Chapter beta'd by Katsuhito. Thank you for the help, it's greatly appreciated!
AN: First let me say that this chapter is unbeta'd, but the next chapter will be beta'd. This one would have been, but I'm going to be away from a computer for a while and the only way I'll have any contact with this site is through my phone, so it was get this chapter up as is, or wait for maybe two weeks to get this. My future beta is Chessicfayth so future thank you's to him.
It was September 1st, and the morning after Iris's birthday party. The usually cheerful and active Potter home had a somber feel to it, which was shared by its occupants. The cause of this sudden change was the fact that the youngest male Potter would be leaving for Hogwarts on this morning.
It had only been a month and half since Harry had his apparent change of heart, but in that short amount of time he had become a huge part of everyone's life and the goings on of the Potter household. Waking up to breakfast being made by him, the sight of a giggling Ivy in his arms, Iris propped up against him as they read together, the sound of James debating with him over quidditch teams, and his customary hugs for Lily any time she was near. All of these were just a few of the common occurrences they expected to see each day, that they all knew they wouldn't see again until Christmas break.
All of the Potters had gotten up early on this morning, intent on spending as much time together as they could before Harry had to be at King's Cross station. When they had all showed up in the kitchen, they hadn't been expecting the awkwardness they would feel.
Shaking off the weirdness, Harry made his way to the stove and started his prepping for cooking. He had only just started, when Lily and, much to everyone's surprise, Iris joined him in making breakfast. James had also tried to join in, but was quickly turned down by the three, causing them all to break out in small chuckles, that didn't last nearly long enough, for as soon as they started to fade the awkward feeling came back.
The meal had been made and almost finished before more than thank you's, for the meal was spoken.
"Dad," Harry called gently, getting the attention of everyone at the table, except for Ivy who was sitting in his lap, too lost in her pancake to listen to anyone. "I was wondering if we could go through the barrier when getting on the platform?"
"That's fine with me," answered James, happy that someone was finally talking. "Is there any reason why you want to go that way instead of flooing, or apparating straight on?"
Coloring red Harry answered, "I just want to see what it would be like to walk through the barrier."
Hearing his answer James nodded his head in understanding. He knew firsthand the feeling of wanting to try something new and foreign.
"I remember my first time going through, I thought for sure that I was going to crash straight into the barrier," Lily told them, cheering up a bit thinking about her first time going to Hogwarts. "Most people find it a bit unnerving the first time. But I can't deny that when I was told how to get on the platform, that I was excited to try it myself."
"I'd like to try it as well," said Iris, trying for a smile, but only forming a grimace.
"Well it's settled then, we'll apparate into the alley beside Kings Cross, and make our way over from there," confirmed James.
At James' words silence once again fell, which seemed to be worse now after the conversation had ended than it was before. It was in this way that the remainder of their meal was finished.
Harry seeing that everyone one was done waved his wand cleaning up the mess and putting everything away. Once that was done he cast a quick Tempus, showing the family that it was 9:54.
"You better go get your trunk. If we don't leave soon all the best compartments will be filled up," explained Lily. "While you're doing that I'll clean Ivy up."
"I'm not dirty," shrieked Ivy. She, like most children her age, was a messy eater. Add in her favorite meal of pancakes, soaked in syrup, and you have one sticky little girl. At the moment her puffy little cheeks were covered in the golden brown substance; her hands weren't in a much better state.
"Nope, not dirty," he said, pausing to kiss her loudly on the cheek. "Just way to sweet."
Picking her up he carried her to their mother, where he handed her off before leaning down and kissing Lily on the cheek, much like he had Ivy. "I'm going to go grab my stuff," he said over his shoulder making his way out the kitchen.
"Wait a second," called James standing up. "I'll come with you, there's something I need to talk to you about before we go."
"Alright."
Together the father and son silently made their way to Harry's room. Harry couldn't help but wonder what it was that his father wanted to speak with him about.
Entering his room, Harry walked over to the foot of his bed where his trunk was still sitting from the previous day; using his wand he quickly shrunk it before pocketing it.
"That's all of it," turning to his father who was standing by the closed door, it appeared to Harry that James had made his mind up about something by the determined look on his face. "Sickle for your thoughts?"
