Chapter 36 Harrys O.W.L.s and N.E.W.T.s
Madame Marchbanks was in the library looking at Harry. Just looking. And Thinking. As old as she was, older than Dumbledore, whom she gave HIS O.W.L. and N.E.W.T. exams to, she remembered Harry. She remembered his first time here when she gave him his examinations and was very pleased at his results, especially when at the very last, before she let him go, she asked him to demonstrate his Patronus Charm. It was the first time a 5th year had ever performed that charm since Albus Dumbledore. And she was extremely pleased. That's why she kept her eye out on him since.
"My, my, my, he looks just like he did the first time. I just can't see any difference," she thought to herself. "I wonder . . . ," she thought or said quietly under her breath as she pulled out Harry first exams that he took and handed in. She looked them over and wondered.
"Mr. Potter, please, sit down here next to me. I want to talk with you."
Harry walked over to the aged witch whom Harry had been told was given great respect, due to her extremely advanced age and the fact that she'd tested every student that Hogwarts had ever graduated since Albus Dumbledore was a student here.
"Harry, you think you're ready for your exams?"
"Yes."
"You were taught at home, then, I presume?"
"Yes, I was."
"Who taught you?"
"My Mum, Dad, and the rest of the family. Mum had a Library and classroom built just for me and all her books. It was built under Snape, uh, Professor Snape's directions. He's been using it since then and also helping me in potions, testing me, making sure I stay on track. He's kinda strick, but fair. Besides, I've heard a lot of stories from the twins about how hard he was, but I've not seen that in him. When Mum is around, or when he's there, he's just quiet, helpful. I don't know how to explain it. Anyway, I was taught by my family."
"I know, I just wanted to get your side of the story. I wanted to hear from you your opinion of how you were taught, what you learned. There is one other question: Don't you feel left out, not being around others your age, having friends, doing things young people your age usually do?"
"No. I don't feel left out. I've got my family to talk to. Besides, I remember a lot of my school years there, well, here, and I kinda consider that my school years and my friends. Even though they're much older than I am now, I still know them. It's strange."
"I've been following your school work, your progress in school is astonishingly fast. But, there is one question I do want to ask you: Knowing what you do, about your 'past' and what's happened since, would you do this all over again?"
Harry looked at Madam Marchbanks, he just gazed into her eyes, and at moment she had her answer: 'yes'.
"Yes, I would, I took care of my friends, they cared for me, but I was always afraid for them, that Voldemort would hurt them in order to get to me. That's why I did what I did, at the last, that is why I loved them and I'd do it all again, every single bit."
Harry stopped talking, but he looked back up at Madam Marchbanks "But you know what really kept me going all those years? The love that Molly had for me, she was my 'Mum' when my own natural Mum wasn't, well, here, even though she was, I just didn't know it. Molly expressed her love for me as only a Mum would, and she took me in, cared for me. It was also good to have a family who saw me as 'Harry, just Harry' not some famous person."
"You've done very well for yourself. Your grades in school are outstanding – "O" level in most subjects, and if you keep this up you'll be eligible for Auror Training, once you've attained legal Wizarding age, that is."
"Thank you." Harry didn't know what else to say. He'd expected a lot of written questions, but not this.
"There is one test I'd like for you to preform, and that's the Patronus Charm. Can you still do it?"
Harry was surprised – "Of course I can. Mum taught me well, she always does."
With that said Harry got up and extended his wand exclaiming "EXPECTO PATRONIUM" and a large white stag came out of his wand, running around the Library and came up beside Harry standing beside him, slowly disappearing.
"Amazing! And from a young boy, I'd not believed it had I not seen it." Madam Marchbanks exclaimed.
"Harry, I still have your tests from 'last time' and comparing your school work you've done now very well. I'll be sending you your results by OWL shortly."
"Thank you, Madam Marchbank."
"You're welcome, Harry." And as Harry turned to go, she said one more thing, "Oh, Harry, I'm very glad of how you've done. Very exceptional. You're a real credit to your Mum and Dad."
Harry smiled and nodded his head slightly towards her, that was the best compliment he could have ever received.
Harry left the Library feeling good. 'Seems all my studying and writing those essays paid off.'
Out in the hall Harry met his Mum and Dad where they were waiting and talking with each other. They were so engrossed with one another, standing and facing each other, almost nose to nose and holding hands, that they didn't see Harry in the hall, waiting for them.
"Gee, if I didn't know better I'd think they'd wind up in the broom closet – snogging!" Hary thought to himself and just shaking his head in amazement. 'It's no wonder: over two lifetimes they've been only with themselves and no other. They love each other that much. Well, they've gone through many problems, so they deserve the love for each other."
Lily and James kissesd, almost a little too passionaltely for Harry, he'd been afraid someone would see them and he'd be embarrassed. Seeing them like this was good for him to know that they did love each other, but he's still a bit embarrassed.
"I hope no one sees them!" Harry said quietly, to himself.
"Oh, I don't know, I think its' very romantic, Harry" Ginny said.
Harry jumped, being startled. He turned and saw Ginny standing beside him.
"Harry, from a woman's point of view, if she knew the man really loved her, she'd like a little display of affection. I know I would."
"You would?"
"Yes, there was a wizard I really loved, deeply, and I'd have done anything for him, standing up in battle, protecting him, even married him, which was my dream."
"Who was he? What happened?"
Giny smiled, recalling memories, but these she kept to herself, recalling what Lily told her that day in Gringotts' Bank.
"Harry, right now, it wouldn't be appropriate to tell you, but, one day when you reach legal age, if you still want to know, I'll tell you." Ginny said, hoping that'd be the right thing to tell him. He just wasn't ready yet.
"I don't understand, Ginny."
"Oh, Harry . . . ," and with the rest left unsaid she reached out and gave Harry a hug. "You're the sweetest wizard."
"Now, lets go get your Mum and Dad, that is, if they're finished snogging!"
Harry smiled at this and just kept his thoughts to himself. Afterall, Ginny was the only girl in the Weasley family and he was sure she was like her Mum. She could 'pick up' on peoples' thoughts, moods, hints.
"Well, Lily, have you and James finished snogging like a bunch of school kids?" Ginny asked rather loudly, and smiling, laughing.
Lily and James both blushed a red that would have made any Weasely proud!
As they were walking down the hall to leave the castle, Lily had fallen into step next to Harry, placing her hand on his shoulder rather softly and gently, something she did out of habit.
"Mum?"
"Yes, Son?"
"I appreciate you and Dad, well, you know . . .,"
"What do you mean?" Lily asked.
"What Ginny said, back there. I liked seeing you and Dad love each other that much; It means a lot to me."
Lily placed her arm around Harry and pulled him a little closer to her. "Son, what you said, that means a lot, you feeling that way. Its how we're supposed to be with each other." Lily smiled at her son.
"Mum?"
"Yes, Son?"
"I sure do learn a lot from you and Dad." Harry walked a little closer to his Mum then, while Lily glowed and shimmered brighter, much brighter, a sign of her being happy.
Back at the Burrow, Molly was very excited over Harry taking his O.W.L.'s and wanted to know all about it.
"Harry, dear, how well did you do? Do you think you passed your O.W.L.'s?"
"I think I did very well but all Prof. Marchbanks did was talk with me. She had a copy of my previous O.W.L exams and reports from you. She said I didn't have to take the written part again."
"Oh? That's odd, I've never heard of that happening before."
"Well, I guess she's not had someone like me before, either." Harry just shrugged his shoulders, as he sat down at the kitchen table.
"But, she asked me about my life here and would I do it all over again, I told her 'Yes" without hesitating I would. Besides, the only thing she asked me to do was demonstrate my Patronous charm."
"Did you? What did it look like?"
