The Problem With Rebirth
Chapter 1: Never On Time
Harry Potter x Merlin Crossover
I own neither Harry Potter, or BBC's Merlin. I only own the OC's in this story.
I thought this plot was a bit obvious, but meh.
Warnings:
Language, bits of fluff, hints of past self harming.
The views reflected in this story do not reflect the views of the author... For the most part.
Pairings: You'll see.
BEGIN!:
Merlin... Emrys to which ever druids still remained.
Immortal... Indeed, but only through the constant of rebirth.
And now, he was reborn as a babe, swaddled in the warmth of blue blankets with little gold snitches.
His mother, and father cooing over his head, his freshly awakened mind barely able to keep itself from drifting back into the bliss of sleep.
"He definitely has your eyes, Lills." was the deep baritone that lulled him back into the cool darkness of slumber.
When once again awakened, it was to be fed. His mother holding him close to her bosom with tendrils of red hair tickling his nose.
His small hand, barely manages to unfurl his fingers, and he reaches for the tendrils of red while suckling.
A soft cooing noise is heard from above his head. "That's my little Harry." she whispers to her babe, encouraging him to feed.
So Harry was his new name. Another that he'd soon learn to respond to. It almost felt as natural as Merlin, and he supposed, that with time, it would feel just the same.
As the minuets wore on, and his small stomach filled, slumber yet again tried to claim him, but his mother's gentle hands rubbed at his back, until just the smallest bit of gas game up.
These were the moments when he didn't like being a babe again.
Then again, his mother's soft warm hands rubbed at his back, this time, easing him back into a sleep.
When he next awoke, he was startled to find a man's face in his, but the wide grin on this man's face reassured him that he wasn't going to be harmed.
This man had messy black hair, sticking up in odd places, and laughing hazel eyes, hidden behind circular shaped glasses. His slightly tanned skin seemed to glow in vibrant happiness. This man's features screamed nobility with the high cheekbones, and angles.
"Hey there, Harry! How was your nap?" the man asked with a grin, reaching out to coddle him.
He reached his hand up to swat at this man's face playfully, his eyebrows furrowed.
He heard a barking laughter in the background. "I think he doesn't like the fact that you woke him up, Jamie." he heard from farther back.
Darn it all, his head didn't move like that. His muscles were new, and weak, therefore, he couldn't lift his head on his own... Yet.
"Come here, Siri. Come see your godson!" the man he could see laughed, and Harry began to suspect that this was his father.
He head the padding of foot steps in soft carpet, and soon, another face was hovering above him.
This man had pitch black hair, about shoulder length, and yet it was far more tame than 'Jamie's'. His grey eyes sparkled with mirth, and joy, a wide smile on his lips.
This man was a bit paler than the first, but some of the angles looked the same, as well as the cheekbones.
Harry blinked at this man.
"James... Sirius, stop crowding around Harry!" a woman's soft warning seemed to make both men straighten, both looking panicked and ready to run.
"Remus is down stairs, James. He's afraid he'll scare Harry. Please go talk some sense into your bond brother?" she requested softly. Jame's face shifted to something of slight anger, and frustration.
He must have had this conversation with the man downstairs before, many times over.
The woman smiled down at her son, her entrancing green eyes locking with his own. "Hey there Harry." she said as she picked him up.
He cooed at her, unable to form words, trying to express how thankful he was for her warmth.
"We are all excited about Harry, Lilly. James the most excited of us all." Sirius explained with a chuckle.
Lilly laughed. "I know Siri. But I just put Harry down for a nap an hour ago." she glared at the man now. "Unless you or James would like to stay up with him all night."
Sirius blinked at her, unsure if she was really giving him a choice in the matter, or not.
He laughed, holding up his hands in surrender, before the stairs creaked, and they could hear two sets of foot steps coming up the stairs.
Lilly gave him a bright smile, and he returned it, both knowing that James had finally convinced Remus that he wouldn't scare the crap out of Harry with his slightly scarred appearance.
When James swooped into the room, he happily held out his hands for Harry, and Lilly couldn't stop the playful roll of her eyes as she handed Harry to him.
Remus entered the room, slowly, feeling timid. He saw Harry, and James, and almost went back downstairs. Well, he would have if James had not waltzed right up to him, and pressed the newborn into his friend's arms.
