Disclaimer - Harry Potter does not belong to me. Sadly. I think I might cry my eyes out. But Elena does belong to me, so I think I'll live after all.
AN - So, yeah... This is the first chapter of Love of an Aunt. It seems kinda slow right now, and kinda lame right now, but it will get better. I promise. And a huge thanks to shadowsmage, daithi4437, Wolf Strife, Le Diablo Blanc2, pierre's spectacles, and fairywm for reviewing, and to everyone else for clicking the Follow and Favourites buttons. Love you all :)
Love of an Aunt
A Harry Potter FanFiction
Chapter 1
8:30pm, 14th June 1994
Harry was relieved. His exams were over, and all he had to do now is pack. Tomorrow, he'd be taking the train back to the Dursleys, or as the twins called it, Durskaban. At least he could use his godfather as a threat against them this year. Though he would miss Ron and Hermione, he'd be with them soon in time for the Quidditch World Cup. Maybe he would even get to spend time with Cho Chang…
Tap tap.
He jerked out of his thoughts and looks around to find a tawny owl at the window. He crossed the room and opened it, letting the owl fly inside. It landed on his bedside table and looked at him with beady eyes.
"Hello there. Do you have something for me?" Speaking to the owl as he approaches it calmed it down a little, and though the little avian was clearly wary of him, the letter was relinquished without much problem. As soon as it's load got delivered, it flew back out of the window, clearly planning on going to the Owlery.
The letter had his name on the front in a simple, but unfamiliar script. He opened the letter curiously, wondering who would write to him this late at night.
Dear Harry,
You don't know me. In fact, I doubt you are even aware of my existence, because of certain interfering individuals you are surrounded by. I cannot tell you who I am, but I will say that you and I are related by blood on your father's side. I cannot say more than that, and I am aware that this still counts a large amount of people, but I cannot say more here.
Come to the Whomping Willow at midnight, and bring Neville Longbottom with you. I will explain what I can. As a sign of good faith and trust, I have always been the brains behind the Marauders, though I have not mentioned in the Map. Show this letter to Remus Lupin if you do not trust me. He knows who I am, and I daresay will want to come along as well. He is welcome to join you if you feel comfortable with it. Do not, under any circumstances, show this to Ronald Weasley or Hermione Granger.
I solemnly swear I am up to no good,
E. A. P.
Harry's curiosity was definitely piqued enough to go to the common room, find Neville and go find Professor Lupin, however, the letter cautioned him not to show Ron and Hermione. For a minute or so, he considered showing them nonetheless, but decided against it.
Hiding the letter in his pocket, he went back to the common room and joined Ron in a game of wizard's chess while Hermione read a book nearby and Seamus, Dean and Neville watched on. After being thoroughly trounced, Ron, Hermione, Seamus and Dean headed up to bed. Neville was sitting on the couch in front of the fireplace, and reading a Herbology book. Harry joined him and looked at the flames.
"Neville?"
He looked up and closed his book. "Yes, Harry?"
"I sort of need your help. Will you be willing to come with me?"
Neville looked at him thoughtfully. "Will we be breaking any rules?"
"Sneaking out after curfew and leaving the castle for sure. Maybe others as well."
Neville shrugged. "Why not? What do you need?"
"It's not that simple, actually. I got a letter. And whoever wrote to me wants me and you to go to the Whomping Willow at midnight."
"Who wrote the letter?"
"I don't know. But it is someone related to me by blood, which doesn't exactly specify anything, but they also mentioned that they were part of a secret group of sorts, which included my dad and Professor Lupin, so I was planning on showing this to him before going to the Whomping Willow. And they're asking that you come along."
Neville raised an eyebrow thoughtfully. "Can I see this letter?"
Harry handed it over, and stared at the flames while Neville read it. His mind was working overtime – who wanted to meet him so badly? Why should he exclude Ron and Hermione? Why only Neville and Professor Lupin?
Before the boys knew it, it was time to leave to find Professor Lupin. Harry sat up stiffly and stretched while Neville put his book away. Before they left the common room, however, Harry showed Neville his Invisibility Cloak. Neville just grinned. "This explains how you avoid teachers while roaming around the castle after curfew," he exclaimed.
