Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter; that world belongs to the lovely Ms. J.K Rowling. Thank you so much Ms. J.K. Rowling.
Warnings: Still standard from the previous chapters.
-Enjoy
Chapter 3: ...First Step...
My parents watched the passing scenery with more care than most residents would. The passing years did bring some change to the area. But I could not show my joy and excitement for seeing the outside world. If my mother found out about my captivity, it would just kill her. I would never protect my mother's sister out of any family loyalty. The Dursley's never treated me like family and I will return that same sentiment to them. I am a very firm believer in fair trade; what is given to me, I will give back equally.
My mom squeezed my hand again. I chanced a glance over to her side of the car. Her eyes were gazing lovingly at the scenery as the sun highlighted her face. Her pale skin took on a warm, light golden hue and her eyes glittered when the light caught her eyes properly. Her grace and love for me warmed my heart; it started to feel like this was how it had always been. I could imagine that this is how it had been all these years; my mother and father taking me around the world to see the sights. Just for a moment I could pretend that was my life, but it faded when I saw us approaching the road leading back to our home.
We were heading to the outskirts of London; as the distance increased the greenery did as well. Pasture lands became more abundant and the roads and people less so. We continued a ways until we came to a hidden left hand turn. Black wrought iron gates blocked the path for most civilians, but these gates signaled that we were home. Without having to do anything the gates opened for us.
Beyond the dark arches lay the last stretch of road, only now it was lined with tall maple oaks. The green leaves shown to be luscious in the summers sun; I was slightly suspicious that it was my mother. I glanced over towards her, she felt my eyes upon her and must have read my questioning glance. She apparently did not need to have to look into my eyes to understand my concern.
"No darling, I did not effect the trees. I believe that Marianne is up at the house, she always likes to create a paradise wherever she goes. Maybe she could tend to the gardens." She said this in a light tone and her smile was still present on her face, but I was not fooled. I made a quick glance to her eyes and found that my suspicions were true, she was not alright. I'm not sure what hurt more, the thought that she was sad and unable to use her glorious gift or the fact that she felt the need to lie about her pain. My heart hurt at the thought, but all I could do was squeeze her hand right back.
We passed the last edge of trees were it opened up to the clearing that served as the residence's driveway. The road finished with a wide roundabout that led directly to the entrance of the home.
The building was exactly like we left it, the stony surface of the grand building still held the enchanting qualities that any castle's walls holds. The windows, despite the modern use compared to the classic style of the building, blend beautifully to give our home its 'homey' feeling. But the outside will never compare with the effects of what the windows have on the inside.
The driver pulled the car under the stoney archway that covered the entrance. With one final squeeze my mother relinquished my hand so that we could exit the car. The second we left the car all of my insecurities bloomed inside me again. There was going to be a welcome party and I am dressed as if I were going to make a quick run to grab milk or something like that from the market. Even that analogy is pushing it given what my attire is like. There is also the big fact of my Gorgon abilities. My parent's families are immortal, but one of my father's friends is not immortal; I am not sure if I could handle the rejection of all of my family if my gift were to act up tonight.
I was actually seriously contemplating running back down the road, the trees looked more inviting then the 'what ifs' that lay before me. My foot made a slight movement backwards, I was just about to turn away when the solid arm of my father quickly wrapped around my shoulders.
This move on my father's part gave off the deceptive air of being caring and gentle; really it was harsh and painful. I was gripped tightly under his arm, crushed to his side as he moved towards the door.
"Aren't you excited to see everyone again Harry?" My father was trying to keep up the front of the loving father in front of my mother, but I was not fooled. I knew that my father was the new Uncle Vernon for me.
Fearing that a verbal answer would give away my true opinions on the matter, I chose to simply nod affirmatively.
My mother was ahead of my father and I so she naturally opened the door. What greeted us was unconcealed stares and many joyous smiles. My mother wasted no time in rushing forward to greet them. Despite all of the effort and training that was put into making my mother the proper lady that her status demanded of her, she always threw it out the window for family.
While my mother quickly rushed to hug as many people as she could my father guided me through the foyer and into the day room, towards one of its couches. The party really was not my scene, I was just here as a prop and so that people could coo over me. I knew my place and I calmly accepted the role that my father placed me in.
The room had not changed much over the years away. The walls in this room were painted a pale yellow, my mother chose the color because it would warm with the sun. The chosen furniture was therefore upholstered in golden colors. The patterns of the pieces varied slightly but the theme was to be of geometric patterns on the fabrics. I was placed upon the sofa that faced the east window. I calmly placed my hands in my lap and allowed my mind to be absorbed by the scenery.
