A/N: Well, here's the second chapter already, but don't expect the others to come so soon, because well, they're not finished yet! (Hm, now there's a logic you haven't seen before, have you?) Oh well, I'll see if I can give you a new one next week! Love you all! This is the longest chapter ever written by me (oke, so it's only seven pages, but still). Hope you all like it!
Chapter 2: Return
It had been a month since the disapearance of Harry Potter. There had been no sign of him anywhere. It was as if he had vanished from the Earth. Snape had returned from meetings with the Dark Lord, only to be able to say that Harry wasn't captured by him and no, the Dark Lord also didn't know where Harry could be. Unfortunately, they now had no more information from within the Dark Lord's ranks, for Peter Pettigrew had found out about Snape's spying and had told his Lord. Snape had managed to get away alive, but he was only safe within the walls of Hogwarts.
His, for it was definately a boy, or perhaps a man, wings were slowly moving to keep him from touching the ground. The boy, or man, it was hard to tell, only wore linnen trousers, and his torso was naked, probably because of the wings on his back. He had a well defined chest, and his arms looked strong. This person had probably trained quite a lot. He also had black hair, reaching just past his shoulders. It curled a bit, and, because of the beating of his wings, it flowed around his head, like a crown. But when the boy, for when they looked closer, they could see he was not so old, opened his eyes, they were greeted with the sight of familiar emerald green eyes, that now held a sparkle not unlike the one Dumbledore had in his blue eyes. A sparkle that gave everyone a feeling of joy, of belonging.
Suddenly Fawkes came into the Great Hall with a burst of flames. Trilling with enthusiasm and joy, he flew straight at the boy, for which Albus hoped he was right about the identity, and landed on the boy's outstretched arm. The boy laughed, a laugh which gave everyone hope, and said: "Yes, Fawkes, it is good to see you too. And of course we will fly together some time. But I believe I have some explaining to do first," and with that he directed his attention to the teachers in front of him."Hello everyone. Sorry for coming in like this, but it was the easiest way. I would like to explain some things to you and answer your questions, but only Headmaster Dumbledore, Professors Snape, McGonnagell and Lupin have to come. Oh, and of course, my best friends, Ron and Hermione. Shall we continue to your office then, Headmaster?" he said all this with the sparkle in his eyes growing. Ron and Hermione's mouth flew open, upon hearing the words 'my best friends'. "Harry!!" Hermione squealed and flung herself onto him, only having a bit of trouble giving a hug, because he was still floating above the ground. Without any trouble whatsoever, he lifted her up, and swung her around, and put her softly on the ground again.
"Yes, I am also very happy to see you again, 'Mione. Shall we go then?" he nodded to the teachers, took Hermione and Ron by his hands, and landed on the ground, folded his wings (they nearly touched the ground) and started walking with a silent grace that surprised people as well.Albus motioned for the few teachers to follow, and told the students and the other teachers to finish their meal, and that they would hear more tomorrow morning. For even the Headmaster was confused as to what happened to his student. In silence they made the trip to the stone gargoyle that guarded the entrance to the office. Harry touched the statue with the tip of one wing, and it opened to allow them entrance. Surprised, everyone else followed. Even now, when Harry's wings were folded, they were huge. Harry had obviously had a growth spurt, seeing as how he was now nearly 1.80m high. His wings were 2 meters long, when folded, and spread out they would be nearly 6 meters wide.
When everyone had entered the office and taken a seat, Harry jumped a bit, only to sit on some sort of cloud. Seeing the questioning looks, he said: "Just a question of arranging air. It is rather difficult to sit normally on a chair, when you have wings."
