You Were There For Me Through Gifts

by Nandhu HPSBDMTMR

Harrison Potter is third child of the Potter's. He's neglected mostly by everyone throughout his life(Not the usual abusive story). He thrives to be best but sometimes he feels alone and sets aside gift to someone who feels alone like him and the gift goes to someone by some strange Xmas magic. And it become a habit to send gift every Xmas. What will he do when he meet that one. AU

14. Chapter 13

You Were There For Me Through Gifts:

(A/N: Thank you for all the reviews and all your love. I am not abandoning this fic and I will try my best to update once a month so stop scaring me with threats.)

Chapter 13:

Harry smiled catching the snitch….

Harry didn't know that the snitch in his hands, wings fluttering lightly could bring a smile on his usually blank face. It felt exhilarating. Harry never imagined flying could make him feel so alive.

Harry was surprised when his twin siblings came to talk with him willingly.

Alex nudged Alice and Alice nudged Alex back, starting who nudges harder battle, forgetting what they had come here for.

Weasley twins were like Merlin to Alex and Alice. They were cool, calm, funny and the Potter twins wanted to be like them. Alex had witnessed no matter how much they tease their younger sibling Ronald, they still look after him and loves him no less.

It sort of tugged their heart when they saw Fred and George ruffling their brother's head teasingly yet fondly.

Alex and Alice have always been together and they were scared to get involved with his younger brother when his own father avoided him. They didn't understand at first and followed their father's behavior. As children everything they did seemed alright but as they grow up, they became busy playing with friends, coming up with new pranks, most of the time has been spent with Longbottom family that they rarely noticed him. But it's no excuse for their behavior.

When his brother came to Hogwarts, they expected him to be in Gryffindor since most of their family members were in Gryffindor but he was sorted in Ravenclaw. But they didn't mind knowing their brother liked books and he is smarter.

It had been awkward between the three of them whenever they were all together. So long they didn't talk much, so the twins don't know how to be friendly with their brother.

But what pushed them over was the fact that their brother Harry had been admitted to the infirmary last year and they didn't even know for two days. Yes, they were not close as siblings but that didn't mean they hated Harry.

Their brother is so cute and adorable sometimes like when he forgets the quill on his hair when he is so immersed in a book or homework. Harry doesn't know that they had looked after him when some people tried to bully him by his own classmates. Alex and Alice had warned them with pranks and that's the reason most of them had left him alone.

Alex and Alice decided that they should at least have a decent relationship with their brother and communication is the first step for it. So at first they started speaking with him, his father too encouraging them, it was awkward at first with the way Harry spoke like they are complete strangers. But as the time passed they at least smiled at each other and today they decided to invite Harry to fly in the manor's quidditch pitch.

Honestly, which Potter disliked flying?

To their surprise, Harry accepted their offer and even smiled at them. Honestly, Harry is just a quiet and adorable brother and for the life of them, they couldn't figure out how they didn't speak with him earlier. Whenever their brother Harry looked at them, Alex and Alice agreed with each other that his green eyes reminded them of their mother. Alex and Alice both inherited their father's eyes and they all had messy hair except its slightly red mixed with black hair while their lucky brother's hair not looked like any of them ever since he started growing it out.

Alex and Alice were excited to teach him tricks and things about Quidditch, forming a bond between them. But the overgrown kids James, Sirius and even Remus wanted to join them after seeing them moving towards the pitch. Then it sort of became a match dividing the six of them into two teams.

Sirius jumped to Harry's side, making Harry to laugh openly which made them all stare at him for few seconds. Harry changes into a totally different person whenever he is with Sirius. Then their father too went to Harry's team which they allowed wholeheartedly since they had their father for these many years while Harry smiled shyly at their father.

See… Adorable…

They explained the rules to Harry and they all agreed to not fly to their full potential since this is Harry's first time but to their shock except Sirius, Harry flied marvelously.

Come on, it's in their genes.

Alex was confident that he could at least catch the snitch since he had never once lost in catching the snitch ever since he had joined Hogwarts but much to his shock and surprise, his little brother had caught the snitch right before Alex who was just inches from the snitch.

They all gathered around Harry while he laughed heartily showing off the snitch to the sky and looked at Sirius proudly.

"Amazing Harry. You fly so well even with the old broom. Merlin, it would have been a tough competition if you joined the Quidditch team. By the way, why didn't you join? You…"

Alex stopped speaking when all of a sudden Harry's eyes rolled over and his grip on the broom slackened and just like that in a second, he fell off the broom, Alex felt himself frozen in shock and fear, for the first time in his life scared out of his wits.

One moment everything was happy, Alex even saw his brother laughing happily, his green eyes alight with passion he had never seen and the next moment he was falling toward the ground from fifty feet up.

What happened next was a blur to Alex. Before anyone could even scream, Sirius had quickly drawn his wand and slowed his fall before completely stopping his body just a few inches from the ground. James flew down quickly and lifted his brother moving towards the manor quickly. Alice looked at him worriedly while all of them landed on the ground and followed James.

