Disclaimer: I do not own the Harry Potter series or anything associated with it. The Harry Potter series is the property of J.K. Rowling. This fanfiction is a writing done out of love for the author's work and for creative pleasure. No disrespect or infringement is intended, and no profit is being made.
Author's Note: I hope you all will enjoy this story. Reviews are welcome and appreciated, but please be considerate and keep all criticism polite and constructive.
Chapter One: The Resurrected
In the depth of the Ministry of Magic, in the Department of Mysteries, there is a most chilling room. This room is known as the Death Chamber, a name that is disturbingly fitting. The Death Chamber is the home of the Veil, a physical portal between life and death. On 18 June, 1996, some of the Battle of the Department of Mysteries took place in this and other chambers within the department. The Battle of the Department of Mysteries was the first battle of the Second Wizarding War. It resulted in a victory for the Order of the Phoenix and Dumbledore's Army, and a single death. Sirius Black, escapee from Azkaban and godfather Harry Potter, was hit with a Killing Curse and sent through the Veil by Bellatrix Lestrange.
Right now, however, Sirius Black is very much alive, lying unconscious on the floor of the Death Chamber in front of the Veil. He has come back from the dead, and he is not alone. In fact, the Death Chamber is distinctly lacking in its characteristic death at the moment. A young man with distinctive red hair is lying next to Mr. Black. This young man is Percy Ignatius Weasley, the third son of Arthur and Molly Weasley who gave his life to save his younger brother Fred in the Battle of Hogwarts. Next to him is his older sister Lucretia Muriel Weasley. She unconsciously reaches out and takes Percy's hand.
Lucretia, or Lucy as she was nicknamed by her father Arthur, is going to cause quite a bit of trouble. She was born on 17 July, 1974, two years before Percy. She was killed a month later on 22 August by Lord Voldemort along with her granduncle Ignatius Prewett. Her death was in retaliation for the defiance of her uncles Fabian and Gideon. Her father was placed under the Imperius Curse to take the rest of the family on an impromptu trip to Shell Cottage and leave Lucy alone in Ignatius's care. Lucy has returned as a stunning young woman in her late twenties, a mix in appearance mix of her mother Molly and her younger sister Ginny. Arthur and Molly will likely be overjoyed to have their daughter back, having been so utterly devastated by her loss. However, she and her younger siblings are unaware of each other's' existences. This, combined with her increased age, will make verifying her identity very difficult. Things are going to get very complicated here very soon.
On the other side of Sirius is a lovely young woman by the name of Rose Monica Granger, younger Muggle sister to Hermione Granger who could pass for her identical twin. Rose was hit by a Killing Curse from Bellatrix Lestrange as she was Disapparated out of Malfoy Manor by Dobby, a free House-Elf, and died upon Apparition to Shell Cottage. Lying near Rose is a happily married couple. The man's name is Remus John Lupin, and he is not an ordinary man. He is a werewolf, and thus considered a Beast in the Wizarding World. His much younger wife Nymphadora, commonly referred to by her maiden surname Tonks, is no ordinary woman, being a Metamorohmagus. One might say they fit well together because of that. Mr. and Mrs. Lupin were killed in the Battle of Hogwarts not long after the birth of their beloved son Teddy. Remus wraps his arms around his wife and holds her close to comfort and protect her.
Next to Remus is another nice married couple, this one by the names of James and Lily Potter. Mr. Potter is a fine looking middle aged man, with glasses and messy black hair. Mrs. Potter is a very beautiful woman with long red hair and striking green eyes. James and Lily died first among the formerly dead here, giving their lives to protect their only son Harry from Lord Voldemort on Halloween, 1981. Next to Lily is a very loyal man by the name of Potions Master Professor Severus Snape, a Death Eater who was murdered by Lord Voldemort and his snake Nagini after his true loyalty to Lily and to the Order of the Phoenix was revealed. James and Lily join hands, and then Lily reaches out and squeezes the hand of Severus, her old and dear friend. A silent gesture of thanks for his many years of undying love and friendship.
The last two people in the Death Chamber are a handsome young man and a very old men. The young man is Cedric Diggory, the first death of the Second Wizarding War. The old man is none other than Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore, Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry until his death in the Battle of the Astronomy Tower. The elderly Headmaster has a smile on his face, as if he unconsciously realizes what has just happened and is most amused by it. He may have guessed already the pattern of what is going on here. The eleven people that have been resurrected and brought back through the Veil are all people who have died by the Killing Curse at the hands of Lord Voldemort or Bellatrix, his lieutenant, his lover, and the mother of his child.