"It was a stag, and Prof. Marchbanks was very impressed. She said she'd not seen anything like this since Dumbledore took his O.W.L.S's"
"Oh, Harry! I'm so prould of you!" Molly hugged Harry so much.
"Thanks- for everything . . . ,"
Molly looked up at Harry, perplexed, but it dawned on her what he met.
"Harry, you're a part of this family – you always were before and you are now, even if your name is different, still, you're one of us."
Harry smiled, thinking.
"Harry" Molly looked at him, "what are you thinking?"
"Well, I was talking with Ginny, and after I came out of the library, at Hogwarts, after my O.W.L.'s we saw Mum and Dad, in the Hallway – and they were snogging!"
"Oh, how sweet. They were always in love with one another, even while they were in school – with you. I told Arthur that they argued and fought like some old married couple . . . , but little did I realize." Molly gazed far away.
"Oh, sorry, Dear, I was just thinking, what was it you were saying?"
"Ginny told me she once loved a wizard, that she would have married him. I asked her who he was but she never said. Dyou you know anything about this? She said it was sweet to see Mum and Dad Snogging in the halls."
Molly looked up at Lily, and at that moment, something passed between the two women. Harry sensed it.
"What is it? You both know something."
"Uh, Harry," Molly was nervous, looking at Lily, who was smiling and did not know what to say.
"There's an answer to your question, but your Mum feels you're not prepared, nor old enough – yet – to know the answer. One day, soon, you'll be told." Molly tried to explain to Harry.
"Ok, I just hope Ginny's happy. She's real nice." Harry said.
A knowing look passed between Lily and Molly.
"What's for supper, Mum? I'm Starved." A happy Harry asked.
Lily hugged Harry, closed and tightly to her, "Oh, son, you're so precious, but when it comes to food, you're just like your Dad!" Lily said.
Lily kissed Harry on the cheek, "Awww, Mum." Harry replied, holding onto his Mum.
"Now, Son, I want you to go to the classroom and start your assignments, I've written tehm on the chalk board. Do a good job and get a head start. If you need help, call Ginny, she's available." Lily told Harry.
"Ok, Mum."
"Oh, here, take this sandwich." Molly gave Harry a couple sandwiches and a pitcher of pumkin juice to take wit him.
"Thanks, I appreciate this."
Harry went out the door towards the Classroom and Library to start his assignments.
"Do you think he suspects anything – yet?" Molly asked Lily.
"Not yet, he's just a curious little boy about Ginny because she used to love someone. He's not been subjected to that aspect of Life yet." Lily said.
"He's a wonderful boy, Lily, he really is – and fo all the hard times he's gone through, it just shows the maturity he's got." Molly mused. "He will be able to handle Wizarding Responsibilities when he's eleven."
"I know, and I appreciate your support. You've been good to us, Molly, that'll NEVER, EVER be forgotten."
Molly and Lily looked at each other, smiled knowingly. Love and appreciation were very much apparent.
That evening supper was a joyous affair, not only were all the families favorite foods there, but ehy were celebrating Harry's completing his O.W.L.'s and once again impressing the professors' including Prof. Marchbanks. Having a patronous conjoured by an adult qizard was one matter, but by a nine year old wizard was quite another matter.
Harry Learns A Lesson From His Mum (Lily)
Aurthor's Note: Just to waylay a few questions about Lily hugging Harry a lot, I just wanted to point out that in the books when Petunia was raising (rearing?) Harry, she never gave young Harry any hugs, none that we're aware of. So, to balance things out, here Lily has the chance to raise her son a 2nd time and she wants to give him all the love (hugs?) a Mum should give her child. In the first book Harry wanted, above all else, to see his parents, he missed them very much. So, I think he'd like it having his Mum show him some motherly affection, hugs, regularly, even if outsiders do witness it. It shows she loves him, and in no way indicates she's 'over indulging' him. Lily expects much from Harry. E-mail me on this point if you want, it would be good getting constructive e-mail ideas from you.
It's now almost two years later, and Harry finds he's eleven, almost twelve and completing his 7th year; growing up, he's still watched over by his family, like the proverbial 'Hawk'. Still, though, he does want to get out on his own, just for a bit, to get to town to look around, to stretch his 'wings', like Hedwig does, but, well, you know how some Mums are.
"Mum, Dad, can I ask you something?"
Lily and James looked at Harry, expecting one of his usual questions, but . . . ,
"Yes, son, what is it?" James replied.
"I'm eleven now, almost twelve and I'm almost finished school; I'd like to go to Diagon Alley sometime – just by myself for a few hours."
"Oh, son, I don't know, Its' just that, well," Lily began.
James came up beside Lily, putting an arm on her shoulders.
"Son, what your Mum is saying is that she's protected you all your life, well, both lives anyway, and she's worried – for good reasons, I may add." James added.
"Dad, I'm not going to get into trouble, I just want to look in the stores, maybe buy something, just be myself for a short time."
"I understand, you need this experience." James added, smiling.
"You've done a good job with the Grangers in your Muggle Studies. You're one of the few qizards who can blend in with the Muggle world and not be noticed." Lily added.
"Does that mean I can go?"
"Yes, son, you can go, BUT don't go getting into trouble or any tight spots, understand me?" Lily added as a warning.
"Yes, Mum." Harry was happy knowing he was about to be on his own for a short time.
"Because if you do, I'll know about it, even if you don't tell me, which I would want you to. There's some things I can do, which I've not told you of, and keeping an eye on you is one of them." Lily looked at Harry, directly.
Harry furrowed up his eyebrows in confusion. He knew his Mum was powerful in the magic world, that she wielded abilities no other witch or wizard he'd ever heard of, could do, so doubting her word on what she said, he NEVER did. Besides, this was his Mum, and she loved his absolutely, and was looking out for his welfare, just like he'd always wanted.
"I know, Mum, I'll always do my best."
Lily put her arms around Harry, "Harry, I'm still your Mum and Mums are supposed to worry, it comes with the job."
"Mum, I appreciate you and Dad. I remember what it was like, well, before, and I don't want to go back there – ever."
"You never will, son, you'll be with us forever, Father Promised, remember?"
"Yes, I do remember, Mum." Harry hugged his Mum and kissed her on the cheek, like a good son.
As Harry was going to the fireplace to floo out, James came up to him, reached into his robes and handing Harry something small.
"Here, son, that is the key to Gringotts', go and get yourself about 100 galleons for spending money, you've earned it." James said.
"Thanks, Dad!"
"Here, son," Lily said "take this bag, you'll need it for the galleons."
"Ok, Mum."
Goodbye's said, Harry flooed out for the afternoon.
Harry fund himself outside Gringotts. He remembered the first time he went in – with Hagrid and went down to the vaults below. He was amazed.
He approached a goblin at one of the long counters. "I'd like to make a withdrawal, please." Harry said.
The goblin looked up, "Well, you're the Potter boy, aren't you?"
"Yes, I am."
"We're all glad to see you here."
"Thank you." Harry was a bit nervous, but was remaining calm. He remembered his Mum bringing him here, so he thought they'd remember her.
"We all remember you Mother and Father and the rest of your family. Bill works for us, as a curse breaker. He's very good. We're all honored by your being here. If we can help you, just ask."
"I'd like to withdraw 100 galleons, please."
"Very well, follow Griphook, then. He will escort you to your vault. Do you have your key?"
Harry reached into his pockets and found it, pulled it out and gave it to the Goblin.
"Thank you, just go with Griphook." The Goblin handed Griphook the vault key and took Harry down to the Vaults.
Afterwards, Harry left the bank, his money pouch considerably heavy and an entire day to himself.
It was at Floreantean Fosque's that Harry made his first purchase of the day:
Ice Cream Flambe
"Thank you." Harry said to the young witch who served him.
