Chapter 12
I wish I had magic
Sirius' POV
I know today will be quite the important day. It'll be the day that I will start to learn about my new son and the life he's had while I was stuck in Azkaban. But the last chapter of the Fourth book made me worry about his life and with quite the heavy heart, I enter the Great Hall at 9.20 in the morning, trying not to let my worry show on my face.
I walk into the room and see that the four Champions are already up, Harry sitting next to Viktor and Cedric, Ron and Hermione opposite of them and quite the open space between Ron and Fleur. I share a quick glance with Remus, who has walked in with me and we quickly take the open space between the two, wanting to be close to our pup.
Harry's POV
Both my best friends, my friends from the Tournament, my newly adopted family and Viktor are sitting around me and yet I can't help but worry. The last book revealed a little too much of my life with the Dur – Muggles for my liking and I just know that the others will react badly to that, if not to the fact that I was almost in Slytherin.
I gulp and while trying not to let anyone notice my growing fears, do I think: "Will they still accept me? Won't my friends want to hurt me when they hear this? Won't Remus and Sirius completely disown me? And what of Viktor? Won't he stop liking me once he realizes what a terrible, useless, worthless freak I really am?"
I shudder as I remember all I've been forced to do since I was eight and I take a deep breath and with renewed Gryffindor courage, do I think: "I started this. I wanted the future changed. I knew my past would come out too in this and I agreed on it. I have to just keep going. I – I've been alone before and I can be alone again."
But deep down inside I know I can't. I know what will really happen if I turn out alone again. What will happen to me if Sirius, Remus or even Viktor starts hating me and sees – me. I gulp again, trying not to think of that and then look up as Mrs. Figg walks over to the books, obviously with the intent of grabbing the first book.
I know it will start soon as breakfast will end at 9.50 and Dumbledore had agreed last night that the first reader of the first chapter would grab the book at exactly that time. The elder lady, who I've known for years, but never dared to speak out to, grabs the first book and then walks over to the stand, gaining the attention of everyone in the Great Hall.
Then, a few minutes later Dumbledore stands up and says: "The spell will re-activate in 1 minute. I have asked the House Elves to bring in everyone who was here yesterday, except for Crouch Junior." For a few seconds no sounds are heard and then the doors close and I feel the magic of the Time Reading Spell re-activating.
Arabella's POV
The doors close and this draws everyone's attention, but I scrape my throat, not at all missing any of my cats as they were nothing but guards for me to keep an eye on all my neighbors. I would then reveal this news to Petunia and she would in return send Harry over to do a chore for me, or send him over so she and her family can go out.
I have always resented the woman for her clear dislike for the boy and think: "If you never liked him and knew you weren't bloody well blood-related, why on earth did you keep him then? You could have bloody well send Albus an owl or something, but no! You just had to keep the boy and make him suffer as much as possible."
I then look down at the book, already opened on the first page of the first chapter and whisper angrily: "And now we'll know how much you made him suffer. You'll pay for your cruelty, Petunia." And with that I start reading out loud, glad Albus has invited me over as it gave me the chance I've been waiting for since Harry was first dumped in my home.
Harry Potter and
But then my voice stops and I shake my head, try to say the full title again and when I fail again, do I say: "I can't read the rest of the title." Albus smiles and says: "It's probably a little too much of a giveaway to the rest of the book. Just continue reading, Arabella." I nod at the kind man and follow his advice as I read on.
The Boy Who Lived
Mr. and Mrs. … such nonsense.
"Why would anyone say that?" One of the twins asks and his brother goes on: "Yeah, strange and mysterious things should be looked into. That's what makes life fun." But then Arthur, who sat far away from Molly at the table this morning, says: "Unless those strange or mysterious things involve danger, right boys?"
And the two nod, making me smile as it proves yesterday's meeting did nothing to harm their family bond. But before I continue reading, do I see Ron, Hermione and Harry share a meaningful glance with each other and already I know that those three have yet to let danger keep them from investigating mysteries.
Mr. Dursley … made drills.
"What are drills?" A small 3rd year of Hufflepuff asks and Harry answers: "You know about this thing called electricity, right?" The boy nods and Harry goes on: "Well, where we use charms to dig holes into things, like in wood to build, they use electricity to power up machines that are called drills and they use those the for the same purpose.
It's mostly done to – as they call it – drill large holes into things like stones and cement, so they can use the cement to be the foundation upon which they build, but for that they need holes to put things like wooden planks in and for that they use drills. It's mostly a common tool used for building constructions nowadays."
