Author's Note: I have changed the date on which James, Lily, Remus, Sirius, Frank and Alice went to school to fit in with this story. Read to find out the date.
Chapter 3: Questions
Albus Dumbledore sighed as he flipped though the document in front of him. It was a boring ministry documents that he had to fill out. He looked up startled as the floo activated. 'Who would be visiting me at this hour?' He thought in surprise, though glad for the reprieve from the ministry documents. Stepping out was a ruffled looking McGonagall.
"Minerva", Dumbledore said pleasantly, "How are you doing? I thought you still had a few weeks with your sister in America"
"I did Albus", McGonagall said as she looked up from dusting the soot off her clothes with a quick Scourgify, "But something came up."
"Is everything alright?" Dumbledore asked in concern.
"I believe that depends, Albus," McGonagall stated seriously, "I have just seen some people I had thought were dead. Or at least I had been told they were dead"
"Who would that be?" Dumbledore asked curiously.
"The Potter's", McGonagall breathed.
"That's impossible", Dumbledore said matter of fact, "They died. You know that. They are dead."
"No, Albus", McGonagall insisted, "I know that is what we have been told, but they are alive. I've seen them myself. They have 23 more children, even"
"Minerva, be reasonable. They cannot be alive", Dumbledore tried to pacify his professor.
"They are alive. I talked to them. I think I would know my own godson", McGonagall insisted.
"Then why did they not take Harry after the attack", Dumbledore asked, "Why haven't we heard from them?"
"They said they were told Harry had died by Minister Fudge", McGonagall said, staring Dumbledore directly in the eyes, "We haven't heard from them because they are living in Houston, Texas, in America. They moved there after they were told Harry had died", McGonagall tried to get Dumbledore to believe her.
"What reason would the minister have to tell them that Harry had died in the attack?" Dumbledore questioned, "What reason is there to tell the Wizarding world that Lily and James were dead, if it is not true?"
"I don't know the ministers reasons for this", McGonagall answered her voice weary, "But I do know that the Potter's are alive. I do know that we have all been lied to. Just come with me. Question them, and you'll see"
Dumbledore sighed. He was too old for this. He couldn't find a reason for Minister Fudge to do this, to lie to everyone for no reason. But he also trusted Minerva. She wasn't the kind of person to make up stories like this. "Okay, Minerva, where can we contact them?" He finally said resignedly.
He watched as McGonagall pulled out a piece of paper and she handed it to him. Reading off the address, in Houston, Texas, he nodded picked up one of his trinkets to create a portkey. After McGonagall grabbed it they felt a tug behind their navels before they disappeared in a flash, arriving moments later in the yard of a neighbourhood. It was dark outside and many house lights were dark save the porch lights. Looking at the house they were directly in front of Dumbledore sighed as he and McGonagall began to walk to the front door.
Ringing the doorbell Dumbledore and McGonagall waited for an answer, and a moment later the door opened to reveal a fairly tall man with a messy black mop of hair, round rim glasses and hazel eyes. Dumbledore gasped in surprise. This man did look like James Potter. He looked a little older then the James Dumbledore had known, but that was twelve years ago. Finally getting out of his shock he greeted the man. "James?" He questioned, stunned.
"Hello, Albus", James answered politely as he opened the door for them to enter.
Entering the house Dumbledore and McGonagall examined their new surroundings. The house was obviously a three story house judging by the stair case leading up from the hallway, and was very well decorated. It had plenty of room.
"Are they here?" A voice from another room asked. It was a woman's voice, supposedly Lily Potters.
"Yes, dear", James answered as he motioned for them to follow him. He led them to another room that looked like a living room. "Sit down. I'll be right back." He said as he left the room.
"See, Albus!" McGonagall hissed.
"I don't understand how this can be", Dumbledore whispered to her.
"That's what we're trying to figure out." A woman's voice from the doorway called. Looking up Dumbledore gasped in surprise. Lily Potter stood next to James. "How can Harry be alive?" she continued.
"When Minerva told me I didn't believe", Dumbledore said still gazing at the Potter couple.
"Is it true?" James asked looking Albus in the eyes, "Is Harry really alive?"
Dumbledore nodded. "Yes, he has been going to Hogwarts since he turned eleven."
"Where is he? When can we see him? Where has-" Dumbledore raised a hand to stop Lily's questions.
"First, I need to prove you really are Lily and James." He said as he pulled a vial containing clear liquid out of his robes. "May I question you under Veritaserum?" At their nods he took out a dropper and opened the vial filling the dropper with the clear liquid. "Who's first?" He asked eyeing the Lily and James look-a-likes.