"I still find it amazing how good you are at magic," James told him. "That spell you just used was another third year spell."
Harry knew that it was kind of like lying to his family, every time he performed magic in front of them, making them believe it was his natural ability that made him so good at magic. But if Harry was to be honest with himself, he didn't really care. He had done things during his years at Hogwarts that not even the great Albus Dumbledore, or the mad man Tom Riddle, could have done. The way Harry saw it, the praise he received every time he did magic that was well outside of what he should be able to do at his age, was rightfully his after what all he had done and been through. Besides at the end of the day not only did it make him feel good, but his family and those who cared for him as well.
"You shouldn't be surprised dad," said Harry, he could tell his father was tense about something. "I am my mother's son after all," he hoped his small attempt at a joke would calm his father.
James couldn't help but let out a small chuckle at his son's slight at him. "That you are," agreed James. "Which is why I know that you can do what I'm going to ask of you." Summoning two chairs James sat down, with Harry following suit.
"Do you remember Susan from your sister's party?"
"Yeah, I tried talking to her, but all she did in return was pretend to be the color red," joked Harry.
"Yes, that's something you red heads have an affinity for." James couldn't help but feel pride at the effect his son had on opposite sex, but now wasn't the right time to dwell on that. "I bring her up because, as you may know, she, like us, is from one of the four head families of Britain."
"Yes, I know this," confirmed Harry.
"And you remember what I told you about the Longbottom heir?"
"That he's an entitled bully that thinks the sun shines out his Longbottom," supplied a smirking Harry.
"I don't know if I'd use those words, but that about covers it," answered James, letting a smirk cross his face, before becoming serious again. "He'll most likely be trained in magic already, thanks to his status. I would be worried about him trying to pull something on you, but I have no doubt that you can take care of yourself. After all, with how much time you spend in the library, you've bound to pick up a few offense and defensive spells."
"I might have picked up more than a body bind," answered Harry. "But I don't think you're here to tell me to attack him... are you?"
"No I'm not," James told him firmly. "There are old laws, which were made solely for our four families. These laws are still in effect to this day, and are very tricky with the way they are worded."
"Like what," questioned Harry? If there were special laws set up that affected him and his family, then he needed to get a copy of them.
"There's a few; I'll have to send them to you in a couple of days," said James. "They're set in a way to give each family loop holes to attack each other. Like the law that says you can't physically touch a member of the other families, but it doesn't say anything about using spells or weapons on each other. But that's not important right now; those laws are so old that they aren't really used anymore. Though I wouldn't put it past them to try and use them against us." As he said this he shook his head at how petty old blooded families could be. "What I've been trying to get at is that while you can take care of yourself, Susan may not be."
"So you're asking me to watch out for her," he questioned his father?
"Exactly!"
"You didn't have to ask me that you know," he said, standing up? "I would have watched out for her anyway."
"OH," said James drawing out the word, his playful attitude resurfacing. "Are you going to take after me and have a thing for red heads too?"
"I don't think you can have a 'thing' for red heads when you're a red head yourself," he said, pointing to his own hair. "But for real, I would have watched out for her, not because she's from one of the old families, but because she's Iris's friend. Plus I'm not really the type of person to just sit back and watch others be pushed around."
"That's a good way to be, but if you stand by that rule while at Hogwarts, you're going to cause waves," James informed him, before he also stood up, placing his hand on Harry's shoulder and steering him toward the bedroom door. "Just be careful. Hogwarts can be a dangerous place when you try and change things."
The trip back down to the kitchen was the complete opposite of the quite slow walk up. The three female Potters could hear father and son before they could see them. When they did catch sight of them, it was of James holding Harry loosely in a head lock.
"I don't know, maybe I should get Sirius to help me hold you down and cut it," said James, continuing a conversation that the girls was sure was the cause of all the commotion.
"I already have to get Sirius back, so I hope you'll be smart enough to not get on my hit list," Harry told him as he freed himself of his father's clutches. "Besides, I'm wearing the style of all powerful wizards: The Dumbledore." He said the last part while throwing his hair over his shoulder.
Smiling fondly at her husband and son, Lily walked over to them with Ivy in her arms. Reaching them, she handed Ivy over to James.
