Hey all. Heaps of people have emailed me asking for Potter family scenes/ bonding. I'm not that good and all my atttempts sucked and got deleted, but my friend and advisor: Nandini has volunteered to help. (her profile is Lady Gallatea Ravenclaw) She wrote this first scene.
Dark. Flashes of sickly green light. A high cackle of laughter. And the scream of a red-haired woman.
Harry cried and screamed as he woke up from his new round of nightmares. He sobbed as he rolled over on his side and hugged his legs to his chest as much as he could. He was still crying and shaking, when he felt calming, soft, and gentle hands pick him up from his curled position.
The hands cradled Harry within the reassuring arms and Harry's face was pressed against soft pajamas. The long red hair of his mother met his face as he cried into her shoulder.
Lily cooed soft nothings into her baby's ear as he calmed down, stroking his back gently in a soothing motion.
Once Harry had a firmer grasp of reality, he stopped crying, hiccupping slightly with emotion. He let himself cuddle into the comfort his mother was offering and grasped her pajamas when she tried to re-position him.
After some time, Lily felt Harry's shaking subside and was about to lay him down again, when the baby clutched to her with a sob. She smiled sleepily and held the toddler close. She sighed and went back to the master bedroom, hoping that James wouldn't mind company tonight.
She was surprised when she saw James awake, sitting up in bed, almost as if he was getting out to find her. His face relaxed in relief when he saw his wife and son in the doorway.
He softly smiled and settled back into bed as Lily joined him, settling the tired toddler in the middle. James massaged the baby's stomach as Lily got in bed and pulled the covers up.
Harry smiled sleepily and was soon dozing. James and Lily gazed at each other over their infant son and felt a warm feeling in their chests at the sight of their sleeping baby.
Lily and James cuddled up close to Harry and the latter snuggled in to James' chest with Lily rubbing the tiny back facing her.
And to the sounds of small breathing, the two adults fell asleep, holding each others hands, and surrounding Harry with love.
Everyone slept peacefully for the rest of the night.
The Potters' woke at dawn to an incessant knocking on their door.
"Whatd'ya want?" James called out.
"Prongsy. You gotta get up! It's Christmas and we gotta open the presents." Was the reply through the door.
"Go wake up Moony, Padfoot!" James yelled back.
"Don't you think that was kind of mean to Remus?" Lily put in, though the huge grin gave away the amount of sympathy she had for Remus.
"Nah, Sirius would've gone to him once we were up anyway. This just buys us a few minutes." James retorted, slowly getting himself dressed.
Harry giggled at this. Trust Sirius to act like a kid on Christmas.
To Sirius' huge disappointment, Presents were not first on the agenda. Breakfast was first, which Sirius scoffed down, then waited impatiently for everyone else to finish.
Harry felt like teasing Sirius and took his time, mush to Lilys, James' and especially Remus's (who knew Harry knew what he was doing) amusement.
When Sirius tried to get Harry to hurry up, he simply slowed down. Still, Harry didn't have as much as everyone else, and he finished when everyone else did. Finally everyone was ushered into the lounge room by an excited Sirius.
"Who's handing out the presents?" Remus inquired, slyly glancing at a bouncing Sirius. Before Sirius had a chance to answer though, Lily stepped forward. "Me."
"The first present will just have to go to Sirius." She started, handing a large gift to Sirius. It was the prank equipment, and Padfoot was ecstatic with their choice. "I can't wait to try these out!" he squealed.
Remus then received his gift of books. After the little misadventure the previous month, he already knew, but acted surprised anyway. Eyes lighting up, he turned back to Lily and James. "Thankyou."
Lily and James exchanged their gifts. Lily smiled at the beautiful necklace, and James insisted on trying his broom out later that day.
Finally after a few more presents, came the one Harry had been waiting for.
" 'To Mr Lupin, from Professor McGonagall and Harry' " Lily read out, before handing the box over.
Remus took off the wrapping paper, to find a wooden box. Opening that, he found four potions bottles arranged neatly, accompanied by a note.
"Well what does it say?" prompted Sirius. He had calmed down, but not by much.
" 'Dear Remus,
This potion is called Wolfsbane. It has just been discovered, and relieves the symptoms of Lycanthropy, though it doesn't cure it. Take it as instructed and Moony will have no control over you during your transformations. You will have full control when transformed, and the transformation will become less painful. Here's enough for this month, come see me before next month for your next dose. It has to be made freshly, so I couldn't give you enough for several months in advance, but I have a constant supply.