Remus' brown eyes met wide green when he looked into his arms. The child seemed to study him with curiosity, but no fear.
Chubby hand reached for him, and suddenly a finger was up his nose.
Laughter echoed around the room, as the werewolf tried to disentangle himself from the newborn babe.
Roaring laughter could be heard from the living room as everyone watched Harry try to hit Sirius with his stuffed Hippogriff.
"Ouch! Harry, common! We have to get you dressed!" Sirius whined at the one year old tot.
Harry only giggled, and tried to run away from Sirius, but got a few steps, and fell on his butt. It almost seemed as if Harry huffed at this, and tried to stand up again.
He'd begun to walk at 11 months, and it had been the most terrifying moment of James and Lilly's young lives.
They'd been at a zoo, wandering around with Harry in Jame's arms, but Harry had begun to squirm when they'd gotten to the petting zoo.
"Down?" Harry had requested, his wide green eyes pleading with his father. James had laughed, and set Harry down.
It had been then that a couple of his fellow co workers had called out to James and Lilly, quickly catching up to them, and chatting about what James had missed in the past week.
So involved with this conversation, that they had forgotten Harry, if only for a brief few seconds.
It was enough time for Harry to have shakily gotten to his feet, and take his first few steps towards a sheep that was nibbling happily at it's food.
When Lilly turned to where James had set Harry down, she was more than startled to find Harry missing. "James!" she screamed, catching her husband's attention.
James looked to where Lilly was staring, horrified to find that his eleven month old son had disappeared.
Luckily, one of his co workers quickly caught sight of Harry, playing with one of the sheep. He pointed it out, and James and Lilly both swooped down on Harry like two terrified parents would.
After that day, they had both sworn to keep a better eye on Harry.
It was, coincidentally, a week after that Dumbledore had come to them, telling them that they had to go into hiding.
Now, here they were, holed up in Godric's Hollow, celebrating their son's first birthday, surrounded by family.
Peter Pettigrew was seated on the sofa, laughing as Sirius chased down the babe.
Remus was helping Lilly finish decorating the cake while James brought all the presents from his office to the living room.
The fireplace roared to life, and everyone tensed, until Dumbledore and Minerva stepped out of the fireplace, both carrying a few presents.
For the evening, laughter echoed in Godric's Hollow.
And then, Samhain came around, and Peter had cracked.
The Dark Lord opened the latch to the gate, gracefully sliding past it, the echoing 'snap' of it closing behind him.
He slowly made his way up the cobble stone walk way, leading to the front door. It was easy to open, and quickly, he entered, but something made him pause.
Maybe it was the feeling of powerful magic wrapping around his being as he crossed the threshold. The magic almost hurled him out the door with just it's presence.
The owner of said magic was not happy with him. He frowned at the feel of it. It was far to powerful for anyone here.
It didn't have the same feel as Dumbledore, and may even out rival the man himself.
Voldemort growled low, not liking this surprise.
The magic lessened, fluctuating, as if not having the control necessary to keep up the onslaught against him. Young magic, then.
This made Voldemort raise an eyebrow.
The only magic that could have come from, was the babe upstairs.
He put his foot on the first step, when he was attacked from behind with a cutting hex. It would have succeeded, if his robes weren't enchanted to deflect magic.
The curse bounced, cutting a vase into pieces.
He turned to face his foe. James Potter stood, angry, a silent wind of magic whipping around him in all his fury.
A stunner was all it took. He would have killed James Potter, but Voldemort's priorities had shifted. He would do it after he found the source of the terrifying magic.
He began his short journey up the stairs, only to come face to face with Lilly Potter. "Stand aside." he growled out.
He may be a Dark Lord, but he refused to kill this woman unless he absolutely had to. She stood firm, her wand at the ready, but no spells slipping forth.
"Stand aside." he warned again, knowing she never would, but still having the slight hope that she'd chose life.
He now understood how she could have captivated Severus. Her fierce loyalty, and the fire burning in those eyes.
"Stand aside." he warned a final time. She refused again, and he raised his wand, the death curse on his lips.
She whispered something, and the curse struck her, her body dropping to the floor with a sick 'thunk'.
