Double
I hope you like this chapter. It may take a few days for each new chapter to be posted. I'll post them up as soon as I have them.
Thank you to my beta, Darth Marrs for editing this. Leave me a review if you like what you read.
-appletart55
Chapter Four
Harry, Ron and Hermione stood on a long stretch of land in the English countryside. The sky was a clear blue. The country air smelled fresh and invigorating.
On the other end of the wide moor was a beautiful mansion. There were two floors, wide windows and a black gate. There was an extensive garden that they could see from where they stood.
"Are you sure this is a good idea?" asked Hermione to Harry and Ron quietly.
Harry walked forward with long strides. He brushed a strand of his new blond hair from his face. Harry wore a pair of contacts that changed his eye-color from a bright green to a dull brown. He also wore a set of new, pure-blood clothes. He wore a dark green robe with fine black embroidery around the collar.
Hermione wore a set of beautiful taffeta robes that she felt highly inclined to buy. She looked like a pure-blood princess with her hair brushed back with a strong amount of Sleekeazy hair potion. She wore contacts that made her eye-color change from a soft brown to a bright blue.
Ron wore a set of maroon robes with golden trim. He looked stately in his robes. He wore contacts that changed his eye-color from hazel to dark green.
All three wore wigs. Harry's hair was blond. Hermione's hair was black. Ron's hair was dark brown. That wasn't all. Harry, Ron and Hermione decided to invest in a set of 'Hide-Away Magical Masks' from the joke shop, Zonko's. The masks changed each person's face so that anyone who saw them would remember nothing more than a plain, average person who was essentially nondescript and entirely forgettable.
"Harry's dead-set on this," said Ron finally. "He's dead-set on it no matter how stupid this may be."
"What?" said Harry. "Is this any stupider than going to that Quidditch game?"
"Yes," said Hermione. "We didn't talk to the other you at the Quidditch game."
"Well, we won't talk to the other me here either," said Harry. "We'll speak to my other parents. You know… the live set."
Hermione sighed.
"I want to speak to my parents at least once before we leave here," said Harry finally. "We also need more information. We need to know the strongest and the most talented witch or wizard in this world since Dumbledore is dead. That person may be able to help us to get home. The Potters—well, at least my Dad—"
"—This world's James Potter—" said Ron. "He's not really your Dad, Harry."
"Right," said Harry. "This world's James Potter is rich, well-connected and a pure-blood wizard. He should know people."
Hermione seemed to calm down. "Okay," she agreed. "We do need more information. They might even have another Order of the Phoenix here. They'll definitely have good intel."
Ron nodded. "Okay, we're in agreement," said Ron. "We're going to do this incredibly stupid thing and hope that your parents are incredibly stupid to give us free information."
"Hey!" said Harry.
Hermione laughed.
Ron grinned and shrugged.
The three reached the front gate of the Potter mansion in minutes. There was an electronic buzzer there that allowed the mansion's guests to introduce themselves before they were allowed in.
"I thought they only had these in muggle homes," said Hermione thoughtfully.
"No, these are magical ones," said Ron simply.
"Oh," said Hermione.
Ron and Hermione looked at Harry. Harry took a deep breath.
He pressed the buzzer.
"Hello?" said someone on the other end. "Who is it?"
"Er—my name is George Foreman," said Harry. "I'm here with my associates, Ms. Peony Patil and Mr. Dean Thomas. We would like to speak to the owner of the house."
"I see," said the person on the other end. "Well, Mr. Potter isn't here. I'm afraid I don't allow strangers into my home."
"Well, we're here about collecting donations," said Hermione hurriedly. "We're collecting for the war effort."
"Oh," said the voice. "I still don't think…"
"Please, we would really appreciate it if you let us speak to you," said Harry.
"We came a long way," finished Ron. "We're also incredibly thirsty."
"All right," said the person. "Since it's for the war effort…"
The front of the house buzzed and the gate opened.
"Come on," said Harry. He walked forward and the two followed him.
Harry, Ron and Hermione reached the front door of the Potter mansion. Harry fidgeted. He cleared his throat.
Ron and Hermione pretended not to notice his unease.
Finally, there was nothing else for it. "Harry, just knock on the door," said Hermione.
Harry did so.
The person who opened the door was Lily Potter.
Harry mentally prepared himself to see this world's version of his mother… but he was still shocked to see her there. She was alive and well here.
She was also very beautiful.
Lily Potter had luminous pale skin and long, red hair. It was pulled back neatly with a hair clip. She wore muggle clothing. She had on tan slacks, a pristine white top and gold jewelry. Harry noticed her wedding ring. It was a sparkling, solitaire diamond with a gold band. It looked tasteful and elegant on her slim hands.
"Hello," said Lily Potter. "Please come in."
Harry stopped short when he entered the foyer.
The inside of the mansion was beautiful. There were cream colored walls. There was a long, elegant staircase in the front of the hall. There was also a grand chandelier hanging from high up above. It glimmered brightly in the light.
Harry, Ron and Hermione followed Lily into the foyer and, then, into the sitting room.
Lily Potter sat down on a plush, white couch in the middle of the room. Harry, Ron and Hermione sat down across from her. The decorations in the sitting room were grand and tasteful. There were three large paintings on the wall. One painting was a picture of a family. Another painting was a picture of a small cottage by the shore. The final painting was of a dark brown mare with fiery wings.
There were magical photos of the family on the mantle and on a few of the side tables, too.