Everyone is shocked and Harry says: "What? Dudley asked him once and I listened in." I smile and so does Hermione, but then she asks: "Harry, where exactly is this brain during classes?" The boy sighs and says: "Read on. I'm sure you'll hear for yourself once we get to the chapters about my First year here, Hermione." The girl nods and I read.
Mr. Dursley … the neighbours.
"Nice description, mate." Ron snicker and Harry mutters: "And that is when I describe them nicely." Everyone cringes at that, except for Ron who bursts out laughing and he mutters: "And that's not even my own writing." Immediately I know we can't expect nice descriptions for anyone, which makes Ron stop laughing and I read on.
The Dursleys … the Potters.
"What about them?" A 5th year Ravenclaw asks and Amos says: "Yeah, I knew James from work and as much as he was a prankster at heart, he sure knew the difference between prank-time and work-time. There was no better applicant for the next Head Auror back then. Well, except you, Sirius. You two sure gave Alastor a run for his money."
Sirius smiles and says: "We sure did. All those times we went out to catch Death Eaters and then, when we had them in Security cells, we would pull pranks on them that would make them feel as hurt or humiliated as their victims. It drove Moody mad, but I always believed he liked our style of work." He then sighs and says:
"He even offered James a promotion would he ever resign. But James, he –." Sirius takes a deep breath, making me know he still misses his best friend and co-worker and father of his new son and says: "He swore he would only take the Head Auror job if it could be a co-Head Auror job and I'd be promoted as well."
Everyone smiles at this, some of the girls even cooing as they hear this and I think: "Yes, that's James to the core." But I see that Severus, who of course has now grown respect for Harry since the whole down to the Chamber incident, doesn't believe what Sirius says as he scowls at the man and sigh, before reading on.
Mrs. Potter … to be.
"As if that's even a word." Some Hufflepuff Fifth year scoffs and Harry mutters: "If you think that ridiculous, wait till you hear the nicknames aunt Petunia gives Dudley." Everyone looks intrigued, while I snicker as I sometimes heard a few of them and know what he's talking about. I then shake my head and read on.
The Dursleys … the street.
"And that while Petunia knows about the Secrecy laws and how well Lily was always able to blend in with the Muggle crowd. That was more than obvious with all the times her parents picked her up from the Platform."
Snape scoffs, his soft voice proving he wants to be quiet, but because I stopped reading when I heard his voice is he still heard and everyone looks shocked, but he glares at them when he sees it and almost snarls: "We were neighbors and friends." Everyone nods, some Slytherins now even more shocked and I read on.
The Dursleys … like that.
This makes many people look angry at the book and Ronald says: "If anything, it should be the other way around." And the twins nod, but then Molly shouts: "Ronald –." But that's as far as she gets as Arthur says: "You are divorced and no longer his mother, Molly. The right to reprimand him is now mine, so back off my son."
The woman looks at her ex-husband shocked, while many others look shocked at the news that the Weasleys have broken up. The teachers seem relieved at this if their proud smiles directed at Arthur are anything to go by, but Ron has to smile at Harry in reassurance as the boy seemed hurt and worried. I then read on.
When Mr. … the country.
"All over? Is this that students get their acceptance letter for Hogwarts day or something then?" Dennis Creevey, a boy I spoke with during the feast yesterday asks and Collin, who kept asking me about Harry, answers: "I don't know, might be." But I see Harry blanch as if this news alone is scaring and quickly read on.
Mr. Dursley … high chair.
"Wait, high chair? But that means this happened years ago." Harry says shocked and then Sirius gasps and says: "It must be the day – after – that night." Everyone seems to understand this as all around people gasp and blanch, the teachers around me proving that they remember more clearly than others what the man means.
Harry lies his head in his hands and Cedric quickly beats Viktor to wrapping an arm around the boy and hugging him close. I too feel worried as I wonder what could be happening on this day that the boy could possibly remember, before I read on.
None of … the walls.
"If I did that, I'd be grounded in my playpen, no toys for over an hour." Cedric shudders and his dad nods agreeing, while Ron says: "If one of us did that, we'd be without our favorite toy for a week." And Hermione shouts: "That's just cruel." But Ron shrugs and says: "That's her." Making it obvious Molly is no longer his mother.
"Little tyke." … the house.
"He just accepts that?" Pomona asks outraged and Poppy says: "That's no upraising." But Harry says: "It is. It's called the Dursley style. That's how they've always raised him." But I know that makes everyone wonder: "Him? And you as well?" And while I wonder how much longer it will take before the truth comes out, do I read on.
