Chapter 3: 'But How Are You Here?'
Minerva McGonagall looked on with interest as a young man stepped out of the fireplace. She gasped when she recognized who the young man was. He had the same messed up hair and the same hazel eyes she had seen sixteen years previous. "James Potter," she asked. Reaching behind her, Minerva McGonagall grabbed the arm of a chair and sat down quite heavily. Her right hand flew to her mouth as she stared at the man in front of her.
"I'm sure you can imagine my surprise when I opened my front door this morning and found him on the doorstep," Alana said, sitting down in a hard-backed chair in front of the Transfiguration professor's desk and motioning for James to join her. "I've already checked to make sure it was him and not a Death Eater impersonating him," Alana said softly.
"But…" Minerva stuttered. "But how are you here?" Her eyes flickered up to the portrait above her headmistress' desk.
Alana sat up straight as James began his story. She hadn't asked him how he had escaped the coffin and couldn't imagine waking up in that tiny box with little air. It must have been terrifying, especially for James since he was claustrophobic.
James shrugged. "I woke up sometime last night in the coffin," he shuddered, remembering the trapped feeling and how he panicked. "I found my wand next to me and grabbed it. I shouted a spell and managed to break through the lid. I…" he paused. "I climbed out and realized I was in the cemetery. I checked to see if Lily was alive too, but…" he wiped a tear off his cheek and took a deep breath. "I sat there until the sun came up and then walked down the road. After seeing the house…" he paused again as his voice cracked. "I decided to try apparating and I managed to get to Alana's house." He closed his hands in front of him on his lap, avoiding his former professor's eyes.
Alana reached over, took his right hand in hers and squeezed it. She had no idea what it would have been like to wake up in your own coffin, especially being as claustrophobic as James was.
"Well Mr. Potter," Professor McGonagall started. "I assume it would be fine with Miss Potter if you stay with her. We will have to get you checked out at St. Mungo's, but with how everything with the government right now…" she paused. "Have you informed him about what has happened," she asked Alana.
Alana shook her head. "I was waiting to get the okay from you. I didn't want to shock him too much." Her voice was quiet; she was still reeling from the events of the previous day.
"Yes, well Mr. Potter, I suggest you return to Miss Potter's house until we can get you examined at St. Mungo's." She rose from her chair and moved towards the fireplace, picking up a small container of floo powder; Alana and James stood as well.
"Professor, I'd like to see Harry, if that's okay," James asked, suddenly feeling very young compared to his former professor and his sister.
Professor McGonagall smiled a slow, sad smile. "I'm afraid that isn't possible right now. Miss Potter will explain what has happened and then we will discuss seeing Harry. But for right now, I suggest you go home and get some rest. We will let the pieces fall into place." She turned to Alana. "Thank you for alerting me on this new development. I will be sure to get in touch with you soon."
Alana turned to her brother. "I'll meet you back at my house. I need to talk to Professor McGonagall about something." She smiled sadly at James and watched as he threw the floo powder into the fireplace, stepped inside and shouted Alana's address.
Once she was certain he was gone, Alana turned back to her former professor. "Is Harry all right," she asked timidly.
"Certainly. He is resting. I do not know how he will react to this news. It is best to let him regain his strength before telling him."
Alana nodded. "Thank you Professor," she said as she took her own handful of floo powder. "119 Wisteria Drive, Surrey," she shouted after stepping into the fireplace.
Minerva McGonagall turned to the portrait above her desk. The older man smiled and his blue eyes twinkled. "Did you anticipate this happening," she asked the portrait.
"Alas, no, but it is an interesting turn of events," Albus Dumbledore replied, still smiling.
"Well, do you have any ideas on how this has occurred?" Professor McGonagall sighed as she waited for the former headmaster to respond.
"Oh, I have several, each as interesting as the last."
Once Alana landed in her kitchen, she found James watching her from a chair at the kitchen table. "What did you need to her talk about?"
She tried to laugh, to brush off his question. "You aren't my older brother anymore," she said softly.
James nodded, not caring if she was now older than him. "So are you going to tell me about what's happened over the past sixteen years? Or is this going to be another one of those things I find out later, like how my son is?" His eyes were narrow and his lips were drawn into a thin, straight line.
Alana sighed. "James, you don't understand. So much has happened; so much has changed!"
"Then tell me! Tell me what's changed. Or better yet, get Moony over here; he can explain things better than you usually." He smirked slightly, taking a slight dig at his sister.
Once again, Alana's eyes welled with tears. "Oh James, I'm the only one left. No one else is alive," she whispered. She collapsed into one of her kitchen chairs and rested her head in her hands. Her shoulders were racked with sobs and her entire frame shook.
"'Lana, what are you talking about? What do you mean you're the only one left? Who's dead?" James asked, his brow furrowed with confusion. Surely Sirius and Remus aren't gone… they can't be dead.
She shook her head, unable to talk. "They…they're all gone. Sirius, Moony, Wormtail… everyone's gone." Alana managed to get the sentence out softly, but continued to sob uncontrollably.
James collapsed in the chair next to his sister. How could they be… he couldn't even bear to finish the thought. His breath caught in his throat and he clutched at his chest; his heart ached, a pulling and tearing he hadn't felt before. Everyone was gone… Lily, Sirius, Remus, everyone but Alana and Harry.
"'Lana… what happened," he managed to ask.
She looked up, her hazel eyes bloodshot and her cheeks stained with tears. "Would you like a cup of tea? I might make things a bit easier." She rose and began to fix the warm cup of tea. After steeping the leaves and adding the sugar and cream, she placed one cup in front of James and one at her chair.
"I… I should probably start at the beginning," she whispered.
AN: Sorry this is a bit short than the previous chapter. Thanks to everyone who reviewed the last chapter! Hope you enjoyed it and please leave a review on your way out!
