I'm back!
Oh my god you guys, i love you so much i've never had so many reviews for a stroy ever! It makes me so happy! I can't believe so many people like my story! Reviewers are thebest ever :-)
Disclamer: You know the drill nothing but the plot is mine
Ok now to the reviewers..
Dream Phantom: Thanx for the review! Pleased you like the story! Read on!
Pandas RuleThe World: Hey joey! Thanx for the review pleased your enjoying it Read on!
Kira OfTrimal: Thanx for the review pleased you like the story. I've tried to improve my paragraphing and stuff and it looked better but i can't promise it is. Thanks for the help with that though it means alot to me. I like to know where i can improve.
Radical Rebel: Thanx for the review i'm so pleased you're enjoying it. That last chapter was a real sucker to write.Hold on for a few more chapters and i swaer Sirius will make an appearence. I love Sirius too much to let him disappear. Read on!
Alcapacian: Thanx for the review i'm pleased your enjoying reading it! Read on!
Goaligirl12: Thanx for the review i'm pleased you're enjoying the story! I think Harry needs his dad too! Read on!
The Notorious Padfoot: Thanx for the review of course Sirius is making an appearence i love Sirius too much not too. LONG LIVE SIRIUS! Any way i hope you enjoy it read on!
Bonnie Charlie: Thanx for the reviews i know my grammar and stuff isnt brilliant i do try i'm pleased you made sense of it in the end hope you read on!
Trinityflower Of Memories: Thanx for the reviews i'm pleased you liked it i'll try and remember how to spell Stupefy in future hope you enjoy the next chapter!
Minone and Ron: Thanx for the review i hope you continue to read on!
Maddiemouse: Thanx for the review it was really sweet im really pleased you liked my story i hope you enjoy the next chapter...
Random Cheerio: Thanx for the review i'm pleased your enjoying the story and as for James having supernatural powers you get a hint of what he can do in this chaoter but i'm not saying thats ALL he can do hope you enjoy the next chapter..
Dweem Angel: Thanx for the review im pleased you like that chapter i seriously had my doubts about it i thought you were all going to hate it. Anyway i hope you keep reading here is chapter five
Lady Slytherin Warrior: Thanx for the review i hope you like chapter five!
Maliaphire: Thanx for the review im pleased you enjoyed it read on!
Didn't that take forever? But i have to thank you guys your reviews mean loads to me. Now without further delay here is chapter five...
Mirror Image
Chapter five: Wrath Of A Father
Harry felt his feet slam into the floor and his knees buckled a hand shot out and held him steady. Harry looked up and saw his father; he still couldn't get over that, holding his shoulder, holding him up.
He smiled gratefully and James nodded releasing him when he was sure he would be able to stand.
Harry looked around and wasn't surprised to see that their destination had been Dumbledore's office within the school. Harry looked around and sighed with relief as he realised he had come home.
He knew this wasn't the safest place for him, Dumbledore would only hold off the Death Eaters so long, but he felt safer here than anywhere.
He thought about the place he had left. The place he had never been welcome and smiled at the irony. The place he hated most was the one place he was safest.
Fate and Destiny really must hate him. He looked round and saw that Dumbledore's office looked the same as it had the last time he had been in it.
Admittedly the last time he had been in it brought embarrassing memories of the rage he had been in and the trinkets and possessions he had smashed.
He noticed however that the office seemed unfazed by Harry's rage that was weeks in the past now.
Harry watched with amusement as the portraits on the far wall leaned forward with barely contained curiosity as to why a student and two members of the Order and a student would be in Hogwarts during the summer.
Dumbledore walked behind his desk and took his seat while Fawkes flew softly over their heads and sat neatly on his perch regarding them all with a look that looked very much like one his master would use.
A look that knew too much. Dumbledore smiled and conjured two more chairs either side of the existing one and without consulting each other Remus and James sat either side of the existing chair indicating that Harry should sit between them.
