This chapter is up earlier then I anticipated mainly because I'll be going away for a few days and unable to update. Also an earlier update is in order because I passed all my GCSE exams – five C's, one B and two D's! That is really good for someone who was predicted D's! But anyway…I shouldn't be blurting it out…shrugs.

This chapter adds more mystery to the letter writer; memories of Harry's past resurfaces…and I think that's about it. Enjoy!

Chapter 10: The Memories of Godric's Hollow

Harry left the Hospital Wing the following day. He spent Sunday morning doing his homework, keeping himself occupied so that he wouldn't have to think of the voice he had heard or the memory he had seen. The night in the hospital wing had been tiring. His mind had been filled with images of his mother and father: he had dreamt about them and whenever he thought of their happy smiling faces he felt guilty that in a sense he had led them to their death. If he had never been born in July, he would still be with his parents.

November faded fast: Ravenclaw were flattened in their match against Hufflepuff, and December brought the cold wings of snow to lay upon the grounds. The Castle was soon being decorated putting the students into a good sense of humor, apart from Harry, who drowsed through life trying to ignore everything that had happened to him in his short life.

Ron and Hermione became increasingly worried: they had not said a thing about their mysterious meeting with Dumbledore, and each time Harry was caught looking at the letters, Ron and Hermione ushered him away from them and took him for a walk, or to see Lupin, or to the Library. Judging by their behaviour Harry got the impression that they knew what was going on but whenever he attempted to ask them, Hermione always steered the conversation else where. They were on their guard.

The end of the first term due to a close and two days before the end of term Harry received two letters: one from Mrs. Weasley inviting him to stay at Headquarters for the holidays, and the other from the mysterious sender which basically said:

I send you Christmas greetings.

I hope you have fun.

Heed my advice: Learn about the Veil.

S

Also 'B' sends 'greetings'. He hopes to see you again.

"What's that you got there?" Ron asked, "Another note?"

"Yeah," Harry murmured, "it says Merry Christmas basically."

Hermione leaned across the table and read it. She shrugged. "Nothing suspicious. I don't like the fact it keeps telling you to find out about the Veil."

"I can't find anything anyway. I've given up. We must have looked in every book that Madam Pince has given me. She got really irked with me when I last went in there and asked if there was any more books to borrow. Its best to leave it, unless I have more clues." Harry said.

"Good."

"Hey, Hermione, did you get mum's letter?" Ron asked.

"I did, but I can't come. Mum and Dad and I are going to my Nan and Granddad's for the Winter. The Ministry have set up the Floo connection to their house. My grandparents are in slight awe that I'm a Witch but they've said no word. I'll see if I can visit you after Christmas though, before term begins."

"Can you still use magic?" Harry asked.

Hermione nodded. "Yes, I've been told as long as I am sensible with my Muggle relations, Dumbledore has said that I can practise the spells I've learnt. McGonagall has given me a list of Transfiguration spells that I want to try out before the lessons, so I'll be doing that."

"I'm sure you'll have a good time," Harry said, "I'll look after this mop head." He grinned.

Ron whacked him on the back of the head.


Harry stepped off the Hogwart's Express with Ron, Hermione, Ginny and Neville. Going through the barrier, Harry found the Weasley's waiting for them as well as Mr and Mrs Granger who was going to drive their daughter to her grandparents house the following day. They were going back to their own house for that night.

"Had a good term?" Mrs Weasley asked, hugging them all.

Harry nodded. "It was fine." There was a note of sadness in his voice.

Hermione shook Ron's hand, hugged Harry and departed with her parents, waving and saying: "Merry Christmas!"

"Come on, you lot, we better go! We've got a limo waiting for us outside! Fudge has kindly agreed to lend us one!"

Neville was staying at Godric's Hollow as well and he trudged behind the others, apparently at a loss.

Godric's Hollow had been decorated in vast decorations. The living room was bright with shining paper hung from the ceiling; candles burned; and a tree stood in a corner. The chairs had been changed to fit the Christmas season. Harry felt happy, standing in this room, it seemed to remind him of something he could barely remember many years ago.

After taking their trunks up through to their rooms Harry and the others decided to go exploring through the house. Harry hadn't wanted to do that during the Summer, mainly because, though he couldn't remember his life here, he didn't want hidden memories resurfacing when he looked through the house. He had spent most of his time in his room alone, or playing Quidditch or messing around in the sitting area playing Chess or cards. Now he felt himself ready to shoulder the burden of any memories that might come to bear as he looked round the house.

