Author's Notes: Alright, I didn't mean to not update for as long as I did. And I'm sorry to say that this is probably going to be my last post, for a while at least. My nerves are being rather nicely shot at the moment. I leave on Tuesday on a plane for Florida at –checks ticket- 10:30 PST in the morning, and it's a two hour drive from my home to the airport. From there, I won't arrive in Florida until 9:00 EST. I'm planning on hand writing the next chapter on the plane and during my overlay, but we'll see. I'll be going it alone and I'm nervous at it is. So, ya. Enjoy the chapter.
To GenkaiFan: You know, that's not a bad idea. I'll try that this chapter. Tell me what you think, ya?
To the-dreamer4: Oh, don't worry about the grammar thing. I know what you mean. The art of English, despite it being my first and only language, was never my best subject; just below History as my worst. :) I'm glad you liked the bit with Dumbledore writing off the people of Tortuga. I figure that the tourist thing is their biggest advantage, no? Hehe, the drunk Will act was just something that I came up with at the top of my head. I think it fits because Will has been hanging around Jack for a good while now and one would think he'd pick up a few things.
To Wolf Sage: As I've stated previously, I am a yaoi/slash fan. However, I have no plans on adding any into this story any time soon. I have trouble writing romance and what not. So don't worry, all relationships between guys will remain strictly "friends" except for Harry and Draco if I see fit to try and add it in.
To Mr. Snuffles: No worries, mate. I like yaoi/slash, but I will say that the ones you sent were just a tad over the top for me. To each their own, you know?
To LostGryffindorFoundSlyther: Oh good! I thought you wouldn't read it any more. I know I said that Harry wouldn't be put back with the Dursleys, but for my plot to go as I wanted, I found that he would have to, but only for a little while. I promise. I hope you'll continue to read and enjoy.
To Funness: Hehe. I believe that Dumbledore and Jack have sort of the same frame of mind, only different. They see things in ways that others don't. Look at Jack at the map in World's End. My excuse for Dumbledore is that he's 150 years old; anyone that old has to be at least a little bit eccentric. I'd love to see your fanfiction made into a movie! You're right, writing a movie is difficult, but seeing it live would be so cool. –sigh- If only, huh?
Back Again
"Yes? My I help you gentlemen," the head nurse inquired as three men stepped up to her post. One was dressed completely in black with something that looked like a cloak, another was in a grungy business suit, and the last one, the red head, was in an old shirt and vest. These were not your usually visitors.
"Yes," the one in the suit replied. "My name is Remus Lupin. My associates and I are looking for a young boy we believe to be here. His name is Harry Potter."
"One moment please." So, these were the people everyone was talking about. After pretending to search for him in her files, she turned to the overhead speaker. "Dr. Casy, to nurses' station, please. Dr. Casy to nurses' station, please." Usually they didn't call for a doctor to come to the nurses' station, but that was the signal Dr. Casy had told all nurses on duty to give him. "Dr. Casy shall be with you shortly. Please, have a seat."
"Well, at least we know he's here," Arthur said as he sat in a chair by the wall.
"And just why are we waiting for a doctor when we could just as easily take him and be done with it?"
"Now, Severus," Remus tried to reason, "If we did that, who knows what kind of ruckus it would cause. Besides, if we talk to this Dr. Casy, I'm sure he could give us an idea on how to help him when we get back to Hogwarts. You know Pomfrey would soon as beam you over the head than check Harry herself for ailments if she knew we found him in a hospital, but had not talked to his doctor."
Rather than concede defeat, Severus leaned on a wall, checking his locator charm every now and again. If he was correct, as he usually was, then the boy would be in the room down the hall.
About five minutes later, Dr. Casy strolled down the hall from Harry's room where he was checking one last time over Harry's vitals. Hurrying down the room, he spotted three strange characters, as the pirate who had warned them had said, sitting and waiting. To keep appearances, he went to the nurses' station first. The nurse politely pointed to the three. Turning to them he walked up and offered his hand. "Hello there. I'm Dr. Casy. I'm Harry Potter's primary during his stay here. And you are?"
"Remus Lupin, doctor," Remus said as he stood and shook the doctor's hand. "These are my associates, Arthur Weasley, and Severus Snape. We're here to take Harry home if he is ready."