Dumbledore looked at Harry and he knew what he was going to ask and tried to look away. He felt so ashamed now. He knew he shouldn't have done it but he had felt like everything was about to crash down on top of him and he needed some air.
He had felt suffocated by the Dursley's. They didn't know that Sirius was dead but seeing them have the life Harry knew he could never have now his godfather was dead was somehow worse.
He had had to get out.
So he had.
And then the Death Eaters had attacked and he had thought he would not survive. He was not one to be melodramatic but he had thought that the Order would never get there in time.
And then they were there and he had held out. He had held on long enough.
And now he had a dad.
Harry blinked thinking about that.
He had a father.
He looked at James.
James caught Harry's look and smiled and winked. He put his hand on Harry's shoulder and squeezed it lightly. His relief and giddiness happiness at seeing his son and knowing that he was all right hadn't quite worn off yet.
But he knew Dumbledore wanted answers. He had been in front of Dumbledore's all knowing gaze to many times to not realize what he wanted and he could see Remus wanted answers although he was willing to wait.
James alone knew why Harry had acted the way he had. Although he knew he had a bit of an unfair advantage. Being dead until about an hour ago would give that advantage.
James breathed in deeply still not quite believing what he had accomplished but he also knew just how far they had to go.
Particularly getting Harry ready for the final fight and repairing the rift in the worlds so no other innocents could fall through the veil.
And he would also wait until Lily called and they could pull Sirius back from no man's land.
"Harry," Dumbledore's voice pulled James out of his ravine and he turned to see Dumbledore looking intently at his son. "What made you leave that house tonight. You promised me no more night time wanderings."
Harry hung his head and then looked at Dumbledore and sighed. "I know. And I'm sorry I broke my promise, but I couldn't stay in there another second." Harry looked at the ceiling blinking back tears that seemed to be too near falling tonight.
"I didn't tell them about Sirius, I don't tell them anything anymore." Harry stopped and thought about it. "Not that I did in the first place." He looked at Dumbledore, "But I thought they would have learned their lesson from last summer. It's not like I choose to be there!"
Harry looked at Dumbledore. "If I had any other choice I'd go there rather than go to their house. You know how much I hate that house Professor."
Dumbledore looked at Harry and said, "I do Harry but as I have said, you must return there at least once a year until you are seventeen for your own safety. Even Lord Voldemort cannot touch you there."
Harry nodded. "I know. I thought knowing why I have to return would make it easier but it DOESN'T!"
Remus and James jumped at the venom in Harry's voice only Dumbledore seemed unaffected by Harry's anger.
"Everything they do they taunt me with it. I'm their nephew yet they treat me like I'm something alien. I didn't ask to be put there. I didn't ask to be the target of some maniac who thinks he's ruler of the world and yet they act like it's my fault."
James could feel an anger burning in his heart at Harry's words. He had never realised just how alone and neglected Harry had been and felt at Petunia's. He knew Petunia and Vernon had hated magic but this was something Harry couldn't help.
They had a son of their own how could they treat Harry like he wasn't there and spoil Dudley to oblivion.
"James," Remus said "Calm down!"
At that moment the clock struck 2 in the morning and James felt his anger melt away…for the moment.
Harry felt a jolt in his stomach. He had been sixteen for two whole hours and hadn't even realised.
James turned to his son and smiled, "Happy birthday Harry." Harry started and smiled. "Thanks…dad."
James felt his heart jump when Harry called him dad. He had always wanted a chance to hear his son call him that.
He grinned at Harry and then said,
"I'm going to take you to Diagon Ally and buy you a birthday present. Today. Later. I need a new wand anyway."
Harry grinned. "Really?" "My son is sixteen today and I want to spoil him!" James grinned. "Of course really!"
Then he turned to Dumbledore and said, "Surely he's been at their house long enough." He barely managed to contain his anger as he thought of the Dursley's and he knew he certainly couldn't say their names.
Dumbledore nodded. "Yes Harry is free to leave his aunt and uncle's now he has been there for a month." "Where will we go?" Harry asked. He wasn't sure he was ready to return to Grimmulad Place but if the Order were there then he knew he needed too.
