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"Watch your step," Lily reminds Fred, stepping off the train. Fred stops himself from responding with a short quip about how he'd been on trains before, and understood the concept of a gap between the cart and the platform.

The Hogwarts express-like train had arrived in what appeared to be a small town. Fred puts his hands in his pockets and glances around. "So... heaven looks like a suburb?" He asks, smiling weakly.

Lily leads the way down the small road. The houses all looked different, fit to suit their owners perfectly. The redhead smiles. "For us, at least," she says. "From what I've learned it looks different for everyone, and that we're-"

"No way!" An enthused voice bursts forward, cutting Lily off with an overwhelming amount of excitement. "No way!" Fred stops in his tracks, seeing a tall boy sprinting toward them. For a split second, Fred is terrified that it's Harry. However, as the slightly older boy gets closer, Fred can see a flash of brown eyes just before he's tackled into an embrace.

"James!" Lily exclaims. "You'll crush him!" Fred is wrapped in a tight hug and he can feel his red hair being ruffled and tangled, just like Charlie used to do when the twins were younger. Lily was laughing, and suddenly, in that split-second moment, it felt like everything was normal. The dark, messy-haired boy pulls away, holding Fred at an arm's length. He was spitting image of Harry... or rather, Harry was the spitting image of him. All except this boy had brown eyes. James Potter. James. This was Harry's dad.

James laughs enthusiastically. "Oh he can take it, Lils," he assures his wife, still grinning at Fred. "Man, you are a legend!" He says, shaking Fred gently. "Seriously- you have no idea!" James puts a hand in his chest. "I'm such a big fan!-"

"You're scaring him, Potter," Lily interjects.

"-I'd be honored to pick your brain. I mean, Sirius and I always had the same drive as you and George but your creativity is on a whole other level. We mostly just stuck with jinxes and things, but the swamp; the swamp a couple of years back?! I still have dreams about that swamp. Legendary!" James was on a roll, and after couldn't help but grin. So Harry's dad was a prankster? James throws an arm around Fred, ruffling his hair again. "We could've used a brain like yours when I was at Hogwarts-" James's eyes suddenly light up. "Hey, we need a fourth now anyway!" He adds. "Weasley here is the perfect fit!"

"A fo-" Fred is quickly cut off.

"I'm sure Mooney and Padfoot would agree! Why wouldn't they?! It's been too long since we've had a good brainstorming session! Now that-"

"Wait-" Fred finally finds his voice, stepping away from James's embrace. He is unable to hide his shock. "Mooney? Padfoot?" He repeats. He knew those names. James was grinning cockily.

"I was annoyed the map was with Filtch for ages, so glad you nicked it!" His voice was proud, like he had been waiting years to finally say all of this, and was finally getting it all off his chest. "Some of our best work, wouldn't you agree?" He sticks out his hand. "Prongs, at your service," he introduces himself, his smirk prominent.

Fred felt dazed. James Potter was a Marauder. James Potter, Harry's dad, was one of the iconic Marauders! He and George had looked up to the Marauders since that had discovered that bloody map. They were the legends! Masterminds even! The pranksters to beat all other pranksters. Fred couldn't believe this.

"Y-You're a marauder?" Fred asks for confirmation, a grin breaking out on his face as he takes James's hand and shakes it. Moments ago on the train, Fred felt like he would never genuinely smile again. Now here he was, grinning like an idiot. This was just the distraction he needed. So many questions filled his mind. Who were the others? How did they come up with the idea for the map? We're they proud of him and George? James looked to be just as excited as Fred was. He crosses his arms, seeming to stand up a bit straighter. He was clearly very proud.

"You betcha," he responds, enthused to be recognized. "And you are too now!" He adds, smiling brightly. It was like looking right at Harry. "We'd be honored to have you! You know-"

"James," Lily interjects once again, placing a hand on Fred's arm. "He's only just got here- let him rest," Fred is suddenly aware of how tired he feels. He still felt as though he wasn't fully awake; drifting between consciousnesses and sleep. It was a fuzzy warm feeling, but overwhelming nonetheless. "Come on," Lily says, gesturing for Fred to follow. "You can stay with us- we've got a guest room,"

"You've got your own place here, of course," James adds, still bright, though his smile is slightly smaller now, more sympathetic. "But we find that it's best to spend the first day with others- It's easy to feel isolated when you first get here," Then, going off of Fred's expression; "But you'll fit in great, don't worry,"

"He's right," Lily adds, and the couple exchanges a playful smile as they lead Fred Weasley up the front steps of their home here. "And there will be time for everything, but I want you to rest," She was quickly taking on a mother-like role. It was obvious she wanted to. After Harry.. she felt like she had missed her shot. She had so little time with him.. with her son. Lily leads the way down the hall and opens the door to a small room for guests. She steps back for Fred to go ahead, wringing her hands a bit. "Rest," she urges him. "You deserve it,"

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