Harry picked up his broom and raced upto his Godfather who had his team listening to his every word, intently.
"-And our strategy is simple. Beat them to the ground," Sirius smacked his fist on his palm to emphasize his point.
"Very helpful, captain," Percy Weasley crossed his arms narrowing his eyes, "And have you noticed you've managed to make a team comprising of under 16s excluding yourself, of course, thought mentally I sometimes wonder…."
"I heard that," Sirius snapped, "Age doesn't guarantee losing or winning. So, let's get down to business. You two grinning idiots will be my beaters so don't do something stupid."
The two twins looked outraged, "Hey, we play for the team."
"Sure, sure, no wonder Gryffindor hasn't won a single cup since your brother left school. Any way, I'll be keeper just because. While you, you and you take care of the quaffle," Sirius pointed towards Harry, Ginny and Percy.
"Me! You want me to take care of the snitch! I couldn't catch a snitch to save my own life," Neville jumped suddenly, looking quite horrified. Sirius bit his lip thoughtfully before lifting his eyebrow at Ginny. She shook her head instantly.
"Rose is going to play chaser and I want to beat her," Ginny placed her hands on her hips defiantly. One of the twins muttered something about girls being weird. Harry agreed with the notion absolutely.
"And before you look at me, no. I want to get back home in one piece," Percy also refused vehemently.
"I'm too bleeding large to be an effective seeker, unless," Sirius groaned but his eyes widened as an idea seemed to be forming in his head. He looked at Harry and gave him a thumbs up. Neville thumped Harry on the back, supportively. He along with the rest of the team dispersed to gear up.
"Err… Sirius, has it occurred to you this is the first day I've sat on a broom. What if I muck up?" Harry asked hoping his nervousness didn't show. He had read up on all sorts of Quidditch injuries and it would be just like him to break a few bones playing with a few girls. He couldn't let Dan 'perfect' Potter see him fall flat on his face.
"Harry, I know being a seeker's a huge burden but this is just a friendly match and it will be a good learning experience. Don't sweat it," Sirius patted his shoulder before walking away. Harry could see in the man's eyes that he expected to lose which Harry didn't like but understood why the man thought so. Harry was after all the last possible choice for the most important spot on the team and a complete novice. It sounded like a tragedy waiting to happen.
Harry was putting his shin guards on when he felt a presence behind him. He turned to see Lily Potter standing behind him.
"You're going to be okay?" She asked and Harry made a noncommittal sound.
"My whole family is Quidditch mad; they've always been. Dan got his first broom when he could barely walk. Actually," Lily looked away into the distance with half her red hair hiding her face, "you did too. I-I think you loved it more."
"They make them that small," Harry asked neutrally placing his helmet on. Lily looked back and nodded.
"James would prop you on it and you would like to sit on for hours. I thought I would watch you would grow up on it," Lily placed her hand on forehead, shakily, hiding half her face, "There I go again blubbering like a water pot. I just wanted to tell you good luck."
Harry replied with a mumbled thanks before retreating towards Neville who was calling out to him.
"What broom have you got?" Neville asked, eyeing his shiny new one.
"A Nimbus 2000; you?"
"A Cleansweep five; dad promised me he'll get me a new one in my fourth year or if I magically join the Quidditch team; not happening in a million years."
Harry commiserated and joined the line of players. Each player shook hands with their counterparts on the opposing team. Daniel Potter was playing seeker and that made Harry more nervous then he had ever been. Dan had gripped Harry's hand ferociously as he they shook hands and Harry gulped for the third time.
Lily Potter acted like the match referee to begin the game by releasing all four balls. She picked up quaffle and threw it in the air. Neville accidently caught it and the game had begun.
Neville instantly panicked and flew blindly towards one corner of the ground where some makeshift loops greeted him with the five other chasers flying after him. Sirius' angry face alerted him to the fact that he was going in the wrong direction.
"Whoops," Neville muttered and turned swiftly. He ducked as soon as he realized he was facing both teams coming towards him. Ginny Wesley used her size to swerve quicker than the rest of the participants and flanked Neville's left.
"Give me the Quaffle!" She yelled when Neville was nearly overtaken by Charlie Weasley. Neville threw the ball at her but it went right over her and into Percy's surprised hands.
"This is stupid, stupid, STUPID game," Percy yelled as a Bludger nearly flattened him but he managed to make a score against his own father who was the keeper. Ginny cheered along with Neville.
