"Yes, Harry and Sev; it's really me," Lily answered with a smile.
"Mum, you don't look like a ghost. I can't see through you like I can the ghosts at Hogwarts."
"That's because this is the one night when the Veil is the thinnest so it takes less energy to come through it," Lily explained.
Severus watched as Lily floated over to Harry and engulfed him in a ghostly embrace. "You've taken such good care of Harry, Sev. I've been watching you since you've had Harry."
"Dad's great, Mum. He adopted me and he makes sure I eat enough and get enough sleep and he helps me with my homework when I need help."
"Which is not very often," Severus said smiling.
"But most importantly dad loves me. I was just a waste of space to Aunt Petunia, Uncle Vernon, and Dudley."
Lily's expression darkened for a moment. "I never meant you to go to Petunia and her family. You were supposed to go to Sev or Alice."
"Lily, why are you here tonight?" Severus asked. "I have been here for the last nine years and you have never appeared before."
"I know you have, Sev," Lily replied. "And I've enjoyed every one of your visits, but I came tonight because I've been offered a chance to return."
"Mum, are you going to do it?" Harry asked. "You could live with Dad and me in our quarters at Hogwarts."
"Hold on, Harry," Severus cautioned. "Your mum would not be allowed to live in our quarters, but I am sure Professor McGonagall will be able to find her other quarters within the castle."
"Is my father coming back too?" Harry asked. He hoped not. He didn't want to have to deal with both him and Sirius.
"I don't know, Harry if he was offered a chance to return."
"When will you come back, Mum?"
"I can only return at the hour of my death which was at midnight ten years ago."
"Will we need to return here or to the house here?" Severus asked while making a mental list of all the things he would need to bring.
"Neither. I will be able to come through in your quarters at Hogwarts, but for now I've got to leave to prepare for my return."
"We will be waiting for you, Lily," Severus assured her.
"Bye, Mum," Harry called. "I love you!"
"I love you too, Harry," Lily's fading voice called back.
Before Severus apparated them back to Hogwarts he knelt in front of Harry and said, "Harry, we need to keep this just between ourselves for now. I'd rather not have Professor Dumbledore find out."
"Because he'll try and use mum like he does me. I won't tell anybody," Harry promised. "But I can't wait for midnight!"
"I think if he attempts to use your mum, he'll end up with a boot in his arse," Severus said smiling. He was excited as Harry. He had been given a second chance with Lily and this time he wasn't going to let it slip away as he did the first time.
When they got back from the cemetery Severus immediately went to his lab to get the potions he would need when Lily returned.
"What are you doing, Dad?"
"I need to have the proper potions right at hand when Lily returns."
"What kind of potions?"
"I would imagine returning from the Veil is hard on your magical core so I will need the Elixir of Power and a Strengthening Solution. Those two are always given together. I always keep a few vials of both on hand as does Madam Pomfrey. It is rare that a student needs them, but it has happened on occasion."
"What can I do to help, Dad?"
"In the chest at the end of my bed is a heavy blanket. Can you please get it for me, Harry?"
"Sure!" Harry went into his father's room, opened the chest and took out the blanket. He returned with it to the living room.
"Thank you, Harry," he said placing the blanket over the back of the couch. "Shall we go upstairs for the feast? I expect we have a lot to celebrate tonight. Now remember, eat something nutritious and not just sweets."
Harry grinned and said, "For sure, Dad!"
When they got to the Great Hall Harry joined his friends at the Gryffindor table where they were sitting that day. The first years were excited about their first Halloween Feast and the third years were constantly talking about their first trip to Hogsmeade.
Fred and George were talking animatedly about what they'd seen on their first visit and planning what they would do on their next visit. They talked mostly about Zonko's Joke Shop that was obviously their favorite place, but also described Honeydukes in a way that left the first and second years drooling and about the Shrieking Shack that was described as being the most haunted place in Wizarding Britain.
"The Three Broomsticks is worth visiting just for Madam Rosmerta's grilled cheese sandwiches and a flagon of Butterbeer," Percy contributed.
"And Madam Rosmerta isn't hard on the eyes either," Lee Jordan who was best friend to Fred and George, added.
"You're very quiet tonight, Harry," Millie observed.
"Well, dad took me to visit my parent's grave. It's the first time I'd ever been to visit them because my aunt and uncle would never take me."
"I'm sorry. I forgot you lost your parents on this night," she murmured. "My parents are probably wearing black and mourning the death of You-Know-Who."
"Thanks, Millie and it's okay because I don't guess anybody ever told you," Harry said.
"If it's any consolation, Millie, my parents are probably doing the same as yours," Theo said then asked, "What about yours, Draco."
Draco shrugged. "Probably, but I try not to think about it too much."
"Are you coming back to Ravenclaw Tower tonight, Harry?" Hermione asked.
"No. I'm going to stay with dad tonight. He and my mum were best friends and I don't want him to be alone tonight and I don't want to be alone either," Harry replied.