"James," Harry said, snapping his fingers in front of his twin's face. Not father, but brother. This was Harry's new life now, and he had to accept it. "James Potter!" Harry shouted, shaking James' shoulders. Finally, James snapped out of his stupor, though he still had a dreamy look on his face.
"Do you know what she did?" James asked as he fell back onto his bed. Sirius and Remus were off in the kitchens, leaving Harry alone to deal with James. Harry cursed his friends inwardly, promising himself that he would get revenge.
"James, we should start on our Charms homework," Harry said gently.
"Charms…" James said dreamily. "Lily loves Charms," James giggled. Harry stared at his brother. James Potter just giggled. "She's so brilliant," James said.
"What did she do to you?" Harry stared in horror.
"She…" James giggled again, cutting himself off.
"Aguamenti!" Harry shouted, spraying James with ice cold water.
"Harry James Potter!" James shrieked, finally coherent.
"What did she do to you?" Harry asked.
Then back to giggling James.
"She… kissed my cheek," James said, a goofy smile on his face.
"Oh dear," Harry said. Finally, Remus and Sirius came back in.
"Remus John Lupin!" Harry hollered. "How could you leave me with… this?" he asked, gesturing to James.
"What about Sirius?" Remus asked.
"I don't really expect anything from him," Harry said, a slight chuckle in his words. "You're the one that spied on them. What happened?" Harry asked.
James was still sighing and giggling and it was getting on Harry's nerves very quickly. "Petrificus Totalus," Harry said and James froze, eyes wide and frightened.
"You are going to stay like that until you stop giggling," Harry commanded, rubbing his temples with his fingers. He sighed heavily. "I'm getting a migraine watching over you all."
"Well, Prongsie heard that girls liked to go to Madam Puddifoot's," Sirius started. "It looked like hell, just in pink," Sirius explained. Harry fought back a smile. He hated that place and was lucky Ginny did as well. "So when Prongs suggested they go there, Lily looked like she was about to hurl, but she didn't say no and they went. Moony and I were spying on them outside of that place. I am never going in there… unless there's a girl with me that's worth while."
"Worth while as in a snog or worth while as in for real," Remus scoffed. Sirius rolled his eyes.
"What do you think? For a snog of course!" Sirius said, as if that should have been obvious from the start.
"Whatever," Harry said, dismissing it all with a wave of his hand. "I'm going to bed. I'm not going to deal with your hormonal teenage boys issues anymore. Someone Finite Incantatem James, but if no one does, I don't really care. Good night," Harry said, flopping onto his bed and closing his eyes.
…
It was already Christmas time, but Harry hadn't seen Dumbledore since October, if you didn't count mealtimes. Their schedules always conflicted and though Horcruxes should have been highest priority, keeping up appearances was as well. Dumbledore couldn't let anyone know that he was up to something to others because during those times, no one knew who they could trust.
Harry was getting more and more agitated and unfortunately, the Marauders spotted his impatience.
The Marauders had signed up to stay at Hogwarts over holiday break because Sirius didn't want to stay with his family, Mr. and Mrs. Potter was off on another mission and Remus just wanted to keep us company.
Still, opening Christmas presents took Harry's mind off the Horcruxes and the future. Harry had received a book on jinxes and hexes from Remus, a large assortment of candies from Sirius and a new broomstick from James. Harry felt bad for the last one because he knew he wouldn't use it. His Firebolt was leagues ahead the Nimbus 1400, but he would disguise his Firebolt as the Nimbus, just to make James feel better. Mr. and Mrs. Potter sent him a new set of dress robes and Harry was pleasantly surprised. He didn't think that they would have sent him anything.
Sirius had gotten a pair of Quidditch gloves from James, a book on dogs and how to train them from Harry (which Sirius scowled at) and a book on advance Ancient Runes from Remus. Sirius had been excelling in his class and looked genuinely intrigued by the book. He received a bunch of other gifts from his admirers around the school and even a gift from Mr. and Mrs. Potter but he received none from his family. Harry could help but notice Sirius' slightly disappointed face.
James received (ironically) the same broom that he had given Harry from Harry. He had been overjoyed to see the Nimbus 1400 and was eager to ride with his twin. Remus had given a book (honestly, he always gives out books, and Harry had smiled as he noticed Remus' gift giving pattern) about advance Transfiguration, which had included a large section on Animagi. From his parents, he received a set of dress robes as well and Harry and James exchanged looks, wondering what kind of horrible party they had to go to next.
An owl flew into the Gryffindor common room then, landing near Harry and extending its leg out. Harry untied the letter from the owl's leg and the owl flew off without waiting for a treat, a tip or even a rewarding word.
Harry opened it and all it said was:
Tonight.
-A.P.W.B.D.
P.S. Vampires.
"Who's that from?" Sirius asked, peering over Harry's shoulder.
"What does that even mean? Remus asked. "Very cryptic, if you ask me."
"Who has such a long name anyways? Three middle names!" James pointed out. "And what's with the vampires?"
Harry shrugged, as if he didn't know. "Are you going to go out?" Remus asked.
"Probably," Harry nodded, knowing the Marauders wouldn't forgive him if he lied. "Just a quick scope around to see if anyone is actually waiting for me."
"But what do they mean by vampires? Do you think this guy is actually a vampire?" James asked. Harry smiled at James' guesses. Most likely, Dumbledore meant that password. And his password was always a candy type so it had to be blood pops.
"Do you want us to come with you?" Sirius asked.
"Nah," Harry said. "I can definitely tackle down a vampire if I can handle you three," Harry joked.
