What If? By Spunky
Summary: What would have happened if Hagrid had given Harry to Sirius that fateful Halloween night? Misunderstandings, pranks and a very mad Hermione.
Disclaimer: If Harry Potter was mine, would I be writing Fanfiction? None of this belongs to me so everyone else can battle it out arguing that it's theirs. Let me know who wins.
Author's Note: Let it be known that the characters in this story are alternate universe characters. They will behave differently then they do in the books because they have lived their lives differently. However if they act differently, reasons will be give for their change in behavior. They are not Out of Character (OOC) in this story because the situation is different. I have done my best to make the behavior changes realistic. Everything up to when the Potters are killed is the same as is described in the books.
I solemnly swear I am up to no good!
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Hermione sat at her desk in her bedroom reading through the pages of The Rise and Fall of the Dark Arts. So far she had learned all about the dark wizard Grindewald and his rise and fall of power. Presently she was reading about another dark wizard. His name was not mentioned in the book at all, save the reference to him being called 'You-Know-Who'. Hermione was fascinated. Apparently You-Know-Who only feared one other wizard who had previously defeated Grindewald. His name was Albus Dumbledore and he was Headmaster of the school Hermione was about to attend. Hermione's eyes raced down the page as she absorbed the information like a sponge. Suddenly an excerpt caught her attention:
You-Know-Who's power flourished, and would probably have proceeded to do so was it not for an astounding event. On October 31, 1981, You-Know-Who attacked James and Lily Potter, and their infant son Harry. The Potters were loyal supporters of Dumbledore and had been informed that they were to be sought after by You-Know-Who. Using the Fidilus charm (see page 74) they went into hiding. Their first choice for Secret-Keeper was Sirius Black, a close friend of the Potters and young Harry's godfather. For some reason that is unknown to the Wizarding world, he was replaced by Peter Pettigrew another friend of the Potters. Unbeknownst to the Potters, Pettigrew was a spy for You-Know-Who and immediately passed on their hiding place to him. You-Know-Who murdered both Lily and James Potter, but when You-Know-Who tried to kill baby Harry something failed. The curse reflected, causing You-Know-Who to vanish. It is rumored that this failed curse left a lightning shaped scar on Harry's forehead. Shortly after the attack, Sirius Black (thinking, no doubt, that he would be accused of betraying the Potters since he had been the original Secret-Keeper) took Harry and disappeared. No one knows where they went.
A baby! Thought Hermione. A baby destroyed a dark wizard that no one else could stop! What kind of world was she getting herself into?
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Irene Granger finished setting the table and called upstairs that dinner was ready. Six feet thundered down the stairs and Chad (two feet) and his dog Orian (four feet) zipped into the kitchen. Chad was still wearing the scowl that had been on his face since Hermione had got her Wizarding letter. He flopped into his chair crossed his arms and continued to glower. Then, much slower then the first six feet, two other feet ascended the stairs slowly. It was Hermione, her face and bushy hair covered by the enormous book she was reading. Irene glanced at the title and found it to read Great Wizarding Events of the Twentieth Century. It was most certainly unlike the previous books Hermione had consumed.
"Hermione, dear." Said Daniel, Irene's husband who had just entered from the living room doorway. "Do you think you could possibly put your book down for dinner? This is the last dinner we'll have together before you go away to Hogwarts and I would rather not spend it with your nose in a book."
If it was possibly, Chad's scowl deepened at the word Hogwarts.
"All right," replied Hermione reluctantly. "I was just getting to a good part though."
Irene let a small smile come across her face as she passed Chad the mashed potatoes, "You're always at a good part."
"I guess that's so. I just want to be prepared. This is a whole new world that I'm going to be part of."
"You'll be fine. Professor McGonagall said that many students come from muggle families, didn't she?"
"Yes."
"Don't worry."
Daniel glanced at the book, "What, pray tell, was the 'good part' you were on this time."