Harry was flying higher than everyone else trying to see the snitch. It was smaller than he had expected because the drawings in his books hadn't been lifesized but at least they were golden and distinctive. Harry thought he saw a hint of gold near one goal post but could not see it again. His eyes met the other seekers; his brothers, but he looked away instantly.
James Potter now had the quaffle but his throw didn't pass through because Sirius was a more competent keeper than Mr. Weasley. Sirius threw the ball to Ginny who whizzed circles around poor Susan Bones who had a limp beater's bat in her hand and raced to her goal. Rose Potter tried to cut her off but her friend was faster and another goal went through for Sirius' team. Charlie Weasley the third chaser had been so badly tangled in the beater's manoeuvres that he hadn't been able to help his team much. The twins were pelting him from the left and right while Frank tried to help his teammate out.
Rose suddenly shouted wildly; the snitch was sitting right under her nose. Harry flattened on his broom and dove in so deep that other players stopped to watch him either in trepidation or in awe. It was fortunate that Harry was paying close attention because Dan Potter cut his path neatly and Harry had nearly collided with him but managed to go right just in time.
"That was BRILLIANT, Harry!" Sirius shouted on the top of his lungs but Harry ignored him for the pressing need to find the snitch but it had disappeared again.
Harry avoided a Bludger that wheezed past his ear by ducking and braked frantically as Rose and Ginny barrelled past him to catch the errant Quaffle. Charlie Weasley managed to get the red ball in time but dropped it by expertly and aimed Bludger that hit the back of his broom. The twins looked away cheekily, claiming it was an accidently while Frank argued it was not. The Quaffle was caught by James though and he managed to sneak a goal past Sirius who was also engrossed in the Bludger foul debate.
"Damn it, Potter. You shall weep when I win," Sirius shook his fist at his friend.
Harry noticed another sighting of the snitch and it was hovering soundly in the air, a few feet above Dan's head. Harry accelerated his broom up towards the boy who was flying higher than him and Dan's eyes widened in shock. He swerved sideways just in time but his eyes latched onto the snitch only a few feet away. Dan gained momentum by climbing a steep gradient while Harry had to stop himself from flying up and away from the stationary snitch. Harry reached down for the snitch but he came in a few inches short; Harry instantly let gravity do the work and in a blink of an eye he was upside down, hanging onto the broom with only his legs. He didn't even remember the moment when the snitch ended up in his hand.
Everyone broke out into applause and shouts; even the opposing team except for Dan who looked at Harry gravely and drifted downwards to the crowd with his sister following him.
"Someone get me back up," Harry croaked as the blood rushed to his head and Charlie Weasley, who was the closest, helped Harry get back on his broom properly.
"That was inventive," Charlie grinned while patting Harry on the back.
"I could just kiss you," Ginny shouted in her enthusiasm as she circled around Harry. She suddenly realized what she had said and her ears went red, "Or not."
"Thinking of snogging precious Potter, here?" One of the twins teased her as put their arms around Harry congenially, "I'm sure the winner would like a kiss."
"Shut up," She hissed growing even more red and flew down to complain to her mother.
"Not kissing you either, Harry," Neville remarked smarmily.
"I'm very grateful for that," Harry responded, with the roll of his eyes. Sirius hugged him and so had pretty much everyone else in the team and quite violently except for Susan Bones who had waved at him unsteadily while Percy had shaken his hand firmly as if he has won an election, with his brother crooning Perfect Prefect Percy in the background.
"This is officially the worst day I've had in a long time; Dad's not letting me go to Malfoys; Ron's avoiding me; Neville's calling me a coward; and I've lost a Quidditch match to him, I've never lost the snitch in my entire life," Dan glared at the celebrating team still flying on their brooms before sitting down on the grass.
"It's not that bad," Rose tried to be comforting, "He's not that bad."
"And yet again it's not about him. For once in my life can't my problems be just about me," Dan choked at the end of the sentence and he fisted a bit of grass and threw it aside.
"You're right; this is about you. Your friends don't want to talk to you anymore so you've probably done something wrong. What happened at Hogwarts?"
"It if weren't for Malfoy I would not have survived in Slytherin, believe me, they aren't very nice when they think you're the enemy; the blood traitor with a muggleborn mother. Nobody wanted to sit with me at breakfast and Snape absolutely grilled me the first class I was in. Thank goodness I had gone over my textbooks otherwise I would have been the laughing stock of the class. And then Malfoy did the unthinkable he shook hands with me in front of everyone. I will never admit it to him but I owe him because afterwards people became nicer," Dan finished with a shrug.
