Five Degrees of Love
By: Erica Evans
Chapter One: Someone New
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter.
A/N: For those of you who have read my other fics (see my author page) this is not set in the "Secrets/ Reagan Potter" universe. This is completely different. Review please!!
She was in so much pain. Squeezing her eyes shut as another wave came across her.
"Its okay," a voice said in her ear.
"No- its- not!" she replied, through gritted teeth.
"Just hang on, they're Flooing your Healer."
"This is horrible," she whispered. "It shouldn't hurt this much. There has to be something wrong." Her body began to pull its self into a ball, and the wizard standing next to her pulled her up, keeping her standing.
"Oh, no, you have to keep on your feet, Emms," he said to her. She clutched at his arms, sending pain shooting down to his fingers as she dug into his skin.
What was I thinking? he asked himself, pushing the blond hair out of her face. For over eight years, Emily O'Connor had been his friend, since their early years at Hogwarts. Now, in their early 20's, he was trying to steady her, thankful he could be there for her, for once.
Six months earlier Emily had come to him, told him of her pregnancy and begged him not to tell anyone. Fact she had put a Fidelius Charm on him, sealing the secret of her pregnancy within him. No one would be able to know she was pregnant unless he told them she was, even if they were ooking directly at her.
Of course the Healer had to know, so he made sure he went along to the doctor appointments. But that was it. Three people know she was going to be a mother, but he understood her reasoning.
Who would take to a child who's father had just been sent to Azkaban?
"I can't do this, Remus," she whimpered, the pain
receding.
"Yes, you can," Remus replied.
"Are you the father?" the medi- witch asked.
"No I can't," she replied, clinging to him. "Make the pain go away. Something's wrong, something is wrong!"
"Are you the father?"
"What?" Remus asked, turning around.
"Are you the father, sir?" the medi-witch asked again.
"No, he's not the father!" Emily cried, as she was helped onto a cot.
"I'm sorry, sir, but you can't go into the delivery room with her," the medi-witch said. "Only the father or grandmothers may be in the delivery room."
"Well one grandmother is dead, the other is a Muggle who I haven't spoken to in three years," Emily yelled, her face tensing with the pain. Her voice was strained, and she was clutching her swollen stomach. "And the father is in Azkaban! So Remus is coming with me!"
The medi-witch stepped out of the way and Remus followed Emily down the corridor, hiding a smirk as she screamed at everyone who gave her a second lance.
Three hours later, a tiny infant was asleep, her head resting on her mother's arm.
"She's beautiful, Emily," Remus said, standing next to her bed. "She looks just like you."
"Not her eyes."
"What color are they?"
"Brown," Emily said, looking up at him. "They look
just like... like..."
"I know," Remus said, and looked down at the blond haired baby. "You'll love her enough to make up for it, you know."
Emily sighed and leaned back into her pillows. "I hope
so."
Remus smiled at her. He had nothing but love for this woman, but it wasn't a romantic, it was a protective brotherly feeling. And over this little girl sleeping, he felt a surge of fatherly instinct, a feeling that he needed to protect her. He needed to keep her safe.
If he couldn't love and keep on his his best friend's child safe, he was sure going to do it with the other one's child.
No one thought much of her. And what they did think mostly revolved around the word "freak." She was the girl who's lunch money burst into flames when another student tried to steal it. She was the girl with an abnormal name that looked a lot like a disease or something contagious. And that how they all thought of her. The weird girl who if you got near her then you would catch whatever made her weird.
But she was different, far different than all of them, and far different than they realized. If they knew that she went to a private school that taught you charm work and potion making instead of literature and arithmetic, then they would know why weird things always happened to her.
But they didn't know. No one knew that she was a fourteen year old witch about to enter her fifth year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. No one knew that her mother was also a witch. No one knew he father, a wizard, had spent over a decade in prison for murders he had not committed. They didn't know that he had escaped and she had only met him twice since his escape three summers prior.
And no one knew that Lord Voldemort had returned and they were all in danger.
But she didn't want to think about that right now. Ignoring the snickering from the other children, she focused on her textbook. Transfiguration was one of her favorite subjects, and as she sat against a tree in the park, she longed for the day when she could do magic again.
