Title: To Rise Again

Rating: K+…just to be safe!

Author: Ashley Graham

Full Summary: Harry believes himself to be very alone, with Albus Dumbledore and Sirius dead, but all this changes when nothing short of a miracle happens. James Potter never died that Halloween night (you'll see why), and he's going to protect his son as he attempts to vanquish the dark lord once and for all, even if he goes back to the grave doing it.

Category: Action/Adventure/Angst

Author Note: Sorry for the long wait everyone. Advice is gladly welcomed, it may help me avoid impending writers block. At least they meet in this chapter…I hope it was worth the wait…


To Rise Again

Chapter 6- Together At Last

James woke up very suddenly, and it took him a moment to realize why. As soon as he remembered that today he would meet his son, he sprang out of bed, took a quick shower, got dressed into a fresh pair of robes that Remus had picked up for him the day before, and hurried down to the kitchen, his hair still tangled and dripping.

Remus was already up, and was attempting to read the Daily Prophet, it was very clear however, that he was having a very hard time concentrating. The egg he was attempting to pick up with his fork kept missing his mouth.

After fixing his crooked glasses, James glanced over at the grandfather clock, it read 11am, his restless night had caused him to sleep in very late.

"When do we leave?"

Remus smiled tiredly, but his eyes showed that he was excited and nervous. "In about 45 minutes I will go and get everyone assembled, then I will come back for you, and you can wait outside the living room door, until I indicate to you to come in…and try not to jump in there before I'm ready. It's critical that I explain everything before you waltz in and announce yourself undead."

James agreed with a nod, the last thing he wanted was for his old co-workers to blast him into a million pieces.

"Get something to eat; you are going to need the energy." Remus added after a few more minutes of chewing and swallowing.

Striding over to the counter, James piled bacon, toast, hash browns and eggs onto his plate. Remus quirked an eyebrow as the man shoveled the food into his mouth.

"Harry has better table manners than you do."

"I 'ill jus' haf tooo fix at." James attempted to say with his mouth full. Seeing Remus's face however, he swallowed the food and repeated, "I will just have to fix that."

Remus laughed softly and shook his head.

The Burrow

Harry sprang off of his Firebolt as he smoothly landed on the ground. Ron and Hermione had already gone inside to get a drink and cool off, but he had still wanted to feel the wind on his face for a little while longer.

Since he had slept for the better part of the day yesterday, he had gotten up very early this morning and was full of energy.

It was close to the meeting however, so he figured he had better go in and see who had showed up for it. Flying was the only thing that kept his curiosity at bay. He carefully stored his broom in the storage shed before crossing the yard and entering the house.

He found Ron and Hermione sitting at the kitchen table, eating Harry's leftover birthday cake (chocolate) and arguing about the topic of the meeting.

"What do you think, Harry?" Hermione asked the minute he sat down, with a huge chunk of cake in tow.

"Well it can't be about yesterday, Lupin asked Ron's dad before I told everyone about the horcruxes…" He said as he took a bite of the tasty cake.

"I think it's for the three of us, maybe they hold some meeting before we become official members of the order." Ron said, his eyes shining with excitement.

Hermione shot that idea down quickly, however. "There was no meeting for Fred and George, and you're mum seemed really surprised when your dad told her. It has to be something to do with Voldemort, or Snape."

Ron shuddered at the dark lords' name, but didn't say anything.

Harry felt his blood boil at the mention of Snape, but said nothing and tried to remain passive.

Hermione and Ron were just about to get into another heated argument when Tonks strode into the room, her hair long, curly and turquoise. It was a nice change from bubblegum pink.

"Hey Tonk's!" Harry said cheerfully, extremely relieved that he wouldn't be caught between Ron and Hermione again, he was getting tired of their arguing.

"Wotcher, Harry." Tonks winked as she sat down.

"How are things with you and Lupin?" Hermione asked politely.

Tonks grinned as she said; "We're doing just fine, both of us our busy though. I'll be happy when this whole war is over and done with."

The three teens said nothing to this comment, knowing that Harry could very well be dead by that time. Any of them could, really.

Ironically, Lupin suddenly appeared in the kitchen with a tiny pop. He was carrying a stack of parchment, and he was pale and sweaty.

Tonks sprang to her feet, and offered to help him. He leapt back however, and said no thanks, that she wasn't allowed to see just yet. "Is everyone here?" He asked her anxiously.

