Chapter 7: The Interloper
"Harry?" a confused voice asked behind him, he can't just trust his ears they were rightfully tricking him. She can't be here, that's not possible, he had seen Voldemort's curse hit her and then the whole atrium crashed down on her.
Though he couldn't retract her body out of the rubble, as the ministry building had fallen down completely, he was sure she was dead long. He didn't believed that delusional blonde arse, when he claimed otherwise. No, it can't be her.
"Is it you, Harry?" the girl inquired again with a much heavier voice. Harry faced her slowly with a spin of his heels to somehow delay the inevitable.
He directed his vision at the girl infront of him, a few feet shorter than him with an accurately curvy body, long black curly hairs with a heart shaped face and hazel eyes. The buck-teeth he recalls was not present there, She was fidgeting quite aggressively with a strand of her curly locks. She looked up and their eyes met, a quick try to sneak in her mind was distraught strongly.
"You shouldn't do that, Don't you know?" she scolded him with an edge to her tone.
Harry shook his head dumbly, not trusting his voice, he tried to configure a explanation but none came.
"Can we talk in private?" he asked to the other occupants of the room, mustering his courage.
"Of course, She is your sister after all. We don't believe in cousin, Do we Charlus?" Flemount responded suggestively.
"No, we don't. Go ahead spend some time together" He encouraged.
"Caw...Nekros...Caw!" His raven, that had taken a perch on the knob of the door, shrieked before landing on his shoulder.
All others looked astonished, except Charlus and Dorea obviously, to see a raven behaving like a pet, nonetheless reciting death's name.
"Is it yours?" Elfie asked a bit inquisitively.
"Yes, this one chose me" Harry accepted drifting his eye from the girl to the woman, unwillingly.
"That's a quite disconcerting game you've got their, son" Flemount voiced looking at the bird carefully.
However, the black mass of omen was more interested in nibbling Harry's earlobe than anything. Harry stroked the bird's feathers softly before leading a slightly unnerved girl toward his room, out of the room, up the stairs.
He kept glancing toward her neutrally, his face void of any emotions, and this etched more fear in the chest of the other teen.
This wasn't the Harry she had left in the future, the scars were familiar but not the personality. It was as if Harry's anger and fear has been killed in the quest of revenge, he displayed emotions but irregularly. His walk was graceful unlike the disorganized movement of Harry she was used to, his eyes didn't flickered unbounded.
As soon as he closed the door the girl launched forward gluing herself to Harry's back. He lifted his arm aiding the bird to take a perch somewhere else, and faced her to let her down her grief on his chest.
The girl begun reducing down her sobs after fifteen-minutes and extracted herself from Harry. She took a seat on the chair that he conjured beside the bed he was seated on. He ordered Maisie to bring a bottle of water and actualized a tissue for her. She quenched her need with the water while rubbing her face and eyes with the tissue.
Harry regarded her fondly and smothered her locks softly, before kneeling down and pecking her on head.
"How did you got here, Hermione?" He asked gently stroking her locks.
"I-I, He d-drooped me i-in the ar-arch and I-I got here" She stammered through her words still struggling to maintain her breathes properly.
"Calm down, take deep breathes and relax" He instructed rubbing her back.
She nodded and tried to calm her nerves as much as she can, calm as she could become she started recalling her travel to the time period.
"When Voldemort tried to kill me, and you collapsed the building upon him, Malfoy was nearby and found me" Hermione recounted slowly.
"I was alive, and he knew that. He helped me to the archway, I don't know why he did. Though, he did said something about being in a debt of you and wanted to repay you, he asked to do as much wandless magic as I can, and I followed" She recited.
"He then constricted my magic, somehow, in a sphere and send it to the archway. Several runes on that archway lit cyan and he accepted his hunch was correct, he pushed me through it" Hermione memorized as calmly as she can.
"I felt thrice the pull to that of a portkey. The next moment, I woke up in a hospital, two years younger" she explained further.
"That does add up to his theory" Harry intoned with a familiarity.
Hermione's head snapped toward him. "You knew!?" She peered at him for a minute before adding. "When did you became acquainted with him?"
"A year before my return, I had to break a prisoner out. Actually, two prisoners and one hostage had to be relived with the help of that bugger" Harry stated sounding annoyed. "It appeared he wasn't like his father, after your death he contacted me and told me of his theory. I was a little skeptical of him at first but he constantly displayed that his intentions were not against me, he even took a magical oath to seal that"
"What... happened to...Teddy, Harry?" Hermione asked a little uncertainly.
Harry mortified at his place, he looked scared and Hermione could see beads of sweat swirling down behind his ears and forehead. He sat down on his seat as if he would fall down if he remain standing, nothing could have gone that wrong, right?
"Voldemort killed my son, mercilessly" Harry said regretfully, his eyes down on the ground, his breathing hitched. It was as if someone has sucked out all his energy and strength, he looked weak and weary, pain stricken.
Like that her myriad of a better world after her death shattered, Hermione fell down to her knees, tears rolling out of her eyes like a waterfall. Teddy was more or less a son to her also, after Victor's death she was not able to reciprocate feeling of any one else. Not even Ron's, it was just a stray pain that never abandoned her consciousness.
Her magic reacted accordingly to it shifting the air more hostile, she looked up to see the flames engorging in Harry's eyes and vowed to see the killer being finished as mercilessly.
"What about him, Harry?" Hermione asked knowingly.
"Died protecting me, atleast he will met the one he loved dearly. It was painful to see him strive, he always blamed himself for his condition." Harry said, the air saturation decreased as Hermione tried to sway Harry's attention from his son.
"What about Draco?" Hermione questioned.
"Died in pursuit of Avery, Nott and the last LeStrange" Harry answered and stood up to move near his desk. "Bastard took them all with himself, I wanted to kill Avery but never got the chance"
"I never thought he would be redeemable, he was sour git through our school years" Harry withdrew a light brown envelope from the top drawer and passed it to Hermione.
"What's this?" She asked curiously.
"A re-order of everything that has happened untill now and what will in future" Harry replied taking his seat again. "It would be stupid of me to aspire that you will not participate in upcoming war, the Hermione Granger I know would never ever lay down in a war" Harry stated looking at the girl knowingly.
Hermione looked at him a little irritably. "You know you've changed from the last time I saw you, the Harry I know was never this composed and mature"
Harry laid down on his chair before sighing softly. "Yeah, after yours and Teddy's... something just snapped. I don't know much of it, the phase was too dark for me to remember it properly but I became something never intended to"
Hermione moved closer to him placing her hand on his head, ruffled his hair lightly before placing a kiss on the top of his head. "You know I am here now, Harry. Teddy is and always will be with you, in here" She placed her hand on his chest.
