A/N: This is a short, transitional chapter. Now, the prologue will become rather unnecessary once the story is established, but I didn't want an alternate universe to come out of nowhere. Besides, I might use it later. We'll see. Oh, and I need a better title. Maybe I'll change the summery, make that the title. If anyone has any suggestions, they would be greatly appreciated.
Disclaimer: characters are JKR's, the situation is mine (sort of)
What Might Have Been
Chapter 1: Family
"Harry!" He looked up at the sound of his name, but ignored it. He was busy writing a letter. It was started "Ginny-" but he crossed that out. It didn't seem right. Perhaps "Dear Ginny." That didn't seem right either. Harry thought his name once or twice more, but ignored it again.
How could he right a friendly, casual letter to Ginny Weasley, when all he wanted to do was pour out his heart. She was like a sister to him throughout childhood, as Ron had been like a brother, but things were different now. He was nearly sixteen, and she had grown up.
"Harry James Potter, get down hear this instant!" When his mother used his full name, she meant business, so Harry decided it was best to leave his writing until after Sirius' dinner.
"I'm coming, Mom," he yelled from his door, and ran down the stairs.
"What have you been doing up there?" Lily Potter asked him, her voice raised. "I've been calling you for the last ten minutes. Go wash your face, you've got ink on it, and hurry up, we're going to be late!"
"Relax, Lily," James Potter said, coming into the kitchen. "We're going by Floo Powder, we can't be late." He smiled at his son, and said, "I wonder if Padfoot found Moony a date."
"Oh, I hope he didn't try to set Remus up with that girl who works with his fiancé, what's her name?" Harry was laughing to himself, trying to imagine his teacher on a date, any sort of date. Lily looked at her watch once again, then said, "Go, Harry, we do have to leave."
Harry ran to the bathroom to wash the ink off of face and wondered how to get rid of the few pimples that were marring his otherwise clear skin. He tried combing down his hair a little, but it was a futile battle, so he gave up. He heard his mother call his name again. "I'm coming!" he shouted to her and ran out the door.
When he reached the kitchen again, only his father was waiting for him. "You go next," James said. "Your mother went first to help Carol with dinner."
Harry grabbed a pinch of the glittering powder, shouted Sirius' address into the flames, and stepped in.
A/N: I told you it was short. Sorry about that. Consider this a sort of secondary prologue, in case I get rid of the first one. More to come soon, I promise. In the meantime, reviews greatly appreciated.