"Don't I know you?" she asked.
"Uh, no. I don't think so." Harry said hesitantly.
"Ok, but it seem s I've seen you around, somewhere, I just can't place it."
Harry just looked at her and smiled. "Thanks, for the icecream, especially for the blue flames on top."
"How much for the bill?"
"That'll be 15 sickles."
Harry pulled out his coin bag and got a galleon coin, giving it to her.
"Here, keep the change, You've been very nice to me."
"Why thank you, very much, and the next time you come in, please, ask for me and I'll help you."
"Ok,"
Next, Harry went to Quality Quiditch Supplies. He knew he could buy just about anything he wanted, but he already had what he wanted: A Family.
So, he bought a new snitch, something he knew he and the rest could use.
He needed more supplies for school so Flourish and Blotts was next. The books wre so appealing, but his library or rather his Mums' had everything he needed, still he bought a few advanced texts on Potions, Charms, and transfigurations. All were well written and researched by noted authors.
Madam Maulkins was the next stop for Harry; He needed a new robe.
Harry was looking at the robes for wizards and dwanted a new robe, all were rather nice looking.
A nice looking but older witch came up to him, "May I help you?" she asked.
"Uh, yes, I'd like a new robe, but want a different lining - something white and very soft."
"I have just the robe for you," she aid looking at him strangely, with a puzzled look on her.
"Here is one with pure white silk lining the robe inside and the outside also. It'll keep you very warm in the winter but is cool in the summer, also it's lighter. It has disappearing pockets on the inside and outside and its' reversible. Here, try it on."
Hary put on the robe and liked it, especially the white lining.
"This way, Mum will appreciate my cloak, especially the choice of lining.":
"I'll take it," he said to the clerk, "but, I'd like to have another robe but for a witch in this same style. I'd like for it to also have a white lining and reversible like this one."
The sales witch looked at harry and grinned. "How tall is she?"
Harry told her but was frankly nervous.
"Here," she said, "This will fit her, I think. Who is she? Maybe we have her sizes on record."
"Uh, Weasley, Ginny Weasley."
"Oh, her, yes we do have her on record. This robe will fit her nicely, you've made a grand choice. All the witches are wearing this style now, she will definitely appreciate it."
"POTTER!" came a disgusted voice in back of Harry. "If I hadn't seen you with my own eyes I'd never have believed all those rumors; Not even death can hold you!"
Harry knew that voice, somewhat, but he just couldn't place his finger on who it was – and unpleasantly, also.
Turning around Harry saw two Wizards both looked a lot alike, white hair, carrying silver headed canes with a snake head on it.
And a snear.
"I don't seem to recall you. What do you want?" Harry said.
"Why, Potter," Draco spat out, "Have a short memory?"
"Only for that which is unimportant in the great scheme of things." Harry retorted.
Draco's father was standing in the background and he remembered something.
"I do seem to recall, Draco," Lucius mentioned, softly and 'oily like' "of a confrontation in a certain bookstore just before your 2nd year started – a rather embarrassing moment, I recall."
"Yes, yes, it was Hermione, or whoever she is now, what is her name – 'Lily – Lily Potter." Draco said.
"What about my Mum? You have no right talking about her like that!" Harry said with an edge to his voice and his right hand moving towards his wand.
"Oh, don't I? It was SHE who held me and threatened me!" Draco said.
"Back off, Malfoy, NOW: You don't understand what you're dealing with."
"Oh? Don't I? Well, she's not here now to defend you or are the rest of those mudblood loving weasels you and her call 'family!" Draco spat out – hotly and acidly.
Harry was getting very angry at hearing these uncalledfor words directed to someone who he knew didn't deserve them. He couldn't take on both Malfoy's, not like his Mum could, but he wasn't going to back down. He had more courage than to just turn his back and run, because if he did, he wouldn't be taken seriously in the future and he couldn't live with himself afterwards.
"Well, Malfoy, seems you're the one who's a bit jealous of me, aren't you? Otherwise, why else would you keep persueing me?"
"WHAT? Me jealous of YOU? That's a laugh, Potter. I've got more than those you call family and my family is BETTER than yours. In fact, you don't even HAVE a family, you're still an orphan – not even wanted by your own parents!"
As mature as Harry was, as advanced as he was in his training there were still some things that still got to him, that still bothered him a lot and what Malfoy said to him, publically was one of Harry's most sensitive areas: Trodding on his family, those who loved him dearly and without reservation.
Pulling out his wand, and pointing it at Draco, Harry Challenged him. "Draco, take back all you said about my Mum, and the rest of my family, take it back NOW, and apologise or suffer the consequences."
Lucius saw what was happening and sided with his son; Pulling out his wand, pointing it directly at Harry, saw his chance to get Harry for a lot of things. "Well, Harry, looks like you've taken on more than you can handle. Do you still want to try ?"
Harry didn't answer, instead, he did something none of them expected: While holding his wand in his right hand, Harry used his left hand in demonstrating something few wizards or witches, very few, had ever accomplished: Wandless Magic. Harry, without even uttering a single charm, expelled Lucius far away, out the door of Madam Maulkins Robes' Shop. All the people outside stopped and looked at what was happening, it indeed got the attention of everyone!
Including Draco.
And a few Aurors!
Harry wasn't finished, not yet, not by a long shot. His memory was indeed returning as was promised in the times when it was needed. And now he did need those memories.
"Draco, I remember all you've done to me in the past. Seems you've not changed any, still, you're the same twisted wizard you were when we were in school. You've not matured nor been willing to help those less fortunate than you, and that lack of charity on your part will be your complete undoing."
"Potter, I don't know how you did that to my father, but I'll get you for that, I WILL!" Draco said to Harry in a most evil and spiteful way.
"If you think you're Wizard enough to take me, Draco, here I am, give it your best shot!" Harry told him, challenged him publically.
Draco, pointing his wand, let go with a curse, directly at Harry. Harry never moved nor flinched, he used a shield charm, a very strong shield charm. He remembered what his Mum told him about how charms were made and Harry took this to heart and learned his lessons well. Combined that with his returning memories, he was well prepared.
The curse Draco fired off at Harry just hit the shield and dissipated causing Draco to falter.
"What's wrong Draco, loosing your touch? Can't get the best of me? If that's the best you can do, you're not much of a Wizard."
"Draco launched other curses at Harry and between Harry using his shield charm plus a disarming charm had Draco down on the ground very quickly.
Looking directly into Draco's eyes, holding him by his throat in a choking grip Harry gave him a piece of advice: "Draco, this is just a taste of what I can do. I've been well instructed by BOTH my Mum and my Dad in self defense. Don't you EVER talk about my Mum or Dad nor ANY of my family, NOT EVER AGAIN, or I'll press charges against both you and your father and you'll both be serving time – in Azkaban!"
Shaking Draco very hard he emphasized the point: "Do you understand me? DO YOU?"
"Y-y-yes, I – I understand."
"GOOD! If you can't even take ME on, both you AND your father, just what kind of a chance do you think you'd stand with my Mum? Remember that day in Flourish Blotts, just before your 2nd year, when my Mum then gave you that warning? Remember how she reacted? Just remember that warning she gave you. Be glad, be VERY glad it was just ME you took on today and not the rest of the family, some of them would not be so kind to you as I am. Remember what I said, and do no harm to us, NONE! EVER!"
Harry let go of Draco, letting him slump to the floor. Turning to the shop proprietor, he gave her 50 galleons. "Here, please take this in compensation for the damage I may have caused you. You are a very good witch and I want to apologize to you, humbly, for my actions today. Please!"
"Oh, Harry, I can't accept this, I just can't. You've done nothing wrong and did no damage. The Malfoy's had it coming to them. I'm very proud of you and of the way you handled the situation. I know your Mum, everybody does, and you just defended her honor. You're a good son, Harry."
