***Meanwhile, in an Alternative Reality***

Lying on what felt like a soft bed, that one usually taking the shape of one's body, it was comfy to feel the warmth of the pillow under his cheek. Harry felt a hand playing through his messy black hair affectionately.

The gesture was familiar but was also oddly forgotten, like one of these things he dreamed of repeatedly but would instantly evaporate in the air as soon as he opened his eyes to reality.

Just then, Harry felt someone hold and gently squeeze his hand. It was warm and loving, something he rarely felt. And, Harry craved for more and more, even though he still didn't know who it was coming from.

His senses registered faint whispers, occasional sniffs and whimpering sobs. As soon as he wished to see for himself, he found himself actually opening his eyes.

His vision was blurred from a blinding white light. He felt two strong arms help him sit straight. He blinked before adjusting his vision, and two faces came into focus. Harry looked at them for soo long, trying to take everything in. They seemed to be doing the exact same thing, watching his every move.

Standing across his bed was a handsome man who seemed to be in his blossoming years of youth. Just by casting a look at him, Harry instantly labelled him as a troublemaker. His untamed black hair, so much like his own, gave the man a carefree appearance.

As his hazel eyes, that held concern, landed on Harry, the man's face broke into a charming smile from ear to ear. Just by looking at this man's face gave Harry a novel sense of safety.

The man's arm was wrapped around a woman's shoulder, that's when Harry shifted his attention to the other presence in the room. The woman had glowing red hair spread around her shoulders in consistent wavy curls. Harry felt the warmth of her soft hands, which were protectively wrapped around his own hand.

Although her face was tear-stricken, it was vividly bright and welcoming. The happiness she felt within was reflected in her green eyes that looked so much like his own. The tearful smile on her rose lips was infectious, as Harry felt himself returning the affectionate smile.

Harry knew who they were... James Potter and Lily Evans, the parents he lost, the ones who sacrificed themselves for him.

Harry felt a wave of dejavu taking over him as though he was driven back in time to his first year at Hogwarts, when he saw his parents for the first time ever since he was one year old.

Instead of looking back at his own reflection, the Mirror of Erised showed him the deepest and most desperate desire of his heart: he was granted the chance to spend his first and only Christmas with his family.

But this time now, it was much better. Harry could feel, really feel, them for the first time since.. ever since he could remember.

Still though, fear filled him up like a balloon that they would disappear, leaving him alone, between one eye-blink and the other.

"Mum? Dad?" Harry asked, his painful gaze drinking them in. His voice was nothing beyond a whisper, uttering the words he had been forever deprived of saying out loud to anyone before.

His first words were enchanting, on their own, more than any of the spells he had learnt throughout his five years of magical education... instantly making their eyes shine and their genuine smiles grow wider and wider breaking their faces.

Moving closer, they wrapped their arms around their son. Being engulfed in a bear-hug by his long-lost parents was the only logical proof to Harry that this was all real, just as he so desperately wanted it to be.

Harry relaxed instantly into the embrace, leaning his head on his mother's shoulder. His fist clutched the end of his father's shirt, with a firm grip, not wanting to ever let go. What he felt at this moment was beyond imaginable.

For the first time in forever, Harry felt truly safe and wanted. He felt loved, something he had always craved for.

Tears streamed from Harry's eyes long before he even attempted to hold them back. Lily was crying openly, as her entire frame raked with fresh sobs.

James had his eyes closed trying to enjoy this moment. Despite of always mastering emotional control, he was on the verge of tears, even his jaw couldn't stop itself from trembling. It seemed as if one slight click would reinforce a dam explosion of uncontrollable tears.

It took quite some time till they were able to pull away. They didn't want to, but they reluctantly let go of each other. Harry couldn't help but stare at them hungrily again.

Right in front of him were the loving faces Harry had so long dreamed to see, and the eyes he had wished to brighten when gazing fondly at him. For once, Harry got what he always wanted without even asking.

He realized that his parents were doing the exact same thing. Harry tried to hold his gaze this time, he really wanted to, but he couldn't and found himself looking away.

James held Harry's chin gently with his fingers, tilting his head downward to look at his son straight in the eye. Lily caressed Harry's face and gently wiped his tears with her thumb.

"Harry, dear, don't look away from me, please... I've missed you soo much. I am sorry, I--" Lowering her gaze, Lily's voice broke as a sob escaped her. James gave her a reassuring smile and was the next to speak, as he held his son's hand tightly.

"We are soo proud of you, Harry, beyond what words can express. We never stopped caring for you.. even when.. well, when we weren't around," James said in a heavy voice, his eyes reflecting love.

