Wise beyond your years; when anyone hears those words the thought that follows is someone with more knowledge and experience than most people their age. Harry James Potter is one of those people that falls into this category, at the age of twenty-five, he has lived through so much during his life that many probably wouldn't have survived and yet here he is. Emerald green eyes scan the table of the people around him at the local pub, friends he has made over the past seven years. A rare smile graces his face, feeling relaxed, the clanking of bottles, glass' and hysterical laughter fill his ears, animatedly told stories with expressive gestures are said through-out the night as the empty bottles and glasses start covering the whole wooden table.
During all the laughter, smiles, jokes, drinks after drinks and many stories Harry finds himself reflecting on his life, he has always believed that the worst luck follows him but Harry won't deny that he is also extremely blessed for what his life has come to. Harry has only a few fond memories of his childhood then nothing but sadness for years until he finally got away from the hell hole, a sad smile finds Harry as he catches himself going back through time to twenty years ago to the beginning of his misfortune. In spite of everything else that happened that day it was one of his last few happiest memories; in a small sleepy town called Godric's Hollow, a six-year-old Harry is running and jumping around the small cottage squealing as he is being chased by two men.
A tall, well built young man, his once pale handsome features now patchy with red and eyebrows drawn together grey eyes searching, breathing heavily as he leans on the other. Said man is just shorter, thin with caramel skin, hunches over his dark unruly hair covering his face who is also breathing hard.
"PADFOOT" a giggle erupts loudly over the men's exhausted noises, a loud bark following.
"I leave you two alone for five minutes and you hype him up?" A soft voice speaks, laughing making both men jump.
A beautiful woman with ivory skin and long thick dark red hair tied up in a messy bun, stands there with a red onesie in one hand and the other on her hips, head cocked to the side with her emerald eyes shining with mirth.
"Lil's, he was already hyped up from the candy" The pale man pleads still looking for the little trouble maker.
"Sirius Black, I saw you sneaking him chocolate after I said no more" Lily Potter gives the man a point looked as the other man chuckles "You can't talk either James"
Her husband stops laughing as his best friend begins to return the laughter at him, barks interrupted whatever was going to be said next as a black German Shepherd comes bounding in followed by a little boy with caramel skin and black unruly hair just like his father with his emerald eyes, that are shining with excitement from his mother. Said child was running after the dog shouting 'padfoot' giggling in his little police-man outfit and chocolate covering half his face. Lily turns a scolding look to the two men when she sees her son's face and the both immediately point to the other one in a childish gesture as if to blame the other for obviously giving him more sweet food while she was upstairs.
"Right my cue to leave, come give your godfather some love Harry" Sirius quickly announces purposely, not to be around the wrath of one Lily Potter.
"No Siri stay" Harry demands stamping his foot and crossing his arms intimidating his mothers actions.
"Har-bear, you have had a full day playing, it's bed time now" Lily tries coaxing her now teary eyed son.
"No! Remi left first and I didn't want him to, so Siri has to stay for tonight" Harry begs turning his green eyes wide glistening with tears to the one he knows will cave, Sirius.
Sirius groans remembering this conversation an hour ago when Remus Lupin had to leave and Harry tried this trick on the tallest of the group, who chuckled, shaking his brown hair and explained he had to go do police work. To which Harry smiled, gave him a big hug, told him to be safe and the three carried on with their trick-or-treating.
"Prongslet, Sirius has to go home" James squats down to Harry's level trying to block his view of Sirius who he could tell was about to beg Lily to let him stay the night.
"Can padfoot stay" Harry sniffs, going for the final blow and lowering his head, giving his dad sad puppy dog eyes and the pout.
"O"
"No Harry James Potter" Lily tells her son giving him an unhappy look before both men could finish saying yes "now say goodnight and if you go to bed like a good Har-bear, Padfoot and Sirius can come to play tomorrow"
"Yay" Harry jumps up and down, first giving the dog a hug who looks like he smiles at this then runs over to his godfather.
