A/N: Don't worry, I promise, this A/N will be short. I'll refrain from rambling, at least until the bottom A/N. ::grins:: Well, here it is! Control your excitement, yes, this is the first chapter of Timothy's second series entitled "Shadows of Yesterday"! Like I've been saying on my website, I simply refused to let school ruin this. Of course, in this chapter, we hook back up with Timothy during the summer right after his 1st year and just spend some time. If you like Kalina, you'll get to know her a lot better in this series, especially in this chapter. Also, a touch of Ron and Hermione's son, Joseph. SO, I'll stop here and let you read. Sorry, this has not been beta read because I'm impatient and want to post this. So, if there are any mistakes, ignore them. PLEASE review this, I'll need feedback on this new story.
DISCLAIMER: Hello world, I am not J.K. ... as much as I'd like to be! Muhahahah!
Chapter One: Unwanted Destiny
"You sure she won't find us?"
"Sure I'm sure."
"She'll tell on us."
"Let her."
"What if she does find us?"
"Then we'll run."
"Run where?"
"Anywhere but here."
"She'll catch me, you guys are bigger than me."
"Stop whining, Joseph."
Crouched under a bush, Timothy Potter, Darian Hall, and Joseph Weasley hid in the shadows. They silenced the moment they spotted her, becoming dead still.
"Timothy! Timothy, c'mon, this isn't funny! I'll tell Uncle Ron!"
"You should have brought out your invisibility cloak, Timothy." Darian hissed in his ear.
Timothy frowned. "That would have been helpful."
"Tell me why we're doing this again?" Six-year old Joseph pestered, tugging on Timothy's shirtsleeve.
"To be annoying." Both Timothy and Darian whispered in union.
"TIMOTHY!" His sister, Kalina, stomped her foot angrily.
The three boys broke out into giggles, making the bush move. Kalina's face broke into a mischievous grin, and tiptoed toward them. Timothy noticed and fell silent instantly.
"Uh oh."
"RUN!" Darian barked, and bolted out of the bush, Timothy in hot pursuit with Joseph struggling to keep up with the twelve-year-old boys.
"Ahah! There you are!" Kalina made chase, but being six herself, she barely managed to catch up to Joseph. She caught him by the back of his shirt and fell with a thud.
"We lost the midget!" Darian called over his shoulder to Timothy.
"There's nothing we can do, keep running!" Timothy looked back at the now laughing six-year-olds, until suddenly he ran smack into something.
"AH!" Timothy fell flat on his back. Darian had skidded to a halt before he could run into two very suspicious looking parents.
"Timothy? What are you doing?" It was his mother, Renee Potter. She was wearing her auror's robes, which were dusty from obvious hard work that day. However, it in no way made her any less beautiful. Her long brown hair was braided down the middle and she towered over Timothy with her sensitive blue eyes… the same eyes he had.
"Er… hi mum." Timothy rubbed his head, scrambling to his feet while blushing. He stood up and looked to the other parent, who was Hermione Weasley, his Godmother. "Hello Aunt Hermione."
"Where's Uncle Ron?" She asked him with an amused smile.
"He let us play outside when he started a game of chess with Jeff." Darian replied politely.
The two adults exchanged stern looks.
"You left them alone?" Timothy's mother sighed.
Timothy and Darian shrugged.
"It was funny 'till Jeff started breathing fire when Uncle Ron beat him for the tenth time." Timothy said.
"Oh dear." Hermione sighed.
His mother looked at him expectantly, then put her hands on her hips. "Well? Aren't you going to greet your mother? Or am I going to have to chase you too?"
Timothy giggled and gave her a hug.
"That's better. Now where's your sister?" His mother kissed him and tried to straighten his hair without result.
Timothy pointed behind him.
"With Joseph. We were playing hide-and-seek."
"Yeah, for two hours in the same round." Darian muttered so only Timothy could hear. They both laughed silently.
"Kalina!" Timothy's mother called after giving both boys suspicious looks, she started off toward the younger children and his Aunt Hermione waddled behind. She was heavily pregnant with twins. Timothy and Darian followed, still laughing quietly.
After another greeting by the younger children, the group walked inside the Potter home to the sounds of angry grunts and triumphant laughter.
"Checkmate." Ron Weasley's voice was smooth and cool.
"No! No, no, no… I don't think so, fire head!" Jeff was enraged.
Timothy's mother put out her arms to keep Timothy and the others back. His Godmother, however, stormed right into the living room where the two were playing.
"Ronald Weasley, what are you doing?" She crossed her arms over her enlarged stomach.
Timothy's very tall and redheaded Godfather looked up at her and smiled innocently.
"Hello sweetheart, how was your day out?"
Jeff had persisted to glare at the board in disbelief.
"Didn't it occur to you that your son and your best friend's children were running around unsupervised?" Hermione steamed, her eyes narrowed at him dangerously.
"Dad said we could go out." Joseph was tugging at her robes. She didn't look down but put her arm around him.
"Jeff… you know better…" Timothy's mother started at the smoking yellow dragon who was very close to setting the chess board on fire.
"It was an innocent game of chess… the little terrors stayed nearby." He shrugged, but avoided her gaze. Timothy knew how Jeff was afraid of her when she was mad.
"Joseph, honey, go play with Kalina… dad and I have to have a little talk." Hermione gently pushed the small red head back toward Kalina, who took Joseph's hand.
"Go play in your room, Timothy. I'll call you and the others when dinner is ready." His mother said, making an effort to keep an eye on Jeff, who had slicked off to a dark corner.
Timothy hesitated as Kalina, Joseph, and Darian made a move toward the hall.
"Where's dad?" He asked his mother.
She looked back at him, her eyes tired and the bright blue dulled by stress.
"He's gonna be late again, sweetheart, you know that."
When Timothy's eyes fell and he nodded, his mother gave him a weary smile and she cradled his chin in her scarred hand.
"Darian will have to go home before dinnertime, be sure to tell him that. We have to have a family talk later, when dad gets home."