"The Order have vacated 12 Grimmulad Place because when Sirius died the inheritance of the came under fire. We found Sirius' will last week it clearly states that Harry was to inherit everything that Sirius owned and that included Buckbeak." Dumbledore looked at Harry.
Harry sat transfixed. What was he meant to say to something like that? He couldn't believe it! Sirius had left him everything?
He looked from Dumbledore to James. "You can keep the house for the Order that's what Sirius would have wanted." And then he thought about it and added, "Make sure Buckbeak goes to Hagrid he'd like that."
Dumbledore nodded and smiled, "Of course there is a problem of you not being Black by blood but there is one way to sort this out."
Harry looked over at Remus and saw Remus begin to smirk. He saw James was smiling slightly too. He was confused. What did they know that he didn't?
His unasked question was answered when Dumbledore clicked his fingers and Krecher appeared in the room twisting his ears and moaning over and over,
"Don't want to serve blood traitor's spawn want to serve Miss Bella she is worthy."
Harry stared at Krecher and felt immense hate boiling in his stomach. He had thought he would kill the house elf the next time he saw him but all he felt now was emptiness.
He felt nothing.
Harry turned to Dumbledore and said, "You can't be serious. I thought if I saw that damn elf again it would be too soon!" "Krecher is eager to be realised to work for Bellatrix this is true." Dumbledore said
"He is never going anywhere near her!" Harry snapped and hearing Krecher moan on and on about what his mistress would say made Harry snap, "Krecher just shut up!"
Krecher immediately shut up. Harry blinked at the sudden stop to Krecher's constant complaints and Dumbledore beamed, "Well Harry it seems that solves that problem. Sirius did know what he was doing. "He always did." James said a soft smile of remembrance on his face.
"I don't want him at the Order Professor." Harry said, "I never want him to put any of the Order in danger." Dumbledore seemed to contemplate it for a moment and then called,
"Dobby!"
Dobby appeared and bowed, "Master Dumbledore wants Dobby sir?" He asked. Dumbledore smiled. "Harry order Krecher to the kitchens Dobby will make sure he keeps out of trouble."
Dobby spun round, "Harry Potter sir!" He squeaked Harry smiled, "Hi Dobby." Harry nodded his head at the elf who nodded back and then Harry said, "Krecher go to Hogwarts kitchens." Harry ordered and then he said, "Dobby can you make sure that Krecher stays out of trouble please."
Dobby turned to Dumbledore and Dumbledore nodded, "That seems like a good idea Dobby." Dobby nodded. "Then Dobby shall do that sirs."
With that both Krecher and Dobby disappeared with a crack.
"Can I really leave the Dursley's Professor?" Harry asked Dumbledore trying not to sound too hopeful at the prospect of escaping the Dursley's for the rest of the summer.
"Yes Harry you can." Dumbledore said smiling. Then he remembered that no one had answered his earlier question about where he would go. So he asked again.
"With me." Remus answered. Harry turned and smiled. "Really?" "Yeah." Said Remus. "That is if you'd like too. Of course that goes for you as well James." Remus said to his friend.
Harry looked at Dumbledore.
Dumbledore nodded. "Remus' house is fortified almost as well as Sirius'. You can go there as soon as you collect your things from your aunt and uncles."
Remus smiled and threw something at Harry. Harry's seeker reflexes allowed him to catch it easily.
He looked down and in his hand he held a key. He looked up at Remus. "I had that cut for you. It's a birthday present or at least one of them. It means that you can come anytime you like. You'll always be welcome Harry." Remus smiled and then said, "Happy birthday."
Harry smiled got up and hugged Remus.
Remus stood ramrod straight at first. Harry was never usually one to hug someone first and once he got over his shock he hugged Harry warmly back.
"Thanks Remus." Harry said softly.
James felt another wave of emotion threaten to seize him by the heart as he saw Harry and Remus embrace. James knew that more than anything else Harry wanted to belong to a family since he had never had one. And now at long last he was beginning to get his deepest wish.
