Disclaimer: I own nothing
Warning: Possible slash
A/N: I figured I had better answer some question, that I'm sure would have come up.
1. The Wizarding world does exist, in this Alternate Universe, but Harry and his parents are American muggles.
2. This Universe's Harry and The-Boy-Who-Lived did not switch places, they've simply merged, but because the Boy-Who-Lived is who he is, he is the Harry that survived the merge.
3.Harry's Reality no longer exist, when a being travels from one reality to another, the reality they came from no longer exist
4. Even though Harry is not The known Boy-Who-Lived in this reality, he is still the only one who can defeat Voldemort
A new life
The first thing Harry noticed when he woke up was the familiar smell of chemicals that came with being inside a muggle hospital. The second thing he noticed was that he was not alone, and that the occupants in the room where people Harry was unfamiliar with. He could hear them arguing and thought it best not to alert them that he was awake after all they could be Death Eaters. 'But why would Death Eaters bring me to a muggle hospital? Harry thought, his thoughts were interrupted when yet another person entered the room.
"Dr. Peterson, you said you had good news?" a female voice asked, Harry could tell she was desperate.
"Well actually I believe it is wonderful news, Harry brain activity as slowly been increasing for the past two months, with luck there is a great possibility that he'll wake soon." Dr. Peterson answered
"Thank you Doctor this is the best news we've heard all year." Another male voice responded
"I can only say that I am truly happy that your son is recovering, not many people come back out of an accident like that alive."
"Wait," Harry thought, "Did he just say son?"
Harry's eyes snapped open, and the site before him made his breath catch his throat.
"Mum?" Harry's hoarse voice croaked, "Dad?"
At the sound of Harry's voice Lily and James Potter spun themselves around quickly, to see Harry laying before them his bright green eyes filled with questions, and uncertainty. Lily slowly walked to her son, and sat at the edge of his bed. Cautiously she reached out and slowly ran her hand down his cheek. This was not the first time Harry had opened his eyes, this however was the first time he had spoken, and though the doctor had told her he could recover soon she found the information hard to believe, it had been a long time since her soon had been awake.
Harry feeling his mother touch had to feel if she was real. Her hand was still resting on his cheek; he gently reached up and wrapped his own hand around hers.
"Mum," He croaked again.
"Oh Harry!" she cried throwing her arms around him, "You're awake, you're really awake."
Harry couldn't understand what was going on, he knew his parents were dead, but when his mother's hand touched him memories flooded through his mind. They were memories of growing up with his parents, of the first day of school with his friends, of playing on his high school soccer team. They clashed with his memories of the Dursleys, of Hogwarts, of being the boy-who-lived.
"Lily dear, you're smothering the poor boy," said James putting a hand on his wives shoulder.
She looked up at Harry's face, and he could see tears running unabashedly down her cheeks. Harry turned his attention do his father, and saw that the tears flowed freely from his eyes as well. James had never thought that his son would wake up after a year of being in a coma. When he had heard that Harry had been in a car accident, and the chances of him waking up were slim, a part of him died. But now his son was a wake. His son was okay, everything was going to be okay. James felt a small weight being lifted off his shoulders as he stared into his son's unusually bright green eyes.
"Hello Harry," Greeted Dr. Peterson, "My name is Dr. Peterson, now I know you just woke up, and are probably a little stiff and maybe in some minor pain. But I would like to ask you a few questions, if you are feeling up to it?"
"It's okay," Harry managed
"Good, now can you tell me what year it is?"
"1996."
"Yes, okay, Can you tell me your name, the name of your parents, and how old all of you are?"
"My name is Harry Potter, I'm sixteen. My dad's name is James Potter he's 38, my mom's name is Lily Potter and she's also 38."
"Okay last question then were just going to run some test, can you tell me why you're in the hospital?"
"I was hit by the Avada…."Harry begin, but was struck by a memory.
Flashback
"Come on Potter don't be such a momma's boy, a few drinks aren't going to kill ya!" His friend Brad yelled into his ear.
"Brad, just because I don't want to drink doesn't mean I'm a momma's boy. Besides I have to drive."
"Come on Potter, we've just won the state championship game, we've finished the end of year exams. Don't you think we deserve to relax and unwind?"
Harry had to smile at this, Brad always knew how to get to him, and he had to admit it did seem like something he needed. Besides it had been awhile since he had gone to a party and he knew his parents wouldn't be overly disappointed if he got drunk. He hadn't done it but once before, and he was good kid so his parents were pretty lenient and Harry had never pushed them.