He looked at her questioningly, but she turned away and found Jeff, grabbing his tail and dragging him into the kitchen. His Godparents had already left for the sitting room toward the front of the house. Darian punched his arm.
"C'mon."
Timothy followed Darian down the hall, past Kalina's room where Joseph was being pestered into having tea with her stuffed dolls and bears. His look sent Timothy and Darian into a fit of giggles, and Joseph glowered at them as they went past. They found themselves in Timothy's room, the floor cluttered with stuff and the ceiling alive with oranges and purples as it's enchanted mural showed they dusk sky as it was outside. Darian picked up Timothy's coveted Dragonsfire 800 broom and studied the various Quidditch team posters on the walls. Timothy himself flopped onto his bed, staring at the ceiling.
"So what's up? I thought your mom didn't work." Darian asked casually, setting the broom against the bed and flopping down on his stomach next to him.
Timothy swallowed as memories began to come back. Memories he was trying hard to forget.
"She started going back after… well, after…"
"Oh." Darian didn't need to be told the reason.
At the end of that previous school year at Hogwarts, Timothy fell into a trap made by an evil wizard known as Draco Malfoy. Malfoy was an old school rival of his father's, and he joined the dark lord named Voldemort in his quest to destroy him. However, Malfoy's lust for power made him so ambitious as to rise up against Voldemort, he waited for Timothy's parents to destroy him, so that Malfoy could take his place and gain more power than he ever had. It worked, and while his parent's destiny was fulfilled, it did not rid the world of evil. Malfoy waited in the shadows just for Timothy's first year at Hogwarts, so that he could be lured into a trap. Timothy barely made it out… and what he discovered in the process bothered him deeply, and Darian's conversation brought back his fears that he had been trying all summer to forget.
"Dad's been working overtime since we told him about Smith last winter. He hasn't been home on time for months. I'm lucky to see him at all, much less speak to him. He's been real tired." Timothy sighed, locking his jaw as he tried not to think about the reason.
"Have you heard from John at all?" Thankfully, Darian changed the subject.
"No." Timothy raised his eyebrows. "Not since school let out."
"I sent him an owl the other day… he hasn't replied yet."
"Well, you know how his family is." Timothy rolled over on his side to face Darian.
"Yeah, but… that's no reason not to keep in touch."
Timothy shrugged. Darian glanced at his watch and sighed.
"I better go. Dad's making pork chops and I have to make sure he doesn't burn them."
"Doesn't your mum get the summer off from Hogwarts too?" Timothy asked as he got up and led Darian out of his room.
"Yeah, but she's a nurse, not a cook. That's dad's job… although he hasn't perfected the profession yet." Darian grinned, following Timothy into the living room.
Timothy handed him some Floo Powder and Darian tossed it into the fireplace, making the flames shoot up and turn a green color.
"Well, see ya, Timothy. Send me an owl, maybe you can come over my place sometime." Darian gave him a good-hearted shove as he stepped into the green fire.
"Sure, bye Darian." Timothy watched as Darian shouted "Hall residence!" and disappeared with a whirl of flames. The fire soon died down and lost it's green color, and Timothy shoved his hands into his pockets as he wandered into the kitchen. He could hear the tense conversation between his Godparents from the front of the house and the moans of Joseph from Kalina's room as she was apparently getting him to play tea party. Only his mother was silent as he walked into the kitchen.
"Darian went home, mum." Timothy said quietly.
She was sitting at the kitchen table, her head leaning into her propped up arm. The stove was hissing with a pot of boiling water over it and various vegetables were being chopped on the counter magically by her wand in her other hand. Timothy stood in the archway and studied her with concern.
"What's wrong?"
His mother looked up at him, her bangs all messy from her hand running through them. She looked flushed and her eyes were glossy.
"Oh, honey… nothing, just thinking about work, that's all."
"What happened?" He came over to her and nuzzled his head into her shoulder. She smiled at him and kissed his forehead.
"Just the usual. Being led on a wild goose chase. Nothing you should worry about though."
"How come dad doesn't come home until long after you do?" He asked her timidly.
She sighed and didn't answer. Timothy had asked the same question numerous times since he got home from Hogwarts, but it was hard not having his father around and he kept asking. So when she didn't reply, he didn't persist for the answer.
"I miss him." He said.
His mother stared blankly at nothing.
"So do I."
She hugged him close and he felt content in her warm embrace. For several moments she rocked him slightly, both of them silent. However, the silence was broken by a heated conversation becoming louder in the hall.
"You'll have three children! No more chess with dragons!"
"But Herm! Just because we have kids doesn't mean I can't play a simple board game!"
"I didn't say you couldn't play, just not with dragons."
"What's so wrong with playing with a dragon?!"
"He distracts you from your responsibilities!"
"The kids were fine!"
"They were outside, Ron, outside! Outside at this time, with… with… well, you know!"
Timothy's Godparents, Ron and Hermione Weasley found themselves still arguing in front of himself and his mother in the kitchen. They stared at the bickering couple until the two finally noticed where they were.
"Oh Renee! Oh, sorry." Ron looked guilty.
"Renee? What's wrong?" Hermione came over to her and put her hands on her shoulders.
Timothy's mother smiled at her and shook her head.
"Nothing, Hermione, don't worry."
Hermione, however, was not convinced.
"You know, it's just like Harry to be stubborn and stay working while you go home with the kids alone."
Ron shoved his hands in his pockets and shrugged.
"Harry's always been like that when there was something to be done."
Hermione glared at him.
"But he shouldn't leave his family alone, no matter what."
"He's only working late to help keep us all safe… I'm proud of him for how he's handling this. These are hard times, and it calls for sacrifices. As long as our children are safe, we can bear to be apart a while." Timothy's mother said proudly, but her voice was tired. His Godparents exchanged knowing looks and then finally nodded.
"Well, Renee… do you need any more help? We can stay if you need us." Ron asked her.
She smiled at them and shook her head.
