Chapter 1 – He who Lived, and They who Resisted

Disclaimer: I own nothing related to Harry Potter; only the storyline, Deranged and Ki are mine.

A/N: I removed the previous version of the story because there were some errors in the layout. This first chapter is the very same as the one I had uploaded before. )

Harry Potter wasn't the usual boy who lived down the street. Right from his first cry, many things set him apart from other little boys who run around playing in the park, or who have parents to give them sweets or presents. Instead, Harry lost his parents to insanity when he was one. All his life, the only adults he knew were some of the teachers in Hogwarts, namely Uncle Dumbledore, Aunt McGonagall, Uncle Flitwick and Aunt Pomfrey, when he fell sick. Sweets he had received were of an extraordinary kind from the usual Muggle kid.

It was a bright morning when Harry woke up on his eleventh birthday. He had a heavy heart. Every year, Uncle Dumbledore would bring him to visit his parents at St Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries. But every year, Harry had been disappointed; he would hope and hope that his parents would show signs of being saner before each visit, but they would still be talking incoherently, as though Harry was someone they didn't know, or being very quiet and fearful of him.

But he had also reason to look forward to this day. Finally, he would know the reason behind his parent's being insane, and why he had a scar on his head; a lighting bolt-shaped scar which would hurt without warning.

Harry dressed, and went out of the special room Dumbledore had attached to his own room.

"Good morning, Uncle Dumbledore."

"Why, good morning, Harry. Happy birthday to you, and may you be celebrating this day even a hundred years later!"

"How old are you, Uncle Dumbledore?" It was Harry's favourite question, though Dumbledore had never answered to it directly.

"As much older than you are today then I was older than you yesterday, my boy. Now, listen to me, today's going to be a busy day. Firstly, you'll find breakfast on the dining table. Eat to your stomach's full, and we'll set off for St Mungo's. Secondly, while we're at London, we'll be buying your school supplies. A Remus Lupin will join us at St Mungo's to bring you there; I've got something else to attend to. After buying all your school supplies, you'll come back here and… and we'll talk about what had happened."

"Noted, Uncle Dumbledore. What do you have to attend to?"

"That's for me to know and for you to find out. I've got to go for a moment now, but I'll be back as soon as you finish breakfast. Oh, and leave your dirty clothes out; a house-elf would come later for it. Until you finish your breakfast –"

With that, Dumbledore disappeared from sight. Harry sighed. He was looking forward to being able to celebrate his birthday, but it seemed that today would be too long a day. He sat at the dining table, gobbling down food, and thinking how Uncle Dumbledore could hold a kid in place – by planning a time table such that the most anticipated thing would be right at the end at the day, so the kid would have no choice but to be good.

Just as Dumbledore had promised, he reappeared again just as the plates on the dining table had been wiped clean. "Ready, then?" Dumbledore pointed his wand at a broken lamp on his table, muttered something, then asked Harry to touch the lamp with him. Instantaneously, Harry and Dumbledore were transported to outside St Mungo's long-term wards. Dumbledore pointed his wand at the kettle once again, and it shrunk such that it resembled a toy kettle, and kept it inside one of his many pockets.

"Remember, Harry, that your parents are not of sound mind. Despite that, you should know that this was an ending no one wanted, and that they were indeed forced into insanity. Show your respects to your parents as they are due, and feel happy that they are still here, for not many have survived the wrath." Dumbledore's eyes bored into Harry's, wanting him to fully realize what meant.

Harry nodded. Every year before this, Uncle Dumbledore had said this before letting him into his parents' ward. He never fully understood what Dumbledore had meant by "the wrath", but he expected that it was nothing pleasant. Nothing that could have taken away his parents' sound mind was pleasant.

With a resounding crack, a Healer appeared outside the ward. After greeting both Harry and Dumbledore, she unlocked the door using her wand, and let them in, shutting and locking the door after them. ("Just ask for me later if you want to get out, we can't risk not locking the door.")