He got … in cloaks.
"What's so weird about that?" Theodore Nott asks, me knowing his name, because Dumbledore charmed me yesterday to make sure I could know someone's name by seeing his face and Harry says: "Well, we have cloaks and Muggles have jackets. They're the same, really, but they're shorter and sometimes the fabric's made differently."
I smile at the brilliant way Harry knows how to describe Muggle stuff and then he says: "Listen, seeing this chapter will be about my ex-relatives, there will be a lot of Muggle things, so just write those things down and then after the chapter Professor Burbage and I will explain them to you to the best of our abilities."
Nott nods and I see Dumbledore smiling in pride at the boy. I too smile, while knowing that Harry just tries to get through this chapter as quickly as possible. I also suspect he'll do the same for the other Muggle related chapters and pray there won't be too many of those in this book – if only to give Harry a small break.
Mr. Dursley … be it.
"I must say that's a nice way to wave off the possibility of those people being magical." Fudge says and Amelia asks: "Yes, it is. But why would he even want to do that?" And Harry answers: "You heard how my aunt tries to deny my mother's existence. It's all because she's a witch and uncle Vernon likes to think all people are like him."
This makes the twins shudder and Malfoy asks: "What? You mean, fat, dumb and stupid?" And to my humor, but some people's shock, Harry nods and says: "And you forgot one, but I'm sure it'll be mentioned soon enough." The blonde looks shocked that Harry didn't get angry with him, but I know the truth and sigh as I read on.
The traffic …sped overhead.
"Why open-mouthed?" A small Second year Slytherin asks and Harry answers: "All owls we know are, by instinct, nocturnal creatures, meaning they live at night and sleep during the day. It's the magic surrounding them and coming from their owners that makes them capable of having enough energy to also be of service during the day.
But because Muggles don't have magic and don't use Owl-post, they have never seen owls and the only owls they did see are those living in the wild, thus them being nocturnal creatures. This means that those Muggles who don't have jobs at night never see them. The only other place Muggles can see owls are in a Zoo.
And before you ask, I have a feeling that will be explained in about one or two chapters. If not, I'll explain it myself." All students nod and the second year: "And Zoo owls are awake during the day?" And Harry shrugs and says: "Some are, others aren't." I personally feel happy that Harry knows about a zoo and read on.
Most of … a bit more.
"Is that all he does?" Malfoy asks with a sneer and while I can almost sense the others losing their respect for the man I call my neighbor, does Harry say: "To be honest, I hear him shouting more than I ever heard him talk normally. And even when he talks, you can bet your Galleons he'll shout at some point of the conversation."
Everyone looks shocked that a man can do something like that and Harry leans back against Cedric, the elder boy shocked but happy that Harry trusts him enough to do this and Harry says: "In all honesty, I'm surprised he still has a voice with all the shouting he does." To this I nod, being just as surprised before I read on.
He was … baker's opposite.
This sentence I read again quietly and Harry has even jumped forward, away from Cedric's arm, but then he sighs and says: "Wow, if he had not gone to get that bun, I was going to ask if he's not under Polyjuice potion or something." I nod again at the boy, while others now start to share wondering looks with each other and read on.
He'd forgotten … collecting tin.
"Collect –?" Marietta Edgecombe asks, but then she writes it down and Harry shrugs and says: "Aw, what the hell." The girl looks up and he says: "Say a giant fire, a flood or something else destroys Hogwarts and other people have people here who they love and might have lost, yes?" The girl nods, while many others whiten at the idea and Harry says:
"Then organizations go from door to door with a small tin and ask for money, so they can provide foods, clothes and other requirements to the survivors of that disaster. It's also used to fund research against dangerous and deadly deceases." Everyone nods and students seem quite awed at the idea, making me smile before I read on.
It was … son, Harry – "
Now Harry, Sirius, Remus, I myself and several other adults all lower their heads, others looking worried and cared at Harry and Viktor is this time the one to pull Harry close, while Cedric silently grieves with his parents, the two of them having known Lily and James quite well and Ella crying silent tears for her lost friends.
I hold my hand on the book for a minute, holding silent and honoring Lily and James for their sacrifice and luckily even those not caring or worrying about Harry respect my decision, not saying a word or asking me to read on. For a full minute I keep my head low, my eyes closed and my mouth shut, before I take a deep breath and read on.
Mr. Dursley … his mind.
