A/N: The reviews are awesome people! Keep them up! I read the reviews over, and then spent a good hour writing this whole chapter all at once. And it's pretty long. I think it's good, and I hope you do too. Know how I can find out? Read and Review! Thanks!
--------
Emily found herself running down the hallway following a group of older kids. She didn't even realize that she'd been separated from Charlie and Lexi until she reached an unfamiliar part of the castle. With a start, she realized, in her panic, she'd followed some Ravenclaws, and now quickly found herself abandoned in the middle of a hallway as the students clamoured into their common room.
"Oh no," she whispered pulling out her wand; though not completely sure as to what, exactly, she'd do with it.
There was a loud, banging sound, and what sounded like an electrical zap, and suddenly everything went dark throughout the castle. Emily cussed loudly.
"It's ok," she mumbled to herself as she felt her way down the hallway, "It's ok. I just have- have to find the main hall."
She stumbled around for about another minute before a voice cackled out.
"So Weasley, scared?" it was a girl.
A light suddenly sparked from the end of a wand, and Emily looked over to see Crystal standing there smirking.
"You," Emily's eyes bore into hers, "I knew you must have had something to do with this!"
"Not only me," Crystal smiled slyly, "James… Journey, it's safe to come out now… it's only her."
From the darkness, light suddenly appeared, and Emily gasped at the sight of both Journey and James walking over, their wands lit.
"Journey--" Emily breathed, "H-How?"
"Oh come on sis," Journey rolled her eyes, "You should know by now that I'm a better witch than you."
Emily shook her head, "No… we're…"
"Twins?" Journey interrupted, "Yeah, right. Just because we were born on the same day doesn't mean that we're special in any way. James here was born on the same day as Mum. Does that mean that they're special."
Emily open her mouth to say something, but nothing came out.
"Oh give it up Weasley," Crystal shook her head, "This is nothing. Thanks to Snape and McGonagall we didn't even get to do what we were supposed to do tonight. But hopefully someone will get really, really hurt by this troll. That will teach them to mess with our plans."
"Journey get away!" Emily yelled, "She's bad! Crystal is a Black!"
"No kidding," Journey rolled her eyes.
"C-Come on," James spoke up, "We have to get going. They're going to catch the troll soon."
There was a loud, rumbling, thumping sound coming from down the hallway, and all four students froze. It was Crystal that spoke first.
"I think the troll is going to catch us first," she smiled sinisterly, "Or should I say," she looked over at Emily, "The Weasley."
The toll, in it's gigantic, ominous form came stumbling from behind the corner, a giant bat clutched in his stubby hand. His stupid, beady eyes scanned them all, as his stench invaded their noses. Slowly he worked his way towards them.
"Oh no," for the first time that night Journey showed a sign of fear.
"It's ok," Crystal rolled her eyes, "It's not going to hurt you."
And she was right. Instead the giant troll moved towards Emily. Journey gasped, but didn't move as James stood numbly behind her and Crystal, staring.
"Help!" Emily cried out, the troll moving closer.
But Journey didn't. She only watched with a smile on her face as the troll moved closer and closer to her sister. The troll's eyes shimmered menacingly as it raised it's club and thumped towards Emily.
"No…please," Emily begged, "Journey, help me. Please."
Journey's insides churned as she stared helplessly, knowing, without looking, that Crystal had her wand pointed at her back. The troll took another step forwards, and prepared to crack Emily with the large club.
'No!' Journey shut her eyes tightly closed, and prepared for the worst.
"Wingardium Leviosa!" the cry came from in front of them, and Emily looked up to see the giant club floating in the air, and Hermione pointing her wand towards it.
Professor Snape, Hermione and Ron, all slightly pale faced stood in the hallway, all breathing hard, while taking in the startling scene.
"Stupify," Snape mumbled, and the troll fell stiffly down to the ground with a thickening thud.
"Emily!" Hermione ran over and wrapped her daughter in a hug, "Are you alright?"
"Yes Mum," she whispered, looking over at Journey.
"Journey, Crystal and… James," Snape hissed, "To my office. Now."
