Chapter 1: New Times
Looking around at everyone surrounding him, Harry noticed the odd robes they were in. The student robes looked nothing like his own, and what he thought were the Order robes were also very different. Gulping, Harry nervously stood, overly conscious of all the eyes trained on his person. Slightly smirking, he waved his hand, saying, "Um... hi? Can anyone tell me where I am?"
"What the...!?"
"Who is this kid?!"
Many different voices rang throughout the hall, all wondering who the mysterious boy was, and how he had appeared out of the middle of nowhere during a fierce battle. Blinking when he noticed that ever wand in the entire room was trained on him, Harry's eyes widened before narrowing in determination. "Don't point those at me." Talking in a rather cold voice, Harry drew his own wand, holly and phoenix feather, eleven inches. This action drew gasps of amazement and bewilderment from the crowd.
"Where did he get that wand? Where did he find it?" One of the unknown Aurors yelled out, pointing to the wand clutched firmly in Harry's hand.
"Where did you get that, boy? Answer truthfully where you stole it from, and you just might live," a Death Eater said, a curse on the tip of his tongue.
Baring his teeth at the incompetent people, Harry snarled out his answer. "This is my wand. I stole it from no one! I've always had this wand!"
"LIAR! THAT'S HARRY POTTER'S WAND!" Another irate Auror yelled.
"Well, duh!" Harry stated, adding as much cynicism as he could. "I would hope it was Harry Potter's wand, considering that's who I am!"
Rolling his eyes at the gaping people, he wondered who they thought he was. Sure, he must have passed out after drinking that vile concoction Neville's grandmother sent, but it's not as though he died. Maybe he looked different? Touching his forehead, he felt the ever present scar, which reassured him. Well, if I have changed, it couldn't be that much. I mean, I still have my scar. I still need my glasses as well. These people are just trying to trick me, that's all. Probably some elaborate joke being played on me. I bet it is the twin's idea of a joke.
Coming to his own firm conclusions while ignoring more startled murmurs when they saw his scar, Harry stared defiantly at the people around the Hall, daring them to continue with their little facade. He really didn't like pranks being pulled on him. After all, he was the son of a Marauder. He'd just have to get them back later.
Dusting the dirt and dust from his robes, Harry made his way towards the exit for the Great Hall. He was intent on getting away from these psychos as fast as he could. Spending more time with them then was necessary might cause some serious mental damage for himself, and he wasn't one to have the urge to be admitted to St. Mungo's in the near future. He liked his sanity right where it was, intact, thank you very much. Dodging as a curse was sent his way, Harry snarled and whipped back towards the people in the Hall.
"What in the name of Merlin was that for?! I am simply trying to leave to ascertain as to where I am currently located, as this certainly is not the prestigious school I left!" Snarling in a rather feral way, Harry pointed his wand at the nearest Death Eater, hoping that maybe the man would give him a reason to curse him into oblivion. He really wasn't in the mood for this. He just wanted to find out what the hell was going on, and then get back to where he was supposed to be. Surely his friends would be missing him by now, and the Headmaster was bound to discover his whereabouts rather soon. Of course, he didn't want to hang around here to discover if he was right or not.
Sneering with disgust, the Death Eater, with his wand trained on harry, spoke, "I'm afraid, boy, that we can't allow you the pleasure of leaving our company. No, you see, we want to truly ascertain who you are." Throwing a few of the boy's own words back at him, the unknown Death Eater approached Harry threateningly, stopping just short of touching distance.
Glowering, Harry practically spat at the man. "I told you who I am! Maybe you should introduce yourself." Glaring and staring balefully into steel gray eyes, recognition dawned on Harry's face before he planted a smirk on his lips. "Ah, wait, no introduction is necessary. I know who you are. I don't know how it is possible, but I've glared into those eyes enough times to know who they belong to, Draco Malfoy."
