Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter or any of its characters.

A.N.: This is somewhat of an alternate universe. The time line is kind of different and people may act differently. Just so everyone knows Harry's parents didn't die until he was four and it still happened on Halloween. This gives Harry some more time with his parents and it is easier to have more memories this way. I hope everyone had an eventful forth of July or Canada's Day.

Chapter Three Castle by the Sea

Hermione had just received Harry's letter. She couldn't believe that he got to go to Ireland and she had to stay at home with her boring parents. 'It's like he is leaving forever. This is what graduation might feel like, he will go on to become an amazing Auror and leave me behind.' She had just talked to Ron and apparently he had more information then Hermione. He sounded relived that Harry was going to be gone, but that was only because he would then have Hermione to himself. Over the years Hermione started to feel something for Harry. Every time he would walk into the room she got butterflies in her stomach, he could make her laugh and smile even on the most depressing of days. She spun around her room with his letter and a photo of him in her hands and sang happily.

"Well it sure looks like someone is happy!" Hermione's mother stood at the doorway smiling at her.

"Kind of mom. Harry isn't going to be here all summer and I am left here with Ron by myself."

"Isn't he your boyfriend? But Harry is your best friend and I'm sure you think of him just as much."

"Yeah Ron is my boyfriend, but I can't help but feel something for Harry. After all we have been through so much together." Hermione sighed and sat on her bed. "What do I do mom? I like both of them just in different ways. With Ron it is more bother and sister and with Harry it feels like the real thing."

"Well stay with Ron for now. Learn something about guys from him and when Harry comes back you can decide. But in the end dear someone will hurt and someone will rejoice."

OxOxOxOxOxOxO

"Well Aunt we are here." Harry stood in front of the huge iron gate. The white stones formed a circle around the fountain in the middle of the front yard. The white front door was behind that with the words: Castle By the Sea in scripted with gold letters across the frame. Windows with green shudders covered the front along with ivy that had begun to grow. Harry knocked on the door and a little elf came to open the door.

"Hello, who are you?" Harry asked, looking at the elf in curiosity.

"Hello good sir. My…my name is…is Twink sir. And you sir, who is you?"

"I am Harry, Harry Potter. Nice to see you again Twink."

Twink's face beamed as she looked Harry over. "Oh Master Potter it is so good to see you again. We were worried you would never come for us. Everyone here will be happy to see you. I shall go and tell Elinor and Andrea to get the rooms ready. You shall be in the master bedroom Master and she shall be in the guest room. Dinner will be at six o'clock sharp." And with that Twink lead them into the front hall.

Harry had an amused smile on his face. He glanced at his aunt and nearly fell over from laughing. Her face was as white as a ghost and she couldn't move. "It's okay Petunia. That was Twink, my old nanny. Well I am going to look around, see you later." And with that Harry walked through the door to a dazzling front hall.

The front hall had white and black marble. The pillars, there were seven, and the two staircases were high shine Italian marble. There were portraits along the walls in chronological order, going back a far as 10 generations. Harry was able to see the Potter blood line with pictures. And at the very end he saw his father and mother. His father had a sort of twinkle in his eye. His mother had a big smile but looked rather tired. Her red hair fell gently over her shoulders and her emerald eyes shined under the light. Harry then realized something; none of the portraits were moving.

Harry turned to see the rest when he saw a house elf looking at him. "Hello what is your name?"

This house elf looked at him brightly, "Master Potter, my name is Elinor. The pictures sir, are not moving because a muggle painted them sir."

"How did you know I was wondering that?"

Oh sir, forgive Elinor. That is what every wizard and witch wonder. So sorry master." She bowed slightly and kept her gaze to the ground.

Harry looked at the elf with sympathy, "Its okay Elinor. Do you remember when my parents were here?" She nodded. "Could you tell me about them or something about me?"

"Master Potter, we all have stories about you. One day we shall tell you about them but for now sir Elinor thinks you should go and get ready for supper." She bowed again and left Harry standing alone.

Harry walked forward and started up the staircase. He got to the middle platform and climbed up the rest. The hall was again filled with pictures but these were all of either Quidditch or landscapes. There were rooms on both sides of the hall.

As Harry walked by one room it was as he could hear a child crying from inside. He pushed the door open and walked inside. The room had been well kept over all these years but the sense of life had gone. Harry noticed the bed was a crib. He walked over to it. There were pajamas with Golden Snitches flying on them, and beside them was a little stuffed black dog. "Snuffles" Harry had whispered as he touched the dog. Then Harry made his way around the room. There was a picture of the Marauders laughing on a dresser and on the other were pictures of baby Harry.

As Harry looked at himself he began to remember a time when the house was filled of life, love, laughter and joy. Now all that was left was the cold stone floors and walls. He left the room and took Snuffles with him. Finally he came to the Master bedroom. Like his old room, Harry's parent's room was left just the way it was so very long ago. Harry sat on the king size bed and looked around the room. His mother had put pictures out along the dressers and his father had pictures from the Quidditch Cup. His team was gathered around as they posed for a picture. Harry smiled as he looked at the picture. Quidditch had been a huge part of James' life and had the safe effect on Harry. They had both loved Quidditch not only as a sport but as a way of life.

Harry moved from picture to picture. Then he came upon something interesting. It was a glass ball with swirling blue strings inside. It was held up by a gold metal tree root. Harry looked closer at it and was able to see faces along the strings. He tried to take one out but the glass sent a shock to his hand. Slowly he drew his wand and pointed the tip inside. The tip of his wand touched a blue strand and he pulled it back. The strand came with it. Looking more closely at it Harry realized that it was in fact a memory. He looked back at the glass ball and it dawned on him that those were all memories from his parents. He walked over to the pensive and put the memory inside. The image of his parents and the rest of Marauders appeared in the center. Harry sat back and waited to see what kind of memory it was going to be.

Yeah I got done! -does a little dance- Well then that was the chapter and I look forward to seeing all of you. I will be gone next Sunday to Thursday night. I will try and update sometime right after that. We learned a little bit about his house and we got a glimpse of Hermione. The next chapter will be Ron and Ginny. Please Review and have a wonderful week.

Prongs Almighty