A/N - Hello Readers, this is my climax (but defiantly not the middle of the story). Lily and James are not in this chapter because I couldn't find a way to write them in that didn't take away from the plot. Also Harry Speaks! Yeyeyyyyyy! I hope you all enjoy the chapter.
Disclaimer - I do not own Harry Potter.
Reviews
Carick of hunter moon, rachelsal, ibterismith50, Sara, CoolFanfictionLover, Guest, Dark Neko 4000, kakloverofbooks, Hylarts, Diddleymaz, J.L.M.S, elietkaterina, Please Read my stuff, Bsum1, The Dream Carrier, Tis-Is-Fussle14, pixy, guest, MSupernatural, Lupinesence, geetac, and All4TheBest
Favorites
Fa07, Shara Humes, geetac, mmweav, Tis-Is-Fussle14, highelfking, The Dream Carrier, traggically-me, Maximum James Black, Shadow Leaf Nin, mls8720, xxDignity, Kiprus, .Hetaila , PixTB, babybosn, Aliono, Ginny05 VINCATH, CoolFanfictionLover, WLMNA, allie1207, bhuvanabi, myaccount34, Dark Neko 4000, NightmareNiva, PuppyProngs, Treebrooke, sarahpotter42, Tsuarn, Shavena, Nemirel, Little Green Faerie Of Doom, LicaSchmidt, and Black Kat64
Alerts
Alpha909, Bookwoorm1985, Lupinesence, Shavena, geetac, , wisteria713, MSupernatural, Tis-Is-Fussle14, kamenraider, pixy, alexstauffer1019, lorrie1974 , kgriff626, Anonymous0786, Bsum1, Elizabeth Tudor of England, Gbstermite, MommyMayI, Please Read my stuff, The Dream Carrier, Biawhite, booba88, Alicia Mirza, Jessiexzx, Shadow Leaf Nin , charmedfanatic1, iblush , makumaki, riverlover , Crostos , Nwllms007, mls8720, xxDignity, AUnit01 poppabear11420, , and hlyarts babybosn, The Coruscant Veela, ChocoholiclikeLupin, Ceti H. Black, AUnit01, greenrose92, free-to-fly-2010, alegram, J.L.M.S, FairELF, Old Girl Lost, alieraroses, sarahpotter42, vivekgk3, waitinggamer, Artemis Goldborough, 10thWeasley, hazelcloak18592, fanfictiontwist, bhuvanabi, allie1207, WLMNA, Ehzzu, CoolFanfictionLover, Tsuarn, Nemirel, Zalz, megrye, hollycathers, Black Kat64, FlowerChildR, , Phantom of Silence, Artemis Teilor, Gemini no Vanou, i beat the dragon, ibterismith50, kera-girl-0-random-reader, marycaugh, stormy0626, and rachelsal.
EDIT: Dates changed moved forward one week. 3/20
Chapter 6:
Saint Mungo's, November 19th 1983, Early Morning, DD
Sirius Black was understandably exhausted. For a few weeks he had been spreading himself thin attempting to keep up appearances so James did not catch on to the side case he was running, running said side case, and attempting to keep up some normality at home. The last of which he was failing to do. Attempting to stretch out and yawn as he woke he stooped short when he felt a weight on his stomach. Looking down he saw the small boy curled up. The maternity and paternity test potions had to be brewed seeing as they were not kept on hand, and they were finished to the point blood was added the day before. The potion would take a few hours to finish completely and give results meaning they learned the boys name this afternoon. In the weeks Sirius had spent with the child he fought an inner battle with himself to not begin calling the child Harry. As time passed the boy's shaved head once again started growing hair at an alarming rate, probably due to some form of accidental magic, it was now so long that stood in all directions and refused to lay flat just like James's. His eyes so similar to Lily's Sirius found himself looking away from the woman's gaze on there customary Saturday night dinners to keep his resolve up. Mary had came to the same conclusion about the fact the boy had James's likeness but both kept their conclusion to themselves knowing it was impossible.
Harry died, both Mary and Sirius knew very well that Harry had died. They had been at his funeral watching as his coffin was layered. Sirius had been at the house that night when they realized what had happened. When they realized what Peter had done to them. Harry was gone and no matter how much this boy may resemble him meant nothing.
