Harry Potter had never been on a vacation, not a real one at least. Sure, he had gone to the World Cup with Ron and his family before his own fourth year, but that hardly counted and had ended up in the attacks and riots.
The Potters, apparently, often vacationed during the summers and while the previous year they had stayed at home to help him adjust, there had been an agreement that they all needed to get away after the previous school year.
Ideas had been discussed for the first few days of break until James had made the argument that they needed somewhere warm and sunny to chase away any lingering memories. Thus, the family decided upon the beach as a preferred location. Luckily, there were many such locations that were a short Portkey trip from their home.
Unlike many of the other Slytherin families, the Potters were able to blend in well enough with the Muggle population that they weren't forced into hidden Magical-only locales. Although they still chose a beach house rented specifically to witches and wizards, complete with a Floo and a lack of any Muggle technology that might be interrupted by their presence.
Still, the water nearby was used by Muggles and Magical wielders alike, and while the two sisters were warned about being cautious, Harry had no doubt of his own ability to remain inconspicuous. He had lived for years with Muggles, after all, and was probably the one most suited to blending in.
The sand was bright and warm, allowing all three of the children to enjoy being barefoot, while the water blue and inviting. Even with the other vacationers nearby there was a sense of calm and relaxation that accompanied the gentle splashing of the waves, the call of birds and a soft breeze that both warmed and cooled at the same time.
Amaryllis and her father, naturally, ran straight towards the ocean, laughing in excitement as they practically dove straight in. Lily and Harriet, in the meantime, began setting out beach towels, an oversized umbrella, and the cooler with drinks along with reading material.
As for Harry, he fought against the thoughts that he was intruding upon the family's private rituals and vacationing and instead sought to make himself useful by helping the two unpack. The warm, but understanding, smile on the older redhead's face told him all he needed to know regarding his plan. Lily knew what he was doing, and while she certainly didn't seem thrilled by it she didn't appear to be at the stage of confrontation.
When asked about what he wanted to do first he had merely shrugged in response. He had never been to the ocean before, and while he would certainly go swimming later for the time being he just wanted to take a second and relax.
After everything was setup, he lowered himself down onto the sand near his raven-haired sibling, who had opted to use a towel to stay clean instead, along with retrieving a book to read for leisure.
For the boy-who-lived, everything else faded into the background as he took in the scene before him. Despite everything that had happened, despite all the near-death experiences and trials he had already gone through he couldn't help but find it all worth it. He had a family, one who cared about him. He had friends, both the ones he remembered from his own timeline and new ones as well.
It was one of the few times he could remember feeling as though everything would be okay. There was no reason to dread the upcoming school year, there would be no escapee from Azkaban because there had been no war.
Sirius had never been imprisoned, there would be no one trying to hurt him or his family. First year had been inevitable, it was due to Dumbledore more than anything else if he thought about it, and the previous year a fluke. The Basilisk, after all, had been an established threat far before his arrival as had Riddle's own nemesis.
This time though it should be nice and peaceful.
He allowed this thought to sink into his mind, washing away all the worries and concerns that had been brewing in the back of his mind. His shoulders relaxed, and a tension he never noticed before easing away as retreating with the water itself, dragged back into the nearby waters.
"Harry, are you okay?"
He blinked, before glancing over to the raven-haired witch. Her book had been lowered; eyes focused on him with a hint of concern. Nearby, Lily was pretending to be more interested in other things but was failing in her nonchalance quite miserably.
The boy realized he must have been staring off into the distance for too long. "Yeah, I'm fine it's just a lot to take in, the ocean I mean. This is the first real vacation I've been on and even after almost two years this still feels… new."
"You should join them in the water soon." The older woman noted, "If you've never been to the beach before."
Harry nodded, already planning on doing so after he enjoyed the warm sand and cool breeze for just a while longer.
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