Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter. Seriously, I don't.
A/N: Hey, so here's the next chapter! It's up sooner than I expected, which I'm honestly thrilled about. If you guys like this fic, I posted the first chapter of another one called: Loophole? Yes, Please.
Check it out, and let me know what you think!
I can't believe how many of you there are! You're all just freaking fantastic! If you have a question let me know, I check my reviews all the time so I'll let you know, or just shoot me a message.
For those of you that let me know that the poll wasn't up yet on my profile, it is now. As it stands, from reviews, we are currently at:
Pettigrew: 4
Greyback: 3
Malfoy: 2
Nott Sr:1
For those of you that gave more than one answer, I basically counted a vote for the ones you seemed to be leaning towards the most. Keep voting, and let me know what you think!
Chapter 9:
Previously:
A cheeky voice pops in at this moment, saying "You're only as mad as I am Paddy, relax!"
This prompts Lily to slap her husband upside the head, the only proper response for him saying such a thing at this moment, before looking concerned and following James to Sirius bedside.
Remus simply wants to bang his head against a wall, preferably a very hard one or one with sharp spikes. Its only moments later, after Sirius simply mumbles "I'm mad… only explanation…" that the Animagus passes out, falling backwards onto his bed, causing Remus to turn a harsh glare on James. James just smile sheepishly, while inching away from Lily's twitching wand hand.
"I swear, I really did not mean to do that."
Currently:
It's all Lily can do to resist hexing her husband at the moment. From the way he inched away, she can guess that he realizes this. Taking a calming breath, she walks over to the bed containing a man she loves like a brother. Deciding to ignore her husband for now, she turns to Remus.
"How is he? Really?" she asks, attempting to keep the anxiety out of her wavering voice.
Remus sighs, running a hand over his face. "He's acting like he's fine, but, that's what he does. I think it'll take a while before what happened hits him. All we can really do is be patient for right now."
Having gathered courage, James is now standing next to Lily, still afraid of her but not wanting to be too far away from her either. "We'll have to keep a close eye on him… We don't want a repeat of the Shrieking Shack."
They all wince slightly at the reminder. After Sirius had shown up at James house bloody and shaking Christmas break of sixth year, they had all expected him to blow up or break down as soon as he was able to. Unfortunately it wasn't until later that year when Snape decided to taunt Sirius about his family that it all came to a head. Sirius all common sense desert him, and Snape payed the price for it.
"Yes, well, I would really rather it not come to that again." Lily says, a note of worry shining through in her voice.
"We won't let it" James soothes, gripping her hand and looking her straight in her eyes. After a few moments of them simply gazing at each other, Remus pointedly clears his throat, causing both to blush and turn away as if they were still in school being scolded by McGonagall. Although, with the look Remus was giving them the comparison may not be far off.
"Where were you both earlier? I rather expected it to be impossible to separate you from Harry so soon." Remus inquires, curiousity in his eyes.
"We had to stop my parents from doing something stupid" Lily grumbles, arms crossing as she remembers.
Flashback:
After they had all moved into the warm living room, serious discussions began, loathe though they were to do anything but bask in the contentment of being in one another's company again. It was Lily who brought up the first topic of discussion, asking her parents if they would really destroy the Stone. It was James who came up with the idea of securing the stone under blood wards and a Fidelius, something both Flamel's appreciated. It would allow them to keep the stone safe, and remain upon the earth with their children and grandchildren. Nicolas remembers Remus and Sirius, inquiring after them. With a heavy heart, James explains all that the two marauders had been through. They are all silent for a few moments, allowing the news to sink in for the two Flamel's, and providing a moment to grieve for all their friends had endured for James and Lily.
Perenelle is the next to speak up, enquiring after the health of Harry. Sighing, Lily explains how he should be awake sometime today, but they don't know when for sure. Perenelle's eyes fill with tears as she begins to apologize for not being able to raise him. Lily envelops her mother in a hug and calms her saying she knows it wasn't her fault- it was too dangerous. They wouldn't have been able to raise Harry any more than they were able to with herself. Nicolas feels the need to apologize for Petunia, but Lily waves it off. She knows being a squib made Petunia bitter, it wasn't their fault. Leaving them both with the Evan's had truly been the best idea. The Evan's were a long line of squibs, disowned from the House of Black. Although none had shown magical talent in the family for centuries (since both Flamel's were at Hogwarts, in fact), they continued to pass down knowledge of the magical world to help prepare their descendants for what they may face.
After a while longer of catching up and learning what they have missed, Lily and James head back to the Hospital Wing, allowing her parents the privacy and rest that they desired. Both simply concentrating upon the desire to get to know their son, and develop a bond with him, as soon as they can.