Eagerly Hermione responded, "I've read about it before in a few other books, it seems really well know and so I want to learn as much as possible about it so I don't fall behind. There was a really evil wizard several years back. I don't know his name, all the books call him 'You-Know-Who', but he was really evil and feared by almost everyone. He had murdered a lot of people and no one seemed able to stop him and his followers. Then he attacked a couple named Lily and James Potter. Both of them died but some how their baby son Harry survived! Not only that but somehow the curse rebounded and hit the evil wizard and he disappeared! No one's seen him since! Can you imagine, a baby was able to kill a wizard that no one else could!"
"That's quite something." Replied Irene, but her eyes strayed to Chad. The scowl had gone from his face, only to be replaced by a look of dismay. He also looked rather queasy. "Are you all right, Chad?" She asked him. He didn't respond. "Chad?"
"I'm fine." Chad replied raspily, all though his face clearly gave away that he wasn't fine at all.
"Are you sure? You look sick."
"I'm fine." Chad repeated. He turned to Hermione, "Do those books have anything about what happened to Ha- the baby?"
Hermione gave him a suspicious look, "Yes, It says that he disappeared along with his godfather, Sirius Black. Why? You have never cared about anything I say before."
"Just curious." Chad's voice quivered slightly. "May I please be excused?"
Irene nodded, "I think that might be a good idea. Do you want anything?"
"No thanks." With that Chad hastened out of the room.
"What was that all about?" Hermione asked.
Bewildered Daniel shook his head, "I have no idea."
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The next morning Hermione stood in front of the wall between Platforms 9 and 10 at King's Cross Train Station. Professor McGonagall had explained exactly how to enter Platform 9 and 3/4, but Hermione was still nervous. She didn't know if she could walk through the wall. It looked awfully solid. If it did what it was supposed to then it mirrored her own feelings. Up until now she had been eagerly awaiting Hogwarts. She had acted solid then but now she felt transparent. It was as though her nervousness was being projected for all to see. She turned back to appeal to her parents.
"I can't do this! I don't know anything!"
"Now, Hermione dear." Hermione's mum comforted. "You'll do just fine. You've been studying hard so don't you worry about not knowing anything. You'll fit in just fine at Hogwarts."
Hermione took a deep breath to steady herself and turned back to the solid wall that wasn't. She clenched her trunk tightly and began walking toward the wall. Carefully she stepped through the wall. As she did a new setting appeared before her. It was Platform 9 and 3/4.
Suddenly Hermione realized that the piece of her that had felt missing a few moments ago was not missing anymore. She felt complete. This was where she belonged and she would learn everything there was to know about this strange new world.
As Hermione boarded the train, the first thought that crossed her mind was, 'I wonder if Hogwarts has a library?'
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Author's Note: I have puzzled over how to make this part interesting for 6 months (yes, 6 months) however, my muse likes to play tricks on me and has given me no inspiration (blame it all on the muse!), so I finally gave up and I'm excluding it.
To sum it up, Hermione goes to Hogwarts and everything that happens is exactly the same as the first book, only there is no Harry at Hogwarts. Hermione is sorted into Gryffindor. Everyone is sorted into the same houses as they are in the first book. The Sorcerer's Stone might be at Hogwarts but I'm not going to focus on it. Quirrel is NOT there, instead Mundungus Fletcher (doesn't really matter who, it's the first name I thought of) is temporary Defense teacher until someone else is found. Neville's parents aren't at St. Mungo's. If you don't know why, look back in the story. Oh, and Ron doesn't have Scabbers.
Now let's proceed forward.
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Harry was in the garage experimenting. So far he had mixed cranberry juice, milk, dog biscuits (compliments of Sirius), gasoline, painkiller and soda into a small metal tub. The hope was that with these substitute potion ingredients and a spell Sirius had taught him, he would be able to concoct a Pepper-Up Potion. Of course, Sirius had told him not to actually try to make the potion, but Sirius couldn't stop Harry. Sirius had to play dog.
All the ingredients were in, now for the spell.
"Cimplious!" Harry cried.
The ingredients burst into flame.
"That wasn't supposed to happen." Harry muttered as he fled the garage. "Maybe I used too many substitutes."
As soon as Harry was out of range there was a large boom and the garage crumpled.
