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Chapter Thirteen
AU World
Damien made his way to the Gryffindor common room, tired beyond belief. He had so much homework to do tonight, the mere thought was tiring him out. He entered the common room and hurried to sit in the armchair nearest the fireplace. As soon as he lowered himself into his favourite chair he heard his name being called. Looking up he caught sight of a sixth year, Jason Hugh.
"Your dad told me to tell you, he wants to see you right now, before dinner."
Damien groaned.
"Why?" he asked.
"I don't know." Jason replied. "I'm just passing on the message."
Damien got back up and headed for the door, wondering what his dad wanted to talk to him about.
xxx
James paced the length of his room, hands clasped behind him, deep in thought of how he was going to go about this. His best friend, Sirius Black sat watching him.
"If you do that any longer, you'll create a runway in the middle of your room." he joked. James ignored him and increased his pace. "For Merlin's sake, will you sit down!" Sirius said, pointing to a seat across from him.
James stopped, looked over to where Sirius was pointing and then started pacing again.
"It helps me think." He said in explanation.
"Why are you thinking so much?" Sirius asked and then realised how bizarre a question that was.
"It's Harry," James said. "He's been acting so strange, it's really starting to scare me."
"What did he do now?" Sirius asked.
"Nothing in particular. He hasn't actually done anything. That's just the thing, it's not anything he does, it's more how he acts these days." James explained, visibly worried.
"What do you mean?"
James paused in his pacing.
"He's very quiet and at times he seems so…depressed." James said after a few moments of thought.
"Because he's usually such a regular ray of sunshine!" Sirius responded.
James sighed dejectedly and sat down across Sirius.
"It's hard to explain. Before Harry was a…a…broody type of quiet, now he's a shy type of quiet. Does that make sense?" he asked.
"Kind of, I just didn't know there are 'types' of quiet." Sirius joked again, annoying James.
"You don't get it!" he fumed.
"You're getting all worked up over nothing." Sirius tried to tell him.
"There is something going on with Harry. He's been acting strange ever since coming to Hogwarts." James said.
"Have you talked to him about it?" Sirius asked. James just looked at him. "Of course not, what was I thinking?" he mused. "So, what are you planning on doing?"
"I'm going to talk to Damien." James said.
"What? Why?" Sirius asked confused.
"If there's something going on with Harry, I can bet you all the broomsticks in the world, Damien will know about it." James said.
"So you're going to interrogate your younger son for information?" Sirius asked. James didn't give an answer. "Have you talked to Lily about this?" Sirius asked, not looking at all pleased.
"She doesn't agree with me. She thinks I'm overacting." James admitted. "She's more than happy with Harry's opening up to her, don't get me wrong, I'm thankful too, it's just, I can't understand what made him change so suddenly."
Sirius' comment was drowned out by the sound of knocking. James reached the door in two strides and opened it to find Damien before him.
"You wanted to see me?" Damien asked as he walked inside, gesturing 'hello' to his Godfather.
"Yeah, I just wanted to see how you were, I've not had a chance to talk to you lately." James said, closing the door and walking over to join his son and friend.
"You asked for me to come and see you before dinner, just to see how I was?" Damien asked, still standing up.
"Yeah" James answered.
"Well, if that's all you wanted, I should go. I have so much homework, it should have a room to itself." Damien said, heading for the door.
"No, actually I do have something I wanted to talk to you about. Take a seat." James said. He guided the bewildered boy to a seat and gestured for him to sit.
"Okay, what's going on?" Damien asked.
"Nothing" James gave Sirius a pointed look, gesturing for him to leave. Sirius didn't move. "Don't you have somewhere to go?" James asked tersely.
"No, I'm fine here." Sirius replied, returning James' look.
"You should go and see Lily, before you leave. And shouldn't you see Harry on your visit?"
Sirius knew he wouldn't be able to win this fight. He grudgingly got up; he didn't think it was very fair of James to annoy Damy for information on Harry. It just wasn't right.
