Gary and the Return of Voldemort

Disclaimer: Harry Potter and all associated characters and places are the property of J.K. Rowling, Scholastic, Bloomsbury, etc.. I don't own them.

Chapter 1

Gary's life had always been rather dull. He spent his days just lying in the entrance hall of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. People trampled over him and stared at him, but didn't really pay any attention to him. You see, Gary was a flagstone. He had been part of the floor for longer than he could remember, with nothing to do day after day but stare up at the wall. It was in doing this that Gary had fallen in love with one of the stones in the wall. Her name was Mary and she was beautiful. The torch fixed in a bracket on the stone above her made her appear to glow. She was just the right shape and size, curved perfectly to fit among the other stones. Gary could sit for hours and just stare at Mary, but his lack of movement made it impossible to reach her.

All of this was about to change, however. Gary had no way of knowing that he was about to receive a visitor this late night. Someone with a story that would change his entire life.

"Hello, Gary," said a deep voice from far above. It was the man the students called "headmaster."

"Professor Dumbledore?" Gary asked in surprise.

"Yes," said the voice, now a bit closer as the speaker settled down on the floor near Gary. "I have some news for you, it may be a bit of a shock."

"Anything to break the monotony would be welcome," Gary said bravely.

Professor Dumbledore sighed and regarded the stone seriously for a moment. "It is a complicated story, Gary. You have heard of the wizard called Voldemort?"

Gary shuddered against the surrounding stones, who grumbled in protest. Dumbledore took this for an affirmative answer and continued his tale.

"It turns out that he is your father, Gary."

"What!" Gary exclaimed. "But how? I've been here for...well, hundreds of years."

Dumbledore stroked his beard thoughtfully. "I told you it was a long story. If you'll allow me to explain..."

By the time Dumbledore had finished talking, Gary's mind was reeling. It seemed he truly was the son of the Dark Lord. Not only that, but he was brothers with someone named Lily Potter, who had been killed by her own father years ago, twins with Dumbledore, and the half-brother of his own true love Mary.

"How did all this happen?" he asked.

"It's all rather vague," Dumbledore answered. "Something to do with a time turner and a kumquat, I believe. I've only just found this out myself by examining the memories of others. Memories I was very fortunate to obtain. I've come down tonight to warn you. I have reason to believe that Voldemort will be looking for you soon. He may want to kill you, or he may want you to help him kill me."

"I would never do anything to harm you, sir!" Gary exclaimed. "I would die first."

"That is very noble of you, Gary. I'm afraid you will be in very great danger."

Gary assured Dumbledore that he would die rather than betray Hogwarts and Dumbledore bid him goodnight. The next morning, things began to happen.

TBC...