Disclaimer: I do not own anything
Albus Dumbledore paced around his office as he pondered on the events that had transpired throughout the academic year. It was almost midnight but he could not bring himself to sleep. Voldemort was present in the school for another year and Harry Potter's life was in danger once again. Well, it was destined to be in risk since the prophecy came into effect the night the Potter's died.
However, was it really a good thing to send the one year old survivor to magic hating Dursleys? He had hoped that the boy would stay away from the fans and the dark families. He had desired to give him a normal childhood but it seemed to have the opposite effect. He wanted to lead him down a light path
Why did Sirius have to betray the Potters? Why did Remus have to leave Britain? It would have been so much easier then. He would have sent Harry to the Dursleys nevertheless. The blood protection was necessary. However, he would not have been abused and neglected if Sirius and Remus visited from time to time.
Normally, one would call him a manipulator. Well, he was a manipulator of sorts but his manipulations were not born out of his own selfish desires. They were done in the hopes of a better future. But were they really leading to that destination? If it resulted in this, then they would most certainly not have a happy outcome in the future as well.
He should not have left him completely unattended. He should have checked that Harry was well cared himself time to time. Speaking of that, why did Mrs Figg did not report something like this to him?
It was at this moment that the esteemed Headmaster of Hogwarts made the decision to not keep anymore secrets from Harry Potter.
Anyways, next came the topic of the diary. What was it exactly? A dark magical object? But how on earth would it have Tom's sentience? He was yet to hear Harry's side of the story so he did not jump to conclusions too soon.
But one thing was bugging him too much. He did not feel the dark presence that he had normally felt around Harry since the Halloween eleven years ago in 1981 which caused him to become overly cautious and paranoid around the boy.
Did the basilisk venom play any part to it? He once again glanced at his sleeping phoenix familiar gratefully for saving Harry. Could Harry have housed, he hoped that it was not true, a horcrux? If it was, then, how many more of them were present? Why would Tom make his most hated enemy one? How would he find all of them?
Shaking his head out of these thoughts, he decided that he would need to sleep now. He returned all articles in their proper places with a movement of his wand and was about to hit the hay when he heard someone knock on his office door. Severus Snape had come to talk to him.
He groaned and opened the door. Come on, can't the world give this old man a bit of peace?
Scene Change
"Mum, dad, " Harry whispered.
The two people whom he wanted to meet the most were right in front of him smiling towards him. This was not a photo, but reality. Then, without even making sure to check whether they were imposters, he flung himself over them.
The hug was wholeheartedly returned. Harry had tears flowing out of his eyes. He choked out, "Is it really you? It is not a dream, right?"
Lily soothed him rubbing his back, "Yes, it is really us, Harry. We are not gonna leave you."
James added, "Yeah, of course."
After about five more minutes that felt like eternity they parted the embrace.
Harry inquired, "But how?"
James answered, "You see, you kind of died."
Lily hit him on the back of his head, "Not like that, Harry, you were almost dead. However, Fawkes was able to save you just in time."
It would be an understatement to say that Harry was shocked. He questioned further, "So what exactly is this place?"
Lily answered the question, "You are in a stage between life and death. I am most too sure but this place is called limbo, I guess."
Harry said confused, "But why can I meet the two of you? Don't get me wrong, I am really happy about this but-" he trailed of.
James explained, "The dead can visit the place, you see. The living cannot, though. We can see your life from here as well."
Harry nodded understanding. All of a sudden, he realised something. He stuttered out, "D-does that mean you have seen my childhood?"
Lily spoke angrily, "Yeah, we did not see everything but we did see parts. And how dare Petunia and that oaf of a husband, Vernon, abuse you? I get that she was jealous of me, but this has crossed limits. If only I was alive, I would, I would have-"
James calmed his wife, "Lils dear, calm down. You are scaring out Harry." He pointed towards a freaked out Harry.
"Oh sorry, Harry dear, but I am really pissed off at Dumbledore. Harry should have been raised by Sirius and Remus," Lily said.
Harry was confused, "Who is this Sirius and Remus?"
James and Lily looked shocked and horrified, "Alright, sending Harry to the Dursleys was one thing but I cannot imagine he did not even tell Harry about his Godfather and Uncle Moony."
Harry was even more confused, "Godfather? I have a godfather? And who on Earth is this Uncle Moony?"
James and Lily told him all about the Marauders. By the end, Harry was furious at Dumbledore. They chatted for quite a lot of time. Harry learnt about how his parents died. And since, it Peter Pettigrew was not in the Land of the Dead, it was deduced that he must be alive on Earth. Harry swore that he would make the traitorous rat pay when he meets him. They also talked about James and Lily's days at Hogwarts. James asked him to look for the Marauders Map when he had returned.
James spoke up, "There is someone else who wants to meet you.
Harry asked, "Who?"
"That would be me," a voice came from behind. It was a weird looking man in medieval era clothes.
"Who are you?"
"I am your ancestor, Harry. My name is Ignotus Peverell."
Scene Change
Ron Weasley tossed and turned on his bed. He could not sleep. Harry was injured. His best friend could have died. He knew he was not in fault for this but a part of him blamed himself.
If only he was stronger and faster - maybe this wouldn't have occurred. If only his wand was working properly - no, then Lockhart would have successfully obliviated them. Lockhart - how much he hated that guy. First of all, he spent the entire teaching almost nothing and then, this.
Ron always felt overshadowed by his siblings. Then, he met Harry and Hermione. Sure, he attempted to talk with Harry first because he was a celebrity and did not even like Hermione at first at all. But, gradually, they became the best friends and even protected the philosopher's stone from Quirrell.
His friends meant his life to him. He swore that he would not feel this helpless again. He would be able to protect his friends as much as he can from dangers from this day forth. It was time to get serious and stop goofing around from studies.
So, Dumbledore realizes his mistakes, Harry finally meets his parents and Ron gets an epiphany. I am making a few things clear. This is not a manipulative and bad Dumbledore fic as mentioned in summary. Lily and James do not know anything about the blood protection or anything else for that matter. They only know how Harry was raised. So, it is justified that they would be angry at Dumbledore. It is not that they did not bother to check other things. You can only watch over one person after you are dead.