"Night Siri, be good and see me tomorrow, kay?" Harry explains looking so much like his mother when she tells them to do something making Sirius bark with laughter.
"Sure thing pup, goodnight" Sirius gives Harry a kiss on the forehead, says goodbye to James and Lily, giving her a kiss on the check then leaves waving to Harry.
What should be an easy max half an hour job, takes the Potters over an hour and many promises later to get Harry, bathed, teeth brushed, red onesie pajamas on. Finally the small family was sitting on Harry's single bed enjoying his favourite story, Babbity rabbity and her cackling stump from the magical children's book; The tales of beedle the bard. Lily reads the story while James acts out the characters to the best of his abilities making Harry laugh. Harry's eyes finally close, hugging his aged red deer plush toy, little tears visible within the fabric's stitching with an missing ear that was never found after Harry's teething months. Harry has had this toy since the day he was born when Sirius and Remus came to visit gifting it to their godchild telling the Potters 'Couldn't resist it when we saw it getting a deer for Prongs son.' Prongs is James' nickname since his childhood from the other two because his hair in the morning can look like antlers and it just stuck hence the nickname for Harry from James is Prongslet.
Lily and James are at the door-way giving their snoring son one last look with smiles on their faces.
BANG
The noise coming from downstairs startles them, wide eyed they both stare at one another unsure of what it could be.
BANG
The second brings them to reality making both adults jump into action as Harry starts crying from being woken up.
"Get Harry then get out now" James whispers, pulling his gun out from his hip passing it to Lily then runs out the room, closing the door behind him.
"Come here Har-bear, I need you to be quiet, while we go out the window on a little adventure, okay?" Lily explains trying to keep the worry out of her voice as she picks her son up who is clucking his green fluffy blanket and his deer close.
Making her way across the room, trying to not make a sound with Harry hiding his face in her shoulder as she holds him tightly in her arms, James' voice can be heard shouting at whoever is downstairs. A deep menacing laugh is the only thing that can be heard in the small cottage, as Lily gets one foot out of the window, comforting her son while praying that her family gets out safe.
BANG
Silence over powers the house, Lily knows that noise, tears fall freely down her face knowing the fate of her husband, hope against all hope that she is wrong, steps can be heard, making her way back into the room Lily plans to save her son.
"Har-bear, go hide under your bed and do not come out for anyone you hear me, always remember both me and your dad love you with all our hearts" Lily whispers tears still falling down her beautiful face, kissing his forehead.
"Mummy I'm scared" Harry whispers back even though he is nearly six he understands to be quiet.
"I know baby, a bad man is going to be in this room soon so I want you to be the biggest bravest boy and stay hidden under your bed okay"
"I love you mummy"
Lilly smiles at her son, wishing she could see him grow up but knowing that is unlikely, maybe they will be lucky and someone will come before the man enters so she can watch her boy get married, have kids, get his first love. She just wants to know that her boy will find the happiness that she..
"Lily Potter, we met again"
Lily shields Harry behind her, knowing that he won't be able to hide now, turning around and pulling the gun round she comes face to face with a tall man with jet black hair, his sharp features sneering at her like she is a bug beneath the man.
"Riddle" Lily sneers back "You're not welcome here. Leave"
Riddle just laughs at the stupid woman, the hair on the back of Harry's neck stands on edge as fear seeps into his enter body for the first time in his life.
"You have gotten in my way three times to many, your family has to die"
"Leave my son out of this Tom! He hasn't done anything to you. Take me, kill me, toture me, I don't care but leave Harry alone" Lily pleads not caring that her voice breaks or she is crying.
"I may raise the brat to be like me and if he doesn't I can break him" an evil expression spreads across Tom's face making Lily's pale completion drain of any colour.
"Fuck off Tom, I will kill you myself" Lily shouts raising her gun as Toms eyes sparkle with an evil glee, rasing his own gun.