"See you later, pup. Take it easy, Prongs." Sirius whispered the last part to his friend, before crossing the room and disappearing through the door.
James sat across Damien, suddenly feeling very apprehensive. Was he really overacting?
"Uh, dad?" James snapped up to see Damien looking worriedly at him. "Are you okay?"
"Yeah, I'm fine. I wanted to talk to you about, about Harry." James said keeping his eyes fixed to Damien for any reactions.
Damien tried, he really tried hard not to let his panic show. He kept his face tightly controlled in a blank expression. With all the energy he could muster, he answered.
"About Harry? What about him?"
James could see through Damien and his act. He had been an Auror for so long, he was used to questioning people. He could see the panic in him, even though his son was fighting to hide it. His eyes gave away everything.
"Have you noticed anything, weird about him, lately?" James asked.
"Not really, Harry's pretty weird to start with." Damien tried to joke, with a strained laugh.
"I've noticed a lot of differences in his behaviour lately and I'm starting to get concerned," James continued. "I don't know what's going on but I'm pretty sure you do."
Damien fidgeted in his seat, not making any eye contact. 'Damn, Harry, both of them.'
"Alright, dad. You figured it out. You're right, something is going on with Harry." Damien said.
James sat up in his seat, his full, undivided attention on the boy before him.
"What? What's happened?"
Damien took a deep breath.
"It's Ginny," he said.
"Ginny?" James asked, surprised.
"Yes, Ginny. Harry and she have been having a rough time. It's very complicated not to mention private but just consider that they could break up at any time."
James looked genuinely shocked. He sat with his hands clasped, a deep look of worry on his face.
"What happened? I mean they both seemed so happy, what changed?" he asked. Damien cringed internally. 'I'm so going to hell' he thought miserably, before going on with his elaborate lie.
"Ginny did, she's just been blaming a lot of things on Harry, gets him really miserable. She's totally messed with his head. Harry doesn't feel confident in himself anymore, thinks that he can't get anything right, that's he's responsible for everything that goes wrong."
"What!?" James suddenly got very angry. "Why would she do that? She didn't seem like that kind of girl!"
"She's not said anything to him, not directly. It's more the way she's been acting, blowing him off, standing him up on dates. I think someone is messing with her. She's starting to listen to others talk about them and I think at times, she gets carried away." Damien really hated himself right now, but he had to say something to protect their secret.
"That's why he seems so insecure. It makes sense." James muttered.
'Oh, thank God!' Damien said under his breath. Out loud he said, "That's why Harry spends so much time with you guys, it's because he tries to stay away from Ginny."
"I had no idea." James said quietly. "Ginny is a sensible girl, she shouldn't let others talk her out of this relationship."
Damien nodded his head, too disgusted with himself to say anymore.
"I'll be having words with Arthur." James said quietly.
"What?! No, no, you can't!" Damien said, leaping to his feet.
"Why not? His daughter is hurting my son." James replied.
"Dad! This is Harry's private matter. Let him deal with it. If you say anything, to anyone about this, it'll only embarrass Harry more. Besides, I'm not even supposed to say anything to you about this. Harry will kill me!"
"Fine, I won't say anything." James begrudgingly agreed.
"You shouldn't say anything in any case. It's nothing to do with you." Damien retorted. "And you shouldn't say anything to either Harry or Ginny. Let them sort this out themselves."
James didn't give any verbal affirmation but nodded his head a fraction.
"I should go now, I really have loads of homework to get through." Damien got up and headed for the door. A hand stopped him from the shoulder and he was turned around to face James.
"Damien, I hope that you've told me everything. I had asked you once before to never keep things from me where it concerned Harry's safety. I ask you again to bear that in mind."
Damien had to swallow down the truth as it came bubbling up from within. He forced a smile on his face before walking out, aware of his dad's eyes on him the whole time.
xxx
"Harry and Ginny are having problems?" Lily asked.
"That's what Damien told me." James replied, stretched out on Lily's sofa.