After shaking hands with Weasley and attempting to with Snape, though the man stayed in his spot by the wall, Dr. Casy asked, "And what is your relationship with the patient in question? I'm afraid I can not release a minor to just anyone." He knew what he was doing. He knew that it was probably a bad idea to question these wizards. After informing the hospital president, he had given him permission to release Harry into the hands of these people. However, he still had to go through protocol to make it look authentic.
"Understandable," Lupin agreed. "I was a close friend to Harry's late father, James Potter. I was informed just recently on what has happened to him."
"Ah, James Potter. Yes, our background check found his father. Interesting fellow. It's as if he appeared out of no where just to marry Harry's mother. Almost like magic if I do say so myself," he added. He inwardly grinned when he saw the three tense.
"Yes, like magic," Snape mumbled.
"May we see Harry now," Weasley asked.
"Of course. I was just about to go fetch his release papers. Children's social services were to take him from there, but this is better. I'll take you to him and then have you sign his release forms," Dr. Casy said as he headed back to Harry's room. "Harry, you've got some visitors."
The wizards stopped in the door as they caught sight of Harry on his bed, coloring in his book. If not for the long hair and slight tan, he looked just like a younger version of James Potter. Gathering his courage, Remus stepped in. "Hello there, Harry. My how you've grown," he states as he knelt at Harry's bedside. Harry had stopped coloring to look at this new man. "The last time I saw you, you could hardly walk, and now look at you. Well, my name is Remus. I was a good friend of your parents. My friends and I are here to take you home, alright?"
Harry looked at this strange man and his strange friends. He remembered what Will and Captain Jack had told him. He was to go with these people for a while until they came for him. Harry nodded uncertainly.
"Right then," the man in black said in a gruff voice. "Let's be going then," he ordered as he started walking out the door only to be stopped by Dr. Casy holding some papers.
"Harry will be able to go as soon as you fill out some papers here. Then he's all yours."
Ready to snarl, Severus snatched up the papers and handed them to Weasley to fill out. Severus wanted off this island. Boy-Who-Lived and ingredient items be damned, the place had him all edgy. There was something about this place that just screamed danger.
oOoOo
Once the papers were filled out and signed, Remus took Harry into his arms and the four started for the exit. With his coloring supplies in hand, Harry slowly waved back to Dr. Casy and Miss Sara who had been sitting and watching the whole exchange from behind the nurses' station. Harry looked around as he was carried to wherever it was they were going. He watched all of the people moving around in a quick fashion, each person with their own destination in mind. He watched the kids dodge and weave their way through the throngs of the crowd. It looked like fun. Fishermen called out their catch of the day to the crowd of people, dogs barked, women scolded their children for running into someone, cars honked to get through, bicycle bells rang, children laughed, a familiar monkey screeched from the treetops, and the place was so full of life. Harry didn't want to leave.
All too soon, the men he was with went into a building. He didn't pay attention to any of what was going on or what was being said. All he knew is that he was suddenly being sucked up into something, and he didn't like it. After what seemed like forever, the horrid feeling stopped and Harry thought for a second that he might throw up. The man, Remus, was rubbing soothing circles over his back so the felling quickly went away. Thankfully, he still had his book and crayons with him. Looking around, Harry saw that the place was almost the same as the building they entered before, only with different people in it.
When they exited the building, Harry could only gape at what he saw. This was not the town full of life and color they had just left. It was foggy, lifeless and gray. "Welcome home, Harry," Remus said when he noticed Harry looking around. Home? This was England? Harry didn't want to be in England anymore. He wanted to go back to the color and life. There were no trees here and all of the buildings were so tall, Harry thought he would never be able to see the top of them. So that he didn't have to see any of it, he buried his face into Remus' shoulder. The three wizards took his actions for relief.
Snorting, Severus started leading their way back to the train station so they may go back to Hogsmead and return to Hogwarts. A sense of relief had overcome Severus when he had seen the boy in the hospital bed. Why, he didn't know. Severus sat and ignored the others on the train when Harry started showing Lupin and Weasley his coloring book that a woman, Sara, had given him.
Harry didn't know why these strange men thought it alright to walk through a stone pillar, but apparently it was, though he wasn't going to try it himself any time in the future. The train they were on was neat and the landscape around them was so green. Arthur and Remus were really nice people, and he did like all of the green grass, and the lake looked so calm, nothing like the sea, but he still wanted to go back. He would do as he was told though, keeping in mind that Will and Captain Jack would be for him soon. He didn't know when, but he had fallen asleep along the way, the rock of train lulling him into slumber.