"Yup, Shacklebolt just arrived." Tonks smiled widely.

"Right, you four go and sit in the living area then, I'll be along in a moment, make sure no one is lagging behind…" Lupin replied, still looking very distracted.

Tonks smile faded a little, but she still maintained her happy bounce as she ushered the three teens away from their cake, and into the living room. As Harry was pushed out the door, he couldn't help but wonder why his former professor kept looking at him nervously.

It was still bugging him as he took a seat, but he was quickly distracted as soon as he noticed all the people in the room. His own bout of nerves set in as he realized that he was going to have to get up and talk.

Hagrid gave him a reassuring, but confused smile from the other side of the room. He was standing because his weight could not be supported by the chairs Mrs. Weasley had set up. Harry had not seen the half giant since Dumbledore's funeral, and was relieved to see that Hagrid seemed to be maintaining his sanity.

Headmistress Minivera McGonagall gave him a curt nod. It still seemed out of place that Dumbledore was not there to complete the room as the Headmaster.

As soon as everyone was comfortable and sitting, so that there was a big space in the middle of the circle, everyone fell silent. Waiting for Lupin to come in with whatever news he had. Some of the members looked curious, some bored, and others angry for having to abandon their important duties when it simply could have been passed on to them later. There had never been a meeting in which everyone had had to come before.

Harry busied himself by playing with his wand; Hermione and Ron were talking to each other quietly. Mrs. Weasley, who sat behind them, seemed to be still upset about what Harry had revealed to the family the night before.

Ginny gave him a long, hard look as she passed him to take her seat, it seemed that she had exchanged her worry for Harry to being angry with him.

Meanwhile…

Remus and James stood just inside the doorway of the Burrow, both of them looking pale and nervous.

"Alright, I'll call to you when it's time…until then, just stand outside the door and be quiet, okay?"

James nodded, he felt like he was going to be sick from nerves.

"Okay, let's do this. You ready?"

James nodded again, and took his place behind the living room door. Remus gave him one more reassuring smile before opening the door, slipping through, and shutting it again.

The black haired man pressed his ear up against the wood, straining to hear. His legs trembling so badly that it took all he had to stay on his feet.

The Meeting

Remus walked directly into the middle of the room, trying to calm his trembling figure. He was not nervous from speaking to all these people, he knew most of them, and got along well with all, he was nervous about what they would think of what he was about to say.

"Remus, I'm sure that we are all curious as to why this meeting has been called." The headmistress stated, clearly just as stupefied as the others, and wanting to get straight to the point.

Remus took a big breath, and began. "Something happened on Harry's birthday, something that no one ever thought possible…it really is some sort of miracle." As he said this, he began to distribute the papers he had with his wand.

Minivera read the parchment, her eyes shining with curiosity.

The Hibernating Spell

A spell in which the victim will fall into a sort of dead but alive state. The spell freezes the body, like the freezing of time, giving the victim a look non other than a deceased person. The body does not age, or require nutrients of any kind. A very complex spell which is illegal in Britain and one which only an extremely dark wizard could conjure. This spell can only be lifted by its creator. If perhaps the creator is injured or weakened after casting the spell, it will be and can only be lifted once the creator has gained the exact amount of strength he or she had at such a time as it was placed. If the creator dies, so does the victim under the spell.

Most looked even more confused after reading the parchment, and looked at Remus, waiting for him to say something. He remained silent, however, waiting for some sort of understanding to dawn on their faces.

Predictably, Hermione and the headmistress were the first to clue in. He knew this only because they both looked straight at the still confused Harry.

"Remus, does this mean what I think it means?" Minivera asked in a curt tone, averting her gaze from Harry to the older man.

"Impossible…" Hermione whispered, "No way, how could no one have known…?"

"Like I said, it is a miracle."

"What a minute here, what exactly are you talking about? What's a miracle?" Harry asked loudly, not liking how he didn't know what was going on. Many other people in the room started to complain for an explanation as well.

"James Potter, Harry's very father, is not dead. He has been a victim of this curse for the past 16 years of his life. It is my belief that Voldemort thought he could break his spirit and make him a death eater, after losing both his wife and son." Remus said, and immediately the room exploded with talk.

Harry felt his head swim at the words…how was it possible? He thought in his daze. No, he's dead…this is some sort of nightmare…

"Remus, where is he?"

