A/N: I own nothing, I love you forever, by Robert Munsch. Thanks to everybody who reviewed. Not as much as I was hoping for but still they all mean the world to me. Some of them were quite funny and those made my day. I love you all and please keep the reviews coming. I'm sorry this chapter took so long to get out; I already stated that school has started and that is going to take up a lot of my time. But I do promise you the chapters, I hate it when I start to read a story and the author has not continued with it, and I vow not to do the same to you. Also a little other problem had occurred I was about two pages ahead and I saved my work, but apparently it didn't save properly so I lost part of my story and had to start it over again, I want to cry. So they will come, how often I don't know, but it's only about two more chapters left. OK! I can hear all of you screaming to me now to stop this pointless A/N and get on with the story so here it is. Please make me feel better and review it will make my day. Warning: Character Deaths. So nobody hates me afterwards.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Dumbledore sat staring out of his office window looking out at the great lake before him. He saw Harry's friends sitting down and talking. It looked like they were in a heated discussion. But from faraway he could not tell. At least he still had control over a few things. The day that Harry disappeared Molly Weasley had been contacted. He had told her everything that happened, and like he expected she took it rather hard. Her fussing was so over done that by the end he decided it would be better for the Weasley's and Granger to just stay put at Hogwarts. Molly agreed thinking that it would keep her children safe from Death Eater attacks or from You – Know – Himself. Together they thought it best to keep Kingsley at Hogwarts, extra protection for the children. This made Dumbledore smile even more it was never for the children, Shacklebolt made a great spy.
Albus looked at the children who looked so happy. In all due time the world would know happiness once more.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
"I'm still not getting this." Ginny's wail rebounded off of the lake's water and it seemed to hit everyone's ears in a loud torrent.
The teens bored of being cooped up inside all the time since Harry's departure had finally persuaded Shacklebolt to let them outside. It was not like any of them could pull a Harry. They were all forbidden to ride on brooms until School started again. That suited Hermione just fine. So there was really no escape. It was nice to be out in the fresh air. Granted it was evening and in a couple of hours they would be heading for bed, it was still nice.
Hermione leaned over Ginny's shoulders to see what was upsetting the younger girl. She took a quick glance at Ginny's homework sheet and saw where the problem lay. "All you did was mix up one of the numbers. Here." Hermione said as she pulled the piece of homework away. She crossed off the wrong one and added in the right one. "And there you get 4. Which means that unfortunately you won't be returning to Hogwarts this coming year." Hermione shoved the piece of parchment back towards its owner.
"Yes I will. I have to I don't think mum's going to pull me out right before school's going to start." Ginny pouted tears welling up in her eyes at this statement. If she did not return to Hogwarts she would never see Harry again.
"Ginny you never told us that mum was transferring you." Fred said taking his eyes away from the giant squid to examine his younger sister.
"I didn't know about it either. Maybe she was planning on telling me next week, before school actually started." Ginny looked imploringly at her brothers, silently asking for help.
Ron finished his potions essay that he had been working on. It took him the better part of the day, and he was tired. He passed it on to Hermione with a pleading look. Rolling her eyes she accepted it and started to make the corrections.
"Ginny you're not going to another school, relax. Arithmancy is nothing more than rubbish. It's exactly like regular divination just more complicated and with a lot of numbers." Ron said looking quite abashed as his essay got handed back to him a lot of red flitting around the pages pointing to him where the mistakes needed to be fixed.
"That's not true Ronald Weasley. Arithmancy is very accurate. It predicted that I would break my nose before exams." Ginny huffed out in indignation.
"The only reason why you broke your nose Ginny is because you weren't watching where you were going. If it was not because of that you would never have walked where Peeves was playing the pranks. Any second year and above knows enough to keep their eyes open at all times."
"I resent that." Ginny huffed.
The twins glowered at Ron they were very defensive of their younger sister.
"Don't worry Ginny. Ron's just a big nosed Prat." George said and glowered at his younger brother.
"Oh shut up the lot of you." Ron yelled, crossing out his mistake on the parchment and rewriting it to make it correct.
"See Ron if you just did you homework at the start of the summer holidays you could be relaxing like me." Hermione leaned back into the grass staring out at the night sky.
Ron folded up his parchment and went to join her. He hugged her close to his chest and they just sat gazing at the stars lost in each other's embrace.
Ginny looked at Ron and Hermione longingly. Wishing that she had whatever they had with Harry. She imagined how it would be to lean into his chest, and have him wrap his arms around her where she would be able to get lost in them. She would turn her head towards his and lips would meet lips. Ginny fingered her lips; she could almost taste Harry on her. She sighed deeply, how sweet it would be. Ginny shook her head. Now was not the time to be thinking of that. She refocused her attention back to her assignment and onto the next question, where would she be in five years from now? "Who knows?" She said aloud and closed her books shut for the day. Her concentration level was completely gone. She was done for the day.
They all sat staring at the wondrous sight around them. The early evening sky was filled with a few stars already twinkling millions of miles away, it made Hogwarts seem more whimsical than it ever did in the time that they were there. It seemed that it held promises. Promises of a better tomorrow. Promises for a peaceful and happy life. No one could argue with that, that's what they were looking forward to.
"Hey look at that." Ron said pointing with his free hand at the sky where an obsolete object was moving.
Hermione took the wandering hand and placed it across her waist where it fell and took hold of her possessively. Ginny had to look away; she found it unfair that Harry could not do that with her.
"It's nothing Ron. It's just a shooting star or something." Ron just shrugged too happy really to even care that his girlfriend was patronizing him.
"No you're wrong Hermione." Ginny said getting a clearer view of the object. "It's an owl."
"Wonder who sent it." Said Ron, getting eye rolls from everybody around him.
"It's pretty obvious. Ronniekins. Harry." George said. At times Ron could be so stupid.
