One Week in Heaven
Chapter Five- One Week in Heaven
AN- The last chapter was slow and boring, according to my beta. ^^ Harsh love... it's the best. Any how, this chapter is the fluff I've been promising in your e-mails and author notes. Here, Harry gets to know the parents he's wanted to know for a while. Fun. ^^ And this is, let me rephrase, THIS IS MY FIRST 'HAPPY' PIECE EVER. In case you missed that, I've been writing for five years, three years on this site, twenty-six chapters/stories, and this is the first non-angst or drama piece that I've written. So this chapter is a first, and I'm not expecting high results. I'm not typically talented in happy writing, I'm a depressed, hormonal teenager. ^^ So just give me the truth.
***
~It does not do well do dwell on dreams, and forget to live.
~Do you think the ones we love ever truly leave us?
~Albus Dumbledore
***
Harry ran until he couldn't any longer, and he fell winded onto his stomach. Tears matched the dew upon his eyelids, and he raised his eyes to see the stars all above him in the glorious sunset. It was beautiful.
A small snake in the bushed caught Harry's attention, and he called for it to leave him alone in parseltongue. The snake obliged, and turned away from the grieving boy.
Voldemort slithered away, laughing at the irony of the situation.
***
"Why did you let him get away, my lord?" Bellatrix's quiet voice struck through Harry's mind. Accept for the fact that this time, he wasn't Voldemort, but a merle an observer. To top all of this off, Harry knew for a fact that Voldemort knew he was there.
The gaunt man sighed gently and glanced at his loyal servant; obviously torn between sending a crucio her way or answering her question. "You are still young, Bella. You still don't understand many things in this world. The prophecy you and your companions were supposed to take for me last year? What did it say?"
Bellatrix stared. "My Lord, we have no idea; no one does. It shattered during the battle..."
The dark figure interrupted. "Exactly. The prophecy could hold anything, from the fate of the Potter boy to the key to my immortality. For all that we know, it could be revealing to the beholder that Potter is immune to my attacks. Had I attacked the boy there, he would have yelled, and I would have been trapped as the serpent until I was out of the bounds placed on the school. I would have been killed by the muggle-loving fool. I went simply to find out more, after your important revelation, Bella." He stopped pacing, and rose his eyes up to the spot Harry was watching from. "And quite a revelation it was, correct, Mr. Potter? The dead returning... quite interesting."
Harry straightened slowly, not taking his eyes off those of the Dark Lord's. Even though it was impossible... Harry knew that Voldemort could see him there. And judging by Bellatrix's confused stare, Harry guessed that it was just the two of them off in their own little world.
"I thought you would be more careful of your dreams, Potter," His high, cold voice echoed through Harry's mind. "...after last time. I didn't think that you were this much of a fool." His hand slipped beneath the black cloak, and came forward again with his wand. "Enjoy it while you can, Potter. Life is short, and I can assure you, theirs will be shorter. Everyone you love, I will destroy. You will wish you were dead, boy, more than ever before. Be ready, the war is about to begin."
With that, he spoke the killing curse, and Harry woke with a start.
***
James looked over to the woman asleep in his arms, and smiled. "I'm a lucky man, Moony. Any time that I get to be married to her, I'm the luckiest man in the world." Lupin laughed.
"True, true James. I'm sure I heard you say that at least fifteen times a minute from the day you got married on." He reclined back, and looked to his long lost friend. "You were the happiest man I've ever met, James."
"What was our wedding like?"
He paused, looked to the ceiling in remembrance, and grinned even wider. He alone noticed Lily's eyes shut a little too tight for reality. "It was in the middle of the war, remember. You two both worked for the Order of the Phoenix, against Voldemort. So security had to be tight, but because of Lily's being a muggle and inviting her muggle family and friends, it couldn't be enclosed completely."
James shook his head. "Forget about the security, and tell me about the wedding."
Lupin feigned hurt, then continued. "It was huge, five hundred or so people. One of the largest weddings in centuries because it was an old pureblood family and a muggleborn family combining-something that hadn't happened since Voldemort's power began. Everyone was so happy, Prongs, you'd never imagine. Everyone from school was there, even Snape and the Slytherins. The hall was magically expanded, and there were white flowers hanging everywhere. There were three groomsmen and two brides maids- Wormtail and Jorkins were the first to walk down, then Charlotte McKinnon and I. Since Lily's father has been dead since she was born, Sirius walked her down the isle as the best man and the father at the same time. He gave her to you, and you both said your own vows, then it was over."
"What were our vows, Moony?"
"I'm not gonna tell you, Padfoot. You two had known them forever, from some adventure you went on together. Long, long before you were married apparently. They were beautiful."
"Give me at least a clue, with my luck, we already said them, and I don't remember."
He laughed at the hint of a smile that played across Lily's face at James' words; who still had no idea his girlfriend was awake. "Basically, you told us later than it came from a time when you both were imprisoned, and about to die. You both thought it to be the end and began saying your last words. Then you escaped, and ended up using your last words to each other as your vows."
A soft knock on the door ushered in the elderly headmaster. "Good afternoon, James, Remus... Lily." James jumped as Lily began to giggle. He glared accusingly at Lupin, who was laughing as well, then gave up and smiled.