"I'll go first." James said as he sat down in the lazy chair in the corner of the living room. Dumbledore nodded and dropped three drops of the clear liquid onto James' tongue.
"What is your full name?" Dumbledore asked.
"James Charlus Potter." James answered in a dull voice.
"Father's name?" Dumbledore asks
"Charlus Harold Potter", James replies
"Mother's name?" Dumbledore asks
"Dorea Aquarius Black Potter", James replies
"Date of birth?" Dumbledore asks
"27th of March 1957", James replies
"Blood Status?" Dumbledore asks
"Pure-Blood", James replies
"Who is your wife?"
"Lillian Rose Evans Potter", James answered in the same tone of voice.
"Godmother?" Dumbledore asks
"Minerva Isobel McGonagall", James replies
"Children's first names?" Dumbledore asks
"Ethan Dylan, Matthew, Ravenna, Astraea, Nayeli, David, Terrence, Harry, Araya, Jayden, Luke, Pace, Xavier, Volya, James Junior, Deziree, Ellayna, Caleb, Cheryl, Lillian, Emma, Corbin, Carliana, Bryan, Kalyana, Alyssa, Fitzroy and Zaria", James replies
"What's Harry's birthday?" Dumbledore asks
"31st of July 1980", James replies
"Who were your list of people to take Harry in if anything happened to you and Lily?" Dumbledore asks
"Sirius Orion Black, Remus John Lupin, Franklin Gareth Longbottom and Alice Melinda Longbottom, Minerva Isobel McGonogall, Andromeda Irma Black Tonks and Theodore Derek Tonks, Molly Patricia Prewett Weasley and Arthur Septimus Weasley", James replies
"How many house-elves did you have growing up?" Dumbledore asks
"6", James says
"Where did you live before Hogwarts?" Dumbledore asks
"Potter Manor", James replies
"What is your wand made out of?" Dumbledore asks
"Mahogany with hippogriff feather, 11 inches Pliable ", James says
"What year did you come to Hogwarts?" Dumbledore asks
"1968", James replies
"Hogwarts House?" Dumbledore asks
"Gryffindor", James replies
"Quidditch position?" Dumbledore asks
"Chaser and Captain in my last year", James replies
"Were you Head Boy?" Dumbledore asks
"Yes", James replies
"What was your best subject?" Dumbledore asks
"Transfiguration", James replies
"Favourite teacher?" Dumbledore asks
"My godmother Aunt Minerva Isobel McGonagall", James replies
"What subjects did you take at school?" Dumbledore asks
"Arithmacy, Ancient Runes, Charms, Transfiguration, Defence Against the Dark Arts, Herbology, Potions, Care of Magical Creatures, Astronomy and History of Magic", James replies
"How many O.W.L.S did you get?" Dumbledore asks
"10", James replies
"How many N.E.W.T.S did you get?" Dumbledore asks
"10", James replies
"Who are your friends?" Dumbledore asks
"Sirius Black, Remus Lupin, and Franklin Longbottom", James replies
"What was the name of your little group?" Dumbledore asks
"The Marauders", James replies
"Who was your bitter enemy?" Dumbledore asks
"Severus Snape", James says
"What is Remus Lupin?" Dumbledore asks
"A Werewolf", James replies
"What year did you save Severus Snape?" Dumbledore asks
"Middle of 5th year", James replies
"Where did Remus hide when it was a full moon?" Dumbledore asks
"The Shrieking Shack", James replies
"Animagus Form?" Dumbledore asks
"A Black Stag", James replies
"What year did you achieve your Animagus Form?" Dumbledore asks
"My 5th year", James replies
"Nickname?" Dumbledore asks
"Prongs", James replies
"Patronus Shape?" Dumbledore asks
"A Stag", James replies
"What secret organization were you apart of?" Dumbledore asks
"The Order of the Phoenix", James replies
"How many times did you stand against Voldemort?" Dumbledore asks
"4 times", James replies
"Who was your secret keeper in 1981?" Dumbledore asks
"It was Peter Pettigrew", James replies
"What did you give me before your 'death'?" Dumbledore asks
"My Invisibility Cloak", James replies
"How did you get the Cloak?" Dumbledore asks
"It was my fathers. It has been handed down from father to son for generations", James replies
"Why did you leave England?" Dumbledore asked curiously.
"After Harry's death – or rather when we were told Harry had died – it was too difficult to stay. We wanted to move forward in our lives with our remaining children", James answered.