"And what about Ron, and Neville?" Rose asked curiously.
"It would have been social suicide to hang out with a Gryffindor so I tried to stay away for a bit. I thought they would understand but they didn't and after a fight between Malfoy and Ron got nasty I had to choose in front of everyone. Obviously Ron has a grudge about not being the one I defended," Dan laid his face on his knees. Rose's name was called out from a distance and Dan thought she was going to get up but before she did she gave him a quick hug. She would never have done that after she turned four and Dan appreciated the gesture. He stayed on the ground for a while before someone approached him from his right.
"Get up, son, the food's ready," James sighed at the expression on his son's face, "I don't think any less of you, you know."
"But you're prouder of him, aren't you?" Dan asked bitterly.
"Don't measure your worth relative to anyone. What I feel for you has nothing to do with anything else in this world."
"Then why does it matter that I'm a Slytherin, I'm still the same person."
"I know I made the situation into a dog's dinner; there's no denying it but I was shocked out of my mind when I heard the news. I though it was prank you'd pulled on me but as I started to think about it I got it," James said thoughtfully.
"Got what?" Dan replied sullenly.
"People are born the way they are. I should have known long ago that my son wasn't a Gryffindor. For example you don't hot headedly jump into a situation but instead analyze it and weigh the pros and cons that benefit you. You've always been like that. I was so worried that my son was going to turn into a Slytherin that it didn't occur to me that you were already one; you were born one," James' voice was a low, steady rumble, "I've always been proud of my son and nothing is going to change that."
"Now stay close, and get even closer if you see something suspicious," Lily instructed her three children as they walked out of the floo at Leaky Cauldron, "And no shaking hands with strangers no matter how many times they kiss you feet, alright?" She told Dan before leading them out. The leaky Cauldron was jam packed with people. There were all sorts of oddities sitting around and their mother was eager to get them out of the crowd.
This morning Harry had woken up with the intention of sleeping throughout the day without a care in the world. He had enjoyed Quidditch but his body had decided it hadn't; it made sense since he hadn't played any sport for over a month. He was watching some random cartoon when the floo had fired up and three Potters had walked out of it. Rose had giggled at teenage mutant ninja turtle Pyjamas.
Apparently Sirius had agreed to let Harry have a shopping trip and had totally forgotten to inform Harry. The boy glared at him the whole time he ate his breakfast while the Potters waited for him to be done.
"Look, there's the Boy Who Lived," Someone shouted from the bar stool and Lily growled that she hadn't been able to make her escape earlier.
"He's grown up so much," Tom, the bar owner, eyed Dan proudly.
"Yes, he has, thank you," Lily answered quickly trying not to seem rude.
"Dan, Dan Potter, one handshake please," A man insisted. Dan had his head down but Harry could see he was rolling his eyes.
"Daniel Potter, what an honour to meet you," The small statured wizard stepped in front of the family who was trying to make an exit. The man was trying to get Dan's attention but his eyes met Harry's instead.
"You," He gasped, "Y-You are-"
"Diggle, let us pass," Lily gritted her teeth with arm around both sons protectively.
"I remember, you; You're Harry Potter," Diggle blurted and Lily wanted to shake him by the shoulders. A few onlookers leapt on their toes to see this new Potter though the crowd.
"Come on," Lily poked Rose who was busy popping her gum in anyone's face that came in too close. They finally were able to walk out of the stuffy bar.
Christmas seemed to be a popular festival even in the Wizarding world and Harry was impressed by the decorations and the general nuttiness of their interpretation of it. There was huge Christmas tree floating in front of Gringotts and glittery lights adorned most of the shops.
"And that's the reason why I hate going out," Lily sighed, "We should have borrowed your father's invisibility cloak."
The Potters visited so many shops that it was like a blur to Harry; Rose bought a miss witch makeup set while Dan bought some stuff for potions; Harry really didn't know what to do with troll boogies so he decided to keep a quiet profile. People did try to pester them but the shopkeepers were mindful to protect their privacy of the famous boy wizard in their midst and would shoo irritants out for being disruptive. One shopkeeper even ran out after someone with a broom in his hand. They finally came to a stop at a shop called Flourish and Blotts. Stacks and stacks of books filled Harry's vision and even though he wasn't a lover of books he was still interested in the various interesting titles likePredicting the Unpredictable: Insulate Yourself against Shocks and Broken Balls: When Fortunes Turn Foul. Dan instantly got lost in the Potions section while Rose perused Witch weekly columns.