She glanced up at the other children, laughing and playing in the grass and on the playground equipment. Her mother had moved to Surrey from their home in the country while she was at school this past term. She glanced at the children looking at her and wondered how no matter where she went, people always knew she was different.
Her mother had not said why she had moved them. When asked, her mother shrugged and replied, "Don't ask so many questions Jenessaelia. We moved because we needed to. There are other people in this world than you and I, and we are here to help every way we can. Dumbledore needed us here, so this is where we came."
Her mother had been working long hours during the day, and into the night, leaving her at home alone. "Jenny, don't wander too far while I am away," her mother had said to her the first morning back. "Don't leave sight of the house, don't trust anyone who you don't know, and don't leave the house without your wand."
Since her return home at the end of last term, Jenny had taken to reading in the park. The bright sunlight and cool breeze made for excellent studying conditions, despite the on looking gazes from the others in the park. She obeyed her mother's instructions, and lucky for her the park was directly across the street from her house.
This day was like all the others. She sat against a tree, her book propped up on her lap, her mother having charmed all her books for her, appearing to be regular novels to any Muggle eye. And just like every other day this summer, Harry Potter took his daily walk across the park.
The first day she had seen him, she had been a bit shocked. She knew he lived with his Muggle aunt and uncle, but had not stopped to think where. She knew Harry from school, and had spoken to him a few times. He was in the same house that she was in at Hogwarts, though he was a year older than she. At school he was hardly ever seen without Ron Weasley or Hermione Granger, and everyone thought him to be a bit larger than life.
Jenny never though he was though. While her dorm mates giggled and got star struck when he was around or he came up in conversation, herself and Ginny Weasley were the only two who didn't think he was untouchable.
She watched him walk across the park, his shoulders slumped, his head hung. He didn't look happy. Though Jenny didn't know the exact reason why, she had heard the rumors and had a good idea of why he seemed so depressed. She didn't know the specifics, but according to Ginny, someone close to him had died.
Jenny sighed and felt sad for him. She could not imagine what it must be like growing up not knowing you were a wizard, or having to be completely shut off from the wizarding world every summer. He stopped at a waste basket, and looked down into it, tilting his head to the side.
"There isn't much happening now," Jenny whispered, realizing he must be checking the front page of the paper for any weird news the Muggles might report.
As though he could feel her eyes on him, or hear her barley audible words, he turned in her direction, and scanned the area, his eyes searching for something. Jenny looked back down at her book, pretending not to notice him. She watched him out of the corner of her eye, his hand slowly moving away from his back pocket where his wand was kept, and his shoulders relaxed. Giving the paper in the waste basket a last glance, he strode off across the park.
"Did you know Harry Potter lives around here?" Jenny asked her mother later that night as she helped clear the dishes off the table.
Her mother stiffened a little. "Does he?" she asked.
Jenny nodded. "Didn't you say you knew his mum?"
"And his dad," her mother replied. "And Professor Lupin from your second year."
"Yes, Lupin mentioned it once," Jenny said.
"How did you know Harry lived around here?" her mother asked.
"I saw him in the park," Jenny replied. "Do you think its safe for him to be walking around alone?"
"I'm sure its fine," her mother replied. "Besides, Dumbledore has set up protection for him, I'm sure."
"True," Jenny said and rinsed her plate. "Mum, I might say hi next time I see him."
"I think he might like that," her mother said, looking up at her, her blue eyes smiling. Jenny was fortunate to have inherited her father's deep brown eyes (perfect for making puppy dog eyes), and her mother's long golden brown hair.
"I've talked to him at school. He seems like a nice enough guy."
"From what I've heard, he is very nice," her mother said. "Very grounded and very courteous."
"From what you've heard?" Jenny asked.
"From what Remus has told me," her mother replied. "All that rubbish in they printed about him was just that, rubbish."
"Yes, well I never believed any of it," Jenny said. "And people were absolutely horrid to him at school. I don't know how he deals with it."
"The point is that he does," her mother said. "It says a lot about him, about his character, about the type of person he is."
"True."
"Besides, its not like you've never dealt with people staring, pointing and laughing."
Jenny groaned. "Don't remind me. I think I'm going to go up to bed."