When Remus asked why they are not taking him to the St. Mungos or calling a healer, James and Sirius exchanged a knowing look and replied that it is fine and that Harry has a condition but he will wake up soon.

That made Alex realize how much they didn't know about Harry but Alex was glad that their relationship was not past mending. Everyone was ushered out of his room to wait while Sirius alone stayed inside.

Sirius looked worriedly at the world's most adorable godson anyone could ever have. They were having so much fun just few minutes ago. Sirius was happy seeing Harry getting along with his siblings finally. Sirius's heart swelled with happiness when his Harry caught the snitch and his eyes searched for Sirius even though he now has everyone in his family getting along and proudly showed it to him, eyes alight with laughter.

The very next second, Sirius witnessed his green eyes slightly turning to white and Sirius had never been this scared in his life, thank Merlin for his quick reflexes and over protectiveness that he got his wand ready in hand if anything happened, that he got to slow down and stop Harry's fall.

Sirius looked at Harry worriedly, this is the main reason Harry didn't join the Quidditch team even though he liked flying. But Harry's control on his mental shield had been so perfect for the past few years that this shouldn't be happening. The rune on his back helped him in control and stopped visions to appear out of nowhere suddenly.

Sirius caressed Harry's long hair which is growing past his neck and hoped that Harry is having a nice vision or any useless things because Harry had a sad look for the past few days whenever Sirius had asked about his visions.

~~~~~~Harry sighed looking around where he is; irritated that he got pulled all of a sudden into a vision when he was so happy that he got the snitch right from Alex's stretched hands and was showing it off to his godfather.

Harry startled, suddenly a figure was standing right beside him. Harry looked up to find the most unpleasant person he had ever met in his life.

Bellatrix Lestrange…

Harry moved a little away from her. He had never liked her. He has been introduced to her by Sirius in the birthday party of his brother's children. After that Sirius immediately told him to never go near her which Harry is all too happy to obey since she looked at him in a different manner, scaring him with her grin.

Harry looked around to find himself rooted to spot in shock.

There she is…

His mother…

Lily Potter…

She was speaking with Mrs. Longbottom, laughing at something she said. Harry moved closer to take a good look at his mother.

Harry really does have his mother's eyes. The picture he had did no justice to the real her. Harry had felt grateful for his Seer side many times but this is the one time he felt more grateful than ever. To see his mother, smiling and laughing. At first he didn't want to see her in his visions but now that finally seeing her made him feel silly for thinking like that.

Harry missed a second to know what she cast but he did see Bellatrix casting something on his mother. Bellatrix soon left the dark corner she has been hiding and entered the Knocktern Alley.

But it did nothing to his mother, she was still laughing with her friend, not noticing the blue glow on her back. Harry waited to see what happens but nothing happened to her and they moved to another shop to buy something. Even after a while Lily seemed fine and Harry followed his mother, watching her, feeling happy that he could see her at least~~~~~~

What was that?

"Harry?"

Harry opened his eyes to look at Sirius caressing his hair,

"Merlin, you scared me to death falling like that"

Harry sat up on his bed and hugged Sirius.

"What is it baby?"

"I just saw Mother…" Something stopping him to not tell Sirius anything about Bellatrix.

Sirius hands around him tightened to comfort him and Harry stayed like that for a while.

James closed his son's room, seeing them speaking something seriously and Sirius comforting Harry.

"Harry is fine. Let them speak", with that Alex watched his father moving towards his room along with Remus who was asking James how Harry is and if he fainted like this often.

Alice nudged him and moved towards her room while Alex followed her behind to his room adjacent to her room.

Alex pushed his long hair away from his nape, times like these it irritated him but Alex was the one who decided to grow his hair because he was tired of watching Alice cutting her hair so that they will look alike.

Alice wanted them to be similar so she cut her hair and even sacrifice some of girls' things to be with him. So Alex decided to grow it at least past the neck so Alice, as a girl won't feel bad cutting hair to match his.

There was nothing much of a secret between them and he did enjoy being with Alice, pulling pranks and playing Quidditch. He couldn't have a better twin other than her.

But…

Alex saw his brother's eyes turning white just before he fell of the broom, Sirius who is always overprotective of Harry is not getting him to St. Mungos and his father leaving them alone to speak, something is going on but Alex decided to let them solve. As Alex grew in wizarding world, he knew the changing of eyes color is nothing of small matter. Harry must have inherited some family magic so he decided to keep it a secret, even from Alice. Because Harry too is his brother, as he decided already to mend their relationship, he will protect his brother.

Overall this summer is fun and Alex has to come up with some other way to be with Harry.

Alex decided that Quidditch is a no, no to his brother after the fall.

~~~~~~xxxxxxx~~~~~~~xxxxxxxxx~~~~~~xxxxxxx~~~~~~~~~

The starting of his third year…

Draco watched the red head Weasel shoveling the food inside his mouth while the bushy haired one seem to be scolding him across the table. Draco averted his eyes from the Gryffindor table and pushed his plate to Goyle who eagerly took everything from it.