"Lockhart's won the Witch Weekly's Most-Charming-Smile Award again, mum," Rose giggled while her mother snatched the magazine with a foul look and looked at it with loathing.
"Made a pass at mum once, at a ministry dinner," Rose smirked mischievously, "What did he say, again?"
"Let's make beautiful charms together," Dan piped in a sotto voice as he emerged from a corner.
"And she socked him," Rose chuckled uproariously, "and then memory charmed him."
"It was a foolish thing to do but he had been following me for three hours straight. There is a limit to my patience," Lily crossed her arms daring her children to make another comment. She looked up and caught a look at a couple she knew.
"Mr. and Mrs. Granger, it's so nice to see you again. I see you've braved the Wizarding world again," Lily spoke cheerfully.
"Oh, Mrs. Potter," Mrs. Granger beamed at seeing a familiar face. Harry had seen the couple before lurking around looking at every nook and cranny with nervousness but now it had evaporated. The professionally dressed couple shook hands with Lily before politely smiling at the Potter brood.
"We've heard much about your son; Hermione is worried she might just come in second," Mr. Granger piped.
"Good to know," Dan smirked though the Grangers seemed to think it was cute.
"I suspect your daughter is busy being lost over here," Lily recalled the little girl she had met while shopping with her son for their Hogwarts book. Both children had thought it prudent to begin shopping as soon as possible. While the Grangers had needed a few months to get used to the idea that the letter they received on their daughter's birthday was not in fact a joke Dan has started insisting the moment the letter was in his hand.
"Ah, there she is. Hermione, can you please join us?" Mrs. Granger called out. A bushy haired girl strode over to her parents side, politely. The girl greeted Lily and then meandered towards them as their parents made small talk.
"I bet you didn't get that Transfigurations Exam question number fifteen correct. Nobody in my house did," Dan challengingly jutted his chin out as he spoke haughtily.
"I did get it correct; I checked the textbook after the exam. It was submitting the ministry regulation white paper, object to animal permission form the failure to which would lead to a fifty Galleon fine," Hermione regurgitated smugly, "I would be worried about that Potions exams of yours. The potion was supposed to turn into a calm icy blue not a garish turquoise."
"The textbook might say so but the reference book gives us more leeway about what colour it should take. Besides I asked Snape about it after the exam and he thought it was an excellent effort," Dan retorted.
"Well, that's expected after all. Professor Snape likes to treat his Slytherins well," Hermione informed her academic rival.
"In case you haven't noticed he's been badgering me since day the classes started. I would hardly call it preferential treatment."
"You should be the one who needs to take a closer look. He always gives you top marks and last class before the exam he gave you a smile. He never smiles at me no matter how good I am in class," Hermione huffed.
"Don't tell me you like the greasy git," Dan could barely contain his laughs, "Wait till I tell Malfoy!"
Hermione's face turned crimson but she refused to back down. She instead turned to Harry.
"I don't believe Potter introduced you," Hermione said stonily, "You share the same green eyes. Are you two related?"
"No," Dan responded but at the same time Rose replied with a "Yes." Harry had wisely chosen to remain quiet.
"He is our brother," Rose responded hotly making it more of an answer to her brother's glare then Hermione's question.
"Your brother? But he isn't mentioned Great Wizarding Events of the Twentieth Century," Hermione looked horrified that a beloved book could be guilty of being incorrect.
"I know," Harry replied, "I'm supposed to be a secret."
"But why?" Hermione whispered.
"There is something wrong with me that makes me vulnerable to magic," Harry explained easily because it was the truth, "So, will you please keep this secret at Hogwarts?"
"If he doesn't spread disrespectful rumours about me and Professor Snape," Hermione countered eyeing Dan sharply. The boy kicked the floor but nodded in agreement.
"Hermione, sweetheart, have you made your purchases?"
"No, mum, I'll do that now," Hermione answered breezily. She nodded at the three Potters and walked away with her parents trailing after her.
"Don't need to look so sad, we'll meet them again, soon," Lily informed her children with a secretive smile on her face, "I've invited them over for dinner this week."