"So where's Harry. Albus? I thought he was planning on coming here after he woke up."
Dumbledore sighed. "I don't think he particularly wanted to see me, after a number of comments I made last night. But you'll be seeing him today, don't worry." He broke the frown, and smiled a weak smile. "Today there's a quidditch match, Griffindor vs. Slytherin. Your son is the captain, and the game is starting in a few minutes. Come watch-I know it would mean worlds to him."
James grinned. "Like I'd miss quidditch."
***
Scarlet and emerald robes flashed entered the field as the two teams got ready to warm up for the game. And when Harry looked to the professor's box, he wasn't surprised to see his parents sitting with Lupin and the Headmaster; and was even less surprised to see the scowling face of his potion's professor.
From the box, Colin Creevy began to commentate. "For number one ranked Slytherin, it's Nott, Crabbe, Goyle, Zabini, Morris, Oberon, Linter, and captain Malfoy." Cheers rose from the Slytherin section, and Harry nodded. The three new chasers and new keeper, Morris, Oberon, and Linter respectively, were all fairly small, and no doubt agile. And with the Griffindor beaters? Harry knew he had to catch the snitch fast, and rely on the three chasers to score enough to keep the game within 180.
"And for second-placed Griffindor, it's Ron Weasley, Kirke, Sloper, Bell, Ginny Weasley, Finnigan, and Captain Potter." Harry lowered his head and silently counted to five, before turning to nod at his own team and take off to ride on their warm-up lap.
He never looked at his parents, afraid of loosing his edge if he did. He knew the Slytherin team was good this year and Malfoy had gotten obviously better. Nothing could take his mind off the team, and the game they were about to play.
Hooch's whistle blew shrilly after a few minutes of warming up, and Harry flew to the center to meet with Malfoy.
"I know your two teams have a history here, boys, but I want a good game. So try not to kill one another, alright?" Malfoy never broke his glance on Harry's eyes, and Harry never broke the gaze either. Hooch sighed and flew off, knowing there to be nothing she could do. Their gaze remained. Harry finally decided it time to have some fun.
"I saw your dad in the stands, Malfoy. What did he pay to have Fudge let him off?" Or maybe there were other arrangements..."
Malfoy flew at him angrily, and Harry dodged to the side at the last possible second, only getting a mouthful of green material. Hooch yelled, but it was too late; the game had begun.
Harry's eyes glanced the crowd before he saw Malfoy dive into a spectacular feign; ripping too close to the ground for it to be real. He didn't even bother to follow, only to use the time for searching. Angrily, Malfoy swore and took off in the opposite direction; yelling at his teammates to go faster.
"Worried, Malfoy? Afraid to displease your daddy?" Harry called out, trying hard not to get himself killed by a bludger flying his way.
Malfoy smiled, and a pit formed in Harry's stomach. They both stopped flying to talk, much to the booing of the crowd and yells of their teams. "Yeah, I am. But I'd be more worried about how your own parents see you play; you know, it being their first time and all."
***
James groaned. "What the hell is he doing, talking to the enemy? In the middle of a game..."
A short gasp from Lily made him jump up, and turn, only to face...
...Lucius Malfoy.
"People can talk in the middle of a battle, Potter, I assure you it is quite common," the swaggering voice stated lowly, and he paused before continuing. "...but I haven't found it beneficial for anyone on your side."
Dumbledore stood with Snape at his side; paler than usual. "You shouldn't be here, Mr. Malfoy. You may be free in the eyes of the law, but here, you are not."
"I've just come to watch my son play quidditch, Dumbledore. That isn't a crime, is it?"
The older man sighed, and sat between the blonde and the formerly deceased. "Let's enjoy then, shall we?"
***
Harry broke the glance out of pure shock, and raced away to the other side of the field. Thoughts raced, but he pushed them away in an attempt to focus on the task ahead. On winning the game.
He saw Ginny racing with the quaffle, and heading for the goal. A quick look at the score reminded him that he should be working; it was 120 Slytherin to 110 Griffindor. But as suddenly as the game began, he felt the worst pain he ever dreaded; his scar began to burn.
Crabbe and Goyle had taken after Ginny, against the whistling of Hooch. Amidst the pain, Harry took off downward to the girl and the two boys attempting to hurt her. As he got closer, his scar burned more heavily; it was like he was on fire.
Finally he reached her, and threw himself between Ginny and the two beaters. He waved for her to run, and she took off. Facing the two Death Eater's sons, Harry took his wand out and cursed them before they could utter a word; gaining their wands before stunning them both and sending them floating gently to the ground.
He raced to Ginny and looked at her face, still trying to hold back the pain in his scar. Crabbe had gotten her a bit, and she was gently bleeding down her cheek. He wiped it away, and called a time-out. Hooch, pale as a ghost, nodded and called it.
***
Lily gripped James' hand like a vise, and Lucius smirked over to them. "Your son is quite then hero, isn't he?"
"And yours is a damned soul condemned for a future of hell," stated James with an angry glare. Lucius laughed.
"Hell must be better than Heaven. Tell me, how is it up there?"