Dumbledore nodded. "That's proof enough", He stated as he gave James the antidote. "Now Lily, are you ready?" Dumbledore asked looking over at her.
Lily nodded unhesitant. Dumbledore gave her the Veritaserum and waited for it to take effect. After a few moments he began his questioning.
"What is your name?" He asked.
"Lillian Rose Evans Potter." She answered in a emotionless voice.
"How many siblings do you have?" Dumbledore asks
"One; Petunia Cassandra Evans Dursley", Lily replies
"What is the name of your sisters husband?" Dumbledore asks
"Vernon Dursley", Lily replies
"What is the name of their son?" Dumbledore asks
"Dudley Vernon Dursley", Lily replies
"What is your date of birth?" Dumbledore asks
"30th of January 1957", Lily replies
"Mother's name?" Dumbledore asks
"Catherine Ellayna Roberts Evans", Lily replies
"Father?" Dumbledore asks
"Daniel Nickolas Evans", Lily replies
"Husband?" Dumbledore asks
"James Charlus Potter", Lily replies
"When did you get married?" Dumbledore asks
"April 2nd 1975", Lily replies
"Children first names?" Dumbledore asks
"Ethan, Dylan, Matthew, Ravenna, Astraea, Nayeli, David, Terrence, Harry, Araya, Jayden, Luke, Pace, Xavier, Volya, James Junior, Deziree, Ellayna, Caleb, Cheryl, Lillian, Emma, Corbin, Carliana, Bryan, Kalyana, Alyssa, Fitzroy and Zaria", Lily replies
"What's Harry's birthday?" Dumbledore asks
"31st of July 1980", Lily replies
"How many hours of labour did you go through?" Dumbledore asks
"36 hours", Lily replies
"Where did you have Harry?" Dumbledore asks
"At St Murgos", Lily says
"Who is Harry's godfather?" Dumbledore asks
"Sirius Black", Lily replies
"Who's Harry's godmother?" Dumbledore asks
"Alice Longbottom", Lily replies
"Blood Status?" Dumbledore asks
"Muggle-born", Lily replies
"Who's godmother are you?" Dumbledore asks
"Neville Franklin Longbottom's", Lily replies
"Who's maid of honour were you?" Dumbledore asks
"Alice Prince's when she married Franklin Longbottom", Lily replies
"What is your wand made out of?" Dumbledore asks
"Willow with unicorn hair 10 ¼ Swishy", Lily replies
"What year did your attend Hogwarts?" Dumbledore asks
"1968", Lily replies
"Hogwarts House?" Dumbledore asks
"Gryffindor", Lily replies
"Were you a Prefect?" Dumbledore asks
"Yes", Lily replies
"Were you Head Girl?" Dumbledore asks
"Yes", Lily replies
"Who was your favourite teacher?" Dumbledore asks
"I didn't have a favourite I liked all of them", Lily replies
"Were you an Animagus?" Dumbledore asks
"No", Lily replies
"Patronus shape?" Dumbledore asks
"A doe", Lily replies
"Who were your friends at Hogwarts?" Dumbledore asks
"Alice Prince, Severus Snape, and Mary Macdonald", Lily replies
"When did you break off your friendship with Severus Snape?" Dumbledore asks
"In my fifth year after he called me a Mud-Blood and because he was deep into the dark arts", Lily replies
"What was your best subject?" Dumbledore asks
"Charms and Potions", Lily replies
"What secret organization were you apart of?" Dumbledore asks
"The Order of the Phoenix", Lily replies
"When did you start liking James?" Dumbledore asks
"In 5th year", Lily says
"What subjects did you take?" Dumbledore asks
"Arithmacy, Ancient Runes, Charms, Transfiguration, Defence Against the Dark Arts, Herbology, Potions, Care of Magical Creatures, Astronomy and History of Magic", Lily replies
"How many O.W.L.S did you get?" Dumbledore asks
"10", Lily replies
"How many N.E.W.T.S did you get?" Dumbledore asks
"10", Lily replies
"How did you find out about magic?" Dumbledore asks
"From my childhood friend Severus Snape", Lily replies
"How many times have you faced Voldemort?" Dumbledore asks
"4 times", Lily says
Dumbledore nodded and gave her the antidote. "It seems you are who you say", He stated.
"Will you answer my questions, then?" Lily asked.
Dumbledore nodded smiling. Same old Lily, never one to beat around the bush.
"Where is Harry?" She asked. "Professor McGonagall already informed us he didn't grow up with Sirius."
"With your sister and her family", He answered diligently.