Harry shook his head stiffly as tears started to fall from his orbs freely, it was truly unbearable to think he will have to wait quite long to see his son again. That too, if he doesn't change something that will hamper the boy's existence entirely.
It took Hermione quite some time to calm him down, there was much to discuss, and somewhere around things surely have changed. Atleast that was the case with Harry's attitude and behaviour, he was far more mature yet feral, at times she could see a glimpse of the legendary wizard he had probably emerged as after her untimely disappearance.
"You still didn't told me how you became a Potter" Harry asked after calming down.
"Well, I got through the veil and was unconscious for a week or so" Hermione recited. "After a week I woke up and found myself face to face with Elfie, you know, she is one of the permanent healers of St. Mungo"
"The Unspeakables deemed my entry as a need to know incident, media wasn't informed as I was moved out of the ministry building covertly." Hermione stood up and moved toward his desk.
"That's why Elfie said you onset quite the stir with your appearance, and when we are talking about appearance" Harry chuckled at that and gestured toward her. "You look less like the brown-bushy haired Hermione Granger, who was more into books than boys, and more like a Potter"
She spun around noticing the changes physically. "Yeah, they used an improbable branch of magic." Hermione accepted. "They adopted me by blood and magic, and now I am more like you than anyone"
"Like me?" He asked confusedly, it wasn't that he didn't knew or came across that particular branch of magic. As he himself was adopted into the Black family by an analogous ritual, and those ritual did had their effects, yet swaying those modulation in a singular way was not available.
"Yeah, It appears that when they adopted me into their family I was thinking about you, and fretted how would you do without me." Hermione said biting lower of her lips nervously. "Those thoughts differentiated my looks, my hair uniform as you and my body too. Additionally, I have noticed my magic also responds accurately and I can now cast powerful spells with much ease" She beamed grinning at him.
"Ooh, I didn't thought like that." he responded thoughtfully. "Yeah, That would have been it. Maisie said I was more like Mom than Dad" Harry quipped in suddenly.
Hermione's heart melted at Harry's smile when he mentioned his apparent grandparents as his parents instead. It was really heart warming to see Harry being treated as a child, rather than the Messiah of Wizarding world as previously.
"The blood ritual with Sirius should have inclined my changes toward him, as I wasn't really familiar with other Blacks" Harry continued shuddering at the though of his changes marring that of Narcissa or worse Bellatrix. That woman was hell of a maniac, it didn't helped that she loved enduring torture and playing them back on others.
"Why did they adopt you though?" Harry asked suspiciously. Hermione turned an annoyed eye on Harry that made him believed it wasn't the most intelligent way to put it in. "I don't mean anything from that Hermione, I am just intrigued at their eagerness to adopt an unfamiliar individual"
"How much time do you think have passed from my arrival?" Hermione questioned rationally.
"Can't you just ask "When do you think I came back to past?"" Harry asked irritably. "Stop talking like Albus" Harry pointed out.
Hermione pouted and turned her head sideways.
"Nonetheless, I think you might have returned a month or two ago" Harry accepted.
"Well, you'll be surprised to learn that I have been here since December last year" Hermione reported with a way to go grin.
"December?" Harry asked astonished. "You mean to say you have been here for nearly eight months"
"Yes, It took me two months to heal from my injuries and magical exhaustion"
"Injuries, but didn't you said you're age was decreased by the runes on the Arch" Harry asked confusedly.
"Yeah, but the travel to here didn't provided medical attention you dimwitted moron" Hermione gritted out frustratingly. "Can't you just understand one simple thing, Harry?"
"Hold down, You don't need to be this irritated" Harry shifted a little defensively. He still remembers her destroying the whole colony of Acromantulas, that wrath was not due in any way. Beside, Hermione will not do something like that for simply arguing, right?
Hermione pinched the bridge of her nose before shaking her head. "You know, I think I have somehow adopted your anger issues too"
Harry stared at her before laughing openly, Hermione didn't get much choice as it was after a long time her friend has laughed this openly, at least in front of her. It showed how much has he changed, surely returning to his past and living with his grandparents and father had turned beautifully for him.
The haunts of the past still lurked inside the shadows of those emerald eyes, but also, it was not prominent compared to his war monger stage. The war had done a great number on Harry, he has changed; that meek, stubborn and kind boy has been killed the day his son has died. What emerged was this young man; confident, decisive, rational and most of all cunning.
They went on to discuss the how and when of Hermione's addition to the Potter family. It seems that Elfie had been engrossed in the tale of muggle witch, who's parents have been killed and she was left to die for, by a dark wizard. That was the story Hermione had pursued the Unspeakable to relinquish, in retrospect she had revealed two invention of upcoming future, two unimportant ones. Though, the Unspeakable didn't need to know that last part.
Hermione had formed a bond with the woman and later her husband, they both were without a child. Hermione filled that gap and settled her life for past eight months as their living daughter, and that she loved too much because neither of them failed to show their fondness of the curly haired teen.
The discussion went on from Hermione's life to Harry's one, he re-accounted his journey and how he reached up to his grandparents. Obviously, the part where death was involved need not to be mentioned. They soon found themselves on the common ground of steps they had to take to stop Voldemort's rise in power.
"Look, it's not easy as it seems" Harry calmed her rambling down. "We have to move stealthily, he can't know that we know his secret"
"But, Why? We should be done with the Horcruxes and kill him them" Hermione denied suggestively.
"That would not do, the first step should be to stop him from creating more of those abominations" He explained calmly. "That would limit his way to anchor his soul, much as we know he is a arrogant filthy shit, still arrogant is on top"
"His ego will never let him create those fouls things out of ordinary artifacts, once we collect the remaining invaluable artifacts we could focus on destroying his soul shards" Harry listed.
"Which one do we have to find?" She inquired.
"That is not for you to be worried about" Harry replied back extending his arm for his bird to perch on.
The raven obliged eagerly and landed on his arm, he led him to his shoulder while Hermione followed the whole ordeal with her eyes.
"What do you mean I don't need to be worried ?" Hermione asked suspiciously.
"I mean what I said, you have already incurred allot due to me. Victor.." Hermione looked up at him as he pronounced the name. ".. would have alive if it wasn't for his attempt to save him" Harry completed remorsefully.
"He was proud when he died, he sacrificed his life valiantly" Hermione declared stepping up toward Harry, her eyes shone bright with restricted tears.
Harry held her shoulder firmly yet softly before replying. "You've lost apparently everything, I don't want you to push for that again. You have got a second chance, please understand me and don't follow me. I will handle all of this" Harry nearly begged to her, she didn't wanted her to endure more pain due to him.
"How could you?" Hermione croaked out, he tears strolling down her cheeks freely. "How could you think that I would not... want vengeance over him, I will kill them" She vowed to herself.