Scratching of many quills is heard and as I look around I see that even at the Slytherin table some purebloods are writing down the word. I smile, knowing Harry's way of explaining things with examples intrigued everyone and might even help the Pureblood-Muggleborn integration if this keeps on and so proudfully read on.
He put … unusual name.
"Sure it is. Potter is the one of the Richest families in Magical England. Taking their name would be considered thievery of their heritage." Malfoy scoffs and Minerva says: "Mr. Malfoy, you're forgetting that this man is a Muggle. Ancient names, families and such things don't matter in their world anymore."
The boy looks white at the idea as if it's blasphemy and I think: "How could he even survive in this world if he doesn't understand the principle of the other half of it." But I shrug, deciding to just let it slide as I know it's partially due to how strictly some Purebloods keep to the Stature of Secrecy and read on.
He was … like that …
Now Harry seems absolutely furious and whispers something that I can't hear, but that has Sirius shouting: "She does WHAT?" Then Dumbledore raises and swishes his wand and says: "I charmed the Great Hall, so that private conversations can still be held, but open comments will be heard by all of the Great Hall."
I smile at this and Harry says: "Thank you, Headmaster. But I won't repeat my comment. Just the thought of that woman makes me pissed. If she can even be called a woman with how she looks." This makes me snicker as I often thought the same when seeing that Marge was visiting the Dursley Household again and I read on.
But all … almost fell.
I now really look shocked and Harry asks: "He actually knows that word? He actually once used it?" I nod and mutter: "Didn't think he even knew it, let alone what it meant." Harry nods, while others look shocked at our obvious dislike for the man and while Dumbledore now starts to look worried between the two of us, do I read on.
It was … passers-by stare:
Now I hear a soft snicker from behind me and when I look, I don't see Professor Flitwick snickering, like I thought when I read about the description of the man, but professor Sinistra and when she sees me and many other students looking, does she say: "We were working on a switching spell exercise when we heard the news.
We went out to the Wizarding and Muggle world, without taking off the spellwork." Now everyone snickers and Albus says: "Your sense of humor never wavers or changes, does it Filius?" And Flitwick answers: "No, and I'm proud that it doesn't, Albus." Making his colleagues shake their heads before I continue reading.
"Don't be …that was.
"Now that it is mentioned, where exactly does the term Muggle come from?" Harry asks, still letting Viktor hug him and the smile on his face proving that he is enjoying the touch and Binns wants to open his mouth, but then Amelia answers: "It origins from the early 1500's when our world was on the brink of another Witch Hunt.
Quite a couple of Purebloods started seeing that Muggleborns were growing in numbers and back then marrying your cousin or niece was quite popular amongst Purebloods. So they started believing that Muggleborns were stealing magic, but because they knew a wizard is born with magic, they believed it was the work of their Muggle parents.
Back then, they didn't call it stealing, but mugging and that's where the term originally comes from. Purebloods believed that Muggles kidnapped purebloods to mug their magic and implant that in pregnant Muggles, thus giving their kids magic." Everyone looks shocked and Harry mutters exactly what I think: "Completely bonkers, that is."
He was … of imagination.
"And that's what you forgot, Malfoy." Harry then tells Malfoy conversationally, before he goes on: "My ex-uncle's fat, dumb, stupid and is absolutely against imagination or anything related to it." This makes the twins, Sirius and Remus blanch and the twins chorus: "How on earth did you grow up with no imagination?"
But Harry asks: "Who said I did? I always tried to be what he told me to be, but behind his back I grew my own personality as much as I could." This makes the twins smile, while Remus and Sirius seem worried, obviously for the fact Harry had to grow himself a personality behind the back of his own ex-uncle.
As he … its eyes.
I now see many students looking behind me and I too smirk, while slightly tilting my head to look over my shoulder, already knowing it's Minerva, because I came to live there only a few weeks later, on Albus' request after he explained me everything that happened when he left Harry with who we all thought were his only living relatives.
"Shoo!" said … word (Shan't ).
"Is that really a word to be proud of?" Nella asks and Harry says: "I'm sure they chose this to make sure you have a slight inkling of how the Dursleys work and live and all." Nella nods, while I can see that what she's heard off until now doesn't really make her feel any more comfortable about the Dursleys and their behavior.
Mr. Dursley … a grin.
Now Andromeda smiles at her husband along with her daughter and her cousin Sirius and Ted says: "Best job I had." And Susan asks: "So you told Muggles what happens every day?" Ted shrugs with a nod and when he sees her looking at him with intrigue, does he say: "It's a Muggle way to make sure everyone in their world knows if something bad happens, like Harry said a hurricane in America or a flood in Suriname."