Minerva' "
Remus looked up at the others, stunned. Their faces however, mirrored his own. Finally it was Sirius that spoke. "Well full moon is in five days. We can test it out then." He declared brightly.
Remus completely ignored Sirius's comment in favour of taking Harry in a tight hug. "Thankyou Harry. Thankyou so much."
Silent tears were falling down Remus's cheeks. After a minute, Remus had calmed and sat Harry in his lap, to continue with the presents.
Lily couldn't keep the amusement from her voice. "I know Minerva said it was from her and Harry, and it's good to thank the person that gave the gift, but I doubt Harry had anything to do with finding such a potion." She grinned. James however looked doubtful.
"It's only just been discovered, and I don't want to ruin your hope, but I don't want to see you disappointed. We should wait till we've used it before getting too excited." He said carefully.
Remus's only response was a smile.
Harry's trips to see McGonagall and Snape were dwindling. So far there had been only three, and finally McGonagall came for Harry for what she said to be the last time until he was older. Harry decided this was as good a time as any to tell them Remus knew.
McGonagall was surprised when she arrived at Godric's Hollow to be told Remus was hoping to accompany them. She couldn't however think of a good excuse at such short notice, though she stopped trying at Harry's positive reaction.
McGonagall and Harry stepped through the floo to Snape's quarters first, closely followed by Remus. Upon seeing Remus, Severus' calm, friendly stance evaporated.
"Hello Severus." Remus began amiably
"Wolf" Severus acknowledged shortly.
"I don't believe I thanked you for the wolfsbane potions, Severus. They worked even better then I had dared to hope."
Severus turned to McGonagall. "You said you wouldn't mention my involvement." He accused.
"She didn't," Harry butted in before McGonagall had the chance. "I think it only fair that you be acknowledged for your work."
McGonagall watched Remus as Harry gave his reply. When Remus simply smiled, Snape glared at Harry sullenly. "I thought you said you'd decided to keep this a secret?"
"Well you see, Harry decided he wanted to do some study, and after some accidental magic that put me to sleep, found a few of the books I was to receive for Christmas. I walked in on him transfiguring a griffin back into a shoe."
Harry blushed at this. "Well I didn't want to get out of practice." He tried to reason. Snape did not look pleased. McGonagall however looked confused. "Accidental magic? That's not possible." Realisation dawned on Snape's features at this comment. "No, it shouldn't be. Are you sure it was accidental?"
"Yes." At the matching looks of doubt from his professors, he elaborated. "What? I'm a kid again, obviously my magic is going to act up a bit."
"Was the magic taken from your magic stores?" Minerva asked uncertainly.
When Harry shook his head in the negative, McGonagall explained. "Accidental magic is the first signs of proper magic showing themselves in children. Once proper control of the magic is taken, accidental magic is stopped. You've got control of your magic though, so I don't understand."
"Maybe he has two magic cores?" Snape interrupted. "That would explain a lot."
"Wouldn't you have twice the magic now professor?" Remus asked of McGonagall.
"He told you everything didn't he?" Snape moaned mornfully, changing the subject.
"Actually no. He only mentioned that he was from the future with you" he pointed at McGonagall, "And that you knew about it." Remus said turning back to the Potions Master. "He also said in his world he was the boy-who-lived, and told me the prophecy."
At those words, McGonagall adopted a stern no nonsense look - the one she had while teaching. "And I hope you haven't been badgering him." She admonished.
Remus had the conscience to look guilty. "Not while others are around." He said grudgingly.
"He doesn't get it, wouldn't you want to know what happened in the future if you were in his position? Don't blame his for asking, I haven't said anything you might not like." Harry said.
McGonagall softened, after a sharp look from Harry.
"Remus, you're one of us now. You know our secret. I suppose you should know a bit of the future we're from, just to know how important it is that we succeed in stopping it."
Guilt crossed Remus' features again. "You don't have to…" he trailed off. He really didn't mean that, he wanted to know so much.
"Tell you what" Snape cut in, with a clear but subtle glare. "You ask a question, and either of you can choose to answer." Snape turned to the two time travellers for the last bit. They nodded in agreement.
"Kay, how old are you really?"
"Eighteen" Harry replied quickly.
Silence was Minerva's only response.
"Okay then." Remus smirked at Minerva. "What house are you in, Harry."
