Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter; just some of the merchandise (books, collectors movie cards).
Summery: Lily and James are alive and have believed they're son, Harry dead. What happens when they learn they've been lied to, and Harry is alive?
Life Changed Year 3
School Starts
Slowly Harry came to consciousness. He was being shaken awake by someone; opening his eyes he stared at the blurry figure of his father who stood over him.
"Time to get up," James reminded Harry, who nodded his understanding and sat up. James moved to Jamie, who was still soundly asleep and snoring loudly. It had taken a while for Harry to relax around his new family. He still hadn't completely relaxed, but things were better now. There were still many awkward moments but slowly they were diminishing in number. "Jamie, get up before I get the cold water," their father warned. Harry smiled; Jamie was difficult to wake up and sometimes, rarely, but sometimes they would have to use ice or cold water to wake him. Then that led to him being angry for a few hours. Harry really found it funny because Ron was the same way. He never wanted to get up in the mornings.
Sliding off the bed and letting his feet hit the floor he went to the dresser and gathered his clothes for the day then went to the bathroom. He knew from his time here that it was difficult to get the bathroom to himself for more then ten minutes at a time, and it would be especially difficult this morning because everyone was starting school, so he settled for just washing his face and running his fingers (still wet from washing his face) through his hair to try and take some of the mess out of it. After quickly dressing he opened the bathroom door and jumped back in surprise.
Matt was standing there and looked as though he'd been about ready to knock on the door when Harry had opened it because his hand was raised.
Matt smiled looking embarrassed. "Sorry," he mumbled sleepily. "You done?"
"Yeah, it's all yours so long as no one bothers you."
Matt snorted. "Yeah, like that's going to happen," and he walked around Harry and shut the bathroom door.
Harry entered the room he shared with Jamie and found his brother looking a little more alert.
"Hey," Jamie said as he noticed him enter the room.
"Morning."
"Your too cheerful in the mornings." Harry snorted.
"I am not cheerful; I'm just not still half asleep."
"Same difference." Harry snorted again and shook his head. He watched as Jamie stood and gathered his own clothes.
"Matt's in the bathroom," he informed his younger brother before he could leave the room.
Jamie groaned. "I'm gonna change in the closet then."
After double checking to make sure he had everything he would need packed he sat on his bed.
"Have you seen Levi?" Harry asked after looking around for his dog. He'd decided on the name after reading it in one of the books Terri had.
"No," Jamie's muffled voice came from behind the closet door.
He loved Levi and was glad to have him. He was a very sweet dog with a good temperament. And he loved to play. He didn't want to go to school without Levi; he'd miss him.
Standing up he grabbed his trunk and dragged it outside. 'Might as well get it down the stairs,' he thought.
"Levi," he called as he reached the down stairs. The patter of large paws came from the kitchen. He smiled, 'She may be small, but she definitely has big feet,' he thought amusedly. A moment later she emerged through the doorway and ran into him jumping up on his leg. "Hey, girl," he knelt down and petted her.
"Harry?" A voice came from behind him; it was Terri with Boots in her arms. 'Boots' was the name of the kitten she had gotten. The name came from a few days after their trip to Dragon Block when Terri's new kitten went missing and they had to search for him. They found him in Matt's room tucked away inside one of his cowboy boots. Their father had suggested the name and it stuck.
"Yeah," Harry stood to face her. She seemed nervous about something.
"Do you think things are going to go okay at school?"
"Yeah, I do." He answered, sounding more sure then he was. He himself was nervous about the upcoming year. How would his friends react? How would the rest of the students at Hogwarts react? Would everyone be okay with it? Would everyone ask questions?
Terri didn't answer but smiled. Harry could tell she was more relieved. He didn't know how he knew; he just did. He guessed it had to do with being twins.
He and Terri entered the dining room where Corbin and Matt were already eating.
"Morning!" Corbin said around a mouthful of toast and jelly.
"Morning," Terri and Harry answered in unison as they sat down and began their breakfast.
Their mothers voice came from the kitchen. "You have twenty minutes until we need to floo to England!"
"Jamie hasn't had breakfast," Matt called into the kitchen.
Lily poked her head into the doorway and sighed. "I guess I'll have to pack something then." She knew that Jamie took forever to get ready and would not be able to get breakfast at the table if he wasn't already there.
Twenty minutes later found the Potter family gathered in the living room. Matt, Terri and Harry all had their trunks in their hands.
Lily and Corbin flooed first. Jamie second. Matt third. Harry watched as each of them flooed. He wasn't too eager to step into the fireplace. He didn't like the sensation of flooing at all. It might be better if he could keep his balance when he was thrown out of the grate – but then again it might not.
