Chapter 2
Exposure
"So Cho was a seventh year and Cedric is a fifth?" Harry asked as Naria dragged him towards Hogwarts with his arm in her vice grip.
She nodded enthusiastically. "Yeah, it's like the exact opposite here," she said.
Harry scratched his head. "I don't get it then," he said, confused. "If Cedric is a fifth year, then who does Neville fancy? Back in my world I fancied Cho."
Naria suddenly blushed beet red at his statement. "Um – er – ah – I have no idea," she stammered, flushing furiously. Harry caught the look on her face and grinned lopsidedly.
"Oh-ho!" he jeered, jabbing his other-worldly sister in the side. "What's this? The-Boy-Who-Lived fancies my little sister?"
"Sod off Harry!" she shrieked, slapping his hand away. "It's not my fault he fancies me!"
"But you certainly don't mind, do you?" Harry leered. He grinned, this time sincerely. "If he's anything like you said he is, then good for you!"
"I don't know whether to thank or smack you," Naria muttered, still redder than an apple. "Come on, we're almost there!"
"Hold on, what are we going to say?" Harry asked suddenly. He feared that he would be captured by Aurors or the Ministry and held for testing, or worse, probing. "We can't just waltz in there and say 'hey look, it's Harry Potter, except from another universe!'"
Naria nodded thoughtfully. "You're right," she admitted. Her face lit up. "I know!" she exclaimed excitedly. "We could just say that you're this universe's Harry Potter!"
"How would that work?" Harry asked incredulously. "I'm dead here, remember?"
"Yes but your death was made official a week after the attack on our home," Naria said patiently. "You see, when He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named attacked our home, we found no trace of you afterwards. At first we thought he had kidnapped you, but then the Aurors decided that you were vaporized."
Harry stared at her. "Vaporized?" he spluttered. "Then how do you know if the me here is really dead?"
"Trust me, he's dead," Naria muttered, rolling her eyes. "One of Dumbledore's spies went with You-Know-Who on that night and confirmed it to mum and dad. Of course it was Dumbledore that told them, dad probably would've skinned the spy for not doing anything."
Snape! Harry growled in his mind. "No doubt," he growled out loud. "I'd have done the same thing. Alright so that's my story then?"
Naria nodded her head happily. "Just say that – umm – you woke up somewhere far away and didn't remember anything?"
Harry agreed with her. "And then I was found by a wizarding family somewhere in London and was raised there without any of us knowing my true identity," he continued. "I then traveled the world, trying to find out who I really was until I happened to find an old copy of the Daily Prophet, thus finding out about my family and so on, and so forth," he drawled.
"They should fall for it," Naria said.
"Dumbledore should," Harry said thoughtfully. "Knowing him, if he reads my mind he'll know that I actually did travel the world, although for a different purpose."
Harry reflected back on his Horcrux hunt. It had spanned over all of Europe, with Harry and his two best friends working feverishly to find every Horcrux that Voldemort had created. Sadly, Ron was the first to die, having sacrificed himself to one of the traps that protected Ravenclaw's scrolls. Ron's death gave Harry and a distraught Hermione enough time to evade the trap and get the horcrux. It wasn't until two months later when Hermione was taken from Harry as well, dying shortly after destroying Gryffindor's knocker. Harry held the girl in his arms as she smiled tearfully up at him. She told him not to worry about her, and that she would be watching over Harry along with Ron, Sirius and his parents.
It was after Hermione's death that Harry found the strength to keep going on and find the remaining horcruxes. Hufflepuff's cup was found at Riddle Manor and the subsequent destruction of the last two horcruxes were swift and cold. It was when Harry was about to sleep before the attack that this had all happened. Hopefully, he could get access to Hogwarts' library in hopes to scour the books for an explanation as to how he got here. Having missed his entire seventh year of education, Harry was still ignorant of many wizarding things.
"We're here!" Naria sang cheerfully, dragging Harry towards the Entrance Hall. There were some students out and they watched curiously as Naria Potter dragged a very handsome young man with wild hair after her.
"Hold on a second!" Harry hissed. Taking his wand out, he cast a glamour charm on his scar. It was one that Ginny had taught him, although it was technically a make-up charm. The charm basically applied foundation to the area cast upon and covered up any blemishes. Harry – after learning it – hit himself over the head repeatedly for not finding out about the second year cosmetics charm. Ginny, of course, laughed at him.
