Gah! Only 63 more days of this college stuff left! Even though none of you probably care: my 6 month old boy is 19lbs. and 27.5 inches! Also, I can feel the top of his first tooth coming in! This was a pain to write, because I am trying to follow Jo's timeline as close as I can, and I had a brain dead moment with the Weasley family birthdays.
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1981
As soon as Harry had fallen asleep, that's when Lily found out everything. Alice and Frank were permanently ruined mentally. While Voldemort had been searching for Neville, Bellatrix had tortured them. They currently resided in a quarantined ward at Saint Mungo's with 24/7 guards. Neville was under the Order's protection at his grandmother's, although to date the boy had shown no magical ability. Instinctively, Lily kept glancing over to Harry's room. It was amazing the power of the castle. They had a two story house, inside the castle. It was complete with all the rooms they could possibly need, and the students knew they were there, but had enough decency to give them privacy. Charms and Potions were cancelled that week, since Dumbledore had decided the Snape family needed time to rest.
"Class, please open your textbooks to page 254, and quit staring at me," Lily joked around as the first years blushed and quickly began searching their textbooks for the desired page. "Wingardium Leviosa. As you can tell, is a levitation spell. It only works on light, inanimate objects, not humans. Nice try there Mr. Weasley." Bill's face turned as red as his pony tail and stopped pointing his wand at Miss Bones' back. "Bill dear, could you stay after for a moment now that I think about it, I want to discuss something with you." Snickers could be heard around the classroom as Bill sunk lower into his seat. The rest of Double Charms went smoothly, except for a few loose objects zooming around the room. As the rest of the class filed out of the room for lunch, Bill hung back and drug his feet up to her desk.
"Bill." Lily began, "Is something bothering you, you haven't been yourself lately." Bill shuffled his feet, "Its Ginny." Lily laughed, "The little 6 month old that is living with you now? What's wrong with her?" "It's not funny Lily! I have 5 brothers…..I don't want a SISTER! Girls ruin everything with their need to be clean and pretty all the time." Lily stood up and hugged Bill. "Sweetie, she is growing up with 6 brothers, two of which we know are already trouble makers. I highly doubt she is going to be a prissy little girl. You boys had better watch out, she might even best you!" With that statement Bill seemed to brighten up slightly and he hugged Lily back. "I'm really sorry about your house, but I'm glad Harry is okay. Will you ever be able to live outside the castle?" Lily's face sank, "I'm not sure kiddo. I'd love to. Professor Snape and I have been perusing the homes near Hogsmead, but Dumbledore isn't sure if You-Know-Who is really gone or not. He seems to have vanished, but that doesn't mean he is dead." Bill tried to understand, but before he could wrap his head around it, his stomach let out a growl. He gave Lily another hug, and invited her to come over for dinner soon over the holiday break before running out of the room to lunch.
That night, Lily cried harder than she had in a while. When she had finally gotten it all out, Severus suggested seeking counseling from Dumbledore, and maybe finding a new house. With a slight nod, she rose up, gathered Harry's things, and followed her husband to the headmaster's office. Once they were permitted to enter, she told Dumbledore everything her and Bill had talked about. His face was grave as she pleaded to try again in a real home. "It's not that I don't appreciate everything you have done, it's all been so wonderful! Harry needs to grow up in a home, not his school." Dumbledore nodded and whispered something to one of the portraits before turning back to Lily and Severus. Harry was off exploring the instruments around Dumbledore's office and ended up pulling out some of the sleeping Fawkes' tail feathers. With a screech he soared up to the rafters. Harry began whimpering and sniffling, "Birdie."
"Lily, I knew this was only temporary, so I took the liberty of arranging a home for you three once you were ready. This time though, the Order will stand guard until we are sure he is gone. I personally don't believe it. I do, however, have a positive source that he is no longer in England. You and your family will be safe Lily." Lily squealed in delight and scooped the moping Harry and kissed his cheek. The Snape family rushed down the corridors, gathered their things, and waited until Mad-Eye Moody arrived to show them the way.
July 1991
"Harry let's go! If you want to get your school supplies today you need to get your arse down here right now," Severus shouted up the stairs. "Dear, it's his birthday, relax. We have all day," Lily whispered as she rubbed her belly. She hadn't told Severus they were having another baby. Now wasn't the time either. It's Harry's big day, not hers. Harry running into the kitchen and sliding in his socks across the wood floor and into the table knocking it over pulled her back to reality. "Severus, don't tell him yet," Lily warned. "Tell me what mum? When are we leaving for London? I want to ride the bus!" "Nothing son. You're mum is going crazy. Are you excited for Stonewall?" Harry gulped down his breakfast, "Not really. It doesn't seem to feel right. Isn't there somewhere else I can go this year," Harry pleaded, his emerald eyes growing big and watery. Lily snickered at the stove as she wiped it down.
Just then, a big black owl soared through the window, causing Harry to start. "Mum! The bird! There is an owl….on our table!" Severus chuckled, "Don't be scared, look closer." As Harry reluctantly got closer to the bird, he saw an envelope tied to its leg, addressed to him! The bird rolled its yellow eyes and stuck out its leg. Harry untied the letter and tore it open. After reading all the parchment inside, he peered at his parents, "Is this some kind of joke? Wizardry? Mum? What is this?" Lily sat down at the table, and explained that all his talents were possible because of this letter. She had refrained from telling him exactly why he could do the things he could because there are bad people in the world looking for little boys who don't know any better to use their powers to hurt them. His parents showed him their wands, explained that he wouldn't be attending Stonewall, but Hogwarts. The owl nipped Harry's ear, reminding him to send his reply. He scribbled out a giant YES, and strapped it to the owl. "Can we go NOW mum," he pleaded. She nodded and threw the floo powder into the fire place, grabbed Harry's hand, and shouted, "Diagon Ally!" With a whoosh of green, they were traveling along in a way even Harry couldn't imagine.
As they stepped out of the grate, Harry couldn't believe his eyes. A giant marble building drew his attention first. "What's that one mum," He eagerly pointed at the building. "Gringotts dear. Now wait for your father." Snape appeared behind them, and Harry pulled his mother's skirt along the winding road. It was a peaceful morning. Harry bought books, a cauldron, a set of potion vials and ingredients, robes, an owl, and other useful school supplies. Ollivander's was the last stop of necessary items, and the one Harry was most eager to get to. "Ah, Mrs. Snape, I remember when you first walked in my door, and you too Mr. Snape. Although back then, I would never have guessed that this was how your futures would end up. Mister Harry, how nice it is to see you. The last time, well, you were such a little baby. Now, let's see what we can find for you," Ollivander said, looking at Harry with his grey eyes, causing Harry to hide behind his mother.
After many times of trial and error, Harry was beginning to feel disheartened, "Mum, what if there has been a mistake?" Ollivander sighed heavily, and pulled out another stack of wands, "Never have I met someone as difficult to place as you. Just remember boy, the wand chooses the wizard." He handed Harry a wand with a Phoenix feather core. A sudden warmth spread throughout his body. Waving the wand above his head, he dimmed the lights around the shop and brought them back brighter than ever. "I think you found your partner son," Severus said, placing his hand lovingly on his son's shoulder. It was an odd image for the passerby: Lily in her light colored outfit, her arm around her husband's lower back, Severus in his usual dark robes, holding his wife close, and their son hugging them both, a perfect balance of each of them. "We can expect great things from you Harry," Ollivander said, retreating to his back office.
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That's all for tonight ya'll. Probably won't update for another week. Have a friend's wedding to prepare for.
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WeasleyWriter225
