Hello and thanks for checking out my story :)
This story will feature a more independent, "darker" Harry with a Daphne Greengrass pairing, that being said he's not gonna be evil. There also will not be any traditional bashing in this story, Harry isn't going to like every character, and they won't like him. This is because there is/was a war going on, and I plan on trying to write characters who will act realistically in those situations. You can look at this story in the beginning a Harry being the real Boy Who Lived, but it will become apparent further down the line that this isn't really a wbl story. I'm not gonna focus on chapter length a lot, and I'll also try to fix mistakes in chapters as I go along, so the further into the story I am the better the story overall will be. If you enjoy, a follow or favorite would be greatly appreciated :)
The pale, crisp moonlight streamed in through a window, gently illuminating a room for a silent mother, who was sitting quietly in the corner. Inside the room was mountains of toys and two sleeping toddlers who'd just recently succumbed to slumber. Watching her young children, a smile made its way on to her face, a smile that quickly faded as she felt a sharp twang in deep in her chest. Suddenly her husband burst into the room, "Lily, he's he…" he began, but the her frightened look told him she already knew. He walked over to her, putting a hand on her shoulder, letting his wand fall to his side.
"James, we knew this day was coming." Her frightened look slowly changing to acceptance. The fight had always been inevitable. Pulling away from James, she snatched her wand from its holster. Their last year had been happy, and a return to that happiness was lying on the other side of this night. A loud crack echoed through the house, causing James and Lily to take a step back. James glanced at his wife and kids who were now wide awake. Young Harry was staring at his father and mother with piercing green eyes, curious about the noise, but his sister Eryn refused to look at them, obviously mad about being woken up. With heavy breath, he suppressed his surging panic. I've got something to fight for. Time felt like it was standing still, silence filled the entire house, but the overwhelming sense of dread was overwhelming.
A dark shadow appeared from the cracks of the door, seemingly crawling its way into the room, followed by a soft knock. "Potters, last chance." Despite the smooth, calm nature of the voice, its threatening edge sent shivers through the pair. Recovering, they raised their wands, throwing their strongest spells at the shut door. The force of the spells colliding with the door caused it to explode, throwing shrapnel into the hallway. As the debris settled, another eerie silence settled over the room. Lily began to creep forward, hoping to see some evidence they injured the intruder.
"Lily" James whispered, trying to stop her. Suddenly, Lily was sent flying against the wall.
"That was a nice try." Voldemort sneered. Lifting her head slightly, she could see The Dark Lord, with his wand against James' neck. As she tried to push herself up, she stumbled, only saving herself by grabbing onto the broken wall for support. "I can't think of a punishment more fitting that to see your children die." Voldemort began to laugh, as he paralyzed James and Lily, unable to move, they could only watch as he pointed his wand at the double crib. "Avada Kedavra!" A deep green light filled the room, then it was over. Lily and James stumbled as the effect of Voldemort's spell vanished. All that was left of the Dark Lord was the tattered remnants of his robes. James quickly grabbed his wand, thinking this had to be a ruse, but Lily sprinted for the crib.
"NO!" Lily sobbed as she realized Harry was gone. In the crib, only a crying Eryn remained. James rushed to Lily's side after hearing her scream. Looking at the spot where Harry had been, James realized what had happened.
"Lily, I think… it's over." Lily was sitting on the ground, holding Harry's stuffed Phoenix. She wasn't crying anymore, but James could tell she wasn't listening. He turned his attention to his daughter, who was still crying, but as he bent down to pick up Eryn, he noticed a deep rain drop shaped cut her forehead. It was only then that James connected the dots. "We need Dumbledore."
Young Harry was frantically looking around, tears streaming down his cheeks. He had just been in his room with his parents. Harry quickly noticed lights shining through the windows of a nearby image of his home flashed through his mind right as a sharp pain cut through the one year old's shock. The flood gates breaking, the child started wailing due to the pain and confusion.
Inside the manor, a young couple had just sat down at the dinner table. A somber atmosphere settled in the room. The man was sitting, poking at his food as his wife watched him. "Daniel…"
"Lydia, I'm fine." The man cut in. He gave a half smile to his wife as he took a bite from the food on his plate. "I just need some time, that's all."
Lydia nodded at her husband, returning his smile. The year had been hard. This damn war. She was pulled from her thoughts by a the strange sound, barely piercing the walls. "Did you hear that?" She pushed away from the table, walking towards the window. Lydia couldn't see much through the pervasive darkness, but at the sound of a loud cry, her head snapped towards it's source. "Daniel! I think there's a baby outside."
"A baby?" He began, though his wife was already out of the room. "Shit," he grabbed his wand as he pushed away from the table, chasing after her. By the time he caught up to her, she was already holding the child, who was now clinging to Lydia. Glancing around, Daniel refused to let his guard down. "What if this had been a trap? I could have lost you too."
"The wards are still up." She looked at Daniel. The look in her eyes convinced him to lower his wand. He couldn't change what was already done.
"Let's at least get back into the house." He sounded nervous, unable to shake an ominous feeling. Daniel kept his head on a swivel as his wife, made her way inside. He didn't care if the wards were up, kids don't appear out of nowhere. It was only after they had made it inside and he had shut the door that finally took the time to look at the child.
"What a strange looking scar." Lydia mused, pointing out the lightning bolt shaped mark on the child's forehead. The only sign that it had been open recently was a bit of dried blood on his clothes. "I wonder how long he's been out there." She was slowly rocking the little boy back and forth, knowing the boy had to be tired.
"I'm more worried about how he slipped through our wards." Daniel said, as he watched his wife with the toddler. "We don't even know his name." He was doing his best to keep the conversation grounded in reality.
"It's Harry." Daniel stared at his wife, confused at her answer. Meeting his gaze, she flipped Harry over to show Daniel the name embroidered on the front of his pajamas. Looking back at her, he could tell by the look she was giving him what was on her mind. "Look, I know tomorrow we have to take him to the ministry, but if he's not on the missing child list…"
"Then the right thing to do is to adopt him." Daniel admitted, even though he wasn't sure a kid was the best idea in the current environment, he knew the child would be better off here. The Ministry was in shambles. Watching his wife hold Harry, Daniel finally let a smile make its way onto his face. The year had been rough, but in the moment, he had no idea how much better life was gonna be.
Albus Dumbledore made his way through the battle worn home, a deep pit formed in his stomach as he felt Voldemort's leftover magic. Despite the Potter's loss, Albus felt a sense of relief, as he was making his way up the stairs. The war had been costly for everyone, but now they could finally begin rebuilding. Looking into the door-less room, Albus was greeted by the site of James sitting in the corner head in his hands, and Lily holding Eryn. From the doorway, Albus could feel the darkness pouring out of Eryn's shoulder. "James, Lily." he said, stepping into the debris filled room.
"Albus" James responded, rushing to the professor, "Harry is gone." Lily choked as James said his name. Albus only nodded, looking intently at the crib, unaware of how to break the news to the parents.
"Lily, James..." He paused, "I'm sorry." Tears began falling down Lily's face and James sat down beside her, placing his arm around her. So that settles it, Albus thought, the prophecy was real and Eryn Potter was the one it referred to.