Dumbledore stood. "Leave it. There is nothing for us to fight about here and now." He turned to Lucius. "Go and tell your master; it doesn't matter now. You are no longer welcome here."
Lucius stood, no longer smiling, and faced Snape with a frown. "I'll be seeing you later, Severus. We have much to discuss."
With that, he walked off.
***
A flash of gold caught Harry's eye, and he took off. Malfoy, who had been trailing him, followed. It was a race down to the last second, when Harry pulled ahead to catch the snitch.
The crowd erupted into cheers from three of the houses, and Harry sighed in relief. The pain in his forehead seemed to dull a bit, and he turned to his team with a slight smile.
***
In the locker room, Harry and Ron were resting against the lockers, talking about the game. Ron seemed to believe Harry's mystery pain to be from Malfoy, and Harry couldn't help but agree. Or at least hope that that explanation would hold true.
"I just don't get why Malfoy would do that. It never hurt around him before."
"But it hurt around Umbridge last year, didn't it? And He wasn't possessing her at the time, right Harry?"
"Yeah, but still... it's just nerve wracking. And now that Voldemort knows about my parents..."
The door flew open, and in walked Hermione and Ginny, change and looking like they were about to go off to the muggle mall. It was only when Ginny spoke did he remember why.
"So anyway, you heading over to Hogsmeade later?" Harry mentally hit himself. He had completely forgotten in the last few days' events.
"I'm not allowed to go anymore, remember? Because of the prophecy and all?" Ron grinned.
"That never stopped us third year, did it? Listen, the five of us want to go down there in an hour or so. Bring your parents if worst comes to worst-it'd be cool to hang with them; maybe they know some more passages or whatever."
Hermione gave her boyfriend 'The Look', and he looked determinedly away. But even Harry could see he was grinning still.
Harry stood and walked to the door. "I'll go talk to them now."
Ginny looked from the ground. "I'll be along a bit late, I have to finish some things up. I'll meet you outside the Hog's Head at seven." They all nodded, and Harry took off.
The walk was beautiful, and Harry took time to 'Smell the Roses', as the old saying went. He had no idea where they would be but he hope they weren't with Dumbledore, and wasn't keen on running into the Headmaster. Harry knew he had been wrong, but still wasn't ready to admit that.
Passing Sirius' grave, he slowed to a stop and stared. Like always, tears clamored to his eyes, and he desperately fought them back. He didn't want anyone to see him like this. But it was too late.
"You know, you could just tell them instead of hiding all your pain."
Harry looked up from the grave to see the potion's master glaring down at him with his typical look of hatred. He glared back, still believing the older man to have played a part in Sirius' demise. But something was different in his tone, something that actually bothered Harry more than the usual biting words.
"You pity me, don't you?" Harry spoke without thinking. As he raised a hard to cover his mouth, Snape turned to face the other direction.
"I don't pity you, Potter. What I pity is he who stands in your position."
"If this is about the prophecy..." Harry sighed.
"It isn't." Came the brisk, cold statement.
"Then what the hell is it about?"
Snape began to walk away, back turned to the youth. "Language, Potter. And you will find out soon. I shouldn't be the one to tell you."
Harry noticed a hint of sadness in Snape's voice, but pushed it from his mind.
***
Seeing his parents sitting at a table outside a small café, Harry pulled his friends over quickly. "Hey mom, dad, how are you?"
The two looked down and muttered a 'good', and Harry sat with the others. "These are my friends. This is my best friend Ron Weasley," Ron turned a shade of red and waved. "...his girlfriend and my other best friend Hermione Granger," Hermione nodded a polite hello. ".and my roommate Neville Longbottom and his girlfriend Luna Lovegood. I've only really gotten to be friends with them in the last year, but we can trust them." His parents nodded, and shook hands with a flushed Neville.
"Guys, you don't have to be nervous, these are..."
"Michael and Catherine Charlatan. Brother and sister duo from Fluxor Academy at your service." Lily interrupted, looking pointedly towards the crowd nearby. Harry, realizing how stupid he was, nodded. The seven of them stood, and took off to walking the streets wordlessly so there wouldn't be any risks.
When they hit the main road, however, James laughed richly. "This place really hasn't changed, I'll tell you that much. Everything used to be exactly as it was when we were your age. I love this."
The large group moved into a side ally, where Ron suddenly let out a huge gasp. "I'd don't believe it."
Before them stood a shop with a large sign outside- "Weasley's Wizarding Wheezes'. And inside the window stood...
"Little brother! Proprietor! How grand it is to see you. Come in, come in!" Rang Fred's voice through the streets.
They laughed, and the seven of them headed for the door.
Inside was a whole other world. Mirrors and shelves and signs littered the walls, as well as the floor and ceiling. Candy and objects were everywhere, so much that you couldn't see any of the original room. And it seemed that even then there wasn't enough room for everything- so objects floated randomly, some even flying and hitting them on the heads. The music in the background was an intoxicating song, one that was enchanting to listen to; until Harry noticed that it kept using his name.
He turned to Fred. "What is this group?"
Fred laughed. "We came up with this last week. Whoever is listening will head their favorite type of music."