He looked around the office, to see a look of disbelief on many faces. "Why don't I just start with my sudden appearance. I will tell my story, and after that you can ask questions, if you still have any. I cannot reveal everything, but I hope you will respect that."Seeing everyone nod, he continued. "Well, on July 30, I had a strange dream. I dreamt about seeing my parents and Sirius. They told me how happy they were to see me, that I would be given a wonderful chance, and to follow my heart. They also told me that they would be able to see me more often, if I made the right choice. Of course, I had no idea what they were talking about, but it didn't matter, for I was with them, and that was enough. Then the dream changed, and I only heard a voice. You have seen the light when I arrived, that same light was in my dream. The voice asked me if I wanted to learn, if I wanted to see my parents more often, if I was prepared to leave my friends and family for a while. My mind was muddled, but my heart was clear. So I accepted. That is the moment I dissapeared from Privet Drive. Of course, it was as much of a surprise for me as it was for you, believe me, if I had known, I would have left a note," he chuckled a bit. Everyone just stared at him. Professor McGonaggell dabbed at her eyes a bit.Taking a deep breath he continued. "Well, when I opened my eyes again, I noticed something strange on my back. I had wings. Let's just say that it nearly gave me a heart attack. I do mean to say, one moment you are dreaming, the next you wake up with wings. Now I think of it as funny. Looking around me, I noticed these, well, not really people, who also had wings. Only theirs weren't white, but more golden. Also, they all had nearly golden, long hair. They told me I had just arrived in Heaven. I nearly panicked, thinking I was dead or something. Apparantly my face told them what I thought, for they started laughing and told me that I most certainly was not dead, for the dead go to the World of the Spirits. Heaven is the place where the Angels live. Now, don't you all give me that look as if I am crazy, for I am not. If magic excists, than you had better believe that there is a Heaven and Angels."
Dumbledore chuckled. "Of course, Harry, seeing as how you have wings, I think we will believe you." Only Snape looked really skeptical, and he was also wondering why the hell he had to be there. Although he wouldn't admit, he was very curious.
"Very well, then. I was rather surprised by this revelation of the Angels, and asked why I had gotten wings, and what I was doing there. Then they told me a rather sad story. Or actually, their sad history. For in the beginning of the world, the Angels traveled freely between Heaven and the Earth. But after time, humans started demanding their help, and less and less Angels wanted to come down to Earth. After a while they decided to stay in Heaven and only visit the World of the Spirits.
"But not all Angels felt like that, and several stayed behind, hidden in order to help those humans that were still pure enough. They had planned on traveling between Heaven and Earth, as they always had done, but there was so much to do, and there were so little Angels left on Earth. So they stayed, and they nearly forgot about Heaven, and the Angels in Heaven forgot about the Angels that had stayed behind. This is why they are called 'The Forgotten.'. Now, those Angels had their own magic, but saw humans who also had magic, or, in other words, the wizarding community. Slowly, the Angels started to marry and mix with humans. Mainly with wizards. This had a down side to it. Their children were born humans, with magic in them of course, but the Angel's magic could only be reached if something would trigger it. And that hardly happened anymore. So less and less Angels were left.
"Then no Angels roamed the Earth again. The Forgotten's blood and magic was still passed on, for their magic cannot diminish or be destroyed, but nobody's magic was triggered into awarenis. That is, untill I got hit by the Killing Curse when I was a baby. My mother came from a line of Forgotten ones, and although her magic was never released, mine was. Which is why the Killing Curse rebounded. The only problem was, there was no one to train me. But this event did cause the Angels in Heaven to know of my existance. They visited the World of Spirits and talked with my parents. They kept an eye on me, for when I was to turn sixteen years old, my magic would fully be released and then I would need training and guidance. That is what happened, that is why I dissapeared. For I am one of The Forgotten, and have returned to continue the work of my ancestors. The Angels in Heaven cannot go back to Earth anymore, they have no ways of coming here. I have, and I can travel freely from Earth to Heaven or to the World of Spirits, where the dead souls continue to be."Everyone was sitting there, silent, with their mouths hanging a little bit open, to look in amazment at the boy of sixteen years, who was now an Angel, and had a job to do: to help the people on Earth. He sounded like someone who was ages old, and had seen a lot, but his spirit was definitely one of a sixteen year old, one that held hope and could keep hope alive.
Harry smiled. "I'm sure some of you are wondering why in the world you had to be here to hear this. Ron, Hermione, you are my best friends, so I'm sure you know why I wanted you here. Professor Dumbledore, you have been my mentor, and my parents best friend, therefore you have the right to hear this. Remus, and Professor Snape, yours will be revealed after this. Professor McGonagell, I would just like to tell you that you are a remaining relative of mine. You are, in fact, my grandmother, though not entirely in a direct line."Professor McGonagell opened her mouth to ask a question, only to shut it again, in astonishment. Harry stepped off his cloud and walked towards her. He took her hands in his, and said: "Before you were born, there was a son born in your family. He is your older brother, but when it became apparant that he was a Squib, your parents disowned him, and threw him out. All alone, just having turned eleven, he was wondering around in a muggle town, when he was given shelter by a muggle family. This family was the Evans family, and they gave your brother a new name, and a new life. Your parents never told you that you had an older brother, and destroyed all evidence of him. Your brother got married, and had two daughters. One, whose name is Petunia, and one, whose name was Lily. You have taught your brother's child, here in Hogwarts. For Lily was, of course, my mother. That is why you can be called my grandmother. I would like to ask you, if you would want to be my grandmother?"
