Finally, A Happy Memory
There were just two more vials on the shelf, one of which had an accompanying letter. Harry picked it up with sigh and held it up to the light, trying to determine if it was a happy memory or not. The silvery substance was swirling ever so slowly in the vial, but it gave no hint of what it contained. There was nothing for it.
-XXX-
When the swirling stopped, Harry found himself standing next to Dumbledore on the lawns outside the castle. The sun was shining and there was not a cloud in the sky. This was the kind of day that Harry enjoyed, especially on a Saturday or Sunday. It was the perfect kind of day to relax. Indeed, there were students wandering around on the lawns, groups sitting under the shade of trees or swimming in the lake.
Albus walked slowly along with his hands behind his back. He didn't look as old as he did during Harry's time, and Harry didn't recognise any of the students around them, so he assumed that this was before Harry's time. They walked together, and Harry actually began to relax in the peacefulness of the day. A butterfly flew past Dumbledore straight through Harry, and he laughed.
He started to pay attention to the various groups of people as they walked past. There were several older students lazing on the lawns, chatting and laughing. There was a couple reading under the shade of a tree. A group of what looked like third years were daring each other to go into the Lake for a swim with the Giant Squid.
They walked past three boys sitting under a tree, and Dumbledore slowed his pace. At first Harry just glanced at them as he did everyone else, but he did a double take and stared. One boy looked a lot like Harry did when he was a boy of that age, and it was obviously his father. He had seen his father and the other Marauders in Snape's memories, but that felt like an age ago. The other boy Harry knew was Sirius, and the third was Lupin. James was sitting against the tree and he and Sirius were chatting and laughing loudly. Lupin was fiddling with the grass and didn't seem to be paying much attention. Sirius punched Lupin lightly on the arm.
"Hey Remus, Knut for your thoughts?"
"Sorry guys, I was listening. I was just thinking about this whole thing. Being at Hogwarts is brilliant. I'm just glad I could come." He looked around, and Harry could see a twinkle in his eye.
"Well, it's not like you weren't going to come. You're a wizard," snorted James.
Lupin's smile faded ever so slightly. "Yeah, of course I was going to come. What was I thinking? Anyway, what else did you guys do before you came here?"
Harry noted the quick change in topic. He remembered that Lupin's place at Hogwarts was not always something he took for granted. But Harry didn't hear the rest of the conversation because Dumbledore was a few strides ahead of Harry and he hurried to catch up.
Dumbledore stopped near the lake and sat down on a rock facing the water to watch the daring souls leaping about in the water close to the shore. Harry sat on the floor next to the rock and stared out. That's when he heard a familiar name.
"So, what do you think of Hogwarts, Lily?" came a voice from behind a clump of bushes. Harry peered over them to find Severus Snape and his mother sitting on the shore of the lake.
"This place is even better than I could have ever imagined," said the young Lily in excitement. Snape beamed.
"I told you it was special, didn't I?"
"It really is! But I still need to get used to magic being a part of everyday life. Like owl post. That is strange. And the pictures that move."
"I agree about the pictures. I have seen only maybe one or two pictures that move. My dad wouldn't let my mum keep any."
"And the staircases that move, and the suits of armour, and the ghosts, and everything. It's so different here," said Lily.
"I know. But Hogwarts is a million times better than being at home," said Snape quietly.
"I know Sev. Have you heard from your parents since you arrived?" asked Lily gently.
"I got a note from mum asking what house I'm in and if I arrived alright. Other than that, nothing. But I'm not expecting anything. Have you heard from your parents?"
"Yeah, mum and dad have been sending a letter just about every day, asking what it's like here. They send their love, by the way. They ask after you often."
"They do?" asked Severus, a smile creeping onto his face.
"Yeah, they like you. They were glad that you had told me about magic beforehand. I'm glad you did."
Severus didn't say anything, but quickly brushed away a tear that had escaped. Harry glanced back at Dumbledore who was sitting quite still on the rock, but there was a small smile playing on his lips and a twinkle in his eye that told Harry he had heard everything too. At that moment, the world began to evaporate around them.
-XXX-
The world came back into focus and Harry knew immediately where they were. In fact, he had been here in the last memory. The road in Godric's Hollow was quiet and, like the previous memory at Hogwarts, the sun was shining brightly, the birds twittering in the trees.