Knowing the boy was not Harry did not help the fact Sirius felt everything would be better if he was. Who ever gave raised this boy had no love for him. How could the world be so cruel to punish a family of love and affection and kill them, to break a family that way when other children were forced to live such a life as the boy in his arms had. He tried not to think that way either, a life was a life, and no matter how much it hurt to accept wishing Harry was back wasn't going to fix anything. In fact it would probably only worsen the situation. He carded a hand though the boys hair with a sigh as his thumb traced the scar.
The day before came flooding back.
Yesterday they attempted to find the origin of the curse scar. Attempted meaning that even the unspeakable who cast the spell, Derick Yaxley, had no idea what the origin was. The paper with the findings was pushed in Sirius's pocket and would be placed in the very thin file they had on the boy soon enough. After the spell Sirius planned on returning home, he was almost out of the room when the little kid, who had yet to say a word, began screaming bloody murder. His magic reacted quite powerfully as well throwing Healer Franklin, an older man who was one healers also working with the boy, across the room and into the adjacent wall injuring the mans shoulder in the process. The boy then reigned his magic back in with practiced precision and began to shake in fear of what Sirius believed to be retaliation. Soon Sirius was able to pull the boy in his arms and calm him back into a sleep like he had been doing for the past few weeks before he closed his eyes and fell asleep as well. Something he hand not planed. That thought led to another, Marlene would be right cross with him for not coming home last night. She was already slightly peeved at the amount of time the case was taking, even if she would never say so. He moved to lay the boy down on his cot making sure to tuck him in. He then practically sprinted from the room passing Petunia who worked in the spells division on the first floor, she laughed at his display.
"You are going to fall Black," She called after him getting the middle finger for her trouble as he tripped over a chair and cursed under his breath.
"Auror Black," Came a disembodied voice that he knew all to well.
"Madam Bones," He said pushing himself to his feet and addressing the head of the DMLE. Amelia Bones looked troubled as she stood there but Sirius made no comment.
"I see you haven't changed." Came the voice from Dumbledore who stood next to her.
"Never found reason too Headmaster," He said with a nod to the man.
"You are no longer a student Mr. Black, Albus please,"
"Auror Black, There is a problem with the case you are running."
"I... and what might that be," He asked.
"There was an abnormal magical event surrounding Number Four Privet Drive," Dumbledore began.
"I know, A boy apperated into the house where muggles lived." Sirius said his eyes falling on Amelia, there was a reason they were here. An abnormal event was not that.
"It was more than an apperation trace." Dumbledore said with a sad twinkle in his eye that Sirius had a hard time believing. Due to how he was raised Sirius never blindly took Dumbledore's words as law. He did not hate the man like his parents wanted him too, but he did not blindly follow like some did. He did not look at Dumbledore as a leader for the light, or anything else. He looked at Dumbledore as a politician. A good politician but a politician none the less.
"More," He asked turning to Madam Bones, despite his pointed question however it was Dumbledore who answered.
"The boy is from another dimension Mr. Black, we are here to send him home."
Black Cottage, November 19th 1983, Early Morning, DD
Marlene Black nee McKinnon was going to hex her husband something terrible when he finally decided to come home. She knew he most likely had fallen asleep at his desk, understandable, she really wasn't mad at him for that fact. She was mad because seeing as he never came home nor sent word he would not be coming home she spent the night running bad scenario after bad scenario not getting a moments rest until about five thirty when she passed out on the couch. Astraea woke up about thirty minutes later expecting to see her Daddy as she did every morning. When it was Marlene who got her the girl began to fuss. This left Marlene running on a half hour of sleep with an exceedingly fussy sixteen month old daughter who did nothing but cry for her father. Since her birth Astraea's mornings were routine to the letter. Every day the exact same thing happened, and like most sixteen month olds she did not like changes in that ever so perfect routine. Yes, Sirius was in for quite a few nasty hexes when he got home.
"Ria, eat for Mummy. It's Bananas, You only have two bites left." Marlene said making a noise of approval as she moved the spoon closer to her daughters mouth.
"NO!" Astraea said crossing her slightly pudgy arms and huffing.
"Astrea, it's not a question you need to eat. Two more bites for Mummy." Marlene said pushing the spoon closer.
"NO!" Astraea grabbed the spoon and flung the banana's to the floor as she protested.
"Astraea!" She said.
"Want Daddy," The girl said turning her head away from the incoming breakfast.
"Yeah me too, but he is working and he will be so sad if he comes home to see his baby hungry." Marlene said trying to get the girls head to turn. It worked like a charm and Marlene got the last big spoonful into the girls mouth. She moved to celebrate when the bananas were spit back at her. There was a knock at the front door that stopped the spew of less than child friendly words that almost came out of Marlene's mouth. Setting the food on the counter she turned and grabbed a towel whipping her face off as she walked to the door wondering who was calling at six thirty in the morning. She moved the towel down and grabbed her wand as she pulled the door open.