"I will kill that shit of a Malfoy, Bullstrode and Macnair" She promised determinately. "They grouped on them, don't you remember?" She asked clutching the front of his shirt painfully. "They cornered Krum and Ron, Ten Death eaters against the two of them, they were murdered in cold blood just to get on me"
Harry was silenced by the utter feeling of loathing for himself, he should not deny her revenge. Even if he wanted better for her, it would be best to let her take her vengeance. It wasn't like Lucius, or rest two were victim anyhow, the death has indeed worded that some of them were innocent and just misguided. But, Macnair and Lucius can't be one of them, they were already beneath what is called as a human, even before their admission in the group.
"I am not denying your vengeance, Hermione. I just don't want you worried about horcruxes, that part is in my interest and I will do it properly this time" Harry said pulling her up on her legs to calm her down.
Between all this ordeal they failed to notice that the door of the room has been opened in mid of their discussion and someone has heard their conversation.
(_-_-_X_-_-_)
The train hummed before settling down, the summer vacation has been interesting for Sirius. He had never thought that things would suddenly take a turn for good, with the introduction of Harry potter to the wizarding world Sirius' life has changed.
He had to still meet his grandfather, though Charlus had informed his grandfather of his wish to spend his vacation with the Potter family, and he had accepted, however surprising that was.
It wouldn't be incorrect to say that he was a little unnerved by the sudden appearance of two new Potters. Neither Jane nor Harry were synonymous to James for that matter, they were calm and confident, and he grudgingly accepted, a bit mature than him and James.
The memories of that night were still fresh in his mind, the boy had disposed off a not-so-week beast along with a full fledged wizard. The daily prophet had printed a news about the incident, wording it as a thawed werewolf attack by the died wizards, he hadn't read the whole paper or he would have known about the numbers.
One thing that intrigued him more than anything was Harry's unwavering confidence, a teenager like him or James were ought to be, atleast a titbit, nervous around betters. Harry, meanwhile, was just the opposite, he was confident enough to talk to his grandfather without swaying under his penetrable gaze. He was a bit protective of James and Jane, that was astonishing as he didn't had contacts with them for long. However, you could see that both ways, the other two were also protective of him. Even Sirius found him quite pleasant company, with that in mind, he reached Platform 3/4th with the Potter family.
James and Jane were discussing something in hushed tones, while Dorea was busy concerning over Harry while he was seeking her attention as much as he can. It was common knowledge among the group that Harry loved Dorea more than anyone, even more than Charlus. It also helped that Dorea's attention was soaked by Harry eagerly, even Charlus was a little zealous of that, good naturedly that is.
Flemount and Elfie were busy looking over James and Jane, they both had quite the mischievous personality if you would. That was a new side of Hermione Harry had seen, it was probably her potter genus kicking in. Harry had refused her offer to actively participate in this feud, she would surely get her revenge but this time she didn't have to sacrifice her school life. Sirius was walking with Charlus' arm slung over his shoulder lightly.
"So, you remember the promise you made with Harry, don't you?" Charlus asked rubbing his shoulder gently.
"Yes, I do and I don't think James would forget either" Sirius answered quietly.
"He was quite adamant regarding your behaviour, wasn't he?" Charlus queried again.
"Yeah, He did have a point." Sirius replied glancing back to the boy. "With the revelation of all this fiasco going on, we shouldn't make unnecessary enemies." He continued knowingly, before a smirk came out of nowhere. "However, he never did say we're not allowed to prank, he just wants us to not target a specific victim"
Charlus chuckled softly. "Yeah, He never said that." He took a sincere front again. "I agree with him Sirius, however. I don't want you two making unnecessary enemies, particularly that bloke Sebh..Sevv..Severus."
"But, Why?" Sirius whined still keeping his tone down. "He is a sourly git; greasy hair, crooked nose; He can't put off that sneer out of his face"
"It may be as you say, but we know what Harry has decided" Charlus reminded him. "He is not following you or James, and that's beneficial for our cause." He said. "I agree with Dorea, you're still not ready for an active part. Harry, on the other hand, is ready. You've seen what he can do, still he needs us, he needs a family."
"I understand, I will try to keep James out his mean streak" Sirius relented quickly.
Charlus nodded and led them to a compartment of the steam-engine vehicle.
"You have kept everything?...I don't want you forget things, James did in his first year" Dorea dotted on Harry gripping his hand on the carriage tightly.
"No, Mum." Harry chuckled upturning it to grasp her hand gently. "You don't need to worry about that, I have rechecked everything"
A eager bond he has formed with Dorea, he could see her love for him, as if it was solid. That was a comforting feeling he decided, a mother was something he wasn't accustomed to. Aunt Petunia was never a mother figure to him, he couldn't possibly cast her motherly. Her jealousy for Lily was abundant to see him as a son, instead he would honestly perceive Professor McGonagall comforting in retrospect. In the hindsight, Molly and Andi did support him as much as they can. Molly was quite vocal and overzealous of her opinion, while Andi was somewhat composed and calm in that respect. It didn't meant she didn't liked him, He and Teddy were the most important part of her life untill his death. She didn't die atleast uptill his suicidal jump, that boon was not given to her, she saw her husband, daughter, cousin, son-in-law, grandson and lastly two nephews die, one by blood and another adopted.
Draco Malfoy, the name formulated an image of a haughty, tall, pale blonde guy in his mind. The boy was everything that he despised, yet he wasn't as guilty as Harry and his friends had perceived him at first, or even through years. He was a abused boy, not physically, Lucius wasn't keen on harming his son even a little bit. Mentally, he was always derationed in the wrong way, even the seven year of animosity between the both boys was more of effort from Lucius. It can never be said that Draco himself wasn't a fucking bugger, but he was just that, a bugger. The real bastard was his fucking Father.
Draco had learnt that hard way, the man committed acts as heinous as Voldemort. The crimes that led Draco to seek out Lucius, and torture him for nearly two months before handing him out to Harry. After listening to Draco's explanation of his father's crimes, Harry himself has used nearly every torturing spell in his arsenal on the man before throwing him in front of caged dementors. But, that tell is for another time, he didn't want to recount the horrors he saw in Lucius mind, that brute animal.
As soon these thoughts came to his mind they fled by a streak of auburn. His heart stilled, his hand went cold and fear struck him firmly. Hermione's eyes darted toward him worriedly, she had noticed the individual pass across them hastily with three other behind her. Harry dared to looked in the direction of the girl and found him eye to eye with the brightest emerald orbs he had ever seen. Much like him, however the colour was lighter and a little welcoming than him. The girl looked at him confusedly before peering at James and back, she shrugged offhandedly and joined a hushed argument with the blonde beside her.