"Thank you, thank you very much."
Harry walked outside carrying his purchases. Outside, he saw a crowd of witches, wizards all looking at his Mum, she was just standing there, alone, dressed in her typical white robes, and was looking at him. Lily stood out from the crowd.
"Mum! I didn't know you were here."
"Hi, son. Seems you've had a bit of trouble and were defending my honor. I'm very glad you didn't get hurt, but I do think it's time to have a talk, don't you?"
Harry looked down, casting his eyes away from his Mum, for he knew he was in trouble for his actions. "Yes, Mum, I do."
"Please, son, take my hand, lets go for a walk." Lily said softly, comfortingly.
Lily extended her hand to him and they walked off together, quietly, she dissapperating them both quietly, silently even while walking, to go to Hogsmead..
They went to the Three Broomsticks in Hogsmead and sat down, ordered two butterbeers and talked quietly and just sitting in a corner away from everyone else.
"Son, I want to start off by saying that I do love you, so very much. When it comes to how much I do love you, well, words just aren't enough. I just want you to understand that from the first. Your Dad and I have raised you to be kind, and today, well, considering what could have happened, you were, indeed, kind to the Malfoy's, you didn't hurt them. For that alone, I'm very proud of you and the way you carried yourself."
"Thank you, Mum."
"You're welcome, Son. But, there's one aspect that I want you to be aware of, and that's your temper. Please, don't let it get the best of you. The best part of you is your reputation, that which we've built up over the few years is very precious and fragile and can, in a heart beat, be utterly destroyed. Please, remember this one point: That when someone says dark things to you, about you, or about the rest of your family, even if its' about me personally, don't take it to heart and step up to defend us, or even me, right then and there, on the spot. As a wise Muggle writer once wrote: 'Let him rave on, that men may know him mad' comes to my mind and in this situation is very applicable to what the Malfoys said. Another to remember is: 'By their fruits ye shall know them', and the fruits that I'm trying to bear is not just for our own family, but for all the magical world to enjoy."
"Harry, look at me," Lily said to Harry, reaching for his hands, and holding them in hers. "I know how you feel about others hurting our family; I, too, went through that same lesson a few years ago, when you were in St. Mungo's, after the quill episode. I thought it was Deloris Umbridge's work on you and I went after her. She was in Azkaban then, and still is today. But, son, I was so angry at her hurting you, or I thought it was her, that I was almost on the verge of throwing away all I'd accomplished, up to that point, just for revenge. It was Professor Dumbledore who'd saved me from a most horrible mistake. Had I committed that mistake and took revenge on her, everything, and I mean EVERYTHING, would have been lost, including my abilities, my relationship with Father, and lastly the entire magical world would have been lost, and all because I'd lost my head and temper over a small incident."
"What happened, Mum? What caused you to turn away?"
My headmaster told me the consequences of my actions, lovingly, offered to help me. I choose the right path, hard as it was, I swallowed my pride and went with him and he brought me back to St. Mungo's. That's why I rushed to see you and hugged you and just cried my eyes out because I'd come within a heartbeat of loosing you a second time, and all because of my temper. I received help when I most needed it and now, I'm passing on that tender lesson of help and charity to you, now, in your time of need. One day, you can pass it on to others."
"Thanks, Mum, I'll remember what you've said and taught me today. I'll pass on this lesson, I promise."
Lily put her arm around Harry holding him close to her, lovingly, as she continued talking with him. "Son, I want you to work with me, to be my eyes and ears, and to help talk with the people. Many of them know you and trust you. So, just keep your head about you and walk away from those people who say bad things about us. Don't put yourself down on that level. Please, just help me. Ok, son?"
"I'm sorry, Mum, for disappointing you. It's just that like you said, Malfoy was saying terrible things about you. I've not heard things said like that before, about either you or the rest of our family, and I didn't like it. But, next time, I'll just turn my back and walk away. Getting into fights like this just isn't worth the risk of loosing what you and Dad have built up."
"Thanks, son, I know that I can trust you. I've always known that. And today you've proved it. Here, give me a hug son. I need one from you."
Lily and Harry hugged each other right there in the Three Broomsticks, Mum and Son. With that small conversation and learning experience completed they left to go back home.
As they were walking out, Harry just thought, and asked his Mum what was on his mind: "Mum, how did you know what happened? Who told you?"
Lily stopped walking and looking at him, smiling, still holding her hand, gently on his shoulders. "Son, no one told me. You are my son and as such I do keep a watch on you. Mums will always worry about their children and will want to help them. That's just the way it is, at least for me. You've heard me tell you this before and I'll say it again: I love you, I always will- no matter what." And with that said, Lily gave her son a hug right there.
"Thanks, Mum, you're the best."
As they were walking out of the Three Broomsticks to return to the Burrow Harry was mulling over everything that his Mum said to him when it occurred to him that there was a question, sort of, an event that she'd not fully answered, and that was about the quill incident.
"Mum, may I ask you a question – about what'd happened in the library?"
Lily stopped walking and looked into Harry's eyes for a moment. She was looking into her own eyes whenever she'd do that. "Yes, Son, you may, you may ask me anything and I'll always answer you honestly. You know that."
"Well, Mum, it's , . . . ," Harry begun but Lily interrupted him.
"It's about the quill, isn't it?
"Yes, how'd you know?"
"Oh, son," Lily started, shaking her head, smiling and holding his hands, both of them, tightly. "I always know what you're thinking, trust me on that point. But about the quill incident. That was a real and true memory of what happened to you. You were forced to use Deloris' Blood Quill for a long time as her idea of punishment and you didn't like it. But, as to your question of why you remembered it then, well, using hind sight, from my perspective, that incident was used by Father to teach me a lesson, He was giving me a test, a very important and valuable test. It was one that had to be given in order for me to progress any farther than where I was at that point. That same lesson, that I was given, that was what I was drawing on when we talked about your temper. You're just like me, son, I wanted to protect you at all costs, but it was my Headmaster who'd helped me see just what that cost was and who'd be paying it. Father didn't want you hurt, he just drew upon your past life experiences to teach me a lesson, not you. It was I who had to make the right and proper choice in order to progress any further, and, . . . ," Here, Lily faltered, her lower lip quivering over the memory of what'd happened outside the gates of Azkaban.
Harry just held on to him Mum's hands for moral support, "Mum, Mum, I'm right here, don't worry, you're alright. It's just a memory, that's all, you did alright, you passed, you told me so, your Headmaster told you so. Please, Mum, don't fall apart now."
Lily opened her eyes, all covered, misty, and dewey with tears of the horror of her near-failure. "I'm sorry son, it's just that that was one of my defining moments in my adult life. It pointed me in the right direction that I should be going and how I should be using my enormous abilities; It also showed me how I should NOT use them. You see, Harry, my Headmaster told me something then, something that you'd said to me when we were visiting the Centaur's:
"Just because we can perform Magic doesn't make us better than others, It means we have the responsibility to help others."
And, may I add: "To whom much is given, much is expected'. We in the Magical World have been given much, so that much is expected in return, and we will give much."
"This is what I was tested on, we all in the magical world have much to give to others who have little to offer and it is how we'll be judged, by how we treat the least of those in our world and those outside our world who can't do what we can do. They'll depend on us, eventually, and that, my dearly beloved Son, when that moment comes, and it surely will, it will be our Defining Moment – for all of us." Lily looked straight into her sons eyes as she was saying this. She wanted to be absolutely certain, beyond the shadow of ANY doubt that he fully understood her, for she was shifting some of the weight of responsibility onto his shoulders.
"I understand you, Mum. After all these many years of being with you, I understand what you've been given, the power of your abilities, your responsibilities. I'll be right beside you, helping you however you want. I'll never let you down. I just have to know what the right thing is to do."