Ginny seemed apprehensive about doing that for fear of Harry's safety but Ron hushed her on it, but overcome with curiosity she came with Harry, Ron and Neville as they explored Godric's Hollow.

The ground floor held a kitchen, a living room, and a bathroom. Each room was decorated in a very Christmas way and it made Harry think of the Dursley's household. Godric's Hollow compromised of four levels: Ground floor, First Floor, Second Floor and an Attic situated right at the top of the house.

Harry and Ron's room was situated on the first floor as was all the others. Only members of the Order of the Phoenix slept on the second floor. The others had been up their once.

As soon as Harry had stepped onto the second floor landing he felt a wave of nausea penetrate his body. His hearing blanked out and his eyes fizzled, making him feel dizzy. Then something flashed into his head, something that he had never even seen, something that sent shivers down his spine as he watched the scene play out in his mind:

Harry could see James Potter holding his wand, facing a cloaked man that had an evil grin spreading across his face, his eyes shone bright red, glittering with the thirst of death. It was Voldemort. James ducked a spell that was thrown his way, shooting a stunning spell right at Voldemort, who deflected it.

"Lily! I'll hold him off!" James shouted as he duelled. "Take Harry and run!"

The battle lasted only a few more minutes, and then, as if Voldemort was bored, cast the Avada Kedavra curse that hit James instantly, hurtling him across the room, his wand falling from his fingers. He slumped to the ground, dead.

"Harry!" Ron was shaking him.

"What?" Harry asked as he opened his eyes. He became aware that his cheeks were wet. His heart was beating fast, he had just seen, though he didn't know how, the last moments of his father's life. It was in this very hallway James had died. Maybe it was because he had a connection to Voldemort that he could see it: perhaps his evil deed had been memorised by the house? He felt weak inside, never had he expected to see that.

"Harry?" Neville asked weakly.

He turned his tear-stained face on him. "I saw…" his voice was croaking, "my…father…his last…words…how…he died. It…was horrible."

"Oh, Harry." Ginny said and she hugged him.

He pointed to the wall behind him. "He lay there." His eyes turned to the door way that was shut. "My mother and I, I believe were…in there."

The others looked white.

"I think we should bypass this floor." Ginny said, rubbing Harry's shoulders.

He nodded, agreeing with it whole-heartedly.

Turning back they made their way up to the attic that was locked but Harry using the Alohomora spell unlocked it, and climbed inside. The attic was dusty, filled with boxes and Harry had to duck as he stood up. He switched on the light that amazingly still worked so that he could see.

"I wonder what's in all these boxes." Ron murmured.

Ginny crawled over to one and opened it, letting out a gasp of surprise.

"What is it?" Harry asked, crawling over to her. He looked inside the box, his heart nearly stopped as he took in the contents. Inside were pieces of paper – photographs – but they were all of his father, James, at the age of five to eleven, standing mainly with his parents and friends. Harry could tell instantly that they had both looked the same when they had been that age. The others crowded round him, looking at each picture, and marvelling at the likeness between the two.

"I knew you would be curious as to what would be in these boxes if you came up here, Harry."

Harry turned, putting one of the photos back in the box as he did so. It was Lupin, a small smile decorating his face.

"I'm sorry, Professor, I didn't mean to intrude up here." Harry replied hastily.

Lupin chuckled. "Don't apologise Harry. All this stuff belongs to you. They're memoirs of your father and mother, mostly James though. Feel free to look."

Harry lowered his head but then asked the question that laid heavily on his heart. "Would this house affect me if I was in a place where it was touched by evil?"

"What do you mean?" Lupin frowned, not understanding the question.

"When I went onto the second floor, I…think my vision clouded over. I saw the last moments of my father's life as he fought Voldemort. I was just wondering, if I had no memory of it, why would I see it?" explained Harry. He hoped Lupin held an answer to this.

Lupin remained silent, pondering the question. Finally he spoke: "I believe the reason as to why you saw this is very simple. Magical houses are, in a way, alive, and if something rather bad happened in it, it may remember it, and that's what I think happened. Because this is where you lived when you were a baby, Harry, the house knows you already, it recognises you, but it also gave you that vision because it was remembering it. Yet, you also have a sense of Voldemort in you buried very deep, I think that since you have that, you are able to access certain, distant memories of Voldemort's past in places that he killed, especially here. You are not consciously doing it, I believe, but its happening. It won't happen all the time."

"I didn't know it would have that affect on me. If I'd survived anyway but without my connection to Voldemort, would I still have seen that?" Harry asked.

