An Unusual Journey
by S. L
Christmas, Harry thought. They'd planned, they'd prepared, but were they ready? It was getting closer and closer. Only a few days away, not even a week anymore. Not that he was particularly nervous. He felt confidant enough that he'd be able to keep his parents safe. Besides he knew they couldn't die and that was something at least- wasn't it?
"Bye Harry," Remus said looking tired already. The students were just boarding the train for the holidays, the full moon was only two days away. At least, Harry thought, Remus would still have Christmas.
He smiled at his friend and helped him load his trunk onto the train. The station had been bustling with activity only a few minutes earlier, but was now practically deserted. Remus would probably be the last one to board. The only Marauder to be returning home for the holiday.
Sirius was still being kept in the hospital wing, now quite against his will. Peter was remaining as well, probably for the raid, Harry thought. Not that the sniveling rat would do much good. James had already written to his parents to tell them he had to remain behind, making up some excuse, for normally he returned home. They had written back disappointed and understanding, a sort of letter Harry would almost pay anything for. The sort of letter filled with love and pride, such a letter he would forever be denied.
"Bye Remus," Harry responded slightly late, his friend was by now already on the train, the scarlet door closed behind him, the Hogwarts Express already streaking past the station.
Harry thought of the hard life that boy would have ahead of him. Being shunned for what he becomes one night out of a month. Losing three of his best friends, and Lily in one go and probably losing so much more to his future battles with Voldemort. At least, he thought, he would make it to be the warm professor that he knew, to re-embrace his friend after many long years to set things as right as he could. At least he knew he would have that.
Some distance behind him stood his father silently watching the steam engines trail as it disappeared through the trees. James and Remus had already made their somewhat colder goodbye, but Harry thought James had forced himself to be as warmhearted as possible, truly believing this could be his last goodbye.
"Better go then hadn't we?" James said in a flat sort of voice, he didn't look like a school boy just given a holiday. Then again, most people didn't get death threats over holiday.
However, most people had never included Harry Potter and it seemed his father was no different.
Harry managed a small smile for his father before following him up to the school. The train had gone the station was empty and Hogwarts was near empty and waiting for them.
"So," James began then stopped. Harry turned patiently to look at him. The words would come soon enough, he had an idea of what his father wanted to ask, what he'd been wanting to ask for awhile.
"Umm.." he tried again. "On Christmas... what is... I mean, that is to say..."
"What's going to be happening to keep you safe?" Harry walked on. "And why you are being required to stay at the school when you believe you'd be safer elsewhere? Simple question really."
James caught up his nervousness shinning through his features. "Simple?"
"Sure. You see we cannot have you moved. The Dark Lord expects to see you here at the school and not expecting us to put up a fight. If he were to find out that you or anyone had known all along he would... well let's say he'd make this punishable to the wizarding world. He wants you desperately James, quite badly."
A sigh was whispered on a winter's morning wind. "Why though? There's nothing special about me."
"Ah," Harry said, eyes alight. "But there is James. You're a Potter which says a lot more than you might believe. The blood that flows through your veins is ancient and powerful. With you as a tool Voldemort could cause much damage. Oh," he held up a hand to assure his father. "You still probably don't believe me. You're thinking that you might be this powerful, this strong. Right now, you probably aren't. It's a trait... that tends to be awakened in times of need. For you that time is simply yet to come."
Still James was unconvinced. "You speak of power, what does that matter. Nothing can go against the power of the Dark Lord. I don't even know why you're going to bother."
"Power?" Harry declared. "James, power is truly everything. What type of power we have is what makes the difference. Voldemort, the only power he can speak of is stolen, and used, the power to inflict pain and terror. It's an incredible power indeed, but there is more power than that. Don't think that the power the opposition controls is any less valuable that that! Why should you think it is so utterly hopeless to stand against him?"
Harry turned and forced James to look at him with a smile on his face. "Just look at me. The damn man has been trying to kill me for twenty years James and never once has he been successful, I've stood against him every time taking a bit with me. It's never useless there's always a chance. You just have to believe that."