"So why do I keep hearing my name then?"
"That's the joy of it. People listen for hours typically before they realize that all it is, is a beat with them repeating their name over and over. A great joke; it sent two people over the edge the other day though. But it helps you."
Ron spoke up. "How can it help you hearing your name over and over?"
"Because you can tell if the person you're with is vain. Last week, we had one very pretty girl in here. Lee kept insisting it was to 'check him out', then she came up and asked him if he wanted to go out. Quite hilarious in the end; Lee brought her out and all she kept doing was asking to look into his eyes. He was all peachy-keen until we got back, and he looked into a mirror."
"What did you do?"
He grinned. "Transfigured his eyes into mini mirrors."
The group laughed, and Harry walked over to Fred. "By the way, these are my two friends. They just graduated last year, and are here on a graduate program." Fred took Lily's hand and kissed it gently. "Does this lovely graduate have a name?"
"We both do. Catherine and Michael Charlatan." James lied with ease. Lily glared at him for a moment, realizing the lie that they had to now live. Fred pulled back, a bit despairingly. Well, I'll leave you and your husband be, then." James nodded.
Ron thanked his brother, and the seven of them walked off to meet Ginny. When the got outside though, Lily slapped James.
"We are not married, and now we have to act like it! James Michael Potter, I swear to the Great Maker..."
James, with a look of horror on his face, shook his head. "Lillian Catherine Evans, you know I love you. And we will get married someday. I wasn't thinking, I'm sorry..." He took her hand, and she sighed.
Harry checked his watch, and gestured to the main road. "We've gotta meet Ginny in a few minutes. I really can't wait for you two to meet her, she's..."
"Smart," supplied Hermione with a wicked grin.
"Beautiful," stated Luna, looking dreamily away.
"Sexy," supplied Neville, snorting.
"My sister!" yelled Ron, moving to hit the three others as Harry blushed a new shade of red. "Not that I'm against you two finally going out, but I swear, sexy? Ginny? And don't you have a girlfriend, Neville?" He nodded, and the two of them began to argue.
His parents did notice the look on Harry's face though, and couldn't help but smile along with him. "She's a special girl, son?" Harry looked up in horror, while the others broke off the fighting to laugh.
"Harry and she have loved each other for God knows how long. But the two of them are too damned afraid to make a move. It's funny as hell." Hermione supplied, and Harry moved to hit her playfully.
"Isn't that how our relationship started off, James?" Asked Lily with a grin. They all laughed again. "Remind me to have James give you 'The Talk' later on..."
While he was blushing a deep red, Ginny chose that exact moment to see them and walk over.
"The Talk, hm? Well I'm fairly sure that Harry and I won't be needing that for a while." Ginny said plainly, unabashed. He groaned.
"It's parents talk, Ginny. Ignore them." The two adults laughed, and Ginny still stared forward. "Ginny, these are Michael and Catherine Charlatan. Mike, Cat, this is Ginny, my friend from school."
"Very good friend," interrupted Hermione with a grin.
"Let's go, please. There's a lot of street to shop, and we only have an hour or so before everything closes." Harry stated, trying desperately to hide his blush.
They walked in silence for a moment, before James started again.
"You see son, when a man and a woman are ready..."
"Shut up dad."
***
Snape walked into Dumbledore's office, and stared immediately. "He knows, Albus. Lucius told him, he saw it in Harry's mind, and he came to Hogwarts in his animagi form... it all fits. They are in danger, and they are running off to Hogsmeade to play family. Why in hell's name did you allow them to go out there, knowing what we know?"
Sadly, Dumbledore looked up. "Severus, we found something last night. The potion, there was a flaw in it..." He leaned over and whispered into Severus' ear, afraid to say the words out loud.
Three figures entered the office, laughing.
Harry looked to the forlorn Headmaster, and gave an apologetic glance.
"Harry, there's something we have to tell you..." Harry interrupted.
"Let me go first. I'm sorry for what I said yesterday, Sir. I was wrong, and I feel awful. You may not see it by the way I'm acting, but these two are making me laugh." He gestured to the two people next to him. "Professors, I think everything's changed now. I've spent my whole life waiting to die first in the hands of my relatives, then in the hands of Voldemort..." He shook his head. "But now, I don't want to die. I want to lie. And I have a reason to now, something I've never had before."
"I've never had a reason to live. But with parents... I'm ready to win the war. Let's do this, so we can rebuild the world."
Snape raised a hand, and spoke. "Potter, the prophecy said that you had a power he didn't know about, we have still yet to find it..."
"The power is these two. I know it is. Because as long as they're here, I'll win."
The two professors froze, as the reunited family laid down on the couch together. "We're going to sleep here, if it's okay, professor. We want to be together."
And Dumbledore silenced Snape, nodded, and the two walked out on the doomed family; sleeping without a care in the world.
***
Notes- This has taken about three or four weeks. Sorry to be so delayed, but I kept getting stuck on the quidditch scene. You'll probably notice it was very rushed and odd, sorry about that, but I needed to update. The next few scenes should be extremely easy to write, as they are all fairly planned and depressing. You all know what's happening next. ^-^
Review... please...
