Harry Potter and the Elements of Surprise
Chapter 4: Returning Help and Arguments
A young man and a woman were in a large room, shooting coloured lights and playfully taunting comments at each other.
"Gonna give up yet, Gryffie boy?" the woman asked with a laugh and teasing smile. She had long blonde hair done up in a braid and laughing sky blue eyes.
"Never Ella!" "Gryffie" yelled back in over-dramatization, shooting an emerald green light at her. He had emerald green eyes and shoulder-length messy black hair pulled back in a low ponytail. In the middle of his forehead was a lightning shaped scar.
The two continued to fight and jest with each other until another woman walked into the room. She was about the same age as the young man with mid-back auburn red hair that was also pulled into a braid. She had soft, meltable, chocolate brown eyes and a rather large stomach that came with the territory of being 8 ½ months pregnant.
Attached to the pregnant woman's hand was a toddler of 1 year and 1 month. She had soft, ebony black hair like her fathers, but she retained her mother's cute nose and meltable eyes.
"Harry, Elleanora! Hurry, or you'll be late for supper!" the woman called with an admonishing tone, though her eyes sparkled with mischief.
"Huwwy! Be wait fo suppa!" the little girl cried with childlike innocence.
"We're coming Phoenix! And do not worry young Uni! Your Auntie Elleanora won't let them eat your food!" the blonde haired woman-Elleanora- said with a laugh as she swept the little girl up into her arms.
"Foo! Foo!" the little girl chanted in excitement, her "Auntie" Elleanora running with her to the Eating Hall.
"Ah, our Lilia does love her food!" Harry said with a laugh. He slipped his arm comfortably around his wife's shoulder as they followed the path the other two had taken.
"Yes, well let's hope this one doesn't eat as much as she does, or we'll all starve by the time he's two!" "Phoenix" said with smile as she rubbed her extended belly.
"How do you know it's a boy, Ginny?" Harry asked, perplexed.
"Because! I'm a Weasley, there's got to be at least one boy!" Ginny returned with a giggle.
"Hey! You are so not a Weasley. You are totally a Potter!" Harry replied, giving his wife a playful reprimand push.
"Yep, I sure am!" Ginny returned with a content sigh and a hundred-watt grin as they entered the Eating Hall.
"Ah, and here comes the love birds now!" a man exclaimed, standing form his seat at the head of a table. He had shoulder length gray hair, pulled into a low pony, and piercing, yet kind, gray eyes.
Harry smiled and gave a slight bow to the man before quickly helping Ginny to her seat. She had made an attempt to curtsey to the man but gave up quickly.
"Sorry Drualt, I can't exactly run anymore, and I'd much rather walk than "shift"" Ginny replied with sarcasm though it was obvious she didn't mean it.
In response, Drualt gave a deep "belly laugh". Soon, the table's other occupants were laughing too, Lilia included.
"alright, alright," Drualt said moments later, wiping the tears away from his eyes, "Calm down for the prayers."
After everyone had finally calmed down, Drualt continued, "Fates and Gods be praise. We thank thee for this food and thank thee for our lives. We are honored with the company thou hast allowed us. Amena."
The rest of the table chorused in with their own "Amena"s, then dug into the food. Everyone was smiling, the conversation light and cheerful until 20 minutes into the meal.
A black owl flew through the open window and landed in front of Drualt. Drualt slipped a letter off the bird's leg and let it fly away. Quickly, his eyes scanned the letter and a grim expression crossed his features.
"Friends, I'm afraid I have bad news," Drualt said, standing for their attention as they immediately quieted, "Harry, Ginny…your world is falling. Wizard families are going into deep hiding, or moving into Hogwarts with your people. The ministry is close to being taken. Hogwarts is the only real safe haven left in your world. Harry, Ginny, I know you're ready now, and you are needed.