"Okay, we're never helping you again," James scowled.
…
Harry walked out of the common room after the other Marauders retired to their room. He quickly made it to Dumbledore's office after saying "Blood Pops" to the gargoyle.
Dumbledore was waiting for him, calmly sipping some tea as Harry sat down in the chair that he conjured.
"I suppose you could tell me more and then we can go to this locket you've told me about," Dumbledore suggested. Harry nodded before launching into the rest of his tale, this time, without glossing over the details.
"We have to swim to get to the cave, Professor and there's a lake between us and the locket. The locket's on a rock, right in the center of it. The Inferi are in the lake and there's a boat that can get us across and it's a blood access kind of cave so if you don't mind, Professor, to give up your blood so that I can drink the potion," Harry said. Dumbledore nodded. "But even if I beg to stop, don't let me stop, alright?" Harry asked. "And you can fend off the Inferi. I'll also need water after drinking it – probably – so I'm bringing a Muggle water bottle. All clear?"
Dumbledore nodded again. "Alright. I'll Apparate us there and…"
"You can Apparate?" Dumbledore asked. "Oh, how silly of me. You're in your thirties, aren't you?" Dumbledore said, smiling slightly. "It's easy to forget that you're not actually thirteen if you take a quick glance but if you look a little deeper…" Dumbledore smiled wryly. "You can see the man that's underneath. Be careful, Mr. Potter. Your eyes really do hold the windows to your soul."
With that cryptic message, Dumbledore grasped Harry's shoulder. "Apparate away, Harry," Dumbledore said and Harry focused on the cave as hard as he could.
With the uncomfortable feeling of being sucked through a small tube, there came a proud feeling because Harry could still Apparate. Harry dove into the frigid water, closely followed by Dumbledore. Harry swam through the waves, casting a lumos charm to see what's in front of him. It was already midnight and pitch black and the freezing water didn't help Harry get to the cave faster.
Finally, they reached the shore and they dried off magically before reaching the cave entrance.
"Ah Tom," Dumbledore sighed. "Using a blood entry so people would be weakened before entering. Luckily, I am slightly more experienced than average wizards." Dumbledore cut his finger slightly, without wincing. He pressed his bleeding finger to the entrance and the door opened as Dumbledore healed his finger. Harry didn't pay any attention to any of it though. He was trying to prepare himself for his worst memories.
As they settled into the boat, Harry grew increasingly worried. What would he see? If a potion could make Albus Dumbledore weak and whimpering… what would become of Harry?
Harry was sure that the locket inside the basin at the center of the lake was the real one. Regulus wasn't a Death Eater yet and Harry was going to make sure that he wouldn't become one. He would have to talk to Sirius later, but now he had to focus. His magical core was not as strong as Dumbledore's, but still strong. Harry had done lots of physical exercise to keep his magical core healthy.
The two wizards got off, careful not to touch the ominous, black waters. Dumbledore conjured a bowl for Harry to drink from and Harry shut his eyes tightly.
Grimacing, Dumbledore scooped out the potion from the basin and brought it to Harry's lips. Harry gulped it down as quick as he could, as if that would stop the consequences but it didn't. Harry fell onto his knees.
He was just a baby, sitting in his crib. Just a baby, but he was destined for tragedies. Lily Potter stood above him, peering at him with worried green eyes, eyes that were just like his. Then Voldemort came, as did the screams.
He heard his father shout and his mother's scream as James Potter fell, dead.
"No…" Harry said incoherently. "No! Please don't make me," Harry begged as Dumbledore forced the potion to his lips. The pain… Harry had never felt anything like this before. He felt like he was going to die and it was even worse than the dreaded Cruciatus. Harry bit back a scream.
Lily Potter stood in front of her son, defending him. Words were exchanged between Lily and Voldemort, but Harry didn't want to listen. With another scream, Lily Potter fell dead, just like her husband had.
"No, please," Harry begged, his tears falling down like a waterfall. "I'll do anything," Harry pleaded, but Dumbledore did not listen as he fed Harry the potion again. Why was Dumbledore doing this to him?
Sirius was there, punching Lucius Malfoy's face as hard as he could. But then a curse hit Sirius's body, making him fall into the veil.
"Please, no!" Harry shouted. "Sirius! No…" Harry begged, eyes glazed over. Pain wracked his body as if the Cruciatus was being used on him. Fire flooded through Harry's veins, unpleasant and painful. Dumbledore fed him more of the potion again, ignoring Harry's pleas. Did Dumbledore not understand the pain he was going through? Harry wanted to scream but he couldn't, for the potion was on his tongue and pain was all he knew…
Tonks and Remus lied side by side. You let them die… came a voice in Harry's head.
"No! I'm sorry…" Harry said, shaking his head. "I'm sorry!"
Sirius fell through the veil… It was your stupidity… came the same voice.
"I'm sorry," Harry pleaded. "I'm sorry…" Tears fell in a continuous rhythm but Dumbledore did not relent with the potion. "Please don't make me…" But Harry was cut off, for the bowl was brought to Harry's lips and the cursed potion slid down Harry's throat.
James and Lily Potter fell, dead and untouched. Fred lied there, surrounded by crying family. Colin Creevey, so innocent and quiet in death… it didn't suit him. Pale and lifeless.
"I'm sorry…" Harry said weakly. It was only Dumbledore's grip on him that kept him upright.
"That's the last of it," Dumbledore said. Harry's eyes rolled into the back of his head. Harry was not strong enough… He had led those people to their deaths. It was his fault. Harry continued to cry until he could not cry anymore. Blackness swept over him and Harry knew no more.