"You don't believe him?" Lily asked, her green eyes narrowed at her husband.
James took a few moments to answer.
"Damien's my son, I know him well enough to know when he's having me on and when he's telling the truth." He replied.
"You think Damien's lying? Why would he lie?" Lily asked, not liking the accusation against her son.
James sat up, stretching his long legs before him.
"Damien's explanation fits Harry's behaviour; his sudden interest in spending time with us, his unusual lack of confidence and even his distance from Ginny. But what it doesn't explain is the way he spoke to me regarding the Ministry and my return to being an Auror. It doesn't explain the way he talks to me, or the way he looks at me, like he's seeing me for the first time."
"You're just reading too much into this." Lily said shaking her head.
"No, I'm not. Lily, I know Harry and I know when he's upset. Harry's recent behaviour doesn't suggest he's upset. On the contrary he seems like he's having a great time, especially when he's with us."
"If you knew Damien was lying, why didn't you tell him so?" Lily asked, getting tired of James' suspicion.
James ran a hand through his dark locks.
"He put so much into his story; I just figured I should let him have this. And besides, if he didn't tell me the first time I asked, then he won't tell me, even if I ask him a hundred times."
"So, what are you going to do?" Lily asked.
James leaned back and closed his eyes.
"I'm going to find out the truth, my own way."
--
Canon World
"Where's Hagrid?"
"I don't know."
"He can't have left."
"We should move, we're blocking the way." Ginny said, pulling her brother out of the way. Ron was still busy looking around for Hagrid.
Harry walked along beside them, wondering who the hell Hagrid was. He didn't voice his confusion or join in the discussion. He kept his head down and walked quickly towards the carriage, their trunks being dragged behind them.
As Hermione, Ginny, Luna and much to Harry's chagrin, Neville piled into one of the carriages, Ron and Harry took a few moments loading the trunks onto the carriage. Harry heard the soft grunt of the winged horse, harnessed to the carriage and looked around at it. He had seen Thestrals before; he saw them for the very first time when he was sent on an assignment. He had read about them before so he had instantly recognised it when he saw it soar in the sky above him. When he was brought forcefully to Hogwarts, two years ago, he had seen them numerous times, flying above the forbidden forest.
Harry walked over to the front and before he lifted himself onto the carriage, he reached out and stroked the beast, his fingers brushing softly over the leathery wings. The Thestral let out another soft hiss and turned its dragonish head around to peer at him. Harry gave it a small smile before he went inside. Once he was sitting down, he noticed Luna, smiling serenely at him.
"You can see them too." She whispered to him, her dreamy voice catching everyone's attention.
Harry didn't answer but saw Hermione take immediate interest.
"See what?" she asked.
Luna kept her eyes fixed on Harry.
"I gathered you might see them now, after what happened. I could see them from my very first day at Hogwarts." She informed him.
Harry knew who could see Thestrals; those who had seen death. That meant that the blond haired girl had seen someone die. The knowledge unsettled him for some reason. He still didn't speak, either to confirm what she was saying or deny it.
"What could you see from your first day at Hogwarts?" Hermione asked again.
But Luna didn't answer her. She sat back and stared out the window, a contented smile on her face. Harry looked away from her and saw Hermione's annoyed face. She didn't look happy about being ignored. He smiled at the thought of how many times he had made Hermione look like that. He stared out of the window as a sudden pressure twisted at his heart. He didn't miss Hermione. He didn't miss his own world with his parents and brother and his friends and his girlfriend. He just didn't.
xxx
The doors to the Great Hall opened and in poured the students, all looking glad to be back. The students instantly segregated to their own house tables and sat down with friends, already sharing stories of their summer holiday. The hall glowed with the hundreds of floating candles, the enchanted sky showed the dark nights sky, clouds blocking any stars.
Professor Dumbledore took a sip from his goblet as he watched the hall fill with his students. It was a sight he cherished, the beginning of the term, his students arriving, ready and prepared for the year ahead. His blue eyes settled on the seat he had last seen a seventh year Hufflepuff boy sit in. He let out a pained sigh as the seat now held a fifth year girl, Hannah Abbott.