Harry found a lump in his throat, he knew it was for certain that he will meet Lily Potter. Still that prediction didn't helped, she was his mother, she had sacrificed her life for him. He can't avoid her forever, afterall, James will direct his attention on her and they'll become a couple.
"I need to take a leak, just a minute" Harry mustered before handing his trolley to Dorea and scurrying toward the other side of the platform hastily. Charlus and Sirius looked back worriedly, so did James and Flemount. It was uncommon for the boy to behave like this, only person familiar with the situation was Hermione.
Harry Potter usually undo his belly in nervous situations, it was same during his first quidditch match, it was as during the tasks of Tri-Wizard tournament and it was as during the few seconds before his adoption by Sirius. Hermione knew that and sprung to rush behind the boy with a "I will see to it".
She found Harry crouched over a structure that looked like a stone basin but wasn't high enough. He had done his deed and was hyperventilating, Hermione conjured up a bottle of water and handed it to him as she closed in. With a swish of her wand the basin was neat again.
"Thanks" He croaked out taking a sip from the bottle.
"How were you able to handle yourself infront of James and Sirius?" She asked worriedly.
"It was hard at first.." He admitted. "...but, that faded away as I noticed they weren't whom I had lost"
Hermione's looked at him understandingly. "I also saw my parents, actually, I had seek them myself. They were as you say "Not whom I had lost""
Harry nodded and downed the water in the bottle. He cleaned his mouth and tossed the bottle in nearby dustbin, that surprisingly was present on the station. He peered toward the previous location of Lily but she wasn't present there, maybe she had ascended the train.
"Now, Let's go back to our family. Mum would be worried sick if I don't return in 10 minutes" he grasped her hand gently and pulled her toward the Potters.
Hermione nodded and followed him quietly, they soon joined their family and returned to their previous places, conversing with each other.
(_-_-_X_-_-_)
She entered one of the apartments with her luggage trailing behind her, her friends had not arrived yet, neither have any of the tolerable classmates. She wasn't going to talk to that prick anyways, he was an arrogant, egoistic and pitiable bully. She diverted her mind to the batch pinned to her robe, Prefect, it wasn't surprising as she's been a meticulous student all around. It was confirmed that she would get the prefect batch this year, the only dubiety was the male prefect, or more like she didn't knew who he was. It was confirmed that that arse wasn't the one, he would have bragged about it mercilessly. Not to mention his parade when he joined the Quidditch team, she rolled her eyes and placed the trunks in the storage compartment above seats.
She scanned the whole carriage before climbing down and surveying the station. Her eyes met with those emerald orbs again, but this time she noticed the lady beside the boy fretting on him. At first she had confused him as James, they look identical if one doesn't mind the slight differences. It wasn't untill she had noticed James that she concluded he was probably his brother. The boy was dressed, to her surprise, in muggle clothing. He was dressed in a black printed tee above navy coloured narrow trousers and a black jacket was covering most of the upper part. His face had a kind look on it as he gazed at the woman beside him, she was most likely his mother, their faces did match. The most distinctive things were his scars, there were two of them she could notice, he looked a little regal yet his facial expression didn't match that expression.
She directed her gaze from the boy and zoomed out on the group as whole, there in the front was Sirius Black, one of the friends of that prick. Beside him, a man of tall stature, broad shoulders and brown hairs, his face matched that of the Potter. Lord potter, if she remembered correctly. Alice had explained her about the pureblood families, and identified the heads of most prominent houses through a moving picture directory, it was during an assignment given to them by Binns.
Behind them was that egoistical prat, James Charlus Potter, she hated the boy with a passion but the girl beside him was unknown. Long black curly locks, face that matched the other boy more than James and a confidence in her movement. It was certain that she was a Potter. The boy and the woman were behind the duo, now when she focused she could see a resemblance between the scarred boy, the woman; most likely Lady Potter and James. The last two in the group were a middle aged couple, the man looked too much like Lord potter to not to be his brother, while the woman beside her was tall and petite, but in a beautiful way, her curly locks gave out whose mother she was.
Her attention was snatched away from them as Alice tip-toed behind her and grabbed her shoulder with a scare. It was not intentional but her wand was soon pointed at the abdomen of the other girl, and she was ready to curse her.
"Hey! Hey...Calm down!" Alice moved back at the sudden response. "No need to get all operative, I am just kidding" She held her both hand in placating manner.
Lily receded her wand carefully. "Sorry, I didn't meant it... It's just.. There's been an attack near the corner of my house, two families were murdered" she recounted sadly. "I have been on edge due to that"
"Yeah, I've heard about that. It's rumoured that a group dressed in black robes are attacking muggles" Alice accepted thoughtfully before adding. "The ministry is adamant that it's a thugish group trying to incite fear in public"
Lily looked at her friend before speaking. "Yeah, You're pureblood, You would know better"
"So, who were you eyeing like a vulture, miss Evans?" Alice teased with a mischievous smirk.
"I wasn't doing anything like that" Lily refused stubbornly.
"Oh, come on, Lils. I wouldn't snatch away your eye candy, at least let me see him" She pushed further patting on Lily's cheeks.
"It's nothing like that" Lily glared her friend. "I was just confused to see a new face" She pointed toward the Potter entourage with her eyes.
"Ah, Harry potter, you mean" Alice responded knowingly.
"Harry Potter?"
"Yeah, it's his name" she pointed toward the boy beside lady Potter.
"Don't point your finger toward them, idiot. They might take offence" Lily chastised slapping her hand down.
Alice pouted but waved off her concern. "Nah, they will not. They are not that prudish, much as I know"
"He's lord Potter, Charlus Henry Potter... and that lady over there is his wife. Lady Potter, Dorea Potter neé Black" She signalled discreetly toward the man and woman, Lily herself was able to recognise them still let the other girl satiate her interest.
"That's Flemount Potter, and that's his wife Elfie Potter neé Greengrass" She pointed toward the couple at back of the group. "He's younger brother of Lord Potter, and that's her daughter, Jane Elfie Potter" She directed her finger toward the girl accompanying James.
"I never knew James had a sister, and I don't think I've seen her in Hogwarts either" Lily interjected suspiciously.
"Yeah, you haven't because she didn't attended Hogwarts untill now. The Potter family is a secretive family, they don't openly flaunt their status or power and even keep their children secret" Alice replied placing her trunk on the carriage.
"Yeah? That prick doesn't seem secretive to me" Lily glared at James with a venomous eye.
"You know, he hasn't got anything from his father." Alice replied sounding almost regretful ? "Keeping it aside, that last guy is Harry Charlus Potter, he's the twin brother of James. He is somewhat special in magical aspect, that's why he was send abroad for training"
Lily arched a brow and looked back at her best friend. "He can't control his magic?"