"You're going to take Ivy and Iris, while I take Harry." James just nodded to her words, making his way over to his other daughter.
"Alright we'll see you in a few moments," said James. Ivy in his arms and with Iris's wrapped around his waist, he turned on the spot, disappearing with a small pop.
"I thought you couldn't apparate in our wards?" questioned Harry.
"You can if you're part of the Potter bloodline, or, like me, are a spouse to someone of said bloodline," she told him in a quavering voice. "Now the reason I wanted to take you is because I wanted to say goodbye here, that way I won't embarrass you at the train station."
In the few seconds it took her to walk the few steps over to him, he could see her let her emotions over take her, as tears started leaking down her face. Reaching him, she felt herself being pulled in to the surprisingly strong embrace of her son, where both she and Harry buried their heads into each other's shoulders.
"You could never embarrass me mum," he told her, feeling himself choking up at their soon-to-be good bye. "I love you, and any time you want to show me that you love me too, I hope you won't hold back over something as dumb as not wanting to embarrass me."
Lily let out a watery chuckle at his words. He did take more after her than he did James, but when he spoke like he just had, he was showing just a tiny bit of what he had received from James.
"I do love you honey." She paused here trying to gain some composure before she continued. "Never doubt that, but I do know that boys don't want people to think that they're momma's boys either." Giving him one last squeeze, she pulled away from the hug and took out her wand. A simple flick later and you couldn't tell that she or he either one had been crying or close to doing so.
"Ready," she asked, holding out her hand?
Taking her hand in his, he gave her a quick nod of the head. Seeing that he was ready, she turned on the spot, disappearing with a pop, much like James had done moments before.
One ride through a straw later, Lily was supporting his weight in a side alley, keeping him from falling into any of the trash. James, who was holding Ivy's and Iris's hands, couldn't help but laugh at his son. "I see that all that talent at magic doesn't carry over to apparating."
"I'll be sticking with brooms in the future," Harry said simply.
"Let's hurry, we don't want you to miss your train," said Lily, showing everyone the time with her wand.
Swiftly, the Potters made their way out of the alley and up the front steps. Once inside they saw that they had entered where platform one was and would have to make their way to the other side of the station. Being careful not to lose each other, they slowly pushed their way through the crowds of people. A few times they caught sight of caged owls that were screaming at all the chaos, making Harry happy that Hedwig would be flying to Hogwarts on her own. After what felt like an eternity, they reached the area between platforms nine and ten.
"Here we are," announced James. "Is it everything you expected and more?"
"It looks so... normal," said Harry, sounding unimpressed.
"Well they can't make it look flashy and draw all the muggles' attention now could they?" chuckled James. "Now, since it's your first time going through, you have to make the run by yourself. If you're worried, it's best to go at it with a bit of a run."
Nodding his understanding, Harry took a few deep breaths, hoping that he wasn't over selling his nervousness. Thinking that he had put it off long enough, he dashed straight at the wall, reaching it faster than he expected, he almost didn't get his hood pulled up in time to turn invisible before coming out the other side.
Invisible or not, the sight of the scarlet train known as the Hogwarts Express was still an impressive sight to behold. All over the platform were people in a rush, some to say goodbye, others to get to their friends. Looking around, Harry couldn't see anyone he knew personally from his last life, but when he saw a flash of what he thought was bushy hair, he remembered the entire reason why he had asked to come this way. Closing his eyes, he pictured his destination as he turned in spot, leaving behind only a soft pop that was lost in the noise of hundreds of students and their families.
S2ndC
Coming out of his apparition with far more grace than he had with his mother, Harry took in his surroundings. He was currently on the edge of the village known as Hogsmeade. The last time he had seen it was when Dementors and Death Eaters had been running around. It had reminded him of a ghost town at the time, but now with the sun shining and people going on about their day to day, it looked as any small village should: peaceful.
Knowing he didn't have time to waste, he began a brisk jog to Honeydukes.
When the sweets shop entered his sight, Harry was pleased to see that even though it wasn't a weekend where Hogwarts students were allowed to visit the village, the shop was still packed with customers. Slowing to a walk, Harry watched as traffic in and out of the shop came to a stop. Not being able to open the door without causing people to question why the door was seemingly opening and closing by itself, he stood in wait for the next person to come or go, so that he could enter himself.