"It's time for us to go back. I always knew it, yet it still saddens me," Harry sighed, "I guess it's settled then. We'll leave at dawn tomorrow. We won't be able to shift the whole way because of Lia and Ginny.
"We understand Gryffin." Elleanora said, "But, we have gifts for you!" Quickly, she ran from the room, reappearing moments later with a large bundle.
"For Lilia, from Drualt, Freya, Cassiel and myself." Elleanora pulled out a small black cloak with silver stars adorning it, "It will help her blend into the shadows and keep her movements silent. Also for Lia is this!" This time Ella pulled out a gold chain with a unicorn pendant on the end. "This is from the trainers. It will always remind her of her Uni-ness."
"Thank you Ella," Ginny smiled, giggling slightly over "Uni-ness" as she accepted the gifts for her daughter.
"You're welcome!" Ella said brightly before pulling out two elegant daggers with "Phoenix" etched into the blades. "These are for Ginny, from Drualt, Freya, me and Cassiel. And, from the trainers to Ginny, is this!" Smiling brightly, Ella extracted a delicate gold chain from the bundle. Adorned on the chain was a brightly glowing phoenix. "It will never stop glowing." She said proudly.
"Oh! It's beautiful!" Ginny breathed happily, "Thank you Ella!" She smiled happily and hugged the other woman tightly.
Ella laughed and hugged her back, "You're welcome Phoenix!"
Smiling happily, Ginny accepted her gifts, letting Ella continue.
"And, lastly, for Harry, from Drualt, Freya, Cassiel and me, we have this!" Proudly, Ella extracted a long gleaming sword from the now-small bundle. Etched in flowing script horizontally along the blade was the word Gryffin. "It will be better suited to you then Pawstrike was and it's more powerful." Ella explained with a smile, "And, from the trainers we have this," Ella pulled out a "manly" gold chain with a small, glowing griffin pendant that was warm to the touch. "It will always glow, and only grow cold when you pass on."
"Thank you, Ella," Harry said softly, hugging the woman tightly. "Thank you all, for everything you've done for us. I don't know how we can ever repay you."
"Oh, pish, Harry, we loved having you here. And you may come back any day you'd like," Drualt assured with a soft, fatherly smile.
Harry beamed a bright, grateful smile at the room before regrettably saying, "Well, we should get to bed. We'll never forget you, I promise." Harry slipped his arm around his wife and the 3 walked purposely towards the door. Ginny and Lia went through first, and, before he followed his family, Harry turned and said softly, "We'll see you when we're free."
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"Don't worry, you're welcome here. Eliza here will help you to the Great Hall." Hermione said, welcoming another wizarding family to Hogwarts.
"Come on, Hermione, you have to rest. Besides, it's supper time," Diana interrupted, pulling Hermione into the Great Hall.
Diana frog-marched her into the Hall and up to a table. Plunking her down beside Ron, Diana then seated herself between Mike and Julius.
"Eat, my friends. It won't do for you to starve." Dumbledore said, his soft voice traveling through the silent hall.
At his words, many people began to eat. They didn't eat because they were hungry, they ate because they didn't want to die. Because they didn't want to disrespect the memories of the ones already lost to their world.
Suddenly, the oak doors burst open, giving entrance to three hooded figures. One was small, a child. Another was of medium height with a large stomach. And the last was atleast 6" tall. The last was the one to step forward.
"Stop right there," Mike growled threateningly, his wand on the figures as he stood. Quickly, almost every other wand in the room joined the aiming process. (A/N Does that sentence even make sense?)
"Now Mike, calm down!" the figure said, voice tinged with laughter and amusement. The voice was deep and low-obviously male- but soothing.
"How do you know my name?" Mike demanded harshly, eyes narrowing at the man.
Now, really! Mathew Isaac Keegan Ethan Sirius Ivan Remus Isaiah Ulysses Shawn Potter, how can you not recognize your own brother?" the man demanded, with an air of mischief, as he let his hood drop. Underneath was, obviously, Harry Potter.