"I was in Gryffindor." Harry replied. Remus grinned. Seeing Remus, harry decided it was only fair to be entirely truthful. "But the sorting hat didn't agree. It thought I belonged in Slytherin."
Snape, who's glare had increased tenfold at the word 'Gryffindor', smirked at the last confession. He himself hadn't asked for too many details, and had already assumed Harry was a Gryffindor.
"Umm," Remus paused, thinking. "What happened to me and Sirius? Are we married?" Remus asked hopefully. He immediately regretted the question after seeing everyone's looks drop. Harry however, answered.
"Sirius spent twelve years in Azkaban, blamed for Wormtail's betrayal. He escaped in my third year and died in my fifth. You were a spy in werewolf packs for the order, before teaching Defence Against the Dark Arts in my third year. Then you resumed your role as a spy, before throwing yourself in front of a killing curse to save me."
"Wait, you arrived in this time and immediately accused Peter. What happened to him?"
"After he framed Sirius, he escaped. He assisted Voldemort in getting a body before becoming his most faithful servant." Harry scowled, not matching well with the baby features.
Remus paled. "Uh, your parent's?" he asked, beginning to grow wary of answers.
"They died when I was fifteen months. That was what Peter framed Sirius for, they were going to switch secret keepers."
"Who'd you grow up with then?"
"Lily's sister's family, the Dursleys."
Remus shuddered. "Is there any questions that are safe? Does anyone make it out alive?"
"Nope, not really." Harry replied dully. "Albus dies, Snape died, the Marauders all die, 'cept Wormtail. My friends die, most of the aurors are dead. Everyone in the order dies." Harry looked up, smiling darkly. "Well, apart from Minerva and I." He added.
Noting the morbid turn of events, McGonagall stepped in. "We are going over the changes in both time-lines, and trying to fix things. We have to at least let some things run their course, like Quirrell getting possessed by Voldemort and then stopped. But we can change it. Harry will be taking private lessons, and we will work together and perform an exorcism, so that there are less deaths."
"I'm glad we're getting a do-over if life turns out like that, but why don't you just stop all the bad things happening this time round?" Remus put in, confused.
"If things stay as much as they are as possible, then we will know more of what is happening. That way, we have more control over the situation. If we don't know what is going to happen, then we don't know how to counter it."
Snape interrupted. "I hate to interrupt this riveting theology, but we were actually discussing something far more relevant to our limited meeting. Harry's having bouts of accidental magic. Minerva have your powers increased? Maybe you have two magical cores."
"I noticed, but I thought it was just the ease of stress, or that I haven't really been using them as much now I'm not in battle. Now that it's mentioned though, its way too much just to be that. I'm… almost as powerful as Dumbledore." She added the last bit in a shocked whisper, only just noticing her magical levels for what they were.
Snape turned to Harry. "Then I suppose when your magic develops you'll be pretty powerful too. Maybe I'll have a bit of competition now Minerva's doubled her magic."
Harry looked from Snape's grin to Minerva's blush. "You didn't tell him?" he asked incredulously.
"Tell me what? Don't you dare try and say you're a squib, because Remus already told us about the stray griffin. That's advanced."
"Uh" Minerva started "The prophecy was pretty accurate in saying about the 'Voldemort and Harry being equals' thing. The power difference between Harry and Voldemort was only minor."
"You were almost as powerful as You-Know-Who!" Remus and Snape exclaimed at the same time. Snape shot Remus a glare, he didn't want to be seem as similar to Remus at all.
"Not quite. Voldemort was almost as strong as Harry, not the other way around. The extra was because of the killing curse on Harry when Voldemort marked him."
Remus looked confused. "But if Harry still has that power then its like he's still been marked by You-Know-Who as his equal. Which is the prophesised child then? Is there any way to check if its still the power you got from You-Know-Who then?"
Harry brightened "Hello?" he asked, seeing if he could still speak in parseltongue. Seeing Remus and Snape's faces he reverted back to English. "I guess that answered that question. Now we just got to figure out how it works if two people are chosen for a prophecy."
"There's a way to find out." Snape started suddenly. "But it may not be possible. Theres a department in the ministry, but it's level nine clearance…" he trailed off.
Harry however grimaced and finished Snape's sentence,
"The Department of Mysteries."
Thanks for all the wonderful reviews, and I hope you continue as it's really really appreciated. Anyone who's everwritten a story can vouch for that.