Chapter 4: A Letter is read and Memories Echo
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or Final Fantasy XIV ARR. HP is the property of J.K. Rowling and FFXIV ARR is the property of Square Enix.
Spells/Abilities/Primals
Mother Crystal
Thoughts/Echo Flashback
"What's all this shouting about?" asks Harry as he rubs the sleep out of his eyes.
Rubbing the last of the sleep from his eyes Harry sits up on the couch and surveys the room. In one corner he sees his relatives cowering against each other. Standing across from him is an older woman wearing emerald green robes and a Scottish tartan. Harry would latter describe her as a strict woman who hides her softer side. She also reminds Harry of a cat for some reason. Sitting next to him is another older woman waving a stick around him and muttering to herself about nutrition potions and special dietary regimens. She is wearing what looks to be a nurse's outfit. On his other side an older man with an extremely long beard. He is wearing a set of purple robes with a star pattern on it. He is also waving his stick around Harry's head. His face goes through many faces quickly from surprise to hopeful to relief. He mouths it is gone. In front of his relatives holding another stick is a young man with slick black hair and dark eyes. He wears a sneer that does well at showing the contempt he holds for the Dursleys. He wears a black robe with a cape.
Suddenly Harry feels light headed and the world fades away. A sepia tone scene appears in his mind.
Two little girls were swinging on swings. The younger one swung higher and higher despite the older one (Petunia Harry realized) telling her not to do it, that their mother told the younger one, his mother Lily, not to. Lily ignored her sister and at the height of her arc on the swing let go and flew across the empty playground landing lightly on the ground. It was then Harry noticed a little boy next to him crouching behind the bushes.
"The man holding the stick at Aunt Petunia and the others."
The little boy walked up to the two sister who had been looking a flower in Lily's hand opening and closing it petals. Petunia asked Lily how she does it with a hint of longing in her voice. The little boy makes himself known and reveals to the sisters that Lily is a witch. Lily looks affronted at first but the little boy explains to them that what Lily does is magic and that as she is a witch he is a wizard. Petunia laughs and makes comments that offend the boy who sneers and calls Petunia a muggle. Petunia is offended and walks off calling for her sister to follow. The scene melts away and is replaced by another.
The boy and his mother are sitting on the ground. The boy, whose name is Severus, is explaining the Ministry of magic the punishment for underage magic to his mother. Lily says that she has done magic outside of school before. Severus says that they can't get in trouble till they get wands. Lily then asks if it is all real and more specifically if Hogwarts is real because Petunia had said it wasn't. Young Severus confirms it is all true and that an owl delivers the acceptance letters but since she is a muggle-born a teacher will more than likely come to explain everything to her and her parents. Lily asks if being a muggle-born matters. Severus answers that no it does not matter. The scene dissolves again.
A train station fades into view. Severus and his mother stand to the side as Lily and Petunia argue. Lily says that maybe she can change the Headmaster, Dumbledore, mind about Petunia coming to Hogwarts. Petunia reply's that she didn't want to go to a stupid castle and learn to be a freak. Lily says that's not nice and that Petunia didn't think that way when she sent letters to Dumbledore begging to be let in. Lily says that his reply was very kind. Petunia becomes more upset when she finds out that Lily read her private letters. With the parting shout of "Freak!" Petunia turns her back on Lily and walks back to her parents. The scene fades away and Harry returns to the here and now.
Harry shakes his head to clear his thoughts.
"Are you alright Harry?" the woman in the nurse's outfit asks.
Harry just points at Severus, his mouth agape.
"Your name is Severus Snape. You knew my mother and Aunt Petunia when you were younger. You told them all about magic and Hogwarts. You two were friends."
That causes everyone to stop and stare at Harry. Severus looks like a dear caught in the head lights but never removes his wand from the vicinity of the Dursleys.
"How… How do you know that?" Severus asks.
"I… I just saw it… was it a memory? How could I have memories of mum when she was that young?" Harry asks himself more than the others in the room.
Harry shakes his head again, "It doesn't matter right now who are you people? Why are you all here and why are you holding wands, not that I mind, at my relatives?"
"Well Harry, my boy, you see…" Albus faltered for once unable to explain the situation, shocked at the possibility that Harry is a seer.
"Why don't we start with introductions?" asks Scottish Tartan. "My name is Minerva McGonagall, deputy headmistress and professor of transfiguration at the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry."
"A fine idea Minerva. My name is Poppy Pomfrey I am the Matron of Hogwarts. I'm sure we will be seeing each other quite allot if you are anything like your father." Says Nurse Outfit.
"And as you seem to already know Severus, I am Albus Dumbledore Headmaster of Hogwarts." Says Long Beard.
"I still want to know how you knew who I was. I'm sure Petunia never mentioned me." Severus adds.
