Remember I don't own anything. Except for Cale. He is mine.
Harry felt himself falling with water rushing around him; he was scared because he couldn't breathe, then suddenly he landed solidly on his feet. Purple was next to him, who only looked at him fondly then looked forward pointedly. But Harry chose this moment to look around; first thing he noticed was a strange creature waiting for something. It was staring at Harrys feet; when he looked down he noticed he was standing in a puddle and next to this puddle what a huge and heavy looking piece of metal. Harry and Purple moved aside and the creature put the metal over the puddle with ease. The dark haired child now looked around the room it was bright and ornate. The ceiling was decorated with the Heart coat of Arms in a pretty pattern of red and black. Someone cleared their voice and Harry looked to the source. He noticed a few people standing, and then was immediately tackled.
"Hello Alyss," Harry muffled hugging her, "Can you please let me go? We just saw each other a second ago." Alyss looked at him and looked ready to cry; Harry was confused at this. Looking closely he noticed she looked older then when he left her in Wonderland. He looked up at his mother and father, they were the same age. Alyss wasn't the only thing different, Harry noticed a boy standing next to his family.
"Harry," Genevieve began, trying to make the boy remain calm, "We are your family, the ones from Wonderland but in this world a couple things happened differently."
"Yes," Nolan began, "The Heart family here is not royalty. But an old magic family, around the time that Voldemort attack you Genevieve had memories. But she was about to find out she was pregnant, with not only Alyss; but Cale here too." He patted the boy on the head who look slightly scared at the moment, "Cale is afraid to approach you, he think you will reject him because he isn't Alyss. This is not like him normally he is running around getting himself into trouble. And Alyss is normally not this forward, but what for you was a few seconds with nine years for her." Harry felt like he would faint, but understood the need for the explanation of Cales existence. Two, Alysses great. He knew he had to deal with the immediate problem, with Cale.
"Come over here Cale, you are just as much my younger sibling than she is." Cale rushed Harry immediately, tackling him just as Alyss did.
"Oh Harry we are so happy!" They chorused, Cale took his spot next to his sister and Harry could tell that except for Cale being a boy; they were identical twins.
"When you didn't arrive when we were seven…" Alyss began, bouncing excitedly.
"We thought you might never arrive." Cale continued.
"Then mum and dad told us that in Wonderland…"
"When we were seven here, you were only eight!"
Harry felt confused at the twin speech and hoped he could catch on soon. Looking back to his side where Purple had been, only to find the creature had disappeared. He looked at his family closely, with the exception of Alyss and Cales (and Cales existence) ages everything was the same. Well, that and his family wasn't royalty.
"What was that creature? The one the cover up the puddle I arrived in." He asked, meeting his fathers watery blue eyes.
"That would be a house elf; there are many other things we have to tell you about the wizarding world." Nolan stated with a smile; "For now there are two things I want to tell you before you go and take your nap." He brought out a funny looking stick with a handle and a vial filled with a strange liquid. "This," he held up the stick, "Is a wand; we use these to perform magic. And this," He held up the vial, "Is a potion, these are used for many things; poison, cures, salves, and healing. This particular one is the one we will use to officially adopt you after we fill out the paper work. If you are okay with this of course. We will give you time to adjust to this new life." Harry started smiling goofily, not at what his father was saying but his mind kept running wildly overjoyed at the fact they weren't royalty.
"So… No more staying inside the Heart Castle Walls?" he asked unsure, when he received a head shake he smiled even more, "And no more Public Announcements, Decrees and such?" another head shake, he gave a loud cry for joy and ran to hug his family.
Next Day (Dudley)
Dudley woke quietly but held his head in his hands. It felt as though someone had stuffed cotton inside his head; suddenly he started when he saw how bright it was. He looked at the time and just about had a heart attack. It was 11:30 in the morning; he was supposed to have cooked breakfast two hours ago and have the dishes done about an hour and a half ago, then he was supposed to do what-ever chores he was given. He scrambled quickly, then he came to the slow realization that he wasn't at home. He was still at Miss Figgs house. One of her cats stared at him lazily from the bed he was just sleeping on.