"Say hello to James for me"
BANG
BANG
BANG
Three shots echo, the house suddenly turns ominously silent as Harry gets up ignoring the pain in his head or the ringing in his ears, he first notices the scary man. He lays there motionless on the ground with a gaping hole once where his nose was, red muscles and bones barely visible blood pouring out of the wound, mouth and eyes wide open in shock making Harry throw up on the floor, looking away from what will be his nightmares for years to come. Finally he notices his mother haphazardly laying on the floor, on her side facing away from him with shaky hands he moves towards her.
"Mumma?" Harry cries "Mumma please wake up!"
A sudden scorching pain in his forehead stops Harry from moving any closer to his unmoving mother, the world turns blurry with tears falling down his face as black dots tunneling his vision, his lasts words before collapsing on the ground and losing consciousness next to his dead mother was "mumma"
….
Fluorescent light burns Harry's eyes upon waking, with a flinch he shuts them just as quickly, slightly moving his body Harry can feel he is in an uncomfortable bed. Jolting up in shock, eyes snapping open again as he starts to panic realising he isn't in his own bed. His breathing quickens as nothing around him looks familiar, then like a truck, his memories slam into him.
"Mum! Dad!?" Harry calls out his voice breaking in fear with wide eyes.
"They're not here honey" a calm feminine voice whispers, Harry whips his head around to see a blurry figure to his right.
"Who are you? Where am I? Why can't I see? Where are my mum and dad?" Harry hurriedly asks curling up in what he suspects to be a bed.
"My name is Narcisssa dear, can you tell me yours?" Narcissa sweetly asks placing a hand on top of Harry's making him flinch.
"I'm Harry.. Harry Potter..Where am I? Where is mum and dad?" Harry demands, tears falling down his face.
"You're in St. Mungo's Hospital Harry, can I call you Harry dear?" Harry nods wiping his eyes "I am a nurse here Harry, I have some questions for you while we wait for the doctor to come then I will answer any questions you have, can you tell me the last thing you remember honey?"
"A bad man broke into my home, loud bangs, he ended up with a hole where his nose is' ' Harry looks around squinting "Miss. Naris.. Nara''
"Cissy is okay honey" Nassica encourages Harry with a smile.
"Miss. Cissy, where are my parents" crying Harry hugs himself.
"Harry, call me Cissy not Miss. Cissy okay honey" Narcissa pauces looking at the little boy crying, she reaches out and hugs the boy.
"You have been such a brave, strong little man Harry. You have been in a medical coma, which means the doctor put you into a deep sleep for the past two months because a bullet that hit your mum hit you in the forehead and I have been watching over you to make sure you have been okay"
"Like a garden angel" Harry hiccups as Narcissa chuckles.
"Yes like a guardian angel Harry, to be honest Harry I knew your parents and when I heard what happened to them… I knew immediately that I had to watch over you" Narcissa pauses kissing the top of his head "I'm not sure if I am the right person to tell you but I am so sorry Harry, your parent's have passed on."
Harry bursts into tears, crying his little heart out, crying for his parent's that he will never see again, never hear their laughs, Lily pretending to tell off James, them randomly dancing in the front-room, his parents reading him his favorite book every night, helping his mum bake or make dinner or breakfast. His empty hollow tears fill the hallways making people stop and feel the pain of the little traumatized boy who is crying, a couple of nurses wipe away a few tears as they walk on.
...
Tests get done in the days since Harry woke up, the doctors explain that from the bullet hitting him on his forehead that it has some damage to his eyes so now he will need glasses but apart from that and the scar he will have forever he will be fine. A few days later an eye doctor comes and Harry can see for the first time in nearly a week, Narcissa who is a tall slim woman with her blonde hair tied up into a bun, sits down next to him in her lime green scrubs during most of her shifts.