Looking much less taken aback by the events than anyone else, Crystal lead the other two smoothly down the hallway and out of sight.
"What happened?" Ron asked, his eyes wide as his own memories of a troll in his first year flashed in his mind.
"Err--" Emily hesitated, not wanting to tattle on her sister, "I got lost. And ran into the troll. But…" she paused, "Journey, Crystal and James came to help. I was ok."
"It did not appear," Snape frowned, "That everything was going well."
"Yes," Hermione shared Snape's look, "We could hear you screaming for help from all the way around the corner."
Emily stared at her feet, "I was scared. Listen," she looked up to face the three adults, "Can't I just go back to the dormitory? Please? I'm fine, I promise."
Though neither Snape, Hermione nor Ron said anything, Emily headed off down the hallway. Only then did she notice that the lights had come back on, and small torches were lit along the corridors. Her mind raced as to why her sister wouldn't have helped her. She stood right there watching. Watching as a family member was to be badly hurt, or even killed…
"That was pushing it!" Journey stopped suddenly in her tracks as they made it out of earshot from Snape, Hermione, Ron and Emily.
"What?" Crystal asked innocently.
"You know what I'm talking about!" Journey yelled rather loudly, "That troll was going to kill her!"
"No it wasn't," Crystal laughed, "Just hurt her. Besides which. We've talked about this before. You don't need her."
"Come on," James spoke up, "We have to get to the classroom before Professor Snape gets there."
Crystal sighed as she continued walking towards Snape's dungeon. Once there, they walked into the door to see that Professor Snape; and only him, had just gotten there.
"Shut the door," he spoke without even turning around from his currently hunched over position in front of his desk.
"Professor, I--" Journey started, but was interrupted.
"Black, I expected better of you," Snape fumed as he turned around to the three students.
"I know," Crystal sighed, "I tried Sir, I did. But James didn't want to go the short way to go outside."
"I don't care what he wanted!" Snape barked, "You were in charge!"
"Sorry," Crystal mumbled.
"What's going on?" Journey whispered, confused, "How- how do you know what's going on?" she looked at Professor Snape.
"Weasley, you're here for nothing more than your job with James. Do that and you'll be fine," Snape brushed her off.
"Wait!" Journey's eyes shone wide, "I don't understand. This wasn't supposed to be a big thing," she looked at James, "Did you know."
Wordlessly James nodded, and Journey's eyes widened more.
Snape seemed to just ignore this as he looked back to Crystal, "It took me hours to get that troll inside the school without anyone noticing. The next time I won't be so forgiving. Now go."
Journey remained bolted to the ground, but Crystal grabbed her arm and pulled her out of the dungeon. James in follow.
--------
The two sat inside the cosy room. The fire was lit on the far wall as they sat on the couch, staring, lost in thought at it. The house was decorated just as any other muggle house was. Toys were scattered throughout the room, as a playpen sat in the corner. Still pictures hung from the wall, depicting a normal life filled with first steps and first birthdays and first days of school for a young boy. Another set of pictures depicted that of a small baby girl, who, only now, was two years old and was resting peacefully in the playpen. Everything was so normal. And yet so very, very wrong.
"Do you think they know yet?" the lady asked quietly, "I mean. They're bound to, but we've had no calls."
"I know," the guy spoke, "But we told no one there, and we can't say anything."
"We should," the tall woman stood to her feet, "We should just go and talk to them. It would make everything so much easier!"
"We can't," the guy sighed and looked at his wife, "We've had this discussion before."
"Harry look!" the girl burst out, "Our daughter is two years old and is already showing magical abilities! She moved her teddy the other day from the couch all the way to her playpen! I don't want to have to do what we did with James, and try and hide it."
"Ginny please," Harry stood to his feet now too, "We can't let anybody know about us. You know that. He- he might come back for us, or even worse out children," he glanced over at his slumbering daughter, "Now you decide, do you want Mary to grow up, happy here, with normal, muggle friends, never having to worry about anything but boys, or do you want Voldemort to find out that we're still alive, and try and come after her."
