Elegy: An instrumental lament with praise for the dead.
Chapter Two: Elegy of Truths
Eleven year old Harry James Potter looked at the letter addressed to him in vague confusion. "Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry?" the stunned child read aloud.
What kind of sick prank was this?
"Aunt Petunia! Some psychotic nutter is stalking us!" Harry yelled out as he ripped began to search for said aunt.
The relationship between Harry and his family had drastically changed of the years. Petunia, in her effort to be better than her sister when it came to family, had managed to become somewhat fond of her nephew. It wasn't love or even true affection but an acknowledgement that having him vanish would actually cause pause and be noticed by his relatives. Vernon had acknowledged that he was dead useful around the house and instead of outright hostility between the two adults and child it was more akin to the estranged family you didn't like but would miss if they died relationship.
Dudley, on the other hand, had changed even more drastically since he had started anger management classes and had actually managed to get into Eton College, a boarding school for young boy ages 13-18, once he finished up Primary School. While this derailed his uncle's plan for Smeltings, his old alma mater, Vernon was more than proud of his son's accomplishment. Petunia had been ecstatic of her son's accomplishment.
It had been discovered three months into Dudley's new routine of anger management specialist meetings and tutor sessions that the boy was dyslexic and this was one of the reasons that Dudley had some much trouble with learning in school. Dudley's tutor had worked with his cousin to overcome this disability and Harry had found himself practicing reading and working out words with his cousin.
Dudley, Denis, and Piers had become his best friends and Harry didn't know what he would have done without them. As a musical prodigy that had become famous rather quickly after his first on stage debut, Harry had been further estranged from his year mates. They had already been weary of him due to his friendship with Mrs. Kathy and his skill with his instruments. The fact that he was also near the top of his class grade wise was only icing on the cake and he found that those that had been kept away by Dudley at one time still wanted nothing to do with him. He found it ironic that Dudley had been the one to fix the situation for him as he had also been the one who'd originally started it.
Another change that Harry had seen in his cousin was that he was no longer overweight. Dudley would always be bigger than Harry but it was more due to his build than him overeating. Denise had gotten them all interested in football. Harry was passively good at the sport but Piers and Dudley had thrived under the instruction of their coach. Piers had gained muscle on his thin body and Dudley had replaced fat with muscles. They ate right and in perfectly proportioned quantities and were now both more fit than Harry would have ever guessed they would be at one time.
"What do you mean we're being stalked?!" Petunia appeared from the kitchen, his shout having startled her and then disturbed her once she had registered what was said. She looked at the letter he shoved at her and blinked.
"I knew I'd forgotten something," his aunt muttered, glaring at the paper. Harry frowned, what had she forgotten?
"Dudley will need to be here for this too," she sighed and called for his cousin to come down. The blond haired, blue eyed boy came running down the stairs. She motioned for them both to follow her into the sitting room and took a seat in an arm chair while the boys sat on the couch.
"What I'm about to tell you will sound strange," Petunia began, tossing the letter to Harry. "That is not a prank or the result of a psychotic stalker, Harry. It's very much true. Your mother received one at this age as well."
Harry perked up; his aunt didn't mention his mother often. All pictures of her had been lost when his grandparent's house had caught fire and they had died in the blaze. Petunia had never been given any pictures of his father so Harry had grown up without knowing anything about his father or knowing what his mother looked like. He knew that he resembled his father but with his mother's completion, cheek bones, and eyes. Petunia had also told him that he had some of her nature a few years after their mutual agreement to cease hostilities had commenced when he was seven.
"I don't know much as I was jealous of her at the time," Petunia had done a lot of growing up after beginning to change her attitude towards her nephew. After deciding her anger wasn't natural (Dudley hadn't gained the problem from Vernon, after all) Petunia had sought out her own therapist. She had come to grips with a lot of things of the years. "However I do know how to contact someone that does. I call back the owl that delivered that letter and send off a request for a home visit like that of which Lily had received."
Harry nodded while Dudley gaped. Petunia sighed and rubbed the bridge of her nose. "Do you remember when you were angry and your Fourth Year teacher had her hair turned blue? Or when you were frightened when that car nearly hit you and you appeared on the other side of the street? Or how your hair refuses to grow or be cut? This is called accidental magic and from what I remember, it only occurs when you're particularly stressed or frightened for your life. Lily could even jump of a swing and remain a float for small periods of time."