Immediately the hall was filled with triumphant cheers and relieved yells. There were many happy shrieks of "HARRY!" too.
The twinkle returned to his eye, Dumbledore stood, silencing the room immediately. "Welcome back young Harry! I believe you have others to introduce?" He said jovially, a smile adorning his wrinkled face.
"Oh, yes! My wife, Virginia Potter and my daughter, Lilia Potter," Harry introduced with a small grin. As soon as her name had left his lips, a sea of red hair had gone racing for Ginny, enveloping her as soon as her hood fell.
"Ah! Daddy! Help me!" Lilia shrieked, surrounded by the Weasley clan.
"Accio Lilia," Harry laughed, catching his daughter easily in his arms, "Don't worry, baby girl." He soothed, "This is our family, and our home.
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"So, Harry, why don't you tell us where you've all been?" Dumbledore asked once they were settled in his office with the Hogwarts professors, the Weasley clan, Hermione, Mike, Diana and Julian.
"Why don't you tell us what's been going on around here, instead?" Ginny replied easily, for her husband.
"Virginia Molly-Anne Weasley!" Mrs. Weasley yelled, shocked at her daughter's behavior.
"Potter, mum" Ginny replied, unfazed by her mother's temper.
"Potter? What about Potter?" Mrs. Weasley demanded in confusion.
"She's Virginia Molly-Anne Potter no, mum. Sheesh, you must be forgetting things in your old age," Ron teased lightly.
"Ronald Steven Weasley! You leave your mother's old age alone!" Mr. Weasley admonished jokingly.
"MY old age, Arthur?" Mrs. Weasley demanded, a twinkle in her eye, "You, my dear, are 3 years older than I am!"
The light bantering was interrupted, however. Bursting through the door came on, Remus Lupin. He looked panicked, excited, nervous and happy all mixed into one.
"Harry! Where the heck is he? Harry!" He yelled, practically leaping on Harry in relief.
"Daddy!" Lilia screamed in fear as Remus crushed Harry in a bear hug.
"Lia calm down! This is your…" Harry paused as the two men stood, gazing at Remus thoughtfully before continuing with, "Lia, this is your grandfather."
"G-Grandfather?" Remus sputtered, staring wide-eyed at Harry."
"Yes, you're like my father, so you're Lia's grandfather." Harry replied with a 100-watt grin.
"Oh, Harry," Remus said, tears clouding his eyes with happiness.
"Gampa?" Lia asked cautiously, tugging at the bottom of Remus' robe.
Remus gave a slight start and looked down. A slight smile graced his features as he looked down at what could have been a miniature, female version of his late friend James Potter.
"What is it…Lia?" Remus asked, slightly uncertain in his new role.
"Why you cwying?" Lia inquired, head cocked to one side.
"Because, I missed your daddy and mummy. I haven't seen them since before you were born." Remus explained, settling himself into Harry's vacated chair. Immediately, Lilia climbed into his laps and threw her arms around Remus in a hug.
Harry smiled at his baby girl and surrogate father. Giving a contented sigh, Harry transfigured himself a new chair.
"Now, I'd prefer it if you told us what's been happening here. Then we'll tell you what's been going on with us." Harry said, settling himself into the chair.
"Ain't that nice? What if we don't spill 'till you tell us where you've been?" Diana replied eyebrows raised in challenge.
"Then I'll just get an Elemental to tell me what's been going on, and you won't get squat." Was Harry's calm response.
"Then Gin will tell us." Ron replied smugly.
"No she won't!" Ginny snapped back irritably, "If you don't respect Harry's wishes you won't get anything from me."
"What do you mean, you won't?" Ron asked incredulously.
"Uh, Ron, I wouldn't-" Harry interrupted cautiously.
"Shut up Harry!" Ron interrupted.