Three young Ministry of Magic employees enter the Death Chamber together, coming to investigate the disturbance. They are none other than Harry James Potter, Auror, and his best friends Ronald Bilius Weasley, employee of Department of Magical Law Enforcement, and Hermione Jean Weasley (née Granger), employee of the Department of Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures. They have been sent by the Minister of Magic, Kingsley Shacklebolt, as they are trusted by him and familiar with the Department of Mysteries. Their entry into the Death Chamber has the immediate effect of waking the Resurrected from their slumber. The Resurrected need no introductions to know who the three young people in front of them are.
Albus is the first to awaken, and smiles serenely at the Golden Trio as if there is nothing unusual going on at all. Sirius looks absolutely delighted to see them, despite the fact that he expects to be taken back to Azkaban any minute now. Remus and Tonks look equally delighted at their arrival, even though they are more eager to be reunited with Teddy. Rose has tears in her eyes at the sight of her big sister. Cedric smiles and waves politely, as he is not very close with any of them. Even Severus nods his head curtly, despite his past animosity with the three. The other Resurrected have far stronger reactions at their arrival.
James and Lily are staring fixated on Harry, who was only a baby the last time they saw him. He is now a man, and this realization fills them with great sadness and regret. They have missed some of the most important moments of his life. Percy looks slightly nervous, his eyes trained on his youngest brother while still clutching his sister's hand. He knows Ron has forgiven him for his betrayal of his family, but he knows that the hurt and resentment have likely not gone away. Lucy stares at Ron and Percy with great curiosity and wonder, having a good idea that they are her brothers. She doesn't know anything about them though, not even their names. She is itching for an explanation for all of this.
The reactions of the Golden Trio, as they are called, are perhaps even more extreme than those of the Resurrected. Harry is overwhelmed to see the family and close friends that he thought he had lost forever. The pain and guilt of their deaths coming rushing back to him with a vengeance. It is balanced by the sheer joy he feels at seeing them all, at having his parents and godfather back. Ron stares transfixed at his older brother and the girl he is holding hands with. She looks so much like his little sister Ginny, but he doesn't have a clue as to who she is. Hermione has to hold back the urge to burst into tears at the sight of her little sister and her dear friends. It takes every ounce of discipline in them not to rush to emotionally greet and embrace the Resurrected.
There can be no emotional reunions just yet. There is business to be done before that can happen. The identities of the Resurrected must be verified. The Second Wizarding War ended seven years ago, but is still fresh in everyone's minds. Even though Lord Voldemort is gone and the war is over, they cannot let their guard down. These people could possibly be imposters who mean to do harm. Harry's Auror training and instincts kick in, and he points his wand at the twelve formerly dead. Ron and Hermione quickly follow suit, raising their wands also. All of the Resurrected except for Lucy inexplicably have their own wands on them, but instead raise their hands in surrender.
In carefully controlled voice, Harry addresses Hermione, "Hermione, please go inform the Minister about what has happened down here. Bring him down here, and be sure to bring Veritaserum. We will need to question them. Ron and I will hold them here until you get back."
Hermione nods and exits the Death Chamber, while Ron moves closer to Harry. Harry now addresses the Resurrected, "You will stay where you are, and you will not move. You will take your wands out and set them on the floor, keeping your hands where we can see them. You will be questioned by us and the Minister using Veritaserum, so that your identities may be verified. You will not speak until that time. Cooperate and no harm will come to you."
The Resurrected nod in understanding and compliance, knowing that it would be a good idea to make Harry angry at them. Harry and Ron do not lower their wands though. They keep them trained steadily on the Resurrected. It does not take long for Hermione to return with Kingsley and the Veritaserum. Kingsley looks immensely shocked to see them. He knows who they all are of course, due to the Order of the Phoenix. Kingsley waits as Ron binds the Resurrected, Harry distributes the Veritaserum, and Hermione Summons up a quill and parchment to keep records. With a nod to the Golden Trio, he starts to individually question the Resurrected.
It is several hours before the questioning is finished, each person's identity is confirmed, and the Resurrected are permitted to leave the Department of Mysteries. Kingsley leaves to inform the rest of the Ministry as to what has happened, but dismisses Harry, Ron, and Hermione for the day and a few days off. He knows that they will need and want some personal time with the loved ones they thought they had lost forever. With Kingsley's exit, the Golden Trio and the Resurrected are left alone together.