"No, I don't think so," Lupin replied, "Voldemort's evil is strong in places where he is killed. Witches and Wizard who are really powerful, like you, will be able to see these type of things."

"Can you see it when you go past?" Ginny asked, entranced.

"No, but I hear echoes in a way and a dark shudder seems to spread over me. You're the first person I know, Harry, who's had that reaction to this place."

Harry nodded glumly. Why did he have to be so weak emotionally?

"So, found James' old Marauder stuff?" Lupin asked, changing the subject before anyone else had a chance to ask him a question.

"No," Harry shook his head, "I've only seen these baby pictures."

Lupin strolled over, opening each box as he went. He opened at least five before he went: "Ah ha! Found it!"

Inside the box were countless books, photos, and two wands sat on top.

"Are those…?" he turned to Lupin.

"Those are your parents wands, Harry."

Harry picked up the longest wand first, examining it. Then he remembered Mr Ollivanders words. When he had first got his own wand, Harry had been told what wands his parents had used. In his hand, Harry remembered, was a mahogany wand, eleven inches, pliable, and excellent for Transfiguration. This had been James' wand.

He picked up the other wand, turning it around in his fingers. This wand was ten and a quarter inches, swishy, made of willow, and was a good wand for those who did well in Charms. Lily's wand.

"Why have these been kept?" Harry asked.

"Dumbledore thought it best that they were not disposed of. He thought it would be better if they were kept," Lupin suddenly became very thoughtful, "I wonder…" he then turned back to the others, "Sirius' wand used to be stored here, I don't know why Dumbledore kept it, I think he guessed something that it would be needed. He is a rather strange fellow."

"How did he get it back?" Ginny asked.

"Sirius came here just after the Order of the Phoenix was recalled. Dumbledore said it would be best if he had his wand back. It was bit tricky in getting him here but we managed it." Lupin shrugged, and then smiled as if remembering something that was highly amusing.

"If I'd known all this stuff had been here before I'd have come earlier." Harry murmured.

"Dumbledore wouldn't have allowed it. He was protecting you."

"Yes, well, he's always keeping things from me, isn't he?" Harry said, nearly shouting, his temper was rising rather quickly.

"For your safety, Harry." Lupin said, gently.

"I DON'T CARE! I DESERVE THE TRUTH!" Harry screamed. He was fed up of everybody keeping secrets from him. "YOU DON'T KNOW HOW I FELT WHEN I LEARNT ABOUT THE PROPHECY! YOU DON'T KNOW HOW IT EFFECTS ME, DO YOU?"

"Then tell us." Neville said, who had been quiet all this time, his face white, spoke up.

"Maybe it is a good idea, Harry, perhaps its time for the others to know what the Prophecy said. Then perhaps they could help you. It might take some weight off your heart." Suggested Lupin.

Harry sighed. He was silent for a few minutes and then he spoke about the Prophecy telling them everything that Dumbledore had told him, though he neglected to mention that Neville could have easily have been the 'Boy-Who-Lived'.

When he was done everyone was silent. Harry instantly felt a heavy weight lift from his heart. It felt good to know that others know of his predicament.

He looked around, horror was written across the others faces.

Finally Ginny spoke: "Oh, Harry, I'm so sorry." She hugged him, and he returned the embrace. He felt better knowing his friends could now support him better then before.


Having got the Prophecy off his chest Harry relaxed more into life at Godric's Hollow, though he avoided the Second Floor, he felt more at home then he had ever been in his life. Two days before Christmas a letter arrived for him. It was from Bonnie. With a pang of guilt he realised he hadn't written to her since the Summer. With all that had been going on, he had forgotten all about her. He read her letter, thrilled, that she still wanted to be friends with him, even though he'd blocked her out of his life.

Dear Harry,

Do not worry about not writing to me during the last term. Claire has told me there has been something on your mind. I hope that you can reply to this letter, for I am wanting to see you. How about after Christmas, around 31st December. You go back to school on the 1st January, and I was hoping, if you wouldn't mind, in coming to see me. It would really make me feel better. I miss you, Harry, I always have done.

Lots of love,

Bonnie

Harry replied instantly, sending Hedwig on an errand to Privet Drive. He apologised for not writing to her and said it was possible to meet her on that date. He hoped that it would cheer her up: he knew what it was like to be cut off from his friends.

Christmas Day dawned bright.