The girl nods, while I can almost feel the interest and respect for Muggles and their ways of living grow within those that always thought nothing of Muggles and their ways of living and while other Purebloods start to whisper about how Muggles can rely such information to so many people. This makes me smile and I read on.
"Most mysterious … week, folks!
"What's Bonfire Night?" Andrew Cirkey, a Pureblood from Ravenclaw with very short-cut brown hair and strong blue eyes asks and Harry shrugs and says: "It's kind of hard to explain. You see, Muggles have, like us wizards, divided themselves in cults and groups, called the Jews, the Moslims, the Protestants and the Catholics.
Now in the late 1600's there was a battle between the Protestants and the Catholics, of which I know barely anything to nothing and apparently the Battle of the Boyne in 1690 is the battle they celebrate on Bonfire Night as on that battle a famous Protestant defeated a famous Catholic, although I kind of forgot their names."
Everyone nods and then Zacharias Smith asks: "What do you mean, we have cults?" Harry shrugs and says: "Well, they have the Jews, the Catholics and the Protestants, we have Half-bloods, Muggleborns and Purebloods." The Hufflepuff nods, while I can tell by the look in his eyes that he expected Harry not to know the answer and I read on.
But I … a sister.
"You should try that the other way around. Would make you feel a lot better about yourself." Harry grumbles and then he mutters: "Would surely help me tolerate you more." This really worries a lot of people, under which Albus and while I sincerely hope that the truth will make him never decide to send Harry there again, I read on.
"No." she said … her lot."
"HER LOT?" Molly shouts, her high-pitched voice topping the angry shouts of even the French girls and even I'm shocked as I never heard Vernon talk about it like that, not that he ever suspected me to be the Squib that I am. To this Harry says: "Hey, Purebloods call Muggleborns the M-word, they call us a crowd.
I'm not saying it's fair, because either possibility is just stupid and wrong, but that's just how those minds work." Everyone seems angered he talks off it so lightly and I think: "Now I know he's been through a lot. To talk so lightly of something like this, he has to be badly treated." And with a heavy heart, I read on.
Mrs. Dursley … ask me."
Now Snape really looks furious and when Harry and I look at him questioningly, he says: "She had a favorite grandfather named Harold, she and Lily were the only ones allowed to call him Harry. That's, I just know, where Lily got the name from." I look shocked and Harry asks: "I'm named after my adopted great-grandfather?"
Severus nods, while McGonagall looks at him with a small proud smile, obviously pleased that he is willing to tell Harry more of the mother he lost and a single tear falls down Harry's cheek, softly caught and wiped away by Hermione, who bends over the table to aid her best friend. I feel for the boy and read on.
"Oh yes." … bear it.
Harry and quite a few others – underwhich the three youngest Weasley boys, Sirius, Remus, Andromeda and Snape – huff at this and Harry says: "I guess with trying to forget the existence of her sister, my aunt forgot my mum was adopted. Guess she never thought high enough of that oaf to tell him this little fact."
Now Ron smirks, obviously with a high need to make his best friend feel better and says: "Wonder how she'll explain that to her husband after all these years." Harry smirks and says: "Yes, especially with seeing how many times Uncle wanted to put me in an orphanage. She was always the one who stopped him."
He shakes his head and mutters: "Wish she never did. Would have had a ten – if not fifty times – better youth than in that hellhole." And as he says this the hold on him from Viktor becomes stronger with worry as I read on, knowing with a broken heart that Harry is indeed right, an orphanage would have been much, much better for him.
While Mrs. Dursley … their kind.
Now Harry looks at Narcissa Malfoy, his eyes wondering and the green in them showing a slight hint of hurting as he asks: "Mrs. Malfoy? If you knew my mother was adopted and that I wasn't blood related, why didn't you ever use that to get me out of that hellhole? You must have at one point heard where I was staying?"
The woman sighs and says: "I hadn't, Mr. Potter. All I ever heard was that you were treated like a prince and that you were the safest there. I knew my husband still had quite a few people against him and because I also had a son of my own, I knew how it felt to want to protect someone you really love to the best of your ability."
She then shrugs and says: "And then there was the fact I was the niece of Sirius and his sentence. Even if I had vouched through your bond with my cousin it would have backfired on me, because people would not have wanted another dangerous Black." Harry nods, his grim expression proving how he dislikes this last fact and I read on
He couldn't … Albus Dumbledore.
