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: I've decided to do the time jump, but don't worry; there will be plenty of Harry/James getting to know each other…
I think I should get a reward for this guys (jk!)…I updated in less than 15 days! Aren't you all so proud of me:D
To Rise Again
Chapter 9- Meeting and Reminiscing
January 1st, 2006
James drummed his fingers against the wooden table. He was staring at the door at the opposite side of the room, completely unfazed by the loud noises the other patrons in Three Broomsticks were making. He had been waiting for his son for over 30 minutes now, and he was starting to worry slightly.
Ever since they had returned from Hogwarts, the two had hardly found the time to meet up and chat. James himself had been extremely busy catching up on all the new information about Voldemort, and getting all of his affairs in order. Representatives from newspapers and magazines still managed to track him down and beg for an interview, and it was all quite annoying. Harry often disappeared for days at a time with Hermione and Ron, he and everyone else assumed that the reason had to do with the horcruxes. Nobody questioned them, except perhaps Molly, since they had vowed to stay out of it unless the trio asked for help.
Sighing, James took a large swig of his fire whisky, ignoring a young wizard who had just walked by and nearly dropped his butterbeer at the sight of him. "Can I help you?" He finally asked when the wizard did not move.
"Are…are you James Potter?" The young man stammered; his eyes wide.
"Yah." James said simply.
"Wow…" The man said in awe before moving along.
However, to James great annoyance, he sat at a table directly opposite of him, and continued to stare at him in amazement.
He was just about to say something to the kid, who couldn't be much older than Harry, when a blast of cold air entered the room. Looking up, he saw the tall form of his son as he made his way to him.
Harry shook the snow out of his hair and sat down heavily.
Rosemerta, the bar tender, was over in an instant to take his order.
"Just a butterbeer, I'm bloody freezing." Harry said before she could ask. Nodding, she walked away and returned almost instantly. She gave James a warm smile before walking back to the bar, her heels clicking in constant motion.
Harry sipped the warm liquid and leaned back in his chair.
"You look exhausted." James stated.
Harry smiled tiredly. "It's all worth it, I've figured out the location of Ravenclaw's crown," He kept his voice low as he spoke, "It's actually in the graveyard by Godric's Hollow…"
James nodded gravely. Lily and he had requested to be buried on their own property because the graveyard in the area was rumored to be cursed.
"Ron and Hermione can't come with me on this one, I thought that maybe you might want to come…I mean, it's not exactly your typical father/son outing but I know that you wanted to help me with the horcruxes."
James nodded. It had bothered him when Harry and his friends had gone out on those dangerous missions, but he never had the chance to go and watch out for them, partially because he was doing other Order duties, and he didn't want to push Harry away by babying him. His worry had intensified after the last horcruxe, and he was extremely happy that his son was asking for his help.
Harry and Three Broomsticks faded away as James reminisced over that horrible day last November…
The Burrow…
James and Remus were pouring over a huge spreadsheet of plans. There had been a rumored attack on Remus's hometown, Wolfforth, and they were studying the blueprints and trying to figure out where aurors could be stationed safely as a lookout.
"You two must be hungry, eat some dinner." Molly suddenly entered the sitting room, carrying two plates laden with food. She was holding both plates in one hand, and carrying a peculiar clock in the other.
Remus looked at the clock and sighed, "Molly, clutching onto that clock is not going to bring the three of them back. You know what Harry is up against…its normal that they haven't checked back yet."
A small tear leaked out of Molly's eye as she set the plates down on the table. 'They've been gone for seven days! They've never been gone this long before without sending word on their welfare!" She suddenly wailed.
Remus gave James a pleading look before taking a seat beside the distraught mother. "If there are any three wizards and witches that can look after themselves its Ron Weasley, Hermione Granger and Harry Potter."
"I'm s-sorry…I just worry about them so m-much…" She sniffed as she wiped her eyes. "…and G-Ginny…she's been so quiet lately, I'm s-scared she's going to go with them t-too…"
"Harry won't let her go, come to think of it, neither will Ron or Hermione." James chipped in as he played with his food. He was worried sick about the trio, but he new not to voice his opinion…he didn't know Harry well enough yet. Hell, he still hadn't earned the title of dad yet.
"James is right. If they need help they know to come here or Grimmuald Place, if you want to help them then stop worrying…it only makes it harder for them to leave again." Remus said gently.
Molly sighed and stood up. "I know you're right…it's just hard. Well, I think I'll go and check on Ginny, make sure she eats something…" With that, she left the room, still holding tightly onto her clock.
"You know…she had a point. They usually do check in by the second day…" James said seriously.
"I know, but that woman has enough stress on her shoulders already. If we show our worry for them I'm afraid she'd break down and-"
Remus never got to finish his sentence, for a loud crash was heard at the backdoor, followed by hurried footsteps.