Ron's whole face went red and he buried it in Hermione's cloak. Everybody laughed at that. Hermione just rolled her eyes again and shrugged it off as if it happened all the time.
The owl now closer swooped down on them, and Ginny gave a little yelp as she thought that it was going to fly straight into her. Which it did not. Instead it stopped just in front of her with an easy landing. Ginny grabbed the letter from the owl before anybody else could. She opened it up and scanned it quickly, eyeing it for any signs of trouble. When she was satisfied that there were no hints of needing help like there was in the summer, she read it fully out loud so that everybody could hear.
Dear Ron, Hermione, Ginny, Fred, and George
What can I say? I don't even know how to start this. I must say that I could have never asked for better friends than you. Thank you guys for saving me in more ways than you'll ever know. I'm sorry for the other night (you know which one I mean) if I scared anybody I'm truly sorry. I never meant to. I'm doing much better now. My dad and me seem to be getting along a lot better now. Hardly anymore fights, even though we had a pretty bad one the other day, but it was funny and of course I won. I always win." At this point they could hear Harry's laughter and cheekiness when he wrote this. They all smiled for their friend's happiness. Ginny continued, reading. "The reason why I'm writing was first of all I knew you guys would be worried and the second is because I finally convinced my dad to take me to Diagon Alley to purchase my school supplies. I was hoping that if you all were able to you would want to join us there. Of course my dad and me would be under our invisibility cloaks, Dumbledore has refused to lift the warrant for my dad's arrest until I come back in September, I'll let you know all about that afterwards, but it would still be fun. Just like old times. If you can we were thinking for around noon by Gringott's that's only if you can get away. Owl me back, Cleo knows to wait for a response." Love you all Harry." Ginny finished reading the letter and set it down gingerly, not entirely letting it go. It felt like it was her only lifeline to Harry.
Ron jumped from his spot where he was laying with Hermione. "Well what are you waiting for? Owl him back. Let him know we're coming." He shouted at his sister.
"Yea right, and do you really think Shacklebolt will just let us leave? We have both Dumbledore and your mother against us. He's not going anywhere." Hermione said tiredly, pointing at the man sitting by a tree a good couple of feet away from them. "We should tell Harry that we'll have to see him on the Hogwarts express."
"You guys can stay, but me and Fred will go. Nobody can stop us from coming or going, we're legal, not our mother and especially not Dumbledore." George said. "So who's with us?"
"I'm definitely going." Ginny said glaring at anybody who dared refuse her.
"I'm in." Ron said to.
"I guess I'm in as well." Hermione sounded dejected.
"Great." Ginny yelled. She went to write a quick letter to Harry, voicing their consent to the meeting.
"Wait. How are we going to know they're there, if they're both under the invisibility cloak?" Hermione looked at Ginny, as she was just about to tie the letter to Cleo's leg.
Ginny took back the letter and wrote a small message and then retied it to Cleo's leg. She knew she would drive Hermione mad with the want of knowing what was written. She smiled inwardly holding in her glee as Hermione looked like she was going to die from curiosity. All Ginny could say was. "You'll see tomorrow, or if Harry decides to write us all another letter."
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
After James had finished re warding the house against Moony, he slumped his body into the first chair that he could find. It was exhausting work. His mind was screaming at him for a firewhiskey, but he could not lose control now, not with Harry in the house. At the thought of Harry, James ran up the stairs towards his son's bedroom. He needed to feel assured that Harry was still there. For some reason a feeling that James had never felt before eased it's way into his stomach. A feeling that Remus was now a potential threat to his family, and even though he just re warded the house he could not help feeling that Remus may have never left the Manor in the first place and he could be sneaking around, or hurting Harry at that moment. This made James run faster.
When he got to Harry's bedroom the door was wide open. James' heart started pumping again; it had stopped when he thought that Harry could be in trouble once more. Harry was lying on the bed looking at him with a puzzled expression on his face.
"Harry…" James said cautiously, eyes scanning the room to see if Remus was there. When he was content enough he was ready to tell Harry that the trip to Diagon Alley was cancelled, but before he could say another word, Harry started talking.
"Dad, that wasn't Remus." Harry dove right in.
"No it wasn't." James went to sit on the bed beside his son. "He didn't hurt you did he?"
Harry shook his head "no". It was not like Remus had physically, but he could not understand why Remus had a whole new demeanour about him. His eyes weren't soft as they once were, when he came to visit them, and he was more cold.
James studied Harry as if he were examining the boy for any cuts or bruises.
"Dad I just fell that was it. Remus DID NOT DO ANYTHING." Harry had to emphasize the word to make James see that nothing wrong had happened. "You're too over protective I've looked after myself for sixteen years; I don't need anybody to start babying me now."
"For one I know Remus did not look like he was doing anything, but he can be extremely tricky when he wants to be, and conniving. You have never really seen the real him before, at least the one that I know. Secondly as I know you have noticed considering you were listening by the landing, you overheard everything, Remus was acting differently, not himself and I don't know what's coming over him, so of course I have to be protective. Third I'm not 'babying' you as you so nicely put it, but what kind of father would I be if I weren't a little concerned?" James pierced his son with a gaze that if Harry could he would be under a rock hiding at the moment, but there was nowhere to go anyways, he was still locked in his room.
"So then tell me if you're not babying me, how come I'm still locked in my room, how come you haven't trusted me enough yet to let me come and go as freely as I want to? Even at Hogwarts Dumbledore let me wander the halls, he knew I had your invisibility cloak."
"Dumbledore did not have to see his only child lying in a pool of blood. Dumbledore did not have to clean that blood up and Dumbledore was the main cause of this whole thing."
"Not everything can be blamed on Dumbledore." Harry stated in a simple statement.
"And what is that supposed to mean."
"I mean you've been blaming Dumbledore for everything, what about you? You're still at fault to you know." This was said as more of a statement then a question. Harry turned away; he was embarrassed for the words that came out of his mouth. How could he just say those things to his father? Right now he could not look his dad in the eyes.