Harry was the first up and he sat under the tree looking at all the presents. By nine-o-clock everyone was up. Harry, Ron, Ginny, Neville, the rest of Weasley clan, Tonks and Lupin sat round the tree opening presents. Harry received a card and present from Hermione who said that she enjoying her time at her grandparents home.

The presents Harry received were: A set of books from Lupin and Mad-Eye Moody; a jumper with the Gryffindor Lion on from Mrs Weasley; another discount certificate from the twins; a new quill from Bill; a set of dragon stones from Charlie; a small flute from Hagrid; and a big box of chocolates from Ron; Tonks gave him a colourful cloak. The Dursley's sent along a card with a fiver in it. Harry had no idea why they had sent him that amount of money anyway but perhaps they had been forced to. He had the distinct impression Moody had made them.

The rest of the day went by quickly. Harry had a large Christmas dinner and was feeling stuffed when he got to the desert. He went to bed that night happy and exhausted. His dreams did not trouble him.

The next day Harry decided to re-visit the attic but that meant going onto the second floor, however when he reached it, his curiosity overcame him. Once again his vision began to cloud over but the scene he saw this time was completely different.

"Harry! Come here!"

A small boy with a lock of jet black hair was crawling along the hallway, laughing. A young woman was standing in front of him, her arms outstretched and she was smiling.

"Come here, Harry. That's a good boy, well done!" Lily said as Harry crawled up to her.

"Ah, who's the best boy there is?" Lily asked.

Baby Harry pointed at himself and giggled. They hugged.

Harry opened his eyes smiling. This time he had been rewarded with a happy memory instead of a bad one. He made his way towards the attic, looking through each box, the memory of him and his mother fresh in his mind. But something still troubled him: why had he seen something different this time?

Later that evening he spoke to Lupin who explained that it was probably because Harry had willed the house to show him something from his past: wanted to see it again, and in some cases the house hadn't wanted to and opted to show Harry something happy. Though he was glad that he hadn't seen his father's death again, it still felt strange to Harry that this house had feelings of its own. But then, anything in the magical world was possible.

A few days before New Year, Hermione arrived at Godric's Hollow, laden with her school belongings. She was staying with them for the rest of the summer. Ron and Ginny took her up to the attic where they showed her James and Lily's old belongings. She felt awed by being in a house like this.

Later Harry decided to tell her about the prophecy and he took her to his room, sat her down, and confessed everything what he had said to the others before Christmas.

"Oh, Harry, I can't believe it," Hermione whispered when he'd finished, "Do the others know?"

Harry nodded. "Yeah, I told them before Christmas. I've been worrying over that mostly," he lied.

"You're the only one who can defeat Voldemort?" she breathed.

"I am."

"Is there anything I can do to help?"

"Support me in my decisions."

"I can do that," Hermione said, "As long as they are reasonable."

A small smile spread across Harry's face and then he hugged her.

"I knew I could count on you to be understanding."

Deep down, Hermione felt worried. Harry's fate was so different from any other Witches and Wizards. How could she, Hermione Granger, help the 'Boy-Who-Lived'?

They left the room and went to join the others who were sitting with Fred and George in the living room showing off all their new merchandise; a disapproving Mrs Weasley watching them.

TBC

Next Chapter: Something Clicks – I don't know why its named as such but…that's all I'm giving you for now!

Review Responses:

Got-lotr: Thank you for the review.

Elessar: The mysterious sender is not Regulas Black, mainly because he is dead. Sorry!

Galadriel Evenstar: I'll be revealing the identity of the sender in Chapter 14. Not long to wait. There'll be several clues coming up in later chapters.

Phoenixtears: Very good guess. I'm amazed. Thanks for the review.

Ash Knight: The story will be getting darker and far more suspenseful in the next few chapters. A lot is coming up. Thank you for your kind comments.

Moon Lace: If I can I always like to correct my reviewers if its me that has messed up by giving the wrong information. Yes, Harry has been hearing voices, glad you spotted that! I can scarcely believe you think this is a 'great' fanfiction, to me its not, but my own opinion is changing rapidly. Thank you for sticking with this story since I began posting it. Your comments always make me smile.

Also anyone who has been reading my other HP story: Innocent: While Friendship Lasts will have be disappointed to learn that the story is not going the way it planned and will be deleted from as soon as possible. The reason for this is, is that I am writing another story of which the storyline of Innocent: While Friendship Lasts will be incorporated into that. I am terribly sorry for any inconvenience this has caused. I will probably be posting the next story as soon as I've finished this one which will be around October, I think, unless real life gets in the way of my posting schedule. Which it probably will…