Draco doesn't feel hungry at all and ignored Sev's heavy stares and hoped the welcome feast will end soon and he can leave the great hall to relax in his room finally. Draco and Goyle shared the room but Goyle spent most of his nights in Crabbe's room so it's his room anyway.

Making him attend lessons even though he had finished his second year in Hogwarts is so embarrassing. The only relief to him is the Quidditch pitch and his mother.

Summer had been hell with the way his father going on and on about something most of the time. Draco wondered why he hero-worshipped his father when he was a child. One time his father even started speaking about the bees and flower, scaring him. It had been embarrassing as hell, his father speaking about girls and advising him of some spells, Draco was sure his pale face had been never been red like that in his life. His mother, knowing his situation, diverted his father's attention from him, scolding him what he is telling to Draco since he is still young and after that Draco avoided his father, so far as to even eat his breakfast and dinner in his own room.

To pile him with more work, his father had assigned Sev to train him in dueling for the upcoming competition. His father wanted him to win the trophy.

Draco wanted, oh how he wanted to tell his father that in his age, his father didn't even have a rank while Draco still managed to be ranked fourth in overall Hogwarts.

Why does his father care so much about this, pressurizing him, not letting him enjoy any of this? He wished Hogwarts stopped with this rank system. Draco was glad it will be only up to fourth year and after that the ministry grades are important.

Severus had started instructing him in duel, Draco had known his godfather is strict but never expected to be tough with him. When they dueled, Severus kept goading him to lose concentration.

Draco wanted to so badly stun his godfather, at least silence him before the start of Hogwarts. The duels with Sev did knock him the confidence and arrogance he had about his magic.

The last duel was yesterday since it will be the last before he boarded the Hogwarts train; Draco put everything he had learnt in that duel, wanting to impress Sev.

Severus had been surprised because he never used so many different spells before but there was one thing in common among all the spells and Severus had caught on after a while.

The spells he had used are all of green color. If only he mastered casting nonverbally, Draco could surprise his opponents with the same color of spell, not knowing that they're attacked with different spells.

Severus had been angry and scolded him for this and advised him to stop this nonsense with Potter else he will stick his father on him.

Draco didn't understand the hate Sev had for Lillian. Draco and Sev argued after that resulting Draco leaving the room not before throwing a tantrum.

He did surprise Severus and Sev was impressed with Draco's progress and knowledge of spells too. Most wizards pick their own style and he liked this better.

Draco owed it all to Lillian Potter…

Because Draco had started as fun to mimic Lillian's eye color with a spell, soon it turned into a hobby of searching for spells with green color. Sure, it started as fun but it did develop into a strategy and he did put lot of effort and time into this, practicing them and thinking of ways to use the spells to his advantage.

Stupid Sev…

Draco stood up from the table, seeing most of them had finished the dessert and ready to leave to their own houses. Draco looked up at the table to see Sev still glaring at him, Draco stuck his tongue at him and turned dramatically like Sev with a twirl of his robes and exited the great hall.

Draco could almost hear Sev muttering obnoxious brat at him and chuckled.

Overall Draco hoped this year too will be fun just like the past year and hoped Slytherin will win both the house cup and Quidditch cup, also this year Draco will definitely speak with Lillian, after all he had trained secretly in front of mirror, making time for personnel lessons among all the lessons in duel and studies he had in summer.

~~~~~~xxxxxxx~~~~~~~xxxxxxxxx~~~~~~xxxxxxx~~~~~~~~~

Harry fell sideways on the seat he was sitting on with a thud.

~~~~~~Salazar grabbed Godric to the nearby empty room and slammed him not before locking it with wandless magic. But soon enough Godric punched him, pushing away from his grip.

Godric growled at Salazar for treating him like this. Who did he think he was?

He is Godric Gryffindor, infamous for bravery; he had fought a dragon and escaped. No one treated him like this. No one…

Except this man…

But not anymore, whatever was going on between them has ended before they even discovered what it was. Godric looked at Salazar who was smirking at him even though he was punched by Godric.

There… Right there…

That smirk… It was the reason for all these strange feelings he had for Salazar.

At first, Godric didn't like this man at all but tolerated for the sake of not being tied to a tree in the forest they were in, because Rowena gets mad whenever he picked a fight with Salazar uselessly, setting a bad example for all the young students. Then slowly, very slowly Godric interacted with Salazar when they started something big, dedicating this castle to future magical children as a school even though they were all young. The castle is to protect wizarding culture, a safe place, away from non-magical people and to teach the young magical children to control their magic.

As he started speaking reluctantly with Salazar, things changed, Godric didn't know when, how and why his feelings changed but Godric all of a sudden had a strange urge to be held by this man.

Godric didn't know why his feeling of punching Salazar's face had turned into caressing Salazar's face. The urge to wipe off the smirk on Salazar's face changed to the smirk sending shivers through his body with anticipation for something forbidden.