Five minutes had passed, and no one had come or gone from the shop in the short amount of time that he had been standing there. Harry knew that if his plan worked, it wouldn't matter how long he had to wait, that he would be fine. But despite knowing this, he was still having a hard time not throwing caution to the wind and just opening the door himself.
Just as he was about to give in to his impatience, a short, plump, toad-looking woman caught his eye from down the street. What was Dolores Umbridge, one of the few people Harry hated as much as he did Voldemort, doing here in Hogsmeade?
To Harry, the temptation of stunning her so he could drag her into a back alley, so he could carve into her with one of his knives, was so strong that he had to bite the inside of his cheek just to stay in place. As she drew closer to him, he could taste blood pooling in his mouth. With the taste of copper filling his mouth, a very reckless idea came to him.
Drawing his wand, he pointed it at her thinking the word Imperio. The effect was instantaneous: Umbridge, who had already passed the shop, turned and waddled back as fast as her fat feet would carry her. Reaching the door she flung it open, looking around wildly for something.
Seeing a handsome man, she walked up to him and said in a loud voice that caught everyone's attention, "Hey sexy, want to take this for a ride?" This statement alone would have been sickening to hear from her, but add to the fact that as she said this, she had pulled up her shirt up showing off her fat stomach as she fingered her belly button.
This had the effect Harry was hoping for. Her little show gave him the distraction he needed, so that he could get into the cellar.
Bending down he pried up the trap door that lead to the passage up to the castle. Descending a couple of steps down, he pulled the trap door back in to place, cutting off his light source.
His adrenalin pumping Harry sat down on the steps, pulling his hood off, he reached into his invisibility robe and pulled out the Marauder's Map. Activating it, he saw that all of the teachers where in Dumbledore's office, most likely having a meeting before the students showed up later in the evening.
Not bothering to wipe the map, as he knew he would be using it again, he pocketed it as he stood up to continue on his way through the secret passage. Hoping that he would make it to his destination before the Professor returned to his office.
S2ndC
It had been years since he had taken this passage. He hadn't needed it after Sirius had signed his permission slip, thus allowing him to attend Hogsmeade trips with his class mates. Because of this, he had forgotten how long this path would take to reach the castle.
As he came to an end of the tunnel, his face was hot, and his feet cold, much like it had been the first time he had used this path.
'No entrance or not, next time I'm using the Shrieking Shack,' he thought angrily to himself.
While the Shrieking Shack would have been easier and closer to use, it didn't have any functioning windows, or doors. Remus had told him once that there was a rune he could press to open an entrance to the shack, but he had never told Harry where it was. He knew he could have used the blue knife from the set Sirius gave him to find it, but the house had been enchanted by Dumbledore to keep Remus in while transformed, meaning that there was a very good chance the entire shack would have had magic all over it, making the knife's ability to show magic useless.
Checking the map to make sure no one was around the statue of the one eyed witch, he put it away before he started to pull himself up to the hump, bracing his weight with his legs so as not to fall, he used his wand to cast the spell Dissendium, that opened the hump allowing him to crawl out.
Remembering he had his hood down, he quickly pulled it up as he ran full blast to the charms corridor, and the office of Professor Flitwick.
As he found himself in front of Flitwick's office, he was surprised once again at his speed.
'First the barriers, now getting to his office, maybe my workouts are helping more than I thought. Even if it is only a little,' he thought cheerfully to himself, as he pulled out his black and blue knives.
Using the blue knife he could see that the magic of the door leading into the office was just a shade darker, than that of the constant magic that was flowing through the halls of the school. Hoping that it was only a locking spell on the door, he slid the black knife into the crack between where the door lock and the doors frame meet. Hearing a faint click, he knew that the knife had done its job.
'Thank you Sirius,' he thought as he pocketed the black knife.
Harry knew that if he were to use magic, then at the very least Dumbledore would be able to identify him by his magical signature, much like he had Voldemort when they went after the locket together. Of course Harry didn't know if Dumbledore knew his signature yet, but it would only take him once to recognize it and he'd be in trouble. Thus why Harry was thanking Sirius, if not for those knives, he wouldn't be attempting what he was.