"No, you two need to get home. Hermione, you look about ready to burst!"
Hermione patted her stomach and smiled.
"Yeah, I feel like I'm carrying a whole Quidditch team in here."
Timothy followed the adults as they left the kitchen and went to gather the kids in Kalina's room. Joseph was only too grateful to hear the news that they were leaving, but Kalina was crestfallen.
"We were just about to play dress up!" Kalina protested.
Joseph looked horrified and looked up at his father desperately. Timothy's Godfather tried hard to hide a smile and instead looked sympathetically down at his son, taking his hand and running with him out of the room. Timothy laughed and Kalina looked close to tears. Their mother picked her up and consoled her, Hermione waddling over to give her a kiss.
"I hope for our sake, Kalina, that I'll have some girls for you to play with." She said to her, smoothing her long dark brown hair.
Kalina perked up a bit at the thought.
"I can only imagine Ron having to play tea party with daughters!" Her mother laughed, cuddling Kalina.
"I'll take pictures." Hermione grinned, looking down at Timothy and smiling. Timothy smiled back and they escorted the Weasleys to the living room and the fireplace, where his Ron and Joseph were waiting with the Floo Powder already tossed into the fire. Good-byes and thanks were exchanged before they left, and Timothy stood with his mother and sister as they disappeared.
Stew was served later, and Timothy ate silently, watching his mother. Kalina was innocently ignorant of the situation those days, but with glances at her brother, Timothy knew that she had a feeling something was wrong as well. She was really intelligent for her age, and sometimes Timothy forgot how old she was.
"Mum, it's not safe outside anymore, is it?" Kalina asked their mother seriously.
She looked up at her with mild wonder and a small, solemn smile.
"No, it's not, sweetheart."
"You and daddy are trying to make it better, right?"
Their mother's smile became brighter.
"We're trying, yes."
Timothy was reminded of what it was he was supposed to do at his mother's words. He was the one that was supposed to be looking for an object that would help him to defeat Draco Malfoy. A "legendary" family crest from the age of Hogwarts's original founders held the power to destroy him. The Potter family crest, and only he could find it and use it. Timothy couldn't even tell his family, for no one would know or believe him. He had to find it on his own. It was ironic that his parents were stressing their lives for something they can't do anything about, not this time.
"Right, Timothy?"
Timothy had been staring blankly across the kitchen; Kalina was speaking to him.
"Wha?" he blurted stupidly.
"I said, don't you think we should help mum and daddy around the house so that they wouldn't have to work so much?" Kalina rolled her eyes at him.
"Oh. Right. Yeah, sure."
"Well," their mother sighed, "there's something we need to talk about. Once your father gets home, though."
"What is it?" Kalina asked excitedly.
"Nothing's wrong, is there?" Timothy asked.
"No, no. Nothing's wrong. It's something you'll enjoy, I think… but your father has to have his say." his mother said, getting up and putting her bowl in the sink.
"Oh please, mum! Tell us!" Kalina wiggled in her seat.
"No. Give me your bowl and get ready for your bath, when daddy gets home we'll talk."
"Can I take Jeff in with me?" she asked her, handing up her bowl and spoon.
"NO!" Yelled a voice from outside and Timothy in union. Jeff must have been outside for punishment for playing chess while he should had been watching them. Timothy grinned at the little yellow dragon who was trying desperately to jump and peek through the back door window. Fortunately for Jeff, Timothy's mother shook her head.
"As much as he may need it now, Jeff cannot take a bath with you."
"Can Timothy?" Kalina grinned mischievously at him. Timothy glared back, horrified.
"Ahck, no!" he recoiled in his seat while Kalina giggled.
Their mother laughed at them both.
"It's up to your brother, 'cause he needs one too."
Kalina skipped to Timothy's side and gave him her puppy-eye look, her hands behind her back and her feet shuffling innocently. He wasn't convinced, and he leaned toward her, his face dead set.
"Not for all the galleons on earth."
Her face fell and her lips quivered. Timothy panicked at her threatening outburst.
"I'll tell you a story afterwards, though." He said quickly.
Kalina studied him.
"Mum always tells me a story before bed." she challenged him.
"I'll tell you one about Hogwarts, then." Timothy countered.
"Daddy always tells me about Hogwarts." Kalina smiled, amused at Timothy's annoyed look.
"Then what do you want? And don't say you want me to take a bath with you because I'm too big for that now." He crossed his arms.
She looked at him a minute, her face becoming serious.
"Stay in the bathroom with me? I don't want to be alone."
Timothy was about to protest, looking up at his mother for support, but she had gotten deeply involved with washing dishes and the sound of the running water drowned out their conversation from her hearing. He looked back at his little sister, who had lost the hint of play and gave him a sense of desperation. Finally he sighed and nodded.
"Fine, but put plenty of bubble bath in the water. I don't need to see you naked."
Kalina beamed at him, and skidded out of the kitchen. Timothy helped his mother clean up, then left to join Kalina in the bathroom. He sat on the floor, his elbows on his knees and his chin in his hands as Kalina splashed in the tub next to him. Much to his dismay, Timothy's thoughts went back to the family crest he was supposed to find. Where was it? How was he supposed to get it? And if he did, how on Earth was he supposed to use it against Malfoy? Even if he got as far as figuring all that out, how would he manage to even use it against Malfoy? Knowing his parents were keeping an extra watchful eye on him and his sister, as well as everyone else he knew.
Timothy continued to dwell on his thoughts long after Kalina had finished and was being tucked into bed by his mother. He stayed in his room, holding Hoot, his old stuffed owl, and his Dragonsfire 800 on his bed. His father had yet to come home, and once Kalina was asleep, his mother went to draw in the living room… like she always did when she was troubled. Timothy figured it was best to leave her alone, and he did so, staying in his room and trying to keep his mind off of his "quest" by playing on his Magicomp, a magical computer. Even when his mother came in and said it was time for bed, Timothy was troubled with his thoughts. Usually his mother could tell, but she was so caught up with her own worries and stress that he managed to conceal it. Which was for the best, in his opinion. He didn't want her to worry more about him.
