Living Again

Summary: 20 years after the fall of Voldemort, something extraordinary happens. Nymphadora and Remus Lupin, Sirius Black, and Lily and James Potter return to life. Can they catch up with what they missed in the years since they died? And can they help Harry to move on from the death of his daughter? Non-Epilogue compliant. Set in a parallel world to my other fic Heiress of Slytherin.

Rating: T for potential language and violence.

Chapter 3: The Ministry

-------

Patrick Nielson stood with Minister Shacklebolt and a small contingent of junior aurors in the ministry atrium. Harry Potter was to arrive any minute now, and everyone was nervous. Patrick had started his career as an apprentice to Potter. He had respected the man greatly. The changes he brought both as the head of the auror department and in other areas of the ministry were revolutionary. It had therefore come as a great shock when his mentor was discovered standing over the body of his second in command and long time friend Ronald Weasley. The body had been mutilated almost past recognition, and Rita Skeeter was discovered similarly a few days later. That combined with the fact that he had knowingly adopted the daughter of the Dark Lord Voldemort had struck fear into the hearts of even those who knew him. The trial had gone on for months. The Weasleys had demanded that he be sent to Azkaban for his crimes and the people agreed. Not even Harry Potter could escape justice for murder. However, Minister Shacklebolt had stepped in before the verdict and demanded that he be granted a psychological evaluation. The mind healers had found him to be criminally insane and demanded that he be given treatment at St. Mungos. Minister Shacklebolt had agreed with the healers, and Harry had been sentenced to remain in St. Mungos until such time as he could be deemed fit to reenter society. He had been there now for nine years, and there was still little sign of improvement to his condition.

The junior aurors jumped as a pop sounded through the atrium. They relaxed again as they saw who was in front of them. The young man had a pale, heart shaped face. His hair was close cut and sandy brown. Caramel eyes sparkled merrily as he surveyed the people in front of him. "Juniors, huh? Think you've got enough of 'em Kings?" the young man questioned grinning broadly.

A smile formed on the minister's face as he looked towards the young man in question. "Don't underestimate them Ted. They may be young, but they do their job well enough," looking towards the juniors, he added, his grin broadening, "even if they are a bit jumpy."

Ted chuckled lightly. "It's great to see you Kings. It's been a long time."

"Too long," the minister replied.

Ted's smiled faltered a bit, "Yeah. Well, I've been busy. When is Harry getting here?"

"He should be here shortly. Then we'll be heading to the holding rooms."

"Straight there?" Ted inquired a frown forming on his face, "Does Harry even know what's going on? Shouldn't he be briefed first instead of just springing it all on him?"

"We didn't want to risk him having to leave before he'd even seen them. This isn't going to be an easy day. We're counting on the shock of it to help him keep his head long enough to determine if they really are who they appear to be. And of course, your presence should help as well."

"I hope so," said Ted, "But you know how unpredictable Harry can be."

Before the minister could reply seven people appeared in front of them. Kingsley frowned as he took in the scene. Harry was obviously heavily drugged and currently was being supported by three of the healers. "What is this," he asked turning to Healer Ohura, "I told you we needed him to be coherent."

"He will be," the woman replied, "Regulation stipulates that I had to sedate him for transit, but I will give him the antidote when we get where we're going. After that, coherency will be entirely up to Mr. Potter."

Kingsley sighed, "Very well. This way then."

The group walked in silence to the holding cells. Heads turned and watched them curiously as they passed. The press was held at bay by the contingent of junior aurors who surrounded the rest of the party as they walked. When they'd reached their destination, Kingsley turned to the healer again, "We're here. Give him the antidote."

Healer Ohura reached into her pocket and removed a vial. Stepping over to Harry, she helped him drink, "It should take effect pretty quickly."

Harry moaned as he slowly ascended out of his drugged haze. Blinking he looked around a frown forming on his face. When he saw Ted however, he smiled, "Ted? Wha's goin' on?"

"Wotcher, Harry," Ted replied smiling softly at his godfather, "Something extraordinary has happened. That's what's going on."

"Estro-wha," Harry asked shaking his head, still fighting off the haze.

Ted looked to Kingsley, "I'm telling him something before you take him in there," he commanded. Softening again, he turned back to Harry, "Yesterday. Something happened. We're not sure what yet, but when it ended…well, some people appeared…suddenly… People who were dead," he said carefully.

Harry's eyes widened as he took in the information he was being given, "My baby?" he questioned, hope gleaming in his dull green eyes.

"No," Ted replied, "It…it isn't Lily." It hurt him to watch as the hope drained from Harry's eyes.

"Who then," Harry asked dejectedly.

"My parents…and yours…and Sirius Black," at each name, amazement washed over his godfather's face, but only briefly before his expression turned to one of disbelief.

"Is this some sort of joke?" he growled, "It isn't funny. Why are you doing this? It's not funny. It's not funny. It's not funny," he trailed off holding his head in his hands.

"I know it's hard to believe, but they really are here, Harry, right in the next room.

"NO! " Harry spat, his face contorting menacingly, his fists clenched at his sides, "I don't believe it! You're lying! Why are you lying?!"

"Harry, please calm down," Kingsley stepped in hesitantly, "I know that this is difficult to accept….Just follow me. See for yourself. We aren't certain that they are who they appear to be. You're right on that. That's why you're here. We need you to help us. We need you to tell us who they are…or at least, who they are not."

"Why should I?" Harry asked, "Why should I do anything for any of you?"

"Please, Harry," Ted whispered, "If not for them, then would you do it for me? Those people could be my parents Harry. Don't you think I have a right to know?"

Harry took in the look of desperation on his godson's face. The voices in his head screamed at him the insanity of the situation, for once actually agreeing on something.

"It isn't possible," one of them shrieked in outrage, "Everyone knows that the dead can't be brought back to life! Honestly! Just how stupid do they really think we are?"

"Those bloody, filthy, manipulating bastards! They really think we're THAT dense don't they! Hah," the other shouted, "I say we give them a piece of our minds. That's what I say. Kill one of them off and see if they can miraculously spring back from the dead. That'd teach 'em!"

Harry groaned, shaking his head, and sinking to the floor. What should he do? Should he listen to the voices? Should he refuse to help? He looked up once more noting again the desperation on his godson's face. Sighing dejectedly, he said quietly, tears of frustration streaming down his cheeks, "Alright………I'll help."

The group surrounding him let out a collective sigh of relief.

-------

AN: Hah! Fooled you again……I'm sorry. Really I am. Every time I think it's time for Harry to meet the little group of miracles, I change my mind. Next chapter, though, that should be quite impossible. He's agreed to do it, and he's standing outside their cell. Lol. The only thing that could stop him now was if he had the sudden urge to listen to voice number 2, and fortunately, he doesn't do that as often with Ted around to ground him. Have you figured out Harry's basis for the voices in his head yet? Free virtual cookies to the first to figure them out. I tried to provide a bit more of the back story in this chapter, and I hope that it made things clearer for those of you who were confused by the little discussion in Harry's head last chapter. The reason's are still subtle, but hopefully, it's easier to pick out, and if not, don't worry. I have a scene coming up in a later chapter when Ted explains things to the miracle group. In other news, I've created a Yahoo Group for this story. It is the homepage link on my profile. I hope to see you all there. I would love to discuss this with all of you. I hope you enjoyed, and as always, reviews are much appreciated. ^_^