While I was busy looking around I was momentarily surprised by the hand that quickly intruded my line of sight. Glancing carefully, I let my eyes travel up the arm toward the head of the body. Part of my training when I was younger was how to properly look at new people; status of my Gorgon abilities is common knowledge to the members of the Gryffindor area. In order for me to study new faces I have to start from the shoulder of the person and slowly travel to the neck. Once there my eyes ascend, always keeping to the outer edges of the face and continue the tracing of the edges in a circular motion until I make a complete circle of the face. I heard that it unnerved some people, but it is always better to be safe than sorry.
While I was continuing my assessment the voice of the stranger chuckled. Out of reflex my eyes sought the source of the sound and that was the very eyes of a very different looking Albus Dumbledore. Horrified with my break in protocol my eyes immediately looked away from Albus'. I could feel my father's eyes boring into my back and I knew that there would be a review of my 'training'.
"Harry, it is quite alright to look into my eyes. I have faith in you that nothing bad will happen. Why don't you look up, hmm?" Albus' voice sounded so reassuring. I wanted to look up, to be able to look into the eyes of the one that I am speaking to. For once setting aside my fears over what my father would do to me, I slowly looked up into the kind face of Albus Dumbledore.
His features had changed over the years. Before he had this eccentric long white beard with almost equally long hair. He wore bright colored shirts and ties with exotic socks no matter the occasion. He always claimed that the world needed to be brightened. I always thought of him as the grandfather I always wanted, he did not bow to the social conventions that we had imposed upon ourselves. I wanted to be just like him.
But now, he had changed into the thing I feared. His beard, though still snow white, was trimmed neatly and his hair was immaculately cut to a traditional men's style. His clothes were no longer the bright rainbow like style, but the standard black suit with modest colored shirt and tie. My hero was gone and I did not know if he was ever coming back.
"Ah, that's better. Your eyes are to brilliant to be hidden away young Harry. My! Look at you! You have grown up so much since I have last seen you! How have you been? How have the years treated you?"I studied Albus as he spoke. Despite the more subdued look he still expressed the large range of emotions that old Albus did. The large range of emotions that present company would frown upon. It brightened my day knowing this.
"It has been good. Being with my parents has been very nice, but I am just glad to be home." My answer was a calculated one. Everyone there believed I had gone on the extended trips with my parents. I was forced into the position of evading any discussion regarding the trips because it would give away the secret and show my little knowledge of the world.
"That is good to hear! You have been keeping up with your studies while you were away correct? I think I heard that you had home schooling along the way and you took all the standard tests. They are on file, I had to check before I could offer this proposition. I haven't yet spoken with your parents, but I think it is ultimately your decision." Albus actually looked a little flustered here. It was a bit frightening to see, yet a little endearing to witness.
Finally getting a hold of whatever was causing his slight distress he calmly looked at me. His gaze was very serious, so serious to the point where he had my sole attention. "Harry, I would like for you to finish your last year of schooling at Hogwarts."
"Absolutely not Albus, it's out of the question." I jumped a little hearing my father's voice from behind me. I turned my head slightly to look over the couch. He stood there with firm set shoulders and a stern face. My dad was not going to negotiate on this.
I looked over to Albus, he did not even seem fazed. In fact, it almost looked as if he was expecting this outcome.
"Ah, James! How are you my boy!" Albus just seemed to move on in the conversation with little prompting. But my father was not going to allow this maneuver. I did not need to look in his eyes, or more properly his face, to see this.
"He will not be attending that scho-"
"James! What's this I hear? Your not going to have your son, my godson mind you, attend the school that brought about our best childhood?" I knew that voice. I tilted my head to the right to see with my peripheral vision. It was indeed my godfather Sirius Black. When I was younger he would always take me out for ice cream, and then he would chase me around the parking lot. He claimed that it would "Burn off the sugar and the calories!" It always dissolved into me being tickled on the sidewalk with a looming, grinning Sirius. But I would not, no I could not, look into his eyes now. Despite knowing that he is immortal, I could not handle the same hate that my father shows me coming from him.
"Sirius, it would be...unwise to place him among mortal students. He does not have full control yet." My father was still remaining the cold being to his long time friend; it definitely was a sign that it was not up for negotiation.
"But James, I have a solution! I have heard around that Harry here is able to sense when his ability will surface. I have a special area that he can go to when that occurs; he would be able to leave his classes to do so. It will be quite safe with all the precautions I have set into place." Albus had reasserted himself into the conversation. I actually started to feel...excited to go. The prospect of making friends of my own age was...exhilarating! That is if they were not already prejudiced to my, condition.