Lily gasped. "He was left with Petunia and her oaf of a husband?" She cried angered.
Dumbledore nodded. "The Minister ordered me to place him in their care."
"Have they treated him okay?" Lily asked. She knew her sister hated magic and anything associated with it.
"As far as I am aware, they have", Dumbledore answered with a nod.
"When can we get him?" James asked entering the conversation. "Where does Petunia live?"
"Unfortunately we have to wait for the British Ministry to prove you are in fact alive, and place Harry back into your care", Dumbledore answered. He would love to just tell them where Harry was, but they needed to do this the legal way, and unfortunately that way took time.
"Why? He's our son", James asked, "And the ministry messed up. Why would they tell us he was dead and tell everyone else we were dead? It doesn't make any sense!"
"I agree", Dumbledore said in a calm voice, "But we need to do this legally to get Harry into your custody."
James nodded, "When do we start then?"
"I would like it if you portkeyed with Minerva and myself to the British ministry. Hopefully we can get this cleared up soon"
Lily and James nodded without hesitation.
"How long will it take?" Lily asked as she stood.
"We'll most likely be at the Ministry for a few hours", Dumbledore answered.
Lily nodded, "I'll get Ethan, Dylan, Matt, Rav, Astra, and Nay to watch the kids." She said as she left the room.
"Who's Ethan, Dylan, Matt, Rav, Astra, and Nay?" Dumbledore asked curiously.
James smiled a little apologetically for not telling his old headmaster about his other kids. "Our oldest sons, Ethan Dylan, Matt and oldest daughters Ravenna, Astraea and Nayeli"
Dumbledore nodded without further comment. Lily re-entered the room and informed them Ethan, Dylan, Matt, Ravenna, Nayeli had agreed to watch the others.
"Ready?" Dumbledore asked as he pulled out a portkey which he redirected the location to the Ministry.
"Yes", James said as he, Lily, Dumbledore and McGonagall touched the portkey and felt the tug at their navels before they found themselves in the British Ministry of Magic.
"May I help you?" The receptionist asked.
"Yes", Dumbledore said smiling, "May I see the minister please?"
Recognizing the legendary headmaster of Hogwarts she didn't ask his name, "Have you got an appointment with Minister Fudge?"
"No, but this is rather urgent."
She nodded and stood from her seat and walked over to the fire place. After throwing a little floo powder in she began whispering, presumably to Minister Fudge.
"He says he'll see you", She said after finishing her conversation in the fire place, "Just go to his office, he's waiting"
"Thank you." Dumbledore said flashing a smile at her before they left the receptionist desk and made their way to Minister Fudges office."
"Hello Cornelius", Dumbledore said as he entered the office.
"Ahh, Dumbledore", Fudge said as he stood to shake Dumbledore's hand, "What do I owe this visit?" At that moment James, Lily and McGonagall walked in behind him.
Fudge blanched at seeing Lily and James, "Wh – What is the meaning of this?" He asked looking a little alarmed and glancing at Dumbledore.
"My dear Professor McGonagall recognized them while visiting a relative", Dumbledore began his explanation, "She contacted me and I question Lily and James to see if they are who they claimed to be. As you know, under Veritaserum, they cannot lie. They say that they were informed, by you, that Harry Potter was killed in the attack at Godric's Hollow. Why was the Wizarding world told Lily and James were dead if that was not the case?"
"Why were we told Harry was dead if he wasn't?" Lily asked angrily. James clasped his hand around her wrist to keep her from attacking the minister, should she decide to.
"How do I know that you are Lily and James Potter?" Fudge asked glaring at Lily.
"You have got to be kidding me!" Lily cried angrily, "You knew as soon as we entered this office who we were"
"It still needs to be proved you are not Death Eaters", Fudge said smugly.
"Death Eaters?" James asked also angry, "You know were not Death Eaters!"
"I have already questioned them under Veritaserum, Cornelius." Dumbledore reminded the somewhat smug minister. "We are here now to correct this. They are obviously alive, and for some reason we've been told otherwise. And they've been lied to about their son. If you interfere with them getting custody of Harry Potter then I will personally take it to the Wizardmort"
"In order to place Harry Potter into they're care we need to prove they are who they claim to be." Fudge said with a fake smile to Dumbledore, "We shall question them under Veritaserum ourselves"
"Fine", James spoke up, still angry, "If it gets us Harry back that's fine. But know this, I will find out why we were lied to."
Fudge was unable to hide the anger he felt, but he managed not to say anything. "Come with me." He said briskly as he walked out the door to the Auror department.