"Merlin Marley," Came the voice of Regulus Black as he dodged the hex from Marlene's wand. "Do you greet all of your guests with hexes," He said straightening out his clothes.
"Reggie!" She called throwing herself into the arms of the younger Black brother with a smile.
"Hello Marlene, Are you aware you have Banana mash in your hair?" He asked. Apparently she was not as she
"I thought you didn't come home for another week," She said.
"Plans changed. I wrote Sirius yesterday."
"Never mind, come in come in." Marlene said pulling the man into her home and though the hall to the kitchen.
"EG'IE!" (Reggie) Astraea called from her highchair.
"Good morning Astraea," Regulus said.
"Up I get, up I get." She called, Regulus looked over to Marlene to make sure it was alright if he picked her up. Annoyed at how long it was taking her Uncle to respond Astraea stood and jumped into her Uncle's arms with a laugh. Thankfully, due to his reflexes from playing seeker Regulus picked the girl up before she fell and harmed herself.
"Eg'ie, I miss you," (Reggie I missed you,) She said giving him a big hug.
"How is Sirius?"
"Surviving, there is new case that he is running solo. They are always hard but this one is worse than usual however." She said puling her hair to pull out the banana. Regulus summoned his wand from his wand holster and vanished the bananas. Marlene sighed and huffed laying back.
"Mary's new patient?" Regulus asked as he bounced Astraea on his hip.
"I think so," Marlene said as she spelled Astraea's highchair clean.
"From what she has written the boy was in bad shape." Regulus said as he moved to assist.
"Sirius said similar." Marlene agreed.
"Didn't make it home last night I take it," He said leveling the blonde before him with a trademark Black glare.
"What?" Marlene said pretending to be surprised.
"My brother, he didn't make it home, if he had you would still be asleep Marley, it is only six thirty." Regulus said.
"It's fine," Marlene said.
"No it's not."
"It wasn't purposeful."
"How do you know,"
"I know my husband."
"And I know my brother." Regulus said his voice lowered.
"Don't you dare." Marlene said her voice dropping to a growl. Regulus placed Astraea on the floor with a sigh.
"I don't want to see you hurt Marley." He said as he stood up.
"He would never hurt me Reggie. He has been lying to James for a month about the side case, running himself rapid with running the side case, and yesterday some big thing was happening with it. He probably just fell asleep."
"He wakes up at six every morning,"
"I am aware Regulus."
"Six am,"
"Lets talk about something else." Marlene said putting a kettle of tea on.
"Marlene,"
"We want to talk about something else don't we Astraea," She said picking the girl up and setting her on her hip giving her a slight tickle.
"Mummy no tickle Tay'ya" (Mummy no tickle Astraea) The girl chided as Marlene carried her into the living room where she moved to sit down on the couch.
"Using your daughter as a bargaining tool is low."
"Yes but it works," Marlene smiled. As seven approached Marlene found herself slipping in and out of consciousness. Regulus was sitting on the floor playing with Astraea as he kept a close eye on his sister-in-law who seemed half asleep. Probably because she did not sleep the night before.
"Marlene, I have to go up to Diagon Alley, Do you mind if I take Astraea with, give you a few hours to sleep." He said as he levitated a block to add to the tower.
"I couldn't ask you too Reg," Marlene said with a yawn.
"You aren't asking, I am. You are half asleep Marley."
"I'll be... fine..." She said with a few more yawns.
"Your right you will be fine after you get some sleep." He said with a smile watching the blondes eyes fluttered close.
"Mama Nappin'"
"Yes baby - girl, Mama's napping."
Saint Mungo's, November 19th 1983, Morning, DD
"He isn't going to take over the world, he is two years old!" Sirius said throwing his hands to the side finished with the entire conversation he had been having for the past hour. After all it was ridiculous and they were at the point were they just talked in circles.
"Even if he personally is not a danger the law is specific on treatment of dimension travelers." Dumbledore said the same twinkle that by this point Sirius wanted to wipe off his face.
"The law was written a thousand years ago when one man, and I repeat one man traveled here and began to destroy society. The law was written to neutralize threats." Sirius said for what seemed like the hundredth time.
