

Sirius's face went from shock to a mixture of awe and relief. "Yes, it's me, Harry. It's Pafoo." He took a step forward, his voice cracking a little.

James and Lily didn't need any more invitations. They rushed to Harry, enveloping him in a hug that was both fierce and tender. Lily's voice broke as she clung to him. "We thought we'd lost you forever."

Harry, overwhelmed by the tidal wave of emotions, hugged them back with a mix of relief and confusion. His mind was a whirlpool of recent events and this unexpected, heartfelt reunion.

The SHIELD team, who had been watching the scene with wary eyes, lowered their weapons as the emotional reunion unfolded. Natasha, grappling with her own mix of feelings for Harry, watched with a bittersweet smile that hinted at old memories.

Grindelwald, observing from the sidelines with a thoughtful expression, stepped forward with a hint of a smile. "It seems our mission has brought us full circle," he said. "Now that Harry is safe, we have a lot to discuss."

Sirius, still in shock, finally managed to speak. "Harry, you've turned into this... superhero version of yourself. Last time I saw you, you were barely walking!"

James nodded, his eyes brimming with pride and disbelief. "You've grown up so much. We were so worried."

Harry looked down at his parents, still grappling with his new reality. "It's been... a lot. I'm still getting used to it."

The reunited family stood together in the safehouse, their hearts full as they began to process their new reality. The tension and confusion of the past few days seemed to dissolve, replaced by a shared resolve to face whatever came next.

---

As the Potter family hugged it out, Grindelwald stood off to the side, observing the whole scene like a wizard at a Muggle magic show. He didn't know which was more surprising—the sudden transformation of Harry from a five-year-old to a muscle-bound eighteen-year-old or the fact that he, a former Dark Lord, was part of a superhero team-up with SHIELD. Talk about career pivots.

Grindelwald's thoughts weren't just on the spectacle before him, though. He had his own little secret tucked away in his robes—a vial of Hydra's Infinity Formula. Just because he was on the redemption train didn't mean he couldn't make a few stops along the way, especially if one of those stops included a one-way ticket back to his prime. I mean, who wouldn't want to trade in their senior discount card for a new lease on life?

While Harry's parents and Sirius were busy trying to wrap their heads around how their baby boy turned into a human tank, Grindelwald casually slipped a hand into his pocket, feeling the smooth glass of the vial. It was a small gesture, but it carried the weight of a thousand "what-ifs." After all, with the Infinity Formula, he could potentially outlive all his enemies and maybe even see what kind of mischief Harry's future kids might get into.

Harry, for his part, was still grappling with the sudden reunion. He looked down at his parents, who seemed to be shrinking in his newfound shadow. "So, uh, how do I explain this?" he mumbled, more to himself than anyone else.

James patted his son on the back, his face a mix of pride and confusion. "You've certainly outdone yourself, son. I mean, last time we saw you, you were barely taller than a broomstick."

"Yeah, and now you look like you could bench press a Hippogriff," Sirius chimed in, flashing a grin.

Lily smiled, her eyes shining with tears of joy. "It's the eyes," she said, her voice soft. "No matter how much you've changed, those emerald eyes are still the same."

Meanwhile, Natasha and the rest of the SHIELD team were busy trying to piece together what they had just witnessed. "Is it just me, or does this feel like we've stepped into a crossover episode?" Natasha muttered to Bucky, who nodded in agreement.

"More like a season finale with a cliffhanger," Bucky replied, glancing over at Grindelwald. He noticed the wizard's subtle movements but decided to keep it to himself. After all, everyone had their secrets, and this team was no different.

As the family reunion continued, Grindelwald took a moment to reflect on his journey. He was no longer the dark, brooding figure of his past. He was a new man, ready to embrace whatever the future held—especially if that future involved a few more decades of youthful adventures.

For now, the Infinity Formula would remain his little secret, tucked away for a rainy day. After all, in a world full of superheroes, spies, and sorcerers, it never hurt to have a little extra magic up your sleeve.