"Wow," the young, newly discovered, wizard breathed. "Are you a witch too, Aunt Petunia?" Harry asked innocently.
"No," Petunia shook her head bitterly as the memory of pleading with an eccentric old man hovered at the back of her mind. "I'm what is called a muggle, someone who cannot do magic. Your mother was what they call a Muggleborn, someone born to two non-magical parents. I believe your father was called a Pureblood, a person born of two magical parents who were also born to two magical parents. If I recall my sister's rants correctly, you would be considered either a first generation Pureblood due to Lily's Muggleborn status or a Halfblood, a person born to one magical parent and one muggle. I'm not sure."
Harry thought it was rather impressive she remembered that much considering how long ago she must have heard it. Harry didn't really understand the terms but decided that would be one of the things he asked whoever responded to his aunt's request.
"So am I a muggle?" Dudley asked hesitantly.
"Yes, you are a muggle like your father and I are," Petunia nodded and braced herself for the anger and resentment that she herself had experienced when finding out about a wonderful and mystical world she could never be a part of.
But Dudley proved himself to be a better person that she was and grinned. "You'll have to tell me everything that happens then! And take pictures! A lot of pictures!" the grinning Dudley demanded. "I want to know everything!"
Harry laughed and agreed. Smiling at the sight of her son and nephew Petunia was relieved that neither were like her or her sister completely.
It was a freeing thought to know that history wouldn't repeat itself and Petunia felt a small weight lift from her soul at the thought.
Minerva McGonagall and Severus Snape arrived at Little Winging, Surrey the next day at noon. Both were dressed in appropriate muggle clothing (as picked out by Severus once he realized that Minerva was clueless about muggle attire) and knocked on the door of Number Four Privet Drive.
Petunia Dursley opened the door and welcomed them with a curt, yet polite, smile. "We've been expecting you. The boys are in the sitting room."
The two professors nodded and followed the woman into the house. Pictures of two smiling boys accompanied by either a large group of two others, lined the walls of the house. Minerva felt herself smile as she realized that she had been wrong about the Dursley's when she had watched them so many years ago. She'd never been so happy to have been proven wrong in her life.
They entered the sitting room were two boys glanced up at them while watching the television. The blond boy, the bigger of the two, turned off the device and the two gave the new comers their full attention.
"My name is Minerva McGonagall and this is my colleague, Severus Snape. We will be your Transfiguration and Potions Professors respectively." Minerva introduced herself.
"My name is Harry Potter and this is my cousin, Dudley Dursley. It's a pleasure to make both of your acquaintances," Harry greeted, standing up at their introduction. Dudley nodded to them as well, smiling shyly. It was odd to see that smile on the usually confident boy's face.
Minerva smiled at the polite greeting and saw a twitch of Severus' lips. Harry was different than they had expected, the most notable being the characteristics he'd gained from his mother, Lily.
As a baby, Harry had been his father's near clone but it was obvious now that he was older that he had gained more from Lily than they had originally thought. His eyes were unobscured by glasses and he had gained Lily's cheek bones. He frame seemed to belong to neither parent as James had been a tad thinner and Lily had been starting to develop at the age of eleven. Harry was lithe but not truly thin as they could see wiry muscles on his bare arms and legs. His knees were definitely from James, as was his hair, but Lily was present in his complexion. James had been darker skinned than Lily and Harry had her light coloring.
"We were told that you have some questions about the Wizarding World that your aunt cannot answer," Minerva started, kindly.
"A bit," Harry nodded. "I know that a terrorist name Voldemort killed my mother and father and attempted to kill me. I also know that there's a blood protection around the house due to some magic my mother performed that night that keep me and those of my mother's blood shielded from threats. I know what a muggle is but Aunt Petunia didn't know anymore due to a…fall out she and my mother had when her letter arrived."
Severus looked surprised. "You told him?" He asked the woman who had been staring at him the entire time.
"I have discovered in recent years that my…reaction was not normal. It seems that I have am anger management problem that is psychological and I am seeing a specialist to help look past this and see past events for what they were as well as work on maintaining control in future events." Petunia answered neutrally. "Dudley had inherited this problem which is what brought it to my attention. We are both being counseled to control our anger."