Whoops.
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It was the afternoon of Halloween and Remus was resting his eyes on a Muggle train, following a tip that Dumbledore had given to him as to where Sirius and Harry might be. Remus had devoted the last ten years to searching all of the families in England that contained a father and son because he figures that Sirius would want to raise Harry himself and that seemed a logical way of
doing it. But, over a thousand houses later, Remus still had no success. He really hoped he would have success with his trip today.
The train was slowing down and Remus opened his eyes. Edinburgh; There was a great castle there but it wasn't where Remus was going. The door opened and the passengers came on. There were a few businessmen in gray suits, an old lady in a gray shawl, a boy about ten who had a red ballcap pulled down over his eyes, and the boy's mother. The boy came over and sat down across from Remus. His mother stood. There was something indescribable about the boy that kept drawing Remus's eye back to him. Perhaps it was the fact that he was complaining loudly. Remus glanced at the boy once again. No, it was something else.
"Come on Mum! Hermione's at Hogwarts and what do I get? I get to stay home and do nothing!"
"I hardly count blowing up the garage as 'nothing'." The boy's mom replied "If you would recall, that is what brought about our little trip today."
"Aww, Mum! I didn't blow up the WHOLE garage!"
Remus listened closer. The boy's mention of Hogwarts and the apparent attempt to blow something up reminded him of the Marauders. Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot and Prongs. Pranksters' extrodinare.
"Close to it. We are going to have to completely rebuild it. You're lucky the car wasn't in the garage when it happened or you would be in even more trouble than you already are. I don't know where you get your ideas from. Your father and I never taught you anything like that. You should try to be more like Hermione."
The boy looked revolted at the idea, "Hermione's a teacher's pet. I don't want to be like that. I'd much rather break rules, I mean, why are rules there if not to break them? Besides Hermione's at Hogwarts. I still don't see why I can't go."
Remus interrupted the conversation, "Excuse me, did you say Hogwarts?"
"What?" Asked the boy's mother stiffly, color fading from her cheeks.
"It's all right, Mrs. Umm..."
"Granger."
"Mrs. Granger, I know all about Hogwarts. I went there for a good seven years of my life."
The boy edged away.
"Oh, I'm sorry," Mrs. Granger replied, "I'm just so used to being discreet about it and not telling anyone. I didn't know."
"It's all right, I completely understand. So, you have a daughter who attends Hogwarts?"
"Yes, Hermione Granger."
"Ahh, I've heard the headmaster, Albus Dumbledore, speak of her before. I understand she's an excellent student, but she keeps to her studies. She doesn't enjoy socializing a lot."
The boy muttered, "Typical Hermione."
Remus turned his attention to the boy, "And what's your name?" He asked.
"Chad."
The train was slowing down to stop at the next station.
"You are Hermione's brother then?"
"Yes."
"And you want to go to Hogwarts also?"
The boy shrugged "I guess."
Getting the boy to answer was like pulling teeth.
The train stopped and the doors opened.
"I don't blame you. I remember when I was at Hogwarts. It was the best time of my life. It was there I made my first real friends. They accepted me for who I was. We were in Gryffindor, like your sister is. James, Sirius, Lily, Peter and me. We were-" Remus broke off his reminiscing as the boy looked up and Remus saw for the first time the boy's eyes. The boy's eyes were panic filled and green. A shade of green that Remus had only seen once before in his life. They were Lily's eyes, Remus realized. This was Harry!
"Harry?!?! What-" Remus began.
But it was too late. The boy stood and fled the train. The door closed right behind the boy, and the train started up again trapping Remus and Mrs. Granger inside. Remus watched as the boy fled the train station. He slammed his hand on the glass of the train's window. He had been so close! So close...
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Harry ran from the train station as fast as his legs would carry him. He had to warn Sirius! He figured that the train was heading away from where he lived in Edinburgh. If he got a taxi he could get back home and warn Sirius before Remus Lupin and his mom got home. As soon as he got out of the station he started calling the taxi. In a matter of minutes he had waved one down and he sped back home. The taxi pulled up in front of his house. Harry payed the driver with the money he had brought with him to help pay for the cost of fixing the garage. He ran into the house calling.