"Why would he come after her if he knew you were alive?" Ginny asked.
"Because he wants me to make a Horcruxes," Harry whispered almost sadly, "I told you he explained that to me. He said that unless I made one, he would take everything that I love and kill it-- making more for himself."
"Well why hasn't he then?" Ginny sounded angry, "After so many years, he hasn't."
"Because he thinks we're dead!" Harry shouted, causing Mary to wake with a start, and stare around, wide eyed, "And he probably figures that there's nothing to worry about, and is trying to build himself up again to be able to- to…"
Tears welded up in Ginny's eyes, "You don't suppose there's going to be another war do you?"
Harry sighed, "I don't know."
"You need to come out of hiding," Ginny spoke, her voice choking, "I can take Mary and we can go into hiding. You and James… you can do it. We can't let Voldemort come back to full power."
"How do you know he is?" Harry asked.
"Oh don't be dense Harry," Ginny actually laughed, "I've been awake those times in the night when you wake up, your scar burning. Voldemort was knocked down hard by the last war, but now that he thinks he doesn't have to worry about you, he's building himself up again. That's why they need you. The magic world needs you. So please, you have to go. Go and talk to whoever the headmaster is there."
"I- I can't go back," Harry said, "I can't face that place again. Not with what happened to Dumbledore."
"But Snape was caught," Ginny said reasonably, "So justice was served. As you go, you can just think of how much Snape is suffering in Azkaban. And you need to see your son… you haven't seen James in over half a year."
"I know," Harry agreed, remembering.
It had been February of that year when Ginny and himself had a conversation about James. They knew that he was very gifted in magic, and didn't want to deprive him of everything he was capable of. So they had a discussion with James explaining to him that they were going to send him off to some relatives, and that he was going to be getting a letter to go to a special school for witches and wizards. Harry's own memories has flashed through his mind, as James curiously asked many questions about this. Harry had gone on to sadly explain that he wouldn't be able to contact him at all and that he'd have to change his last name to Harleton. Harry refused to tell his son anymore, but promised that he'd contact him at some point during the school year, and to make sure he didn't tell anyone about who he truly was. And so Harry and Ginny did the hardest thing either of them had ever done. They sent James off to stay at the Dursley's. Ginny cried uncontrollably at this as Harry gave his Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia five thousand pounds to keep James there; knowing deep down inside that as harsh as his Aunt and Uncle were, he'd be safe.
And now Ginny was suggesting for Harry to go back to the place with so many bad memories for him to try and sort things through.
"It will just be worse if you don't," Ginny tried to reason, "I mean. They may not know that Voldemort is still alive and gaining power. Which would you rather, a sudden war on the magic world, or one with some warning."
"I know," Harry sat back down on the couch, and Ginny joined him.
"Plus," Ginny said, her voice catching in her throat, "I really want my parents to know that I'm alive. I remember when Charlie died. They were so upset. And then there was me. And what about Hermione? Don't you want her to know that we're ok. All of our friends Harry."
"I know, ok!" Harry barked, then immediately regretted it, "I'm sorry. It's just… you're right. I need to do something. Before it's too late."
"Thank you," Ginny smiled brightly.
Just then a purple and yellow sippy-cup flew from the table and over to Mary, who giggled and started to drink the apple juice that was inside.
"I think that she's going to be a very good witch too," Ginny smiled, "And James, we know is."
"I know," Harry agreed, "There is something very powerful and strong about James. And I'm worried about him. I do need to go and see him."
Ginny looked at her watch, "It's a half past six," she said, "If you leave now, and use your broom, you could probably be there at about ten. Most people will be at Halloween festivities still, so you should be safe to get to the headmaster and tell him everything. Hopefully he will be as bright and understanding as Dumbledore was."
Harry nodded, "Yeah. And---" he paused, "What about you and Mary?"
"We'll go to Susan's place," she said referring to one of her muggle friends, "We'll be there until you let us know otherwise."
"Alright," Harry opened up the closet door and took out his broom; which he hadn't used in years.