Harry was amazed and slightly shocked. No matter how much reassurance people gave him about how much he meant to his parents, Harry always had his doubts.

But now, hearing it from none other than his father himself made him beyond ecstatic. Joyful tears danced inside, bouncing around the edges of, Harry's bright eyes. Harry felt waves of relief, more than he ever recalled experiencing, encompassing him.

Lily found her voice once again, "I am sorry, Harry, we couldn't give you the childhood you were entitled to recieve, the childhood you deserve... we tried, I swear, but--it was out of our hands. We couldn't be the parents you wanted. We couldn't be there for you when you needed us the most. But, we were always watching over you, always. I am sorry you had to go through all of that."

"No, Mum. It is not your fault. I survived because of you, both of you. There is absolutely nothing I can do to repay you for it," Harry said, a wave of pain rolling over him, before he dropped his gaze, "and I am sorry you had to lose your lives for me."

Without a warning, Harry found himself on the end of James' protective warm hug. Harry tensed, since such loving form of touch was novel to him, before instantly relaxing; Harry returned the embrace just as fiercely, seeking reassurance of love.

"I died once for you, and I am more than willing to do it again, if given the chance that is" James' jaw was clenched as he scolded him gently; he felt his son nod into the crook of his neck.

James ran a hand through the curls of his son's messy hair affectionately. Harry truly loved such a gesture, just because it was from a loving father to his son.

"I know, Dad. It is just that, it is hard, really hard. Throughout my life, I've always tried to keep it hidden deep down," Harry said, sadness ringing out in his voice.

James' heart soared when Harry called him dad. The sound of it was beyond him, he couldn't even hide the genuine smile from gracing his features.

Harry was quite hesitant to open up, but when he saw sincerely concerned love reflecting in both pair of eyes in front of him, he decided that they were the right ones, possibly the only ones, who had the right to know.

"The grief of losing you never left me alone, always haunting me. I tried my best so that no one would see it," Harry said, feeling his heartbeats pounding in his ears.

Harry looked up to his parents as Lily placed a comforting hand on James' shoulder and saw his Dad relax at her touch, the pain in his eyes eventually ebbing away.

"I was even jealous of my best mate, Ron, at times. At the train station, he was hugged goodbye a lot. He always had someone who told him to take care of himself and to write to them frequently and to follow the rules or else he'd be grounded and even scold him when he deserves it. He always had his parents. Up till third year, I had no one, no real family, at all," Harry spoke like a rabbit racing for his life.

Harry hated himself for having this sting of jealousy for his best and first friend. He was even positive that the Weasleys truly loved him for who he really was. But still, Harry never felt one of them. He always had a nagging voice that broke the reality to him: he was just a highly welcomed guest but not really a member of their family. Harry didn't even have a family . . .

"Even when Mrs. Weasley engulfs me in one of her bear-hugs, it feels nice and truly welcoming, but still nothing compared to the one I had a few minutes ago... the one from my real family," Harry said, biting back a sob as he opened up, keeping almost nothing to himself.

Without a second thought, James and Lily, simultaneously and without any prior agreement, gave their son what he always wanted, a family hug.

They were more than willing to stay like this forever if that's what would give Harry the sense of safety and understanding. They didn't know that their attempt was marked as beyond successful and did just that.

Harry felt waves of love circling and floating around the surrounding air. He hoped to freeze time and never let go. His face broke into a smile of pure relief and happiness. If this is what his death would look like, it seemed beyond welcoming.

Pulling away, they smiled kindly at him and he smiled back. There was a comforting silence, as they enjoyed each other's company.

***
Harry felt his heart pump with life, breathing once again. Being surrounded by his parents' love, -the most un-achievable wish he'd never gave up on- he felt more alive than ever.

Only one thought, however, kept on nagging him, pinching him in the heart. What about the others, -Sirius, Ron, Hermione, the Weasleys, Remus, Hagrid, his other friends- suffering now because of him, of his death? He felt helpless, with nothing in his hands.

Since he couldn't do anything about it, Harry tried to stop thinking over it, pushing the dilemma away from his mind as of now. Was he being selfish focusing on his own happiness with his parents and trying to forget the ones who were always willing to sacrifice themselves for him? Harry feared the answer to such a dreaded question.

Lily sensed the pain make its way to her son's eyes once again. "Hey, Harry. What is it, kiddo?" She asked, concern etched on her face. Harry just shook his head, giving her a sign that he didn't want to talk about it, resulting in a disappointed frown from Lily.