Cedric's death was weighing heavily on him. The boy had died when he was under his care. His death tainted Hogwarts, just like the death of Myrtle had. A lot of parents had written to him, complained to him, told him that he was unfit as Headmaster. Not only because a student lost his life when he was supposed to have been safe at Hogwarts, but because his death was linked with an outright lie; that He-who-must-not-be-named had returned and was responsible for Cedric Diggory's death.
No matter what he did and how hard he tried, the magical community was unwilling to believe that Lord Voldemort was back. Dumbledore gazed at the night sky, his thoughts on the one student he was desperate to see. He felt awful for having ignored Harry, but his reasoning was understandable. He had to protect Harry, until he was ready to face him, to face Voldemort.
The doors opened again, catching Dumbledore's attention. He looked to the doors to see a large crowd hurry inside. It was then that he saw him walk in amongst the crowd. The moment Dumbledore saw Harry Potter, he felt his breath catch in his chest. Of course, he had been informed of the change in Harry's physical appearance by his Order members. But even then, he wasn't quite prepared to take in Harry's new look.
Dumbledore stared at him; the dark haired boy that was walking into the hall, head held high, emerald green eyes, free from the black framed glasses, taking in his surroundings with quiet intensity, his confident steps falling on the ground making his school robes flow behind him. Harry strode in, his usual friends at his side, looking small and meek compared to him.
Dumbledore wasn't the only one taking note of Harry Potter's entrance. The students turned in their seats to stare at him. At once whispers echoed in the hall.
"Is that…Harry?"
"Oh Merlin, what happened to him?!"
"Damn, he grew up fast!"
"What did he do? Is that a glamour?"
Dumbledore sat up a little straighter in his seat, his blue gaze fixed to Harry. He watched as the raven haired boy ignored the stares and whispers. He sat down at the Gryffindor table and gave no response to the greetings he received. He sat quietly at the table, making conversation with his friends.
Not once did the boy glance up to the staff table.
Dumbledore saw Ronald Weasley whisper something to him and Harry looked over to the Slytherin table, a smirk on his face. He turned back around and shared a few words with a smiling Ron.
Dumbledore felt an unexplainable cold creep down his spine as he saw Harry smirk. He had never seen Harry look like that. Harry smiled, he never smirked. That small difference was enough to worry the Headmaster. Yet, he knew the boy was Harry Potter. Moody had performed the identity spell himself. There was no way anyone could manipulate that spell.
When Dumbledore had been informed that Harry Potter's appearance had been altered due to a botched up potion, he had thought it was just something small. Molly had told him that Harry had' changed completely' but he disregarded her comments, thinking she was getting carried away. Truth was he was distracted by the happenings at the Ministry and the trouble Fudge was causing him. He hadn't paid Molly and her report on Harry much notice. However, now that he was looking at the young man before him he felt annoyed at his Order members. How could they not see that the differences displayed in Harry couldn't possibly be from a potion mistake?
Dumbledore looked away from Harry, who he noted had yet to look towards the staff table. Harry always looked for him when he arrived at Hogwarts. It was something Dumbledore had noticed. But this time, Harry was plainly ignoring the teachers, and him.
Dumbledore only tore his gaze away from Harry when the newest member of his staff asked for his attention.
"Hem, hem"
xxx
Harry ignored the stares and whispers around him and concentrated on what Ron was saying. He looked behind him at the Slytherin table and saw with amusement, three Slytherins with bruised faces and red noses. Malfoy glared at him making Harry smirk. He turned back to Ron, to see the red haired boy looking immensely happy.
"At least they'll look where they're going next time." Harry said.
"They won't come near our compartment again, that's for sure." Ron laughed back.
