The Shadow of the Wizarding World

By: Jamnaz79

Beta: ?

-x-x-x-x-x-

Note: I do not own Harry Potter for the book, movies, etc etc etc. Nor do I claim to.

-SotWW-

"Are you going to swim Harry or just read all day?" She smiled dreamily towards him again.

A slight blush came over his cheeks as he admitted, "I don't know how to swim Luna. I have never been before."

She stood up pulling out her wand. With a flick of the wrist she turned his swim trunks bright orange before offering him a small impish grin, "Need to protect you from tentacleoppous. Come on lets teach you."

The girl grabbed his hand and physically dragged the boy off to the water. A stray question went through his head as she did, 'Why could Luna always pull down my walls and defenses?'

Breakfast in the great hall was always a noisy affair. Students would devour their food quickly while awaiting the arrival of mail owls from home. Today was no different for the hall in general as numerous owls flooded the chamber carrying news and warm wishes of love from home to the assembled tables.

What were different were two things. First, an owl landed before Professor Flitwick. The bird was a school owl carrying a parchment attached to its leg. It was uncommon for a school owl to be used by a student to send a message to a professor. But, it was not unheard of it the student didn't want to let others know who had sent the message.

The little professor took the parchment and unsealed it to read quickly. The parchment was very short and simple.

Nargles infest your House; deal with them before I exterminate them.

No name or signature was on the parchment and the writing did not look like any that he was familiar with. A weird occurrence and rather frustrating that something was a threat against his young Ravens. But, that brought up the question of what was these nargles that were written about? He never had heard of any creature and he was certain that Hogwarts would protect against anything too serious. Still, there was that troll first year, so he resolved to speak with Hagrid about the nature of Nargles later that day.

At the same time as Flitwick received his letter a pair of owls swooped down to the Ravenclaw table carrying boxes. They both landed before a cute little dirty blonde haired girl with dreamy blue-grey eyes. She looked extremely surprised to get mail other than the quibbler, not to mention gifts. Tentatively she reached forward to plug up the scroll attached to one of them of the boxes and read it over.

You never told me your birthday was last week Luna. Friends normally get each other gifts for their birthday. Please accept these as gifts from me.

Your friend,

Harry

A startled look came over the girl as she looked up and met the emerald gaze of the dark haired boy. A bright smile was given to her from the boy who caused her chest to flutter. Nibbling on her bottom lip to hold back the tears, this being the first time she could remember getting a gift from anyone besides her father, she slowly opened the boxes. The boxes appeared to be enspelled to be enlarged. The first box opened up to show ten pairs of shoes, everything from trainers to boots to heels. The bottom of the box was marked in a series of runes; she noticed the same runes were etched onto the bottom of each shoe. She wasn't certain of what the different runes were for; still the gift was wonderful and unexpected.

The second box was much smaller in size then the first. When opened Luna found a pair of bracelets and earrings. The bracelets were made of Dwarven silver interlace with butterbeer cork while studded with emeralds. The earrings too were crafted of silver each containing one large emerald in them. All of them contained the same rune which appeared on the bottom of the box. The bracelets each had etchings in Latin, "Friend of House Potter."

By the time Luna finished looking at the gifts now she felt tears on her cheeks. Still nobody around her could mistake the tears for anything but happiness as her smile could light up the room. Despite all of the Ravens around her trying to talk to her and find out who sent the gifts the girl only had eyes for one person. She sought out those emeralds of her only friend and saw him mouth to her, "You are welcome."

The young blonde haired boy stood in the middle of the empty quidditch pitch. The late afternoon sun had merely an hour before it would disappear behind the curve of the earth. His eyes roamed over the empty stadium imagining the seats filled with wizards and witches and all of them cheering for him.

Unconsciously his grip on the broom tightened as he imagined the place screaming his name. His mind's eye could see the numerous beautiful witches wearing little to nothing leaning over to congratulate him after his victory. Each of the many women wanted to rush the pitch and give him their own special showing of how appreciative they might be for his victory. The young man raised his fist into the air imagining he was holding up the snitch after a victory for House Slytherin, winning the quidditch cup. He chanted to himself, his last name softly at first then rising in volume to a yell, "Malfoy, Malfoy, Malfoy!"