Quickly he opened the door just enough to squeeze in. Crossing the threshold, he shut the door again, not wanting to draw suspicion to the Professor's open office door, on the off chance someone were to pass by.
Harry had been into many of the other Professors' offices, but never the tiny charms Professor's. The room itself was as large as McGonagall's, but where hers was neat and orderly, the charms master's was chaos. The office was full of books stacked to swaying heights, creating a maze of books that only a person of Filtwick's size could get through without causing an avalanche of literature.
Being very careful not to touch anything, Harry began his journey through the mountains of books, to the desk on the other side of the room.
After more close calls than Harry would have liked to admit, he made it to the pint sized teacher's desk. Still holding the blue knife, he could see that the desk drawers were the same color as the door had been. Not wanting to waste time, he used the black knife once again to unlock all of them before he started looking for what he came for.
As it turned out, unlocking them all was a waste of time. Opening the first drawers, Harry found himself staring at an elegant looking case. Forgetting to check it with the knife, he quickly picked it up.
His hands shaking from the adrenalin that was pumping through his veins, he slowly opened the case, revealing four golden time tuners.
S2ndC
"I wonder where he's at," said a concerned James.
He and the rest of the Potters had just come through the barrier only to find that Harry wasn't there.
"You don't think something happeā¦"
Lily never finished her question, for at that moment Harry came walking around one of the pillars.
"Sorry guys," apologized Harry as he jogged up to his family. "This kid dropped his Remembrall, and I helped him chase it down."
"It's fine honey, we were just worried about where you disappeared to," Lily told him, smoothing a non-existant wrinkle on his shirt.
"Hello," said the deep voice of Marcus Greengrass. He, his wife, and Astoria had walked up to them without any of the Potters noticing.
"Hello Marcus," said James offering his hand to him. "I don't see Daphne, is she already on the train?"
As the adults were busy with their own conversations, Astoria had walked up to Harry and Iris. "How does it feel to be going to Hogwarts?" she asked Harry as she gave both him and Iris a hug in greeting.
"I'm kind of dreading it, to be honest," he told them, earning himself surprised looks from not only the girls but the adults as well - they had been half-listening to the childrens' conversation.
"Why?" asked a shocked Iris.
"I'm really going to miss everybody."
"How rude of us," said Lord Greengrass, who had been keeping an eye on his youngest and Harry. "We're cutting into your goodbye time; we'll be going now." He gave each of the Potters a nod goodbye that is until he got to Harry, whom he gave a stern glare, before walking over to the designated apparation point to wait on his family to say goodbye.
Harry knew he was only worried about his daughter, but the look Marcus gave him had reminded him of the glares he had received from Vernon when he was younger. Any man that gave him that kind of look deserved to be messed with, thought Harry, the small amount of adrenalin still running in his veins causing him to be reckless.
As Astoria and her mother walked away, Harry called out to her, "Tori." Doing so caused both her and her mother to turn, and for Marcus's eyes to narrow a small fraction. "Would you mind if I wrote to you some time? You know to keep in touch?" Sending here his best smile, he waited for her answer, while being sure to watch Marcus out of the corner of his eye.
Everyone's attention was either on Harry or Astoria at that moment, meaning Harry was the only one to see Marcus's hand twitch toward his robes at the word 'touch'.
"I'd like that," said a beaming Astoria, before her smiling mother lead her to her father, who gave Harry a look that reminded him why he had been so scared of him the day before.
Making sure to put every ounce of contempt he held for the young man in his glare, Marcus apparated away with his family.
"You know, Sirius and I used to get looks like that from girls' fathers when we were younger," said a pensive James, drawing the attention of his family. "And much like yourself, we would do things to piss off them off, things that would look innocent to others, but that would make the fathers turn in their sleep at night thinking the worse. That is until Sirius messed with the wrong man. Madam Pomfrey told us afterwards that she had never before had to use so much Skele-Gro on one person in all her years as a healer."
Hearing this, Harry felt abashed at being caught by his father but was still wondering what point his father was trying to make.