Harry got up from his bed and looked around drinking in his surrounding, for the first time since he woke up. The room was fantastically colorful and lively. The walls were designed with a Gryffindor style, painted with bright red along with a picture of a golden lion drawn at the corner above a small crib, beside a brown wardrobe.

Hung on the walls were moving pictures of James and Lily during their years at Hogwarts surrounded by their close friends and others with baby Harry as they all smiled back at the camera that saved their happy moments into memories.

It had lots of children's toys, but what caught his eyes were countable stuffed animals resembling a stag, a doe, a black dog, a wolf, and a dismembered mutilated small rat placed together in a group.

Harry traced his fingers through each one of them and remembered visualizing the one with the connection he had to it. Each one made his smile grow wider than the one before.

When Harry reached the rat, his smile faded away as if it wasn't even there. He held it upward with so much loathing in his eyes and aggressively threw it to the ground again, where it belongs.

***
Trying to lighten the mood, Harry asked Lily playfully, "So, care to mention to your kiddo where exactly are we?"

She responded with glee in her eyes, "where do you think we are?" Harry smirked back at her, "well, I thought parents are the ones with answers."

James raised an eyebrow, glancing at Lily with a grin plastered on his face. He walked forward, "come here, you," and caught Harry under his arms. "Answers to your questions will always come from your Dada over here."

James had a nostalgic grin washing over his face as his gaze moved around in a small circle. "You see, we are in Godrics Hollow where we moved as a family when you were born, and you spent your first year here, with us."

Upon Harry's surprised look as he knitted his eyebrows in amazement, James added, "we were summoned back here when you called for us," but that only seemed to confuse Harry even more.

"What? I didn't call for you! Well, I would if I could.. but I was murdered by the killing curse, so how could I-" Harry replied, confusion ringing in his voice.

James glanced at Lily from the corner of his eye before directing his gaze back at his son, "Harry, we can explain." He sighed heavily, preparing himself for the hard part.

***
"Harry, you are not dead." James expected an interruption of some kind as a response, but recieved nothing other than a raised eyebrow.

He continued, "First of all, your mother's sacrafice doesn't have an expiration date. It will always protect you, well at least until you become of age and be able to protect yourself effectively."

"Secondly, in order for the unforgiveable curses to have a real effect, the attacker has got to mean it and truly believe their opponent deserves it, whether it is death, torture or control. As it seems, the one who striked you didn't believe you deserve to die."

"Normally, it would put the victim in a Sleep Death Coma, a condition resembling real death. It would take him so much time to reawaken, months or maybe years. However, in your case, since you are already protected by your mother's sacrafice, it took you mere hours."

"Once that curse hit you, we were summoned back from the dead, through some sort of magic we didn't even know of its existence, to be there for you when you wake up."

"We were summoned here, to where you did everything for the first time, the first footstep, the first word, the first cry, the first laugh.. the first everything."

Harry felt something was missing; there had to be some further explanation to why he survived. Rotating in circles, Harry's mind was spinning with racing questions that made him feel light-headed, but he went with the one bugging him the most, "who tried to kill me, then?"

James clunched his knuckles till they whitened; gritting his teeth, he couldn't help but snap with as much venom as possible "Pettigrew." Such betrayel still ran deep inside him; the wound never sealing itself would reopen whenever touched.

For the very first time in his life, Harry saw pure anger and pain of betrayal spread throughout his father's features, especially those eyes that turned gloomy all of a sudden.

Lily leaned forward and hissed in James' ears, "James, calm down. You are scaring him."

James' head shot upward and his face softened instantly. James saw apprehension in his bright emerald eyes and looked downward guiltily, "I am sorry, Harry." Placing a hand on his son's shoulder, James smiled when Harry didn't tense at his touch.

***
Lily then continued in a hoarse voice, "and now, you can go back." James looked at her, sadness swirling in his gaze, and sighed. Both of them were thinking the exact same thing, it could be seen in their eyes.

They were about to lose Harry, again, just after they've gotten him back. It seemed that father-mother-son were destined to remain separated, forever... never to be together, ever again.

A desperate idea crossing his mind, Harry looked hopefully but doubtful at the same time, "if I can go back, then maybe.. I can take you with me, there has to be a way, any way, right?" His eyes pleading please, say yes.

James only looked at him with a distant look full of regret and immense sadness, "I am afraid not, Harry. We are dead, that's final."

Harry's face fell, as realization hit him hard. Although he didn't really expect a yes answer, still the no answer was not the one he wanted to hear. The words came out before he could stop them, "this isn't fair."