Lily Potter looked fine and stately in her surroundings.
"Which one of you is Mr. Foreman?" asked Lily.
No one spoke. Ron jerked Harry with his elbow.
"That's me," said Harry.
"That's an interesting name," said Lily."I know a George Foreman... in the muggle world."
"That's not me," said Harry with a false laugh. He continued. "The person to my left is Peony Patil... and the person to the other side of me is Dean Thomas."
Lily looked at Ron. "That's funny... There's also a Dean Thomas in the same year as my second son, Harry."
Damn, thought Harry. "Your second son? How many children do you have?" asked Harry. He hoped to distract her from their mistake.
Lily smiled politely. She pointed at the painting above her mantle. It was a picture of Lily, three children and a man who was most likely James Potter.
"I have three kids," said Lily. "My eldest son is in his seventh-year at Hogwarts. His name is Carl. My second son is a fifth-year at Hogwarts. His name is Harry."
"Then there's me," said the voice of a stranger. A little girl entered the room. Her red-hair was tied together with a red, silk ribbon. She wore a wide smile. The little girl walked up to Harry, Ron and Hermione. She stuck out her hand.
"Hi," the little girl said. "My name is Posie."
Harry grinned."It's nice to meet you," he said.
"Who are you?" asked Posie. "We usually don't let strangers in our house… Right, Mum?"
Lily nodded. "We usually don't," said Lily. "But they're collecting for our soldiers in the U.S.S.R. I decided to take the risk."
"Oh," said Posie. "Okay."
Posie took a seat next to her mother. The little girl wore muggle clothes like Lily. She wore a pair of worn jeans and a maroon top with flowers embroidered on it.
"So, what infantry are you collecting donations for?" asked Lily.
The three were silent.
"We're collecting for the 35th infantry," said Ron after a minute.
Lily frowned. "I see. I know some people in the 35th infantry. I haven't heard anything about a collection for our boys there."
"The decision to collect for the 35th happened out of no where," said Ron. "We were told to do it because we have family in the 35th."
"I see," said Lily. "Perhaps I know them. Who are they?"
Ron frowned. "They're—they're a family named Weasley. I'm a distant relative of there's."
Lily seemed to relax. She smiled. "Oh, yes, the Weasley's. I'm very close to Fabian and Gideon. I also know the twins' sister, Molly. She was a year or two younger than me at Hogwarts. They're a lovely family."
Ron puffed up his chest. "Yes, they are," he said.
"By the way… how is your husband?" asked Harry. "We're sorry we missed him."
Lily gave a strained smile. "Yes, he's at work," she said. "He works for the Ministry. He's an Auror."
"I see," said Harry. "Does being an Auror run in the family?"
"Yes, it does," said Lily. "James' father and grandfather were both Aurors. Anyway, I should have asked this earlier, but my thoughts escaped me. Would you three like water or tea? One of you mentioned you were thirsty back at the gate."
Harry realized that his throat felt parched. "Yes, that would be nice," said Harry.
Lily stood up. "I'll be right back," she said. "Come on with me, Posie. You can help me out."
Posie nodded. The two left for the kitchen.
"She seems really nice," said Harry with a relieved sigh.
Ron frowned. "Yes, she does," he said. "But does she seem a bit…"
"What?" asked Harry defensively.
"She seems nervous, Harry," said Hermione. "She doesn't seem to want to talk to us."
"She's probably a bit preoccupied," concluded Harry. "There's a war going on… and we're three strangers. You heard her. She doesn't like strangers in the house. And she has her daughter with her."
"Yes, that's true," said Ron. "I still think we should go. She suspects something… We don't have a lot of information about exceptional wizards or witches either. It's better if we try somewhere else."
Harry scowled. "No," he said firmly. "I want to stay and talk to her a bit more."
"Harry, I agree with Ron," said Hermione softly. "How long should the 'Hide-Away Magical Masks' last anyway?"
"The package said it should last for three hours," said Ron. "If we include the time it took to get from magical London to Wales… and the amount of time it took us to find the Potter mansion…"
"We've worn the Masks for around three hours now," said Hermione faintly. "We need to go."
Harry nodded. "All right… even I know that makes sense," said Harry.
Harry stood up to go. Hermione and Ron followed. The three started toward the hallway to the front door.
"Stop!" said a familiar voice. The three turned around.
It was Lily. She stood tall and was in a fighting stance. She brandished her wand. Posie was hiding behind her… but, she had her wand out, too.
"Is something wrong?" asked Hermione.
"We felt it was time to go," said Harry.
"We've over-stayed our welcome," concluded Ron.
"You're not leaving," said Lily in a firm voice. "I don't know who you are… But, I do know interrogation tactics when I hear them. Who are you three?"
Harry sighed helplessly. Ron frowned. Hermione rolled her eyes.
"We're no one," said Harry. "We're strangers passing by… that's all. Please, let us go."
"Or what?" asked Lily.
Harry glanced at Ron; then, he looked at Hermione. Harry nodded.
The three brandished their wands from their wand holsters and took a similar fighting stance.
"We don't want anyone to get hurt," said Ron. "Put down your wand, Lily."
"We promise... we're not trying to hurt you," said Hermione.
"It's best if you let us go," finished Harry.
"You're right… we don't want anyone to get hurt," said another person's voice.
Harry, Ron and Hermione looked up at the top of the staircase to the foyer. James Potter was standing there.
He really does look like me, thought Harry.
That was the last thing on his mind before everything turned to midnight.