Chapter 2 – Further Discoveries
Over the course of time, and in between his duties as a husband, father and Auror, James took the time to minutely examine the half-melted miniature crystalline starship-cum-birthing matrix, surprised and impressed at the advanced technology employed in both the construction and design of the life support machinery and the small but immensely powerful engines which were capable of traveling at many times the speed of light. He also surmised that it was a combination of the fiery entry through Earth's atmosphere and the explosion of the starship fuel which had caused the small craft's current appearance.
He had also discovered numerous crystals which seemed to have images and information recorded on them. He could only surmise that they were for learning purposes, not to mention a device which seemed to hold several sophisticated, talking interactive holograms—a device which he was unable to operate. There was also some indecipherable lettering in various places, reminiscent of Egyptian hieroglyphics. He wished he knew what it said, but was sure that not even Lily, who had aced Ancient Runes while at Hogwarts, could have translated it, try though she might. It looked as though they would have to wait and see if Harry could translate it when he was older. For the time being, though, they intended to enjoy his childhood and their parenthood as long as they could.
* * * * *
However, he had also found some blank crystals and—inadvertently—a method of recording images and information on them for Harry's later use. He carefully saved all the "learning crystals," as he eventually dubbed them, as well as the old blankets Harry had been wrapped in as a baby. There had been one point at which a fire had accidentally started in the attic and the blankets had caught some errant sparks. After James had put out the fire with water from his wand, he was stunned to note that the blankets were undamaged, as if nothing had ever happened to them. He had to tell Lil about this! He even tried a cutting spell but nothing could damage them, not even magic. Truly incredible; he had seen nothing like it before and doubted he ever would again.
And when they had taken Harry to the Muggle zoo once, a few months ago, he had accidentally vanished the glass on the animals' cages. It had taken every bit of magical power James possessed in order to keep them under control while he replaced the glass. Lily had effectively distracted Harry with his favourite sweet, a chocolate ice cream cone, while James busied himself repairing the damage the boy had done. Not that he blamed the child, of course; he could not control his magic—and it was now obvious that Harry indeed held magical ability as well as extra-terrestrial power, only some of which they had, as of yet, discovered. His invulnerability to injury was only one of several things; it was at this point that James recalled how strong Harry had been even as a baby. If he was that strong as an infant, how strong would he be when grown?
How long would he and Lily be able to control Harry if he discovered more of his extraterrestrial abilities before they did and utilised them against his foster parents? James sensed that Harry was a good, loving child at heart, but like all children, needed the proper discipline and upbringing in order to grow into the kind of man he was meant to be. Magic used on him didn't seem to hurt him; rather, it seemed to keep him under at least temporary control. Maybe that was it; however, he would have to discuss it with Lil before making a final decision.
* * * * *
Harry was just past his fifth birthday when they discovered yet another of his extraterrestrial powers. They had looked all over the house and the grounds, calling him the whole time, but got no answer—not until they had turned around and headed back to the house after going to the boundary of the wards. They then looked up to see a small figure sitting cross-legged … on the roof of the house! How in Merlin's name had he gotten up there? They had a ladder, but it was only two feet in height—definitely not high enough to enable a five-year-old to get onto the roof of a two-storey house. When they got near enough, they heard him call to them.
"Daddy! Mummy! Get me down, please! I'm scared!"
James Apparated onto the roof beside Harry, both relieved and angry. "How did you get up here, son?"
"I don't … remember exactly, Daddy. I was running after a … butterfly, I think Mummy called it … and the next thing I knew, I was on the roof. Please help me. I don't know how to get down."
"Oh, I will, mate. I'm just glad you're all right. Get into my lap and hold on tight."
Harry did so, and James Apparated them both down to the ground, where an anxious Lily was waiting. As soon as James got close enough, she took Harry from him, both hugging and scolding her son for worrying her so, not answering her calls. James told her that Harry had told him he was scared; perhaps that had something to do with it. Lily reluctantly agreed that that was one possibility, but hardly the only one.
"But how in Merlin's name did he ever get up on the roof by himself? It's impossible. The ladder we have isn't anywhere near long enough to reach."
"Do you think that this is an inadvertent demonstration of his extraterrestrial abilities? Like flying without a broom, for instance?" James suggested.
"Nonetheless, we must keep his special abilities a secret as long as possible," Lily declared. "Neither he nor we would ever hear the end of it if the world found out that there was an extraterrestrial child growing up some-where. They'd want him for his abilities, if nothing else … and we cannot allow it. I want him to have as normal a childhood as possible, whatever we may have to do to ensure that."
"I want that as much as you, Lil, but it may be taken out of our hands whether we want it or not. We must be prepared for that—and so must Harry. If he happens to demonstrate this … flying ability again, we must warn him that if he indeed has this power and upon learning to properly control it—with our help—he must not fly except under cover of darkness, as well as at an altitude and speed that he cannot be detected. We already know he's got wizard powers despite his not being our natural child, so this Jor-El and his wife must have been magical as well."
Lily had to agree. "Have you contacted Hogwarts yet?"
"A few days ago. Harry will get an invitation to enroll on his eleventh birthday—or if his eleventh birthday falls on a weekend, as soon as possible after."
"Can you imagine how Dumbledore or McGonagall would react if they saw him do these … unusual things? Much less Harry's friends or someone like Lucius Malfoy? He'd love to shoot off his mouth about Harry's abilities if he sees him and gets half a chance, so we must see to it that he doesn't!"
"Don't worry, he won't—not if I have anything to say about it," James declared, moving to gather his wife and son into his arms, holding them both protectively.
Lily held Harry with one arm while putting an arm around her husband with the other; young Harry rested his head on his father's chest, lovingly nestled between his parents, resting one small hand next to his face. The little family just stood together for a time, basking in the warmth of their love for one another—and the security all around them. Unfortunately, it wouldn't be too much longer before that security would be shattered—but for the moment, they couldn't be happier just being together, just being a family. James had already officially put it down in writing that he specifically wanted Sirius to have custody of Harry and his inheritance if anything happened to him and Lily. Her only remaining relatives—her older sister and her family—had recently been killed in a car accident, so Sirius was the only option available aside from an orphanage should they die unexpectedly.
If they had anything to say about it, Harry would never see the inside of an orphanage. Whatever they had to do, he would always have a have, always have someone to love and care for him. Preferably them, but if not, then Sirius or someone along those lines. Now it was simply a matter of when to tell him about the boy's true origins; Padfoot should be able to take it from there.
