AN/: Usual disclaimer and Dumbledore is not dead in this story and Horcruxes aren't really focused on at all. I also changed Lucius Malfoy's age, hope you don't mind! NOT SLASH.

Stand Afar or Take a Chance

By So Yun

Part two, Section II

Part of me, Part of you

I used to be a little boy.
So old in my shoes.
And what I choose is my choice,
What's a boy supposed to do?
The killer in me is the killer in you,
My love.
I send this smile over to you-Disarm, Smashing Pumpkins.

"Padfoot, if you were tortured within inches of your life the night before, you would probably look like that too,"

"Oh shut up Moony. You know what I mean, yes I feel sorry for the kid, and I do. But we can't trust him,"

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June 1976

Julian dropped his trunk at the steps of a gigantic staircase, his jaw dropped. He was broken out of his stupor as James clapped him on the back and Sirius's bark of laughter echoed the huge entry hall.

They quietened when two middle aged people came down the stairs. One was a beautiful blonde haired lady, sparkling blue eyes alight as she caught site of the boys. The other was a handsome man, almost the carbon copy of both Harry and James.

Julian looked up at his future Grandparents. They still seemed a little fuzzy, him not having his glasses because they had gone missing during his time travel; but somehow he still managed.

The lady walked over to James and pulled him into a soft, gentle hug, kissing his forehead fondly.

"Ah James, so lovely to have you home my darling boy,"

James smiled up at his mother and kissed her on the cheek, "Glad to be home Mother. I missed the manor, you and father as well."

The lady, presumably Mrs Potter smiled warmly at Sirius and hugged him gently as well; almost as if he were her own. Then she looked at Julian and her smile became wider.

She hurried down the stairs and immediately stopped in front of Julian, "Oh my! You must be Julian! What a handsome young man you are!"

Julian blushed and unconsciously looked down, meanwhile Sirius and James grinned. Mr Potter followed his wife and smiled at the two other boys before shaking Julian's hand.

"We welcome you to our home Mr Knight; you can call me Jacob and my wife Iris,"

"Then I must extend that you call me Julian, Jacob. Thankyou very much for letting me stay with your family."

The two elders nodded warmly at him and suddenly Julian found himself at peace; content. He looked back at his father and godfather who smiled at him before roughly pulling him into a group hug.

The broke apart abruptly then grabbed his robes and dragged him up the stairs. Julian grinned back at his grandparents let himself be spirited away.

He was carted down numerous hallways until he found himself suddenly stopped in front a beautiful oaken door, deep in hue and magnificently large. Julian turned back to James and Sirius, his eyes wide.

They nodded, stifling their laughter and Sirius pushed the door open for him. Julian was rocked out his shock as a ray of sunlight made a shine on his face before James clapped him on the shoulder.

The room was in darkness apart from the little sunlight but Julian could tell it was vast he could make out a huge four poster bed, an unlit fireplace and various furnishings round the room. He stepped into it, the two other teens behind him.

He was startled out of his musings as James pointed his wand at the darkened fire and burst out, "Incendio!"

The fire suddenly became ablaze and the room was bright with light. Julian got a good glimpse of everything and smiled appreciatively at the other boys.

Baby blue and royal blue furnishings and walls, a large blue bed spread and rug, arm chairs by the fire and tapestries covering the walls. He also noticed nearly hidden doors, one of either side of the room.

He looked curiously at them then to James and Sirius; they smirked and went over to each and opened them with a dramatic gesture.

"To ours rooms of course!" Sirius barked and gestured for Julian to enter his.

It was a dark green colour, but some how Sirius had managed to make it look very unslytherin. Julian smiled and nodded before leaving his room and crossing back across his own to see James.

It of course was a deep red and burgundy, just as large as his own; a fire crackling merrily.

But both of the other boys' rooms had colourful animated quidditch posters and personal items.

He looked sadly at his. All his personal items were in the future and he couldn't have been caught dead with them in the past either. All he had was a school trunk, clothes and equipment.