"Then I must apologize for thinking the worst of you at that time," Severus Snape bowed curtly. "As we were children, it is understandable that this happened."
"I agree." Petunia remembered the blatantly abused boy who'd befriended her and her sister after watching Lily perform magic and nodded her head.
"You know each other?" Dudley asked, blinking. His mother had never mentioned the man before.
"Yes, he grew up down the road from us." Petunia fought to keep her anger down. 'Don't let it control you,' she reminded herself and ignored it completely. Something occurred to her and she turned to them. "You wouldn't happen to have any pictures of Lily or James Potter, would you? I was never given any of James and everything our parents had was lost in the fire that killed them."
"Oh, dear," Minerva shook her head. "I'm afraid I shall have to mail some requests to friends of theirs as I don't recall having any. You'll have to wait until they reply but I'm sure they have some somewhere."
"Thank you!" Harry exclaimed, his eyes shining. He had always wanted to see pictures of his parents.
"You're most welcome, Mr. Potter." Minerva smiled. "Now, why don't we address the questions that you must have."
The next two hours were spent in a session of question and answer between the two children and adults. Severus Snape resumed his normal appearance of a sneer but wasn't as biting as he could have been with the two children.
"Also, where do we submit medical records to?" Harry asked as he remembered his Glaucoma and his necessary eyedrops.
"Madame Pomfrey handles the medical documents. If there is anything you feel we should know, however, you are free to inform us now." Professor McGonagall (as they had been instructed to call her) answered.
"Harry was diagnosed with Open-Angle Glaucoma at the age of seven. We had just assumed he needed glasses when we got him checked but Dr. Sterling informed us that Harry was sporting an advanced case of Open-Angle Glaucoma and we were lucky we had caught it before Harry had been blinded by it. He underwent laser treatment for it but has been forced to maintain treatment threw eyedrops ever since." Petunia answered steadily.
"Oh my," McGonagall blinked. "Well, we shall have to get Mr. Potter checked by a Healer at Saint Mungo's to see if there is an alternate treatment that Madame Pomfrey can supply. We will do so when we go to the Alley to purchase Harry's supplies."
"Thank you," Harry smiled shyly. "Can Dudley come with us?" he asked as they began to prepare to depart.
"I'm afraid that won't be possible for this visit. However once you know how to access Diagon Alley you may take your cousin to explore at a later time." McGonagall gave an apologetic smile to the other boy who shrugged it off.
"We'll go next time and then you can show me everything!" Dudley grinned and waved as the teachers departed with his cousin.
"I must return to work on a potion for Madame Pomfrey," Professor Snape said as he bided a goodbye to both McGonagall and Harry before Aparating away.
"Hold on tight Mr. Potter," McGonagall held out her arm to Harry who grasped it and was pulled through an uncomfortable and disorientating tube that felt as if he was being compressed on both sides.
They appeared in front of a pub in the middle of London called the Leaky Cauldron. "This is Charring Cross road so you know where to guide your aunt for future visits," McGonagall informed the child.
Harry nodded and they entered the pub, making their way to the back alley were McGonagall pulled out her wand. "Remember the combination," she warned as she slowly mimed tapping a certain set of bricks a few times. Harry indicated that he had remembered the sequence and she tapped on them for real. Standing back, Harry watched as the bricks melted away and revealed an Alley that could only be described as magical.
"Wow," he muttered as he took in all the sights.
"Firstly we must stop at Gringotts," the Professor instructed, indicating the white marble building down the middle of the Alley.
The two made their way slowly through the bustling crowd before they arrived at the building and was met with a rather ugly creature. It bowed to him and Harry, to be polite, bowed back before following the professor inside.
After a rather morbid poem that warned against stealing and made their way into the main chamber of the back where McGonagall handed him a key, "This is a key for your trust vault. I have some business of my own to take care of but I shall meet you back here once you are done."
Harry accepted the key and watched as the teacher approached a different teller. He made his way towards another teller. "My name is Harry Potter and-" he was cut off before he could finish.
"We have been expecting you Mr. Potter," the goblin (that was what McGonagall had called them) spoke harshly. "Follow me," it (he?) barked. Harry scrambled to follow the goblin as a path opened up in front of him.