"What!" Dan exploded in fury but his mum continued to smile serenely.
"Now, now, Dan. It's hard to make good friends and it's nice to have someone to discuss about what will happen to Sophie's child in the show Home and Away."
"Oh, what fun it is to ride
In a one horse open sleigh
Jingle bells, jingle-" Rose sang merrily for the umpteenth time, apparently overcome by the holiday spirit and deranged muggle festive lights around them. Other harried shoppers gave her murderous looks while a few smiled and appreciated the little girl's performance. Muggles seemed to take Christmas with a tinge of homicidal rage; the Wizards in comparison had seemed to enjoy the festival with less fuss. People were going berserk trying to shop in the London shopping centre. A woman in one shop had actually burst into tears just because she couldn't fit into a size eight.
"Oh, shut up," Dan pleaded with his fingers in his ears.
"Yes, please!" Harry blurted moments later. The two boys looked at each other and then looked away swiftly pretending they hadn't spoken. Rose glared at both of them before walking away in a huff.
"Rose, dear, there's no point in walking away too far. I've got the leash on you," Lily spoke without even turning away from the stall knowing full well what was going on, "It's around all of you. You can't get away from me more than fifteen feet and if you end up getting portkeyed," A subtle look at Harry was thrown, "then I'll be coming along with you."
Rose stopped in her tracks as if she couldn't move any further; her shoulders drooped in defeat and she walked back sullenly.
"Look, Rose isn't this precious," Lily held out a porcelain doll for her daughter. Rose took it immediately but was soon disappointed.
"It doesn't talk, or walk and it doesn't levitate," The girl complained.
"I know, dear. It's muggle after all," Lily observed the doll sadly. She picked up a book from the display, "This book topped the children's best sellers list."
"Not interested, mum," Dan muttered quietly.
"It's science fiction. You've never refused a Sci fi book before," Lily turned around surprised.
"I'm growing up mum. I got a beginners grimoire from Flourish and Blotts. That'll keep me busy these holidays," Dan shrugged without actually looking at her.
"Oh, all right. And that means I shouldn't pick up the new Sega mega drive for you either," Lily said looking as if she was hoping her son would say yes but Dan shook his head and mentioned he had told Dad what he wanted from the Quidditch supplies shop.
"The one with Sonic the hedgehog," Harry blurted out remembering the video game.
"Yes, it's that funny looking character whizzing around in the promos," Lily wrinkled her nose remembering it.
"My cousin was getting this Christmas. At least he was," Harry suddenly remembered the divorce and the market crash and wondered if they could afford the present anymore.
"Well, that's settled then," Lily clapped her hands with a flourish and walked into the store. Harry continued to look confused.
"You duffer, you'll get the Mega Drive for Christmas. She wasn't very subtle about it was she," Rose hissed in his ear.
"But that's too expensive… there's no need to get me a present. It's not like I've ever gotten one before," Harry thought he had been very inaudible but both his siblings stiffened at his words.
"You haven't?" Rose wondered looking disgusted. Harry shrugged awkwardly not thinking it should be such a big deal.
"What about the presents mum and dad sent you?" Dan asked casually eyes still on his mum inside the shop, visible though the glass front. Rose started a tirade against their Uncle and Aunt which Harry wasn't in the mood to hear. He started looking at the toys laid out in the stall in front of the shop and found interesting character key chains. Some of them were Disney but others were of popular television shows like Dr. Who. Harry felt his arm hair go up when he saw character key chains from one of his favourite TV shows; Gladiators. Harry fisted four in his hands and before he could lose courage, walked into the shop and asked if he could buy them. Lily had been extremely delighted Harry had taken the initiative and insisted he buy all of the key chains available but Harry wanted only four.
Four key chains representing his four friends. He didn't even have a picture of them together and this was how he could remember them.
Once the purchase had been made Lily decided to explore another shop to buy some nice china for Mrs. Weasley; she talked out aloud how she would add her own unbreakable, cleaning spells on the set to put her own personal touches. All three kids opted to stand outside the shop finding it to be a terrible bore.
"Oh, look, a game, let's try it out," Rose pointed to a colourful display in the corner and seeing it was within their range of fifteen feet she pranced across to it. Both Dan and Harry shared a look and raced after her.
"Someday someone is going to nick you from under our noses and we won't be able to do anything to help," Dan furiously whispered to her but she was delighted by the colourful game.
