Chapter 3
King's Cross Station: Boarding the Hogwart's Express
Author's Note: One of the 'Reviewers', who posted a review Anonymously, mentioned why can't the bad guys die? Well, I got to thinking about that statement and using my 'Executive Privilege', I'm bringing back good old Draco! Seems I do need a 'whipping boy', someone who is envious of Harry and will give him some opposition. I know I stated previously that Lord Lucius Malfoy didn't have any offspring, but for the sake of argument, please ignore that statement, for now. I'm doing it this way just because I don't want to go back and rewrite that scene. So, if we didn't have the 'bad', then how will we know what's 'good'? Anyway, please don't go overboard just because I'm 'bringing him back'. This is just a writers' tool I'm using to show how good our home grown hero is when he has to face stiff opposition. Don't worry, Harry wears the 'white hat', he's the 'good guy' and he does get the pretty girl (s) in the end. Or, does he?
It was the First of September, 1991 and Harry James Potter had just boarded the Train to take him and the other students to Hogwarts. His Mum, like so many others before her, stood on the platform, watching the train pull out of the Station. There she stood, like all the other Mums with her, and before her, waving to their children, some for the first time, others' for the last time. It was a very mixed group, emotion wise, but still, they all understood each other.
One mother, a red head looked at Minerva, struck up a conversation. "This is your first time seeing your son off?" It was the Weasley Matriarch, Molly. She'd had much experience in seeing off five of her other children over a very long period of time. She understood the feelings.
"Yes, I'm seeing my son, Harry, off for his first train ride. Even though we live at the Castle, it still hurts to see him off like this. I know I shouldn't be so teary eyed, but I just can't help it."
"Don't worry, Minerva. It just goes to prove that you're a normal Mum like we all are."
Minerva looked at Molly, and smiled. "Thank you, Molly. That was very sweet of you. I adopted Harry after his parents died. He's just grown on me since then. If I were to be more truthful, I've loved him even when he was born. I remember, vividly, when Lily and James told me they were expecting. They would have been exemplary parents had they'd've lived." Minerva blew her nose, and continued. "I've tried my best to fill in for him. I've been completely honest with him about his family and answered all his questions honestly. All I've ever wanted to do was to love him like the Mum I've always wanted to be."
Molly patted her shoulder, "You've been a great Mum, Minerva. We've all seen you with him. All my boys have told me about how he's grown up at Hogwarts and been in all the classes. He will do very well in school, what with all the tutoring he's been given."
Minerva looked at Molly, "Yes, he'll do very well, he's a very powerful Wizard, and he has a lot resting on his shoulders."
"I'm sure of that, Minerva. Well, I've got to be going. I've got one daughter at home now. She'll be attending next year. Take care of yourself."
"I will, see you later, Molly."
With that said, Minerva was the only one left on the Platform. All the other Parents and family members were gone. She looked around, thinking, 'For all the years I've been at Hogwarts, both as a student and as a teacher, this is the first time, I've broke down and cried at this station.' She looked into the distance where the train had pulled off into. 'I'll miss you, my dear son, even though I'll see you at school, at home. I guess this is just one of those 'milestones' in your life.'
Minerva gathered her robes around her and started to disapparate, back to school. She had some work left to do before she could welcome back the students.
She stopped suddenly, a thought had just crossed her mind, something she'd not really thought about, fully, till now. 'The Sorting! What House would Harry be going into?' She shook her head in wonderment. "I'm sure he'll be just fine." She smiled and disapparated away, leaving the Platform vacant except for all the memories of students from generations past still flooding the place. It'll never be truly 'empty' of students.
Harry had just boarded the Train and looked for a vacant compartment. He found one, towards the back of the last car and found that it faced the platform. He looked out the window and saw his Mum looking for him. He waved at her and saw that she was waiving back, blowing him kisses as all Mums were usually doing. "Go on and get settled, Son. I'll see you tonight." Minerva shouted ot above the noise and din of others' speaking, yelling and shouting. Harry nodded his head, understanding what his Mum was saying.
Unbeknownst to either Harry or his Mum, there were other families there who'd seen his Patronus'. One was a Muggle Born witch just starting her first year. She had brown hair, very curly, some would even use the term 'bushy'. She was very intelligent and quick to pick up on what she was being taught. The one thing, though, was that when she saw those Patronus', she saw 'herself' or, an older version of herself! Since her parents were Muggles, they could not come through the Barrier that was set strictly for Magical people. Young Hermione Jane Granger, a prospective, just starting her first year, Muggle Born student looked on in total surprise at what she was seeing: Patronus'. She'd read through completely, the book, 'Hogwarts – A History' and had read what brief few sentences it told about them. Naturally, she had questions, she always did. Looking at the slender, youthful black haired young man who sported the Greenest Eyes she'd ever seen, she put him on her 'to speak to' list. She started to go up to him and speak to him, but she saw that he was standing next to a rather tall and severe looking older witch, whom he referred to as 'Mum'. Then, something happened, unexpectedly. The wind blew and tossed his hair and when it did, she saw his face, or more specificly, his forehead, where his scar was. It was rather large and very prominent. She wanted to ask a question, in fact, many questions, but felt that this was not the time nor place to do so. It was then that she knew there was a lot about her new world that she needed to learn about. Quickly, she gathered up her trunk and her kneazle, which to her, looked like an ordinary house cat, rather ugly but still the cat was rather intelligent and nice to her.
On the Platform, just as Harry was performing his Patronus, another family was there, as were many other families. This family, though, was a pure blood magical family by the name of 'Greengrass'. He was the Head of his family, and a Lord. His wife was also Pure Blood and had stunningly good looks and a bearing and dress that bespoke of manners, culture, charm and kindness. Beside them were standing two young ladies, sisters judging from their appearance, because they looked just like their Mother.
"Mum! Look! That Patronus looks just like me!" It was Daphne, the oldest of the Greengrass sisters who first spoke.