That was so, so unfair that Godric, who was infamous for bravery ran away for the first time in his life from his own feelings, avoiding Salazar at all cost.

Salazar had then cornered him one day just like today and kissed him, rendering him speechless. Then their strange relationship started, both stubborn enough to not even admit there is something between them. After that day Salazar would kiss him in between their sword duel, distracting him. It was a game… nothing more but Godric realized the depth of his feelings when Salazar got engaged.

That's the end of all the kisses, caresses, secret glances, meeting, teasing and even speaking normally. Godric had with effort and help of time, had sealed his heart and agreed to the girl his parents had seen for him since he cannot push his marriage anymore by saying that he is busy with Hogwarts. Usually people get married so young but his parents allowed him to be a bachelor because of doing a noble cause by being a part of the foundation of Hogwarts.

With heavy heart he had agreed to the marriage and he was just like any day going towards his room in the castle after finishing the last class he had to teach, Godric was grabbed and pushed to some room nearby, slammed against the door by Salazar.

Hadn't they silently agreed to stop doing this when Salazar got married? Why is he doing this again? Godric alone know how much it hurt to see Salazar and his wife.

Godric will not go down the path full of pain again. So Godric crossed his hands over his chest, ready to draw his sword if necessary to get away and glared at Salazar.

Ahh… As defiant as ever and Salazar loved that about him…

So stubborn, brave and foolish…

The fire in his eyes as he glared at him as like always lit a fire inside him wanting to possess Godric.

"Why are you doing this Sal? We agreed to not meet like this ever since you got married" Godric cursed himself for calling him Sal.

Salazar as usual ignored the punch he just got and grabbed his hands without fear, pressing him to the door with his body.

"Why? Now that you got a girl to marry, you don't want to meet up anymore?"

Godric didn't know why he put up with this cruel man. Honestly, Salazar is as prejudiced as most of the purebloods were and even more cruel to others when he don't like them. Salazar is always teasing him that Godric didn't know what is true and what is teasing. Godric didn't know what to do with these feelings when he knew very well that they are both man and their ideals are completely different that they will drive each other mad.

"Don't be stupid Salazar. This has nothing do with you."

"Nothing to do with me?"

Salazar's eyes for a second turned to red from brown in anger yet Godric stood his ground, he had vowed to himself not to be swayed by anything this man says anymore. Godric's conscience will never leave him alone if he came between couples and separated them.

"Yes, nothing to do with you. Why are you doing this Sal?"

"Can't you see? I cannot stay away from you anymore"

Godric pushed Salazar away since he is stronger than him.

"You have a pregnant wife, remember?"

Godric finally said it out aloud, the fact he was denying to himself till now.

"Yes, so she would go to her mother's house soon leaving me"

He is cruel… Salazar is cruel, trying to shake him with words wanting him to not marry someone while he is already married. There is nothing in this relationship that can be said as good. This has to stop. Godric cannot take this anymore.

"Godric… Don't look like that"

"How am I looking?"

"You're looking as if this is the end of everything between us."

"Yes Salazar, I am looking like this because it truly is the end of everything. It's not as if there was anything between us to even begin with. So stop pulling me aside like this."

Godric turned to look but his chin was grabbed, only for his lips to be brutally kissed, more like claimed. Salazar didn't hold back and kissed him roughly, Godric pushed him away.

No…. Not anymore…

Stop… Stop trembling lips…

Godric opened the door and moved outside quickly before Salazar grabbed him again. He looked one last time at Salazar, his eyes, his hair, his lips which was kissing him just few seconds ago and said,

"I am not doing this anymore Sal. Have a good life"

With that Godric turned his back to Salazar, to his feelings and to everything his heart yearned for, ignoring Salazar yelling that he will never let Godric go away from him, Godric moved toward his room to ward it well and hide there for a while without anyone's presence.

Salazar frowned and slammed his fist against the door in anger.

Salazar could not even think of Godric becoming someone else's. Godric, his brave heart, defiant eyes, rude language, strong hands with his sword, sharp tongue, everything Godric belongs solely to him~~~~~

Harry clenched his eyes shut. Harry hated this, for some reason their love affected him and made him sad. Harry didn't want to witness their tragic love story anymore because obviously, they hadn't got together with the way the history went they both had their own children but he had no choice but to witness this.

Man, but does the history got it wrong, like it is written that Godric and Salazar were enemies and had even stopped speaking with each other because of house rivalry.

"Baby"

Harry opened his eyes to look that he is in infirmary again.

Damn it, just one month since the start of his third year and he is already in infirmary. Harry tried to sit up, giving a small smile to Sirius who helped him sit on the bed.

Harry remembered he was walking towards the Gryffindor Common Room which the twins insisted he come and visit them at least once even though he is a Ravenclaw. As instructed and shown by the twins where is Gryffindor dormitory, Harry reached the portrait and the twins were waiting for him on the door way.