"Was it a close match?" The teasing question broke the blonde out of his imagination. The boy spun around on a knut before coming face to face with Harry Potter. His cheeks turned crimson at being caught in a childish daydream which caused a rare moment of stuttering for the Malfoy heir, "I….."

Harry waved it off with a smile, "Don't worry despite who we are, we are still young enough to dream cousin. Besides this year maybe you will get a chance to win the House Cup."

A un-Malfoy like snort came out from the Slytherin boy as he watched Harry, "of course Slytherin will win the cup Potter. We are the best."

"Well, you weren't the last two years." A slight grin came over the lips of the boy-who-lived as he mounted is broom to float over the ground. "But, I am not playing this year so it is possible if you brush up your seeker skills a bit, you may win."

"My skills at being a seeker are fine Potter." The blonde haired boy snapped back at his raven haired rival.

"Perhaps but I can make them better." Harry said as he floated away a few feet in the air before shooting like a rocket towards the far end goal rings. He quickly dove through the middle ring before sweeping around to streak high into the air. The raven haired star seeker then dove towards the ground at breakneck speed onto to perform a Wronski feint before he finally floated back to his cousin. The crimson robed boy appeared to not even be out of breath as he grinned at Draco, "For a price…"

"How very Slytherin of you Potter." The lips of the blonde haired boy twisted into a smirk as he studied his school nemesis. "What do you want for these extra lessons?"

"I am not looking for very much." Harry smiled as he pulled off his seeker gloves and studied the fingernails of his right hand. "I want you to agree to train someone in etiquette for Wizarding society. You can meet them once a week for a few hours privately. Both of you will be respectful at the time to each other though."

"Who is this person?" The Malfoy heir narrowed his eyes at the Potter boy and the express sentiment of being respectful.

"It is a secret. Do you accept?" Harry pulled back on his gloves reaching into his pocket to palm a golden snitch.

Draco studied the boy and the snitch knowing that picking up a few of Potter's tricks would help perhaps make the different against Chang, Diggory and whomever Gryffindor put up, "Very well Potter, as long as it is not a Weasley we have a deal."

Harry activated the snitch then offered a rare smile for his cousin, "Good, then let's get to work."

Hermione had an interesting few weeks. She had been busy with her work on the runes project, which was completed already! She just needed to let Harry know that it was ready. In addition, she had been researching everything she could on House Potter, magical adoptions and laws in the magical world. The great thing about all of this research is she had stumbled on her future career choice.

She realized with all of the intricacies and knowledge required for solicitors she might be a perfect candidate to become one. Always Hermione had been perfect at the details which seemed to be another requirement of a good solicitor. After all the brightest witch of her age should find a good job that can make an impact. Plus she could perform this career in the magical and muggle world. Sure she would need to find a good college, and she wasn't certain how the Hogwarts grades would translate but she was certain she could figure it out. The possibility was there that she could learn every law in the magical world, and then she might be able to help change their world.

Harry had given her keys and the opportunity with his offer of adoption. Still a part of her was fighting the chance. Before meeting her friend, Hermione had always been on her own. She had always made due for herself, and of course she was proud of the results. Taking the offer from Harry seemed in her heart to be cheating, a quick path to finding her success.

The other part of her mind made her consider that this offer wasn't just political. It was a chance for Harry to have a family. He never had one growing up and the face he care for her that much that he wanted her to become his sister was amazing. It warmed her heart to think that he truly cared for her that much that he wanted her as his only sibling. A brother was something she had always wanted but unfortunately due to complications with her mother it was never a possibility. This could be that chance.

This was the moral dilemma running through her head as she walked to the door of the room on the third floor. The message from Harry had been vague, only that she was to meet in the room hat had held Fluffy in first year. Her friend had written that he had arranged a gift of knowledge. Could the boy be vaguer? Harry could be such a pain when he wanted to try to hide something!