The elder of the Family placed his hand on his daughter's shoulder and looked at what his daughter had pointed out. There, in front of everyone was a small, slender young boy dressed in the finest Wizarding Robes and beside him was an older, severe looking Witch whom everyone knew on sight! It was the Headmistress of Hogwarts – one Minerva McGonagall, born of a very long line of Scottish Magicals, whose line went back to before the time of William Wallace and some have said long before even him, back to the Druids themselves! Then, it dawned on him. He turned to his wife, "Isn't that older witch, Minerva?"
"Yes, it is, Dear." She turned to her husband, with a question on her face.
"And, that young boy beside her, isn't he the one whom she adopted some years ago? I distinctly remember, oh, yes, I recall now. The Potters were ambushed in their home on Halloween nigh, of '81 and their son was the only survivor. HE's the one she adopted right off, in fact, within a couple of days. I've heard about him. I was in the Wizengamot meeting once about that time when one of the members of the Ministry mentioned that a young wizard was tested, that his score on the Hammerstein Magical Index went off the scale, completely. He mentioned that his score was greater than even the Great Merlin himself!"
His wife looked at him, "Are you sure? That's incredible to believe, dear."
He was still looking at the young boy still producing his Patronus'. "Just look at what he's doing. I can't do that. Anyone who can do what he's doing now, is someone to keep an eye on." He looked down at his daughter, Daphne, who was still looking at the Patronus'. "Dad, why does one of his Patronus' look like me? I've never met him, I think." She forced herself to remember her past, but couldn't come up with any memory of seeing him.
Then, it dawned on her – her dreams! Lately, she'd been having dreams of another 'life', of being married to a fine young man with tossled black hair who'd been fighting for his life. Once, she'd 'seen' him in her dreams of him on the grounds of Hogwarts, battling in a duel for his life with two of the most fearsome and Darkest Wizards she'd ever seen! One even resembled a Muggle inspired looking Demon! And the Magical Power he'd Wielded! To her, it seemed to just pour out of the sky, in a solid glistening column of light, engulfing him completely, illuminating him like the newly risen Sun in the morning sky, except it was dark then.
The more Daphne looked at young Harry, the more she was attracted to him, but, she just couldn't place her thoughts on 'why' she felt so, so, attracted to him. She wasn't afraid of him, in fact, truth be told, she felt safe around him. And Loved!
Daphne turned to her Mum, "Mum?" Her Mum looked at her oldest daughter, "What is it, Daphne?"
"That boy. I feel like I've seen him."
"What do you mean?"
"I can't describe it, but, I just don't know. Maybe, in my dreams I've been having. From what I've felt, he is the nicest boy, and I feel safe around him. He isn't afraid of anyone, nor of anything."
Her Mum just looked at her oldest daughter, and smiled. "I think I understand what you're trying to say, dear. Don't worry, just go with your feelings and all will be alright."
Astoria looked at her sister and like all little sisters said what she felt, "Oh, Daph, you've just got the hot's for him, that's all!" She was smiling.
"Tori! Don't say that so loud! Someone might hear you! That'd be so embarrassing! I'd just die if he heard you!" Daphne hissed out to her little sister.
"Don't you wish! Mum! Daph's gonna get married before she even gets on the Train!" Astoria called out.
"Astoria, Daphne, now stop that now, Astoria, it's impolite to tease your sister like that." Their Mum scolded the two sisters.
Astoria smiled while Daphne just looked on at Young Harry. 'I KNOW I've seen you before.' She was thinking.
"Well, dear, it's time for you to board the train. We'll all miss you. And, be sure to let us know what House you're sorted in." Her Mum looked at her and hugged her oldest daughter.
"Remember, Daphne, It doesn't really matter what House you'll be in, just do your best, study hard, learn all you can and make friends. The friends you make in school you'll have for the rest of your life." Her Dad was giving her some practical advice.
"I will, Mum. And, Dad, I promise to study and make good grades and I'll write you often." Daphne was letting her parents know but at the same time, in the back of her mind, she was trying to recall just 'where' she'd met that strange young man who demonstrated such an incredible amount of Magical Power, especially for one so young. He'd even impressed her Dad.
Daphne boarded the Hogwarts Express and waved goodbye to her family, turned and went into the cars, looking for a place to sit. Walking on down all she saw were compartments that were filling fast, so she continued on down, towards the end of the train cars, looking for an empty compartment when she spied the aforementioned young man sitting alone in a compartment, just staring out the window.
"Hello, my name is Daphne Greengrass, of the House of Greengrass. May I sit with you? Please? All the other compartments seem to be full." Daphne wanted to talk with him but didn't want to push it nor intrude on him. Slow and easy was her 'motto'. She'd learned a long time ago, by the way time was measured in her short life of eleven years, that if you have questions, just observe and see what happens, what answers you get. Many questions were answered just by observation. There were just so many answers to some of the obvious questions, so, she was bidding her time.
Harry looked over and up at her. His Mum, Minerva, had taken the time over the years to teach him about the Laws and Politics and the Families of their World, so, he recognized her family name.
"Yes, of course, please, sit down with me." Harry got up and smiled thusly displaying proper manners to his guest in the compartment. "My name is Harry Potter, but please, call me Harry."
"Daphne came in and as she was bringing in her trunk, Harry helped her by levitating it up to the racks overhead.
"Thank you, Harry. I appreciate your help."
"My pleasure, Lady Greengrass." Harry smiled at this attractive lady who'd just come into his life.
As they were getting comfortable with one another, Daphne noticed that Harry would look at her once in a while and turn his head back to look out the window. So, she took matters in hand and started a conversation, about something she wanted to know about.
"Harry, may I ask you a question?"
He looked at her, nodding his head in approval.
"On the Train Platform, I saw you perform the Patronus Charm. That's one of the most difficult light charms to be performed, yet you're able to do it."