Harry made a face. "Yuck, and now I sound like one of those... oh I don't know moral boosters whom you just want to slap in the face. How terrible."
That at least made James laugh a bit. "Really, how did we think that you were dark for so long?"
"Oh that? It's not hard at all. You'd be surprised how often it happens." Harry smiled at his father. "This one time the minister wanted to put me in St. Mungo's- thought I was crazy and was giving secrets to the Dark Lord- so anyways Dumbledore wouldn't let him, nor would anyone else for that matter. Ended up putting Dumbledore and half the Hogwarts staff in St. Mungo's instead. None of them were very happy, as you can imagine. They were only there a few days, after that they cut off dealings with the man complete. It was a terrible fight."
James was chuckling with Harry a bit as he finished, both somewhat more lighthearted than when they set out. Then another one of James' sobering questions was spoken. "Really though what is happening on Christmas?"
"Alright," Harry sighed. "It's like this. Not many people know about this. My godfather, Dumbledore and a few members of the staff. We tried to encourage a home holiday for most everyone in the school. Luckily there's only three other Gryffindor's besides you being, Sirius, Peter and Lily." James made a face. "There's two Ravenclaw third years and five seventh year Slythrens." Harry could only guess why they of all people would stay...
"The heads of house will remain in their common rooms along with one other teacher to secure all. My godfather shall be remaining in the infirmary to watch Sirius and I shall be in Gryffindor. Dumbledore and McGonagal will be in the great hall waiting for a likely attack there. All in all it should be a very small mission for the death Eaters, they only want to get in and get out taking you with them. All I have to do is make sure that doesn't happen. Shouldn't take more than a couple hours then you'll have you're life back."
James just rolled his eyes.
~
"I'm going to go talk with Kyle." Harry said distractedly as he watched the man walk by. James, too watched with sullenness. He still hadn't been able to figure out the Defense teacher and Harry was offering no help.
As he watched the two of them take off down the halls and enter the teachers office a plan began to sprout in his head. Just a little eavesdropping... what harm could that do right? It might even help him figure out a few more things about the unusual pair.
"You kidding!" Harry was laughing as James walked up to the closed door. "He said that? Damn Sirius when you where in school you were worse than both the twins put together!"
Taylor was laughing. "Thank god I grew out of that one huh Harry?" He snorted. "Though I suppose thirteen years under the expressive care of the dementors was enough to put some good into me right?"
"Yeah I'm sure," Harry said skeptically.
"Just imagine if you'd been raised by me then would you? You'd have been the biggest prankster in the school!"
"Hardly Kyle. I broke enough school rules without causing mischief. I don't think McGonagal would ever had let me slip by with that. The one time she did catch us out at night we all lost fifty points each and got detentions. And that was for returning an illegal dragon so that the gamekeeper wouldn't get into trouble."
"Oh but where's the fun in life if you can't cause a little trouble Harry?"
Harry answered dryly. "I have found that I cause enough trouble just trying to stay alive sometimes, I don't need to throw any useless pranks into the equation."
"Now what would your father say to that?" He answered sharply, as if shocked.
James pressed his ear up against the door. "I thought we were talking about you when you were young Sirius?"
He had to have heard Harry wrong, he was talking to Taylor and yet that was the second time that he had referred to him as Sirius. This time even rather directly. There had to be something wrong with this.
"Don't try to change the subject, I'd much rather talk about your father anyhow." Kyle pressed on. "I'm all too boring anyhow. Especially now after all the fun's been sucked out of me and having to watch what a riot I was in school helps a lot."
James listened in shock. Maybe it was just that he wanted to think it, but he honestly thought that sounded like a very Sirius thing to say in a joking tone. He could even see his best friend saying something like that to tease him. He couldn't suppress a shiver. This was all too weird.
"Seriously though Harry," Kyle went on. "What's to be expected for Christmas?" I still can't remember anything beyond the damn hospital wing, how I hated that place. Entirely too white for my likings."
James couldn't take any more. He'd heard enough. How could he be expected to believe that his best friend had suddenly gained twenty five years and was sitting in a room talking about himself who was only a floor above them? It didn't make sense!