The busy haired girl reached forward and pulled open the door walking in to find the last person in the world she expected or wanted to see.

It was Harry's least favorite day of the year. The day known commonly as Samhain, Halloween, or to the Wizarding World of Britain, the day that He-Who-Shall-Not-be-named was defeated but to Harry Potter it was a day that his parents were murdered. Normally Hogwarts held a large feast that required all members of the student body and staff to attend. While everyone else experienced a party, tonight Harry would be in turmoil the entire time.

So it was on that morning Harry was surprised when he walked he walked into the great Hall for breakfast and found two people standing at the staff table walking to the Deputy Headmistress. These two people Harry would know from anywhere. The bright neon pink hair, beautiful body that was plain to see even under robes and great smile next to the mischievous man that had an aura of confidence. His godfather Sirius Black and dear friend Nymphadora Tonks.

It took all of Harry's restraint not to rush to them both right away to wrap them into a hug but the young man resisted. Instead he slowly and quietly walked forward to stand just behind the small gathering. Harry was silent as a mount and careful to be seen since it appeared that this was a rather animated chat. The only two questions on his mind were what had he done wrong lately? And second was Tonks here to pick her up underwear that Sirius had sent via Owl to him?

"It is most irregular to take a student from school without prior notice Sirius. Unless it is a family emergency it is not done Sirius." Professor McGonagall seemed to be getting annoyed in her lecturing tone.

"I don't care. He will be going with us today Minerva." The glare shot to the woman by his godfather could truly fit in the past rumors that the man was crazy. "I don't care about your bloody feast and party. He is needed elsewhere today."

"And where is he needed that is so important? The Headmaster has plans here, and guests coming, I can not release the boy without his permission." The woman spoke up with her arms crossed over her chest.

The pink haired young, sexy woman interrupted the talk, "Professor, may I ask a question?"

"Of course you can Nymphadora." Professor McGonagall turned her unsympathetic gaze onto the young woman. The use of the young woman's full name, despite knowing she hated it stated the older woman's current demeanor. Still a polite smile touched her tightly sealed lips, which was more than Sirius was getting at the moment.

"What is today's date Profess?" A pink eyebrow raised as the teenager met the gaze over the older woman challenging.

"October 31st, Samhain of course." The woman seemed to not put together the pieces of Tonks question. Honestly she was partly wondering if the young Auror may have just be a little lost mentally, she never was the most put together person after all.

"And what even happened to Harry on this day?" The younger woman continued with patience despite the demeanor of the older witch.

"He …. Oh dear lord… We have been…" The older witch seemed to shrink into herself. It was a heartbreaking sight, especially to Harry who had gotten close to the older witch over the past few months.

The boy in question stepped from behind his godfather and reached out to surprise the old, strict woman by reaching out to give her arm a squeeze. A rarity as normally he never sought out human contact, "It is okay Professor. You never realize what this day meant to me… I am certain now that you know you will not mind if I leave for the day with my family to mourn?"

The boy looked up and met the gaze of his godfather; he couldn't help but admire the fire in the gaze of Sirius Black. The man looked better than he had a few months ago; he was getting better after his years of treatment in Azkaban prison. He still had a long way to go till he was back to his old form, but today he could see the fire in those eyes that would not be denied. Today was the day he was going to spend with his adopted son and to hell with anyone that gets into his way, minister, Chief Warlock or Merlin himself wouldn't stop the man from spending the day of James and Lily's death with Harry.

The trio left the Great Hall at a brisk pace to get away from the school. They would walk down to Hogsmeade before apprarating to their destination. It took only a few minutes to leave Hogwarts grounds before they slowed their pace.

On the way Harry smiled at the pair, "Not that I don't mind being rescued on today of all days but what do I owe the pleasure exactly? Is Nymph here for her panties that you stole and sent tied to the legs of the Black Family Owl?" I love the pink by the way; it matches your hair nicely."

A pink eyebrow raised as a glare was turned towards Sirius. She jumped almost falling over in surprise as she felt a pinch on her backside, "Eeek!"