"Orian! Orian! Where are you?!?!?"
Sirius came bounding up. One minute Harry had a big black dog sitting in front of him, the next minute Harry's godfather stood in front of him.
"Harry? What's wrong?"
"Sirius! Remus, is on his way here! Mum and I ran into him on the train and he recognized me! And I ran away and he's on his way here and you can't go to Azkaban! You have to get out of here!"
"All right Harry, calm down. We still have a little time."
"I'm coming with you!"
"Harry don't be silly, now you'll finally get to go to Hogwarts. Isn't that what you wanted?"
"No, I want to come with you!"
"No, Harry, you wanted this. Even if it isn't what you want, I want you to go to Hogwarts. Hermione is at Hogwarts and now you can go. Besides, your parents would want you to get your education and find all the secret passageways. It would be to dangerous living with me. You have a good life here with people who care for you."
"I don't care. I want to come with you."
"Don't be absurd Harry. You need to go to Hogwarts and learn to be a wizard. You have to stay here." When Harry appeared unmoved by Sirius's request Sirius sighed, "Listen, You get yourself an owl and I'll write you every day. I'll come visit you here when you are on vacation and I'll spend all my time looking for Peter" Sirius spat his name out bitterly, "so I can clear my name and come see you whenever you want, but you have to go to Hogwarts. Harry, this is your chance."
Harry just stared at Sirius.
"You stay here Harry. You belong in the magical world, not the Muggle world. I promise I'll write you as soon as I can." And with a last hug, Sirius turned into a dog and left.
Harry watched the dog till he disappeared down the street. Then he wandered up to his room and sat down on his bed. He looked around his room. Everything seemed to be in place, but Harry knew something was missing and that something was a big, black dog. Harry felt so alone without his godfather with him. What was he supposed to do now? Wait around for Remus Lupin and his Mom to show up?
Suddenly Harry's eyes landed on his desk. Sirius's wand lay across the desk. Sirius was going to search for Peter and he didn't even have his wand! As though he had planned it all along Harry jumped up and grabbed the wand. He searched around his room for a bag and he began to pack a few of his things. When he was packed, he raced down the stairs and out the backdoor to find Sirius and give him his wand.
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Remus and Mrs. Granger burst into the Granger's household.
"Harry!" Remus called, "Where are you? It's okay to come out! I'm just here to help!"
"Chad! Why did you have to run off like that?" Mrs. Granger raced upstairs searching for Harry. Remus watched as she stopped and turned around. "Something's not right." She said.
"What is it?" Remus asked.
"It's Orian. He's not here."
"Who?"
"Orian, our dog. He always comes to the door as soon as it opens. He's not here."
"Your dog?" Remus started. Things didn't look good. "He doesn't happen to be big, black and shabby?"
"Yes."
"Does he like to play tricks on people?"
"Yes." Mrs. Granger's face furrowed in confusion. "Why?"
"Well, you see, he isn't a dog."
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Harry raced away from the Granger house as fast as he could. He scanned the streets for the big black dog who was Sirius but Sirius had made good time and wasn't to be seen. Harry passed young children and their parents who had just started their trick or treating. The children were dressed up in cute little costumes. Most of the girls were princesses, while the boys were dressed as pirates. Harry even saw a few warty witches.
'Muggles,' Harry thought as he ran, 'they just don't get it.'
The sky began to grow darker and the older children came out. Most entered one of the houses lining the streets where the lights were lit dimly to give to parties inside a creepy effect. A few of the kids got out egg cartons and started throwing them at the closest house. Where there wasn't a treat, there was a trick. Harry was beginning to get tired and he slowed his pace to a walk.
It grew even later and the older kids went inside leaving Harry alone outside. The cold October night began to appear and Harry pulled his arms around himself to try to keep warm. He looked at the street sign a few feet away. Colebrook Ave. Harry had never heard of the place. A belltower in the distance chimed midnight. It was official.
Harry was lost.