Harry Potter and the Coma Curse:

Chapter IV: Hope.

Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter… Or the Coma Curse… JKR owns Harry and Prongs owns the Coma Curse… I only own the story…

A.N: Here's Chapter IV, I hope you like it!

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Harry was nervous. He really didn't want to lie to his father… But he had promised Dumbledore… And he wouldn't break his promise. He never did.

"Harry, are you okay? You seem nervous…"

Harry looked up, startled. "What? Did you say something?"

James looked at him strangely. "I asked how it was to live with Sirius. I mean, he is your godfather."

Harry looked down, and then turned his gaze to James. "What do you know? A-about that night, I mean."

James was taken aback by the question. "Not much… I know Voldemort tried to killed us… He killed Lily… But thankfully some Aurors came and destroyed him…" He was lost in thought for a moment. "But, before dieing, he cast the Coma Curse on me.

"Why, though, I don't know… Maybe like he couldn't kill me without a wand, he decided to punish me, making me stay in Coma… As you know, it can be cast without a wand…" He shook his head. "Why are you asking me this, Harry?

"No reason… Just… Wanted to know, I guess," he lied lamely.

His father looked at him suspiciously. "Right." He looked to the castle then turned back to Harry. "May I… May I hug you again?"

Harry rolled his eyes. He thinks he needs to ask! "Of course-"

James didn't even let Harry finish. Just as he had said 'of course', James had him embraced in a tight hug. 

Harry relaxed after a moment (he'd been caught by surprise!). He closed his eyes, his breath regulated – he was beginning to fall asleep in his father's arms.

Pulling him up, so Harry could be comfortable in his arms, James managed to somewhat kiss him on the forehead. Just now noticing the fine lightening bolt shaped scar lying there…

(A.N.: I really thought of leaving you there… But since I have been a little absent, I won't!)

~*~

James jerked up, making Harry wake up. But James didn't care, though. He wanted to know where this scar was from. He knew it was made by a Curse…

But where did Harry get it?

"Harry," He said, trying to keep his voice under control. "Where… Where did you get this scar?"

Harry felt several kinds of emotion, all the same time. First, he felt surprise. This shouldn't happen so soon!

Then, fear. Dumbledore had asked him not to tell James about Voldemort… And, now, he was going to ruin everything!

"Harry," James' voice was stern. "I believe I asked you a question."

"Harry?"

Harry turned to see Professor McGonagall standing behind him. And, unconsciously, breathed a sigh of relief.

"Yes, professor?" He asked, looking worriedly at James.

She smiled, that rare smiled she reserved for some students. "Don't worry, Mr. Potter. The Headmaster's told me about James."

"Professor," James cut in. "If you mind, I need to speak to my son."

"I'm sorry, James." She said. "But Dumbledore wants to talk to Harry." She turned to the younger wizard. "The password is 'Bubble Gum'."

~*~

"Professor Dumbledore, you wanted to talk to me?"

"Yes, Harry. Come in!" He answered cheerfully.

Harry entered and saw a Grim look-a-like dog, right on the corner.

"Sirius!" Harry exclaimed as the dog turned into Sirius Black.

"Harry!" The man said, smiling, when Harry came and hugged him.

Harry pulled back from the hug, after a while. "Sirius, what are you doing here? It's dangerous! You could get caught!"

Sirius laughed. "This is how you greet your godfather when he visits you? I'm hurt!"

Harry blushed, making Sirius laugh even more. "Don't worry, kiddo. I don't really think the Ministry would catch me here."

Harry smiled, still a little embarrassed. "If you say so, Sirius. I'm glad you're here."

"Harry," Dumbledore said, gravely. "I have something very important to tell you and Sirius." He paused for a while. "Do you remember a question you asked me in the end of your first year, right when I visited you in the Hospital Wing?"

Harry nodded, slowly. "I asked you why Voldemort wanted to kill me…"

"And I said I would tell you when you were older." He completed.

Harry nodded again and Sirius looked as he wanted to say something, but Dumbledore raised one hand to silence him.

Dumbledore smiled a little. "I believe that the time has come."

(A.N.: Will I leave you here?

I think not. :p)

Harry's eyes widened. "You mean, you are going to tell me the reason?"

"Albus," Sirius started, worriedly. "Are you sure it's wise to tell Harry this, now? I mean, I want to know the reason too, but Harry is only fifteen."

Harry looked indignant at Sirius but Dumbledore spoke before they could argue about that.

