Hi everybody thanks for reviewing. I'm really sorry it took this long to update but my laptop officially died, and it took me a while to get a new one. I'm still actually saving up for the monitor, so I'm using a really old one a friend lent me for now.
This is just a main announcement because a lot of the reviews were asking about it. I still haven't completely decided yet but as it stands now Serverus will not adopt Harry.
I will also be getting around giving a description of Glory soon. It's actually going to happen at her sorting speech. The chapters are just spread out far enough, and Glory doesn't show up enough until then to warrant a description.
Sirus's death is also coming up soon, it's hopefully going to give some more dimension to all the characters.
It's also a little early how to predict how the books will affect this story. I've changed a lot of it already, so the books may not even apply.
Most of all I'm going to be updating more frequently, so hopefully you'll see the next chapter in a couple of weeks.
The Chronicles of Merlin: The Return
Chapter Two
June 21st, highway 31, 130 kilometers from Little Whining…
Harry had been walking for most of the night and a good part of the morning, and if he had to guess he was about 130 kilometers away from Little Whining. After leaving the wizarding town Harry found a muggle road that would lead him the rest of the way, and possibly a ride for part of the trip.
'I hope someone comes by soon,' Harry thought as he looked down the road again.
As if in answer to his question he saw a truck coming down the road. Harry quickly picked up a pebble and transfigured it into a pair of sunglasses. He did not think a muggle would understand what happened to is eyes. Harry waved his hand, hoping to catch the attention of the driver. When the trucker saw him he slowed down and pulled up next to Harry.
"What are you doing out here all by yourself lad?" the trucker asked.
"I'm trying to get to number four Privet drive in Little Whining," Harry said. "Do you think that I can get a ride?"
"Sure," the trucker said kindly. "I'm actually heading there myself."
"Thank you," Harry said as he climbed into the passenger seat.
"My name is Jimmy by the way, Jimmy Grant."
"Harry Potter," Harry said as he shook the man's hand.
"So what do you need to do in Little Whining?" Jimmy asked, making conversation.
"My aunt and uncle live there, I'm going to stay with them for the summer," Harry explained.
"Why are you traveling by yourself? Couldn't your parents have given you a ride?" he asked.
"They were busy doing other things, and they decided that I should spend time with my relatives rather quickly."
"They expected you to go to Little Whining by yourself? That's almost 130 kilometers from here," Jimmy said shocked.
"I know. It would have taken at least two more days if you had not come by. How long will it take to get there driving?"
"We should be there in about three hours. Why don't you get some rest? You look beat," Jimmy said kindly.
"Thanks," Harry said as he leaned back in the chair getting more comfortable.
June 21st, Potter Mansion, Dining room…
"We have something to tell you," James said as he sat down next to Glory.
"Is it about Harry? He's not coming back is he?" Glory asked looking cross.
"Harry isn't what we thought he was, it turn out that he's quite a bit more powerful than we thought." Lily said as she sat down as well.
"What do you mean?" Glory asked, not liking the direction that conversation was taking.
"Before Merlin died he prophesized his own return, before the arrival of the darkness the power of Merlin would return. His strength and wisdom would be reborn, stronger than ever before." James said recalling what Albus had said last night.
"That's great!" Glory said smiling brightly. "I always wondered how I was able to defeat Voldermort. Now it makes sense, it must have been the power of Merlin." Glory said still not catching on.
"You aren't the heir of Merlin honey," Lily said to her daughter. "Do you remember what Harry looked like when he came back from the forest?"
"No!" Glory said as her eyes widened. "Harry can't be the heir of Merlin, it's me. I was the one that defeated Voldermort. I'm the one with the scar. Harry isn't special," Glory shouted adamantly.
"This doesn't make you any less special Glory." James said trying to calm down his daughter. "He-who-must-not-be-named is dead because of you, and he was the most powerful dark wizard of our time."
"It must have been some kind of mistake. Harry can't be the heir of Merlin, it's me. Just wait and see."
"Harry isn't the heir," Lily started to say, knowing that it would upset her daughter even more. "He is the re-incarnation of Merlin. Inside of him is the ancient soul of Merlin."
"THIS IS NOT FAIR!" Glory screamed.
June 21st, Outside Number four Privet Drive…
"It's time to wake up Harry," Jimmy said as he gently shook Harry.
"Where are we?" Harry asked as he rubbed his eyes sleepily.
"We're at your aunt and uncle's house."
"Thanks for he ride Jimmy." Harry said as he got out of the truck.
"Any time kid," Jimmy said with a smile as he drove off.
