The power within.
Disclaimer: no I own nothing but I know a woman who does, that lucky, lucky woman.
A/N: ok I had to update rather than do my coursework because although I have the storyline figured out I keep getting more ideas, so I just had to write.
Annison Crane: yeah Hermione can be really dumb can't she, also I wouldn't feel sorry for Ginny too much we are going to see the real her, later on. Oh and thanks for the good luck, however I refuse to do my coursework its too boring compared to this :-). Enjoy this part.
Allie: hey again, glad you still read it, if anything very graphic or very R rated happens, I will give plenty of warning :-). No Ginny isn't clever either she is just as dumb as Hermione when it comes to matters of the heart.:-).
Allie-baby: yeah the parents names work well good choice, :-), Ron has got a lot to go through, as they all do, but hopefully together they will make it through. Although I'm not promising they will all make it to the end :-( sorry. But there will definitely be some Ron and Hermione action, but I'm not gonna make it easy for them. :-).
Taryn: Ok, I admit it (runs away and hides in a corner :-) lol) of course they all belong together, but you don't think I will make it easy for them do you ?. Glad you enjoy it still, yeah I like Hermione and Ginny getting close, they need each other. :-).
Summary: ok a lot of you wanted to see what happens with Harry now he has found out, so here it is, oh this is PG-13, just to be safe. Review if you enjoy it.
Harry sat on the couch, drumming his fingers on his knee, he was waiting for the others to arrive and he was nervous, it had all happened on Friday night.
Michael had used his magic in front of Harry, this had shocked Harry as he had no clue that Michael was a wizard.
Just after Michael had cursed those two boys, Arabella had apparated in front of Harry and Michael.
This left no doubt in Harry's mind that Arabella was a witch.
However he panicked at first, what if they are bad wizards?, because surely they would have told him who they were, they must know who he was, much to his dismay everyone knew the famous Harry Potter.
However one look at Arabella's warm understanding face, Harry realised that she could never be evil, maybe they didn't realise, that he was that Harry Potter.
He was sure there were many Harry Potter's and they probably just figured he was a muggle.
He wanted to correct them, let them know who he was, before they erased his memories.
"Its alright, I'm a wizard as well," he spoke, hoping they would listen.
They had, Michael broke down in fits of hysterical laughter, whilst Arabella looked at her grandson in amusement.
She then turned to Harry, "we know who you are Harry, we can explain, some of it anyway."
Harry just nodded, "what's wrong with him," he added whilst pointing at Michael.
Arabella grinned in spite of herself, she was slightly mad at Michael for revealing who they were, but she was also slightly happy, Harry finally would know who she was to him.
She shook her head, "he just finds it funny, that you thought we wouldn't know who you were."
Harry felt stupid, "there are a lot of Harry Potters in the world,"
Arabella smiled in understanding, "yes but we have always known who you are."
Harry hadn't known how they got home all he knew was that instead of receiving answers he fell into a deep dreamless sleep, he was sure Arabella had spiked his coke.
He hadn't woken until late Saturday afternoon, and that was to find the house empty, he found a note telling him to stay at home and they would see him tonight.
Part of Harry wanted to get away from here just in case, part of him wanted to search the house for any signs of magic, and part of him wanted to eat and lay on the couch watching TV.
The last one won, as whatever he had been given, had knocked him out, and he still felt tired, after making himself a sandwich, he had watched TV.
It wasn't long before sleep had overtaken him, he awoke later and he realised it was dark and he now had a blanket wrapped around him.
Getting up he checked the rooms and found a sleeping Arabella and a sleeping Michael, he then checked the time it was one in the morning.
Accepting defeat he too retired to bed and slept some more.
The next day he woke in the morning, after showering he headed downstairs determined to get some answers.
He had found them both sitting having breakfast, they both smiled at him, and despite everything he couldn't help but smile back.
"Morning Harry, get yourself some breakfast then we will talk," Arabella suggested.
Harry quickly piled food on his plate and waited.
Finally Arabella had spoken, "first Harry understand we are good wizards like yourself, also Dumbledore is aware of the situation.
Harry looked shocked, "how does Dumbledore? wait a minute do you know him? "
Arabella nodded and smiled, "yes Harry me and Dumbledore are old friends, and he will be coming to visit tomorrow to explain everything to you."
Harry was confused, "why can't you tell me what is happening?"
Arabella looked at him in sympathy, "its not just my story to tell Harry there are others coming with Dumbledore, and then we will be able to answer your questions."
Harry didn't want to wait, "but I really need to know, I.."
Arabella interrupted, "please don't ask me anymore Harry, I made an oath many years before, please don't ask me to break it."
Harry simply nodded, "how could he argue with that?"