He looked down as he felt something jump up on him. It was Levi. Kneeling down he hugged him. "I'll see you later," He whispered. He doubted Levi understood him but it made him feel better to tell the dog this. "Behave." Standing up he watched as Terri flooed.
"We'll keep an eye on him, okay," his father's voice broke through his thoughts. James knew Harry didn't want to leave Levi but dogs weren't on this list of animals allowed at Hogwarts unless there were special circumstances; for example if the dog were a helper dog.
"Okay," Harry answered sadly glancing at Levi again before flooing to the Leaky Cauldron.
Harry closed his eyes as he felt the spinning sensation that made him feel queasy; he wished he hadn't already eaten breakfast. Finally he felt himself pushed out of the fire grate and opened his eyes in surprise. He would have fallen to the ground had someone not stabled him. Looking up he saw it was Matt and he smiled embarrassed and mumbled his thanks.
"No problem," Matt said with a knowing smile. A green flash came from behind them and their father stepped gracefully out of the fireplace. Harry's blush deepened and he was thankful when no one seemed to notice.
"Is everyone here?" Lily asked a she counted heads. Nodding she told them to follow her. They left the Leakey Cauldron and got into two cabs. Lily, Corbin, Jamie and Matt got in the first and James, Harry and Terri in the second. The drive to Kings Cross station took about thirty minutes in the traffic. Harry was surprised when his siblings didn't have too much of a reaction to having to go through a brick wall in order to enter Platform 9 ¾; but he guessed it had to do with the fact that they had grown up around things like that, even though they hadn't lived in the Wizarding world all they're lives. They had mentioned of a few places in America where there parents would take them that were prominently Wizarding.
The train station was already packed with people. Harry silently hoped no one recognized him or his family, but he knew that was unlikely. He was proven right when some people began to stare, some began to whisper and others outright gaped at them. Harry noted Matt, Terri, Jamie and Corbin all seemed to feel as out of place as he did; but their parents took it in stride as they made their way the Hogwarts Express.
Climbing on the train they quickly located an empty cabin and James lifted their trunks into the overhead compartments.
"Have a good trip." Lily said as she hugged Matt. "I want you all to write us when you get to the school tonight and at least once a week. It's too far for an owl to travel so just give the letters to Headmaster Dumbledore."
"We will, Mom," Matt answered as she released him and pulled Terri into a hug. James pulled Matt into a hug before pulling Harry to him and hugging him.
"Don't worry about Levi," James said softly with a sympathetic smile. "We'll take care of him and I'll be sure to update you on how he is in every letter."
"Thanks," Harry said smiling gratefully. Lily pulled him into a hug before pulling away and kissing him on the head. Harry was kind of glad they hadn't run into his friends yet. He had no problem with them seeing him hug his parents, but being kissed in front of them was different somehow.
"Can we wait outside? I want to see if the Weasley's are here yet," Harry asked after a moment. "They'll want to meet you." His father had already told him how the Wizarding world was aware of they're being alive and if his friends knew he knew they would want to meet them.
"Sure." James said as they all left the train compartment.
It didn't take long to spot a group of red heads that were undoubtedly the Weasley's.
"There they are," Harry said as he pointed in the direction where the Weasley's were.
"Well, let's head over there then," said Lily.
The Weasley's must have been looking for them as well because it didn't take them long to locate the Potter's coming toward them. Harry noticed that Hermione was also with them.
The whole situation seemed very awkward as everyone stood there. Harry decided that he needed to make the first move.
"Um… This is Matt, Terri, Jamie and Corbin." He introduced. That seemed to be enough to get everyone out of they're stupor as Mrs. Weasley immediately introduced her family. Harry smiled as Arthur began asking his parents about they're life in the Muggle world. Molly took the importunately to come and give him a hug.
"How are you, Harry?" She asked after releasing him.
Harry smiled. "I'm doing well, Mrs. Weasley."
"I'm glad… though this comes as a rather large shock."
"I know; it did for me too."
"Well, I'm glad to see that your doing well."
The whistle on the Hogwarts Express decided at that time to announce the time to load the train. Everyone quickly – and awkwardly – said goodbye. Harry could tell his parents weren't too thrilled by letting them go.
Ron and Hermione followed Harry and his siblings into the compartment. The train ride was spent rather awkwardly. Ron returned Hedwig to Harry.
They arrived at the school several hours later when the sun had already fallen. Professor McGonagall met them as they got off the train.
"Hello, Mr. Potter," She said looking directly at Harry.
"Hello, Professor." Harry said politely. She turned to Matt and Terri.
"You two are to be sorted after the first years. Follow me." She turned on her heel.