"Thank you, my son, thank you ever so much. You know, for a young wizard, almost 12 and ready for his N.E.W.T.S, you're very mature for your age. You're a real treasure for our family." Lily hugged him right there.
Harry's Gift to Ginny
Back at the Burrow, all was well with the rest of the family, of course, James always knew when Lily had a talk with Harry. Harry never could understand how he knew, but he did.
"Son, I'm glad that you and your Mum get along with one another so well, she's one of a kind, your Mum is. Just be sure to always follow her advice. She'll never lead you astray. At first it might be difficult to understand her and doing what she advises, but in the end, it'll be easier."
"Thanks, Dad, but how did you know?"
"That, son, is privledged information. Your Mum and I are one inseparatable beings, what one of us knows and feels the other knows and feels. That's the easiest way for me to explain it. It's a gift."
"oh. Ok. She does a good job of talking with me and she doesn't put me down, or hurt my feelings any. I know she – and you – love me, I've seen that demonstrated many times. Living here, with you both, is what I used to dream of having, but living that dream is kinda different from the real thing. I just have to think before I act, that's all."
"Well, son, I agree with you, just ask your Mum or me, if you need to. We'll always be here for you."
"I know, Dad, and thanks, thanks for everything. Oh, and here's the bank key, I did like you asked and got 100 galleons. I really appreciated that."
"You're always welcome,son, always."
"Where's Ginny? I got her something while I was in town, I thought maybe she'd like it."
"She's upstairs."
Harry went upstairs to Ginny's room. "Ginny, are you there? "
"Yea, come on in."
"I got you something while I was in town."
"Oh? Really! What is it?"
"I left it downstairs on the kitchen table wrapped up."
"Oh, Harry, you didn't have to do that. But, I do appreciate your thoughfulness. Come on, lets go see what it is." Ginny bounded out of her room with Harry in tow."
In the kitchen found the rest of the family, kinda of crowded, but all glad they were there.
On the kitchen table was a package wrapped up in beautiful wrapping paper, from Madam Maulkins Robe Shop logo embossed on it.
"Oh, Harry, you went to Madam Maulkins! You shouldn't have…."
"Well, Ginny, I was there and I thought you'd like something. I was thinking of you anyway."
Ginny immediately turned her head towards Harry and looked at him directly in to his emerald green eyes. To Ginny, it was like looking at Lily, and many thoughts ran through her mind. 'Oh, my dearly beloved, you thought of me . . . Then what that nice Muggle gentleman said all those many years ago, right here, about Harry and me, just might come true after all.' This thought ran through Ginny's mind but she dared not voice it. Not yet anyway. The rest of the family stopped immediately what they were doing, all was silent, dead silent, as this was Ginny's moment. They all looked from Ginny to Harry as the two looked at one another. Harry smiled a litte and he was nervous.
"Uh, if you don't want it you can always return it and get something else more to your liking. I was just thinking that you'd, well, you know…."
Ginny unwrapped the package and gasped, feeling her heart almost stop momentarily. Contained within the package was the most beautiful embrodried pure white silk robe she'd ever seen!
"Ooohh, Harry! It's beautiful. Words just don't do justice! How did you ever find it?" She held it up to her and twirled around the house, seemingly dancing on air, her flaming red hair flowing out providing a contrast against her while robe, the colors that held Harry's heart in his throat.
The family was utterly speechless. They'd never seen a robe quite like it – except on Lily.
"Uh, well, she'd told me that she'd gotten just this one robe in, that there was only this one robe. Madam Maulkin told me she'd never seen any like it before, but was impressed to get it, she didn't know why, that is until I mentioned your name. Do you like it?"
"Do I like it? Oh HARRY! I LOVE it! It's the best robe I've ever had. Oh Harry, I don't know what ever possessed you to do such a good thing for me, or why, oh, Harry, Harry, Harry, I Love" Ginny stopped in mid sentence and caught her self before she could betray her thoughts. She looked at her Mum and Molly was smiling. Molly caught Ginny's thoughts.
Ginny went to Harry and hugged him, pulling him to her and held him and just held him so close right there in front of the entire family. She whispered to him in his ear quietly and quickly: "I'll always be by your side Harry, always, just like the Muggle and Lily said."
She pulled herself away from Harry with much effort, not unnoticed by everyone else. They were all smiling and talking amoungst themselves.
Ginny put on the magnificent robe and fastened it, standing looking at Harry, and Harry alone. Ginny'e eyes bore directly into Harry's and sent him an unspoken message: she liked him, MORE than liked him.
When Ginny was standing there, the whole family was struck by the similarity between her and Lily in their dress and hair color. It was not lost on any of them.
"Oh, Ginny, you look so beautiful in your new robes, you really do. Harry has such good taste in picking out just the right robes for you." Molly gave Harry a hug and a kiss on the cheek.
Lily was smiling and went over to Ginny hugged her and pulled back to look directly at her. To Ginny, it was like looking into Harry's eyes, they were identical. It told her something, but what, Ginny just couldn't pick up on it. "Ginny, you look so lovely dressed like this. I do hope you wear it often. I think Harry would be very pleased if you did. Ginny, in the far future, the way you dress, like this, will indicate to others, both Magical and Muggle alike, will tell them just who you are and where you stand. This is just the beginning. You look just as lovely dressed like this as you look on the inside. I'm proud to be with you, Ginny, I really am!" Lily hugged Ginny so close and so tight for the longest time.
"Well, Harry, looks like you got our little Ginny the right present." One of the Brothers mentioned.
"Yes, he did, and if you noticed our little sister is not little any more. She's got a heart of her own, if you noticed."
Harry looked up at everyone, and received a room full of smiles. All was well.
Later that evening, Harry went to Lily to ask her a question. "Mum, I need to ask you a question."
"Yes, son, what is it?"
"Ginny said something to me about a Muggle and you, something about me being with Ginny. I didn't understand it. I don't want to get anyone in trouble."
"Well, son, please, lets go for a short walk and I'll answer your question, it'll take some time." With that said, Mum and son went out in to the garden and walked some, away from the others. "Son, you have to understand one thing about me, and that is I have a special relationship with Father. I'm His daughter, just like the rest of you are His Sons and Daughters, but He has given me a special task to perform and with that task comes abilities and needs. I wanted you to have a blessing especially from Him to kind of help you along in your life, since you'll be working with me. I want you to be able to know when to make the right choices and how to listen to that still, small quiet voice that's inside us all. That Muggle gentleman was one of Father's special servants who has abilities and powers that are far greater than mine, but in other areas than mine are in."
Lily kept walking, looking at the beauty of the area around them, and just waiting for Harry to digest what she'd told him.
"What's that got to do with Ginny?"
Here is where Lily stopped walking and just thought, she just wasn't sure now about whether or not to tell him everything until Harry discovered his own feelings.
"Son, there's a lot more to that blessing than I'm telling you, but . . . "
Harry stopped walking and looked directly at his Mum: "Is it about Ginny liking me?"
Lily looked at Harry, surprised at his question. "You know that Ginny likes you?"
"Mum, it's kinda obvious, but . . . well,"
"Well, what, son?"
"well, it's not unwelcome."
"Oh? You mean that you like Ginny also?"
"Yes, Mum, I mean I'm kinda young about the same age as normal wizards who are going into their second year, but I do have my memories, of my previous life. Ginny meant a lot to me then, I just didn't tell her because I didn't want her or you or anyone close to me to be hurt by Voldemort. I was trying to protect her the best way I could."
"Oh, Son, I didn't really know! But Now, Son, he's gone and you don't have to worry about her being hurt or anyone else close to you. Your heart is your own now and if you want you can tell her you like her. Just give yourself a few more years to reach legal wizarding age and then you can give her your heart, you can at that time tell her your hearts' desire.