Arabella then busied herself getting ready to leave, and then left without any goodbyes.
Harry looked at Michael, "did I upset her?"
Michael shook his head, "nah Harry its just a touchy subject with her, even I don't know the whole story, doubt I ever will, not even now."
Harry was confused, "why, you can just listen in."
Michael shook his head, "nah gran wont have any of that I'm going to be spending the entire day at Diagon alley.
Harry shrugged, "sorry mate, but at least you can have fun there."
Michael seemed to brighten slightly, "yeah it will be ok, I should find some nice young girls to keep me company.
Harry laughed at this, "don't you think you gotten into enough trouble with girls already? oh yeah I wanted to ask you about you using magic, wont you be expelled?"
Michael looked offended, "firstly girls are worth the trouble, and second I didn't get into trouble, not much anyway, besides I can't get expelled."
"Why not?" Harry's voice held his confusion.
Michael laughed, "because I don't go to school, my mum and dad teach me as they travel all the time its quite good actually."
They had talked for hours, about the wizarding world and lots about Quidditch, and at night time Harry had fell into a deep sleep.
The usual nightmares of Cedric's death, and his parents echoes, and of course Voldermort plagued his mind.
But he still slept, waking up from a nightmare to realise that in fact that nightmare had been true, it had actually happened.
So now here he was waiting for them to arrive, and he felt like his breakfast was doing bungee jumps in his stomach.
Michael as he had said, had been sent to Diagon alley for the day, and Arabella had cleaned the entire house awaiting the arrival of her guests.
Around eleven am a loud pop in the corner of the room followed by a few other popping noises, told them of an arrival.
Harry instantly saw Dumbledore, who smiled kindly at Harry, then Harry spotted Lupin, a very good friend to Harry.
Lupin smiled wholeheartedly at Harry, they hadn't seen each other for over a year, "well just look at you Harry, you sure have grown, I hardly recognised you, how you been?"
Harry grinned, then before he could answer a familiar voice cut in, "I told him the same thing, if you ask me he is twice the size he was before." Sirus grinned at Harry.
Harry smiled at both them, he wanted to hug them both but he held back, he felt too awkward in a room full of people, "I'm good, and I've only grow a few inches, I'm sure."
Harry then noticed a young beautiful woman, she had long brown hair that fell in curls, she also had the brightest brown eyes, that Harry had ever seen.
She appeared to be the same age as Lupin and Sirus, "the same age his own mum would be," Harry shook his head, "did she used to know his mum?"
She smiled warmly at Harry, "hello Harry my name is Laurie, its nice to meet you, finally."
Harry nodded his head, "its nice to meet you too."
Laurie smiled at him, "my cousin has told me so much about you, I always knew you would grow up to be a brilliant young man."
Harry blushed slightly, "who is your cousin?"
"I am Harry, we were at Hogwarts together," Lupin replied, whilst pulling Laurie into a loving hug.
Harry looked at them thoughtfully, "so you knew my parents, and Sirus?"
Laurie nodded and tears filled her eyes, "yes Harry I was very close to your mum, and I of course knew James and Sirus."
With this Laurie looked at Sirus, a pained expression filled her face, "hello Sirus, its good to see you, its been a long time.
Sirus wore a similar expression although he was trying to hide it, "yeah it has, its been too long, but its still good to see you again, but why are you here?"
They both held each others gaze, and Harry felt uncomfortable, like he was intruding on a private moment.
When Dumbledore's voice interrupted them, "maybe we should all sit and discuss this?"
Laurie sat in the armchair whilst Arabella perched on the arm of the chair, Lupin and Sirus sat either side of Harry, leaving Dumbledore in the other armchair.
Dumbledore finally spoke, "Harry as you know every summer I insist you stay with the Dursley's for a short amount of time, rather than stay with the Weasley's all summer.
Harry nodded aware of al the eyes on him, "yes, you said I was more protected here."
Dumbledore smiled, "yes Harry you are, you see I couldn't send you away without knowing you would be safe, Arabella is an aurora, I assigned her to watch over you."
Harry now looked at Arabella, "you knew who I was all this time? you watched me grow up?" Harry was aware that his voice was slightly bitter.
He was mad that he had been left in a house with people who bullied him, who made him feel like a nobody, when he found out he was a wizard, he had often wondered why?
Why was he made to stay with these people, it soon came clear to him it was because there was no one else to have him.
He couldn't help but notice Laurie, "if she was so close to my mum, why didn't she take me in?" Harry thought bitterly, she probably didn't want him.
He had also tried to be angry at them all, for leaving him all alone in the muggle world, growing up and not understanding why he was so weird.
He had never felt love from anyone, and he accepted it for the longest time, but all the while millions of magic folk new him yet they left him to that life.