Remus turned to look at James and James saw tears shining in Remus' eyes as he smiled. "You coming to James?"
James laughed the idea that he wasn't going to come was out of the question. "Of course Moony. I wouldn't miss it."
Harry smiled.
His father was coming…
His heart started again… He had a father…
Dumbledore stood and said, "Perhaps some sleep and rest would be appropriate and then Harry can have his birthday." Dumbledore smiled.
James stood with Harry and turned towards the door. "I'll have the Fat Lady admit you." Harry brightened at the thought of spending the night at Hogwarts and almost ran from the door.
"Sir…The Dursley's." I have already sent them a wake-up call. They will be up in time for you, James and Remus to return there tomorrow."
Harry grinned. He couldn't wait to go back now knowing he had somewhere else to go. Somewhere where he truly belonged.
He led Remus and James along the corridors of a silent Hogwarts until they reached the Portrait and the Fat Lady smiled at Harry and said, "You're early Harry." She opened for them and they went into the common room.
Remus and James grinned and James stretched saying, "It feels good to be back here."
"Show us where you sleep Harry." Remus said eagerly.
Harry grinned and led them up to the dormitories he shared with Ron, Shamus, Dean and Neville.
He looked at Remus and James' face and saw them light up. "This was our dorm." James said grinning like an idiot. "I mean I should have known but…" "This was your dorm?" Harry said looking at it with a whole new light. "Yeah Padfoot, Moony, Worm tail and I shared it with Arthur Weasley." "Cool!" Harry said automatically going over to his bed and lying down.
"Hey," James said sitting on the end of the bed. "Mine!" Harry grinned "Sorry its not now. Its mine. Find somewhere else to sleep." "Fine." James huffed and went over to Dean's and said, "I'll sleep here then."
"You do that." Harry said yawning and Remus climbed into Ron's bed and Harry muttered, "Night Remus…Night Dad."
"Night Harry." They said together.
Harry went to sleep happier than he had ever been before.
James watched his son go to sleep and then turned to Remus. He could see Remus looking at him. "This isn't going to last is it Moony?" He sighed.
Remus shook his head. "Probably not." At that moment a Smokey figure of a Phoenix appeared beside them.
Dumbledore's Prontous shone giving a message, which after receiving Remus sent a return.
"Harry is joining the Order." James said. A statement for it had been confirmed by Dumbledore moments before.
"Are you ok with that?" Remus questioned. "He needs to know what's going on Remus." James said, "He is past the point of being protected. Not knowing might only get him killed now."
Remus nodded sadly. "We all hoped it would not come to this." James looked over at Harry and sighed. "Well at least the ministry visit will be fun." Remus tried not to laugh.
Dumbledore had told them that the Ministry had had to be informed and they requested an audience with James. James had put his son first and said under no circumstances was he to be summoned until he was ready. He would arrive at the ministry in good time but not until he had spent the day with his son.
But he also knew that he had to be ready for the daily prophet going after his blood. He just hoped he could keep Harry from the blunt of it. Somehow thought he doubted it.
The next morning Harry knew he definitely did not want to wake up. He had been having a great dream. Sure…it hadn't started off that well he'd dreamt he'd been attacked by Death Eaters but then…
Then… It had been amazing. He dreamt his dad had come back from the dead and saved him and then Remus had given him a key to his house and he had slept in the dormitories in Hogwarts so he wouldn't have to go to his aunt and uncles.
This was too good of a dream to let go of. He didn't want to wake up. But three seconds later he had to wake up since two heavy people ended up on top of him in his bed.
He opened his eyes and found the figures to be blurry. Someone handed his glasses to him and he put them on. Remus and James' faces came into sharp relief and Harry's heart soared it hadn't been a dream after all…
"Get up Harry!" James yelled diving on his son again. Then he looked at Remus and he and Remus started yelling happy birthday at the top of their voices. Harry had to laugh he had never seen Remus this excitable before and it was funny.