"Mum, if I do that, I'll scare her away. I'll loose her forever."
"Son," Lily took Harry by his hands and looked directly into his eyes, she reached up and held his face in the palms of her hands."Son, you'll not loose Ginny. Never. She's told you herself that she'll always be beside you. And your blessing , . . ," Lily stopped short of completing her sentence.
"What about my blessing?"
Looking away from Harry, for strength, that what she was about to tell Harry was the right thing, so Lily continued. "Son, your blessing said that the young lady whose heart belonged to you, that you and her would be reunited and sealed together, never to be separated either in this life or the eternities to come."
Harry stopped breathing, blinking, thinking. He just looked at his Mum, deep into her eyes, for further comprehension of what she'd told him.
"You mean that my life is planned out?"
"No, son. This is just an option for you in case you do want it, that if you follow my directions from Father, you'll be given much and the love from this young lady has an infinite amount of promise for you to hold."
Lily turned again to her son, tears streaming down her cheeks, almost pleading,
"Son, I just want you to choose the right path. I'm showing you the benefits, the love you'll receive and the infinite promise that all that will be made available to you. Ginny is a fine young woman who loves you deeply and has even in your former life. Please, son, don't turn her down, don't turn her away, please. Just tell her, in your own time, when you're ready to, just how much you like her and things will come your way. All will be ok. I promise you that. Please, son, believe me."
Harry stood still for a moment, thinking. All this was confirmation of his feelings.
"Mum, I do like Ginny, I just wasn't sure if it'd be proper for me to express my feelings so. Mum, I don't want to loose her a second time, not again. That's why I gave her that robe, that she'd look so beautiful in it." Harry turned his eyes downward, adding "she'd look as beautiful in it just like you do, Mum."
Lily held on to her son and hugged him, closely and tightly. "I do love you son, and I just wanted you to know that." And she looked at him, adding, " And so to does a certain red haired young witch wearing a new white robe! Now, go tell her you like her. Oh, and give her a hug."
"Thanks, Mum, I will."
That evening found Ginny in the kitchen wearing her new robe that Harry gave her. Harry walked in and Molly and Ginny looked up at him, smiling.
"Hi, Ginny, How are you?"
"Doing just fine Harry, why?"
"There's something else I intended to give you, but didn't, along with the robe."
Ginny was surprised. She just stood there looking at Harry and wondered what else would he give her, but couldn't think what it would be.
That's when Harry gave Ginny a hug and just held her for the longest time. Leaning back he looked at her "I like you Ginny, I've always liked you, both in my previous life and now, in this one. I remember you. I hope it's alright with you for me to tell you this."
Ginny just held on to Harry and hugged him back. "It's ok, Harry, it really is. I was just waiting for you to tell me how you really felt. You just don't know how long I've waited, maybe you do, it's just that all my fears of what I really wanted I was afraid would not come true." Ginny looked at Harry "Maybe your Mum and that Muggle gentleman were right afterall. We'll just have to take it easy and see for ourselves, won't we?"
"Yes, Ginny, we will."
Molly just shook her head and wondered how long it would take them to get together. Now, she was happy.
Harrry's Newts
The End of the school term was approaching and that one fateful morning the entire family woke Harry, all at once. They bounced him up out of bed, tickled him and congradulated him. Slowly, he woke up, he knew where he was and who was with him, but just couldn't figure out what was going on. Something about him?
"What? What is it?"
"Today you take your Newts. When you pass them, you'll be a fully qualified Wizard, Harry." One of the family told him. Which one, he couldn't say, they all sounded alike this early.
"Not so tough, maybe I could give THEM their Newts, especially in DADA?"
"HA, Way to go, Harry, that's the way to think: be positive." Fred said.
"Yes, and with the way you're progressing you'll be learning more from us on how to Prank people in a good way!" George added.
"Now, boys, you know Harry doesn't do that." Molly added.
"We know Mum, but we do hope." They added.
"Son," Lily began, "we all just wanted to give you a good send off for your day, because today is the day you take your Newts. We're all pulling for you."
"Thanks, family," Harry said looking up at them all. "I just don't know what I would have done without all of you. You're all what I've wanted: a family, just a family." Harry looked up at them all, sort of smiling, sort of grinning.
He got up and got dressed, they all filing out to let him get dressed, when the last to leave was Ginny, she just left and then stuck her head back into his room, whistled and looked at him when he looked up at her, both looked at one another, Ginny grinning, and smiling, winked at him and left. Harry felt good about himself. His family really loved and supported him. AND, that's what he needed the most.
Downstairs, Harry was just finishing breakfast when Lily and James were ready to go. "Time to go, son," Lily said. As Harry was getting up to go with his parents he asked a question: "Mum, Dad, would it be ok if Ginny went with us? I'd like some company, if that's ok with Molly."
Lily looked at James and they looked at Molly, "Of course she can go along with us. Come on Ginny, seems you're needed today." Lily said, holding out her hand.
Ginny was beaming with a big smile of anticipation, but it was Harry's hand she took as she went to Hogwarts with the three of them.
Outside the grounds of the Wizarding school found the four of them, Two wizards looking much alike except for their age differences and two witches both dressed so much alike both with flaming red hair that from a distance they looked the same, it was like there were two of the same couples. Just a difference in ages.
At the doors of the school they stopped and Lily turned to her son. "Harry, I'm very proud of your accomplishments and the way you've turned out and the way you've handled yourself. After you finish your Newts, you'll be a fully qualified wizard and you'll be able to work with me, and that, my dear son, is what I've looked forward to for a long time. You'll still be learning much more from me, but this is just the beginning."
"Thanks, Mum, for your support. I'll not let you down. You and Dad have been good teachers for me. I've still got a lot more to learn from you both."
Ginny looked at Harry as she was standing beside Lily, both dressed in their good white robes, Ginny wearing hers that she was given by Harry. She walked up to him and hugged him and kissed him on the cheek, whispered some encouragement to him and went to stand beside Lily. Lily reached out to hold onto Ginny's hand.
Harry reached up with his right hand to touch his cheek, looking at Ginny and his Mum and Dad, not knowing what to say, but nodded his head and left to go inside, to where his future awaited him.
There, inside the great castle, stood his headmaster and the head of his House, both awaiting his arrival.
Harry was ready.
"Well, Harry," began Professor Dumbledore, "do you feel comfortable about taking your Newts today?"
"Yes, Professor, I do. A little nervous, but ready."
"That's to be expected. I remember taking my Newts and felt the same way, so, please, relax. Everything you'll experience today, you've seen or met before or know about."
"Thanks, Professor, I appreciate that."
"Good, come with us. We've got your tests prepared for you, the written part. You'll be taking them here, in this classroom." Dumbledore led Harry to a vacant classroom that had windows looking out onto the front of the Castle.
"Professor McGonnagal will be here to monitor you. If you have any questions, please ask her. I'll be seeing you after you finish your exams." Dumbledore looked at Harry, his eyes had that joyful, playful look about them.
'Humm,' thought Harry, 'He has that look about him that there's something else, I wonder what it could be?' Harry sat down and began writing the answers to the questions, all were general in nature.
There were questions on the history of magic, charms, transfigurations, and of course, the ever present potions. But, the questions that Harry loved most were on Defense against the Dark Arts. These questions he knew he'd get right.
So, after about an hour, he'd answered as much as he could and turned in the papers to Professor McGonnagal.
Harry had wandered around the castle for a while, awaiting for the time when he was to be in the Headmasters' office. He found himself up on the topmost parts of the Castle's parapets overlooking the entire grounds. Here he was alone. All was quiet. He just stood there and felt the gentle wind blowing through his hair and felt the sun's warmth beaming down on his face. He closed his eyes and just let his memories return to him, to just flood his mind, returning to their proper place.