They wanted to introduce him to their inspiration Fred and George. Soon they introduced him to the twins and probably their entire friends that he is their adorable little brother and sensing his awkwardness, Alex led him to somewhere away from the group and they started playing Wizarding Chess and Alex losing all the four times they had played. Harry had a better control of his Seer abilities. But the banner of Gryffindor's sword hanging on the common room just bothered him. He kept glancing at it, remembering how sad Godric looked in his visions.

Just like that he must have fainted on the middle of their fifth game of chess.

Ugh… Harry didn't want to attract attention but he must have drawn a lot of attention by just fainting in the common room and that too in front of twins again.

"Baby, I was so scared. Every time you faint like this, it pains me to see you."

"I am sorry Sirius. It's not fainting and you know too."

To everyone it looks like he had fainted but he is just having a vision and staying in the mind for the time.

"When Professor Flitwick fire called us, we got here so soon"

"What is the time Siri?"

"It's nine Harry. Alice was the one who went and informed Madam Pomfrey, while Alex didn't draw much attention to you since I had instructed him to not draw attention if things happened like it did in summer, so he just said you had fallen asleep and silently brought you to infirmary. So don't worry about things."

Harry had a vision around six in the evening so he must have been here till night. At lest it is not like last year, sleeping for two days. As Aunt Cassiopeia said, he will get used to this.

But as like always the vision depressed him.

Salazar Slytherin…

Harry always thought Godric was the only one who was depressed and hurt with his feelings but he had seen it.

The look of utter desperation and anger and rage on Salazar's face and the almost verge of tears after Godric went away from the room, to not want Godric to be anyone else's.

Harry leaned on Sirius shoulder, resting his head and looked around to see his father and the twins sleeping, cuddled on the nearby bed.

Sirius put a hand on his shoulder silently comforting him,

"Should we go and see Aunt Cassiopeia? This is the second time in this year you've fainted like this."

"I am fine Sirius. It is not like last year. I don't feel tired. But do you know who I saw Sirius?"

Harry whispered the last part and Sirius leaned down to hear,

"Godric Gryffindor"

"What?"

Harry shushed him and Sirius whispered what, what continuously as if not believing it. Harry knew how much Sirius took pride of being a Gryffindor.

"That far…? But how do you know it is him"

"I didn't know at first but the dressing style and everything was so old and there cannot be another Godric Gryffindor and Salazar Slytherin other than them"

"Slytherin too? What did you see? One of the great battles between Gryffindor and Slytherin?"

Sirius whispered excitedly wanting to know whether Gryffindor or Slytherin won. Sirius cannot believe that Harry could see this far. This is incredible.

"Yeah… They were fighting"

Harry told him while Sirius asked him who won excitedly; you could almost see an invisible tail behind Sirius waving in excitement.

"They were fighting who withdraw from a kiss first but both soon forgot all about it once they started kissing. Apparently, they were lovers in secret. The history got it wrong."

Harry did see them do that just a few days ago in a vision, making him avert his eyes and blush.

Sirius gasped at him, leaving the bed to stand up in shock.

"No way… No way… No way…"

Sirius forgot to speak in silent and his exclaim woke his father and siblings from their sleep. His father moved towards him as his son was awake while asking Sirius what's wrong. Harry snickered at the shocked look on his godfather's face like someone had said the world is going to end.

Sirius always goes on and on about house rivalry and now every time he will talk about it, he would be reminded of what Harry had said now. Messing with Sirius is so fun. Harry's mood lightened looking at Sirius trying hard to understand what he said.

"How are you Harry?"

His father asked him to which he replied he is fine. His siblings climbed on the bed, Alice who was sleepy, slept in an instant on the right side while Alex petted his head.

"Alex, stop it"

"Why would I? You scared me fainting like that."

Harry mumbled a sorry and tried to move away but Alice was sleeping on the side, stopping his movements.

"Harry, Did you faint because I was winning the fifth chess game finally?"

"No way… You are just making that up"

"Aww… come on don't be sad that I finally outwitted you in chess"

"No, you won't win in chess even if I played closing my eyes. You suck at chess", Harry stuck his tongue at his brother. They had reached past the awkwardness in summer between them and reached a stable, comfortable stage. It's not as if Harry and they became best fiends but it is a start… A good start…

"Why you little cutie…"

Alex pinched his brother's cheeks enjoying his pleading of letting him go but seeing Alex not letting go of Harry, Harry turned his face to James who was laughing at them and making puppy eyes with a pitiful expression and his father interfered asking Alex to let Harry go. His father is turning such a softie towards Harry. They were not a perfect family, even now they had some lines yet to be crossed between them but Alex is happy that all of them are finally here together.

Sirius still could not believe that the very brave Godric Gryffindor was… was with that sly Slytherin whom he used to always curse. It's unbelievable. At first he thought Harry was pulling a prank on him but looking at Harry's serious face, he had to face the truth.

