Hello everyone! I'm sorry for the no introduction in the first chapter. But here I am, with my first HP fanfic. This piece of work is inspired by pottermum's Family Lost, Family Found. s/11041352/1/Family-lost-Family-found
The first chapter of FL, FF is the flashback I have used in this chapter. I have taken some parts directly from the story, some parts are my own. Thanks to pottermum for allowing me to use her work as an inspiration. Please make sure to check out her account for more amazing Harry Potter stories.
A thank you to all those who followed and favourited the story. A special thank you to scrappy8 and a guest who commented.
Disclaimer: None of the Potterverse is mine, it belongs to JKR. I'm just playing with the characters.
Enjoy the new chapter and please review with any suggestions. I am open to constructive criticism.
What happened in the last chapter:
"Well, I have had a bit of surprising news which concerned Mr Longbottom and yourself, which I believed would be best to break it to you separately."
"What is it, Professor?"
"I don't mean to sound insensitive, but do you remember what happened when the Order met for the last time in 1987? Before Voldemort was deemed dead?"
"The last time?" Ginny frowned and then realized which day Dumbledore was talking about. In a flash, she was taken back to the day it all slipped away from her hand.
(Flashback starts)
It was 7 pm when the Order of the Phoenix met at Grimmauld Place. Molly and Arthur were downstairs in the kitchen with all the other adults. Up in one of the bedrooms were Ginny and Neville, playing with Sirius as Padfoot. Ginny's brothers were at the Burrow, sick with dragon pox. Molly didn't want Ginny to be ill as so she brought her to the meeting. The Potters arrived 15 minutes before the meeting was to start.
They heard squeals of laughter coming from upstairs. James and Lily recognised it as Ginny's laughter and went up with eight-year-old Harry in tow.
Opening the door, they could see Neville sitting in the corner, counting chocolate frog cards but also keeping an eye on Ginny, who was riding around on Padfoot's back.
"Faster, faster," she goaded. Harry laughed.
Padfoot ran around, then collapsed at James and Lily's feet. His tongue lolled out, and he let out a weary bark. Ginny climbed off him and patted him.
"Good, Padfoot," she praised. Turning, she flung herself at James. He picked her up and planted a big kiss on her cheek.
"Hi Uncle Jamie," she sang, hugging him hard. She leaned over to kiss Lily. "Hi, Aunt Lily."
"Hey, Firecracker, you breaking my dog?" he asked, tickling her.
Ginny giggled. "Silly Uncle Jamie, it's not really a dog. It's Uncle Sirius."
James gasped. "No! You don't say. Sirius, is that really you? Get up, you mangy mutt."
Padfoot barked wearily again. Harry came over and patted him. Padfoot licked Harry's hand gratefully.
"Come on, Sirius, the meeting will be starting soon. I think I heard more people arriving. Peter's down there," said James.
Sirius transformed. Harry and Ginny giggled as he lay spread-eagled on the ground.
"Lily made that treacle tart you love so much," enticed James.
Sirius sat up quickly. "Well now, why didn't you say so? Bye kidlets, I'm off to the meeting."
"Bye, Uncle Sirius," called Harry and Ginny, as he left. Neville waved, then went back to his counting.
"Okay now, the meeting will be starting soon. You kids play nice. There'll be snacks later. Boys, look out for Ginny now," said Lily.
"Yes Mum," said Harry.
"Yes, Aunt Lily," called Neville.
"All right then, down you go Firecracker. We'll see you after the meeting," said James, putting seven-year-old Ginny down.
"Bye, said Ginny, hurrying over to Harry. "Wanna play chess?" Harry nodded.
Half an hour later, the children were getting bored. They had played chess, looked at all the chocolate frog cards, and listened to the wireless.
"Do you know, Muggle kids get dressed up and go out and get lollies and chocolates from other people on Halloween?" asked Harry.
"Really? Why?" asked Ginny.
Harry shrugged. "Don't know. But they get dressed up as witches and wizards, but not like us. When I told my cousin Dudley that we don't look like that, he punched me," said Harry.
"I don't believe you," said Neville.
"He did, too. Look at the bruise," said Harry, pulling his shirt off his shoulder.