James and Lily Potter reside in a private ward in St Mungo's and the hospitalization fee was "paid by the Ministry of Magic in view of their contributions to the wizarding world", so Harry knew. He quietly walked to his mother's bed, praying hard, and then muttered, "Hi, Mum."

Lily, who was playing a toy figurine on her bedside, turned, and looked shocked. Harry knew what it was going to be; his mother had not regained her senses. Just then –

"Hi."

Dumbledore turned around and stared. From all of his wizarding knowledge, he did not think that insanity resulting from torture could be treated at all, or, at the very least, that quickly. Harry was astounded as his heart rose. Did he just hear his mom talk to him?

"Hi, Lupin, how have you been?"

Harry turned away. He should have known. It was always the same result. His mother – and father – would probably not regain their sanity again. He began to sob.

"Oh, don't cry Lupin. I know, I know. Your transformations are painful, very painful indeed. Don't you worry, dear. Snape has agreed to brew the potion for you, so you don't have to go through the pain again. Come come…" and Lily began to pat Harry on the back.

Meanwhile, Dumbledore stared upon the sobbing back. He knew it was hard for Harry to come here on what should be the happiest day of his life, but after all, forgiving is the first step to recovery, and without being able to come to terms with reality would never help in forgiving. Maybe he should push back the date when he would tell Harry about the past…

Just then, Harry sat up, wiping his tears away. He stared into his mother's eyes, and uttered to himself, "I know you will get well one day, Mum. I know you will. Both you and Dad. Both of you will get well…"

James Potter clapped and hurrahed.

"Was it hard for you, Harry?"

Dumbledore and Harry were outside St Mungo's, waiting for Remus Lupin to arrive.

"No. After a while, you realize that it is no use crying. I'd rather spend my time hoping, wouldn't you?"

"Indeed. Hope is what makes people believe. Are you going to be ready for the truth tonight?"

"Yes." Harry stared at Uncle Dumbledore. "You promised –"

"And so I have. I have not forgotten."

Just then, a man appeared out of nowhere with a resounding crack. He looked around for a moment, seeing Dumbledore and Harry, smiled, and walked towards them.

"Hi, Lupin, you're late, which isn't usual. Current password to my office in Hogwarts?"

"Sherbet lemon, and sorry I was late. I nearly forgot about this," Lupin said sheepishly.

"Hi, Uncle Lupin."

"Why, good day to you Harry, and happy birthday. How are your parents?"

"As fine as fine can be to people who have lost their sanity. My mom thought I was you, and –"

"Harry, Harry. No doubt you'd find a lot of time to tell Uncle Lupin about what your mother had said on the way to Diagon Alley. Mind you, he has some bit of interesting information you'd want to know too, so remember to leave him some time. Lupin, I understand that you will find this useful –" Dumbledore passed Lupin a golden key "– so you can retrieve what you need for Harry's school's things. Vault 713. I invite you to dinner tonight, after which you will assist me in telling Harry the truth."

Lupin looked shocked. "But, he's only –"

"No one is ever ready for information that disturbing, no matter if you are eleven, or if you are a hundred and ten. I've made a Harry last year, and though many say promises are made to be broken, I want to make good my word."

"I see. I'll be there as soon as I get everything Harry needs."

"Good. I'll see you later then."

Dumbledore disappeared with a resounding crack, and Harry and Lupin went forth to Diagon Alley.

A/N: This is my first attempt at a HP fanfic, and I hope I'm starting right. I don't ask for much; only that you read and review this chapter. And to keep you in suspense till I upload the next chapter,

What will happen in Chapter 2: Diagon Alley

- Lupin brings Harry to buy his school things
- Harry meets the Weasley family, and is introduced to them
- Harry meets Draco Malfoy
- Harry meets Ki

To find out who Ki is, and how her appearance in the story would change it, please check back to the story! Till then!