This makes the man smile, but Harry stays grim, while many cheer for the Headmaster, making a small tint of red be seen under the white beard hair covering his cheeks. I shake my head at the man, but worry when I see him looking at a silent Harry with an intense stare in his eyes, and while trying to smile slightly do I read on.
Albus Dumbledore … was unwelcome.
"Who wants to bet the Professor did know and just didn't care?" The twins chorus and Harry, who is obviously trying to make sure his own moodiness about the chapter's subjects doesn't ruin the reading, says: "No one would make that bet, boys." Before they all turn to the man and he chuckles and says: "Guilty as charged, boys."
Making many snicker before he says: "But can you blame me truly? If I wasn't making sure Harry had a good home and someone to bring him there, I was either stopping by at some party to see if there were people who knew Lily and James there or comforting those that weren't partying that night." Everyone nods and I read on.
He was … little pop.
Now many Muggleborns and even some purebloods look awed and the twins chorus: "Now that's wicked." And Hermione, her enthusiasm making me like the young girl all the more, asks: "Where did you get that, Headmaster?" And the man says: "I made it myself. A little invention I made when I was around my late fifties."
Everyone looks awed and the man says: "Too bad that was the only one I was ever able to make, but I have been working on it since and now, it doesn't just take away and bring back light. But I have a feeling we'll find out the other use through these books. Arabella, if you would?" I nod at the man, intrigued at his words and read on.
He clicked … distinctly ruffled.
"Minerva, how exactly did you know I was going to be there that night?" Albus then asks the woman and while she seems troubled with the answer, does she say: "I overheard you talking to Hagrid the other night. When you told him something had happened to a family that had gone into hiding, I was hurt, but also worried.
There were after all two of our families You-Know-Who was after and that had gone down, so I feared with their deaths would come the deaths of the other family as well. I wanted to be sure you made the right decision and, if it came down to it, I wanted to be there when you dropped either Mr. Potter or both boys off there." The man nods and I read on.
"How did … eleven years."
"I can't believe it took that long." Hermione gasps, many of the other studnets and especially those in Third year and younger sharing her shock as Albus nods and says: "Unfortunately at first people didn't fear Voldemort's name, but thought it funny and that he wouldn't get far. That he would fail like Salazar did a millennium ago.
It took 2 years of terror and destruction for people to realize what underestimating Voldemort and thinking his name funny caused them and even then it took another half a year before we had a powerful fighting force to go up against him."
The girl nods, some of the younger years looking at Albus reverently and I hear Harry whisper: "Sounds a little like Hitler and the Second World War." Hermione nods at her best friend, while their other friends are confused, but I too agree as that man too was a terrible murderer and dictator. And with that I read on.
"I know … said Dumbledore.
"And now it will stay that way." Albus says with a large grin on his face and the twins chorus: "Yeah, and all thanks to Harry." The boy blushes and says: "Not just me, guys. The Champions." But Hermione slaps a hand over his mouth and says: "Harry, for once in your life, take a compliment when it's given." The boy blushes and I read on.
"We have … new earmuffs."
"Professor, if not for the fact this should have been a private conversation, I would have truly called that a TMI case." Charlie says and Filius asks: "TMI, Mr. Weasley?" And he says: "Too much information, professor." The man nods and while Albus chuckles heartily at the comment, do I smile and read on.
Professor McGonagall … did now.
"How is that, professor?" Hermione asks and Minerva answers: "I had, of course, overheard Albus saying that one of our families had been murdered, but had been too hurt to hear the consequences of that. It wasn't until I was leaving for that living area that I heard rumors concerning the rest of the story." She then softly sniffs and I read on.
It was … Godric's Hollow.
Now, as if reading each other's minds, Sirius, Cedric, Viktor and Remus all stand up and switch places, before Sirius pulls Harry close with thin lips, obviously trying to hold himself strong and Remus hugs them both to offer all of them comfort.
The teachers also all seek comfort with each other, Snape even going to sit a little closer to his colleagues and even the Slytherins hold silent out of honor as I gulp to take a away the lump that has formed in my throat through the pain in my heart and when all it seems as if everyone – adult and child alike – has found comfort, do I read on.
He went … they're – dead."
All around a few tears start to fall, even with those that didn't know these brave heroes and Harry's shoulders shake silently as he is held by a softly crying Sirius, who allows the tears to fall, but on all other points keeps his strength in order to comfort his little boy, the same concerning Remus, who does cry, but at the same time pulls the two closer.
Dumbledore bowed …he couldn't.