So, of course, he went to prove to himself that his friend was still alive. He went to the hospital wing to visit Sirius.
"Oy! You don't know how glad I am to see you James!" Sirius said with relief the moment he caught sight of his friend. Madam Pomfrey was bustling about with his bandages and clicking superiorly under her tongue, but Sirius seemed anxious to push her away.
"Hey Sirius," he said trying to sound cheerful and regain both his breath and mind at once. This was turning out to be an eventful year and he wasn't so sure he was able to handle it.
Still Madam Pomfrey seemed persistent in holding Sirius down to the bed and away from his guest. "I must do this Mr. Black! Honestly you children don't understand! I'm just -I'm trying... er! Enough!" She threw her hands up finally through with Sirius' insistent struggling "I'll be in my office Mr. Potter," she said turning with a look of malice. "Once you leave perhaps I can complete my job and ensure this young man's health!" She turned on her heals. "Not that either of you think that that is very important!"
James just gave his friend a weak smile as he rustled about his bed ungracefully.
"Damn woman," he muttered. "Damn hospital wing! How I hate this place!" Sirius turned to James a look of unjust on his face. "Besides it's entirely too white for my liking!"
Suddenly James couldn't explain why he had to run out of the room, all color drained from his face.
What was going on?
Okay I know Harry's outlook on Voldemort and all that has changed from the beginning but I decided to go another way. I'll rewrite the beginning later, but for now I think you'll just have to stick with the change. Funny though, or maybe not, no one noticed it. Okay so about Lily, she wasn't in this chapter because she's still up in Gryffindor tower, she'll probably be in the next chapter though. As for Remus and the Marauders, I'm trying to sort of set things up... you know how in the books they say they suspected Remus of being dark? So I figure it during 7th year a little unease is put between them that's a lot easier to believe that they thought he was dark over Peter. Remus and the Marauders are always best friends and it's hard to imagine that they automatically think that he's dark. Just go with me will you? I've been terrible at updating, but please forgive me I'm trying to catch up! Hopefully that means a lot more updates sooner... hopefully!
S. L
by S. L
Christmas, Harry thought. They'd planned, they'd prepared, but were they ready? It was getting closer and closer. Only a few days away, not even a week anymore. Not that he was particularly nervous. He felt confidant enough that he'd be able to keep his parents safe. Besides he knew they couldn't die and that was something at least- wasn't it?
"Bye Harry," Remus said looking tired already. The students were just boarding the train for the holidays, the full moon was only two days away. At least, Harry thought, Remus would still have Christmas.
He smiled at his friend and helped him load his trunk onto the train. The station had been bustling with activity only a few minutes earlier, but was now practically deserted. Remus would probably be the last one to board. The only Marauder to be returning home for the holiday.
Sirius was still being kept in the hospital wing, now quite against his will. Peter was remaining as well, probably for the raid, Harry thought. Not that the sniveling rat would do much good. James had already written to his parents to tell them he had to remain behind, making up some excuse, for normally he returned home. They had written back disappointed and understanding, a sort of letter Harry would almost pay anything for. The sort of letter filled with love and pride, such a letter he would forever be denied.
"Bye Remus," Harry responded slightly late, his friend was by now already on the train, the scarlet door closed behind him, the Hogwarts Express already streaking past the station.
Harry thought of the hard life that boy would have ahead of him. Being shunned for what he becomes one night out of a month. Losing three of his best friends, and Lily in one go and probably losing so much more to his future battles with Voldemort. At least, he thought, he would make it to be the warm professor that he knew, to re-embrace his friend after many long years to set things as right as he could. At least he knew he would have that.
Some distance behind him stood his father silently watching the steam engines trail as it disappeared through the trees. James and Remus had already made their somewhat colder goodbye, but Harry thought James had forced himself to be as warmhearted as possible, truly believing this could be his last goodbye.
"Better go then hadn't we?" James said in a flat sort of voice, he didn't look like a school boy just given a holiday. Then again, most people didn't get death threats over holiday.
However, most people had never included Harry Potter and it seemed his father was no different.