James grabbed his son by the shoulders and made him face him again. His breathing ragged, he felt as if he was just punched in the stomach. He eyed Harry critically, but he knew that it was not Harry's fault. Harry was just trying to push him away the only way he knew how.
"I know what you're doing Harry, and let me tell you something, it's not going to work." James held onto Harry's shoulder tightly as Harry fought to get away.
"You don't know what I'm doing you still don't know anything about me." Harry cried.
"I know a lot more about you than you may think." James said.
"No, you don't. Nobody knows anything about me. All people see when they look at me is the bloody – boy – who- lived."
"Know what I see when I look at you?" James asked.
"Not in particular, no." Harry retorted back.
"I see a young boy, who has had too much to deal with since he was a baby. I see a boy who is fighting with every fibre in his body not to break down. I see a boy who has been abused, I also see a boy who has been loved. I have also seen a boy who is scared to be loved. I see a boy who has had to carry the weight of the world on his shoulders, and I see a boy who just wants to be a boy. But most of all, I see Harry, my son." James took the trembling boy in his arms and quietly he rocked his son in his arms. His entire life all his son ever wanted was to be normal, and James knew that, and now James would do his best to provide that to Harry.
Their silence was rocked when a loud tapping on the windowpane was heard. They both jumped from being startled.
"What was that?" Harry yelped and he ran to get a better look outside.
Before Harry reached the window James pulled him back afraid that there was somebody out there to hurt their small family. He shook his head as if he was berating himself for being so stupid. The new wards would not permit anybody to enter into their Manor.
A shadow landed on the carpet, one that resembled a hawk. When James had a better look out the window, though the sky was now velvet black, a ruffled owl looked menacingly into the room.
James opened up the window, and in came Cleo, not looking the least bit happy about being kept outside for so long. James untied the note from the poor animals leg.
"Better get her a treat Harry, she doesn't look to happy to me."
"Does that mean I have permission to leave my room. I don't have any treats up here." Harry, who had forgotten about the argument that had just happened, now remembered and it looked like clouds were hovering over the boy's head.
James was ready for the storm. "Harry look." James waved his wand, and then gave a gesture for Harry to leave his room without James' permission.
"I'm not that stupid. You probably cursed the door so that instead of it just throwing me back when I try to leave, it's probably going to shock me as well."
"You're right Harry, because I would love to see my son getting executed every time he tried to get through the door, it will give me great pleasure let me tell you that, you know something for my amusement when I get bored."
"Funny, very funny." Harry rolled his eyes at his father.
"But if you insist on acting like this I can easily put the wards back on and as you said the very first day here, you can stay in your little 'prison' but it's up to you." James made a move that looked like he was ready to put back on the wards.
Harry realizing that he was just giving up on almost total freedom ran to the door and stepped into the hallway. He laughed when nothing happened and than ran back into the room, and out. He ran down the stairs and came back with a box of treats for Cleo.
"Thanks Dad." Harry said sheepishly.
"You earned the privilege." James smiled back at his son. "But I think you better hurry with the treat, Cleo looks like she's ready to bite your finger off the way she keeps looking at you." And James was right, for Cleo kept giving both of them looks of disgust.
Harry handed Cleo a treat in return, and she flew away as if afraid she would be sent out on another message.
"Well aren't you going to open it?" James asked.
"Oh yeah right. Almost forgot."
Harry opened the letter and read what it said.
"Dear Harry,
We got your letter and we are so glad to hear that you are doing well. But rest assured that if you do anything so stupid again like that you won't live to see another day. How could you give us such a scare like that, after we worked so hard to getting you out of there for the day? but I guess it worked out for the best, because you and you're dad seem to be getting on better. Life here at Hogwarts is not fun right now. Dumbledore insists that we have to have a babysitter everywhere we go, and Shacklebolt is ours. We cannot go anywhere without him following us. The only reprieve we get is when we have to use the loo and even then we all have to stick together as if it's some sort of school outing (for some reason Ron insisted I put that in). Harry could just see Ginny rolling her eyes; he knew Ginny wrote the letter, because he did not recognize it as any of the others. " We can't wait to see you. Tomorrow by Gringott's sounds really good. We just have to come up with a way to leave Shacklebolt's grip. HAHA. The only problem is that if both you and your father are going to be under the invisibility cloak, how will we know where you both are. Hermione thinks a bit of a better way would be better. Please reply. We won't send one back, because we'll probably be getting this tomorrow before we leave, but either way we will be there.
Love always, Ginny, Ron, Hermione, Fred, and George."
"What are we going to do?"
"I think the best solution would be if you go under the invisibility cloak, and I just change into an older man. With everything going on I forgot that I could." James ruffled Harry's hair and then left the room to leave Harry for some privacy.
Harry wrote another letter to his friends telling them of the change in plans. He then called for another owl to take the letter away.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Albus Dumbledore went to bed early. He later regretted it, as he was not having a good sleep. He saw many Harry's and James floating around accusing him of killing them. He bolted upright, waking in a cold sweat. Thoughts running through his head. At last he figured that he already owned the boy, why not give him something that he would want, until he returned to Hogwarts in a couple of days.
He went to the floo and had a long conversation with Fudge. Fudge agreed with much coercion and by tomorrow morning, before the sunrise things would settle themselves rightly, until the real war began.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
The boy's dormitory was alive with four bodies rummaging around the room looking for pyjamas. The circular room looked like a hurricane had just passed through. Clothes were strewn all along the floor, and beds. Not one bit of flooring could be seen. Hermione pushed her way through the wads of bodies and was able to manage to get to the wardrobe that held her clothes neatly.
"See if you all unpacked properly, and hung things up you guys would not be fighting over tops and bottoms, or for the love of God Ginny here you could borrow these." Hermione flung Ginny a ghastly looking nightgown, it was pink, blue, and orange, and it had bows all around.