—

Harry took a deep breath, trying to gather his thoughts. It wasn't every day you had to explain to your long-lost parents that you'd gone from toddler to human weapon in just a few short years. The SHIELD team—Peggy, Howard, Fury, Hank Pym, and Janet Van Dyne—along with Natasha, Bucky, and Grindelwald, stood nearby, listening in. Harry could feel their eyes on him, waiting for him to start.

"Okay, so… where do I even begin?" Harry said, scratching the back of his neck. "I guess I should start with the Dursleys."

James and Sirius exchanged confused looks, while Lily's expression shifted from joy to concern. "The Dursleys?" she asked gently.

"Yeah," Harry sighed. "They were the people who raised me—or rather, the people who treated me like the world's worst house guest. From as far back as I can remember, which is about fifteen months old, I lived with them. And, uh, let's just say it wasn't exactly a five-star experience."

James frowned. "What do you mean?"

"Well," Harry began, trying to keep his voice steady, "they weren't exactly thrilled about having me around. They… beat me whenever I did something weird, which usually meant anything magical. If I made something float by accident, they'd lock me in a cupboard under the stairs. That's where I slept, by the way. Every night."

Lily's hand flew to her mouth, horror in her eyes. "They locked you in a cupboard?"

"Yep," Harry said, trying to sound nonchalant. "And if I wasn't in the cupboard, I was their personal servant. They called me a freak, told me I was worthless. You know, the usual pep talk."

Sirius looked like he was about to punch a wall. "Those… those Muggles! They treated you like that? Why didn't Dumbledore—"

Harry cut him off. "I don't know why Dumbledore left me there. But that's not even the worst part."

James, who had been quiet up until now, finally spoke. "What could be worse?"

Harry hesitated, glancing at Grindelwald, who nodded for him to continue. "About a year ago, the Dursleys… died in a fas explosion. Or at least, that's what people thought."

Grindelwald stepped forward, his voice calm and measured. "The accident was staged. HYDRA orchestrated it to take Harry."

"HYDRA?" James and Sirius asked in unison, eyes narrowing at Grindelwald.

"An organization of Muggle terrorists," Lily explained quickly, her voice trembling with anger. "They're dangerous. But why would they want Harry?"

"To turn him into a weapon," Grindelwald answered, his expression serious. "They broke me out of prison to teach him magic. Meanwhile, Natasha and Bucky here"—he nodded toward the two assassins—"trained him in hand-to-hand combat and weapons."

Harry nodded. "They wanted to create the ultimate soldier. So, after all the training, they experimented on me."

James paled. "Experimented? How?"

"First, they injected me with something that made me, well, look like this," Harry gestured to his towering, muscular frame. "Grindelwald says it's called the Super Soldier Serum."

Lily, being a Muggleborn, perked up. "Like Captain America?"

James and Sirius looked at her with identical confused expressions. "Captain who?" James asked.

Lily sighed. "Captain America, the Muggle superhero. He was given a serum during World War II that made him super strong and fast."

Harry gave a small, humorless chuckle. "Yeah, something like that. Except they didn't stop there." He held up his hand and, with a snikt, metal claws shot out of his knuckles.

Lily gasped, and Sirius and James stumbled back, eyes wide.

"What the—" Sirius stammered.

"Yeah, these freaked me out too," Harry admitted, retracting the claws with another snikt. "Natasha told me they added some DNA—uh, that's a Muggle thing, I'll explain in a sec—from someone called Weapon X, and then bonded my skeleton with Vibranium."

"Vibranium?" Sirius echoed, completely lost. "And what's DNA?"

Lily took a deep breath, trying to maintain her composure as she explained. "DNA is… well, it's what makes us who we are, on a biological level. And Vibranium is a nearly indestructible metal found in Wakanda. It's incredibly rare and powerful."

"So, you're saying…" James began, trying to wrap his mind around everything, "that HYDRA turned our son into some sort of super soldier with metal claws?"

"Pretty much," Harry said with a shrug. "But hey, at least now I'm built like a tank, right?"

Sirius shook his head, his voice laced with disbelief. "Merlin, Harry… you've been through hell."