The two men sprang to their feet, James was strongly reminded of when Voldemort had broken into his house… but this thought was shattered by Ron's strangled cry…
"WE NEED HELP! HARRY'S HURT! HURRY!"
James shot Remus a panicked looked before sprinting out of the living area, above them, footsteps could be heard thundering down the many flights of stairs.
The two were first to reach the destination of Ron's voice, and burst into the kitchen, both of their faces pale. James felt lightheaded at what he saw. Harry was lying on the tiled floor, blood pooling around his unconscious frame. Ron's robes were soaked with the red liquid, he had obviously carried Harry. He was panting with exhaustion.
Hermione had blood smeared on her face, but she didn't seem to notice it. She was kneeling by Harry, trying to get a better look at his wounds.
"WHAT THE BLOODY HELL HAPPENED?" James yelled as he rushed to the teenagers' side.
Ron said nothing, only a strangled noise was emitted from his throat, it was as if he was in to much shock to speak.
"W-we destroyed the horcruxe…a dagger that belonged to Gryffindor…e-everything seemed to be fine and then all of a sudden Harry s-started to b-bleed. Nothing would s-stop it and soon he lost so much he f-fainted." Hermione wailed miserably.
By this time, Molly had entered the room; she was staring at the group with a chalk white face. Ginny was behind her, her eyes were wide with horror.
"We need blood replenishing potions…NOW!" Remus said quickly.
James lifted Harry up and quickly carried him to the sitting room. Hermione conjured up a white bed, which the young man was quickly set on. Molly had come to her senses, and had torn down to the pantry. She always kept a blood replenishing potion in stock…with her amount of children it was a necessity.
She ran back and gave it to Remus with trembling hands.
"How is that going to work if he just keeps bleeding?" Ron whispered.
"It will prolong death…" Remus stated, "Molly…you need to go to St. Mungos and get all of these potions you can…go there and to any potions shop…its not yet 9pm…hurry before everything begins to close. In fact, go to the Ministry and get Arthur to go with you. He can make up a reason for needing so many…" He continued to ramble on.
Without a word, the mother of 7 disappeared with a pop.
James stared at Harry and felt as if he was going to be sick. He could not lose his son…he couldn't…not now…not ever…
Hermione suddenly stood up, her eyes wide as she looked from Harry to Ron. "Oh god…how could we have missed it…how could we have been so stupid!" She muttered.
"Hermione? What are you talking about?" Remus inquired, still forcing the potion down Harry's throat.
"I new it was too easy…oh merlin…" She continued to mutter.
"HERMIONE! What the HELL are you going on about?" James said a little louder than intended.
The young witch snapped out of her reverie and whispered, "On the stone tablets in the cave…there was pictures…but we didn't pay any attention to them…we were too busy waiting for inferi or something to appear. On the first one was a man…the second…a knife…and then the third showed a liquid substance, it must have been blood. There was an inscription. It was on the dagger, but we couldn't understand what it said…god it was so simple."
"I'm sorry James; I never should have let him destroy it before breaking that inscription…it's my entire fault." She said tearfully.
"No it isn't Hermione, don't blame yourself." James replied quietly, attempting to give her a smile.
"Hermione, what did that inscription say?" Remus asked.
The young woman suddenly whipped out the remaining two parts of a beautiful dagger. It was broken at the red and gold hilt. Ignoring the startled gasps that came from everyone except Ron, she placed the broken pieces together and showed the people in the room what it said.
htiw siht reggad semoc a esruc
tpemtta ot yortsed ti, uoy tnow ed eht tsrif
nehw eht tlih skcarc
htead lliw evirra
ylno eht eurt tnadnecsed fo rodniffyrg llahs evivrus
dna neve eh llahs leef niap
ni hcihw ylno eht ssik fo erup evol nac emat
"What the hell does that mean?" James asked impatiently.
Remus stared at the hilt, his brow wrinkled in concentration.
Trembling slightly, Hermione used her wand to project the inscription into the air, and then twisted the words around.
With this dagger comes a curse
Attempt to destroy it, you won't be the first
When the hilt crack's
Death will arrive
Only the true descendant of Gryffindor shall survive
And even he shall feel pain
In which only the kiss of pure love can tame
"Like I said…it was so simple…too simple…" Hermione whispered
"That…that bastard. No wonder he made this one of his horcruxes. He didn't even have to put a curse on it, there already was on placed by Godric Gryffindor himself!" Remus sputtered.
"The likelihood that a direct descendant of Gryffindor would try and destroy it wasn't very likely. I mean, a direct descendant would probably want to keep it as a heirloom if they found it…"
"Unless it was a horcruxe." Ginny finished quietly.
"I guess Godric didn't count on Lord V-Voldemort rising, or it being made into a horcruxe…" Ron said throatily, still staring at Harry.
"And Voldemort didn't count on Harry being a descendant and being destined to destroy his horcruxes either…" Hermione said, if it weren't for their present situation, she would be laughing at the irony.