Oh Merlin…

He cannot even tell anyone and whine about it to others. It's like Harry and Sirius sharing a secret the magical world isn't aware of.

Godric… Oh Godric… How I admired you?

This is like… like saying Dumbledore and the dark lord Grindelwald were lovers.

"Are you alright, my boy?"

Sirius was pulled from his shocking state by the headmaster words.

"Oh yeah… I am alright. It's nothing to worry Headmaster."

"How is Mr. Potter Sirius?"

Sirius looked at the bed to find James scolding Alex for pulling Harry's cheeks harshly while Harry watched with smug satisfaction, irritating Alex further. Honestly, his baby is so cunning sometimes. Sirius is glad that Harry is getting along with his siblings. Sirius had a talk with Harry in the summer, telling his godson about Sirius and his brother Regulus's relationship, advising Harry that things between siblings doesn't always work out but that doesn't mean cutting ties altogether. Harry too agreed to speak with them properly, letting go of the past as they too still are young, just one year older than Harry.

"He is fine Headmaster"

"Is this permanent Sirius? Will he in future too feel magical exhaustion like this all the time?"

"No, he is getting better Headmaster."

Headmaster nodded and took his leave from infirmary while Sirius pushing Godric Gryffindor further back in his mind, that topic will be opened tomorrow when he will have firewhisky as company. Harry turned his face to look at him, he looked as if his cheeks really hurt and made puppy dogs eyes which Sirius too, all easily can be manipulated with just that. Sirius then joined James in scolding Alex for pinching Harry's cheeks.

How dare he hurt his adorable baby's cheeks..?

Alex regretted pulling his brother's cheeks with these two simpletons who can be easily manipulated by his brother's eyes. Alex growled at his brother who was smirking at him, his expression saying as if this is payback for all the pranks Alex had pulled on Harry during their childhood.

~~~~~~xxxxxxx~~~~~~~xxxxxxxxx~~~~~~xxxxxxx~~~~~~~~

Harry saw Hedwig flying above the Manor, to the Post owl office with the gift for Tom from the owlery in Potter Manor. Harry hoped this helped Tom in his power battle among his housemates. Harry as like usual decided to spend his Christmas in Manor instead of Hogwarts.

Harry turned away and walked towards the kitchen.

Something kept bothering him.

Harry at first didn't want to tell Sirius about his vision of Bellatrix and mother. Something inside him kept telling him that it's better to leave the past in past. But against all that, Harry told Sirius a few days before about this. Sirius had never looked that enraged and he calmed down a little after Harry had begged him to calm down.

Sirius seemed disturbed after hearing that and Harry felt guilty, saying that to Sirius. But Sirius promised he will be fine so trusting Sirius, Harry left it at that.

Today is Christmas and he had sent gifts to everyone he needed to send including twins and his father.

Harry entered the kitchen, startling the elves.

"Master Harry"

"What is you wanting?"

"Master Harry"

The house elves surrounded him along with Tally.

"I am pretty good at baking so as a Christmas gift; let me bake you all something"

"Master Harry", they all exclaimed chorally and looked at him as if he had given them clothes to free them.

"Master Harry is not doing work"

"Come on, go and sit there. This is not work, this is a gift"

Harry rolled his sleeves and put the apron on. He wanted to give them all something but they will become too emotional, he will slowly make them accept things. He had already spoken with his father about giving them all a day to rest in a week. If one elf took leave on Monday then other elves can be given a day off prospectively. His father agreed to think about it.

House elves protested for a while but soon as he ordered them, went and sat near the door murmuring that No Master had cooked for their elves.

Most people do not understand how much devoted house elves are to their masters, they will even give their life to their Masters. Harry had been brought up by Tally. His mother dead and his father grieving, it was Tally who was like a mother to him, looked after him. And Harry is eternally grateful towards Tally and the other house elves looking after their home and cooking for them without asking anything in return.

After baking some cookies, cakes and muffins, Harry served them all in a plate and sat down near them with a plate for himself. It's not perfect but the baked items are not worse either.

Harry ordered them to not protest and stand up, they all ate, some of them with tears while Tally sniffed proudly looking at him with unconditional love in Tally's eyes.

"Master Harry is so kind"

"This food is so tasty Master Harry"

"It's nothing compared to what all of you do for us."

Harry chatted with them for a while and they all refused to let him clean the plates and started cleaning the plates.

"Look after father, ok?"

"Of course Master Harry."

"Master James is sometimes not eating but we is not letting him starve"

"And we is giving him medicines in time as Master Harry told us"

James watched them from the kitchen door when he came here to see where Harry had gone. His son really is kind. James wondered why the house elves had become rebellious, not listening to him when he said he didn't want food, grieving lonely in the Manor after his children went to Hogwarts. They took a habit of obsessing over his health, making him eat, not letting him alone for more than two hours, driving him mad. Now that he can see they will listen to Master Harry more than the head of house.

James smiled and entered the kitchen to get a taste of his son's cooking. His son Harry cooked just like James's mother.

James decided to give them a day off like Harry requested him since they always takes care of him and the house very well. After Lily's death, these elves had been the pillar of Potter Manor. He can see two of the elves are even reaching the old age.

James patted Harry's head and took a plate to eat his son's baked cookies.

Yummy….