Harry was nodding his head, briefly, "Yes, It is rather difficult, but if you know how it's done and have a good strong positive memory, something that really makes you feel great inside you, the charm is easily done. In fact, over time and with experience and practice, it becomes easier."
"You must have many good memories to use, then."
Harry looked out the train window, thinking. He turned his head back to look at Daphne, "Yes, Lady Greengrass, I have many good positive and loving memories to choose from. I can choose one of them and by way of altering the charm I can do many things with that particular charm. In fact, some of my memories, the really good ones, you'd be very surprised at seeing." Harry stopped talking and looking at her, briefly, smiling, he turned back to look at the passing countryside, taking in the passing scenery and the beauty of what he was seeing.
"Harry, that charm, the Patronus, that's a very advanced charm. You're just starting your first year. How?" Daphne couldn't finish her question, but Harry understood what she was trying to ask.
"I've had the advantage of living at Hogwarts for just about ten years now. I've been in every class with both my Mum and the other faculty and they've been teaching me anything I've had questions about. I once asked my Mum if I could just take the NEWTS, since I just about know them all by heart anyway, but she told me I would learn more from being with students my own age. She mentioned being around students of my generation. Anyway, something like that. My Godfather, Remus Lupin, the Professor of Defense, Professor Flitwick, Charms Professor and my Mum, all three taught me the Patronus Charm, how it's used, plus, Professor Flitwick taught me how to adjust it, or change it for different purposes. I've learned so many other charms, both Light and Dark, there's not much I can't do. When I finish my Formal Education, I want to work for the Ministry, turning charms into other forms of use. I've already got many ideas I've written down." Harry just continued to look out the window and every once in a while look at Daphne, smiling.
Daphne wanted to know something, and it seemed like now was a good time to at least ask. "Harry, I noticed that one of your Patronus, of the many you produced, one looked like me."
Harry just looked out the window, thinking. He KNEW the answer to her question, but he didn't know just how to break it to her. He didn't want to scare her.
Daphne continued to look at Harry. "Harry?"
"Daphne? May I use your first name?"
"Yes, uh, why yes, of course you may. I mean, why shouldn't you?"
"You're the oldest daughter of the Ancient and Noble House of Greengrass. Your Father is a Lord and is on the Wizengamot. I should not be so presumptuous as to be so familiar with using your first name. Anyway, this is what my Mum has taught me to say."
"Oh, Harry, you may use my first name. It'll be alright. Now, the answer to my question. Please?"
"Remember when I said I have many memories, good memories?"
"Yes, I do. Why?"
Harry was silent for a moment. Dark Wizards he was not afraid of, Demons, well, even THEY, he could handle, he's done all that previously and even though it'd taken all he had, still, he wasn't afraid, but with this young lady, he didn't want to hurt her or shock her or make her afraid of him. Instead, he answered her in a short 'usable' frame of reference that she'd, hopefully, understand.
"You're one of my many, good memories. In fact, you're the best memory I have, outside of my Mum." There – it was all said and done. The Kneazle is out of the bag, or, as the Muggles would say, 'the cat's out of the bag' now. Harry braced himself for her negative reaction.
Daphne didn't say anything for a few moments, but, instead, she looked at him, staring. She couldn't believe what he'd just said. All her recent thoughts of a skinny, black haired young man with the greenest eyes whom she could CLEARLY see in her dreams and thoughts of memories past, all of that came to the forefront of her thoughts just now. 'THIS, is the proof I've been wanting! ' Daphne's thoughts were racing as to what to say to Harry, and just 'how'.
Harry, on the other hand, took her silence in another way. He just looked at her sitting there, not saying a word, so the obvious thing for him to think was that she didn't like what he'd said, even though it was the truth. He got up and got his trunk down off of the overhead rack, levitating it to the floor and went to the door to leave. He wasn't going to stay around her, or anyone else, who either didn't like or want him, nor wanted to hear the truth. It was then, that he felt a hand on his shoulder.
"Wait, Harry. Where're you going?"
Harry stopped and didn't turn around to look at her. He felt that he'd said something, truth as it was, that she didn't like. "Fine way for me to start off my first year here at school." This was Harry's first thought.
"Why are you leaving?"
Still not looking at the very attractive young lady who was standing behind him, he answered her, very quietly and softly, "Apparently you didn't like my answer to how I power my Patronus, and you don't like me."
She was quiet.
"I don't like to be around those people who don't like me and will eventually make fun of me and laugh at me behind my back. I've had enough troubles in my life, troubles you'd know nothing about." Harry turned around and looked directly into her eyes. Suddenly, Daphne was looking at the REAL Harry, the Harry that faced the Darkest of Dark Wizards, the boy, the young man who'd faced a Demon who'd come out of the Pit of Hell who wanted to overtake the World, but was stopped, COLD, in his tracks by a young man who'd managed to wield such a vast amount of Magical Power that not even the Demon who'd called himself 'Albus Dumbledore' could overcome him. Daphne was now looking at a Wizard whom she felt, immediately, such immense amounts of Magical Power coming off of him.
Yet, she wasn't afraid of him.
There was something about him that showed her he was afraid of hurting her, of disappointing HER!
"Please, Harry, let me explain my hesitation at answering you. Please!"
Harry didn't move, nor say a word. His body posture and bearing seemed to calm down, but still, he was very much in control of himself and his abilities.
"Harry, I've been having dreams, not just at night, but thoughts in the daytime. Sometimes, when I least expect it, I can 'see' things, actions, people I've not met, situations that I've not been in, they all come at me. I don't know where they've been coming from." Daphne just looked at Harry for a few moments and saw that he was not saying anything. He was just keeping quiet. Daphne stepped closer to him, placing both her hands on his shoulders, turning him around to face her. They were a breaths' apart from each other. She, just staring, looking deeply into his eyes and not flinching. It was THEN, that they both knew the truth about one another. All their thoughts that'd come crashing into their minds as of late, it was all true. Harry looked at her with 'new' eyes and an opened understanding:
"You're my wife."