Harry managed a small smile for his father before following him up to the school. The train had gone the station was empty and Hogwarts was near empty and waiting for them.
"So," James began then stopped. Harry turned patiently to look at him. The words would come soon enough, he had an idea of what his father wanted to ask, what he'd been wanting to ask for awhile.
"Umm.." he tried again. "On Christmas... what is... I mean, that is to say..."
"What's going to be happening to keep you safe?" Harry walked on. "And why you are being required to stay at the school when you believe you'd be safer elsewhere? Simple question really."
James caught up his nervousness shinning through his features. "Simple?"
"Sure. You see we cannot have you moved. The Dark Lord expects to see you here at the school and not expecting us to put up a fight. If he were to find out that you or anyone had known all along he would... well let's say he'd make this punishable to the wizarding world. He wants you desperately James, quite badly."
A sigh was whispered on a winter's morning wind. "Why though? There's nothing special about me."
"Ah," Harry said, eyes alight. "But there is James. You're a Potter which says a lot more than you might believe. The blood that flows through your veins is ancient and powerful. With you as a tool Voldemort could cause much damage. Oh," he held up a hand to assure his father. "You still probably don't believe me. You're thinking that you might be this powerful, this strong. Right now, you probably aren't. It's a trait... that tends to be awakened in times of need. For you that time is simply yet to come."
Still James was unconvinced. "You speak of power, what does that matter. Nothing can go against the power of the Dark Lord. I don't even know why you're going to bother."
"Power?" Harry declared. "James, power is truly everything. What type of power we have is what makes the difference. Voldemort, the only power he can speak of is stolen, and used, the power to inflict pain and terror. It's an incredible power indeed, but there is more power than that. Don't think that the power the opposition controls is any less valuable that that! Why should you think it is so utterly hopeless to stand against him?"
Harry turned and forced James to look at him with a smile on his face. "Just look at me. The damn man has been trying to kill me for twenty years James and never once has he been successful, I've stood against him every time taking a bit with me. It's never useless there's always a chance. You just have to believe that."
Harry made a face. "Yuck, and now I sound like one of those... oh I don't know moral boosters whom you just want to slap in the face. How terrible."
That at least made James laugh a bit. "Really, how did we think that you were dark for so long?"
"Oh that? It's not hard at all. You'd be surprised how often it happens." Harry smiled at his father. "This one time the minister wanted to put me in St. Mungo's- thought I was crazy and was giving secrets to the Dark Lord- so anyways Dumbledore wouldn't let him, nor would anyone else for that matter. Ended up putting Dumbledore and half the Hogwarts staff in St. Mungo's instead. None of them were very happy, as you can imagine. They were only there a few days, after that they cut off dealings with the man complete. It was a terrible fight."
James was chuckling with Harry a bit as he finished, both somewhat more lighthearted than when they set out. Then another one of James' sobering questions was spoken. "Really though what is happening on Christmas?"
"Alright," Harry sighed. "It's like this. Not many people know about this. My godfather, Dumbledore and a few members of the staff. We tried to encourage a home holiday for most everyone in the school. Luckily there's only three other Gryffindor's besides you being, Sirius, Peter and Lily." James made a face. "There's two Ravenclaw third years and five seventh year Slythrens." Harry could only guess why they of all people would stay...
"The heads of house will remain in their common rooms along with one other teacher to secure all. My godfather shall be remaining in the infirmary to watch Sirius and I shall be in Gryffindor. Dumbledore and McGonagal will be in the great hall waiting for a likely attack there. All in all it should be a very small mission for the death Eaters, they only want to get in and get out taking you with them. All I have to do is make sure that doesn't happen. Shouldn't take more than a couple hours then you'll have you're life back."
James just rolled his eyes.
~
"I'm going to go talk with Kyle." Harry said distractedly as he watched the man walk by. James, too watched with sullenness. He still hadn't been able to figure out the Defense teacher and Harry was offering no help.
As he watched the two of them take off down the halls and enter the teachers office a plan began to sprout in his head. Just a little eavesdropping... what harm could that do right? It might even help him figure out a few more things about the unusual pair.