"Step right up, smart looking lady and gents. We've got a strong man game for you. Let's see if you can win," A straggly, ginger hair man wearing an odd looking coat waved at them cheerily.
"He's filthy and absolutely plastered, you daft loon," Dan addressed his sister and gripped her arm to drag her away but his sister could hold her own even though she was two years younger. Harry wondered if he should join in the struggle but decided it was wiser to stay away and let them battle it out.
"Why don't you try, laddie?" The man offered but before Harry could get a word in edgewise Rose spoke a 'me first,' shoving Dan away. Her brother was holding his bitten hand and was swearing quite proficiently.
Rose took the hammer and hit the mini strong man game. To her surprise the lights went up almost all the way.
"I am strong, but not that strong," she uttered in disbelief. Even the man who owned the game looked stunned and then abruptly starting packing his things up. He shoved his coin box inside his satchel and then the rest of his belongings he had scattered about to make himself comfortable. Suddenly something rolled at their feet; to the ordinary muggle it was just a wooden stick but even a young witch or a wizard knew better.
"He's got a wand," Rose exclaimed, "He's a wizard."
"Bugger," The man shouted and snatched the wand before they could move. Dan got his wand out immediately.
"Stop, what are doing amongst muggles? Do you mean to harm them?" The boy questioned the man with his wand pointed at the man's heart. The man looked around wildly and saw between Harry and Dan there was some space he could squeeze through so he pushed Harry to the side so he could make a run for it. Harry's instincts were in top shape so he managed to trip the man but could not remain steady and placed his hand on the machine to stabilize himself. An instant later it felt like the whole world had exploded.
Harry was thrown into the air and he crash landed into a glass store front. Harry lay in the broken glass and felt like his skin was burning; he spat out blood from his mouth.
"HARRY!" Someone screamed shrilly and Harry tried to get up to see who it was.
"I cushioned us; mum; I cushioned us from the blast but he was too near it," Dan's panicked voice reached Harry. Rose's face loomed in his vision but she couldn't say anything because she was sobbing hysterically.
"Are you alright?" A muggle woman tried to get Harry to talk. Two men who were sporting various injuries on their faces cushioned Harry's head and his body with a jacket and swept some of the glass away. Harry's glasses were broken but he could still make out what was happening around him especially now that his head was at a better vantage point due to cushion.
"Call 999," A man shouted.
"Bloody IRA, can't they let us live peacefully," Someone cursed the famous Irish terrorist organization.
Lily Potter, Harry saw from the corner of his eye, had her wand out and she shouted, "Expecto Patronum."
A silvery deer appeared from her wand and she barked some orders at it. The deer bowed and turned into mist. Lily grabbed Dan's hand and ran to Harry and Rose. She too started crying seeing Harry's bloody face.
"Don't worry, Miss. We've called the ambulance," The muggle holding Harry's hand insisted. Lily held up her wand to his forehead and whispered, "Stupefy."
The man dropped into a dead faint. She quickly repeated the procedure to all those remaining in the shop. Since Harry had practically landed in the shop they were safe from view.
"I have to do things that muggles cannot possibly understand," Lily voice quivered but her wand hand was steady. She pointed her wand at Harry and uttered, "Episkey."
Harry felt like his face had grown hot and then very cold. His mother continued to say the spell, pointing at various different parts of his body. Harry was surprised when another voice joined the mix. Dan apparently decided to help his mother out.
"It won't fix any broken bones but it will heal any cuts which will prevent serious blood loss. Can you tell me how many fingers I'm holding up?" Lily asked sounding like her nose was blocked. In the dark shop corner Harry couldn't make out details of her face much less the fingers.
"Can't see anything without my glasses," Harry coughed.
"Well, you should have said so before," Rose spoke. Apparently she had found his glasses and had been holding onto them. Dan whispered Reparo and the Rose planted them on Harry's face clumsily.
"Ow," Harry winced and Rose stuck her tongue at him. At that moment James Potter wearing a leather coat over his robes apparated in front of the shop. Behind him were Frank Longbottom and other men and women Harry did not know. James was down on his knees next to Harry the moment he saw him.
"He's going to be all right, James. Fate can't be that cruel to us to take our child away only after we've gotten him," Lily reasoned in a weak voice, "I caught the man, who was behind this, it's Fletcher," Lily pointed towards a slumped figure in the corner. James marched towards the suspect and pulled him up.
He slapped the man who fell on a pile of rubble, now wide awake.