"The man who got a hold of Sirius was a person who believed in the old ways, meaning he really didn't care all that much about his daughter. At most, he saw her as was a means to an end." Harry had always known that there were people like that in the world, but after becoming so close to his family, it made it so much harder to believe people could be that way. "That being said, Marcus is nothing like that. While it's true he has an icy disposition, he cares very deeply for his family, so could you imagine how badly he would react to someone whom he felt was trying to mess with his family?"
James could see his words had their desired effect, by the visible rate that his son was paling. Walking up to him, he pulled Harry into a hug, while whispering into his ear, "Just treat any girls you come across like you would want your mother and sisters treated, okay?" Getting a mumbled 'yeah' from his son, he continued in the same voice as before, so that Lily couldn't hear, "I know I said this before we left, but be careful. Every choice and action we make has consequences that can have lasting effects." Saying his piece, he pulled away from his son to let the others say their goodbyes.
Iris, who had been unusually quiet this morning, had been dreading today for the past couple of weeks. She didn't know when, but sometime after her trip to Diagon Alley with him she had become attached to him. So much so, that she spent a lot of time talking about him to her friends, and while she had done so in the past, it had always been about how much she hated him.
She had realized how much she had talked him up when he had tried talking to her friends, all of which acted like airheads around him. She didn't know why, but seeing them act like that toward him had caused her to become very angry with them and herself for telling them so much about him. It wasn't until she saw the annoyed look in his eyes as he walked away from them that she calmed down enough to realize that her feelings weren't normal.
Later that night as she lay in bed, she had wondered what had caused her to feel the way she had during the party. Maybe Astoria was right, and she did have a crush on him. But that would just be wrong. He was her brother after all. It was just too bad that he was leaving in the morning; if she had more time she might be able to figure out her feelings for him. There was one thing she was certain of and that was that she was going to have to watch him and see if she could figure out why he made her feel that way.
So when she and her mother had come through the barrier together to find him missing, she had almost had a panic attack. When her father came through a few seconds later, he calmed them both down and was getting ready to go look for him when Harry showed up and told them his story. Their mother and father had both believed him right away, but Iris knew he was lying. She had been standing at an angle that let her see the other side of the pillar that he had come around, so she had been in the perfect place to see him appear out of thin air.
But even after she had listened to him lie to them, she didn't feel that he had done anything wrong; she only felt her curiosity spike. She really wanted to know what he was up to, and she was going to find out.
"I'd say write to me too, but it seems like you're going to be too busy writing Astoria," said Iris, making her way to her brother.
"I was only planning on writing her every once and while, and writing to you and the others twice a week, but if you prefer me writing her I will," teased Harry, giving her a fake sigh.
"You better write me twice a week or I'm going to hurt you worse than I just did."
"Wha- agghh," before he could get his question out, Iris had hit him in the shoulder. "Damn you're violent. I feel sorry for your future husband. Poor man's going to be beaten daily."
"I'm not going to see you for a while, and I'm sure you're going to do something between now and then that deserves a good hit," she told him in a matter of fact tone, as she wrapped him in a gentle hug. "I'm going to miss you."
As he returned her hug, he knew that he'd miss her the most. Already the part of him that made him watch her the way he did, was telling him not to go, to stay with her. And if Harry was to be honest it scared him that he was tempted to do just that.
"I'm going to miss you to," he said sincerely. "Even if I won't miss your violent outbursts."
Giggling at him, she pulled away to allow Lily and Ivy to say goodbye.
"Harry where are you going?" asked curious Ivy.
"I'm going to school, that way I can learn new ways to play with you." He had thought about what he should tell her ahead of time; he knew if she thought he was learning new games for them to play, that she might take his leaving better.
"Like when you make me fly?"
"Yup, and when I get back we'll play all you want," told Harry, taking her from Lily's arms so he could hug her. "And while I'm gone, mum, dad, or Iris will read with you. How does that sound?"
By now she had her head nuzzled into the bend of his neck; Harry thought for a minute that she wasn't going to talk to him that was until he felt something wet dripping on to his shoulder, coupled with a muffled response that he couldn't understand.
"What was that, I can't hear you Ivy?"
Pulling her head back, she exposed her puffy eyes and tear stained cheeks. "I don't want you to go," she gasped out.
Seeing her like this tore at his heart and made him question if it really was Iris whom he'd miss most.