"Where's Jeff?" He asked her as she drew the covers around him. Jeff would usually sleep at the foot of his bed.
She cocked her head at him and her look told all.
"He's in time-out. I'll send him in when I think he's had enough."
Even long after they had said prayers and exchanged goodnights, Timothy was wide-awake. The glowing numbers of his clock revealed that it wasn't until midnight that he finally heard sounds of his father coming home. Heavy footsteps in the hallway outside told Timothy that his father would be coming in to check on him. Quickly turning on his side and shutting his eyes, Timothy slowed his breathing just in time as his bedroom door opened. He could hear his father's breathing, and felt his hand run gently through his hair.
"Love you, Timothy." His father barely whispered, then after a moment, Timothy's bedroom door closed and his father was gone.
He could hear his parents talking quietly in the living room, and Timothy wondered if they were talking about whatever it was his mother had said they were going to discuss as a family. Curious and still wide-awake, Timothy got out of bed and tiptoed to his door. Opening the door slightly as quietly as he could, he stuck his head out and could see Kalina had already done the same. She held her finger to her mouth and motioned her head toward the living room. Timothy nodded and strained to listen.
"…worse everyday."
"I know."
"The only thing that keeps me going is my family. Our son will never be touched by evil again, I won't allow it. And heaven forbid they even think about touching you or our daughter."
"I fight the dark arts with you… I do it for us too. That's really the main reason. But Harry, you need to…"
"No, Renee, I want you safe. I want our children safe. The more you are home with them the better."
"We work better together, you know that."
Silence fell for a moment, and Timothy inched out of the door a little more.
"Yes."
"We need some time, Harry, or else we'll be unfit to protect our family."
"We don't have time to let our guard down."
"The entire Circle is on alert and working around the clock. You and I have fronted them all for too long without a break. We're no use to anyone worn out and exhausted."
"But…"
"No buts, Harry. I've talked with my parents and we're long overdue for a visit. It would be good for all of us to spend a week or so in Florida at my parents' house."
Kalina let out an excited gasp. Timothy waved at her to be quiet.
"I don't know, honey. Go to Florida? Now? No…"
"You need to spend time with your kids. We all need a vacation and get our minds off of dark magic."
"But who will…?"
"Sirius. I've already talked to him and Lupin too. They'll take over for us until we get back. And yes, I told Eian too."
There was a long pause before Timothy could hear his father let out an amused sigh.
"Well, you already had this all figured out, why bother even telling me?"
"Because if I hadn't my father would find himself coming over and dragging you back to the States without giving you a clue. I figured I should handle it, but he was plan B. Now I can write him and tell him that isn't necessary."
Kalina stifled giggles and Timothy threw her a dangerous look, but she continued anyway. He motioned his hand to tell her to go back to bed, and while still giggling silently, Kalina obliged. Timothy himself stayed in his doorway, still listening.
"Renee?"
"Yes?"
"Are we wasting our time?"
"What do you mean?"
His father fell silent a moment and Timothy heard him get up and pace the living room.
"Oh…" his mother whispered after a while. "No, we're not, Harry."
"We've both have had that feeling ever since Timothy was born."
"I know."
"I can't stand to think about what the future holds for him, if our feelings are correct."
"Neither can I."
Before he realized what it he was doing, Timothy tiptoed closer to the living room to hear clearly.
"I can't let him go through what I did… what we did." His father sighed, sitting down next to his mother.
"He won't, Timothy has a very different life from yours. As long as we're with him, Timothy can do anything. He's our son, Harry, and that makes him a very powerful wizard."
"I don't want him to have this on his shoulders… being the one to defeat Malfoy. I'm worried." His father whispered.
"You wouldn't be his father if you weren't worried, and I am just as worried as you are. But we don't have to worry about this now… Timothy is not going to duel with that evil scum of the earth anytime soon. We just keep up our own job and hope that when the time comes, Timothy will be ready."
They fell silent once more, then they began to get up and blow out candles. Timothy raced back to his bedroom as quietly as he could and jumped into bed.
So, they know that I am the only one who can defeat Malfoy. Timothy thought as he drew his bedcovers up closer to him. But I'm also the only one who knows what I need to do it; they don't know about the crest. I truly am alone on this one.
As Timothy heard his parents' bedroom door close from down the hall, he looked at the moving photo of his family on his bedside table. He was standing with his parents in their backyard when he was 9 and Kalina was 3. They were all smiling and laughing, not a care in the world… not a single worry. Amazing how quickly your life can change… knowing things will perhaps never be the same. Timothy blinked away a single tear at the memory captured in the photo, and as the house fell into the silence of sleep… so did Timothy.
A/N: Well, how did I do? I'm rather surprised at it, since school is still on a mission to kill me. Do you believe I have to memorize the entire preamble to the U.S. Constitution for Amer. Govt.?! Don't get me started, or this will look a lot like the a/n to "A Day Without Rain". I was really stressed beyond belief when writing that folks, sorry... I kinda got the gist when not many of you reviewed it. BUT PLEASE... review this one! So... Timothy and the fam are going to the Sunshine State for a little R&R, but... can he escape knowing that he really should be looking for that darn crest? What happens may surprise you! Yes, I know what happens! Shocking, 'aint it?
You can keep up to date with me at my website, as you know:
http://www.theworldofreneepotter.disneyfansites.com
I still have the HTML code for it's banner, if you want it for your own site. Let me know if you'd like it.
Are you ready for some... comercials?! Yes, I'll be keeping an eye on the superbowl, but not on the game... on the comericals! As you may know, the preview trailer for the HP movie will be shown sometime during the game! Just thought I'd remind you. Heehee... sorry if you don't live in the states and can't see it... you're welcome to come over and join us. If I had a video camera and a link thingie to my comp, I'd tape it for you.