"Alright we'll go for a little while and we'll have a few drinks, but were not going to get wasted."
"Yea, yea whatever, I'm gonna go call the guys and let em know."
End of Flash back
"Oh god," Harry breathed, "We went to a party, and we were drinking…I…"
Flash back
"Come on Harry, one more, you can do it. Beat his slimy ass." Mark, another of Harry's friend cheered
Harry had been dared into having a drinking contest with someone from a rival school. Normally Harry would have said no, but the guy in question just so happened to have tripped Harry during the game earlier that day, successfully managing to piss him off. Harry had never been a drinker, but he was determined to make this guy look like an idiot; they each started off with one shot glass of vodka, then two, then another, and another. Harry was currently working on his 15th shot glass, while the other guy could barely finish his 12th. As Harry took the sip finishing his 15th his opponent had managed to knock himself. Harry jumped from the table and screamed and cheered with his friends.
"I told you, you'd beat his slimy ass." Mark congratulated patting him on the back
"Damn Harry, who knew ya, had it in you." Teased Brad
"Guys," Harry started "Guys, never doubt a Potter."
"Yes, all Hail Potter the Lord of the Booze." Matthew (yet another of Harry's friends) shouted
"Okay I'm going home," Harry stated finally having enough of the festivities, "Brad you coming?"
"Yea I better book it, my folks are already gonna be pissed." Answered Brad
Harry and Brad packed themselves into Harry's car with only a little trouble, most of it coming from laughing so hard. Harry started the ignition and pulled out onto the road. If the alcohol wasn't fogging his mind he would have thought to just have called a taxi or perhaps his parents. But alas he wasn't thinking clearly, and Brad and he were just caught up in the bliss that Alcohol brings to notice that they were currently driving on the wrong side of the road. They didn't notice until headlights flashed into their eyes.
"Fuck Harry watch out!" Brad screamed
Brad reached for the stirring wheal and pulled it hard effectively avoiding the other car, but he had pulled too hard and was flung against the passenger window. Harry could not react fast enough to correct the wheel. The car swerved into the ditch line, and bucked against the uneven ground before colliding with a very old, very sturdy oak. The last thing he remembered was Brad's body lying limp next to him, his head had been smashed against the window and he was bleeding profusely.
End of Flash back
"I killed him, it's all my fault, he was my best friend, my…my," Harry cried clinging to his mother
"Doctor, I think that's enough question." James said firmly effectively banishing the Doctor from the room.
"Harry," Began his mother, "Harry, what happened, it was an accident. I know it was a tragedy but no one blames you. Everything is going to be alright."
"No!" Harry shouted unable to hold back his emotions, "Everything is not going to be alright. Why doesn't anyone blame me? Everyone should blame, it's my fault, I blame me!"
'Wait.' Harry thought, 'It isn't my fault, I wasn't there, I'm not the Harry who drank too much, but why do I feel so guilty over what happened. Why can I remember this other Harry's memories? Maybe there is no other Harry, maybe Hogwarts, magic, everything, maybe it was all a dream. "
"I'm sorry," Harry whispered
"Its okay honey loosing someone you love is always hard."
Harry nodded, "Could I please have a few moments alone?"
"Of course." His father answered
Lily and James stood up to leave, to give their son some time to think. Both were beyond happy with fact that they had their son back, but both were worried too. He had taken the loss of his Best friend hard; they could only hope that he would recover from that as well.
As soon as Harry's parents had left he let out a long breath, and wiped the tears from his eyes. He knew that he had to test to see if his magic was there, he wasn't very proficient in wandless magic but he knew enough to test if magic was even real. He concentrated on the object he wished to summon; it was small bible that sat across the room on the window sill. With a flick of his wrist and the whispered incantation the bible flew from the window sill into Harry's hand.
Harry let out yet another long breath, this time it was from relief. He was happy that he still had his magic. That meant he was indeed not from the reality, from this place, it meant that he was not responsible for the death of his best friend. Though Harry still felt the loss, it was duller now, almost like reading about a stranger's death in the newspaper. The knowledge of Harry's magic, made the other
Harry's memories fade from being memories into being facts, details he could draw from in order to fit into this new life.
Harry still had many unanswered questions, it was obvious to him that his parents weren't magical, and apparent they were all Americans, but did the magical world even exist here? Was Voldemort still rampaging, killing muggles and wizards at every turn? Did the prophecy still exist? If so who did it apply to? Harry ponder over these question and more before deciding to worry about them later. Right now he had a family, he had parents who were alive and who cared for him greatly.