Harry just nodded, trying to hide the pain behind his eyes. "Yeah, but I survived. And now I've got a whole new family to deal with."

As the weight of Harry's story settled in, the group exchanged solemn glances, the reality of what had been done to him sinking in. But through it all, one thing was clear: Harry was still standing, still fighting. And with his family by his side, he wasn't planning on stopping anytime soon.

---

Harry had barely processed everything he'd just shared when Lily and James exchanged one of those looks that said, "Buckle up, kiddo, because we're about to drop some serious knowledge."

Lily started, her voice soft but steady. "Harry, there's something we need to tell you about the night of Halloween almost four years ago. But to understand it, we need to backtrack a bit and give you some context."

James nodded, chiming in like he was reciting the plot of the world's worst bedtime story. "Right, so first, there's this dark wizard named Voldemort. Real piece of work, this guy. Thinks he's the wizarding world's gift to magic and believes only purebloods—meaning wizards and witches from all-magical families—deserve to live."

"Sounds like another Muggle megalomaniac we dealt with," Peggy quipped, her tone as dry as sandpaper. "You might've heard of him. Name rhymes with 'Hitler.'"

Fury raised an eyebrow, nodding. "Voldemort sounds like he's taken a page right out of Hitler's playbook."

Lily winced, but nodded. "Unfortunately, that's not far off. Voldemort wanted to take over the wizarding world and, well, 'purify' it. That included getting rid of people like me—Muggle-borns—and anyone else he considered beneath him."

James clenched his fists, his knuckles turning white. "We were in the middle of a full-blown war. Wizards and witches were fighting for their lives, for the right to exist without fear of being hunted down. Voldemort had followers—Death Eaters—who did his dirty work."

Harry listened, the puzzle pieces of his life starting to fit together in a way that made too much sense, and yet not enough.

Lily continued, her voice tinged with both pride and sadness. "Voldemort heard a prophecy that there would be a child born at the end of July who would have the power to defeat him. Naturally, he became obsessed with finding and eliminating this child before they could grow up and challenge him. Unfortunately, that child… was you and Rose."

Harry blinked. "Rose?"

Lily paused, as if searching for the right words. "Yes, Harry. You have a twin sister—Rose. She was born just after you, at 12:01 a.m. on August 1st."

James jumped in, taking over the narration like he was reporting the Quidditch finals. "Anyway, Voldemort found us on Halloween night. We were in hiding, but somehow he tracked us down. He came at us with all the subtlety of a rampaging troll. But your mum, she had a plan."

Lily's eyes shone with a mix of pride and something else Harry couldn't quite place. "I had been studying ancient runes, and I discovered a way to create a protective array. When Voldemort attacked, the array activated. It saved us from him, but it drained us of our magic completely. All three of us—me, James, and you—fell into a state of magical exhaustion."

Harry squinted, trying to wrap his mind around it. "Magical exhaustion?"

Lily nodded. "It's what happens when a witch or wizard uses up all their magical energy. We were left in comas, and you… you were left without magic. When Dumbledore arrived after the attack, he found us in that state."

James' expression soured, and he spoke as if the words tasted bitter. "Dumbledore saw us lying there and made some pretty wild assumptions. He thought you were a Squib—someone born into a magical family but without magic. So, naturally, he decided the best thing to do was to send you to the Dursleys."

Harry's heart dropped into his stomach. "He thought I was a Squib? And just sent me away because of that?"

Lily nodded, her voice barely above a whisper. "Yes, but there's more. Dumbledore believed that Rose—since she still had her magic—was the child the prophecy spoke of. He took her and raised her himself, thinking she was the one destined to save the wizarding world."

For a moment, Harry couldn't breathe. He had a sister? A twin? And Dumbledore had just… taken her?

"There's something else," Lily added gently. "There was a prophecy. It spoke of a child born at the end of July who would have the power to defeat Voldemort. Dumbledore assumed Rose was that child because she was born a minute after you—at 12:01 a.m. on August 1st."