"Albus, be reas-"
"I think Harry should go James." My head snapped to that voice of its own accord. My mother was standing next to Sirius and Remus to my surprise. She had a thoughtful look upon her face as she gazed at my father; I am not entirely sure what it was that was in her face, but my father's resolve was dwindling.
"I agree with Albus, Sirius, and Lily, James. Harry needs to make connections with his own peers. What would Will and Harold think?" Remus was acting as the buffer and placing the final touches on the argument. My father could not argue with that final point.
I could hear his jaw clench, the slight grinding of his back molars. "Thank you for the invitation Albus. He will then be attending Hogwarts this upcoming semester." My father quickly and politely ended the conversation and walked away. His anger though was still apparent; it was in the way his heals clicked across the floor. My father prides himself in his calm and elegant walk but this, strut, was far from that.
"Well there is my favorite godson! Come on Harry, come and give me a hug." I could not help my unintentional eye roll. But nonetheless I got up from my seat and moved quickly to embrace Sirius. The hug was no mere hug, it was a big bear hug in which Sirius lifted me clean off my feet. It was both uncomfortable and comfortable; the strength placed in the hug reassured me that I was still Harry, not a pariah.
"Let him go Sirius, I want a hug from my favorite little guy." Sirius huffed as he placed me down as if it was some great task of letting me go. I went over and quickly hugged Remus; this hug was much more subdued and left me able to breath.
I missed these two very much; and seeing them now so happy together just warmed my heart, however it is a dangerous game they play. I know that the two of them are in love; something about the way they respond to the other's needs with no words only solidifies that fact. But with one being immortal and the other's immortality held in the hands of his pack...it is risky. Sirius was born to the noble house of Black; very rich and very strong in abilities. However one thing the Black household holds above all else, is purity; purity of ability. They hunt down any who have the same ability as themselves, that ability had to be dominant in the person, and forced those people into marriages. It is ugly business when dealing with the Black family, that is why people pray that they never catch their eyes. The ability that the Black household covets above all else is the ability to bend shadows to their wills. Sometimes this manifests in small levels of power; the person would only be able to teleport through the shadows. But rumor has it that there have been much stronger beings in the line. The last being Cygnus; rumor has it that he was able to take any shadow no matter how big or small and could shape into anything. He could even make them into corporeal objects. It is said that he murdered the head of a rivaling family using his ability but no one could prove it.
The Black line covets its heirs and always keeps them close. Especially those who show considerable talent. Sirius is no Cygnus Black, but he is a force to be reckoned with. Sirius is able to teleport and he can also suffocate or smother things in shadows. The Black family was thrilled and they carefully sculpted Sirius to wield this gift. Sirius did not so much mind this, what he did mind was that they were going to force him to marry to produce more of the line. Sirius ran, he ran and sought asylum with the Potter line and he met the love of his life this way. Mr. Remus Lupin.
Remus Lupin grew up in the hardest circumstances known. He was born to one of the wolf clans. These clans' uniqueness is there ability to take on the forms of wolves at will. Some call them 'werewolves' but that is a common misconception. The werewolf was actually a human man bitten by one of the wolves of a clan. The man was forced to take on some of the features of the wolf and was left in this humanoid form for the short time that he was able to live. When the sun had risen the next day the man was already dead. The whole myth about a full moon only came about because the man was forced to transform on a full moon. The legend was born, but thankfully it was not allowed to grow into a reality. No further humans were infected and the wolf clans banned interaction between themselves and humans to prevent another incident.
These clans are run by a head, or alpha. That alpha controls the fates of all of its members, it is grotesque and it leads to many problems. At first the alpha's abused this ability to force pack members to do things for their alpha's in order to live. But when there became division of boundaries and leaders (the territories of England for example), there also came reform. Still, it is not uncommon to hear of abuse going on in those clans presently. Remus' ability to live is still in the hands of his alpha, Fenrir, and it leaves both himself and Sirius vulnerable.
But despite the odds against them they made it work for them.
My mom grabbed me before I could sit down again. I was about to protest but she shushed me with a finger to my lips.
"He actually is a little guy, my little baby boy. You are still short for your age! Heaven forbid that you should inherit my lack of tall genes." While my mother laughed with Sirius, Remus, and Albus I glowered.
"That's our little boy!" Shouted Sirius after a particularly loud laugh. I glared at them all before my eyes landed on my future headmaster.
I looked at Albus, he was smiling at me and I could not help my own smile that answered back to his own.
Things were starting to look upwards and I felt that I was taking a step forward to some future. But this was to be my future and I could now control it.
A/N: So here is the next installment. It has been a pleasure writing this. Please leave a comment. Till next time.
WMBE