Next, he used Evanesco to banish his swords away. The charm was particularly useful if one knew how to re-summon the swords. Harry had developed a combination of the Summoning charm and apparition to re-summon the swords. When banished, they would automatically be sent to his storage room at Grimmauld Place, and when re-summoned, the new charm would apparate them to where they were last on his body. It was very useful for when Harry needed to ditch weight quickly.
Of course it wasn't until Christmas time when Harry figured out that Gryffindor's sword could be called and banished at will, since it was a magical weapon. At Harry's whim, it would appear and disappear with a sparkling flash, much like how it did in the Chamber of Secrets.
"Good idea," Naria said. "Come on!"
She brought him into the Great Hall where dinner was still going full force. Harry tried very hard not to choke as he saw many people who were long dead in his world. There was Hagrid… Flitwick, Sprout, and to his shock, he saw Ron, Hermione and Ginny all staring at him curiously.
He stifled a sob as he saw Dumbledore at the head table, looking at him with a twinkle in his eye.
"Miss Potter, who do you have there?" he asked brightly, but Harry could detect the underlying suspicion.
Naria just pulled Harry towards the head table. "I found him!" she cried happily.
"Found who my dear?" Dumbledore asked curiously, peering down at Harry. "Have we met?" he asked with a confused look. "Do I know you?"
Harry tried hard not to burst right there and then. "I know of you," he said. "I don't really know you."
"I see," Dumbledore said, the twinkle in his eyes – how Harry missed that twinkle – back in full force. "What is your name young man?"
Harry hesitated.
Naria saw this and rolled her eyes. "Oh for Merlin's sake!" she shouted. "It's Harry! My brother!"
The resulting reactions were quite hilarious, once Harry pulled himself together. McGonagall fainted dead straight away, Hagrid choked on his drink and Flitwick fell off of his high chair. Dumbledore looked shocked – which was a rare thing for him – and everyone in the Great Hall just erupted into chatter.
"SILENCE!" Dumbledore cried. He swooped down to the Potters. "Is this true?" he demanded.
Harry gulped. "Uh – yes?" he said. "I'm as confused as you are."
"He's obviously a liar," a sneering voice spat. Harry turned around and saw Snape to his absolute fury. "Although he does look like that fool Potter," he hissed. "He's missing that arrogant pompousness however and -"
Harry had had enough at that point – and so had Naria – and in a flash, he was in front of the greasy professor. He mentally called for Gryffindor's sword and with a bright flash, it appeared in his right hand. To Harry's disbelief, however, he felt a heavy weight in his left hand and saw that an exact copy of the sword in it!
It must be this universe's sword of Gryffindor, Harry thought in amazement. Wicked!
Without giving the Potions Master a chance to draw his wand, Harry had both swords at the man's neck in an X cross. Snape couldn't even gulp unless he wanted his Adam's apple to be sliced.
"Never," Harry hissed coldly, "Speak of my father like that again!"
Snape nearly wet himself seeing the cold fury in Harry's eyes. His normally emerald green irises had suddenly melted into the coldest forest green and there was no emotion except for raw seething hatred in Harry's eyes.
"Mr. Potter!" Dumbledore cried, running up to the pair. "Please, put your – great Merlin!" he gasped, seeing exactly what swords Harry carried. "Where did you…?"
"Family heirloom," Harry said quietly. It took a lot of self control to draw the twin swords back and not decapitate his old professor. "Heed my warning," Harry spat venomously to Snape, who – if possible – shivered.
The Great Hall was deadly silent as they watched the exchange. Ron Weasley – of course – was rooting for the guy who nearly lopped the Greasy Git's head off.
"I have no doubt in my mind that you are indeed James' son," Dumbledore said with a nervous chuckle. "You possess the same fierce pride and dedication to your family. Nonetheless, could you – ah – put those swords away?"
Harry took a few deep calming breaths and willed both swords away. They were starting to feel heavy in his hands and he didn't fancy walking around with two ten kilo swords. Yeah, they were that big.
"Sorry about that," Harry muttered. "As you can see, I have problems with people like that."
"You are not a student of Hogwarts so I cannot discipline you," Dumbledore said with an all-too-familiar glint of humor in his eyes. "However your appearance – although greatly welcomed – brings up many questions. May we converse up in my office after the feast?"
"Of course," Harry said politely. Already he was warming up to this universe's Dumbledore. He was even more understanding than the one in his universe. "I'll tell you all I can."