"The fact he came here makes him a threat," Madam Bones said her voice only half there. Sirius rounded on her, though out the entire conversation the woman seemed like no more than an echo. Sirius knew by the way she was sitting that she did not agree with what Headmaster Dumbledore was saying yet she did not wish to go against it.
"No he isn't Madam Bones, he is a little boy."
"It is my understanding he recently hurt a healer who after being attacked needed medical attention. Despite his size Auror Black, he is still a threat and one that needs to be neutralized immediately. We will be sending him back." The twinkle in his eyes grew as he smiled, believing himself to have won the argument.
"May I speak to your accusation, I am sorry to say this Headmaster but you are mistaken. The boy did lash out against Healer Franklin, however, it was nothing that distraught children have not done before when they feel threatened, maybe slightly more powerful than one would except but nothing dangerous and or unrepresented. It was no more than accidental magic to protect himself." Mary explained from her seat behind her desk. Sirius was perched on one edge as Madam Bones and Headmaster Dumbledore sat in seats on the other side.
"Was the healer threatening him, if so then yes I must be mistaken Healer McDonald." Dumbledore said turning to face Mary.
"No Healer Franklin was not posing a physical threat," Mary explained.
"Then the fact stands," Dumbledore began.
"Headmaster, the boy did not attack unprovoked he was asleep and with his past probably beleived himself to be attacking against a night terror. Yesterday, as per protocol with foreign scars we called an Unspeakable to look at a scar on his forehead. Something I assure you is in his file, in doing so we put him though extreme discomfort before he went to sleep. Furthermore, Healer Franklin will be the first to tell you he did not follow protocols when approaching the boy." Mary continued to explain.
"He has his own sets of protocols?" Madam Bones asked turning to face Sirius.
"Yes Madam Bones, protocols that are used for his comfort and others safety." Sirius nodded.
"Comfort and safety?" Madam Bones echoed as a question
"When he came here he was abused. He is wary of others witch is part of the reason we make sure to approach him in a certain manner." Sirius explained.
"How abused?" Madam Bones asked.
"Very, In fact he would most likely be dead if it was not for his above average magical signature." Mary explained gaining the attention of both Dumbledore and Madam Bones, Sirius turned to Mary as well this being news to him. "He lost a lot of blood from the injuries he sustained but at the same time he was using is magic to begin to heal them, as well as fight off infections that were setting in. I have seen many of people sustain less injuries and not make it with out immediate medical help. Most of his injuries were weeks old. It is my professional." she said stressing the word. "opinion that sending the boy back to his own dimension would only place him back with his abusers and most likely be sending him to an early death as his magic will soon become unable to protect him any longer. It is my understanding that as a society we protect children." Mary said Sirius silently thanked Mary for learning Regulus's Slytherin tendencies. She backed Dumbledore and Amelia into a moral corner.
"We protect our own children Healer McDonald." Headmaster Dumbledore said, "sending him away will insure the protection of those children."
"Headmaster, have you seen the boy you deem a threat to magical society." Mary asked.
"Healer McDonald, I am sorry to say seeing the boy makes no difference. I am the Chief-Warlock of the Wizangamot and as such I must follow the law and the law states the boy must be returned home. Now, I have been here long enough, I am needed at Hogwarts, he will be returned home before the first of the new year. I bid you good day." Dumbledore said standing and moving to leave. Sirius, Mary and Amelia stood as well and bowed there head to the man as he walked from the room. The women sat back down as Sirius waited until he was sure the man was far enough.
"Damned manipulative politician. Must follow the law, he has the power to change any damn law he wishes." Sirius said kicking the desk hard in his anger as he began to walk to the edge of the room his back to the women.
"Sirius,"
"That was ridiculous and you both know it." He said before rounding back to face them. "That little kid is no Gaviner Kinnimonth, he is no crazy Knights of Walpurgis leader who brings about destruction. He is no agitator he is a little kid. But since he hopped dimensions you are going to kill him." He said his rant pointed at Madam Bones.
"Auror Black that is enough. Like you I believe that this child poses no threat to our society. Also I do not wish to send the child back to such a home as he came from nor do I ever wish to send any child into an abusive situation. To be truthful the entire situation leaves a bad taste in my mouth." Madam Bones said as her navy blue eyes collided with Sirius's gray in a unspoken challenge.
"Madam Bones if you disagree then why,"
"Because Healer McDonald my hands are tied. I do not wish to send the child back nor do I believe would the majority of people in the society. However, unless the rest of the Wizengamot agrees to allow him to stay the decision falls on the shoulders of the man who Auror Black so eloquently calls the damned manipulative politician."