"Come on get up!" James said, "We're going shopping!" Harry was up and out of bed before James could dive on him again.
"Alright, alright I'm up." Harry laughed as James launched himself at Harry. "We've got to go to Vernon and Petunia's and then we'll drop your stuff off at Moony's and then we'll go to Diagon Alley."
"But first," Remus said, "Breakfast!" "To the kitchens!" James said ruffling Harry's hair.
They trooped out of the Gryffindor tower and down into the kitchens. James tickled the pair that morphed into the door and it opened and they headed into the kitchen.
Dobby greeted them hugging Harry round his waist. "Hi Dobby." Harry said the elves crowded round them offering them all different foods that couldn't possibly all be eaten in the summer.
Harry, James and Remus ate happily in the kitchens talking to the elves and Harry checked up on Winky who was no where near as distressed as he had last seen her but she was not as happy as Dobby either.
But Harry supposed there was only Dobby that would ever be happy about being set free.
Afterward the three of them made their way back to Dumbledore's office and the headmaster met them happily. He handed Harry a teapot and said, "Harry this will take you to just outside your aunt and uncle's house. Remember, I know you hate it there, and I wish it had been different but you only have to return once more next summer."
He smiled gently at Harry's obvious pleasure of hearing this. "I shall see you in September."
Harry nodded feeling giddy with relief as Remus and James took hold of the portkey with him and then he felt the familiar tug behind his navel and they were moving in a blaze of swirling colour and noise.
Harry was more prepared for the landing when it came the next time and steadied his feet for a smooth landing. When he looked up he was just outside his aunt and uncle's house and luckily there was no one to be seen but at 7.30 in the morning Harry was not surprised.
Harry stalked to the front door and bent down and took the key from under the plant pot beside the front door and unlocked the door. He led Remus and James down the passage and into the kitchen.
Even this early in the morning the Dursley's (minus Dudley) were awake. Harry pushed the kitchen door open and said, "I'm alive, you know in case you care." Neither of them looked up.
James felt the anger he had felt in his stomach start to boil again and one look at his friend told him that he was feeling the same thing.
James motioned for he and Remus to hang back and not announce themselves…yet. He wanted to know how this played out first. Harry's grin told him he knew just what he was doing.
"Dumbledore told me that I only have to come back once more next year. You won't see me after next summer."
"Good riddance." Vernon said finally looking up from his paper. "My family might have some respect once you leave here boy." He said.
James saw Harry slump. Harry pretended not to care about the Dursley's obvious dislike and unloving nature towards him but James knew it hurt him. Lily would go insane if she could see this. Lily knew that Petunia had never liked magic but she had never expected her to treat her nephew this way.
Petunia herself had not spoken but she chose that moment to do so. "Harry I've told you and told you not to bring dirt into this house!" Harry looked at the floor and realised his trainers were trailing mud.
"Sorry." Harry said but James could hear he meant no such thing. "Dirt was the last thing on my mind when I was attacked by Death Eaters."
Silence met this statement. "Death Eaters?" Petunia whispered, "What the bloody hell are Death Eaters?" Vernon screamed.
"Death Eaters are Voldemort's followers and they were after me. I have to apologise that I survived." Harry said resentfully.
At that moment Vernon exploded and Harry knew what was coming. It was going to be the same as last year. Sure enough…
"That's it! That's it! I've had it!" Vernon screamed
"OUT!"
James felt his anger reach fever point and this time Remus didn't hold him back. They strode down the hall together. "And just where do you think he'll go?" Remus demanded.
Vernon and Petunia froze and stared at the new voice in the doorway. "Don't you people realise that by simply being here you're keeping your nephew alive? Don't you care about him don't you love him enough for that?"
Harry stared at Remus. He had never seen him so angry before and Harry realised this could be the wolf appearing and this could get dangerous.
"Answer me!" Remus screamed. But was calmed by a hand on his shoulder.