Back to the Present:
"Let's just say," Lily begins, "they were dissuaded. I suspect they will stay until they are able to meet Harry, whenever that may be."
Remus nods in acknowledgment, having suspected they would wish to meet their grandson.
After a few beats of silence, all three turn their bodies towards the sound of Madam Pomfrey's office door opening. She bustles over rather quickly, taking a glance at Sirius' sleeping form before looking at James. "Alright, what did you do now?"
Attempting to look innocent, James asks "Why would you think my friend sleeping peacefully is my fault? I'm really hurt Poppy."
Rolling her eyes ever so slightly, the matron responds. "You forget just how long I've known you for. Or do I have to remind you of that incident in your fourth year with the mouse trap and the itching powder?"
James pales as Remus begins to snicker under his breath, and Lily gives him a curious stare. "No, that's fine Poppy. I think I remember that one. Honestly all I did was give him a little bit of a shock Poppy."
Nodding, she begins to run her wand over Sirius. "Well, it wasn't entirely your fault. His magical reserves were low. I suspect he had been using that Animagus form for too long with no way to replenish his core. I suspected he would have gone into magical exhaustion soon anyways. I was planning on giving him dreamless sleep to help him recover, but it might be best to just let him wake up naturally. I don't expect him to wake until nightfall anyways."
All three bedside occupants nod, and James looks slightly relieved that he did not actually cause this to happen. "Call me out if there are any changes, but I doubt that will happen."
They all nod dutifully again. Satisfied, the Medi-Witch heads back to her office, closing the door firmly behind her. The three settle in to talk about nothing, content to simply enjoy one another's company after so long and watch over their loved ones.
Later that same day:
James, Lily, and Remus debate about exactly how awful the existence of the Slug Club is was interrupted by Madam Pomfrey once again leaving her office to check on the occupants of the Hospital Wing. Not saying a word, she moves over to Sirius, once again performing several spells to check his health. Nodding in apparent satisfaction, she moves on to check on Harry without saying a word, vexing the worried visitor's. She repeats the process with Harry, a slightly surprised expression covering her face before quickly smoothing it over. Nodding once more to herself, she summons a Patronus and sends it off before turning to the very impatient family.
"Sirius should be out for another few hours, whereas Mr. Potter is actually rather close to awakening. I have summoned the headmaster, who should be here shortly to explain matters for when Mr. Potter does awake." Holding up her hand to forestall any obvious complaints, she continues on. "I realize that you wish to be the first ones to see your son when he awakes, but seeing as you have been dead for 10 years, I wish to lessen the shock factor in hopes of actually keeping the young man awake" she says, shooting a slight glare at James who had the sense of mind to look, at the very least, sheepish at the reference to the earlier event. "I will pull the curtains between the beds in order to give privacy but ensure you may be close by in the event he wishes to meet you straight away."
Although disgruntled, both James and Lily agree to this, looking slightly despondent as the matron follows through on her word and closes the curtains, cutting off their view of their son.
A few moments after the medi-witch leaves, they hear the Hospital Wing doors open, and someone settle down into a chair near them. James mouths "Dumbledore" to Lily, who nods in agreement. Both settle in to wait, knowing it may be a few minutes, Remus following suit.
(Quoted from the book w/ some changes)
Something gold was glinting just above him. The Snitch! He tried to catch it, but his arms were too heavy.
He blinked. It wasn't the Snitch at all. It was a pair of glasses. How strange.
He blinked again. The smiling face of Albus Dumbledore swam into view above him.
"Good afternoon, Harry," said Dumbledore.
Harry stared at him. Then he remembered: "Sir! The Stone! It was Quirrell! He's got the Stone! Sir, quick-"
"Calm yourself, dear boy, you are a little behind the times," said Dumbledore. "Quirrell does not have the Stone."
"Then who does? Sir, I-"
"Harry, please relax, or Madam Pomfrey will have me thrown out."
Harry swallowed and looked around him. He realized he must be in the hospital wing. He was lying in a bed with white linen sheets, and next to him was a table piled high with what looked like half the candy shop. On the other side of that table, curtains were drawn, obviously giving some other occupant privacy.
"Tokens from your friends and admirers," said Dumbledore, beaming. "What happened down in the dungeons between you and Professor Quirrell is a complete secret, so, naturally, the whole school knows. I believe your friends Misters Fred and George Weasley were responsible for trying to send you a toilet seat. No doubt they thought it would amuse you. Madam Pomfrey, however, felt I might not be very hygienic, and confiscated it."