~~~~~~xxxxxxx~~~~~~~xxxxxxxxx~~~~~~xxxxxxx~~~~~~~~~

Avery….

Tom's first acquaintance, not that he will ever admit that he is anywhere near being a friend.

Tom Riddle doesn't need any kind of relationship least of all friendship. Tom felt bad leaving Terror in Hogwarts all alone on Christmas day. But this is the first time spending Christmas on someone else's home. Avery had invited him to his Manor and Tom could not refuse, curious to see a wizard's home.

Tom's third year had been good so far. As they reached their third year, people started to form some sort of group, you cannot survive single any further in the power battle, you have to gather powerful people, the more powerful people your group have, the more influence you will have over others.

At first Tom thought, he will be left alone or the weaklings will join him but to his surprise, Avery was the first one to approach him, surprising everyone by joining a muggleborn.

You have Power Riddle, that's all Avery told him. Tom himself was wary of Avery but soon as he followed Tom, three more purebloods joined him along with two half bloods. They left him alone for most of the time but when it is a verbal spar with other students or if he needed them, they stood beside him.

Tom is no way fooled that they are all friends; one even switched a group after a month. But Avery stood beside him for the past three months and Tom really couldn't understand him at all why Avery is staying beside him where there are many powerful students with the background of powerful families. Avery invited him to his Manor for the Christmas and Tom wondered how his family will accept a muggleborn in their home but he could stand his ground. Tom didn't want to admit that he trusted Avery a little enough to go to his home.

After coming here, his family behaved as if Tom doesn't exist. At least they didn't yell and make a drama which is fine by him.

Tom was spending most of the time in the garden or in Avery's room. Tom never imagined people could be this rich. Come on, they own a bloody Manor. This all reminded him of living in orphanage.

Tom really was grateful for H that he sent a box for food at the end of his second year. This year had been miserable in orphanage with the muggle war going on. They were short on food supply and the medicines were very few that they gave food to children who the staffs thought they deserved to eat and Tom is the devil in their eyes. If it had not been for the box, Tom would've starved to death. Tom never felt thankful for being a wizard and escaping the hell hole for most of the year. He hoped the war would end before he goes back to the orphanage.

The first thing he will do after graduating from Hogwarts is earning enough money to buy a house in the wizarding world.

So here he is… in Avery's room on Christmas day, gift from H on the bed while Avery too sat beside him looking at him curiously,

"I thought you had no relations in wizarding world"

"No, I have someone", Tom replied to Avery in smug tone.

Tom opened it to see a bottle of what appeared to be a colorless liquid.

"What is it?"

It had a note attached to it,

"Three drops of your blood in the liquid, it will reveal your blood status"

Tom didn't know what this is, just then Avery told him that if the liquid turned Blue, you're a pureblood and if it turned red, you're a halfblood and if it turned black, you're a muggleborn.

So it means… H doesn't know about his blood status which implies H is not a relative of mine or someone who knew about his parents. If H was a relative then H must have known about Tom's blood status instead of sending a potion. Tom had searched the library for any spells to learn about your blood status and hereditary but he should have looked in Potions section.

Tom conjured a knife with his wand, glad that it's a wizarding home and it is okay to use magic.

This is it…

If he turned out to be a muggleborn, he will have a rough path but there is no turning back. This will help him narrow down the path to his parents too.

Tom nicked his finger lightly with the sharp knife and dropped it on the vial.

After few seconds, the liquid turned red and Tom was torn between disappointment and happiness. He was disappointed he was not a pureblood but he was happy that he is not a filthy muggleborn.

Avery patted his shoulder and smiled at him. Yes, it did makes things little easier in the upcoming battle between his housemates, he will become the king of Slytherin for sure.

"So… Shall we practice it?"

Tom smirked at him and pulled his wand out whispering,

"Leglimens"