He sighed, and moved past the fallen woman to the babe in the cradle who now looked angry with him.
Where his mother's eyes had been a stunning emerald, the boy's eyes were a startling shade of the avada kedavra curse.
When their eyes locked, it was the wisdom, and age in the child's eyes that startled Tom.
'Go back from whence you came, Lord of Darkness.' was the warning in his mind. The voice carried with it ages, and a heavy burden of Destiny.
But this only spurred the Dark Lord forward. He knew now, he definitely had to rid this plane of the child.
And it all went wrong.
He held his wand to the child's forehead, hoping to give the child a more blissful death than his mother had.
And as the last syllable slipped past his lips, he fell into the darkness meant for the child.
Sirius Black wandered up the cobble stone road, feeling something amiss.
It was a cold dread that settled into his chest.
He knew it was two in the morning, and James and Lilly would have his balls, but he wanted to see them, to know they were OK.
Something was nagging at the back of his mind, and it just wouldn't stop.
So he found himself tracing the familiar cobble stone walk way to the white double doors... That were slightly ajar.
He decided that now was a good time to listen to instinct.
Instinct, honed by the few years as an Auror made him crouch slightly, and push the door open only enough to where he could get in, and re adjust the amount to make it seem as if no one had tampered with it, more than it already had been. He moved through the sitting room, and almost gasped as he found James at the bottom of the stairs, but luckily, his brother was just stunned.
"Harry! Lilly!" James cried out as soon as he was set right.
Sirius helped James stand, and both dashed up the stairs.
They burst into the room, to find Lilly dead, and little Harry crying, trying to reach for his momma, but otherwise not making a sound.
All that fell from James' lips were the choked sobs.
Sirius quickly gathered Harry up, and took him downstairs, both avoiding the black robe that lay in a heap.
Before Sirius was able to leave Harry whined, and tugged harshly at his ear. He was pointing to something.
Sirius followed Harry's chubby finger, and saw Voldemort's wand laying in the pile.
Sirius shuddered, but quickly left James to mourn in private for an hour before the Aurors showed up.
When they did, Sirius explained what he'd been doing there, and what he'd come across. He also pointed out that Voldemort's wand was up there.
They filed up the stairs to find James, and got his account before removing Lilly's body.
It was hours before James held his arms out, silently demanding to hold his son. Although Sirius wasn't sure if he should hand Harry over. James didn't look like he was all there.
James was spaced out, his mind a million miles away, tear streaks clear on his face. Sirius was sure that James may need Harry's presence to reassure himself, but Sirius wasn't sure that James wasn't going to never let go of Harry.
Sirius handed him Harry when those hazel eyes landed on him, piercing his own grey deep into the core. Well shite! That was a scary look!
It was another hour before both men noticed the blood on Harry's cheek. They both panicked, following the trace of blood to the tot's forehead where a lighting bolt shaped scar sat, fresh, and still slightly bleeding.
They didn't know where to go, or who to contact.
They knew Peter had to have betrayed them, but they weren't sure if Peter had caught Remus up in the cult like following of Voldemort, or not.
It was then that Dumbledore arrived, and they told him what transpired.
Thus Hogwarts gained two new occupants, and a familiar friend.
For a while, everything had settled down.
Dumbledore had convinced James to teach DADA, and Sirius to teach Dueling. He'd even convinced Remus to come stay at the castle, and teach Ancient Runes. The three brothers were re united.
The Marauders were back in Hogwarts... At least, three out of four.
Harry was an explorer, James decided. His son had taken to crawling or walking around the rooms they'd been granted.
Harry explored every nook and cranny, even if he'd already explored the same nook or cranny before. He even took up a favorite spot in the sitting room, just a little bit away from the fire place.
After a flooing accident, and someone landing on the tot, little Harry now gave the fireplace a wary look, and a wide berth.
James laughed as Harry tumbled towards him, Sirius chasing after the wandering tot, trying to put Harry down for his nap.
He smiled at the chaos in their small sitting room.
This sitting room connected the family room to Remus, Sirius, and Jame's room. And all bedrooms, connected to Harry's nursery, in case of emergency.
They were all very protective of Harry, and the toddler often had nightmares, so each one would take a night to where they would help Harry through those nights.