Daphne didn't say a word just then, instead, she just smiled and kissed him on his lips, long and tenderly and without hesitation!
Finally, she broke the kiss and looked into his Emerald Green Eyes, smiling and with her arms around him. "Yes, Harry, I'm your wife!"
"Here, please, sit down beside me, we've got a lot to talk about." They sat down next to each other and talked.
It was Harry who began. "Daphne, what has happened to us, all these thoughts that'd've been coming into our life lately, it all happened before. In another life. My life previously, it was filled with people who either hated me and abused me or just used me for their own ends. Previously, in school, I had to fight for my life in every year. I've had to overcome tremendous obstacles, but, I had some friends by my side and a few supporters. But, still, my life was very hard. It was towards the end, the last year that I met you and several other witches, some were our age and others were much older than me. Still, they all loved me, absolutely. When, at the end, that final fight, all of you were there with me. None of you deserted me. You stayed right there, by my side, holding my wand arm and hand while I poured forth all the Power that Hogwarts could avail me so I could defeat two of the Darkest of the Dark Wizards our kind would ever face."
Daphne looked at him. 'Everything he's just said', she thought to herself, 'matched all her visions she'd been having'. She'd never been in a fight, nor duel, nor any kind of a battle for her life. Not in THIS life, anyway. But, this Emerald Green eyed young man has just verified everything she's been experiencing as of late.
"Harry," Daphne began the basic underlying question, "If you were so successful, why are we here, now?"
Harry looked down towards the floor. Thinking. Finally, he spoke up, very quietly. "I don't really know, Daphne. But, I feel like the only answer that I can come up with is that I was dying, that somehow, I'd either failed or that I'd succeeded but that it'd taken everything out of me to the point that I couldn't continue living anymore. Something like that. I just don't know."
There was a knock on their compartment Door and it was then opened by a young lady. She had bushy brown hair and a 'look' about her that indicated she was searching for something. "Oh, Hello. My name is Hermione Granger and I'm helping Neville Longbottom look for his toad. He's lost him. Have either of you seen him?" Hermione just stood there, one leg put forward of the other, the knee bent somewhat, both of her hands still holding on to the sides of the opened door.
"Oh, the toad. Have either of you seen Neville's toad?" Hermione looked at Harry, into his eyes and when she did, she stopped talking and just looked at him, not saying a word.
Then, she spoke up, quietly.
"You're the one! On the train station platform who performed that incredible Patronus!"
Harry just sat there and looked at Hermione. For a while, time stopped for him, for he was contemplating on just what to say. Finally, he came out with a kind statement. "Yes, that was me."
Daphne, sitting there, just looking at Hermione, wasn't exacting speechless. "I know you." It was just a very short sentence, but it was powerful and to the point. The two girls just looked at one another and slowly, their memories were returning.
Harry 'knew' this girl. All his memories were there, in full and as clear as day. He just didn't want to scare her, which he now saw wasn't gonna happen.
"Won't you sit with us, Hermione? I think it'd be appropriate, seeing as how I think we have much to discuss." Harry offered her a seat beside himself.
Hermione looked at Harry and Daphne, biting her lower lip in an expression of worry over not knowing just how to start. Finally, it was Harry who asked her a very leading question.
"You've seen me previously, haven't you?" Harry stated, rather bluntly, but not in an unkind way.
Hermione looked at Harry, rather surprised, it showing on her face. 'Uh, yes, yes I have. How'd you know?"
It was Daphne who'd answered. "I'm the same way, Hermione. For most of this past Summer, I've been having dreams, and memories of Harry, and others in places that I knew I'd not been to or with people I'd not been with. Like you, I've got a lot of questions to ask, but I don't know if Harry here can answer all of them. If he could, I'd certainly be surprised."
Harry looked at both of the young ladies, smiling briefly, but not looking at them. He'd turned his head and continued to look out the window at the still passing scenery. "You know, I've been on this train previously, many times, and I can still remember the scenery passing by. It's all so beautiful, peaceful. Not a worry in the world." Harry spoke so softly, he didn't know if the young ladies with him heard him or not. He was just stating a fact, describing his feelings.
"I grew up at Hogwarts. My Mum, the Headmistress took me to her classes, transfiguration. I sat against the wall, out of the way. One of the elves would always be with me, sometimes two of them. Mum always had me in her sight, or in the sight of the elves. I can still remember to this day, the classes I sat in – Transfiguration, charms, Defense Against the Dark Arts, Potions, even Muggle Studies. It was my Mum, Flitwick, Mooney, Sirius, Snape, Hooch, even Hagrid. I remember them all. As I grew older, the lessons came easier to me, in fact, I'd even take the OWLS and NEWTS a couple of times and made almost perfect scores. All the teachers there said when I finish school I'd be eligible for my Mastery in all those subjects I'd just mentioned. The only one who knew why I could was my Mum, none of the rest could figure it out. Mum raised me safely, yet she gave me a grand childhood, the best that any child could ever have." Harry stopped talking for a while, not saying anything else. It was Daphne who spoke up.
"Harry, how did you know about me and Hermione?"
Harry smiled and turned to look at the both of them. I've always known about you Daphne, and you, Hermione, and the other three. Always. It was just something that I just 'knew'." Harry was quiet for a few moments. "So, too, has Mum."
It was Daphne who asked the next question - "Harry, if you and your Mum knew about us and your past, why haven't you or her made any effort to contact any of us?"
Harry just smiled, sort of. "She wanted me to grow into myself, my abilities. She saw that what I really needed was a real family who loved me, without the additional pressure being put on me concerning what I truly am."
Hermione looked at Harry with a puzzled look, "What do you mean 'What are you'?"