Harry hasn't spoken as the weeks pass but that doesn't stop her from reading Harry stories finding out what is his favorite from the way his green eyes light up for a second when she starts. She tells Harry about her son who is a couple of months older than him and all the antic's he gets up to and even suggests to bring him to meet Harry one day. Alas at first her effects seem to go to waste as the boy won't even eat, just watches her with extreme caution or stares out the window with a lost look on his face. Everything feels worth it to Narcissa when Harry starts to smile at her stories, even laughs when she tells him her son got chased by her husband's horrible peacocks which in return made her smile.
Harry even slowly started to eat food she brings him everyday, so to treat the boy after a week of eating she started sneaking him baked goods that she made 'with the help of my dragon' she tells him with such pride. As the days go on Harry and Narcissa become really close as she starts to see him as a son even though he still doesn't talk, it's the little things that Harry does that makes Narcissa feel like it's all worth it and sometimes want to kidnap the boy to keep him safe.
Months after waking up a tall, thin older man with long grey hair pulled back into a pony-tail walks into Harry's room, sitting himself down next to Narcissa on the second chair to the bed. Looking at Harry over half moon spectacles, his blue eyes sparkling as he smiles at Harry in a grandfatherly way that makes Harry give a small smile back.
"Hello my boy, I am Detective Dumbledore and the lead investigator in what happened to your parents," the man explains, showing Harry his silver detective badge.
A badge Harry remembers, the shield divided into four sections; top left showing a lion roaring standing on its hind legs, next to this image shows a snake ready to strike. The bottom panel shows a badger turning its head towards the final image to it's right of an Eagle preparing for flight. Harry convinces his dad, Remi and Siri to let him borrow it from his dad on Halloween 'it will make it look more real!' he told them with puppy dog eyes making Sirius cave, giving him his.
"I thought I would come and introduce myself, see I knew your parents my boy, wonderful people and I will do everything in my power to get the man who did this to them. How have you been going Harry?"
"Detective, I'm sorry but haven't the doctors told you? Harry hasn't been talking and hasn't in a while" Narcissa explains, giving Harry a sad smile.
"Oh, I see, that is sad to hear, well I'm glad I came down anyway so you know who I am and here is my card my boy" Dumbledore smiles at Harry giving him a white card "call me or even visit me if you need anything okay?"
Harry nods staring at the card with the man's name, number and place of work on it with slightly slanted black writing.
"Social workers have finally found some family and they will be coming in a couple of days to come meet you Harry, then once you have been discharged, you will go live with them, till I see you again" Dumbledore nods at the two as he excites the room.
The last few days in the hospital are a blur for Harry, in the late morning before he gets discharged his relatives arrive to bring him to his new home, Harry's gut turns as he meets his mother's sister for the first time. Petunia Dursley looked nothing like his mother apart from the ivory skin and skinny frame, she is a blonde haired woman with nearly twice the usual amount of neck with a look of something that smells disgusting is near her at all times. Her husband is a big beefy man who unlike his wife has hardly any neck, a large purple face with thick dark hair and a bushy moustache. They only have one son Dudley who has thick blonde hair, he looks about the age of ten as he is extremely fat for a boy of six. When the Dursley's arrive they say nothing towards Harry, ignoring him they talk to the doctors, collect his stuff, then sit around complaining saying they are extremely busy people and need their nephew discharged as soon as possible.
Almost out of the hospital door Harry catches Narcissa, ignoring the annoyed voices of his now guardians, he immediately runs up to the woman and gives her the biggest hug.
"Thank you Cissa" He croaks from months of not speaking.
"Contact me if you need anything" Narcissa cries with joy at hearing Harry's voice once again, sneaking it into his pocket, a piece of paper with her address and phone number.
Packing into the car to take Harry to his new 'home' Detective Dumbledore's words from this morning run through his head;
'My boy, I know it will be strange to be living in a new home, in a new area with your Aunt and Uncle but these people have proven that they will love you and take care of you.'
No one knew how wrong it was to leave Harry alone with the Dursleys to live at number four Privet Drive.