Ginny who had been arguing with Ron over a t – shirt that she says he threw out, because it no longer fit him properly and that was five years ago, caught the nightgown, took one look at it and threw it back at Hermione, which landed on the bushy haired girls face. "Thanks mum, but I think I'll stick to this top."
"Over my dead body, Gin. This is my favourite top." Ron yelled at his sister.
"You threw it away a long time ago, you Git." Ginny screamed at him.
Fred who had enough of the squabbling gave Ginny the clean top that he had found.
"Thanks." Ginny said as she flounced to the loo to change.
Hermione followed Ginny to change as well. Annoyed that she was only trying to help and all she got back in return was a nightgown in her face.
When the two girls re-emerged from the loo ten minutes later it was to three boys arguing quite loudly.
"If you two don't be quiet I think you'll wake everybody in the castle up." Hermione said slipping into the bed by the window the one closer to Ron's.
"What's all the fighting about?" Ginny took the easier way out to get the arguing to stop.
"Why don't you ask this bloody genius over here."
"Well let's see you come up with something better, you great big ars…"
"That's enough. If you don't tell us what's up in two minutes than forget about it I'm going to sleep." Hermione lectured all of them.
"If you must stick your nose into other people's business 'Mione we're just having a wonderful, enthusiastic, fantastic, conversation about how we're all going to slip through Kingsley's leash." George said.
"Lay off her, she didn't do anything."
"Isn't that cute little icky Ronniekins defending his wittle giwlfwiend?" Fred mocked his younger brother.
Ron was ready to retaliate when a voice stopped them. "Must we go through this again? Why does their always have to be some kind of argument going on. When are you three going to grow up and start acting like men instead of little boys. Maybe you all do need babysitters." Ginny's face turned a deep red from her ramblings, she was short of breath and she looked ready to kill.
Sorry's could be heard throughout the room.
"That's better." Ginny coaxed them as if they were all five years old.
"So what was the brilliant idea about getting away from Shacklebolt?"
"Honestly it's quite simple, me and Fred are going to transfigure one of the beds into a fireplace and then we'll all floo down to our shop. We'll mind the store as it has been awhile since we last saw it, and we need to start returning to work, while the three of you guys go visit Harry. Then I suggested that you all bring him to our shop first."
"What's wrong with that?" Ginny eyed Ron.
Ron who's ears had turned red from arguing asked, "Are you serious Gin? First off the bloody fireplace won't be connected to the floo network. Then if they do try to connect the fireplace we'll have the ministry on our backs, or in other words Dumbledore, and then there would be no way he would let us leave."
"This is so stupid." Hermione cried. "Just walk out of the front entrance. Dumbledore and Shacklebolt cannot stop at least three of us. I'm not a Weasley so I can say I'm going home to visit my parents, Fred and George are allowed to leave, because they're of age, and as for you two," She pointed to Ron and Ginny, "You guys are just coming home with me. Simple as that."
"What if that doesn't work?" Ron asked.
"It will." Hermione said matter of factly, and then turned over and went to sleep.
The rest of the room soon followed in turn each lost in their own thoughts.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
James woke up to the early morning light that was streaming through his curtains. He had a nightmare, and was not sure he would ever be able to get out of it, until the sunlight approached, he rushed to Harry's room, he needed once more to make sure that everything was fine in that room. There was something about today that left an uneasy feeling in the pit of his stomach, but when he saw the nest of hair that was his son's, as the rest of Harry was hidden away under the blankets, he pushed the feeling aside and went to make breakfast.
He turned on the Wizarding Wireless, listening to the newest song by the Weird Sister. Harry had gotten him hooked on that group; he decided that if the Weird Sisters ever came to perform in England he would take Harry. That would be a treat for the boy, he knew that Harry was always left out of things at the Dursley's, and he had to make it up to him.
"Attention, Attention." The newscaster on the wireless announced. "We have been informed by the Ministry for Magic that Harry Potter has been found alive and safe. Mr. Potter has been deemed innocent and no charges will be brought to him. We here at the Wizarding Wireless would like to welcome home our young saviour of the wizarding world, and congratulations to Mr. Potter in finding his son. This wonderful news will be heard for the next twenty – four hours every half hour on the dot."
James who had been holding the frying pan in his hand let it go, and with a tumultuous bang the pan fell to the floor, and so did James, crying. Him and Harry were free. He officially now had his son back, he did not even question why the warrant had been called off, when Harry did not return yet to Hogwarts, but he was not complaining. Tears were streaming down his face, freedom. He did not even hear his son entering the room.
"Dad." A small voice sounded breaking James' thoughts of freedom.
James glanced at where the noise was coming from. Then he saw his son, small, and raggedy looking from sleep. Harry rubbed his eyes, wiping away the sleep that had gathered there during the night.
"Dad." Harry tried again. When he was finally able to open his eyes properly from the heaviness that his eyes were feeling, due to tiredness, he saw tears running down James' face. Harry's heart stopped. His mind raced with things that he had done to cause his father so much distress. "Dad what's wrong? I'm sorry I didn't mean to do anything, I'm so sorry."
James realized what Harry was talking about, and by the look on Harry's face; Harry thought that he was responsible for James' tears.
"Harry you didn't do anything, nothing my son. We're free. Dumbledore has apparently called everything off, I can go to Diagon Alley as a free man, and you can go not having to fear being taken away by the Ministry. Everything is turning out right for once."
"You mean…"
"Yes I mean." James interrupted.
They both smiled and started jumping up and down; screaming finally having some fun without the worries that usually went along with that. For once they were carefree and to them it was all that mattered.
When they were done with all the yelling and the jumping around James finished preparing their breakfasts. It was an old hobby of his and he refused to allow the house – elves to prepare the food, when he was certainly capable of making it.