"Good night dear," her mother said, and Jenny stopped to give her mother a kiss on the cheek before heading up the stairs.
The next day, like clock work, Harry Potter took another walk across the park. Jenny sat on a bench and watched him step onto the grass at the opposite side of the park and begin his trek towards her. She was near a waste basket, the one he usually stopped at, Transfiguration for the O.W.L.s
open on her lap, waiting for him to get nearer.
He didn't seem to be looking were he was walking, just letting his feet lead him and he was forced to go where ever they took him. He walked past her, not stopping at the waste basket, or glancing up from the ground.
She closed her book, and set off after him.
"Potter!" she called and he didn't turn around. She quickened her pace, almost to a trot and tried again. "Potter!"
He still didn't respond. He had reached the end of the park and was turning down the next street. Jenny glanced back towards her house, and if she followed him down the street she would be out of sigh of her house.
"I've seen you play Quidditch, Harry!" she cried at him and he stopped.
"You've what?" he asked, turning to look at her. His face was confused at first and he looked at her.
"I said I've seen you play Quidditch," she replied. "At Hogwarts. You're rather good."
"You've... Quidditch... Hogwarts?" he sputtered, taking a few steps towards her. "How?"
"Honestly, Harry, I go to school with you," she replied.
"You... you do?"
"I'm in Gryffindor," she said. "A year below you."
He stared at her, and she could tell he was trying to figure out who she was. A look of recognition spread from his eyes to his mouth and he gave her a crooked smile. "Its Jenny, right?"
She laughed. "Yes, its Jenny."
"And you're here?"
"My mum moved here a few weeks ago," she replied. "Just before term was over."
"I can't believe this," he said, running his hand through his hair. "I mean, I've never seen anyone else while I'm here, well unless you count Mrs. Figg, but she's just batty so it really doesn't count."
Jenny giggled. "Yes, I've met Mrs. Figg. Came by the house the first day back, looking for my mum. She was quite excited to see that we had two cats."
"She has a thing with cats," Harry replied. "Where do you live?"
Jenny pointed towards her house. "Right there, Number Nine. My mum told me not to leave sight of the house. I'm glad you turned around when you did because I couldn't follow you any longer."
"Sorry 'bout that," he replied. "I've been caught up in my own thoughts lately."
"I've noticed," she replied. "You've taken the same walk across the park every day since we've come home."
"And you would know because?"
"Because I noticed you the first day we came back," Jenny replied. "And then the next day, and the next, and every day this entire week."
"I have become a bit predictable then," he replied. "I'll have to change that."
"Is being predictable a bad thing?"
Harry nodded. "If you knew when the best time to intercept me was, there is no telling what anyone else might know."
"I'm still confused," Jenny said. "Are you talking about Voldemort?"
Harry stared at her. "You said his name."
"Sorry, would you prefer "You-Know-Who?"
"No its not that, its just that no one else I know says his name," Harry replied. "I mean, I say his name, and Dumbledore, but even Ron and Hermione barely say it."
Jenny shrugged. "My mum didn't shield me from those sorts of things. She said that fear of name-"
"Only creates fear of the thing itself," Harry finished for her "Yeah, Dumbledore told me that once."
"Mum says he is the only wizard Voldemort ever feared," Jenny said.
"Lets just hope that it stays that way," Harry said. "Or else Hogwarts won't be a safe haven."
"Well look who it is," came a taunting voice and Jenny turned around her. Coming up to them were four boys, with one large one in the front. She was surprised when Harry stepped protectively in front of her.
"Do you need something, Dudley?" Harry asked.
"I was just going to introduce myself to our new neighbor," Dudley replied. "Now step aside, Potter."
Harry didn't budge.
"She's an awfully pretty one, don't you think Potter?" Dudley asked, looking at Jenny. "Are you thinking she might want to be your girlfriend, Potter? Trying to win her over quick before she finds out how much of a freak you are?"
His friends laughed, but Harry didn't move.
"I think you should go," Harry said to the gang of boys. "Dudley knows how dangerous I can get. For a freak."
Dudley's face fell, and lucky for him none of his cronies saw it.
"You wouldn't dare," Dudley said.