"It's nothing like that, while I don't know the full details I am certain his magic prowess are stronger than his younger brother. I am a MacMillan not a Potter afterall, How can I know the full details?" Alice said flicking her blonde locks back her shoulder.
Both of the girls moved toward the compartment Lily had acquired, she was a prefect but she wouldn't leave her luggage for vandalizers. She helped the other girl place the luggage and moved out of the carriage to retake her place at station.
Lily tried to look for the boy again but didn't found him. The clock chimed at 11 am and the train let out a rumbling steam before jerking forward with a pace.
(_-_-_X_-_-_)
Hermione strolled in the carriage before taking seat in one of the empty compartments. Harry didn't followed her instead chose to spend some time around the Marauders. It was rather uneasy to sit in between boys now, earlier it was either only the Golden trio or Ginny and Luna would join them. Though, Harry has agreed to join her later.
Harry, meanwhile, was quite perplexed by the appearance of the remaining marauders. Remus was as withdrawn as he remembered, while James asserted that Harry was to be trusted, Remus would never recede his guards that easily. Peter was the opposite and not the skinny malnourished coward he can recall. Peter didn't die a beautiful death, it was gruesome and painful at least. Well, what less can you image if Sirius and Remus were able to get their hands on their traitorous friend. Remus' resemblance to Teddy held Harry down from staring at the regal looking boy for long. Apparently, the Wolf's influence bothered the boy prominently during his teenage, that was something he had to find an alternative for.
Remus' Lycanthropy may disturb his plans of training the boys earlier this time, moreover he had found an alternative to the condition in one of the books he had collected from knockturn alleys. The disease was incurable but can be made more familiar, with that in mind he joined in the humour of the four teens. James was still to reveal that he knew about Remus' condition, that he decided he will disclose in Hogwarts at a right time.
Remus stood and stretched as the announcement for prefects to join the special coach echoed through the train.
"You're the male prefect of Gryffindor this year?" Sirius asked suspiciously, but eagerness was evident in his voice.
"Yes, I am" He accepted placing his trunk down, and retrieved the pair of robes with school uniform for an early change.
"Brilliant, that means we can prank anyone without much repercussion" James piped up but soon found the look Harry gave him. "Or not?" he grumbled.
Remus was busy changing, but, Peter looked at Harry and James confusedly.
"Is it necessary?" Sirius whined from behind James.
"Have you forgotten what you saw in that forest, Sirius?" Harry asked in a no nonsense tone. "I never said pranking was prohibited, Just targeting a singular victim is"
Peter arched a brow at the boy before meeting the eyes Remus, who nodded slowly confirmed what they heard.
"What's this about forest?" Remus asked suspiciously.
"We will tell you later, but only you and Peter, it's a marauder secret" James replied swiftly.
Remus and Peter nodded absently as Remus pinned the Prefect batch to his robe.
"I am off now, then" Remus declared exiting the compartment. Harry signalled Sirius to take seat on the other side, or let James take it, at last James moved on the other side.
In an another compartment Hermione was about to put a book marker on the page, and retrieve an another book that referenced with one she was reading. The door of her compartment slid opened and the most unexpected person walked in, Alice Longbottom. Alice didn't looked as frail, worn out and old as per her recollection. This wasn't Alice Longbottom, not untill now, she was a girl of no more than 16 year of age. Alice was a girl of average height, short shoulders length blonde hair, a little plumb on the physical side and a bit tanned than her older years.
"Hi, I am Alice MacMillan" She introduced herself, extending an arm in greeting.
Hermione renounced her search and shook her hand with a smile. "I am Jane, Jane Elfie Potter"
"I saw you sitting alone here, We would like if you will join us" Alice offered gesturing to the girl behind her. Untill now Hermione's focus was on Neville's mother, but now she could see two individuals looming behind the girl.
"Yes, I would like that" Hermione agreed. She placed her book back in the trunk before shrinking it, she pocketed it and let the girl lead her to their compartment.
The other two girls took their seat on the other side while Alice sat beside Hermione. "That was an indigenous Shrinking charm you used their" The girl with red hairs complimented her.
Hermione peered at her discreetly, and then it hit her, she was Lily Evans. She was Harry's mother, Hermione had a glance at her on the station but not completely.
"Thanks" Hermione replied diverting her eyes to the last occupant of the compartment. Dark blonde hair, narrow face and soft facial feature, the girl could easily be categorised as one of the most beautiful girls Hermione had seen. Though Hermione didn't swung that way, but a common perspective wouldn't harm.
"Marlene McKinnon" The girls smiled at Hermione.
Hermione nodded back and unshrunk her luggage to place it on the storage space above seats.
"It's quite surprising for us to see students join the classes in the middle, it's not been done before" Lily said curiously.
Hermione blushed at the question, it seems Lily's more like Hermione of past, always curious about things she didn't knew.
"Well, my family does things differently" Hermione agreed. "I was home schooled untill Uncle Charlus pursued Dad to let me go to Hogwarts" she lied with a fake expression.
"Oh... It's common in pureblood families" Marlene voiced in knowingly. "Many old families tend to home-school their children, it's because they think Hogwarts doesn't provide perfect environment for students, and it's headmaster throw in with a certain group of students" She elaborated suggestively.
Hermione let out a laugh at her viewpoint. "It's nothing like that, I am the only child of my parents and they favour keeping me close rather than sending to a far away place for education"
Alice with Marlene nodded supportively while Lily looked at her absently.
"What changed that?" Alice asked a bit hesitantly, personal questions at first interaction could be seen as rude, instead of innocent curiosity.
"Worry not, I don't take offence for that" Hermione reassured her noticing her hesitance. "For your question, It was Harry's sudden appearance, they saw it as an opportunity to let me out of their shadow for a few years, as I can be safe around him"
"Harry?" Lily queried as her own curiosity regarding the boy got better of her.
Hermione gazed up at Lily for a second, Lily might feel a connection to the boy even if she didn't knew him. That interest was magical, even if Lily couldn't possibly disclose Harry's mystique, she could feel the magical bond in between them. Hermione had read about such bonds in a number of books both in Hogwarts and Grimauld place, and Lily's inquisition toward the boy confirmed her theory that a magical bond does breach the limit of time and space. Bingo!
"Harry is the elder brother of James, by two complete minutes" Hermione sniggered at the memory of Harry teasing James. The other three looked at her absently, she controlled her laugh and continued forward. "He teases James for that, even Sirius finds its funny"
Alice's and Lily's lips twitched for a smile at the revelation while Marlene was grinning completely.
"Moving forward, Harry's a prodigy. That's the reason he was sent abroad for training, and that's the reason my father trusts him with my safety" Hermione bragged impersonating James a bit.