"There are a few things we still need to discuss." James said as he put down his half eaten piece of toast.
"Like what?" Harry questioned through a swallow of his own.
"Like how it's still dangerous Harry. I know we I mean I have been given a so – called pardon, but still we need to be careful. I want you to take one of my old wands with you, until I can get you a new one today at Ollivanders and I give you full permission to use magic any way that you want to. Do I make myself clear."
"I can't use magic Dad, I'm not legal if I use it one more time I'll be expelled."
"Harry, you can't believe all that drivel. If they wanted to you would have been expelled by now. They're not going to take the chance and get rid of the only one they know who can save them all from Voldemort."
"But all the letters… The trial." Harry choked out.
"It was all staged or at least most of it. The trial would have ended up the same way, no matter what. You are too precious to them to lose."
"Hey dad, you don't need a disguise anymore and I don't need the invisibility cloak. That's so great. I'm done can we go now, please?" Harry said swallowing his last bite of his sausage.
James laughed he knew that he could not deny Harry anything. No matter what, he was such a pushover, but he would not have it any other way.
"Alright let's go." James got up from the table, but was almost knocked down when Harry pushed past him.
"We're not using the floo." James said, stepping up beside Harry.
"Then how are we getting there?" Harry asked in bewilderment.
"We're going to apparate. At least I am, and you'll just have to hold on to me. The floo network can't be trusted much anymore, as it is set with the Ministry." James took one look at Harry's face; he saw a look of trepidation. "Don't worry Harry, you've already apparated before when you were unconscious, I can assure you all you will feel is a slight discomfort in your body and that's all."
Harry nodded he wanted to be able to apparate, but if it was anything like a portkey he would have to pass.
"Come on Harry, got everything you need." Harry nodded his head and followed James out into the wonderful day.
James pulled Harry close to him and then they vanished without a trace, in the middle of the nosiest, busiest, day Diagon Alley had been unable to witness lately due to certain circumstances.
Harry was starting to feel uncomfortable, it seemed that everybody in the wizarding community knew that he was going to be there today. All eyes focused on him, unabashedly. Harry shied away into James' cloak. For some reason he was not liking the attention and it seemed different. He decided that he changed his mind and wanted to go home.
"Dad can we go home? I don't think I can do this."
"In a few hours your friends will be here. You can't just desert them now, they're expecting you to be here." James hoped that using Harry's friends, as a guilt trip would work.
"But their stares, I can't handle it right now. I want to go home." Harry cried his eyes starting to unfocus.
"They're only here because they probably got excited when they found out you've returned and that I'm not a kidnapper. They're probably feeling safer, just ignore them, like you used to do, when I was the snarky potions master, and you were the insufferable brat, yeah?"
"Alright." Harry grumbled, not at all too pleased about having to stay here. He was feeling out of sorts since this crazy summer started and as much as he used to welcome an audience he couldn't quite hack it anymore.
"Everybody should be here in a couple of hours, right?"
"Yeah."
"Why don't we grab an ice cream at Florean Fortescue's."
"Sounds good." Harry said cheering up at his favourite ice cream parlour.
James chuckled and led Harry away for some nice cold ice cream; he knew that would cheer his son up.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Ginny Weasley awoke to a feeling of stinging at her ears. She opened her bleary eyes, wondering what it could be. She lifted her hands and was quite taken aback when she felt something furry by her ears. She gave a loud scream and tried flicking whatever was on her bed, but to no avail, her screams continued.
George who had been sleeping peacefully too had fallen out of bed with a grunt, and a very big, "What in bloody hell is going on?"
Hermione had sat bolt upright without opening her eyes, which made it very difficult on her because she was trying to attempt to use her eyes to see what was going on. Fred gave the same reaction as George, but he did not end up falling. Ron, however, seemed to be the only one who did not wake up with all the commotion that was going on around him.
"Something's on my bed, and it was chewing on my ears." Ginny cried out loud. She jumped off of her bed and went to Fred's where he allowed her permission to jump under the covers. He used to do that when she was little and had a bad dream, he would sing her a lullaby until she fell asleep. He was always the protector.
George got up off the floor and went to investigate. When he saw what it was he broke down in a tirade of laughter. "Ginny it's only an owl." He said between chokes of laughter. He swiped away the tears that had fallen from his eyes, due to laughing so hard.
Peeking out over the covers Ginny's face turned a bright red. "Sorry guys. I wasn't expecting that." Everybody joined in the laughter, (except for Ron he was still sleeping) and once the sting of the embarrassment wore off Ginny did to.
"What does it say?" Hermione asked anxiously.
"It says that Harry can't wait to see us and that things have changed. He's still going to be under the invisibility cloak, but Mr. Potter won't be. Apparently Mr. Potter will be disguised as on older man. Harry says that his father came up with a password to ask him if we're not sure it's them. The password we say is Saviour, and the reply will be Survivor." George said skimming through the letter and then telling them the gist of it.
Everybody smiled at the password, true Harry was a saviour, but to them he would be more and right now he definitely was a survivor. They all held the greatest respect for their young friend.
"I guess somebody should wake up sleeping beauty." George said pointing at Ron.
"I'll do it." Hermione volunteered herself. She walked the two steps to Ron's bed and poked him hard in his back, usually that woke him up.
Ron just swatted away the sting and with a mighty huff he said, "I already told you I didn't want anymore." And he rolled over onto his stomach.
"Ronald Bilius Weasley, get your lazy arse out of bed this instant." Hermione shrieked.
That got him up and he looked around bewildered. Then he stocked off into the loo in an angry huff.
"He'll get over it soon." Hermione said, she was used to that, he did it all the time at the Burrow.
They just sat on their beds waiting for Ron to come out of the lavatory; all were still tired, and were just basking in the silence.
"So are we going or what?" Ron said as he was coming out of the loo, a pure scowl of loathing was on his face.