'I wonder what the Dursley's are going to be like?' Harry thought as he looked at his aunt's house. 'Mother never talked about them, I hope they don't hate magic.'
As Harry continued to wonder about his relatives the door opened and a woman walked out. She was almost a carbon copy of his mother. The only differences between the two were while his mother's eyes were green, this woman's were brown, and she seemed a couple of inches taller.
"You must be Harry," she said with a smile.
"Are you my aunt Petunia?" Harry asked.
"Yes, I didn't expect you to arrive so soon. From the letter that Lily sent me I thought it would be at least a couple more days."
"I was able to get a ride for most of the way here." Harry said smiling as well. In just those few moments he had spent talking to his aunt he felt more kindness that an entire life time with his parents.
"Well I hope you're hungry. We were all just sitting down to lunch when you arrived." Petunia said as she ushered Harry inside.
"This is my son Dudley." Petunia said as she proudly pointed to her son.
Dudley looked to be a little over weight but he seemed like a nice enough person to Harry.
"It's nice to meet you Dudley." Harry said politely.
"Mom told me about you," Dudley said smiling. "Is it true that you can do magic?"
"I can, but I'm not allowed to do it outside of school." Harry said as he started to take a liking to Dudley.
"This is my husband, and your uncle Vernon." Petunia said as she rested her hands on Vernon's shoulders.
"Hello Sir," Harry said greeting the man formally.
"There's no need for the formality," Vernon said with a smile. "Just call me uncle Vernon."
"Thank you." Harry said as he sat down to lunch with his aunt's family.
"You're so well behaved." Petunia complimented. "It's nice to know that some of the better parts of Lily rubbed off on you."
"What do you mean?" Harry asked confused.
"Well when Lily got her Hogwarts letter it changed her. After her first year she treated the rest of the family pretty badly. Your grandparents on my side of the family still won't speak to her."
"What did she do?" Harry asked partly dreading the answer.
"She and some of her older friends used their magic on us." Petunia said, and it was clear the memory was still something that she hadn't completely gotten over yet. "At first it was nothing too serious, changing our hair, spraying us with goop, that sort of thing. The last one was the worst though. One of their spells went wrong and they killed the family cat."
"I'm sorry." Harry said solemnly. "Is there anything I can do to make it up to you?"
"It wasn't your fault Harry, and I got over in eventually. Well eat up Harry. You look like you haven't eaten in days." Petunia said cheerfully.
June 24, Number four Privet Drive…
The time that Harry had spent with his relatives was probably the most enjoyable that he could remember. Over the past few days he was completely accepted into the family. None of the Dursley's forced him to do anything he didn't want to do, they talked to him, and most of all the included him.
"Harry, could you pass the milk?" Dudley asked as the family was sitting down for breakfast.
"Sure." Harry said as reached for the jug. Just as he was about to touch the handle his body froze. The images were passing before his eyes again. They didn't hurt this time though. Now instead of just seeing the images, he heard them as well. Hundred of people telling him things, some spoke of ancient long forgotten spells, others spoke of mythical creatures, but the most startling thing was, everything that he saw, everything that was spoken of he knew. It was as if he had already learned everything, he was only now remembering it.
"Are you okay Harry?" asked a concerned Vernon.
"It happened again. I saw the images again. They were clearer this time." Harry said quietly.
The Dursley's were about to question Harry about the images when they heard the door bell ring.
They all stood up to see who it was. It was still early in the morning and having guests over at this time was a little strange. Vernon opened the door to see the smiling faces of James and Lily Potter.
"You must be James and Lily." Vernon said politely. "Petunia has told me so much about you."
"Yes… you must be…" James said trailing off, as he couldn't remember anything about the man except for the fact that he was Lily's brother-in-law.
"Vernon Dursley," Vernon finished for James. "You've raised a fine young man."
"Thank you." Lily said. "Is he up yet? We'd like to talk to him about a few things."
"I'm here." Harry said as he moved in front of the Dursley's. "What did you want to talk about?"
"Why don't we all go in to the living room?" Petunia suggested. "I imagine you don't want the rest of the neighbors to here this."
"Yes, of course." Lily agreed as everyone sat down in the living room.
"Well, after you left the house a few days ago we had an interesting talk with Professor Dumbledore. He was able to explain to us what happened to you." James said.
"What is going on?" Harry asked curiously.
"You're the reincarnation of Merlin!" Lily said happily. "Now pack up your things, Albus wanted to talk to you as well. I imagine that there will be quite a few reporters too, once the word gets put."