Harry smiled sheepishly. "It belonged to my dad, who would have wanted me to use it this way. Who am I to disappoint?"
He put the cloak around them and the two boys left the common room. Neville's heart was beating loudly and he was looking around in fascination, while Harry was just focused on getting to the DADA classroom.
They stopped only when arriving outside the classroom. Harry looked around to make sure they were alone, and then opened the door, slipping inside silently. Neville quietly followed and closed the door. They slipped the cloak off and Harry looked around.
"Harry? Neville?"
They looked up to see Professor Lupin at the door to his office, pointing his wand at them. Once he saw them clearly, he put it in the pocket of his dressing gown and came downstairs. "What in Merlin are you doing here at this time? You do realize curfew was an hour back?"
Neville looked terrified, so Harry answered. "We need to ask you something. I'm afraid it is urgent."
Lupin raised an eyebrow, but nodded towards the desks. The three wizards sat down, and Harry removed the letter from his pocket.
"A few hours ago, I received this letter in my dorm. Whoever sent it wrote that you are aware of their identity, and that you could come along to meet them if you were willing."
Lupin took the letter from Harry with a skeptical look and read it. His eyes widened and wide smile broke out as they reached the end. He looked at Harry and Neville (who had calmed down by this time) and said, "I will most definitely join you if you are alright with it."
Harry grinned, "If I didn't want you to, I wouldn't have asked. And Neville and I could use the help of an older wizard if this is a trap."
Lupin stood up. "Stay here while I go change into something more appropriate." With that, he rushed away, leaving Harry and Neville staring after him. Neville turned to Harry.
"He seemed oddly enthusiastic. He must have been very close to whoever we are meeting." Harry just nodded.
The two boys and their Professor left soon, quietly making their way to the grounds, barely even pausing as they crossed the Entrance Hall and left the castle. The walk up to the Whomping Willow was long, and filled with anticipation on Harry and Neville's parts, and excitement on Lupin's, though he made an effort to temper it down.
Harry had no idea what to expect. Who could it possibly be? His only relatives were the Dursleys, and they would never in a million years step foot in any magical place, much less Hogwarts.
The three reached the Whomping Willow, which was swaying slightly even though there was no breeze. It was almost midnight, and the three waited impatiently, but quietly.
"Harry?"
The boy immediately raised his wand, looking around, trying to find the person. Neville clutched his left hand, while Lupin simply looked around, wand clutched loosely at his side.
"Over here."
Harry finally found the person – there was someone covered in a hooded black cloak at the entrance to the Shrieking Shack. It was a woman, by the sound of her voice. She beckoned them to hurry up. Lupin quickly went to her. Puzzled, Harry followed, leading Neville who was still grasping his forearm. She took out her wand and lit it with a whispered 'Lumos', illuminating the hallway. The group of four walked quietly, following the woman. She led them down a long corridor and into a room at the end, holding the door open as Lupin, Harry and Neville entered, and closing it once they were in the room. She took a deep breath, removed her hood, and turned around to face them.
Harry gasped.
This woman looked so much like him! She had the same dark hair, and almost the same face, though, he noted, her cheekbones were higher than hers. Her cheeks were hollow, though, unlike Sirius, it looked natural in her case, not caused by starvation. Her hazel eyes, so similar to his father's eyes, looked at him with a mixture of emotions he could not decipher. She smiled sadly, looking over him, then Neville.
"Hello, Harry. Hello, Neville." Her voice was soft, and it brought up ghostly memories of a long forgotten time. He could hear a similar voice softly crooning what felt like a lullaby. Beside him, Neville gasped.
Harry looked at him. Neville's face had an odd mixture of expressions on it, as if it could not decide on one expression – one emotion to settle on. He turned back to the woman.
"Who are you?"
Her eyes were watery, and her lips trembled a bit as she replied.
"My name is Elena Potter, Harry. And I am your aunt, and your and Neville's godmother."
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