"Here Ron have this." Hermione passed him a cup of the strongest tea she could find, with a splash of pepper – up in there.
Ron took the tea out of her hands and drank it fully, immediately he began to feel better. "Thanks Hermione. Has anyone told you lately how wonderful you are?" He leaned down to give her a kiss.
Ginny threw a pillow at them. "Stop it. You're not starting a whole make – out session right in front of us again. Last time you made everybody sick."
"You're just jealous." Ron said, as he broke free of Hermione's lips.
"No I'm not." Ginny convincingly denied the truth.
"I'm tired of this, if you guys aren't going to come, I'll just leave by myself." Hermione prepared for another fight. She had no clue how all seven Weasley children survived their teenage years, all they did was squabble amongst themselves. Hermione was quite surprised how none of them had yet to kill one another, but it was love that kept them from doing that, the Weasley's were a fierce bunch of people when it came to protecting one of their own.
"We're coming. They were all going to head out the front door and just use the fireplace in the common room. They all stumbled back in the room when Hermione was knocked to the ground by a large body. Five pairs of eyes looked up at one extremely mad Kingsley Shacklebolt.
"Where do you think you're going?" Kingsley asked not showing his amusement. He really did like the children, but with Albus basically in charge, and that dunderhead of the Minister being manipulated by Albus, Kingsley had not much of a choice, he had to act so cold and mean.
"That is none of your business, me and Fred have every right to go where we want to, and you have no control over us." And with that George and Fred pushed past Kingsley, and headed for the common room.
"I may not have any control over the two of you," He said to the two retreating backs, "But if you all want to go see Harry and James at Diagon Alley today I suggest you first stun me."
The twins stopped mid -step, the others just oggled Shacklebolt, not believing what he was saying.
"I heard everything last night, I did not become one of the top Aurors for nothing." He smiled.
"If you're the top Auror that would look suspicious to know that defenceless kids could beat you." Ginny said.
Shacklebolt bent down so he was on eye level with the youngest Weasley child. "Not if this Auror was so exhausted from watching you lot that he fell into a deep sleep and before he knew it he was stunned." All were astonished at Shacklebolt. "Now I suggest you follow me to the common room, George stun me, and then leave. Albus will know magic was used, and he'll be down here to investigate what was going on. So you must be quick, understood?"
They all nodded and went into the common room. Shacklebolt sat in the pouf chair, and he motioned for the younger children to go first. When they were all safely gone from the room George stunned Kingsley, and him and Fred went into the fireplace to meet up with their friends and siblings, vanishing from eye view. Shacklebolt had been right, not two seconds had passed since George had cast the stunning charm then the twins could hear footsteps near the portrait of the fat lady.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
"Fiddlesticks." Albus cried as he went into the Gryffindor common room. Finding Kingsley laid stock still on the chair, not moving. He had been stunned and Albus had no clue where the children were. He did not know when he started losing control, but he knew he had. He lifted his wand and then revived the fallen man.
"Thanks Albus I owe you one." Kingsley said trying to the best of his abilities to avoid making eye contact with the great legilimens.
"What happened Kingsley? Where are the children?"
"Sorry Albus I have no clue. I was sitting here on this chair, and I must have dozed off from exhaustion, and then the next thing I know I'm waking up to find you here reviving me."
Albus did not believe a word that was coming from the other man's mouth. He knew he was lying, but that was fine by him. Sooner or later the children would return and then so would Harry, and everything would fall into place like it was supposed to.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
The day was getting hotter as James and Harry made their way back to Gringott's. Stomachs stuffed full of ice cream, Harry seemed to be doing better, James noticed. The onlookers did not seem to faze Harry anymore, and James could now relax knowing that Harry was not going to start having a panic attack right there.
"Let's sit." Harry said looking at the steps that led to the biggest wizarding bank in the world.
'You're turning into a lazy old man." James laughed at his son. Harry just rolled his eyes and contentedly looked out of the sea of people, who were milling around, trying to find a sea of red, or bushy brown hair. So far nothing.
Harry was starting to get nervous. He had not seen his friends since the day of the Quidditch game, when he tried to take his life once again. He did not know if they were still mad at him or not. The letter that they sent him seemed friendly enough, but he still was not sure. Letters lie, just like everybody else in his life had, he just hoped that Ginny was the sincerest of them all. He could not wait to see her, smiling her bright smile, her red hair dancing all around her. Almost like the girl that was approaching him.
The supposed girl who had been approaching ran as fast as she could when she saw Harry without his invisibility cloak. She was so happy. "Harry." She cried and she flung her arms around him, and they embraced fully for the first time.
They both stayed like that for several minutes, neither wanting to let the other go. Ginny was crying, Harry could feel the tears on his neck where her head was buried. He soothingly rubbed her back and pushed her body more into his, holding on to her tightly as if she were an anchor.
James watched with a mixture of pride and sadness at this scene. It reminded him so much of him and Lily when they were first starting to date. Not wanting to let the other go, wanting to stay that way for a long time, and not caring who saw their private moments like that. He knew how Harry was feeling at this moment, and he could not feel any happier. He knew that Harry was finally whole.
"I've missed you Harry." Ginny whispered, looking down, her face flushed with embarrassment.
"I've missed you to." Harry grinned at her.
"Hey mate." Ron said as the rest of the group finally made their way towards the wayward young man and his father. Getting the hello's out of the way Ron finally asked the question that was on everybody's mind, "What are you doing out here? Where's your invisibility cloak?"
"Don't need it. Apparently the ministry called everything off, and we're free." Harry laughed, he took hold of Ginny's hand and he started heading towards the Apothecary.