He remembered.
Everything.
All that he'd gave up, lost, sacrificed, had been returned to him, in their own proper time. He'd won that battle and gained so much more: A family, a real family all his own. And Love in abundance. A Mum and a Dad. Much had been given to him.
But one thought nagged at him in the back of his mind: Much has been given to him and much will be required of him.
But how much, and by whom? Harry understood that if he asked his Mum, that she'd tell him the answer. Straightaway.
He wasn't afraid, not anymore. Not that he ever was, but that now, he had the talents, skill, knowledge and ability to learn for and of, himself. He'd be working with his Mum, standing beside her with his Dad on the other side of her, helping her and everyway she'd be asking of him. And he would. No question.
Looking down upon the grounds he saw the many students, of all years and houses, just strolling the grounds on a beautiful spring day. He'd remembered doing that same thing many times. Looking up, off in the distance he saw something, large and black, coming this way.
An uneasy feeling developed within him.
He ran down the stairs and headed out to the grounds, taking the time to get there brought what Harry felt was danger, that much closer. He had to warn them to get inside.
When Harry got to the grounds, he saw that most of the students had gone inside, except for one small young witch still outside walking the grounds. Harry didn't hesitate.
He bolted for her, running as fast as he could to get to her, to catch up to her. When he looked up he saw something that reminded him of Bill and his Tri-Wizards Tourneyment: Dragons! A couple of them. Where they came from, he didn't know, but they were dangerous.
He reached the young witch and covered her with his own self, putting himself between her and the dragons.
They flew towards Harry, and seemingly just hesitate in mid air above him, inhale a deep breath and blew out great long tongues of flame – White Hot Flame!
Harry pulled out his wand and produced a shield, a heat resistant shield that covered them all, a bubble shaped one. The flames licked up all over the ground, scortching the very ground all around himself and the young witch he was trying to cover. Protected as he was the shield would last as long as he kept up the spell. He couldn't break his concentration for if he did, they'd both die.
The heat still penetrated the shield to some degree and it was hot! The dragons still kept on breathing flames, tongue after tongue of pure white hot flames upon Harry and the girl. It kept on for the longest time, Harry didn't know just how much longer he'd last. Beads of sweat broke out on his face, all over his body. His arms and hands were shaking from the efforts to keep up the spell and for how much longer he'd have to continue, he didn't know.
He needed help and fast.
But, there standing beside him, was a person standing amidst the burning inferno, dressed all in white. The vision of this person, was blurred due to the rippling waves of air that obscured his vision. But Harry didn't have to see the person's face to know who it was: He knew by instinct: it was his Mum!
Inside the burning inferno of white hot heat hot enough to melt the densest of Muggle metals stood his Mum who was enfolded by her Fathers' protective white glow. Everyone in the Magical World knew her on sight.
Even the dragons, apparently, for they'd stopped, but the heat was still too much to lower his shield, still, though, Harry was weakening and fast.
His Mum walked up to him, her protective white glow radiating off her more brilliant than the noon day sun. It encased both Harry and the girl.
Harry stopped his spell and almost collapsed to the ground with the girl beside him. She was unconscience from the heat. Harry was barely conscience.
"Mum, mum, . . . it's you! You came. How – how'd you know? Is the girl ok? Is she?" Harry asked, but barely.
"She's ok, son, Don't worry, she'll be ok, thanks to you." Lily held onto her son and comforted him. She wasn't worried, not now, he was awake, so she knew he'd be ok. It wasn't like the last time, with the quill. That was different. Her son, Harry, had rescued a girl from centain death. He'd sacrificed himself for others' benefit – again. Lily noticed this. And did not complain, for she knew her Father's Promise: Never to be separated again. Lily counted on that. Still she held onto Harry, as Mum's should, until others' arrived.
From the castle windows and doors the entire spectacle was witnessed, by ghosts, students, faculty, staff and elves. And Others yet unseen.
Harry was taken by stretcher to the Infirmery as was the girl. Lily accompanied them walking beside them.
The entire school was abuzz over what'd happened, but they'd all witnessed the heroic deed that Harry did: Running out into the face of firebreathing dragons to help someone who was not able to help herself. An example of sacrifice. None of them ever forgot what they'd seen nor fogot the name of the girl Harry rescued: Rachel, the same girl Lily talked to that same day in the Great Hall when she'd performed her charm. Rachel had no Mum and Lily, true to her word talked with her, and exchanged letters often. Now,when she was to waken, Rachel would find Lily there, looking at her, in a motherly way.
"Mum?" It was Harry, he was awake and doing well, but a bit groggy.
"Son, I'm right here. Just rest, now. You've done a good job, you saved the life of a young witch." Lily looked right at her son, smiling, holding on to him, gently. "Son, I'm so very proud of you, unselfishly helping her. Thank you, son, thank you so much. I want to tell you 'thank you' for her Mum."
"For her mum? Why?"
"Rachel has no mum, not alive anyway, but as a Mum, I can understand her feelings at seeing her child alive. I want to thank you, in her place. I think Rachel's Mum would like that." Lily hugged Harry again and kissed him on the cheek. "Just rest now, son, you can talk later."
Lily went over to Rachel's bed and just sat there, waiting for her to awaken.
"Lily? Is that you?" she was awake now.
"Yes, Rachel, It's me. Are you ok?"
"Yes, just sore all over, the heat was so terrible. Who rescued me?"
"Harry, my son, he rescued you. He's in the other bed resting. The heat got to him too."
"I want to thank him for saving me. He's a nice person – like you are. I never expected to see you here."
"Rachel, I'm here, don't worry, I'll always be her for you. If you want, just think of me as your other Mum, that is, if you want." Lily held Rachel's hand warmly.
"Really? You'd let me?" Rachel was very delighted. Having a real Mum was more than she would think would happen, but having Lily, of all people, for her very own Mum was beyond her expectations.
"Thanks, Lily, for wanting me." Rachel was casting her eyes downward, afraid to even speak. But, as Rachel looked up at Lily, her lower lip quivered some, and she just broke down and cried and cried. Lily reached out and held on to her. Lily's glow started and lite up the entire room, penetrating the walls and windows. The light radiating around like waves of heat bending beams of light. Lily was holding Rachel and letting her cry. Lily was doing what she did best: comforting others when they needed someone the most. And Rachel needed a Mum.
Lily continued seeing Rachel after this, inviting her to The Burrow for supper and a weekend sleepover. The Two of them would do Mum-daughter things and just talk for hours on end. They both needed this: Rachel needed a Mum and a Mum's love and attention and Lily wanted to love as a Mum.
All the news services put out the story by the end of the day. The Daily Prophet had a front page story. Harry was awarded the Order of Merlin, 1st class, due to the possibility of death and that he risked his own life to preserve another's. At the ceremony, Harry was asked to talk, how he felt. "All I ever wanted was my Mum and Dad and they'd taught me well, so I wasn't about to let them down. I just want to be my Mum's son. That's what I really want."
Lily was very proud of her son, but especially for the kind words he said about her.
Later, after all had quieted some, Harry was back at the Burrow, with his family. Here, he was 'Harry, just Harry' and not some Hero.
But, there was still a young slender red headed witch to whom Harry would always be her hero, and her first and last love. Always.
Authors' Note: I've wondered about 2 things: one is Lily and James protecting their baby, maybe there was a safer way to do it. Maybe, by the way they sacrificed themselves, they did so, because of the effect it would have on their son, and two, the use of the Time Turner by Hermione in her 3rd year. Maybe there could be a connection? Anyway, here's a possible answer to tie them together.