"He is here, waiting to see his son." Remus replied to McGonagall, taking a step towards the Potter boy, and placing a hand on his shoulder. "Harry, this is no cruel joke. Your dad was put under this curse for 16 years; he is not a death eater in disguise, you know I would not lie to you."

He then turned to the group, "I'm going to call him in, please believe me, don't shoot some curse at him, what I am saying is completely true." Remus than walked to the door and opened it.

James walked in slowly, his legs trembling with anticipation and worry. He scanned the faces as he entered the room, recognizing some, not knowing others. However, the only person he was looking for was his son, no one else currently mattered.

Mrs. Weasley let out a little scream; some others imitated this, but most just gaped at the man in shock.

Harry looked straight into his father's eyes. Green met brown, for the first time in 16 years.

Oh, my god…he has Lily's eyes…oh my god! Remus wasn't lying…besides the eyes, you can barely tell us apart! James thought in amazement, trying very hard not to cry.

Harry stood up on trembling legs, with his two best friends beside him, and felt a wave of nausea come over him; he couldn't stop himself from passing out in complete shock and dismay.

"Harry!" Many people in the room cried, including his father, who rushed to his side as Ron lay him down on the carpet, his own face pale with shock. If James had of being paying attention to the people around them, he would've noticed that many were in tears of happiness, whilst others still looked suspicious.

The father role seemed to come instinctively; James immediately pushed up his sons bangs, and felt his forehead, completely ignoring the lightening bolt scar. It felt normal. Must just be the shock…

"Everyone calm down! Harry has passed out; indeed, most of us would if our dead fathers just walked into the room one day! Mr. Weasley, Miss. Granger, bring him upstairs to rest, we must discuss this miracle, and the new dangers we now face. The celebrations will be later." McGonagall said sharply, blinking her eyes rapidly so that the tears would not show.

Hermione immediately cast a levitation spell and the two carefully brought Harry out of the crowded room, both looking behind their shoulders at James, who still sat on the floor, staring at Harry.

James wanted very badly to go with them, but new he had to stay and talk…he clearly could not speak to his son at the moment anyway.

It took a while for the room to get organized again, for many people could not contain themselves, and embraced James with complete and utter joy. Eventually though, long after Hermione and Ron had come back downstairs, the explanations began, with James sitting in between a still balling Molly and a very nervous looking wizard who seemed humbled to be sitting beside the legendary man.

He told them all he could remember from that Halloween night almost 16 years before, with Remus helping him by explaining how he had discovered James was alive.

When the two were done their explanations, no one new what to say, the room was silent.

"Mr. Potter, I daresay that we have all missed you very much, I myself am very happy about this, I only wish that Albus were here as well…"

James flashed a grin at his old transfiguration teacher, attempting to lighten the mood slightly; he was never so good at showing his feelings…only to Lily. The thought of his deceased wife caused his face to tighten, but he maintained his current expression.

"James must be brought up to speed on all the happenings of the Order, including all the stuff that happened after we thought him dead." Mr. Weasley said. Everyone in the room agreed with this.

"Before that, however, I think that Mr. Potter should go and be with his boy." Moody growled from the corner, "He can be brought up to date as time progresses, he probably won't have much time to spend with him…plus, we have to decide if we're going to keep him in hiding, so that the press doesn't get wind of this and Voldemort finds out. The last thing we need is the Dark Lord to intensify his search for our headquarters."

"He already knows…" Harry said quietly from the doorway, his face was ashen and his clothes wrinkled. He quickly walked into the room, his eyes never leaving his fathers, he circled around his dad and stood by Ron, looking unsure of the man before him.

"What?" Tonks questioned, bemused.

"I had another vision; Voldemort was in it…so was he." Harry said, pointing at his dad.

"What happened in it?" Hermione asked, her voice was squeaky from all the drama that had unfolded so far.

"Wormtail…"

"Yes, my master?"

"I have just received some very disturbing news about an old friend of yours…" Voldemort hissed from under his cloak.

"W-which friend?" Wormtail stuttered as he stumbled to his feet.

"James Potter…he has presumably risen from the dead…his grave is now empty. I thought that when I lost my powers he had died under that curse, but then again I was young and foolish…and did not know much about such dark magic…"

"M-master, may I ask…what are you going to do?"