The swat on his shoulder was a small price to pay for the feel of the cute Auror for the rave haired boy. Add to the fact that Nymphadora didn't think to remove his hand from her backside as they walked, or so he thought.

"Harry, I am going to beat you if you don't remove your hand." The older teen whispered with playfulness to her threat.

The boy grinned back at her and winked, "You say that now but later you will be whimpering for my hands to give you a massage. Just like you were crying for them all summer."

"More like you will be crying for the chance to touch perfection green eyes." The sentiment of sternness was ruined for the pink haired girl by her sticking her tongue out at the younger teen.

"We shall see Nymphie." Harry's eyes flashed with enjoyment at the challenge at the girls smile.

Sirius, on the other hand was enjoying the two of them together and making a mental note to file these moments away for future teasing. The other part of his mind was considering the possible ultimate prank. The fact that his niece and godson were getting close promised the possibility of hours of future enjoyment and teasing opportunity for the Lord of House Black.

The evil calculating gleam in the eyes of the man was noticed by Harry who cleared his throat and decided to speak up," Padfoot, what is the plan today?"

All happiness on the face of Sirius drained away; it was almost as if was dementor had appeared to suck away the warm thoughts that had been flowing through his mind. He spoke somberly, "We are going somewhere you should have been brought to a long time ago. Another failure of your magical guardian, the only consultation is that I get to be the one to take you. It is more fitting in my opinion, too bad Remus couldn't come."

The trio walked down to a magical plant shop. There Sirius purchased a dozen white lilies and a dozen roses before handing them to Harry Nymph to carry. Finished what they needed from Hogsmeade the trio quickly apparated to their destination.

Harry, Sirius, and Nymph appeared in an alleyway of Godric's Hollow. Godric's Hollow was a small town, with a mixed population of muggle and magical. In the past the muggles there were once squibs that slowly forgot their magical nature. The magical population was about the same size as Hogsmeade. Harry was a little surprised as he looked around having never been there before. Then again he had rarely been anywhere before this summer. They didn't spend too much time looking around as instead Sirius quickly dragged them down the street to the cemetery.

The cemetery was filled with muggle graves, the trio walked past them quickly towards a ward line. Harry could feel wards as they passed into the magical section of the Graveyard. Once there they noticed numerous graves of families he knew. There were graves of the Dumbledore family, The Moody Family, The Smith family, and some of the Peverell family. Strangely he didn't see any members of the Potter family till they came upon his parent's grave. Once there the concern over why there were no graves to his family was dismissed instead at the sight before his eyes.

I loving Memory

Of

James Potter Lily Potter

Born Born

27th March 1960 30 January 1960

Died Died

31st October 1981 31st October 1981

The Last Enemy that shall be destroyed is Death

For twenty minutes Harry stood there speechless. He didn't notice when Sirius placed his arm around his shoulders. Nor did he feel when Nymph wrapped her arm around his waist. He didn't notice the wind whistling through the trees or the birds chirping in those same trees. He only stood there staring at where his mother and father rested.

The silence was broken after twenty minutes as Sirius spoke up. The man's voice was broken as tears touched his cheeks as he whispered, "Harry, I know it is tough. It is hard to think of what might have been…"

The man fell silent as his voice gave out and instead gave a squeeze to the shoulder of the boy. Another few minutes went by in silence before Nymph stepped forward and placed down the roses on the grave of James Potter. She broke the silence to speak softly, "Thank you for giving us a wonderful gift. Your son is an amazing person. He is warm and friendly, thoughtful and kind. I am sure you are watching over him and you are extremely proud of him. He means a lot to us and I swear I will do anything to keep him safe and happy for all of his days."

Harry looked up as Nymph fell silent; he felt warmth spread over him from his heart after hearing her words. Slowly he raised his hand up and latched onto her own hand as she stepped back to his side. He could feel her give a squeeze to his hand and gently pull him forward. He could feel his godfather step forward behind him.