They all followed them James two steps behind his son, his boy. No his man, today Harry had finally showed his father that he was an adult
They all entered into the picture postcard store. Newt eyes, bat wings, lizard gizzards all stocked the shelves. The teens all hurried and gathered all of their supplies as quickly as they could. Beautiful the store was on the outside it was not the same on the inside. They paid for their purchases and left. Harry taking his and Ginny's packages, and Ron taking Hermione's.
The next stop was Ollivanders for a new wand for Harry. They must have been there for over an hour at the most when Ollivander finally found one that matched with Harry's essence. An almost exact replica of Harry's other; with the minor detail that instead of having one of Fawkes feather, the magical wand's core held one of another of a phoenix. Harry threw away James' old wand, much to James' wishes, apparently it had just been a spare one of Severus' father, and had no use or sentimental value towards it, James paid for Harry's new wand and they left.
As they stepped outside Fred and George said their goodbyes to everybody explaining how they had to go back to Weasley's Wizard Wheezes. The remaining ones went to Flourish and Blott's for their books.
James hung back as the quiet observer. Harry and his friends laughing and having a good time brought back so many old memories of him and his friends. Now most of them were gone and he had no body left, and soon Harry would be leaving him to start his own life with Ginny, he knew she was going to be a keeper, and soon the only person he would have left was Remus, but even Remus seemed to be not wanting James' friendship anymore. He heaved a sad sigh; he could not understand what he did to deserve this.
"Dad." A tentative voice broke him out of his reverie.
"Thanks a lot." Harry smiled at his father.
"You're welcome Harry."
"No, thanks for everything. I love you Dad."
"I love you to son." James said. He gathered Harry in a hug and then gave him a push towards his friends.
Once more Harry was laded down with his and Ginny's purchases and so was Ron (With Hermione's).
"I'm telling you mate, once they got you hooked they never let their claws out of you." Ron grumbled under all the weight.
Harry laughed at his friend. "Cheers." Harry said, but then recoiled when he saw the looks that the girls were giving him.
The girls huffed and pushed passed the boys, making it a point to knock into their arms as they passed, noses high in the air.
"A word of advice." James broke in. "Never say that when they can overhear you. I wish you both the best of luck when this part of the day is over." James chuckled.
"We've got to make it up to them." Ron said, eyes roaming the street where the girls were fuming waiting for their 'boys' to hurry up.
When they finally did catch up they gave the girls a look of apology. Ron looked so crestfallen that Hermione forgave him right away. Ginny and Harry's relationship being new, took a little bit of persuasion and a promise to let her choose where they go on their first Hogsmeade weekend together, for Ginny to finally wrap her arms in his.
"Where to next?" James asked jovially. "It looks like you're all done with the shopping. Home?"
"Dad you promised."
"What did I promise?"
"The Magical Menagerie."
"Oh so right you are, how could I forget?" James smiled, a twinkle in his eyes.
"Dad…" Harry rolled his eyes at his father and they all headed towards the pet shop that was just up the street.
"What are you going to get?" Ginny asked.
"I was thinking of another owl, but I'm not sure if I'm ready to get another one or not. I don't want to be reminded of Hedwig all the time."
Ginny saw the hurt that was shining through Harry's beautiful emerald eyes. How gorgeous he was, with tears swimming in his eyes, and his hair so messy it looked like he just got out of bed. "You could always get something else." Ginny stated.
"I know. But there's nothing else that I really want."
"A frog." Ron put in
"Can you imagine Ron, another Trevor running free at Hogwarts, finding one is hard enough, try finding two." Hermione said.
"Well there's always other creatures that you'll be able to find." Ron said.
"I know, but I still think an owl is the better choice, I can always get a different colour and type."
After that decision was made they were now deciding on names that Harry could call him. They were all so engrossed that they did not even notice the dark figure that stepped out of the shadows behind them, until James Potter gave the biggest gasp that he could muster.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Remus Lupin had been watching them for awhile. Diagon Alley had been busy with people when he first spotted the two Potters, the Weasley's, and the Granger girl, manoeuvre around the people and shops. Tomorrow was going to be the full moon and his strength was growing ever stronger, the need to destroy he ex – best friend was weighing down on him, but he was able to control the part of him that said it was still too soon. If he struck now then there would be that many more people who would offer help to the saviour, and he could not have that. The voice in his head saying 'at all cost' and this was going to prove to be at it.
As the day was passing, so was the crowd. By mid afternoon Diagon Alley was wearing thin with wizards and witches going home, away from the threat that night can bring. He could make his move now, the streets were deserted.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
James tried fighting the person that held him in his grasp. He could make out the soft linger of a musky scent on the person who he was able to identify as a male. He felt a strong hand holding tightly on his shoulders and a wand poking him in his side. That did not frighten him one bit, he was more concerned of the startled and horrified looks the children were giving him.
"Drop your wands." The man growled and then James knew whom that voice belonged to.
"Great Joke Remus, now you can let me go."
"Shut up, Potter." Remus growled again, shaking the man hard. "I said drop your wand."
James stumbled forwards a bit, and dropped his wand; he was in no position to fight the man he used to call a friend.
"Dad!" Harry cried.
"Just get out of here, Harry, go with the others, I'll be fine." James wanted to reassure Harry that he was going to be fine. When he saw that Harry was not moving he yelled, "Go!"
Harry jumped back and was ready to high tail it out of there and call for help when he was stopped.
"Harry, why are you running? Aren't you going to help your dad? He's helped you, he's even sacrificing his life for yours, just like your poor mother did, shame she's dead and you're still here."
James again tried wriggling himself free from Lupin, but he could not slip out of the man's grasp.
Harry reached inside the box marked Ollivanders and pulled out his new wand. "Let him go."
"You stupid foolish boy, don't you know that will not happen, now drop your wands like good little kiddies, and come here boy." Remus' lips curled as he said that addressing it to all the children around him.
"Stupi…" Harry's spell was cut short, when Remus interceded. Harry felt his wand fly out of his grasp, as did all the others who were sporting theirs. Around his feet Remus stood amid the wands.