Well, enough of that, I'm off to study for 3 tests and that freak'n preamble... all while writing the second chapter. I'll try to get it up before Saturday... that's my 18th birthday! Yeah. I'm going to Medieval Times for dinner... yet more inspiration for fics. Know what you can do? REVIEW PLEASE.... review and review and review and review ::Energizer bunny comes through screen:: and review and review and review and review some more!!!!! ::waves innocently:: Bye wonderful peeps!
~OrcaPotter
DISCLAIMER: Hello world, I am not J.K. ... as much as I'd like to be! Muhahahah!
Chapter One: Unwanted Destiny
"You sure she won't find us?"
"Sure I'm sure."
"She'll tell on us."
"Let her."
"What if she does find us?"
"Then we'll run."
"Run where?"
"Anywhere but here."
"She'll catch me, you guys are bigger than me."
"Stop whining, Joseph."
Crouched under a bush, Timothy Potter, Darian Hall, and Joseph Weasley hid in the shadows. They silenced the moment they spotted her, becoming dead still.
"Timothy! Timothy, c'mon, this isn't funny! I'll tell Uncle Ron!"
"You should have brought out your invisibility cloak, Timothy." Darian hissed in his ear.
Timothy frowned. "That would have been helpful."
"Tell me why we're doing this again?" Six-year old Joseph pestered, tugging on Timothy's shirtsleeve.
"To be annoying." Both Timothy and Darian whispered in union.
"TIMOTHY!" His sister, Kalina, stomped her foot angrily.
The three boys broke out into giggles, making the bush move. Kalina's face broke into a mischievous grin, and tiptoed toward them. Timothy noticed and fell silent instantly.
"Uh oh."
"RUN!" Darian barked, and bolted out of the bush, Timothy in hot pursuit with Joseph struggling to keep up with the twelve-year-old boys.
"Ahah! There you are!" Kalina made chase, but being six herself, she barely managed to catch up to Joseph. She caught him by the back of his shirt and fell with a thud.
"We lost the midget!" Darian called over his shoulder to Timothy.
"There's nothing we can do, keep running!" Timothy looked back at the now laughing six-year-olds, until suddenly he ran smack into something.
"AH!" Timothy fell flat on his back. Darian had skidded to a halt before he could run into two very suspicious looking parents.
"Timothy? What are you doing?" It was his mother, Renee Potter. She was wearing her auror's robes, which were dusty from obvious hard work that day. However, it in no way made her any less beautiful. Her long brown hair was braided down the middle and she towered over Timothy with her sensitive blue eyes… the same eyes he had.
"Er… hi mum." Timothy rubbed his head, scrambling to his feet while blushing. He stood up and looked to the other parent, who was Hermione Weasley, his Godmother. "Hello Aunt Hermione."
"Where's Uncle Ron?" She asked him with an amused smile.
"He let us play outside when he started a game of chess with Jeff." Darian replied politely.
The two adults exchanged stern looks.
"You left them alone?" Timothy's mother sighed.
Timothy and Darian shrugged.
"It was funny 'till Jeff started breathing fire when Uncle Ron beat him for the tenth time." Timothy said.
"Oh dear." Hermione sighed.
His mother looked at him expectantly, then put her hands on her hips. "Well? Aren't you going to greet your mother? Or am I going to have to chase you too?"
Timothy giggled and gave her a hug.
"That's better. Now where's your sister?" His mother kissed him and tried to straighten his hair without result.
Timothy pointed behind him.
"With Joseph. We were playing hide-and-seek."
"Yeah, for two hours in the same round." Darian muttered so only Timothy could hear. They both laughed silently.
"Kalina!" Timothy's mother called after giving both boys suspicious looks, she started off toward the younger children and his Aunt Hermione waddled behind. She was heavily pregnant with twins. Timothy and Darian followed, still laughing quietly.
After another greeting by the younger children, the group walked inside the Potter home to the sounds of angry grunts and triumphant laughter.
"Checkmate." Ron Weasley's voice was smooth and cool.
"No! No, no, no… I don't think so, fire head!" Jeff was enraged.
Timothy's mother put out her arms to keep Timothy and the others back. His Godmother, however, stormed right into the living room where the two were playing.
"Ronald Weasley, what are you doing?" She crossed her arms over her enlarged stomach.
Timothy's very tall and redheaded Godfather looked up at her and smiled innocently.
"Hello sweetheart, how was your day out?"
Jeff had persisted to glare at the board in disbelief.
"Didn't it occur to you that your son and your best friend's children were running around unsupervised?" Hermione steamed, her eyes narrowed at him dangerously.
"Dad said we could go out." Joseph was tugging at her robes. She didn't look down but put her arm around him.
"Jeff… you know better…" Timothy's mother started at the smoking yellow dragon who was very close to setting the chess board on fire.
"It was an innocent game of chess… the little terrors stayed nearby." He shrugged, but avoided her gaze. Timothy knew how Jeff was afraid of her when she was mad.
"Joseph, honey, go play with Kalina… dad and I have to have a little talk." Hermione gently pushed the small red head back toward Kalina, who took Joseph's hand.
"Go play in your room, Timothy. I'll call you and the others when dinner is ready." His mother said, making an effort to keep an eye on Jeff, who had slicked off to a dark corner.
Timothy hesitated as Kalina, Joseph, and Darian made a move toward the hall.
"Where's dad?" He asked his mother.
She looked back at him, her eyes tired and the bright blue dulled by stress.
"He's gonna be late again, sweetheart, you know that."
When Timothy's eyes fell and he nodded, his mother gave him a weary smile and she cradled his chin in her scarred hand.
"Darian will have to go home before dinnertime, be sure to tell him that. We have to have a family talk later, when dad gets home."
He looked at her questioningly, but she turned away and found Jeff, grabbing his tail and dragging him into the kitchen. His Godparents had already left for the sitting room toward the front of the house. Darian punched his arm.
"C'mon."