"Don't be stupid Potter," one replied. "There is only one of you, and four of us."
"Actually there are two of us," Harry replied. "It seems our new neighbor here that you are so eager to meet goes to my school. My special school, Dudley."
Dudley's face fell, and he looked at Jenny.
"But you go to St. Brutus," one boy replied. "Thats a school for boys."
"Well they made an exception for her."
"Pity," Dudley replied. "Figures she had to be a freak just like you."
Anger bubbled inside Jenny and she wanted to hex this Dudley with whatever came to mind first. She didn't understand how Harry could appear so clam.
"Come on Dud," another boy said. "I don't want to have anything to do with her if she goes to that school. Potter can have her."
"Potter wouldn't know what to do with her," another
boy said.
"And you would?" Harry replied. "Now leave before I make you leave. I'm not going to ask you again."
Dudley and his gang turned and walked away, and Jenny could see Harry's shoulders relax.
"Wait till Dad hears about this," Dudley said, turning around. "He'll do something about it."
Harry didn't say anything but took a few steps away from Jenny before turning to look at her.
"Sorry about that."
"Who was that?" she asked.
"That unfortunately was my cousin, Dudley," Harry replied. "I live with my aunt and uncle, who are... well... very anti-magic."
Jenny shrugged. "I've had that reaction to magic all my life. My mum was Muggle born and my grandmum and granddad don't really tolerate it. And I don't know my dad's parents."
"I take it you don't have a positive relationship with them?"
"Actually there isn't really one at all," she replied. "I've never met them. My dad didn't even know I was alive till a few summers ago."
"At least you know him," Harry said. "And your mum."
Jenny nodded, knowing the meaning behind his comment.
"Are you hungry?" she asked.
"What?"
"My house is right there, and I was thinking about making lunch," she replied. "If you would like lunch, then I can make you something. I mean, it beats going back to your aunt and uncle's house for lunch."
He thought for a moment, studying her face before and a small smile crept onto his face.
"I'd like that."
A/N: And we're off!! Let me know what you think! EE
A/N: Added July 13, 2004
To my dearest fans,
I want to take a moment to apologize for not updating any of my fics in many many weeks. The answer is simple: I am in a rut. I have hit a huge brick wall of writer's block. I have about half a chapter of each fic still in progress, and no ideas/motivation to write.
And there is another obstacle. My husband comes home from Iraq in less that 48 hours, so my mind is a little preoccupied with that.
So here is the solution: I am not going to update for the remainder of July, and possibly into August, if need be. I think that if I don't think about forcing myself to write, then something will come to me. I do promise you this, I WILL finish each of the four stories I still have open. The Lessons in Life is the last of the three part series, Five Degrees of Love is going to be either one or two stories, most likely two. The Heirs will be a one fic story, along The Calm.
To keep you all interested, here are a few hints of things to come in the next chapters:
The Lessons in Life: As Trevor's relationship with Anne Marie blossoms, Reagan devotes herself more and more to Brent. Look for a pregnancy announcement, three new engagements, a kidnapping, and some suspicious behavior from an American Seeker, all before Valentine's Day..
Five Degrees of Love: After meeting someone he wasn't expecting at Jenny's house, Harry learns who Jenny's father is, Jenny learns about her father's fate, and about how Harry knows him. After many tears, some dramatic outbursts, and some lingering thoughts about a comment Ron made on the train home, everyone returns to Number 12 Grimmauld Place.
The Heirs: Anna and the other heirs move to Harry's, and prepare for an eventful, and uncertain new school year. The war is growing, Anna's uncertainty in her own abilites, as well as the power she and the other heirs are supposed to conjure sends shockwaves through their three some.
The Calm: Olivia Evans needs someone to confide in. Her instincts tell her that a fellow professor may be the key, but she has her doubts about trusting people, especially when they already don't trust her. But after a mysterious attack that hits Hogwarts close to home, she might need to just come clean.
So stay tuned, keep in touch. If you all go and join the Yahoo Group I created ) you will have the most up to date information, as well as each chapter a day before the public sites do. Also there are random notes, timelines, pics and polls on there to keep you occupied.
So thats all from me, see you in a couple weeks! Thank you all for being patient and understanding!
Love,
Erica Evans