"But he was wrong," James said firmly, like a judge delivering a verdict. "You, Harry, were born at 11:59 p.m. on July 31st. You're the child the prophecy was about."

Harry's head was spinning. All this time, Dumbledore had been prepping his sister for a battle that was meant for him. Should he be angry? Confused? Relieved? All of the above?

Grindelwald, who had been suspiciously quiet, finally spoke up, his tone dripping with disdain. "Albus always did believe his own hype a bit too much. He thought he had all the answers, that he alone could shape the future. But he was wrong, Harry. He was wrong about you, wrong about Rose, and wrong about the prophecy."

Harry's emotions whirled inside him like a hurricane. Anger at Dumbledore, frustration at being left in the dark, but also a strange sense of relief. He wasn't alone—he had a sister, parents who had fought for him, and a destiny that was still very much his.

Looking around at the faces of those who had gathered to hear his story, Harry realized something: these people weren't just here out of obligation or curiosity; they genuinely cared. They wanted to protect him, to help him.

"Well," Harry said, trying to inject some levity into the situation, "looks like we've got a lot of catching up to do."

James chuckled, ruffling Harry's hair like he was a little kid again. "You have no idea, kiddo."

Lily smiled, her eyes brimming with love and pride. "But we'll do it together, Harry. As a family."

And for the first time, Harry felt like he truly understood what that word meant.

—

Once the air was cleared and all the secrets were out in the open, the group found themselves in the strange position of deciding Harry's future, like it was some sort of epic board game. Only this time, the stakes were ridiculously high, and the pieces on the board were a lot more complex than they seemed.

James, ever the protective father, was the first to voice what everyone was probably thinking. "As far as the wizarding world is concerned, Harry died with the Dursleys."

That sentence hung in the air like a storm cloud ready to burst. Harry blinked, a bit shocked at the revelation. "Wait, everyone thinks I'm dead?"

Lily nodded, her eyes shimmering with concern. "Yes, Harry. After the accident—well, the staged accident, thanks to Hydra—everyone assumed you perished. No one knows you're alive, which… in a strange way, might be a good thing."

Grindelwald, who had been leaning casually against a wall with a smirk, couldn't help but chime in. "Indeed. It's probably the best thing to come out of this mess. The last thing we want is for you to be snatched from one organization eager to use you as a weapon—Hydra—only to be handed over to another one, like Dumbledore and his merry band of Fried Turkeys."

"Order of the Phoenix," Sirius corrected, though the grin on his face suggested he was more amused than offended by Grindelwald's nickname for Dumbledore's group.

Grindelwald waved his hand dismissively. "Tomato, tomahto."

Peggy, who had been quietly observing the exchange, finally stepped forward, her expression a mix of determination and warmth. "Well, if it's a fresh start you're all looking for, then I have a proposal. I can offer the Potter family, and Sirius, asylum in the United States. We could use talents like yours at S.H.I.E.L.D. Plus, it's a chance to live without constantly looking over your shoulder."

James and Lily exchanged a glance, the idea of starting anew clearly appealing to them. "What would we be doing?" James asked, always the practical one.

Peggy smiled. "You'd be part of a new initiative—S.H.I.E.L.D.'s very own wizarding division. We're just getting it off the ground, but it could use a few capable wizards and witches to make sure it runs smoothly. You'd be working with the best minds we have."

Sirius quirked an eyebrow, his usual cocky attitude still present despite everything. "And who exactly would be running this wizarding division?"

Peggy hesitated, her gaze drifting over to Grindelwald, who was still looking suspiciously pleased with himself. "Well, I was initially all for sending Gellert back to prison, but… recent events have convinced me he genuinely wants to turn over a new leaf. So, I'm offering him a job."

"A job?" James repeated, his tone a mix of disbelief and something close to horror.

Peggy nodded, her voice firm. "Yes, a job. He'd be running the wizarding division, with you three working under him."

If the room hadn't been full of super spies and magical beings, you could've heard a pin drop. James and Sirius both looked like they'd swallowed something particularly unpleasant, while Lily's expression was more thoughtful, probably because Grindelwald had just saved her son's life.