Timothy followed Darian down the hall, past Kalina's room where Joseph was being pestered into having tea with her stuffed dolls and bears. His look sent Timothy and Darian into a fit of giggles, and Joseph glowered at them as they went past. They found themselves in Timothy's room, the floor cluttered with stuff and the ceiling alive with oranges and purples as it's enchanted mural showed they dusk sky as it was outside. Darian picked up Timothy's coveted Dragonsfire 800 broom and studied the various Quidditch team posters on the walls. Timothy himself flopped onto his bed, staring at the ceiling.
"So what's up? I thought your mom didn't work." Darian asked casually, setting the broom against the bed and flopping down on his stomach next to him.
Timothy swallowed as memories began to come back. Memories he was trying hard to forget.
"She started going back after… well, after…"
"Oh." Darian didn't need to be told the reason.
At the end of that previous school year at Hogwarts, Timothy fell into a trap made by an evil wizard known as Draco Malfoy. Malfoy was an old school rival of his father's, and he joined the dark lord named Voldemort in his quest to destroy him. However, Malfoy's lust for power made him so ambitious as to rise up against Voldemort, he waited for Timothy's parents to destroy him, so that Malfoy could take his place and gain more power than he ever had. It worked, and while his parent's destiny was fulfilled, it did not rid the world of evil. Malfoy waited in the shadows just for Timothy's first year at Hogwarts, so that he could be lured into a trap. Timothy barely made it out… and what he discovered in the process bothered him deeply, and Darian's conversation brought back his fears that he had been trying all summer to forget.
"Dad's been working overtime since we told him about Smith last winter. He hasn't been home on time for months. I'm lucky to see him at all, much less speak to him. He's been real tired." Timothy sighed, locking his jaw as he tried not to think about the reason.
"Have you heard from John at all?" Thankfully, Darian changed the subject.
"No." Timothy raised his eyebrows. "Not since school let out."
"I sent him an owl the other day… he hasn't replied yet."
"Well, you know how his family is." Timothy rolled over on his side to face Darian.
"Yeah, but… that's no reason not to keep in touch."
Timothy shrugged. Darian glanced at his watch and sighed.
"I better go. Dad's making pork chops and I have to make sure he doesn't burn them."
"Doesn't your mum get the summer off from Hogwarts too?" Timothy asked as he got up and led Darian out of his room.
"Yeah, but she's a nurse, not a cook. That's dad's job… although he hasn't perfected the profession yet." Darian grinned, following Timothy into the living room.
Timothy handed him some Floo Powder and Darian tossed it into the fireplace, making the flames shoot up and turn a green color.
"Well, see ya, Timothy. Send me an owl, maybe you can come over my place sometime." Darian gave him a good-hearted shove as he stepped into the green fire.
"Sure, bye Darian." Timothy watched as Darian shouted "Hall residence!" and disappeared with a whirl of flames. The fire soon died down and lost it's green color, and Timothy shoved his hands into his pockets as he wandered into the kitchen. He could hear the tense conversation between his Godparents from the front of the house and the moans of Joseph from Kalina's room as she was apparently getting him to play tea party. Only his mother was silent as he walked into the kitchen.
"Darian went home, mum." Timothy said quietly.
She was sitting at the kitchen table, her head leaning into her propped up arm. The stove was hissing with a pot of boiling water over it and various vegetables were being chopped on the counter magically by her wand in her other hand. Timothy stood in the archway and studied her with concern.
"What's wrong?"
His mother looked up at him, her bangs all messy from her hand running through them. She looked flushed and her eyes were glossy.
"Oh, honey… nothing, just thinking about work, that's all."
"What happened?" He came over to her and nuzzled his head into her shoulder. She smiled at him and kissed his forehead.
"Just the usual. Being led on a wild goose chase. Nothing you should worry about though."
"How come dad doesn't come home until long after you do?" He asked her timidly.
She sighed and didn't answer. Timothy had asked the same question numerous times since he got home from Hogwarts, but it was hard not having his father around and he kept asking. So when she didn't reply, he didn't persist for the answer.
"I miss him." He said.
His mother stared blankly at nothing.
"So do I."
She hugged him close and he felt content in her warm embrace. For several moments she rocked him slightly, both of them silent. However, the silence was broken by a heated conversation becoming louder in the hall.
"You'll have three children! No more chess with dragons!"
"But Herm! Just because we have kids doesn't mean I can't play a simple board game!"
"I didn't say you couldn't play, just not with dragons."
"What's so wrong with playing with a dragon?!"
"He distracts you from your responsibilities!"
"The kids were fine!"
"They were outside, Ron, outside! Outside at this time, with… with… well, you know!"
Timothy's Godparents, Ron and Hermione Weasley found themselves still arguing in front of himself and his mother in the kitchen. They stared at the bickering couple until the two finally noticed where they were.
"Oh Renee! Oh, sorry." Ron looked guilty.
"Renee? What's wrong?" Hermione came over to her and put her hands on her shoulders.
Timothy's mother smiled at her and shook her head.
"Nothing, Hermione, don't worry."
Hermione, however, was not convinced.
"You know, it's just like Harry to be stubborn and stay working while you go home with the kids alone."
Ron shoved his hands in his pockets and shrugged.
"Harry's always been like that when there was something to be done."
Hermione glared at him.
"But he shouldn't leave his family alone, no matter what."
"He's only working late to help keep us all safe… I'm proud of him for how he's handling this. These are hard times, and it calls for sacrifices. As long as our children are safe, we can bear to be apart a while." Timothy's mother said proudly, but her voice was tired. His Godparents exchanged knowing looks and then finally nodded.
"Well, Renee… do you need any more help? We can stay if you need us." Ron asked her.
She smiled at them and shook her head.
"No, you two need to get home. Hermione, you look about ready to burst!"
Hermione patted her stomach and smiled.
"Yeah, I feel like I'm carrying a whole Quidditch team in here."
Timothy followed the adults as they left the kitchen and went to gather the kids in Kalina's room. Joseph was only too grateful to hear the news that they were leaving, but Kalina was crestfallen.
"We were just about to play dress up!" Kalina protested.