Settling into life with his parents was strange to say the least; especially now that the other Harry's emotions were no longer there. He was now back to being himself completely any mannerism he had picked up from the other Harry were now long gone. The only things that remain was the memories, I love for soccer, and the actual ability to play. He had learned quickly, that in this household the TV was the focal point of daily life. Harry coming from a family that wouldn't allow him to watch TV, and then spending most of his time in the wizarding world had no great love for the box. This seemed to confuse his parents, for it seemed that the other Harry was quite fond of the wretched box. Harry however loved the freedom that allowed him to be outdoors. He lived with parents in a small neighbor not completely unlike Private Drive. However the Potter's yard was at least ten times larger and right behind their house was a large woods that Harry loved to explore.
Harry had been lucky enough that school was still a few weeks away giving him time to adjust to his new life. He had been momentarily worried that whatever friends the other Harry had would hate him now, because of the accident. This however was quickly disproven, as a couple days after he got out of the hospital he found himself surrounded by 'his' friends, who were all telling him how happy they were that he was okay, and how sorry they were for his loss. He was eager to actually get to know these people for himself, and not just draw on the other Harry's memories.
More than once had thought about the other Harry, he had come to the painful revelation a few weeks ago that he had indeed taken the life of the other Harry. That is until he went back for his check up with Dr. Peterson, who told him that his recovery was a miracle that the brain damage he suffered should have left him in a vegetative stasis for the rest of his life. Harry knew that the only thing that could bring someone back after an injuries that extensive was magic, and since the other Harry didn't have magic, it was him that had repaired the body; he had also realized that he hadn't killed the other Harry, but instead simply took his place.
Harry had just come inside for lunch; his mind was still full of thought of what he had gone through these past three weeks. He didn't notice the man that was sitting in the kitchen talking to his parents until he spoke to him.
"Blimey Harry, aren't you going to say Hello?"
Harry knew that voice, he spun around and met the icy blue eyes of his godfather and whispered, "Sirius."
"What's wrong Harry you look like you've seen a ghost?" Sirius asked his face full of concern
Harry wanted to snort, and tell his godfather that he was seeing a lot of ghost recently, he wanted to wrap his arms around his godfather, but knew from the other Harry's memories that he did not know his godfather well, and did not see him often seeing as he lived on the other side of the world.
"I was shocked to see you is all," Harry lied, "And you kind of startled me."
"Startled may be putting it a bit lightly Harry." Said his mom, "Are you sure you're alright?"
"Uh, yea I'm fine…" Harry paused, "Then again maybe I need to go lay down."
Harry bolted up stairs and slammed his door, falling onto his bed he let out a small scream. It was frustrating seeing Sirius alive and well and he wasn't even able to hug him, touch him, tell him how much he missed him. Harry was glad to have his parents back, really he was, but he never met them until now. Sirius he had known Sirius, he had loved Sirius like a father. When his godfather had died, it almost killed Harry right along with him. But now he was back and he didn't even really know Harry. Not to mention the fact that he lived in the U.K. while Harry lived in America.
'Could it be possible," Harry thought, 'could Sirius still be a wizard?"
There was a huge possibility that Sirius was still a wizard in this reality, the house a black dated back thousands upon thousands of years. Harry needed contact with the magical world, he knew this. He didn't have a clue as to how to contact the one here in America, plus he needed a wand. No, he needed his wand and the only place he could get that would be at Olivander's. He wasn't the-boy-who-lived here though, that is if there was a boy-who-lived. Did that mean someone else had his wand?
He had to get information about the wizarding world, and so far the only lead he had was Sirius and there was no guarantee he was even a wizard. It was not like he go up and bluntly ask if the questions running through his mind, he needed to get close to Sirius, he could remember from the other Harry that Sirius had offered to take Harry with him a few times. Harry had always politely refused; he had been too busy with school or soccer and had not wanted to leave his friends. But he wasn't that Harry the wizarding world was his home not here and though his parents were here he needed magic. It had been a part of him for so long that he was pain from trying to suppress it. The only thing he could do is try to convince Sirius to take Harry with him.
As Harry was walking back down the stairs to go and convince Sirius to take him back to England with him. His parents shushed voices made him stop, he knew it wasn't right to eavesdrop, but Harry couldn't help it.
"I just don't know what to do," Lily cried softly, "He barely talks, barely eats, and he spends all day outside away from home in those woods. He hasn't gone to his friend's house, out to see a movie or anything, I'm just so afraid of losing him and he just keeps getting farther and farther away."
"Maybe that's exactly what he needs." Said Sirius a twinkle worthy of Dumbledore simmering in his eyes.