Ginny walked beside him, "Harry please, please be careful. It won't take long for Voldemort to find out you're alive. Also, if you meet Ron, or any of my brothers, or… my parents… let them know that I'm ok, and that I love them. They can come see me if they want, but not without you. I don't want them to be in any danger. Let everyone know that I'm ok."
"I will," Harry gave her a tight hug, and a kiss, "Be safe, and make sure to get Mary and yourself to Susan's place."
"I will," she hugged back, "I love you."
"I love you too," Harry felt a lump forming in his throat, and a whoosh of dizziness as reality sunk in as to what he was doing, "And you," he turned towards Mary and picked her up in a tight hug as well, and gave her a kiss, "I love you too little lady."
"Wuv you too Daddy," Mary spoke, still clutching onto her sippy-cup.
Not wanting to prolong it any longer, Harry gave Ginny a quick hug and left. It was a cool night, and Harry pulled his jacket up tight around him. He knew he couldn't just take off with his broom suddenly without anyone noticing, so he walked into his backyard and took out the large thing from inside his jacket; his invincibility cloak. Harry swung it over himself, and it just barely covered him. He remembered fondly back to the time when himself, Hermione and Ron could all fit underneath it easily. Snapping back to reality, Harry took off on his broom. Though he hadn't used it in at least five years, it was no problem remembering how to. As he soared through the sky, his heart lightened so much and the carefree feeling he remembered from his youth came back to him. The crisp air whooshed through the cloak, and wiped away the tears Harry hadn't even realized had been falling down his face. The last memories of Hogwarts were so horrible. Dumbledore being killed by Snape. The vision had been burned into his mind and he didn't think he'd ever forget. The feeling of sadness was suddenly taken over by anger as he realized that he had sent his son to the school. He was glad he was going to see him now.
It was a half past nine when Hogwarts finally came into view, and Harry's heart began to beat fast and loud in his chest at the familiar building. He came to a landing just in front of the gates, and was relieved to see that they were open.
"Must be because of Halloween," Harry mumbled to himself, keeping his cloak over him, but placing the broom behind one of the large doors.
He walked into the large hall, and saw numerous pumpkins floating all around, and ghosts moving in and out of walls; there always seemed to be more ghosts on Halloween.
"That troll was something else," a student who looked to be in either fifth or six year came walking down from the stairs with his friend, "I heard it was a first year who brought it in too."
"No way," the other boy shook his head, "I heard it was a teacher."
"Professor Snape said that it was an accident," the other one then said matter of factly, and the two walked off past Harry.
'Professor Snape!' Harry's heart lurched, 'No! It couldn't be! Not the same one!'
He ran as fast as he could down to the dungeon, not even thinking about the noise he was causing as he did so. His wand; which he'd grabbed also from his closet at home, was immediately in his hand as he burst through the door to what he remembered had been Snape's office.
"What the--!" Snape looked up from his paper work behind the desk.
"You!" Harry screamed as he ripped off his cloak, took two great steps forward, and pointed his wand at Snape, "You!"
"Potter!" Snape's eyes reflected those of Harry's as he too stood up.
"You killed him, and you came back!" Harry's voice ripped through his throat, as so much anger pulsed through him that the lights flickered on the ceiling above.
It took Snape a few moments to find his voice, "No. Potter, as usual you have the facts wrong."
"I don't," Harry's voice had dropped deadly low as his wand now touched the chest of the unarmed professor in front of him, "I saw you. I saw you kill him. I was there. And now… and now I'm going to make you feel the same fear Dumbledore felt. Before he died."
--------
A/N: There's that chapter. A bit of it... ok, quite a bit of it is probably confusing. But it will get better. Feel free to tell me what parts of confusing, and I'll make sure they're cleared up. Other than that, I hope you enjoyed it! Yes, Harry is back, yes Ginny is back, and, yes, James is their son. Again, since it seems to be working quite well, I'll give you a sneek peak at the next chapter...
"She's missing!" Hermione came running into Professor Dumbledore's office, "Emily is missing!"
Only then did she notice that Harry was sitting infront of a beaming Dumbledore.
Want to see it? Review!