"What you know, That prat has been parading for last four years introducing himself as the only son in the Potter family" Lily sneered.
"He was told as such" Hermione voiced in. "Harry was a surprise for most of us, we never knew about him till July."
The other three accepted her answers with a shake of their heads, it was enough for first meet, they didn't wanted to ward off Miss Potter.
Eventually, Lily had to leave for prefect duties that left the three teens in the compartment. While, Alice and Marlene indulged in a discussion about their new charms books, Hermione busied herself in her book again.
It was almost an hour later that Lily returned to the compartment with the news of prefects from other houses of current year, it was anti climatic for Hermione as the list didn't held any important names.
In an another compartment of that same carriage Harry was pondering over a few names listed by Remus. The top most priority was the sixth year Gryffindor Prefect, Frank Longbottom. Second on that list was Sixth year's Slytherin prefect, Lucius Malfoy. And last but not least, the Head girl, Amelia Bones.
The tables had to be turned atleast in a particular place, if not then problem would arise, more than Harry wants to deal with. Harry opened a book for himself while Remus took his leave once again for surveillance duties.
Time passed as the train finally started to speed down, it appeared that the ride to Hogwarts was over.
"Change into your school uniforms and robes, we will reach Hogsmeade in fifteen minutes" Remus instructed exiting the compartment to inform others.
The other four started to change their attire. While Harry had never been the most tidy lookin or well kept student of his year he wasn't completely unruly. The way Sirius and James wore their uniforms, top buttons; check, shirt tucked; check, tie placed accurately; check and their robes were unequally tidy.
The train halted minutes later, releasing the ounce of residual steam. James led the group out of the carriage, while Harry was trailing behind adjusting his robes a little when a mocking voice sounded from infront.
"Well...Well...Welll, What do we have here, Severus?" a somewhat familiar voice barbed, Harry kept himself shadowed by Peter as he didn't wanted to jump in the on-goings. James and Sirius had been stubborn to train with him, he at first refused but after a brief conversation with Charlus and Arcturus, later of whom he had to persuade that Sirius will be more complied to learn with him than anyone. He accepted their request and begun training them singularly in defensive and once or twice offensive spells. Hence, he knew his brother and Sirius will able to defend themselves, although an actual duel was highly unlikely.
"Puny Potter and his bunch of misfits, you can see them cowering around eachother for protection" Another voiced mocked.
"I didn't thought you would join these nutters, Regulus. Mother was happy with your association, but I don't think grandfather will be" Sirius scowled at his brother ruefully.
"Stop threating a kid, Black" A very familiar voice sneered. "Anyways, it isn't unlike you to bully younger kids"
Now, Harry was interested in the ongoing conversation, what would James and Sirius do in such situation. They have been told against continuing their mean streak, Harry stole a glance toward Peter who was already ducked behind James for protection.
"You should look over your friends' asses, Snivellus. LeStranges have spend their whole weekends with Filch for bullying first years" James stood up eyeing the said boy disgustingly.
"You don't get to preach against bullying, Potter" The venom in Snape's voice felt tangible now.
Harry heard the swish of wand and peeked from behind Sirius, his eyes met with those greys orbs of Regulus Black and the boy flinched back instinctively.
He revealed himself slowly, garnering the attention of nearly everyone except James and Sirius, who had their wands aimed at the two teens with red hairs, even Peter was looking toward him wide eyed.
"I don't think there's a need for a confrontation with wands" Harry begun handing his trolley to Peter for better movement. "Put your wands down, I am not in a mood for an effort" His cold voice made everyone shudder, he was used to hear Tom's cold voice and a bit imitation shall not harm anyone.
Intimidated, every person chose not to deal with an unknown threat, except of course two red heads, Rudolphus and Rebastian were never of the most intelligent sort.
"Look here brother, he's trying to pull..."
Rebastian slapped his brother on back, stopping him in his forced humour.
Harry narrowed his eyes at the two, could it be they are already mingled with snake head. This arose a problem of keeping an eye over them, they weren't the most sneakiest duo in future but they surely were lethal with a wand.
"It doesn't matter, your scars or that faux expression of superiority..." Rudolphus was stopped in mid rant by Harry.
"Superiority? That's a very big word, specially out of your mouth, Rudolphus" Harry bit back. He faced James with an amused expression. "Didn't you told me he had to drop a year due to his poor performance?"
James and Sirius sniggered at the mention, and he could see Regulus' lips twitch slightly.
"Why you little runt.." Rebastian's wand crackled and a coloured light flew toward Harry.
Harry didn't need to use his wand, he grasped the spell out of the air like a ball, and threw it back toward Rudolphus.
Every person present there watched the events unfolding with wide eyes, they hadn't envisioned that a simple exchange of unpleasantries would turn into a duel. In actuality, Harry has casted a spell binding charm on his hands wandlessly, he then went to catch the spell and throw it back.
Rudolphus jumped and shrieked as the spell connected with his left thigh, he grasped it and sneered at Harry.
"Stinging hex? That's it?" Harry mocked the other redhead. "I never thought a sperm from your father's lousy nutsack would be this incompetent"
A second curse followed the first one, this looked rather dangerous and was sizzling profusely. Before Harry could do something, James was infront of him with a repelling shield of himself. The spell hit the shield and redirected toward the aggressor, it sailed past them heading toward the greasy haired git. Snake crouched down pulling Regulus with him, the spell clashed with a pillar behind them and started melting it.
Harry glanced at the railing and revealed his wand to intercept the ongoing combat. However, this was the moment the Head boy and head girl chose to notice the ongoing duel.
"What do you people think you're doing?" Amelia bones asked authoritatively.
Harry pulled James back and put himself at front, soon Remus joined the group directing a questioning look to three of his friends.
"They attacked us at first" Rebastian lied hastily.
"They are lying, he was the one firing curses at us" Sirius countered from behind.
"It wasn't us who has seek you and passed insults " James supported his friend.
"You can request any teacher to check our wands, that would suffice the doubt" Harry offered over his brother's rants.
"That's not needed, I know who can do something like that" Amelia refused and looked toward the LeStrange brothers. "You two, a week detention with Filch, and 20 points from Slytherin for using your wand against another students"
The duo grumbled but subsided quickly as the head boy joined her, Johnson Greengrass. One of the faces Harry remembers accurately, afterall he had spend fateful nights with her daughter Daphne, that's a tale for another time though. The man was the forefront of the neutral families in the future, and that didn't do good to him anyhow. He was stripped of his title of lord after Voldemort's first seizure of the Ministry.
Harry had helped Daphne accumulate support to retain her family's seat in Wizengamot, later. Clearly, the boy had quite the hold in his school years, as the Slytherins parted away soon as he joined the group in inspection.