"Uh-oh Uncle Ron. Yow in twouble!" Lia giggled, covering her ears with her hands in anticipation as her mother's face got red.
"RONALD STEVEN WEASLEY!" Ginny yelled angrily, "Don't you dare get mad at me! I am the one who is pregnant here! Not you! And don't you dare tell Harry to shut up!" she screamed, her pregnancy swings and Weasley temper merging together.
"I-I-I" Ron stuttered in fear, cowering slightly in his chair.
"I tried to warn you!" Harry sighed, getting up to sooth his wife, "Ginny, love, this probably isn't good for the baby. And besides, we all know Ron's just being a prat." He said, kissing her forehead lightly.
"Mm, you're right," Ginny sighed, leaning into him slightly, before carefully easing herself back into her chair, now totally calm, "Now, back to business! Either spill it, or we're getting someone else to."
"Alright! We'll talk, don't get your knickers in a twist!" Mike smirked.
"Mathew Isaac Keegan Ethan Sirius Ivan Remus Isaiah Ulysses Shawn Potter!" Diana yelled, "Little ears!"
"Oh yeah, whoops," Mike said sheepishly, "Sorry 'bout that!"
"Anyway, back to business," Dumbledore interrupted, " Well…Since you've left, Daemon's gained more power, and more recruits. He's gone around pillaging everything and everyone in his way. Not much has been able to stand against him. The Ministry and Hogwarts are the only wizarding communities left. Everything else in Britain has been destroyed. Everyday, families arrive here, more often then not missing atleast one member. We provide food and shelter for the families that manage to make it here, but the Ministry has been doing nothing to help. Our world is crumbling at our feet."
"Have you done nothing for attacks?" Harry questioned.
"We don't want to risk losing-" Dumbledore began.
"You mean you've done nothing!" Harry interrupted harshly before turning to his brother, "You've done nothing Mike? The Elementals were trained to fight the Dark, and you've done nothing!"
"Well, Harry…" Mike trailed off.
"You people sicken me! You don't want to live under a Dark Lord, and yet you won't fight for your freedom! Have you no pride? No shame? How can you let yourselves be dragged underneath his boots?" Harry roared at them, a bright emerald light shimmering around him. Abruptly, he turned for the door, saying "I can't stay here now, I have to go." Angrily, he strode from the room, the slamming of the door, shaking most everything in the room.
"Hmm, we'll be going then. Harry can't be left by himself for too long when he's this angry. Come on Lia baby, say 'bye to your grandfather." Ginny stated, heaving herself from her chair.
"Okay, mummy. 'Bye gampa!" Lia complied, giving Remus a hug.
"Bye, bye Lily," Remus said, giving the little girl a kiss on the forehead.
"Ginny! You can't leave!" Ron yelled indignantly.
"Oh, no?" Ginny asked, eyebrow raised questioningly.
"No! You guys said if we told you, you'd tell us!" Ron replied.
"Yea, and you didn't tell us." Mike chimed in.
"Aw, isn't that a pity?" Ginny said, a mock sad look on her face.
"Ginny! You have to hold up your end of the bargain!" Bill said sternly.
"Yea, whatever," Ginny replied flippantly, taking her daughter's hand and heading for the door.
"You can't leave!" Ron repeated in protest.
"Watch me!" Ginny yelled back, the mother and daughter walking out without a backwards glance.
None of the Potter's were seen again for the rest of the day. No one talked to them either, until the next day. And even then, it wasn't by their choice.
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A/N Heeey! Ducks rotten fruits I'm sorry guys! It's just that I just started gr.9, and it is WAY stressful! I can't promise another chapter real soon, cuz the only reason I got this one up is 'cuz it's exam week and I have a 5 day weekend cuz I did my exams already! Guys, I PROMISE I will try my hardest to get the next chapter up as soon as I can, but school's gotta come first! Ok, I gotta jet and get this uploaded.
Flipz!
Independent-chik a.k.a Jenny