"What?" James asked incredulously
"Oh lord, James I didn't mean like that." Sirius sighed, "I only meant that maybe it would be a good thing for Harry to get away from this place for awhile. It might do him some good to just be able to leave all this behind and start somewhere new. Just until he can get his mind around things. I know how hard it is to lose a friend at his age. Harry and Brad were almost like brothers, I've never seen them apart, Harry just needs to be someplace where he isn't constantly reminded of what happened."
"Do you really think it would work?" Lily asked hopeful
"Do you really think he would go?"James asked mockingly
"Honestly James, I think he would. I bet he's pretty desperate to get away. And I really do believe it would work." Responded Sirius
"Yes but where would we send him?" Asked Lily
"Well he could with me." Stated Sirius, "After all I haven't really gotten the chance to get to know my Godson, and it would be good for him to have someone there who he is familiar with but not overly so."
"You're right," Said James, "But how do we tell him?"
Harry couldn't believe his luck he didn't have to do anything except agree to go. He couldn't let this opportunity slip he by, so he decided to speak up,
"You don't have to tell me," He said making his presence known; "I want to go."
Lily looked up at her son eyes, she hated letting him go but if it would bring him back to her. "Are you sure you wanna go?" she asked
"Yes I can't..." He started, "It's just too hard to stay."
He hated lying to his parents but it was the only way, he felt bad that he was leaving especially after just getting to know them, but this wasn't his life, and he didn't know how to live it. He felt even worse that he had been pushing them away he didn't realize that he was doing but now that he was confronted with it, it was pretty noticeable.
"Okay then, why don't you go call your friends and let them know you'll be leaving, while your mother and Sirius and I sort thing out." His father said giving him a small sad smile.
Harry didn't call 'his friends', he felt no obligation to them, and decided that his time could be better spent packing. He packed the clothes he liked best into the large black suitcase found in his closet, but was at a loss of what else to pack. None of the personal items in the room were personal to Harry they had belong to the other Harry not him. He figured he had better take the cell phone, and the laptop, and probably the picture of his parents, after all he didn't know when he was going to return.
As Lily walked up the steps she took each step carefully and slowly. She had just gotten her son back and now she was going to lose him again. She knew it was for the best, she knew he wouldn't be gone forever, but that did nothing to stop her worry. Her heart pounded heavily against chest, if it wasn't for the fact that this would help him heal, she would never let him go, she never wanted him out of her sight, but she also wanted her smiling, playful, happy boy back. Her hand rose to knock on the door, she hesitated, contemplating whether or not to just leave him alone. In the end her motherly instincts took over and she knocked. She entered the room hearing her son's muffled reply. She stepped through the door to find Harry lying on his stomach his face buried in his pillow. She looked around the room and saw that he had already packed, and was in every since of the word ready to leave.
"When is Sirius leaving?" Harry asked not bothering to look up at his mother.
"He said that you'd have to be heading out first thing in the morning." She answered
"I'm sorry mom." Mumbled Harry
"For what?" she asked surprised
"For leaving I know I just got here, well I mean I just woke up and now I'm leaving."
"Well, I can't say that I'm excited to see you go," she paused, "but it's not your fault, sometimes there a just things we have to do in order to heal our hearts. I can't say that I know what it's like to lose a friend as close as Brad was to you. Sirius was wrong when he said you two were almost brother, you two were brothers, if there is something I've learned it's that blood means nothing. It's the bonds you build with the people who care about you most. My sister and I are proof of that. Harry there is one thing that will heal even the most painful wounds, and that's time. I know you need this time away, your father knows it, you know. There is nothing to be sorry for, I love you more than anything on this earth, and if takes you being away from for a little while to heal, then go heal. That way, when I get you back, I can you the beautiful smile of yours."
"I love you," Harry whisper wrapping his arms tightly around his mother.
"I love you too."
As Harry Lay in bed that night, he let his mind wander over the conversation with his mother. When his mother said she loved him, he knew she meant it, he could see it in every part of her being; her eyes screamed it at him. A mother to love him was something he dreamed about frequently as a child growing up with the Dursleys. As he made his way through his years at Hogwarts, the dream of a mother was something he gave up hope on. He was happy that he had family at all, his friends, Sirius, Mrs. Weasley, and Remus. They were his family, when he was with them he had nothing to dream about. But those few moments with his mother made him remember all the times he spent wish for a mother. If he felt guilty about leaving before he felt ten times as guilty now. He knew that he still had to leave but he was now wishing he didn't. Tomorrow he would begin his journey back into the magic world. If it even existed…