Joseph looked horrified and looked up at his father desperately. Timothy's Godfather tried hard to hide a smile and instead looked sympathetically down at his son, taking his hand and running with him out of the room. Timothy laughed and Kalina looked close to tears. Their mother picked her up and consoled her, Hermione waddling over to give her a kiss.
"I hope for our sake, Kalina, that I'll have some girls for you to play with." She said to her, smoothing her long dark brown hair.
Kalina perked up a bit at the thought.
"I can only imagine Ron having to play tea party with daughters!" Her mother laughed, cuddling Kalina.
"I'll take pictures." Hermione grinned, looking down at Timothy and smiling. Timothy smiled back and they escorted the Weasleys to the living room and the fireplace, where his Ron and Joseph were waiting with the Floo Powder already tossed into the fire. Good-byes and thanks were exchanged before they left, and Timothy stood with his mother and sister as they disappeared.
Stew was served later, and Timothy ate silently, watching his mother. Kalina was innocently ignorant of the situation those days, but with glances at her brother, Timothy knew that she had a feeling something was wrong as well. She was really intelligent for her age, and sometimes Timothy forgot how old she was.
"Mum, it's not safe outside anymore, is it?" Kalina asked their mother seriously.
She looked up at her with mild wonder and a small, solemn smile.
"No, it's not, sweetheart."
"You and daddy are trying to make it better, right?"
Their mother's smile became brighter.
"We're trying, yes."
Timothy was reminded of what it was he was supposed to do at his mother's words. He was the one that was supposed to be looking for an object that would help him to defeat Draco Malfoy. A "legendary" family crest from the age of Hogwarts's original founders held the power to destroy him. The Potter family crest, and only he could find it and use it. Timothy couldn't even tell his family, for no one would know or believe him. He had to find it on his own. It was ironic that his parents were stressing their lives for something they can't do anything about, not this time.
"Right, Timothy?"
Timothy had been staring blankly across the kitchen; Kalina was speaking to him.
"Wha?" he blurted stupidly.
"I said, don't you think we should help mum and daddy around the house so that they wouldn't have to work so much?" Kalina rolled her eyes at him.
"Oh. Right. Yeah, sure."
"Well," their mother sighed, "there's something we need to talk about. Once your father gets home, though."
"What is it?" Kalina asked excitedly.
"Nothing's wrong, is there?" Timothy asked.
"No, no. Nothing's wrong. It's something you'll enjoy, I think… but your father has to have his say." his mother said, getting up and putting her bowl in the sink.
"Oh please, mum! Tell us!" Kalina wiggled in her seat.
"No. Give me your bowl and get ready for your bath, when daddy gets home we'll talk."
"Can I take Jeff in with me?" she asked her, handing up her bowl and spoon.
"NO!" Yelled a voice from outside and Timothy in union. Jeff must have been outside for punishment for playing chess while he should had been watching them. Timothy grinned at the little yellow dragon who was trying desperately to jump and peek through the back door window. Fortunately for Jeff, Timothy's mother shook her head.
"As much as he may need it now, Jeff cannot take a bath with you."
"Can Timothy?" Kalina grinned mischievously at him. Timothy glared back, horrified.
"Ahck, no!" he recoiled in his seat while Kalina giggled.
Their mother laughed at them both.
"It's up to your brother, 'cause he needs one too."
Kalina skipped to Timothy's side and gave him her puppy-eye look, her hands behind her back and her feet shuffling innocently. He wasn't convinced, and he leaned toward her, his face dead set.
"Not for all the galleons on earth."
Her face fell and her lips quivered. Timothy panicked at her threatening outburst.
"I'll tell you a story afterwards, though." He said quickly.
Kalina studied him.
"Mum always tells me a story before bed." she challenged him.
"I'll tell you one about Hogwarts, then." Timothy countered.
"Daddy always tells me about Hogwarts." Kalina smiled, amused at Timothy's annoyed look.
"Then what do you want? And don't say you want me to take a bath with you because I'm too big for that now." He crossed his arms.
She looked at him a minute, her face becoming serious.
"Stay in the bathroom with me? I don't want to be alone."
Timothy was about to protest, looking up at his mother for support, but she had gotten deeply involved with washing dishes and the sound of the running water drowned out their conversation from her hearing. He looked back at his little sister, who had lost the hint of play and gave him a sense of desperation. Finally he sighed and nodded.
"Fine, but put plenty of bubble bath in the water. I don't need to see you naked."
Kalina beamed at him, and skidded out of the kitchen. Timothy helped his mother clean up, then left to join Kalina in the bathroom. He sat on the floor, his elbows on his knees and his chin in his hands as Kalina splashed in the tub next to him. Much to his dismay, Timothy's thoughts went back to the family crest he was supposed to find. Where was it? How was he supposed to get it? And if he did, how on Earth was he supposed to use it against Malfoy? Even if he got as far as figuring all that out, how would he manage to even use it against Malfoy? Knowing his parents were keeping an extra watchful eye on him and his sister, as well as everyone else he knew.
Timothy continued to dwell on his thoughts long after Kalina had finished and was being tucked into bed by his mother. He stayed in his room, holding Hoot, his old stuffed owl, and his Dragonsfire 800 on his bed. His father had yet to come home, and once Kalina was asleep, his mother went to draw in the living room… like she always did when she was troubled. Timothy figured it was best to leave her alone, and he did so, staying in his room and trying to keep his mind off of his "quest" by playing on his Magicomp, a magical computer. Even when his mother came in and said it was time for bed, Timothy was troubled with his thoughts. Usually his mother could tell, but she was so caught up with her own worries and stress that he managed to conceal it. Which was for the best, in his opinion. He didn't want her to worry more about him.
"Where's Jeff?" He asked her as she drew the covers around him. Jeff would usually sleep at the foot of his bed.
She cocked her head at him and her look told all.
"He's in time-out. I'll send him in when I think he's had enough."
