The summer in London was wonderful. Harry spent a lot of time with his stepbrother, and even Caitlin joined them from time to time. For a while, he forgot that he was there for more important reasons. But summer is a time for relaxation, so the boy took full advantage of it.
Lately, Harry had begun to observe Henry, who in turn had started behaving a little strangely. It wasn't that he was hiding, no, just that he was acting rather oddly.
One day, Barry managed to overhear a conversation between his "adoptive" parents. The boy stood in his invisibility cloak behind a wall that hid his parents' room.
"My real wife was killed by a monster," Henry said to his wife. "Then I was accused of being the killer because there were no witnesses or evidence. I spent almost fifteen years in prison..."
"My God," Burrow put her hand on his shoulder. "I'm... shocked. No, really, I'm shocked by your story. Of course, I'm more shocked that my real husband is dead and you've taken his place, but...
"Nevertheless, you and Barry are dear to me too. When I woke up in another world and saw you, I realised that this was my second chance.
Burrow hugged him, whispering something in his ear, and he stroked her back. Barry, of course, couldn't hear their entire conversation. But even a few phrases were enough to make him start shaking.
Then Burrow left the room and headed for the living room, after which Barry rushed into the room and, making sure she couldn't hear anything, closed the door and took off his cloak.
"Harry?" Henry flinched. He quickly put out the cigarette he had just lit.
"Are you smoking?" the boy asked in surprise.
"Well, yes, sometimes, and? By the way, I don't recommend you do that..."
"No, that's not what I meant...
Mr Allen tensed, looking Potter in the eyes.
"Did you hear everything?" The man pursed his lips, clearly not pleased that he had been overheard.
"Not everything, but that's enough for me. I'll ask only one question," Barry clenched his fists, trying to calm down. "The monster who killed your real wife was... Eobard Thawne?"
"Yes," Henry's eyes widened. "How do you know?!"
He couldn't believe what was happening. Barry couldn't quite believe that he was looking at his father. His real father. Nevertheless, Barry had already revealed part of himself, and there was no point in backing down now.
"My real mother was killed by Eobard Thawne, the Reverse Flash," Barry began. "And fifteen years later, another equally terrible speedster killed my father. The father I always wanted to save, searching for evidence to prove his innocence. I even became a hero who saved Central City. Even when I became the Flash, I couldn't save him... It hurt so much..."
"Barry?" The man's eyes lit up. He was also shocked by what "Harry" had just told him. "Is that... is that you?"
"I...
Now it was possible to truly believe the truth of the situation. Moreover, it turned out that Barry was not alone.
"How long have you been here?..
"Not long. My doppelganger from this world died in a car accident. I woke up in a hospital bed... It was shortly before you... went to Hogwarts.
"So we ended up here at about the same time, because I haven't been here long either.
Barry couldn't help himself and hugged his father, who hugged him back. It had been him all along... But then Henry pulled away and looked into his eyes in fear.
"What happened to you? Why are you here?!"
"I..." Barry didn't want to remember the battle against the Anti-Monitor and Reverse Flash. "I died in the crisis. I fought Town and was killed."
"I see," Henry lowered his eyes.
"But now we're together! You'll help me, won't you?
"Of course, son," the man wiped away a tear. "I promise, this time we'll be together."
They hugged again, and at that moment, the second Barry ran into the room, slightly taken aback by the sight of his father and stepbrother embracing.
"Is everything okay?" the boy asked.
"Yes," Henry smiled. "What did you want?"
"Well... Since Harry's here too, it's even better. Ron sent a letter inviting us to stay with him for a week. Dad? Can we go?"
"Oh," smiled Harry, looking at his father. "Please!"
"Well," Mr Allen scratched the back of his head. "If Mum doesn't mind, then you can."
"She won't mind," replied Barry.
***
The trip to the Burrows was much calmer than when, in the other version, Harry, who had stayed with the Dursleys, had to run away.
"Oh, Harry!" Mrs. Weasley greeted the boys immediately. "How happy I am to see you, dear! Thank you for coming, Barry!
Molly hugged both boys tightly. Harry saw Ron running ahead to his friends from behind.
"Well, if everything's all right, I can leave them with you. You can be trusted, Mrs. Weasley, can't you?" asked Henry, who had brought the boys to the Weasleys.
"You can be sure of that, sir. Why don't you want to stay? I'm sure there's room for everyone.
"I have a lot of other things to do.
After saying goodbye to his father, Harry and Barry went over to Ron, who began telling his stories. Harry caught a glimpse of Arthur Weasley, who also greeted him.
They were in the garden when Fred and George ran up to them and started joking around. It was fun.***
Summer was coming to an end, and it was time to go shopping in Diagon Alley. The boys were lucky that the Weasleys agreed to take the Allens there. Using the fireplace teleport, they arrived at the shop, where Harry met his parents. They all went to Flourish and Blotts, where the presentation of Gilderoy Lockhart's new book was just beginning. Harry, Ron, and Barry agreed that none of them liked this pompous turkey. When Gilderoy stepped forward, people began to applaud, and some even shouted.
Harry was "lucky" to be in the front row, and he personally saw Lockhart beaming with the glory bestowed upon him by his fans.
"Oh," Gilderoy noticed Potter, and he began to pray to all the gods that he would leave him alone. "It's Harry Potter!"
" Harry Potter!" The photographer grabbed the boy by the arm and dragged him towards Lockhart.
"Smile, Harry, we'll be on the front page!
And then the man gave him his collection of essays for free. "Harry" handed the books to Burrow and ran to his friends, breathing a sigh of relief.
"Come on, Harry, you're so lucky! That's Zlaopust Lockhart himself!" Hermione remarked admiringly, who had also managed to approach.
"Come on, his glamour makes me want to throw up...
Suddenly, footsteps sounded, and Draco Malfoy approached the group, casting his arrogant gaze over everyone present.
"I see you like this! You didn't even make it to the shop before you ended up in the newspaper!
"Get lost," Barry hissed.
"Oh, an American," Draco smirked. "I was wondering what that stench was."
"Don't be rude, Draco," another Malfoy approached them. "This is not good! Oh, what a pleasant surprise, Mr. Potter. I've heard a lot about you," he lifted Harry's fringe with his cane. "Lucius Malfoy. Your scar... The one who gave it to you is a very powerful wizard.
"Voldemort killed my parents and a bunch of other people. He's a murderer, there's nothing great about that."
"Hmm, very brave of you to call him by his name," Lucius smirked. Then he looked at Ron. "Oh, I think I know you too. Dumb look, well-thumbed textbooks... You must be one of the Weasley offspring, right?
"Guys, let's go!" Henry approached them. "There's nothing more for us to do here."
"Oh, Mr Allen?" The man smiled. "I've heard a lot about you too. You're an American dark wizard, right? I wonder what it's like to be divided between two countries?"
"That's none of your business," Henry replied grimly and began to lead the children away.
Malfoy Senior said nothing, only snorted contemptuously and left, taking his son with him.
"Idiot," Allen Sr. muttered under his breath...
...The children set off for Hogwarts in the same group they had left at the end of the previous school year, only now they were joined by Ginny Weasley, who was going to start her first year this year. Barry looked at her. As far as he remembered, the real Harry Potter had grown up and married her. I wonder if he would have to do the same?
It was good that no elves had prevented him from getting into school, but Barry was in no hurry to relax, because he had other problems to deal with.
***
patreon.com/posts/flash-at-full-in-142099682