Harry looked at both of the young ladies for a few moments and turned his head back towards the window, just looking at the passing scenery. Swallowing a bit, he said, in a very quiet, almost subdued voice: "I think I've said enough, for now. If you want to be who you truly are, then the answer to that question will eventually come to you through your returning memories. All I can say is just watch and listen." He turned his head to look at the both of them, adding, "After all, this IS a school. Where you have the opportunity to learn." He smiled slightly, cryptically, and turned his head once again to look out the window at the passing scenery.
The girls just looked at him and looked at each other. Hermione was not one to be put off from someone who had the information she wanted or needed. Especially, THIS question!
"Harry . . ." Hermione started to criticize him when Daphne shook her head. Daphne placed her hand on Harry, making physical contact with him. "Harry, it's just that this is the first time we've been able to verify that our thoughts and dreams, memories, if you will, are actually real. We've not had the opportunities that you've had. Please, just bare with us and try being with us some while we're at school and let us learn from you. We promise not to antagonize you and pester you. If all this IS true, we want to learn all we can to help you." Daphne pulled her hand away from Harry, giving him time to think about what he just said.
"Ok, it's just that I know what coming in my life, as I get older, that is. Everything that's happened to me was not easy. Not then anyway. This time, I can see what may be happening and I can head it off, but still, my life will always be difficult. All of you will just have to have faith in me and trust me." Harry still continued to look out of the train window, trying to think. Then he added, very softly, "Especially at the very end."
Both girls looked at one another, perplexed.
"What do you mean, Harry? At the end? May we ask?" Hermione asked him softly.
Harry was quiet. Very quiet. "I've been given a second chance at life. All of us have. You two and the other three, but, nothing is free. There's a price to be paid for all of this. The books, the scales of justice, have to be balanced and I'm the One who has to pay the price."
Harry looked around the compartment and at the two young ladies, "Don't worry. You've got till the end of our seventh year, so, enjoy yourselves."
"What can we do? What is our part?" Daphne asked.
Harry just smiled and looked at them. "Just . . ." and here, Harry got stuck for words. 'What should I tell them? I've known about them since, well, for a long time.'
"Just - be with me, support me. In time, you'll be the Matriarch's of our families. The British Magical Lines will revolve around you and all five of you will be looked up to and given the utmost respect in our society for having stood up with me in my most desperate time of need."
The two young ladies looked back at one another, perplexed, surprised, smiling, just a bunch of expression and emotions were playing out on their faces.
"Please, for now, let me rest. There's plenty of time for us to be together and have all of your questions answered, Ok?"
"Ok, Harry. Thank you for talking with us. I don't know what House we'll be in, but I do want us to stick together, no matter the House any of us are in." Daphne leaned back in her seat, satisfied that at least she'd got her chance to talk with Harry. She looked at him, thinking, 'I've gotten to know him and he now knows me, although I have reason to believe he knows far more about me, and Hermione over there, than either of us know about him. Somehow, he's been able to retain all of his memories about what'd happened that we can only know through our dreams and random thoughts. Maybe, as Hermione and I grow older, we'll get back our memories.'
"Harry, one more question, please?" Hermione scooted a little closer to Harry, placing a hand on his shoulder, more to 'connect' with him and get him to feel 'comfortable' with her. "You mentioned there were others, like us." Harry looked at Hermione, smiling, sort of.
"You saw my Patronus' back at the train station? The other three are Susan Bones, she's in our year, probably somewhere here on the train. I'm surprised that she's not tried to find me like you two have. Anyway, the other two are, well, it'll be a surprise for you, Daphne, since you know more about our World than does Hermione."
Both ladies looked at Harry and then turned to look at each other.
"One is Madam Amelia Bones, the Director of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement. And before either of you ask, she's Susan's Aunt. Susan's Parent's died shortly after she was born, both killed by Voldemort's Death Eaters on a raid on their home. The last will be a total surprise to you, Daphne. Totally."
Harry held quiet for a short while. Rita had a hard life, being Muggle Born in a Magical Society. The only way she had to survive was to know all about the Wizards and Witches and she began her column for the Daily Prophet. She WAS 'well known', but she had contacts at all levels of Society, from the highest levels of the Ministry, the Wizengamot and the International Confederation of Wizards all the way down to the absolute lowest levels, the dregs, of their Magical Society. And they ALL knew her. She was their 'Mouth Piece', so to speak. She got them information that no one else could and in order for her to survive, she put their own Political 'Spin' on their information. In return, she survived and kept her informants secret. Of course, sometimes she had to barter with the only coin that a single, Muggle Born Witch had, one who was very attractive! She went to bed with many of the 'Movers and Shakers' in their Political World, and she was the Best. If Rita Skeeter ever needed information, she knew EXACTLY where to go and whom to get it from. Of all the Witches for Harry to choose as one of his Vassals, she was the least likilest one, except for one of the most important factors: She fell in Love with him from the very start! She gave him her Heart, her absolute love and Trust. From the point of view of a disinterested bystander, one could even say that their relationship, at least on the surface, was like that of Voldemort's and Bellatrix's. Kind of odd, but the comparison fit.
Harry looked at the both of them and mentioned one name, "Rita Skeeter." He then turned his head back to continue looking out the compartment window, admiring the passing scenery. He didn't hear a word from Daphne. Hermione, he knew, her being Muggle Born, not that she could help that, she didn't know of Rita's reputation. Now, Daphne, was another matter. Entirely.
While they were talking about harry's other Vassels, the compartment door opened and there, in the doorway, stood a slightly built but well dressed young man with long flowing platinum blonde hair. Next to him stood two rather large, but may it be said, 'fat' young boys. "I was told that Harry Potter was here on the train." Draco Malfoy held out his hand towards Harry, "Hello, I'm Draco Malfoy, and these two behind me are Crabbe and Goyle."
Harry didn't bother standing up nor offering to shake Draco's hand, instead, he just sat there looking at the three with no fear.