James noticed his looked and immediately unpeeled half of his posters from his walls with his wand and transported them to firmly stick on Julian's walls. Sirius looked sympathetic and did the same.

Soon Julian's room looked quite like their own. James emptied out his wardrobe and moved some things into their guest's room, Sirius, again followed.

Julian watched in awe, not saying anything to stop them because he knew they'd refuse. For once in his life he was seeing his father and godfather in the different light he had grown up hearing about; their kindness.

Once they were finished Julian managed a wide smile then turned around, wiping away his tears. It was all becoming quite overwhelming. They didn't see him, they just clapped him on the back then looked at each other and winked as Julian composed himself.

When he turned around he found them each grasping a broom, James had two. He held one out to Julian, grinning.

Julian frowned a little and accepted, that was when James's grin dropped, "Have you ever flown Jules? I mean did that man ever let you out…."

Julian bit his lip, now here was a problem. He nodded casually and replied, "Yeah, he let me fly a few times. But he bounded me with invisible rope long enough to fly, but so I couldn't escape," Julian winced; he knew it sounded lame but he ran with the lie anyways.

James and Sirius looked grim but brightened as they realized the other teen was watching them.

"Then Jules! Let's go to my quidditch pitch then!"

Julian smiled behind them as they ran ahead, he loved the way his father said his new nickname. The warm smile played on his lips until they were outside, it was then that his jaw dropped.

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Iris and Jacob Potter drank their tea on the outside pavilion overlooking the giant quidditch pitch Jacob had transfigured for his son. They smiled as their two sons, one surrogate and one blood whiz around on their brooms, the new guest, Julian following, his laughter ringing around the vast grounds with theirs.

He had a contented grin upon his lips and twinkling in his eyes, oh how he loved to be able to fly again.

Jacob looked over at his wife, how radiant she still was and smiled; Iris smiled back, sipping her tea.

"What do you think of Julian, darling?" She asked precariously and put her cup down and shaded her face from the sun.

Jacob watched the third teen as he flew wistfully, trailing along behind James. He turned back to his wife, "I like him a lot Iris. He's perfectly mannered and Jamie seems fond of him, like he was his little brother. Have you noticed how similar Jamie and Julian are?"

Iris leaned over the railing to look closer at the whizzing figure. He was leaning low on his Stardust200, the latest range broom that James had them buy for the guest. The boy's ebony hair was unruly from the whipping wind, his beautiful green eyes squinting and his lithe limbs hugging the broom.

She nodded and continued watching her own son and their guest. Their were some subtle similarities, such as the fact James had a handsome, boyish, exuberant looks, but Julian's expression made him look weary, older.

They both frowned, they had heard the whole story from Headmaster Dumbledore, and it seemed they had a weakness for stray puppies.

They would heal this boy; he would become whole and innocent again.

Julian was close to giggling as he hovered in mid air, watching Sirius chase James around the pitch. But they were both steadily getting dizzy as James's tactic was to fly rings around the pitch. Julian could just see the blurs flying around and sat back, unconsciously smiling, in a daze of happiness.

He was so unconsciously glad that he did not notice the blurs flying right at him, Padfoot wouldn't dare follow me, he'd run into Jules. Jules will move of course.

He didn't hear Iris and Jacob's screams from far away, "Julian get out of the way!"

Julian snapped his attention over to the blur coming steadily closer, he attempted to focus but was thrown abruptly of course when the blur slammed into him and he slipped off his broom…

He felt himself falling, wind howling in his ears, blood rushing loudly, and then with a thud, he hit the ground; dazed. He attempted to lift his head up to look around, but it felt like lead and it was as if his mind was swimming in a black ocean.

He was slightly aware of voices, loud, tormenting around him; he wished they would shut up.

He felt something wet seeping through his lips and he badly wanted to brush it away; but again his body felt like lead.

He felt the liquid seep past his lips and drip down his face and under his chin; he almost desperately wished it away. Now it seemed that the world was tilting and it felt suddenly familiar. He became aware of fuzzy images and figures over him and his mind began to shake erratically. That was then his eyelids drooped shut.