Even long after they had said prayers and exchanged goodnights, Timothy was wide-awake. The glowing numbers of his clock revealed that it wasn't until midnight that he finally heard sounds of his father coming home. Heavy footsteps in the hallway outside told Timothy that his father would be coming in to check on him. Quickly turning on his side and shutting his eyes, Timothy slowed his breathing just in time as his bedroom door opened. He could hear his father's breathing, and felt his hand run gently through his hair.
"Love you, Timothy." His father barely whispered, then after a moment, Timothy's bedroom door closed and his father was gone.
He could hear his parents talking quietly in the living room, and Timothy wondered if they were talking about whatever it was his mother had said they were going to discuss as a family. Curious and still wide-awake, Timothy got out of bed and tiptoed to his door. Opening the door slightly as quietly as he could, he stuck his head out and could see Kalina had already done the same. She held her finger to her mouth and motioned her head toward the living room. Timothy nodded and strained to listen.
"…worse everyday."
"I know."
"The only thing that keeps me going is my family. Our son will never be touched by evil again, I won't allow it. And heaven forbid they even think about touching you or our daughter."
"I fight the dark arts with you… I do it for us too. That's really the main reason. But Harry, you need to…"
"No, Renee, I want you safe. I want our children safe. The more you are home with them the better."
"We work better together, you know that."
Silence fell for a moment, and Timothy inched out of the door a little more.
"Yes."
"We need some time, Harry, or else we'll be unfit to protect our family."
"We don't have time to let our guard down."
"The entire Circle is on alert and working around the clock. You and I have fronted them all for too long without a break. We're no use to anyone worn out and exhausted."
"But…"
"No buts, Harry. I've talked with my parents and we're long overdue for a visit. It would be good for all of us to spend a week or so in Florida at my parents' house."
Kalina let out an excited gasp. Timothy waved at her to be quiet.
"I don't know, honey. Go to Florida? Now? No…"
"You need to spend time with your kids. We all need a vacation and get our minds off of dark magic."
"But who will…?"
"Sirius. I've already talked to him and Lupin too. They'll take over for us until we get back. And yes, I told Eian too."
There was a long pause before Timothy could hear his father let out an amused sigh.
"Well, you already had this all figured out, why bother even telling me?"
"Because if I hadn't my father would find himself coming over and dragging you back to the States without giving you a clue. I figured I should handle it, but he was plan B. Now I can write him and tell him that isn't necessary."
Kalina stifled giggles and Timothy threw her a dangerous look, but she continued anyway. He motioned his hand to tell her to go back to bed, and while still giggling silently, Kalina obliged. Timothy himself stayed in his doorway, still listening.
"Renee?"
"Yes?"
"Are we wasting our time?"
"What do you mean?"
His father fell silent a moment and Timothy heard him get up and pace the living room.
"Oh…" his mother whispered after a while. "No, we're not, Harry."
"We've both have had that feeling ever since Timothy was born."
"I know."
"I can't stand to think about what the future holds for him, if our feelings are correct."
"Neither can I."
Before he realized what it he was doing, Timothy tiptoed closer to the living room to hear clearly.
"I can't let him go through what I did… what we did." His father sighed, sitting down next to his mother.
"He won't, Timothy has a very different life from yours. As long as we're with him, Timothy can do anything. He's our son, Harry, and that makes him a very powerful wizard."
"I don't want him to have this on his shoulders… being the one to defeat Malfoy. I'm worried." His father whispered.
"You wouldn't be his father if you weren't worried, and I am just as worried as you are. But we don't have to worry about this now… Timothy is not going to duel with that evil scum of the earth anytime soon. We just keep up our own job and hope that when the time comes, Timothy will be ready."
They fell silent once more, then they began to get up and blow out candles. Timothy raced back to his bedroom as quietly as he could and jumped into bed.
So, they know that I am the only one who can defeat Malfoy. Timothy thought as he drew his bedcovers up closer to him. But I'm also the only one who knows what I need to do it; they don't know about the crest. I truly am alone on this one.
As Timothy heard his parents' bedroom door close from down the hall, he looked at the moving photo of his family on his bedside table. He was standing with his parents in their backyard when he was 9 and Kalina was 3. They were all smiling and laughing, not a care in the world… not a single worry. Amazing how quickly your life can change… knowing things will perhaps never be the same. Timothy blinked away a single tear at the memory captured in the photo, and as the house fell into the silence of sleep… so did Timothy.
A/N: Well, how did I do? I'm rather surprised at it, since school is still on a mission to kill me. Do you believe I have to memorize the entire preamble to the U.S. Constitution for Amer. Govt.?! Don't get me started, or this will look a lot like the a/n to "A Day Without Rain". I was really stressed beyond belief when writing that folks, sorry... I kinda got the gist when not many of you reviewed it. BUT PLEASE... review this one! So... Timothy and the fam are going to the Sunshine State for a little R&R, but... can he escape knowing that he really should be looking for that darn crest? What happens may surprise you! Yes, I know what happens! Shocking, 'aint it?
You can keep up to date with me at my website, as you know:
http://www.theworldofreneepotter.disneyfansites.com
I still have the HTML code for it's banner, if you want it for your own site. Let me know if you'd like it.
Are you ready for some... comercials?! Yes, I'll be keeping an eye on the superbowl, but not on the game... on the comericals! As you may know, the preview trailer for the HP movie will be shown sometime during the game! Just thought I'd remind you. Heehee... sorry if you don't live in the states and can't see it... you're welcome to come over and join us. If I had a video camera and a link thingie to my comp, I'd tape it for you.
Well, enough of that, I'm off to study for 3 tests and that freak'n preamble... all while writing the second chapter. I'll try to get it up before Saturday... that's my 18th birthday! Yeah. I'm going to Medieval Times for dinner... yet more inspiration for fics. Know what you can do? REVIEW PLEASE.... review and review and review and review ::Energizer bunny comes through screen:: and review and review and review and review some more!!!!! ::waves innocently:: Bye wonderful peeps!
~OrcaPotter