"Friori." He said and all of the wands erupted in smoke.
"All I want are the Potters and the rest of you can go. No harm done now is there. Come here Harry like a good little lad."
"And the others can go." Harry said trying to sound bigger than he was, trying to make up for the lack of a wand that he had.
"I promise the others can go."
Harry made a step forwards wanting this all to be over with.
"Harry, don't move anymore."
"Crucio." Remus yelled, and James felt his body shaking and convulsing the pain was absolute torment.
Harry started running closer, and as soon as he was close enough for Remus' liking, Remus lifted the curse off of James.
James lay in a shuddering heap on the cobbled stone path. He was hurting, but his mere thought was on Harry, and how Harry was in so much danger than before. He lifted his eyes and saw his son falling to the ground with a petrificus totalus to his chest.
"No!" James yelled. "Remus stop this. This isn't you, you know deep down inside you don't want this to happen. Listen to your heart Remus. Leave the boy. Please. He has done nothing to you, except believe in you, and loved you as if you were his father."
"Shut up Potter. I've had enough of your lip." Remus seethed.
While all this was going on, Ginny slipped passed Hermione and Ron and quietly made her way to Harry's fallen body. She made a move and was able to lift half his body; she started dragging him away very slowly to safety.
James noticed Ginny and his eyes quickly became wide with relief that Harry was going to be safe. He quickly adverted his gaze to one of the stores, lest Remus finds out what he was looking at.
Remus noticed the change in Potter's facial expression, he cast the same charm he used on Harry on James, and he became as still as a statue. Then he narrowed his gaze on the young girl who had foolishly decided to play the hero.
"Avada Kadavra."
A blast of green showered the young girl and she fell limply to the floor, a surprise look on her face as her breathing stopped and her head fell to the side on the pavement next to Harry's.
Ron being too slow rushed to his fallen sister, Hermione ran to get Fred and George, whose store was only a few feet away. Tears running down both their eyes.
Remus in the meantime grabbed Harry's body, which was merely a few feet away, and then touched James' and the three disappeared without a trace.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
They landed in a dark room, not knowing where.
"Very well done, Lupin. My master will congratulate you later." The aristocratic voice rang out. "Shall we revive them, it would be so much more fun. Don't you think?"
"Of course." Remus replied huskily. "Finite Incantantum."
Harry being the first to come around cried at the top of his lungs. He curled into a ball, not caring what happened to him anymore. The one person who should not have died did, and he could not take it anymore. "Ginny!" He yelled over and over again.
James also coming to, tried his way to get over to his son. This was not the time for Harry to start breaking down. He wanted to go and comfort him, but then try to get out as soon as possible, he did not care what happened to himself, he only cared about what happened to his beautiful child, Lily's child.
Remus interceded James as he was making his way closer to the boy. He lifted him up and with a solid throw, James went splattering into the wall on the other side of the small room.
"The party should be getting started soon. Only two more people are supposedly showing up tonight. Too bad it would have been fun for all to watch the 'Saviour' fall." Lucius smirked.
"You won't get away with this Malfoy." James said weakly from his place on the floor.
"I think I already have." Lucius smirked. "And since I have no use of you anymore Lupin, I'll give you the honour of saying your last goodbye to your friend. Finite Incantantum."
Remus had no idea where he was and why he was there. He looked around his surroundings, and saw James and Harry looking the worst for wears. Memories of the past few days came flooding into his memories. What he did and how he killed the youngest and only girl of the Weasley family. "Sweet Merlin." Remus cried. "What did I do?" Tears running down his face. He rocked back and forth. "Merlin, please forgive me. I didn't know, I didn't know. Please forgive me."
James took pity on his friend, he knew that it was not Remus' fault; he was under the imperious curse. He could not help what happened. He took his friend in his arms and cradled him there. "It's alright Moony. You're forgiven." James hushed in a voice full of reassurance and understanding.
"I've killed the girl, Prongs. Harry, you. I didn't know, I didn't know."
"I know Moony. And it's ok; it's not your fault. You're still Moony, the best friend I ever had. You are still family." James continued holding onto his broken friend.
Lucius watched the scene and sneered. He thought he was going to be sick. He watched the boy in the corner huddled as far as he could get away from them. Silver met Emerald and a smirk came across the older Malfoy's face. Holding something in his outstretched arms, neither of the other men noticed the silver haired man approach.
Remus tensed as soon as he felt the silver sword run through his back. James tensed as soon as he saw blood spilling forth from his friend. Remus' wand dropped from his hands and rolled into the corner by Harry's feet. Minutes later Moony was dead.
"REMUS!" Harry cried.
Lucius not caring what the others did until the two other guests arrived left to sit and watch the show.
James ran to his son, Harry having gone into shock, his body convulsing. James held tightly to Harry's prone body.
"Shhh…. Harry, Remus is in a better place now. It's all right Lil Prongs. It's all right. I'm still here; no harm is going to come to us. Don't worry." James soothed his son. He rubbed his back running smooth circles to calm him. "I Love you forever, I'll like you for always, as long as I'm living my baby you'll be." Over and over again he kept this up. And soon Harry's body started to relax.
"Get rid of the spare." A hollow voice broke through the calmness that was in the room.
Harry's scar began to burn; he knew Voldemort was there, waiting. He heard those words before. "Dad." Harry started imploringly. "You have to go."
"For the last time there is nowhere to go." Lucius spat. "Welcome my Lord, My beautiful Narcissa."
"You brat will die tonight. Just like my Draco." Narcissa laughed manically.
Harry choose to ignore this, he needed to keep his head clear from all thoughts except for the safety of his small family.
"Narcissa I give you this gift, the gift for the loss of your son." Voldemort said approvingly to the woman by his side.
"Thank you, my Lord." She whispered. With her wand held high the room exploded in a shower of green, and one body fell onto the floor.