Chapter Five- One Week in Heaven
AN- The last chapter was slow and boring, according to my beta. ^^ Harsh love... it's the best. Any how, this chapter is the fluff I've been promising in your e-mails and author notes. Here, Harry gets to know the parents he's wanted to know for a while. Fun. ^^ And this is, let me rephrase, THIS IS MY FIRST 'HAPPY' PIECE EVER. In case you missed that, I've been writing for five years, three years on this site, twenty-six chapters/stories, and this is the first non-angst or drama piece that I've written. So this chapter is a first, and I'm not expecting high results. I'm not typically talented in happy writing, I'm a depressed, hormonal teenager. ^^ So just give me the truth.
***
~It does not do well do dwell on dreams, and forget to live.
~Do you think the ones we love ever truly leave us?
~Albus Dumbledore
***
Harry ran until he couldn't any longer, and he fell winded onto his stomach. Tears matched the dew upon his eyelids, and he raised his eyes to see the stars all above him in the glorious sunset. It was beautiful.
A small snake in the bushed caught Harry's attention, and he called for it to leave him alone in parseltongue. The snake obliged, and turned away from the grieving boy.
Voldemort slithered away, laughing at the irony of the situation.
***
"Why did you let him get away, my lord?" Bellatrix's quiet voice struck through Harry's mind. Accept for the fact that this time, he wasn't Voldemort, but a merle an observer. To top all of this off, Harry knew for a fact that Voldemort knew he was there.
The gaunt man sighed gently and glanced at his loyal servant; obviously torn between sending a crucio her way or answering her question. "You are still young, Bella. You still don't understand many things in this world. The prophecy you and your companions were supposed to take for me last year? What did it say?"
Bellatrix stared. "My Lord, we have no idea; no one does. It shattered during the battle..."
The dark figure interrupted. "Exactly. The prophecy could hold anything, from the fate of the Potter boy to the key to my immortality. For all that we know, it could be revealing to the beholder that Potter is immune to my attacks. Had I attacked the boy there, he would have yelled, and I would have been trapped as the serpent until I was out of the bounds placed on the school. I would have been killed by the muggle-loving fool. I went simply to find out more, after your important revelation, Bella." He stopped pacing, and rose his eyes up to the spot Harry was watching from. "And quite a revelation it was, correct, Mr. Potter? The dead returning... quite interesting."
Harry straightened slowly, not taking his eyes off those of the Dark Lord's. Even though it was impossible... Harry knew that Voldemort could see him there. And judging by Bellatrix's confused stare, Harry guessed that it was just the two of them off in their own little world.
"I thought you would be more careful of your dreams, Potter," His high, cold voice echoed through Harry's mind. "...after last time. I didn't think that you were this much of a fool." His hand slipped beneath the black cloak, and came forward again with his wand. "Enjoy it while you can, Potter. Life is short, and I can assure you, theirs will be shorter. Everyone you love, I will destroy. You will wish you were dead, boy, more than ever before. Be ready, the war is about to begin."
With that, he spoke the killing curse, and Harry woke with a start.
***
James looked over to the woman asleep in his arms, and smiled. "I'm a lucky man, Moony. Any time that I get to be married to her, I'm the luckiest man in the world." Lupin laughed.
"True, true James. I'm sure I heard you say that at least fifteen times a minute from the day you got married on." He reclined back, and looked to his long lost friend. "You were the happiest man I've ever met, James."
"What was our wedding like?"
He paused, looked to the ceiling in remembrance, and grinned even wider. He alone noticed Lily's eyes shut a little too tight for reality. "It was in the middle of the war, remember. You two both worked for the Order of the Phoenix, against Voldemort. So security had to be tight, but because of Lily's being a muggle and inviting her muggle family and friends, it couldn't be enclosed completely."
James shook his head. "Forget about the security, and tell me about the wedding."
Lupin feigned hurt, then continued. "It was huge, five hundred or so people. One of the largest weddings in centuries because it was an old pureblood family and a muggleborn family combining-something that hadn't happened since Voldemort's power began. Everyone was so happy, Prongs, you'd never imagine. Everyone from school was there, even Snape and the Slytherins. The hall was magically expanded, and there were white flowers hanging everywhere. There were three groomsmen and two brides maids- Wormtail and Jorkins were the first to walk down, then Charlotte McKinnon and I. Since Lily's father has been dead since she was born, Sirius walked her down the isle as the best man and the father at the same time. He gave her to you, and you both said your own vows, then it was over."
"What were our vows, Moony?"
"I'm not gonna tell you, Padfoot. You two had known them forever, from some adventure you went on together. Long, long before you were married apparently. They were beautiful."
"Give me at least a clue, with my luck, we already said them, and I don't remember."
He laughed at the hint of a smile that played across Lily's face at James' words; who still had no idea his girlfriend was awake. "Basically, you told us later than it came from a time when you both were imprisoned, and about to die. You both thought it to be the end and began saying your last words. Then you escaped, and ended up using your last words to each other as your vows."
A soft knock on the door ushered in the elderly headmaster. "Good afternoon, James, Remus... Lily." James jumped as Lily began to giggle. He glared accusingly at Lupin, who was laughing as well, then gave up and smiled.