"Malfoy, I know all about you, your father and your mother. Your father is a marked Death Eater. He goes on raids, kills innocent people, tortures them, and when his Lord and Master, Voldemort is displeased with him, he's tortured with the Cruciatus Curse. You Father bows down to Voldemort and kisses his feet. Crabbe and Goye's father's have seen this, so they can't deny it. Lucius Malfoy also has to kiss other bodily appendages of Voldemort! All the gold you Father has came from the Black Family when he married your mother. Your Father was under a Marriage Contract with the oldest daughter of the Black Family, but Bellatrix belonged to Voldemort so she wasn't available. Her sister, Andromedia was next, but she married a Muggle, so that left your mother, Narcissa. She didn't want to marry him, but was forced to by her father through the Marriage Contract. Your Father demanded a lot of gold before he married your Mother. THAT'S where the money came from that built the Mansion you live in. It's not Malfoy gold, but Black Family Gold. So don't parade around here telling people how upstanding and above them all you are. The Black's, of which my God Father is the Family Head, is the defacto Head of your Family. So, Draco, get used to it."
Harry looked at Draco with pure vile in his eyes, wanting to say more, but didn't.
"POTTER! Wait till I tell my Father what you've said! The Headmistress will be on her knees, groveling at his feet in front of all of us for payback!" Draco was seething.
Harry stood up, drawing out his wand in a heart beat. He instead, held it up in front of himself for all to see and pronounced, "I, Harry James Potter, the scion of the Ancient and Noble House of Potter and a Knight of the United Kingdom and the Personal Protector of the Queen, do hearby swear on my life and my magic, that all I've said about the Malfoy Family is true and correct. I so swear. SO. MOTE. IT. BE!"
With that solemn Oath stated, he was shrouded with a golden glow.
Harry then produced sparks which proved that he still had control of his magic.
"As you can see, Malfoy, I speak the truth. If your Father wants to meet with me and Mum, have him arrange the meeting." Harry then stepped to within a hair's breath of Draco, finishing what he started. "I'll be there, along with the Head of the DMLE, and several Auror's at which meeting I'll PROVE that Lucius Malfoy is a MARKED DEATH EATER! When I do that, under the old Laws of the Ancient and Noble Houses, I'll claim everything that belongs to the Malfoy name and family! So, Draco, my advice to you is to either put up or shut up! Your choice."
Draco started to raise his wand and pronounce a curse on Harry, but harry was quicker. And defended himself with a wandless, nonverbal shield between himself and the other three.
"DON'T – ever try that again, Draco. You're only a step above a squib on the Hammerstein Magical Index and I'm so far above you that you can't even conceive of the Magical Power I have at my command. Just a bit of advice: You're on the wrong track. Keep on doing what you're doing, following in your Death Eater of a father's footstep's and you'll end up either in Azkaban or dead. This is your chance to change. As the Muggles would say, 'The balls in your court.'"
Draco looked at Harry with a new set of eyes and left. Harry wandlessly closed the doors and sat down. Looking up at the two young and very impressed ladies, Harry apologized. "I'm very sorry you had to see that. Draco hasn't changed from then to now. That's just a taste of what my life is like and will be like, at least until Voldemort and all of his minions are either in Azkaban for life or dead. Anytime you want 'out', just let me know. You don't have to decide now."
Harry sat down, letting out a great amount of breath he'd been holding and rested his head against the back of the seat. He closed his eyes and slept.
As the two young ladies watched Harry sleep, Hermione asked a question. "Daphne, Harry mentioned the others in his life. Do you suppose it wouldn't hurt if we talked to them?"
Daphne thought for a moment before answering. "Well, right now, I'd think that it's more of Harry's business, not ours. Now, if right now we were contracted out to him in a Marriage Contract, then it'd be different. This is a very fine line we're walking, Hermione. Right now, I just don't know how Harry'd take it."
Hermione thought for a moment before answering. "Daphne, you know more about our World than I do. Let me look after Harry here, and you go find Susan Bones. Harry said she was in our year. She can't be that hard to locate, I mean, we saw the Patronus that Harry produced so that'll give you some idea of what she looks like."
"You just want to talk with her, like two first years getting to know one another?"
"Yea, something like that. Look, Daphne, this concerns the both of us. Harry said we're his wives, or going to be, so that means that the other three are his what ever you'd call them here."
"The term, Hermione, is 'Vassal'. They are one step below wives. They have all the same responsibilities that we have, including that of Social Status and the Mothers of his eventual Children. In our World, it's not looked down upon. In Harry's position, and what he's done for all of us, then just about any witch would agree to be his Vassal, and that'd include ANY of the witches here at Hogwarts, single or not!"
"Ok, I just didn't know. Thanks, Daphne, I've got a lot to learn, if you'd be willing to teach me."
Daphne reached over and held on to Hermione's hand. "We're going to be like sisters, or what ever the term is, so it'd be in our best interest to get to know one another."
Daphne got up, "Look, Hermione, let me go find Susan, and see if she'd like to talk with us, get to know us and see if she has memories. I'll return, but in the meantime, if anything happens, wake Harry, he'd be more than happy to defend you and take care of you. Afterall, you're going to be the mother of some of his children!" Daphne smiled, Hermione looked surprised and also smiled as Daphne left.
Daphne left their compartment looking into each of the other compartments, looking for Susan. All she had was the image that was in her mind from seeing Harry's multiple Patronus'. Finally, after going through two more cars she found her, towards the front of the train.
Knocking on the compartment door, she stuck her head in, "Hello, I'm Daphne Greengrass. Are you Susan Bones?"
Susan looked up at Daphne, clearly not expecting her, but what Daphne saw was not the look of surprise but that of unexpectedness, as if she almost recognized her.
"Uh, I'm Susan Bones. How may I help you?"
"I'd like to talk with you about something, a family matter. It's confidential and won't take long. You'll be ok."
"Yes, sure. You know, Daphne, you do look familiar to me. I think I've seen you somewhere else previously, but I just can't place where."
"Well, that's what this is about. Come along with me. We can talk in the compartment where I'm at. I want to introduce you to two other people you may recognize."