"Will he be given trail." Mary asked.
"No it is not necessary for one to be given trial in such an offense. This will all most likely be dealt with quietly. I am sorry Auror Black, Healer McDonald but that is the reality of the situation." She said as she stood.
"Also Auror Black, this is no longer a case." She said standing, "I am sorry," she added as she left the room. A few minutes passed before Sirius stood and moved toward the door. Mary turned to face the elder Black brother one thought running across her mind. If the little boy she was healing was from another dimension then it was possible that he was a Harry. Merlin it was more than possible, if he was from a different dimension then there was no doubt in Mary's mind that he was Harry Potter.
"Don't, please Mary don't. I know exactly what you are going to say."
"We can't give up."
"I... Marlene will be cross with me, I have to leave." He said pushing out of the room. His eyes traveled to the exit first but he shook the thought out of his mind. He needed to do something, turning around he walked back into the room where the little boy was now awake and going though a staring contest with the high spirited Healer Franklin who was doing his best to make the kid grin to no avail.
"I would just grin at him bud. Makes him leave faster." He said ignoring the lump in his throat the boys head turned and his green eyes widened as he took in Sirius's face. The boy looked better than he had weeks before. There was color on his cheeks and he had been fed enough that he gained a bit of weight. Not much mind you but enough for the boy not to look like a walking skeleton. His face did not show any emotion as he watched him move into the room. As he stared with him with Lily's green eyes guarded against his presence as if he was going to harm him. As he looked at him with James's face set into a look of indifference as he tried to gauge the threats around him and how much of a threat they posed. James used to look that way when they planed a prank. It was a look of seriousness that Sirius originally found slightly odd on his friends usually smiling face. When the threat was himself he liked it less.
"Auror Black," Healer Franklin said standing up his voice sightly stressed as if he had said it more than once.
"Just Sirius, Can I have a few minutes." He asked the older gentleman.
"Yes Auror Black... I mean Sirius," the man said as he left the room. Sirius walked to the bed before he sat down at the end. Slowly he reached out to brush the boys growing hair back. The kid leaned in ever so slightly to the touch and Sirius sighed.
"Hey bud, I... I don't know if I am going to be seeing you anymore." He said staring at the wall above him. "It's time for you to go back home and..." A sigh left his lips sadly as he turned to pull the boys face into his hand his thumb running over his cheeks. Merlin the kid looked so much like James. "I lied buddy. I am not going to be able to keep you safe. I want too, but others don't want me too. I wish I could help but I am at a loss buddy." He said.
"Fweak go home?" The small boy said, it was his first words since Halloween his voice rough with not being used.
"What,"
"You send Fweak home, Fweak no wanna go home, Fweak sowy Fweak bad, Fweak be good now Fweak pwomise," the desperation in his tone broke Sirius heart even more. Despite inhibitions he pulled the boy tightly to his chest and covered him with his arms.
"You are not a freak bud, you are... You know what listen to me, you are not bad, you were never bad." Sirius said his arms tightening around the boys back slightly being careful of the recently healed scars.
"Fweak change, Fweak pwomise, Fweak talk now and, and not be so, so, so use-list." The little boy was now sobbing his head buried in Sirius's robes and clutched them with his hands.
"No, no bud, Don't change, look at me, never change. You are a sweet boy, you are not bad, and you definitely aren't useless. You are a good boy, such a good boy." Sirius said using his thumb to wipe the boys cheeks. Stray tears fell from his own eyes but he didn't really care.
"Fweak be better, Fweak pwomise, pwese no send Fweak way, Fweak pwomise." At the boys cry Sirius felt his resolve, his mental mantra that this was not his late godson came crashing down. He no longer even cared what Harry this was. This was Harry Potter, there was no denying the fact and Sirius knew him for weeks and did not do anything. Now he was loosing him again. It was a horrible feeling and all he thought think of was how damn sorry he was and how he f**ked everything up.
Healer Mary McDonald fingered the manila folder and pulled back the cover. Staring at her was the proof to all her crazy thoughts were not in fact that crazy.
Result of Paternity Test
James Charlus Potter
Result of Maternity Test
Lily Belle Potter nee Evans
She closed the folder quickly and closed her eyes as set her resolve. She was going to save Harry Potter. She didn't know how yet but she was going to save him.
A/N - There is the chapter, earlier than I expected. I hope you liked it. Please leave a review below. :) Will try to update as soon as possible.