"Not about that," scoffed Neville, while Ginny exclaimed over the big bruise on Harry's shoulder. "About the dressing up. Why do they dress up as witches and wizards then, Mr Smarty Potter?"
"Oh, they dress up in other stuff. Like fairies, and someone called Batman and Superman. Ghosts and goblins. Anything, really," said Harry.
"Goblins? Like the ones at Gringott's. They scare me," said Ginny, huddling closer to Harry.
Molly came into the room then, levitating a tray of snacks and drinks. "Here we go, then. The meeting is just taking a bit longer than planned. Ginny, I'm just going to floo home and check on your Dad and your brothers. Uncle Gideon and Uncle Fabian are downstairs if you need anything. I shouldn't take too long."
"Okay, Mummy," said Ginny, taking a biscuit and a drink.
"Are you all right, Harry? You look a bit peaky," asked Molly, in concern. She put her hand on his forehead. "You're a bit warm."
"Feel hot," agreed Harry. "My throat is scratchy."
"I'll let your mum know when I get back," said Molly.
"I'll look after Harry, Mummy," said Ginny, taking his hand.
"Good girl. Neville, another piece of cake, love?" asked Molly.
"Thanks, Aunt Molly," said Neville, taking some cake.
"All right then. I'll leave the tray here. The house-elf, Kreacher will come and get it when it's empty. We'll let you know when the meeting is finished."
"Bye, Mummy. Bye Aunt Molly," they called.
They sat contentedly for several minutes, eating and drinking.
"I don't feel so good," mumbled Harry.
"You don't look good," said Neville.
Harry's face was flushed.
"Put your head in my lap, Harry," said Ginny, patting her knees. "I do this to Bill sometimes."
Harry lay his hot head on Ginny's lap and closed his eyes as he felt her run her fingers through his hair. Her little hands rubbed gently against his forehead. Harry sighed in relief. It felt so comforting.
"I'm gonna be sick," he said, leaning away from Ginny, and throwing up.
"Ew," said Neville.
Kreacher, the house-elf, had just appeared in the room to get the now empty tray. He waved his hand, and the vomit disappeared.
"Do you want your Mum?" whispered Ginny. Harry nodded. "Come with me," she said.
Ginny helped Harry stand up, and she led him out the room and down the stairs. To her surprise, her uncles were at the bottom of the stairs.
"Hey, Gin-Gin, how's our favourite niece?" asked Gideon.
"I'm your only niece," said Ginny. It was a game she played with them often.
"Ooh, Harry and Ginny are holding hands. Something you want to tell us, sweetie?" teased Fabian.
"Harry's sick. He needs his Mum," explained Ginny.
"Well, just knock on the door. I think the meeting is just about over. We're just going to floo over to see what's taking Molly so long. Give Arthur and the boys a bit of a cheer up. I can't believe they all came down with dragon-pox. Lucky you didn't get it," said Gideon.
"Yes, it is. I have to go to Aunt Muriel's by myself," said Ginny, pouting.
"Aw, don't mind old Muriel. We'll come and visit you," promised Fabian. Gideon nodded.
"Thank you, that would be fun," said Ginny.
"We'll talk to Molly about it when we get back. Gotta go," said Gideon, patting Ginny on the shoulder. Fabian winked at her and followed his brother into the floo.
The door to the meeting room opened. Peter Pettigrew was one of the first out. "Oh, hello, Harry. You all right?"
"He's sick," said Ginny, as Harry shook his head.
"Oh. Lily should be out soon. I-uh, I need to go. Someone I have to see. Bye now," said Peter, hurrying off.
They watched him go. Ginny whispered to Harry. "I know he's friends with your dad, Uncle Sirius and Uncle Remus, but I don't really like him. He's a bit creepy."
Harry nodded slowly. He was feeling hotter and hotter. He felt Ginny's cool hand in his. She was leading him somewhere.
The witches and wizards in the meeting room tittered as Ginny came in, pulling Harry with her.
"Aunt Lily. Aunt Lily" called Ginny.
Lily turned around and knelt. "What is it, Ginny? Harry, what's wrong with you? James?" she called out to her husband, who left Dumbledore to come over to them.