The two young ladies walked back to the compartment where daphne and Hermione and Harry were staying. "Hermione," Daphne said as she opened the door and went in. "This is Susan Bones. The young man over there is Harry Potter, Scion of the Ancient and Noble House of Potter, God Son of Lord Sirius Orion Black of the Ancient and Noble House of Black. Please, Susan, have a seat, we need to talk."
It was Hermione who started asking indirect questions. "Susan, do either of us, or Harry, look familiar to you?"
Of all the questions to be asked, that was not on her list. But, Susan looked at the three of them and thought they looked familiar. "Both of you look familiar to me, including Harry there, but I just can't place where I've seen the both of you." Susan shook her head.
Daphne asked another question, "Susan, have you been having any dreams, either at night or had some thought or memory come to you during the day, something you just can place or identify?"
Susan sat there, thinking. Nodding her head, "Yes, I've had what you've described."
"Did it start sometime this summer? For either you or your Aunt Amelia?" This was Daphne asking.
"How'd you know?" Susan asked.
"Both Hermione and I have had those same dreams and thoughts happen to us this past Summer. It started when we got our Letters. That's also when our Magic began to surface."
"Also, Susan, to the best of our knowledge, everything that we've had dreams and thoughts of, or impressions that it's happened to us previously, they're all true. We've talked to Harry and he's confirmed it all with us." Hermione sat back in her seat and just let Susan take in everything that she's heard.
"My Aunt and I have been having dreams and thoughts that seemed so real. It's like we actually lived them. Some of them, well, it's like we were married to Harry, except that he was older and, well, Auntie and I had a good laugh. At first, it was a bit embarrassing, but we got over it. We've actually grown closer and depend on one another since we've had these dreams. Some, though, come to us in the daytime. Can Harry help us in some way?"
"I can, Susan." It was Harry, he woke up when he heard her voice.
"Oh, I didn't know you were awake. I didn't want to disturb you."
"That's ok, I'm a bit tired. I've felt like I've just dueled and it took everything out of me. Kinda hard for me to explain to you, but all I can say is that it's real. Here, hold out your hands, Susan, let me hold on to you. I want to share something with you. It's like Legilimency only easier. I'm only going to help you remember what has already happened to you."
Susan held out her hands and Harry took them in his and he began clearing her mind of the shadows she'd had over her previous life with him. The changes were almost automatic in that Daphne and Hermione could see the changes on Susan's Face.
"I can remember!
Susan looked at Harry, smiling. "You and I and, and, Daphne, Hermione! We're all family! You both are Harry's wives and I'm his Vassal." Susan Looked around the compartment, "Where's Rita? And, well I know this sounds odd, but where's my Auntie? She's also Harry's Vassal. We're all happy together. What happened? Harry, I can remember everything!" The look on Susan's face was, no, is, that of happiness.
"What I did was just remove the shadow that was placed across your mind. When the Lady Hogwarts sent us all back in Time, to the night that my Parents were killed, she placed a veil across your mind, except for me, my Mum Minerva, and the Paintings at Hogwarts. She wanted some of us to remember and know what'd happened when I defeated both Voldemort and that Demon who portrayed himself as Dumbledore. Hogwarts is 'sentient', just for your information."
"Can you removed this shadow from my Auntie's mind? And Rita's, also?" Susan asked.
"Yes, I can and will, in time. You see, I need time to grow into myself as I should be. I am a very powerful Wizard, Susan, not to brag, but just due to what'd happened, I've retained much of that Magical Power and abilities that I used previously. These past many years, Minerva McGonagall has been my Mum and to tell you all the truth, she's been one of the best Mum's anyone could ever want or hope to have. And before you even ask, she knows everything about us. She's one of the few that didn't have her mind 'Veiled' or 'Shadowed' as I call it. In fact, she and I were the only two living beings who were. The Paintings are just memories, they don't 'live', not as such as we are."
"Harry, what can I do now? How can I help you? Will we all still be together?" Susan asked all these questions in a rush.
Harry laughed some at Susan's anxious rush of questions. "We'll all eventually be together, as a Family, but for the time being, just go to school, enjoy yourselves, and try not to look like you're out of place. I don't think you'll have any problems in the classroom. Mum will expect all of us to know the material. If any of you want to earn Mastery's in any of the Subjects, she can arrange it. We can all still be together as friends, in fact, I'd love it if each of you would be my girlfriends will Mum can arrange Marriage Contracts with each of your families. This'll happen when we reach the age of sixteen, so hopefully, by then each of you will have at least one Mastery in the subject of your choice, more if you want. You DO still remember the material, don't you?"
Each of the three young ladies nodded their heads.
"Harry, Dear, since my memories have been returning, I've been recalling the lessons I've been taught. My Mum and Dad got me the books so I could read them and continued to catch up. Hermione, here, will have to study for the rest of the semester to do that, maybe Susan will, too, but after Christmas, we'll all be up to date and can start our Mastery's then, if you or we can let your Mum know." Daphne looked at Harry now with more pleasure in her eyes and heart. So, too, did the others.
"What about the House we'll be sorted into? Will we all be as we were, you know, in different Houses?" It was Hermione who asked the leading question. "I don't know about the rest of you, but I like my former House, but I don't want to be separated from the rest of you. I'd love for us girls to be in one House and have the fun of sharing one Dorm. It'll be like we were when we were all married to Harry, you know, before." Hermione looked at the other two girls.
"I agree with you, Hermione, It'll be easier on us all. That way, we can keep tabs on each other, study at our faster pace and no one else will see us as any differently than the other first years, except for our good grades."
"You're right, Daphne, We can all talk about our Harry and no one will be catching on. I like that. Oh, Hermione, I'd like to be in Gryffindor with you, that is, if Daphne would be ok with that choice." Susan said.
The other two girls, Susan and Hermione, looked at Daphne, who just shrugged her shoulders and nodded positively. "Sure, works for me. It'll be different, but at least I won't have to be on the watch for Malfoy trying to dominate me or, well, you girls know what I mean." Daphne scrunched up her face.