"How long have I been in here?"
"Two days. Mr. Ronald Weasley and Miss Granger will be most relieved you have come around, they have been extremely worried. As well as a few people I don't think you have had the pleasure of being introduced to."
"But sir, the Stone-"
"I see you are not to be distracted. Very well, the Stone. Professor Quirrell did not manage to take it from you. I arrived in time to prevent that, although you were doing very well on your own, I must say."
"You got there? You got Hermione's owl?"
"We must have crossed in midair. No sooner had I reached London than it became clear to me that the place I should be was the one I had just left. I arrived just in time to pull Quirrell off you-"
"It was you."
"I feared I might be too late."
"You nearly were, I couldn't have kept him off the Stone much longer-"
"Not the Stone, boy, you- the effort involved nearly killed you. For one terrible moment there, I was afraid it had. As for the Stone, I believe its owners have found a much more secure place for it. It was to be destroyed, but I believe their family persuaded them otherwise."
"Destroyed?" said Harry blankly. "But your friend- Nicolas Flamel-"
"Oh, you know about Nicolas?" said Dumbledore, sounding quite delighted. "You did do the thing properly, didn't you? Well, Nicolas and I have had a little chat,one his daughter and son-in-law were only too happy to join in on. I believe, had they not talked to him Nicolas and his wife, Pernelle, would have died rather than allow someone else to possibly injured. However, family is a powerful motivating factor."
"But that means he and his wife would die, wouldn't it?"
"They wouldhave hadenough Elixir stored to set their affairs in order, and then, yes, they would have died."
Dumbledore smiled at the look of amazement on Harry's face.
"To one as young as you, I'm sure it seems incredible, but to Nicolas and Perenelle, it really is like going to bed after a very, very long day. I believe not having their family until very recently had taken its toll. They were prepared to join them in the next life very shortly I believe. After all, to the well-organized mind, death is but the next great adventure. You know, the Stone is really not such a wonderful thing. As much money as you could want! The two things most human beings would choose above all- the trouble is, humans do have a knack of choosing precisely those things that are worst for them."
Harry lay there, lost for words. Dumbledore hummed a little and smiled at the ceiling.
"Sir?" said Harry. "I've been thinking… Sir-even if the Stone was gone, Vol-, I mean, You-Know-Who-"
"Call him Voldemort, Harry. Always us the proper name for things. Fear of a name increases fear of the thing itself."
"Yes, sir. Well, Voldemort's going to try other ways of coming back, isn't he? I mean, he hasn't gone, has he?"
"No, Harry, he has not. He is still out there somewhere, perhaps looking for another body to share… not being truly alive, he cannot be killed. He left Quirrell to die; he shows just as little mercy to his followers as his enemies. Nevertheless, Harry, while you may only have delayed his return to power, it will merely take someone else who is prepared to fight what seems a losing battle next time- and if he is delayed again, and again, why, he may never return to power."
Harry nodded, but stopped quickly, because it made his head hurt. Then he said, "Sir, there are some other things I'd like to know, if you can tell me… things I want to know the truth about..."
"The truth." Dumbledore sighed. "It is a beautiful and terrible thing, and should therefore be treated with great caution. However, I shall answer your questions unless I have a very good reason not to, in which case I beg you'll forgive me. I shall not, of course, lie."
"Well… Voldemort said that he only killed my mother because she tried to stop him from killing me. But why would he want to kill me in the first place?"
Dumbledore sighed very deeply this time.
"Alas, the first thing you ask me, I cannot tell you. Not today. Not now. You will know, one day… put it from your mind for now, Harry. When you are older… I know you hate to hear this… when you are ready, you will know."
And Harry knew it would be no good to argue.
"But why couldn't Quirrell touch me?"
"Your mother and father died to save you. If there is one thing Voldemort cannot understand, it is love. He didn't realize that love as powerful as your parent's for you leaves its own mark. Not a scar, no visible sign… to have been loved so deeply, even though the person who loved us is gone, will give us some protection forever. It is in your very skin. Quirrell, full of hatred, greed, and ambition, sharing his soul with Voldemort, could not touch you for this reason. It was agony to touch a person marked by something so good."
Dumbledore now became very interested in a bird out on the windowsill, which gave Harry time to dry his eyes on the sheet.
"Alas Harry I believe there is something else you should know," Dumbledore continued on.
"What is that sir?" Harry asked, curiosity sparking in his drying eyes.
"Well I believe it would make sense to you, to assume your parents had no desire to leave you, am I correct?"
Wordlessly, Harry nodded his head.