"I don't need a new game to play."
Harry could see that his plan wasn't working and didn't know what to do. Her tears running from her big green eyes weren't helping matters either.
"Ivy, it'll be all right," he assured her, as he rubbed circles on her back, trying to calm her. "I'll be back at Christmas, and I promise to write as much as you want."
"Don't go," she begged. "Don't you love me anymore?"
"Okay, come here baby," Lily said soothingly. She had hoped Harry could work his usual magic on her, but it seemed that Ivy's tears had been too much for him to handle. "There, there. It's all right, he'll be back soon."
Walking behind Lily so he could face the little girl that was on her mother's hip, he tried again. "Ivy, of course I still love you, but I have to go. If I could stay I would."
His hope's that his words would get through to her died as she buried her head into Lily's shoulder, much like she had his only seconds ago.
Pushing down her own sadness at the coming goodbye, Lily turned to her oldest. Knowing that he was fixing to get on to a train where she could not comfort him, now would be her only chance to do so. "She's just upset about you leaving. She knows you still love her," Lily assured him. As hard as the moment was on Harry, it was doubly as hard on her. She had to watch two of her children look as if their hearts were being broken.
"I know... it still hurts though," admitted Harry. He looked to be on the verge of tears himself.
Silence fell between the five, the only sound coming from any of them, was of Ivy's labored breathing. James knew that the longer that Harry listened to Ivy, the worse it was going to be when he left, so he thought it would be best if he stepped in. "Why don't I take Ivy home-" began James.
"No, you should all go," Harry told him, later on that night Harry would feel worse than he already did, as he recalled the hurt looks that crossed his families faces at his words. "That way you all can cheer her up together."
"Are you sure? I can take her by myself," questioned James.
"Yeah I'm sure," answered Harry as he gave James, Lily, and Iris each a hug goodbye. "I've already said goodbye to mum at home, so were all covered."
Walking around Lily to face Ivy one last time, he whispered his love to her and gave her a kiss on the forehead. Still not getting any reaction from her, he gave up and told his family goodbye. As he boarded the train, he could still see and hear the little girl's sobs.
S2ndC
After boarding the train, Harry forced his way through the crowds of excited students to an empty compartment. Seeing that no one had anything in the luggage racks, he quickly claimed it as his own. Unknown to Harry, many students had been on the verge of trying to enter his compartment but saw the look on his face and thought better of entering.
Having no one to talk to and not feeling up to hunting down Cho or Daphne, he was left with only his thoughts to occupy his time. All of which seemed to be about Ivy. How was it that he could talk adults into believing him and doing what he wanted, but was unable to keep his little sister from getting hurt?
The more he thought about her the more depressed he felt. Finally realizing that he need to take his mind off his poor attempts at being a brother, he pulled out his trunk. Setting it in the middle of the floor, he gave a sharper wave of his wand than was needed and un-shrunk and unlocked it.
Digging in the compartment used for storing books, he found what he was looking for: a book on the different types of materials that could have runes carved into them and how long they would last. Finding the subject very interesting, he quickly lost himself in it, forgetting for a time about his troubles with Ivy.
It had been a couple of hours since the train had left the station and Harry was still on his own reading his book, when movement outside his window caught his eye. Looking up he was treated to the sight of a mini version of Hermione. With her bucky teeth, bushy hair, and air of awkwardness, it was like his first year all over again. If he hadn't been so lost in nostalgia he would have realized it was his first year all over again and that he would naturally be seeing the child versions of his friends.
Drinking in her features, Harry recognized the tall tale signs that she was upset and nervous. She was currently just standing outside the door, chewing on her bottom lip with those teeth she hated so much, her hand half raised to knock, but seemed to be unable to do so. Seeing her like this was as bad to Harry as Ivy had been.
Getting up, he opened the door for her and waited for her to say something. However, after a few seconds of standing there, it became clear to Harry that she was somewhere far off in her mind. He and Ron had named this effect 'Hermione time,' after losing count of how many times they had been talking to her only to realize she was lost in her own little world. Knowing she could stand there the entire train ride lost in thought, he cleared his throat, startling her.