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Harry felt his head smash on the cement floor as the Deatheaters released him and he hissed as the pain reverberated through his skull. Mingled laughter echoed around him and he attempted to lift his head, but it felt so heavy…

He gasped in pain as someone sent a stinging hex and it hit him directly in the right ribcage. More chuckling and the circle were closing in; suddenly Harry felt claustrophobic.

Suddenly pain lanced in his left cheekbone as someone sent a cutting hex; he felt the warm liquid seeping through the gash and onto his lips and dribbling down his chin.

He lifted a hand, wanting to wipe it away, but his limbs felt so heavy and he merely rolled his head away to the other side.

Without his glasses the Deatheaters merely looked like black blurs, metallic masks on their faces; peering, staring, taunting.

The next couple of moments were oblivion, countless hexes and curses were used, in the end tears were mingling with the both dried and wet blood marring his skin. They laughed at his tears and Lucius Malfoy even dared to lift one off delicately with his finger.

To Harry's half unconscious shock, he sucked it off, "The taste of innocence. So sweet,"

Then, Harry turned to his side and violently threw up the blood pooling in his stomach. After he had finished there was silence, that was when his scar burst into fire and he screamed.

"He told me he knew how to fly! The bloody idiot! He wouldn't move! It's like he couldn't see me!" James's bellowing voice stirred Julian and he opened his eyes slowly.

Once Julian had fully opened his eyes he found himself in his large bed, buried under his deep blue covers. He wasn't wearing anything but his borrowed boxers and he had a white bandage wrapped around his entire torso and he felt a large lump of bandage on the back of his head, his right arm was also in a sling.

He noticed the still blurry figures of James and what looked like his father, Jacob. He could also see Sirius leaning against the door frame, his arms folded grimly. It reminded Julian of a time he got into trouble for sliding down the banister in Grimmauld place in his fifth year.

He almost smiled, that was until the pain slammed into him and he groaned, leaning back against the headboard.

This made everyone in the room turn to look at him, James was first. He strode over to the bed, clearly furious and immediately grabbed Julian roughly by his upper arm.

"What the hell is wrong with you Jules?!" He nearly screamed in the younger boy's face; Julian flinched. He was aware that James had maintained to use his nickname but that didn't cushion the hurt of the accusation from his father's voice.

Before he could even open his mouth to reply, James was pulled away gently by his father. Julian looked away; his feelings and emotions were mixed.

When he looked back up, Jacob's still youthful face was exasperated as he watched his son storm out of the room. He then turned back to Julian, his face sympathetic.

"I apologise Julian, it's just James was overly worried about you. So much that I fear my son is angry with you, just take it as concern. Now, are you alright?"

Julian swallowed the lump that had formed in his throat and nodded, looking away out the window. He had noticed that Sirius had followed his friend as he had charged out. Even with Jacob's presence, Julian felt alone.

Jacob nodded with a clearing of his throat; he respected Julian's silence before leaving silently and quietly closing the bedroom door with a click. Julian then lent back further in to his covers an analysed the situation that had happened.

It was clearly obvious that he was lacking proper vision without his glasses, but he had no hope in hell of ever finding them. If he did, perchance they would be damaged beyond repair.

Plus he knew, the minute he put glasses on, they would realize the similarities. Now he couldn't do that; the laws of time travelling permitted that he not be recognised by anyone.

He slumped back; he was royally fucked no which way he went. His exhaustion, which thoroughly surprised him in the little time that he had been awake, suddenly overcame him.

He fell back into the lull of sleep, though this time, dark thoughts and memories raiding his mind.

Julian awoke to a shuffling noise around his bed canopy; he opened his eyes slowly and tried to lift his head. He noticed a fuzzy figure shuffling closer to his bed, he noticed blearily, white knuckles clutching his sheets, near his own, motionless hand.

Then, the whispered words that made Julian freeze, "Jules, you awake? I-I need to talk to you,"

It was James. James's lenses glinting in the moonlight, highlighting his hazel eyes; tousled hair silhouetted against the stark light.