Harry could feel the stares on him; they felt like physical weights, clinging to him. But it was one particular person's stare that he felt the most. Harry smiled deeply at the realisation that Albus Dumbledore, the great and powerful wizard, Headmaster of Hogwarts, was stumped with Harry's new look. He resisted the temptation to look over at him and see the confused look on his face. He knew that by ignoring the Professor, he was annoying him more. So he refused to look over, even when Ron and Hermione went on and on about the missing Hagrid person, whoever that was.
"Who's that?" Hermione asked with a frown.
Harry had no choice; he glanced over to the table to see who Hermione was talking about. He saw the Dumbledore of this world, wearing his usual silly attire, deep in conversation with another member of staff. It was this person Hermione was gesturing to. Harry took in the appearance of the woman talking intently with Dumbledore. The first thing that hit Harry was how much she resembled a toad. Her face was wide and her eyes bulged out slightly. Even though she was seated, Harry could tell she was short and squat. She was wearing a pink hair band in her mousy, tightly curled, brown hair. What was worse was the matching fluffy pink cardigan she was wearing over her robes. She reached for her goblet to take a sip and Harry recoiled at the sight of several ugly old fashioned rings on her stubby fingers.
"Who do you reckon that is?" Ron asked.
"I don't know, I just asked you that same question!" Hermione replied annoyed.
"Alright, calm down, you'll make your hair more bushy." Ron remarked.
Hermione shot him a look that plainly read, 'don't go there!'
"She must be the new Defence teacher, that's the only position that was vacant." Neville offered meekly.
Harry looked around at the new Defence teacher to find her gaze focused on him. Harry held her gaze, keeping his face free from all expressions. The witch in pink smiled slowly at him, revealing very pointy teeth.
"Merlin, she's creepy." Ron said, noticing the way she was staring at his friend.
"Creepy, doesn't cover it." Harry commented.
He only looked away when she broke her gaze and looked over at the steady stream of first years arriving for the sorting. Harry turned in his seat to see the small uniformed children arriving in the hall, looking scared and bewildered. Harry settled to watch the sorting, one of the things of Hogwarts, he actually enjoyed.
xxx
...And now the Sorting Hat is here
and you all know the score:
I sort you into Houses
because that is what I'm for.
But this year I'll go further,
listen closely to my song:
though condemned I am to split you
still I worry that it's wrong,
though I must fulfil my duty
and must quarter every year
still I wonder whether sorting
may not bring the end I fear.
Oh, know the perils, read the signs,
the warning history shows,
for our Hogwarts is in danger
from external, deadly foes
and we must unite inside her
or we'll crumble from within
I have told you, I have warned you...
let the Sorting now begin.
For the first few moments the hall was in complete silence. Harry looked around the hall to see worried and confused faces. Professor McGonagall took charge and started calling out names of the first years, which came one by one and took a seat on the three legged stool. The sorting began and slowly the line of first years shortened.
Ron whispered to Harry,
"Fat chance of us uniting with the Slytherins. Don't know what's up with that hat? Giving such advice." he scoffed. "Unite together, yeah right! As if Gryffindor and Slytherin could ever unite as one!"
Harry didn't respond. Ron didn't know how powerful a union those two houses could be. The proof was sitting right next to him.
As soon as the last person ran to their table, Dumbledore stood up, commanding silence. Harry watched, his eyes never leaving the man he hated with vigour.
"There is always time for a speech. But this is not it, tuck in!" he clapped his hands and the four tables suddenly groaned under the strain of food.
Ron dove straight in and pulled the tray of pork chops towards him. Hermione was telling him off for eating like a starved person. Harry was still watching Dumbledore. The Headmaster sat down, reaching for his goblet again. His blue eyes glanced up at Harry over half moon glasses. Harry met the Headmaster's gaze straight on. As soon as their eyes met, Dumbledore tore his eyes away, looking beyond him at the doors. But not before noting that cold smirk again.
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Just a note to say that I wrote the Dumbledore's POV on the request of Go10. (I hope you liked it Go10!)
Let me know what you thought about the chapter!! Cheers!!