"My, my, seems you are who you claim to be." Removing his mask, Draco smirked at his past nemesis. "You disappeared over thirty years ago. We were all certain that Longbottom's potion had incinerated you, leaving not even residue. Of course, Snape always said that was impossible. That there wasn't a potion around that was capable of that."
Whipping around, Draco addressed the others in the room, "This is Harry Potter." Glaring at those that were about to argue with him, he brandished his wand. "Don't argue with me. I know my enemies, and this is one of them. I may not have seen him in thirty years, and he may still be only fifteen, but this is him. Hell, Longbottom has always been able to do the impossible with potions."
Inclining his head in a quick greeting to the raven haired boy, Draco smirked as his greeting was returned. "No hard feelings, Potter, this isn't about you. This is about what is expected of me. Aveda Kedavra!"
Dodging out of the way of the green light, Harry brandished his own wand, defending himself. "Impedimenta! Serpensortia!" Shaking his head at his choice of defense, Harry instructed the large snake to bind the blonde man before turning towards the others in the room. "I am truly not in the mood for this. I suggest someone tell me what is going on! How is Draco Malfoy, who was a fifth year Slytherin last I checked, an adult now? For that matter, a Death Eater?!"
A black clad figure came out from amongst the crowd, blocking Harry from view. "I'm afraid, Mr. Potter, that this is not the time to deal with egotistical celebrities that think too highly of themselves. You will simply have to wait to receive the answers you demand."
Scowling up at the black clad figure, Harry snarled. "I think now is the perfect time, Professor Snape. And I'm not egotistical. I didn't ask for the fame or recognition."
Sighing, Snape turned towards the irate boy. "Now is really not the time. First allow us to defeat the threat, and then we will deal with you."
Ignoring the boy, Severus turned back towards the bound Death Eater only to find him free and standing back with his comrades.
"My, we will mark this day in our calendars. The day Harry Potter came back. I must say that you chose the wrong time to come back; we're winning." With his piece said, Draco and the rest of the Death Eaters disapparated, allowing Headmaster Dumbledore to recast the wards they had breached.
"Mr. Potter, my boy, I think that we have questions and you have questions. Do follow me to my office, please." Setting off from the Great Hall, Albus Dumbledore gestured to certain adults to follow them, people that he felt needed to be there for the discussion.
Taking in the dilapidated halls, vacated paintings and fearful gazes that followed them throughout the school, Harry worried his lower lip wondering what was going on. Things were different. People were older, changed from what he remembered. Surely a simply protection potion couldn't have done this to him. He needed answers.
"Freedom for the brave." Waiting as the gargoyle moved, Dumbledore and his troop stepped onto the spiraling staircase before entering his office. Even that room had changed. The pictures and knickknacks had been removed and replaced with what appeared to me multiple different types of foe glasses, penseives and other useful objects. Fawkes' perch stood empty in a corner. There was none of that warmth that used to radiate from the room. But then again, none of that warmth was present in the man that owned the room either.
"I'm afraid, Mr. Potter, that we have no choice but to question you under the use of Veritaserum. Severus?" Turning tired blue eyes on the dark man, he waited for him to comply.
Green eyes widening in horror, Harry shot up out of his seat. "WHAT?! NO! THAT IS AN INVASION OF MY PRIVACY!" Incensed, Harry started pacing around the small office, ignoring the weary and distrustful eyes upon him.
"I'm afraid that we really must insist. We have to discover if you are telling the truth. And this is really the only way. You aren't the first person to show up claiming to be Harry Potter," a smart looking witch with brown hair and warm chocolate eyes said.
Looking at the woman, Harry sighed. There was something about that woman that he recognized, and he felt that he would be betraying some sort of trust from her if he didn't not aqueous to their request.
"Fine! Fine." Sitting back down in the chair he had previously been in, Harry didn't argue with Snape as he commanded him to open his mouth. Nor did he attempt to not allow the three drops of potion to be applied to his tongue.
"I thank you. Now, first question, what is your name and age?"
"My name is Harry Potter, and I turned fifteen on July 31st."