Julian nodded dimly, knowing that the older teen would pick up on his minute movements.

The bed dipped with the teen's weight as he sat down, Julian managed to fully open his eyes. As he did he noticed James fumbling with something from his pocket, and before he knew what was happened the other boy had slipped something onto his face.

The suddenly two things happened; everything got clearer and James gasped loudly.

Julian; in essence, Harry stared and James stared back, his mouth agape and his hazel eyes drinking in the completed features of the boy lying there.

James noticed the curves of the boy's cheekbones; so much like Lily Evan's when she had a nonchalant look on her face as she read a book. Also, her eyes so calculating and in depth…just like Julian's.

His thin lips, the bottom poutier than the top, much like his own. And his ebony hair, so much like the messy raven's nests his usually was.

The way the circular rimmed glass framed Julian's eyes and thick lashes. He looked….he looked exactly like himself with subtle difference and such familiarity to Lily Evans.

"Merlin! You…you…you aren't me are you?" James gasped, turning on the bedside light to illuminate the room more. Julian looked over at his side at something then turned back sharply, "No, I'm not. But I'm your son,"

Silence again before James could stop Julian; he had a wand pointing in his face.

James's eyes widened and he had a split second to look at his future son before the glasses were ripped off and Julian had whispered the incantation, "Obliviate!"

Julian took a second to transfigure his glasses into contact lenses; the perfect prescription and put them onto his eyes. In this moment James managed to gather his bearing finally as Julian feigned sleep.

"Jules, you awake? I-I need to talk to you,"

Julian opened his eyes with deliberate slowness, "Y-Yeah James?"

James's expression softened and he let out a deep sigh, "I just want to apologise for my behaviour before. It was unacceptable, I take all responsibility for the accident," He ended it with a small smile, Julian smiled back and nodded.

His secret was safe; for now.

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He opened his eyes. He closed them. He opened them again. They closed again on their own accord.

After numerous tries Harry found himself unwillingly staring at the scene around him. Despite the throbbing he felt in various parts of his body, he felt no pain. But the blood he swam in showed different.

He could tell it was his own blood, draining out of deep gashes and cuts all over his body, damn Lucius and his lovely silver knives.

He felt the sticky residue of the clots dripping off his cheekbone and split lip. He rolled his eyes, imagine if Severus saw him in this predicament; man would probably throw up.

His musings however were interrupted when the door was opened so abruptly that it sent a shiver down Harry's spine; dear Merlin he hoped that Lucius wasn't back to play…

It wasn't; he recognised Severus's combat boots anywhere. He let out a sigh, wincing at the feel of his cheek against the cold, sticky stones.


Sev-Severus, such a pleasure for you to show up," he managed sarcastically, little did he know that not one, but two people had entered the room.

"My my Severus, first name basis now? You must have him completely wrapped around your fingers!" Damn. It was Lucius, again.

Harry harshly chuckled but spat out blood as the blonde aristocrat kicked him, hard in the rubs.

He knew that ever if his mentor was here, no way would he be able to bail him out. He held back a choked sob at his predicament that came out more as a chuckle.

This soon came out as full blown laughter, harsh and rough from screaming too much; even if he had stayed silent until Lucius started using the pain potion slathered knife.

His laughter was interrupted when a knife was rammed in between his ribs, this time, he screamed.

The next few moments was a flurry of sounds, suddenly he felt the knife become dislodged and ripped out of his tender skin, a yelled "Stupefy!", a thump on the ground and harsh panting.

Then someone, pale skinned, hair hanging down knelt down beside him, gently checking his vitals, concern marring his face.

"Severus." Harry managed to breathe this out before he felt his consciousness vanish and someone picked him up gently.

"I'm here Harry."

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TBC…

Just want to say thankyou to the people who have reviewed so far. Means quite a lot to me, I assure you.

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Thanks, till next time. Hopefully in next few weeks.

Yun

P.S: UT readers, update shall be coming soon :)