Professor McGonagell could only stare at him in surprise. Then she gave him a hug. "Of course I want to be your grandmother, silly boy. And my name is Minerva, you know."
Harry returned the hug with a great happiness, and for a moment, they were surrounded by a white light. When they let go of each other, the light dissapeared. "Thank you, grandmother Minerva."
Then Harry walked towards Professor Snape. Seeing the guarded look he got, he smiled and said. "Not to worry Professor, you're not a relative of mine. But I would like to help you with a little problem you have."Professor Snape raised his eyebrow and asked: "And what, pray, may that problem be?"
Harry gave him a serious look. "I know you have been found out. I also know that the painkilling potions against the pain from the Dark Mark, are not working anymore. Will you let me help you?" he reached out his hand.
Professor Snape looked him straight in the eyes, and Harry let drop the barriers that protected his mind, to show Professor Snape that he truly wanted and could help the man. Slowly, Professor Snape nodded and extended his left arm.
Harry gently took the arm in his hands, and rolled up the sleeve. He placed his hands on the Dark Mark and closed his eyes. His wings unfolded, and he flew upwards a bit. It appeared he didn't even notice this. Then he started to hum something. It sounded peacefull, and strong. His hands started glowing, and Professor Snape grimaced from the pain. It was as if the Mark was being pulled from his arm. After what seemed like ages to him, but was only five minutes, Harry's eyes snapped open and seemed to penetrate Snape's. Then a smile came over Harry's face, and he lowered himself to the ground. Right when he touched the ground, the glowing of his hands stopped and he removed them from Snape's arm. Where once the Dark Mark shone, was now unblemished skin. Snape just stared at it in wonder, as well as everyone else. Then they looked towards Harry, for a light shone around his wings, and one of the feathers that had a grey tip fell out, only to be replaced by a shinging white one with a golden glow.
Nobody asked what that had meant, Harry seemed like he didn't want to explain. Instead he picked up the feather and gave it to Professor Snape. "This feather can be used in potions, the same as a feather from a Phoenix would. But it is three times more powerfull, so you can use it for a long time to come. When more feathers fall out, I shall give you more, although one will be given to Ollivanders, for in the future there will be one that can use my powers."
With that he turned from Professor Snape to Remus. Remus was still in a bit of a shock, seeing as how he had lost his best friend Sirius, only to have lost Harry a month later, and then to have him back as an Angel.
"Remus, however much I want to say that I could cure you, I cannot. But I can give you something that will improve your life. Several things in fact. One of them though, will hurt, a lot. Are you willing to trust me on this, and let me help you?"
Remus didn't really know what Harry was talking about but nodded. Then he got another shock, for Harry went and sat in his lap. "Nothing to worry about Remus, I just need to be in close contact for this to work," with that said, he raised his hands and placed them on the sides of Remus' head. Everyone was looking on in silence. Harry spread out his wings and sort of folded them around him and Remus. "Close your eyes, listen to me, and trust me." Remus closed his eyes.
"Come on out, Wolf, I know you want to play. Come on then, you can come out," Harry started to say in a teasing voice. Remus'eyes flew open in panic. He felt the Wolf inside of him starting to wake, he didn't want that to happen, he could hurt everyone in the office.
Harry looked at him sternly. "Remus, trust me. Let the control go, let the Wolf take over. It won't work if you don't let the control go. Do not worry about hurting anyone, you cannot. Trust me, and let go," he said all this with a great power in his voice, which made the people realise that Harry had definitely changed. They watched with great interest as Remus closed his eyes again and Harry started calling for the Wolf again.