Watching the vacant expression on the young boy's face and listening to his monotone answer, Dumbledore nodded his head, confident that the potion was working, and that the boy was who he claimed to be. "What is the last thing you remember happening before you showed up in the Great Hall in the middle of a battle?"
"Neville had just brought a potion to me from his Gran. He said it was supposed to be for protection. I didn't want to bruise his feelings or make him think I didn't trust him or his Gran, so I accepted it. After drinking it I only remember pain, and then I was here."
"All right, who did you grow up with, Harry?"
"I was raised by my muggle Aunt Petunia Dursley and her husband, Vernon. Dudley, their son, was also there. Before that, I was with my mother and my father, James and Lily Potter."
"Last question, Harry, who brought you the sorting hat in your second year, and what did you pull from it?"
"Fawked brought the sorting hat. From it I was able to draw Godric Gryffindor's sword."
"Well, I think that answers our question as to who you are. Severus, please administer the serum." Smiling at those in the room, a small spark of his old twinkle reentered his baby blue eyes. He watched as Harry was given the antidote, and as he seemed to come back to his senses. "Welcome back, Harry." Getting up, he embraced the startled teen. "I'm sure you have a lot of questions. Please feel free to ask them now."
Looking from face to face, Harry became more nervous and started fidgeting in his seat. "D-do you think you could all, I don't know, introduce yourselves?" Looking sheepishly at the others, he gave a small smile. "I only know who two of you are for certain."
"Oh! How silly of us!" Rising from her seat, the brown haired woman smiled in a friendly fashion before embracing the boy, causing him to flinch and shy away from her. "Er... sorry. I'm Hermione Weasley, but you knew me as Hermione Granger. And no, I'm not married to Ron."
"How'd you know I was going to ask that?"
Laughing lightly, she shook her head. "It was written all over your face."
After her friendly greeting, Harry was startled to see a sour faced red-head step up to him. He scowled down at Harry before speaking. "Ron Weasley." He didn't offer his hand for a handshake, nor did he move to embrace him. He acted rather cold and distant, if not upset to see Harry.
Furrowing his eyes in consternation at such a cold greeting from an old friend, Harry turned towards the next man, taking in his gray hair and warm amber colored eyes. "Remus Lupin," he said with a tired smile before hugging Harry. "You don't know just how good it is to see you again."
As soon as Remus let go of him, Harry found himself wrapped in another pair of strong arms. His initial reaction was to tense and push away, but he recognized the scent, feel and magical signature of the one embracing him. Melting into the hug, Harry held tightly to his godfather before pulling away. "Sirius."
Smirking, his now almost completely gray godfather ruffled his hair. "Harry."
"Good, good, cheerful reunions." Before the Headmaster could say more there was a knock on his door. "Enter."
Every eye in the room turned towards the door, riveted on the figure that entered, waiting to see who it could possibly be that would be interrupting them. The person who entered was not someone Harry recognized, but definitely someone the others knew. A young man, probably around Harry's age, came in. Light brown locks fell in front of impossibly black eyes that surveyed the room with an intelligence few possessed at that age. There was a gentle curve of slightly thin lips, indicating his amusement at having everyone staring at him, and a tilt to his head as he took in those around him.
"Ah, Ethan, do enter."
Who's Ethan? He's kind of cute. Harry watched as the boy entered, closing the door behind him.
"I'm sorry to disturb you, Headmaster, but I've come seeking my fathers." Listening to his already deep voice, Harry was slightly startled to hear him say fathers.
"What is it, Ethan?" Remus asked.
"Yes, what could possibly be so important that you would interrupt your father and I when we are in a meeting with Headmaster Dumbledore?" Professor Snape also inquired. Harry never got to hear the answer as he fainted dead away.
TBC
Eeek! It's been such a long time since I updated this! Oh... wait... I haven't updated! How horrid of me. Well then, here it is. A new chapter. Please be gentle.
Oh, and a big thanks goes out to Cara, my beta! Thank you! You did a wonderful job.