"So where's Harry. Albus? I thought he was planning on coming here after he woke up."
Dumbledore sighed. "I don't think he particularly wanted to see me, after a number of comments I made last night. But you'll be seeing him today, don't worry." He broke the frown, and smiled a weak smile. "Today there's a quidditch match, Griffindor vs. Slytherin. Your son is the captain, and the game is starting in a few minutes. Come watch-I know it would mean worlds to him."
James grinned. "Like I'd miss quidditch."
***
Scarlet and emerald robes flashed entered the field as the two teams got ready to warm up for the game. And when Harry looked to the professor's box, he wasn't surprised to see his parents sitting with Lupin and the Headmaster; and was even less surprised to see the scowling face of his potion's professor.
From the box, Colin Creevy began to commentate. "For number one ranked Slytherin, it's Nott, Crabbe, Goyle, Zabini, Morris, Oberon, Linter, and captain Malfoy." Cheers rose from the Slytherin section, and Harry nodded. The three new chasers and new keeper, Morris, Oberon, and Linter respectively, were all fairly small, and no doubt agile. And with the Griffindor beaters? Harry knew he had to catch the snitch fast, and rely on the three chasers to score enough to keep the game within 180.
"And for second-placed Griffindor, it's Ron Weasley, Kirke, Sloper, Bell, Ginny Weasley, Finnigan, and Captain Potter." Harry lowered his head and silently counted to five, before turning to nod at his own team and take off to ride on their warm-up lap.
He never looked at his parents, afraid of loosing his edge if he did. He knew the Slytherin team was good this year and Malfoy had gotten obviously better. Nothing could take his mind off the team, and the game they were about to play.
Hooch's whistle blew shrilly after a few minutes of warming up, and Harry flew to the center to meet with Malfoy.
"I know your two teams have a history here, boys, but I want a good game. So try not to kill one another, alright?" Malfoy never broke his glance on Harry's eyes, and Harry never broke the gaze either. Hooch sighed and flew off, knowing there to be nothing she could do. Their gaze remained. Harry finally decided it time to have some fun.
"I saw your dad in the stands, Malfoy. What did he pay to have Fudge let him off?" Or maybe there were other arrangements..."
Malfoy flew at him angrily, and Harry dodged to the side at the last possible second, only getting a mouthful of green material. Hooch yelled, but it was too late; the game had begun.
Harry's eyes glanced the crowd before he saw Malfoy dive into a spectacular feign; ripping too close to the ground for it to be real. He didn't even bother to follow, only to use the time for searching. Angrily, Malfoy swore and took off in the opposite direction; yelling at his teammates to go faster.
"Worried, Malfoy? Afraid to displease your daddy?" Harry called out, trying hard not to get himself killed by a bludger flying his way.
Malfoy smiled, and a pit formed in Harry's stomach. They both stopped flying to talk, much to the booing of the crowd and yells of their teams. "Yeah, I am. But I'd be more worried about how your own parents see you play; you know, it being their first time and all."
***
James groaned. "What the hell is he doing, talking to the enemy? In the middle of a game..."
A short gasp from Lily made him jump up, and turn, only to face...
...Lucius Malfoy.
"People can talk in the middle of a battle, Potter, I assure you it is quite common," the swaggering voice stated lowly, and he paused before continuing. "...but I haven't found it beneficial for anyone on your side."
Dumbledore stood with Snape at his side; paler than usual. "You shouldn't be here, Mr. Malfoy. You may be free in the eyes of the law, but here, you are not."
"I've just come to watch my son play quidditch, Dumbledore. That isn't a crime, is it?"
The older man sighed, and sat between the blonde and the formerly deceased. "Let's enjoy then, shall we?"
***
Harry broke the glance out of pure shock, and raced away to the other side of the field. Thoughts raced, but he pushed them away in an attempt to focus on the task ahead. On winning the game.
He saw Ginny racing with the quaffle, and heading for the goal. A quick look at the score reminded him that he should be working; it was 120 Slytherin to 110 Griffindor. But as suddenly as the game began, he felt the worst pain he ever dreaded; his scar began to burn.
Crabbe and Goyle had taken after Ginny, against the whistling of Hooch. Amidst the pain, Harry took off downward to the girl and the two boys attempting to hurt her. As he got closer, his scar burned more heavily; it was like he was on fire.
Finally he reached her, and threw himself between Ginny and the two beaters. He waved for her to run, and she took off. Facing the two Death Eater's sons, Harry took his wand out and cursed them before they could utter a word; gaining their wands before stunning them both and sending them floating gently to the ground.
He raced to Ginny and looked at her face, still trying to hold back the pain in his scar. Crabbe had gotten her a bit, and she was gently bleeding down her cheek. He wiped it away, and called a time-out. Hooch, pale as a ghost, nodded and called it.
***
Lily gripped James' hand like a vise, and Lucius smirked over to them. "Your son is quite then hero, isn't he?"
"And yours is a damned soul condemned for a future of hell," stated James with an angry glare. Lucius laughed.
"Hell must be better than Heaven. Tell me, how is it up there?"