"You kidding!" Harry was laughing as James walked up to the closed door. "He said that? Damn Sirius when you where in school you were worse than both the twins put together!"
Taylor was laughing. "Thank god I grew out of that one huh Harry?" He snorted. "Though I suppose thirteen years under the expressive care of the dementors was enough to put some good into me right?"
"Yeah I'm sure," Harry said skeptically.
"Just imagine if you'd been raised by me then would you? You'd have been the biggest prankster in the school!"
"Hardly Kyle. I broke enough school rules without causing mischief. I don't think McGonagal would ever had let me slip by with that. The one time she did catch us out at night we all lost fifty points each and got detentions. And that was for returning an illegal dragon so that the gamekeeper wouldn't get into trouble."
"Oh but where's the fun in life if you can't cause a little trouble Harry?"
Harry answered dryly. "I have found that I cause enough trouble just trying to stay alive sometimes, I don't need to throw any useless pranks into the equation."
"Now what would your father say to that?" He answered sharply, as if shocked.
James pressed his ear up against the door. "I thought we were talking about you when you were young Sirius?"
He had to have heard Harry wrong, he was talking to Taylor and yet that was the second time that he had referred to him as Sirius. This time even rather directly. There had to be something wrong with this.
"Don't try to change the subject, I'd much rather talk about your father anyhow." Kyle pressed on. "I'm all too boring anyhow. Especially now after all the fun's been sucked out of me and having to watch what a riot I was in school helps a lot."
James listened in shock. Maybe it was just that he wanted to think it, but he honestly thought that sounded like a very Sirius thing to say in a joking tone. He could even see his best friend saying something like that to tease him. He couldn't suppress a shiver. This was all too weird.
"Seriously though Harry," Kyle went on. "What's to be expected for Christmas?" I still can't remember anything beyond the damn hospital wing, how I hated that place. Entirely too white for my likings."
James couldn't take any more. He'd heard enough. How could he be expected to believe that his best friend had suddenly gained twenty five years and was sitting in a room talking about himself who was only a floor above them? It didn't make sense!
So, of course, he went to prove to himself that his friend was still alive. He went to the hospital wing to visit Sirius.
"Oy! You don't know how glad I am to see you James!" Sirius said with relief the moment he caught sight of his friend. Madam Pomfrey was bustling about with his bandages and clicking superiorly under her tongue, but Sirius seemed anxious to push her away.
"Hey Sirius," he said trying to sound cheerful and regain both his breath and mind at once. This was turning out to be an eventful year and he wasn't so sure he was able to handle it.
Still Madam Pomfrey seemed persistent in holding Sirius down to the bed and away from his guest. "I must do this Mr. Black! Honestly you children don't understand! I'm just -I'm trying... er! Enough!" She threw her hands up finally through with Sirius' insistent struggling "I'll be in my office Mr. Potter," she said turning with a look of malice. "Once you leave perhaps I can complete my job and ensure this young man's health!" She turned on her heals. "Not that either of you think that that is very important!"
James just gave his friend a weak smile as he rustled about his bed ungracefully.
"Damn woman," he muttered. "Damn hospital wing! How I hate this place!" Sirius turned to James a look of unjust on his face. "Besides it's entirely too white for my liking!"
Suddenly James couldn't explain why he had to run out of the room, all color drained from his face.
What was going on?
Okay I know Harry's outlook on Voldemort and all that has changed from the beginning but I decided to go another way. I'll rewrite the beginning later, but for now I think you'll just have to stick with the change. Funny though, or maybe not, no one noticed it. Okay so about Lily, she wasn't in this chapter because she's still up in Gryffindor tower, she'll probably be in the next chapter though. As for Remus and the Marauders, I'm trying to sort of set things up... you know how in the books they say they suspected Remus of being dark? So I figure it during 7th year a little unease is put between them that's a lot easier to believe that they thought he was dark over Peter. Remus and the Marauders are always best friends and it's hard to imagine that they automatically think that he's dark. Just go with me will you? I've been terrible at updating, but please forgive me I'm trying to catch up! Hopefully that means a lot more updates sooner... hopefully!
S. L