Remus and Sirius understood that James needed their help, not only with Harry, but in dealing with Lilly's absence in his life.
Her death had hit James really hard, and sometimes, it became difficult for James to focus on reality. Sometimes, they would catch James cuddling Harry, and crying.
Often, James would make it through the day of teaching, able to hold himself together, but he'd wait to break down when he got back to his rooms, and he would hold Harry, as if he were a life line.
Both Remus and Sirius were also mourning Lilly, the sister they had lost. But both knew that she would have punished them for carrying on as such over her.
That thought always brought smiles to their lips. The memories they carried of her helped ease the sadness, and pain.
Soon enough, it was Harry's second birthday, and the three men were gathered in the sitting room, along with several staff members at Hogwarts.
To say that Harry had stole their hearts would be understating the situation. The sitting room would have been cramped with the whole of Gryffindor tower, had school been in session.
James laughed, expecting to be accosted about bringing Harry to the tower to visit when Hogwarts came back into session.
Even the Slytherin students had taken to Harry Potter, much to Severus Snape's chagrin.
Speaking of Snape...
The dour Potions Professor hadn't been able to escape the festivities either, having been invited by Remus. He now stood against the back wall, his arms crossed, and a frown on his face.
Minerva nudged Severus. "You may want to join in the festivities, Severus." Her only response was a sneer.
In truth, the man felt as if he didn't deserve to be a part of the celebration. It was his fault that the boy's mother had died.
If only he'd never told the Dark Lord of the prophecy. If only he'd never called Lilly Potter that filthy word. If only he'd never bought into the sweet words whispered by the Dark Lord Voldemort.
He'd been an idiot. He'd been a fool, and Lilly's death had been his ultimate punishment.
He'd thought that her marriage to James Potter was his punishment, not believing that there was something worse. Oh how wrong he was.
He was also responsible for Harry Potter's dark fate.
He knew well what the Dark Lord had done to Harry, as he'd found the research journal left behind by the Dark Lord.
Horcrux. That's what this boy's future was. To die, or to be kept.
And the plans Dumbledore was making for the boy...
Severus paled further, and felt like fleeing from the room. He couldn't though. His silent promise, kept his feet glued to the floor, and his eyes to Harry.
Suddenly, wide and vivid green eyes met his dark eyes.
For an instant, he felt like his soul was being examined, and an understanding look flitted across those green eyes.
And suddenly, his promise wasn't the only reason he'd watch Harry Potter.
Harry smiled as innocently as he could muster up to Minerva as she scowled down at him, although that gleam in her eye looked more like laughter.
Harry was now nine years old, and quite the prankster. It never helped that his father, and two uncles were Marauders.
Apparently, they were training Harry for the future. Like they needed any more pupils. Fred and George Weasley, already learning the ropes from them.
"Honestly, Minnie. I promise I didn't do it this time!" Harry promised, having picked that nickname up from his father. A nervous tick developing in his twitching fingers.
Minerva's scowl softened. "And I'm sure you just happened to be in the wrong place, at the wrong time." she stated flatly.
Harry felt like rubbing his eyes, mentally swearing a prank war on Fred and George for framing him like this.
They had flooded the corridor just before the Potions classroom. Snape had been caught in the torrent of water before making it to his class room.
"I believe." Snape's cold voice cut into the thrashing Minerva was about to give him. "That Potter is right on this one." He finished.
He was standing behind Minerva, his hands clutching the collars of Fred and George Weasley.
"I have caught the true trouble makers." he explained flatly, still dripping wet, and even more so annoyed.
Both boys looked sheepish, and grinned an apologetic grin to Harry.
Harry knew that they got caught on purpose. They hadn't meant to frame him.
He smiled at the two, and they both gave him a wide grin.
It was times like this, that Harry had to laugh, happy that no betrayal had happened.
It must have been a Morgana complex, as this fear had carried over into every lifetime.
Harry shrugged, his slightly bony shoulders bobbing with the motion, and offered Minerva his most charming of grins.
Would have made James proud, if he could see it.
With Samhain coming up, Harry needed all the happiness he could gather.
Now if only that damn Pendragon would show up!
He swore that if he weren't at Arthur's heels, that man would never be on time.