"He never should have gone after you in the 1st place." Sirius growls, his eyes hard and his voice choked up in his pain and grief and all those around him nod, agreeing with him, but then Harry shocks us all and says: "But if he hadn't, he would have never vanished and would have continued rampaging England for the last 13 years."
Everyone looks at the boy shocked and he says: "I miss my parents, yes. Since 3rd year even more than before. But I know of their sacrifice, how they lived up to it and what it caused and for that, I honor them. For that I live." Sirius nods, his lips thin in choked up pride and tears falling down his cheeks and he holds the boy close as I read on.
He couldn't … Harry survive?"
"My mum." Harry whispers, only barely hard enough for all of us to hear and he says: "Just wait for it. The end of this book and the Third book will bring light to how Voldemort was destroyed all those years ago on Halloween." Everyone looks intrigued and highly interested and I read on, like Sirius worried for how he could have known that.
"We can …left now."
"If only he knew the truth." Harry growls, the pain he experienced in his youth clearly ringing through his voice and shocking some of those around him as Sirius hugs him and says: "That wouldn't have made a difference. That stupid rat and his actions would have prevented any Black relative to be allowed to take you in anyway."
Harry nods and says: "But if he knew I wasn't related to those people, maybe he would have put me with another Muggleborn family and I would have had a dream youth, instead of the nightmare I had to live out." This really worries me, even while I'm sure I know about most of the terrors he faced there and I read on.
"You don't … live here!"
"How I wish she could have convinced him." Harry mumbles, now no longer sounding angry, but more defeated and I think: "How bad can his youth be that he wishes everyone to help him get out of there?" I fear for the worst as I know Harry long enough to know how independent he actually is and read on.
"It's the … a letter."
Now Harry snorts scornfully, the dark tone of his voice making some first years looking scared while his friends look at him shocked and he says: "No offence, Headmaster, but a letter won't explain a thing to those two. Not with how they try with all their soul to convince themselves and even me, even now, that magic's not real."
The man sighs and says: "Then I really should have talked to your aunt when I brought you there. I just didn't want to take the risk she would deny you." Harry shrugs and says: "The worst she – wait, did just say worst? – I mean the best thing she would do, was take me to appease you and then dump me in an orphanage."
The man sighs and Malfoy says: "You really don't like those Muggles, do you Potter?" To which Harry lets out another scornful snort and says: "Malfoy, let me put it this way. I am so crazy for my youth, I often try to forget I even had one, just to forget what I've been through during that time of my life." The boy looks shocked and I read on.
"A letter?" … in future –
"There isn't, is there?" Harry asks, suddenly white, those that know how much he hates his fame snorting as they see him like this and Amelia says: "No Mr. Potter. There isn't. I admit, many Ministerial officials did want to organize one, but your status as Last of the Potter line and an infant prohibited them from doing so.
In the end some members of the Ministry that had been against it since the start – well – they made the papers concerning that idea disappear, so to say." Harry sighs relieved and says: "Good, because if there is anyone in my family who should be honored it's my mum and not me. The books will explain." The woman nods and I read on.
There will … even remember!
"THANK YOU!" Harry shouts, shocking everyone as he actually shot up and threw his arms out and he says: "Finally someone who understands. I've been realizing that my whole life, but because of a stupid scar, everyone else just likes to forget that little fact. The fact that I was an infant and so don't remember a single bloody bit about that night."
He then sighs and says: "Well, I used to." Everyone looks worried and Katie Bell asks: "So – you – you do remember?" Harry nods and says: "I've always remembered one small thing, but since my 11th birthday have I been remembering more and more. Some of it forced." The students look confused, but Harry hangs his head and I read on.
Can't you … take it?"
"Professor Dumbledore, as much as I appreciate your effort, it was in vain." Harry then says solemnly and he goes on: "Yes, I lived without fame and so it couldn't turn my head, but the way I was raised wasn't right either as it made sure I would never, in my life, be able to live with the fame the Magical World is intent on pushing onto me."
The man sighs and says: "I really wanted you to have a good and normal youth, Harry. But it seems I did so, while thinking more of your protection than of your happiness and that ruined all of my plans. I'm sorry, dear boy." The boy nods, but for some reason does Sirius not seem appeased by this apology and I read on, confused.
Professor McGonagall … of them.