Yes, Tom Riddle is working in mastering this mind magic ever since Avery had told him about this. Leglimency came easy as breathing, he is trying to master it without a wand but occlumency means some level of trust and he is having a hard time letting Avery train him. But he has no other choice and Tom will see how Avery is by invading his mind, knowing his true emotions and thoughts will help him.

~~~~~~xxxxxxx~~~~~~~xxxxxxxxx~~~~~~xxxxxxx~~~~~~~~~

Harry relaxed his grip on the wand and calmed his mind.

It is just few days before the dueling competition and Harry is going to participate in this. It is just a duel between third years and after fourth year only he can fight anyone but as a third year, he can only fight third years.

Having a higher rank in the studies really did benefit sometimes. The first ten ranked students of each house don't have to participate in first rounds unless they fail the test now.

The higher ranked students are asked to gather here today, the teachers inside the room will decide whether the student is eligible enough to skip the first few rounds in the competition. One by one everyone went and Harry didn't know what happened inside or what did the students do but he was the last one in the waiting room to be called inside since everyone left after exiting from the Professor's room.

"Lillian Potter. Come in"

Harry left the waiting room and entered the Professor's, surprised to see Professor Snape and Headmaster standing in the empty room. Well, it answered him why he was the last one to be called since Professor Snape is here.

"Ah… Mr. Potter. I am very impressed with your ranks and practical marks."

"Thank you Headmaster. Do I have to duel you or something Professor?"

Headmaster laughed, ignoring Professor Snape's muttering of as if you could and said,

"Oh no, no my boy. You can impress us with something out of your text books showing how much you learnt on your own or you can cast spells we will tell you. Which do you prefer Mr. Potter?"

"I will cast something myself"

"As arrogant as ever"

Snape glared at him but kept his mouth shut after the headmaster shushing him like a child.

Something to impress them, huh?

A spell which most of the third years cannot cast,

A spell which most of the adults even have difficulty to cast,

Harry pointed his wand straight at the Professors, closing his eyes to find a happy memory and imagining the black cloaked Professor Snape to be a dementor and cast the spell,

"Expecto Patronum"

Harry opened his eyes, hoped it had worked because he had trained hard for the past months. Even Harry was surprised at the size, it was huger than the last time he saw it.

The huge grim leaped from his wand at Professor Snape, it looked around to see the danger then turned towards him, nuzzled him for a second and disappeared.

"Excellent, my boy. You do not have to participate in the selection rounds."

Harry smiled at the Headmaster who was beaming at him while Professor Snape left the room, closing the door with a thud.

"Your Patronus is incredible my boy and in such young age."

Yes, his Padfoot is incredible. Sirius had been ecstatic when he had cast it as a surprise, on the Christmas holidays that his Patronus is finally corporeal. Sirius had been beyond himself knowing his Patronus is Padfoot. Sirius had thoroughly teased his father after that and won the bet they had while he was practicing the spell at first in summer.

Harry gritted his teeth when a vision tried to force his field, Harry would have forced it back if it was not a glimpse of Sirius he saw in the behind his eyes.

~~~~~~~Harry didn't know what had possessed him to let his guard down like that in front of the Headmaster, but he looked around knowing if he pulled back in few seconds, he could say it was just a headache.

Sirius was arguing with Bellatrix Lestrange. They were yelling at each other, standing just a few inches from each other, faces red with rage.

Damn it, he shouldn't have told Sirius about that vision at all.

All of a sudden Bellatrix took her wand and casted, "Crucio"

Now Harry cannot go back, leaving this vision, fear gripping him. Sirius dodged it as he always has quick reflex.

"Have you gone mad woman? Casting an unforgivable in the Ministry of Magic", Sirius too quickly took his wand from his robes and Bellatrix laughed in an insane manner,

"Mad? Now only do you realize that my itty bitty Sirius?"

They both cast spell after spell in a close range and Bellatrix grabbed Sirius's robes, grinning insanely, licking Sirius's cheeks in a utterly disgusting way to which Sirius pushed her away roughly.

Just then Harry took quick notice of his surroundings, behind him there was the veil thing which he had seen once in his life when Sirius took him to Ministry of Magic when he was eight to the department of mysteries to show the prophecies after Aunt Cassiopeia advised him to take a look at the difference between Seer and Prophets.

Harry had a bad feeling when he first saw that thing; he never imagined he will see this again and that too in his vision. Sirius had told him to never go near the veil ever in future.

Harry was standing in between the veil and Sirius along with Bellatrix who was now pushed by Sirius roughly, stumbled by her high heels, tripped, passing through Harry who was standing there and fell through the veil.

Harry's heart skipped a beat in utter fear when Bellatrix grabbed Sirius's hand, pulling him along the fall, Sirius whose eyes were widened in shock, with an expression of fear and helplessness, fell through the veil to never come back~~~~~~

(A/N: Don't hate me.

Uff, Made it in a month time. Thanks for all your reviews readers and also forgive me for spelling and grammatical mistakes. Some of you gave advices too, thanks for that too.

Let me ask you something, have any of you been verbally abused for being a tomarry or drarry shipper? I was called a psychopath and a person who likes to abuse others and mental for shipping them. Merlin! That was some experience. Hope you all had a pleasant experience than what I went through.

Anyway, see you all with next update.

LooneyTune: Hello my dear reader, as you eagerly wait for my updates, like that I too eagerly wait for your reviews. Thanks for your love and support that motivates me to complete the chapter in a month. You make me so happy too with your review. Say hi to your friend too. Take care.

CloudZzFluffyBedsOfWhite: Yes, it would be hilarious to watch Terror cursing every fan girl left and right, wanting only Harry and Tom to be together because Terror obviously ship tomarry.

Aqua Lilly: Yes it was their second year. This chapter is the start of Harry's third year.

Let me know your thoughts.

Take care all of you…)