"He got sick. He said he felt hot. He didn't eat anything, but he threw up," said Ginny.
"Hey, son, not feeling well?" asked James, hovering over Lily. Harry shook his head.
"James, he needs to be home in bed. Is it too late to call Andromeda to have a look at him?" asked Lily.
Dumbledore came over. "I can send Madame Pomfrey from Hogwarts to check young Harry over. I think you need to get him home to bed. You won't be going to the Ministry tonight."
"I can still go. Just let me get Lil and Harry home," insisted James.
"I'll take Lil's place," said Sirius.
"No. James, your place is home with your family. Sirius, you're needed as a lookout. Frank, Alice, will you be all right with just the two of you?" asked Dumbledore.
"Of course. This one here would have only slowed us down," chuckled Frank, slapping James on the back.
"Oy, I'll get you for that. This weekend, when you come over, we'll get the brooms out. Then we'll see who slows down who," smirked James.
"You're on, mate. Now go, Harry needs to be home. Go look after your family. When we find the prophecy and hear it, we'll let you know. In case..."
"God speed, my friend," said James, knowing what Franks wasn't saying. When Lily and Alice, both Unspeakables, had learned of a prophecy, they had also learned it may affect either of their sons. As the families were so close, they were equally affected, whether it be their son or the others.
Frank nodded, and the two men hugged briefly. Lily and Alice hugged too.
Several people who were making their way out of the meeting room stopped to offer any assistance for that night. Frank and Alice declined. Most people there had a job to do that night in some capacity, even if it was just to be on guard around the Ministry. Frank and Alice quickly left. Sirius came up and clapped James on the back.
"Snivellus was his usual jolly self, wasn't he? Merlin, Harry, you don't look good. Prongs, Lil, go and get my god-son into bed. Dumbledore has fire-called Pomfrey, she'll be at yours in five minutes. Go. Don't worry about tonight. I'll fill you in tomorrow. Breakfast, Lil?"
"Sure, Sirius. The usual?" she asked.
"You know it," he winked. Then he turned to Ginny.
"So Missy, what have you been eating? You weighed a ton when you were riding around on my back earlier," said Sirius to Ginny.
"A ton? No way. I eat all my vegetables," said Ginny.
"Good girl. Still, I think your days of me giving you a ride may be over," said Sirius.
"That's okay. Now I'm bigger, will you take me on your motorcycle?" asked Ginny, her eyes gleaming.
Sirius groaned. "Do you want your mother to kill me?"
Ginny leaned over to whisper to him. "Sometimes, it's better if Mum doesn't know." She put her finger to her lips.
Sirius gave a bark of laughter. "You may just become the first female Marauder. Now, go upstairs and get Nev, will ya? I see Augusta has just arrived to take him home. What's happening with you, Missy?"
"I'm with Uncle Gids and Uncle Fabian," said Ginny.
"Oh yeah, they said they were going up to see you. Okay, then, bye," he said to her.
"Bye," she called, waving to him, as he headed for the floo.
James and Lily gathered their belongings and prepared to leave. Ginny was still holding hands with Harry, watching people leave.
"I wonder what's taking Molly, Gids and Fabe so long," mused Lily.
"Probably taking the mickey out of the boys. Molly will be fussing around the kids, you know what she's like," said James, affectionately.
He picked Ginny up again. "Bye, firecracker. Thanks for looking after Harry for us. We'll see you soon, okay." He kissed her cheek.
"Bye," said Ginny, hugging him hard. "Look after Harry for me."
"Will do," said James, putting her down.
"Bye, Aunt Lily," said Ginny, burrowing her head against Lily's stomach.
"Bye Ginny. We'll see you soon, sweetie, as soon as Harry is better," said Lily, giving the girl a tight squeeze.
"Ahem," said Snape, moving past them.
"Sorry, Severus," said Lily, realising they were blocking the hall. "Goodnight."
"Goodnight, Lily. James, Harry," he nodded.
Fifteen minutes later, Augusta had taken Neville and Ginny back to Frank and Alice's home. The mood at Grimmauld Place was sombre. No news had come from the Burrow.