"You want us to work under a former Dark Lord?" James finally managed to say, his voice laced with disbelief.

"Well," Grindelwald drawled, clearly enjoying their discomfort, "I prefer the term 'reformed.'"

"Or maybe 'slightly less evil than before,'" Sirius muttered under his breath, earning him a glare from James and a snicker from Harry.

Lily, ever the voice of reason, placed a hand on James's arm. "He did save Harry, James. And maybe this is his chance to do some good. Besides, if we're working together, we can keep an eye on him."

James sighed, running a hand through his hair, clearly torn. "I don't like it, but… you're right. If it keeps Harry safe, then it's worth it."

Sirius crossed his arms, still looking a bit grumpy about the whole thing, but eventually nodded. "Fine. But if he so much as sneezes in a way I don't like, I'm turning him into a toad."

Grindelwald smirked. "You're welcome to try, Black."

Peggy clapped her hands together, cutting through the tension. "Great! So, it's settled then. You'll come to the States, work for S.H.I.E.L.D., and start fresh. And Gellert will have a new identity, of course. The last thing we need is people recognizing him."

Grindelwald's smile widened, but there was a seriousness in his eyes that hadn't been there before. "A new identity… and a new purpose. I suppose it's time to see what good can come from all of this."

Harry couldn't help but feel a bit of hope flutter in his chest. It was a strange, crazy plan, but it was his strange, crazy plan. And for the first time in what felt like forever, the future didn't seem quite so dark.

—

Arriving at 12 Grimmauld Place felt like walking into a lion's den, except Harry was pretty sure lions would be easier to deal with than his five-year-old sister, Rose. He stood in the doorway, towering over his parents, James and Lily, and his godfather, Sirius. Looking eighteen, Harry was already ridiculously tall and muscular—thanks to a lifetime of dodging danger and, more recently, the whole super-soldier situation. It didn't help that his civilian clothes were doing nothing to hide the fact that he looked more like a walking tank than a regular teenager.

On either side of him were Bucky and Natasha, both in civilian clothing but moving with that same lethal grace they always had. It was supposed to be a low-key operation, but let's face it, there was nothing low-key about this group.

"Remember," Sirius muttered as they made their way up the steps, "the mission here is twofold: we're taking Rose and the Tonks family with us to the States. But, uh, be prepared—Rose isn't exactly what you'd call… easy."

"Great," Harry mumbled, shooting his godfather a sideways glance. "Because everything so far has been super easy."

Sirius chuckled, patting Harry on the back. "Just keep that sense of humor, kid. You're gonna need it."

Inside, the house was as dark and foreboding as Harry remembered from his few visits. But it wasn't the creepy old décor that made his stomach twist—it was the shrill voice that greeted them from upstairs.

"I said I wanted the red dress, Kreacher! You're useless!"

Harry exchanged a look with Lily, who sighed. "That's Rose," she confirmed, her voice tinged with a mix of sadness and frustration. "Dumbledore's idea of 'raising' her was to give her whatever she wanted. She doesn't even know how to hear the word 'no.'"

"Fantastic," Harry said under his breath, just loud enough for Bucky to snicker beside him.

"Relax, kid," Bucky said with a smirk. "We've handled worse."

Natasha, as usual, remained stoic, though there was a glint in her eye that told Harry she was finding this whole situation amusing. "Let's just get this over with."

They reached the sitting room, where the Tonks family was waiting—Andromeda and Ted standing stiffly, clearly confused and a little on edge. Their daughter, Nymphadora—no, Tonks, Harry reminded himself—was perched on the edge of a sofa, her bright pink hair standing out like a neon sign.

Andromeda's eyes widened when she saw Harry. "Sirius," she began cautiously, "what's going on? And who—?"

"Long story," Sirius interrupted, waving a hand dismissively. "We'll explain everything, but first, introductions. Andi, Ted, this is Harry—yes, that Harry. The one who's supposed to be dead, but isn't."

Ted's eyebrows shot up. "Supposed to be dead?"