"So…what does this mean for Harry?" James asked.
"Well, I guess this means that you two are descendants of Gryffindor…if you weren't Harry would be dead right now. I think the inscription is saying that Harry will continue to bleed if he doesn't get a 'kiss of pure love' and the only way to keep him alive is to pump him with blood replenishing potions…" Remus said quietly.
Ron and Hermione both looked at Ginny, who's face was as red as her hair. Before any of the three could say anything, Molly and Arthur both entered the room with a crack. Bottles of potions were being juggled in both of their hands.
"What the?" Molly gasped when she viewed the inscription, which was still floating semi-transparent in the air.
"Set the bottles down and I will explain in the kitchen…" Remus said quickly, getting up and forcing the two out of the room hurriedly.
When the three were gone James said, "I think we should get a better look at his wounds and give him another potion…" Not waiting for any sign of agreement, he sliced Harry's robes open with his wand and peeled the fabric away from his body. At least a dozen small, but very deep cuts littered his chest.
"I…I need some air…" Ron choked, practically running out of the room.
Hermione shot one meaningful look at Ginny and said, "I'll be right back…" before rushing off to make sure Ron was okay.
"Ginny, hand me one of those potions please…" James muttered, hardly noticing that the room was almost empty.
The young woman picked up a vial and walked over, almost crying out when she got a full view of Harry's chest.
I'm the only one that can fix this…she thought to herself as she watched the older Potter pour the liquid down Harry's throat.
"James, move aside for a moment." She said firmly, but she was still shaking.
"What?"
"Please, just step aside…I think I can help him." She repeated.
James frowned but let the young Weasley move in front of him. What happened next took him completely by surprise; Ginny bent down and gave his son a kiss.
However, what happened after the kiss was even more amazing, the gashes on Harry's body turned white, and then disappeared, leaving only a few tiny scars in their place.
"How…you…Harry?" James stuttered.
Ginny gave him a watery smile. "I think…I think he still needs those potions to regain the blood he lost…but I'm pretty sure he'll be okay now…" She whispered before exiting the room silently.
James stared at the door before turning back to Harry, still trying to process what had just taken place…
"Ummm James? Whoooohooo…anybody home in there!"
James snapped his head up and looked around, he was in Three Broomsticks, and Harry was waving his hand energetically in front of his face.
"Oh sorry, I was just thinking about the last horcruxe you destroyed…you know…the dagger." He apologized, carefully looking around the room, making sure that no one could hear him.
"Oh…" Harry replied. He remembered that day, well…up until he had collapsed, the next thing he knew he was laying on a conjured bed in the Burrow, feeling very weak. James had explained what had happened to him, and after everyone had visited, Ginny had shooed them all away, taking his weak state to her advantage to give him a good talking to.
She had tried to convince him that she understood the risks of being his girlfriend, and they she didn't care anymore. He hadn't budged on his decision though. She had been disappointed, but he promised her that as soon as this war was over and Voldemort was dead he would be all hers.
"So do you want to come with me tonight?" Harry asked, shoeing his thoughts of Ginny away.
"Of course I do."
"Alright…but I do have one condition and you have to swear to it. If it comes down to it, leave me behind. I won't have you being injured or dead on my conscious…I can't lose you again…okay?"
James frowned at Harry. How the hell could I swear to leave my only son behind for dead?
"Please James, Hermione and Ron both swore to it…" Harry persisted.
Sighing, James shook Harry's hand in agreement.
Satisfied with this, Harry nodded. He didn't notice that James other hand was behind his back, with his fingers crossed.
James smiled at his own cunning. Lily had shown him this muggle trick a long time ago, and explained that when you crossed your fingers behind your back, it meant that the promise you were making wasn't really a promise.
"Well, I suppose we should head back…there's a meeting in twenty minutes." Harry sighed before downing his butterbeer and putting his winter cloak back on.
James followed suit and dropped a gallon and some sickles on the table for their drinks before standing.
The two waved goodbye to Rosemerta before exiting, the bells on the door twinkling merrily. Neither of them noticed the young man that had bothered James earlier grinning oddly in his booth. "Master will be pleased…" He muttered to himself as he pulled his extendable ear towards him. He had acquired two years ago at Hogwarts, right before he had joined the ranks.
The man hissed in pain as his arm suddenly started to burn. He rose and left the cheery bar swiftly, apparating outside the door.
TBC
Hmm, well this one was longer than my most recent one…I hope that it didn't drag on for you guys. Just so you know, I've made it so that Mrs. Weasley and Mr. Weasley are the only ones able to apparate directly from their house because they are its owners…I know this is A/U from the book.
As for the mysterious death eater, he does not have a huge part; he was just a random character that I could use to spy on Harry and James as they spoke. Just so you know
As always, thanks for the support and keep pumping in those reviews, I can't believe I've topped a hundred already!
Ashley¤