"Wicked!" The twins shout, while a lot of others shout things similar and even a few Slytherins shout: "Awesome!" Obviously impressed, while Molly seems to be the only one of the adults who is disapproving, her angry glare not fazing me a bit. I smile instead, but Sirius lowers his head and pulls Harry close, whispering to the boy:
"With that I lost my chance of raising you. And then to think I gave it away to make sure you would be brought somewhere you could be safe and well-cared for." But Harry smiles and whispers: "You did the right thing. It was never your fault. The situation was just out of your control." The man nods, smiling at his son and I read on.
If the … baby dolphins.
Now Hagrid chuckles good-heartedly and says: "Guess we can be assured no one of us will have the decent description." To which Harry says: "Wait until you read what I thought when I first met you, Hagrid." The man laughs, while Molly is blocked by her sons from getting close enough to rant at Harry and I read on.
In his … over Bristol."
This makes Sirius smile and while he keeps a single arm around Harry and Harry lies himself in his armpit, does he say: "Ah good times. Remember all those times James convinced us to visit Lily – well, when he wanted us to or when Lily would call me and ask if I could take Harry for a ride, because he didn't want to fall asleep?"
Remus laughs and says: "Yes, I do. And then you would first check your motorcycle to be baby-proof at least twice if not three times and then, when you finally had Harry safe in that sidecar of yours, you would first check it to have him tight and safe four times before you would even decide to start that damned engine.
And then you were always back in three minutes because he had fallen asleep to the sound of the engine and the wind in his hair, the only part of him you would always allow outside of that sidecar." Everyone laughs and Sirius shrugs and says: "Hey, I might be a daredevil, but no one threatens – who I back then thought of as – my godson. My little boy."
And he hugs Harry tightly, who's a little red because of the story, but still beams, obviously overjoyed at learning something new of the only part of his past that he does want to remember – the short time he was allowed with his parents. I smile at the small family, glad they now have each other to lean on and to support and read on.
Dumbledore and … London Underground.
"Again, almost a case of TMI." The twins chorus, while many look either grossed out or curious, especially those that are the twins age or older and then Harry asks: "Professor, now that Voldemort will soon be gone, because of the snake venom, if he's not gone already, can you please do something about it?
I don't want to be reminded, either by the skin itself or by people gawking at it 24/7, of the night I lost my parents and my life changed from normal, slightly dangerous, but fun and loving, to a long-lasted hell." The man sighs and says: "I'll see what I can do, Mr. Potter. But it's been quite a couple of years, so it might be too late."
Harry sighs and nods, but I again see Sirius looking at Dumbledore over his son's head with a distrustful frown and wonder what the man could have against Dumbledore – even if we now know that he was the one to place Harry there and that he didn't exactly make sure Harry was really safe. Deciding to wonder later, do I read on.
Well – give … other two.
Now Remus growls and asks: "Albus, why does that book mention nothing of you casting protection spells?" To which the man seems disgruntled yet still willing to answer when suddenly Minerva gasps and says: "You didn't. Albus, you never cast a single Blood-ward. You bloody just left the boy there, no protection, nothing."
The man pales and says: "Minerva, the blood wards –." But Lucius says: "Don't try the excuse of blood-wards activating themselves, Albus Dumbledore, because my father taught me all about Blood-magic and no Blood spell can activate itself. So did you put Potter there to keep him from the magical world or to protect him against Voldemort?"
Everyone looks at the sweating man with glares of suspicion and questioning stares and then Harry asks: "Professor, don't tell me you knew exactly what kind of treatment I would get at that house." The man sweats even more and then Amelia says: "This isn't over, Albus. I will be looking into this." And with that I read on.
For a … was gone.
"You better not have known how badly he would need it, Albus." Sirius growls and Remus goes on: "Because if you did and you still do, I won't rest until I have every werewolf pack that's either Neutral or on our side on your hide, if only to make you pay for the suffering of my cub." The man whitens, making the werewolf's glare intensify and I read on.
A breeze … who lived!"
I mark the page and close the book, some students still looking at me in interest, while quite some of the adults are still looking at a sweating Albus and I think: "We learned of Muggle things, of what happened that night and of the Blood wards that are supposed to be there, but actually aren't. The rest should be interesting."
But while looking at Harry, do I know that the story will indeed be interesting, not to mention all the other books, but the chapters about his youth will be terrible – if only because of the suffering the poor boy had to go through under the hands of people who had no blood-relation to him at all and who should have never been allowed near him.
I sigh and wish I had magic, as it would make me capable of knowing that there were no blood wards active. As a Squib I am unable to do so, but had I had magic, I could have studied wards and would have had a chance to take Harry away from there. I sigh again and think: "If only to be able to do that, I wish I had magic."