The goblin teller led him further back into the back where they stopped at an office. The goblin knocked and the door opened slightly. "Mr. Potter is here to see you, Account Manager Wrathclaw," it announced and Harry was ushered into the room where the door closed behind him.
The male goblin, as Harry was hard-pressed to believe that a female would be name Wrathclaw of all things, sat behind a large polished wood desk in an otherwise nearly bare room. Harry noted that the only other thing in this office was a large mahogany bookshelf that was filled to the brim with large tomes of books. Harry could see some of the larger tomes were bound in leather and what even looked like fur.
"Heir Potter," the goblin greeted neutrally.
"Potter Account Manager Wrathclaw," Harry replied, guessing that this was his family manager even if the teller goblin hadn't said. It was just an instinct and Harry was pleased to see that the goblin looked pleasantly surprised at the address.
"As per your reentry into the Wizarding Society it is the job of your Account Manager, myself in this case, to update you and inform you of the necessary duties that come with being the last of the Ancient and Noble House of Potter," Wrathclaw began; his voice formal and efficient. "To do this effectively, I enquire as to what you do and do not know about your status."
"I, unfortunately, don't know much. My aunt has told me all that she knows of the Wizarding World. Her knowledge was fairly limited on anything other than what she briefly gleaned from listening to my mother rant as children." Harry admitted, slightly put out at his lack of proper knowledge on this new world.
"Well then it is my duty to inform you of the information that your aunt was unable to provide," the goblin gave a gruff huff that Harry assumed was their equivalent of a sigh. "First off, the House of Potter is an Ancient and Noble House. There four types of Houses in the Wizarding world. The lowest is just referred to as House and has a small standing among the government of the Wizarding World.
"The second lowest of the Houses are referred to as Noble Houses. This gives them a slightly elevated standing among the officials of the Wizarding government. They are slightly more respected than the lowest of the Houses but they are not Lords. The next rank is the Ancient Houses and they are Lords of the Wizarding World. A fine example of the status of a Ancient House is the Ancient House of Malfoy. The Ancient Houses gain hereditary seats on the Wizengamot. Those of the Ancient families can be found working in the government, trying to elevate their status above what they truly are."
"So they're like the politicians of the Wizarding World," Harry summarized, "while the Noble Houses and regular Houses make up the subjects."
"Correct," Wrathclaw nodded grimly. Harry thought that the goblin seemed rather unmotivated most of the time. "The Dukes of the Wizarding World take the form of the Ancient and Noble Houses. You, yourself, are now the Duke of House Potter. The Ancient and Noble Houses are the first of the Wizarding Families call England their home. They formed the government and they have the most weight in the Wizengamot as well as the International Confederation of Wizards, or the ICW."
"Which means that when we speak, it's for the Queen," Harry realized as the depth of his new station finally hit him. "Wow," the eleven year old whispered.
"Exactly," Wrathclaw grinned toothily. It wasn't a nice grin. "There are also only four true Ancient and Noble Houses left. They are House Longbottom, House Potter, House Weasely, and House Black. There used to be House Prewett, House Prince, House Peverell, and House Gaunt. House Peverell married into both House Potter and House Peverell before it was destroyed in the late 1700s. The Prewett House is headed by Muriel Prewett but will be passed down to one of the five non-heir Weasley sons at her passing. Until then, the House sits inactive. The Gaunt family died out in the early 1900s and only a distant cousin, Tom Marvolo Riddle, remained until his death on October 31st, 1981 leaving the House without any heir. House Prince is an unknown as we have record of a living Heir but the Heir has not come forward to claim his or her heritage."
This was a lot of information for the young wizard to take in and Harry ended up just staring at the goblin dumbly. Wrathclaw huffed another goblin-sigh and shook his head. "Do not worry, Heir Potter, you will not be required to remember all of this and that of which you do not remember is stored in the books of your family library at Potter Manor.
"Manor?" the eleven year old asked, feeling a tad overwhelmed.
"You shall receive access to the Potter Manor when you reach the age of sixteen. Unlike your peers, due to your status of Heir Potter, last of the Ancient and Noble House of Potter, you will be considered an legal adult a year earlier than the norm. While those of the Wizarding World assume adulthood at seventeen, you will have an extra year so that you can receive proper training before you are legally required at seventeen to pick up your family mantel. This is the clause for every scion of the Ancient and Noble Houses when the House is reduced to only one member. It is to preserve the line or some such rot," Wrathclaw began lecturing again. Harry wondered if it would have been better if he'd brought a notebook to take down notes on the large amount of information that was being stuffed down his throat.