"Look at my son. Look at what you've done to my son, Mundungus Fletcher!" James roared.
"I've done nothing I swear," Fletcher squealed, "Your son's the one who's dangerous."
James slapped him again.
"It was his machine that exploded," Rose shouted that bit of information to her father, "He had a machine, dad."
"It could have been-" Dan tried to interrupt with his own suspicions but his sister didn't let him.
"It was the machine," She hissed furiously, decisively. Rose knew very well who her brother trying to point fingers at.
James tugged at the man's collar and slammed him against the wall forgetting his wand and his colleagues who were dealing with the muggles all around them.
"The machine wasn't supposed to explode; it was supposed to be harmless," The man called Mundungus cried pitifully with pain.
"What was it?" James growled.
"It was supposed to test magical strength of children. I bought it at Knockturn alley," Mundungus whimpered and James let him go in shock, "Just my luck that my first customers turned out to be your children."
"It's as Madame Bones had predicted," Lily spoke worriedly.
"What a bunch of insane lunatics," James kicked a wall in frustration, "They've gone too far. I will have an investigation so deep-"
"James, please, not now, we must take Harry to a more trained medical staff. He could be bleeding internally," Lily looked down at Harry and found he was not conscious anymore.
There was something odd about the moon Harry thought blearily. It moved a lot and it seemed to be speaking. Harry shook his head and got up to find a creature standing on chest staring at him in the face.
"Harry Potter!" said the creature in a high-pitched voice. He wanted to ask, "What are you?" but thought it would sound too rude, so instead he said, "Who are you?"
"Dobby, sir. Just Dobby. Dobby the house-elf," said the creature.
"Err.. Hullo, Dobby the house elf. Why are you here?" Harry asked.
"Dobby has come to protect Harry Potter, to warn him, even if he does have to shut his ears in the oven door later... Harry Potter is in danger."
"Oh, err, thanks," Harry offered not knowing what to do with the ominous warning, "Do you want to sit down?"
The elf instantly started sobbing into the thing it was wearing.
"I'm sorry," Harry whispered, "I didn't mean to offend you or anything."
"Offend Dobby!" choked the elf. "Dobby has never been asked to sit down by a wizard - like an equal -"
Harry, trying to say "Shh!" and look comforting at the same time, ushered Dobby back onto the bed where he sat hiccoughing, looking like a large and very ugly doll. At last he managed to control himself, and sat with his great eyes fixed on Harry in an expression of watery adoration.
"You can't have met many decent wizards," said Harry, trying to cheer him up. The house elf nodded and it abruptly started screaming
"Bad Dobby! Bad Dobby! Dobby will have to punish himself most grievously for coming to see you, sir. Dobby will have to shut his ears in the oven door for this," Dobby whimpered.
"But why?" Harry winced.
"Dobby is always having to punish himself for something, sir. They lets Dobby get on with it, sir. Sometimes they reminds me to do extra punishments ... "
"But why don't you leave? Escape?"
"A house-elf must be set free, sir. And the family will never set Dobby free ... Dobby will serve the family until he dies, sir ..." Dobby's ears drooped sadly.
"That sounds…" Harry thought not to vocalize his thoughts, "Is there something I can do to help?"
"Harry Potter asks if he can help Dobby ... Dobby has heard of your name, sir, but of your goodness and greatness, Dobby never knew..."
"Thanks, I guess," Harry shrugged and pain jolted up his arm.
"Dobby must go… masters will wants their early tea soon," Dobby insisted though he did not look like he wanted to go.
The house elf disappeared after a blink of an eye.
Diggle was in the interlude if you can't remember the association and why he recognized Harry.
I wrote action today with the explosion and the match. Am I any good? I don't have a clue whether it's vivid enough so feedback will be great because I would like to be better when stuff happens next time around.
And don't worry about the romance. This is a gen story so no one's creating a life lasting bond with anyone, slash or het or interspecies at least for the first two years. But that doesn't mean Harry won't discover girls. I just won't have him find his soulmate the first time he enters Hogwarts because of an eyelock across the Great Hall. It won't be obvious.. whoever I choose.
Anyone's whose figured out what's wrong with Harry might be able to figure out why the explosion happened; I remember at least one reviewer who has. The machine exploded because of its function, that's the only hint I'm giving. Any guesses :p
Next Time: Professor McGonagall, Dinner with the Grangers, Row at Christmas.