"Yes, Sirius, I do think it's wise." His eyes softened. "Harry's seen more things that any adult wizard ever dreamt of seeing." He looked at Harry. "I said it last term, and I'm going to repeat it now, you fought Lord Voldemort bravely. You surpassed everyone's expectative that day…" He turned back to Sirius. "I think Harry is more than capable of hearing the truth, Sirius.

"What I'm about to say now, Harry, is something extraordinary, and you may not believe me at first, but it's the truth."

Both the younger wizards nodded.

"In time of absolute Darkness," Dumbledore told them. "The five greatest wizards of the History, gave their power to a young human they chose.

"They chose him by judging his character, his will, his strength… He had to be worth their powers. This human would be the most powerful wizard ever. He is a kind of wizard we call 'Mage'

"Those powers can be used unconsciously – but they need training."

The old Headmaster took a deep breath. "Harry, you are this wizard. You are a Mage."

Harry looked at Dumbledore, speechless. "Pro-Professor… I think you might be mistaken… I… I can't be this… This wizard. I just… Can't!"

Dumbledore looked at him patiently, talking as if Harry was a little kid. "And why not, Harry?"

Harry lowered his head. "I don't know…" He looked at Dumbledore. "How can it be me? It could be anyone! Hermione, for example, she gets better grades than me!"

Dumbledore's eyes twinkled. "That's because you are still untrained."

Sirius didn't help to notice on thing. "Still, Albus?"

The Headmaster's eyes twinkled once more. "I was getting there, Sirius." He turned to Harry. "You need training… May I train you, Harry Potter?"

Harry looked into Dumbledore's piercing eyes, once more, speechless. The wizard he considered the greatest of all, was asking if he could train him… "Y… Yes professor, you may."

Dumbledore smiled openly. "Then, it's settled. We'll meet each other in a room every night."

"But… What about Ron and Hermione? Won't they know something's up?" He asked. Inside, he hoped Dumbledore would say he could tell them the truth… But he's hopes were crushed when the old Headmaster answered.

"You will meet me at 1AM, every night. We'll train until dawn."

"Albus, Harry needs to sleep too." Sirius reminded.

"I know, Sirius. He'll use a Time-Turner." He turned to Harry his eyes twinkled mysteriously. "I trust you're familiar with it, Harry."

Harry blushed a little and nodded.

Dumbledore clapped his hands. "So, that's it!"

Harry started to nod again when he remember something. "Hm, Professor? I received this today at breakfast, I wanted to tell you." He grabbed the letter in his pocket and showed Dumbledore.

The older wizard read it then gave it to Sirius.

"That's strange…" Said Sirius, after reading it. "That's not Voldemort's style."

But Dumbledore shook his head. "That's exactly his style. He likes to scare the others. Fear, pain, death… That's what Voldemort is."

"Why send it, though?" Harry asked. "I'm not afraid of him!"

Dumbledore stayed silent for a while. "I know that, Harry. It's a diversion. He wants us to focus on it while he makes plans… Typical."  Dumbledore smiled. "I have an owl to deliver. You can stay here, I'm sure you have a lot to catch up." And he left.

They both stayed silent for a time. Sirius turned to Harry.

"How are you feeling?" He asked softly.

Harry smiled at Sirius concerned face. "I'm fine."

Sirius looked into Harry's eyes. "Really?"

Harry sighed and looked away. "Why me? Why did they have to choose me?"

"Harry," Sirius said, raising his chin so to meet Harry's eyes. "I like this as much as you do. I'd give anything so you live a normal life – but I can't." He smiled sadly. "I know, however, why they chose you, Harry. You're strong and you have a good character. You are worth their powers."

"Is there any hope?" Harry asked in a small voice, not unlike a child.

Sirius smiled sadly. "We can always hope, Harry. We have to hope." He paused and opened his arms to hug his godson and Harry drew himself into those comforting arms.

"Don't worry, Harry." He said as he rested his chin on the top of Harry's head, gently stroking his godson's hair. "You'll be okay. We'll be okay. And that's because we can hope. Because there's still hope."

Harry closed his eyes, letting the words sink in. They could defeat Voldemort. They would defeat him.

All they had to do was hope.

TBC…

~*~

I hope you liked the chapter (and sorry for the delay… I was able to update last week); the other will be up by Thursday, I promise.

This chapter was Beta'ed by Lord of the Flame.

One little thing I want to say, I've read lots of stories where Harry's a Mage. I don't know if anyone owns this theory, so I'm using it. If you own it, please e-mail me (kyoko@globo.com)!

Now, do you see that little box down there? Yes, that one. Be a good reader and review, here:

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