James looked at him straight in the eye, -before Harry dropped his gaze- gently placing his hands on Harry's shoulders. Not knowing what to say, James spoke in caution, "Harry, I want you to listen to me very carefully." He waited for Harry to look back up before continuing, as he felt himself say the words without thinking over them.

"We aren't truly departing. You could always sense our presence inside of you, with you. We will always watch over you... Stay close to you, until the very end."

"You will always be engraved in our hearts, regardless whether they are beating or not."

"Besides, life isn't fair to begin with, so why should death be any of that sort?" James said, feeling his silent heart tighten against his chest.

Harry nodded tearfully, taking in every word his father told him and treating it as a valuable treasure to be held so closely.

***
Lily came closer and planted a kiss on Harry's forehead. "I love you, kiddo... I'll always do till the end of time. I'll miss you even more than before. Harry, promise me that no matter where you go or who you are around, don't you ever forget us, please," she said, feeling her eyes sting with the burning sensation of tears.

"I promise, Mum. I love you too," Harry replied in a softly chocked voice. Spinning his head to look at James, Harry spoke hesitantly, guilt ringing through his voice, "And erm dad, you are better than what I started thinking of you lately."

Harry wanted to let it out, unable to leave without apologizing. Harry knew that he himself didn't deserve to be forgiven, but his father deserved an apology.

Upon James' frown and surprised questioning eyes, he continued, "when I saw the memory of the marauders bullying Snape, I felt.. well, sorry for him and couldn't understand why you would do that--and--." Harry's voice broke; as he tried to blink back the unshed tears, a sob escaped his throat.

I felt ashamed of you. Not bearing to say out loud the real thoughts Harry had at the time to such a loving father, those words remained in the air, unsaid... but somehow, James caught it.

"But now, I know you are the best father ever and truly a great man. I am sorry for even thinking that. Please, you have to forgive me, dad. I just didn't know the real you." Harry continued, as tears welled up at the corner of his eyes.

A silver tear droplet made its way down James' face. "No, no, Harry, don't apologize. I am the one who is sorry. I was, well--" Glancing sideways at Lily, James' voice broke and jaw trembled.

Lily was just about to comment that he was an arrogant toe-rag, but the crushed look in James' eyes stopped the words from coming out and left her speechless.

James buried his face in his hands, as a sob tore its way from his throat and the others followed.

Harry's words added on top of everything and opened the door wide enough for the dam explosion of uncontrollable tears he feared of giving in to. Basically, it opened the floodgate.

Lily tried to comfort him, but he didn't lean into her touch as he always did. This time, he needed Harry, only his son could make him feel better now. James' arm extended towards Harry and held him in a tight embrace.

James allowed himself to cry, pressing his face into his son's shoulder. His whole body was shaking now, and that wasn't something one could describe or have sight of James Potter with. It felt like forever till James reluctantly let go of his firm yet gentle grip on his son.

Bloodshot hazel eyes met pained emerald eyes. "I wanted to be the father you'd be proud of, Harry," James said, biting back a sob.

"No, Dad. I am proud of you, now more than ever. I've always been..." said Harry, frantic desperation ringing in his voice and swirling in his gaze.

Whenever someone would tell Harry of how much he resembled his father, his heart would swim in an ocean of pride and love.

"I truly am honored to have your name after mine." Despite his heavy voice, Harry felt the warmth of spring blossom inside his soul and his entire being as he said those words.

James, wanting nothing more than to believe him, saw sincerity in Harry's eyes, and he smiled gratefully for having a son with such a golden heart.

"Thanks, thank you Harry. You have no idea what you made me feel right now. I wish there are different more powerful words than love, pride, happiness to show you how much you mean to me," James said softly, as his eyes reflected admiration.

Harry couldn't hold it back anymore, and just then a single tear flew downwards on his face, again. Wiping it away from his son's cheek, James planted a kiss on his forehead.

With a tearful smile filled with pride, Lily moved closer and hugged her long-lost son, and Harry sank in her arms.

***
With a mischievous twinkle in his watery eyes, James, taking out his wand from the pocket of his leather jacket, swished it directly at Harry's nose. Harry felt a sudden buzz throughout his whole face, as if having an acidic taste of sour lemon.

Gently pulling away, Lily giggled as her eyes fell on Harry. "Oh, James. Not again, don't you ever grow up!" She exclaimed, light sarcasm oozing from her voice.

James only shot her his trademark Potter smirk. Trust James to make a prank at a crucial time like this.