"Would you like your parents to attend as well?" Dumbledore asked. Harry froze.
Naria caught her brother's look and quickly answered, "Yes headmaster, he might be very shocked to see them you know…"
"I daresay both parties should rightly be shocked as much as I am," Dumbledore said. He happened to look around the Great Hall, which was totally devoid of students. "Oh dear, it looks as if we can have that meeting now! Come, come!"
Ten minutes later found Harry sitting next to Naria as he crushed her hand within his. His parents were going to be here! Alive!
"Harry, it'll be fine!" Naria said as she winced. "But could you let go of my hand?"
Harry jerked and released her hand, which was red and she rubbed it with another wince. "Oh god, sorry!"
"It's fine," she muttered. "Just stop freaking out.
"It's been almost eighteen years since I've been with my parents," Harry said. "How would you feel?"
"Eighteen, you say?" came Dumbledore's voice. Harry and Naria spun around as he entered the room. "I was under the pretense that you were sixteen?"
Harry chuckled nervously and made a cover story up quick. "Tell not a soul outside of this room, but I messed around with a Time-Turner," he said.
Dumbledore frowned and Harry tensed up. Then the old man conjured up a Q-tip and began to clean his ears. "I believe I've gone temporarily deaf," he said cheerfully. "Ah, that's better."
Harry suppressed a wide grin. Yep, still the same old crazy goat.
"James and Lily will be most surprised to see that their son is much older than he should be," Dumbledore warned. "I shall try to smooth it over with them. However, before I go to the Floo, may I ask why you had an illegal Time-Turner?"
Harry shrugged. "I needed time to train," he said, slamming his Occlumency shields to full force and projecting fake thoughts. Thankfully, Dumbledore accepted his answer as the truth.
"Training for what?" he asked.
Harry's eyes hardened. "For revenge on the man who ruined my life," he said softly.
He continued to sit there and brood and Dumbledore headed over to the fireplace a few minutes later.
"Godric's Hollow!" he cried, throwing the Floo powder in. The fireplace flared green and he stuck his head in and waited. Soon enough, he heard the soft, telltale footsteps of Lily Potter and was soon greeted with her face.
"Hello Albus, how are you?" she asked with a smile.
"Oh I am most excellent," he replied. "Is James home?"
She quirked an eyebrow at the old man. "Yes, is there something wrong?" she asked. She then narrowed her eyes. "Has Naria set off another prank? I swear to Merlin Albus, she gets it from her father!"
Harry raised an eyebrow at his little sister and she had the decency to act guilty. Keyword: act.
Dumbledore chuckled. "Alas, we haven't been graced with young Naria's mischief yet," he told Lily, who sighed. "However, I have most important news and I need you both to come here immediately. It is of the utmost importance to your family."
Lily nodded tersely. "I'll just go get that dunderhead I call a husband and be there soon!" she told the headmaster. "Leave the connection open!"
About ten minutes later, two figures popped out of the fireplace and Harry nearly had a heart attack. He forced himself to calm down and breathe slowly as his parents cleaned themselves off.
"So what's up Albus?" James asked. "Is it really important, because I've got to get to work soon? You know Amelia and her 'Auror this' and 'protect that'."
Dumbledore smiled. "I have already called Madam Bones in advance and she will not need your services today James," he said. "Come, sit down."
James frowned, but followed his wife and sat down next to his daughter and a young man who looked curiously familiar. James frowned as he looked at him and the man blushed under the scrutiny and looked away.
"James!" Lily hissed. "Don't be so rude! So what's up?" she asked Dumbledore.
Dumbledore smiled. "Lemon Drop?" he asked. Naria took a few. "Wonderful. Well, allow me to begin from the – well – beginning. It was dinnertime here at Hogwarts and I was enjoying my plate of pork chops and lettuce when all of a sudden young Miss Potter here barges into the Great Hall, dragging an unknown man with her."
"Naria!" Lily admonished. "What if he was a death eater?"
Harry snorted. "She thought that too," he told his mother with as straight a face as he could. Her eyes were exactly the same as his!
Lily glared at him before turning back to Dumbledore.
"As I was saying, she brought this young man in and of course we were suspicious," Dumbledore continued. "However, instead of being a death eater, we were shocked to discover that he was someone though to be dead nearly fifteen years ago."
"Who?" James asked eagerly and his daughter rolled her eyes.
"This may be very hard for you two to take in but…" Dumbledore glanced at Harry. "This is your son, Harry."