Sirius whispered through a cracked voice choked with tears, "She is right Harry. I know they would be proud of you. They loved you so very much. We love you very much too."

The fingers of the older man squeezed to the young man's shoulder. Harry leaned down to place the flowers down on the grave of his mother. He felt the hands of Nymph and Sirius withdraw as his godfather spoke, "We will give you some time alone Harry."

The raven haired boy nodded his head as he felt them withdraw back to give some privacy. Then he turned his gaze back to the gravestones a stray thought went through his head, 'never knew their birthdays.' He made a mental note to remember the date to come back each time.

Harry gently reached forward to brush his fingertips against the grass. "Hello Mum and Dad. I know I am a decade late in visiting. If I had known you were here I would have come earlier."

He swallowed and closed his eyes, "I haven't had the best of life so far. There are so many things I wish I could have done with you both." He paused again as he felt tears run down his cheeks but forced a smile, "Thank you for Sirius, he is going to help take care of me now. It seems that something good is finally happening in my life. We have made some plans to change things. Just like mum always wanted to change things."

Harry smiled as he started to feel better. The more he talked of them the better he felt. So he started to tell his story. For the next three hours he told them everything from his time with the Dursley through his first years of school. He talked of his first year of school. How he was made a seeker, how horrible Snape was to him, what it felt like to know that he killed a man who was his own Professor. Harry poured his heart out about his second year, the whole school turning against him, his fight in the chamber of secrets with a thousand year old basilisk and finally how Lord Malfoy tried to kill him.

A smile crossed the lips of the boy as he told his father about getting to meet his mother. How he met Nymph and learned about his family. He blushed as he spoke of the summer with her. The trial, joining the Wizengamot and the rest of the summer followed. He spoke of everything he could think of and before he knew it three hours had past.

Finally, he stood up and carefully walked to the gravestones there giving each of them a kiss and gently touching it. Though he knew it was only his imagination both felt warm to the touch just as his heart felt lighter after telling his tale. The touch on the shoulder and hand taking his own told him that the others were back. The boy turned towards the touch and smiled, "Thank you. I can't tell you how much this means to me."

"I know Pup, I know." Sirius spoke before giving him a strong hug. The man gave him a squeeze that was surprisingly strong for someone that had been in prison for years on end. "Let me go pay my respects then we will go home for a nice dinner. We can come tomorrow to visit the house."

He stepped away from Harry only to be replaced by the warm embrace that smelled of lavender and vanilla. Pink hair obscured the vision of the young man as he felt his head nestled against the crook of her neck. A bit of crimson touched his cheeks as he felt a pair of rather large melons pressed against his chest. Then fingers slowly rolled through his long raven hair as a warm whisper brushed against his cheek, "Are you alright?"

"I am fine Nymph. I promise you. Thank you for everything." Harry spoke softly as he leaned forward to squeeze her back in a tight hug. His cheeks still stained crimson at the closeness to her despite feeling comforted.

She leaned back and looked into the emeralds of the younger teen a smile crept over her face at the look of red over his cheeks. "Are you sure you are alright?

"You two ready to go? We will have a small family dinner tonight at Grimmauld place. I am going to make certain you have one safe and happy night for Samhain." Sirius smiled at the two of them as he reached out to offer his hand.

Harry gave a smile to Nymph then glanced at graves one last time before he took the hand of his godfather, "Yes, let's spend time together as they would have wanted."

The trio took hands then apparated away for a safe happy Halloween. The first Harry had since coming to the magical world.

Author Note: I am sorry for the delay. I had problems writing this chapter. I seem to have lost my beta as well sadly. If anyone would be interested in going through my horrid grammar and proofreading for the story I would welcome it. I had more than a few people wanting me to go faster with the storyline. As always please feel free to give me suggestions and advice for a better story. Any comments and suggestions are always welcome. No Omake this time but I promise one next time. (do folks like them?)

Story Recommendation: Harry Potter and Hogwarts U by zArkham – He is an amazing writer with rich worlds. The story puts an older harry going to Hogwarts as a University instead of a normal high school.