"Ah, I see you are awake lad!" he jumped at her voice, he hated surprises these days. She came around the bed and sat down on it to look at him. "Don't worry about your family, I told them that a school for unruly boys picked you up. They apparently had sent a request about a week ago, they are pleasantly surprised at how quick a response came." Dudley looked at her, this story sounded preposterous his family wanted to keep him around for free labor. "Magic, my lad has many ways of working." She added seeing his look.
"So, I… Can't go… home?" he asked meekly both overjoyed and scared, she shook her head. Then he started to panic, where was he supposed to stay? Surely not here; just across the street from his past abusers! Was he to live on the streets or to an Orphanage? "Then, where will I stay?"
"With me," came a deep voice, Dudley whirled around and looked ready to bolt. In front of him was a man with glossy black hair, a long hooked nose, and was wearing a black robe. With his almost black eyes staring at him Dudley found him terrifying. "My name is Severus Snape, Miss Figg here has asked me to be your new guardian." Dudleys face drained of color this man was surely just as bad as his parents, everything about him screamed bad.
"N-no… not you." He said quietly, Snape seemed confused for a moment then realized he wasn't the friendliest looking people.
"Dudley, I assure you. I am not here to hurt you. I am here to take you to a better home. Wouldn't you like that?" the dirty blonde haired boy nodded, "Then please trust me for just a few minutes to get you to a better place. Now follow me over here to the fire place." Dudley followed still looking unsure, "Now just throw some of this powder into it, then clearly say 'Snape Manor'."
"Snape Manor!" Dudley yelled as he threw the powder in hopes that the louder he said it the better it worked. The flames changed to an amazing color, Dudley hoped that what ever was next would help.
"Now walk into it with you arms and legs tucked in." Snaped instructed, Dudley nearly fainted but remembered his promise to trust this new man and jumped into the flames. He felt himself spinning fast and saw many fireplaces; as he began to feel sick he closed his eyes. When he opened them to check where he was he saw a fireplace approaching quickly on instinct he slowly straightened his arms and legs. When they were almost fully extended he landed in a Manor, and stumbled a little. Snape came shortly after he moved out of the way. Dudley chose this moment to look around; the place was both magnificent and simple. It was decorated in light silvers and greens and the occasional white. Apparently this was just the welcoming area.
"This is to be your new home," the dark haired man stated, and then he looked Dudley in the eyes. He made a motion with his head and Dudley followed as the man walked, "While here we shall work on your weight through diet and exercise. This will be maintained through my staff that will monitor the food you get. I will be supervising your exercise. Arabella informed me that you are a wizard so I am also going to make sure you get lessons in etiquette and basic schoolings you need. Is this understood?" Dudley nodded not knowing what to say. They stopped at a door and it opened by himself, "This is to be your room."
Dudley gaped at the sight, the bed was huge it could hold three of him easily. It was decorated in purples and deep reds, all looking as if it were made of satin 'no silk pajamas for me then.' He thought humorously.
Albus sat in his study, his hands in his face. He still felt the pain of knowing what he put Anthony through. Anthony was still a bit jumpy, especially around people he didn't know. This treatment was supposed to be for the Potter boy, to make him into his pawn. Not Anthony, no not him. The old wizard was beginning to blame the whole thing on the child he couldn't find, that he and his Deputy knew was still missing. He pondered what he was going to do when young Harold returned. Perhaps call him into his office and return all the pain he had caused Anthony. Anthony was currently in the sitting area napping peacefully; his sandy hair lightly falling on his face. Anthony was a smart boy, for someone raised with muggles. Dumbledore rose from his sitting place after writing his child a note, and promptly flooed back to the school. He wanted to check the roster for Harold's year to make sure all was well; after all it was just under a year until Potter was expected to return to the wizarding world. As soon as he sat down there was a knock on his door, checking the wards it read as Severus Snape.
"Ah, Severus come in my dear boy!" he cried merrily, he loved visitors. When he professor sat down he didn't hesitate to ask, "Lemon drop?" when it was declined he popped one into his own mouth letting it take its affect.
A/N: Hope you don't mind the changes in the Heart family.