"What's the fuss about?" He inquired looking around the group.
"As usual, The LeStranges are trying to garner attention by poking around the students." Amelia reported offhandedly. "Only this time his victims fought back" Amelia eyes the black haired boy curiously.
Johnson followed her gaze and shook his head internally, Amelia as usual has surveyed the group for possible inquisitive individual. This was becoming an habit of hers, since her decision to join the auror department she has been looking over students for individual with unique ability. And, The new Potter's casual use of wandless magic, nevertheless, handling a spell with bare hands has surely sparked the interest of auburn haired Head girl.
The group of Marauders with the additional Potter chose the moment to separate themselves and walk on toward the group of horseless carriage waiting for students. However, before they could reach to it Hermione, now dubbed Jane, joined the group with a few girls.
"You are not crying because you had to leave Aunt, are you?" She teases James bumping her shoulders with him.
The duration of her time travel had been spent around James, and occasional addition as Sirius. Before, she came to know about Harry's own travel, she has been trying to crack down on her sincere front. A war cannot pass without teaching a person to suppress their emotions fullest, and the task to quash personality was never going to be easy for a war veteran like her. Not slightest after knowing that a war was on the horizon, still she's been able to conceal and somewhat crack down her personality.
"I don't whine" James relented running his fingers through his hair.
"I have heard whining from your room, James" Harry teased winking at Remus.
"Yeah, I've also heard whines from your side of dorms" Remus added with an amused smirk.
"Not you too, mate." James whined adjusting his tie looking behind Jane. "Beside, Sirius is the one to whine, If you know what I mean" He said suggestively.
Remus' eye widened as his mouth fell agape, Sirius' "Hey" went unnoticed, but he recovered quickly. "Shut up, atleast see around before you talk" He scolded James a bit fearfully.
Sirius pulled the werewolf aside to subside the curious look sent toward them from the redhead and two blondes behind Jane.
"Harry knows about your condition, plus he has helped us to easy our transformation" Sirius informed him discreetly.
Remus' mouth opened and shut several times before he found his voice. "He doesn't have problem with my other self ?"
"No, He said that your condition is not your fault and it's more of a diseases than anything else." Sirius answered honestly.
Remus stared at Sirius for a few moments before a chuckle leaked out of his mouth, he shook his head with a full laugh. "Those two brothers are more congruous than they know, those were the exact same words James had said when he first saw me transform."
"Yeah, they don't. It's ivy they don't just look similar but most of their habits are also, except Harry being more mature" Sirius agreed with his own nod.
"What's this about forest, anyway?" Remus asked suddenly.
Sirius looked around a few times to confirm they were alone before jumping in the events of that night.
Meanwhile, The group with Hermione had redirected their entire attention at Harry.
"If it doesn't bother, where did you learn magic if not Hogwarts?" Lily questioned pushing her trolley to match that of Jane.
"It does bother me that you begun a conversation with my brother but not me" James said with a arm slung over Harry.
"You're a despicable prat, I wouldn't talk to you even if I am dying" She said spitefully eyeing him with clear disgust.
"You hurt me Miss Evans, I have changed. My brother here.." James gestured toward Harry. "..has taught me proper etiquette to talk with a lady, I am absolutely guilty for my behaviour in past few years" James said with an almost guilty voice.
For the first time Harry was unsure of his brother's intention, he didn't wanted to breach his privacy for such primitive matters. Over that, continual use of legilimency wasn't like Harry, even if he did had a nick for the art he will not use it for everything.
Lily remain stagnant for a second before narrowing her eyes on James. "It will see, Potter"
James smiled at her innocently before returning back on Jane and Marlene.
"I was tutored, Miss Evans. It wasn't possible for me to attend school due to certain circumstances" Harry answered vaguely.
"Ohh.. Ok" Lily accepted and turned to Alice. She wanted to ask more questions from the boy, he was -for the lack of a proper word- inquisitive. However, a first meet shouldn't be used in investigation, that much social skill Lily did possess.
Harry was rather astound when his mother had asked him the question, he was unable to see her in an another light despite his conclusion that she wasn't his mother in reality. His mother has sacrificed her life to save him and he couldn't just accept this Lily as his mother. Still, a feel of belongingness lingered around the red head, and Harry was unable to dispose it.
He wanted to know her better, if only to get an idea how his mother was. The stories of her mother and memories related to them, suspended in a pensieve, couldn't match a real interaction with the same person.
"Alice MacMillan" The taller blonde introduced herself with an extended hand. Harry had to look closely to recognise the woman, she was energetic and whole than the shell she had become in future. He shook of the image of a skinny, weary and old looking Alice Longbottom from his mind and grasped her hand for a shake.
"Harry Potter"
"It's nice to meet you" She greeted him enthusiastically. The dominant shade of Neville in her plunged his heart, he grimaced internally to avoid questions from his peers.
Neville had became more of a brother to him than anything else. Neville and Ron were two of his most trustful friends that soon filled the role of sibling in his life, that Dudley had left after causing much destruction. He could still see flashes of Neville's death, one of the darkest stain on his hands. Neville had been the leader of the squad sent to capture Fenrir Greyback, as Harry's wasn't still adept at dealing with werewolves as of right then.
Somehow, the wolf had tricked the whole team and picked them one by one turning a few into a mindless beast while finishing off other. Unfortunately, Neville's fate was treading toward a darker side, he had a meet with his parents right before his mission. The wolf awakened inside him and focused it intent on the first individuals' scent it could garner. Fatefully, Moody and Remus were already dead till then, Hermione and Ginny were only known members of order that had experience against werewolves, and they were on an another mission that was focused on the nest of Acromantulas helping Voldemort.
Neville in control of his wolfish side charged in St. Mungo, a full moon was the best setup for a Werewolf to test his limits. He was near unstoppable, Harry received a call for ongoing of the attack on the hospital. He reached with Shacklebolt and Bill, who were already mingled in a combat against Yaxley and Avery as soon as they arrived. Harry reached to Neville but was late, Frank Longbottom had been already infected while Alice was cornered and was about to be killed by her own son.
Harry in spur of the moment and fearful for his godmother, did what he can to try and suppress the innocent boy under the influence of the monstrous. Sadly, it wasn't what fate allowed, the full moon provided unimaginable strength to the wolf and he was able to fight off Harry. It wasn't untill Neville's canines were inches far from the woman's neck that he had used his transfiguration and binding magic mercilessly. Neville had force him to end his misery, never to say that Harry didn't dreamed of the boy's death, merciful as Harry had been on him he wasn't on himself.