"I had hoped for a long time that one day you would care about me." Harry said sadly. "I realize now that it can never be."
"What are you talking about Harry?" Lily asked. "We have always cared about you. We're taking you home now. Doesn't that show you how much we care?"
"Since the day that Glory was born you have made my life a living hell. You let Glory kill my pet, you laughed while she did it. You made me watch as it died." Harry said his voice thick with emotion.
"It was just a rat Harry." James said incredulously. "We can get you any kind of pet you want."
"That was the day that I stopped hoping." Harry said ignoring his fathers comment. "I taught myself not to want anything, and the pain didn't hurt quite as much anymore."
"I know that we may have ignored you a little, but Glory is the-girl-who-lived. We had to make sure that Glory was taken care of." Lily said, not even realizing how badly that they had hurt their son.
"Sometimes I wish that you had ignored me, but time and time again you went out of your way to hurt me. What was it that I did to make you hate me so much?" Harry asked.
For once the Potter's didn't know what to say, so they just sat there staring at Harry uncomfortably.
"I can see it in you even now. You don't care about me, only the fame and power that I can bring you." Harry said, not even looking at his parents anymore.
"We don't have time for this." James said as he began to loose his temper. "Accio Harry's things." He said and watched as they flew down the stairs.
"Thank you for letting me stay with you Uncle Vernon, Aunt Petunia, Dudley." Harry said as he stood up.
"It was wonderful to have you." Petunia said for her family. She understood better than anyone that she was no use against magic. "Come and visit us again, next summer and the Christmas holidays if you can."
"Thank you." Harry said with a sad smile. "I really enjoyed getting to know you."
"Come on, come on." Lily said impatiently. "We still have to meet Albus in Hogsmead."
Harry quietly walked out of the house and he and his parent's port keyed to Hogsmead, leaving an upset Dursley family in their wake.
"The boy deserves better than that." Vernon said quietly.
"We don't stand a chance against their magic. I don't know if Harry will ever be free of them." Petunia said as she stared at the spot Harry apparated from.
"Harry was so nice. How can he have parents like that?" Dudley asked. Even from the few moments that he talked to the Potters he could tell what kind of people they were.
June 24th, The Leaky cauldron, Hogsmead…
"Thank you for coming Harry." Albus said pleasantly as the Potter's sat down.
"Is Harry really Merlin?" Glory asked, still hoping that it was just a horrible mistake.
"Harry, you are the reincarnation of Merlin." Albus said addressing Harry.
"I think that you are mistaken Professor, I'm not anything special." Harry said quietly.
"Harry, Madam Hooch told me about your healing magic. What you are able to do without a wand not even I can do with." Albus said, not understanding why Harry was downplaying everything.
"I only learned that out of necessity." Harry said, still not wanting to believe what he was. He was still afraid that it was all just a joke at his expense.
"The healing was just the first part to manifest itself Harry. I am sure other powers will emerge in the coming school year." Albus said confidently.
"What did you want to see me about Professor?" Harry asked.
"We must have a press conference about recent events. The reporters know that Merlin lives again. They will not leave you alone until you answer some of their questions." Albus explained.
"When do you want to have the press conference?" Harry asked.
"We can have everything ready in two days time."
"That'll be perfect." James answered for his son.
"It would be a good idea for you all to have proper dress robes for the event." Albus said as he stood up. "I must be leaving now, preparations for the new year and all that." He said as he walked out of the Leaky Cauldron.
"We should get you some new dress robes." Lily said as she looked at Harry's worn clothing.
Harry simply nodded as he and his family walked into Digon Alley. It was just as he remembered it the year before. All sorts of people were walking around the crowded alley.
When they reached the robe shop Harry walked in and looked at the many different types of formal robes. He didn't get his hopes up or show any outward signs that he was interested in anything in the shop.
"Pick out any formal robes in the shop." James said feeling generous.
"Anything will be fine." Harry said offhandedly. "I'm not very good at picking out clothes for social events." Harry said as he remembered that he was excluded from most of the dinner parties that his parents had.
"Sure, Harry." Lily said as she picked out a shiny black satin set of robes. "We'll take these she said to the owner.
Harry and his family went to Potter mansion after that. After being excused by his parents Harry walked up to his room.
Harry was surprised to find that all of the things that his parents had removed when he came back for the summer had been returned. Most of it was in the same condition that he had left it in.
'Glory probably threw a temper tantrum.' Harry thought to himself as he looked at what used to be his table lamp.
'What am I going to do about this press conference?' Harry thought to himself as he lay down on his bed.
To Be Continued…