"He must be killed, of course…or perhaps, he can be used…"

All of a sudden Voldemort turned from Wormtail, and was looking directly at Harry. "Mr. Potter, perhaps you should rethink not telling me the prophecy…I just may have to use other forms of torture…"

Harry instantly new what that meant as a cold chill when down his spine, Voldemort was going to use his father to get to him…just like how he used Sirius.

"Then he used cruciatus on me, and I woke up." Harry explained to the room, trying very hard to ignore his dad.

James frowned, for he had not been told by Remus that Harry had visions about Tom Riddle.

"Are you sure it wasn't just a dream, mate?" Ron asked unsurely.

"Was it just a dream when your dad was attacked?" Harry replied stubbornly.

The red head immediately fell silent.

"There is no point in keeping this secret if the dark lord already knows, I will inform the Ministry of Magic right away, perhaps the Minister can offer up some more protection, there is much to be done, so if there is nothing more to discuss, I believe this meeting should be called to a close." McGonagall stated.

James frowned, for he had not been told by Remus that Harry had visions about Tom Riddle.

All of the Weasley's looked at Harry expectantly. The teen sighed; this was going to be much harder now that his back from the dead father was sitting in the room. "There is something that I need to tell you all, and this must remain secret, if Voldemort finds out there is no way its going to work."

"Go on, Harry." The headmistress said, knowing at once that the green eyed boy was going to tell them all about Dumbledore's mission for him.

Harry quickly explained the secret training he had been receiving from Dumbledore last year, including the memories of Tom Riddle, the horcruxes, and his and Dumbledore's final trip together…to the cave. Instead of trying to avoid Ginny's eyes this time, he was trying to avoid his fathers, which was very hard because he felt as if he needed to look at him to insure that he was real.

Harry carried on, "I am the only person that can kill Voldemort, no matter how hard you all try, this is my destiny. There was a prophecy…made by a witch, Voldemort either has to kill me, or I have to kill him. There is no other way…if I die; Voldemort will have nothing in his way to stop him…that's why I need to go and destroy these pieces of Voldemort's soul, you can't just Avada Kedevra him and that's it."

McGonagall's lips had gone so thin that it didn't even look like she had any, and the room was extremely tense. "When do you plan on beginning your search?"

"Well, it'll take a lot of research to find one…and then I have to go and get it, and figure out how to destroy it…they could be anywhere in Britain, maybe in other countries."

"We will help you in any way we can, do not hesitate. Now, go and spend some time with your dad, enjoy this miracle while there is still time. Go to Hogwarts, even though it is shut down, it is still well guarded, and aurors will be placed around its perimeters as well. You can spend the night and all meals will be provided for you in the guest quarters."

Harry was hesitant about spending time alone with the man he had only met hours ago, and had passed out in front of, but he knew not to argue, not only because it would piss the professor off, but because it would probably hurt his dad tremendously. He went upstairs without a word to grab a few things.

"James, I will send someone to Diagon Alley to get you some new robes, and some muggle clothes as well. A piece of advice, he is a grown man now, capable of making his own decisions, and you must not treat him like a child…however hard that may be. You are like a stranger to him, try being his friend before his dad." McGonagall said seriously, although inside she was so happy for the two that she could burst.

Harry was soon downstairs again. The meeting had been dismissed, and he was saying goodbye to the Weasley family, Professor Lupin and Tonks.

Ginny seemed to have put what happened yesterday in the back of her head, for she smile brightly at him, extremely happy that he had finally gotten the dad he had always wanted.

"Harry, we'll start looking at some books concerning the horcruxes while you're gone…don't even think about Voldemort while you're at Hogwarts…your dad is alive, so enjoy it for a while, okay?" Hermione whispered.

Harry new it would be hard to stop thinking about what was happening in the real word for a few days, with all those innocent people dying and him doing nothing about it, but he also new that this would probably be the only real, quality time he was going to be able to talk to and spend with his dad, before the war hit full force. Hell, he or his dad could end up dead after it was over, or before.

So Harry nodded his head, mumbled good-bye, and stepped towards the old rubber ball that was sitting on the coffee table, it was a portkey. Both he and James looked at each other unsurely before grasping either end of it.

As Harry felt the familiar jerk above his navel, the last thing he heard was Tonks yelling, "HAVE FUN YOU TWO!" as he and his father banged into each other, the wind messing up their already flyaway hair.


TBC