Dumbledore stood. "Leave it. There is nothing for us to fight about here and now." He turned to Lucius. "Go and tell your master; it doesn't matter now. You are no longer welcome here."
Lucius stood, no longer smiling, and faced Snape with a frown. "I'll be seeing you later, Severus. We have much to discuss."
With that, he walked off.
***
A flash of gold caught Harry's eye, and he took off. Malfoy, who had been trailing him, followed. It was a race down to the last second, when Harry pulled ahead to catch the snitch.
The crowd erupted into cheers from three of the houses, and Harry sighed in relief. The pain in his forehead seemed to dull a bit, and he turned to his team with a slight smile.
***
In the locker room, Harry and Ron were resting against the lockers, talking about the game. Ron seemed to believe Harry's mystery pain to be from Malfoy, and Harry couldn't help but agree. Or at least hope that that explanation would hold true.
"I just don't get why Malfoy would do that. It never hurt around him before."
"But it hurt around Umbridge last year, didn't it? And He wasn't possessing her at the time, right Harry?"
"Yeah, but still... it's just nerve wracking. And now that Voldemort knows about my parents..."
The door flew open, and in walked Hermione and Ginny, change and looking like they were about to go off to the muggle mall. It was only when Ginny spoke did he remember why.
"So anyway, you heading over to Hogsmeade later?" Harry mentally hit himself. He had completely forgotten in the last few days' events.
"I'm not allowed to go anymore, remember? Because of the prophecy and all?" Ron grinned.
"That never stopped us third year, did it? Listen, the five of us want to go down there in an hour or so. Bring your parents if worst comes to worst-it'd be cool to hang with them; maybe they know some more passages or whatever."
Hermione gave her boyfriend 'The Look', and he looked determinedly away. But even Harry could see he was grinning still.
Harry stood and walked to the door. "I'll go talk to them now."
Ginny looked from the ground. "I'll be along a bit late, I have to finish some things up. I'll meet you outside the Hog's Head at seven." They all nodded, and Harry took off.
The walk was beautiful, and Harry took time to 'Smell the Roses', as the old saying went. He had no idea where they would be but he hope they weren't with Dumbledore, and wasn't keen on running into the Headmaster. Harry knew he had been wrong, but still wasn't ready to admit that.
Passing Sirius' grave, he slowed to a stop and stared. Like always, tears clamored to his eyes, and he desperately fought them back. He didn't want anyone to see him like this. But it was too late.
"You know, you could just tell them instead of hiding all your pain."
Harry looked up from the grave to see the potion's master glaring down at him with his typical look of hatred. He glared back, still believing the older man to have played a part in Sirius' demise. But something was different in his tone, something that actually bothered Harry more than the usual biting words.
"You pity me, don't you?" Harry spoke without thinking. As he raised a hard to cover his mouth, Snape turned to face the other direction.
"I don't pity you, Potter. What I pity is he who stands in your position."
"If this is about the prophecy..." Harry sighed.
"It isn't." Came the brisk, cold statement.
"Then what the hell is it about?"
Snape began to walk away, back turned to the youth. "Language, Potter. And you will find out soon. I shouldn't be the one to tell you."
Harry noticed a hint of sadness in Snape's voice, but pushed it from his mind.
***
Seeing his parents sitting at a table outside a small café, Harry pulled his friends over quickly. "Hey mom, dad, how are you?"
The two looked down and muttered a 'good', and Harry sat with the others. "These are my friends. This is my best friend Ron Weasley," Ron turned a shade of red and waved. "...his girlfriend and my other best friend Hermione Granger," Hermione nodded a polite hello. ".and my roommate Neville Longbottom and his girlfriend Luna Lovegood. I've only really gotten to be friends with them in the last year, but we can trust them." His parents nodded, and shook hands with a flushed Neville.
"Guys, you don't have to be nervous, these are..."
"Michael and Catherine Charlatan. Brother and sister duo from Fluxor Academy at your service." Lily interrupted, looking pointedly towards the crowd nearby. Harry, realizing how stupid he was, nodded. The seven of them stood, and took off to walking the streets wordlessly so there wouldn't be any risks.
When they hit the main road, however, James laughed richly. "This place really hasn't changed, I'll tell you that much. Everything used to be exactly as it was when we were your age. I love this."
The large group moved into a side ally, where Ron suddenly let out a huge gasp. "I'd don't believe it."
Before them stood a shop with a large sign outside- "Weasley's Wizarding Wheezes'. And inside the window stood...
"Little brother! Proprietor! How grand it is to see you. Come in, come in!" Rang Fred's voice through the streets.
They laughed, and the seven of them headed for the door.
Inside was a whole other world. Mirrors and shelves and signs littered the walls, as well as the floor and ceiling. Candy and objects were everywhere, so much that you couldn't see any of the original room. And it seemed that even then there wasn't enough room for everything- so objects floated randomly, some even flying and hitting them on the heads. The music in the background was an intoxicating song, one that was enchanting to listen to; until Harry noticed that it kept using his name.
He turned to Fred. "What is this group?"
Fred laughed. "We came up with this last week. Whoever is listening will head their favorite type of music."