Suddenly Remus' eyes snapped open again, and the Wolf within let out a growl. Harry started humming and singing softly. The Wolf whimpered and shrank back. Harry's hands started glowing again. The Wolf wanted to get away, to break free, but he couldn't. Remus's body shook in pain, and with a last howl, it was silent. Remus slumped forward, Harry's head touching his. Harry was also breathing harshly, as if he had just run a marathon. Slowly he woke Remus up and whispered something in his ear. Remus widened his eyes in surprise and he kept looking at Harry in amazement. The others were wondering what Harry had done to Remus. Harry for his part, noticed he was still sitting on Remus's lap, and stood up, to hop on his cloud again.
"Go on Remus, concentrate and show them," he smiled, although it was a bit tired.
Remus closed his eyes in concentration, and suddenly a large grey wolf stood in front of everone. He whagged his tail happily, and gave everyone a happy lick, even Snape (who was to surprised to be disgusted). Then he turned back into Remus, who ran to Harry and gave him a hug as well.
"Thank you, thank you, thank you. You crazy sweet kid!" Hermione seemed to have figured it out.
"Harry, you managed to make Remus a wolf animagus?!" she shouted.
Seeing Harry nod, everyone was stumped. "And Remus, if you know more werewolves that are in for this, you can tell them there is some sort of cure. But only those trustworthy, and not more than three a month, for it is draining to do."
Remus just nodded, again astounded by this wonderful boy.
"Well, Remus, I promised you something else that would make your life nicer, although, you can have a different opinion about that," here Harry smiled again."As I told you, I can go to the World of the Spirits. This is a sort of different realm where the dead people's spirits go. Here there is no pain and suffering, and they are happy. I traveled there several times already, to talk to my grandparents, parents and Sirius of course. As luck will have it, they dictated some letters to me, and I can now deliver them. Remus, for you I have a letter from Sirius, as well as my parents. Professor Dumbledore, you have a letter from my parents as well. Grandmother, I have a letter from your brother, and parents. Ron, Hermione, I have a letter from my mother for you, and Professor Snape, for you I have a letter from my father, and if you've read that, there will be added a letter from my mother. Quite Slytherin from her, I must say. At least that explained why I have Slytherin tendencies," he laughed again and handed everyone their letters.
Silence reigned for a long time. Tears were falling, and smiles came through. Ron and Hermione were thanked for their good friendship they gave to Harry. Lily was very proud of them, and said she would have loved to meet them in person, but is was not to be. Ron and Hermione felt very happy to have read this.
Dumbledore did get scolded for leaving Harry with the Dursleys, but they forgave him, seeing as how he had needed the protection of blood. But now that Harry was an Angel, and had a grandmother, they insisted that Harry was removed from the Dursleys. Dumbledore happily agreed with them.
Minerva had tears streaming down her face, while reading the letter from her brother, in which he wished her much happiness, and said that he even was happy to have been thrown out, or else he would have never met his wife and had Lily. Her parents stated their regret in never telling her about her brother, and denying him a place in their family.
Remus was reading the letter from Sirius now. Sirius told him to stop greiving, to go get Wormtail if he got the chance, and to enjoy his time on Earth. Also he was to try and become friends with Snape for it would help him. Remus didn't really know why, but he would try. When he read the letter from Lily and James, he started crying. They asked him if he wanted to be Harry's godfather, seeing as how he didn't have one anymore. And now that Remus wasn't a werewolf anymore, there was no one to stop him. Except, if he didn't want the responsibility. If he refused, Lily promised she would rip him in a lot of tiny pieces once he had died. Smiling through his tears, Remus whispered "I promise," which earned him a tackling hug from Harry, who of course knew what had been in every letter, seeing as how he had to write them.Then he turned his attention to Professor Snape. His letter stated an appology from James, one that James had wanted to give, but was never able to for he was killed while he was composing one. Both he and Lily gave him their thank you's for helping Harry out so many times, although they did scold him for his bad teaching of Potions and Occlumency. Snape actually felt a smile coming onto his face, and with some difficulty, kept it straight. Seeing this, Harry walked towards him and whispered in his ear: "I have several more letters for you to read. But I know that you will want to read them in the privacy of your own rooms. I do believe I need to explain things to you more clearly then, so after this, shall we go?" his look was so sincere, that Snape just nodded. This was not the Harry that lived to torment him, this was a new Harry, one who held great power and wisdom, and he was glad to be on his good side.