"Perhaps," the goblin gave the boy a considering look. "It would be easier to recommend a few books on the subject material. There is much to learn and it would take hours to explain it all to one as young as yourself."
Once Harry would have bulked at being called young but after years of being thrown in with older and more accomplished musicians than himself, Harry could fully admit that he was a child and that there were some things that were beyond him because of this fact. "I would appreciate any and all help that you give me in learning of my position and heritage in the Wizarding World," the Heir Potter answered formally.
"Good. You know manners. I shall have a list of necessary titles drawn up for you to reference and learn from. The ones in red shall be those that are most important you learn quickly. Those in blue are the ones that you shall be able to learn over time. They will also be number by importance. One being the most important and so on and so forth," the goblin declared as he began speaking in what Harry assumed was his native language into a small symbol that glowed on the large desk. "The teller will give you the list as you leave," Wrathclaw informed him curtly, sneering.
"Thank you for your generosity and kindness in helping me, Potter Account Manager Wrathclaw." Harry might not know goblin customs or how manners in the Wizarding World worked but the young boy did know how to be polite and courteous to someone who helped him when they were not required to do so.
"You are most welcome, Heir Potter." The goblin nodded to him. "The next order of business we have is you inheritance," the Account Manager opened a drawer in his desk and pulled out a large file and a huge ledger. "The file contains your parents last Will and Testament. It has been marked to read on your reentry in the Wizarding World by the Wizengamot by suggestion of Chief Warlock Dumbledore."
"Why?" Harry asked curiously. It didn't make much sense to him to wait eleven years to enact a Will.
"Due to the chaos and all around anarchy that the end of the war brought, the Chief Warlock thought it would be best to cement your safety and the blood magic that your mother preformed first and foremost. Any vengeful Death Eaters would not be able to get to you behind the wards around your muggle family's property," Wrathclaw explained.
"That makes sense, I suppose." Harry nodded. "Is that why I was never checked on by the Wizarding World?"
"Correct. They feared for your safety if your location got out and Dumbledore personally checked on you every few years but only briefly so that the wards wouldn't be disrupted by his powerful magic." Wrathclaw read out of the file. "At your current age of eleven the wards are completely cemented and cannot be destroyed by anyone other than yourself or your family. Wherever you or your muggle family move to, the wards will now follow you instead of binding you to one place. Dumbledore expressed that he was pleased to report that the wards were much more powerful than he would have originally thought them to be."
Harry wondered if the man had known of how he was treated early on but dismissed the notion. While the man may have thought of neglect there was no way that he could have known how bad it was if his visits were kept brief. "Alright, so that means that you can read their Will now?"
"Yes. The Will is self-updating so any and all new information that has taken place since the time of their deaths shall be recorded," the goblin said as he pulled out a sheet of paper from the file. "I, Wrathclaw, Potter Account Manager and holder of the Potter Will do hereby state that this will be the formal reading of the Last Will and Testament of James Charlus Potter and Lillian May Potter nee Evans."
The will glowed a bright yellow as to people that Harry assumed were his parents, appeared in a ghostly image above the paper.
"I, James Charlus Potter, do hereby state that I am of sound mind and body at the time of the making of this Will and do hereby declare that this is the one and only true will and testament of the Ancient and Noble House of Potter," his father announced. Lily, his mother, smiled.
"I, Lillian May Potter nee Evans, do second and agree with my husband, James Charlus Potter," her voice was soft and kind and it made Harry ache inside to hear it.
"To Remus Lupin, we leave you the Marauder Cottage and a sum of 5,000 galleons. Take care of yourself, Mooney!" James grinned.
"To Sirius Black, we leave partial custody of our son and his godson, Harrison James Potter, to be shared with my sister Petunia Marigold Dursley nee Evans." Lily smiled proudly. "And to Petunia Dursley nee Evans I leave my eternal gratitude and sincere apologies. I wish we could have been closer, 'Tunia. I missed my big sister."
"To Severus Snape I leave my apology and a supply of rare potions ingredients that I have collected over the years. We weren't right in the way we treated you, Snape, and I hope that you will eventually come to forgive us."