Suddenly, Kingsley's Patronus burst into the room. His deep voice echoed around. " Death Eaters have broken through the wards at the Burrow. Molly, Arthur, Gideon, Fabien and the boys are dead. We have been betrayed. Abort the mission. Repeat, abort the mission."
Gasps of horror filled the room. It was their worst fear.
Dumbledore stood up. "I am going to the Ministry. I will personally see to Frank and Alice's safety. Send a Patronus to everyone on guard duty. We'll need a couple to go to Godric's Hollow and watch over the town. At least the Potters are under the Fidelias."
"No-one has seen Pettigrew. He didn't make it to his post tonight."
"I'll go to Longbottom Manor after I've seen Frank and Alice. Augusta will need to be told the house is under protection. I knew they should have gone under the Fidelias, like the Potters," said Dumbledore, slamming his hand on the table.
"Hagrid, my friend. Go to Godric's Hollow, keep an eye on Potter's house. You know what you have to do," said Dumbledore.
Hagrid nodded solemnly. His orders were simple. Get Harry out of any danger.
"Good luck my friends, and be safe. Tonight, we fly with Lady Luck. Let's hope she's with us, and not against us," said Dumbledore.
Alas, Lady Luck was not with them that night. The Order of the Phoenix took a huge hit that terrible Halloween night. The news kept getting worse and worse. Dumbledore reported back that three of their members on guard duty at the Ministry had been killed. Frank and Alice had been tortured into insanity. The news came that James and Lily Potter had been killed with no sign of Harry. Hagrid had tried to get to Harry, but Sirius, insane with grief, had cursed Pettigrew. Nobody could find Remus. It was a nightmare.
Dumbledore apparated to Longbottom Manor. He dealt with Augusta's grief, then together they faced the children as they woke. Neville cried, but little Ginny seemed in shock. She didn't say anything for the next two days.
Dumbledore barely slept for the next forty-eight hours. There were fires to be put out everywhere. He had to answer to the Ministry while keeping certain facts to himself. When all his professional obligations had been met, he returned to Longbottom Manor.
The two children were in a daze. Neville had been to see his parents, but it upset him so much that it was decided it was better for Ginny not to see them yet. Ginny still refused to talk, and barely ate anything.
It was only as Dumbledore mentioned the funerals for her father, mother, uncles and brothers that Ginny mentioned the Potters.
"Can-can I go live with Uncle Jamie and Aunt Lily and Harry?" she asked, desperate for some security.
"I'm sorry, Ginny," said Dumbledore. He hesitated. "The Potters were killed the same night as your family."
Ginny stared at him with her huge chocolate eyes. She stared in disbelief. Then she opened her mouth and screamed. She screamed and screamed, which brought Neville running. Dumbledore picked her up, and she kicked and punched to be set free.
"Noooo, I want Harry," she wept over and over.
This made the other boy upset, and he cried too. Dumbledore held Ginny tightly and walked around with her until she fell asleep in his arms.
"Oh, Albus, what shall we do? She's distraught," cried Augusta.
"Augusta, will you look after Ginny along with Neville? I don't want to send her to Muriel" Dumbledore asked.
"Of course. Neville is already close to her. He did say once that she was like a sister to him."
So Augusta Longbottom took in Ginny, raised her with Neville.
(Flashback ends)
"Miss Weasley?"
Ginny snapped out of her memories and looked up at Dumbledore who knew what she had been thinking about.
"I remember everything" she answered, tears glistening in her eyes.
Dumbledore smiled softly. He made a small gesture with his hand which Ginny couldn't decipher.
"I received a visit from 5 people yesterday, late at night. 5 people I thought I would never see again; 5 people who you know very well. Professor McGonagall and I have used Veritaserum, checked their Patronuses and facts which only we were privy to. They are who they claim to be."
Ginny was puzzled. People whom she knew? She racked her brain trying to figure who it was that the Headmaster was talking about.
There came a sound of someone stepping up behind her. Ginny spun around and promptly fell off her chair. The 5 guests were standing in front of a door which Ginny didn't know was there. 5 people, she did know well enough.
It was James, Lily and Harry Potter, Sirius Black and Remus Lupin.