One of the deepest scars was etched on his right shoulder as a self-punishment for failing his godbrother. He absently rubbed his arm before diverting his eyes from Alice to the last member of Jane's group. Marlene McKinnon, a name unfamiliar to Harry, dirty blonde hair, average height, petite in structure and probably a Gryffindor if he could remember her mention. She was a member of original Order of the phoenix, killed around 1980. He exchanged greeting with her before redirecting his feet toward James, where Remus and Sirius had decided to join them finally.
Remus' discreet but careful glance at him hinted that some of the knowledge known to Padfoot was passed on, he didn't had a problem with him. Remus was a good man and he would like him around as a good friend.
The two groups separated where they climbed their separate carriages and travelled toward the magnificent castle. The ride was pretty short as they didn't had to take the long route through the lake and big stairs up the cliff Hogwarts was situated on.
Soon, both groups joined again much to annoyance of Lily, who was trying to avoid the Potter boys. For, one was as despicable as anyone can be and the second one arose an erratic feeling whenever she talked to him. Yet, Harry has remained from asking anyone anything and was more interested in the castle. She stole a glance at him, he looked quite troubled even if he presented himself as opposite, there was an unknown haunting look in his eyes, whose colour matched hers, annoyingly. Well, it wasn't like eyes came in catalogue of colours.
Harry was scanning bit of the castle fluxing himself intrigued by the legendary school, it wasn't far from the truth, he was fond of the the castle, and to be able to spend more time inside it after seeing it fall, was dreamy. He shot a quick look toward Hermione and found her doing the same, he smiled to himself and dragged his trolley to pile it near others, the house elves would escort it to the proper part of the castle after his sorting.
As he stood with James and Sirius, the main door of great hall opened and professor McGonagall entered the corridor. Her face as usual was void of any emotion except the ever-present stiffness around her posture, as she walked forward student avoided her path displaying the level of authority she had over the school.
"Harry Potter and Jane Potter, you two are to be sorted after the sorting ceremony of first years, be prepared you'll be called soon" She informed them and move past them to greet or rather intimidate the first years. As the group begun following the stern processor, Harry's eye caught hold of a particular individual, dark brown skin, one golden hoop earring, black undernoted hair and same coloured eyes. He recognised the boy as the future reassuring auror and later minister, Kingsley Shacklebolt.
His eyes fell upon an another familiar face, he rubbed his eyes and looked again to confirm the identity of that boy. Infront of him was a young yet ever pompous Gilderoy Lockhart, the boy was bragging about something to a group of first years.
Harry stifled his chuckle and redirected his attention on the other side.
The first year soon got sorted in different houses, Kingsley, unsurprisingly went to Hufflepuff. His loyalty can never be doubted, not after his sacrifice to save Hermione. And, he could see Lockhart join the blue and bronze house of eagles.
As the cheers and encouraging welcome of the first years in their respective houses muzzled down eventually, Dumbledore took his place on the atrium in his purple set of robes and same coloured pointed hat, stars embedded on it in a frantic manner. The golden owl infront extended its wings after a short ruffle.
"Welcome you all to another year of Hogwarts, I congratulate the first years on their sorting in different houses" He begun slowly. "Opportunities shall be existent; Companionship will be established. The year arrives with a number of curious and adventurous individuals, the first years are the base of our school, they are the one pulling the school in front."
"Welcome them with applauds" The room exploded with sounds of clapping, afterall only a few people didn't liked the headmaster.
"On the extended note, two new students are adjoining us with the Fifth year badge" He continued and gestured toward the gate. "Please Welcome Mister Harry Potter and Miss Jane Potter" he announced.
Whispers spread around the hall in hushed tones, most of the wizarding families had heard the news about two new Potter, even if Jane's introduction was earlier than Harry she also was a mysterious Potter. Even teachers, except a few including McGonagall, were baffled by the prospect of two new magical child acquainted to Hogwarts.
The whispers stopped as the two individuals walked in the Great hall, most of the students and even teachers were intimidate by the scars adoring Harry's faces. Children of darker families like Black, Malfoy, Selwyn and Crabbe knew what inflicted those marks over the boy, afterall Werewolf hunting was a sport similar to Muggle hunting. Harry walked in the hall with a feline grace, his robes gliding behind him as he stalked toward the front of the hall. Jane, as Hermione was dubbed, entered behind him with slow but firm strides, it was rather an appalling scene to watch.
"Look, he's Harry Potter..." Whispers echoing across the hall.
"He looks terrifying..."
"Nah, He rather looks sexy with those scars..."
"Yeah, I bet most of the girls would die to get into his pants, or vice versa..."
"Those scars look interesting..."
"He will be arrogant much like his brother..."
"He looks dangerous..."
"He look just like James..."
"Not an another pair of twins, please..."
Harry's ear perked at the voice, as he glanced around to find the source. He didn't had to look long, his eyes fell upon a strikingly beautiful dark skinned girl with black curly locks at the Gryffindor table. Across them sat two unknown yet familiar figures; fair skinned, red hairs and hazel coloured eyes. The red hairs were prominently the most striking and familiarising feature of them as they were Weasley red, Fabian and Gideon Prewitt, Seventh year Gryffindors.
He diverted his attention toward the front, teachers table. Some familiar faces were there; Filius Fitwick, Horace Slughorn and Hagrid were some of them. He let Hermione moved forward and greet Professor McGonagall. She signalled her and she sat on the stool, the sorting was placed on her head. It pondered for a moment probably trying to accumulate her position, "Gryffindor".
The hat yelled with a satisfied smirk if you could count the crease on the hat as that.
The Gryffindor table beamed at her and welcomed her whole heartedly, as soon as the clapping died down Harry took his seat on the stool.
"Ah, Mr Potter. I see you are unlike your brother, that's if what you call him. He is your father, isn't he?" The hat queried in his mind.
"Yes, and It's something you wouldn't tell anyone" Harry accepted with a mental frown.
"What do you think me as? I am a magical artifact of highest decree, I am above the notion of Time travel, Mr Potter." The century old Hat reprimanded sharply.
"Yeah..Yeah! Now, which house do you think I should go in?" He asked thoughtfully.
"You've a sharp mind, Mr Potter, you're brave also. Loyalty isn't anything less to go by, and...yes...Thirst for knowledge" The hat mused silently for quite sometime. Harry wasn't either alarmed or worried, he knew the Hat followed the wish of a student. However, that was not the case with most of the students or teachers, except Dumbledore. They were squirming on their seats as the Hat took its time to announce it's opinion.
"You're devilishly cunning, Mr Potter. Like your father, you do possess the will to change the Wizarding society of Britain. Admirable. However, we will go with the most upfront personality of yours, you've got a precious ability there, use it well, Mr Potter" The hat reminded Harry before yelling his opinion.
"Slytherin"
Disclaimer : I don't own Harry Potter; All rights are reserved to JK Rowling.