"Good luck." Harry said to Matt and Terri before they were too far out of reach. Terri smiled appreciatively.
Harry sat nervously at Gryffindor table.
"Why are you so nervous?" Hermione asked her eyes dancing in amusement.
"Because he doesn't want his brother or sister in Slytherin." Ron spoke up.
"I don't care if they end up in Slytherin." Harry spoke up giving Ron a look.
"Why not!" Ron asked in surprise. "Surely you don't want them in Slytherin!"
"I don't care if they are in Slytherin." Harry repeated calmly. "It's so stupid how everyone is so obsessed with the different houses. Surely a hat can't decide what a person is going to be like through they're school years here. People change; especially teenagers. Someone may be better suited for one house and then a few years later be better in another."
Ron started again but Hermione spoke up before he could continue.
"He's right Ron. People change, and the qualities in people change." Ron huffed but didn't say anymore.
"Ron, remember how I told you that hat wanted to put me in Slytherin? Do you think I'd be better off in Slytherin right now?"
Ron begrudgingly answered with a no.
Dumbledore picked that time to stand up and announce the sorting. Five first years ended up in Slytherin. Two in Ravenclaw. Four in Gryffindor and one in Hufflepuff. Finally Dumbledore stood again.
"Welcome, first years, to your new houses. Now as you all know, we have two new transfer students. I know you have all been informed that Lily and James Potter are in fact alive. Potter, Mathew… please take a seat on the stool."
Whispers broke out as Matt slowly stepped onto the stage and took his seat. Harry could see he was nervous but he was hiding it well. The sorting hat wasn't on his head two minutes before it yelled out.
"Gryffindor!"
The Gryffindor house applauded excitedly; some even stood from they're seats. Matt made his way to Gryffindor table and sat next to Harry. Dumbledore again brought the attention back to him.
"Potter, Terrance." He called and watched as Terri climbed onto the stage and took her seat. Everyone in the Great Hall seemed to be holding their breath in anticipation.
"Slytherin!" The sorting hat finally called.
Everyone was in a stunned silence. No one knew what to say. They had expected Harry's twin to end up in Gryffindor, or at least Ravenclaw or Hufflepuff. But not Slytherin.
Harry could actually feel her nervousness it was so strong. She glanced at him before making her way to the Slytherin table reluctantly.
"Congratulations Gryffindor and Slytherin on your new members." Dumbledore said after Terri had sat down near the end of the table. "Onto other business, we have a new addition to out staff as you have most likely noticed. I want you to welcome Professor Remus Lupin as our new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor." Most student's clapped in welcome.
"I think I know who he is," Matt whispered to Harry.
"How?"
"Mom and Dad used to have a friend named Remus Lupin." Harry raised his eyebrows in surprise but didn't say anything.
Dumbledore sat down and food appeared on the plates.
Harry found himself unable to eat. He was too distracted by Terri. He could still feel how uncomfortable she was.
"You okay?" Hermione asked.
"Not really." He answered and at every one's look he elaborated. "Terri's really uncomfortable over there."
"Well," Matt began. "Why don't we just join her?" He asked raising an eyebrow.
"Is that even allowed?" asked Harry.
"We'll see," he said as he stood up and Harry followed him.
"See you in the tower," Harry said to Ron, Hermione, Ginny, Fred and George before following Matt.
Harry was very aware of the eyes following him and his older brother over to the Slytherin table but he ignored them.
"What are you doing over here, Gryffindork?" One of the Slytherin's asked as they made they're way to Terri and sat on either side of her. Everyone had stopped eating and were watching intently.
"You can sit here!" Draco Malfoy hissed.
"Oh, well. We're sitting here." Matt answered without batting an eye.
Malfoy growled and stood up before stalking up to the teachers table and to his head of house, Professor Severus Snape.
"They can't sit there, can they! It's got to be against some rule!"
Before Snape could answer Dumbledore stepped in from his place at the table.
"There are no rules against sitting at a table not to your house." He said, eyes twinkling brightly.
Malfoy sneered in displeasure before stalking back toward his respective table and sitting down.
Terri smiled brightly. "Thanks!" She said reaching around and hugging both her brothers.
End of Chapter Eight
A/N: I am terrible sorry for the long wait! There is really no excuse other then I've been really busy. I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Please review!
Post Author's note: I have started a fan fiction recomendation site. If you have any favorite fan fiction e-mail it to me and I will add it. It's called 'Padfoot's Fav.' The link to it, and my Yahoo group is on my bio page.
Thank you to everyone who has reviewed! I will try to get the next chapter out sooner!
Regards,
RaiseYourVoice