"You are right about that, sir, all she told me about my parents was that they were drunks and they died in a crash." Harry says.
"That SHE/they was/were what!" shout Severus and Minerva before turning and glaring harder at the whimpering Dursleys.
"We will discuss that latter." Dumbledore says in a hard voice, "Harry have you received a letter today?"
"Yes I did though I didn't open it in front of them," he points at the Dursleys, "It would have been taken from me. I was going to read it latter after I finished with my chores for today. It should still be in my cupboard."
"Your WHAT!?" screeches Minerva and Poppy. Severus just grips his wand tighter.
"My cupboard where I sleep. You didn't know? It was specifically addressed to there."
Dumbledore pinches his nose, "Minerva from now on would you please…"
"I am going to look over the envelopes from now on Albus, no need to ask. This will never happen again." Minerva agrees with Albus, "I am so sorry Harry had I known…"
"It is okay Ma'am I figured it was an automated process."
"It is most certainly not okay Mr. Potter and Minerva if it gets too overwhelming please let me know and I will help." Adds Poppy.
Albus leaves the room for a moment and brings Harry his letter. Harry takes the letter and reads it.
HOGWARTS SCHOOL of WITCHCRAFT and WIZARDRY
Headmaster: Albus Dumbledore
(Order of Merlin, First Class, Grand Sorcerer, Chief Warlock, Supreme Mugwump, International Confederation of Wizards)
"The hell is a Mugwump?" Harry asks himself.
Dear Mr. Potter,
We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please find enclosed a list of all school supplies needed for the year. Term begins September 1st. We await your reply by owl no later than July 31st
Sincerely,
Minerva McGonagall,
Deputy Headmistress
"Um, I don't have an owl but…" Harry begins.
"No worries my boy we know that you will be attending. We shall see to it that you have a means of communicating with any friends you make at the school." Albus says.
"Oh," Harry blushes, "Thank you."
"You are quite welcome my boy."
Harry then continues to read the letter.
First Year students will require:
Uniform:
Three sets of plain work robes (Black)
One plain pointed hat (Black) for day wear
One winter cloak (Black with Silver Fastenings)
One pair of protective gloves (Dragon Hide or Similar)
Please note that all pupil's clothes should carry name tags.
Required Text Books
A History of Magic by Bathilda Bagshot
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them by Newt Scamander
The Dark Forces: A Guide to Self-Protection by Quentin Tremble
Magical Theory by Adalbert Waffling
A Beginner's Guide to Transfiguration by Emeric Switch
The Standard Book of Spells (Grade 1) by Miranda Goshawk
One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi by Phyllida Spore
Magical Drafts and Potions by Arsenius Jigger
Other Equipment:
1 Wand
1 Cauldron (Standard Size 2, Pewter)
1 Set of Glass/Crystal Phials
1 Set of Brass Scales
1 Telescope
1 Basic Potions Kit
Students may also bring one approved pet:
An Owl, Cat or Toad
PARENTS ARE REMINDED THAT FIRST YEAR STUDENTS ARE NOT ALLOWED TO BRING THEIR OWN BROOMSTICKS.
"Can you really get all this in London?" Harry asks
"Why yes you can. We have a lovely shopping district hidden away from mundane eyes. One of us will take you there and pick up your things." Answered Minerva.
"Can… can Professor Snape take me? I would like to hear more about my mother."
Severus sputters and looks at Harry in shock. Albus eyes twinkle and he smirks at Severus. Minerva and Poppy both share a smile.
"I think that can be arranged. Severus come here for a minuet please." Albus motions Severus over and hands him a key, "Minerva, Poppy and I will take over for you while you take Harry to get his things."
Severus lets out a resigned sigh, "Come along Mr. Potter. Let us go quickly."
Harry walks up to the Professor and takes his hand. They disapparate with a loud crack.
Albus turns back to the Dursleys a hard look in his eye and a frown on his face, "Now that Harry is on his way to Diagon, we will have a chat with you Petunia and Vernon about certain things. Make no mistake things will be changing around here."
Minerva and Poppy share a nod and all three advance on the Dursleys.
Two words pop into the Dursleys heads before their normal world became one of magical pain, "Well Bugger."
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AN: Whoops. I know I said Harry and Snape will be going to Diagon Alley this chapter but well as you can see the Echo happened well it got away from me so yeah.
Next Chapter is definitely Harry and Snape in Diagon. Questions will be answer. Will Severus tell Harry more about Lily? Will Harry bring up James? Will the Goblins share their secrets of cheese-make with Harry?
Patch 3.2 drops tomorrow YAY!
R&R please flames will be ignored while constructive criticism will be appreciated and considered.
Oh and the poll on my profile for the Job Harry will Unlock in third year (Healer) still needs votes please drop on by.