Dumbledore was walking briskly down the road towards the Potter's home, and Harry was almost running to keep up. Dumbledore slowed down as they passed the house that Harry recognised as the one Dumbledore had lived in. There was a wistful look in Dumbledore's eye but it was gone in a flash and they moved on down the road.
The house was perfectly intact and unblemished, and looked quite new, in fact. Dumbledore pushed through the small gate and went up to the front door and knocked. The door opened, and Lily Potter was standing in the doorway.
"Albus," she said, a smile brightening her face. "Glad you could make it." She hugged the old headmaster. "Come in, come in."
She stood aside and Dumbledore and Harry entered the house.
"Just go through to the living room. James is there with Harry. I'll get the tea."
"Thank you Lily. Do you need a hand?" asked Dumbledore politely.
"No, I'm alright, thanks."
Harry felt as though he was in a dream. He followed Dumbledore into the small living room. James was sitting on the floor playing with a baby Harry, who was running around in a nappy and giggling with glee. James stood, whisking Harry up into his arms.
"Albus, good to see you," he said, and the two men shook hands.
"Hello James. Thank you for inviting me to see Harry," said Dumbledore.
Harry, still in James' arms, reached out to Dumbledore. Dumbledore took a tiny hand in his own and shook it gently.
"Why, hello young man. You must be Harry then?"
The little boy stared at Dumbledore, entranced. He then turned his green eyes to his father and squealed again. James placed Harry on the floor and the two men sat down. Just then Lily brought in a tray with tea and cake.
The real Harry stood in the doorway, watching all of this. He was unashamedly crying. This was such an arbitrary moment in time, but Dumbledore had been kind enough to give him a glimpse of what his life had been when he had his parents, and there was no immediate fear of war or death or unhappiness. This was what a normal life would have been like. Harry's heart ached.
Baby Harry grabbed Dumbledore's cloak and pulled himself up so he was standing. He stood, holding onto Dumbledore's knees and stared with his wide green eyes at the man. Dumbledore smiled and tickled Harry's face with the end of his beard. Harry screeched with mirth and collapsed to the floor, giggling again. Lily gave Dumbledore and James a cup of tea.
"Thank you dear," said Dumbledore.
Harry waddled across to a big wooden box and tried to push the lid open. It was cute to see the boy straining to open the lid. James reached over and lifted it for him. The edge of the box was at Harry's eye level, and the little boy stood on his toes to try and see in. He obviously couldn't see, so he reached up and into the box and blindly fished around. James laughed and picked up Harry so that he could see inside. Harry pointed to something and James pulled out a miniature broomstick.
"Got him on the broom already James?" asked Dumbledore, smiling.
"Of course. I have to give him a head start. He has to be on the Quidditch team, don't you agree?" said James and he laughed. Harry grabbed the broomstick and struggled to get on, but when he was, he began zooming around the room. The broom wasn't fast at all, but it was perfect for the tot. Dumbledore watched Harry for a moment.
"Well, he certainly has inherited the talent from his father. He seems a natural."
"Oh he is. Harry is so much like James it's uncanny," said Lily, sipping tea.
"He will have to try out for the Quidditch team when he gets to Hogwarts."
"If he wants to, that is," said Lily, eying James. "He doesn't have to play if he doesn't want to. We aren't going to force him. I just want him to be happy, that's all."
The adults were silent for a moment as they watched Harry enjoying himself on the broom. The memory faded out, and Harry found himself back in the office. He stared at the Pensieve for a long time, wishing he could return to the happy time. He picked up the letter and began to read.
Harry
This is the final memory, and I thought, after showing you some terrible things, that I would give you something happy to experience. The first part was in your parents first year. Things were very different back then, and I wanted you to see them as they were when life was still relatively innocent for them and they were carefree.
As for the second part, I know that you have never seen or experienced what your life was before you lost your parents. That was just a few months before they were killed. They had sent me a letter inviting me for tea and to meet you for the first time. As I believe it, you had only recently learnt to walk, but you were already flying that broom that James had bought you. I wanted you to see that your parents were happy together and loved each other and you very much. The only thing they really wanted for you was to be happy.
AD
A/N: To my loyal followers and everyone who has been waiting for this last instalment, I have to extend my sincerest apologies. I haven't written in a long time, and I have been neglecting all of my incomplete works. I would make some excuse or other as to why I have done this, but honestly I have none. So all that is left for me to do is apologise once more. I do hope you enjoy this and the final chapter, and I would appreciate reviews.