However he could not stay mad, for they had not seen what his life was like, he was sure they believed he was better treated than he was.
But Arabella had been there from the start, she had witnessed his loneliness, she had seen how he was bullied and how he believed he was no one.
Yet she never told him, this caused him to feel an anger he had never wanted to feel towards her, she had been good to him and obviously given up most of her life for him.
Yet he still felt it burning deep down, "well if that's all that was protecting me why not put me somewhere else, somewhere I was wanted?"
Everyone was averting their eyes each feeling their own share of guilt for Harry's dismal childhood, despite what Harry believed they knew exactly how the Dursley's treated him, but he was safe, that was more important.
Dumbledore's calm voice cut through Harry, "I know you are angry Harry, but you need to hear the whole story."
Harry nodded, feeling slightly ashamed for his outburst.
Dumbledore continued, "when your parents were killed Harry I instantly knew you needed to be protected, I knew you were important, so I decided that you should live with your godmother."
Harry was clearly shocked, he had never even thought about having a godmother, "who is that?"
"Me, Harry, I was Lily's best friend from age eleven, we did everything together and when you were born she asked me to always protect you, and I promised I would." Laurie spoke softly as tears fell from her eyes.
Harry felt raw pain she was looking at him with love, he didn't understand, "why didn't you take care of me, why did you break a promise?"
Laurie looked straight into his eyes, before they looked at Sirus, "I did want you Harry, but everyone believed Sirus had betrayed your parents.
"What does that matter?" Harry and Sirus asked at the same time, their eyes full of confusion.
Laurie met their stares, "because everyone believed that if my fiancé had gone to the dark side, then I also must be bad.
Harry looked between Laurie and Sirus, "you two were engaged?"
Sirus hung his head, but Harry saw the sadness in his eyes, "yeah Harry we were going to be married that year, but then I got sent to Azkaban.
Harry couldn't believe how he had managed to ruin so many lives, they should be happy and married with kids, not miserable.
Harry looked at Laurie, "but you know he is innocent, I mean you must know that now?"
Laurie smiled, "I know Harry Remus told me everything, so it all finally made sense, I never fully believed he betrayed them.
Sirus looked at Laurie questionably, "you never thought I was guilty?"
Laurie looked angry, " how could you ask me that, I saw how much you loved them, I knew you would give your life for them, not take it, the facts though were standing in front of me but I never accepted it, not really.
Sirus's expression softened, "thank you, it means a lot, how did you convince them you were innocent?"
Dumbledore spoke, "I believed Laurie was innocent and after administrating the truth potion I was sure she was innocent, yet I could not let her have Harry."
Harry now looked to Dumbledore, "why?"
Dumbledore sighed, "unfortunately, I believed Sirus was guilty, I knew if he was ever free he would be able to find Laurie and therefore you. Many people believed Laurie to be a dark wizard and I decided she would be better off going in to hiding."
"She came to stay with me, and has never returned until now," Lupin added.
Seeing Harry's confusion Dumbledore continued, "Laurie agreed to let me put you in the care of the Dursleys, but she wanted to help me protect you."
"So I became your secret keeper," Laurie whispered.
But Harry heard her perfectly, "so Voldermort couldn't find me here?"
Dumbledore shook his head, "it isn't that simple Harry, you see in the muggle world magic is very easy to disturb, as they are not used to it, so we did the spell on just the house, that was why we had Arabella to watch over you, when you were away from the house."
"So why have you come back?, you could be in danger," Sirus asked Laurie.
Remus answered for her, "because she is in danger, there is a chance Voldermort may come after her, so she is staying at Hogwarts where its safe."
It was all proving too much for Harry to take in, so many people whose lives had been affected by him and mostly in bad ways.
Lupin had lost his job because of him, Sirus was on the run because of him, Laurie was in danger because of him, and Arabella had given up most of her life for him.
Then there was Dumbledore, who had the job of taking care of Harry and making sure he was always safe.
Harry quickly stood, "I need some space," he rushed out before anyone could stop him, he headed into the back garden and sat himself down on the swing seat.
Everything was too much, he couldn't think straight, there were too many thoughts in his head he needed to escape.
He knew he wouldn't be alone for long, and he was right, he heard the footsteps behind him, then someone sat next to him, but he refused to look up.
"You know the first time I met your mum was on the Hogwarts train, she was small and looked so fragile like she could break so easily, then she opened her mouth, she screamed her head off at Sirus and Lupin, who had just came into her carriage without asking first."
Laurie stopped and smiled at Harry, "she was a firecracker, and I knew that we were going to be great friends, and we were, I approached the carriage myself at the same time your dad did, we both tried to calm Lily down."
Laurie began to laugh as she remembered, Harry meanwhile was lavishing in this information, he had never heard about his mum before.