Vernon and Petunia were shocked into silence and James came into the kitchen like a wild winter storm. "Well answer him!"
Petunia screamed. "You're dead!" She screamed. "Some things are stronger than death Petunia." James said in a voice that barely contained his anger. "How could you do this to my son, Lily's son. Your nephew. Dudley's cousin!"
Vernon was going steadily purpler. "Who are you sir?" He yelled, "Potter is dead. You are not this boy's father." James stepped up behind Harry and the remembrance was even more frightening.
Vernon was quiet. Around the kitchen things started to move. Harry had never seen anything so powerful before. He looked up at his dad and saw that his hazel eyes were fixed not on Vernon but Petunia.
"You knew what danger Harry was in. And yes I have to thank you for taking him in at all because he could have died without you. But you did not treat him like your nephew you treat him like a servant."
"Who are you to say what does on in out house?" Vernon yelled. James pun round and Vernon was forced by an invisible hand back into his chair so hard that it tipped over.
"When it concerns my son I can say as I like." James snarled. He turned to Petunia. "After today you will no longer exist to me. What you did I cannot forgive. Harry must return here once more next summer for his safety and in that time you will treat him like an equal."
Petunia nodded.
"I know you and Lily never got along after she received her letter to go to Hogwarts but you love Dudley. We died to protect Harry. We loved him that much. Is it too much to understand that I wanted my son protected? While he is here he is the safest he will ever be. Remember that."
He turned to leave and then said, "Petunia," She looked up and Harry saw there was tears in her eyes. "Look after my son they way Lily and I would have done for yours."
James turned and walked out the kitchen Remus snarled and followed. "Good-bye." Harry said and walked out after his father and Remus.
Just as they reached the stairs Dudley came into view obviously attracted by the noise Harry led the way up the stairs into his room and started piling all his stuff into his trunk. Remus came in behind him and said, "Here Harry I'll do that."
Harry nodded and dived under his bed to the loose floorboard and pulled out his invisibility cloak, photo album, Marauder's Map and other odds and ends that he never wanted the Dursley's to find. He came back out from under his bed to find that Remus had already cleared his room and it was floating ready level with Harry's waist.
Harry went to put everything in his trunk and Remus stopped him. "Keep your cloak with you, you many need it." Harry nodded and watched as the lid closed and his trunk vanished. "I've sent your stuff to my house." Remus said seeing Harry's confused look.
They walked back out and saw James talking with Dudley. "…I'm sorry I never got to know you. I hope you understand better now." Dudley nodded mutely but as Harry moved closer he blinked as he saw, if he was not mistaken, admiration shining out of Dudley's eyes for his father.
The world has gone insane. Harry thought silently. James looked up and smiled at Harry. "Good to go son?" He asked. Damn! He thought it never got old saying that.
"Sure," Harry said grinning at his dad's enthusiasm though he knew he would have to ask about Dudley later he was too excited. He was out of here for another year.
"It's your birthday where else? Diagon Ally!" Harry grinned and said, "That's all well and good." Harry said "But I can't apperate yet." "But I can." Remus said. "I'm taking you."
"You can do that?" Harry said "Of course," James said Harry stared at his father. "Dad don't you need a wand for that?" "Yeah I'm borrowing yours." Harry laughed and handed over his wand.
James scowled "I'll probably have to take the damn test again and I have a meeting with the ministry. After I've been shopping with you. The meeting is after that." "How do they know about you?" Harry asked. "Dumbledore informed them after the attack last night. They wanted to see me as soon as they found out but I told them no. I was doing what I wanted with you. That should be fun." Harry scoffed. "Yeah." James said "Exactly."
"At least the Order knows." Remus said. "They do?" Harry asked. "Yeah Dumbledore sent a message last night Remus said, "After you went to sleep we got confirmation. There is a meeting tonight and yes you are in the Order."
Harry resisted the urge to scream in victory. Finally! But there were more pressing matters like spending time with his dad.
James looked at Remus. "Together?" "Of course." And they disapprated with a loud crack.