When Harry awoke next, it was to Remus' prodding. Opening his eyes, before him was a castle. Not just any castle though. It was a very large castle, like the ones on TV. Keeping his eyes glued to the huge castle, Harry held onto Remus as they walked up to the large, wooden double doors. Inside was a woman who startled Harry.
"About time you three got here. I'm so glad you were able to find Harry, but you should know better than to let a young boy his age out so late at night. To the hospital wing, all of you," the woman said as she shooed them down the hall. Looking out a window, it was indeed night time.
"Forgive us, Madame Pomfery, but we were held up by Harry's doctor in the hospital. He gave us a list of things we should be watching out for," Arthur tried to appease the resident medi-witch as he handed a piece of paper to her. Looking it over, she nodded and continued her way towards the hospital wing, reading the list as she went.
Harry held tightly to Remus. As he looked around the castle, he noticed a few things that were not something he expected. For instance, the pictures moved, and if he could strain his ears more, he was sure they were talking to each other. His favorite was the life sized giraffe that ducked down as though to see him. He also noticed that the suits of armor seemed to fidget. Small clinks could be heard as they moved. Looking down another hall way as they passed, Harry could have sworn that he saw a staircase move. There was also this feel that Harry got from this place. It was pleasant, something he would have liked to greet if he could. It was like he was being watched. By what, he didn't know, but he got no feeling that it was dangerous. This women they were following though was dangerous if how the gruff man in black seemed to cower before her.
All too soon for Harry's liking, he was having a time looking around, they entered a room with several beds lined up against the walls. Remus set Harry down on one of them before letting the witch in to inspect him. "Hello there Harry. I'm Madame Pomfrey and I'm the school's resident medi-witch. A nurse if you will. I'm going to be checking your vitals real quick and see what needs fixing," she explained as she pulled out a stick. So, they were in a school. Why was he in a school? Harry watched intently as the witch nurse moved her stick over his body. It must have been a wand. You can't have a witch without a wand. But why was she calling herself a witch? Uncle Vernon had told him that magic didn't exist.
As Madame Pomfrey went about gathering bottles, an old man with a long beard entered the room. The man turned to Harry and smiled, his eyes seeming to twinkle in the light. Slowly, he approached Harry's bedside and softly said, "We meet again, Harry. Last time I saw you, you were but a babe. My name is Albus Dumbledore. I know Dumbledore is a mouthful, so why don't you call me Albus, hm?" At Harry's nod, he continued. "I'd like to welcome you to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. I am its Headmaster. I'm sure you have some questions, yes?"
Not knowing if any ships would sink, Harry quietly ventured to say, "Magic?"
Smiling kindly, Dumbledore answered, "Yes, my dear boy. This is a school that teaches young witches and wizards, like yourself, how to control and use their magic. You, however, are a bit young yet to be starting your education here."
Curious and confused, Harry asked, "Then why am I here, mister Albus sir? And what do you mean I'm like the other witches and wizards?"
"You are like the other witches and wizards because you are a wizard your self. Your mother and father both attended this very school. Why, I'd bet all of my lemon drops that your father sat in the very bed you are now. When they had you, there was no doubt that you would be magical as well." Dumbledore paused to allow the boy time to process. Continuing, he said, "As for why you are here, we brought you here for healing. Out resident medi-witch is quite skilled in her craft," he assured as he turned to Madame Pomfrey, a bottle in her hands.
"I might be skilled, Albus," she started, "But I'm no miracle worker. The doctor who took care of him knew what he was doing. All the boy needs is a good Nutritional Supplement Potion and he'll be as right as rain. However, the scars on his back I can not heal," she stated, ice laced in her voice directed towards the Headmaster.
Startled, some of the sparkle seemed to leave Dumbledore's eyes. "Scars?"
"Yes, scars." The four wizards in the room had her full attention. "There are several scars all down his back, all varying in size. If the reports are true, then they all came from that, from that, man. I still do not know how you can trust him with Harry again. If he did this once, than lord knows he'll do it again," she declared with a huff.
Harry almost choked on his potion he was drinking. "Again? I'm going back to the Dursleys'," he asked, panic and fear easily seen in his dulling green eyes as his body started to shake.
Surprised at Harry's response, Dumbledore slowly said, "Yes, Harry. You are to go back to the Dursleys', but…" He never got to finish as Harry started thrashing and screaming.