"Like I said," Sirius replied, "it's a long story. And we don't have time to get into it right now."

Tonks, meanwhile, was staring at Harry with open curiosity. "You're telling me this giant is the twin brother Rose thinks is dead?"

"Yep," Harry answered with a small, awkward smile. "That's me. The giant."

Before anyone could respond, there was a loud stomp from the stairs, and Rose appeared, looking every bit the spoiled brat she'd been described as. Her eyes were bright with fury, but the moment she saw Harry, she froze, her mouth dropping open in shock.

"You're… who are you?" she demanded, her voice wavering slightly.

"I'm Harry," he said gently, crouching down to her level. "Your brother."

Rose blinked, clearly confused. "But… you're supposed to be dead. Grandpa Dumbledore said—"

"Dumbledore says a lot of things," Sirius cut in dryly. "Most of them wrong. But we're here to take you with us, Rose. You and the Tonks family. We're heading to the States."

Rose's expression shifted to one of petulance. "Why should I go with you? Grandpa Dumbledore says—"

Lily stepped forward, her tone firm but kind. "Because, Rose, we're your family. And it's time you knew the truth."

Rose looked from Lily to James, then back to Harry, her face a mixture of fear and defiance. "But… but I'm supposed to stay with Grandpa Dumbledore. He said I'm special."

"Special?" Sirius snorted. "Kid, we're all special. But that doesn't mean Dumbledore gets to decide your life. You've got family who actually cares about you."

Harry could see the wheels turning in Rose's mind as she tried to process everything. But before she could say anything else, Sirius turned to Andromeda and Ted, shifting the conversation.

"We're offering you a fresh start in the States," Sirius said. "Join us. You're both brilliant healers, and we could use your skills. And it's a chance to get away from all this… madness."

Ted looked at Andromeda, who still seemed stunned. "You're serious?"

"Dead serious," Sirius replied with a smirk. "No pun intended."

Before they could respond, Rose spoke up again, her voice trembling. "But… what if I don't want to go?"

"You have to, Rose," Lily said softly. "It's the safest option. We'll protect you. We're your family."

The room fell silent as Rose stared at them, her little face scrunched up in confusion and hurt. Finally, she nodded slowly. "Okay… I'll go."

Ted, still looking slightly bewildered, turned to Sirius. "And you'll explain all this on the way?"

"Absolutely," Sirius promised. "Though I'll warn you now, it's a lot to take in."

"Considering we just found out Harry Potter is alive and standing right in front of us," Ted said dryly, "I think we're prepared for just about anything."

Sirius grinned. "You'd be surprised."

As they began making plans to leave, Harry felt a strange sense of relief wash over him. This wasn't going to be easy, and the road ahead was still full of uncertainty. But for the first time in a long time, he felt like they were moving in the right direction. They were a team—no, a family—and they were ready to face whatever came next together.

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Hey fellow fanfic enthusiasts!

I hope you're enjoying the fanfiction so far! I'd love to hear your thoughts on it. Whether you loved it, hated it, or have some constructive criticism, your feedback is super important to me. Feel free to drop a comment or send me a message with your thoughts. Can't wait to hear from you!

If you're passionate about fanfiction and love discussing stories, characters, and plot twists, then you're in the right place! I've created a Discord server dedicated to diving deep into the world of fanfiction, especially my own stories. Whether you're a reader, a writer, or just someone who enjoys a good tale, I welcome you to join us for lively discussions, feedback sessions, and maybe even some sneak peeks into upcoming chapters, along with artwork related to the stories. Let's nerd out together over our favorite fandoms and explore the endless possibilities of storytelling!

Click the link below to join the conversation:

https://discord.com/invite/HHHwRsB6wd

Can't wait to see you there!

If you appreciate my work and want to support me, consider buying me a cup of coffee. Your support helps me keep writing and bringing more stories to you. You can do so via PayPal here:

https://www.paypal.me/VikrantUtekar007

Or through my Buy Me a Coffee page:

https://www.buymeacoffee.com/vikired001s

Thank you for your support!