Sitting in Professor Dumbledore's office, Harry looked at his revered Headmaster, wondering why he was here. He'd already completed his NEWTS and felt he'd passed them. Sitting here with him was his Head of House, Professor McGonnagal.
Something was afoot. Harry could feel it, it was that palpable.
"Harry, you're wondering why you're here today, and with your Head of House also. There's something that you need to be told, something very important about that which you already know about but have just taken for granted. You've not been told the 'how' or 'why' of this, just that it happened. Everyone knows your incredible background, but there's more to it than that."
Dumbledore paused, briefly to let Harry start thinking about what he'd said, so far.
"I don't understand. If this is so important, why hasn't my Mum told me before now?" Harry asked.
"Your Mum wanted me to tell you. She respects me and my decisions. She looks to me for advice and it was her decision for you to be told, by me, with Professor McGonnagal present"
"You see Harry, it's about your scar, how it came to be, and WHY it works."
"But, Headmaster, I already know about that."
"Not quite, Harry, not quite. You need to do more research on charms and how they relate to you. You'll understand more completely then. But, let me finish. When your Mum was in school here, as Lily, the first time, she was good in charms." Dumbledore got up and paced around the office, thinking on his feet. "Harry," Dumbledore turned and looked at him, "Harry, Lily was the most talented charms student that this school has ever produced, and we've produced some of the best in the Magical World, and your Mum, well, she was the best of the best."
"When she graduated and just before she married James, your father, she and I and Professor McGonnagal, sat down with her, here, in this very office, right where you're sitting and talked with her, about her future and how she could use her talents. Harry, your Mum worked for the Ministry in experimental charms. She was given free reign to do anything and everything she wanted to do to complete her work. She had the authority to go to any department to get any information or skills, or materials she needed to do her work." Dumbledore stopped talking so Harry could just try to comprehend just the magnitude of what he'd just revealed.
"Professor, I didn't know any of this."
"I know, Harry, oh how well I know. That's why you're so important, sort of. Harry, Lily came across some information, that there'd be a great evil approaching us, our world. How she found out about it, she never revealed, but she set to work to create a charm, a charm for protection, but Harry, it was this charm that ultimately was your protection. Lily was then and still is now, a most compassionate person. She'd never set out to hurt anyone, even her attackers, not even that source of evil. Why? Even I didn't know then, but she did. Lily know more about the Ministry's secrets than any one single person, including the Minister himself. Even the unspeakables, well, she held more knowledge and power and skill than any of them. And Harry, that's saying quite a lot."
"Harry, she completed her master charm project but left no written records or any indication of what it was or even how it worked. She worked in complete secrecy, but somehow, what she was doing got out to Tom. You and all of us know him as Lord Voldemort. He understood that Lily was a threat to his rise to power and he intended to stop her anyway he could."
Dumbledore stopped talking and just remained silent, pacing around his office and just thinking of the past events.
"Headmaster, what Mum was working on, did it have anything to do with me?"
Dumbledore stopped walking and turned to look at Harry, the saddest expression appeared on his face.
Dumbledore just nodded his head in the affirmative.
"You see, Harry, time is a funny thing, you can't see, feel or taste it, but it's there. Lily knew this and understood it. That's why, when Hermione came to Professor McGonnagal here for a time turner, she got it. We both felt that there was something highly unusual about Hermione, especially after that episode in Flourish and Blotts just before her second year started. I kinda knew who she was, but had no proof, that's why Hermione got the use of the time turner, she knew just what it was, even that it existed was something that wizards and witches normally don't even know about. But Hermione did. THAT told us a lot."
"Harry, Your Mum found out that the ultimate protection that could ever be provided, to be given, had to be based on love and sacrifice, and by that I mean total, absolute, unequivocably no questions asked or hinderance AT ALL Love and sacrifice on the part of the person giving of themselves for the love for that person. This charm was more powerful than any that could ever be created, but at a cost, and the cost was great. Your parents knew it. And they accepted it."
Dumbledore walked over to Harry and looked directly at him: "Harry, this charm that your Mum created – she left no notes, no written instructions, nothing about it. None of us in the Ministry even knew what Lily was working on. That's how important her work was. She was an Unspeakables' Unspeakable. Even THEY didn't talk about her, not even to or amoung themselves. She told me all about this not too long ago. That's why she wanted me to tell you some of this. Much I already guessed at before she told me, but the very sensitive parts, she told me."
"Lily knew, somehow, that through the use of time, that this evil would be centered on you because you're Lily's son. You've inherited all her talents, her abilities, everything except her total and absolute knowledge on charm work. It's just a natural gift that she gave you. It's all a twist in the fabric of time itself and Lily worked on conquering it. Whether or not she'd known that she'd be able to return, as she did, no one knows, and I mean no one, Harry. Except Lily herself."
Dumbledore walked over to Harry, sat down facing him. All his many years were now apparent on his face and frame. The weight of all his responsibilities were etched on him and he was tired. Harry could see it and almost feel it.
The purpose of Lily's work is to overcome all this evil, to conquer it, but in her way that we, in our world know nothing of, and can't quite comprehend how. But, Harry, your Mum does. So too, does your Dad. In all our world, Harry, your parents are unique – absolutely unique."
"Headmaster, I've head Mum speak of her responsibilities a couple of times, but I didn't realize just how heavy they were. Once, she came home from talking with you, and she was real quiet, but she was sitting on Dad's Lap and just broke down and cried for the longest time and told us why. It was about what she had to do for our people here, that there was an evil approaching, not Voldemort, something more terrifying even than him, that not even the muggles would be able to overcome with all their techonology. Mum said that this evil would be coming for us first, that the muggles would be helpless without us."
The two professors just looked up at one another, perplexed.
"Did she say anything else?"
"Yes, that it'd take a long time, a very long time to teach us faith, hope, charity, and love. That talents in the magical arts would not be enough, that these items everyone had to have, and she meant everyone. Oh, she also mentioned one other item."
"What was that?"
"Sacrifice. Mum said that, in the end, we'd all have to sacrifice, and she meant everyone."
They all fell silent.
"Mum also mentioned that there were some Muggles, one in particular, came to visit us when Mum brought me home here after I was born, she said that there were certain Muggles who had more power and authority than she had. She was very protective and knew what she was talking about."
Dumbledore and McGonnagal looked at one another, nodding their heads, seemingly to confirm their thoughts on what Harry said.
"Now, Harry, do you understand a little more about That scar, about your Mum? When she and your Dad sacrificed themselves that night, your Dad was the first to die, that started the charm, it set it into motion, but when your Mum died protecting you, the charm was sealed, permanently. You were protected by the life that your parents gave up to protect you. Voldomort would not, could not overcome that charm, not in any way. It could not be broken. The one charm, Harry, that your Mum needed to protect you so that you'd have a chance to grow up to be here when you would be needed, she developed and gave. No one could have done better. Do you understand now?"
"Yes, Headmaster, I do. I've heard her tell me how much she loves me, but just couldn't quite fatham how much or why. Now I do. Now I do."
"I"ve heard her tell you, Harry, believe me. We both know, Professor McGonnagal and I." "Thank you, Headmaster, and Professor McGonnagal. Thank you."
"You're welcome, Harry. This is why you've been looked after so closely all these years. But Harry, there's one more item for you to think about and that's for you to talk with your Mum. There's something about you and your parents, like a Grand Design, looking over your lives, all of us.Talk with her sometime, and she'll explain it. She's the only one who can."
"I will Headmaster."
"Now, go see your parents. It's time for you to go home, your work here today is finished. Time for you to be with your family."
"That's the nicest thing you could have told me, Professor."
"I know, Harry, I know." Dumbledore had that trademark twinkle in his eyes once again.
Harry departed, by floo, for the Burrow. He was happy, yet full of questions. And a whole lot more respect for his Mum.