Dumbledore and McGonagall watched as Lily and James were questioned under Veritaserum by Fudge and his Aurors. He knew Fudge knew they were the Potters. He also knew that Fudge was trying to cover himself by finding some fault in their story. Unfortunately the only thing that really worked against Lily and James was them leaving the Wizarding world after the attack at Godrics Hollow. Dumbledore also knew that there would be a large uproar should Lily and James decide to go after the minister for the lies that were told.
After two hours of questioning Fudge finally relented that Lily and James were who they said they were.
Sitting around Fudges office they were discussing what would happen from here.
"When can we get Harry?" James asked.
"As soon as the ministry can get the papers filed. I'd say a week and a half, two weeks at the most. We will be notifying the Wizarding world that you are alive in tomorrow's paper"
"What are you going to tell them?" James asked somewhat bitterly.
"That there was a mistake", Fudge replied looking a little flustered.
"So you're just going to make up a story about your mistake?" Lily asked emphasizing the word 'mistake.'
"It was an honest mistake", Fudge said sneering a little at Lily.
"Sure it was", James said bitterness leaking through heavily, "Right now all we want is our son back."
"You have to sign this," Fudge said as he thrust a paper at them.
James examined the paper with Lily reading over his shoulder curiously, "A confidential agreement?" Lily asked her anger flaring.
"Yes, you must understand", Fudge said puffing his chest indignantly, "We don't want the Wizarding community to have an uproar over this. We need to keep the peace. That", He motioned toward the paper still in James' hands, "Will insure you don't say anything"
"And if we decided to speak?" Lily asked her emerald eyes flashing defiantly.
Fudge smirked. "If you do speak about this then I can find you as unfit to be parents."
Lily and James gaped in shock at the minister. He was black mailing them, "I'm going to speak with my wife for a moment", James finally said in a deadly quiet voice. It was obvious he was angry. Very angry.
"Can he do that?" Lily asked. Her husband was well aware of the laws in the Wizarding world because of his time as an Auror.
James nodded solemnly his eyes blazing, "Yes unfortunately"
"We need to get Harry back", Lily hissed, "I don't care at the moment. I won't talk about what happened, even if Pudgy Fudge does deserve to be questioned for his lies"
James nodded in agreement. He could tell Lily was beginning to get hysterical. It was a lot to go through. Learning your son was still alive, the Wizarding world had been lied to, they had been lied to, and Fudge had the gall to black mail them. Now, the prospect of possibly loosing Harry again would be too much.
Back in the office James placed his arm around his wife's wait in order to keep her calm as well as keep her from attacking the minister, "Fine. We'll go with this. I'll sign that", He spat motioning to the paper on the desk, "But don't mess with us further, or I will inform the Wizarding community of your mistake" He spat, "I'll even take it to the Wizardmont"
Fudge blustered but realized that was as much as he was going to get.
After signing the document James asked, "When can we retrieve Harry?"
"I will contact you when everything is approved", Fudge said smiling bogusly.
"Who will tell Harry about our being alive?" Lily asked.
"You can do that when you get him", Minister Fudge said arrogantly.
"Why did you imprison Sirius?" James asked. "He was not the secret keeper! He didn't betray us"
Fudge blanched, "All evidence proved he did"
"I'm telling you now", James said coldly, "He was not our secret keeper. Therefore he was not the one who you should have arrested. Pettigrew", James spat the name angrily. Had Peter not betrayed them they wouldn't be going through this now, "Was our secret keeper"
"Be that as it may", Fudge said collecting himself, "Black is still responsible of the murders of twelve Muggles; unless you can prove differently", Fudge sneered.
James saw no way he could do that. He knew Sirius was not responsible for the twelve Muggles deaths, that had to be Peter, but he had no way of proving it at the moment."
"Is that all?" Fudge asked knowing James nor Lily could help Black out of Azkaban.
James nodded and without any reply turned with Lily and left the room followed by Dumbledore and McGonagall.
"Thank you Dumbledore", James said somewhat tersely. He was still angry at the whole situation.
Dumbledore seemed to understand because he nodded. "I've set this portkey to your home. I'll see you again later this week, if you don't mind my stopping by that is"
Lily smiled a little stained, "Of course not headmaster. Good night"
"Good night, child", Dumbledore said smiling.
With that Lily and James felt the familiar tug at their navel and appeared in their home to their children to tell them that Harry was definably alive. Terri will be so happy her twin is alive…
Author's Note: What do you think? Please review and I'll update as soon as possible:)