"So why do I keep hearing my name then?"
"That's the joy of it. People listen for hours typically before they realize that all it is, is a beat with them repeating their name over and over. A great joke; it sent two people over the edge the other day though. But it helps you."
Ron spoke up. "How can it help you hearing your name over and over?"
"Because you can tell if the person you're with is vain. Last week, we had one very pretty girl in here. Lee kept insisting it was to 'check him out', then she came up and asked him if he wanted to go out. Quite hilarious in the end; Lee brought her out and all she kept doing was asking to look into his eyes. He was all peachy-keen until we got back, and he looked into a mirror."
"What did you do?"
He grinned. "Transfigured his eyes into mini mirrors."
The group laughed, and Harry walked over to Fred. "By the way, these are my two friends. They just graduated last year, and are here on a graduate program." Fred took Lily's hand and kissed it gently. "Does this lovely graduate have a name?"
"We both do. Catherine and Michael Charlatan." James lied with ease. Lily glared at him for a moment, realizing the lie that they had to now live. Fred pulled back, a bit despairingly. Well, I'll leave you and your husband be, then." James nodded.
Ron thanked his brother, and the seven of them walked off to meet Ginny. When the got outside though, Lily slapped James.
"We are not married, and now we have to act like it! James Michael Potter, I swear to the Great Maker..."
James, with a look of horror on his face, shook his head. "Lillian Catherine Evans, you know I love you. And we will get married someday. I wasn't thinking, I'm sorry..." He took her hand, and she sighed.
Harry checked his watch, and gestured to the main road. "We've gotta meet Ginny in a few minutes. I really can't wait for you two to meet her, she's..."
"Smart," supplied Hermione with a wicked grin.
"Beautiful," stated Luna, looking dreamily away.
"Sexy," supplied Neville, snorting.
"My sister!" yelled Ron, moving to hit the three others as Harry blushed a new shade of red. "Not that I'm against you two finally going out, but I swear, sexy? Ginny? And don't you have a girlfriend, Neville?" He nodded, and the two of them began to argue.
His parents did notice the look on Harry's face though, and couldn't help but smile along with him. "She's a special girl, son?" Harry looked up in horror, while the others broke off the fighting to laugh.
"Harry and she have loved each other for God knows how long. But the two of them are too damned afraid to make a move. It's funny as hell." Hermione supplied, and Harry moved to hit her playfully.
"Isn't that how our relationship started off, James?" Asked Lily with a grin. They all laughed again. "Remind me to have James give you 'The Talk' later on..."
While he was blushing a deep red, Ginny chose that exact moment to see them and walk over.
"The Talk, hm? Well I'm fairly sure that Harry and I won't be needing that for a while." Ginny said plainly, unabashed. He groaned.
"It's parents talk, Ginny. Ignore them." The two adults laughed, and Ginny still stared forward. "Ginny, these are Michael and Catherine Charlatan. Mike, Cat, this is Ginny, my friend from school."
"Very good friend," interrupted Hermione with a grin.
"Let's go, please. There's a lot of street to shop, and we only have an hour or so before everything closes." Harry stated, trying desperately to hide his blush.
They walked in silence for a moment, before James started again.
"You see son, when a man and a woman are ready..."
"Shut up dad."
***
Snape walked into Dumbledore's office, and stared immediately. "He knows, Albus. Lucius told him, he saw it in Harry's mind, and he came to Hogwarts in his animagi form... it all fits. They are in danger, and they are running off to Hogsmeade to play family. Why in hell's name did you allow them to go out there, knowing what we know?"
Sadly, Dumbledore looked up. "Severus, we found something last night. The potion, there was a flaw in it..." He leaned over and whispered into Severus' ear, afraid to say the words out loud.
Three figures entered the office, laughing.
Harry looked to the forlorn Headmaster, and gave an apologetic glance.
"Harry, there's something we have to tell you..." Harry interrupted.
"Let me go first. I'm sorry for what I said yesterday, Sir. I was wrong, and I feel awful. You may not see it by the way I'm acting, but these two are making me laugh." He gestured to the two people next to him. "Professors, I think everything's changed now. I've spent my whole life waiting to die first in the hands of my relatives, then in the hands of Voldemort..." He shook his head. "But now, I don't want to die. I want to lie. And I have a reason to now, something I've never had before."
"I've never had a reason to live. But with parents... I'm ready to win the war. Let's do this, so we can rebuild the world."
Snape raised a hand, and spoke. "Potter, the prophecy said that you had a power he didn't know about, we have still yet to find it..."
"The power is these two. I know it is. Because as long as they're here, I'll win."
The two professors froze, as the reunited family laid down on the couch together. "We're going to sleep here, if it's okay, professor. We want to be together."
And Dumbledore silenced Snape, nodded, and the two walked out on the doomed family; sleeping without a care in the world.
***
Notes- This has taken about three or four weeks. Sorry to be so delayed, but I kept getting stuck on the quidditch scene. You'll probably notice it was very rushed and odd, sorry about that, but I needed to update. The next few scenes should be extremely easy to write, as they are all fairly planned and depressing. You all know what's happening next. ^-^
Review... please...