"To Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore, we leave a life supply of Lemon Drops. Enjoy!" James cackled happily.
"James! Stop pranking people for five minutes and get serious!" Lily scolded her husband.
"Oh, lighten up Lils! We're dead, might as well have a little fun!" James whined. Harry giggled; he rather liked his father and mother so far.
"Last but not least, we declare that Peter Pettigrew is our secret keeper and should we fall to Voldemort, he is the one that gave us up, not Sirius!" James grinned evilly. "Just in case Sirius falls under suspicion of being our secret keeper, we have left documentation and pensive memories that will prove his innocence. They will be delivered to the Head Auror as well as the Minister upon the reading and completion of this will. Copies are also being sent to the Chief Warlock and the Potter Vault to make sure there is no chance of the documents being 'lost'." James gave a mischevious grin at the end of that sentence.
"James! You forgot Harry!" Lily glared at her husband. "Honestly! To Harrison James Potter we name you Heir Potter and leave you everything left of our personal possessions. We love you and no matter how many times your idiot father does something stupid, we will always love you. Be safe, Harry."
"Sorry Harry," James grinned sheepishly. "Now make sure to behave for Sirius and your Aunt Petunia. Don't forget to have fun, though, and make sure that you do well in school! I love you, bud, and so does your mother. Never forget that."
"So mote it be!" James and Lily declared as the faded from view.
Harry felt tears swell up in his eyes as the reading ended. Wrathclaw stepped forward and handed him a ring box. "Inside is the Heir Ring of the Ancient and Noble House of Potter. This will officiate your status as Heir Apparent to your House."
"Thank you," Harry accepted the box and flipped it open. The inside ring was a single gold band that was carved with symbols Harry had never seen before. He slipped it on his right ring finger and watched as it shrunk down to size so that it fit him.
"Would you like to go down and visit your vaults?" Wrathclaw asked after a moment. Harry nodded, indicating that he would.
The new Potter Heir barely paid attention as he was led out of the office to a cart which then took him far below the bank to underground London. His parents' voices and declarations of love had truly rattled him. Never before had Harry been told that he was loved. Sure, his relationship with the Dursley's had improved and Harry was received with affection but Harry himself was not a true member of the family. Dudley was his best friend but it wasn't the same as being told by those that gave you life, that brought you into the world, truly loved him.
"We have reached the Main Potter Vault," Wrathclaw announced. "You cannot withdraw any money but you do have access to the Library and some of the artifacts. There is a list inside the vault that will tell you what you can and cannot bring out."
"Thank you Wrathclaw," Harry nodded to the goblin before slowly making his way towards the vault. It glowed a bright yellow before fading away into the wall. Harry climbed into the opening and walked further into the unlit vault before he reached a doorway. Once again, the door glowed yellow and faded when he approached it. Past the doorway revealed mounds and mounds of gold, silver, and copper coins. Harry had to gape at it all and blinked as he saw that there was items and shelves further into the large cavern, for that was what the vault reminded him of.
He walked towards the books and gazed at the vast amount of them. Deciding to wait until he had learned the basics of magic, Harry turned from the shelves and walked towards the items and piles of personal effects that had been owned by his family over the generations. Towards the front were his parents belongings and Harry immediately gravitated towards and shoulder school bag that seemed to be in perfect condition. He picked it up and found that it was nearly light as a feather. Frowning, Harry opened it and saw that the bag was full to the brim with different books and journals.
Harry pulled out one of the Journals and read the title on the cover. "The Official Research of the Marauders by Padfoot, Mooney, Wormtail, and Prongs." He read aloud and flipped open the cover. "Property of James Potter and Remus Lupin," Harry grinned as he read the small writing underneath the names. "Prongs and Mooney," he laughed. So his father was Prongs and this Remus fellow was Mooney. Harry pulled out two more Journals and found that one of them was the first one that his father and his friends had begun writing in. The cover listed the names of the four Marauders as well as having their nicknames right next to them.
Harry stacked the books together and decided that he'd be taking them home with him. The rest of the books were his father's seventh year school books and Harry decided that he would wait to browse through those until he had had enough training. The bag was in good use and it had belonged to his father so Harry decided he would use it at Hogwarts for carrying homework and school supplies from class to class.