He had heard small parts of information on his dad, plus he had the Maurauders map, but no one ever spoke of his mum, yet here was a woman who had known his mum better than most.
Laurie smiled, "from then on me and Lily were joined at the hip, we soon became close to Sirus and James, Remus always spent a lot of time at the shack or chasing Sarah Clements, Peter never bothered us much, he just hung in the shadows, like the rat he is, " Laurie spat the last part out.
Harry frowned at her, "do you really hate him?"
Laurie considered the question, "I know I should Harry, and I want to but I cannot, your mum would never forgive me, she used to say that hate is what causes people to go bad."
Harry felt the tears and tried desperately to push them back, "I want to hate him and Voldermort but I never really could, not really, I wasn't able to kill Peter and I always thought I was wrong, but she never would have thought that would she."
Laurie now had tears freely flowing down her cheeks, "no Harry, they would be so proud of you and the decisions that you have made.
Harry felt his throat constrict as he tried to control the tears, "what were they like, I mean together?"
Laurie's face lit up, "they were magical Harry, they fought all the time but James always apologised first, he had a calmer temper, your mum was very stubborn and strong willed, they drove us all insane, we could all see the obvious but they were blind to their love."
Harry let out a dry sob, Laurie continued not wanting to embarrass Harry, " they always fought but then there were times they would do things for each other, little things that they paid no attention to but we all saw it, they nearly drove me in sane."
She smiled at Harry, "them and Sirus, he was also very annoying, still if it wasn't for him helping me I doubt your parents would have been able to admit their true feelings."
Harry smiled, "why did you not like Sirus? and how did you help them get together?"
Laurie chuckled, "oh we played matchmaker, and as for me and Sirus we hated each other even though we were best friends, he always teased me and I always showed him up."
Harry finally saw it, "are you still in love with him?"
Laurie looked at him shocked, then smiled, "truth is Harry I never really stopped, but after everything that has happened its too late.
Harry shook his head, "no its not too late, its never too late."
Laurie suddenly burst into tears, Harry panicked, "oh I'm sorry I didn't mean to its just I,"
Laurie shook her head, "its ok Harry its just that is the sort of thing your mum would say, she always said that love could conquer anything, even death."
Harry felt his own tears fall as Laurie took in a shuddering breath, " that's why I know she is watching over you Harry, they both are and their so happy and proud of you, they would want you to be happy Harry."
Tears were slowly falling on Harry's cheeks now, "I am happy its just a lot of things have happened."
Laurie nodded sympathetically, "Harry you can never be truly happy until you can grieve for them."
She then placed her delicate hand over his heart, "keeping it inside Harry will only make your heart break, don't let that happen, you have so much love inside, don't lose it.
The dam finally opened, Harry felt more tears joining his previous ones, his body shook as he sobbed and it hurt, yes it hurt, but it felt good.
It felt like he was letting it all go just for a while, it was why he loved flying so much, it let him forget for a while and he would just fly.
He found himself being pulled into Laurie's embrace, it was the embrace of a mother, this caused him to sob even more, Laurie was like having a part of his mother.
It was obvious that Laurie and his mum had been very close, so it was like he was finally getting to know his mum, because he was sure no one knew her as well as Laurie and his dad did.
And only Laurie could tell him all about Lily Potter, a firecracker, a best friend, a beautiful and strong woman, and his mum.
Harry pulled Laurie closer desperately holding onto the closest link to his mum, and as his sobs racked his body, he prayed that Laurie was never taken from him.
As his mum had been.
Four sets of eyes watched the pair cling to each other, each held their own grief as they realised that they should never have split Harry and Laurie up.
As she was the only person that could love Harry how Lily would have done.
Like a mother, a friend and a guiding angel.
She was the only consolation for Harry after losing his mum.
And they had taken her away from him.
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Ok I have to admit I am sitting here crying after writing that part, poor Harry, we don't give him enough thought onto how hard it all is on him. (probably doesn't help that I'm listening to Eva Cassidy - fields of gold. its a sad, sad song, :-(..........)
Sorry if I upset you as well.
Anyway Laurie and original character, what do you think?, I hope you all like her as its hard to bring an original character in, but I think both Sirus and Harry need her. We will get to know her more in future chapters, so let me know, is she a good idea or not ?
Just wanted to add i'm not trying to make Laurie Harry's mum, I just think he needs someone like her who knew his mum so well and she can tell him everything. Also yes I could create a happy family with Sirus, Laurie and Harry, but they all have way too much baggage for it to be easy. :-)
Review and let me know what you think, I'm sorry this chapter was so long its just Harry has a lot going on and I don't want to ignore that.
So sign your name on the dotted line and tell me what you think :-)