"I know what you mean, Daphne, I know what you mean." It was Hermione, thinking of Ron in that last year.
"Ok, ladies, it's settled then, we're going into Gryffindor, so just tell the Sorting Hat what you want and don't be surprised if the Hat will be able to read your mind and feelings about what you want. The Hat does take into consideration your feelings and wishes. I want each of you to be very happy now, you've all earned that right for standing up with me when it really counted. If even one of you bowed out during that last duel with that Demon, I, well, to tell you the truth, I don't know if I could have held on." Harry looked at each of the girls in his life, and loved each one. "For me, those memories of that last day are still fresh in my mind and I still love each of you, including Amelia and Rita." Harry looked at Susan, "Susan, I do want to talk with your Aunt and Rita. It doesn't have to be now or soon, but sometime, by the end of the year. They're older and their memories will take more time to acclimate to this time period since what I call our 'Awakening'. We've got lots of time, so just enjoy yourselves."
"Now, I've got to get some sleep." Harry took off his shoes and propped his feet on the seat in front of him and leaned his head against Daphne's shoulder. Susan placed his feet in her lap and rubbed them. Hermione, held on to his hands.
The three girls looked at one another, nodding their heads in a silent agreement they all sat with him, in silent protection of him and as a silent witness of their decision to stand with him, just like they once did not too long ago.
Harry slept the sleep of the just for the entire train ride back home to Hogwarts.
Meanwhile, on the train were two who clearly were not happy with their station in life. One was Draco Malfoy and the other, not surprisingly, was Ron Weasley.
"Well, Draco, looks like Potter was put in his place when you had your little talk with him, wasn't he?" It was one Pansy Parkinson. She's been betrothed to Draco by their Fathers since their birth and they both knew it, especially Pansy.
"Parkinson! I don't need your crap right now. I don't know how Potter did it, but they were all Lies!" Draco was sitting there with Pansy Parkinson, Vincent Crabbe, Gregory Goyle, and Theodore Nott and Blaize Zabini.
"Looked like that Oath her made was pretty obvious to me that he was telling the truth." Gregory said.
Draco was seething. He'd been embarrassed by Potter. All his life, he'd heard nothing from his father but how Potter had somehow done away with their Lord and he'd not come back. All his life, Draco had been told that their Lord and Master was the most powerful Wizard who'd ever lived and now, Draco himself had been taken down by that same Potter! And in public, yet! 'At least it was just in front of Crabbe and Goyle and Parkinson. Those three don't have a brain among them!' Draco's thoughts were not exactly pleasant, not for now, anyway.
"What'd you gonna do now, draco?" Vincent asked him.
Draco just looked out the window, looking at the passing scenery. If he'd only knew just how similar he was to Harry, he'd probably blow a gasket. There were several differences, but, the similiarities were only on the surface. None of them went any deeper than 'skin deep'. Draco wasn't built nor taught that way. Friends, for Draco, were to be used for achieving your goals, not to be involved in personality. He looked around him and saw not people, but subservient's whom he could use, and right now, they weren't doing their job. Or so he thought.
"You know, Draco, he was right in that your Father is a Death Eater." It was Pansy who spoke.
"Pansy, you're not telling me anything I don't already know."
"Maybe." Pansy just shrugged her shoulders in a non committal way. "But, how'd he know that?"
"Maybe he was told by his Mum? You know, the Headmistress of Hogwarts?" It was Crabbe who spoke up again.
"Shit!" Draco verbally exploded, getting everyone's attention. "Why is it that that half blooded blood traitor, Muggle loving, Mud Blooded Loving Orphan is surrounded by witches who are the smartest and I don't have any who have one brain cell among them!" Draco's completion went from chalk white to pink.
"Uh, well, Draco, we're not witches. We're Wizards. Does that help?" Goyle asked, catching Pansy, Nott and Zabini's attention and causing them to laugh.
"Merlin help me from incompetent sycophants!" Draco muttered to himself. "Just how does the Dark Lord do it with followers who aren't smart enough?"
Pansy replied out loud without even thinking, "Well, Draco, sweetie, he IS powerful, Magically. Does that help?"
Draco looked at her, rolled his eyes and turned his head away. 'I'm supposed to MARRY her?! Just WHAT in MERLIN'S NAME were my Parents thinking? I'll be the laughing stock of Pure-Blood Society. Our child will come out looking like one of us, but with the brains of Crabbe or Goyle.' Draco was not having a productive day.
Ron, meanwhile, was sitting alone in his compartment. He'd tried to sit with the Potter boy, but was driven out by that Greengrass girl. He'd never seen anyone draw out their wand so quickly, he'd almost pissed in his pants! All he could do was mutter out a few inconprehensible words and stumble away. Just where she got the idea that Potter 'belonged' to her, he had no idea. His Mum was gonna be real mad. He was supposed to make friends with him and get on his good side so that some of his social standing and gold would rub off on him and his family. He could still hear his Mum's words:
"Now, Ronald. I want you to ingradiate yourself with that Potter boy. He's been raised by the Headmistress of Hogwarts and you'll do well to be his friend. Maybe some of his social standing and gold will rub off on you and us. Merlin knows, we can use it. IF you can't do your job for the Family, my only other way is to use your sister, Ginny. I KNOW she can do your job for us! Just remember: DON'T LET ME DOWN!'
Ron sat there, taken down by that Greengrass girl and another girl with bushy brown hair that looked like a mess, and those teeth! 'Who'd EVER want to snog something that looked like THAT?! At least I have red hair. That's gotta count for something.'
There he sat, not knowing what he'd missed by being friends and really standing by a friend and not being greedy. Like Draco, he, too, had his problems.
Meanwhile, Harry slept the sleep of the Just, with his head on his girlfriend's shoulder while his other two girlfriend's were with him.