Standing, Harry's eyes caught on a flash of gold that came from his mother's things. Curious, Harry carefully stepped around the items that had belonged to his father and approached the smaller pile of his mother's belongings. The item that was glowing brightly was sitting atop a strange box and Harry slowly reached out a hand to pick it put. The glow faded once in contact with his skin and Harry realized that it was a locket.
The locket was intricate golden carving of a stag, doe, wolf, and dog. If Harry looked closely enough, he could see a small rat at the feet of the dog and stag. It wasn't big, just a tad bit bigger than a normal sized locket, but it was the initials on the back that caused Harry to sit down heavily. H.J.P.
This was his. It had been made just for him, Harry, and it was from his parents. Perhaps it would have been a birthday gift or maybe it had been his from the very beginning. Harry would likely never know but he carefully opened the locket. Inside was five different people. His parents on one side, holding him, and what he assumed were their friends on the other, surrounding him with bright smiles. The baby Harry was giggling up a storm in the moving pictures and they all looked so happy.
It took Harry a while to realize he'd begun to cry. This, this, was what the Dark Lord Voldemort had taken from him and Harry would never forgive him. He'd taken his mother, his father, and even his father's friends!
Suddenly, Harry wanted to know how Pettigrew had come to betray his best friends. How had this smiling, laughing man that held him and joked with the people Harry assumed were Sirius Black and Remus Lupin, come to give them up to the worst Dark Lord in recent history? It didn't make sense to Harry and it became important to just know why.
It took the distraught boy a few minutes to pull himself together but Harry made a decision as he held that locket in his hands. He would know why Peter Pettigrew given up his family to die and he would find out if it was the last thing he did.
Poor Harry. I'm just piling everything on him at once. XD Oh well, he'll get over it...eventually.
You didn't think I was going to leave poor Sirius in jail, did you? Besides, it only stands to reason that if James and Lily considered the switch and keeping it a secret, they must have had a backup plan just in case Peter betrayed them! Both are hailed as very smart and clever people all throughout the canon series so if they were so smart they must have thought ahead at least a little.
And to answer any questions about Peter and Harry's desire to know his reason, well, the only reason we're ever really given in the books is that 'he was getting so powerful!'. That is not a valid reason to betray people that love you like family. At all. Especially since the Marauders were considered all brave and clever and courageous. Peter managed to become a animagus with them, after all. He was also doing it, like James and Sirius, so he could keep his werewolf friend company on the full moon. This doesn't sound like someone who would willingly betray the same friends he seemed unshakably close to, does it? And since we weren't given and answer, I've decided to theorize about my own.
And yep, three chapters in two days! You must all be so excited! Truth is, today was mostly running around town with my brother so I had a lot of time to plan and write this chapter before coming home and typing it. It's about 6,000 words too! I'm so proud of myself!
Reviews:
Akagitsune: Is this soon enough for you? :)
one-who-loves-Sesshy: Don't we all? And yes, it is the little things that count.
melamariannie: Being the last of the Potter gives and a lot of things to deal with. I was toying with the idea of a new magical school or maybe sending him to one of the existing ones but I think I'll keep him in Hogwarts for this specific fic. If I want to keep in line with the personality I've given Harry, then Hogwarts would be the only school I would send him to. I don't much like canon Ron either but I love Fred, George, Bill, and Charlie. Percy can be fun too, considering how he's sort of isolated in his family. My Ron and my Ginny will have to be given a really big wake up call before Harry will consider being friends with them.
ElectraAmethystBlack: You flatter me. You really, really do. XD I'm glad that you're interested though and I hope that you enjoyed the new chapter!
917brat: Well, here's more!
geetac: I'm glad that you enjoyed it! XD
Kairan1979: No, no he isn't. I do believe that will come up in the next chapter or maybe the one after it. It'll come up before he reaches Hogwarts, that's for sure. And as for the last part: I'm not telling! You're going to have to wait to find out like everyone else! XD
SweetScarlett97: I'm glad! ;D
Your reviews make me all happy inside! You're all amazing! I hope you enjoyed the chapter and I thank you for your support in favoriting and following this story (it's only been a day and I've already got 19 favorites and 24 follows!).
~MisteryMaiden~
P.S. Anyone want to take a guess at what house Harry will be in? Slytherin, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff or Gryffindor?