Harry ran to the closest mirror and found a purple nose instead of the one he got used to on his face. "DAADD! Why did you do this to me?"

"BECAAUSE, my dear little one, that was your favorite trick as a baby. And I am not casting the counter curse without you doing the same thing you used to do as a baby for surrender." James said, mimicking Harry's frustrated voice yet holding more flickers of joy.

James smiled nostalgically and drifted for a split seconds into his memories. Back in 1981, a carefree father would turn the nose of his favorite baby to all sort of rainbow colors giving him the resemblance of a clown. James wouldn't leave him alone till he tickled baby Harry to death and fill the house with his most favorite sound, his baby son's giggles.

James unfroze himself, drifting back to the present, as he shook his head closing his eyes for a second. A mischievous grin broke his face as he started mercilessly attacking Harry's stomach and sides.

"No, dad. Please let me go," Harry managed to say between fits of laughter. Harry gasped for breath when James stopped for a second, placing his hand on his chin as if in deep thought, "Mmm.. No, don't think so."

He resumed tackling Harry, in the tickling battle, who gave away loud giggles, once again, ringing throughout the once deserted and shattered house. Lily stood aside, laughing her heart out before she called for a time-out as she always used to do.

James' hands stopped their attack with a wide grin washing over his face. James pulled himself off Harry and gave his son a hand to help him stand. As Harry took James' outstretched hand, he glared accusingly at his father's fingers.

Glancing toward Lily, James cautiously studied her expression that held both amusement and disapproval, quite equally. "Something troubling you, Lilyflower?"

"Old habits die hard, don't you reckon, Potter?" Lily said, playfully glaring, before rolling her eyes.

"Right you are, Evans," James said smirking, a glint of mischief caught in his eyes, casting the counter-curse at his son who looked adorable with a colourful nose.

Well, that was a good way to end it, through laughter, James told himself.

***
"I guess it is time, then." Harry said quietly, dreading what was bound to happen. The laughter in their eyes drifted away, fading as if it wasn't even there in the first place.

They all looked longingly at each other, fixing their eyes on each other trying to memorize every single inch of their facial features.

They knew this was the time for the final goodbyes.

For a decade of moments, the echo of silence rang out before James opened his arms widely for his son. Harry ran forward, faster than ever to hug his parents for the very last time. A sob tore Harry's heart, as he felt his eyes burn. They nodded against him, reluctant to let go but doing so nonetheless simply because they had to.

His mother took his face in her hands and smiled warmly at him, ignoring the tear tracks on her cheeks. "I love you, Harry," Lily spoke softly, as she kissed his forehead with her shining eyes closed. When Harry looked upward, his father was beaming at him with affectionate pride.

"Hey, Harry, send my thanks and gratitude to Padfoot and old Moony... please, don't forget. Tell them I miss them soo much" James winked, sadness still in his eyes. It isn't the same here without them, he noted to himself. He lost them just as they lost him.

Harry nodded, his sparkling eyes wet with tears.

"I am ready to go back, to my friends," Harry whispered to himself, really willing to meet them again. If it wasn't for his godfather and his friends, he would have never wanted to leave.

He braced himself for what would come next, as he felt himself fading into nothingness. The image of his parents blurred more and more with every second till they totally and completely vanished from view, right before his eyes.

His father's last words echoed in his ears, "till I See You Again, enjoy your life, kiddo." He smiled as he dissolved into the air travelling to another reality, "goodbye."

James and Lily kept on staring at the exact spot where Harry was standing just a moment ago. James wrapped his arm around her shoulder, as she sank into him.

They stood silently frozen in that position for seconds running out, with Lily's head gently leaning on his shoulder. Looking at each other at the same time, they gave each other a small smile that held so much pain more than one could possibly imagine.

"Come on, Lils," James said weakly, a tear still dripping down his cheek. Not finding the strength to pour down what she felt in words, Lily sniffed and nodded numbly.

They walked away together, holding each other's hands tightly, to their final destination.

I love their family dynamics.
Hope you liked it!

I don't have any feedback from you guys. Please don't be a silent reader. Tell me what you think, whether it is good or bad. So, as Always.. don't forget to comment and vote. Your input would be highly appreciated, truly.

P.S. I got the mere idea of the sleep death coma from another Harry Potter fanfiction (The Return of Prongs), but with totally different events and storyline. Such coma was even for a different reason. Just thought you should know that this idea of a coma isn't purely mine.

Also, out of pure curiousity, what is your favorite ship (Could be more than one, definitely)?