"No! I don't want to go back! I wanna go back to Dr. Casy and Miss Writing! I wanna be back with the monkey! I don't want to go back there! Not there! Not there! Not there! I want my island! I want Will and Captain Ja…"
The three younger wizards quickly sprang into action when the boy had started flailing, holding his arms and legs down. Spare papers, a few chairs, and some medical books started to float in the air. The candles on the desk flared and the stained glass windows started shaking ominously. A quick Stupefy and a slowly administered Drought of Peace, Harry was quieted and asleep, the floating items fell, the flames returned to normal, and the windows stopped shaking. All eyes turned towards the Headmaster, his eyes holding no shine to them. "…but I'm afraid you will never remember any of this," he said sadly, finishing his sentence. Raising his want, he slowly pointed it at the knocked out boy on the bed. Quietly, he mumbled, "Obliviate."
oOoOo
Harry slowly opened his eyes. This wasn't his cupboard. This was the second guest room, the one beside Dudley's room. How did he get here? In a panic, Harry sprung from the bed he was in, ready to quietly dash back down to his cupboard before his aunt or uncle found him. Before he could so much as swing his legs around to the side, his door flew open. His whole body had tensed until he was suddenly tackled by his cousin.
Dudley was so happy. A strange man in black had shown up at the door with his sleeping cousin in hand. Though the man had handed Harry to his dad, he looked as though he were about to snatch him right back. The man in black had quickly left, but Dudley didn't care. Harry was back. Harry was now sleeping in the room right next to him. All was well in the world. Dudley had waited for Harry to wake up, peeking into his room through a crack in the door, before pouncing on him. "Welcome home, Harry!"
Harry blinked owlishly. "Home? But I've been home."
Dudley frowned, but instantly smiled again. "Nope. You just got home last night! You were gone for such a long time, I thought you'd never be back. Hey! Look, I kept your coin safe. See?" Dudley sat up and dug into his shirt, revealing the medallion Harry had given him.
Harry was past confused. "My coin? When did I give you that?"
Dudley's face fell. "You don't remember?" Harry shook his head. "Oh. Oh well. That's alright. I'm sure you'll remember eventually. Now come on! Mum has breakfast waiting for us," he exclaimed as he rushed out the room.
Harry again tensed when Dudley mentioned breakfast. It was his job to prepare breakfast. But wait. Did Dudley say that Aunt Petunia had breakfast all ready? Finding some clothes, Harry quietly slipped down stair, nimbly jumping over the squeaky last step. Peering into the kitchen, there was his place at the table, a large portion of eggs and bacon on it.
Seeing his nephew over his newspaper, Vernon reigned in his anger and tried not to bark, "Well? Don't just stand there all day, boy. Eat before it gets cold." He went back to his newspaper.
Still confused, Harry silently settled into his chair and started to eat the eggs and bacon. When he was done, he thanked his aunt who had joined them for the meal and that it was good, resulting a surprised look from her, before he picked up his dishes. Taking them to the sink, he rinsed them before putting them in the dishwasher. Seeing that his relatives were not done yet, Harry decided to go get a head start on the garden.
Petunia panicked when she saw Harry head for the front yard. Screeching, she said, "Where do you think you're going?" She didn't want any of the neighbors to see him.
Harry's confusion seemed to double as time went on. "I'm going to go tend to the garden."
"No, you're going to stay in the house. Understand?" Harry nodded before he headed for the vacuum. "What are you doing now," Petunia asked as Harry started to set it up.
"I'm going to vacuum."
Petunia panicked again. Surely the neighbors would hear it but would see the three of them sitting around the table. "No, you are not. You are going to go back to your room, understood?" Harry nodded and went for his cupboard. "No, the room you were in. Go on, back up with you."
Harry wasn't sure what was going on. He was positive he had gone to sleep in his cupboard the other night. His relatives were acting strange too. What did Dudley mean that he was gone for a long time. Maybe he had that thing were people lost their memory. Harry panicked at the thought. To calm himself, he reached for his seashell. To his horror, he found that it wasn't around his neck. Panicking even more, he set to search the room. He found all of his hold hand-me-downs, some socks, a book he'd like to read, and several odds and ends, but no seashell. Harry sat in the middle of the bed, his back leaning on the wall. He buried his head into his arm that surrounded his knees pulled up to his chest. "I want my seashell."