"Oh, um, sorry if I'm bothering you, but I was wondering if you had room enough for me?" asked the small version of Hermione.
Hoping that he could cheer her up, he looked behind him at the empty compartment before turning back to her and saying in a playful tone, "I don't know, there are an awful lot of people in here." He paused here to sigh dramatically, not able to keep the corner of his lips from curling up in a smile. "I guess we can make room for one more."
"Thank you," she said sounding relieved. Turning, she went to drag her trunk in, but Harry stopped her.
"You go ahead and get inside," he told her. "I'll grab your things for you."
"Are you sure, its quite heavy?" she asked meekly. "I suspect I've brought too many books with me."
Her fears about its weight were put to rest as Harry easily brought the trunk in and stored it in the luggage racks before taking a seat across from her.
"So you like books, huh?" he asked, drawing her attention away from the book on runes that was in the seat beside him.
"Yeah," she said, flushing red at being caught staring at the book. "I see a book and I can't help but want to read it."
"Sounds like you're going to be a Ravenclaw to me."
"Oh no, I'm going to be a Gryffindor," she corrected him. "It's the house Dumbledore was in during his time at Hogwarts."
"I don't mean to be rude, but what does that have to do with you?" Harry knew that he was most likely going to be in Ravenclaw himself, and was hoping to persuade Hermione in joining him there.
"I, uh, I don't understand what you mean," she told him, not looking as if his words had offended her at all.
"What I'm getting at is that the reason you want to be in Gryffindor is because Dumbledore was in that house, correct?" Getting a nod from Hermione he continued, "While it's true that Dumbledore is a talented wizard, his most outstanding feature is his bravery. That's why he was placed there. So for you to say that's where you're going because someone else did is... unintelligent. If you have anywhere near as many books in that trunk of yours as I think you do, then you should be a Ravenclaw."
"But Dumbledore was one of the brightest students to ever go to Hogwarts, and was placed in Gryffindor and went on to do great things," defended Hermione.
He could tell this Hermione was the same as the one from his timeline and that she didn't like being wrong.
"That's because he was one of the few people who had strong traits of more than one of the four houses. Which I might add is very rare to see in a person," he informed her. "Look at it like this, back when the founders started the school, the houses were the handpicked students of each of them that they wanted to pass on their knowledge to. But nowadays it's more of a way for people to be around like minded individuals. So do you really think it would be smart for someone who loves books as much as it seems you do, to be in a house that's known for rushing into things without thinking and being good at sports?"
"I see your point," she said, sounding as if it hurt her to admit it. "Which house do you think you'll be in?"
"Well between the choices of being underhanded, brave to the point of idiocy, hard working left over's, or being a know-it-all... I think I'll have to go with being one of the know-it-alls," Harry finished to Hermione's giggles. He was happy that she had found some amusement in his little speech.
"Well if we're going to be fellow 'know-it-all', then you have to tell me what that book is about."
AN: You would have had this chapter soon, but I was busy saving the world. Saturday was my birthday (st. pattys day) and I was given MassEffect 3 for my XBox and a PS3 with all three Uncharted games. So like I said I was saving all your sorry ass's from aliens and a Cursed golden man.
So before anyone says anything about him using magic outside school, he has done so in canon without getting in trouble. 3rd year in the shrieking shack, 5th year DOM, and in his 6th year with Dumbledore where he also apparates before the age of seventeen. Also Hermione says in the first book on the train that she has tried a few spell's, and while she didn't say she cast them at home she also didn't say she had done so on the train. As to the unforgiveable Malfoy had used them during his 6th year and wasn't caught so what are he chances that Harry will now.
Also I have to find a list of all of Harry's year mates and figure where I'm going to stick them. Also have to figure out if I'm going to do the Sword trick at the sorting.
Poll Results: You all like smart girls, their all three going Ravenclaw.
Now I have one last question. Do you guys want to pick Harry's Patronus? I think it would be cool if it took after his other wand core, since his animagus took after the feather... oops spoiler alert. But can you see his patronus coming out as a Basilisk and how much it would scare everyone. Well if you want to pick leave what you think it should be and I'll put them up in a poll, but no matter what any of you pick it will not be a deer of any kind.
Like always Thank you for your reviews and I hope to see you in your reviews.