"Well it so happens that they knew it was a possibility. However, both realized that it was quite possible that their deaths would not mean Voldemort's demise, either."
"Sir, what are you trying to say?" Harry asked, a confused expression on his face.
"Harry your parents utilized that very stone you saved tonight, in order to save you. However, your mother and father were not two of my brightest students for no reason. You see, the ritual they did to save you, they managed to build a failsafe in. In the even that you were ever to come up against the one that caused their deaths, you would be protected."
"Sir, you already told me this. It's what saved me from Quirrell, isn't it?"
"Ah, yes Harry it is. But there was more to that ritual than the protection that runs through your veins. Harry, when you faced Voldemort the other night, when that protection activated, it brought back the protector themselves."
"Sir, I'm not quite sure I understand. You told me no spell can bring back the dead, and that's what you're talking about, right? My parents being alive?"
"I apologize if it seems as if I mislead you, Harry. The ritual they did was very risky. While they knew that you would survive, they did not know if they would ever be able to come back to you. I did not wish to mention this, in case it did not happen. I also did not wish you to seek out harm."
"Sir, my parents, they… Do they know what happened? Do they want to see me?"
"Ah, Harry. I believe that they want to see you more than you know. Every moment they could, they have been by your bedside, waiting for you to wake up. The only reason they are not here right now, is it was decided that you may take things better if someone else explained things to you."
"And it's really them?" Harry asked nervously. His hesitancy was understandable. The poor boy had gone a decade without his parents, with hardly any memory of them. To simply find out that they are alive and waiting to meet him, well, it would be overwhelming to say the least.
"Would you like to meet them my boy?" Dumbledore asks softly.
Slowly, Harry nods. Albus flicks his wand, and the curtain at the next bed over moves away. On the bed is a black haired, rather gaunt and pale looking man, who is, for some strange reason, chained to another man sitting in the visitor's chair. This man has golden brown hair, and warm amber eyes. Standing right where the curtain had just been, is a man and a woman. Both are facing Harry's bed, with anxious, longing expressions on their faces. The women has long, wavy, auburn red hair, with the same emerald green eyes that he sees in the mirror each time he looks. The man, Harry thinks, simply looks like a grown-up version of himself, which is slightly disturbing. The main differences are the warm hazel eyes that gaze at Harry, and the absence of the famed lightning bolt scar.
Harry knows who they are. He gazed at their images in the Mirror of Erised long enough to know. These are his parents.
Dumbledore discreetly moves to the next bedside and once again draws the curtains, allowing the family some measure of privacy.
"Mum? Dad?" Harry manages to choke out, still staring in slight disbelief at the people in front of him. These are his parents. The thing he wants most, his family, and they are standing right in front of him. It seem too good to be true.
"Oh, Harry." Lily says, moving towards his bedside, and pulling her husband, who seems to be in shock, along with her.
"Hey, kiddo," James says, his voice cracking slightly, and eyes suspiciously shiny.
Not pausing to think about it, Harry pulls them both into a hug. Enveloped in warmth and an indescribable feeling, Harry thinks to himself, 'I suppose, this is finally what it's like to get a hug from my parents.'
So! Here it is! Harry is awake, and we have the first bit of him with his parents. No, it won't be all smooth sailing. As one amazing reviewer pointed out, he doesn't actually know them. They don't actually know him either. It will be rough at times, and no, it won't be perfect, because that's not realistic. But all of them, Harry, Lily, James, Sirius, and Remus, will be a family, and each has a role to play.
Also, to preemptively answer a question someone might pose- Why is Harry waking up so much sooner? In canon he was out for three days, yes I know this. The fact is it was taking much too long for him to wake up. Also, the bond between him and his parents may have something to do with it. So, I suppose my official answer is that James and Lily coming back strengthened him, and made it so he needs less recovery time.
Also, the flashback to the time with the Flamel's/Lily's parents- I kinda took the lazy way out in writing it because it was taking forever, and that's what was truly holding me back on writing this chapter. I figured it was more important for you to know what happened than have a super detailed narration of it. I may eventually go back and replace it with a full scene, but, I don't have any plans to do so at this moment.
News:
My wonderful sister has another new fic- I may be slightly obsessed.
(She's Mia-Marauder-Potter on here)
Newest chapter of "A Marauder Hopeful and His Most Logical Friend" has yours truly as an OC (Jess) and my sister is Kat. She has truly nailed us perfectly, and the stuff for her new chapter looks absolutely fantastic. I think you'll like it.
Okay, I'll stop bragging now, promise! (At least for this chapter, that is)
Review! Please please review! I love hearing from you all!
